D-Now, 2009 Edition

It's thursday, THURSDAY. You know what that means? It means tomorrow is FRIDAY! Ya know, the day the weekend begins?! I don't suspect this weekend will be like just any other weekend though. No, it probably won't. For the past two years I've been traveling to Gainesville UMC in mid-spring/summer to help Drew orchestrate a weekend of Godly shenanigans for his kids.

This year, the kiddies from UBC will be joining the youth at GUMC to spend a weekend in fellowship, service, and worship. I always finish these weekends feeling alive and refreshed, and I pray everyone that is coming this year feels the same new life I've felt in the past. I know God has something new to say to me, and I can't wait to hear what it is. Sometimes I think God suprises me and says things in the most unlikely of places, but other times, when I'm expecting and looking for Him, he speaks. I love how faithful He is. Things are going to be a little different this year. It is going to be a smaller group and not a full band. I think I'm going to enjoy this arrangement better though, it'll be much more intimate and communal. My wife will also be there to help lead the girls. I get to lead the middle school boys this year. I had them last year too. Oh yay. It's always fun trying to keep everyone focused on conversation about Jesus in the midst of competitive, hormonal middle-schoolers who are just learning that women can be desired and are just beyond their grasp.

Aight, it will be awesome, but for now...I gotta go watch MEN vs. Wild, with Will Ferrell...UH-OH!!!


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Now playing: Misty Edwards - Favorite One
via FoxyTunes

Sally turns 24

About three years ago I found myself on this foreign campus known as UVA. Not really knowing what to expect, but having heard all the rumors, I joined Jubilate; there I not only found my wife, but also my church and a good friend or two. As many of you know, I hail from the esteemed University known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute AND State University. Having just finished my third year now at UVA, I know several reasons that Jesus finger-picked Charlottesville and UVA as a home for me.

I joined Jubilate and was immediately inundated with pearls, high-brow choral music, and polo shirts. mmhmm, just as I suspected. But you know what, I was kinda happy. uhhh, wasn't expecting that. For those of you that have been in Jubilate for the past three years, you know it has been a bit...well, 'top heavy.' Lots of sopranos and altos, and unfortunately, a few basses and even fewer tenors. Although Jordan was the very first woman I remember meeting at Jubilate (thats the official party line and I'm stickin' to it), Sally probably shaped my first year of Jubilate more than anyone else. From talking about my trip to Newspring, to UVA, to boys, to living life for our Savior. We talked about just about any and everything, and aside from the last couple of months, I'd say we still do. And although I'm from the South and you're from Chicago, I like sitting in the corner by myself and you are the center of the party, and although you're an alto and I'm a bass- I'm only more grateful how we can just tease each other no harm no foul. You're a great friend.

Two of the most incredible women of this world:

Sally:
God has breathed life into you for 24 years now and taken you around the world with lots of adventures-some easier than others. Although I've only known you the last 3 years, I am thankful for the entirety of it all that has shaped you into the person you are now, the woman that I know and care for deeply. Chances are: I won't get to see you for another year, but Jordan and I will be hoping and praying for you persistently. We know you'll be challenged and pushed, but you've always been strong and when you were weak, you've always known where to go for strength. The Czech is gonna be soo awesome, I just hope they know what they got coming and don't take it for granted!! We'll miss your visits to C'ville that we've counted on for the past two years...



P.S. Sally, I hope you actually read this :)

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Now playing: Hillsong United - Yours Forever
via FoxyTunes

Let it be said...

Jordan has just notified me that she loves me more than chocolate. But then she said, "for the record." That makes me a bit suspicious- like she's trying something. I just don't know what.

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Now playing: John Mark McMillan - Kiss Your Feet
via FoxyTunes

And I thought today was going to be normal.....

After only a year of marriage, I've learned lots of things about women. Jordan is incredibly understanding, and I love how she takes time to explain to me, her stupid husband, why she feels the way she does. However, from the beginning, even before "I do," I've known one commandment that is never to be broken. Above all things, never stand between Jordan and chocolate. It doesn't matter if you haven't eaten all day- or all week, give her the last brownie. They may look like just a bunch of crumbs to you, but don't even think about tossing them because to her, they are GOLD nuggets. If it's 10:00pm and she wants to bake a batch of brownies to munch on- don't say anything, just enjoy the fruits when she's done. And if you bought several brownie batter boxes a week ago, don't expect to actually see brownies made out of all the boxes, apparently a voracious appetite for chocolate can't always wait for an oven at 450 to cook the dark deliciousness....

