This post is continued from this one.

So, back in August, I went camping, and I crashed my car while drifting around a 20 mph corner going 50 mph on a dirt road. Not exactly the smartest thing in the world. Amazingly enough, my car survived! Who knew? Well, it took a long time, but I finally got the pictures that we took of the crash. Share and Enjoy.

Are you excited about anything major?
No. Maybe that’s my problem. I’m not looking forward to anything.

What’s your current favorite color?
Current? A favorite is not something to be tossed carelessly about like a dirty rag or an old shoe; It should be cared for daily, with loyalty. At any rate, mine is green.

Does your crush like you back?
Probably not, but I’m past caring. To me, having a crush on someone is more of a hindrance than a help. I’d rather just get to know someone and become lifelong friends, than have some sort of fleeting romantical fling.

What is your current mood?
Imagine being a moth all your life. You know you’re an ugly freak, and you keep trying to get at the light, this amazing source of pure beauty, but you keep flopping all over the place, never able to get a grip on anything. Now imagine that you’ve just turned into a hummingbird. you are now something beautiful, and you can hold still enough to get at the light, but instead of what you expected, some sort of fountain of loveliness or something… it’s just a piece of glass.

How long have you been sober?
Since October 18th. About a week and a half.

What color shirt are you wearing?
White.

If you were going on a Reality TV show, which one would it be?
One of those shows where they give you lots of stuff…? Friends: Remember that. My birthday is coming up!

Did you ever sneak into an R rated movie?
No. I led a sadly sheltered life.

Ever had a near death experience?
A couple. The most prominent one was my car crash. I totally forgot I have pics of that! I need to get those up here…

What is something you do a lot?
Think. I think I think to much. I think.

How old will you be in 12 months?
21. Woot :-|

Do you want to see somebody right now?
There are so many people I want to see. I can’t even start. I miss everybody. If you’re reading this right now… I miss you.

What are your goals?
I want to make a difference in somebody’s life. I want to write music that changes people. I want to talk to people and have them listen. And I want to say something worth listening to. I’m still working on getting to that point.

Do you like rain?
With all my heart. Knowing that it is raining outside is like knowing that somebody loves me. It’s the closest feeling to being in love that I have ever felt without actually being in love.

What are you thinking about right now?
Being in love. Crap. Now I’m depressed. Stupid survey…

What are you listening to?
Brooke Waggoner. I Am Mine. I’ve been listening to it on repeat all day. It is amazing. You should listen to it.

Who is the last person you said i love you to?
I forget. Someone in my family. I told them all I love them today. I do that a lot, actually.

Who is the last person that made you smile?
Brooke Waggoner.

———-

So, this bulletin is directed towards two different groups of people: The friends of mine that haven’t seen very much of me the past couple of months and have no idea what I have been up to, and the friends of mine that I have been hanging out with nearly everyday and are now wondering where I have been this past two days.

To the first group of people, let me tell you what my life has been lately. I drink alcohol, and I smoke cigarettes. In a typical day, I wake up late wherever I am… recover from what I had done the night before… call all my friends up… figure out where the party is at… go to the party… get drunk… pass out… repeat. I know most of you have known me for a long time as a good christian boy, so this information might come as a shock to you.

To the second group of people that I have gotten to know very well the past month or so, I want to start out by saying that I love you guys. We’ve had some good times, and we’ve had some pretty awesome parties. But I’m done. I may not be hanging out with many of you for a while, and I definitely won’t be coming to any parties. I’m done getting hammered.

Please understand that this has nothing to do with any of the awesome people I have met. I just had a realization the other day that if I didn’t do anything to stop my lifestyle, I would only go further and further down and pretty soon I wouldn’t be able to do anything with my life. Not to mention, because of my habits, I have been neglecting everything else in my life that is important to me. My family, my God, my career, my responsibilities. It had to end sometime.

And it has ended.

I love every single one of you guys, and if any of you want to chat with me, I would LOVE to get together with you.

All my love,
Michael

You’re stranded on a Desert Island:

1. What one person would you wish was stranded there with you?
Hmm… There’s so many people that I would love to spend time with… My sister, because she is so awesome, but I wouldn’t want to make her be stranded on a desert island cause she would hate it. Probably Devin. We are always able to have fun wherever we are and both of us LOVE nature. Heck! We just might go strand ourselves for the heck of it!

2. What one tool would you want to have?
Probably a good shovel. You can use it to dig, to hammer, to chop (if the tip is sharp) and all sorts of other stuff.

3. What one food do you wish you would have an unlimited supply of?
Deli Sandwiches.

4. What one luxury item would you wish for?
Toilet paper? Maybe? Or possibly a coffee pot… but only if coffee grew on the island.

