Some Thoughts ABout Valentine's Day

So i know it has been a while since I have written anything, but here are a few thoughts I have about Valentine's Day.  I posted this same thing on Facebook and got some great feedback.

I must say, this Valentine's Day was the Best Valentine's Day for me. Without question. Yeah it had to do with love, but it was not because I have a special someone in my life, cause I don't. But I did get to hangout with people i love. That is what made it so special to me. I took a short trip to Athens. It was less than a 12 hour trip total but it was so fun. I enjoyed a car ride and wal-mart trip with Jake, Zach, and David. We went to Athens to surprise Adam 2 months before his birthday. We got to hangout with Addison, Emily, Kari, and Alan while we were there. We all went to CiCi's and played musical chairs every time someone got up from the table. We watched a movie, the Slam Dunk Competition, and just hung out. It was loads of fun. Definitely a great day! 

But I got to thinking a little bit more about Valentine's Day. And a conversation I had with a friend, Danielle, last Valentine's Day. Here is my question: Why is there only one day a year that we have to tell someone we love them? WHy can't every day be like that? How come we can't tell people we love them everyday? Why February 14th? WHat if we lived everyday like Valentine's Day? Which got me to thinking a little bit more. I have begun to equate Valentine's Day with Jesus. As a follower of Christ, we are called to Love. Love our neighbors, our enemies, our friends, the world. So really, as a Christ follower I really should treat every day like it is Valentine's Day. But of course, I dont. Some days, I get up with anger and bitterness in my heart. But no more! I am going to strive to love people everyday. I just really like Valentine's Day! And I wish everyday were like that, except without all the pink junk and flowers and hearts (really all that girly stuff). This world would be a better place if we lived everyday like it was Valentine's Day.

2008: My Year in Review

2008 was a historic year, on all accounts.  Just because it was historic does not mean it was good.  However, it was in some ways.  Many people call it the single greatest year of sports ever.  On the other hand, economically it was the worst year for the United States since the Great Depression.  Politically, the Bush era is over (you can decide whether that is good or bad), and a new era is beginning.  There will be change, regardless.  It may be change for the good, or it may be bad change.  Let's hope it is good.  But there is no denying it, 2008 was indeed a historic year.  For me, it was a monumental 2008.  Here are some of the highlights and moments that I will never forget...

I ended a short lived relationship with someone I still cared about and was attracted to at the time.  You have no clue how much I matured from making that decision.  I learned so much in that short period of time in January.  

Shortly thereafter, a young girl by the name of Ashley Averill passed away.  Ashley was 13 years old and suffered from a rare form of cancer.  She battled it as long as she could, but God decided it was her time.  Though something inside me tells me that Ashley was okay with that.  I believe she was pretty excited in the end to get to go meet her Heavenly Father.  Through it all, Ashley was an inspiration to many.  She loved Jesus so much, and everyone knew it.  I unfortunately was unable to attend the funeral, but was told it was a great celebration of her life and a great witness to many.  A difficult part of this for me was understanding why God took this precious little girl of this Earth.  Also, I was told to break the news to my little sister, who was a rather close friend of Ashley's.  That was the most difficult thing I have ever done.  I remember that look on her face.  I remember her bursting into tears and throwing herself into my arms.  I remember holding my little sister for a while as she just cried on my shoulder.  It was one of the most difficult nights of my life.

I got to go to two High School PROMS this year.  I took a friend of mine, Emily to my Senior Prom, and it was fun, despite my poor attitude on the night.  Im sorry again Emily!  And then I went to Mill Creek's Prom with Jennifer.  I enjoyed that very much.  It was lots of fun.

In May of 2008, I graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School.  Obviously it will be a day I will never forget.  It turned the page from one chapter of my life to another.  At the time, I think I under appreciated just how big of a point in my life that this was.  

The summer was probably the best few months in my life.  I got to hang out with my best friends nearly every day.  Some of us went on a crazy trip to Edisto Beach, SC.  I got to go back to Camp BigStuf, and this time it was the final time.  God used us (our youth group) the final night there.  We basically began to lead worship.  It was simply amazing.  The passion we all had and experienced was AMAZING.  It was all for the one who created us.  It was simply indescribable.  I also got to experience God on a great mission trip to Puerto Rico.  I got to make some new friends there and believe it or not, I still keep in contact with a few of them. 

There were specifically a couple of nights throughout the year entitled MAN NIGHT.  I cannot go into detail as to what went on at Man Night (as that would be against MAN LAWS) but I can give you this brief description.  It was just a bunch of guys from the youth group who hung out and just had great times.  I will say no more on the subject other than those were some of the greatest nights of my life.

