Da Bulls & Christmas

Last Saturday I got to go to a Chicago Bulls game with some of my relatives. The Bulls are not anything to write home about, but the experience of this game made it special. My cousin Don got a suite for all of us to enjoy together. Thanks Don.


It was blizzard conditions, which made driving a long adventure, but the special parking, and getting into and around the stadium were very smooth. Yes, we were looking down onto the stadium floor, from the banners, but the game was good, and it was a good time with Matt, my brother, and my dad.



Christmas gatherings included visiting grandparents and family at my Uncle Mike's house. He build a ramp for me to get into his house. Then we had family at my house. It was great to see more aunts, uncles ,and cousins. Missing was my Grandpa Knudsen, who always read the Christmas story.

We had the traditional Knudsen Christmas kids play, but, since most of us are grown, it takes on different, sometimes humorous tone. I was the inn keeper. My nieces, Addy & GG, played Mary and Joseph. Savannah was not willing to play baby Jesus, and sort of did her own thing as an "extra" in ALL of the scenes. [think Maggie on the Simpson's]

I go back to school next week. Final semester. I'll post next week.

Happy New Year.
Dan

ps FYI, I passes all my classes with a 3.8 gpa.

I continue to get better, but I am not at full health yet, so I stayed in bed today. My sickness could have been caused by a minor flu. Sleep throughout the entire night has been lacking in recent days.

I will begin reading Romans & Galatians because I am going to sit in a Bible class nest semester.

better

Except for the Bears losing, I am feeling much better today.

I did it the normal way.

Yesterday was a long day, BUT everything went well, and I got home around 8 pm. I had sort of a restless night, but that is to be expected.

One good thing to report, about my surgery. Most people who are put under, have a breathing tube that is put down their throat / trach, then a inner tube like "cuff" is inflated against the trach wall, so the flow of oxygen can be controlled. In the past, I have had to have special things done, because of my DPS [breathing pacer] and the Shiley in my trach. All of this has caused extra work, switching out to a cuffed Shiley, etc, on the part of the anesthesiologists.

The clear Hood Stoma Cap, that I now wear [instead of the old "in the trach" Shiley] does not restrict my trach airway. Thus it was possible for me to be put under, the normal way. They still have to sync their breathing machine with my DPS, but it felt neat, to do it the normal way.

Thanks for all of your notes and emails, but especially your prayers.

Minor Surgery

Please pray for me today. I have outpatient minor surgery scheduled for 2pm today. I guess there is no such thing as a "minor surgery," but it should only take around an hour. Pray for the technical details, any anxiety on my part, and a quick recovery (after all, it's Christmas time).

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Fall Semester classes

I officially finished class for the semester this past Monday. I took persuasive theory and cultural anthropology. They were both excellent classes. Persuasive theory was one of the best classes I have taken at Cedarville. I think what I appreciated the most was my professor, Dr. Phipps. I learned practical ways to communicate and persuade by understanding various theories and being more perceptive of people's personality types. Cultural anthropology, the study of people in different cultures, was interesting because it focused on the sensitivity towards the uniqueness of various people groups and how to appreciate their differences. Unfortunately it bordered on moral relativity, so its immediate relevance fluctuated. I believe I did well and now that those two classes are completed I only have four classes left until I graduate this may!

Church

I was able to attend church last night. I love going to church. There was a great message on Revelation 4, which was about a picture of God‘s throne room in heaven and His awesomeness. This past semester, I thought about heaven and eternity, and how short life is on Earth in comparison the eternal nature of our existence. An eternal perspective of my life makes me understand that I have a purpose now.

Early Christmas in the Dorm

If you look closely you can see some stockings hanging on the shelves, and a Christmas tree on top.

Earlier tonight was the OPE Christmas party. We all wore ridiculous Christmas sweaters and exchanged "white elephant gifts." Thankfully I ended up with about 2 pounds of Good & Plenty candy. They sure tasted good, (I'm only kidding, I didn't eat them all).

I would consider this a decent gift considering some people receive gifts such as Playdough, a cassette tape of Elvis, or a bottle of hair bleach with a can of pork and beans. It's always a good time with OPE. We hung out for a while, after the gift exchange, as the group slowly dispersed.

Oh, and there was also food to eat. This is a fact, that although common, should never be unappreciated.

Live it up!

I am going to post about my semester in a few days, after I get home.

Ephesians 5:15-17: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

How many times have you heard the concept of "you only live once," as being synonymous with living recklessly? Just live your life and party everyday! No, that would be unwise. If we only live once, then life should not be wasted in a dizziness of regret or self-pity. The only fulfillment in life is to actively live for God. I used to have in my mind that wisdom was an unattainable concept. I was wrong, wisdom is possible, and it is practical. James McDonald from Walk in the Word gives a great definition of wisdom: "Making the best choice with the best result in every situation." I want to be making the best godly choices, and then they will become easier to make.

College Football

Congratulations to the Crimson Tide and Longhorns. They will play each other in the BCS championship game. I'm sure many are disappointed the Florida Gators did not win, because they are Tim Tebow fans. Tebow is a committed Christian and he writes bible verse references on his eye black for each game. Did anyone see which one he wrote? It was John ? :33, but I didn't catch the chapter.

Today I played a strategy board game called Settlers of Catan. I lost as usual, but it was still fun.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

-Dan

A little bit... more often

Hey this is Dan! I want to start writing some short posts on a consistent basis. I recognize that when this blog started it was to inform everyone what was happening in my physical life. I will continue to update what I'm doing in life but also what I am learning in life. I may post one sentence or multiple paragraphs. I want you to keep in mind it is my desire that everything I say and do is not for myself, but for the glory of God.

This is a quote by John Piper from his book entitled Desiring God: "I know of no other way to triumph over sin long-term, than to gain a distaste for it, because of a superior satisfaction in God.”

2 Peter 3:18 Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ

-Dan