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Well this week seemed to last forever. Traveling 14 hours in a car to watch a 2-hour soccer game can do that to you. I made a road trip to Arkansas with the friends with the idea that we’d be camping out Friday, but we never quite got around to the camping part. Still we had a great time and I didn’t miss anything in College Station especially the football game. Earlier this week I met Nicole, a 4th grader at Southwood Valley Elementary in College Station. I’m her Aggie Buddy, which means that I get to spend every Wednesday afternoon getting to know her. She had to leave early last Wednesday, but I’m looking forward to hanging out with her this week. This week I also interviewed with Camp Ozark. I also plan on interviewing with Kanakuk and Pine Cove for a counseling position for the summer. Some of you were campers at these camps and I’d really appreciate if you’d share your experiences with me. I’m not sure that I will be a counselor this summer, but you’re opinions would be nice to know.

There’s something about the open road that I just love. Whether it’s the beauty of the scenery, the feel of the air going through my hair, or just the simple joy of driving I love road trippin’. It’s fair to say that this last one didn’t really go as planned, but it didn’t make any difference. So what made this journey from College Station, Texas to Ouachita, Arkansas so much fun? The journey itself. Life is that way too. Granted the destination is crucial, but without the journey we would never reach it. Wrong turns, car trouble, and bad drivers on the road keep us from traveling perfectly back home, but with each mistake we become seasoned road warriors. When we do find our way for a moment we can appreciate it so much more after failing so miserably before. Recently I have had a tough time being patient on this journey. So much of me wants to skip right ahead to the good parts that I’ve been dreaming about like marrying a wonderful woman, raising a family, and hopefully working at a job I love. The difficult part for me is to understand that I must submit my life to God in the present moments where nothing important seems to be taking place. In these ‘downtimes’ (when is there really ever a time when we get to slack off… my only chance, my senior year is gone forever) I have the privilege of really finding more of my true self through discipline and submission before these qualities are really needed of me. It boils down to this: Trust and obey because He loved us first. One day at a time, one day at a time…

On a side note, I am seriously considering stopping the second paragraphs in each of these little pieces. There is not enough that happens in a week to share my ‘wisdom’ with you guys. It seems that life is so obviously meant to be lived a certain way and the real trouble isn’t knowing how to live it, but actually living it. I’d consider continuing if I was actually sharing with you good writing or something slightly creative, but I’m not. Unless you guys really like hearing my silly rantings on life each week, then I’ll continue. Otherwise I’ll cut down on your reading time and only tell you about the updates in my life. Just let me know and next week will be the result of your decision.

I don’t understand how the Cowboys have played fewer games and have more wins than the Aggies. I think its fair to say Coach Fran (A&M’s coach) is working towards next year when he decides to keep Reggie in the game after four turnovers in the first half. Please make fun of our football team now because I have a strong feelings that we will be very good my junior and senior year. Aside from the football game, this weekend was so much fun. I saw Five Iron Frenzy play one of their last shows ever. I also gave my best attempt to play golf this weekend. After my tee shot sliced into the fairway on the 18th, I decided to make up a new game called baseball golf. All you have to do is throw your golf ball down the fairway until your arm hurts and you can no longer play. Speaking of baseball, I should have known neither the Red Soxs nor my Cubs would make the World Series! The only relief from this tragedy will be if Pudge wins the MVP for the Series. All sports related side notes aside I bring to you one more poorly written piece of Reese for this week.

Now almost a full two months into the year, I’ve met a handful of solid, God-loving people. After a few great conversations and watching their lives, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the holes in my life. Godly people can hold you accountable without even saying a word. As a man I will say that women can do it even more so, but that’s the mysterious beauty and power of a Godly woman. (I feel like its Saturday and I’m at Wendy’s when I say stuff like that… oh by the way, there was no Frostie after the show. Griff, some things will always be between us that nobody else can touch). I rode to the concert with a new friend named Travis (Klinger to anyone who understands Pine Cove lingo, I don’t). He brought something to my attention that I hadn’t considered in some time: the desire to live for God is just what God wants. The daily seeking is something He can work with. What separates a “Godly man” and regular old Joe is not how much Joe doesn’t do right but how much the Godly man yearns to follow God. What a great comfort that is! No matter how much we fail, God looks past all our shortcomings and sees our heart. He knows that it takes more than our earthly lives to get this whole living business right. My imagination doesn’t reach far enough to even begin to understand what my new body will be like. Still, I can’t wait for the day when all my pride finally drops like weighted scales from my eyes and I can fully see the love God has for me allowing me to reciprocate His perfect love to others. Eternal Freedom.

