I had one of those moments a couple days ago where I KNEW that without a doubt, God was using me. I can't go into much detail at the present, but just know that God answered some long term prayers of mine and He is amazing. Just wanted to share some of my joy with all of you...

It's about time...

Guess who finally bought a car?

Do you ever feel like you can't do anything right?

I have a healthy disdain for both of the teams playing in the NBA Finals...But seeing San Antonio get their faces wiped all over the court puts a huge smile on my face. Sorry Tim Duncan...but I would rather see the Pistons take it.

I remember recently getting my drivers license on my 16th birthday....Oh wait. That was about two YEARS ago! Where does the time go?
'
Do you ever remember walking through the mall and looking at the "older" "cooler" kids. I used to pretend what it would be like when I was in high school, and I could drive, and I had a letter jacket, and all that stuff. Well now all that stuff is over with. I have finished high school, and don't wear my letter jacket anymore (mainly because it's like 105 degrees outside) and I don't even have a curfew anymore. It just seems like life was going at warp speed and when the coolness was occuring, I wasn't paying attention to how cool it actually was. I feel like I skipped four years of my life because I was too preoccupied with meaningless, trivial things...

This years goal...realize how cool it is to be in college. Enjoy life, friends, and most importantly...God, and don't STRESS OUT. Bring Glory to Him in all that I do by enjoying the life He's given me. That is something that the college group at Crossroads does unbelievably well.

Random thoughts

• sometimes you just have to burn to tan
• grapevine lake rocks, especially when you're there with people who rock
• it is definitely summer and I'm loving it
• there is no feeling quite like the one you get riding in a jeep without doors on it
• wakeboarding is easy....at least getting up is
• after owning a laptop I don't ever want a regular PC again
• cars don't just show up and wait for you to buy them, you must pursue them
• I'm realizing that I am actually starting a new part of my life
• I wish I would have gotten to know certain people sooner

Good News...I heard from Kanakuk.

Bad News...buying a car is no fun. It will be fun once I get the car, but the whole process sucks.


I got to have breakfast with one of the coolest people on the planet this morning. I feel so lucky for every second that I get to spend with this individual. AMAZING!

Mexico was wonderful. But now that I'm back I have so much to do. I leave in like 8 or 9 days for Kanakuk. I have to:

• sell my car,
• buy a new car,
• have my Eagle Scout Board of Review,
• run down to drop paperwork off in Fort Worth,
• mail in the rebates for my laptop,
• do my thank you letters from graduation

On top of all of this, I haven't heard from Kanakuk in over a month. I have no clue what time I am supposed to get there, what they want me to bring, and all of the stuff that one would expect to get from his employer in advance. I realize that everyone at Kanakuk is extremely busy right now doing the whole CAMP thing. But they hired me, sent me the forms they needed me to fill out, sent my a confirmation letter, and I haven't heard from them in a month...But I would like to know whether or not they still want me to show up. If I can't get a hold of them this week, I might be spending the next month in the Flowerplex. I hope we can get in touch..it is the most amazing place on the planet.

Craig!!!, Just trust God...just trust God.

I'm south of the border for the next week....


Juarez '05

Brent...can that funk be contagious?

My friend just got me the coolest gift EVER. He got me a copy of The Message by Eugene Peterson. It is a nice leather back bible with my name on it. I have such amazing friends. Thank you Seanathan...it means more to me than you know.

I don't really know when i'm supposed to find time to get ready for Mexico....and I don't think I have given Nathan my birth certificate yet.

I was in the Marcus Band for 4 years. They have this thing called music camp the first week of summer where everyone goes up to school for like 6 hours a day and plays their instruments and gets to know the music we'll be playing for the marching show and what not. Well....I got a call this morning from my old band director. "Craig, we need a Saxophone teacher and were wondering if you were free this week...we'll pay you for it." Cha-ching. I will be getting paid for doing the exact same thing that I was forced to do last summer. I was the saxophone teacher the past two years too because I was an officer that was able to teach, therefore not requiring them to hire one..i guess they didn't have any students that could take it over this year, so they get to pay me to do it. What makes it even better is that I love playing my saxophone....I love talking to other sax players...and I love making music with people. I would probably do it for free if they hadn't already offered to pay me for it.

Sorry for canceling coffee.

I just got my new laptop today!!!! It is AWESOME.

