Back at It

After not blogging for over a year, I want to take it back up.

Life Update:

Married May 15, 2010; celebrated 1 year May 15, 2011.

Bought a 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath townhouse March 2011.

Ran DestiNATIONS for the past year at Southeastern University.

Work at Exxact Express in Accounting.

Sister just moved in last week, for an undetermined amount of time.

Graduating May 2012.

Moving to Uganda in a few short years.

Going to IKEA this weekend, with 2 women. Lord, help me.

41 days until...

So, I find myself continually being sucked away from blogging. And it's kind of sad. So much has been going on lately and sometimes its good to just write things down, whether it be here on the internet for the whole world to read or in my personal journal. I think it helps to write stuff down, so you can always go back and analyze how or what you were thinking while in the situation. It can really give you a lot of insight about yourself.

Sunnee & I will be married in about 41 days. 15 May 2010 is the big day! We are still seeking the Lord regarding a housing situation. We have our eyes, and our hearts, on a home right now but are praying for His will above it all. The past 2-4 months have been interesting though. It has been some serious time of faith testing and stretching. It is amazing how the Lord always speaks something in a situation; and how He speaks just enough for you to go on until He speaks again.

We bought a dresser today, for our bedroom. We found a second one we will go back to get for the guest bedroom. We are so excited for what the Lord is doing. Hopefully, I can begin working this week as well. I had a job interview at a local shipping company for an Accountant Assistant position and am going back in on Tuesday for an observation and a drug test (better stay away from that poppy seed bagel that morning!). Please continue to stand in prayer with me and Sunnee, it means so much to us.

Drawing Near

Today I read a few different devotionals and the Word. I also spent some good time in prayer, asking that the Lord would renew the fire in my life.

I have realized that seeking God is a daily thing that builds upon the previous day, or spiritual momentum, as Pastor Glenn once called it. I so desire to have the faith of a child, seeking Him throughout my day. Lord, continue to spurn us on to grow deeper in your Word. I'm desperate without you; I'm nothing without you.

I read James 3&4; I was reminded about 4:7-8a. It says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." Too often though, our daily lives do the opposite of drawing near unto Him and then we wonder why we don't know where God is in our situations. Lord, as I draw near to you, thank you that you draw near to me.

Wedding Planning, part 1

What a tumultous 3 weeks this has been of 2010! From tears of frustration to tears of joy, to traveling, learning, and loving.

Anyway, so I've got 3 different photographers now that Sunnee & I have to choose between for the wedding. Oh boy. This is one thing though that we are determined not to cut corners with, because any photographs will be all that we have left when it's all said and done. In 50 years, I want to be able to look at a picture from that day and remember all that happened. I believe a great photographer can capture that.

Fortunately, we have already got all the invitations DONE!! Praise the Lord! Now, I am finishing up what address labels we have left to print and then I will label the envelopes and get them sent out! I am so excited to get this first big step out of the way, WHEW! From there, we will need to focus on tuxedoes, flowers, cake, reception, and decorations. I am really looking forward to the day when all this will be behind us! But for now, I have every intention to just enjoy every moment of it for I know one day it will all be over and we will not be able to get it back.

I also need to get in touch with Pastor Daryl regarding the order of the service and the reading of the vows, this is going to be fun...

2009!

As I sit in the living room with family I have not seen in years in a room that changed over this year, I reflect upon this past year and all that it has brought. 2009 was certainly a year of change - from losing my car to falling in love, getting engaged, moving, two more semesters accomplished and a crazy part-time job - and I learned and have grown so much from it all.

There seems to be something at the end of the year that causes us to look back on what was and look forward to what is to come. It's a very powerful force that causes us to want to change ourselves, our situations, problems, and discover new opportunities. I am excited and look forward to all that 2010 has in store for me, my family, and my wife-to-be Sunnee. Although 2009 was a very tough and changing year for us all, it is encouraging to look back and see God in it all - to be reminded of His goodness and faithfulness in the lives of His children.

I am so excited to get married in 2010, to buy my first house, to accomplish two more semesters at school, to go to Uganda with Sunnee, and to experience, treasure, and enjoy every little moment God gives me to love and be loved. Life is such a blessing and is so fragile. Lord, in this new year, help me to treasure all that you have given me. I hope to seize everything 2010 has to offer!

Breaking Through

It's funny how I get home and eat Top Ramen, but when I'm at school I don't eat it . . . go figure.

I cannot believe this year has almost come to a close; 2009 has flown by! It brought with it a lot of changes. I am hoping and believing for even greater in 2010. Lately, I have been really thinking/hoping/praying for a break through in this season I am walking in. It is very tiresome and I am growing weary. I know I must trust in Him to see me through though. Please pray that with this new year comes the job I have been praying for. I know He is faithful and will work His plan out.

Grandpa and grandma are here visiting for roughly 4 weeks. It is nice having them here and spending time with them; I have not seen them in over a year and a half. It snowed yesterday, as I was on my way home driving from Florida. I arrived here in flip-flops, not the best choice of footwear for snow! I survived though and spent today at church picking up sheep and donkey poop in the hallways. Oh how I love Christmas time! :)

Exam Week

So today I took 3 of my 7 exams. I already took 1 on Sunday the 13th for my Tidewater Community College online math class. My final grade: an 89.18%. I am so heated. Oh well.

Today, I took Accounting, Principles of Management, and Personal Finance (That's my kind of day!!). By Friday evening, I will have another 20 credits under my belt. That means I'll have 86 down and only 42 more to go!! Waa-Hoo!!

So lately Sunnee and I have been looking at houses around Lakeland. There are some seriously good deals down here! Florida was one of the worst states to be hit in the Real Estate bubble burst. I think it was the second or third highest state with foreclosures. Thus, the home prices have hit rock bottom; and with the government extending the $8,000 tax credit into next year, buying a home is a rather appealing thing right now... To be honest, we have seen the Lord in all of this: from making the decision to get married to looking for a home to trying to find jobs in our fields. God is so faithful - let me encourage you, when you trust God and take a step of faith in the direction you know He is calling you, He will show Himself strong on your behalf!

There is one house in particular that I have really been praying for. It's right next to campus and is a steal of a deal. It needs some TLC, but I would be totally willing to put some time and energy into it! I am really praying hard about it. Please stand in prayer with me!

I will drive home Saturday morning (13 hour drive!) to Virginia and come back to Florida around January 8th. Not looking forward to the cold weather but I am certainly looking forward to seeing family and seeing my grandparents whom I haven't seen in almost 2 years!