Day 52-55 of my beautiful journey.

I know I am at the end and I am lagging behind. It was a really long weekend. I had a beautiful date with my wife on Friday night. Spending time with my best friend is probably the most beautiful thing of all. I love her very much and I probably don't remind her that she is my best friend enough.

Saturday the youth group had its first tryout for the youth worship team. He did a great job. Worshiping God with others is such a beautiful thing.

Sunday night I had my weekly Life Group (small group), and it was so much fun! Hanging out with those students and laughing and learning about the word is so awesome.

Today, answered prayers and the reminder that I don't have to do this on my own was beautiful. Sometimes I get so caught up in trying to do everything myself, and Jesus says, "Justin... shut up, sit down, and let me take care of this." It's hard to let go sometimes isn't it? We want to steer the ship, but the truth of the matter is we don't know the way do we? Only our savior knows the way. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice and for taking the helm, cause without you I don't know where I am going.

Day 45-48 of my beautiful journey.

I am ashamed of my self for missing so many days all at once lol. Derry I don't know how you have gone 48 days without skipping a beat. I made it 44 days before I missed more than one day. Pretty good for me...

Lots of beautiful things this weekend...

1.) Spending time with a really good friend of mine named Cody.

2.) Teaching the youth small group. We are travelling through the book of Genesis, which is full of some awesome stuff. Its always fun to see students start to get it, and put the pieces together.

3.) We had a child faint during the service on Sunday, that wasn't beautiful, but seeing the quick response of the congregants was.

4.) My wife is beautiful. I love her very much, and I find a great deal of joy in being with her and near her. She's pretty much awesome.

5.) Mountain Dew floats are epic.

I could probably continue going on all the beautiful things over the weekend, but I won't. Thank you Father for the beauty that surrounds me. It all comes from You and all glory to You for it.

Day 35 of my beautiful journey.

Ok now I'm caught up!

Notes are such a beautiful thing. There is nothing quite as nice as receiving an unexpected note note left by someone that cares for you. The note on the side here was left for me by my wife. She was in my office while I was out and snuck this note onto my desk. What a beautiful surprise. I do a terrible job of this, perhaps thats something I need to work on...

Day 20 of my beautiful journey.

My wife and I have been going through a rather stressful transition in our lives, and there hasn't always been alot of happiness in the midst of it. But just laughing with her and enjoying each others company when everything else really stinks, is wonderful. My wife is beautiful and so is the time we spend together (usually! lol)

Day 9 of my beautiful journey.

I will warn you that todays post is going to be rather mushy... so if you are faint of heart do not proceed.

Sometimes in life we get so used to something that we never stop to enjoy the beauty of it. I suppose that is a huge part of what this entire project is all about. Well last night I leaned over to kiss my wife goodnight, which is something I do every night, and it struck me how wonderful that is. I mean I kiss my wife all the time, but it happens so frequently and on such a regular basis that I haven't taken the time to stop and think about how awesome it is, at least I haven't stopped to think about it in awhile. Sharing that intimacy with someone is such a special gift from our Father. So now I'm brought back to the first time Kendra and I ever kissed. For anyone that is married it seems almost like a natural progression. (ok at least it does to me!) I won't go into details, but the song below was playing, so this song has always been a little special to me. What a beautiful gift memories are and even more beautiful is the gift of a wonderful spouse.

I love you Kendra.

Day 4 of my beautiful journey.

My wife loves Nativities, they are her favorite of all her decorations. So in 2008 I got this crazy idea to find the best nativity in existence. I got more than I bargained for... I discovered Fontanini nativities. They are some of the most elaborate and extravagant nativities I have ever seen. Not to mention expensive. So I decided that I would simply begin by getting her a starter nativity set (non-Fontanini) and a Creche (also non-Fontanini) and slowly over the years replace the old pieces with new Fontanini pieces.

Unfortunately this year we are living in her parents basement (temporarily) and all of our stuff including her Christmas decorations are in storage. Well, I knew this would break her heart so I dug through all of our stuff to find the box where the Fontanini nativity was stored, and while she was at work I put it up to surprise her.

As I put it up I found myself slowly becoming more and more enthralled with the whole scene. Everything about the event that we celebrate as Christmas is miraculous. Can you imagine what the shepherds thought as they were just doing their job then a whole host of angels appeared to them?! I bet they had a hard time deciding whether they were more awestruck or terrified!

How about the wise men, they traveled for years just following a star, to meet with this baby king. I can't imagine traveling for a week let alone years! But there they went by faith seeking out Jesus.

Then of course there is Jesus himself. Born from a virgin women. A women that had never known a man. A baby destined to change not just the world but everything beyond it, forever. I found myself awestruck by the beauty of it. That it was all more than a tale, it was real, and it happened here on this earth. I find myself constantly drawn to just sit and stare at my wife's nativity, just trying to take it all in. The beauty contained in those few painted figurines is truly extraordinary.

Thank you my King, your birth was beautiful.