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Well, Merry Christmas. It's great to see you.

I always think when we do this, which isn't very often,

that this is sweet.

And then there are people on staff, maybe one in this room.

There's like, we should do this every year.

And I say, no, we won't do this, but I'll tell you what,

11 years from now, meet me right here,

and we'll do that again.

It was three days before my 18th birthday.

When the Holy Spirit opened up my eyes to believe,

to see the wickedness of my sin and the beauty of Jesus.

So three days before my 18th birthday, I become a Christian.

I had had a friend that had been walking with me,

answering questions, giving me books,

taking me to church with him,

and it took about a year

before the Holy Spirit ignited all that little kinling

around my heart.

And then 10 years later, as a 28-year-old,

...