An “era,” as defined by Dictionary.com, is “a period of time marked by distinctive character, events, etc.” Based on that definition, and the understanding that we only have 25 hours and some change left in 2008, I thought the blog title appropo. In the era (I keep spelling it “ear” and spellcheck doesn’t catch it so know smart comments if I mess it up) that was 2008, some amazing things happened. In fact, my feelings about it are the antithesis of what I was told should be my feelings about the previous year, at least what the preacher on Sunday said I should feel. He spoke of the events of the previous 360+ days and asserted that most people probably are looking back with a fair bit of regret, as though that was the general function of most people at the end of a 12 month period. While I’m certain some people can’t wait to get this year over with and start a new one, I’m indifferent about marching on. I know that is an inevitability, and whether I want a new year or not, it will come. I’d just be content to stay in 2008 a little longer. Since this is my blog, I’ll give you some reasons why:

My beautiful bride and I got the chance of a lifetime to walk across 14 different states over the course of almost 6 months and loved every minute of it. If you’re working the percentile angle about what makes a good year, spending 50% living a dream can’t hurt your chances!

I started my dream job at a place that is like no other place on earth. I am blessed every day to be a part of something amazing here at Rainbow Christian Camp. I can’t think of a place I’d rather be, except perhaps back in my tent!

Another nephew was added to the family (thanks James and Janice!).

The Dark Knight (one of the greatest movies ever made) came out in theaters and on video!

Melissa and I found a fantastic circle of friends from around the country, and world, as a result of our hike, and have already had the chance to visit a few of them!

I was presented a few months back with another life list dream opportunity and found out yesterday that a couple who are dear friends of ours are going to make that dream a reality. In September of 2009 (I found out and we booked tickets in 2008 so it still counts), I’ll be flying to Seattle with The Captain, and my lovely green jacket, to attempt a summit of Mt. Rainier. The Captain and Mrs. Captain are making this a reality and no matter what I said here, I wouldn’t come close to expressing my appreciation. So I won’t even try. All I’ll say is, “Captain, you suck!”

I could go on with several other reasons why 2008 was one of my favorites since 1980, which has to be a favorite by default since I was hatched in April of that year, but I’ll give you all a chance instead. I don’t know how you felt in general about the past 52 weeks, but I’m certain you can find something positive, even if it’s just that the year is finally over. Drop us a comment and let us know your favorite moment(s) of 2008.

One final note: For those of you who find pleasure in the pain of others and felt compelled to ask details of my face plant (you know who you are), here’s what happened. The other day after a particularly difficult leg workout upstairs in our weight room, we walked out of the northeast corner of the conference center, Melissa in the lead, and headed to our car nearby. Unbeknownst to me, but fully beknownst to my wife who chose to remain silent, there was a patch of ice that perfectly matched the color of the concrete upon which it was waiting, silently, poised to take down whatever hapless soul it could find that hadn’t noticed it. In the early evening twilight, I shut the door, slung my computer bag back over my shoulder and took one step, which was all it took for me to become the real life, heavier, much less graceful, and even less willing, actor in a perfect rendition of that lovely scene from Bambi where to little fella tries to walk across the pond and bites it bigger than life. The difference was, I only had two feet instead of 4, my friends (Melissa) weren’t interested in my safety but more in getting a little giggle out of things, I had farther to fall, and I’m certain I said something that couldn’t have been included in a beloved Disney film, unless you snuck it in like when Apoo was stuck in the boiling gold in the cave of wonders! At any rate, I landed face first, with my teeth literally less than an inch from the concrete. My hands and wrists caught most of the weight, which felt awesome, but at least I kept the computer bag on my shoulder and avoided having to eat with a straw for the next few months. After I got Melissa breathing normally, I promptly found some rock salt and spread enough on that little 5 x 10 section to put a herd of cows into a sodium induced coma! Life is good.

So, roughly 3000 miles, a faceplant on an icy sidewalk, a new phone that actually works, and spending time with friends from our hike later, I’m finally getting around to an update. I’m sorry, and honestly, I’ve missed it too.

Since so much has happened over the last few weeks, I’ll just give a couple of the more meaningful things:

After a fantastic week spent at the CCCA conference in Orlando, Melissa and I dropped by Gainesville, FL to visit with some of our friends from the AT hike we went on earlier this year. We has seen Whiskers and Voltron on the way down (great to see you guys and we loved Pancake Pantry), and were excited to see GinKen, NED, and Shout while in G-ville. We stayed with GinKen and NED, and were only planning to spend the night and keep going last Friday morning. However, they convinced us to keep the car in park for a couple more days and we stayed with them until Sunday morning. At the time, we didn’t really know why, except for the fact that we wanted to share our hike pictures with one another. Mid-evening on Friday, I got confirmation that God had orchestrated us hanging out longer. GinKen brought up an opportunity to raise the potential of several 10’s of thousands of dollars for the camp, and he said he’d had the idea for a long time but had been waiting until God placed the right person in his path (me) to share the idea with. We’re not certain of all the details, and as such, I’ll remain purposefully vague here on the post, but please pray that God uses our friendship with the Uribe’s to make a huge difference in this world for Him. I’ll fill you in as more details come to light.