5. What one book would you want to have with you to read and re-read?
Oooh… this is tough… The Bible.

6. You have one piece of paper, a pencil and one bottle ~ who is the message going to be written to?
Brooke.

7. What skill would serve you best while on the island?
My ability to sleep in any place in any position and get a good nights rest.

8. How long do you think you could last before needing rescue?
If I had food and water and a companion… years.

9. What one island animal would become your pet?
A dog. I would kill to have Sam from I Am Legend.

10. Your island is unknown to you, and you need to give it a name - - what would it be?
I probably wouldn’t give it a name. The island…? I guess…

11. What would you do to pass the weeks, days, and hours?
I would make a guitar. And then I would play it. I would also map out the entire island by hand, and memorize it. Then I would build a tree house, and then dig a cave.

12. You’ve been rescued! What is the first thing you’re going to do when you get back home?
Shower.

This post has been sitting in my drafts for about a month. I don’t know what I was originally planning on writing about, but I think the fact that it’s been in here so long in proof that I really do have teh blarg.

Anyway, last night Oh My Seven, Grace, and I went over to Brent and Tam’s house and hung out with them and their kids, Kass, and Kota. Mostly, we just sat around and felt awkward. No, just kidding, what is it with me? I’m turning into a compulsive liar! AAAHH!!! But, yeah, we had a blast. At first we got there and it actually was a teeny bit awkward, you know… “Hey… I already know you… except, wait… no I don’t, cause we’ve never met. But we’re friends… is there a certain way I’m supposed to act?” But once dinner rolled around we were all chatting like old friends. If you want a taste of out conversations, just subscribe to us on twitter. It was basically that, but without the delay. And, no auto-spellcheck.

Once dinner was over we headed towards their pool, but Brent and I got sidetracked talking about the internet. We were talking about this cool flash image rotator that BRENT STILL NEEDS TO EMAIL ME THE LINK FOR! (*cough-cough-hint-ahem-ahem*)

Pretty soon, I found myself in the pool, racing people half my size and losing. WTPB? Losing? I’m, like all big and everything! I should be able to waste them! Seriously, guys! This is why I workout all day (that’s a lie)!

There is one thing that my being big helped me with. Chicken Wars. That’s the game where four people get together and one gets on the others shoulders and tries to knock the other team over. Kota and I wasted (meaning, we wasted them. Not we got wasted. Just to be clear…).

After all that we all dried off and headed inside to jam on the guitars, try to figure out a Foo Fighters song, and surf YouTube for several hours. (This video is insane!)

And… um… then, we left…

I’m pretty sure someone has pictures.

*I don’t know if it really will be annual, like yearly. Chances are, we’ll be hanging out a lot more after this. Like weekly. OR DAILY!! Brent, you will not be able to get rid of me. You’re stuck for life. MWUAHAHAHA!!!

**You like that word? I like it. I just made it up! I is bril… bruhll… brily…brilia….. I’m smart!

And I am going to pass it on the some of the people who really deserve it. (I’d pass it right back to her, but she already got it. I don’t think I’m allowed to do that.)

Oh My Seven, because she is just the coolest person on the planet. I am not biased cause she is my sister. What? No.

Rachskirts. I’m pretty sure our families are actually related somehow. Does your mom have a brother in Oregon? Maybe that she forgot about? What about your crazy uncle? He have any relatives? Every family has a crazy uncle… GASP! Maybe my dad IS THE CRAZY UNCLE!!!

Ex-Everything. Apparently we’re married..? Who knew. I don’t remember any wedding. But whatever. She’s totally cool.

Brent(inWorship), need I really explain how cool this guy is? Too bad he’s already married. Wait. Did I say that out loud? Crap! …awkward turtle…

I haven’t really been posting all too much lately, and for that I apologize. For the next few days I will be pretty busy at work trying to launch a couple different projects, so I may not have that much time to dink around on the ‘net. I’m just sayin’. Hopefully, I will be back to full force blogging in a couple days. I mostly just wanted to let you know that I didn’t like, DIE and all…

I love you,
Michael

EDIT: AWW, CRAP! I SPELLED “TOTALLY” WRONG!!!! GOSH DARNIT!!!!!!

Anyhoo, all that to say, I still think it was funny enough to try to get more people in on it.

Share and Enjoy:

Me: “What goes tick tick tick tick BOOM!!”
Oh My Seven: “a bomb.”
Me: “wait…”

Me: “Okay, I got it now, what goes CLUCK cluck cluck cluck boom?”
Oh My Seven: “Um.. a chicken with a bomb in it?”
Me: “…crap”

Me: “No really, I remember it this time, what goes peck peck peck boom?”
Oh My Seven: “a chicken in a minefield?”
Me: “… um.. yeah”

Me: “…”
Oh My Seven: “…”
Me: “…haha?”

