Being Known — Side by Side

At Side by Side, I have felt known and loved from the beginning. I was invited to join the community by one of my professors at Whitworth University, Josh Leim. From the first meeting I was hooked. I immediately felt included, welcomed, and loved. I remember going back to my roommate after Monday night meetings and not being able to contain my excitement for the new community I found. Since then, my love for this community has continued to grow as I have formed new and closer relationships with others.

Jenna, right, along with Adam, Gabriel, and other Side-by-Siders during a recent Huddle.

I remember when I first met Josiah at a Monday night gathering. I remember his friendliness because the next day he greeted me by name at Whitworth Chapel with the biggest smile and gave me a fist bump. I remember one of our first Home Group nights, when we break off into smaller groups and gather in someone’s home for dinner, when Gabriel asked about our favorite bike rides and we swapped stories together. I remember getting a ride back to campus with the Leim family and playing the Name Game with Salem, Silas, Evangeline, and Clementine. I remember carpooling with other Whitworth friends, Maddie, Addy, and Adam, and getting to grow closer as students and Side-by-Siders.

Even with moving home to California because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been able to remain in touch with the community. I have felt so much love, even miles away, through Zoom get-togethers, FaceTime with Janet Neder, and mail from friends like Jackie Bellis and the Taylor family. I get little presents like a handmade bracelet or a picture of a boat because Jackie knows I like to kayak. These gifts, cards, and calls are reminders that even while I am hundreds of miles away, my friends are thinking of me.

I have learned so much from these friends. From Mac, I learned about prayer. From Garth and Linda, Marsha and Andrea, I have learned about endurance and perseverance. I have learned about pain and sadness, but more importantly hope and faith. The Lord has blessed this community with people who have full hearts and big smiles and I am so grateful to be a part of it.