The easy answer is the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Jesus grew up in a harsh world but remained sinless. He was crucified, died, and arose three days later living. God offered his own Son to pay the debt for our sins so we could, one day, be with God in heaven as perfect beings even being held in higher regards than the angels themselves.
So, what does it mean to celebrate the birth of a man who took the bullet for us?
Previous Christmases, I have often felt like I missed Christmas. In other words, I felt as if I didn't fully grasp the Christmas spirit or the celebration of the birth of Jesus. In thinking about why, I looked at my actions: Did I sin too much? Did I not prepare enough?
When thinking about Christmas, I have an image in my head of what the perfect Christmas would be. First off, something deep inside my soul truly believes that all Christmases should be the "White Christmas" we constantly hear about in songs and see in "idealistic" Christmas pictures. As a young lad, I had serious expectations on seeing snow on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, I awoke every Christmas morning in Georgia and Alabama to disappointment. I think it took until I was perhaps 8 to understand climate and come to the realization that I lived in the South and the odds of experiencing a white Christmas were quite slim.
But then, alas, I moved to Virginia. My hopes were reborn in seeing several inches of snow upon my arrival to Virginia in the month of January. But, yet again, alas...no white Christmases except in 2000, in which we received a light dusting.
I apologize for getting off topic. You may notice I have a fascination for snow.
Besides the color, or lack of color depending on who you ask, my idealistic Christmas starts with the Christmas Eve, candlelight service. Every year, I am fascinated when a single light is shared from the Christ candle and begins to be spread throughout the church family. It gives me hope for the world when it seems like such a dark place. Another moment and memories I love is hearing my Grandfather read the Christmas story. Though I have heard it so many times, I will never forget his deep, comforting voice recounting the story of Jesus coming to our world.
And when I picture an idealistic Christmas morning, I see my family and I sitting around the fire place all wearing colorful Christmas sweaters, sipping on steaming hot chocolate out of one of my mother's countless Santa Claus mugs, smelling the sweet aroma from the 12-foot Christmas tree, watching everyone open gifts with bright eyes, and Christmas carols sung by Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett playing in the background.
(This was the first google image for "Christmas")
Quick thought: Everyone knows the song 'Silent Night.' I know it was "based" on actual events, but I question the accuracy of the song. I mean 'Silent Night'? Really? How many of you think a teenager who recently travel a long way on a donkey birthing a baby in a barn surrounded by animals was not only quiet, but silent?
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on who you are and how you look at it, this will be my first Christmas away from home and without my family. Knowing this for months, I have been trying harder than ever to prepare myself for Christmas throughout the time of Advent. I've been reading the Bible more, praying more, and listening to online sermons about the coming of Jesus, but still, it doesn't feel like Christmas and I feel less prepared than ever. I have wondered, Why?
I began to ask myself, What is Christmas? Is it the intellectual understanding of repercussions of Jesus being born as a human? Is it the feelings and emotions one obtains from the familiar sights, sounds, smells, and experiences? Is everything that I know as "Christmas" all just familiarities?
This season, I have looked at Christmas and Advent closely together for the first time. Like a big party, you spend more time in the preparation stage than you during the celebration phase. I have seen this year's Christmas as the culmination of my preparations for Christ's coming during the Advent season. Historically, the Church, depending on the time and place, has treated the time of Advent as many things. I do know that the Advent candles were once black and the Advent season was a time of repentance that was similar to lent. Other times, Advent was a time of celebration and feasting. Maybe they were both onto something.
I like thinking of Christmas not as a single day, but as a season that changes from looking inward to ourselves and to God sending Jesus. I could see Christmas as a time where we all say to Jesus, Oh, thank God you're here. I think it is important to look at the time before Jesus to better understand what His coming means. You can look at this historically for the Hebrews and Gentiles. But, I also think it is important to look at our individual lives before Jesus and what His coming into our lives meant to us personally.
In closing, What is Christmas? I'm sure it is similar and different for everyone. But I do believe we should at least think about it.
I believe there comes a time in every young man's life that has been immersed in another culture where he finds himself alone and in a state of bewilderment where all he can ask himself is, "What? Is this really happening?"
I reached that moment today and I honestly didn't know what to do. I was in the middle of class and I wasn't sure if I should get up and leave or just sit there. It was like receiving bad news that takes a minimum of 5 minutes to sink in. I honestly didn't understand the gravity of that moment until about 20 minutes later.
One minute my teacher was giving us a homework assignment and the next she starts talking about 'Streiken.' I tried listening intently. A minute or two later, I began to put the pieces of the puzzle together inside my head. So, what was going on? What took me so long to understand? What did I conclude after pushing through the fog of what was unbenknownst?
The teachers of the Goethe Institute went on strike......for exactly one hour......and then broke for lunch......seriously.
Normally, I do not write unless there is some worth writing about. Since my time in Schwäbisch Hall began, there have been several things worth writing about. I almost feel that I have been writing too much, but tonight was too good to not write.
This evening many people gathered together for not just a pot luck dinner, but Andy's last dinner at the Goethe Institute. Andy is from Nebraska. She has been at the Goethe Institute for over 4 months. She's a great girl and life just shines from within her. About 15 people came together for the dinner, each bringing a dish from his/her homeland. I made southern mashed potatoes if you are wondering. And yes I used plenty of butter and a dash of milk.
But, as we all sat down at the table together, I couldn't help but notice the faces I have become friends with over the past two weeks. Dora from Peru. Andy & Tammy from Nebraska. Lucas, Bruno, and Stefanie from Brazil. Louiza, Silvia, and Evian from Italy. Simon and Pascal from Germany. Andrew from Australia. Laia from Spain. Salma from Tunisia. And me.
