Two months from today.

Blogs are blogs. At least I used to think this. In fact, I've often thought blogs are the pinnacle symbol (okay, Twitter has definitely passed this up) of the Narcissistic culture we've come to embrace as normal.

Pictures, stories, thoughts, and words all about us. I believe human beings have always been self-centered at our core, but the media outpouring of me, me, me has reached an all time high. We no longer have to read about stars in weekly magazines or watch the nightly gossip entertainment television. We can be the stars of our own lives and we can tell the world how great we are.
Okay, I'll stop being cynical now. If I went on any longer, I'd only further my status as a blog-writing hypocrite. After all, I update my status on facebook. I write on this blog...occasionally. I read my friends blogs, look at their facebook pictures, and occasionally see a twitter feed. These can't be all bad. There is, in reality, much good about this technology. We, as broken human beings, take all good things (and most things possess good) and figure out how to abuse, overuse, and idolize them (but more about that another time).

The reason I can no longer say, "Blogs are blogs," is because I'm getting married two months from today, and one far from insignificant part of me meeting, dating, and now marrying such an incredible woman is because of this blog.

I thought it time to notify the watching world (who am I kidding :)) via devices other than "Facebook's relationship status" and wedding "STDs (save the dates)" that I am marrying KELSEY GRACE TRAVIS on December 30, 2010! How could I not post about this, since it was about 15 months ago that Kels stayed up late one night reading this entire blog, a bit about the life of the man she would soon meet, learn to love, and eventually wed.

No, I do not believe it is because of this blog that I am marrying Kelsey. We believe in a big God, who was gracious enough to allow us to meet at the right time. Much of our relationship has been long distance, therefore we are incredibly grateful for technologies such as Skype, Gmail, and Google Voice. But, because of our time together (in person AND virtual), we have extreme peace, joy, and excitement about sharing life together for our days left on this earth. We have much to be thankful for, notably that blogs aren't just blogs. And if my blog got me a girl this good*, ya know what, I'm okay with that.

*Don't worry, Kels, I know (hope) this isn't true.

Life just happens...

It was raining this morning when I woke up. I sat and talked to my mom about the recent, sudden death of my grandma, her mom, just 3 weeks ago. I hopped in the shower before taking my new suit that I needed for a wedding to a nearby seamstress's home in Syracuse. I carried the suit in, we became acquainted, and I put the suit on only to find that my un-hemmed pants were literally 4 inches too short...not a big deal, but it got me thinking on the way home.

Sometimes life just happens. We can plan, prepare, and perspire all you want, but so often we're left asking, "Really? Did that just happen?" You can think you're on some ordinary errand to get your pants hemmed only to find out you're going to have to spend the next week chasing down a properly manufactured pair of trousers ("pants" are undergarments in Ireland). A simple, unobtrusive example of how life seems to alter its course when we least expect it...

The death of my Grandma has had me thinking often about how I live each day. She was on her way to a graduation open house, simply seeking to encourage and love a graduating senior girl and her family, when she was struck by a car. She was gone in a moment. We weren't "prepared" for this. Grandma wasn't prepared for this...or was she? Can we be prepared for the unexpected that life brings?

I believe Grandma was, because, more than about any person I've ever known, Grandma lived each day as though it were her last. I believe I've heard a quote something like: "Never save for tomorrow something you can/should do today." That's how Grandma Theda lived. And, because of Grandma's obvious and surrendered faith in Jesus Christ's ability to save and redeem, she was living with hope, purpose, and a fueled determination.

So, while Grandma had no idea what was going to happen to her on June 5 (none of us could have), she was, in the most important ways, prepared. And, for those of us left to mourn and grieve, we must seek to live life "prepared" for the things that no can really prepare for because, sometimes, life just happens.

The Way in Which

The blame game is easy. The blame game is natural. It's never my fault. How could it be? It's so nice to never be the one responsible when something goes wrong. And, especially when I am personally offended, maybe even severely suffering, it's great to know that I certainly did nothing wrong.

I don't claim to have faced the worst of trials. I haven't had a lot of really terrible things happen "to me" in my life. But, we all know that each day brings us frustrations and hurts and annoyances in hugely varied forms.

