Well, I have four more days before I am married. It does not seem real. I'm not sure when it will. My friend said it will be about a month. :) I believe it. I am very excited about it. :)
I'm also excited about how great Lacy is. She's very patient with me. I'm struggling through some communication issues, which I think I have communicated to her. ;) But its hard to get used to telling someone about everything in your life. Sometimes when I'm upset about things that have nothing to do with her, it is hard for me to talk about it. Just habit of feeling like I need to deal with everything myself. But she wants to know and wants to listen. And I realize that if I don't tell her I'll be grumpy and she won't know why. And I'm also realizing how nice it is to tell someone about those things. :) I look forward to it now, even though its still hard to break the habit.
I struggle with humility. I struggle with finding the balance between recognizing your strengths and acknowledging them so that you can use them properly and becoming prideful. Op, just figured it out (and yes, Op was a exclamation sound.) It's when I pat myself on the back rather than thanking God for the gifts that He has given me and using them to glorify His kingdom. A devotional will have to be written on that.
The Lord has shown me an amazing amount of loving-kindness lately. He has given me a beautiful and godly bride. He has given me a body of members who ooze with love for the Lord. He has given me a wonderful apartment in a wonderful location. He has given me a wonderful family and a wonderful family I'm about to join into. I just am amazed the kindness He has shown me. It makes me realize how selfish and unthankful I can be.
I rejoice in your happiness! Dan and I look forward to seeing you walk down and meet your bride. And your friend is right, it'll take a while to feel real. Even after two and a half years, Dan and I often look at each other smilingly and say, "Are we really married?"
So, what did you do this weekend Josh? I'm glad you asked.
Friday night, Lacy and I bought wedding rings. We got exceptional deals as well as rings we are incredibly happy about. Can't go wrong there.
Saturday morning, we applied for an apartment. We sign the lease tomorrow. I think we'll put a Christmas tree in tomorrow night to celebrate. :) It is a very nice apartment. We live in the same building as Geoff and Sarah Knapp, and so we are very excited about that. It will be nice to have a young Christian couple so close that we can be encouraged by. It has a lot of room and a huge closet, which is a big plus for Lacy. Overall I feel it is a great situation.
To me, that was the big "Wow, I'm getting married" moment. With everything going on job searchwise and being homeless, my mind has been quite preoccupied. But when you apply for an apartment together, and sign a lease, that's a huge step. And one I am very thankful for.
Saturday night we had the Hannah Montana party. We had a good time. We watched a few episodes (although I think everyone there but Lacy and I had already seen them) and ate pizza. I think next time it will be a Boy Meets World party. I have all the seasons to that. Anyway, after we watched, us guys started a Bible discussion in which I learned a lot. I feel that it helped prepare me to be an elder. I also decided that it would be good to start a Bible class like once a month on different biblical issues. Hear sides, and spend some time seriously hashing these things out so that we can try to all get on the same page.
Sunday I went to Lancaster and preached at the Dallas Ave Church of Christ. They offered me a part time position, so I am very excited to be able to be worshipping with them and preaching again. Its in my blood. I love doing it, and I think it will be good for me to stay in practice. Not only that, but the brethern there are great. They just have big hearts and are very excited about serving the Lord. Not only that, but the part-time work also gives me peace of mind financially. They were also understanding about the fact that I would not be able to eventually go into full time preaching because of my need to support Lacy. I was worried about what may happen as far as jobs go. A while back I put a facebook status that said that I was getting married in a month, jobless and homeless and that I was glad I had God because otherwise I would be going into a conniption. I think some people might have that I was whining. Actually, I meant it as a praise to God, although probably a poorly worded one. It's just that life would have been overwhelming if I did not trust that God would provide. Well, know that He has in so many ways, I just want to say how awesome our God is. When I look at what all has happened for me, I can not come to any other conclusion but that God is taking care of me. And for that I thank Him and praise Him.
I'm so excited about the rings and the apartment! We can't wait for the wedding. I've actually been to the Lancaster church. The Sullins (Jill Wauson's folks) used to worship there.
hey Josh:) glad you are doing well! I'm not sure about your class idea. I'm all about having bible discussions, but I'm not so sure that everyone has to be on the same page about everything. but thats just me
It's so good to see you praising the Lord and remembering that He is where our blessings come from! Don't count out full-time preaching if that's something that's in your blood. God will provide for you and Lacy no matter what you choose to do...and I'm sure he'd like nothing more than for you to be preaching his Word and ministering full-time. It may not be easy ...but God will provide what we need... not necessarily everything we want. Good luck!!!
Things are starting to fall into place. We truly serve a wonderful God, and I am confident that He will provide for us whatever we need. I've had to force myself not to stress, but it worked, and know that things are rounding into shape, I'm glad I did.
I filled up my car for $10 Wednesday. From empty to full. It was a good day. :)
Lacy and I have date night tonight. We are going to a mall and eating some dinner and shopping. Tomorrow we are shopping for wedding bands. Tis getting close!!! :)
I am organizing my first ever Hannah Montana party. I have to admit, I did not see this day coming.
Last night I had a crazy dream where there were a ton of people from my past playing soccer. I mean like 50 on 50. The field was so big that you couldn't even see all of it. The weird thing is that the people you would have expected playing weren't. Or at least I didn't come in contact with them. The good thing about dream soccer? You never get winded!
We have found apartments that we like. Hopefully we will be able to apply for them next week, if all goes according to plan.
Lacy is wonderful. I have never met a woman like her, and I am so blessed to have her in my life.
Well I did not get the job. It was good interview experience however.
I am really struggling with not being stressed. I have to remember that all of this isn't really so bad. For a while the stress was just consuming me. I think I'm doing better on it now, but last night I had an incident that made me realize that I am still letting it get to me.
I have a few more job opportunities that I am holding out hope for, but I do not have much hope that such dreams will be realized. In my darkest moments I wonder if I could even be a teacher anyway. So we will see what will happen. I am looking into other options no, because well I do not have much time. I think I could probably get a sales job. Maybe go into the food industry or maybe both. We will see what the next turn will be in the crazy (but wonderful) journey the last six months have been.
I have a job interview on Tuesday. I am extremely nervous. This is my first interview for a teaching position, and to be honest it is the only teaching job that has reciprocated interest in me. While there are a few more opening up, I really would like to find a job soon so that I can have security since you know, I'm getting married in less than two months. Alas, the Lord will provide. He is a great God, and I need to trust in Him. But please, please pray for me, because the prayers of a righteous person avails much.
