2007 in review

I know surveys are just about all I've posted on here, but here's another, about the year 2007. I hope someone enjoys it!

2007 in review

[x] fell in love
[] fell in love with a fool
[] had my heart broken
[] broke someone else's heart
[x] lost a friend
[x] had a good relationship with someone
[x] came out of my closet (in a way - I've been more open with a certain someone than I've ever been with anyone before in my entire life)
[] got married
[] had a divorce
[] kissed someone of the same sex (on the cheek)
[x] did something I regret
[] lost faith in love
[] kissed under mistletoe
[x] got a promotion
[x] got a pay raise
[] changed jobs
[] quit my job
[] got fired from my job
[x] did something I was proud of (got engaged to the best girl in the world )
[x] discovered a new talent
[x] proved myself that I'm an idiot (and had it proved in return that I'm not!)
[x] made a team
[x] was involved in something that I will never forget
[] painted a picture
[] wrote a song
[] ran a mile
[x] listened to music I couldn't stand
[] went to a sleepover
[] went to camp
[] threw a surprise party
[x] laughed till I cried
[] flirted shamelessly
[] visited a foreign country
[x] visited a state
[] cooked a disastrous meal
[x] lost something important to me
[x] got a gift I love
[x] realized something new about myself
[] went on a diet
[] tried to gain weight
[] dyed my hair
[] came close to losing my life
[x] someone/thing close to me died
[] got arrested
[x] read a great book
[x] saw a great movie
[] saw a movie so scary that it made me cry
[] saw a favorite band live
[x] did something that I wanted to tell everyone
[x] experienced something new
[x] made new friends
[] lied to your parents
[] snuck out
[x] had the time of your life
[x] danced (jewish dancing, anyway)
[] fell out of love
[x] had a crush on someone
[x] swam in a pool
[] made a snowman
[] went snowboarding
[x] went sledding
[] slept in past 2pm
[x] held someone’s hand that you care about
[x] told someone you like them as more than a friend
[x] gone on vacation
[] gone on vacation with a friend
[x] driven a car
[] danced in the rain
[] got in a car accident
[] seen someone get in a car accident
[] got in a fist fight
[] laughed until you couldn't breathe
[x] missed someone
[] sent someone to the hospital
[] got a new pet (several) ?

A YEAR-END SURVEY

1.) Where did you bring in 2007?
My house (not having any idea what God had in store for me

19.) What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2007?
Get engaged! That's something I always wanted to do, but was wondering if it would ever come about...

20.) What is one thing you regretted this year?
Struggling as much with the fear of rejection as I did...

21.) What's something you learned about yourself?
Acceptance and unconditional love is changing my life forever...

Another quiz...

Well, there's another quiz going around which I thought I'd take and update my Xanga again finally... :)

This one is from Grace (dreamyimagination)

100. WHAT'S YOUR PROFILE SONG & WHY?
I don't have one...

99.DO YOU HAVE A JOB?
I test software for a company located in TN, and get to work from home. 

97. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON SOMEONE?
Oh, yes... I'm way beyond cloud nine... :)

96. LIED IN THE LAST 24 HRS?
I don't think so...

95. BEST BREAK UP SONG?
It depends on what you mean by a "break up song". For me, Michael Hoppe's "The Parting" has always been my "farewell" song. Oh, and listening to "Flying Condor" while reading my poem "Wounded Eagle" has always been balm for a wounded heart... :)

94. WHERE WAS THE LAST PLACE YOU TOOK A PLANE TO?
Boca Raton, FL. That was the only place I've flown...

92. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
At this point it is still Sense and Sensibility, but Facing the Giants is awfully close...

90. DID YOU CRY DURING THE 7TH HP BOOK?
I didn't read any of them, and have no desire to...

 88. DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND OF THE OPPOSITE SEX YOU CAN TALK TO?
Yes, many. She who I love best in the world is also my best friend, and we can talk about pretty much anything... 

89. DO YOU HAVE ANY SIBLINGS?
I've got nine younger brothers and sisters - one sister is married, but the rest of us are still having a non-stop party at home...

86. WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
In the office downstairs, at my computer...

85. WHAT'S SOMETHING FUN YOU DID LAST WEEKEND?
I went walking with Brianna a couple of times... :) We hosted a volleyball clinic, which was a lot of fun.

84. DID YOU DO ANYTHING TODAY?
I've been working, and replying to e-mails...

83. ARE YOU HAPPY?
Very much so! 

82. WHAT IS SITTING TO YOUR LEFT RIGHT NOW?
My "other" computer, which I need for work.

81 .WHERE IS YOUR BROTHER RIGHT NOW?
Which one? I think Josh is off exercising at a fitness center...

80. DO YOU HAVE ANY KIDS?
No, I'm not married... yet...

78. CLOSEST BLACK OBJECT?
My keyboard

74. DO YOU OWN ANY PETS?
We've got a few goats, a dog, and several chickens who I would NOT consider pets...

72. LAST TIME YOU LISTENED TO COUNTRY MUSIC?
If Buddy Davis counts, in September I "heard" country music, but didn't listen to it...

