Hello Xanga friends.

Several of you have been wondering why I have not been posting lately.  The answer is simply because life gets busy and priorities get set.  I have found that, at this point in my life, blogging is not where I need to spend my time.  I enjoy telling my stories and communicating my perspectives, but I feel I need a little distance to concentrate on some other areas right now.  And I'm also spending my writing energy on developing my book.  I'll keep you updated on that.  I don't plan on shutting down my xanga completely, but I don't plan on being on here regularly at this point.  Thank you for your understanding.  I have enjoyed talking with you.  I hope you all are blessed.

jeff

Twenty years ago...

...I stepped onto the campus of Southeastern College and stepped off a new man.

...I can't believe it's been twenty years ago that I stood in that chapel service and told God that He could have me.  I told Him that He could have every part of me... not just the parts that were convenient to me.  I told Him that I would go and do whatever He wanted me to do...  And I've never been the same since...

...I can't believe it's been ten years ago that I stepped onto the campus of AGTS and was reminded of what happened the ten years earlier...

God is so faithful...

Waking up...

Walking the dog that can't wait to storm the sidewalk...

Taking inventory of the bumps...

Connecting with my people...

Sitting on the stoop... drinking coffee... reading Newsweek...

Watching Honey smoke his cigarette...

Chatting with the neighbor in the traffic jam in the alley...

Hoping the swelling goes away...

Hoping Tommy stops worrying about it...

Watching it all go away as he flies on his way...

And waiting for what tomorrow may bring...

This is my day.

A remarkable thing has happened...

As I have been stepping back from my friends in LA, I have rediscovered all the people that have meant something to my life for the past 40 years... 

I discovered Facebook...

And now I'm reconnecting with people from high school, college, seminary... friends from Alabama, Missouri, Florida... classmates, theatre friends, coworkers...  All the people throughout my life... 

And I'm amazed by the number of people who have meant something to me... 

And I rediscovered the amazing tapestry that is my life...

And I know that I am truly blessed.

Thanks to Facebook...

I remember Christmas...

I used to spend it with my family...  

I used to get lots of toys... 

And a stocking full of goodies...

I used to sit on Santa's lap...

Until I found out it was just my brother-in-law in a bright red suit...

I remember record players and Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole albums...

I remember church plays...

And I remember waking up at the crack of dawn just to see what I got...

Christmas...

Christmas is Tommy and Sydney and me together...

With candlelight...

And soft music...

Enjoying the beautiful meal that he worked on all day that was devoured in twenty minutes...

Christmas is snuggling together and watching Ghost Hunters until we can't stay awake any longer...

Christmas is waking up to a rainy Los Angeles...

And walking the dog in that funny raincoat that we bought her for such a morning like this...

It's looking forward to that special movie we've been waiting to see...

And Christmas is spending time together remembering those special days gone by...

I remember Christmas... 

And I always will...