So, my point is not what happens to us. My point is that "the way in which" we respond to these things is what we can control. I'll let a man speak on this matter who, in fact, has had immense pain and oppression thrust upon him through his experiences in Nazi concentration camps.

Viktor Frankl, author of A Man's Search for Meaning, said:

The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity - even under the most difficult circumstances - to add a deeper meaning to his life...Here lies the chance for a man either to make use of or to forgo the opportunities of attaining the moral values that a difficult situation may afford him. And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not...His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his burden.

This lesson struck me painfully close to home as I read about this man's response to his circumstances. I stop. I look around me. This is where I am. This is what I have. This is what I'm doing right now. Whatever it is. Good or bad. Difficult or relaxing. Frustrating or smooth sailing.

How will I respond to what's in front of me...right now?

I think Frankl would support a mantra that I have been reminded of a lot recently: Do hard things. And not just to do them. But I'm guessing, if you push through, in reliance upon a God who is way bigger than the biggest of difficult circumstances, you'll be better off in "the long run".

"Inconvenience." An Epiphony.

Today. Today was a good day. I can say that now. Now that I have thought about it and realized what an idiot I can be.

About a year and a half ago I was taking one of those personality tests, for the 17th time, and I realized something...I realized something in my mind but I'm not sure it transferred into my reality. This test revealed me to be quite task-oriented (as opposed to people-oriented). I had scored this way before and it really bothered me. I know for a fact that I really like people so to be labeled as one who seems to "orient" themselves around the opposite end of the spectrum was frustrating.

I then began to accept the fact that I may in fact like to accomplish tasks. I then burst out of the "personality type box" by beginning to understand that I might just be task-oriented in my interactions with people.

Okay, I do have a point to this narcissistic discussion of my personality.

Today, I felt like I was inconvenienced or interrupted constantly. This frustrated me. I got annoyed. I got cranky because I couldn't do the things that I had set out to do when the day began. By golly, I have a flight to Norway tomorrow and people were getting in the way of all that I had (or thought I had) to do before I left*.

I get up this morning and on my way to my office I run into two of the ladies who work at the YWCA. Phenomenal conversation, but they delayed my arrival to my office.

People were in my office. I couldn't get things started so I went inside and hid in the living room.

Someone found me in the living room and we chatted for a few minutes.

Then someone else found me and we actually worked on a task (not so bad of an inconvenience).

By this time, more people came in and we got to chatting and it was time for lunch.

As I was eating my lunch, the butcher came by. I owed him money and we talked about his holiday to Spain.

I went back out to the office to write a report and my former boss and professor (who probably will read this) was on Skype with Laura. Two hours later, while still on Skype, I took a very welcomed phone call from someone in the States.

Then, I tried to head to my office when the neighbor boys asked me to play with them. By this time, I was catching on....so I wrestled around with them and shot them with rubber bands...and I had a blast.

Right around the time I thought I could squeeze in an hour of work, one of my students returned from England and he needed help sorting through his luggage.

Then, it was time for dinner out with some friends. A long dinner. A great time.

I got back to find that I needed to take another student into Bray because her phone didn't work and she was stranded at midnight with no lift.

And, now, at 1:32 am, rather than do work, I thought I would use this blog to teach myself a lesson.

People were getting in my way?? Whaaaattt?! Who am I? People are more important than tasks**.

And, hopefully, for the rest of my life, people will continue to "get in my way" and maybe, at some point, I will begin to see people as way more than an inconvenience, and more of a blessing.

*For those who "inconvenienced me today, please know that I really do like you. And, at the time, I probably wasn't just tapping my foot wondering why you had to mess up my day. I am just realizing the way I can be.
**I do realize that, at times, tasks are very important.

Chicago (3): Life that is truly life & 1 Timothy 6:17-19

A house we helped rennovate, to be used to raise funds for a local Christian school.

In my previous Chicago posts, I've been reminded that God desires to respond to the needs in our world, but he has decided to respond through his people (his sovereignty plus our frailty make that seem kind of crazy, but it's true). That excites me...and makes me feel a bit overwhelmed at times.

So, what is one way that we are to respond? A couple simple words found in 1 Timothy challenge our motives and thoughts as we consider this question.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Some questions stemming from this passage...