I'm constantly asking myself what I learned from every situation. As before, I wonder what I learned from tonight.
Here it is: There are great differences and great similarities between cultures. Incidentally, people are the same and they are different. In what ways are people the same? Everyone loves good food, regardless. Everyone, no matter what country they claim as 'home,' loves to laugh, tell and hear good stories, and feel included and loved. Individuals from across the world sat down at a table tonight for dinner. In all honesty, we were coming to a common ground. We focused on our similarities rather than what might tear us apart. No one forsook their homeland. The evidence was plainly sitting on the table in form of international native dishes. We came together as people. And we had a great time.
Andy spoke up and asked everyone to share their favorite memory at the Goethe Institute. The memories and stories came flooding in as if someone blew up a dam. We must have sat at that table for nearly two hours. The longest anyone has been in Schwäbisch Hall is 6 months. Many people may not have that many stories to tell after six months, but I do believe something special happens when people from so many different cultures, languages, and countries come together in one place. There is a reaction that is almost chemical in nature. The more chemicals or cultures one throws into the mix, the more volatile it becomes. But, in the case with people, the volatility becomes changes in perspectives, learning about other cultures, personal growth, enjoyable differences, and memories to be had. It is a beautiful thing and I feel lucky to see it in action tonight. Even Lucas, who showed up recently at the Goethe said the dinner tonight was already his favorite memory.
We may have come together for the food, but we stayed together for three hours because of something far deeper...
Every now and again, I have lapses in which I feel as I am in a movie. The most recent of those moments happened but an hour ago. I went to the bakery, asked for 'drei Brotchen' (3 rolls), and began the 3 minute walked back to my dorm.
There is a dense fog about tonight. So dense it seems it muffles sound and enshrouds you in your own little world. Everything else except for me is out of focus. I step into the cold, yet comforting German air shielded with my pea coat and scarf. I walk along the stone sett sidewalks that have been there for hundreds of years. A quick look down an alley shows buildings disappearing into the mist. Along my walk, the bell tower from St. Josephs begins to toll and doesn't subside until 5 minutes later.
Last Thursday, I went on my first ever, German road trip.
There are three people that I will be referring to in this post. I shall introduce them now to prevent confusion.
Here's a picture. The person on the left is Pascal. The person on the right is Simon. The guy wearing the 'FOX' t-shirt is Andrew. And I don't know the other guy.
Pascal and Simon are Zivis. After graduating from high school, every German male must serve Germany for 2 years before going to University. Most go into the military. For those who don't want to be in the military, they can become civil servants for the 2 years. No one gets to choose their post. Some are ambulance drivers (see funny side story #1), some work in nursing homes, but Pascal and Simon were fortunate enough to be zivis at the Goethe Institute Language School in Schwäbisch Hall. Essentially, they are glorified Residant Assistants and social organizers for the students that come through Goethe. Needless to say, they lucked out.
Andrew is from Australia. His family moved to Schwäbisch Hall six months ago. He doesn't have a job and spends most of this time hanging out with the zivis and the Goethe students (myself included). He's kinda crazy but a lot of fun to hang out with. This trip was Andrew's idea. Apparently it started a few weeks ago in Vienna. He had a craving for some ribs but couldn't find any. He tried a restaurant in Germany later, but showed up to the place too early for ribs. The ribs became his and our quest.
Now you have met the players of the trip. Our goal was to eat ribs at a restaurant in Stuttgart.
The drive to Stuttgart was a highlight in and of itself for me. I haven't been in a car since my parents dropped me off at the Roanoke Airport. Being in a car, riding on autobahn at 160 k/m, being with new friend, and listening to German Haus music (techno in nature) made the ride enjoyable. One cool feature of Pascal's car is that it has a USB slot. Just load some music on a nerd stick, throw it in the slot, and you can control it with the car's stereo. But, for some reason, this feature wasn't performing perfectly. Let's just say I heard "Live your Life" by T.I. feat. Rihanna about 7 or 8 times on the drive to Stuttgart.
Also, I am going to commend Germany on there drivers. You deserve an applause. The traffic on the autobahn was beautful. The Germans drive just like they engineer things...very mechanical and very well. Image a 6 lane interestate in the US. Now, instead of someone going below the speed limit while on their cell phone in the left most lane, picture everyone following the following mindset: "I will drive in the right most possible lane until I need to pass someone in front of me. After passing, I will then return to the right most possible lane. I wouldn't want to slow the people behind me down." Point Germany!
One thing or things that I did not expect were the castles. Yes, I said castles. Along the autobahn, I would look into the distant German night and see a flood-lit castle rising above everything around on a large hill/small mountain. I envisioned a time where castles were a necessity and then it hit me how insignificant American history is in the eyes of the rest of the world. I mean, no one even knew what the War of Northern Aggression was.
Also, I was able to see the second largest sign in the world. The BOSCH sign is second only to the Hollywood sign in size.
Per conversations with Simon (a native Stuttgarter), this restaurant was going to be the best. There is one item on the menu that includes ribs, chicken wings, mashed potatos, and other delicious and stomach filling foods. This dish can be order per person (minimum of 2). We ordered for 4, though Simon said 3 would be pleantly for all of us. We didn't want to risk it. After we ordered our drinks, the waitress returned with some bad news. Because there were so many parties with reservations that night, we would have to wait 2 hours to get our food. Pascal, Simon, Andrew, and I discussed, quickly came to a consensus, paid for our drinks, and left.
