2017 Year in Review

Haven't done one of these since, well, this time last year. It seems only yesterday I was one of the few people who didn't want to see 2016 end and reflected and thanked God for such an amazing year. Flash forward one year, this year was, in one word: full. In 5 words: full of change and transition.

Around this time last year, I had began praying to find a single's group at a local church to find people my age to plug in with. Still in the college ministry at my former church, I was burnt out and tired of feeling older than everyone. I had that prayer answered, I found a lifegroup at a nearby church. I attended the lifegroup for the first time in January and joined it immediately. I would still go to worship at my former church for about 6 weeks and then drive over in time for class to begin. In early March, I attended my first worship service at Cottonwood Creek, and in June I officially became a member. I had been a member of First Baptist for 19 years and never thought I would leave, but Cottonwood offered something that FBC didn't: a chance to plug in with single Christians in their 30s (we are the forgotten demographic in the church) I am thankful every day that I found them and have made so many friendships in the almost a year of being a member of that lifegroup.

The second biggest thing (and possibly most embarrassing) I liked a female for a year-and-a-half, and because of my absolute fear of rejection, I could not tell her. How would she ever know? I finally told her in May. I knew it wasn't mutual but I took it like a man. I would say I moved on immediately but that wasn't the case. She would still dominate my thoughts. I saw her one last time in August. I felt nothing. I felt like I was seeing an old friend and that I had closure. But that's also one of the reasons I attend Cottonwood Creek now, I literally ran away from her. Pretty embarrassing for someone at my age to run away from something like that, but it worked out. I am where I am supposed to be. And the fact I finally told a female I liked her, that's huge for me. Gotta work on that confidence thing (2018 goals...)

In February I was able to cross something else off my list: seeing Monster Jam (monster trucks)in person. I've watched literally my entire life, and was able to get some cheap tickets at AT&T stadium, with free pit/floor passes, so I got all the trucks up close before they got torn up and was able to meet/get autographs of 3 drivers. Wish it would have been more, but thankful to have been able to go. One of the coolest experiences of my life!

In March we took an unexpected trip to Colorado. My dad's aunt, who was my grandma's twin sister, passed away at age 88. Outside of the fact we were there for a funeral and the 12-hour straight drive through boring west Texas, it was a wonderful trip. Saw family I haven't seen in over 20 years, and one I had never met, and took my camera and got some incredible photos of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.

I didn't attend any weddings this year, but 3 funerals were enough for me. Last year was the year where all my friends seemingly got married. This was the year to say goodbye (or see ya later) to loved ones.

I took my first actual vacation in 4 years. In July I found myself at my old stomping grounds and took a car and drove 8 hours to see maybe 10 friends. Had  a great trip, recreating old memories and making new ones. Also found myself ending up going to Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph. My Friday in Kansas City was the one free day I had, and I was initially planning on going to a tour of Arrowhead Stadium, which was about 10 minutes from my friends' house I was staying at. The guy in charge of the tours of Arrowhead called me and said that the stadium wasn't available that day for tours, and so on a whim I decided to go to training camp. It was only an hour or so north of KC, but it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Stopped by a local Walmart and grabbed a cheap-o Chiefs hat in hopes to get some autographs. I ended up getting over 20 players autographs. I got then-unknown rookie running back Kareem Hunt, who was third on the depth chart at the time. I only took my picture with 2 players, and am kicking myself for not taking my picture w/Hunt. One of the coolest experiences of my life, bucket list for sure, may never get that chance again. I have only seen the Chiefs in person once, it had been over 20 years, and have never been that close to the players.

My drive home was scary. I barely slept the night before and I got an hour down the road, and about to fall asleep, I stopped in Nevada (an hour south of KC) and dozed in my car for about 10 minutes and injected a lot of caffeine and ran cold water over my face. That got me home.

I only attended 2 concerts, but they were both incredible. I saw Big Daddy Weave at my church in August, ended up being a 3-hour worship set, basically. And in October I went with a friend to see Disciple and Children 18:3 at a church in Irving. I had seen Disciple a handful of times, but never headlined. Was an amazing show. They did a worship set in the middle, and some people gave their lives to Jesus. Great show.

The biggest surprise for me this year: In June, I was at the truck race, and noticed an autograph line, and looked up and it was racing legend Mario Andretti. The line was only about a 10-15 minute wait, I shook his hand and said I'm honored to meet you sir. There is a photo of he and I shaking hands. I had him personalize my autographed photo.

That's just a few of the highlights and embarrassing moments of this year. Thankful for every moment. Every photo taken. Every friend made. Every friend reunion. Finally meeting people face-to-face after being in contact for years. Every dirt car I was allowed to climb in (I'm a big kid). Every moment is a learning experience. Life is a gift.

As we close out 2017, I eagerly and anxiously anticipate what 2018 has in store for me.