One last thought. When Thanksgiving rolls around, there will be a steak night on Friday especially if Highland Parks has a playoff game that afternoon. Guys only, but all guys are welcome, especially the new friends. I can’t wait to hear everything in your lives’ over an overcooked steak with undercooked vegetables. Until then, have a great week.

After a three week losing drought, the Aggies steamrolled Baylor 73-10. I had a wonderful weekend running into old friends from Baylor and friends at A&M I hadn’t seen in a month. When I saw Tyler Dady, we nearly strangled each other. For anyone wondering, he’s having an amazing year, and Stroope he sends you a special hello. James stayed the weekend and we had a blast in the most indescribable of ways. Carrie, you were greatly missed, and I can’t wait to see your smiling face again (and the bear because A&M won… next year we’ll have a point system so you can keep the bear even if Baylor doesn’t win).

This week I’m at a complete loss for words. A few weeks ago I ran across this passage in Ecclesiastes. As we’re thinking about our futures, we might want to consider the words of one of the wisest and richest men who ever lived, King Solomon, and his thoughts on the meaning of life. On the surface this is not most uplifting passage, but really think about the last few verses. From Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 (New International Version)

17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? 23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.

24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

There is a time for everything

Yes, it’s Monday or most likely Tuesday because few of you stay up till 2am checking e-mail. I was in Lubbock this weekend and didn’t get back till Sunday night. Yes, I know A&M’s defense looked like swiss cheese against Tech’s offense. It really didn’t matter too much because I had a great time seeing old high school pals. My love to Ryan, Jack, and Stacie for making the weekend so enjoyable. This week is Baylor and this is the last chance for any of you to get tickets and sit on the 3rd deck of the student section. I would say the winning side, but right now I don’t have too much confidence in our team right now. Well, without any more talk about college football, I give you another edition of the incoherent ramblings of this poorly named weekly e-mail…

About 50 years ago a reporter timed a baseball game to see how much action took place over the course of nine innings. Each second the ball was either pitched or batted into play the reporter started his watching, stopping it when the ball returned to the pitcher’s glove. After a 2.5 hour game, the reporter found that there had only been 8 minutes of real baseball. But it’s not in those 8 minutes the whole game is either won or lost. Those eight minutes are the result of the preparations made during the other 2.5 hours and even days before the game. Take the Oakland A’s and Boston Red Sox game tonight. There were only a few crucial moments in the game and the rest of it seemed completely meaningless. Without Manny Ramirez’s three-run home run, Derek Lowe’s incredible relief pitching, or Pedro’s dominance over 7+ innings, the Red Sox don’t win. But without the little details like Barry Zito’s discomfort pitching from the stretch or Jason Veritek signaling for two cutter/slider from Lowe in the ninth, then the Red Sox don’t win either (You can’t control Pedro). In a way this is my life and I’d be willing to bet yours too in that so much of life seems so meaningless. My nightly homework, my daily attire, and my everyday conversations are simply insignificant except for one very important reason. In each moment in life where there isn’t any action going on, I have a chance to prepare myself when those few moments when the ball comes my way so I don’t make an error. Don’t be frustrated that you seem to be sitting in the outfield and nothing comes your way. In time something will come your way, and when it does be ready. I could elaborate for a few more pages, but I hope you get the idea. This isn’t something I came up with but heard at Breakaway a month ago. My apologies to those who were completely lost in the detailed description of the Red Sox’ game or those lost because of numerous typos that I missed. For all of you traveling to see the Texas-Oklahoma game and other places across the country, have a safe trip. Until I see you guys again…