brother time.

A continuation of the delayed x-mas break updates...

adventures very much worth exploring before reading on:

http://jujunelson.blogspot.com/2009/12/night-watching-kids.html

http://jujunelson.blogspot.com/2009/12/wednesday-dinner.html

Thursday the 10th.

In the past year and half my relationship with my brother has had some tremendous growth and has been becoming something I have enjoyed more and more. With my leaving to Eugene for college and the maturing of my brother as he exited high school (i guess maturation on my part as well). Its been hard for us to really connect during school due to busyness. So it was great when we decided that he should take a train down to Eugene.

So Davis took the train down. First thing I took him to was up Skinners Butte giving him a big picture of Eugene and pointing out landmarks (Autzen, Campus, my house...) We then made way to my house where festivities were being prepared. Armed with a Delicious ham, salad, and Ginger Snaps (thanks Steph Riley), our "Holiday Hoorah," was ready to take off.

There is no better way to celebrate the Christmas season and the end of finals with great food, great guest list of friends, kitchen basketball, conversation, and of course "Elf."

This was such a great chance for to Davis and I to hang out and for him see a glimpse of Will's life in Eugene, and the friends I enjoy. I love him and miss him alot.

an end, much joy, and the begining.

Here I am. Christmas break is well in to play. Many adventures had and many more to be. So where does one begin...

Well it began with the conclusion of fall term, finishing up at 8 am on the 9th with a final in 'US in the 1960's.' A term very much embraced and very much celebrated once it was over. That evening after Aaron and Andy's astro final and an afternoon hanging out with a new and great friend Dan Creasy it was time to celebrate. With the bone chilling temperatures, celebratory cigars in hand, and a pumpkin pie in the oven, there was nothing stopping Aaron, Andy, Dan and myself from enjoying a perfect night. Conversation flowed with ease as we reminisced over the months prior, and looked eagerly on to the months to come. Guided by the question "What is something you want to make happen this next term ahead?" As we shared with each other about the men we wanted to become, and the goals in which would hopefully bring us there. God to my delight quickly became the centrality of our conversation. God loves us so much, but what would it take for us to love him in return. In this fast paced world it is so easy for us to get caught up in doing things. Going to school, connecting with friends, coaching, ministry, you fill in the blank. In the more we overburdened we become by doing the more disconnected we become with ourselves and who we are in Christ. So the 4 of us burdened by doing or desiring to do, came to the realization that we want our identity to be in Christ and in Him alone. Thus we want to pray... advocating, interceding, questioning, seeking, praising... we want to pray.

"...If a man can but pray he can do anything. He who knows how to overcome with God in prayer has Heaven and earth at his disposal." - Charles Spurgeon"

So we began right then and right there. What a blessing and an honor it was to pray for each individually and collectively. Due to a suggestion from Aaron I put on some worship music. To sing and pray with my brothers in our candle lit living room, so beautiful. So blessed. Ah what a night and the beginning of a great Christmas break.