grace.kindness.peace.disruption.pain.processing.rinse.repeat.have a nice day.

Has anyone ever told you that you are the greatest coworker? If so, you've been lied to. I'm sure that you're a nice person and all, but unless you are one of the nine people I work with, your title no longer stands.

I came back from a pleasant dental appointment today to find 100 feet of evenly spaced plastic bugs leading me to my cubicle. Upon sight of the first one, I thought, "Yikes! I hope that thing isn't alive." Upon determining its plastic consistency, and soon thereafter seeing a long trail of its friends, I thought, "I hope this isn't about me." It was and I was shocked to see the thoroughness of the decoration.

1931
1927

My coworkers have planned the prank for weeks – and it really paid off. There were dozens of hidden critters, stuffed animals, multiple yards of draped camouflage netting, burlap wall coverings, and even ambient jungle sounds. There are many surprises yet to be found in the mass – I was even greeted by a critter in my glove as I left for the evening.

I must say thank you to my team for making me feel so very appreciated. This prank will go down in the annals of creative going away pranks. Thanks!

My sister gifted me a small photo album for me to take to Sierra Leone. On the first page she wrote the following quote from Donald Miller that hits me right where I am currently.

"We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting, and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out.I want to repeat one word for you: Leave. Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word, isn't it? So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed."

Guilt has finally overcome me. I know that I need to post more for the "faithful." And by "faithful" I mean me. I'm tired of seeing the same text on my web page. "Someone should really do something about that," I think to myself. This thought is, of course, followed by a moment of self-projected shame. Anyway, I remedy that (if ever so slightly) today.

The turkey is gone. All that remains of the Thanksgiving feast are good memories and some scrumtrulescent corn pudding. Yet another holiday has been successfully executed. I held off my tryptophan-induced nap until three hours after the meal – a new record. But today the sky is grey. The water on the lake is still. Today is the kind of day when all you want to do is throw on your favorite John Tesh album and enjoy your favorite couch. I don't have that luxury today for time is of the essence. In preparation for my coming experience in Africa, I am to read and reflect (1-2 pages) on four books. Thankfully ('tis the season), these books are real winners … instigators of thought and self-examination. But sadly, there is a due date associated with their completion and I must leave you.

Books to enjoy with a warm beverage and John Tesh:

• Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger : Moving from Affluence to Generosity
• Blood Diamonds
• Jesus I Never Knew, TheJesus I Never Knew, The
• Can You Drink the Cup?

If you would have asked me a few years ago what kind of things would be on my to do list in the present, I'm pretty sure that I would not have responded with getting vaccinations for yellow fever, hepatitis b, hepatitis a, typhoid, and/or rabies. On second thought, maybe rabies would have made the list (as I enjoy both the wilderness and animals – a combination that can be fraught with danger), but I'm pretty sure the others would not have come to mind. But as it stands, these are all on my current list of things to do. The humor of placing such tasks on a list next to "get milk" is not lost on me.

To those of you who have faithfully checked this blog, I say two things: I am sorry for the extened period of utter uselenessness of this space and you need to find a good book. But (hopefully) no more. Life seems more interesting these days. I should share some of this with you.

I eavesdrop on my friends. I even eavesdrop on people I don't know. Ah, the Internet. I've gotten into the wonderful world of reading others blogs. It it as if people leave their journal on top of their beds with the key in the lock in front of a door by which everyone in the world can shuffle. I saunter by most. Frankly, most people have very little to say and what they do say is not worth spending sweater lint to read. "Harsh," you say? In that case I must demand the residue of your favorite cotton blend from last winter. The buck (or lint) stops here. I think more people should take up rap to express themselves. Take some lessons from Mr. T on expressing yourself.

But where was I? Oh yes, eavesdropping. I have good friends. Even those with whom I have fallen out of consistent contact, they are very good people whom I respect and admire. I was eavesdropping on one such friend today and fell humbled by his honesty, brokenness, wisdom, and hope. His ability to see signs of hope amidst such suffering is evidence that he understands something that most do not. He takes the offering of hope when bitterness and despair are offered as the soup du jour. There is much for me to learn from him and my other friends.

So I introduce them to you, at least to eavesdrop. They're over there … or maybe over there … there're somewhere on this page. Maybe one day you'll be blessed with the opportunity to meet them in person. Consider yourself blessed, if so.

That's all for today.