Where To Go From Here

As many of you have heard already, I will, after July 5, no longer work for Calvary Church. I'd first like to say that Calvary has been one of the most instrumental pieces in shaping my life to this point. For example, I had never played guitar in public until I did so at Calvary in 7th grade (13 years ago!) with plenty of help from Dave Milliken. My first true encounter with God's love and mercy happened on a youth trip. My first icy parking lot doughnuts were there. I can think of endless numbers of relationships, conversations, and teachings that will never and could never leave me wherever I am. Lucky for you, I will not list them all.

However, one of the more recent teachings that has changed my thought processes is the idea of a calling. Throughout my years in youth and Mosaic I've heard prayer requests for a calling many a time (Rom 8:28). As for me, I feel a strong draw to New York, but do not hear a sure calling to either St. Louis or New York. A study we went through in a college age class talked about a missionary that at one point decided to go to a foreign country and start an orphanage. He did just that, and did so without feeling a strong calling to do it. That orphanage has helped many a child, and no doubt through the workings of God. So, rather than being sure of a calling, I intend to live by this:

Romans 12:1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Throughout this terribly imperfect life, I move up and down in my feelings for and toward God, but am always perfectly certain of my salvation in Christ alone. So, in my move to NYC, I intend to do this:
-I hope to seek God's face
-I hope to serve and worship Him in everything
-I hope to identify true happiness with Him alone
-I hope to be perfectly satisfied in success or failure

I ask you to pray for this end if you will.

As for more concrete and physical plans, I hope to get settled and somewhat financially stable in 6 months to a year before I set plans in motion to be a teacher--more specifically a band director for junior or senior high levels. This involves getting a graduate degree in education--if possible, through a program that will pay for school in exchange for teaching in the city for two years.

If you are reading this, you have some sort of love or interest for me and my future. Please do pray for me. I could never fully express my appreciation to Calvary, friends, and family for the support that has been very freely given. I love you all so very much.

Department of Eagles - No One Does It Like You

I fell in love with the imagery in this video. Found on thematerialreview.com.

What I Wear...Please meet what I'd like to wear...

Lately I've been taking an interest in fashion. My girlfriend, Alison, directed me to a blog: The Sartorlialist, and I've been very entranced by many aspects of the pictures he takes and posts there. These are a couple that caught my eye.

Fishing boots take 1

Vintagey Oxfords!!!

Attention socks...


I had the lovely opportunity to hang with Archie and Cara McKinley the other day and it was a blast. Archie suggested another blog: A Continuous Lean. I was immediately drawn to many things about it, this being my immediate fav. I have a definite love of cardigans, plaid, and fishing boots...not necessarily all together, yet here it is. Yes sir, I'll take your outfit...and also your beard...and also your glasses...and also your manly mcmanliness...


I am by no means able to keep up with fashions for many reasons, but I am indeed inspired.

Fiddlin' Around in a Music Store Full of Character

This looks like a good time. I got this at thankscaptainobvious.net He posts a lot of good free music if you want to check it out.

Job&Jesus

Job has lost everything and everyone on earth he cares about, cursed his life, and been brought back around to say this at the end of chapter 9: "if only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay a hand on us both, someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of Him, but as it stands with me, I cannot."

How lucky are we to know our savior? To know that he is saving us and advocating for us in heaven..

Being dragged into the past by Copeland

I'm at the Copeland show at Off Broadway tonight and so many thoughts and emotions are running through my mind.

First, I noticed how much like old men copeland is becoming..then I noticed that I never noticed how much Aaron's live voice sounds like a higher pitched Neil Diamond. In a good way...haha. The new stuff sounds really great. As does the stuff they've been playing for years, as it should.

I don't think I'll ever stop loving Copeland--even if it means liking them must turn into a "guilty pleasure" at some point. Copeland will forever remind me of my youth..of love..of heartbreak..and of becoming a man (still in progress of course).

As of late...

It's been a long time, so here's a bit of an update. Short and sweet. I've started a couple projects...one of which is growing herbs indoors. I planted basil the other day in a planter which is placed on top of a bass cab seeing as how I don't have a lovely table with which to reach window height. With a lot a' bit of luck, I should see some sprouts in a week or two. If that goes well, I plant cilantro in another division. Garden pasta anyone? Vietnamese dishes?? I'm excited to cook with home grown herbs. So, here is a phase 1 photo of the basil. I hope there will be more...haha.



Many of you may or may not know that I bought a scooter this fall and have been driving it (except for below freezing weather as of late) everywhere. This is incredibly overdue, but here are some pics of my '08 Piaggio X9 Evolution 500:

outside Picasso's in old town St. Charles

in the gated parking behind my building


you can see my building in the back...sorry for the blurry phone pics, but I just love my building...

This is how I took clothes to the local second hand clothing store. That's an Ikea bag turned upside down on the back haha.

future blogs to come...homemade soap from bacon grease and hopefully a scooting adventure to NYC.

Cheers