Early on in 08, I got accepted into 4 colleges.  I was accepted into Liberty University, University of South Carolina, Georgia College and State University and Georgia State University.  I was rejected from the University of Georgia.  I remember that day, I remember reading that rejection letter.  It hurt, and at the time I became slightly better.  But looking back on it, that was a great day for me.  It was God speaking to me.  I did not need to be at UGA.  So i chose Georgia State.  And now I can say I am extremely happy with that decision.  

On October 18, I celebrated my 18th year of existence.  Originally this day, my plans were to take Jennifer from her house to my uncle's to watch the UGA game.  However en route to my uncle's i was told to swing by my house and pick up "cheese dip" that had been left by my mom.  I walked in and to my surprise 15 or so people stood there and yelled "surprise!"  I will admit, they got me.  And it was great.  I saw lots of friends and family that day.  Truly a birthday to be remembered.  

All in all, 2008 was a great year for me. Primarily it was the end of one stage of my life, and the beginning of another.  I face many challenges and hardships and for the most part got through them nicely.  Of course, I had my everything, my savior, Jesus Christ on my side helping me out.  Throughout the year, I made lots of new friends, and unfortunately I lost a couple.  I am looking forward to the future, and what it holds.  I think this year may be even better for me.  I really feel something special is gong to happen and significantly change my life.  I hope 2008 was as good for you as it was for me, and that 2009 is just as good if not better!  Thanks!

-Logan

Tis The Season

Nothing says winter in Georgia like the 70 degrees highs predicted for tomorrow around the metro area.  Lovely eh? Well it has been a while since I have last blogged and the semester is finally over and exams are a thing of the past.  Enough about school though.  Today I have been on the couch most of the day with a stomach bug, so i have had plenty of time to ponder some things.  Tomorrow if i feel well enough, I am going to go out and attempt to do a little Christmas shopping, since its all of a sudden right around the corner.

I sat down and watched Extreme Makeover Home Edition for the first time in a long time.  I rarely watch that show, however today I decided to check it out.  The story was a bout a family living in a run down, soon to be condemned house in Raleigh, NC.  The mother devotes much of her life to a local community center/private school for mostly underprivileged children.  She has 3 kids, ages 6, 4, and 3, and a husband who is legally blind.  The lady also has severe arthritits.  Because of her devotion to bettering her community and young people throughout the area, her house had begun to literally decay.  It became unsafe to raise a family in.  They tried to make it livable but because they had little funding the could not do much.

So the Extreme Makeover team came in and did work.  Obviously it was a dream come true for the woman.  Her and her family were thrilled and suddenly filled with Hope.  As Ty Pennington toured the dilapidated home, something the mother did absolutely shocked me.  She told Ty that anything in the house that was still usable, she wanted to give away to people throughout the community who really needed it.  I just thought it was so amazing.  Here is this makeover team, ready to give this woman her dream home, and all she is thinking about is how to give to others.  I find that absolutely amazing.  Not once did she ever think of herself.  It is truly a characteristic I wish i could constantly possess.  Sometimes, yeah i do put others before me, but what if I was like this woman?  What if we always put others before ourselves?  I really believe the world may be a happier place.  It reminds me of that commercial ( I forget what company it is) where one good deed is witnessed, which leads to another, and so on and so forth.  That was this lady's attitude.  She said she believed her showing love to others would inspire others to do the same, thusly making her community a better place. 

It is so simple once you really think about it.  That really works.  Love and kindness is contagious.  Nothing else to it.  Towards the end of the episode, she said I do this for these kids.  They are the future of our nation and doing this may help them change the world.  I just thought that was so cool.  Probably the best episode of that show I have ever seen.  And by far, it was the best hour of my day today.  I really thought it was cool they aired it during this season of Christmas.  It is the season of giving, and this woman gave almost all she had to make other people around her happy.  

Finals Week: Update #3

Here is the situation:  I sit here at my computer.  Have been studying precal, and race, religion and conflict for roughly 8 hours thus far.  I sit here in a tee shirt, boxers, finishing up a PB and J sandwich to keep me going, while drinking out of a milk jug.  Never throught id see myself this way.  It is the eve (almost morning at this point) of probably the biggest academic day in my life.  Its my last two finals of my first semester in college.  i am pretty nervous but really excited/relieved that 12 hours from now, i will have no worries about school until January.  but i must get back to studying.  And then hopefully get a little sleep.  I need to wake up in 6 hours.

Finals Week: Update #2

Well here i sit on Thursday night.  2 Finals down, 2 to go.  Today I took my sociology final, after studying for close to 6 hours total in the last few days.  Overall, Id say it went pretty well.  One thing I noticed about both of my finals i that most questions were either really easy or really hard.  Few were in between.