After a great time with them, and a couple good meals at 2 great little Mexican joints just off the Florida campus with Shout, we headed north, picked up a new vacuum cleaner (a gift from Mel’s family for Christmas) in NC, and arrived home late on Sunday night, 17 hours and 40 degrees cooler than when we left Florida!

As I type this, my brother’s dog, Zeke, is at my side and enjoying any little head scratch I’ll give him. Melissa wants a new puppy so badly she can hardly stand it and we can ‘t wait till after the new year when we’ll be home more and can adopt a little puppy.

Aside from the above, all that’s really been happening of late are some incredible things that God’s been doing for the camp (at our time of greatest material need). In the past week or so, we’ve received a school bus, a 2002 Honda Civic, a fantastic industrial printer/copier/scanner/everything else you can think of, a snowblower, and several other donations. Some have been monetary and some has been otherwise, but all have come from people who firmly believe in the work and ministry of the camp. If you’re interested in donating something, or maybe even just some of your time to help out here at camp, drop me a line or check out the camp’s website @ www.rainbowcamp.org. I’ll also remind you that Melissa and I are working as missionaries here at camp and as such are seeking to raise our monthly support to be here. At the moment, we are at around 40% of monthly need and would love to share with you about what a partnership with us in this ministry could look like. If you’d like to know more, shoot me an email @ joe.wisley@rainbowcamp.org and we’ll talk.

Before I close, I’ll let you know about my favorite Christmas present of all time, my Daisy Red Rider BB gun that I recieved when I was 10 years old. The first day out, after having waited my whole life for the freedom that came with being able to propel a tiny steel object into an unsuspecting bird of flight powered simply by air and a spring, I was quickly informed by my father, after my first afternoon of hunting, that snowbirds and cardinals are not on the approved kill list. You live and learn, I guess, unless you were the snowbird or the cardinal. Since that day, I’ve probably fired hundreds of different weapons, with varying ranges of firepower, and none have given me quite the thrill of my first time. What a day that was! I might have looked the same on the outside to my classmates the next week after Christmas break, but on the inside, I was a hardened man, a battle worn hero, yes, even perhaps a legend! I’d venture that no gift since, with apologies to those who have gifted me in the years that followed, has made such an impact!

So, the question for today: What was the best gift you ever received for Christmas? How old were you? How did it change you? If we don’t talk before the 25th, have a blessed Christmas. God bless you and travel safe.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I thought I’d pass on to you a list of some of the things I’m thankful for over these last few weeks. Here goes:

I’m thankful for family and the chance to see both sides of the Wisley/Boerman combo. Mel’s family in NC and my family in good ole Bedford were a blast to hang with.

I’m thankful for good brothers and the fact that I enjoy my 3 brothers as much as I do.

I’m thankful for my twin bother and the relationship we have built that didn’t use to be very strong.

I’m thankful for 3 1/2 good years with our dog, Sadie. Unfortunately, she is no longer at our house. We gave her to a cattle farmer in Bedford because she snapped at one of my nephews and we determined she’d be happier chasing and nipping at cows than with a bullet in her head. As such, she is living the life of a cattle dog, just like she was intended. We miss her like crazy, but…

I’m thankful for cute puppy pictures on Craig’s List and the chance to get a new dog.

I’m thankful for deer meat. Sounds strange, I know, but I got my first deer last weekend and it filled up our freezer to the point of almost over flowing! In a job where my next paycheck might not be there, having a freezer full of meat is a good thing indeed!

I’m thankful for a wonderful wife that stands by my side and loves me for who I am. She is easily the best gift I have ever received and I am amazed how I love her more and more each day!

Okay, the rest of the things off the top of my head that I’m thankful for:

Great parents
Great in-laws
A job I love
Good friends
Peanut butter balls
Legs for hiking
Legs for eating (turkey legs, that is)
A cute new nephew
Cute not so new nephews
Cute nieces
The fact that Wisleys throw cute babies (we’re a lock for cute kids someday too!)
Fantastic students that I worked with and love
Someone doing an awesome job at my old job
Brad Paisley songs
French Vanilla coffee creamer
Partners in my ministry here at camp
Good books and hot tea
Those warm fuzzy blankets
Cartoons
2176.2 miles of hiking
That the fat flies in my office are finally dying
1988 Toyota trucks with big tires
Snow
Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches (I’m having my afternoon snack)
Grace to live each new day
A God that gives my life meaning and purpose

I could go on and on, but I’ll stop there. Let’s play a game though…respond to this email with things you are thankful for, but they can’t be anything I just mentioned. We’ll just see how many things we can come up with. Later!