So, aside from the title of this post being, perhaps the lamest thing I’ve ever written, I’m pretty excited about this post.

You see, when milestones roll around like a new year or a graduation or end of something, looking forward at all of the possibilities helps me avoid dwelling on all of the good stuff I’ll miss from this past year.

2007 was a great year for me.  So many things happened that I think if I don’t share these milestones with the three of you that are reading this, it may not be real.

So at the risk of totally ripping off Dana’s blog, here are my highlights of ‘07!

1) A little clarity - Jenn and I have been trying to figure out who we are for the last couple of years.  We both have passions and gifts and at times, her not being able to do ministry full time and my fear of being just a music guy have made us wonder what God was up to.  This year, at least to an extent, we figured some of those things out.  Jenn has had an opportunity to make an impact on the lives of the people she works with that she wouldn’t have gotten had she worked at the church and I have gotten the opportunity to cast vision for and lead a team of rock stars to Africa.  We’re figuring out who we are and, though we’re not there, this year was a big part of the process.

2) Songwriting - I got to do an original song at church this year and it went well.  I’ve also gotten to write a lot and, with a lot of help from the hommies, have gotten to record some ideas and put some songs together.  I don’t think I’ve found my stride as a song writer, but I feel like I’m figuring out more and more of the kind of songs I want to write and who I’m writing for.

3) Pastorization, not just for milk anymore - I know I spelled it wrong, but on the 22nd and 23rd of December, it was announced to the church that I have been licensed to full time ministry, or as my sister likes to say, I’ve been Pastorized.  It’s not so much about the certificate and neither my title, nor my pay scale changes, but the process was great for me as it reaffirmed my calling and makes me feel pretty loved by our team here.  I enjoy so much being on staff here at Clovis Hills.

4) My family - My family and I have not always had a great relationship, but over the last couple of years I feel like we’ve grown closer together.  This year was, far and away, one of the best for my family.  We had a scare early this year when my mom flipped her car.  Amazingly, she was fine (even more amazing when you consider it was a convertible).  Since then it has been nothing but good news.  My sister and brother-in law had the most beautiful twin girls in the world, who I am crazy about and we recently found out that my brother and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in May.  We’ve got onesies coming out of our ears in this family.

So that was 2007, and with Africa just around the corner, weddings, babies and so much more, 2008 promises to be even better!