I am headed off to Oklahoma for New Years so unfortunatly I won't be able to go to the bon fire my church is having that night. However, I will be hanging out with some family that I don't get to see very often, so that will make up for it.

I am quite possibly the worst golfer in the world. I shot a 71 on a par 23 nine-hole course. That included fifteen strokes a par 4 hole. But i did beat one of my friends who shot a 72, so i guess that makes me the second worst golfer in the world.

Have a Happy New Year

What a great Christmas......


I got a gym membership and it is awesome. The only bad thing is that working out is addicting and I will probably be spending a ton of time doing just that.

I love waking up and not knowing what I will be doing during the day. It is a feeling that only happens during summer and over Christmas break for me. There are endless opportunities. As a matter of fact, sometime this week I think a couple of my friends and I are going to be driving to Dublin, Texas for the sole purpose of getting Dr. Pepper. Pointless???I think not.

Hey guys....I just wanted to let everyone know that I made a new email address. I am now at CraigL2005@hotmail.com. Not that anyone would ever want to email me.....but just in case. However, I would like everyone to email me so that I can get my contact list all back in order since it got lost with my other address. Merry Christmas Eve

Well Christmas break has officially started and I am loving it. I had wrestling most of this morning (sorry Brent that I didn't email you back, I just got your email this afternoon), took a nap, ate at Golden Corral and hung out with some friends. I am very thankful for the rest that I will be getting over the next two weeks. I will be re-reading Classic Christianity by Bob George which I highly recommend and just chillin with the family.

Email is still broken unfortunatly however there is much good news. I have been accepted to Baylor University and given a $26,000 scholarship from the college. Now that is a good start, but if I want to go to Baylor I need a lot more money than that. But it is great to see how God is revealing His plan to me in His time.

Merry Christmas

why are we still in school when it is less than a week until Christmas? Oh well............


My email will not let me in. It says that I have used the wrong password, which is bogus because I have had the same password for a long time and I am sure that is what it is. I type it in, it turns me down, then I try and change my password....says that I don't have the right answer to my secret question, which is a really easy question. What is going on???? If anyone knows please tell me what I can do to fix it. IN the mean time don't email me, or at least don't expect a response. Do you think that someone changed my password on me???just to be mean??? NOT GOOD.

I think that I am getting sick.

Random thoughts of the day...

-I am not much for cold, wet weather. I am sure that I have said it before, but I just don't prefer it over hot weather. If it is colder than 85 degrees, it is toooooo cold.

-Sometimes I stress too much over stupid things. I just need to relax and realize that God is in control.

-maybe high school isn't SO bad

-Saved By the Bell is a great show

-laughing is vital to one's existence

-I wouldn't mind starting school at 6:30 if we could get out at 2:00

- my parents are really cool ( don't tell them...they might get a big head)

- money isn't that important...that's easy for me because I have none

I was talking with some guys at school and something really hit me. We were discussing how we each live our lives and they couldn't understand me. They couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to have this "fun" that they have. They were so confused, not even close to comprehending me, that I had to smile. They were at the point of disgust, not knowing why I would chain myself down by a bunch of rules....They obviously didn't get it. And then I was thinking, if our lifestyle is so confusing and disgusting to them, how much more disgusting should the way of the world be to us. But time after time, we as Christians continue to live no differently than non-believers. Their lifestyles should be so unappealing to us that sin should be that last thing that we want to do. When are we going to stop rolling in the mud and eating out of the trashcan, and finally step up to the table that God has set out for us as Children of the King. We're not chained down by a bunch of rules, we are just doing what is better...It just makes sense. Trash????or Feast???? Decisions, decisions.

I visited Texas Tech over the weekend. It was pretty fun and I really like the band and campus. However, it also caused me to think if that is really where God wants me next year. Because of that I have been applying to numerous other colleges and universities such as OU, Baylor, SMU...etc. Pray that God will help me to make this decesion. Actually just pray that I would listen to God as I make this decision because He will let me know, I need to listen. Thanksgiving was great, food mmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

It has been a while since I last posted, but welcome back. I've been busy and I am loving it, but I am also loving the Thanksgiving break. Have a great Thanksgiving and make sure to be thankful for the things that God has given to us. That is what it's about.

