In the Books: Highlights and more of 2012

Today is the first day of 2013. It does feel a bit strange typing those words. And, as with most every new year, I find myself in a mood of recounting. So, here are some of the high and lowlights of the year that was for me and how these things affected. Disclaimer: I find that with many of these things people tend to write about the most recent happenings since those are the freshest on their minds. Although I will be touching upon the past couple months, I will be trying to hit the entirety of the year, so please bear with me. It makes sense to start where my year changes the most each of the past few years: the end of the school year. I moved out of my apartment on Abrego and into my new apartment on Madrid, though not right away. First I spent two weeks living on Sabado with my buds in a pretty sweet house. It was an interesting time just because it was so brief and I new it would be. I am exceptionally thankful that they gave me a place to stay when I needed one. My Abrego apartment was good, but not without its challenges. I had a few difficult months there but God, as always, was bigger than my own issues. I saw myself get exceptionally good grades last winter and spring, almost surprisingly so. Again, I have to give the credit to God. From Gardner to Baker: My summer saw me getting a modest job at K-Mart. Not ideal, but a blessing to help me pay the bills nonetheless. Within my first couple weeks there I got willingly transferred to the slow garden section. It was very much my style: not many customers or late nights. I spent most of my summer there. Additionally, in what was unarguably the busiest August of my month, I was a groomsmen in one wedding, went to another, and baked for both. I also went to both bachelor parties and was working virtually every other day of the month. It was crazy hectic and would not have been able to do it without what will be described below. I became a professional gardner and baker and got to celebrate with some good friends. Loved, so Amazing: I had what was in my opinion the best living situation of my life this past summer. For about two weeks in August I lived with five of the most loving men that I have ever known. Every day when I came home from work, every meal, every late-night discourse, every morning when I woke up, pretty much every moment when I woke up I felt Loved, uniquely, as I am, for who I am. And what's more, I Loved. I saw what was the clearest, crispest picture of what a Christ-centered, Christ-resembling community of my life and I very much cherished every moment I lived with those mighty men. There has been no greater image for me of pouring in to pour out. Unreachable: For about 4-5 months of this year I was without a phone and could only be reached by facebook or a note on the door. Looking back on it, the feeling of not having one seems like a distant memory now. I t was great, and I would definitely advise it. It was great not being encumbered in that way and just being free to do as I pleased, and it I believe it was necessary for the season and location I was in at the time. Uncle Cody: One of my favorite memories is more recent, when I got to spend an evening, night, and day at my brother's house, playing with my two nieces. It was the first amount of quality time I've gotten to enjoy with them since they became of talking age and it was so refreshing spending time with the two little ones. Plex Life: When I moved into my new apartment,I was one of 32 (more if you count the summer subleasers who lived there) attempting to live in a Christ-centered community. This complex (or plex for short) has been incredible; a hub of activity, many people I love, constantly developing relationships, people who love and serve my God all around me. I have absolutely loved living there and it has been so crucial for how I have grown. Which brings me to my final snippet. Growth: This is really more of a theme throughout my college years, but I think i saw it most directly in 2012. I visibly saw how God changed not only me, but the people and communities around me, often using me to do so. I am now able to see myself as a leader, where I was not before, I am able to be confident and bold where I was not before. God uses me to directly shape and grow 6 unique, strong warrior men. I saw a community take shape and grow into a beautiful place of refuge over the summer, as I had the sweet opportunity to lead prayer for Summer Cru and be intimately involved with it. It was one of the most amazing things of the year, seeing how God moved a community to make it sacrificially loving for each other. I saw God bring in he biggest class of freshmen UCSB has ever seen, and Real Life saw the fruits of that. I met many, legit guys, and some girls, this year, and feel confident leaving the movement into their more than capable hands. I guess you could say that 2012 was a year of good times and sanctification, a big word meaning God doing what He does: making me perfect. This is just a small glimpse of the year I had and the imperishable moments therein. If you would like to find out more, please, let's get tea. P. S. Going to try to be more active blogging next quarter. Definitely the biggest sin I struggled with over the year was laziness, and that is perhaps because I understand it the least. One way I believe to combat that is to be actively blogging, so I am trying to blog more next quarter. Keep me accountable please. ~Good Luck and Good Eats!