Some Things Never Change

I have just spent the last 2 hours...roughly.. looking at all of my tagged photos on Facebook. HOLY GEEZE. Are you kidding me? No wonder I never got asked out. Gross. Here is a list of things that haven't changed at all- over the course of many years...

1. If I don't have a tan- I look really scary gross. My gosh- like for real I didnt know it was that bad- but it is. Thankfully- I have access to spray tans now!
2. I will never ever ever cut my hair above my shoulder blades EVER again. Ohh. Fat cheeks and short hair don't mix.
3. Blonde is not my best look. Eeek.
4. One of three things is going to mess up my pictures: my eyes, my neck, or my posture in general. My eyes are always squinted ( I guess because my smile is SO freaking large), me neck is always bent at the wrong angle- and clearly I dont know how to stand up or sit down in pics.
5. My smile is always huge- sometimes too big. Scary big. I knew I had big teeth- but my gums are just huge. 
6. I am pretty dramatic in most of my action shots- like overly dramatic.

Its hard to believe Facebook was invented in my day. Spring of 2005. I will never forget it. UGA got it before us and there were rumors going around that thing new website was so awesome it was making students skip class. What kind of website is this we thought? We finally got it- about a month later- and I can tell you I never skipped class- but I dang sure spent HOURS on this site adding errrybody and they brother. Joining every group possible. It was madness. 

I have changed so much. My weight has changed the most- good grief. Yikes- that workout plan has to be stepped up so I don't go back to where I have been.I can't believe the girl in these pictures is who I was so long ago. 

I am reminded that when I look back on these memories- my heart is full of joy. It doesnt matter how pasty white you might be- it doesnt matter that your smile blocks out everyone else in the picture- it certainly doesnt matter what length my hair is- and most importantly it doesnt matter what clothes were in style (because I am convinced I had the worst style in college and right when I got my job)- what matters is who you surround yourself with. I have untagged many a photo- from the all endearing photos of me and exes- from the photos that are really really awful- to the ones that no one really needs to see. Memories. 

I am grateful for seasons. I have written about this before - but I am grateful to look back on my seasons and be reminded that some things don't have to change. 

I love ...Part Deux

I hope you came back to hear about the second part of the love story. Maybe it will be as cool as the first one. Maybe you thought the first one wasn't that great. Oh well, here goes...

So, that Saturday, after he woke up from his zombie shift, he called and asked if I wanted to hang out with him that night. This dude meant business. Never have I ever been on 2 back to back dates with the same guy in one weekend. Just who did he think he was? Obviously, Mr. Right. What did I have to lose? Ok, sure I will come hang out with you at your house- I clearly don't have any other social life going on to keep me from participating.

He gave me directions to his house and I set out on my "omgihavetolookprettybutnotlikeiamtrying" outfit. A cute bright top and bright blue shorts. All the while thinking I was going to be sick to my stomach because I was nervous. Nervous that was it ok for me to be doing this? This dating and hanging out thing? Was I ready? Had my broken heart really had time to heal or was I just going through the motions? No, I know my heart had healed. I had washed my hands of everything and moved on. Yes, this is ok Rachel- its just hanging out with some super hot guy, nothing but hanging out. I drove over- called him because his road wasn't showing up on my GPS- and he said "haha- you just passed it" as I drove by.

Embarrassing moment #1. So I finally turn around after I made sure that the redness was gone in my face. Such a cute house. A craftsman style house. Funny, because that is what I have had my heart on buying or building or making a house into if I had to remodel one I bought. House- check. We made small talk and he gave me a tour of the house. First stop- the shed.

Filled with oodles and oodles of man things- like tools and gardening stuff- and motorcycles- and lawn mowers and pressure washers. It reminded me of my deddy's shop. I asked him if he knew how to use any of the power tools and he said "yeah, I built this shed." Come again? He has tools and actually knows how to use them? Shed- check. Maybe he was a manly man- interesting.

