getting stuff done

I've been in a major mode of reorganizing my life recently. Constantly having emails, phone calls, meetings, lessons to prep and meetings to prep coming at me--in addition to trying to spend meaningful and intentional time with people can all become a bit overwhelming at times. I know you students out there aren't thinking about this stuff much right now because you're outta here for Christmas--but don't worry, come January you'll be back in the thick of it! (By the way, didn't someone say once that life's easier out of college? NB: you're on break and those of us post college types are still working away!)

Anyway, I've been reading through a book called Getting Things Done that has been tremendously helpful. It's allowed me to corral my stuff I've got to do and to start organizing it...and...well...getting it done! I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to (or needs to) get better at getting done everything that comes your way in a given day. Anyone else have resourced they like for accomplishing all their "to do's" in life?

celebrating Jesus

Saturday night a bunch of us got together in the Ministry Center at church to celebrate Jesus' birthday! It was great to see everyone dressed up and to just get time to hang out and chat (and eat and drink egg nog--egg nog's my favorite!). I got to talk Cassie, Katie, John & Tim--all of whom I've never really had the chance to talk with before! KLIFE provided us with some great Christmas CD's that we gave away, so some people are going home with some great tunes to remind them about The Lord's Son this Christmas! Here's some pics of some of those who were there--I loved seeing Stephen and Austin squaring off during charades! (Stephen walked up all quiet and reserved and threw himself down on the floor and waved his arms and legs as soon as their time started--it was an awesome sight! He's agile like a cat!) As we hit finals these next couple weeks (Poly and Cuesta) and head for home, let's keep our eyes on Jesus, who broke into this world as a tiny baby to bring redemption and reconciliation!

first all-college email

Earlier I sent out this email to everyone on my college list. I got a bunch of failure messages back, so I didn't know if everyone acutally got the email, so here it is in blog form... (Keep in mind there were cool pics scattered throughout, so you'll just have to imagine, because I can't figure out how to rerpoduce that on the blog!)

OK EVERYONE!!

This is my first all-college email—woohooo!!

I just want to remind you all of a couple things about the Christmas Party on Saturday...

First don’t forget, we’re meeting at 6:00PM at church in the Ministry Center (you know, where college usually meets on Sunday mornings)

Next, don’t forget to wrap your White Elephant Gift for the gift exchange that night. Don’t spend money on this—remember, a “white elephant” (hwit-el-ê-fânt) according to the Oxford American Dictionary is “a useless possession,” so keep it cheap!

We’re going to have plenty of holiday goodies to eat like cookies, taquitos, chips and other great stuff plus great stuff to drink (Egg Nog is where it’s at! But we’ll have coffee, cocoa, cider, etc.)

We’ll have Christmas music, great times with friends and save your dough, without the dinner portion—we don’t need no stinking $5.00 (In plain English, that means the party is free!)

We’ve had a great response and a good list of sign-ups going—I can’t wait to get some time to get into conversations with everyone and to get to know you guys better! Even though this guy (Santa Claus)can’t make it, I think we’re going to have a great time celebrating the birth of our Savior as everyone gears up for finals. See you there!

In His Grip,
P. Steve