The last Mexico meeting was today...we leave in 6 days. It is unreal how excited I am for this trip.

There is nothing like a few runs to Race Track to get a cheap fountain drink refill and then going to play some frisbee golf to get the summer started off properly. Except the fact that I LOVE 100 degree weather(I might be the only one) and its only been about 85-90 recently...but I can live with that...

High school Wednesday night Bible studies at my church are now over for the summer...and in my case, forever. So last night I attended the college and young adults Bible study. It was really cool to see these people accept me, and the other graduating seniors/new freshman...or whatever we are called now. We were pulled straight into the group. It was interesting to see new view points on issues and hear the wisdom that God has given them through experience. I will say however, it is a little weird that half of the guys in the group are married. And what is even more weird is that I went to part of high school with some of the married couples....and one of the guys that is now IN my Bible study TAUGHT my freshman Bible study...it is just a different atmosphere, but at the same time we are all followers of Christ wanting to grow and mature. The love of Christ can pull any group of people into a tight knit group, despite age, interests, or personalities. So thank you college and young adult group.

Seniors 2005, It has been an honor.

More thinking about graduation...

I am so used to seeing the same faces in the hallways at Marcus High School. Some of the faces I have seen practically everyday since 2nd grade. But this last week of school is weird. It seems like every time that I see many of those people, I make a mental note in my mind that "Hey, this might be the last time I ever see that person." I also find myself telling people good-bye and good luck in the future more than once...because I'm not sure whether or not I will get a chance to see them again before our 10 year reunion...and then sure enough...I see them again so I must tell them good-bye and good luck in the future because I may never see you again.

I'm sorry...my mind works very akwardly.

My Buddy Brent, who just so happens to be a youth minister with a passion for teenagers like that of no one else, has a list of links to blogs of current students in his youth ministry and a list of links to blogs of former students in his youth ministry. I was realizing that in a few short days, he will take the names of all of the seniors, myself included, and put them under the Blogs of Former Students link list. I'm not sure when it will hit me that I won't be taught on a regular basis by this amazing servant of God again. But really...Seniors...isn't that sad?

I just finished introducing my brother to the greatness of Bottle Rocket. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Tax dollars hard at work

Tomorrow the senior class will be going to Main Event for 5 hours rather than attending school. We will have free laser tag, bowling, pool, arcade games, and food. I say free...but I mean for $20. But if you know Main Event, you recognize that this is a great deal. Why do seniors even go to school the last few weeks???

GET OUT!!

So when I got home this weekend, my parents had dropped another subtle hint that they are ready for my departure. My bathroom, which used to be dark blue and very obviously a "boy's bathroom", is now bright red and pink with fluffy carpet mats and matching light switch and electricity outlet covers. The shower curtain is also VERY GIRLY. It almost makes me uncomfortable to go in there. I'm sure that my sister will really enjoy her new bathroom. But COME ON!!! At least wait until I'm gone.

So my weekend has been pretty cool. I went down to College Station and camped at a state park down there. On Saturday, I went and did an obstacle course-type-deal that was 30 feet in the air. It involved jumping off of 30 feet tall telephone poles and grabbing a trapeze, walking a balance beam(also 30 feet in the air) BLINDFOLDED, Tight-wire walking and rapelling. It was nice just to get in nature and relax, as well as have a good time.

It's time for my last full week of school....EVER......or at least until I have to start paying for it.

Ok. So am I excited about graduation, or am I afraid to leave a very comfortable atmosphere? One in which I have tons of friends who accept me for who I am and respect my decision to follow Christ whether they have made that same decision or not. An environment where I never have too much "stuff" to worry about, even when I make life out to be stressful and difficult. An atmosphere in which I have amazing people who disciple me and help me to grow.

I like how our emotions follow exactly what we are thinking in our minds. It is really stupid. Here I am thinking about all of the things that I will be leaving, and not thinking about all of the amazing things that God has for me next year. Your emotions are responders....they only RESPOND to what is going on inside of your head. If error or completely false thinking is going on, your emotions react to that false thinking as truth, when in all reality it isn't.

I doubt any of this made any sense...but it's clear as anything to me.

Well I feel like I need to update, but there are way too many things going on in my head to pick one or two and write about them. But an underlying message recently seems to be that God's plan for my life is definitely going to take me out of my comfort zone. The sooner I accept that, the easier this will all be.....

