Woah! Its been 8 months?

Naturally when I sit down and realize that its been 8 months since my last post, it scares the crap out of me. Where has all the time gone? No clue. But for the 12 people following my blog and any who have randomly strayed onto my blog, let me update you. I promise next post will be back to nonsense.

So Last we talked I was in sunny Southern California, living the dream enjoying a winter vacation free of charge. Unfortunately dreams don't last. Mid February I got an email from my buddy Nate trying to seduce me into moving to Georgia and taking over his youth group as he and his wife Steph would be moving to Illinois for grad school. Long story short, I wound up in Georgia. Macon, Georgia to be exact. "What the heck is in Macon?" You may ask... well let me tell you. If your zipper says YKK on it, it was made in Georgia. If you are listening to any music by the Allman Brothers, Otis Redding, or Little Richard, it was made in Macon. If you were recently mugged or stabbed or chopped up into little pieces, chances are, it happened in Macon. If you recently stopped at a 7/11, Chipotle, or Toys 'R Us, you were NOT in Macon.

While Macon does leave a lot to be desired, there is something about this small town that has captured me. I don't know quite what it is. It might be that, much like Buffalo, it is a town that is suffering from a ever worsening economy, a serious lack of respect from the bigger cities in the state, the small town feel, the awesome old people at my church, the southern hospitality that is too good to be true or just the fact that its the middle of October and I can drive around with the top down on my Jeep. This town is just a perfect fit and I couldn't be happier than I am right here (unless of course I was in Buffalo)

I am working at Riverside United Methodist Church and my new church and church family have been so awesome it blows me away. For the first month I was here, things were great because Nate was still here and we just coasted through the summer and it was fun. Then the next month was great because I was still coasting through the summer even though Nate had left. Then I went on vacation and came back to a bit of a shakeup and in a very short time I went from being in charge of Student Ministries to also being the new worship leader (for the time being). A whole new adventure and a lot of learning to go along with it.

As of right now everything is going really well and things are progressing and getting better every week. With our Wednesday night programming we have been getting 2 or 3 new students each week and our numbers are steadily going up. With worship things are getting better every week as we gel more and more as a band.

I also got a new puppy so having two kids has been another challenge. I just realized that. But its fun.

My brain is pretty much fried today, but i will back soon with my usual stupidities. Take care and God Bless!

jungle cat!

So today is Wednesday... Tonight we start worship for the High School at church so it will be fun and interesting. Lets hope it goes well... Last night was the first night since I have been here that I have slept through the night... It was so wonderfu!... On Monday night I got my bike which is a huge blessing cause now I can roll all over town. It is definietley a girls bike that has been painted grey for my benefit. Its not so much the low female crotch bar, but the butterflies all over the seat that give it away. I have decided that they are dragons... They are pretty cruel too.

I know someone is going to think that I am sick for this but it must be shared all the same, more as a way for me to explain and express how sorry I am about it... We were sharing prayers requests at our college group last night and a girl who shall go nameless shared that during the Super Bowl her aunt's new kitten died. At first we all felt really bad and a collective awww went up from the group... she then began to explain the nature of the young cat's demise.... her other aunt brought over her two siberian huskies.... she then began to explain how these two dogs got a hold of this new innocent sweet adorable kitten and proceded to rip it to shreds.... the story was rather detailed.... it took everything inside of me to hold in my emotions, but in the end I proved to weak to contain myself... I relesed one of those nose pig grunt restrained laughs that often sends snot out of your nose... and only one other person shared my level of emotion about the situation... I tell this story not to mock this girl or to say i think its funny that someones kitten is dead.... but the way this story was presented just took me to an emotional level that just freaked me out and i could not contain my feelings... I love cats and I hate when they die, and I am sorry for my actions.... but the mental picture of this situation is oustanding.... simply stunning....

I miss my dog

Five Iron Frenzy is great


Combo of the day.... Chillax... classic.. chill and relax... chillax... nuff said....

Man this stinks!

Well, I just spent the last half hour updating people on what things are happening, but when i tried to post it got erased... thats the worst. I do remember that i wrote that I'm really not impressed by third day. I don't get it. But who cares... I am going to make this short cause I don't want to spend another half hour trying to figure out what I wrote.

Worked on the sound system in the youth room, which is called modular three, but i think we need to change the name of that, cause that name totally blows. but everything is working in there now which is awesome cause now we can start to do some stuff... but there is electronic drums which is the lamest thing ever.

Went to the college group tuesday night which was really cool. Everyone was really nice and really encouraging... A girl named Danielle found me a bike like 2 minutes after i mentioned that i needed one. got In & Out afterwards... such a good burger.

yesterday was a little less productive, but it was still fun all the same. found a job posting on craigslist for a wellness/nutrition/spa type thing, and sent an email and the lady called me like 20 minutes after i called in, so i have an interview on monday which is exciting... hopefully its not some totally shady joint, if not, awesome i found a job... It is blowing away how much God is taking care of me and how quickly.

the high school group here is awesome! we met last night (wed) and they are all friends and they were all really nice to me and they all want to learn about God and its just really cool. Also potentially found most of a band, which is great! just need to find a guitar player now.

This morning when we got to the office i set up a table and made myself a little desk and office in the corner that i have been hanging out in, i am a little more official now, which just makes me feel important, which once in a while we need.

Everyday more and more, God affirms that this is what i am supposed to be doing which is really exciting, cause it was a big step of faith, but He rewards our faithfulness...

The California Sun

Well guys, its my first full day in Cali... if you don't know what's going on, I just moved to huntington Beach California yesterday... I am gonna be leading worship for the middle school and high school at Christ Presbyterian Church. The adventure has begun.... I need to find a job but thats all good. That will come. I think its really cool the way that God works things out. The last thing I thought, or planned for that matter, was to come out to California to be a volunteer worship leader. I was thinking I would get hired to be a youth pastor. But once again God has shown that his ways are higher than ours. I guess he gives us fair warning though. I think a lot of times we think we know what He wants, and sometimes we are on the right track... I know that God wants me in to make ministry my life, but I didn't think it would be like this.... but He does things in His own way, and when we follow Him its much better than what we thought He wanted us to do. Romans 8: 28 says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." the trick is to seperate what His purpose is from what our purpose is. Its very easy to confuse the two. When we get it right though -and actually pursue that will - , some amazing things are going to happen. Psalm 62: 11 & 12 says "One thing God has spoken, two things I know: that you O God are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." When we give Him control and follow His plan, He will move mountains for us... because He loves us.