Who are the rich in this present world?
Are we putting any of our hope in wealth?
Do we believe God provides us with everything for our enjoyment?
Are we truly generous and willing to share? Everything?
Are we taking hold of the life that is truly life? Do we believe that life is as good as promised?

You see, I was convinced after spending time in this passage in Chicago, that 1 Timothy 6:17 is speaking directly to us. We quickly say that can't be us...but what does it mean to be wealthy? A thought...being broke does not equal being poor. I am not saying that the current financial struggles of so many in America are not serious issues, but the reality is that many of us still have relative wealth (maybe easy for me to say, I know).

A challenge to our view of wealth. Here are some things that make me wealthy, that may be a bit contrary to our normal view of wealth:

• Education
• Health
• Options
• Stability
• Sense of hope
• Past experience
• Friends
• English
• Literacy
• Network
• Spiritual Life

I have these things...even if I lose all my money. Specifically, my faith in Jesus provides a hope and life that so many don't have. But, the most interesting one to me was the network that I have (and the network that many of you have). Think about the people you know. The doctors. The teachers. The businessmen. The construction workers. The financial advisers. If you have a question about how to get something accomplished (i.e. how to do taxes), you probably have someone you can ask.

My point: Our network, in a serious sense, makes us wealthy. The exciting thing relating to the command in the passage in 1 Timothy to be "generous and willing to share" is that we can share these other aspects of our wealth. We can share our NETWORK. We can creatively connect those who have less wealth with people in our network who can help them. If we can't help them, we probably know someone who can. Our network is just one example. Think about how you can give away these other things in your life. We were created with spiritual gifts...for the good of others (1 Corinthians 12). This applies to EVERYTHING we have. How can you share your gift of English with someone else?

Bottom line: Around 40% of the world lives on $2 or less per day. The fact remains that we have to be out interacting with the world (everyone in the world) to have chances to make these connections. We have to connect in relationship with people who are different from us.

How can I embrace the life that is truly life by sharing generously ALL that the Lord has blessed me with? How does being wealthy affect my spiritual life? Questions I'm pondering. What are your thoughts?

Many of these thoughts come straight from Joel Hamernick with my interpretation.

Cops and Intersections

Rolling through stop signs. One of my weaknesses. I have a $150 ticket to prove it.

Til today. I was flying up to a stop sign that I've driven past for 8 straight years. As I was about to zoom by the annoyingly pointless red octagon, I glanced up from my texting (horrible idea, I know. don't do it!) to see the not yet lit cherries and berries coming at me. I slammed on my brakes only to come to a halting stop, just in time.

Great story huh? I know, but there's a point.

How easy it is to do something I shouldn't be doing...for years...until the wake up call comes.

I honestly didn't even think about driving past that stop sign completely ignoring it. I basically forgot it was there. It became a habit to do something I shouldn't really be doing, and I didn't even realize it.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.
2 Corinthians 13:5

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24.

Those are the verses of which this whole story reminded me.

Am I examining my life? Have I stopped long enough to test myself?

Am I allowing God to search me?

Am I allowing others to speak into my life...hard things?

Am I willing to be humbled and admit that I've been wrong for all these years...even if I had no idea?

"security lulls me to sleep, but action excites me"

A good friend of mine said this to me tonight.

Begs me to ask the tough questions in my own life:

Where am I secure? More specifically, where am I secure in reliance upon myself and the things around me? Still more, where have I been lulled into a distracted ignorance of the power of God?

Action for the sake of action isn't always the right thing. But action, the kind where you step out into a place where only God can make it happen (MIH), that's where I want to be.

Something I'm thinking about. Need to keep thinking and start doing.

One of my favorites...bittersweetness

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

...you will have trouble.

You...

...WILL...

...have...

...TROUBLE!

I haven't necessarily had a lot of "trouble". I've had some. I think I'll have more.

How can I remember no matter what, even in the middle of the trouble...

...that Jesus said he overcame the world...ALREADY?!?!

Not sure, but I'm trying. I think it's important and I'm so grateful for the hope and promise Jesus provides.

Praying for those experiencing more "trouble" than me tonight.

Busyness

I'm doing it again.

I'm letting it dominate me, and I know it's not quite right.

