Saturday, January 24, 2009

Life Update

Update on Life 1/09

Hallelujah. Who am I? I am constantly brought to this question in wondering why it is that God has given me all that he has.

1) A wonderful lady that is by my side to be married to me in May
2) Two great friends to run a thrift store with.
3) A brother and sister who live within a mile of me who I get to work with and be blessed with.
4) A terrific roommate to live with in a neighborhood in which we love.
5) A God who lets me be a part of what he is doing in Fresno.

I feel lately that I want to be much more introspective in this season of life. What does God want of me and how have my previous experiences formed who I am now. I am much more of a verbal processor and have learned this in living with Ivan. Challenging questions don’t seem to let up from me when someone asks me something I feel like I know but don’t really. Being challenged in different situations and staying away from the routine is what helps me thrive on a weekly/daily basis. Staying challenged helps me to think about how much actions and my heart are entwined and support each other (because they don’t always seem to do that).

Life is moving right along with the store doing great and expansion hopefully on the near future. Every week we are constantly learning more and growing as a team, that seems to manifest itself in many different ways (relationally with customers and volunteers, and financially). Marriage is coming soon and it can not come quicker, although I know we have a short engagement Kim has gotten most of it figured out w/ a bit of my assistance in that area. The date is May 2nd and if you think that you are invited you should plan on being there! Kim continues to blow my mind and reminds me that I am a very lucky man to belong to such a great girl. Hope that this post finds you well.

B

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Guatemala

The trip to Guatemala was one that gave all of those involved a smile on their face (at least I think). The team of 14 of us left on the 1st of January and returned on the 10th. It would be a long post if I were to write it all out but some of the highlights can be seen by looking at the pictures. We were able to experience Guatemalan culture in many different ways, by attending 8 different villages in 5 days we saw some of the most beautiful people in the world. Kids as young as 1 years old dressed in their traditional native Indian dress and mom’s who seemed as if they were 60 still breast-feeding. The people there were very hospitable and gave us their best which was sometimes displayed in a nice cold Coca-Cola or lovely pine needles spread out on the ground in order to provide a lovely aroma and keep the dust down. To see young and old celebrate in praise to God through kids worship and dancing put smiles on everyone’s faces.