I am very excited about this weekend.  Tomorrow I'll be working, and will get to see Peachtree Ridge in the state semifinals against Grayson.  That will be fun, and then Saturday I'll get to watch the SEC Championship with some friends.  And then I'll get a little quality family time that night.  I am pretty excited.  Then Sunday, I'll head back down here to GSU and get ready to spend that day and Monday studying.  My last two finals are Tuesday morning.  So I will be spending Monday studying ALL DAY.  It may be boring but its okay.  The Math Final I need a decent grade to keep my B.  And i think an A is out of reach.  But that is okay.  I am predicting 3 A's and 2 B's after the first semester.  There is a chance it could be 4 A's and 1 B.  Thats what im hoping for!

Finals Week: Update #1

So I guess I will keep everyone informed on finals week this way. I am at a very critical juncture in my life in that I am finishing up my first semester of college.  I really need good grades to get started on the right foot.  For the most part my grades are good. 

In GSU 1010, and Global Issues  I know I have solid A's.  In Sociology and Race, Religion, and Conflict, I am pretty sure I have two High B's, with the potential of finishing with an A.  And in Precalculus I have a mid range B, with no chance up pulling it up to an A, but little chance of dropping to a C.

Earlier this morning, I took my final in Global Issues and I believe I did okay.  It would worry me if I had a low A but because I feel my A is very solid, I am not worried about it.  I believe i did enough to keep my A in there.  Right now, I am preparing for my sociology exam which is tomorrow.  

I am sitting on the fifth floor breezeway in the library.  The breezeway runs over top of Forsyth Street and gives you a pretty cool view of the city.  It is nice and quiet here and its a great place to study.  Here is the picture right now of my view:

Its not bad....

Anyways, I am getting ready to bog myself down here for a couple of hours and then Im gunna head back up campus to the commons to probably do more studying.  I have two classes tomorrow, one with a final and I have a TON of Math Work to do in the Math Lab.  So tomorrow is going to be a very busy day.  

This is the Story Of A Girl...

Not the one who cried  river a drowned the whole world.  A different one.  Really it isn't just one in particular.  It is my thoughts on the entire female gender as a whole. And maybe a specific girl or two here or there ;).  

So right now, I am currently single and have been that way for nearly a year.  I enjoy long walks on the beach.... oh wait.  Sorry! Anyways, I am single and have been very happy and content with that for the past year now.  But now, i believe that is beginning to change.  Most of the rest of my freshman year here at GSU, I will probably stay away from dating, but I feel that soon after this next semester, I will find myself in a relationship.  Except this time, things are different.  It is completely different from the way it was in High School.  Those little relationships for fun in high school are not what i want anymore.  Now it is serious.  In dating someone now, i will be looking for a future wife.  So i will not date someone who i could not envision myself with for the rest of my life, not to sound weird or anything, that is just how it is.

There is one girl in my life right now, and most people close to me know this girl and how close we are.  We have a very different and unique relationship.  It really is like no other.  I am so comfortable around her, and she is the same with me, extremely comfortable. We see each other quite often, despite how far away we live from each other.  I actually love her.  Not like the "in love" like you usually hear.  But this is actually an authentic love, like i would die for her, but not like an "in love" thing.  My mom and my sister want me to marry her, and I guess i could see how we would be compatible, plus she loves the Lord too, but its just like I really don't see it happening between us.  That seems so far off, but really its not.  Who is to say whether i'll be married in 3 years or 10?  Ya know?  Now i made the comment about my mother having her say in my wife, but she does that with any girl i hang out with.  My senior prom date, obviously just a friend, Mom asked if we were dating.  No Mom!  I will tell you if we are! Thanks! Haha.  It is rather funny.

Now there is one person i may actually be interested in.  I have known her for a while, and have recently begun talking to her a pretty good amount.  I have begun to really see some great things in her.  She is a strong strong follower of God.  She is nothing less than a warrior for the kingdom.  A Warrior?  Doesn't sound very feminine or attractive, but i assure you, it is.  I am striving to be a man of God and could easily walk and challenge my relationship with Christ with this girl.  That is what i aspire to have in a wife.  Someone who will challenge me on a spiritual level, and can help me in my walk.  So this girl is pretty cool.  And i feel a unique connection with her.  I also feel that God has a plan for her in my life somehow.  Whether it is marriage, or just friendship, something there is meant to be.  

Who knows though?  With both of these girls, they mean a lot to me, each in a different way.  Maybe it will be one of them i marry or maybe not.  The crazy part is that i REALLY could be getting married within the next five years to some girl.  So i don't believe this is too unrealistic to talk about.  But i will tell you this, as sappy/stupid/girly as it may sound, I am very excited about finding that ONE and falling IN LOVE with her.

Not sure what all inspired this blog, just recent thoughts, and I did say i would write about girls eventually, so now you know where I am at, and my current situation.

PS- I am in love with Taylor Swift already, but due to the distance i do not think our relationship will work out.  However, if i become famous or whatever, i will marry her.  I'll be the prince and you'll be the princess, its a love story, baby just say yes.