ending to beginning

all....i'm going to consolidate my blog with my wife's blog. we will be posting on the same blog here. by no means stop reading the posts on our blog, but now you can do it in one stop instead of two. it's been quite a ride for about a year on the blog-world. my wife has introduced me to a whole new world on the web.....now we get to share it!

deep.....

I got this picture in the mail a week or so ago and hadn't had a chance to put it up yet. About a month ago I was convicted to go thru with baptism at Elevation Church when participating in a series called "deep"....even though I had been baptized at a younger age. Sometimes you need to listen to the Holy Spirit and act accordingly....

jackpot....of sorts....

so candice and i went to the mall today to do a little shopping...

we hit the jackpot....

not often do we shop at aeropostale, but today was our day. it felt like our birthday, christmas, and wedding wrapped into one....

the damage could have been upwards of $350 for all the goodies we got.....

instead....$60....

i think we got about 6 shirts, 4 pairs of pants, and a belt....our average cost was like $5 per article.

not bad.


it makes it hard to buy elsewhere when you go to another store and see the same style of shirt for $25.

another 24th.....

With today being the 24th of June, Candice and I celebrate our 3 month anniversary. We've been down with her parents this weekend as we attended a wedding yesterday (of which I am sure my wife will blog about....) and it's been nice to be away for a weekend.

I often think about where my life was just 4 months ago.....living in a different state with an unthrilling job, working hours a night on a house, and talking on the phone for hours each night. I'm still getting used to a whole new way of life....especially being married...but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love my wife.

Happy 3 months, Candice!

Month of the parents

June is always a fun month for my parents......mom's birthday and father's day. I have two of the best parents in the world....and it's always a pleasure to celebrate events like these with them.

Just one word to say "Happy Birthday" to my mom and I pray there are scores more of them!


There are so many things that my dad has done, and continues to do, that amaze me more and more each day. He is so patient and wise, so generous and loving, and so disciplined and thorough. In an age where everything is text-messaging, email, and cell phone, my dad has written a letter each week since i graduated from high school and left home. Something like that takes dedication and lots of love. And at the end of each letter is a Bible verse that is specifically picked for me (and now Candice, too) for that week.

When Candice and I were in small group this week, we were talking about the story of Jonah that had been the topic of church on Sunday. When Jonah was in the boat running away from God and Ninevah, he was in the deepest part of the boat in a deep sleep during one of the most exciting and tumultuous times in his life. It was made evident to me that there are times in life where we are just sleeping thru everyday life and have no focus or destination in site....and then we look back on our lives and see a sleeping life.

This does not reflect my dad. He's been an amazing example of being focused, having goals, and staying dedicated to accomplishing them.

I love you, Dad.

Fillings.........

so i had to go to the dentist a few weeks ago. first time in 5 years....even though one of my best friends is a dentist....just never prioritized for it.....especially since i try to take care of my teeth, brush 2 times a day, floss a few times a week.......i was blessed with pretty good teeth genes.....

but then i went to the dentist.....

i anticipated just a quick check-up and cleaning....a perfect set of teeth....no cavities....


i had 2.

2!

i fully expected to come home to my wife and tell her that not only had i not gone to the dentist in 5 years...but i still have no cavities.....

so i had to bite my tongue, go back to the dentist last week, get completely numbed up on my lower jaw, and get the first fillings of my life! bummer.....

anyway, i guess it's not the biggest deal in the world.....i suppose i'll just keep up the suggested twice a year checkup....

remembering.....

i just remembered we bought a car about 10 days ago and i never blogged about it.

it's funny sometimes how we make relatively large purchases....and yet, we know that God has his hand in it, we've done the research and prayer, and we feel good about moving forward. candice and i both had a peace about going ahead and making the purchase.

check out candice's blog from about a week ago to see pictures if you haven't already.