Tonight felt like the first night that I truly embraced summer. I grilled out and made a meal for a group of friends, sat up a tent and hung out in the back yard, tossed the football around, lit sparklers, sat on the roof talking, and just did all of the things that make summer so wonderful. It seemed like a great time to update on the Annual to-do bucket list.

1.     Skydive

2.     Leave the country  Went to Uganda, Africa in March-April

3.     Write a poem  Finished on June 3rd

4.     Raise $1,000  Completed with the help of the Extended Melody Project + Uganda fundraising.

5.     Successfully do 75 consecutive pushups/ 10 pullups.

6.     Run a half marathon

7.     Read one book every month (This is going well so far)

8.     Get a new business card

9.     Go one month without additional expenses

10. Fast 5 times  (embraced the lent season in a way I’ve never done before)

11. Visit North Carolina

12. Take a homeless person out for a meal

13. Host a large event  Extended Melody Project is somewhat relevant, but it wasn’t “my event” necessarily. I hope to host again.

14. Connect with a celebrity on Twitter Connected with Elizabeth Olsen via Twitter on June 11th.

15. Help someone travel the world I have had an overwhelming response from friends and friends of friends interested in going to Africa and seeing the world. Had some awesome conversations with young people who are going to pursue opportunities in service and ministry before heading to college. Kristin is currently serving in Uganda as well.

16. Make a significant contribution to an organization that I believe in Working with My Father’s House International to develop their marketing materials, website, fundraising materials, and videography. Over $2,500 was donated to them through raised support.

17. “Judge a book by the cover” and review it.

18. Send a thank you letter to a creative

19. Get a crowd pumped up April, MVNU Breakaway + BLAST 2011

20. Go on a first date

21. Drop everything and do something

22. Learn how to snowboard February

23. Drive a stick shift

24. Create a cookbook

Despite a new year, some things remain constant. Everyone has a story, they’re just waiting on someone who is ready to listen. Soli deo Gloria, glory to God alone in everything.

Here’s to the year. Excitement to come.