Seven months later...

Yesterday was the final day of a seven month long experiment that I alluded to several months back (See that post here)!!  My wife brought the idea to my attention over a year ago after getting a new book: "Seven: An experimental mutiny against excess" by Jen Hatmaker*.  Several months later she talked me into going on the journey with her.  The experiment was fairly simple in concept but as we found out very difficult in execution and even harder in meeting the goals.  Let me show you were we landed each month and then, at the end, give you a couple thoughts we learned in the process...

Month 1: Food**

(Above is a few samples of the meals we prepared during the month)

We started strong with our first month being 'Food'... we selected 'Seven' food items we were going to eat ONLY for the rest of the month (30 days).  Court landed on: Chicken, Eggs (yeah, chicken & eggs apparently are two different items) Broccoli, Carrots, Black Beans, Whole Wheat Bread & Apples.  Mine was essentially the same but I swapped Beans & Carrots for Bell Peppers & Potatoes.  We also were aloud small amounts of salt, pepper & olive oil.  Having fasted for extended periods of time I thought this was going to be pretty easy, being allowed to actually have food but you'd be surprised how fast the same food can get in a month.

Month 2: Clothes**
(Above is our entire wardrobe for the month)
Month two brought a whole new perspective on what is necessary in my closet... Clothes.  Courtney & I both selected seven items of clothing to wear ONLY for the next 30 days (we took one exception for a wedding... Hey, it was a rented tux)!!  This was only difficult, for me, on laundry nights... It was cold while waiting for stuff to dry.  Picking items you could work, play and have a nice dinner in was far more difficult than I thought but we made it (we are blessed, some don't have choices).  We literally didn't open our closets the entire month.

Month 3: Possessions 
(Above is one of the boxes of items we took to the BOC)
At this point in the year it was December and I will tell you right off the top... Finding seven items to give away each DAY for a month, during the season of giving was AMAZING!!!  Our family took this month on as a entire unit giving away over 1,000 items.  I don't tell you that in pride but in embarrassment... We were able to give away a ton of clothes, toys, tools, etc. yet STILL have a house that is full.  We were/are blessed with some much "stuff" but our blessings controlled us and we didn't even notice it happened.  All that changes when we start giving your stuff away and seeing how it impacts others.

Month 4: Media

(Above is the screen shot I took of my phone since I deleted all the apps for the month)

This month might have been one of the most eye opening months.  Though I'm aware I'm involved in social media more than the average bear, it was crazy to see how much ALL of our lives have changed in just 10 years!!  Facebook now has accounts designated to over a sixth of the world (over half of anyone with internet capability)... But that wasn't hard, giving up facebook, twitter, etc. for the month, in fact, that was very refreshing.  I had decided I wanted to see if I could go without my cellphone for the month.  It was essentially impossible! From work, to my kids school, to just every day conversations that we have, I realized quickly how much we "need" this new invention that we've really only had in our lives the last ten years.  

Month 5: Spending

(Above is a picture of a very cool app we use called: "Budget Envelopes")

In this month we were allowed to only spend our money in seven locations.  For us: NBC (Tithe), Bills (online), Wal-Mart (Groceries & Other items), QuickTrip (Gas), Jacob (our My Life Speaks sponsored child), Karate/Gymnastics (Kids Activities) & YMCA (Courtney's sanity).  We also decided to buckle down and since we already had a 'zero budget' to really focus on spending this month and see what the max we could save if we need to.  It was refreshing to know what we "have to have" and what we are just so blessed in having, like the YMCA.

 Month 6: Waste
(Above is the screen shot I took of my phone since I deleted all the apps for the month)
In this month we focused on the different aspects of waste management.  For us: Gardening (want to read/see more about our garden, click here), Composting, Conserving energy/water, recycling, driving only one car, shopping thrift (if you have to) and buying local as much as possible.  This month was one of our favorites.  From a little more time together to feeling really good about making the most of what God has already given us each day in creation, such a huge blessing!  

