A Goal Near and Dear: Giving Radically

Today is an exciting day for a lot of reasons.

First of all, it's the 29th of November, which means it is almost December, which means that this semester is almost over.

Second of all, it's the only time the 29th of November in 2010 will happen, so I know something crazy could happen.

Thirdly, it's Cyber Monday, so are there some epic deals available to consumers, and they don't even have to leave their homes!

Finally, and most importantly, I've got a chance for every single person reading (including myself) to REALLY make something crazy happen today, since it IS the only time today (November 29th, 2010) will ever happen. And, to boot, it's Cyber Monday, which means you're obliged to spend buckets of money via the internet that you actually already spent on Black Friday. Want to do something crazy with that money while you're spending it? Keep reading - I've got a GREAT opportunity for you...

Time for Some Openness: Small Group Progress Report

About four months ago, I posted about a life goal that I would be embarking on soon: leading a small group. If you missed it, here's the post. Basically, I was very excited, but also very nervous, to start leading a small group here at MCC. I'm here four months later with an update on this life goal that's been in progress for a while now.

A note/disclaimer/warning: I want to be very open and honest in this post. Members of my small group may eventually see or read this, and I'm okay with that. I just want to be transparent in the way that I live, so I figure that I need to be transparent in the way that I blog about my life and about the struggles and joys of attempting to fulfill a life goal. If you are in any way involved with or connected to Small Groups at MCC or my own Small Group, please read this for what it's worth and don't read between the lines, because there's nothing there. What's being said is how I honestly feel and what I'm thinking, and that's all there is to it.

The short version of the story:

Leading a Small Group has gone slightly better than I expected it to. However, I'm disappointed with myself for a number of reasons (see "the long version" for details). I'd give myself a 6.5/10 as a leader, and my group a 9.5/10 for how epic they are. I hope to do better sooner rather than later.

The long-ish version of the story:

I love my small group. I can't say that enough. However, in my own mind, things haven't been a bed of roses this first semester so far. The small groups at MCC were recently asked to evaluate their leaders, so I received a "progress report" of sorts from the members of my small group...

An Attempt to be More Intentional: This Week in Review

In light of what has been on my mind lately, I'm doing what I can to be more intentional about living and about reflecting on life. Right now, I want to focus on reflecting.

I really think that part of living the fullest life possible means taking time to stop, be still, and reflect. So, in an attempt to encourage myself to do this regularly, I'm going to steal an idea from a friend's blog (yes, I'm aware that stealing is counterproductive to the whole reflecting idea).

So my friend doesn't hate me, and because I love her blog, this is my shameless plug to her. Check out her blog at http://littlethingsbigstuff.com/ and blow her up with comments about how amazing her blog is. Because it is and because I said so. Either way.

On to the idea stealing (did you visit her blog? because you were supposed to!)...

An Ambitious Goal (to say the least): Read Every Book We Own

As you can imagine, this post is going to be about books. It is not, however, going to be about A Critical History of the Mission and Ministry of the Christian Church in Hawaii.

I know, I know. You're disappointed. Unfortunately, my fingers just don't have the stamina to type that title more than once. Plus, I don't have a clue what that book is about - I've never so much as touched it except to put it on the shelf. And herein lies the reason for a life goal I hope to eventually accomplish: I want to read every book we own...

A Snippet from School: Trying to be the best student that I can be

As this itch to blog persists, I have decided to scratch it.

Yesterday, I went to school and was, for the most part, sick. I had some nasty chills and a killer headache. However, because I worked my bottom off to finish a project/paper the night before and because we had Greek homework and a quiz (which I was destined to bomb), I decided it was in my best interest to ignore my body and go anyway. I didn't expect to learn much in my zombie-like state, but this is where God surprised me...

Almost a New Life Goal: Eat an Authentic Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza

Two blog updates in a week? Craziness. Unfortunately, I woke up 45 minutes before my alarm today, so here I am with another hour and a half to kill. So let the time-killing commence...

This last Tuesday, the 2nd, was what I affectionately refer to as the monthiversary of my relationship with Kalyn. We started dating on June 2nd, 2006, and we got married on June 2nd, 2009. Thus, the 2nd of every month gives us an excuse to spend money and time we don't have on and with each other. It's a great deal, if you ask me...