There is this elderly couple that I take care of their lawn, trees, and other jobs for. Well yesterday spent about 4 1/2 hours trimming their trees and putting the limbs out for the trash people to take on Tuesday. Well there was a bit of a storm last night and I received a phone call. I had to go and move all of the branches off of Homestead(which is a street near theirs) and back next to the sidewalk because they had blown away during the night. And then I received some very funny looks from people driving by as I was sweeping off the street with a broom when it was all finished. I'm sure that looked peculiar.

When I woke up this morning, I was informed by my mother that I needed to clean out my room, put everything in boxes, and be pretty much ready to move out. It sounds like they are trying to get rid of me a little too soon considering I don't leave until June 21, and then I'll be back and leave for good in mid-August. And then I asked her about looking for a small car with good gas mileage for me, because both of my brothers got a better car when they graduated so that they could drive back and forth from college. Well...my mother is a little dramatic at times and I must have caught her at a bad time, but she pretty much said that she thinks that I can share a car with my brother next year in Lubbock. So I laughed and left the room....then I realized that she might not be joking so I went back in the room...turned out to not be so much of a joke. I'm sure that I will get a car for next year, I just probably shouldn't bring it up too much. If I look on my own, find a good deal, and then confront my parents I will have much better luck.

I have such amazing friends. We had our Band Banquet tonight. (Don't laugh, we aren't as big of dorks as you think) It was really cool to hang out with the people that I have spent the past four years with (some of them 7 years) for one last time. It's really sad in a way, because those people will never be together in the same room again.

I've never really understood the meaning of bitter-sweet until these past few weeks.

Diet Dr. Pepper does NOT taste more like regular Dr. Pepper...Disgusting

May of Senior Year!!!!!!!! So much stuff to do, I wish it would all just go away. I can't wait for summer.

I'm really going to miss Tuesday nights with the mid-schoolers. 7th grade guys...ya'll are all so awesome and God will use you in amazing ways in your futures...I KNOW it!

Did you see the Mavericks game????? Oh my gosh. That is what I'm talking about.

I have a question. Why didn't Bradley play tonight? I missed the last little bit of the 4th game in the series...did something happen to him. I used to think that he was just a 7ft 6 in. waste of space, but he has been able to do some damage recently and I was wondering why he didn't play tonight. We could have used him against the Chinese giant, Yoa Ming. I doubt that anyone else cares...I'm a dork.

There are few people that I respect as much as some of the guys in my junior and senior guys Bible study. "Iron sharpening iron", as we grow together in Christ. When there is an issue, we will call eachother on it and most of the time our hearts are softened by God and we mature further in our walks. I don't know how I will even begin to say good-bye to some of my brothers in Christ as I leave Flower Mound to start a new phase of my life, and as some of them also leave and others stay... Each year, the seniors at my church get a few minutes to give a senior speech. I don't know how I will address these guys in my speech....I don't know if I can... But if any of you are reading this...Thanks for being studs. Keep God #1 and go serve him as I know that each of you will have amazing impacts on the Kingdom...and I can't wait to see the fruits of you labors...whether it is in Flower Mound during your senior year next year for you juniors, or if it is somewhere else for those of us graduating.

I know that I said I wouldn't have many serious blogs anymore...it was just really brought to my attention.
Enjoy the people that God has put in your life NOW!

Let's see if the Mavs can pull it off again today at 4:30. Dirk's gotta make his shots.......

Do you ever have one of those days where every small thing that could possibly go wrong does? That's how today was for me. I wake up with a headache, stub my toe getting out of bed. OUCH!!! I head to Starbucks and the same girl who makes my drink everyday made it again today, but for some reason she messed it up. No big deal, i didn't say anything because coffee is coffee and it was good anyway. I get to school and my first period teacher asks if I will run to Chick-fil-a for him. So I agree because he said that I could get something for myself with his money. So I get to Chick-fil-a and head inside to order. I get his four-piece chicken minis, his large Diet coke with extra ice, a Dr. pepper for my friend Jack, and a chicken biscuit for myself. I start to walk back to my car, reach into my pocket for my keys.....and.....and.....CRAP! They are in my ignition with my car running and my doors locked. Which is twice as bad when you are nearly out of gas and your gas gauge doesn't work. So now I have to guess how much gas was eaten up while I was waiting to get back into my car. I have to call my mom with some guys cell phone at Chick-fil-a, because I don't have one, and ask her to bring the spare set of keys to me at the restaurant. As I'm sitting and waiting for my keys, I unwrap my chicken biscuit only to find that there is no chicken in my biscuit...there is sausage. I wasn't even going to try and ask them to fix it...so I put on a smile and ate my sausage biscuit. Nothing major....nothing went drastically wrong. Just about a hundred tiny things adding up to one crappy morning. It happens........

