2007 and 2008

In 2007, I:

- Graduated from High School
- Began college at Agnes Scott on Scholarship
- Bought my first Mac computer
- Got my first car
- Preached a sermon at Annual Conference in front of +1,000 and half of them were clergy
- Conducted an entire worship service all by myself
- Started regularly attending a church other than the church I grew up in
- Took my first course in Philosophy
- Made a conscious decision not to run for General Conference
- Drove someone to the hospital for the first time, and picked someone up from a car wreck for the first time
- Became a caffiene addict, and began drinking tea as well as coffee and Diet Coke

In 2008, I will:

- Vote in my first election
- Be a college student, for the entire year
- Earn a black-belt in karate (hopefully)
- Have my first non-church related, and non-babysitting job
- Have my first paying gig as a speaker
- Take cello lessons for the first time

In looking at all this, I realize that there are many more things I did in 2007 -- things that are perhaps more important that what I mentioned -- and there are many more things that I will do in 2008. But, for some reason or another this is what ended up on the lists today.

I sincerely hope, though, that while much of what I have listed is 'me-centric', that I have done at least a little bit of good for others.

I hope that I smiled enough. I hope that I spoke words of hope and comfort to those who needed to hear it. And I hope that that's what I'll continue to do in the future.

I hope that I have the courage it takes to change the world, and the fortitude and grace to keep pushing on toward perfection even when perfection seems impossible.

I hope I have the wisdom to recognize that I alone cannot be Jesus, and that instead we all must be together.

Peace to you all in this year of 2008...

Comments

[gavin]

and you got to hang with me twice in 2007! &:~)

[natalie]

very true, gavin! i actually almost put that on the list... as well as everyone else from the blog world that i met/hung out with in the real world but i was afraid i'd leave someone out by mistake.

btw, aren't you supposed to be on a cruise right now?

[~c.]

May all your years be as productive and exciting as 2007 & 2008. Best wishes on expanding your horizons as God leads you in new and unlistable directions.

[rev mommy]

My 14 year old is a black belt and takes lessons for the cello from a member of the ASO ... but you have it on her hands down on the rest of the list.

Good luck on the black belt -- I'm a white belt -- Tang Soo Doo.

Have a great 2008!

[gavin]

i was.. after that comment &:~)