When You Wish Upon A Star

Well its Friday, and not soon enough. A majority of my week has been spent worrying about the company newsletter, which I had to finish by today in order to get them to the customers by Christmas. We have never done a company newsletter, and I don't think I have ever made a newsletter. To start things off, I am using an ancient computer that has many issues loading programs, so using Microsoft Word was an issue. Luckily, I have a smart old roomie who knows a thing or two about computers, and his conclusion-the computer sucks. Thanks Ben. After deleting basically everything on the computer to free up space, we were able to get Word to work, which meant I could get to work. Well it is almost lunch time on Friday now, and yes, the newsletter is complete. One of my first big tasks is complete.

Working on the marketing and sales of our company has got me thinking more and more about my own company. I am planning on opening my own sports store, and working with high school athletic directors and coaches in order to handle all of their equipment needs. I spent some time working as a Coach in Training Hibbett Sports, which gave me some great experience in the sporting goods industry. Hibbetts wouldnt allow me enough free reign or independence, so I knew that I wanted to open my own. And working with WKU's baseball team helped alot, as well. So I spent some time today looking at different business plans, just so I can get more of an idea of what it will take. And I'm not gonna lie, it is a pretty intimidating idea to start your own business. But it also got me really excited.

It's not so much that I want to be Donald Trump or a big mogul. I can't get the idea of my own business out of my mind, so I'm going to go for it. My job at Outdoor Inc. has been great in preparing me. Matt and Todd give me alot of room to do my own work, make mistakes, and explore new ideas. The experience I am getting now is easily the most valuable experience I have had thus far. So here we go. My list of goals by the time I'm 30. You could call it a bucket list, but this is more for my business, not completely life encompassing.

1. Finish my undergrad within 2 years. Part time student ofcourse.

2. Complete an MBA program at UTC or another accredited program by the time I am 30.

3. Have a business plan completed within 2 years.

4. Begin the steps to acquiring a store property site within 4 years.

5. Open the business, including store and fully operational team sales division, by the age of 30.

Everyone that I have talked to says to give yourself alot more time to complete things than you think it will take. So all of these plans have built in extra time. There are obviously many other things that I would like to do within this time (i.e. run a marathon, buy a house, get married), but these are just business goals. I am getting excited thinking about the idea of being a legit business owner in Chattanooga. I have soon business done in a Godly way and ungodly way, and am so thankful that God has shown me both. So now to get down to it. Ready, set, go.....

"My, your shoulders look so big."

Well it was another weekend here in Chattanooga. I had been looking forward to it for a few weeks now. The CVP Christmas Party was this past weekend, so I knew my boy Joe Brunk would be coming down to hang out, and then I would get to see other old friends during the weekend as well. And we planned our Bible studies Tacky Sweater Christmas Party for the same weekend, so I knew it was going to be rocking, and it didn't disappoint.

So not everyone went with the whole tacky sweater theme, but these outfits were top notch. And yes, I do have shoulders pads in mine. And the buttons are on the wrong side. Must have been a European sweater (or from my mom's closet). There were quite a few people over, but this is the crew that went all out. And yes, the Geyer's do take the cake for rockin' outfits. Emily's grandmother-esque sweater and Uncle Eddie look "real niiccceee."

Joe ended up coming back at the tail end of the party, and stayed at my place Friday and Saturday night. Friday night, Reilly and Randall hung out as well till about 4 am, and yes, my sleeping pattern is still recovering. But since I didn't have anything to do Saturday, I slept in really late and watched the Ultimate Fighter Marathon with Joe till he left. And I stayed there to watch the Ultimate Fighter Finale until Joe called me late that night to head to the Cleland's to hang out. That was alot of fun, since I got to hang out with alot of awesome people that I don't really see much (including Reilly, who lives here). Later that night, a few more guys stayed at my place, including two who live in Chattie, strangely enough. And once again, we were up till 4 am. But it was a rockin good time.

And Sunday was just as great as the first two days. My church had our first Sunday in the new building, and it was a great time because Joe, Kasey, Jordan, and Icebox were able to come as well. The building looks amazing. And the turnout was unbelievable. We were overflowing, and had to bring in extra seats. Needless to say, we will probably be going to a second service very soon. We hung around church for awhile because Meghan locked her keys in her car, and a whole convoy of guys from the church decided to help out. We had a group of guys working on both front doors, and as soon as the locksmith came, we got it unlocked. After that, a little Lupi's action with a few good folks, and then they went on there way.

That night, I had my first night helping out the youth at Calvary. I was able to meet with Pastor Kenny, the youth minister, on Friday and learn about the heart of the ministry and what they expect. Well the youth are awesome. We have some great kids and great leaders. There were 40-50 kids there, and quite a few leaders. It was a great time to get back and work with youth again, which I love. I'm really excited about getting to help out every Sunday and more in between.

The Jonas Brothers and the Power Team

Well it has been a few weeks since I have posted. Sorry about that. Lack of a computer and a time crunch contributed to that. But I am not abandoning the whole blogging thing.

But this past Saturday was an amazing day. I was looking forward to it for about a month. Generally when I am that pumped about getting to a day it doesn't end up being as great as I was hoping. But this past Saturday did not fall short.

My church (Calvary Chapel) was approached earlier in the year about hosting the Prison Prevention Ministries Christmas Angel Party. The main goal of P.P.M. is to reach out to kids who have either one or both parents in prison and share them the love of Christ. Growing up in a blessed family, I never had to deal with anything remotely close to this. So I was really excited to get to help out. I was assigned as a tean row leader, which basically meant that I would be leading a group of teenagers in prayer, devotional time, and just hang out time. Well most of my group didn't get to come, but I had two middle schoolers, CJ and Marik. These were some fun guys. CJ's mom came with him, while his dad was in prison, and both of Marik's parents are in prison, so he got dropped off by his grandmother. After a little worship time, we were treated to a little show by an evangilistic strength team. Basically, like a minor league Power Team. I don't know about the kids, but I was sitting with a youth minister from Fort Oglethorpe who was about my age, and we might as well have been 12 year old girls at a Jonas Brothers Concert. Seriously, we were that into it.

After they did their show, we got to have a little time sharing with the kids and their parents. At the end of the time, when a pastor led a quick salvation prayer, CJ's mom accepted Christ!!!! I was so pumped up that I wanted to grab a phone book and rip it in half, just like the Power Team.

After staying at church to help clean up, I went to David and Emily's to watch the SEC Championship game. It was a pretty tense game, and Alabama was definitely better than I thought, but in the end, my Gators pulled it out 31-20. Tebow was the MVP, and Florida moved up to the #2 spot in the BCS, setting up a matchup with Oklahoma for the National Title. So yes, I'm pretty excited.



Sunday was pretty great as well. At church, pastor Frank gave a testimony of our church home, and all the amazing happenings of God that brought his wife and him to start the church, and how it has grown. It was a great time to learn more about the heart of the church and how it got started. And next week, we move into the new property of South Broad Street. No more temperature extremes, not more plaster falling on the worship bands' heads, no more collapsing seats. It should be a great time of growth within the church.

Well, it is time for Monday Night Football and a little relaxation for the rest of the night. Have a blessed week!