Simon called his father and ask for a second opinion. He suggested a place called Ares. Great. It's only 10 minutes away. It's something-Straße 59. We found the proper street and started counting down...65...63...61......57...55...wait! Did was pass it? Again, the count down...61......57. Where is it? So we asked 4 different pedestrian about Ares. One guy said it was just up the street and then 3 others said it closed down. Defeat. :-( At this point, Andrew start having a little temper-tantrem. He's hungry and he's on a quest that has become way to complicated.
Simon calls his father again. He father suggests a place called, 'Drive' We actually found it easily. But, guess what the first song on the radio was when we sat down. Yep. "Live your Life" by T.I. feat. Rihanna. Small world. We all order ribs. Pascal brought to everyone's attention the time. We left Schwäbisch Hall at 4:45pm. We were just now ordering at 8pm. We were quite hungry and when the food arrived, there wasn't a sound between the four of us minus the occasional 'mmmmm' Sweet satisfaction and a full belly.
And then we drove back to Schwäbisch Hall, driving fast, with castles in view.
Well, I had sure had a good day. It all started in the third session of class. For the first time since entering Germany, I felt like I found my groove. I was understanding everything the teacher said. I was speaking freely in the German tongue. It was great. I actually felt like I was improving my German. After class, we had Turkey for lunch. I sat with Andy from Nebraska, Silvia from Italy, Bruno from Brazil, and our new friend Dorothy from Malaysia. Diversity at its finest. Ironically enough, Silvia's middle name is Turkey. No joke.
After lunch, Andy & I bought a cup of hot chocolate and wandered around the Goethe's courtyard. I soon found out that Christmas is a very big deal in Germany even though most of those who celebrate it are not Christian. The Christmas festival will be in full swing tomorrow and I will be sure to post some pictures. I am very interested in learning about Christmas in Germany because the United State got most of their Christmas traditions from Germany. O Tennenbaum, anyone? As Andy & I walked around the various booths and set-ups, we were dazzle with chestnuts roasting on an open fire (literally), wooden hand carved chairs, a German man playing the classical guitar and belting Christmas carols (in German, naturally), and finally by an authentic glass-blower. I'm not sure if you have ever seen someone blow glass, but trust me, it is something to be admired. I felt like a small kid watching a magic show.
Later in the afternoon, I watched the latest episode of my favorite podcast, SnowFix. It's a podcast purely about snowboarding and skiing that is broadcast by some people in the U.K. I have been watching it regularly for about 3 years now. This week, they announced the winner of a contest that I actually entered. The contest was to see who could come up with the best pranks. Guess what. I won! Out of 131,00 people, I have the best pranks, which means that you better not cross me. Trust me, I have already made two girls cry. I'm still sorry Leah and Megs. I love you both.
Here's the episode: if you are only concerned about seeing my name, skip to the 11th minute. You might could say that I am famous, in a small demographic of snowboarders that watch podcasts that is.
After a semi-productive afternoon of studying and making flashcards (yes, I studied on a Friday afternoon), I joined my friends in our language school's basement for a welcome party for all the new students. Like most parties with dancing, it started slow and then picked up. Small note: I share a bathroom with the CV (German equivalent to an RA). Because Simon was the DJ, he let me pick out a few songs. I am proud to say that I imported not just one of the United States' greatest, college dance songs, but also the dance that does along with it: 'Jump on It' by Apache. It was an instant hit. If you are unfamiliar with the song and dance, please see below (a wonderful example by the Fresh Prince). And if you are German...your welcome.
This morning I said goodbye to my team and Tübingen. Don't worry, I didn't quit or get kicked off the team. And shame on you if you think I would be asked to leave this soon. I traveled to Schwabisch Hall today to start a month long, intensive session of language school. I took the 9:37 train from Tübingen to Stuttgart of which I made with 4 minutes to spare. Once I arrived in Stuttgart, I hopped off the train (literally, it's a daughnting step) and quickly checked out the train schedule. Found Schwabisch Hall. That train departs at 10:40. Looked at my watch. It's 10:40. Hmmm... I was on platform 1 and the train I needed departed from track 16. Pickle. I race across the station and obviously because Germans are always on time, the train had already left. I panicked. I'm just kidding. I went to a coffee shop, bought a fruit cup, and watched some podcasts on my mac for a while.
The train ride to Schwabisch Hall, like every other train ride in Germany was gorgeous. Lot's of snow covered fields and forests with snow-filled branches. If only I had some hot chocolate and James Taylor's Christmas album play, I'd have been set. Guess I'll save that one for later. Funny thing is that I capture a backhoe without knowing it. The train was moving rather quickly.
Thanks to Stef's instructions, I made it safely to the Goethe Institute. I scored an A2.2 on my oral, A2.1 on my multiple choice test, and A2.2 on my written exam. The instruction decided to place me in B1. (language school starts with A1 and ends at C2. C2 being the conquoring of the German language) We will see how that goes. Right after that, I went to get my housing assignment and this girl asks me my name. I replied with the appropriate response. This is how I met Andy. The rest of the Globalscope team spent two month here in Schwabisch Hall. Andy became one of their good friends and they had told her to look for me today and to make me feel welcome. And that she did. She along with her friend Tammy, who are both from Nebraske, helped me find my dorm and then we got a Doner Kebab, the traditional European food for poor American students.
Mein Zimmer
On a more serious note, adjustment to German life has not and still is not an easy one. I came from so many great friends, family members, and mentors in the US to my world coming down to my 3 teammates. It's weired. It's like jumping off a ship into the ocean when you're used to hanging out on the ship with tons of people and watching the ship float away. So, you look around. You see 3 others that you aren't that close to and suddenly you realize God's waiting with a safety boat just waiting for you to hop in.
