Like this:

It’s my birthday…ringing it in my favorite way…enjoying some steel, listening to some good music and  chillin in my boom boom room with a year’s worth of reflection to write about….what a year…Tyrone Wells (quite possibly my favorite music artist) has a new song called “Time of our Lives” and it just rocks my world.

The thing I’ve learned the most this year about myself is that I love people.  All sorts of people.  I attach quickly (im picky though) and love hard.  Sometimes to a flaw…But it really is the dynamic of interpersonal relationships that astound me the most.  The fact that people can be brought together and just click in a moment or take years to get to a level of comfort blows me away.  The wide spectrum of how friendships begin simply intrigues me. In the song i mentioned earlier, the artist talks about how people are in each others lives for a set period of time or a phase but those memories stick.  But when we look back on those times, we can say that we were having the time of our lives.  Ive been blessed to have the time of my life in every phase and could never forget each face left behind so to speak.

As I’m “aging” it makes me remember past times.  And I feel blessed to say that every phase really was the time of my life.  From high school friends to my amazing college crew to the circle of peers I have now; theyve all made each year the time of my life.  Add an  amazing wife, the coolest son and the fact that my 27th year could very likely start with the birth of my daughter, all I can say is that Im blessed.

This year I failed tremendously, and I rejoiced triumphantly.  I became a dad.  I’m still learning what it means to husband.  I’ve become  a “church leader.”  I’m learning what it truly means to be intentional.  I’m about to have a DAUGHTER (holy sh*t…pray for her). I’ve lost and gained.  I know now more than ever that I am loved and desired by the Creator of all things.  I have a group of people around me everyday that know the love of Jesus and are on a mission to do nothing but spread that love to the city of Stockton.  I really could write a blog about my inner circle.  And it would be articulate and precise and definitive, but you still could not truly understand how my heart aches and groans to see them succeed in life and how proud I am of them. But I will say thank you to Joel, Bubba, Dough, Dbar, Scuba, Tyler and Josh.  You bless me more than I could ever tell you.  Actions speak louder than words.  We do life.  Its that simple.  I should add J-No to this because shes practically one of the guys and bless your soul for being willing to hang out with some dudes like us.  You make it fun and keep us guys level headed!  And Chad…love you man…and to Whitney, Bethie and Musso; youre friendship to my partner in life has been an incredible blessing to me.  And youre friendship and generosity touches me more than you know.  My children are blessed to have some incredible extra “aunties” alongside my sister Camille and brother Jefe.  You all bless me and astound me that youve stuck around and been by our side for this long.  I couldnt see my life without you guys.

Having been an athlete and coach, I feel I understand the importance of practice.  This year I think I got a lot of practice for things to yet take place.  I had a conversation with 2 of my “family” members, Joel and Amanda Musso.  We talked about life and love and the whole  time I was thinking to myself, “wow in like 18 years i will be having these conversations with my OWN children.”  I get practice everytime I talk to Bubba about college or girls and everytime I talk about how crazy life is to my good friend Joy.  I get practice when I lead home group with my incredible high school group and they ask the most sincere and genuine questions about life and love and church and people and friends.  I’ve decided to embrace those moments.  I cherish them.  And i get the pleasure of walking in this journey with my bride, Amanda.  Even that relationship is a teaching one, because for all the times I fail as a husband i realize how perfect of a husband we have in Christ, as the church.  And even in my small successes as a husband and father, I am reminded of how much greater our Heavenly Father is.  It’s all about people.  It’s about how its all connected.

So 27 it is.  I’m excited.  I have a special place in my heart for the number 27  Let the journey begin.  I thank you all for having been a part of the journey so far.  I beg you not give up on me just yet.  I need you.  I need practice.  I need to keep learning.  I sincerely love you all.  This blog could never express how grateful I am that people would sit in my garage and confide in me or call me to discuss life.  For the youngens’, I promise you that you have all taught me so much more than I could ever give back to you.  To my peers, God bless you for your friendship and never ending faith and trust in me as a friend.  To my family….were  family…that speaks for itself.  To my bride, you’re simply my partner on this journey and were one….none compare….to my children, wow i adore u…to the haters: keep hating…i learn from those moments too!  27 is here…please stick with me on this journey…we will get there….much love…

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