Chelsea, Oklahoma, U.S.A.... This was the town around which I was raised. I lived about seven miles outside of it and was kind of isolated, but I did not become a cowboy or forest expert just because I lived on 10 acres with a good sized field and forest on it. I was in fact shy and thus was not the most popular person in the Chelsea School district either. I was, to say it plainly, a geek up until the summer between my sophomore and junior years at Chelsea High. It was then that I became a Christian.

Being a Christian, however, did not make me the most popular guy at school. I talked about religious stuff too often for one thing (I was bad at small talk and so only talked about things that I knew something about; I’m still good at rambling even today), but I did make some friends. Most I never really bonded to very well, but we were definitely friends. I only really started to learn how to bond with my friends when I went to OU and joined Chi Alpha and later when I went to the School of the Cross Master's Commission (SOC) in Houston, Texas. There, reflecting with my roommate, Nathan, at SOC, I realized that I had take my friends for granted in the past, mostly I guess because I am shy and just didn't know how to be open and draw close to them. Though it is no excuse, I apologize to any of you reading this. Looking back I can see how blessed I am with so many great friends from Chelsea, OU, Houston, and anywhere else around the world. I am very fortunate to know you all.

Since I first wrote this, I have been able to go back to Chelsea and see an old friends here and there. It has blessed me. Sometimes during the summer, I almost dread being at home with my family, because my circle of friends is smaller here. Summer 2001, however, I have found a great job at Vartec in Downtown Tulsa (about an hour's drive away), and I made some wonderful friends (who cares if some of them are from a rival high school). God is helping me both to appreciate the things that I do have and is blessing me with what I don't have. Thank you, Jesus.

It is always good, to return and reflect—or whatever order you do them in—and appreciate...life...

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