What have we set up for ourselves here in America? It almost seems as though we've created a culture that cannot survive without it.

Are we all buying into a lie? Is it supposed to be this way? Are we stopping long enough to ask these questions?

I think Satan's chilling right now and he's pretty pleased with the mess he's created.
This madness.
This busyness.

I'm sure it's not all bad. I know we're supposed to give it all we've got. I know we're supposed to use the gifts we've been given. But for what?

All I know is that I need to slow down.................more often...............and................let................my............

........God...........
...........be..............
.............God.

He wants to. I let the evil that is busyness blind me to that fact.

Margin. Slowness. Peace. Quiet. Stillness. Silence. Listen. Be. Chill.

I need more of those in my life. When I have them, I know it's right.

And, then I do it again.

Looking back on Brock

11 days ago I was helping to build those (above). Specifically the pieces of metal running vertically about every 5 feet. It was scintillating.

I ended my time in the factory 11 days ago, and this morning I'm just looking back a bit. I was talking to my Grandparents yesterday and my Grandma said that it's pretty evident that God had a plan in placing me in that factory. I'm not sure how all that works with God putting us places and stuff, but I am sure that he can and will use us wherever we are...if we are willing.

That's not to say that amazing things will happen. A friend told me yesterday that she spent a whole summer working with youth and can maybe pinpoint one girl in which she has seen marked change.

My dad recently said that it's all about being faithful and obedient. It's not our job to change lives, but it is absolutely our job to be obedient to God. If you don't feel God leading you in some specific manner, then just think about his commandment to love your neighbor. Be creative, and figure out a way to do this. God will use your obedient heart, no doubt.

So, on my last day of work I got Brian's phone number. He invited me to come see his son wrestle this winter. (He also promised to give me his famous yet simple recipe for biscuits and gravy.) I asked Brian what one lesson he would pass on to his three boys if he could. He said he would pass on a strong faith in God, something he's only merely learning about recently. I was floored by that answer. This is simply one of many comments Brian made that blessed me. I can't wait to see Brian again. He's taught me a lot and I'm thankful for the 6 weeks I had of working with him.

Brice is still struggling. The divorce and custody are in process, but Brice is down and out. All I really feel I can do is pray for the man and his family. I feel helpless so that's what I'll try to do.

6 weeks at a factory. That's it. I went to make money. More importantly, unique friendships were formed and I was blessed through it. I hope others were as well.

Newsflash: It's not about me.

I won't go into detail, but I've been humbled as of late.

Humbled.
Something that is good for us all but never easy.
A scary thing to pray for, but it always ends up being a healthy thing.

I find that at the moment I am humbled, while not fun, I want to stay in that mindset. I want to remember what it feels like to realize I'm not better than others and I never want to go back to where I was before. Unfortunately, I inevitably do.

So, recently I've been reminded, in a very good way, that I cannot be the savior of the world (A guy who is much more qualified already did that). In fact, I really can't "do" anything apart from Christ working through me.

The guy working beside me in the factory. I can't change him.
The homeless person I pass on the street. I can't fix their state.
The sadness I see a friend going through. I can't take away their pain.
The orphans I saw in Russia. I can't be their father.
The millions of abandoned and abused children in the world. I can't come to all of their aid.

But, I can humble myself before the Almighty God and then maybe, just maybe (often most likely if I'm really serving him), he'll begin to work on some of these problems THROUGH me. There needs to be a fluidity in this, a balance. I need to be walking side by side with my Lord and then naturally the outpouring of His Spirit in me should do what it needs to do.

So, do I do nothing? No.
But, I really can't do anything.
Confusing? Probably.

I need God to do it. I need him to carry my burdens. I need him to be all that I need. Truthfully, if it's about me feeling good about helping people, great, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. It's about me loving my God and then Him pouring out his blessings on others through me.

I just rambled. Okay, I feel better now.

Factory Update (The Little Things)

It's 10:15 pm. I should be in bed, but I have too much excitement about little joys amidst the monotony of the factory. You remember Brice (if you don't, read back a few posts). Brice has been through the gutter over the past week and I've been praying like crazy for him. With 50+ hours a week to either sit and think or talk to my painting partner (the famous Stephen Dingeldein) I spend a lot of time praying. I told Brice that I care and that I've been praying for him. He's softened to me and each day gives me at least a little update on how things are going. Today, for example, was a bad day as he was wrestling with whether his wife could return to the family for the 4th time. I have no idea what to tell him. He's torn over it.