The house tour picked back up inside. We toured the guest rooms, not much going on there at all- a bed a tv- guess thats what guys do for decor. Moving on..Is it just me or is this guy a neat freak? Everything had its own place- the bathroom was clean- the living room was clean- the kitchen was even cleaner. Then the Master Bedroom. Neatly organized. Then I saw it. In the bathroom. I think my heart skipped a beat. All neatly arranged on the counter top. A Sonicare. Is this real life God? (In case you don't know- teeth- a good looking grill- and all the pieces in tact and white are my #1 must have. I had settled for this with so many exes)- and here this guy was brushing with a Sonicare. Oh Good dental care- CHECK.

He asked me if I wanted something to drink. Into the kitchen we went. He opened the frige- and the radar was zoning in. A quick scan told me either he was still living like he was in college (broke and cheap) or that he was never home to eat. I picked the latter. Then- there it was. Like a spotlight came on- Organic. Fat. Free. Milk. I caught myself smirking in God's direction thinking, are you trying to play games with me? Don't do this to me.

Seriously- the night could have ended right there and I would have been as happy as could be. House. Tool Shed. Toothbrush. Organic Milk. I am pretty sure this guy was designed specifically for me- and I didn't even know I had asked for him.

We talked- and talked. For hours. And I literally mean hours. I kept thinking I was going to wake up from this dream- that some cute guy was 1) interested in me 2) talked as much as I did and 3) actually wanted to just sit around and talk about life- but it was REAL. Really real.

We went to Kroger to buy stuff for dinner. At this point I was freaking out because I didn't know if it was ok for people to see us together. And then I thought, what the heck- I don't care who sees us together- I want them to see us together. (keep in mind this is DATE 2 people) We did see people in there that I knew- 2 sets of married friends I have- and I had to introduce him and he took it like a champ. Talked it up and it was amazing. Who is this guy? I kept thinking candid camera was going to jump out and tell me this was all a joke. It never happened.

We got our salad and fruit (ps he is a healthy eater, be still my heart) and headed back to his house. From this point- I can't put into words for you the excitement, the happiness, and the all out perfection of how this night went. We continued to talk- and talk- and I am pretty sure I even cried at one point. He never got up or looked at me weird- we just had the most open, honest, and direct conversation I have ever had in my life. For hours on end. It lasted until extremeeeeelllllyyyyy late in the morning, you would be better off to say the next day. I finally looked at the clock and felt like Cinderella- I needed to get my booty out of there ASAP. Who does this on the second date Rachel!?

So, hurredly I left- kicking myself because of what time it was- and the whole time home- thinking- that was the best night I have ever had in my life. You know why? Because I am good at one thing- and one thing only- talking. And this guy kept up with me- even had me silent at some points. Huh?

So- to make a long story even longer, we both went to our respected churches, and texted that afternoon. My friends took me to lunch and made a direct point to call me out on why I was so happy and acting weird. They noticed. I tried to hide it- but I wound up keeping them in a parking lot for an hour just gushing about this guy- that they knew- and called him Abercrombie.

I went to another married friend's house and clearly they saw it too. So I had to tell the story again. I didnt mind. Then he texted and asked if I wanted to meet his parents that night. Um, its Day 3? And all the while my friends said I had to go. So, into their bathroom I went and tried to look presentable with the help of her makeup and his advice! What did I have to lose? All in Rachel.

So, I later met his parents that night. No awkwardness. The whole time he was right beside me and really wanted to be next to me. He wanted to show me off. Weird, never been in that situation before...

There you have it. That is how it started in a nutshell. That Sunday after dinner we hung out after leaving his parents- and Monday he asked me to be his girlfriend. On the floor in the office area of his house.

I can't make this stuff up people. I hope you smiled when you read it. I smile everyday when I think about how BAT CRAP CRAZY it is. God had his hand on my relationship with Kevin Pope since a knee surgery day in 2005. It just keeps getting better. Tune in next week for something not so lovey-dovey.

How it came to be- Part 1

Maybe I am writing this down so I don't forget it. Maybe it is for those of you who really want to know. Maybe, just maybe, it's a story worth telling.

