Future

Isn't it strange sometimes to sit down and think about how you became who you are? How many factors play into the person others see? Family, friends, experiences, culture, location, education, genes... the list goes on and on. What is it about me that desired to do what I'm doing? For me, I'm nervous about next semester and the following months... for the rest of my life. I registered for my last semester as a student (kind of, still a lot of work to do with registration) and... now what? Hopefully obtaining an internship next summer (possibly with the Dallas Cowboys, more on that later) and... then what? Get a real job? Become a "real adult"? This seems like one of those defining moments in people's lives where they are able to look back and think "Man, I was so worried back then. Look how God provided for me!" I could post a list of so many worries and potential problems I have, but I won't. Because even though I'm nervous, I know my God is for me, and he has a plan for me, and that plan is for the good, to give me a hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11.

Life goes on

Have you ever noticed how quickly and torrid a pace that life seems to be taking? Perhaps it is a time where things seem to be calm and serene, and one is able to catch their breath before diving in headfirst again. However, much of this time in my life is spent trying to catch my breath, to take one last glance before everything slips away. Funerals, weddings, graduations, moving; it is a never-ending cycle of a fast track called life. And we are all simply along for the ride. Nevertheless, the good thing I have noticed is that the driver is an incredible friend, one who is willing to die for you at any cost. Because He did. And even though the way He is choosing to drive and the path He is diverging on seems like such absolute insanity, He is always in complete control. And even though the way is narrow, He chooses to swerve left and right, not to take the lead, but to lead you to something greater. And you won't finish first either, oh no, you will finish last. But when you finally cross the finish line and enter the gates, His gates, the reward and crowning prize is eternal victory. Amen.

Presentation Day

Today was an incredible opportunity Shawn and myself had to share the gospel at our college. In our Mass Communications class at San Jacinto College, we had to do a project that somehow related to the subject and what we had learned. We were planning on doing a commercial to promote a product (specifically Reduced Fat Chips Ahoy Cookies) but we began to come to the problem that we couldn't relate to Mass Comm. Well... I began thinking. And praying. And lo and behold, an idea popped into my head. The Bible is the greatest tool of mass communication in the history of the known universe. So that was the name of our project.

We created an awesome PowerPoint (much props to Shawn for making it look legit) and wrote out scripts with our notes. We both were super nervous but felt prepared. It's funny how it never turns out to be worse than we imagine in our heads. So we began confidently and did a great job, throwing jokes here and there and presenting the gospel in a mostly unbiased but with a good hard look at the holy text.

After it was finished, our professor praised us for a good job. A classmate stopped me in the hallway and told me how awesome he thought it was, and a fellow newspaper writer said she also loved it. God is beyond words in how He works through us, whether it be a small change from a simple commercial into something greater for His glory. All glory and honor to Him for sure.

Weddings

It is incredible how much a wedding affects me. The utter significance of the moment and the bringing together of two into one is a beautiful thing. Yesterday I had the privilege to attend the wedding of Chris and Nikki Tripputi. It was a gorgeous church with a sanctuary full of stain glass and sunlight shining through. Weddings simply bring happiness. And people need that. God gave us the gift of laughter and tears of joy, and a heart-warming experience is a necessity.

The union also is a perfect reminder that we are the bride of Christ. The feelings that I held at the ceremony came forth several times when I would look around the room and see everyone's shining faces. I can not wait for the day when I will be standing with my Jesus (hopefully I won't be in a dress, and if I am, I hope it's a cute one) at the heavenly alter to be united with Him forever.

I know for sure at my wedding dancing is going to happen. I'm not a wedding planner or anything so I have no idea what is standard, but I know there will shuffling of feet and awkward movements to some kind of musical sound and we shall call it "dancing". But the awesome thing about that is not how good you look, but how much fun you are having. You can't be having the time of your life and not be willing to look silly. Having said this, let me tell you that Shawn Tripputi can freakin dance! He has been blessed with that type of movement, so for him it is a win-win situation where he can have a blast and showcase his talent.

I know there will be dancing in heaven. I can't wait.

Crunch time

It is almost the end of the semester. Most years, a joyous feeling. However, this year it feels extremely bittersweet. This half of a school year has been by far the most entertaining and enjoyable. I recall last December dreading this time, when I was going to be enrolled in Biology 2 and other such less-than-desirable courses. Instead, I pulled a switcheroo and ended up taking three classes (Mass Communications, Newspaper and Reporting, and BCIS) and have never looked back. Considering my major will be Broadcast Journalism or Communications, these 3 have been critical for me getting into my field of study. Not only that, but I have been learning from one of the best in the Houston area, ESPN radio personality Fred Faour. He worked as a sports editor for the Houston Chronicle and now has a syndicated radio program on FM 97.5 "The Blitz".

I never thought I would get such an inside look into the industry, much less actually be under his tutelage by writing for the San Jacinto Times. I have been able to do features, news stories, sports stories, columns, a back page, a "Pop Culture Bracket", and other varied topics. It has been a blessing beyond my dreams, and I know God gave me this semester for a reason. He introduced me to Jerome Solomon (a sports writer for the Chronicle) and Eric Rowe (from 104.1 KRBE). Even today, I was in the studio with him as he hosted "The Blitz" and continue to learn. Hopefully I will keep in contact with him as I move onto another chapter in my life at Texas State, because our paths may cross again later in life.

Being completely honest, another reason it is bittersweet is because I am nervous to move away. Yes, I have not lived at home in months, but my parents are moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, so it is almost like a complete cut-off. It will be something completely new and exciting, and I look forward to the challenge with Luke Crawford and Shawn Tripputi. These next years are going to be the best years of our lives.... so far.

Praying for friends in Brazil

Last week, a devastating amount of rain hit the Rio de Janeiro area in Brazil. As some of you know, we took a trip down there last summer, so to see the city of Rio and Niteroi in the news immediately drew my attention. The rain has caused massive flooding and mudslides throughout the area, killing over 200 and forcing thousands to move. The good news is that since the tragedy I have spoken with friends down there via Facebook and Skype, and they are doing ok and are involved in some clean-up projects. The church we worked with, Comunidade Batista Oceânica, has been extremely involved in the community.

Please continue to pray for the area and for the families that have been affected. Even though I will not be able to go back this year, God is still doing amazing things there.

Choose you this day

Do not take everything at face value. Question everything. Test it to see if it is good. James 1:2-3 says " 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." We must be very intentional about what enters into our eyes and ears, because "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)

The Bible, specifically Proverbs and James, have a lot to say about the tongue:

• Leviticus 19:16
• Psalms 141:3
• Proverbs 10:19
• Proverbs 29:20
• Ecclesiastes 10:12, 13
• Matthew 12:36, 37
• James 1:26
• James 3:5-8

I do not expect you to look at all of the above links, but I just wanted to give examples of how powerful words and the tongue are, and how devastating the consequences can be. We need to not only watch everything everyone else says, but even more so what we say.