This was taken the day before the crash. We had already gone to the lake that day, so my car was filthy.

I don’t actually know if this was before or after the crash, because the window shattered and hour before. I think it was after. Either way, you can’t tell cause the crash didn’t actually do any damage to my car!

We were laughing for hours about what just happened. The talk quickly turned to what we should do with my car.

We decided that the best thing to do to it, was to spray paint it flat black. Allow me to introduce you to my new car…

I WRECKED MY CAR AND NOW IT’S A NIGHT RIDER!! YEAH!!!!

Check it out: Everyday at 3 o’clock in the morning!

It’s true. I do. I don’t know why, but when someone is talking about how they had a crappy day, I just wanna go up and give em a hug and tell them it’s gonna be ok, and then buy them some ice cream.. There’s something about being there for people that leaves you so satisfied. It makes me feel like I really do matter, and I might actually make a difference someday.

Well…

Today I logged in and I had freaking 30 SPAM COMMENTS!!!

WTPB?!

1) If you were having a dinner party which three guests would you like to invite? (Living or dead)
2) What job did you want to do when you were a child?
3) What words do you overuse?
4) Is there life on Mars? (Feel free to elaborate on this one)

FACT: This is the first delurk post I’ve ever done. I hope someone reads it.

A couple years ago, my church youth group went on a mission trip up north to Portland, OR. Now, I imagine your first thought is going to be, “what…” Yeah, that was mine too. What is there in P-town to.. mission-ize? What happened to going to third world countries and all? Well, it took one day for me to realize how much need there is right in our own country. And I’m not talking about the spiritual need that we all think of. I mean, there’s practically a third world country living on the streets of Portland!

Interesting Fact: Portland, OR is the number one easiest place to be homeless in the entire country.

The organization that we were helping out on our trip the whole time was called Bridgetown Ministries. Bridgetown started as just one guy who heard God tell him to sweep the streets of Portland. He was all like, “who said wha..?”. I mean come on! What is even the point of trying to sweep those streets? Well, he obeyed God, and started sweeping streets. The owners of the business around the street he was sweeping were blown away. Pretty soon he had a whole group of people sweeping streets with him. Eventually people were donating food and clothes, and they were giving out haircuts to homeless people and washing their feet. Now they meet every Friday under the Burnside Bridge and minister to hundreds of homeless men and women.

Anyway, our first day there, they made us leave all our stuff, cell phones, wallets, clothes, pillow, except for a sleeping bag and our ID, and made us sleep in a church. The next day they revealed that we were going to be homeless for the day. We spent the day eating at various missions, walking around Portland, etc. It really opened our eyes to the life that so many homeless people live. I don’t even want to say the word “bum” anymore, because I’ve seen those guys, and I can’t help but love them.

Bridgetown is always in need of food, clothing, and donations of any kind. 3 blade razors for the hair cutting station. They always need new socks to give out at the foot washing station. For the clothing station they can always use blankets, jackets, sweatshirts, and backpacks.

I know it’s tempting to just give your nasty used clothing to some ministry because you don’t want it, but what kind of message does that send if the only thing we are willing to give is our second rate stuff? Think about this… Is it something you would give to Jesus? Does it belong in the dump? Can you not think of anyone who would be caught dead wearing it? Use these questions whenever you are thinking about giving away your clothes. Try to show love, not pity.

Please email DavidKnepprath@bridgetownministries.com if you as an individual, as a group, or as a church, are interested in helping to meet these needs for some of the most hurting and marginalized of Portland.

Please send donations to 21065 SW Stafford Rd. Tualatin OR. 97062

Listed below is everyone else that is participating in the fast.

TEAM 1
June 23, 2008 (Monday) Brant Hansen
June 24, 2008 (Tuesday) Amy
June 25, 2008 (Wednesday) Brian Seay
June 26, 2008 (Thursday) Annie Downs
June 27, 2008 (Friday) Autumn Wilson
June 28, 2008 (Saturday) Scott Mocha
June 29, 2008 (Sunday) Lorijo
June 30, 2008 (Monday) Licia
July 1, 2008 (Tuesday) Jason Gray
July 2, 2008 (Wednesday) Laura
July 3, 2008 (Thursday) Steven Russell
July 4, 2008 (Friday) Tim Harms
July 5, 2008 (Saturday) Mama’s Boy
July 6, 2008 (Sunday) Shawn Wallace
July 7, 2008 (Monday) Shaun Groves
July 8, 2008 (Tuesday) Prairie Rose
July 9, 2008 (Wednesday) Mark Jaffrey
July 10, 2008 (Thursday) Crystal Renaud
July 11, 2008 (Friday) truvyne
July 12, 2008 (Saturday) Pete Kim
July 13, 2008 (Sunday) Jonathan “Biscuet” Smyth
July 14, 2008 (Monday) Brody Harper
July 15, 2008 (Tuesday) Natalie Grant
July 16, 2008 (Wednesday) Adam
July 17, 2008 (Thursday) Euphrony
July 18, 2008 (Friday) Todd Ruth
July 19, 2008 (Saturday) Mandy
July 20, 2008 (Sunday) Brad Ruggles
July 21, 2008 (Monday) Stephen Lamb
July 22, 2008 (Tuesday) Brandy Campbell
July 23, 2008 (Wednesday) Annie Nelson
July 24, 2008 (Thursday) Ryan Bush
July 25, 2008 (Friday) Kristin
July 26, 2008 (Saturday) Melissa
July 27, 2008 (Sunday) Emily Witt
July 28, 2008 (Monday) Bart Millard
July 29, 2008 (Tuesday) Liz Seay
July 30, 2008 (Wednesday) Nancy Purdy
July 31, 2008 (Thursday) Jessie
August 1, 2008 (Friday) Tressa Strickland

