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College Life

#LifeStory [ 4 ] As I finished high school, I took the advice of a family friend and made plans to attend college to become a drafting and woodworking teacher. I loved technical drawing and enjoyed building things from wood. Oddly enough, I was quick to judge people, and actually didn't like being around most people. So, looking back, I'm not sure why I chose to be a teacher.

In my first two years of college, I commuted to East Central Community College in Union, MO, and there I met new friends who liked to do the things I enjoyed most: fish gigging, partying and drinking. As I completed my first two years, I turned my sights on Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau, MO, to finish my college education. It wasn't my first pick, but my options were limited, so I went with the one closest to home that offered the degree I was seeking.

My first semester at SEMO was fun and as an independent (no fraternity for me!) I looked for opportunities to sneak beer into my dorm or hit the local bar with more new found friends. Meanwhile, when I did go home to visit and do laundry, an elderly lady at church encouraged me to check out a ministry on SEMO's campus. I didn't see much need because I was already meeting new people and having a lot of fun. Toward the end of the first semester, I did make it a point to figure out where this campus ministry, Campus Outreach, met and decided to check it out in the spring after Christmas break.

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