Seven years ago, December 15, 2005 I was prepped and ready to have my ACL reconstruction surgery at ORMC. Going to the hospital with no makeup and some sweats in the early morning hours to get this thing over with. Hugely nervous and terrified out of my Senior college student mind, I get in the waiting lobby with my parents. Little did I know some adrenaline seeking college kid who grew up in Milledgeville and went to school at Georgia Southern would re-tear his ACL and have surgery scheduled the same day as me. Literally 15 minutes before me. So- we talked and our parents met and both of us were in knee braces by that afternoon. The crazy part is- the guy got to go home and I had to spend the night in misery. Because the pain was so bad and my morphine pump got blocked. Oh- and I dont eat spice cake anymore because once I did get some pain meds, they brought me dinner and spice cake doesn't taste as good coming up as it does going down.He also got to start rehab the next day- I was on crutches for 6 weeks. 

Ever so often from this day I would get a random Facebook message asking about my knee and how I was doing. He was almost back to 100% within 2 months- um- we can for sure say that I am about 70% 7 years later. Small talk went on for a while..nothing major.

Somewhere along the last 3 years- I deleted the guy I shared a knee surgery day from my Facebook. I went through a REALLY large purge and cleaned house. Sadly, his didnt make the cut. I saw him randomly last August in Savannah- at a Governor's Office of Highway Safety meeting- the most random conference ever to see him at- in an elevator. We made small talk- of course it was about our knees- and that was it.

It would be wrong of me to lie and say I didn't really take notice of seeing him at this conference. Truthfully- I was wishing I didnt have a boyfriend so I couldve at least given him a "ohmygosh you lookamazing" hug- you know those close deep hugs you try linger a little longer with?

Fast forward to June 2012. My life was in the middle of (what I was hoping for) some changes. I had just interviewed with Alabama. I had just decided I was D-O-N-E with letting my ex play with my emotions. I had put in offers on 2 separate houses. I had started to gain weight back because I was normal eating again. I was going to make it alone and I was beyond excited about that.

So, I get a random Facebook friend request from the knee surgery guy with a message saying-  I know we were already Facebook friends,  not sure what happened (I do, oopssie, my bad). I see you work at the college, how is that and how is that knee holding up?

Out of no where but in the middle of everything, in the most awkward and perfect timing. Here is this guy- who I have thought is SUPER attractive the entire time I have known him- even when he was playing soccer in highschool. (He didn't know me- but I knew him because I dated a guy from his school and went to their Prom). Even when we were sleepy at 6 am on surgery day. Especially when I got caught in an elevator with him. I replied back with a Kevin! like an ohmygoshhowintheworldareyou Kevin, but I was hoping he didn't pick up on that- or that I had defriended him :(

Our messages back and forth touched on life. I asked about where he was stationed, because duh, I knew he had went to Trooper school, but didn't know where he was based out of, and life at the college in the summer time. Thrilling I dare say. BUT- then I snuck something in there after asking about where he worked, and to this day I am not sure how I pulled this off after deciding to give up on guys. I said "Where are you based?- because if you are near Milly- we should hang out."

Did I really just say that to him??- after declaring to the world, mainly my momma that I was done with guys and never wanted to ever go on another date for as long as I lived? WHAT THE HECK?!

In his reply, he said he lived in Milledgeville, bought a house and "We should defininetly (his spelling) get together sometime and hang out, I would like that!"

Rachel, what are you doing?! So we messaged back and forth a couple of more times about me being so frustrated with my life about trying to buy a house, his commute, my soon to be move to Wilkinson County (since I hadn't found anywhere to live), and why he moved back to Milly from the ATL. Oh..and tried to make plans to meet up for lunch on a Friday.

Then he asked for my number- with some excuse that it would make it easier to communicate and he was on his way to work and shouldn't be facebooking. And I gave it to him.

We texted and I want to say talked some that night, but I dont remember. I know he was at work from 9-5am- and he texted me when he got home. And I was secretly glad he texted me at 530 in the morning.