TEAM 2
June 24, 2008 (Tuesday) April Lattimer
June 25, 2008 (Wednesday) Rick Elliot
June 26, 2008 (Thursday) P.D. Ross
June 27, 2008 (Friday) Kelly
June 28, 2008 (Saturday) Gene Pensiero
June 29, 2008 (Sunday) Fay
June 30, 2008 (Monday) Chris Szulwach
July 1, 2008 (Tuesday) Ambre Sautter
July 2, 2008 (Wednesday) Beth Waldeck
July 3, 2008 (Thursday) Sarah Chia
July 4, 2008 (Friday) Leslie Brooke
July 5, 2008 (Saturday) Andira
July 6, 2008 (Sunday) Stephanie
July 7, 2008 (Monday) Polly Hansen
July 8, 2008 (Tuesday) Charley Hayes
July 9, 2008 (Wednesday) Kat
July 10, 2008 (Thursday) Davida
July 11, 2008 (Friday) Valerie
July 12, 2008 (Saturday) Brent Hodge
July 13, 2008 (Sunday) Jeanine Guidry
July 14, 2008 (Monday) Lori Broach
July 15, 2008 (Tuesday) Kjaere
July 16, 2008 (Wednesday) Jacquelynne
July 17, 2008 (Thursday) Dan Byron
July 18, 2008 (Friday) Rodney Miller
July 19, 2008 (Saturday) Randel Hambrick
July 20, 2008 (Sunday) Shawn Bashor
July 21, 2008 (Monday) Blake
July 22, 2008 (Tuesday) Michael
July 23, 2008 (Wednesday) Joel
July 24, 2008 (Thursday) Maryann
July 25, 2008 (Friday) Alex
July 26, 2008 (Saturday) Clint
July 27. 2008 (Sunday) Erin
July 28. 2008 (Monday) Doug Sauder
July 29. 2008 (Tuesday) Mike Paschal
July 30. 2008 (Wednesday) Kristi Ottmar
July 31. 2008 (Thursday) Jane Thorson
August 1. 2008 (Friday) Toby Keathley

Also, I went camping over the weekend, and crashed my car. Note to self: Don’t ever drift around corners again.

I’ll post the full story when I get pictures.

Later that day, my sister called me to let me know that the same state trooper that pulled me over the other day pulled her over and asked if she was related to a Michael. He said that our family has lost the good grace of the state of Oregon, and if we get pulled over again, we’re hosed.

I drive safe now.

(Tune in tomorrow to read my very own 40 Day Fast blog post!!)

My Sister-in-law is in labor. As we speak. The rest of the fam drove up to where they are living and I’m staying here to work. Also, tonight, I’m going camping with some friends. For the second weekend in a row. I went camping last weekend and got sunburnt really bad, and also got a tiny patch of poison oak. Also, in equally big news, I quit my job.

Remember back when I said I would be making some big decisions? Yeah, well, that took a lot longer than I thought it would, but the decision was whether or not to quit my job. I decided to quit. I’ll keep working for another couple months so that they can have time to work me out of all the projects I’m working on, but at least it’s all in the works.

Get this, right after I made up my mind to quit, my old youth pastor sent me a message wondering if I was still interested in interning at their church in Cali. I guess the senior pastor is leaving in September, and he could really use me then. That was just like confirmation that the timing was right for me to quit, because that’s two months away. It looks like that’s what the plan is then. There’s still a whole bunch of details to be worked out, and he needs to run it by the church board first, but I think it’s gonna happen.

Well, that’s the gist of the turn my life will be taking! I’m pretty stoked to actually have free time and not be working a full time job for a couple years.

P.S. Wordle is Rawesome! Thanks to Oh My Seven and Rachskirts for hooking me on it! I now have a link in my sidebar to the other Wordles I’ve made.