So that's what I did. I started praying more, listening more, and not just reading my Bible, but contemplating over the text over and over. God is amazing. On the first night, which was the hardest so far, I started reading Psalms from the beginning and I stopped at 2:12 "Blessed are all who take refuge in Him." Perfect. I have been dreading coming to Schwabisch Hall alone and away from the team and I've been praying about it. I haven't even started class yet and I have met Semone, my CV (language school equivelant to RA), Andy and Tammy from Nebraska, and we are all going to breakfast tomorrow.
God has provided me an outlet to glorify him in Germany. God provided so many wonderful supporters to help me get here. And now that I am here, His provisions continue.
November 20th/21st was the longest day of my life. Here's a quick account:
6:30 am (Vinton, VA) - woke up, showered, coffee and talk with Mom and Dad 8:00 am - 3 immunizations at the health department 9:15 am - back at the house for final packing preparations 10:15 am - Mom and Dad dropped me off at the ROA airport 11:00 am - This random guy sits down beside me in the terminal and asks me, "Are you going to Atlanta by any chance." It's Darryl. I love Darryl. Darryl was the great guy I looked up to all through out high school. He was the cool senior when I was a freshmen. Not only would he let me hang out with him at school, but he made me. Tough love. He's a youth minister now in Blacksburg, VA and it was wonderful to catch up with him. 12:00 pm - Fly to ATL 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm - Hang out with the likes of Tyler, Ryan, Tiff, and Shalynn. It was great. 4:50 pm - 5:50 pm - patiently waiting in the terminal and making some last minute calls and texts 6:30 pm - 9am (2am EST) - a sleepless flight with bad movies playing and my headset not working. Thankfully, I had the Chronicles of Narnia to read and my MacBook to keep me busy 9:30 am (Stuttgart) - go through customs, grab luggage, and meet up with Chris 11ish am - get to Tübingen and meet Beth and Stef at the campus house 12 pm - light lunch in the library made possible by the Metzgerei 1 pm - 3pm - go to the grocery store across town. the weather was mid-30's and a downpoor. not fun 3pm - 7pm - hung out in Chris & Stef's apartment. played some Siedlers von Cattan. Chris made sure I stayed awak 7pm - Stef cooked dinner. Spätzel and Brat stir fry. more Siedlers. 10 pm - hung out with the team in the Altstadt (old part of the city). talked about plans and decisons. 11:30 pm - back to the campus house for me where my bedroom is 12:00 pm - Skyped Mom and Dad. no reply. tear 12:30 pm (6:30 pm EST) - went to bed...finally
So, after being awake for 36 hours followed by a good night's rest, I am doing well. I will add pictures tomorrow. I'm off to bed early so we won't be late for church tomorrow.
As you may know, I am leaving to go to Tübingen, Germany on the 24th of November to start a Globalscope Ministry. What you may not know is that the shipping cost for a 3 ton truck can get expensive. Thus (i hope i used that right), my hand has been forced and I had to sell my truck. Chandler without his truck is like Bert without Ernie or Milly without Vanilly. It's just not kosher. God called Abraham to kill his son. I hear God calling me to Germany and to heed His call, I must sell my truck. There IS something women like about a pickup man!
Oh, I will never forget the good times. Getting stuck in the mud on federal land on Christmas Eve. The long drives to and fro Atlanta and Roanoke, and the good converstions had. Ski trips to Snowshoe and the windey road to get there. Driving through a puddle so deep, mud covered my hood. Sitting 4 or even 5 wide with friends. Sitting on the tailgait along with great friends around the fire at Rick's. Driving in snow and ice, dragging Nathan on a knee board and almost killing Drew. My first announcement video. Spur of the moment roadtrip to Auburn. The countless oil changes every 3000. A few sets of new tires. Long, lonely drives at 3am just talking to God. Oh the memories. Oh the good times.
This is me expressing myself: A Musical Montage for Truck
It's also on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5msTNdAMto
If you have any good memories of my truck, speak now (post a comment) or forever hold your peace.
Dreams are a funny thing and I'm starting to pay attention to them a little more. My dreams have been quite vivid lately and I have tried to write some of them down. But, they always seem to fade more quickly than I can write them down.
Now this brings me to my passport. Yes, my passport. I lost my passport in September. Seriously, it was gone and I have been looking for it since. I figured I misplaced it in a box or notebook when I made the move from Georgia to Virginia. After 3 weeks of looking through boxes and notebooks, I still couldn't find it. One of the items I added to my to-do list for today was call and inquire about getting a replacement passport. But, last night, I had a dream where I found my passport. I vaguely remember that I found it in some type of sleeve within another compartment. It was a relief, but then I woke up. I thought to myself, how cool it would be if I found my passport based on that dream. As I sat down to check my emails the morning, I thought about the dream more. A sleeve inside of something else...hmmmm. Where could that be? I suddenly remembered that my backpack has a sleeve for a camelpack bladder inside the main pouch. I knew I had checked my backpack several times and I have reached into the sleeve many times because that's where I store my prayer cards when I'm out and about. But, I decided to double check it with stout pessimism, reached my hand inside, and found my passport.
This video was sent to me by the Globalscope ministry in Birmingham, England. God has blessed their ministry in the year they have been on campus. I look to their example for inspiration and I pray that God will change lives in Tübingen as he has in Birmingham.
It's a brisk and windy 45 degree Tuesday morning in Roanoke, VA. I love it.