Then- it was go time. Within 24 hours this guy had messaged me, got my number, and had a lunch date with me. Ok- stand your ground much? Hard to get. Nope, easy to give I guess. He even let me pick where we were having lunch. Lieu's Peking, my all time favorite place in Milly.

I met him there- in my best Orientation work outfit I could pull off- note lots of sweaty makeup and frizzy hair- and couldnt help but be super nervous. I hadn't been on a date in over 3 years (from dating people for long periods of time). I was completely wanting to freak out- but for some strage reason, I didnt. Lunch couldnt have been any better. I talked- he talked- he talked so much that I ate all of my food and he didnt eat any of his- and we sat there for 2 and half hours. With never a dull moment- never awkward silence- never me leaving to go check my face- I did pull the mirror one time to check my teeth. It was the best date I had ever been on.

When we left- I gave him a hug, and then when back in for another one- and he GIVES THE BEST HUGS. I could have stayed there all afternoon and talked to him. It was the craziest thing ever. It was like we had known each other for years- and like our exes were the same people just a different gender. Later that night- we texted and talked and talked. It was the start of something amazing. Tune in tomorrow for part 2.

The so called and the lackluster

Mmm. It has been almost a month since I blogged. Much has changed in my life and there are so many words to put to type, so I hope to catch you up on thoughts and processes and just where this so called journey is taking me.


Kevin and I have been looking for a new church since July. I am not sure if you have ever had to do this, but I can sum it up in 3 words: overwhelming, sad, and frustrating. You may look at that and say those are pretty negative words to be describing the church, but those are my true thoughts right now.  

Sad: hurts to leave a place where you have spent the last 4.5 years and made what you thought were lasting relationships and go out into the unknown looking for new ones. It hurts to know that you are leaving people you have grown to care about only to be thrust into a new life where you kinda don't exist anymore. I think it is beyond my wildest thoughts to understand people. How one minute you can be so excited for a person, then pretend you never met them the next. My guilt runs true to this as well. Why we are one way at a certain time point, and then couldn't be more opposite at other times, I will never understand. I question a lot of things right now, mainly friendships and investments and time spent with people, but I have to take it in seasons. 

Overwhelming: Oh we have tried so many places. No, there isn't a perfect church, oh I know that full well. But is there a perfect place for us? My vanity comes out a lot. No, those curtains are awful. No the music was terrible. No one spoke to us. No, the preacher was boring. No, I can't raise my hand. Not any young adults. No kids. No older people. No. No. No. God is testing me in the finest right now to trust him to bring us to the place he has appointed for us. It is so hard. Oh, it is so hard. I know what I want in a church- but I have to remind myself we are going to be put at a place where we can be invested in, invest in the Kingdom, and invest in each other on our spiritual course. Why is it so easy for me to strike up conversations with random students about sex alcohol and anything else health related, but I feel like I am in a bubble when I visit churches? My heart doesn't quit pounding in my chest until the preaching starts. I look for familiar faces in the crowds and try to find some solace there, but again- I am looking in the wrong places.

Frustrating- Not getting what you want is always a long process of learning the definition of humility. Sometimes I just want to scream when we are visiting places. It is so frustrating to have these desires of belonging to a church again and being involved and going to a regular church on Wednesday and Sundays, only to come out and say "I don't care if I ever visit there again". My heart is longing to be a part of the body of Christ again. To have people who genuinely want to know you and know what is going on in your life, to pray for you, and to feel like you have someone to  talk to at any given point about anything you may be dealing with- those are my deepest desires right now. 

I know we will find "our" church. I know God is preparing a special place for us where we both can be comfortable and truly learn how to become more mature Christians. I know it is all going to work out, I just am wearing thin on the emotional side. It will be the best decision though. It will all be worth it when we can have no hesitations of where we are and worship the one true living God together. 

