2006 Year In Review

I stole this from Lauren...

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?  Went swimming in Crater Lake

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't keep is

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Crystal

4. Did anyone close to you die? Not that I can think of

5. Did you visit anywhere exciting? Oregon and Washington

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? More Money

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? None stands out

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?  Staying Alive

9. What was your biggest mistake?  Not being able to communicate

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?  Just some colds

11. What was the best thing you bought? Some moleskin journals

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?  Rachels

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My own

14. Where did most of your money go?  Travel and food

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?  Vacation to Oregon

16. What song will always remind you of 2006? How to save a life

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier

ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner

iii. richer or poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Being open to people

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Pissed people off for selfish reasons

20. How did you spend Christmas? Drove to my sisters, spent time with my family, then drove back to Keystone

21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Nope

22. What was your favorite TV program? Didn't catch a lot of TV

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No

24. What was the best book you read? The normal christian life

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Shawn McDonald 

26. What did you want and get? A birthday party

27. What did you want and not get? A mac 

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I went to the beach with my sisters; 25

29. What’s one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?  Gone overseas

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? comfortable

31. What kept you sane? Trips home, and phone calls

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Is fancy the same as like?

33. What political issue stirred you the most? Genocide

34. Who did you miss? Family and friends

35. Who was the best new person you met? Time will tell

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006? Stupid stuff is not worth argueing over; Love is only love if you walk it out

37. What are your New Years Resolutions for 2006? Being a better communicator

You're Invited....

I haven't talked about Christmas much since I got back. I got a gift today that made me smile.  Someone sent me a bag with a set of keys, some fudge, and a ball of tape. You would have to know the story about the ball of tape, but it's one of the best presents I got. Not that it is better than the others, or more expensive, but it represents friendship, fun times, and family.....I think the best thing that we get at Christmas is the gift of spending time with family and friends. I was able to do that this Christmas, although I didn't get as much time to do it as I would have liked....as far as presents go, I got a cool journal from my sister. I didn't get most of the stuff on my list, but realistically speaking I don't think that peace on earth is something my family could give me; peace in the home maybe, which there was, and it makes me grateful for the family I have. I got some feel good happy times from Jen, and an Itunes gift card from Frank (which actually is the only thing on my Christmas list I did get). I got to go eat with my cousin at sonic, which was cool, and then we sat underneath the overhang of the garage in the rain and talked about life and love, and the future of both. I drank hot tea with a former teacher as the light of day dwindled and the Christmas lights became brighter, all the while talking about the year and how hard it had been for so many people. I saw my parents for the first time since August. They will be in Florida for a few more months, so I will hopefully see them again soon. I got the same book from two different people, which probably means I should read it. I made it to a few different parties, in location and in style, both with people who love each other. And I made it back home with the appreciation that life goes forward, even when I do not. Hopefully this coming year will teach me more along those lines, and let me learn the love that God has for me at all times, even when I am mostly just using Him.

I am kind of exited about this year, but a little afraid at the same time. Not the afraid where you can't do anything because of it, but the kind where you know someone is about to scare you, but you walk into the room anyway. Yeah, it'll be crazy for sure.

The kingdom of God is like an old homeless man, sitting propped up against an interstate overpass  in the middle of the day, with a piece of fried chicken in his hand. You don't know whether or not he is sleeping or dead, until you go and ask him if he is ok.

I'm stealing this from Kyla. If you are subscibed to me, I am giving you a thought for the new year...Starting at the beginning...2004

• Jen- You are one of the best sisters I have. Your phone calls keep me sane. I think this may be the year for you.
• Lauren- Go Gators!!! Hopefully we can finally get some coffee next time I am in town.
• Megan- You should update more. How is married life?

On to 2005....

