The Obligatory Reflective New Year's Eve Blog

A few days ago, I was thinking about how much I've failed to make progress in my life, how little I had changed, and generally how much I stink at life.

It's not easy to do that when you have friends. My friend began to remind me of everything that had changed in the past year. I began to realize that I didn't stink at life at much as I thought I did.

In the spirit of this realization and the dusk of a pretty eventful 2008, I have decided that this obligatory reflective New Year's Eve blog will be about everything that has changed over the past year. You are welcome to read along. Here are the three highlights...

1. Location, Location, Location: I moved from South Texas to Dallas in August, determined not to stay in my comfort zone after graduation. The day after graduation, I already had my car packed, and I drove 8 hours up to Dallas and moved in with four guys, working at a Starbucks and contemplating seminary. Then I moved from Dallas to Tempe, Arizona at the beginning of October, for what has to be the coolest job ever. I'll talk more about that later.

2. FINALLY: After a full six years, a prior planned graduation halted by a last minute failure, 2 majors, 3 lost scholarships, 4 years off and on in the dorms, 5 part time jobs, 13 roommates, and 16,000 dollars in loans... I graduated with a B.A. in History. But I didn't want to teach, and didn't want to work for the government. I felt like I should be following my heart and God's call, so I thought I should probably go to seminary. So, I moved to DFW, where you can stand anywhere, throw a rock, and hit a seminary. As it turns out, that was only temporary, because God had another plan for me, and that plan was...

3. Third Format: When I saw an opening for "Third Format Worship Resident" on ChurchStaffing.com (yes) I thought there is no way they would consider a small town worship leader from Texas for this. Apparently, I was wrong, and for once it feels awesome to be wrong. I know it might not seem like that big a deal to a lot of people... but to me this is pretty big. I get a chance to be involved with an outwardly focused, innovative ministry at a church bigger than my hometown, and learn and grow and lead all at the same time. This is pretty much exactly what I was looking for.

Other things have changed as well. In general, I know the direction I am going. I didn't before June. Not everything has been awesome, either.

I pretty much killed the best, most unique friendship I had ever had, with someone who knew me like the back of her hand. I still miss that, and I wish I hadn't hurt her. I think she's probably forgotten about me, though, so I guess it's all for the best.

I already had my invitations to graduation in May when I got the news that I wouldn't be graduating. It was pretty much the most embarassing thing ever, having to explain why I couldn't graduate to my friends and relatives.

All things considered, this was still an amazing year. I have to say that for the past seven years, each successive year has been the new best year of my life. Seven years ago, I gave my life to God, to serving and loving Him in whatever way I could, and making Him more than just a savior or a part of my life. For seven years, I've been learning how to find my identity, my purpose, and my direction in Him. So, in closing, I thank God for another freakin awesome year. I never could have imagined this life before He changed me in 2000.

See you in 2009!!!