Learning they were people behind the positions.
Bro. Mitchell cashing and holding a check for me when I needed to fly down for my mother in the hospital.
The unexpected rush I got when Bro. Meister, after a heated exchange, just stopped, looked me in the eye, called me by name, and said, "I like you. You've got fire."
Duke Morales, who more than once gave me a word of personal encouragement when I really needed it.
Bro. Casteel before the dark times, when he seemed so "together" and organized, greeting me at the registration table, taking personal time to get me where I needed to go, or attempting to help me acclimate. He always remembered my name and would take a brief moment to say hello when passing in the hallway or around campus.
Bro. Barton who seemed so serious, but had that unexpected sense of humor. I was shocked when he came by to visit in Jacksonville.
There were a lot of staff and teachers, but most too busy and self-important to as much as learn my name. But a few, like the above, learned and exhibited that positive quality Bro. Hyles preached in the message, "The Individual." So many of those "philosophies" were just quotes to be repeated, but thank God for the few who actually put them into practice.
)