A New Compass.

It truly is a lucky thing we have here.  The ability to follow our hearts where ever we want to go.  There are so many in the world that have a burning passion inside to do something more, to do something that will make them happy, but have no ability to.  Either that, or they are not allowed to.  And it's sad.  It's sad that dreams are not being chased, goals are not being achieved, and love is not being pursued.

And we still settle.  We still settle for average.  We have the ability to do what ever we want to do, and be who ever we want to be.  We have that freedom.  And at a certain age we just assume that where we are is where we will be forever.  We have chosen our destiny and that is it.  But is that really it?

The only reason I bring up this topic is because I have seen this in my own life at times.  This thought that I am here.  I have arrived where I am meant to be and time and time again I am proved wrong.  God has an interesting since of humor, doesn't He?  There are countless memories I can recall, where I believed I was comfortable and set where God wanted me and then, of course, God turned my world completely around.  This brought me to the realization that you should never be quite comfortable where you are because there is always something around the corner.  Life has twists and turns and no matter where you are in life, it isn't over.

So don't be afraid.  Don't be afraid to constantly search and let your heart run wild.  Let it pull you which ever way it takes you.  Whether far or near, comfortable or extremely uneasy, it knows what its doing.  It knows whats best for you.  God has an interesting way of working something out of nothing, or what you thought was nothing.  And in the words of Lady Antebellum....

"So let you heart sweetheart be a compass when your lost, and you shall follow it where ever it may go.  When it's all said and done you can walk instead of run 'cause no matter what you'll never be alone."

This man right here has an extremely large compass. (Arthur Zampini...aka Arturo)

This poem reminds me of him:

“Home is behind, the world ahead,
and there are many paths to tread
through shadows to the edge of night,
until the stars are all alight.” LOTR

Since my last post we have moved to Kentucky.  It is a wonderful place with beautiful trees, hills and drives.  I have to say there are many bugs for Mercedes likings but I don't mind em.

I will say one thing...not very many Mexican food restaurants.  So we brought our own here:

There are few things that really give me joy, that really make me happy...one is my wife,

another is Jesus, (Temple in Capernaum where Jesus taught),

and youth ministry,

Pictured here, from left, is Reed, Tristian, Landon, Jaxxyn, Leighton, and Reily. 

Last week I had the opportunity, through my new job, to attend a Christ in Youth Camp for junior highers.  Although, I have been on many CIY camps before, this was one of the best I can recall.

Every time I pack for one of these trips I find myself looking over my notes, the material, the games, the worship sets, all of the main sessions, and trying to think of ways that I can help impact these kids lives.  End every time, despite my prior knowledge, I am completely surprised and humbled.

Every single one of these students I did not know until about two weeks ago.  Never knew they existed, and for the last 5 days I got the privilege of leading their group, getting to know them along the way.  I learned their heart for people, heart for Christ, care and compassion.  I learned their humor, their happiness, what makes them cringe, and how to irritate them. 

I learned the unbearable stench that I junior higher can produce (combination of wet clothes, fart, and body odor).

These kids impacted me more then I could have ever imagined and I am so thankful that God has placed them in my life. 

This is our kitchen.  It came with a Mexican woman who cooks Mexican food.  Score.

I have some pretty sweet friends...And I just want to take a minute and leave some space for them.

Throw back to Israel hikes.

This is just awesome.

The next Timothy Keller (Matt Lietzen)

Coolest Masters professor I ever had...only three total ha...ha...ha

I am incredibly thankful for my time with these ones and I cant wait to see whats in store for them. 

Good Day gents.

And last but not least, I would like talk a little bit about this room here.

This room means a lot to me.  It's an empty room.  But oh is it so much more then an empty room.

  

This room has been home for the past 12 years.  I attended youth group here since 7th grade.  I saw who Jesus really was here, I became a youth coach here, and I got to be on an incredible youth team here.

When I began my run here, it was just a dirt field...a field that we walked over and prayed over.

During my last worship service here, I sat and reminisced over the many memories that I had here from talent shows, to funerals, to dances, to worship services, to life change.  

An empty room often seems just empty.  Seems boring, bland, dead.  But here, this here empty room, every pushed back chair has a story.  Every inch of floor space, the stage, the tables; these all have a story and I am proud to say my story weaved in and out of this building for 12 awesome years.  Thank you.

To end this blog I am happy to say that Mercedes and I are settled into our little country home. We have a red door, an American flag, and awesome neighbors.

We are happy to say we have been surrounded by people who loved and care about us.

We are happy to say we have a dog who wants a hoodie.

And loves grass.

And we are happy to announce baby Doyle, who will be joining the compound February 10th, 2015.

So life is pretty good and we are pretty stoked.

"Our goal as Christians is to bear witness to Jesus...it is a great definition of what we do.  The scary thing is that others make assumptions about Jesus based off of us, who we are and what we say.  What an incredible responsibility to have."

Missing Arizona...and Marley.

She's the bee's knee's.

Until next time.

-JTD-