Anyway, I just wanted to send out a bloggerifc Happy Birthday to three of my favorite people. I'm going to be post the same horrible pictures I did last year in hopes that it spurs us on to get some new updated ones sometime soon. I'll also add a few of my favorite things about each of them.
We'll, start with Chris, since alphabetically he's first. Sweet Chris, or Christopher, or Christopherson is really one of my most favorite people. He often keeps me entertained during work hours with funny emails, often plotting how we will move to Hawaii and start our own business. Doing what, we have no clue. One reason that he's probably one of my most favorite people is because he loves Big Brother just as much as I do. He applied to be on the latest one and got rejected. I'm sure that's why this season wasn't as interesting. Also he's made several trips to Birmingham from Montgomery just to hang out with me. Happy Birthday Chris! I'm jealous you get to be in Starkville this weekend but there's a plate of chocolate chip cookies in my kitchen screaming your name!
Now, on to Drew, or Drewballa as I often like to refer to him. I really think that Drew and I were probably supposed to be, in another life, brother and sister. Drew was my bestest friend in high school and continues to be one of the greatest guys I will ever have the pleasure of knowing. We are so much alike it's scary sometimes but I can always count on Drew for an encouraging word or the plain truth about a situtation anytime. We've helped each other through some pretty tough times and I'm so grateful to God for a few like him. His family is a blessing as well, his mom like a second mom to me and his younger sister like younger sister to me. Happy Birthday Drew! I miss you!
And last, but certainly not least, sweet Kyle. I don't think that anyone has ever been so successful at making me laugh more than Kyle has. God really has blessed me with such a great friend. Kyle called me the other night as I was driving home from Chattanooga and I really think we talked for half of the trip. Our friendship is great because we are in the same business and can relate stories to one another. However, I think my most favorite thing about Kyle is that he would do just about anything for his friends. And he has a lot of friends. So Kyle, Happy 28th Annual Kyle Gras! I'm sure it will be a blast!Now onto another one of my favorite topics. The Red Sox. Tonight is the first game of the ALCS. The Red Sox are vying to repeat. I'm hoping it is successful. They will be playing a very good and very determined Tampa Rays team and I'm a little nervous. I saw these two teams play each other when I was in Tampa in July (Thanks for the free tickets Mandi! Check out this post for details.). Tampa beat the Sox. 3-1. Boo.
So here is the breakdown. The first two series in Tampa, the Rays swept. The first two series in Boston, the Red Sox swept. The next series in Boston, the Red Sox only won one game. Same thing with the last series in Tampa. So the Rays lead the Sox in 2008, 10-8. The series starts in Tampa. If it goes by home field advantage, Boston has it all the way. Two games in Tampa, three in Boston, two back in Tampa, if necessary. The Red Sox are pitching Dice-K tonight. That's a pretty good start. I hope.
I have to say, I'd love for my Red Sox to win. But if my some crazy happenstance, it does not happen, I'll be happy for the Rays. And I have a little cowbell ready to clang against whoever, they may face in the World Series, IF, and only IF, they get past the Sox first. I'm a sucker for the underdog. In this case, that would be the Rays.
And lastly, my thoughts turn to more serious things. The economy. The president interrupted regularly scheduled programming this morning to say the same things that have been being said for the past few weeks. People are freaking out, mostly in NYC, about all this economy stuff and the stock market plummetting and what not. Me? I don't really worry about it. Why? Well, because 1) I really have no clue (Ignorance is bliss, right?) and 2) I know who controls it all.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
I don't worry about what the economy does or how much money I have in the bank and what's going on Wall Street because God says:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20
I'm not counting on my worldy wealth and worth to get me through the day. What gets me through the day is knowing that I serve a God who gave up all of his glory to come to Earth and take on human flesh and go through everything I will ever go through and be despised by his own people, died a cruel death after taking on all the sin of the world, past, present and future and then defeated the grave by rising on the third day. What gets me through the day is the constant love, grace and mercy that I feel and see acted out every day by my God. What gets me through the day is knowing that I'm not here for me. I'm here for Him to use me to impact others and no money, fancy car or diamond ring can ever top being an instrument for God to use.
God holds this whole world in his hand. You know the song. I'm sure you're singing it right now. The point is that if I have put every ounce of my faith in him, I have nothing to worry about. Life or death means nothing because my eternity is secured in him. He controls what really happens in the world, and like I'm trusting this chair that I'm sitting in to hold me up off the ground, I'm trusting God, in his infinite widsom, to hold me up in this world. I'm don't lean on my own understanding. I lean on a solid rock called Jesus Christ.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
so proud that God has brought to you good friends and not at all surprise that they are young men. God has a special young man out there for you. I know because i have been praying for him since you were in the craddle. the time is up to God, although he will still have to get by me.
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