Well, yesterday was where a "little" battle was won. Brice came up to me first thing at 4:45 am Monday morning to tell me he decided to go to church for the first time in 7 months. He took his 3 girls and told the church what had been going on in his life. After the service, the church gathered around Brice and "prayed over him." Brice said he "sure felt better about himself after that." I am so proud of that church for responding to this guy who needs loved so badly right now. I have no idea what I should do or say but I'm trying to be there.

Then there's Brian the welder who has been talk to Steve and I like crazy lately. We have no idea where Brian stands in his relationship with Jesus (or if he has one at all). Today he told us that "there is no d&#% way in h&%$ that my marriage would still be together if it weren't for THE MAN (pointing up)". We agreed with him and he proceeded to say "We don't claim to be the best Christian people in Kosciusko County but we do know the Good Lord is watching out for us. Let me tell you boys, marriage is tough."

All these guys give us a little different perspective on life and I'm learning a ton from them. Little joys of seeing God work in there lives and mine throughout the day. It's amazing what a little light can do in a dark place!

Don't even get me started on Dan, the reserve police officer. Maybe another day.

My friends and the Barbarian Way

My friends are crazy...

...and I love it!

Ted's living and working amidst a variety of hurting and lost people in Chicago.
Emily is currently in Nepal working with and for victims of sex traffiking.
Ging is in the Dominican Republic with Score International.
Chacko is leaving for South Korea in 2 days.
David Nay is heading to England with Operation Mobilization.
David Ridenour will soon be on his way to China for a year.
David "Frenchy" Mercier will be moving to Russia for 9 months.
Andrew's going to Nepal in the Fall.
Kory's going to Ecuador in 2 weeks.
Others are going elsewhere.
Others are staying.
I'm going to Upland (crazy, I know!)

I say none of this to mean that you have to go overseas to be crazy. In fact, sometimes it's hardest to be "crazy" right where you are most comfortable. And maybe sometimes that's where this craziness is most needed. I'm reminded once again, and I feel strongly about this, that I must LIVE the Barbarian Way (thanks go to Erwin McManus). This word "barbarian" may freak some out, but what I mean is that...

I must be different.

I must take risk.

I must love recklessly.

I must be bold.

I must be humble.

I must have hope.

If I say I'm with Jesus, I must be crazy about him and for him.

We must do this!

Some of my friends are trying to do this.
Am I trying to do this?
Are you trying to do this?
Right now. Right where you are.
Do something crazy.

Chicago is cool.

Last weekend was one of the most refreshing, enjoyable, and beautiful weekends of my young adult life. I never thought I would say this, but I love Chicago. I spent last weekend in the windy (and really hot) city and it was packed full yet surprisingly relaxing.

I got to take my buddy Eric as he was flying out early Saturday morning to spend the next 2 months in the Dominican Republic. I'm really proud of him for stepping out like this. I also got to catch up with one of my great friends from home, Adam. Then, the three of us met up with Teddy Friday night which meant we had 4 members of our 6-man high school crew. All 5 of these guys (Nate, Adam, Ben, Teddy, Eric) have become some of the best friends ever and I love any chance I get to spend with them.

Saturday was spent enjoying the day. After Ted took us to the Austin neighborhood (walking down the sidewalk here a guy drove by and shouted, "You're white!") to show us where he works with inner-city youth, Adam and I hopped on our bikes and headed downtown to Giordiano's Pizza.

It was here I met Chuck. I was first introduced to Chuck as I walked by him holding onto my bike helmet. He was sitting on a blanket with his bag beside him and he said, "Looks like you're missing a bike!" He was a friendly homeless man.

We went into order our pizza and were confronted with a 45 minute wait so I decided to join Chuck on the sidewalk in the sweltering Chi-Town heat. Chuck's story left me a bit shocked.

The following details were stated by Chuck. I believe him. You may not.

