What can I say, I have been blessed more than I could ever ask for. I have met friends from here to there. I have come in contact with some great opportunities that were just plain open doors. My "contemporary zen like oasis" apartment have been featured in 2 different decorating magazines. I have been in 2 movies filmed in Chicago as walk ons-just a passer by and no speaking. I also was approached to be a another walk on for 2 sitcoms, one was ER. It was during the time when I was looking to move here. It was one month before moving date arrived. The most exciting one, was that exact same weekend, I was not planning on being filmed on the reality drama called -Airplane on Bravo. I have been to the president of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus 6 level all glass house in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. I saw the taping of Ellen, and Oprah's Olympic Welcome to Chicago party at Millennium Park. I witnessed the St Patricks Day dying of the river, watched the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade, was on the same sand volleyball court to watch the Men's Volleyball Association film a weekend competition here on a beautiful summer day. I just did a 1time walk on passer by for the new A&E show debuting in January with Patrick Swayze call the Beast, it was fun. I had the pleasure to witness the acceptance speech to the President Elect Obama, a history making event.Now that brings me to my friends and Family. Thank you to all that have made and 'attempted to make" the journey to visit me in Chicago , my new home for many years to come. Great things are happening in my life, and I'm always excited to meet new people and for ones that just need to see a fresh and new kind of relationship with One that can only crave the urge that is deep with in. I'm not perfect but keeping accountable with my best friend (who is also a pastor-yikes) always keeps my relationship with God a fresh and new. I have been to some amazing evangelical churches from Omaha, to California, to Florida, to Moscow Russia, to Calcutta India and to Europe. I'm convinced that so far my favorite is Willow Creek Community Church under the direction/leadership of Bill Hybels. I'm so blessed that I can brag that I'm going to the #One Most Influential Church in America. I have had some good times, great memories, and many more to come. I have been reading, praying, contemplating and awaiting the day where I can feel comfortable enough to say this. I belive my best days are ahead of me in 2009. Im going to go into a little hibernation for awhile. Im not leaving, not turning a deaf ear, or mad or pissed off at anyone. I just belive that I need to take time for myself, slow down a little and absorb into who wants me to be absorbent with. Im going to be outdoors more, riding my bike, runnning with my dog, writing my book I started this year. I have been getting more comfortable wih my new life and I have been wanting to give back to my community. I have started volunteering at a non-profit organization called TPAN. I begin in Jan at taking classes to learn how to counsel people coming to get tested and give out the test. Im really looking forward to partnering with this great organizaion in Chicago and start to plug in to this great community. Im looking to get at a more core centerned being with my Creator, always more of God and less of me and my ramblings are a good thing. Check in often, and get ready to see more BIG things on the horizon for this guy. Im back and ready for Chicago like none other.Have a great Christmas, and Happy and growing in 2009!WillowCreek.org Facebook myspace.com/randypaulthompson
