2006

The new year is officially underway. Luckily, there's no need to reflect on what's happened in 2005; however, if you missed out, just scroll down. Instead, I'll project upon what's in the foreseeable future.

Having a child has somehow set us in a time warp. I've heard from several sources that this is a normal occurence, but living through it is something entirely different. It seems like every time I get home, my little baby girl is much bigger than when I left. Today, Maci greeted me with a cheerful, "Hello, Daddy!" When she does things like that, it's as if time stands still and I'm able to think about what kind of awe struck/stupified look I have on my face right then and I wonder if my expression looks anything like Sarah's in that moment...and then we return to real-time again. Maci has me all wrapped up!

She'll turn two years old 17 days from now and I'm not completely sure what to think about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited, but at the same time it's all happening so quickly. Maybe we should start over with a new brother or sister...who knows? Could Maci have a sibling before the year ends? Stay tuned folks!

Resolution lists last about a week for me and then I forget where I put the list. In this year, I resolve to work on just one thing, my character. I listened to a great teaching by Ted Haggard on prayer and fasting. The key for me was when he said that either we allow the Holy Spirit to work out our character flaws in the atmosphere of prayer and fasting, or He'll allow it to happen in public to the embarrassment of our family and friends.

Obviously, refinement of one's character is a lifetime quest, but I guess I'd like to focus on it as if all my laundry was going to get hung out for everyone to see TOMORROW. Isn't that just refreshing?! It is, if you think about it in terms of what kind of power that's available to you when you truly devote yourself to God. The true litmus test will be when my family can attest to a notable difference in daddy!

2006 will be exciting, I am certain.