On a slightly different note, I personally think that what is going on in the NBA right now is ridiculous. It isn't just the NBA it is all of professional sports. The NHL isn't even playing and there have been three fights that I know of in the past week in football and basketball. The fans are taking the role of fanatic too seriously and the players are letting it get to their heads.....Just a thought.
I do still love basketball though....Go Mavs (painful loss last night, let's bounce back)

The season started yesterday. I went 2 and 1 in my first three matches (2 wins and 1 loss). So I can't complain too much because I have more matches this week, two on thursday and a potential 6 or 7 next friday and saturday.

I am not a huge fan of cold weather. Especially cold and wet weather where I have to stay inside or be miserable outside. But I am thankful for the season change and the beauty that is so apparent in late fall, but why can't it all happen at 90 degrees or so... just kidding.

Night of strange fire is coming up. Time for fun and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Or as Brent would say, "Eternity practice."

Thumb still hurting....didn't effect me too much in wrestling...but it still hurts

We had our wrestling, season opening, pizza party thing tonight. It was pretty cool, but I don't quite understand why we had pizza considering most of us have to lose weight by saturday for our first matches. But whatever, it tasted really good. Secondly, I want to give Huge props to my friend for working harder than most of us can imagine and losing 45 pounds. All 45 of these pounds were dropped in a healthy manner not just for wrestling, but for health benefits as well(just saying that because most people tend to relate unhealthy weight loss with wrestling). Great job.

Once again, jammed thumb still hurting....4 more days until matches

I received my acceptance letter from Texas Tech last weekend. Now all that I am waiting on is my letter from OU, which is kind of difficult considering that I haven't applied yet, to decide which of the two I will be attending next fall. (There is possibly one other option but it isn't too likely) It is so awesome to see how God is unraveling next years plans to me. I am constantly asking myself where I can serve better and both schools sound like great opportunities so we will see where God has me going.

Jammed thumb is still hurting.....First wrestling matches of the season on saturday....OUCH

I had a great weekend because...

-Marcus won the last football game
-My career as a member of a high school marching band is over
-Another one of my great friends is married (that's 2 in 2 weeks)
-The Caprice has 200,000 miles on it (it's a landmark)

I had a not so great weekend because...

-I jammed my thumb in wrestling and it is huge, black, and blue
-The Caprice has 200,000 miles on it (it will need more maintenance)
-I owe my brother $65

State was awesome, but now that I am back and band is over it is time to hit the big-time work out schedule for wrestling. The work never ends but I will keep on keepin' on until May 30 or so when I graduate. I's gets to gradumacate cuz they learned me real good at Marcus High School. '05

I came in to Bible study kind of late tonight because I was working at CCA for NHS. However I was able to make it to the last fourth or so and the ever so important fellowship part. I am so thankful for all of my friends that God has put into my life so that we can all grow closer to God together. This is not limited to the guys in my Bible study, or even just to my friends at church. This includes all of my friends (that means you too if you are reading this, because it is pretty likely that if you would be interested in MY blog then you at least somewhat like me) , because in one way or another all of you are sharpening me and helping me to mature. Thank all of you so much just for being awesome.


Sorry to get kinda mushy.....

So about this band thing, I have some great news. The Marcus High School band made STATE. I KNOW.......... All of the sweat, time, and practicing paid off. We will spend five wonderful days in the beautiful town of San Antonio Texas to compete at the Texas 5A Marching Band State Competition. Wish us luck.

I find myself very lucky to have the car that I do. It runs and has a stereo, I can't ask for too much more. However, it is by no means a 2005 porche with a perfect paint job and leather interior. But I am not complaining, I just need to clear up some ignorances. It is a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice. Not a 1975 or a 1982, a 1991.

Now that I have cleared that up.....BEDTIME

Good morning all. I am just signing on to say, Have a Great Day.

TWO MORE WEEKS OF BAND.......Unless you are in the marching band you can't understand the significance of this. However, these next two weeks will be filled with the hardest work of the season as we compete at area this weekend for a place at STATE for next weekend. Wish us luck

I still haven't applied for college. I have started many times, only to end in me getting distracted, accidentally deleted the applications, or just giving up. But I will get it done and I am excited to see where God will send me and what He has in store for me next year. ADVENTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is sad to see people in our schools, and other places where we come into close contact with people, who have preconceived notions about the Gospel that keep them from really understanding and experiencing what God has for them. But this is really common in our suburban middle class culture. Most people believe something, and a lot of the time it is somewhat or mostly true, but there are certain things in those beliefs that keep them from truely living completely by faith or faith in the right thing, which is God and nothing else. It almost seems as if they are so close to understanding, but then the world's thoughts and ideas try and tie themselves to real truth, only to confuse them more.