But last night, something strange happened. It was 10:33 and Jordan had just fixed up the best brownies I've ever had- Betty Hines' Chocolate Chunk. I served her up a nice phat brownie, you know, the kind that almost covers the plate. I threw some mint chocolate chip ice cream on mine and we started chowin' down. I was eating so hard and the brownie was so good I don't know if I was even aware of Jordan slowly eating her brownie. About five minutes later (I know, who woulda thought her brownie would've survived that long), she says, "I'm done," with two bites left.

I'm really glad we were watching Friends, otherwise she would've seen my hysterical face.

WHAT? Who? Where? How? You can't finish your Triple Chocolate Chunk brownie? What did I do? Do you still love me? I promise I will be better next time. Please don't hurt me, don't leave me....

I never thought that day would come, ever. And if it did, I thought it might look more like
. Except with Jordan holding a gnawed-off wooden handle wondering what happened to the plastic spatula. I guess there is an end to all good things (except God, course), even if it's only a break. I sure can't wait to get home for lunch and dig into those brownies that she left me though!

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Now playing: Casting Crowns - While You Were Sleeping
via FoxyTunes

Germany, what?!

This weekend I registered to go to GERMANY in late August!! The conference wasn't even on my radar until about two weeks ago when my boss (Jeff) mentioned it to me and said he was interested but unsure of funding. Then Friday rolls around (mind you, Friday is the deadline) and he says, "Lets go!"

My first year at UVA I was able to go to a chromatin conference at Penn State, but I didn't present anything. That was easy, really easy. And fun. This time will be pretty different I imagine. I'm kind of anxious, rather, really nervous about this trip. I mean, this time I'm supposed to know what I'm talking about and begin networking. Really? The lowly graduate student? In a foreign COUNTRY? I've never presented anything to a group like this and there's a reason for that. I hate being in large groups of people because I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I hope I just present a poster so that I know what I'm supposed to do- defend it. I'll also be spending 4 entire days with Jeff. We get along and all... but we aren't best buds either. The only thing we have in common and talk about is science, does that mean we are going to talk science the entire time? DANG!

Not only is Regensburg the site of the 2009 Ribosome Synthesis Conference, but it is rich in cultural history. Located at the intersection of the Danube and Regen rivers, Regensburg dates back to the Stone Age and many of the historical edifices remain today due to it's relatively peaceful years during the bombing raids of WWII.

BMW has a plant in Regensburg that churns out a thousand 3-series and 1-series A DAY. Wouldn't that be cool to get a BMW as a conference gift? The registration fee is outrageous, I think it's a possibility. I mean, there won't be more than 200 people there, that is less than 20% of a day's productivity!




Isn't this random: according to Wiki, Regensburg's sister American city is Tempe, AZ. Gosh, I hope Regensburg is more interesting than that because I haven't heard of anything out of Tempe- or at least nothing worth remembering.... :)

As I was writing this very title, I made a decision....

So, considering most weekends are filled with long naps, long runs, and extended stays at work, I just decided that my posts on Sundays will be videos. OK, I know I put a video up yesterday, but that was too perfect to pass up and I JUST made this decision.



Today, I want to share this video that I came across (probably through another blog) a year or two ago. Kim Walker is covering Mr. John Mark MacMillan but performs it really well. Actually, I like John Mark below her if you are interested and want to hear his story behind the song. It is an INCREDIBLE, heart-moving song, and I have trouble not getting emotional when listening to it. I know, me?? YOUR creator and MY designer loves us so much that He turns green with jealousy because how he loves us so. He has the power to move mountains and change lives, but he anxiously waits for us to turn to him, even as we choose this world over him.

Anyways, great song, talented artists!
Just FYI- my favorite lyrics of the song are in the second verse, they rock my world almost every time I hear the song.

"So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way… HE LOVES US!"