As most of you probably know, I go to Starbucks on average..4 out of 5 school days, at least once each weekend, and about 2 times each week during weekday evenings. But I have noticed that I rarely go in there without seeing someone that I know. Apparently it isn't just me who lives at Starbucks. People actually come up to my parents and start a conversation with, "Hey, I saw Craig at Starbucks yesterday..."

If you have ever seen me at Starbucks, enjoying God's wonderful, smooth, rich creation of coffee, leave a comment. This could get interesting if the right people read my blog....

I've been having so much fun preparing my lesson over Romans 15 that I'll be teaching this wednesday while Brent is out. As I start to pull all of my notes and stuff into an actual, applicable lesson..pray that I would be sensitive to where God is leading the lesson. It is one thing to have a cool Bible study where everyone learns some cool facts. But it is something completely different for someone in the room to walk out looking a little more like Christ at the end of the night. God's word is able to change our lives for the better every time that we open it and my prayer is that God uses me as a tool to do exactly that. It may just be a small high school Bible study...but it is the Word of God and I won't take this responsibility lightly. Just keep me in your thoughts.



Is it possible to have a case of the Monday's on a Tuesday????

Now that prom is over, high school is coming to an end very quickly. As it ends I am realizing all of the great things that I will be leaving behind. Why are they coming to me so late in my high school career that I am almost out of time to enjoy them? Some things I have just taken for granted for four years. Others I am just now seeing...missed opportunities hurt.

Now it is almost bitter for me to tell you that I got my letter of acceptance into the Honors College today at Texas Tech. Now I will be learning with the smart people. I wonder how long it will take them to realize that I'm not one of them.

Amazing. Everything about it....AMAZING!

And that is a lot coming from me.

You won't believe this...

So if you read my blog, you know about the fish, the rock, and the smashed head...(see yesterday's blog). Well today a shocking similar experience happened to me. I was at school helping the set up of the after prom party that the school hosts. I get service hours in doing this. One of the ladies that was in charge asked if I would help her move a couch from a classroom into the cafeteria. Two other guys and myself went into this room, picked up this couch, and watched as four mice ran out from under the couch. The lady screamed...us guys smiled really big. One of the guys picked up a yardstick and started swinging. I, however, knew that it was unlikely to hit a small mouse with a yardstick so I picked up a 2004 yearbook off of a nearby shelf. After picking up said yearbook, I watched as one mouse that hadn't already gone back under the couch continued running....then SLAM. The mouse's screeching stoped... and there was blood on the yearbook....mission accomplished. Now usually things like this don't happen to me. It has been an eventful week.

I am doing a stock market project in Economics class and I have stock in a few companies. But the one that is hurting me the worst is Starbucks. It has been going down for days. So...I need everyone's help. TODAY, go to Starbucks at least once. You will be helping me to get an A.

....I wish it were that easy to make stock go up, I'd be a millionaire.

Someone is either walking in the flesh or they are walking by the Spirit. When you(when I say you, I mean I) let trivial, meaningless things catch your attention, you are no longer walking by the spirit. However, "healthy" these trivial pursuits might be, if they are causing you to put them ahead of God...it's sin. Whether it is school, relationships, money, or whatever you may be dwelling in or on...it isn't glorifying to God. Notice that school, relationships, and money are all good things when put into perspective. It doesn't take things like selfishness, anger, or self-pitty to be walking in the flesh...however those don't help.

I don't write about serious, real life stuff, like this, much anymore because I have noticed that whenever I'm being honest and sincere no one comments. But here it is...I'll try to hold off on the next un-mindless blogging for a while.

The beauty of TAKS week continues. The past two morning I have gone fishing at Grapevine lake with some friends. Jack put one of his fish in a plastic bag and then left it in his car the rest of the day yesterday. And then today, he decided to keep another fish, put it in a plastic bag (without water), and the fish was pretty much without the ability to breathe for TWO hours. When we took it out of the car it was still alive. So we had to do the only humane thing...put it out of it's misery. I took a large rock the size of my head or so and dropped it on the fish's head. STILL ALIVE. This fish was a fighter. So I slammed the rock onto the fish's head again. It was over...

