goodbye 2005! don't let the door hit you.....

“Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.” —Brooks Atkinson How how that statement on my blog means so much about this year. I can not even begin to tell you how bad this year sucked, but for people who have followed my blog or who know me personally you know. This year started off with me leaving the church that I had served at for 5 and a half years. While my leaving was pretty much my choice, the timing of my leaving was not. Which is what really made it hard. But as I look back on it, I am glad God me out of there when he did. I have been able to see how unhealthy of a situation it was for me there and I was able to put some things in perspective and see a little bit of what God is doing in all of this. Then during the course of the rest of the year I made several churches "short lists" only to come up short! I have gotten to the point where I do not want to hear froma nother church that I am down to their final two, but I want to only hear you have the job! But that will come in due time, I am sure of it. And as I said to someone else that I know of who has gotten a raw deal from their church, "God has not abandoned you, but has you right where He wants you. Now the job is to figure out why He has you where He has you and where He is leading you next." Great words of advice not only to them, but to myself as well! I have also seen how I have gone through the different stages of grief through this and can see myself coming to the end of it. A friend of mine posted this in the YMExchange.com forum that I frequent. Here are the 'normal' stages of grief: * Denial (this isn't happening to me!) * Anger (why is this happening to me?) * Bargaining (I promise I'll be a better person if...) * Depression (I don't care anymore) * Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes) And I can honestly say that I see myself in the last stage there. I am really ready for wahtever comes, even if that means that Kimmy are still here for a while. I did have some grea things happen to me. I have met some really great friends from around the country. In March I met Derek, KT, and Dirk on our trip out to California for the Purpose Driven Youth Ministry conference. Which is also where I became famous! This was the banner ad they have on there. And NO!!!! I was not picking my nose! And then recently I have been getting together with a really cool youth pastor named Adam and his wife. He is actually the one behind YMX.com and the reuniting of the community of youth pastor's that I have been a part of. It has been really great getting to know him and his family. My wife and I have found some great friends and look forward to continuing the friendship! So I say goodbye to 2005, don't let the door hit you on the butt on the way out and a hearty welcome to 2006!

what a joke!

i can not believe the incompetence of that officiating crew at the alamo bowl! to quote the announcers.... "the incompetence of the replay officials" "this is the worst offciating, i have ever seen" and then to not call a penalty on the nebraska team at the end there, when they were all on the field before the game was done? waht a joke! oh well, it goes in the record books as a loss!

alamo bowling

today is the great traditional alamo bowl! NOT!!!! but it is the bowl that michigan got invited to, so i will be watching it! back in 1997 there was a controversy over who won the national championship because these two teams shared it, even though michigan won 5 of the 6 national championship trophies that are handed out. so could this be the game that settles that argument? i don't think so, but it makes for a great side story.

been feeling funky lately.....

On the right I have a little thing from Heartlight that puts an inspirational quote up and today's quote was really cool. It really speaks to where I am right now. “All I know is that I am a product of God and all I can do is the best I can to thank Him and honor Him and try to grow in Him, step by step.” —Bob Smith And I had also read a friend of mine's blog and what she had to say really spoke to me as well. Her and her husband are in a similar boat to Kimmy and I.

FOR KT!!!!!

Yesterday we got our first snowstorm of this winter season. About 6-8 inches of the "fluffy white spawn of satan" fell. I posted these pictures here so that my friend, KT, who lives in California and wants cold and snow for winter. God only knows why! LOL KT, turn up the A/C and enjoy the pics! This next picture is of my neighbor's house, who is across the street, and their Christmas lights with the snow. I thought it looked pretty. Unfortunately the picture doesn't really do it justice. This last picture was from thsi morning. It was daylight out and the moon was still up and shining. It was very pretty!

daddy/daughter dance

On Sunday, 4 December 2005 (just two days after my 10 year anniversary), I had the privelege of taking my daughter to her school's annual Daddy/Daughter Dance! And what an honor it was. Here are some pics from that wonderful day. There is my beautiful date! And what girl doesn't get her hair done up all fancy for dances? Kimmy did her hair. Here is a perfect example of beauty and the beast! Here is the full dress pose.... And when we went to the dance they had a tiara for every princess and they called them that all night long . We also got a professional picture taken (it was included with the ticket) that I will post here when we get it!

meeting with a church tomorrow

I found out a church in my area is looking for a pastor to students and so I sent them my resume and on Sunday we went and visited the church. Turns out I know the SP from being at some different area pastor's meetings. So tomorrow I will be meeting with him and the Executive Pastor. They are looking to get someone pretty quick. So pray that if it is God's will things will work out. Thanks!

check it out, Derek!

This is a pic of people who have visited my blog and one particular country has someone who has visited my blog! Pretty cool huh, Derek?

yesterday was great!

Yesterday was my 10 year wedding anniversary!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!! I can not believe that I have been married for ten years and that Kimmy has put up with me for all ten! My parents surprised us on Thursday with a nice anniversary gift. A free trip to Valley Plaza Resort in Midland, MI! It was very nice and the best part about it.... NO KIDS!!!! My sister took them for the night, so we were able to relax and have fun! I am so grateful t my wonderful wife for loving me all these years, putting up with me and just being there! I LOVE YOU, KIMMY!!!!