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Since the first nine weeks of school is over, my class load gets slightly more difficult. But I am still a senior and probably won't ever have homework. I am finished with SAT prep class(also known as 2nd period blow off) and I am replacing it with AP Government. Slightly harder, twice as interesting, and it will be a change in my school "agenda" if you will. We won the Battle of the Axe last night for the second year in a row. It just wasn't as exciting as it was last year, probably because last year was the axe first victory in like six years. But congrats to the entire football team, escpecially Jimmy, Brad, and Thomas..... Great game guys

At the end of next week, my senior year will be 1/4 of the way over. It is really hard to imagine that my four years of high school education are almost over. I remember the seniors my freshman and sophomore years saying that high school flies by and I just kinda shrugged it off, thinking to myself, "what do they know, they're just seniors." And now the infinite knowledge and wisdom that we seniors possess (haha) is bringing things into perspective. Four years of hanging out with great friends, maturing, doing what you love extra-curricular wise, and other things go really quickly. I am not saying that I am not ready for college, because I am pumped and ready to move on to non-highschoolness, but I am pleased with the way that God has allowed me to grow in the last four years. PEACE.

My week is going pretty well so far. And on top of it, I have an action packed weekend to top it all off. Saturday is our very first contest, BOA Arlington(Bands Of America). I will be busy with that from about 9:00 in the morning until 12:00 that night. We will be performing(hopefully twice if all goes well in Pre-lims) and then watching some of the top bands in the country perform their shows. But there is more to my weekend than this, which makes me sound like a huge band nerd. On Sunday I have the privilege to teach Sunday school for the Middle schoolers in our Church. I am very excited about this opportunity. It is one of the ways that God is sharpening me lately. AND THEN, get this, No School Monday............I know....it can't get much better than that.

It has been a really long time since I last posted. I have been very busy with band and everything that I just haven't been doing this. The good news is that i only have about another month of marching band. Bad news is that my life doesn't get any less busy due to wrestling season starting at that same time. Oh well, i guess i can't have the fun of being involved with activities such as band and wrestling without putting in the work too. Despite the work involved, i am very excited about wrestling season this year. Hopefully it will end in me taking a trip down to Austin for the state tournament.

It's been about a week since I last posted. It has just been really busy with band and other things all mixed together. It is Saturday so I am relaxing for most of the day, except for the few chores that I have been given by my parents, and then I am going to a symphony tonight.

Make sure to watch the Texas Tech game today at 11:30. Which makes me think about college and all of the decisions that I have to make in like the next two months. People make it seem like I have to have my future planned out perfectly before I graduate. Don't buy that lie. All I really need to decide is where I am going to college, because my major will probably change a few times before I find the right one (even though I'm pretty sure that Political Science is the one). Anyways have a great weekend.

Congratulations to Justin for winning Homecoming King. I have no problem in losing to him because he is a really cool guy and he really deserves it. So I have no hard feelings or anything, besides I made the top five and that's awesome in itself. I took my senior potraits today and it was fairly painless. I chose not to smile in the pictures due to my lack of cute dimples and crooked smile but I think that they'll turn out alright.

Good morning on a wonderful Friday. I am really excited about this weekends events. Tonight is the Homecoming dance, but I'm not sure if I am going yet or not (I'm for sure not going with a date). Tomorrow is wonderful marching band rehearsal, then parade(which I am riding a convertable in), then the pep rally where I find out if I made the top five for Homecoming King, then the football game. ACTION PACKED. So much for a relaxing weekend, but i guess that was supposed to be last weekend. No matter what happens it will be fun so come on out to the parade and the football game.

I posted yesterday, but for some reason my computer was being stupid and it didn't save or post it. So you will have to be in the dark about what I wrote on yesterday. Today is Thursday meaning that tomorrow is Friday, meaning that the next day is Saturday. But that doesn't really mean anything because I am just as busy most Saturdays as I am on weekdays. Enough with the pointless rambling. I'm off to school.

