Brown paper packages tied up with strings...

Here are a few of my favorite things from 2009:

1. Turkey Run.
In May, I had the opportunity to get away from everyone for a few days and head to Turkey Run State Park in Parke County, In. This was the first time in about 13 years since I've been there. I love just walking the trails, taking pics of wildlife and the nature, and being in a place that I could recharge my batteries. I had amazing weather while down there. It was in the 70's the whole time and it didn't rain until the morning I had to head home.

2. D.G.
D. G. could stand for Dustin Gill, which I guess is also fitting. One day Dustin saw that I had 3 disc golf discs. I told him I went once. He proceeds to show me his bag of discs and that he played Disc Golf all of the time. Then the Disc Golf Revolution of 2009 was born. I don't know how many of our friends we got hooked on this sport, besides playing with others who also have a love of the Disc Golf. There was nothing more tiring, yet more fun than taking all day to play five of the local courses.

3. Hearing God's voice in Philadelphia
Its hard at times balancing being a good leader on a student trip and being available to respond to what God has for you personally. This trip was the start of a Summer and Fall of God messing me up. Through journaling, a text message, another leader "volunteering" me to pray and the Holy Spirit speaking through me to me, as well as other events on the trip, I heard God. Hearing was only the first part, responding was the second. This led me on a journey of a restless night followed by things just not feeling right. It was only when I responded in obedience did I experience the power and security of the Holy Spirit, which led me down to one of the most dangerous intersections in Philly where drug dealers, users, prostitutes, and other people of the like hung out. I got to talk to several different people and never once felt in danger.
In being obedient then, God blessed me with an amazing opportunity with some of the students in which I got to spend time with them and coach them in being obedient to God.

4. Switchfoot concert in Valpo.
The one and only Kevin Larson asked me if I wanted to see Switchfoot at the Porter County Fair. Tickets were 10 dollars for our seats(which also got us into the fair). I'm pretty sure no fair will compare to Elkhart County's fair. Anyways, it was beautiful weather, and an amazing concert. We got to hear two or three songs off of Hello Hurricane, a lot of their hits, and they even covered Tom Petty's Won't Back Down. Overall, it was a great time where in moments it was a great time of worship to God.

5. Going back to Bethel.
I feel as if I am at times a glutton for punishment. But really, I feel as if not finishing a blasted degree had turned into a spiritual battle for me. I decided to give it one last go. All or Nothing. This is the duece. It has been everything I feared and as hard as I knew it would be. Going back to school has influenced my perspectives on ministry. I have had many moments where I would yell at myself, the unfinished papers staring back at me, and the walls of the house. At the same time, I have found moments where I find myself enjoying some of my homework. Every now and then, I find glimmers of hope and God's faithfulness in the midst of this desert that I must get through. A friend has told me that he believes that there very well could be an outpouring of blessings on me as a result of doing and completing this. It should be interesting to see, but for now I will focus on what is directly before me and see what God is trying to teach me through this process.