My search for that perfect spot to get work done brought me to Mill Mountain Coffee And Tea in downtown Roanoke. This was the hometown spot friends and I would come to in high school on weekend nights when our parents would let us stay out past 11pm. I attempted to come here yesterday, but their was brown paper covering the windows and no signs. This morning I found it with a little more determination and the aid of a man on the sidewalk holding a Mill Mountain cup. Turns out they moved across the street. Though they only have one free refill, they have several things that Panera doesn't. Some favorable things include, molded ceilings, hardwood floors, brick walls, unique design, great atmosphere, friendly customers, baristas with sweet facial hair, way better music, and a 'stick it to the man' attitude only a locally owned business can have.
Hello hello and thank you for tuning in for another episode of Chandler's blog. I appreciate the interest. Seriously, I do.
This weeks goal: get to 80%
Today, I am trying to find a place I can can really get some work done. For some reason or the other, I am affected by my surroundings. During my 5 years at Georgia Tech, I would suddenly get a primal desire to flee the city in search for a place with more trees and grass than buildings and concrete. I can only take so much of the big city life. Knowing this characteristic about myself had a little say in deciding on going to Tübingen, Germany. Tübingen is a place where hidden beauty is found in almost every cobblestone alleyway and around each intriguing corner. I mean, just glance at the picture below and see the beauty. But, look at the lovely buildings, streets, and alleyways and realize that Tübingen is full of people who don't know Jesus or what a unconditional loving community is. (click the picture to see the full size)
So, as it was in my decision to go to Tübingen, Germany, I take into account the surroundings when choosing a place and an atmosphere to get some work done. It needs to be a comfortable, welcoming, nice-looking place with not an overwhelming amount of colors, signs, sounds, and/or painting to distract me from my work. Here is the Panera Bread near the Valley View area:
I'm a big fan of the fire pit. Keeps me cozy from the 54 degree autumn weather.
As mentioned in the earlier post, Saturday night was officially "Chandler's Last Hoorah!"
I have never experienced a goodbye party before and I wasn't sure exactly how it would play out in terms of my interactions with people or the general mood. I'm not used to having the spotlight solely on me and to be honest, I am not completely at ease in it.
Knowing that some of the greatest people I have known in the past 5 years would all be in one place, I expected the party to be good, but I never thought it would be as great as it was. There wasn't an awesome band. There was no alcohol. No one did anything crazy. But, there were hellos and goodbyes, good conversations and laughter, and handshakes and hugs. There was love. Undeniable love. There were young guns like Brooks Tellekamp, Scott Gillard, and Collin Woodard . There were old timers like Quiggle, Heather Pearce, and Tatum. Old Hemphill girls, Kami and Emily. New Hemphill girls, Mary Ann, Amanda, Meagen McElroy, and Desprez. Christian legacy and future legends all together.
I may have been the obvious reason for this gathering, but at the root it was the love of Jesus. Quiggle showed me that love as my intern at CCF and he showed me how to be a better man of God. I loved him for that. I spent a year at CCF trying to imitate his example with my sophomore guys. I get the feeling they love me too, maybe because they told me. Christ's love is binding to those who come in contact with it, whether they know it or not and it holds us all together with a warm feeling of something bigger than ourselves. It was glorious to see all the ties, loving friendships, and even new acquaintances engulfing a blue house in Homepark.
As the party was fading and people departed, the goodbyes started. A great moment after another. No one was insincere about their kind parting words. Hug after hug. I can't recall a time where I have felt more love. It was bliss.
To all of those who came, thank you so so much. Each of you is an inspiration and pure encouragement. I promise to take that love that you have showed me while our paths crossed and spread it on the campus of Tübingen, Germany.
Last night was my last hoorah in Atlanta, aka my goodbye party. The party was held at Old Azul and its residences were the hosts.
I had one last deer ham left from the deer I killed last November, and I figured there would be no better time than my Last Hoorah to cook it. After gathering the necessary supplies of charcoal, wood chips, chicken wire, rebar, and cinder blocks, we put the ham over the fire at 5:15.
Here's my personal recipe:
Supplies: 12 - standard cinder blocks 2 - 6 foot sections of rebar chicken wire spray bottle bag or two of hickory chips (the big ones) charcoal (I recommend natural)
Spray: 2 parts apple juice 1 part vinegar 1 part olive oil
Instructions: Begin by Lather the ham with plain yellow mustard on both sides. Sprinkle the dry rub evenly on both sides. Rig up some rebar and chicken wire to suspend the ham over the fire and also allow for turning. (see picture below) Adjust the coals and height of the rack to where the ham is cooking at about 250F. Side note: You don't need a thermometer to know 250F. 250F is the point where you can just barely keep your hand at for several seconds. To achieve maximum smoke from the hickory chips, place the wet chips on the edge of the fire to wher they will start charring and smoking. You can also wrap the wet chips in tin foil and punch holes in the top. We rotated the ham every 10 minutes. This may have been too much, but it worked for us. And after every turn of the ham, spray with the juice, vinegar, and oil mixture and sprinkle a spoon or two of the remaining dry rub. Sit around the fire with friends and enjoy each other's conversation and presences. Continue to occasionally add charcoal and wood chips to keep the heat and smoke going. It took 5 hours for our ham to cook, but they will vary depending on the size of the meat and temperature.
It was the best piece of meat I have ever cooked and I have been grilling and smoking for 7 years. Don't believe me? Just ask anyone who came to the party.
Also, special shout out and gratitude goes to Daniel Wood, Jason Tatum, and Jenn Whitton who helped make this dream possible.
I apologize to all my readers (my mom and dad probably) for not updating this thing in a while. I view my blog like i view my journal. I typically write when the mood strikes me or there is something that i cannot not write about. I have worked on two different posts for this blog, but never until completion. Maybe that will change...maybe.