I have a great Christian friend that has taught me a few things. This friend happens to be five years younger than I am, and I doubt that he realizes the what he has done but i have tremendous respect for him. He has shown me what a child-like faith in Christ looks like. A faith where everything is trusted to God and we don't let ourselves get in the way. He has shown me how to step up in front of a peer group and take a stand for God not knowing what the reaction of his friends will be. This makes me wonder why a seventh grader can do this, but it is such a hard concept to grasp for anyone older than thirteen.
Words of Wisdom- Allow yourself to have a teachable heart so that anyone that God puts in your life can teach you.

I didn't have a chance to post over the weekend because I was either out of town, or busy with band the whole time. I went to my Grandmother's farm in west Texas this weekend. I got to see cousins that I haven't seen in a while and I got to go hunting. Dove is the only thing in season right now, so we didn't go too much, but it was still fun. I am finally feeling slightly rested for the first time since summer has ended. It feels like my sleep actually did something constructive in making me less tired. That hasn't happened too much lately.

I made the top ten finalists for Homecoming King yesterday. So if you attend Marcus High School, please vote for me. The bad news is, a good friend also made the top ten and it puts us in an akward situation. For more thought provoking blogging, tune in tomorrow.

Two small thoughts going through my head are...

Yesterday was my only day off from after school marching band rehearsal this week. You know that I have been brainwashed when they tell us that we don't have to rehearse that day and all I can think is, "but we really need the work." However, the day off was greatly needed by everyone in the band and I shouldn't worry because we will be getting our eight hours of rehearsal in this week regardless of when it happens.

I started the book Classic Christianity and in the first chapter I can already tell that this is a book that I have needed to read for a long time. I am positive that God will continue to help me grow greatly through this book and I'm sure that He will use it as a tool in my life. I am very thankful for TEAM Training and the work that God is doing in my life through that as well.

HAVE A GREAT DAY

Procrastination is an artform that I am near to perfecting. My SAT prep teacher assigned us vocabulary notecards to do two weeks ago and are due today. If I had done two or three each night I would have been golden, however it did not work that way. I put everything off until last night. Then, after taking longer than I thought homework should ever take, I went to bed. Only to wake up tired again this morning. Sometimes it feels like sleep doesn't do anything except pass the time.

On to a more happy(non-school related) note, I have breakfast with Brent tomorrow so I am excited about that. But right now I have a case of the mondays.

So friday was my birthday and I don't normally tell a lot of people about it. However, one of the people that did now told the entire Marcus High School band. If you haven't ever had 200 people sing you happy birthday at a football game, when you don't even want people to know, it is quite an experience. But it was cool....so thanks to whoever it was that told, it made my birthday twice as good.

The dutch kids left this morning to go back to Holland after spending more than a month in America. There was a small going away party that was held for them last night and it was a bitter-sweet occasion. They didn't want to leave here after seeing their old friends and making many new ones, but I have a feeling that they are ready to get home. I will miss all four of them and I am grateful for the work that their family is doing for God's Kingdom over in Holland.

I was talking to a friend last night about Christian Fellowship and how important it is in a growing relationship with Christ. We were discussing how some people who have always had such awesome Christian friends can take it for granted. All that I can say is whether you are just now making friendships with your brothers or sisters in Christ, or if you have had them for many years, continue to build upon that relationship and help eachother in all areas. Because I don't know if you have noticed or not, walking with Christ is not always the easiest thing to do.

Birthday

Today just so happens to be my birthday, but I'm not too excited. I've never really been too thrilled about birthdays in the past because it seems like all of these people who haven't talked to you in a year come up and tell you to have a good birthday. And i'm kinda like, "Ok, I will, but the rest of my days are just as good and you don't talk to me then." I never say that in words but sometimes I think it. I know it is stupid, because I am supposed to like all of the extra attention. I also don't like the idea of people spending tons of money to get me presents. Small inexpensive, thoughtful presents are cool, but if someone spends more than like 6 or 8 dollars I feel like they are wasting their money because I would be just as happy without gifts. So my goal for the day is to enjoy my birthday. I am going to put all those past birthdays behind me and have a good time. Time to go to school...haha...HAPPY BIRTHDAY

exhausted

I'm not complaining about my schedule, because I chose it to be this way and I wouldn't have it any other way. BUT, wrestling fourth period is a great workout. Almost so great that all that I want to do afterward is to go home and lay down like the rest of my team gets to do. However, I have two hours of sweating in the blistering heat in marching band before leaving school. I have many nightly activities directly after band too, but most of them are refreshing except for an occasional thursday night scout meeting that drags me down. I guess that all I am saying is that rest is very important. Not just sleeping, but spiritual rest and refreshment as well. Getting in God's word everyday is the only way that I can get through so much. I don't know what it would be like to never have that time alone with God and frankly, I really don't want to know. Like I said......I wouldn't have my schedule any other way.