68. WHAT CAN YOU HEAR NOW?
The dehumidifier...

67. CAN YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I used to play the clarinet...

65. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?
Blue shirt, blue jeans...

64. LAST PERSON TO COMMENT YOU?
GardenOfGrace - Tracy S.

63. DO YOU SING?
Yes, I do...

62. SCREAMO or COUNTRY?
Yuck! 

61. ROCK OR R&B?
Contempory Christian rock isn't too bad as long as it isn't too rocky, and the words are good...

60. DO YOU LIKE CHEESE?
Yes, I do... Though I only like the milder cheeses. 

57. WHAT JEWELRY DO YOU WEAR DAILY?
None at this point...

56. WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
Running some things for work on the side, but mostly I'm filling out this quiz!

53. LATEST THING YOU'VE RECENTLY LEARNED?
We learn tons every day... One thing I've learned which will not interest anyone is how to get SQuirreL to work with Microsoft's SQL Server... :)

52. ARE YOU COLD NOW?
No...

51. WHAT DO YOU SMELL?
I can't smell anything right now.

50. IS ANYTHING BOTHERING YOU RIGHT NOW?
My elbow is bothering me a little - it got hit playing soccer yesterday.

 48. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TOMORROW?
Spending an evening with the family, which I haven't gotten to do too much lately...

47. WHAT DID YOU EAT FOR BREAKFAST?
I haven't eaten breakfast yet... I'll probably eat sourdough toast and a tortilla pizza.

46. LUNCH?
Well, I haven't eaten that yet, either... ;)

45. DINNER?
umm... I haven't eaten that yet, either... Last night we had a potluck at our friends' home and had all sorts of good food - my favorite was some stuffing that Beth made.

44. DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE NOW?
Yes, very, very, very, very, very, very, very much!

42. CAN YOU SWIM?
Yes, though I'm neither fast nor good...

40. DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE?
I like lots of people! Generally, I like anyone I meet... ;)

39. ARE YOU GERMAN?
More than 50% so, yes.

38. ARE YOU ASIAN?
Not that I know of, though I guess Noah came from Asia, so in a way, yes...

37. FAVORITE SMELL?
At this point I think vanilla is my favorite smell...

35. UNITED STATES OR CANADA?
US... I live here, after all...

32. JEANS OR SWEATPANTS?
Jeans - a looooong time ago it was sweatpants, though...

31. WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING?
Eating breakfast.

30. ARE YOU GONNA DO IT?
Yes, as soon as I'm done here!

28. DO YOU OWN BIG SUNGLASSES?
No, I've only got a clip that goes on my glasses.

27. HAVE YOU CRIED SO HARD YOU MADE YOURSELF SICK?
No, only held myself in so hard that I made myself sick...

26. DO YOU LIKE TECHNO?
Not sure...

25. FAVORITE ACTOR?
Probably Jimmy Stewert.

23. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?
3 and 7. 

22. FAVORITE DRINK?
Juice... To be specific, probably Sun Harvest orange juice...

21. HOW MANY POSTERS ARE THERE IN YOUR ROOM?
One, from the Path of Honor.

20. WHAT SPORTS DO/CAN YOU PLAY?
I play lots of sports - ultimate, soccer, volleyball, softball, tennis, etc., but ultimate is the only one I'm fairly good at...

19. FAVORITE TV SHOW?
I don't watch TV.

18. DO YOU LIKE 80'S MUSIC?
Not especially...

15. WHAT KINDA MUSIC DO YOU LIKE?
Anything that inspires me... As far as styles, I like New Age best...

13. BEST PLACE YOU'VE VISITED?
The home of my favorite person... ;)

12. BEEN TO LONDON?
No...

11. CAN YOU LICK YOUR TOE?
I haven't tried it and have no desire to try doing it now...

9. BEEN TO COLLEGE?
I took college courses by correspondence.

7. FAVORITE TIME OF DAY?
Sunset...

6. FAVORITE BEACH?
Sanibel Island, of course!

5. SEEN ALL THE SPIDERMAN MOVIES?
No, none.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Autumn, though spring is a close second.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Getting married... :)

2.EVER GOTTEN LOST IN THE DARK?
I don't think so.

1. WHERE IS YOUR NUMBER 1?
My number 1 favorite person is at her home, probably helping her brothers with their schoolwork right now...

I hope you enjoyed!

Ben

8 random things about me

If you enjoy this, thank Brianna for passing it on...

1. Most people who know me know that I write poetry... But may not know that I've written over 600 poems in six years, since I started writing poetry regularly.

2. I am the rare type of guy who is naturally cautious (I inherited it from my Mom ). Unfortunately, in the rare cases that I decide to be daring, I'm usually the one who gets hurt if anyone does...

3. I am partly immune to peer pressure - in fact, there have been cases where I have deliberately NOT done things because I felt like I was being pressured to do them.

4. On the other hand, I usually take heed to the advice of someone I trust, and rarely make a significant decision without feedback from someone I trust...

