Living Worship as a Lifestyle Together: June 2007

So yeah, it's been awhile since our last post here on the 'ol Blogger. So much to say, but what to say??? Where to start???

Well, I guess we can back track to after my grandfather’s funeral:

April 15 – May 3, 2007

After visiting with family in Connecticut, we returned home to continue on with all we had to do; Amanda with classes and me back to the part-time workforce and school work.

Going back to that while waiting for the full-time job opportunity to show itself can become very stagnating. Stuck… Spiritually, mentally and physically:

Mentally: Not feeling challenged in my college courses; I don’t feel I am earning every “A” or 4.0 GPA I get with each class finished.

Physically: Not satisfied being a part-time worker, more like a Thursday and Friday worker. Wanting to get that phone call that says I can start my full-time job. I was feeling a little lower than the average man and husband.

Spiritually: Slipping in prayer, reading and focusing on the Lord. Feeling no movement closer, yet feeling farther, amazing what feeling stuck can do to a relationship.

May 4 – 20, 2007

A little time later, I received some great news; my full-time job was going to start, but I had to wait two weeks before having a video tele-conference (VTC) with the company vice-president. I was ecstatic that I was finally going to start working for Riverside Research Institute (RRI) (www.rri-usa.org).

The only downside is I had to wait the two weeks; I was bummed, but just happy to know my job was all set. Well, it just happened to be that I cam down with a sinus infection, followed 3 days later, pneumonia (yes, 3 days later!). It sucked a lot to have pneumonia, especially when I have never had that before (and I never wan it again!).

Through that time, I felt my relationship with my wife grow closer as she took care of me. There is just something that brings two together when caretaking is involved. I could seriously feel the ministry of my wife in my life as she prayed over me and cared for me physically. God has blessed me with an amazing woman, wife, lover and best friend.

The weekend spiritually was a small stepping stone. I started to pray more, read a little more (not as much as I was hoping, but a start) and of course, was leading Worship Sunday morning. I was scared to get up there and lead Worship, not only for the earthy logistical reasons (band members missing for the holiday, putting together the set, guest pastor speaking, etc.) u also for the state of my spiritual mindset (as I saw it).

It was definitely a time of growth, and putting aside me and focusing on Him. Amanda and I prayed much before this Worship morning, and just stepped out there, because He is deserving of all our Praise.

The morning went without incident and I came out of the Worship a changed heart, remembering what he called me to do.

May 21 – 28, 2007

Started work on that Monday following the two weeks. It was extremely boring, since I had to wait to start my real job with the company on Wright-Patterson AFB. The way I looked at it is I may have been bored, but at least I was being paid for it! Definitely feeling like a provider now! It was a start, and I was feeling like a man again!

The week, although boring as I waited to get on base, was not uneventful. Two employees from my company came from the base and took me out to lunch to tell me little about what I would be doing for work and basically introduce themselves. Finally, the week ended with a large bar-b-que with the company to celebrate Memorial Weekend, and have a large company meeting.

May 29 – 31, 2007

Finally was on-base and doing the job I was hired on for. You know, working 9 hours never felt so fun (well, working 12 hour shifts was fun, when I did the evenings back in Colorado).

I have my on cubicle, my own phone (2 actually), and 3 computers. It’s not a bad deal at all. It is amazing how much more awake, alive, manly I feel while working. Coming home to a beautiful waiting wife, having worked all day, earning my pay… I just feel like a true husband, a true head of the household.

My Beautiful wife!

Praying has become more of a focus between my wife and I; dedicating time, especially before bed to speaking to Him individually as well as together. Yes, sometimes sleepiness is too much to pray a lot, but I make sure I pray over my every night and morning.

It is a blessing to be a working man and husband for my wife.

June 1, 2007

Now this day was the bearer of the greatest news since our wedding day…

I believe this picture explains it all… J

We found out, by the test and the doctor’s office that we are going to be parents!!! How amazing is that!

Of course, the questions came like a flood… “are you ready?” “was this planned?” “was it a surprise?” “umm, you’re what?”

Our response has been, yes, we are surprised, no, we are not ready (what first-time parent ever is???) and was this planned… well, we say, “we weren’t trying, but we weren’t preventing.” That pretty much sums that up!

Right after we received the call, we made a knee-dive for the floor and started praying over each other, the baby God has blessed us with and my wife and baby’s health. After that, we got up, had a good cry and well, I pretty much started jumping up and down; I am going to be a dad!

June 2 – 3, 2007

This weekend we pretty much started spreading the news to our family and close friends that we had received news of good cheer! That the stork, per say, had visited our home. What a thing to be telling people, that we are pregnant (well, she is, but you know what I mean!)

June 4, 2007

This was Amanda’s 26^th Birthday! Yes, my amazing wife is one year older, one year wiser and more beautiful than ever.

Posing before her Birthday night out

I took her out to Jay’s Seafood restaurant. It is the best place we can go for actual fresh seafood here in Ohio. A little pricey, but worth it once you get that fresh Maine lobster on your plate, mmm mmm! The waiter brought over a cake with a candle at the end of our evening. It was a great night, and Amanda was thoroughly happy.

My baby all dolled up!

June 5 – 6, 2007

Basically, I had class, and not much happened for myself here. Amanda had the wonderful stress of finals, but came out unscathed and ready for the next few weeks off.

June 7 – 8, 2007

Amanda’s sister (my sister-in-law, affectionately called SIL by yours truly) and friend Claire came for a visit. It was so awesome to finally meet my sister-in-law, and a wonderful time too, since the news of our bundle of joy! They brought with them many gifts, including a Sari’ from India…

Gorgeous!

As you can see, she is a natural for Indian beauty. We got to hear their stories, and even try a taste of cultured cuisine; not just Indian. (Minus the meat, since they are vegetarians)

Also, they brought some items from her Aunt Donna. It wasn’t exactly exciting, since they are items she was passing on as she knows her time is near. Amanda cried, and they shared stories of Aunt Donna and Uncle Steve.

Also that evening, as they hung outside with the dog and a friend of ours I went and bought an ice-cream cake (her fav as well as mine!), and put 26 candles on it, and had everyone come in. She was definitely surprised and full after the cake.

June 9, 2007

Well, this was the big day!!!!! Amanda’s Surprise Party!!!! Yes, it was awesome, and she was almost surprised (we kinda arrived early, and her friends arrived same moment, so it kind of gave it away) J

It all happened at Dave & Buster’s in Cincinnati. Everyone had an awesome time playing the games, eating the food and enjoying each others company. Amanda made sure to play a lot of Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR).

All the party-goers and some not there all chipped in for her birthday gift…

An XBOX360 w/DDR Game, 2 DDR Dance Pads, 2 Wireless controllers.