Last night at Mid-school small groups went really well. I met the parents and the 7th graders that i will be teaching this year. So props to that. Tonight is going to rock too. I have senior guy Bible study at Miles' house(M-Town). The only downfall to that is that I have to drive way the heck out to the middle of no where just to get to his castle, but it will be worth it. Short blog today....tune in tomorrow.
Words of Wisdom-Don't swallow mouth wash, especially the blue kind.

Good Ole Days

I always here older people talk about the days when they were younger and the things that they used to do. They kind of idolize those days as if they were really so much better than today, when in all reality they just remember the positives and let their minds do the rest. Well, I got to thinking too. I am only about to turn seventeen and i have those good ole days too. For example, remember when we all had those huge basketball pumps on the tongues of our shoes, or when Super Nintendo was the hottest thing around. The Tamagotchi digital pets were cool too. We used to sneak into the bathrooms at school just to feed our digital pets so they wouldn't die. Or when we used to run home just to see the new episode of Power Rangers(the original series, not the junk that they have now). Thinking about all of this I realized that all I wanted back then(a whole whopping 8 years ago) was to be in high school. I couldn't wait until i could drive, or stay out late. And now, at times, my friends and I talk about how cool things were in elementary school, where there were no problems with girls, homework, parents etc...Weird
Words of Wisdom-"Enjoy NOW, it's cool too"

Back into the swing of things

Last night at about 12, i had a small panic attack when I remembered about three or four hours of homework that was assigned early last week. As I was frantically throwing together what I could in such a short amount of time I glanced over at my assignment sheet and saw that the due date was for next monday. I kinda just sat and stared at it for about five minutes before laughing and going to bed. It's funny how bent out of shape one can get on such a small thing that in the grand scheme of things is really not that important at all.

I find Sundays to be a very busy day schedule wise, but at the end of the day I always feel very relaxed and rested. I also want to thank my unbelievable youth pastor who has such a passion for teenagers. He knows what is going on. I think the world would be much better if we had more people like Brent. People that understand, and genuinely care about teenagers today. I'll stop ragging on him because I know that he wouldn't want me to. But every monday I just feel so blessed to have a friend like him.

Words of Wisdom-"Don't put off you homework"

New Opportunities

Today I will begin a couple of things that i have been offered to help me grow in my walk with Christ. The first is a class called TEAM Training that my church offers. It stands for, To Equip And Mobilize. I am extremely excited about begining that class today because I've heard so many good things about it. The second is being a small group Bible study leader for a group of middle school guys. We have our first meeting today where we find out exactly what age we will be leading (where really I will found out what age group of guys will be teaching and stretching me). This will be such a great experience because no one ever learns as much being a student as they do being a leader or a teacher.
Last night, I watched the infamous movie Raising Arizona. It was a pretty funny movie, but it does not rank amongst my top 5 or 10. However, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE IS THE BEST MOVIE IN THE HISTORY OF MOVIES. I highly recommend seeing it.
Words of Wisdom- "Don't fidget at attention!!!!!!"

This Blog thing

I've decided to start this blog thing that people have found a new interest in. I have many friends that blog or do their xanga thing and what not, so I've decided to give it a whirl. However, I cannot promise that I will post every day because I don't normally tend to be the type of person that wakes up early in the mornings before school unless I have band, wrestling, make-up tests, etc. And in those cases I wake up, put my clothes on and leave. But this seems like a good way that I can start waking up a little earlier and thinking about my day rather than just jumping into it.
School has been going on for about a week and a half so far and it is going oddly well. I am senior so I don't really have work to do considering my classes consist of band, SAT prep, Pre-cal, and wrestling. Some may believe that Pre-cal would be a difficult class, but I dropped Pre-AP and I am taking regular so there isn't too much work to do. SENIORITIS....TOO SOON.
Words of Wisdom-
"Keep it real"