Oh how long it has been

Wow, things have changed since I last blogged. I read over the last few blogs I posted, and it is hard to remember back to those events! And they were only 7 months ago!

How have things changed? I am not only not on the unofficial assignment at work that I mentioned in my last blog, I also have completed a 6 month project in the interim. Watermark Denver no longer meets in the Pastor's house. We now meet in a city auditorium that is much roomier than anything we worshipped in before. That's our second building since the Pastor's house. I'm now in my 2nd different community group at church since I last posted. I have probably met about half of my church friends since I last blogged. And one couple is married, with one not too far off from being engaged. I watched 2 of my closest high school friends get married, and I made a new friend through the process. I've also since reacquainted myself with an old high school friend I wasn't as close to before.

God has done some amazing things since I last posted. He has brought me a good friend from work who I can actually talk spiritual things with. He has given me a tremendous amount of favor with all of the people on my last project. I made a lot of great friends there in 6 months. I've been blessed with good reviews at work, though I expect even more of myself. God has revived my passions for His Truth and for conservative values through the most recent Presidential election. He has given me the passion for writing throughout my life, but only now is my passion for politics matching my passion for writing in order to potentially produce a book. In fact, I wrote a little over a page last night as a start for my book. I was quite pleased with it, but writing about politics is hard. The issues are so weighty, and the logic so deep, that you can't really get through much before the mental exhaustion sets in. I'm going to need God's strength just to get through a first draft.

I've also become inspired to work out consistently the last week or so. I'm horrible at getting into a workout routine, so this is big news. I'm concerned that I'm getting further out of shape, so that's part of the motivation. But there is a lot more to it. God has also helped me deal with issues of lust the last few weeks by bringing some awesome guys alongside me to battle with issues of purity and the heart issues underneath. I have gotten involved in my church, which has turned out to be a blessing in some unexpected ways. I now operate the lights and the presentation materials on the screen at many of our church services. I love getting to work with Nate on this because we don't get to hang out as much as I would like otherwise. I also have served from time to time in the kids ministry. It has been really cool to find out how God is using me in this regard even as He is clearly impacting me through these kids. God showed up in a big way a month or so ago when I was stressed at having to entertain new kids I had never met. But by the end, God had us playing as if we had known each other for years not minutes. I had 4 of the kids on me tackling me to the ground as I vainly tried to escape. That was a great scene for the parents to see as they came to pick up their kids, and it was one of the best experiences I have had in Denver. It all came together as those priceless kids told their parents, "I hope we come to this church forever!" All it takes is a little faithfulness, and God will turn it into work for His Kingdom. That was my lesson learned from that day.

I have never felt so grown up and prepared by God to face whatever exciting challenges await me. I finally feel like I can make it in the real world, doing real world things like paying bills, buying stuff for myself, dating, starting a family, etc. None of this will work without God along the way making it happen, but I'm really happy where I am right now too.

Work is really slow. Hopefully things will pick up in the next few weeks. I can't even comprehend how awesome things have been since Nov 1, but the period of time from Thanksgiving to New Years looks like it is turning out even better than early November! And that's in all facets of life. I have gotten a much-needed break from work. I'm refreshed and ready for the next challenge. I have skiing with one of my close friends in 9 days. I am home for Christmas in 2 weeks. I will probably be there for 12 days. I miss all of my close college friends, who I haven't seen in many months. Hopefully I will see them all over Christmas. And there's also one particular girl I can't wait to see when I get there.

The two snow showers over the past 10 days have been amazing, especially since I haven't had to be out in either of them! Though I did venture out in one, which was fun except for a 20 minute drive taking well over an hour.

Give me a shout if you have the time... I'm always looking to catch up with old friends!