I am currently reading thirteen moons by Charles Frazier, as you may gather from the picture. And if clever enough, you might read the picture and realize it's the guy that wrote Cold Mountain. One point though: The focus of the book and movie seemed different from me. Sadly, i saw the movie first and know some of what was going to occur. The movie crossed me as a love story. But then i read the book and took from it as a story about a man's journey. Obviously, the catalyst for this journey is his love Ada, but the love was not the main focus of the novel. I also think the movie, being a love story, was more feminine than the novel. I mean, in the book, Inman eats a bear cub after killing its mother. Masculine! As a male and bear enthusiast, i recommend Cold Mountain. But, i would give a higher recommendation to thirteen moons.
I was reading thirteen moons the other day, and a passage so profound was in the text i literally said, Wow, audibly. To set up this passage, the novel is about Will Cooper as he grows from a boy to a man. Another main character is Bear, a Cherokee chief who adopts Will as his only son. And no i didn't ruin anything that one couldn't gather from glancing at the back cover.
Here's the passage: Bear believed that if we make the world around us a better place to live, our inner selves can't help but come along for the ride and we'll get better too. Sometime in the far bright future, we would all live in a world of saints. And who's to say he was wrong?
Let that sink...
I will leave you with that and only ask you to imagine, work for, and pray for...a world of saints.
The following is an email from my good friend and fellow Globalscope campus minister Jason Tatum. He is currently in England and his experiences are a huge encouragement to me.
The people that came in for the afternoon were all people who are now on this list. It was the fall exchange student, Katie Ruth, the spring exchange student Laura, Spain exchange student, Brittany, and girlfriend of fellow teammate, Molly. It was a blast to have them here. It was a good thing to have them up to see the campus and the city and get excited about where they are going to be in the near future. We met up with Nathan and then Kevin and Leah and we hit a couple of pubs, plus the Rooster House. It was great to see them all interacting and asking them questions about living in Birmingham and generally just getting excited about how big this is that we all get to be apart of. I just can't put it into words how great it was.
After I dropped the girls off at the station, I went back to Selly Oak to meet up with Nathan and a student named Pete, who were hanging out a pub called "The Goose." Pete first met Robert and Natalie and the Millers back in early February, and they were all fast friends. From the beginning, Pete let it be known that he was an atheist, completely unbelieving in any sort of God, particularly a Christian God. Regardless of that, they all kept loving Pete and inviting him to events and hangouts and Pete kept on showing up. One night Pete's house was broken into, and the first people that he called were his friends from Globalscope, or Canvas, as our ministry is known. Of course, Kevin and Leah went over to help him clean up, and it was little moments like that really started to make Pete think that these people really loved him. Well eventually Nathan arrived in England and they were fast friends. They began to hangout all of the time and honestly really grew to have a big love for one another. After awhile, Nathan and him were having many conversations about Jesus and faith and all of this God stuff. These conversations kept fueling Nathan and I would go so far as to say that it fuels the entire team as well in a lot of ways.
I knew when I showed up tonight that Pete was important. Everyone loves this guy so much that they talk about him non-stop. I met him for the first time at breakfast on Saturday, but sadly we did not really have the chance to connect. So I sat down tonight and we start talking. He is telling me about going to church with Nathan and his thoughts on the subject, and how he has been pleasantly surprised and how he feels like it is good for him. Pete tells me about how he isn't a Christian, but how he is now open up to the possibility of God, and how much respect he has for the Canvas people, and how much he respects Jesus and his teaching.
So I am just sitting there listening and asking him questions. I am asking questions about what he believes and what he doesn't believe, about what he has considered and what he hasn't. He keeps answering honestly and would occasionally say things like "Yes, that's something I haven't considered" or "Yeah, we've talked about that before, and I just haven't made up my mind." You know, it was just good talk about Jesus and all. At one point Pete goes to the bathroom and Nathan says "Gosh. Every time he starts talking about Jesus, it just about makes me cry. I want him to know Jesus so much." Pete would come back and we would talk some more. He kept telling me how much Nathan means to him, and Nathan says "You're going to make me cry." Pete replied "I know that I'm going to make you cry one day." Pete knows, because Nathan has told him so, that when Pete decides to follow Jesus that Nathan will weep. Pete says "Yeah. I have potential, don't I Nathan?" Nathan is on the verge of tears again.
This entire time our conversations would be skipping in and out of talk about TV shows, America, England, and then always back to Jesus. The guy is just overall hilarious and so much fun to be around, you can really talk about anything. So the night goes on and Pete keeps telling me how much Canvas means to him, how Nathan is one of his best friends, how he had made the Canvas house his second home. Another thing that we were talking about was Nathan and his granddad, who hasn't been doing well, and how "Cotton" (as he is known) is such an amazing man and has done so many great things with his life. And so that gets me thinking, and I start talking about how amazing it is that Nathan gets to sit there with Pete and share Jesus with him because of the fact that his father knew Jesus and shared him with him and how Cotton had done the same thing. We were all kind of caught up in the moment of it all, how it was because of Cotton knowing Jesus that Nathan was sitting there at that table, hanging out with Pete. I looked over to Nathan and I said "You know, it's almost like the legacy of who your grandfather was is now being seen right here at this table, through you, with Pete." And then Nathan starts to tear up. And Pete is getting caught up in it, and Pete is talking about how great Cotton must have been because of how great Nathan has been to him, and now I'm sitting there and the tears begin to well up in my eyes. Pete raises his glass and says "Here's to Cotton." And I tell Pete that in ten years he'll be sitting at that same table, loving someone just like himself and they too will be toasting to Cotton because of the Jesus that loved us all so much. And you can see that Pete is truly open to that idea, to that crazy dream.
At one point Nathan goes to make an order and Pete looks over at me and says: "I can't really put into words what this guy means to me. He's one of my best friends. I have never had anyone believe in me like he does."
