Thursday, May 29, 2008

Just Went To The Dentist



So I'm pretty sure I felt exactly like this guy while I was in that darn dentist chair. I went to the dentist for the first time in a couple of years today and I felt as if the woman cleaning my teeth was punishing me for it. I have never had my teeth treated that way in my life. The sound of an ice pick-like tool being scratched all over you teeth is quite unnerving to say the least. I do not plan on going back any time soon, even if they did tell me I needed to. Grinding my teeth my rear end.

So anyways, I finally returned yesterday from a two week trek all over Texas. I started out by going up to Dallas to visit Katie and her family for a week, which was absolutely wonderful. I got to hang out with Katie, watch movies, drink tea, and just relax a bit. This sublime leg of my journey was followed by a drive down to College Station so I could wake up the next morning to join the car pool to Sudan, TX for Korey and Macie's wedding. Korey is one of my buddies in the corps, so lots of people I knew were there. We stopped in Abilene on the way for the the bachelor party which consisted of water skiing and hanging by the lake. The wedding was a blast. It was relatively small and if you know Korey and Macie, you know that they are starting their marriage off right. They both have a passion for the Lord which spurs them on in their love for each other and I have no doubt that they will have a very happy life together as they serve the Lord.

After they were all married and such, we went back to College Station where I stayed for the night. The next morning I got back in my truck, took some instruments to Madisonville where I will be staying for the month, and headed up to Keller, TX to stay with Ryan Chance (another Corps guy who was commander of a different outfit in the band). I had dinner with his family and we talked for quite a while. They were the most hospitable family I have ever stayed with I think. I have stayed with many people who were very nice to me, but they seemed to really go out of their way more than needed, to make me feel welcome. After dinner, Ryan drove me all the way out to I-35 so that I would know how to leave in the morning. When bed time came, he even had me stay in his own bed while he went to sleep on the couch. I protested of course, but he insisted that it was no problem. Before I left, his mom told me I was welcome anytime even if Ryan was not there. They were just so nice that I could not believe it.

Well, after leaving the amazing Chance family, I went up to Dallas to surprise Katie for her birthday. She about jumped out of her skin when I came up behind her and rubbed her shoulder. She was expecting me to come I think, but I don't think that she had any idea it would be as early as 9:00. We spent the day together eating Thai food, drinking tea, having dinner with her family, and watching Star Wars. Can life get better? I submit that it cannot. I stayed the night and left the next morning, which was yesterday. It was hard leaving Katie, knowing that I would not be able to see her any time soon, but I know that things will be ok. I shouldn't complain having to go weeks at a time when I know many people have to go months and even years without seeing someone they love. I know God will be gracious to keep us both busy and satisfied in Him while we are apart.

So now I am back home playing catch-up before I go out of town again for my time in Madisonville. I would write more about how excited I am about all of that, but I'm afraid it is time for dinner and I don't want to keep the family waiting on my account. Later.

-Austin-

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

First Post Ever

Hello everyone,
(and by everyone I likely mean Katie since she is the only person who will probably read this)

I finally decided it was time that I joined the trend and started writing a blog. I don't know much about blogs, except that I read Katie's all the time and it is awesome, but I figured I would give it a try. I'm at a transition time in my life right now that I personally find entertaining and even though not many other people probably agree, I'm going to tell the unknown "you" about it.

First a bit about myself, in case you randomly stumbled upon this newbie blog and are wondering who I am. I have grown up in Houston Texas and am the son of a Baptist minister and a High school English teacher. I thank God for His provision and guidance through the hands of my parents throughout my life. I went to Clear Brook High School and was in the marching band as well as choir. After High school, I figured I would go give the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M a whirl. so I packed my bags for Aggieland. There, I was a member of B-Company which is an outfit in the Aggieband. I also studied Finance in my spare time. I just "died" from the Corps last week, and this the the main cause of my aforementioned "transition time" I am currently in. Another contributing factor is the fact that later today, I am going to go sign a contract for a job I am starting after I graduate in August. I could probably write about the new job I am going to have for hours because I am tremendously excited about it, but I will spare you from talk about Investments and Insurance at least for my first post.

That pretty much sums up where I am in my life right now. I am very excited about this Summer and how God is planning to use me. While I am going to be taking two classes during July, the month of June will be spent in Madisonville working with Churches in the area and spreading the good news of the life that is in Jesus, my Lord. I can't wait to see what God has for me and am already seeing doors open as He leads me to people who need help this Summer at their Churches. In case you do not know, Madisonville is a small town halfway between Houston and Dallas. Also I would like to tell the couple of people who light read this that I have been praying for another man to accompany me in the ministry I am doing in June but have not yet found anyone who is able and willing. If you happen to know any men who are passionate about Christ, and are free in June (even for a few days), please let me know because I really am seeking for people to help in the work at hand.

Beyond that, I really don't know much to write about. I don't see how Katie(my incredible girlfriend, in case you are not privileged enough to know her) can write at such length about all kinds of things even when she has written so much already. I will say that I am very excited about going up to Oak Point (Where Katie's family lives, near Denton) to visit Katie's family and go to my good friend's wedding. I love getting to spend time with Katie's family. She has four sisters and they are all so different and fun to talk with and get to know better. Her parent's are also amazing and make it easy to see why all the girls are so great. Katie and I are going to be seeing each other a lot less pretty soon since she is going to be in Denton this Summer as well as next semester when she student teaches, and I will be in either Madisonville, College Station, or H-Town. We will still be able to see each other fairly often, but not for huge chunks of time, so I am really going to enjoy being able to stay with her family for a whole week.

Well I know this was not the most exciting blog you have ever read, but at least I started one I guess. I'm off now to go sign a contract for employment at IMG Financial Group as a Financial Advisor so I guess I will have to pick this up later.

-Austin-