• Kim- It's been too long. Hope things are well on your end.
• Leah- A year for every hour. What else could a spy say?
• Emily- Save the drama for your momma  Call anytime. I'm still waiting for a call without the drama (j/k)
• Rachel- The fact that you are living overseas makes me a bit jealous, but your still pretty cool in my book.
• Jessica- You've got to come hang out at RA again. I hope your dad is doing well.
• Lisa- It's been ages. How are things going?
• DawnRene- I think we are supposed to do Carribou tonight. I just remembered that
• Erin- I finally made it to a Tim Horton's. I was impressed
• Kyla- You rock!! Thanks for being so open and honest about life
• Joanna- Don't make me come beat you up.
• Nancy- Have I ever told you how cool I think you are? Pretty darn cool
• Kyle- Dude, if we ever get together longer than we have, we'd be dangerous. Might even take over the world
• Melalyn- I pray you are well. Always shine the light in you
• Jamie- Heres to Rich Mullins (I downloaded some of his songs today)
• Erin-Keep me updated on things in your neck of the woods. Calvin and Hobbes...
• Cellina- Life is like a toilet.....ok so thats a bad metaphor....Chin up and head held high. You will make it.
• Steph- The fact that your a saint is really cool. It's always good to see you
• Rachel- We are so much alike it is scary. I love you more than I tell you. I couldn't have asked for a better sister. You are freakin' awesome!!
• Mike- It's all about timing....Make sure you keep your watch handy
• Sara- Even though you go to UGA, you are still pretty cool. We just have to work on your decision making skills
• Jennifer- Are you two twins?  That cracks me up everytime I think about it. Enjoy SEU!
• Josh- Dude, sweet tea is of the chain. I look forward to seeing where you go in life
• Alexandra- You are one of the coolest people I don't know. Anytime you need advice, I'll hook you up
• Sam- You make me think out of the box. We probably don't agree on most things, but thats life. Be who you are
• Piper- I will always appreciate the moon. Thanks for all your advice, and for a kindred spirit
• Derrick- I need an update man. How are you and Roxy? Maybe it's a beaver, eh?
• Austin- Dude I need to email you. This summer was a blast. Hope you can make it back again soon.
• Kara- You've got to be twins  Hope this year you find what you are looking for

And 2006....

• Arielle- It's been a while since you have updated. You are a huge encouragement to people. I pray you are always pure in heart so you will see God
• Lonnie- One day at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day. Patience, persistence, and perseverance.
• Telly- I mean it whe I say you and Matt are some of my favorite people. I love you guys
• Leslie- It's interesting how our paths have crossed over the years, and we finally got to hang out this year. Looking forward to 2007 and all the resolutions it brings.

Well there you have it. Those are my thoughts, for what they are worth. Some of you don't read this anymore, but it's all good. I hope you all have a great New Year full of fun and adventure.

I was talking to a friend the other day.....Yes I have a few of those, both friends and days. We were talking about right and wrong, and how sometimes we don't say things for fear of being wrong. I think our society and Christianity in general has taught us to fear being wrong. I don;t think God want's us to live our lives being consumed with doing right. I do think He wants us to be right, but that is a faith issue, and another subject for another time. Doing right is no so important as doing good; more times that not when you do good, you will do right. I find it interesting that when God created man, man had no knowledge of good or evil. They just walked with God. It seems to me that if we are a new creation in Christ, and we have identified ourselves with the death that He died, and the life that He lives, then we too can simply walk with God. We no longer have to walk the law of good and evil, but we walk the law of love. Maybe that is all God wants from us after all....

Merry Christmas....

See you in a few days!

I was having a bad day. Nothing really, just a bunch of little stuff and all. I drove the bus after Bible study today, and stopped to fill it up with diesel. As I got out I heard someone yelling. I looked around to find this mom laying into her daughter. She ripped some papers out of her hand and just verbally tore her up. I felt bad for the girl. I felt bad for the mom too. Who knows what kind of day she has had. Thinks didn't seem so bad after that. Someone always has it worse.

This weekend we had a bunch of stuff going on at RA. Some friends from Keystone and Deltona were here hanging out. Here is a rare picture that I happened to be in. It's me and Chloe.

"This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctines the precepts of man."

I was reading this morning in Matthew. It seems interesting to me how we treat God. We say we know Him, but we don't take the time to learn His heartbeat. If we truly love God, then we will learn to have the same heart that He has. We won't be caught up in the way we have always done things, caught up in our own way of thinking, caught up in our own selfishness. We will begin to live our lives in a way that echoes the heartbeat of God.

I think my heart is far from God. Not that sometimes I don't do well, but I know that when I do well, it is only because of Jesus acting through me. I believe that my heart is evil. The root of my sin is deep inside of me. Jesus is the only way out, and the death that He died is the only life I can find. Only in that can my heart begin to be close to His.