And you should know by now that Pete knows what we are all about. He knows that all of this money was raised and everyone left their hometown and friends and families because they wanted to meet him. I mean, he knows it. And so I started telling Pete about this ministry that they have over at Georgia Tech. How there are these 400 hundred or so students that are coming in and out of the doors throughout the week, coming in to play games, to talk about their lives, to have someone listen to them, to eat free food, to love people and to be loved, and how its a place full of people like him. And Pete just says that it sounds incredible, and Nathan just sort of exclaims "It is so big! This whole thing is so big!" and Nathan and I again begin to tear up in front of Pete, and Pete smiles with us, and we toast to Cotton again. And I ask Pete to excuse us, that this isn't just a show, that this is our lives. And he tells us that he knows, and that he loves us. And he tells me how he can't wait for me to be over permanently.
And we continued to talk.. it was such an emotional night, and the conversation was so real and wonderful.
And then I asked Pete if he wanted to know about what I am having to do be able to come to England to hangout with him. And so I tell him this whole story, from the very beginning. I told him how I talked at Cafe CCF back in late November, and how something in that talk changed me, how it woke something up in me by telling everyone that I wanted to lose weight, marry a great woman and move to England. How I wanted to change the world. I told him how what I really wanted was to have Jesus. I told him how this whole weight loss thing is my greatest struggle. I told him about the talk that I gave about England the next week and how something starting working in me, and how I went to be that Sunday night in December thinking "Today is the day." I told him all of this.
I told him about the walking, and the asking people to pray and the conversations with Angie that led to this very email list. I told him how it started with just a few and how now there are so many more. I told him all of that and how all of this is because, sure, I want to live a long life, sure, I want to be healthy and all of that, but really I want this because I want to come over and hangout with him. I told him that these 76 pounds have been about him, someone that I had never met before. I told him all of this and more.
And after this email, Pete will be reading these as well. Pete is going to be in on this little community. Pete told me that he would really like to get the emails. Pete made me tear up for the third time that night.
And right now, by the talk of Cotton, by the talk of CCF, by the talk of these emails and by the talk of how this is what our lives are about, Nathan is on the phone with his mom in the other room, crying his eyes out. Crying, because this is real. Because the Jesus that walked around with dirty feet and died an ugly death, is now walking around the streets of Birmingham, walking around with the hands and the feet of this campus ministry that we call "Canvas." He is walking right into the arms of Pete, I guy who told me tonight that he never really felt like he was worth anything, who told me tonight that he had always hated himself- that is- before he met the people from Canvas.
We hugged and Pete told me that he loved me, that loved Nathan, and then we parted ways. Nathan and I practically skipped the entire way home.
I went to the Fayetteville Youth Soccer Complex the other day. Gorgeous weather and i had a field to myself, which is good because i'm horrible. I worked on my dribbling down the field, my shooting, and finally my juggling ability. Something miraculous happened and i set an all time high for times i juggled the ball. FOURTEEN! WOO! Believe me, i know that's not impressive for the average soccer player, but i started playing two weeks ago. I'd like to thank God...because w/o Him, we wouldn't have ever decided to kill animals and use their hides for our mere recreation.
Speaking of soccer, these are nice, especially since the number 1 goal was Germany.
Christ was not essentially a teacher or lawgiver but a human being, a real human being like us. He does not want us to be just defenders of a certain teaching, but human beings, real human beings before God. Christ did not, like an ethicist, love a theory about what is good. Rather, he loved real human beings. He was not, like a philosopher, interested in what is “generally true,” but in what serves concrete real human beings. He was not concerned as to whether the maxims of an action could become the principle of a general law, but whether my present actions help my neighbors to be human beings before God. The point is not that God became an idea, a principle, a program, a general truth, a law, but that God became a human being.
The day began early. 4:55 am. I awoke and quickly recalled why exactly I set my alarm so early. I was going hunting today.
Leland, Elizabeth, and Leland had joined me on my weekend off and weekend at home for my birthday. 23 years I have been on this earth and every year has gotten more complex and complicated than the previous. But, each year has also become better and seemingly more enjoyable that the prior. After dressing in my camo, Leland and I followed Dad up the mountain. It felt nice to have my muscles burning in contrast with the 30-degree weather. Leland set up behind a medium sized oak tree, but my father and his only sun journeyed up the wooded mountain. A father and his son journeying together in a ceremony of primal proportion.
As he led me, I could only think of the fishing and hunting trips of our 23 years together. At age 5, he led me to Crow Lake somewhere around Winder to fish for catfish. He placed small pieces of yellow, artificial bait called ‘cheese balls’ on my hook, helped me cast, and wrapped his large arms around me as I fought for my little life against a 4 pound catfish.
Countless trips fishing in the marshes of Savannah. Watching him smoke cheap cigars to keep the bugs away. Having that sweet smell hang in the air like fog. It’s no surprise to see why I was so eager to buy my fist cigar. I wanted to be like my father.
Turkey hunting in middle school. Learning how to be somewhat stealthy as we listened for a gobble. I still think I might be able to call a turkey better than he can, though I wouldn’t have a clue without several lessons from him. He was proud when I got that hawk to come check us out after that beautiful hen call. But, my dad taught me. He even taught my sister and me not to talk when fishing because it would scare the fish away. Thanks for that one. I didn’t figure out it wasn’t true until college, but it did keep Leah quiet. But, the point was taken and I plan to use it on my sons.
My father taught me so many things: how to pray, be a man of God, work on a car, and fix things around the house even if you don’t know exactly how. But, the morning of my 23rd birthday, he was leading me to face the wild and have my first hunt alone.