 Month 7: Stress
(Above is the screen shot from my phone of the alarms I have had set all month)
In the final month we focused on honoring the Sabbath and making sacred yet again.  If I could recommend any month more than another, it's this one!  During the last 30 days we committed to reading the Word daily, pray seven times a day for specific purposes at specific times (no matter what we were doing) & clearing our schedules one day a week to just "be" (which is REALLY hard).  Until this month I thought I prayed pretty consistently through my day on a daily basis.  Now I know we really must be intentional to really pray without ceasing.

Though I told you a couple of big take aways in each of the months descriptions let me tell you the two biggest things I learned in the entire process (though God is still revealing things to my heart).

1) Wide and Narrow (Matthew 7:13-14)... I am NOT saying that this is the way to become a Christian nor am I saying this is the "narrow" way.  But what I saw and experienced during the experiment was a dramatic difference in commitment and even a brushing off on the idea of taking on a challenge like this.  Many started the journey with us and many scoffed at the idea but very few finished.  Though many had great reasons for bowing out (health, timing, etc.) or not starting (not feeling led, knowing they wouldn't finish if started, etc.) it was still a great example of the greater Gospel... Few find it, few believe it, few allow it to take over our lives and become 100% Jesus!!

2) The Spirit of the Law (Matthew 5:19-20)... It was amazing how quickly I became Pharisaical!!  Yes, sinful!!  My heart, mind and even spirit it seemed to so easily say: "look at what you're doing compared to others" or "you have done so much, you deserve a break".  The Gospel is NOT about judging others (God has that part taken care of) or even comparing ourselves to others.  The Gospel is NOT ever being good enough, we're not and won't be, that's why it's AMAZING Grace.  I so quickly found myself confident in my praying seven times a day but skipping my reading of His Word and calling that fair (though I committed to both).

My prayer for today's post is simple... Will you pray for my wicked heart?  Will you join me in believing the Gospel so much that all we can be is the Gospel to everyone else around us?  Will you be encouraged today to jump in and be 100% Jesus... You're not good enough but He is!!!
We must BE-lieve (Faith Walk) if we want to see our kids (Faith Talk), their friends and our community (Faith Mission) completely transformed into the Kingdom of Heaven... That's the plan (Faith Map)!! 

*No... You do not need to read the book to do an experiment, I didn't.  However, my wife tells me the stories are hilarious and provided some much need encouragement during the process!!
**Click on the word and go to Courtney's blog to read more about those months specific.

Jezi Renmen Ayiti

A few nights ago during our bedtime prayers Charleigh prayed: "Fathder, Peas be width Haiti hep him to find a forever home and gives him food to eat".  Though it might not be a 'perfect' prayer... it was a very sweet moment to realize Charleigh (and for that matter all of our kids) is beginning to catch the Faith Mission vision!!  

Courtney and I have been going to Haiti together for over 10 years now.  Though we have gone with several different groups with many different purposes/focuses, the goal is always the same: Love.  What I have come to realize over the many trips is that no matter how crazy life gets, all of this world is really pretty simple: Love God, Love People!! 

Next month Court & I will be leading our second group from New Beginnings to the village of Neply in Leogane.  If you want to see pictures and periodic updates (from this trip and others) make sure you are following me on Twitter (surgeberg) or search the hashtag: #NBHaiti 

Though the May 2013 trip is full, there are several spots open for the November 2013 trip.  
If interested please attend the brief information meeting THIS SUNDAY (April 28th) after second service!!  

2003

2011*

2012*

2013

*Want to see more pictures from those trips... Click on the picture or the date!!

Haiti Mission Opportunity

November 2nd - 9th

If you are interested in joining the missions team going to Haiti November 2nd - 9th, there will be a short informational meeting on Sunday April 28th immediately following the 2nd service.  There will NOT be childcare or a meal provided (we said it was brief :)).  For more information, contact Matt Fowler (matt@nbchurch.info).

Want to meet the kids we will be loving on or read a little more about the organization we have partnered with?  Click on the graphic below: My Life Speaks

Jezi Renmen Ayiti = Jesus Loves Haiti

Where does our value come from!?

