January and February: I begin on a low note with a break up and then start my ascent up the roller coaster nice and slow until I peak in March.March and April: I leave for Uganda in late March and will spend my next two months there serving some of the poorest people in the world.
May: In early May, about 3 weeks before I come back to the states, I get mugged by roughly 8 guys on a street in Uganda. Praise God they did not have any weapons, but it was not a pleasant experience to say the least. There is a video detailing the incident in a post from then. In late may I return to the states.
June and July: This was probably the best time of the year for me. I got to travel to Mexico for my "second dads" birthday. I got to attend two great weddings in Wes and Cali Strunk and Patrick and Chastity St. Louis. Little did I know that these weddings would be the last times I saw two very important people in my life. I took my buddy Ethan McLean to Colorado for his bachelor party with a group of great guys, and then there was the wedding that followed. It was a blessing to be a part of something so awesome.
August: On the 5th of August my college roommate Kirk Urso passed away. This was rough to say the least. You can see that in my previous post. I continue to struggle with this loss at times. It did however, remind me of the great group of friends that I have who rallied to Chicago for the services.
September and October: Pretty low key until I get a job with Strativa Pharmaceuticals at the end of October, and began my pursuit of being a sales rep.
November: My cousin Johnny passed away. I found out while at a work meeting in New Orleans. That was my first visit to that fabulous city. Upon returning, I ran my first marathon and honestly, very possibly my last.
December: And hear I am. This month has been full of reflection and future vision. The holidays have been great. And I can't wait to continue this adventure of life.
Through all of this I have dealt with your typical everyday struggles and stresses as well as had some great new people come into my life. I continue to struggle with a sinful temptation for intimacy that I know only God can fulfill. I know this because nothing else has done so. The thing my flesh desires most just leaves me wanting more. Simply put, my soul desires more than my flesh can achieve. I was made for something out of this world, we all were, so it really makes since that things of this world aren't satisfying to us. And if they are, it's only momentary. Besides my ups and downs, my struggles and temptations, the good and the bad the year of 2012 has left me with one thing on my mind and that is, that through it all only one thing remains and that is God and His love and desire for us. Nothing explains this better to me than a song by Kristian Stanfill, "One Thing Remains." Jesus was definitely the only constant and dependable part of my 2012 and will continue to be the only assurance I have in 2013 and for the rest of my life at that. The truth is, God is love, and He made you for that love. Which in case, is why, it's the only satisfying thing for our souls. Hard to believe, but true indeed. Have faith and take the journey of 2013 knowing this truth. It is scary and hard but satisfying. I promise. Here is to 2013.