This week is going to be awesome. First of all Seniors get to arrive late at school everyday at 11:30. And then on Saturday we have prom...which I'm not stressed out about this year, because in the words of some unknown person, "I'm not in control of the situation." So I am going to show up and have a great time.

OK. For the first time it is really feeling like late April. It's not the weather, it's not the advertisements for season finales of TV shows, but it's school. I go to school everyday and hear teachers talk about "end of school" stuff like caps and gowns for graduation, or our senior T-shirts. It will be May in like 11 days.

We had our first Mexico mission trip meeting today. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am. This is my favorite trip in the world.....SO EXCITED!

My mom is making good pie for dessert today...mmmm....(trust me, it needed to be said)

Sometimes things are so different that they are refreshing...

Grrr...no more Wendy's 99 cent value menu. A Jr. Bacon Cheese Burger for $1.29? It's almost not worth it. However, I think that the Wendy's cup of Chili stayed the same price...they aren't charging extra for fingers these days.

When I first saw this I figured that everyone would do it and it would get old fast. I soon found out that it didn't and I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments on other people's blogs whether I posted or not...so here it comes...three days late.

"If you read this, you must make a comment of a memory you have of me. It can be anything you want, it can be good or bad, just so long as it happened. Then post this to your journal. See what people remember about you."

My past couple of blogs have been short, one liners. I'm sure that most of you actually prefer shorter blogs...but occasionally I might have more to say.

The Senior English classes got to go to Medieval Times today. It was pretty fun. I just don't understand some of the people in my class. We have six more weeks of school and a couple of seniors just blew it. There were a couple of guys that decided to bring alcohol to the field trip...I know..STUPID. Well, they ended up getting expelled. Bad trade-off. They don't get to graduate with the rest of us. If they finish high school this year, it will have to be a JJAP or AEP alternative school. Another person decided to start smoking during the performance. Also STUPID...considering we were indoors and everyone in the room could smell it. I think there needs to be a Common Sense Booster shot in order to be admitted into school.

Katie is right, I am going to start making the choice to be happy about the rest of school. It won't be easy...

Scavenger hunt and a free cowboy hat. That's all that I have to say.

I've gotten into the habit of constantly looking around for ministry opportunities. Many of you would say, "well that's a good thing." And it would be, except for that I am not realizing what actually is a ministry opportunity. Mission fields are not only those that involve helping people, serving the less fortunate, or traveling to another country to build houses. I am active in doing those, and when they are done, I ask when the next thing is that I can do. Every breath that I take, every word that I mutter should be my ministry. I should be a full-time missionary whether I live in Djibouti, Africa or Flower Mound, Texas, whether I am stocking shelves at CCA, or playing paper football in the lunch. Those other things should be awesome, exciting ways to serve my God, but not the only ones.
Everyone.....a minister, at all times.

Do you ever have one of those nights when you just stress out over the most stupid things thinking that the longer you lay awake in bed, the more likely it is that the problem will be solved. It doesn't make any sense. It would make more sense to stop worrying about it, get a good nights rest, and worry about it the next day if at all. But no...I, for some reason, expect all of life's questions to be answered while staring at my ceiling at night, when I am already exhausted and not in the right mind-set(especially since I'm not a night-time person).

Recently I have been really missing wrestling. What I would give for just one more match...
Any takers????Anyone at all?

Dentist Part II

I got three more fillings today. It isn't my fault, I inherit bad teeth. But once again, as soon as they put me on the gas...I couldn't have cared less.

Well I must go to school now, but tonight is my favorite night of the week so I'll have something to push me through Economics. grr.

I just realized that I didn't blog Dentist Part I. So just to let you know, Wednesday of last week I had four fillings on the right side of my mouth. FUN. However, it's kinda sad that I would rather be getting my teeth drilled than have to go to band first period.

Epidemic

The most severe case of senioritis yet swept through Craig County today. It was disastrous. Right after third period I went to the band hallway to talk with some of my friends before D-lunch. However, most of my friends were leaving for senior out, while I was staying to attend the second worst class in the world, BCIS(2nd only to Economics). As this took place the only thought that I had in my mind was, "Why didn't I graduate early?" Very unhealthy......


