Bye bye 2011

Well 2011 is over.

I can't say that I didn't like or enjoy 2011, because it was a great year in many respects. I met so many awesome and powerful people in 2011. Whether it be at work, church, or just life in general. What I can say about 2011 is that, with the freedom and blessing that is hind-sight, I didn't really like myself too much in 2011.

I was extremely lazy and unfocused, and I am ashamed to say that those two adjectives festered into the majority of my life this past year. As I said before it wasn't all bad, but 2010 was such a great year! So epic. Arguably 2011 should have been at least just as awesome and powerful, I mean I serve and love a dynamic Living God. In 2011 I was just slightly productive. I mean just take a look at my blog posts from this past year. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 20!! REALLY?! It says 25 but the last 5 are from me adding the stuff I scanned but never posted. To illustrate my point further, the 5 most recent posts would have been over 35 additional posts. And it only took me the better part of 2 and a half days to clean them up and get them semi-postable. So please enjoy them. :P I wish I just would have got them together sooner.

Here is to a powerful and inspired 2012! If you pray, pray that I seek the Lord in new dynamic ways. That I risk for His Kingdom. That I look for, and see, His beauty everywhere. And most importantly that I learn to Love even more effectively, because without Love I have nothing.

Happy New Year!

It's time to say good bye to 2008, It was a good year, a lot happened!
Lets all welcome in 2009, I have high hopes for what the Lord wants to do in 2009.
I just pray that I'm the willing vessel He needs.

Hindsight is better than Foresight.

This year I am not going to make a New Years resolution. I am going to look back on 2007 and list the blessings and smiles I found along the way.

Here they are in no particular order.

My Going Freelance
The Lord has taught me a lot through this, mainly in His provision for me. I always knew the Lords provides, but never have I seen it so up close. He has humbled me in a very precious way. I get stressed, but through prayer He soothes me and reminds me oh His promises for me. And it is awesome to be my own boss. :)

Substitute teaching is awesome too.

Family & Friendships
Family- I can honestly say I love you all more and more each day. And I know we can get on each others nerves form time to time, but as lame as it sounds I am so thankful that we are close enough to actually achieve that. :)

Old Friends- Weather from School, work, or CCCV I love you all so much. Many of you I don't see too often, but when I do I am blessed so much by your open arms and warm hugs. Thank you for your patience with me and hope to see you more this upcoming year.
New Friends- I have made so many new legitimate friends this year. I want to list them but I am afraid to in fear of forgetting some. But I will try.

1) BUB's Buddies: Ian my roomie and partner in crime. Ryan and Amy two of my best friends who got married back in May. Matt and Amy who are practically my brother and sister. Matt and Amy I see the Lord so clearly in your lives, it is such an encouragement to me (most of these guys I have known for a while).
2) Potter Pals: All my fellow nerds and Potter lovers! July was our month! I met so many of you and it was a blast! Especially John, Bre, Sue, Melissa, Rita, and Sam. I am blessed to know you guys.
3) BIOLAites: All my friends 2 blocks away. Emily and all her friends who made me feel at home there. Abby, Johnny, Taryn, David, Jo, Karina, Angi, Royce, Melody, and so many more, too many to list! It always put a smile on my face when I got asked what dorm I lived in. I was like an honorary BIOLA Student.
4) Relient Schneck: Last and far from least Mr. Jonathan Schneck! It has been a huge blessing and honor to call you Friend this year! You are so good to me! Thank you for all the free shows, and vanguarding my art to the rest of the band. It was a career goal of mine to do something for you guys! You made that happen! And to top it off you are a super cool guy who also love comics! :D

Worship
Back in college I was spoiled by the beautiful worship of the SH3KINAH worship team. This year I was blessed enough to be spoiled again.You all know who you are and I thank you and the Lord so much for your wonderful gift. Continue to give that it back to Him!

Telephone Pictionary
My life will never again be the same.

Poker Nights @ Newman's
Jeremy thank ya so mush for many fun filled and late nights at the poker table! I always have so much fun with you guys! Even though I have the short term memory of a fruit fly when it comes to the two cards in my hand. I look forward to many more this coming year. Lets face it, we are all just so HC.

C.S. Lewis
I fell in love with his work all over again this year. Thank you for getting me through some really dark seasons.

Harry Potter & J K Rowling
The final book came out. It was so bitter sweet. I know I sound like a nerd, but I do not care! I looked forward to Deathly Hallows so much, but at the same time I dreaded it. I didn't want it to end! Early last year when the relseas date was announced I was talking to my friend Matt online, trying to explain to him my mixed emotions about it. He coined it perfectly, "It's like seeing your best friend, but you know its the last time". So true! Looking back over the series I see J K Rowling, and I respect her work so much. Her talented, and how well she has handled her fame and money. Not many people can handle that with out being seduced by it. To the contrary she grows even more generous, with time and money. Her charity work is so encouraging and powerful.
And lets not forget all the other fun more frivolous stuff that comes along with it, like the PodCasting and my involvement with Leaky (www.leakynews.com). And all my friends who read the whole series this year b/c of my constant harpping. And a HUGE thank you to Melissa Anelli who was cool enough to give Mrs. Rowling herself in person an actual drawing of mine! I say all this to basically say thank you Jo!


I will leave it at 7. Thank you Lord for 2007 and I look forward to the many lessons, blessing, and corrections of 2008.