January 27

Summer is hot in Klamath Falls, but that doesn't mean that a bare patch of ground cannot produce something lush and beautiful. Here in the high desert it tends to dry out in the midsummer when ponds dry and grasses wither and turn brown. This is not Ireland or New Zealand, we have water shortages, water crisiss, and suckerfish troubles. But every year something special happens, winter. Winter is when the snow comes down and provides a use for sleds, fireplaces, and many more enjoyable pasttimes. Most importantly though the snow sticks deep in the mountains and hills, pilingly up and up and up. A snowpack. This snowpack will melt slowly making runoff streams that feed ponds, lakes, and irrigation ditches providing water late into the thirsty summer. Giving norishment, promoting growth, and providing fruit.

I am Klamath Falls dirt. There are times in my life when the wettness of spring give way to hot arid desert. The late summer times in my life when there seems to be nothing to work with, nothing to grow in, and ultimately no fruit. But God has built up a snowpack! Like jumping into a high mountain lake on a hot day, the revitalizing shock of what He has provided give new life to this patch of dry ugly ground that makes up Jordan. A snowpack that is composed of the most wonderful things. The natural beauty around me that speaks of nothing but the almighty God. Godly men and women that provide awesome examples and many words of wisdom. Encouraing friends giving support, repremand, encouragement, and much more. Family to guide and test me, heaping on love and caring hugs. And the Word of the Lord which is the ultimate lighthouse to show the way, and the 3D picture of God's love and perfect being.

Guess what! It's snowing in my life! God is establishing a snowpack that has me so very excited. It gives me irrepressable shivers of joy to think of the summer that I could survive with what God is providing and storing up in me. The blessings of mentors, great friends, loving family, and the Word of God. "sigh"

May the Lord walk beside me and you to comfort us.
May the Lord walk above me and you to watch over us.
May the Lord walk behind me and you to keep us safe safe.
May the Lord walk before me and you to show us the way.

January 10th

I am an active 18 year old, whom God has blessed with the semi-ability to play sports and take part in many physical activities. The best football player in school, the best basket ball player in school, and the all around best athlete in school... is not me, not by a long shot. But I do ok at these things and have found a way to contribute to the teams. Coming into basketball season I happily found that I could jump high enough to grab the rim, run up and down the court quickly, and not get tired out fast doing these things.

However, in last nights game I also found that jumping up and falling back down on the pointy part of your hip bone greatly inhibits such actions. Along with not being able to run and jump very well, the actions of sitting, standing, and laying down hurt to.

But, though it hurts physically on the outside, it feels good spiritually on the inside. Now, not only do I know that God has his ways of heading off any rising pride, but I feel it too. Lord thank you for this thorn in my side, it was, is, and will be necessary in the future.

On a different note, I burned my hand while playing with the little fireball thing, thanks Tyler for the hours of enjoyment and pain that you started. Next time don't show me such an entertaining way of eventually hurting myself!

January 6th

Oh boy am I tired. I'm gunna make this one short.

A chuckle. Not quite as loud or brash as a laugh but still there, gently helping to ease or bring out even the quietest of smiles. I think God chuckles predominently, it seems fitting.

January 5th

Oh it started out all wrong. Lying in bed this morning after my alarm went off, I fell into the awful practice of telling ones self, "just a little longer, I'll lay my head back down while I collect my thoughts." Dangerous! Before ya know it your shower time eats into your breakfast time which spills into getting dressed time which spills into driving time and it just gets worse from there. On top of that a sad fact hit me while driving, the snow is almost gone! We didn't have a white Christmas and it hasn't stuck around since so it is hard to accept that it is winter. When looking outside I just get this dismal feeling that makes me upset. What comfort is there for a cold or runny nose when there wasn't even a great day of sledding or playing in the snow to blame it on?

But on this gray down-trodden looking world today it rained, and that is the blessing that caught my eye today. It wasn't a spirit dampenning rain that takes the clouds out of the sky and puts them in your heart and mind. It wasn't the terenchal downpour that is excitingly powerful yet destructive. Instead it was the happy light hearted pitter-patter, hardly discernable at a glance but when I did take notice a slight smile played across my face. Unfortunety there was not enough to mke puddles to jump in, but I did allow myself some few moments of foolish dancing in the parking lot during 8th period. But who could resist that cold rejuvinateing sprinkle that that makes the world seem big and open and full of happyness.

Though others may not have got the same feeling from the rain that I did, I thank God for the joyeness that He showed me in such a darn awful winter.