Overwhelmed

Mandy and I get married on saturday, that's less than a week!  I'm packing up my stuff in my room and I keep finding all these memories from my past.  Poems I wrote when I was in high school, notes and letters my friends wrote me when my dad died, Mark Palmer's business card.  I just got really overwhelmed.  I remember all the emotions I felt at those times, and how blessed I was.  So now I sit at my computer listening to Switchfoot, Delirious, Pedro the Lion, and The Violet Burning, and allowing the tears to pour forth.  My life has changed so much in the past six years, and I know that through it all God has been there with me, putting the right people in my path so that the Kingdom might be advanced.  It crushes my mind to think that God would choose to use man to accomplish His will on earth.  Sometimes I feel like I've disappointed God, a few years back my spiritual life changed.  Now that I think about it I think it was around the time that Jennifer died.  I had been serving God with all my being, praying and fasting, believing and obeying.  Perhaps my motivation was impure; maybe I was doing all this for Jen, that God might heal her physical body.  Jen's death was really discouraging for me, it drained me, and caused me to question a lot.  That's probably part of the reason I didn't blog about Mark's cancer.  I never lost faith, cursed God, or anything like that; but somewhere around that time I lost some passion.  I still spoke to and heard from God, but it was nothing like before.  I know that God brought Mandy and I together. Her strengths cover my weaknesses, and my strengths cover her's.  It's as if we were created for each other.  I believe that our marriage will draw us closer to the Lord.  I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Currently listening to:
Pedro the Lion - Promise
The Violet Burning - Nobody Else
Switchfoot - Let That Be Enough
Delirious - King or Cripple

A couple weeks ago Mandy and I flew to Seattle, drove to San Diego, then flew back to Columbus.  We stayed with friends and family of mine, ate lots of food, and took a good number of pictures.  Its one of those trips everyone should go on before they die, and we definitely had a blast.  Thanks to all shared a meal with us and those who made this trip possible.

Pictures from the trip are online HERE

I obviously haven't blogged in a long time.  I prefer face to face conversations over this virtual medium, and with the major events that have happened in the past few months; the thought of blogging has been quite overwhelming.  I've been pretty busy also.  However, i currently find myself thirty minutes into a two hour void in my schedule.  So i'll share a little of what's been going on in my life.

I got engaged to Amanda Diane Taylor on feb. 26.  That's right....i found my wife.  If you know her, you know how wonderful she is.  If you don't know her, sorry you're missing out.  The wedding's sept. 9th, so we're in the middle of wedding planning.  It's exciting, and sometimes a little stressful; but more than anything it's right.  Love is the only important thing in life.

I got a new job working for an electrical construction company, my first day of work was march 27th.  I like the job and i've been learning a lot.  My co-workers are a different breed, but it's good for me to interact with people who are different than me. I hope i'm good for them too.  Eventually i'll take classes to get certified, then i can make a lot more money and some powermoves.

On march 27th Mark Palmer died.  I was watching safety videos for my new job when i got the news.  I blogged a lot about his wife's battle with cancer which ended with her death in august of 2003.  Mark was my pastor; friend; mentor; spiritual director; and for a month, my housemate.  He remarried about a year after Jennifer died; then was diagnosed with colon cancer about a year and a half ago.  I never blogged about his remarriage or his sickness.  I don't understand why i didn't...i just didn't.  I grieve quickly and am now in a time of patient anticipation as the Holy Spirit moves among the Landing Place.  To my brothers and sisters: i Love you.  To Mark: i'll see you at the table.  To everyone: God is faithful and good.

Currently Listening Composition No.1 By L.A. Symphony see related

In a world full of stuff that's dumb lies this sweet goodness; one of the coolest places I've ever been.