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    <title>Topher Merritt</title>
    <link>http://virb.com/chrismerritt</link>
    <description><![CDATA[A normal day for me consists of constantly checking the Internet and texting via my iPhone. Bestbuy is where I work and AU is where I attend college. My senior year is about to start and then out into the real world I go. Apple computers, designer jeans, and pepperonie calzones are my favorite. I am in love with a lady named Mandy Hackenberg. My friends are all so talented and beautiful people. I would want no other life...

I like new friends and dotcomrads so feel free to shoot me a message or IM me ( cmerritt07) anytime.]]></description>
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      <title>Drawing done by my friend Lindsey</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/photos/1192940</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2007 08:47:32 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>Ocha with Mandy</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2007 08:47:25 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>My lady friend</title>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:21:59 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/photos/1181762</guid>
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      <title>Me and Sentell at Barley's</title>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jan 2007 13:46:03 -0800</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/photos/1094326</guid>
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      <title>Me and the lady</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/photos/1094325</link>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jan 2007 13:46:00 -0800</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/photos/1094325</guid>
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      <title>Working on that sleeve.</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/photos/1094324</link>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jan 2007 13:44:32 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Waiting for a week to pass.</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/posts/text/96535</link>
      <description><![CDATA[June the 29th the iPhone launches. I will for sure be camping out for one. Anyone looking for one also because my tent sleeps 3. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:09:05 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/posts/text/96535</guid>
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      <title>True Friends</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/posts/text/58571</link>
      <description><![CDATA[I love my friends and this previous school year has shown me who my friends really are. My boys (and girls for that matter) that really care about me are always there for me. I miss the dorm and all my boys. I hope to see you all soon. I miss making fun of Walker, wrestling with Sam, Man-day nights with Nathan, and Eli and his constant taking of my shoes. Thanks to Anna Brannin for putting up with all my jokes about her vegan disorder and to Ashley for ignoring my jokes about her desired tattoos lol. Mandy, you hold me together and keep me sain all the while constanly teaching me more about love and how to be lovable. In short I love you al in your own ways and these are the memories I will tell my kids oneday and fondly recollect for years to come.

These last few days I have been reflecting on late nights watching movies, lunch at Wok-n-roll, and cigars downtown or on the front bricks. 

In short I love you guys and I miss you terribly. Hope to see you all soon and take care on your travels and be prepaired for yet another amazing year to come. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2007 23:16:32 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/posts/text/58571</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Intern</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/posts/text/39577</link>
      <description><![CDATA[For a few weeks now I am been interning with Matt Yates at Newspring and I LOVE IT. I love the hearts of the staff and how willing and loving they all are. They have become part of my family to an extent and that is something to he highly valued. It has reassured in me the idea that I want to one-day plant/work at a church in Portland. Now to just graduate college, get married, and head that way. Anyone want to move to Oregon? ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2007 23:09:53 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/posts/text/39577</guid>
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      <title>Christian love at Chic-fil-a</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/posts/text/8853</link>
      <description><![CDATA[I have an awful problem of eavesdropping people's conversations when I am in line at Chic fil a. This in part due to the fact I eat 90% of my meals there and I usually go alone. So as I stood in line to get my God approved chicken sandwich with no pickles, I overheard a lady who did not realize how loud she was being, of this I am quite sure. This trendy soccer mom was informing her middle school child that if he were to ever come home remotely resembling the appearance of the tattoo clad, pierced up college kid behind them (this would be me) that this child would be excommunicated from the family. Normally these remarks make me mad but not irate, what really upset me was with further examination I began to realize the lady was wearing a t-shirt from the same church for which I attend and volunteer at. This was the moment I lost it. I began to think of all the things I would love to say to her and simmered and I waited to order my Godly goodness of a number one combo.  This lady went on to tell her child and accompanying soccer mom friend that she once denied a job to a hopeful employee due to his piercings and tattoos and said, "Nobody presents themselves like that unless they are looking for attention and trouble." Ironic I thought that in the line at a Christian fast-food restaurant and in line with other Christians who attended my church, I was hearing that some people mattered and others were to be separated and avoided.

Why must the appearance of a person determine their validity as a human being? I am sure the lady meant no harm and definitely would not have said those things had she known I was listening.  I am also sure that if that lady spent some time with me and people I know with tattoos and piercings she would realize there is little difference between us all.  Little does this lady know that I tip over 40% usually, I graduated in the top percents of my class, and that I have made it a habit in the past to empty my savings account and donate it to charity and missions. I say these things not to pat myself on the back but more to propose the idea that appearance is nothing and who that person is and how they act is all that matters. You can never size a person up by their clothing, car, possessions or surroundings. I am guilty of judging people for their appearance definitely and this is something that I am working on and challenge you all to work on especially if you are a professing Christian

I don't think Jesus cared about the color of your skin and the decorations you decide to give it. Some of the nicest people I know are tattoo covered and still many others are not. Christ would be more concerned with getting to know a person and knowing their heart. Looking for their passions and needs and meeting them at those needs and showing them love and that they matter no matter what others and the world may tell them. The content of the heart and the needs there of should out weigh the appearance of the person and we should keep this in mind more heart. Looking for their passions and needs and meeting them at those needs and showing them love and that they matter no matter what others and the world may tell them. The content of the heart and the needs there of should out weigh the appearance of the person and we should keep this in mind more
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:47:49 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/chrismerritt/posts/text/8853</guid>
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