I have decided. The coin landed on heads(see blog March 21) and I will be getting my guns up at Texas Tech next year. It feels so good to finally know for sure. I can think of a lot of people who are probably very excited about my decision, not to mention any names ....Nathan....Jude...
And there are plenty more....Brad...Jordan....Adam....Parents

Daylight savings time really throws off my schedule. Since I'm a morning person, 7:00 seemed really late this morning, almost like I wasted part of my day. This will take some getting used to.

But this weekend rocked anyway.

I, unlike Brent, do not like days like this, all rainy and cold. That means no frisbee golf with Danny and Nurge. It really means no anything, with anyone outside. I did have coffee with my friend Seanathan this morning. That was awesome. It's always cool just to sit with a brother in Christ and have "Eternity Practice." Fellowship that will continue one day in the Kingdom. But in the Kingdom it won't be RAINY! Anyway, I'm not bitter or anything...

Well I finally figured out how to add links to my blog. Now the next step is figuring out how to add a list of other people's blogs. Don't bother trying to explain it to me...I am computer illiterate.

I just mowed the lawn. It only took me about 20 minutes to do the front and back. It's kinda funny to think about all of the excuses I used to make a few years ago to get out of mowing the lawn. I would spend over an hour just coming up with reasons to tell my parents as to why "this is a bad time for me," instead of just doing it in 20 minutes and getting it over with.

Don't tell my parents this....but they usually are right, they do know what's best(most of the time), and I don't view them as two unlimited ATMs. I have a lot of respect for them. They will have three kids in college next year (and they are paying for it) as well as one still at home. I have no clue how they are going to do it. I'd quit....I know that much for sure.

Do you know what is really weird? When people change font color every line or couple of words. It's actually pretty annoying........ Maybe that's just me. I don't mean to offend anyone, because if you do it, then more power to you.... I just find it a little distracting.


You know what I mean????

I'm back from Baylor............and still just as confused. Oh well, the time has come to flip a coin. Heads is Tech, Tails is Baylor....here it goes.............OH NOOOOOO, the coin rolled into the air vent below the computer deks. This is terrible. I'll never know. I'll just go to high school for another year.

I am off to good ol' Waco, Texas this weekend. I am visiting Baylor, and to tell you the truth, I hope that I don't like it. If I DO like it, then I will still be confused as to where to go to college. But if I don't like it, then I will finally know for sure that I will be going to Texas Tech next fall. So everyone be praying that I have a horrible time......just kidding. Just pray that I keep God first in my decision. If I do that, then I can't make a wrong decision.

Peace out, Napoleon...

So the fact that I won't be attending any more mandatory school in 9 weeks is starting to sink in. I am really excited about what is going on this summer and the next school year. I can't wait to see how God teaches me and uses me in the next year or so. It's gonna be so awesome.

So I had to drop wrestling and pick up another "real" class...Economics. The kind of thing that makes you want to drop out of high school 9 weeks before it is over. MOST BORING CLASS EVER. But I am in there with cool people...so let's try and make the best of this shall we?

Ok, so here's the deal. I am more of less computer illiterate. I know how to check my e-mail, blog, and play online pool if I feel so inclined. However, I don't know how to add links to my blog. If someone could help me out a little here that would be great.....I'm a failure.....

Exams are over!!!! Spring Break is here......... wait scratch that....... Exams are over!!! More school next week.....
What else is there left to say?

I thought that I would change my background....mainly because I got tired of the old one.....and....well everyone else has changed theirs recently too. What do ya'll think? Is the green too much? Should I try something different? I need input.

THIS SATURDAY-
I am having my Eagle Scout project at Lewisville Lake Park. I will be building a retaining wall and finishing something that has taken about twelve years. The project itself is just the last thing in a process of many years and requirements. It is finally over. You have no idea how happy that I am to be finished, for the most part, after this Saturday. The main reason that I am bringing this up is because I NEED HELP. If you can help me any time this Saturday from
9 am-4 pm, let me know. I can get you a map and all of the information you need. It will be fun and there will be free food. Please, if you don't mind a little physical labor come by for any amount of time that you can help.

I pray that I, "being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Paul's prayers are so awesome. If we could really know this love (agape- love in which no sacrifice is too great) that Paul is talking about here and now, our lives would be drastically different. Just something that I was thinking about last night...
-quote from Ephesians 3:17-19

It is exam week again. The time of the year when I frantically try to learn 9 weeks worth of material in less than two days. However, it is much easier this time because of my extremely light class load.

