Day: 18, 19, 20, 21

Wow I got on to post tonight and had no idea that it had been this long since I had posted last. Sorry about that. I have been getting hit with one big surprise over and over recently. It is funny how you can ignore something for so long but then eventually you just have to fess up and look it in the eye. I am not really sure how that confrontation is going to look but it is obvious to me that I have some praying to do. The Lord is just great. I can sit there for hours and think of all the ways I have failed Him, but He just thinks of all the ways that He loves me. I don't deserve this life I am living and I don't deserve this relationship that I often neglect. I am horribly inadequate and insufficient. And while reading this you may think I am in a dark mood, but actually quite the opposite. I don't know why but I just feel better when I admit it.

I just got back to my room after helping with cleanup from the gathering tonight. The gathering went to big church and it was pretty cool. I got to see someone that I hadnt seen in awhile and she really encouraged me. I met Bubbles ( I never did get her real name) at Joe's single retreat this past December. She was telling me that she was going on the mission trip to New York over Spring Break. We talked about a few other things but she really just encouraged me to keep on keepin on. Thanks Bubbles!

Well I hope that all of you get surprised this week. Good night.

Day: 17

Wow today was weird. I have had a lot going on with class and everything else. I had a huge test today and a lot on my mind. But I did have a surprise today. My girlfriend and I have not done Valentine's Day yet for multiple reasons. But I got to give her my present today. I had a star named after her through an organization that assigns copyrights to stars. So there is now a star out there in the Ursa Major constellation by the name of Crystal. Pretty cool huh. Well looking at all of the literature that came with the certificate I was struck by just how many stars there are. We can see more than a few on a clear night here in Abilene. But there are millions upon millions of stars out there. I was just struck and surprised today at how small I am. But still important to God! Like I say, weird day. So I hope the rest of you got surprised today.

Good night.

Sidenote: I was also struck today by what a brilliant business idea it is to name stars. There is a company that charges people to name something that isnt thiers. There is also an endless supply of stars out there. What a great business to be in! Anyways...

Day: 16

No surprises today. But I did find out that I am not the only one with problems posting everyday. So I am happy that I am not the only one but saddened to know that other people have the same problem. Not much to write tonight hopefully will get "shocked and awed" tomorrow!

Good night

Day: 13,14,15

Wow so I am really bad at the whole posting daily thing. Today I reached day 15 by my math. No surprises yet except for how quickly I can reset the alarm and sleep through my 8am class. O well International Management went just fine without me today.

I spent this past weekend in Holliday, Texas. It was lots of fun but rediculously cold. No surprises that I can remember except that I really got to thinking about how important family is. Called my mom on Saturday and had a long talk.

Sunday things at the Gathering got interesting with Jerris standing in. I was surprised at just how great everything worked out. I mean we missed Joe and all but it went really well. Jerris preached on a few hours of prep and really hit home with his sermon points. God is just plain amazing.

Today I got alot done and now I am going to try and be quiet for awhile. I will tell you how that goes tomorrow.

Good night

Day: 9,10,11,12

Wow so I disappeared off the face of the planet this week. Sorry. I was surprised this week at just how busy I can make myself with meaningless stuff. All week I went to bed exhausted thinking to myself, "I was so busy today!" But then I couldn't remember anything that I had actually accomplished. There's a great feeling.

Tuesday night we here at the dorm were busier than a one armed man in a paper hanging contest. For those of you who dont know I am a Resident Assistant in one of the dorms at HSU. We were busy because Valentine's Day Night is our busiest time of the year for code violations... you do the math.

Wednesday night I made myself busy with things that could have waited so that I would have an excuse not to go to my small group. Someone needs to kick me.

Thursday I actually did accomplish some real goals that I had and had a wonderful evening with the Broadstreets. Special note: Crystal does not think I am a horrible person as one of my earlier blogs might have suggested. Crystal is very nice to me. Apparently people actually read my blog.

Friday, I am leaving town so I am posting early. So far nothing surprising except for the wicked swing in the weather. I really wanted to wear flip-flops today. O well.

Good day

Day: 8

Thank yall for the thoughts and prayers for Crystal. She is taking the whole thing really well. I am surprised today at just how strong she is.

I did ok today. I was surprised today at just how fast I can fall down. I made some mistakes today and turned my back on some commitments I have made for awhile.

Have you ever seen a little kid who is about to do something that they know they aren't supposed to do? The little kid looks at his dad, sees his dad looking at him, and does the bad thing anyway. The little kid knew what he was doing was wrong, and knew that his dad was watching. But straight up does it anyway. That was me today. But I suppose there is hope for tomorrow.

Good night

Day: 7

So I am not going to lie... but I was beginning to wonder if I would ever recognize one of these surprises if it came. Ha! Today went really well. I spent the entire day thinking and spending time with my favorite person... me. Seriously, I was rediculously self-centered. Everything today was about me. And just as I was wrapping up my self-centered day I got a phone call. My girlfriend was on the line crying. Her great grandfather passed at 9 pm tonight. This is her mom's grandfather and both my girlfriend and her mom are very close to her "Paw-Paw". So suddenly my day that had been all about me wasn't anymore. I don't even know what I can do to comfort my best friend. I am horribly and totaly insufficient and yes surprised. So in order to keep this whole thing not about me. Tonight and over the next few days forget me and pray for her. Because I think I have had enough attention from me today, to cover me for the week. Thanks yall.

Good night

Day: 6

My day isn't over yet but I am afraid that I won't be anywhere near a computer tonight. So I am posting a wee bit early tonight.

Today was a horrible lazy day. I did nothing but sleep in a little bit (10am) and do homework and laundry. I watched some movies on TV that I have seen a thousand times at least and read 30 pages of some of the most boring dry Business Policy reading I have ever encountered in my life. I didn't even leave the dorm until 4:30. As I am typing the band is practicing and I am supposed to be working. I look busy but no one tell Brad! No surprises yet. I am beginning to wonder if maybe my standards as far as what should count for a surprise are a littly too lofty. I mean I woke up this morning, I have a roof over my head (well technicaly I have a dorm room or two over my head... but you get the point), and I have plenty to eat. I don't know where I was going with that. I probably fell asleep with the TV on last night and some "save the children" special probably came on and influenced me subconsciously. Who knows. Anyways I hope all of your Saturdays were more eventfull than my own.

Good night

Day: 5

Man I am sorry yall but this has to be the most boring blog on the site. No real surprises today. I mean I had a great day and all and there were some quiet moments where I really got to be still and just think for awhile. But there were no "aha" moments. Hope the rest of you were surprised somehow this week!

Good night