(this picture was taken at the Rascal Flatts concert in June for her birthday) (this was right after Corrie found that Tucker had gotten into the frosting Branson had gotten into and left on the table)
This past weekend Corrie and I got to hang out. With 3 little boys that is a rare occurrence these days. I don’t say that like I would change anything about our life. I am extremely blessed, and love my boys more than I ever thought possible, but…
I love hanging out with my best friend. I won’t bore you with the details (though I still think it’s a pretty cool story) but Corrie and I have been friends since we were 13, so when we got married it truly was like the fairytale story of marrying your best friend. That proved to be so beneficial because we had Cooper so early in our marriage. We were married 3 months and found out we were 3 weeks pregnant. Thankfully we had almost a decade of relationship to build on which I can’t imagine not having.
Since then we’ve moved to Atlanta, added 2 more boys to the mix and we stay pretty busy. But this weekend my mother-in-law called an asked to keep the boys so we met her on Friday night with them. Our weekend consisted of:
- dinner at Copeland’s with WAY more conversation than usual
- lots of Netflix on the Wii
- Pacific Seafood & Sushi Buffet
- 2 movies
- dinner at the Varsity
- a trip to the Mall
- & more Netflix on the Wii
We just enjoyed being together. We laughed a ton. We pulled our couch and love seat together in the living room to make a bed type thing and were just LAZY together.
I love her with all my heart and had an amazing time hanging out…just me and my best friend!
- 4500+ miles driven
- Took students to Rincon, Jesup, Destin, Roanoke, and Panama City Beach
- Worked NGA COG youth camp in Homer, GA
- Went to Orlando, FL for Church of God General Assembly & sat on the floor of the General Council as an Ordained Bishop for the 1st time.
- 7 nights in my bed in July
- 17 days in the office in June & July
- 4000 invite cards distributed for Baypointe Church during summer camp outreach
- 26 MS & HS students baptized
- “Someone” moved all the SM offices into the main church building while I was gone.
Our MS and College ministries took kids rafting, to do ministry at camps, served in local outreaches and had a MS camp in Tennessee.
It was a great summer. I can’t wait for the fall schedule! It’s gonna be great! (and I’m going to try and blog more)
This picture was taken when my wife Corrie and I were 15 (though obviously we weren’t married yet ). At that point we had known each other for about 2 years, and our friendship was a lot of fun. A few months after this picture we would date for a little less than 4 months. Before and after that short tryst we both dated other people…all the while, remaining friends.
In college our friendship grew. I confided in my roommate that I really liked her a lot, but was afraid we were now in what Joey and Ross referred to as the “friend-zone”. Her mom badgered her about why she didn’t just date me. Her reply was always, “He’s just my friend.” My mom didn’t believe us.
I got a job working at a church as a part-time youth pastor and my friend Corrie helped me connect with the girls. Our heart for ministry and the increased amounts of time spent together only deepened our bond. In January ’03 my pastor called for a Solemn Assembly of 40 days for prayer and fasting. Both Corrie and I, unbeknownst to the other, participated in the fasting component. Neither of us were asking God for a mate, we were asking Him for clarity about the future, a sense of purpose in life, and a growing relationship with Him. The 40 days ended on a Friday…we went on our first date the following Saturday night.
On Tuesday I called my mom and told her I needed help finding a ring. A few weeks later I went to a youth conference in Nashville, TN. I had a couple of rings shipped to the hotel from a jeweler/family friend. I picked the one I liked and sent them back to have it sized. Then I talked to Corrie’s mom and received her blessing.
9 years after meeting her, but only 6 weeks after dating her, I asked Corrie to marry me on a Wednesday night in a youth service in front of the students we had been ministering too, together. I told her that night, “this place seems fitting to start our life together, because ministry is what we are committing our lives too, together.” It didn’t have the Hollywood effect of roses and candlelight, but it had a certain understated quality that fit our lives pretty well. She said yes, by the way.
A few months later I accepted my first full-time ministry position and moved to Mobile, AL…alone…but only for a short time. 7 weeks later Corrie and I stood in her home church to pledge our love for one another.
6 years later, we have added 3 little boys to our family:
…and oh how that has made life fun.
I don’t know what the future holds, but if the last 6 years are any indication it’s going to be an unbelievable ride! I’m so happy this little girl
Yesterday Cooper participated with his K4-5 choir in our Kid’s Christmas Musical at the church. He had a little speaking part in between songs, and he really prepared over the last few weeks making sure he had his part memorized. He also dressed himself because he wanted to look “like a preacher”. I thought the size of the crowd would freak him out a little, but he said he was “only a little bit nervous”.
This feels like a post I should make on my birthday, but that’s still 7 months away. This is actually something that came from my twitter account (FOLLOW ME HERE) earlier today.
I wrote in successive tweets:
I was confronted in the last 24 hours with the fact that I’m getting older. Here’s how I know:
1) I’m shrinking. I used to be a lot closer to the 6ft mark on the gas station door height measuring sticker
2) In a mtg this morning a man was casting a very big vision and I felt his timeline for accomplishing it was too ambitious (hate this one)
3) I was ticked last night that I missed the 2nd half of the previous days “Deal or No Deal” episode to see how well the guy did
I would also add:
4) The difference in time between when I wake up now and when I went to bed in college is rapidly decreasing
5) I made a reference to a show the other night, and most of my high school students hadn’t been born yet when the show was on the air
There are many more I’m sure, but what are some things in your life that point to the fact that you’re getting older?
Often times our lack for intentional investments steals our attention towards bigger and better dreams, rather then, the community you live in…Living life investing into next opportunities most of the time will sour influence…So here is a question:
“What would happen if you invested into one idea and one community your entire life?”
It’s a challenging read from a great guy. Give it a look!
This is my personal blog. Most of what is written is my opinion, observation, original thought, or things I find interesting somewhere else. While I am employed by Mt. Paran North, the things expressed here are not endorsed or necessarily accepted by Mt. Paran North or it's leadership. So don't go sue the church because you don't agree with something I write. Just post a comment and tell me I'm an idiot. It'll just be better for all of us.
(this picture was taken at the Rascal Flatts concert in June for her birthday) 
(this was right after Corrie found that Tucker had gotten into the frosting Branson had gotten into and left on the table)
). At that point we had known each other for about 2 years, and our friendship was a lot of fun. A few months after this picture we would date for a little less than 4 months. Before and after that short tryst we both dated other people…all the while, remaining friends.
