- At church we are still short a full-time staff pastor. Though close to 20 part-time staffers are helping and "filling in" where needed stuff still falls upon the remaining two full-time pastors.
- I joined and completed a "Quest-12" event to lose weight and begin the journey to get healthy. During this portion of the journey I became friends with some amazing people, lost over 25 pounds and at least have a knowledge of what I need to do to continue my journey.
- Got to learn and begin acknowledging that Apple should have a place in this world.
- Watched my youngest son complete his last fall semester of High School. This is going to be a tough spring as he is a busy young man and I am loving being a part of his life.
- Watched my daughter graduate from the University of North Texas. This was very tough and deserves me penning some thoughts, but I will try to pull myself together and get to this at a later point.
- Had the opportunity and am currently experiencing some down time in Estes Park, Colorado with our family and in laws.
Our family tends to be rather gregarious and though you may find this hard to believe, when I am with the family as a group - I am the quiet one. Times like these really get one to reflect upon all of your life's components. You know; how you raised the kids - are they respectful, do they have manners, are they selfish, when does their level of patience become unhealthy and most of all, can we as a family survive the close confines of a hybrid vehicle for 18 hours (one way)???? We are averaging about 85% but still have the drive home. So, we are a good solid "B" and I am ok with that percentage.
With the oldest (Dexter) now 23 and Erica (turned 21 today) out time apart is relatively extensive. So we get to catch up on their life and likes. Christmas Eve after they finished their services (Dexter had one as late at midnight) they drove through ice and snow to surprise us Christmas morning. During their scary journey - to help stay awake they recorded themselves singing to some Karaoke. Upon listening to these tidbits (which also happen to take place in the barren land of the Texas Panhandle) we laughed until we cried. As a snack for our journey Dylon had purchased some squeeze cheese in which he drew caricatures with the cheese on crackers. Though a bit disturbing as he named each one of them, Dexter took pictures for posterity sake. We heard music that they thrive on and listen to regularly and found ourselves just a little shocked that they literally have thousands of songs on the iPod and/or Zune. Jill laughed her contagious laugh and we basically hooped and hollered for hundreds of miles.
We made it to Estes Park and are enjoying the time. Dexter works in ministry, Erica works in ministry - Jill works very hard and I do what I do. (I realize that previous sentence was horribly structured.) Getting up without a set time rush, exercising without pressure, eating with family each and every meal, sitting and talking, taking little jaunts to see God's creation of the Rockies is relaxing and refreshing. Once again I need to acknowledge that I am a blessed man and relish in all that He has done in my life. May the God of my blessings manifest Himself to you in fresh ways in 2010!
