A Grand Experiment in Communal Living: otherwise known as a formal introduction to our new roomates and a personal look back at the year that was in 2006 (PART ONE).

There are a lot of things over the past few years that I never actually intended to happen. It’s not like I sat down a couple of years ago and hoped that in 2006 would bring about as many changes as it did. I was like any suburban young pastor-type. Went to seminary. Had a fiance. Bought a small house that I hoped that I would one day be able to turn into a medium-sized house, which I could then in turn trade-up to a big-sized house. I had a nice Jeep and then later a nice car. I worked at a very good church with some very good people. I got paid good. Had a retirement plan. And full health benefits. I even got to dabble in the stock market. I was an “up and coming” speaker. Crafting witty messages for high school students.

I kind of had it made. By most definitions of hip, Christian “made”. Then Jesus really started messing things up. And sitting down with Anna and trying to plan out what we wanted our marriage (values) to look like. We quickly realized we were going down a road that wasn’t us.

So in 2006, I think its safe to say that we’ve gone through a few changes in our lives. To our friends and parents, that’s a freaking huge understatement. To those who have stood beside us, I’d like to say thank you for being patient and gracious enough for us to find our own weird little way instead of judging us and critiquing us.

We now are a 1 car family. We both quit our jobs working for a church and a denominational office respectively. And now Anna is working at a car dealership (and loving it) and I’m about to hire/bring the 3rd designer into the Red Cowboy family.

I’ve written a chapter in a book. I’m a part of a really ghetto podcast with my best friend Nick that has over 50,000 subscribers in less than 8 months. And had the privilege of talking to some really smart, fantastic people through that medium.

I’ve made my first home brew. Gotten a dog and a Mac. And entered the wonderful world of pipe smoking. I’ve had long hair and no beard. Long hair and a beard. Short hair and a beard. Short hair and no beard. And finally landed back with the long hair and no beard.

I’ve met some amazing people through this blog this year. Traveled to Seattle to visit with 3 of them (Sharon, Sean, & Corey) and had 1 (Barry) come stay with us for a week.

And now . . . to top it all off . . . to end the year with a bang . . . we are having two of our good friends move in with us. Andrew (Tank) & Jessica Tankersley will be moving in with us December 29th, all the way from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

We actually met via Tank leaving comments on my blog. Comments turned to emails. Emails turned into phone calls. Phone calls turned into video chats. Video chats led to them coming down and staying with us back at the end of the summer.

So beginning next Friday . . . we will now have roommates. I think both couples agree that this could either be the smartest or dumbest things we’ve ever done. At the very least its the most insane thing we’ve ever done. Living with another couple who you’ve technically only physically met once (although video chats and blogging multiple times a week have to count for something right?).

Later in the week, I’ll share with you some of the reasonings as to why we’re giving this communal living a try. And some of my fears and hopes.

But for now . . . I wanted to introduce you to The Tankersley’s. Get to know them. Because they are now a part of our family.

The world is growing smaller (as I like to say) and flatter (as Nick likes to say) and more web-like (as somebody else likes to say).

Here’s to grand experimentation.