ENGAGED

Rachel and I are now engaged. We're looking to get married sometime next summer, likely the end of June or start of July. Needless to say, I'm incredibly excited!!! She said yes!

For those of you who are finding out through this blog or through Facebook, I do apologize for not telling you in person. At least this post, which is the first one I've done in more than four months, is something worthwhile and exciting!

OPENING DAY

I love this time of year. Spring is probably my favourite season. The feeling of newness, seeing things coming to life, being reminded that summer is approaching. The Lord makes all things new, and spring is a beautiful reminder of that.

I am excited that baseball is starting up again. Baseball was the first sport that I fell in love with, and it still holds a special place in my heart. However, it's been tough these last few years for me because my appreciation for the game has dropped. I think it's a combination of me not being available to play anymore (I played all through elementary school and high school), the fact that my favourite team moved (the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals in 2005, and it's just not the same), and the fact that the major leagues have ridiculous salaries, steroid scandals, and the same teams continually making the playoffs.

And baseball cards are unreasonably expensive now too.

Still...there's something special about being out on a ball field on a warm summer night. Hearing the hum of the lights above, the smell of the grass in the outfield, the crisp crack of the bat against the ball, the smack of the ball in a player's glove. The sights, sounds and smells of the game are wonderful. Going through a bag of sunflower seeds in a game is also great.

People who don't like baseball and claim that it's a bunch of fat people standing around and doing nothing have no appreciation for the game. It is such a game of numbers and strategy. With each pitch, you need to be ready to make the play- knowing, without a doubt, what you will do with the ball if it comes to you. If you're the pitcher, you're trying to figure out when the best time is to throw your best pitch, and hope that the batter isn't expecting it when you do throw it. If you're the batter, you're guessing as to what is coming at you, but you also have to do your best to keep the inning going.

Today is Opening Day in the big leagues, the first game of a summer full of games. Without baseball, my appreciation for spring wouldn't be quite the same. The sense of anticipation, of new hope, of new beginnings, probably isn't what it is without baseball. Do I worship the game? No (hockey might even be ahead of baseball now in terms of what my favourite sport is), but I have a deep respect and appreciation for it. Opening Day in the majors serves as a wonderful reminder of the special place that baseball holds in my heart.

Play ball!

ONE MORE NIGHT

"I've been sitting here so long, just wasting time, just staring at the phone..."

Can't say I'm a fan of talking on the phone.

LIKE THE FRENCH ARMY

Going on a retreat this weekend with the guys. We're heading to New Brunswick for some good times. I'm pretty pumped for it. I always enjoy hanging out with guys. We plan on grunting loudly, ripping things apart with our bare hands, eating raw meat, getting lost in the wilderness, using a gun, and finding an engine to fix.

Or something along those lines.

TOTALLY SNAKEBITTEN

I have yet to win in this year's "Roll Up the Rim to Win!" contest. As of today, I am 0 for 9. The odds of winning are 1 in 9! I was told that there are increased chances of winning out here in the Maritimes (compared to the rest of Canada), so what's up with this? Not even a lousy cookie or a muffin yet!

(Don't worry, I'm actually not that bitter about it.)

AND TIME MARCHES ON

Back to the blog after an eleven day hiatus. For those of you devout readers who check this thing every day...sorry, kids. But I had a good time during reading week. You can ask me about that sometime.

Apparently, we're into the month of March. A month that belongs to lions, lambs, springtime, turning clocks forward, college hoops, Julius Caesar, bands, and armies.

I honestly can't believe how time is flying by. Craziness that after the next four weeks, it's April. Then I'll be home for the summer.

Anyway, Ide better go. Hopefully the next post won't be that far off.

PAINFUL REMINDER

I've been reminded more and more the last few days that the term "my own strength" is really little more than an oxymoron.