This week I had the amazing opportunity to go out and watch the Bixby Spartan Girls Tennis Team compete in regionals.  Some of you might be wondering if I meant the word: "amazing" and yes, yes I did.  Though I do not know a lot about tennis (in fact what I do know I learned primarily from Mario Tennis on the Nintendo 64... Can I get an amen!!) but I love gorgeous weather and supporting students!!

While watching one of the games matches I over heard an interesting conversation that I think all of us have had at some point or another.  One parent was talking to another parent about the girls that were playing at the time. 

Parent A: "What do you think their chances are at State?"
Parent B: "I don't know for sure but they're playing really well today"
Parent A: "You know, they're really great kids too... They're co-valavictorians for their school!"
Parent B: "Wow, so they make good grades"
Parent A: "Yep, also involved in student council and FCA"
Parent B: "That's awesome"

Though I am proud of those girls for making good grades and being actively involved in their schools, I wonder if this is an accurate picture of who they are or, at the least, whether this is what we should value!? 

In ten years of full-time ministry I have seen more than a couple students that do all the "right" things, like padding their resume with service projects, taking AP classes, running for school officers, etc. to make it into a specific college or sometimes just to get parents off their backs.  Often these teens were seen as great kids only to have their real hearts exposed over the next several years on their own in college or even post-graduation. 

It's a funny balance isn't it... I mean in one hand we know that it's not our "resume" that gets us into heaven but an acceptance of what someone else did on our behalf (John 6:28-29).  Yet, doing 'works' is a way to show growth and belief in Christ (James 2:22), which lead us to the understanding that we need to do stuff.  But it isn't here that we should find our value... It isn't here that we should be measuring success for teens OR OURSELVES!!! 

In the book 'Raising Kids for True Greatness' author Kimmel says: "God wants our children to grow up to live adult lives that are far more than just seeing how much money they can make and how well known they can become. He wants them to make a profound difference eternally. When we raise our children with this in the forefront of our efforts, we automatically focus on higher goals than fame, power, beauty, and wealth-goals that most parents assume are sovereign. We aim them at a true greatness that is bathed in grace and carried out through humility, gratefulness, generosity, and a servant attitude."  What a great goal for those of us that are parents and even those of us that are adults on the outside... May we point students to a higher purpose and focus!!

Confession: This message wasn't even for you, it was for me this week... I'm a "doer" (in some circles we call it "Go-Getters") and this often is seen in a positive way because I can take on a lot and get stuff done.  However, I can often get frustrated when things are not going as planned or bummed when the event is all over.  Why... because I fall into the trap of finding my value in my works and not on the cross!!  Thank you Jesus for your grace and helping me find my worth in that I'm a human being and not a human doing!!

Do you resinate with what I'm trying to say (as a parent or as a sinner in need of The Savior)!? 


*All that being said, the girls did great overall at regionals with our doubles team qualifying for State!!  But before you jump on me for honoring their works, check this out.  As I was leaving the courts I noticed something on the insides of their wrists:

"WOL": Win or Lose

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" - 1 Corinthians 10:31 

Yeah, God is at work in South Tulsa... May we make less of us and more of Him!!

The Experiment...

For several months my family and I have been doing an experiment… No, this is not a pyramid scheme to get you to buy in to the program but I would love to tell you very briefly about it and what I’ve learned.  Essentially, it is giving up specific things each month for seven months so you can learn more about yourself and the abundance of excess in our lives (It all started with a book and now there’s a study too)!! 

Courtney and I have gone through several months at this point and have learned a ton each month, and this month has been no exception.  For the past 24 days the Berg household has given up all media items… That’s right: Movies, TV, Music, Apps, Yahoo News, ESPN and, outside of professional use, even: Cellphones & Computers!!  Though it most definitely hasn’t been easy, down right awful at times (missing the BCS Championship games and now the Super Bowl this Sunday), with only a handful of days left I’m kind of sad that it’s drawing to a close.  I’ve come to greatly enjoy “the silence” of my home (well, after the kids are in bed), the incredible conversations while just doing the day-to-day errands without the radio, the fact that the kids come home and immediately want to play a board game or shoot some hoops and “the honeymoon” period my wife and I have found again with card games, reading together and even just talking!!

