meanderings of a restless wanderer

Well, yet another has joined the cult of blogging.  Your friend and mine Jenny Howell.  Jenny recently moved away from So. Cal back up to Nor. Cal so be good lurkers and go visit her blog and say hello.

This week I got a text message saying that one of my friends from High School had died suddenly from an apparent heart attack.  We now know it was a blood clot…a blood clot killed a 29 year old girl who was healthy and happy.

I know that death is inevitable.  I don’t fear it.  I don’t worry about it.  I don’t really even think about it…until something like this happens.  I am a firm believer in the realities of Heaven and hell and my own eternal security…but all that means nothing when you are the ones left behind.

It probably wouldn’t be as odd a feeling if she was 90 or something, but she was 29.  I mean I can remember when my grandfather died…it was sad and difficult…but he was older…it made sense. The experience changes though when its someone your own age…it makes it…well, it makes it difficult to accept and at the same time forcing you to take a look at your life.

The first time I lost a friend my own age is when my buddy Chris died of cancer in High School.  I had just become a Christian and I was so angry at God because for the life of me I could not understand why he would allow something like that to happen…in some ways I still don’t understand.  I mean don’t get me wrong, I know the theological argument of a fallen world…but that doesn’t make it any easier, if anything it makes it more difficult because sometimes that answer sounds so cold hearted and distant that you can’t even believe the thought when it enters your head.

Then there was Matt.  I was at a camp in Michigan when I got the call that Matt went into a coma.  We had just graduated Bible College…I had been his RA…He was on a few of the teams I led for church planting…and he got me into Christian death metal (an oxymorone I know).  Apparently Matt had diabeties and no one knew.  So his pancreas shut down and soon after the rest of his body followed.  Matt was getting ready to be apart of a church plant in the Pacific Northwest…but all that ended. I remember getting that call and walking into the woods and crying.  Crying for my friend, crying for his family, crying for all of those that knew and loved him.  I knew in my head that he was better off…but inside my heart ached…and again I questioned God as to why.

In some ways we are pretty selfish when it comes to death.  Because we have to pick up the pieces…we have to struggle with the questions…we have to face the emptiness that we now feel and in the process we experience all those stupid levels of grief…and we end up missing the celebration that actually is life.

Death should not be what causes us to open our eyes to life.  Look around you.  The sun in the sky, the breeze against your face.  Look at your friends, your spouse, your children.  Look at the waves crashing against the shore and the birds that fly through the air.  Look at those simple pleasures around you everyday and open your eyes to life…understanding that there is a time for everything and realizing that our time is limited.

My prayer, if I can steal a quote from 30 Rock, is to “live every day like it was shark week”.

Our time is limited so why not experience it to the fullest and trust God to leave a lasting legacy after we’ve  gone?  I’m 29 - and I have a very long list of things that I want to do before I die.  Will I get to them all…probably not…but what matters most is that I love God and love people and open my eyes to the simple pleasures, wonders and love that surrounds me everyday.

Cindy Vega will be missed terribly.  Chris O’Leary is missed terribly.  Matt Bellows is missed terribly.  And the list can go on and on…

What I know is this - In the depths of despair and confusion, God does some of His most profound and beautiful work in us.

Until next time.

Next weekend is our Ministry Appreciation Dinner.  This years theme is a murder mystery and it’s going to be awesome!  The setting is a 1927 silent movie premier…of course that means we had to make a silent movie.  Here, are a few pictures from the Movie starring Jenny Platt, Devon Delozier, and stunt double Christina Walker.  After we premier the film I will make sure to post here on my blog for the world to see.

Oh how quickly time flies when you’re taking care of a baby. It’s Thursday night, and I am nowhere near ready for this weekend. Today, for the first time in a long time I felt overwhelmed…when you are the primary care giver you don’t exactly have the time you need, to do everything you need to do. Thankfully, I am a quick learner in re prioritizing. This Weekend is going to be awesome, and I have gotten to spend a ton of quality time with Bella. Of course that does not mean I am not ready for Leanne to be home…less than 24 hours…WOO HOO!

A big thanks to Stephanie Corns for watching Bella this afternoon while we did some filming for the Ministry Appreciation Dinner. Speaking of dinner Bella and I shared a special dinner for two from McDonalds…chicken nuggets and apple dippers…yum! My daughter is now asleep and the Lost season finale begins in an hour…so what am I going to be doing the next hour you might ask…I’m not sure - this is the first bit of alone time I’ve had…I might eat some apple pie.

Later.

to me!

Well, yesterday was my 29th birthday, and let me tell ya’, it was a pretty good one.

The day began with me getting up way to early to drive to Chino so I could take my Commissioned Pastors test for the Reformed Church in America.  Let’s just say starting your birthday off with a three hour oral exam is not my idea of an awesome birthday gift.  Truth be told, I did enjoy the studying and learning…it was like I was in college again.

After completing said test I headed to the Brea Mall to use my William Sonoma gift card.  If you know me, but at all, you know I love to cook..and you also know that I love that store.  With my purchases in hand I made my way back to the car to make the drive home…of course I had to treat myself to a birthday lunch from Chick fil-A.

After arriving at home all I wanted to do was to take a nap, sadly it was too frickin hot I could not sleep,  instead I watch Ghostbusters 2…yup that’s right…don’t mock me, you know you love it.

My wife had told me we had plans with The Garrisons for dinner so at 7 we took Bella to my mom’s where…SURPRISE…a birthday party was at hand…and not just any surprise party but a “Lost” themed Surprise party, complete with tropical decor and plenty of Dharma food to go around.

I was actually very surprised that my wife pulled off a party with out me finding out.   Of course it helps that she actually decided the day before to do it…and thankfully for me most of my friends didn’t have plans…I’m not sure what that says about all of us.

I have to give a big thanks to my wife for throwing me a party, especially themed to something I love…and she hates.  Also, huge thanks go to Travis and Carrie for helping get everything ready all day Saturday, Angelo for being the tech superhero, Tanya for being Lost inspiration, and of course everyone that was able to make it on such short notice.

As with any fun event I have some awards to give out…so without further adieu…

Best Look a Like to a Lost Character - Jon Gaw as John Locke

Most creative Lost costume - Jen Davies as Smokey

Multiple personality - Liana Dickson as Kate, Rousseau, or Alex (She looked liked all of them)

The too much Lost knowledge award - Tanya Jones and Rachel Samarin

Funniest (inappropriate) birthday card - Mike and Beth Hutton

Funniest (non-inappropriate) birthday card - Darren and Jenny Platt

Best song played - Big Poppa

Well, there you have it my 29th birthday in a nutshell.  If you didn’t know it was my birthday or you couldn’t make it to the party I hold no grudges…that being said I like Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, and Ikea

As soon as I get some pictures I will post.

My little girl is already one…kind of makes me want to throw up a little bit. Here are some pictures from her party. Thanks to all of you who were able to join us.

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Yet another awesomely radical person has joined the blogosphere.  Without further adieu…Liana Dickson!

My friend Chris Koble is in continued preparation and service to the people of Russia.  He has a new blog and website that I would like to bring everyones attention too.  It kind of works out well considering that Chris looks like a Russian…so dust off your furry hat, put in ‘Spies Like Us‘, and go take a gander at what Chris is doing and will be doing.

Chris Koble’s Blog

Koble in Russia Website