These Last Two Months

Just a few more days to my wedding, and even less to finish all my class assignments for this session. It seems when I feel like I can't handle any more stress more is placed upon me. It is in these times when I feel the Lord's presence around me and the people of God covering me in prayer.

School began with me quitting my job in mid-June and from that point it has been nothing but school. Well except for half a week that I had off between sessions. This semester is going to be the same. I have one week off, this just happens to be the week that I am getting married, next week. My next class begins two days after the wedding and when my first assignment is due I don't even think I will be in the country. Sadly, this is why I will be having to bring my computer, and maybe even some books with me to get some work done. Because these are eight week intensive classes, getting behind is so easy to do, and catching up is next to impossible.

Some pictures of my life these last few months.

Notice my little window into the world (email, facebook, twitter, & yes even myspace)

These pictures where taken as I was preparing for my Old Testament class finals in my last session. As you can see I was having my great lunch of turkey on whole grain bread, half a cup of low fat cottage cheese, and a diet pepsi. The "desk" is really my dining room table because usually I have twice as much stuff out at once, this was a study day for the OT and my office desk is too small; and the office doesn't have a large HD TV in it with a DVD player to watch my lectures.

This next week will hopefully bring some relief before the big day. Lizzie went and got me some face "productos" so I don't look half dead.

Attractions at the Fair

As many fair goers found out today the concerts at the Paul Paul Amphitheater were cancelled meaning that those planning on seeing Michael W. Smith and Worth Dying For had to find other things to spend their time on. Well if you still have not gone out there, or still cannot decide, you still have a chance to see the home made crafts from Heritage Center of Fresno.

Here is Martha and her needle point cross.

If you miss them today they will be on display through October 19th in the 'Home Arts' Exhibit hall. So come out and support a great program and great local artist here in Fresno.

So Little Time

There are fifteen days until the the big day, and I cannot help but feel like I am going to forget something crucial, like my pants, sox, or even shoes, that would really suck, and at the same time make a repetitive dream of mine come true in a weird way. But I guess that is what groomsmen are for, to make sure I have pants on. My other concern is not being packed for our our trip to Florida and the Bahamas. Should I already put my passport and my bags in my trunk? Would that be weird?

A collage of Lizzie and I from the last six years!

(Thank you Googles Picasa.)

Beyond all the neurotic thoughts that cross my mind every hour of the day, I am really excited to have these two weeks pass by without a hitch. That is what I have been praying for these last few days. I know that when all is said and done God will be glorified through it all.

Just a heads up for people who may care. While we are gone we may not have phone access, but may still have access to internet. You can reach us through all our usually online hangouts and from time to time way may even reply, don't count on it. Twitter or Facebook are best.

Changes are Happening

Start of a new semester and a countdown to the end of another chapter in my life. This past week was my first week in my second semester at Liberty University. Thank the Lord I was successful in my first two intensives over the summer and now I am signed up for three more, two I am taking now, and the third I am taking starting the first week of November.

Not sure when I should start the countdown to the big day, but I think Lizzie started the day I proposed to her and we set the date of October 24th. If my math is correct, and it usually isn't it is about 1 month 20 days away... Wow, that is scary; no more bachelorhood for me.

My prayer:
That Lizzie and I to keep our sanity through all this planing; and that we keeping our eyes on the prize that is to honor God in all we do and in this show the love of God to all those whom we bless and bless us.

Thank you all who have been praying for us and assisting us with the planning, you have no idea how much this helps with our burden. When we set the date we knew we had our work cut out for us. Especially knowing that I would have to stop working and go back to school full time only weeks after our engagement making money tight. The Lord provides, we just have to get out of the way sometimes.

Mid Summer Blur

These last few weeks have been such a blur, it's hard to know where to pick up from where I left off. I'm now back in school, I quit my job, and finding that school is hard (again). I am currently at Liberty University doing distance learning at their Graduate School to hopefully finish a Masters in Theological Studies.

These last few weeks I have had a lot of time to get reconnected with the reason I went back to school six years ago. To be better equipped to teach, and train those who want to know their Bible more. I have also found time to get reconnected with my family. Lizzie and I will be baptizing our nephew this Saturday at Saint John's Cathedral, we have been really excited at this honor to serve my brother's family in this way as godparents for he and Lorena's second son Harvey.

It has also been fun to be able to actually stop to spend time with my mom and all my family that pack themselves into her small two bedroom house.

A video of my nephew Richie:

You tell me who is the one having the most fun. I think it is me, he just seems to be getting annoyed at me.