So I heard God's call for my life articulated today by my pastor. He spoke on what it means to be a good and Godly father. That Godly man provides spiritually as well as physically. He is pro-active and does not let his childeren fall into sin, as well as cares for them above all else. He promotes and does not provoke. He does this by giving Focused Attention on each of his children, dolls out Individual Affirmation, shows Genuine Appreciation, and is not ashamed of Physical Affection. This is the man that I wish to become as a husband and as a father. I will do this, make no mistake about it! I have Him on my side and I know that I will be the Godly man He wants me to be. One other quick thing. My youth pastor (or rather, the associate youth pastor) shared today about the temptation of sin. He gave a quote that will become my life mantra from here on out. "A genuinly saved and obedient follower of the Lord Jesus will know divine Truth and Freedom from sin!" How cool is that...

Anyway, thank you all who prayed for my quartet yesterday. We have a long way to go, but we are making it! I pray that all of you are being blessed abundantly by God. Stay in His word every day and recieve His blessings!

Well, you're all going to think I'm stupid for finding this so cool, but hey, it's God's way of showing me that I need faithfulness in the little things . Ok, so here's the story...

Since September, I have written in my prayer journal every single night. On that first day of my faithful devotions, I got a free pen at Caltopia, a big booth hopping day up in Berkeley. I used that pen, one from a recycling facility, as my devotional pen. It has since become known to me as my "God Pen". Every night that I would write in my journal, that pen would be used. I took it with me on trips and only a few times did I forget to bring it. Well, that pen ran out at some point toward the end of the semester. It just so happened that I was home when I couldn't use it any more, so I started looking around for a new "God pen". Next to my bed was the box that an italian inlaid wood music box, which I had ordered for Samantha several months earlier, and in it was a free pen the nice woman had sent along with it. At that point, I decided that I would trust God to provide me with a devotional pen when my old one ran out. It sounds silly, but I actually pray that God gives me a new pen when my old one is beginning to run out. The music box pen lasted through the holidays and into the next semester. It was very close to the end in February when I came home for a quartet weekend. That Sunday I went to Shadow Mountain and met all of those wonderful people from Spokane. But one thing that happened was that God provided me with a really nice free pen (part of a free visitor's gift that the church was handing out). It may sound funny, but I had been praying that God would bring me a new pen...Well, that pen is running out. Last night, I prayed that God would give me a new pen, since this one is only one or two more journal entries from dying. Today, at Jason's house, I was sitting in his room flipping through a book, when I looked over and saw a neat pen on his night stand. When I said something about it, he said "oh, they're great pens. They have a bunch of them at work and I just take them home. Hey, do you want one?" And so, I have a new God Pen. It may sound silly, but seriously, how often does somene offer you a pen? Right when I needed it, God provided. The reason I am so excited is that it shows me that God is truely in control. I don't have to go out and buy a new pen (a metaphor for any number of things in my life) He is going to provide for me. I'm trying to learn that lesson, but it's tough.

Anyway, work is great and I love my kids. Summer starts on Monday and I am really looking forward to it. Quartet stuff is fine, we have a show tomorrow so pray for us. I'll be sure to inform you all on my life decision in my next update, but I realize that my pen story took up much of this entries time. Sorry if it was boring, but it just makes me all happy and giddy inside!  I hope all of you are well and I pray that God is blessing each and every one of you!!

So today is a somewhat sad day. It is the last day that I'll be working with the elementary school kids . I like working with middle schoolers, but there is something about kindergardeners and first graders that makes your day worth living. Even in the very short time I've been there, I've made some connections with the little ones. One little girl who I have a particular connection with is actually the little sister of one of my boys over at the middle school, who I have also made a fairl strong connection. Funny the way that works sometimes...But summer starts next week and I have to be ready for the long haul with some of these kids, so any prayer coming my way would be appreciated.

So an update on my friend Holly from Spokane. Things with her parents are settling down. She is going to stay up there and work at a restraunt in Idaho, living all alone in her grandparents cabin. But she will definatly be coming down to San Diego to go to San Diego Christian College (even though I've don't go there, that's still weird to say...) I am so happy for her and praise God's name for working most of this out for her. Things aren't perfect, her parents are more resigned to their "fate" than understanding, but at least she's out of the house. So for all who wanted to know, there it is. Thank you all who prayed for her. I'm sure it meant a lot to her, and it definatly meant a lot to me.

Well, I have more to share, but time is slipping away. Life decisions are complicated things and I need to give it more time if I am to explain it to all of you. I am keenly aware of the Holy Spirit's voice in my life, and for the first time in 22 years, I have a true calling and direction to travel. Above all else, I praise God for that. Now if I could just be completely faithful in releasing my entire future to Him...I just must remind myself how little control I actually have over God's will (namely none...) Oh well, one way or another, I'm following Him. Here we go...

So my brother graduated from High School today! I really can't believe that he's already in college...time sure does fly...I am very proud of him though, and I pray that he can soon become the man God made him to be.

Well, nothing much new is going on with me. I'm really busy right now and am not getting much sleep. I've been helping my mom with graduation stuff, quartet practice, along with getting up at 5:45 each morning, so it's taken somewhat of a toll on my sleep schedule. But I have really realized that in times like this, when I used to get cranky and irritable, I am still happy and patient. This, more than anything, is a testament to what God is doing in my life. I am taking Joy in Him, so there is absolutly no reason to be upset about anything or at anyone. The most exciting thing for me right now is that I might possibly be working for one of the assistent pastors over at Shadow Mountain! I am still waiting to hear back from my uncle, but since I don't start until 10:30 at work this summer, it should work out perfectly for me to go in at 8:00...It is something that God is leading me toward and something which I have really been praying about so I just hope God shows me the path I am to walk.

Ok, well I should eat lunch with my family, then head off to work. I really pray that all of you are doing well. Please, if I haven't heard from you in a while, drop me a line. I'd love to hear from you!  God Bless!!