Chuck graduted from Northwestern and has a masters degree from Lawrence Tech. He is an electrician. (He said he "worked" for Bill Gates laying fiber optics a while back). He has been back home in Chicago for the past 8 years. He has 2 children and his wife divorced him three years ago, taking all of their assets with her. That's when things seem to really shake up for Chuck. He has been on the streets for 5 months. He uses his girlfriend's cell phone number and a church's address when applying for jobs. His mother has a home in Highland Park right on Lake Michigan (She lives down the road from Mr. T and in the same area as Michael Jordan). She does his laundry, but they don't have a real good relationship so he rarely stays there. He is hungry and thirsty and hot. He doesn't drink. He does smoke.

All this to say. He has a story. Quite an interesting story. I listened. I didn't know what to say. I probably could have said something better than I did. We went in and ate our pizza and brought him a slice of the deep dish goodness. He asked for a bottle of water (quite an interesting request from a homeless man). We got him one. I tried to love Chuck. I'm not sure how well I did. I just hope he saw Jesus in me.

The rest of the afternoon was spent meandering up the coast on the amazing bike trails. I soaked up every minute of this time and I hope to be back soon to do a longer ride.

Saturday night was spent with the amazing Birkey family (Noel was one of my roommates Senior year and one of my best friends).

Sunday morning was spent with Nate Baggett at Harvest Bible Church (the home of James McDonald). I really enjoyed it.

I headed home later that evening after seeing my boy Chacko at Noel's graduation party. A great weekend.

An interesting day in the factory

So, I overslept and woke up at 6:27 am (I was supposed to be at work at 4:30 am). I arrive at 6:40, tell my boss why I was late and begin my mindless duty only to be thrown into a brick wall by what I was about to hear. My co-worker, Brice, tells me, through tears, that his wife of 8 years (as of July 1) left him and their 3 girls last night. Realizing very quickly how menial my problems of this early morning were, I tried hard to console my new friend but couldn't find more than 3 or 4 useful words. The next 2 hours were silent and sobering. To make matters worse, I started getting pretty nauseous and was feeling awful. It was a low moment in my summer and I felt so deeply burdened and saddened by Brice's situation. He later would tell me that she has cheated on him before (once giving him an STD) and he had once spent $800 toward a divorce before she came back. He also said that next time he marries, he wants to get the approval of his parents (unlike last time which was a just a rush). So, all that to say, my job has shown me the deep realities of sadness, brokenness, and sin in this world and today was the biggest blow I've received. Pray for Brice if you get a chance.

4:30 am - 3:00 pm

The shift I'm working at a local factory is placing me on a schedule that I never thought I would experience nor choose to live by. The past 3 days I have leaped out of bed at approximately 3:49 am with thoughts centered simply on surving the next 11 hours and 11 minutes of my life. While the work I am doing is completely and utterly miserable and menial, I have found some joys within it. I am a believer that I am in this place for a season ordained by God and I must glorify him and share the light of Christ wherever I find myself. Guess what? From June 21 - July 20 I find myself working 60 hours a week chipping away metal off of heavy steel beams, rubbing the debris away from the cracks and crevices, and painting over it....ALL DAY!

I've met Brice. Brice is a guy who has probably been judged negatively much of his life and people might push him off to the side when looking for the "high achiever". After scraping metal beams for 8 straight hours with Brice I found a lot out about a cool guy. I found a guy who has three children at home. He'll be married for 8 years come July 1, and he is on his 4th day at this job after a 6 month layoff period. Brice works hard...harder than me. Brice doesn't complain and Brice has been very kind to me in teaching me the ropes. Brice is someone I admire and someone I hope to spend more time with.

I've gotten to work the past 20 hours with Nate. We turn the most agonizing job into competitions as we race in our attempt to make the time pass. It does help. I've found a lot out about a kid who was a Freshman in high school when I was a Senior. A kid that has had some tough breaks in life. His older brother has a kid and is on drugs and is in and out of jail. He lives with his mom and is going to college in the Fall.

I've also met Juan and Brian and Larry and Spencer. God has blessed me with a college degree. But, for now, God has blessed me with a group of men to spend the next month with.

Only he can use me to make an impact for his Kingdom. I'm willing to be used. I hope he chooses to use me.