It is almost October. I can honestly say 2012 has FLOWN by. Seems like just yesterday I was questioning God about my life and where it was headed in January. He has brought me so far. Oh, I know I am not the same person that used to cry at the bottom of a stairwell for hours on end burying my face in my hands or in the fur of my sweet dog. No, I haven't done that in months. Clearly I don't have issues with food anymore, as the scale might be the thing making me cry now. I have found the one whom my soul loves- and let me just say I could have never in my wildest most vivid and descriptive dreams could have planned this any better. 

In all of this, I find myself still searching though. The good thing about the "dark ages" was that I had nothing but to search out the word and surround myself with it to make sure that was the thing that was making my life better. I was so deep and so intentional about my relationship with the Lord. I need that drive back again. Not saying that I want another testing of faith, FOR SURE, but I am saying that I need to have my happiness be on the same level of my despair. I need a routine to continue in searching for what God wants to tell me- and it shouldn't just come when poop hits the fan. 

So, onward into Fall I press, with the notion to wrap myself up in the Lord and let him do all the work of making my life fall into place.

817. 28. 2012-2013. 143652.

Let's play the number game ok? The above numbers represent a whole lot for this chick.

I decided to look up every verse with 8:17. Some of these did not fit too well for me-  venomous snakes that bite, some lineage, towers falling, bull intestines, and firstborn struck down..but I did find a few that have the potential to be really good verses for me this year.

Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love me and those who seek me find me"- So this year- I will be more diligent in seeking out God and what he wants for me. Learning to LOVE God more- and move me out of the picture.

Ecclesiastes 8:17  then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.- Focus on giving God the glory, not the reasons behind it, just on the fact that he is in control. Understand that God is God and I am not. I don't need all the answers. I just need God.

Isaiah 8:17 I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob.

I will put my trust in him.- Trusting and waiting- 2 things I struggle with. Put my trust in the Lord this year- and not that of man. Believing that he really does have my best interest at heart.

Zechariah 8:17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.- Ohh. Love others for where they are- and encourage  instead of tear them down. Wish nothing but the best for others in this life. No bad thoughts, no injuiries, no paybacks, no karma. No lying, not even little white ones. Gulp.

Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.- So much more praise is in order for the man who bore all of this to save me.

Mark 8:17  Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?- Is my heart hardened? Do I fully have faith in God- or only when things are good?

Luke 8:17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.- Live a life that is blameless, turn from my sins and remind myself that even when I think no one sees, God knows- and knows the reasons why I do this. Do I want these things brought out in the open? If not, then I need to let Jesus clean it up.

Acts 8:17  Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.- Can I life a life that the Holy Spirit works through me like this? I want to.

Romans 8:17 "Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory".- Wait, is this really in there? Share in his sufferings. I am not sure what is ahead of me, but if for the cross I must take a stand, then I do so and trust God is going to remain at work even when it hurts. 

2 Corinthians 8:17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.- Does my attitude bring people down or make them happier? Enthusiam is something I lack and need more of. I want to be a contagious person who lights up a room, not because of anything of me- but because of the light that Christ is shining through me. The right attitude changes everything.

So there it is. The 10 verses for the year 2012-2012 as I am 28.

Frustrations in Part

Wow, it has been an incredibly long time since I put my 2 cents in on here. I can honestly say it has been for one of two reasons: I am incredibly lazy and have been enjoying some sweet time with my boyfriend, family, and friends.

So here I sit. At my desk on my lunch time. Pondering the vast complexities of life and wondering where I fit in the grand scheme of things, if I even fit at all.

My 28th birthday just passed. What? Did that really just come out of my mouth? Let me give you a fair warning: once you turn 25- it is all REALLY fast moving and gone after that birthday. I had one of the best birthdays ever- this side of my twenties (because a couple of my younger bdays were pretty awesome at McDonalds and Hardees. Oh- and a surprise pizza one for like my 10th). Ha- but really- I set out to have the week designated for me- and had a lot of help from that guy who has my heart. From lots of gifts, dinners, and even a trip to the beach for 4 days- this one will go down in the books as awesome. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about who I use to be- where I have came from- and where I am now. Not so much as to where I am going, because if you know me- I sometimes have this bad fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants attitude, and I just can't plan that far in advance- because life changes so much. 

