Wow, where do I start? This has been the busiest and best year of my life. My birthday falls a week in to the new year (on January 7) so 2007 was basically my year of being 21. 2007 was a year on the move. For a brief recap: I moved 4 times (as usual) between Flint and Grand Rapids, made numerous trips to Indiana and Northern Michigan to visit family, spent a week in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina relief, and drove out to Seattle, WA to visit some friends. I learned a lot about a lot 
. I faced a coming of age and a “ways of this world” crisis (learning how to act and respond in the world of adults). I worked hard (school, work, and training for various races). I experienced some failures and disappointments (although not too horribly many). I sought for love and joy in the world (to no avail). Most importantly, I decided that where I was, was not where I wanted to be. I stopped using my transient position (in one place for three months then moving to another) as an excuse. I sought God and God did not forsake me (in reality, it was God who sought me). I have grown so much in and through Christ. I can honestly say that his love is good! I started listening to his voice and seeking friendship and guidance with the Holy Spirit. Throughout this growth, he has lead me with friendships and bible studies. I recently joined the prayer ministry team at my church, a missions team through a local prayer house, and regularly volunteer at a local community center/coffeehouse. God is showing me my gifts and abilities! In 2007, I did a lot of physical exercise. I started cycling (road cycling) as a hobby and cheap transportation to work (11 miles one-way). I rode in a 150-mile race for charity. I trained for a triathlon (swimming, biking, running). In August, I ran a 10-mile race in Flint, MI. In September, I completed my first triathlon (a Sprint sized triathlon). The hardest part of training was splitting time between working out and schooling (I was taking 20 credit hours or 5 classes). The diversion from the challenging school was welcome. I even had my best academic term while at college (3.9 GPA). In addition to the academic merits, I found purpose for my degree and am considering further education in an advanced field of Electrical Engineering. I made quite a few new friends this year too! I got to know some people both at school and in Grand Rapids, MI. I really hope to continue these friendships. I would like to be inspired by these friendships and inspire these friends. Traveling across the country was awesome! Going to New Orleans showed me that condemnation is not for man and we all need to love and help one another regardless of age, sex, race, religion, and social status. I also learned to judge less (the book and the cover do not always match). I learned how to relax and have a good time (It is the Big Easy after all). I felt my heart for the first time in a long time (more on this later). I could even feel God moving in that broken city. I really enjoyed my trip out West too. Experiencing the country is priceless. I still have a hard time believing that I drove 5,000+ miles in five days! I got to spend two days in Seattle, WA with my good friends Dan and Christie Ellis. The best parts of the trip included seeing the beautiful country, driving through rolling hills and mountains, and touring Seattle (not to mention being able to see the Cascade Mountain from anywhere in Seattle). I took many pictures this previous year. Thanks to my Christmas and Birthday present from my dad, an awesome camera. I Took 3,500+ pictures! Most of these are online at: http://picasaweb.google.com/reeseman04. This summer, I even started golfing! My grandparents took me out for my first round of golf. Surprisingly I did nearly decent! I look forward to this hobby in the coming year. My favorite football team, the Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl! Go Colts! This Christmas was on the best I have had in recent years. I really enjoyed spending time with my family and giving gifts to all sorts of people. Among all the blessings I have previously listed, God gave me a special Christmas gift (in addition to Christ). God gave me a new heart for Christmas! My old hard was filled with anger and had hardened and decayed from many years of apathy and struggles. After receiving salvation when I went to college, the hate and anger in my heart went away. This left my heart feeling empty and dead. Over the course of this previous year, God has successfully replaced my old heart with a new one. This came through many different experiences, situations, and prayers. I still have to learn how to use it but I can feel (something that I really could not do before, it was more like motions and should/should not’s). Through this gift, I feel that God is ready (and has started) to pour even more gifts into my life. This also comes at a time when I have really spent a lot of time trying to understand myself more thoroughly. Thanks to some guidance from a couple of friends, I have really started to understand who I am. As a part of this, God has taught me to look for contentment wherever life has placed me. This lesson is hard but the benefits of following the instructions are priceless! I hope to take all of my gifts and experiences from 2007 into 2008. 2007 was a year that brought me closer to heaven, and 2008, I pray, is simply going to be great! Have a blessed New Year!
Dec 31