Christmas Break!!!

Wow! It seems like forever that I last updated this thing.... Well, I guess that's what happens when one is a full time college student, works 20 hrs per week and is planing a wedding! Yup, That's me!

So here I am at home. FINALLY done with my 2nd quarter at EWU. ready to embark on an adventure to TX tomorrow with my family and AMAZING Fiancé Hannah. This will be fun not just because it'll be great family time, but also because it'll be the first time Hannah has left the Pacific NW (+ Cali).

And I guess I should mention that we are going to Houston b/c my older brother is getting married ;). Yup, that's the real reason we're all driving to TX for only 3 days there.

I'm pretty stoked to chill with my fam for 2 weeks in the car! =).

I just thought I'd update with a lil bit of news....

Well, that's all for now. Ttfn folks! =)

Pics and Race!

So this past weekend was an exciting one!

Mom, Ben and Hosanna all came over for the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon Ben took engagement photos for Hannah and I

Then on Sunday morning we all awoke at the crack of dawn to mentally prepare for our Marathon Relay. This comprised of four people each running a leg of the full marathon distance (26.2 miles). I ran the first leg of 7.2 mi. Ben ran the second leg of 6.8 mi. Our friend from Lynden, who now goes to Whitworth College in Spokane, ran the third leg of 6.4 mi. And my wonderful fiancee finished the race strong with a leg of 5.8 miles! Our finishing time was 3:19:25! That was good for 2nd place in the mixed team division. Not bad out of 22 teams!

These are the shirts that we made on Saturday night! :)

Engagement!

So, I haven't posted on here in quite some time. I know...
But I figured that I ought to tell the blogosphere that on Friday September 17th I got engaged!

Here's the story!

For about a year and a half I have been in the works of writing a song that I would propose to Hannah with. A little over a month ago I finished the song. Now came the predicament of taking my guitar on a date without her expecting anything ( I don't normally take it with me on our dates). So I concocted a plan....

We would start out her time here in Spokane on a high note. With a bible study. Now you must know that befor I moved here, we did a Bible study and LOVED it, so it was sad when we were apart and couldn't really do one. So this night we would plan and discuss what we wanted to do for our study together. I would also bring my guiter and we'd sing a few worship songs. It was the PERFECT first date in Spokane!
And she went for it! Now, I will say that we DID read the bible. And we DID sing some worship songs. I wouldn't blow all that off...

So after a few songs, she suggested that we sit back down and just enjoy the evening and talk. I told her I had ONE more song to sing her...and this one I wrote for her!
She giggled with joy (she REALLY likes when I play the guiter, and it's a pretty romantic thing for your boyfriend to write you a love song).
The song ended with these two lines

Now I know with all my heart
Will you be with me til death do us part?

As I sang the last line, a semi-confused look came over her face, but the smile remained!
As I dropped to my knees to the ground, so did her mouth.
I pulled the ring out and popped the question.
She uttered her reply "Yes, of course I will" between breathes.

Now, many may ask, "Did she cry???" The answer is no. Her level of suprise propelled her WAAAY beond the point of tears.

So, there you have it! The story of how one 19 y.o. guy proposed to his 18 y.o. girlfriend!


*Our engagement pics will come soon*

HALO

HALO - Holy Adults Living Outloud
This is a young adults "youth group" at my church. Last thursday was my first time going because I finally didn't have to work :).
I feel that God certainly orchestrated this. The message was one that I needed to hear that night.
It was based on Philipianns 4:8-9. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." I have been struggling a little bit these past few months with living a life that is TOTALLY dedicated to the glorification to God, my Father. Now, don't worry, I haven't tuyrned into a rebel just because I'm "on my own" now. But if you have ever been to college, you have to agree with me that the temptation to blend into the patterns of the world is very strong.
It has been specifically difficult because I have been "too busy" to get into the Bible every day, mush less every week. The pastor emphasized the importance of NOT blending in. NOT sulking into the corner when there is peer pressure to do something "because everyone is doing it." But being bold in your faith and taking every opportunity to establish your faith in Christ. He encouraged us to be wary of what's going in our minds, hearts, ears. Whatever goes in, comes out. When I don't daily put God's word into my mind, heart, thoughts, actions, what do I expect to come out of my mouth, thoughts, actions?
God, once again, hit me in the head. He has done this time and time again, as I am a silly sinner and am constantly making excuses to shy away from my part of this relationship with Christ. It hit me once again that I need to prepare myself spiritually for the future. Whatever may happen, I need to ensure that I am so strong in Christ that He gives me the power to walk uprightly, no matter what comes at me.

On the other hand, life here in Spokane is going great! I'm working more and more. Although I miss my family and friends a bunch! I'm glad That I'm here and can't wait to see what the future holds for me!!!

Home!

So, my last final was on thursday. I promptly left school afterwards and headed home to Lynden to spend a week with my family!

My family actually went to a friends lake cabin for the weekend on Friday, so I had 3 days to spend exclusively with my wonderful girlfriend Hannah. That was much-needed time, considering we hardly get the chance to see each other for an extended amount of time. I went to her graduation ceremony on Friday night. It so exciting that she is no longer in high school!

I spent sunday night - tuesday afternoon on "the islands" with dad painting! :).

And now it's thursday morning. I head home in an hour. I will miss my family. I will miss Hannah. I will miss all my friends. But, I had a spectacular week at home. I'll be back in August! :)

FREE!

Well, I'm done with school for the year! I'm so thrilled to be done! It was a great quarter, despite missing all my family and friends. On thursday I took my last final, then left Cheney and drove 6.5 hours to Lynden! It was the longest I've ever driven. And did it all alone :).

I'm so happy to be home! But I will only be able to stay home for a week because I have no money and owe my parents quite a bit, so I need to work all summer. And if I was to work here during the summer, I would not have my job guaranteed in the fall. So 1 week will have to suffice.

I am SOO happy that I was able to make it home in time for Hannah's graduation! On friday night I witnessed her make the leap from High School to adulthood! I'm SO proud of her! She's done with High School and will, in the fall, join me in Spokane! She will be attending Spokane Falls Community College! We aren't sure where she'll be living, but we are trusting God that He will provide the right housing at the right time!

Date night

Wow, I guess I'm a little late on this...
Hannah arrived on Thursday the 6th at about 9:15 p.m. I then took her to school to meet some of my close friends there! Because she had just spent 6 hours sitting in a car she really wasn't tired at all, so off we went.
We arrived back to the hotel around 10:45 and I sent her to bed ;-).
The next morning, after class, I met her at Spokane Falls Community College. She met with an advisor, then we got a tour of the campus. She's now in the process of registering for classes there and will be attending next fall. Which means she'll be living within 20 minutes of me. Which is a LOT better than 6 hours.
After the tour Hannah and I went to my house and her dad and his girlfriend went to Idaho. Hannah met my "Spokane Family" (the people I live with, that might as well be my grandparents). Soon enough it was time for a haircut, which was long overdue.
I then surprised her with dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. It was a wonderful dinner! Afterwards, before heading home to watch a movie, I HAD to show her the world's largest Radio Flyer wagon just a short ways away, so I did. It's 27' long and 12' high and can hold as many as 300 people! The handle is a slide.
Back to my house we went. To watch End of The Spear, a movie about missionaries to Ecuador. She ahd never seen the movie, and really enjoyed it.
The next morning we all went to breakfast then I gave her one last hug and kiss. Waved goodbye.

Now I am eagerly waiting until June 10th. When I drive across the state right after my last final just in time to see Hannah graduate on the 11th! I'm planning on spending almost a week at home in Lynden before heading back to Spokane. I hope to be able to see some of you in that time :)