Wow! Where has this year gone. It seems the older you get, the faster time passes you by without so much as a glance in your direction. That's why one must treasure every moment, record every memorable moment in their mind, dwell not on the past, but enjoy the present, because the second you blink, that moment is gone forever. Keep your friends near, keep your family closer, tell the ones you love that you love them, and above all put God first and love Jesus.
This year had its joys and its pains; its victories and defeats; its laughs and its cries. But the biggest highlight of this year so far is joining the year-long internship. I know it has only been 3 months (wait 3 months?!!) but it has been so worth taking the year off school for. Yes there have been highs and lows and you may be wondering what is keeping me going. The other interns. Yep that's right and you heard it here first. Just being around these people who also sacrificed things for the Lord makes me proud to be a part of this internship.
What makes these people special is that I am spending an entire year with them and getting to know them better than I did before. Sure there was the occasional "Hi how are you?" at church events, and maybe the once in awhile dinner/lunch chat or same team for a pick-up game, but for many of the ones participating, I hardly ever knew them or hung out with them the way I do now. And don't think for a second that I am talking about a select group of people. I am talking about each and every single one of you: Mark, Timothy, Jeremiah, Jesse, James, Julian, Zane, Peter, Paul, Daniel, Ian, Rosie, Emily, Esther, Grace, Kayla, Sarah B, Sarah D, Sarah W, Bethany, Jean, and Micah (this also includes everyone in Buffalo and Ann Arbor). Whether it's spending 20 hours in the Bible a week, playing ultimate Friday nights, traveling to towns in the mountains or cities afar, or even just hanging out on our own time, you all are awesome and near to my heart.
Even though 2011 is drawing to a close, we still have one last hurrah for this year being The Rock Conference in Toronto and Empower @ Ashland and I have a feeling the Lord will do great things there and in 2012.
I thank all of you who have kept me, us, this labor, and the church in your prayers. The Lord has done many marvelous things this year and it's all through the prayers of the saints. For those who aren't doing the labor and I proudly call you my friend, I also hold you near and dear to my heart. Some of you I will be seeing at one of the two year-end events and I am excited.
Praise God for every breath I breathe, Praise the Lord for answered prayers and blessings, and praise Jesus Christ my Savior, Master, and Friend for everything.
