tuesday, tuesday…

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what a beautiful day — my baby sister, little viviana, turned six tuesday and i had the beautiful honor of playing a role in the covert-ops mission of delivering cupcakes to her kindergarten class…



after school, as a little gift from big brother, i gave her a stick of gum and let her take a drive around the neighborhood… she’s a natural — well, she drove all over the road, but still… absolutely priceless.

hilliary (12) was in the passenger seat freaking out (ha), but vivi couldn’t stop talking about it about it all day long.

oh — and she talked about the cup cakes too (score).  😉

of course, the day really blessed me more than it ever blessed her, but man — you couldn’t tell because she was all smiles.  all throughout the evening we shared sweet little kisses and some special new “big girl” conversations.  i’m just so glad i was actually here to play a part of it instead of over a silly phone.  so special.

good morning, florida…

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car was packed and i was off… with a stuffed car and a wired ear.  praise the Lord, i did have amazing friends to talk with along the way — thanks for keeping me company.

i also had the opportunity to stop and eat at one of the original Chick-fil-a restaurants, named the “Dwarf House” while in the Atlanta area. Don’t believe it’s a Chick-fil-A restaurant…

mmm… the chicken club… my favorite fast food meal… especially with that honey bbq sauce.


… and this is what i call my “travel dope” (ha) — used to keep me awake if i feel serious road fatigue and i’m the only driver.  always takes just one of these, an iPod, and a cell phone to use as a microphone and i’m good.  (fun fact: i usually think of shelley, the sugar nazi/my former assistant, when i have this stuff)

…and this gave me a little inspiration when i passed it (oh yes — the joy)

and this was a special moment (the florida line). and then as soon as i got home (well, the next day, really)…

 

… busy unload time.  just a little crazy, but still glad to get done.

so many thoughts, so many ideas… just yesterday i set some things in motion at home, including pulling the TV out of the girl’s room and cleaning the garage.  viviana even turns six tomorrow — we’re all excited.  and now i’m off… out to solidify employment and get my life started in this new season.  a special thank you to all of you who’ve played a role supporting me (really).

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goodnight, ohio…






i’m moving to florida.

the last place i wanted to be, and yet… it’s where i must go. (sound like a familiar story?)

while i’ve used this 3 month break to just rest, write and pay off some debts that i’ve accumulated along the way, it’s been a great break — more like a sabbatical.  the picture above was taken just the other evening on my bed (you can see my white socks to the left) and bouncing ideas back and forth to josh on a subject i’m addressing in my book.  josh and i went to the Outback last night for our last dinner out… josh, i’m gonna miss ya buddy.  i’ll be making the trek to florida all day tomorrow (thursday) and friday and would really appreciate any phone company along the way.  let me know or feel free to call if you have a chance.

while i haven’t really much of a clue on what’s in store for me while i move on to this new season of my life and finish college.. i’m excited to see what the Lord has for me next.  i just have to wonder though — what’s the Lord have up his sleeve this time.  oh yes…


Day at the Mall

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(figure A: a random welcome mat for sale)
things that make my day at the mall

1) finding random stuff (see ‘figure A’ above)
2) finding a Brookstone
3) crowded days (i like to watch people)
4) fun bonus: finding a table by a wall outlet

(so i can write on the laptop [nicknamed “lappy”] while watching people)

Law of Infatuation

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you’re going to think i’m a freak.  please remember that i am in the process of writing a book on relationships right now — or attempting to anyway — and that’s why this topic has been engrained in my mind recently.  now, i’ve used this in several speeches, discussions and conversations and have had all sorts of feedback.  please don’t read into it, i just would like to see what your reaction to it is (for those brave enough to give it).

derived from romans 7:15,18b,19,21,24 (NIV):

I do not understand what i do.  For what i want to do i do not do, but what i hate i do… for i have the desire to do what is good, but i cannot carry it out.  For what i do is not the good i want to do; no, the evil i do not want to do — this i keep on doing… so I find this law at work: when i want to do good, evil is right there with me… what a wretched man i am!  who will rescue me from this body of death?

the law of infatuation (for use of a better name)
i do not understand what i do.  For who i want to like, i don’t like, but who i don’t like, i like…. for i have the desire to like who i want to like, but i cannot carry it out.  For who i like is not the person i want to like; no, it’s the person i don’t like that my mind is set upon… so i find this law at work: when i want to like the right person, someone else i shouldn’t like is right there with me… who will rescue me from these hormones?

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life is good.

though i did have to cough up $2.60
to the library for keeping out my books for so long.  well worth it.

i know it’s obvious, but there’s nothing better than calling great friends on the phone or spending time with them in person and just having a great discussion about anything and everything.  this defines everyone.  my grandfather, Machado, once said that a man is truly wealthy if he can count his friends on one hand.  while it’s taken me a while to really understand what he meant by that, as i know without a doubt that i have friends and supporters that love and care for me and fill up more than one hand, i know he’s really referring to those who make up a man’s inner circle.  i cherish that — to love and be loved — especially while far away in ohio.

in other news… it looks like i may have a shot (although very distant right now) at potential job opportunities either back in florida, colorodo or texas… yes, again.  i’m not counting on any of it, but i am entertaining the options as all of them include finishing up my college education. i’m pretty excited, and even though things may seem a little unstable right now (code named: shady), i’m going to continue to rejoice in the Lord.

life is good.

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i long for adventure.

my dream is to travel the world with my future bride, living that daily life of adventure while never losing a moment to stop and admire the simplicity of the Lord’s beauty all around us.  i want to continue to learn to write well and to harness that gift to not only advance a gospel, but to set people free to live a life to its fullest in Christ — a life of freedom greater than anything the world can offer.  i want to father my children well, love my bride wildly, and live not bound to the laws of routine.  while i’m loving every moment and friend along the way, i’m happy right where i am and will never let circumstances define who i am or who i become.  straight up.  all praise and glory to the Father.  A verse that’s really been on my mind this week:


even though the fig trees have no blossoms
and there are no grapes on the vines
even though the olive crop fails
and the fields lie empty and barren
even though the flocks die in the fields
and the cattle barns are empty

yet I will rejoice in the Lord

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation

(Hab 3:17-18 NLT)

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earlier tonight (new years day)


my little sister, viviana (5), invited Jesus into her heart

the best part: after weeks of asking questions…

and a little help with narnia (and her sister idania)…

she gets it — and was so happy to tell me


Father… thank you for allowing me to be here for this