These are are few things I have learned in my 28 years. 

Learn only to take advice that is scriptural. If it doesn't come from the Bible (or from people who regularly read the Bible) or point you to the Bible, it isn't going to hold much water or change your life that much. (Proverbs 12:5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful).

Time changes everything. It will change you, even if you think you can avoid it. Not just the physical attributes, but also the network of who you really are on the inside. Your opinions and ideals soon scratch more than the surface. There are appointed times for a variety of emotions, feelings, disasters, happiness, comfort, letdowns and disappointments, and renewedness in your life. Accept them and learn from each one. (Ecclesiastes 3)

Life here on this earth is very temporary- even if you can't see past your twenties into the horrible abyss called your 30s. I would like to say live it up- but instead I say invest in things that matter. Because when push comes to shove- it isnt about all the things you have done and seen- it is about the people you got to do and see those things with. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.


  The times when you are most desperate, most lonely, most confused, and most hopeless are the times that God will move the most in your life. These are also the times when you should go seek for him most. God moves the most in our deserts, there ain't much need for change in the oasis. Remind yourself of this when you get comfortable- always be on the hunt for more of Jesus and less of you. (Psalm 63:1-3 You, God, are my God,

earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,in a dry and parched land where there is no water.; Proverbs 14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.; John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world; 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.")



What people hear about you is what they will believe about you. That whole he said she said yo momma said..story gets twisted and people believe what others tell them- not what they see. So, live your life so that when they run their mouth about you, nothing but goodness can come of it. (Titus 2:8 "and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us").   Those are some simple, but true facts that have taken me 28 years to fully learn, understand, and put into practice. I hope you look over your life today- whether you are 18, 28, 48, 68, or 88 and realize the need to make the most out of what you have been entrusted with on this earth.

diary-esque

If I could say one thing to you- oh, from the depths of my heart it would be Thank you. You will never know how grateful I truly am. It was the best decision you could have EVER MADE. Ever ever ever- man- genius move. A few months ago- someone told me "you will look back and know why THIS didn't work out and why something else did".
That same person told me that I would be thankful that this happened, because you. weren't. it. They couldn't have been more right.

If I could say one thing to you- mmm- I think it would be the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Your precious presentation of "how you are" doesnt match up with your actions. But the crazy thing is- I don't even want to say one thing to you.


One thing to you- the rains will come. Heavy and constant. You will be drenched and sometimes soaked to the core. Cold wet and lonely are things you might experience. Know this though: in order for things to GROW, somebody has to give it some water. Your life is like a desert in your times of need, hurt, and exploration. If you never get water in a desert- you die. BUT, if you get water- you live. Know that in order to grow as a person, you will have to get wet to sink your roots down and pull help from the depths of things you never knew existed in you. Sometimes, those rains of hard times and trials seem like they will never end- and maybe for you it will be a hurricane or a monsoon- taking away everything you cherish or leaving you with nothing but a basket of crushed emotions. Growth comes in the times after the watering dear friend. These are the times when you find out who you really are and what you are really made of.

One thing to you: Dr. Suess said "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind". If you really are the words that you describe yourself with, start living up to it. It should be evident and I wouldnt question it. And if your true character is being ^%*^&, then I hope you make some changes to be something different.  Stop pretending to be something you aren't ever going to be. Why do you want to be someone else anyway? You aren't a clone. You are an individual with the Creator's fingerprints all over you being. Just because all your friends "do it" doesnt really require you to do it. Stand out in a crowd, not sit down where no one can see you. Don't follow the "cool" things, set your own course and make life your own.

One last thing: People are put in your life for seasons. Just as the seasons change faithfully every year- so too will your group of friends. Things change for a reason- and we might never understand why, but value those people for the times you get have them in your life and be thankful for them. Many will come and many will go, select few will make it through more than a couple of seasons with you. So invest fully and wholeheartedly in your season changers, because they are doing the same for you.