Getting back in touch

As I posted in a blog a couple months ago...its been a tough last year.  Between losing my brother and Jessica having a miscariage, the last year was pretty rough.  And for me who is a people person, it has been tough.  I pretty much went into hiding.  Part of it was good and part was bad.  I had no idea how to deal with things so I cut myself off from a lot of people.  It has also been hard for me in ministry.  Its been hard to be my cheerful self.  And I just want to appologize for that.  I know that I have not been available at times.  I know that sometimes I havent returned calls, txts, or emails.  But I had to do what I had to do.  I just have had to take time to myself.  I needed time to heal.  I needed to deal with things.  I never thought this would be me, but after all this time, I finally am starting to get back to my old self.  So I hope that I havent offended or hurt anyone by this.  But please understand...I've never been through anything like this and had no idea how to deal and cope with it.   But if I have please contact me.

Getting back in touch

As I posted in a blog a couple months ago...its been a tough last year.  Between losing my brother and Jessica having a miscariage, the last year was pretty rough.  And for me who is a people person, it has been tough.  I pretty much went into hiding.  Part of it was good and part was bad.  I had no idea how to deal with things so I cut myself off from a lot of people.  It has also been hard for me in ministry.  Its been hard to be my cheerful self.  And I just want to appologize for that.  I know that I have not been available at times.  I know that sometimes I havent returned calls, txts, or emails.  But I had to do what I had to do.  I just have had to take time to myself.  I needed time to heal.  I needed to deal with things.  I never thought this would be me, but after all this time, I finally am starting to get back to my old self.  So I hope that I havent offended or hurt anyone by this.  But please understand...I've never been through anything like this and had no idea how to deal and cope with it.   But if I have please contact me.

Winter Jam 2009

Yesterday, we took our students to Winter Jam 2009 at Time Warner Arena in downtown Charlotte.  It was a great concert with Tobymac, Hawk Nelson, Brandon Heath, Newsong, Francesca Battistelli, Tony Nolan, Stephanie Smith, and PureNRG.   We took the Charlotte Transit Train downtown after a good lunch at Steak and Shake....and then the fun began.


For the past two years we had several of us get in line early and save seats.   We had six of us get in early and save seats for 38....well that didnt turn out too well...we ended up being short on seats due to the ushers not allowing us to save seats.  But for some reason, they allowed other groups to do so.  I'm all about being fair...but I don't understand why the ushers made our folks give up 10+ seats and let other groups reserve.  It was almost a disaster having part of our group split up.  But in the end the students all had a great time.   Next year, we will just all eat downtown and get in line early and not worry about it...

Winter Jam 2009

Yesterday, we took our students to Winter Jam 2009 at Time Warner Arena in downtown Charlotte.  It was a great concert with Tobymac, Hawk Nelson, Brandon Heath, Newsong, Francesca Battistelli, Tony Nolan, Stephanie Smith, and PureNRG.   We took the Charlotte Transit Train downtown after a good lunch at Steak and Shake....and then the fun began.


For the past two years we had several of us get in line early and save seats.   We had six of us get in early and save seats for 38....well that didnt turn out too well...we ended up being short on seats due to the ushers not allowing us to save seats.  But for some reason, they allowed other groups to do so.  I'm all about being fair...but I don't understand why the ushers made our folks give up 10+ seats and let other groups reserve.  It was almost a disaster having part of our group split up.  But in the end the students all had a great time.   Next year, we will just all eat downtown and get in line early and not worry about it...

Goodbye 2008...hello 2009

More from 2008....

I am truly blessed to have such a great family.   I have a great wife, who we have been through a bunch this year with dealing overcoming my brothers death and helping the family heal. We also had two months of joy when she was pregnant and having to grieve after the miscarriage.  We have had many adventures and driving all over the country this year.  I have a great set of parents.  It has been really hard to see them hurt this past year, but it has been awesome to see how they have reached to God and each other to help them get through the pain of losing their youngest son.  I am also lucky to have a great sister, who we have gotten close again during this past year.  It is hard to believe that my little sister is getting married this weekend!!!! I feel so old!

I have also been blessed this year by my close friends.  I could go on for days and days for how great they have been.   Hawkins, Frost, Andrew, Matthew, Chip, Scot, Christine, Storm, Chandler, Nate, Will, Grove, Ashby, Adam, Sansbury, and so many more....
I have also made two great friends that I would have never expected.  My brother's old room mate Walt.   I never thought that such a great friendship could happen out of such a tragedy.  I know that he has needed me as much as I have needed him as we have grown to be great friends being there for each other this year.  And Adam Maultsby and I have become great friends and workout partners.  Its great to finally have someone here in Charlotte my age with the same interests.

Now onto 2009....the Resolutions

1. Read more.  During 2008, due to school, but also I used it to help me get through things.  I have about 10 books that I bought this year at Catalyst and Youth Specialties that I want to read.


2. Take more time for me...I am always busy with school and Church work...I need to take more days to play golf, relax.....


3. Continue to work on our debt...in 2008, Jessica and I paid off several credit cards...we still have a couple more to go, but life is easier!


4. Travel More with my wife...we now own timeshare...and we need to use it!


5. Go to a Braves game!  Since moving to NC I have not attended one Braves game!!!!  Before I moved from Atlanta in 2006 I attended 22 home games that year!


6. Call friends that I have not talked to in a while.  I have avoided several friends during the past year due to the memories we shared with my brother...I just had trouble calling them...it was tough...but its time to


7. Finish the tasks around the house...Finish the closet downstairs, shelve the storage room, organize the garage, have a yard sale, fix up the flower beds, hang the tv in the bedroom, wire outside lighting


8. Lose more weight!  I gained a bunch of weight this year, and lost some, but I would like to lose about 30 lbs. in 2009


9. Change my ministry.  Its time for some changes...some things that I have done since 1997 need to go, while other things need to come back.


10. Actually do all the above this year!