17

Wow, where did time go?  It seems like not too long ago I was a five-year-old boy playing by the river in Montana, and riding with my dad on the tractor.  Now, I've lived on this earth for 17 whole years.  I need to worry about college, work, money, etc.  But it is a good life, and growing up comes with a lot of advantages.

As I look back on my 16th year on this earth, I see myself making a lot of mistakes.  And I see God's blessings and forgiveness in spite of those mistakes.  He's blessed me with the best friends in the world, an amazing family, and has provided for my every need.  And the amazing thing is He's already providing opportunities for me in the "unknown" of New Mexico.  He's already given me a TP partner for next year, a speech club to work with, and I have no doubt He'll find the perfect place for us to live, and hopefully a job opportunity for me.

One of the biggest blessings as I look back on my 16th year happened just last week.  About the only word that comes to mind as I think about last week is: "Wow."  Even as I look back on it I still struggle to gain a perspective.  It's incredible to see how much I've grown this year, not only in speech but spiritually.  I don't think it's fully sunk in that this was my last Region 2 tournament, and that I might not ever see some of these incredible people again.  I'm so happy to be able to go on to nationals, to spend another week with some of these people.  The friendship's I've formed in Region 2 are worth far more than an award.  It's going to be so different going to a tournament without these familiar faces, but I know that I'll be able to stay in touch with most of them through modern communication and I'll also make new friends in Region 3.

Last summer was by far the best summer of my life.  I want to top that this year.  In the year ahead I want to make the most of every opportunity, be a blessing to others, not let love go to waste, make a difference, come up with goals for what I want to do with my life, and have a positive attitude with everything.  That is the good life, and I hope all of you will join me in this endeavor.