Rereading the paragraph above I realized that just those things could be the focus of this post:

• Turn off the TV and get on the floor with your family
• Dust off the board games (or go get a new one)
• Schedule a mandatory date night once a month
• Maybe even power down the cell phone once a week

BUT that wasn’t why I started this post… The biggest thing that has happened this month of “no media” was my eyes being opened AGAIN!!  Ten years ago Courtney and I made goals for our family of two: No TV in the bedroom, Leave the cellphones in the car on dates, Buy a new board game once a month, etc.  But over the past decade we lost focus and became desensitized to the world around us!! Many “what ifs” (what if there’s an emergency, a crisis, a disaster) in our lives seemed to demand our constant attention and connection to technology and not meaningful connection to each other and to our family.

So with our fast winding down I’m praying for a couple specific things, will you join me?

• May I take a little time and evaluate where I am right now in my walk…
• May I be honest with myself and God, asking His Spirit to give me great leadership in making new boundaries (or even old forgotten ones)…
• May I set aside time for faith talks and even provide uninterrupted time so faith walks can happen with my family…

May Jesus bless your discipline and our community here at New Beginnings!!

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139: 23-24

What is one adjustment you could make in your day-to-day to open up a little more time and focus for your family!?

When paths collide...

For more than a decade now I've been in full-time ministry, specifically, working with teenagers!!  

I know, I know for some of you this sounds more like a disease or at minimum a disorder...we're not ruling that out quite yet!!  But truthfully, when you've seen what I've seen, life-change among young men and women, you can't help but want it for more students!!  

One example that comes to mind is Taylor (Whom we refer to as T-Doe)... When I met him he was a little 8th grader moving into his 9th grade year at a big new school across town!!  I remember having him, and a few others, in an early morning bible study each week.  We would joke around, eat some donuts and if we were lucky, maybe even get around to talking about Jesus before I took them to school (because they were not old enough to drive themselves yet).  Over the years he began to get extremely passionate about the service projects we did and the need to "share Jesus' love with everyone we met".  I'd like to say that his passion and focus was all me BUT Taylor has an amazing family who always supported him (and his brothers).  Over the years I watched as his mom and dad found ways to encourage this passion, from taking him to a local soup kitchen on weekends to even providing some finances when he had a "big idea": Serve-a-thon (which still happens every Spring Break in Oklahoma)!!  

Taylor got "Faith Mission" and his family understood that this was an important step of his "Faith Map"  (before we even had names for these things)!!  But that's not the point of today's post... Last week Taylor decided to invite others into a project he has been doing over the past handful of years (See video below).

With this short video he began to ignite the flames for others among a new generation!!  So with the challenge accepted two of our guys D-Groups from NBHighSchool took over South Tulsa invading grocery stores, gas stations and fast food restaurants delivering Valentine's to ladies working.  

They used their own money and purchased cards, candy and even roses to hand deliver and share a little of Christ's love!!  The stories are amazing and smiles, tears and hugs they received will live on for a long time.

I wish we had video but getting them to smile and take the picture was already a big ask!!

For me, this is the sweet spot of my job... Not every teenager or young adult is consumed with self or even walking around entitled.  Not that Taylor is perfect but he is following the example he saw in Scripture and through the support of his family and church he continues to change the world (literally)!!  To see old youth set the stage for new ones is so exciting to me!!  To know that many of the students pictured above have committed parents that are not only ready but are already engaged in the "Faith Map" with their teens, is why the future of New Beginnings and NBHighSchool is so exciting.  

However, the journey ahead isn't going to always be easy... We are going to have to work together (in prayer, service and support) to do what we have all been called to do: "to Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength...and our neighbor as ourselves" (Matthew 22:37-39)!!

What can you do TODAY to make someone's life better!? 

