Ode to '08, a year that will live in infamy

The years are flying by, and every year it seems that the things I learn are simply overwhelming.  Last year it seemed like I couldn't learn much more.  And the year before that it seemed like that was the year where I truly arrived.  2006 was the year I found God.  2007 was the year I found purpose.  And 2008 was the year I found meaning.  The three most monument-us years of my life.  And it seems that every year I discover more truth, and yet every year I am attacked more and more by Satan.  I can't explain it, this year I have never felt more persecuted by the Dragon they call Satan.  I have been taking major advances in my spiritual life this year.  It seems that Ever since I went to preach in Africa I have been attacked harder and more persistent.  But that is simply the nature of the experience with Christ.  It has it ups and downs.  I feel like God will be with me wherever I go.  This year has been crazy.  But nothing was crazier than an experience I had this past sunday.  Me and my dad were trying to move a cabinet up stairs in my parents house.  After it would not fit through the inside stairs, I suggested that it would work to take it up the stairs and onto the deck through the living room. after going up the stairs we were moving the cabinet and the deck collapse.  The disaster that insued is one that i won't soon forget.  My dad was going first, and as the deck collapsed he tumbled down our now pitched deck.  As he tumbled he hit his head very hard on the post.  Although he wasn't knocked out, he still sustained a mild concussion.  I was able to stay up on the deck and watch my dad tumble I thought for sure he broke his back.  But it turns out he was alright.  I can't describe to you the pain that one feels when they truly believe that someone they love has been injured very badly.  It was definitely an experience that I do not want to relive.  But the images in my head of that experience I will probably think about for awhile.  But there is no doubt God lead in this whole ordeal as everything turned out fine.  And now since the cabinet is in a million pieces it will fit up the stairs on the inside.  So here is a list of what I like to call the fine fifteen "My top fifteen favorite moments of 2008".

1.  Trip to Tanzania.

2.  My Nephew James being Born.

4.  Winning All Night Softball for the 4th straight year.

5.  The Brett Wedding Experience.

6. Buying an IPOD touch.

8. Austins Wedding.

9. Donavan Frankenreiter Concert in Maryland.

10. Finishing My Summer Classes.

11. Tanzanian Group Reunion.

12. Watching the Titans go 10-0!

14. Back Packing in North Carolina.

15. Thanksgiving Break.

And now its time for 10 things I think I think.

1.  I think that this internship is going to be a lot longer than I think.

2. I think that 2009 will not be as good as 2008.

3. I think that the Titans will not win the super bowl, but I will be happy if they do!

4. I think that My dad is one funny son of a gun.

5. I think I need to lose a lot of weight.

6. I think working in the woods this summer will help with number 5.

7. I think that Whatever I ate tonight I shouldn't have.

8. I think that God needs to take control of my life.

10.  I think that my rice cooker is the bestest thing ever, of all time.