2005 - what a year of up's & down's.
Rather than type out highlights, I thought I'd share pix from this blog and it's predecessor, It's Time. Albeit the pix are focused on bits from my life in 2005 - especially from Africa this past summer. But it's worth a look.
Without further adieu, here are the Top 10 Pictures of 2005:
10. 
How often in your life can you say that you've walked up to wild zebras in Africa? For Amber & I, the answer is remarkably twice! This past summer I served for ten months on a planning team, trained, and led a team of 12 high school students through the land of Zambia for 2 thrilling weeks. What a summer of memories with students who were humble servants for Christ. One day we will return...
9. 
In April we spent a week with Amber's grandparents in Arizona. They literally lived in the desert (not to be confused with dessert, which is yummy), so journeying through the rugged, sandy terain was special for us. This pic was taken in front of a huge cactus we saw. Yes, I know it looks like a have a massive cucumber growing out of the top of my head.
8. Lovebirds at the edge of Victoria Falls, the world's longest waterfall located in Zambia.
7. 
While I served as High School Pastor at Oak Pointe Church, we would hold an annual summer event call Crud War. Think of it as a glorified food fight. I got the idea from my buddy Brian Land. This is the "after" pic take from up a tree, moments before we unleashed 25 pounds of flour onto their unsuspecting heads.
6. 
A life-long dream was realized in September when Amber surprised me with a baby pug named Juliet Mocha Boudegaard. If you click on the pic and look closely, it seems that Juliet is smoking a stogie (it's really a bone).
5. 
While in Zambia, our team decided to jump from the world's tallest bungee jump. Yup. While awaiting our doom, we snapped this pic on the international border of Zambia & Zimbabwe. It was really hot outside.
4. 
A huge highlight and honor for me in 2005 was serving under Perry Noble on the Executive Staff at NewSpring, one of the 100 fastest growing churches in America. I learned a TON from Perry about things like visionary leadership, creative communication, and being transparent with your staff team. Here's a pic of Jason Moorehead (executive pastor), me, and Perry. Thanks again, Perry!
3. 
Amazing story here of how I ran into Tic Long (special events guy at Youth Specialties), Mark Oestreicher (president of YS), and Karla Yaconelli (owner of YS) in Zambia of all places!
2. 
This picure illicted many comments when I first posted it on my birthday in November. We forced Juliet the Wonder Pug to wear a party hat. You can see the trembling fear in her face. She wouldn't speak to me for 3 days after this pic was taken. Hilarious comments from readers can be found here.
1. 
Hands-down my favorite pic of 2005. It was taken by a student right after I officiated at my first wedding ever in July. I love my wife. She is what made this year so memorable. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share these picture memories with me - Happy New Year in 2006!