Almost Spring break......Already Spring fever......

Well, wrestling is over. If you haven't heard I went 2-2 at regionals and pulled out about 7th place. I say about because they only count the top 6 as "placing" and the top four get to go to state. It was a fairly successful season and I am kinda glad that it is over.

I just got back from a college visit at Texas Tech. I am really not sure that it is the right college for me. It is still 50% Texas Tech and 50% Baylor when it comes down to my choices. Sorry Nathan and Jude, I know that isn't the news you want to hear. Anyway, if you want to pay for my college education, let me know. My parents would be thrilled.

Hey, I just thought that I would go ahead and let everyone know that I got 2nd at District and I will be going on to regionals. The top two get to go and I was seeded 3rd going in to today, but I sucked it up and went all the way to the championship match which I lost. But I can't complain since I am still going to regionals. That just gives me another chance to beat that guy.


That's enough for tonight................

For those of you who go to my church, Nathan taught sunday school a few weeks ago and he focused on a certain Christian musician. (it might have been when some of you were at Pine Cove) This artist is controversial, however has great points. Well, one of his points had to do with Christians today being identified by the bumper stickers on thier cars, or by the T-shirts that we wear.
I tell you that story to tell you this story. I was at CCA getting my last minute service hours for NHS and an older guy walks up to me. He asked me if I am involved with a church and I told him that I was. And then he asked if I would ever wear a hat with a cross on it. I said yeah, so he hands me this hat with a cross on it. Which is great and I really like the hat. He said that he was trying to get people out of the "spiritual closet", and went on to tell me that he has no room for any more bumper stickers on his car, that all he wears is Christian apparel, and he walks around all the time handing out Christian clothing. Now, in no way am I bashing the way that this guy has decided to serve Christ. I believe that his intentions are great and he is doing good things for the Kingdom. But I remembered the point of the song that goes, "They'll know us by the T-shirts that we wear...." It is that we shouldn't have to be identified by "name tags". It says in the Bible that they should know who we are because of the way that we love. John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
I really don't mean to offend anyone, in fact I have Christian T-shirts and hats and the like. But the question is should we HAVE to wear them?

I'm in BCIS right now(2nd period) so I thought that I would update. Once again Brent...this is your tax dollars hard at work.

I jammed/ possibly broke my thumb last weekend and I keep hurting it in wrestling. I have this week to rest it and nurse it back to health before I have to wrestle the most important tournament so far of the season. If I don't place in the top two on Saturday, my season is over. However, if I do, than I get to go on to regionals the following weekend...and it is a similar situation at regionals to go on to state.

Senioritis is getting worse....any treatment suggestions are appreciated.

I have been a camper for 9 years at a camp called Kanakuk Kamps. It is a Christian high adventure and sports camp. www.kanakuk.com for more info. But anyways, it is one of the most amazing things that ever happened to my spiritual life and relationship with Christ. Because of this, I want to work there as a cousnler in training this summer and I had my interview last sunday. If I do get the job I will be so pumped to get to serve there this summer. It will be amazing and life changing. But if that isn't where God wants me this summer, I know that there will be something just as glorifying to Him that he wants me to do this summer. But either way I am excited that I even got the chance to get interviewed by such an elite staff.

Wrestling season is still trucking on and getting a little more fun. I will be kinda sad to see it go but at the same time relieved for the amount of time that I will have to be able to devote to other things.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the mission trip to Juarez, Mexico that I go on every year to build houses for some families who literally have nothing. I cannot wait to go back. This may sound wierd, but that week of intense physical labor, blinding sand storms, bucket showers with water that will make you sick, and little sleep gives me more rest than most other weeks in the year. Most of it is that I spend the time with great friends and enjoying fellowship with them and God for a week. Not to mention doing God's work and seeing His influence on other people's lives....crazy!!!
I think that we should build eight houses and spend at least two weeks there. Brent....get on top of that...actually I hear that Nathan might be in charge of it this year. I would like to see a schedule and expected cost on my desk by wednesday.

I only have to miss one more Tuesday Night Discipleship. The one thing that I hate about wrestling season is that I have to miss spending time with my 7th grade guys on tuesdays for a couple of months. But that is almost over.

So many things to do...so many things to do....so many things to do....gotta go

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.