Wedding #2 "how to get your youth leader to cheer when you kiss a girl."

Last night two of my old high school students got married, and I had the Honor of being one of the Groomsmen. It was a long day filled with driving, setting up chairs, taking pictures, laughter, friends, and dancing. The day had its ups and down's just like any day. However watching these two who I've had the privileged of watching grow up from awkward freshmen to slightly less awkward Adults, and then peers and friends, become husband and wife was such a blessing. We all clapped and cheered when this beautiful couple was given the green light to kiss. Thats when it hit me, for 4 years of their lives I would have had to say "hey what are you 2 doing making out, that is unacceptable" (not that these 2 were the kind of people that would  do that in front of anyone)  but this day they kissed in front of friends, and Family, pastors, mentors and no one was offended. In fact we all clapped and Cheered.

SO the lesson for any students reading this If you want to get your youth leaders, pastors, friends and family to be totally ok with you kissing someone in front of a large crowd. Commit to someone and get married.

Congrats to Josh and Maddy, I pray your marriage is blessed. I love you guys.

Good timing God.

My Church is doing weekly memory verses and this weeks memory verse is from Romans 8:28  ^"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose." 

God would have this be the verse to remember after one of the Hardest weeks of my life. As my family and I pray for my mom who just recently found out she has Breast Cancer I realize we are faced with a choice when it comes to this verse and all the promises of God's love, and his goodness toward us. I realize more deeply that God working all things for the Good, includes "all things" even the things that we hate like sickness, pain, and suffering. Thank leaves us faced with the choice to believe God and trust him and his word or to think of him as a liar. Just like love his a choice hope, faith, and trust they all boil down to a choice. Today I choose to believe, I choose to hope, I choose to trust, I choose to put my faith in God and trust that He is working for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose, including my family, because we love him, and because He loves us.

Not as unbreakable as I thought.

Yesterday I found out that my Mom has breast cancer. She went in a bout a week ago for a biopsy so we had been nervously waiting for the results, and welp now we know. It was kind of surreal hearing the news from my Dad, that morning. He explained what was going on and that they were going to go talk to the doctors and figure out the options and a game plan to deal with the cancer. I got a chance to pray with him, and then later with my mom before they went to work, and After they left I did something I haven't done in a long time. I cried. I realized with all the crazy things that have been going on around me life just keeps seeming to pile up. I thought I wouldn't crack under the pressure I though "hey God's got me I can handle what ever comes my way" but this... This is more than I can Handle alone. I totally trust that God will take care of my Mom, either through an awesome miracle  (which is what I'm really hoping and praying for) or through the help of some good doctors who have all said things look good (as good as they can for having cancer) and that they expect this cancer will not end in death.

I write this because I realized how much I am like my mom and dad. See my parents had known the results for a couple of days and didn't tell me, or anyone really until they thought they were going to go to the hospital for surgery (don't worry no surgery have occurred yet) Knowing them they didn't want to worry me or be a burden. When they finally told me the news I first wondered why did they wait to tell me, and that's when God reminded me how I do the same thing, I wait until the breaking point... and sometimes long after the breaking point before asking for help. God allowed me to see today that I am not as unbreakable as I though. after My parents left for work all I could do was pray, cry, and play and sing this song



I'd appreciate prayer for my mom's health, and for my family as we go through this. I'll admit I'm feeling kind broken and lost But no matter what Happens over the next few months I will Continue to trust that God is good, that He is working all this out for good, and that some how it will turn out for the best for my family even when I don't understand why things are happening the way they are.

(some verses that God's laid on my heart to keep me focused on his goodness in the middle of this)
John 11:4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
 Romans 8:²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose
Psalm 43:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
(I read these and I wonder how God will work everything out but I have to trust, and hope that Since he's brought my family this far he hasn't brought us this far to leave us)

God bless, thanks for reading and thanks for praying,
-L.J.

Road trip anyone?

This music video makes me miss going on random beach trips with friends, and just taking days to get away to relax and have fun. I think I need to go on a road trip soon. Is it sad that Winter hasn't started and I'm already wishing it was next summer?

Anyways the reason I think I love this song and random beach trips with my friends so much is that for me road trips with friends are usually carefree, restful, and peaceful. Even if I'm driving and we leave before my preferred wake up time of 10am. I still enjoy them because its a chance to leave work behind and remember that I'm not a machine and I need time to rest from leading, working, producing, and studying. This song reminds me of my Idea of a good Sabbath. I don't know what a good Sabbath's days rest looks like for you but I encourage you to take it. even God took a day off to rest. (not that He needed it)

God bless'
L.J.