Below is the video Taylor and a friend did his very first year of doing the FFVD (Fast Food Valentine's Day)... Please check it out (at least watch the last 30 seconds)!!

*Want to hear more about Taylor's ministry... Click on this link: Reach Ministries

**If you just love seeing smiling faces... Here's the 2011 video and this years (2013 video)!!

Faith Walks among Faith Talks

For over a month now we (the Berg's) have been exploring what it would look like to have a fun and creative Faith Talk each Friday night.  We, as a NB Families Pastoral Team, wanted to make it a commitment to really pursue these principles we are articulating and try to 'Be' before we ask you (the body) to 'Do'.  For the Berg's we are now on a rotation with the whole crew, in fact Creighton's pick for Berg Family Fun Night is this week (stay tuned, and pray for us, for this one)!!  This past week was no exception to our fun, however, building a house and discussing the wise & foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27).  

But the ultimate blessing didn't come from my planning or even leading of the devotional (which I thought was pretty good)...In fact, it had nothing to do with me AT ALL!!  Instead it came from the sweet voice I heard on the other side of the "house" in something I couldn't explain in anyway short of "spontaneous worship" (I'm thankful I had enough time to grab my phone and begin recording)!!

The beauty in this song wasn't just my youngest singing worship but the fact that she inadvertently picked it up from her mommy!!  With the radio off this month (because of ourmedia fast) we have had a lot of acapella singing going on in the Berg home.  My wife isn't one to ever sing in front of folks but she has been in worship all month with her God, and in that time Charleigh has picked up a beautiful new song.  It wasn't because we sat down and taught it to her it is something she just saw, heard and now beginning to live out... That isFaith Walk to the core!!

The interesting part to me is if you asked Courtney what she did this week to focus our kids to Christ, she might tell you a couple things but probably end with I haven't done enough or maybe even "nothing".  It's hard being a mom!  It's tiring pulling laundry out of what seems to be a hamper with an endless bottom or not just making lunch & dinner each day, then having to clean up the messes that follow.  Being so tired from being a taxi service to activities and sports, homeroom mom, and the countless other errands that have to happen.  And though we (the family) might not always get to say thank you or even tell her what a difference she makes, Court got to catch a peek into what her impact really is... AND IT'S HUGE!!



Thinking about your week, what are some things your kids picked up on this week, either positive or negative?
  
How are you being intentional with your time to reflect the very presence of Christ daily?


**Want to purchase Jesus Culture's - "Set a Fire" Click Here 

I'm exhausted!!

I don’t know about you but I feel exhausted.  I overheard some folks say it was Spring Break but I missed the ‘break’ part and my dash thermometer this morning said 39 degrees!!  

Actually, I got some time off last week for the break and even went camping with the fam.  But since Matt stole that for his post I’ll just direct you there for the fun camping story and move on to why I’m so tired. 

I actually looked up the word while writing this… “Exhausted: Drained of one’s physical or mental resources; very tired; completely used up.”  Did you catch it?  ‘Drained of one’s physical or mental resources.’  That’s me in a nutshell this week.  I’m drained, tired, used up… EXHAUSTED!!   But it’s not because I worked over the break, spent time with my family or even because I haven’t slept well lately.  I’m shattered over our country!!  Before you re-post this (or flag me) for politicizing some stance, you might want to read the rest.  I’m sad for the people… all of us!! 

I’m really not even talking about gun rights, gay rights or even horse rights (which I saw a post about yesterday, right in the middle of the equal rights debate on Facebook).  What’s frightening is that there were more than a half dozen articles this week covering events going on that challenge religious freedom, conservative morality and mock virtue.  Currently I’m in dialogue with several self proclaimed atheists that want to discuss (enemies argue friends discuss) everything from pro-life to the stupidity of believing a religious system that was “made up by rich rulers to control the poor” (or the “fallacy of an inerrant Bible”).  Top that off with a new generation (teens & young adults) that is “fleeing” the church.  All this adds up to make for an exhausted Family Pastor of High School!!

So what’s the good news?  

You mean you don’t know?  

