Right now I’m sitting in our hotel room in Fort Lauder-dale, FL! It is ridiculous! In fact, I’m staring at the ocean out of our window! It’s incredible!

Up to this point in my life, God’s been very good to me. I’ve been privileged to get to go to some pretty cool places. Bar Harbor, Maine, Africa, Peru, Costa Rica, New York City, any many others.

What I didn’t tell you was that until I was 19 years old, the only place I had gone out of state was Disney World when I was 7 years old. I never really thought I’d get the opportunity to travel. A lot of my friends growing up got to travel a lot and to a lot of really cool places. I didn’t.

To be honest though, I never once thought I missed out on anything growing up and not having the same opportunities my other friends had. I loved my childhood. I’d argue that I had a better childhood than anyone! I loved every second of it. I just loved life. As a result, I have thousands of wonderful memories of growing up.

So what’s my point? This:

It’s not where you go or what you have that makes you have a rich and awesome life. It’s who you’re with, it’s what you do with what you have, and it’s where you are that matters.

Now that I’ve traveled a bit, my life is no different. I still have to choose to enjoy the journey. I have to choose to make memories. I still love my life just as much as I did when I wasn’t traveling or doing “cool” things.

Make the most of your life right now. Quit wishing you got to go everywhere everyone else does, you had everything everyone else has, etc. None of that really matters.

All that matters is who you’re with and the memories you intentionally choose to make.

If you’ll get that, it won’t matter if you’re in a dessert or Hawaii, you’ll enjoy your life more than you ever have!

Thoughts?

Highlights:
•    Steelers Playoff Game with Ben Rath – San Diego Chargers
•    Steelers Winning Super Bowl/Pens Winning Stanley Cup
•    Praying for Dan to go to Iraq for the Egans
•    Ski Trip 2009
•    Super Bowl Pig Roast at Faulks
•    Seeing Keith Moore in Canton
•    Going to the Pens game with all the Pastors
•    Fiddler on the Roof
•    Believer Meetings
•    Catalyst West Coast with the Boys
•    Meeting Craig Groeschel and Erwin McManus
•    Hollywood, Santa Monica, Reagans Library, Universal Studios with Ben Rath
• Pittsburgh Marathon
•    Working at Houlihans
•    Spring Cadre Advance in ATL  – Stone Mountain, Ring Ceremony
•    Having Dinner with Jeanne Mayo, the honor of being asked to work for her
•    Speaking at Jumonville for the 2nd time
•    Impartation Conference
•    Driving Doug Jones, Christopher Alam, and Pat Butcher to the airport
•    Making it Count Cincinatti – Training and Assemblies
•    Vacation in Ocean Island with the Kruks
•    Working in ATL with Jeanne and Staff in August
•    Going to NA football game with my dad
•    Marine Corps Marathon in DC
•    Fogo Di Ciao Celebration
•    Cadre Fall Retreat in ATL – Jeanne’s First Church, Retreat, CNN Tour, The Varsity hot Dog Shop
•    P90X
•    Revolution Leader Christmas Party – Students Seving
•    Steelers Game with Mr. Steidel, James, and Matt
•    New York City for New Years

Favorite Versus:

Jeremiah 32:38-41, Jeremiah 33:6-9, Romans 8:32, Proverbs 31:8,9, Proverbs 25:6,7, Proverbs 2:9,10, John 8:28, Psalm 34:4, I John 4:18, Psalm 105:19, Psalm 127:1-3, Genesis 23:39:23, Exodus 18:14,  Exodus 31:13, Acts 13:7, 1 Tim. 1:4, I Tim. 4:14,

Travels:

• Atlanta, Cincinnati, New York, DC, LA & Orange County, Rushville IL, Ocean Isle, NC
  

Bucket List Items Complete:

• Attend a Catalyst conference, go to an NFL playoff game, checked off one presidential library (Reagan), ran 2 marathons, meet Erwin McManus and Craig Groeschel, get mentored by high quality leader (Jeanne Mayo), get a bible degree, graduate college.

Best Series I listened to:

• Keith Moore - Graces and Places, Thanksgiving Victory, Free from All Fear

2009 was an amazing year and I know God has even more in store for 2010! If 2009 was good for you spend time reflecting on great memories, all that was accomplished, and how much you’ve grown! If it wasn’t a great year, recognize God wants to do big things in your life and 2010 will be the best year of your life!

Happy New Years Everyone!