I climbed into the 2x4 tree stand in the darkness finding a comfortable position, and then raising my bow up to my grasp.
My dad asked, “You set?” “Yes sir.” “Okay, well I’m headed back to the house. Ill see you in a few hours.” “Okay…thanks Dad.”
That ‘thanks Dad’ was more than a polite thank you for letting me use your bow and stand. That one ‘thanks’ embodied 23 years of helping me come to this point. Though he did not know it, I was thanking him for making me, tying my shoes, and placing band-aids on my scraped knees as a small boy. I was thanking him for whipping me with his belt and grounding me when I broke curfew by 2 hours. I couldn’t help but being truly appreciative that he has always, always been there. He’s been at every game in my athletic career and he’s always been a knock on the door or a phone call from Atlanta away. Ready and waiting to help me in any capacity. I have never, not once, doubted his love and I have never though about not loving him.
So there I sat in my father’s tree stand hoping to kill a deer and hoping to make my father proud. The hours went by and as I thought and prayed to my heavenly father, I listened and waited for the slightest disturbance in nature. As day broke, my body began to slow down, and I began to get colder and colder. As I started to shiver, I heard a distinct, sharp pounding on the fallen autumn leaves. I stood up, set my release on my bow and attempted to be motionless as possible. Four deer came from my right, walking directly to me. The largest doe I have ever seen led two spotless fawns and another large doe behind them. The lead doe stopped and looked directly into my eyes and I held my breath. She took 4 steps and looked me over once more. Finally, she discerned I wasn’t a threat and she moved behind the tree in front of me. My heart was pounding hard than it ever has before. I pulled back the bow. 70 pounds of pull, my adrenaline was bursting and I took aim at the last doe because I had no shot on the first. Looking through the peep, aiming with the small green light, I released. In less than an instance, blood splattered from the deer’s left side. The 3 other deer scattered and the recently wounded deer took off over the ridge and up the mountain. My heart felt like it might just explode out of my throat. I breathed.
“AHHHH-AH,” I screamed. “LELAND! I GOT ONE!”
Before I could climb down, Leland came sprinting up the mountain. My heart still pounded. We followed the blood trail, stopping at each drop and looked for the next. Up the mountain 200 yards laid dead my first deer. Beautiful sight I must say.
It took 30 minutes of leg-burning effort to pull the deer down the mountain through the briar and bramble. In the back yard, my slain deer lay and I knocked on the back door informing my father of my kill. My dad shook my hand, gave me a hug, and looked at me with complete pride and joy, the same way after a touchdown or a homerun.
I am so glad I killed that deer. I will enjoy the delicious meat it provided and I will enjoy telling the story for the rest of my life. But, by far, the greatest feeling was making my father proud. I know he’s always proud of me, but to make him glow with pride for his son was something special. In his pride of me, I hope to show him that he did a damn fine job raising me. He taught me what he thought I should know and I tried to hear his loving voice and make my life one to make him and God proud.
To my father, Bish Creel and to my heavenly father I say: Father, I know I’m not perfect and I know you worry about me sometimes. I have made some bad mistakes, but I am trying to please you. I stand before you with an honest heart trying to understand you and follow the plans and dreams you have before me. I stand before you now as a MAN OF GOD.
One of the most common string of thoughts that come through my head these days are ones of my future, thoughts of Globalscope Germany. I have been looking toward Germany since my first scouting trip in the fall of 2006. I have known Germany is my future for almost two years. Now that the time is drawing nearer, thoughts, worries, fears, and prayers have become more frequent. For a while i worried what i was supposed to do in Germany, but then i gave up. I decided that my goal for right now is just to get over there. I'll show up and let God worry about the rest.
There are a few things that are certains though. Like what i have planned for the backyard of the house. First on the docket, and perhaps most importantly, we need a grill. We need a grill that puts all German grills to shame. I will have a grill that will help me make food that students will flock to. Of course, there is only one option. I need a Traeger (http://www.traegergrills.com/). Obviously, i won't be able to obtain one in Germany and shipping one over would cost me my monthly budget. So, the noblest of grillmasters, Randy Arrowood, helped me come up with a solution. He suggested that i build a grill and he'll sell me the electric smoking unit. Ah. Perfect. It's amazing when two Godly men seek a solution to further the kingdom of God.
Secondly, we'll need a brick oven and i will build it. And luckily, our very own team leader, Beth Jarvis, has experience in fresh bread making by working at Emory's campus ministry, Bread. We will also be able to use it for brick oven pizza and other baked good that need that taste one can only get from a wood burning, brick oven.
So, when you come visit me in Germany, i won't give you directions. Just get off the train, and follow your nose. Because when it comes to the most delicious, tender meats and the softest, most wheat-filled bread, people will flock to our ministry. It's like God is telling me, "If you build it, they will come."
Some of the 2nd and 3rd years and i played in a dodgeball tournament today. It was to help raise money for building homes in africa and also the WinShape foundation. There were 16 courts in all and each court had about 8 teams. We ended up with a record of 8-1-1. We didn't get into the final tournament, but we had a great time.
This past weekend was great. Some guys and i went up to Nicholson. We fished all day Saturday. Even though all i did was sit there, cast my line, reel it in, and occasionally take a fish off, it was exactly what i needed. I love fishing, even if i'm not catching a thing. After a great BBQ dinner, a visit with Granny and Papa, we went catfishing, and then finally: fireball tennis.
So, this is it. My first blog. Keep checking back for my final adventures at Georgia Tech CCF and continue to keep checking as i begin my adventures in Germany as i start a Globalscope ministry.
(This was the first google image for "Christmas")
