I just wanted to give everyone an update to what's going on in mine and Tara's and Jacob's life since you last heard from us...
1. JACOB
Having Jacob in my life is beyond words... To see and hold and love my very own son is one of God's greatest gifts! He is only just over a year old right now and I have seen him grow from a blob of flesh to a walking/noise-making ham of a personality... yet already, I miss the way he was when he was two months, and three, and four and five! I am beginning to see why it is so easy to want more and more kids!
Jacob has been sick lately from colds and earaches and teething... overall though, he has been quite healthy and he is always such a joy and delight in the midst of all the craziness of life. I find myself already praying for his salvation at an early age, that he would live a life dedicated to the Lord. I want him to avoid all the mistakes I made (although I know that ultimately HE has to choose not to make those mistakes) and live wholly devoted for the sake of our God and Creator!
Yes, he is walking, although most of the time it is wobbly... The only words that he can say with clarity right now is "dada" and "daddy" and "ball" and "dad-daddy" - he is all boy indeed! Tara and I love him so much and we can't wait to have another (although that is not an announcement of any kind nor a promise of any kind).
2. Serving as Youth Pastor at Lake Bible Church
So far my time at Lake Bible Church has been truly life-changing. Tara and I have been stretched and tested so much over the past two years. Teaching and discipling Junior High and High School kids has been an incredible growing experience. At times I feel like I might possibly be growing more than the kids are!
Our biggest theme at Lake Bible is discipleship... this is what we are all about. Seeing kids come to Christ, live for Christ and share Christ. The biggest part of discipleship to me is sound biblical teaching. This is what I have been focusing on! The temptation is to become an entertainment-driven youth ministry because that's where a lot of churches are going and that's what a lot of kids want. However, that is not what they need. Our youth need to cultivate a passion for God and for His Word! This is the most important thing I can teach these kids...
3. Uganda
I have been given an incredible opportunity to go to Uganda this summer on a short term mission trip! This will be my first overseas trip... I'm really excited! One of the main reasons that I'm going is because several of our youth are going and I want to be able to teach them and support them during and after this experience. Please pray for my safety, our impact on the people there and Tara and Jacob as they will be staying here while I'm gone. The dates are June 19th through July 1st.
4. Quitting and Running
Well, it has officially been 6 months since my last soda... whew, that's a long time. Have I lost any weight? A little bit. Do I feel a lot better? Oh yeah! This has been a great life change for me - I have an addictive personality so when I enjoy something I enjoy it a lot. Obviously, for my entire life, I have over-enjoyed soda's and it was high time I get rid of them!
Along with the topic of getting healthy/getting in shape, I will be running in the Hood to Coast relay this summer. I'm really excited to do this event... it will be a challenge, but I'm more excited about just getting in good running condition! It's all the runs that I put in before the actual race that gets me pumped about this whole process.
Well, there's a lot more going on in my life but I think this is enough to tell at once. Of course, I am married to the most incredible woman in the world! Without Tara in my life I would be a mess! She is my best friend and always will be!
The past two years I have really been clarifying my single passion in life: to glorify God! This is our purpose and why we were created and I cannot spend enough time and thought and effort and Scripture-searching to seek this end and to better understand what this should look like in my life! See you next blog!
