Happy new year.

The old year fades like the setting sun.Looking forward to the great things that the new year will bring.Happy new year to all of Drew's crew.

Thought for the day -

Stay safe tonight and don't drink and drive.

Merry Christmas.

I know I'm a little late with the holiday wishes. But hey, I've been busy.

Now to all of Drew's Crew

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And a special thanks to those who gave Christmas greetings in the comments on my last post.

Thought for the day -

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel - which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

Living life

First off, the Mitchell report on steroid use in baseball came out today. I can only say one thing about the results. Duh!!! Leave it to the government to spend lots of time and money to find out something that everybody already knows.

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog...

The other day, Patti wrote an eloquent, touching, and thought provoking post about how surviving cancer affected her life. It got me thinking about my life.

When I was 15, I contracted Crohn's disease. I found out that I was going to be sick for the rest of my life. I have been through more hospital stays and surgeries than I can remember. I missed one third of high school and never finished college. I've even had CPR performed on me. You'd think I'd be kinda down about all this.

Two great things keep me going.

First off, I met the Lord at about the same time i met Crohn's. His love sustains me through the hard times.

Second, chronic illness is a great teacher.

If I had known what day to day life was going to be like, I might have given in to despair.

Chron's disease had taught me flexibility and adaptability. Me life is made up of changed plans and canceled appointments. When I go to bed, I might have to go to the hospital the next day. I just don't know.

As a result, I don't set goals. Unless they are really bizarre one's. Like going on a game show(Did that one) or writing a book and getting it published. (Working on that one)

I just take life one day at a time and try not to miss an opportunity to have a good time. I spend time with my wife. I travel a lot. I work with the youth at church. I wear aloha shirts every day. Life is just too darn short.

When I'm on vacation, I volunteer for everything. I've marched in several parades in Disney parks. I've been in a pie eating contest in Avonlea village.

I have gone swimming with dolphins, snorkeled with sea turtles, parasailed over Maui, and gone hiking through a bamboo forest. I've seen Jimmy Buffett, Billy Joel, Elton John, and John fogerty in concert. I've seen the sunrise from a 10,000 foot mountain, gotten lost in central park, sat in the cell that held St. Thomas Moore, and have been skiing in the rocky mountains.

The Bible says that God wants us to have an abundant life. I have done my best to live life abundantly. And in everything glorify him.

I know this has been a bit of a ramble, but I do have a point. Never miss a chance to jump for joy. Never miss a chance to breathe deeply. Never miss a chance to dance in the rain.

Thought for the day -

'Live like you were dying' - Tim McGraw

Ouch!

For those of you who don't know, the Patriots put a good old fashioned butt kickin' on my Steelers on Sunday.

The black and gold became another notch on New England's bed post.

It was sort of like watching a train wreck. I couldn't look away from the carnage. Oh the humanity!

Now I have nothing against the Patriots for using the rest of the league as a their doormat. If they want to be considered the best team ever, they have to beat everybody. And beat them like they stole something. They come out and tell the other team what they are going to. And nobody can stop them.

I don't like them because I want my team to do that.

So what if they cheated. They got caught and paid their dues. Now they are showing that they can win anytime anywhere. Ouch.

Thought for the day -

Somebody can beat these guys. I just don't know if anyone will.

Putting the blah in blogging.

OK, I'm back from my small blogcation. I've had a lot on my plate and haven't been in a very bloggy mood. I feel a little guilty for not keeping up with all that is going on with all y'all, but I'll be catching up soon.

Last weekend, we got our first snow of the year. I love snow and it doesn't slow me down because my wife drives a 4X4 (A Ford Exploder). On Sunday morning I smugly go start up the big rig, and it won't stay running. That's right, my snow car breaks down when it snows.

As many of Drew's Crew know, I bought this.

She's pretty cool, isn't she? The problem is that no matter how good of a winter driver you are, and I am very good, a car with rear wheel drive and a lot of power is not fun in the snow. We made it to church, but I don't want to have to do that every Sunday, if you get my drift.

So anyway, you may or may not have heard on the news that this week, we here in Washington (The Intermittent Wiper State) have had lots more rain than normal. Several towns in the south part of the state are completely cut off because of flooding and mud slides. Over three thousand people have been forced from their homes and many of them will have no house to go home to after the water recedes.

It happened so fast that a lot of them couldn't get out of their houses and had to be rescued. The Coast Guard did an awesome job. Those guys totally rock!

It really puts my car issues into perspective. I was whining because half of my cars were not working. Must be time to count my blessings.

And I feel guilty because so many people (like Kay) in the southeast are going through a horrible drought. I wish that I could mail some of our water down there.

The one thing I can do is pray. One thing you can never do to much is get on your knees talk to the Lord.

Peace out to all of Drew's Crew.

Thought for the day -

It's hard to spend a day on your feet if you don't start on your knees.

Bonus thought for the day -

Speaking of prayer, my Steelers are playing the Patriots on Sunday. It looks like only God will be able to beat those guys. Go Steelers!