We are actually celebrating just that, this Sunday (join us)!!  

But just in case, let me break it down for you simply:

1) God is very much in love with you (EVERYONE)!! Zephaniah 3:17

2) God was so in love, He sent His son!! John 3:16

3) His Son: Jesus, died, was buried, and rose again!! 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

4) All who humble themselves by committing 100% devotion to Him, will be saved!!Galatians 2:20

A friend of mine one time was on a vacation and while sitting out one down reading his Bible a lady walked by and said: “We win”.  My friend said, “Excuse me”.  The lady turned around and said: “The Bible, those that put their trust in Him win”.

Brothers and Sisters… We Win!! 

Join me TODAY in spreading the victory in love (let God sort out the rest)!!   

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!

This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.  We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

1 John 4:7-21

May this truth calm your spirit, like it did mine... May our families get the best of us because we believe that He is coming again... May our neighbors flock to our friendship because of the love we share... And may our kids be led by our example!!

"Daddy...it's your favorite"

A few weeks ago I was sound asleep when a small hand was placed on my shoulder.  When my eyes adjusted I found another face nose to nose with mine and a sweet little voice followed saying: "Daddy... it's your favorite!"

There's two things that I love thinking about in that moment:
- Charleigh thinks she's my favorite
- It's true!!

Before you get mad stick with me... Keep reading!!  I remember when Jackson (our oldest) was born and thinking: "I can never love someone as much as I love this little guy right now"!!  In fact, when I heard we were expecting Creighton (our second) I remember thinking: "how am I going to love her as much as I love my son".  This wasn't because she was a girl and he was a boy but I didn't have a category for how my heart could handle loving something as much, or worse, was I going to have to love my son less to make room for some love for her!?  BUT, the craziest thing happened... Creighton was born and in an instant I held her and looked at her and thought: "Holy cow, I love her with everything I am"!!  I bet if you have kids, you know what I'm talking about...

However, if you're keeping score at home, you know we have one more... Charleigh!!  And she came to us a little differently... She's adopted (Read more about her story here)!!  Though, I had heard jokes like "you love your adopted kids more because you get to pick them and are stuck with the others" this isn't the thought that creeps in the hours before seeing the child you are to adopt.  For me, it was: "How could I ever love someone more than my own blood?"  Yet, that morning in October will forever be sketched into my mind when I picked up this baby girl and though I was trying to play it cool (because I knew 'failed adoptions' were fairly normal) I thought: "I will love and fight for you the rest of my life".  And for the first time I understood the true essence ofEphesians 1:4-5 "He chose us... to be adopted through Jesus"!!

I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!  And each one of my kids really is my favorite... I don't know how that works but I bet it has something to do with us having the characteristics of God.  You see, I'm God's favorite!!  BUT SO ARE YOU!!!  I know, I know... In our culture we are taught there's only "one favorite" but if you look up the definition it says: "one that is treated or regarded with special favor or liking".  Every one of us are treated with special favor and liking by the Savior--the question is whether you want to see it or not!?  Each one of my kids knows I love them and I hope each one of them knows they are, in fact, my favorite!! 

Top 10 Moments of 2012 (and honorable mentions)

If the 'Titles' are different color click on them and read more about that event from Court's Blog (or other helpful places)!!

Honorable Mentions:

*) The Blue Whale of Catoosa

*) Being alive for 12:12p, on Dec. 12th '12

*) Washington DC (bonus to go with my nephew and his freshmen class)

*) Chick-Fil-A from Chelsea

*) Dr. Pepper Museum 

The Top Ten Moments of 2012:

10) Performing my first wedding of a former student

9) Getting Maced (Yeah, it was a DDW List!!)

8) Competing in Finishing a Triathlon

7) Live at Monday Night Football

6) Decorating for Christmas at MY home

5) Starting a Garden from the ground up

4) Taking Jackson to his first Dallas Cowboy game

3) Starting 'Seven'

2) Meeting Jacob (our 'My Life Speaks' sponsored child in Haiti)

1) Completing a 40 Day Fast