5. I have few close friends my age, but Father has blessed me with some very close friends who are significantly older and significantly younger than I am...

6. I don't feel like 25 is very old, but 26 seems quite old to me right now. I'm hoping that perspective will change by the time next year rolls around...

7. Some of my favorite desserts are the ones that are very creamy - homemade ice cream, cheesecake, puddings, etc.

8. Riding bikes is one of my favorite activities to do on Sanibel, but I'm not crazy about bike riding here. The difference is the flatness of Sanibel and the wonderful ocean breeze...

Who Loves Her?

Here is a short story I've written. Feedback is appreciated, espcially constructive criticism!

Who Loves Her?

When I first saw her, my breath was swept away by her beauty. I know I could have loved her, had things been different. But that wasn’t meant to be.

The first time I asked my groom, Robert, about the gatekeeper’s daughter, my question was casual one. I merely remarked that I heard the old gatekeeper was dutifully taken care of by his daughter, and asked Robert if he knew anything about her.  His answer was simple and to the point, but it was mere child’s play to connect the dots and discover that this girl was one of rare beauty and character, and Robert had a deep respect for her.

My curiosity was awakened by the story of this maiden, so devoted to her father that she rarely left the gatehouse except to help her father perform his duties. I kept my eyes and ears open every time I went through the gate, but I did not get a chance to see her for several months.

One cool evening in May I came back to the castle grounds after a walk in the country. Coming to the gatehouse, I heard the sound of music from a lyre. By the moonlight I could see the shape of a young bard slouched against the brick wall of the gatehouse as he strummed the notes to a love song. Above him I saw a maiden perched in the sole window of the building. The candles glowing inside lit the loose strands of her hair like fragile strings of gold as they danced in the breeze. Even though it was difficult to see her features in the merging of candlelight, moonlight, and shadows, I could tell she was very beautiful.

I sensed animosity in the bard’s attitude when his music was interrupted by my hail. It was worth it, though, to get a closer look at the angelic form of the maiden as she came out to open the gate for me. I knew that this youth was trying to win her love, but was not worthy of her.

~~~

One day in June Robert asked for leave from his duties. The wistful longing in his eyes interested me, and like the spoiled nobleman’s son I am, I followed him as he left the castle and walked toward the gatehouse. He lingered there, obviously hoping for a chance to see the gatekeeper’s daughter, and then abruptly turned and walked towards the country.

Following him into the meandering paths of the country, my gait was interrupted by a sense of horror when I saw two figures sitting on the bank of a brook, and recognized them as the bard and the gatekeeper’s daughter. The bard had just given the maiden a bouquet of wildflowers, and tried to steal a kiss, but she turned away, a shy smile waltzing on her lips.

Afraid that Robert would be heartbroken, I stole a glance at him. I could see no malice in his eyes, but instead saw him gazing at the smile on the lips of the gatekeeper’s daughter. A smile of his own lit up his face, and he turned back—and saw me.

In his eyes I read love, a real love that could demolish the kingdom of the world in a moment and set one in its stead much more beautiful and noble. Robert knew what I saw in his heart, and wasn’t ashamed; he presented me a grin as he walked past me back toward the castle. Wondering what he would do, I continued to play the part of a nosy fool as I pursued his steps. What he did next amazed me, and I will never forget it.

Robert retrieved two buckets of water from the gatekeeper’s well and hauled them to the gatehouse. Barely able to stretch high enough to peep through the window, I watched him merrily keep company with the bedridden gatekeeper as he scrubbed the floors of the small house, leaving petals of his love sparkling in the dim corners. Long tended with sadness, the house was filled with new echoes of laughter as he worked. I slipped away long before he had finished whatever plans he had devised, but not before my heart was stirred by his living example of what love is.

If the word of a nobleman’s son is worth anything, the angel who lives in a gatehouse will not be marrying a bard.

Vessels of Clay

Our Father in heaven wants to use us to show His love to the world.

Not because we are sinless; one glimpse of our souls and anyone can see the black stains of the curse of sin still shadowing our lives.

Not because we are strong; one glimpse of our bodies and anyone can see the frailties of our humanness. We can’t even live one day by our own power.

Not because we are wise; one glimpse of our minds and anyone can see the fallacies we are blind enough fall into.

Not because we are whole; one glimpse of our hearts and anyone can see the cracks of a broken heart, wounded many times over.

No, instead He uses us in our weaknesses:

In our sinfulness it’s His righteousness that cleanses us—

In our frailty it’s His strength that upholds us—

In our foolishness it’s His wisdom that guides us—

In our brokenness it’s His love that shines through the cracks of our hearts.

Chipped and cracked,
Fragile in my humanness;
A worthless shape of clay
Fit only for the fire—

Filled with treasure,
Precious gems and gold,
This worthless form of clay
Now fit for palaces—

Chipped and cracked,
But in my weakness see
The gems are shining
Through the fissures,

This is the Spirit’s work in me…

 

“The Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

Father, we ask that in our weaknesses Your love will be displayed to all the world.