Well, needless to say I have arrived in Arkansas and I love it. Hence the reason I have not posted much. And I do not plan for this one to be too long either, as it is time for some sleep. The show at TripleXpresso's went pretty well, I really appreciate everyone who showed up, you guys rock. I just did my first recording here in the dorm and it turned out amazingly well for what I have to use. I think one of the things I have been learning lately is that the busier I am the more I need to pray, something I so often tend to lose sight of. Well, I guess that is all for now. The dorm here rocks, and I am having a blast. Contrary to my original thoughts that suggested Arkansas would be boring, it has been amazing, so I can't say I miss St. Louis in the least. (Except our Cardinals sure are rocking the house!!!) Keep on pressing into the Lord, the only pursuit that truly matters.

Another month goes by and it is time for another post... The move went, well, uhh, interesting. But first I want to mention that I will be playing at TripleXpresso's, a coffee shop on July 29th. As far as I know, this will be at 6:30 PM. You can Click Right Here to get directions. Their address is:

1900 Arsenal at Lemp, St. Louis, Mo. 63118

I will post more information when I get it.

So the move... At about 1:30 AM on June 9th, we were about halfway to Chicago around Bloomington. Charis, my younger sister, was riding with me in my totallyawesomecool '95 Ford Windstar. All of a sudden it shifted from 6th to 5th and then tried to go back to 6th but kept getting "stuck" so to speak. It kept doing that, then from 4th to 5th, all the way down to 1st to 2nd. Had to pull over and smoke was everywhere. It was pretty awesome. I had to get it to the exit ramp, and just when I got over the hill it gave out completely. I coasted in neutral down to the gas station where it found its resting place. You must understand that the transmission had been replaced about 2 years prior, so I did not expect this. The reason it was so late, was we left at 9 and had to make several stops for my mother, who had not had sleep for at least 36 hours.

My family left me there with the car and all of the stuff in it and went ahead to Chicago. We shifted stuff from our cars so my folks would have what they needed. I got some sleep, and at 5:30AM, Gary Dean from the church picked me up in the church van. We transferred all of the "stuff" from my car to it and took off for Chicago. At 9:30 AM we finally arrived at First Free. I got a couple hours of sleep, and then we took off to make the closing on our new house. God really provided an awesome place for my family. It is one of the few neighborhoods that has trees, and it is in a pretty quiet area. They are doing very well, and I thank all of you for your prayers in this time of transition. God provided a 1993 Suzuki Sidekick that the church had for sale. Learning stick shift in the center of Chicago was not my idea of fun, but you gotta learn somehow.

That is the story. I am learning over and over in so many situations how to trust God more. And thus far I think I am seeing more and more how I need to improve. However, I know God will work through these struggles in His own time. Just remember that God's plans are so much better and all than our own.

Well, it's that day. In about twelve hours I will depart from STL to move my family to Chicago. Tonight was simply amazing. Around 9 we came to the realization we would not finish in time. I was praying in my room about some things and that was one of them. Anyways, shortly after Dave Frick showed up with Matt Shirkey and a bunch of other people. Tyler McCall and his parents did as well. So we got about 4 hours of work done in an hours time. Needless to say there is a ton yet to do but I am going to be able to get some shut-eye. God has given us amazing provision in providing the people to help us. Such a blessing.

On another note, I recorded a new cd on May 27th. Adam Bulla did an incredible job recording it and is now mastering it. Very thankful that I have gotten to work with him on this small project. So, if you want a copy be sure to shoot me an email. Remember that God is so much better than anything out there: relationships, music, fireworks, etc. So much more amazing.

Wow, can it truly only be a month before the move? Looks like it! Anyways, the main reason I am posting this is it appears that my upcoming time at Ascending Glory on June 4th will unfortunately not take place. I stopped by yesterday, and there is a sign on the door saying "Closed until further notice". I really hope that they can eventually open back up, as it has been a very neat place to go. On a happier note, I have 4 1/2 days of high school left and then I am gone! Yeah! So, that is really all there is at the moment... Thanks for stopping by!

Two posts in two days! Wow! Anyways, just wanted to say that I have put up the lyrics to some of my new songs, and all that good stuff. The two most recent songs are Most Wonderful and Long. Most wonderful is a song I wrote as a reminder about how God is so much better than anything else, and for this reason we give Him the praise and glory and honor and all that good stuff. Long is a more personal song that explains where I feel I am right now. I am so busy with life and the move and school and all of the things going on, and am not taking the time I need to spend with God. It is far too easy to get caught up in every day things, something I am very guilty of. The first few lines speak on this, and how I so often seek attention and what not. The verse explains how because of these things I long for Him. The second verse is a reminder that I HAVE in fact tasted God's presence and that regardless of these faults, His plan will be carried out to wholeness. So the first time through the chorus, it is stating that I long for Him because I miss Him. The second time it is because of the fortastes of His presence, which can be in various forms: prayer, Bible reading, music worship, etc. But this is where I feel I am. Needing to get back into the Word and doing everything else possible but that. Needing to get back into the word and prayer. It is my hope that the words to any of these songs do not portray an image that looks perfect or without fault of problem. On the contrary, many of them have come as a direct result of these issues and things I am dealing with and going through. I want to be the "blessed man" that Psalm 1 talks about who meditates on the Lord's law day and night. But it is so hard to get there, so if there is anything I would ask prayer for it is getting back to that place. To get back to the garden, and out of this desert. Hopefully these words can be an encouragement and inspiration to those who read them. Keep pressing on into the Lord and reaching for the goal!

Well, first off, sorry for the dealy in posting. The coffee shop went pretty well. Anyways, if you have ever been to Ascending Glory please be praying for their survival. Right now they are relying on volunteer work to stay open, and it would be awesome to see them do well. Business is not bad per-say, but it is not enough. It is wild to think of the many things I am learning to trust God in. It's funny, a concept so simple yet is so hard to take to execution. We have our house on the market now and that is another area of trust, as is this whole move to Chicago. God is turning so many impossibilities into realities, and I am simply thankful for the awesome opportunity to learn to trust in Him more. Having to throw away most of the stuff in my room has been easier than I thought it would be too. God is so much better than any materialistic things that we may have, and that is yet another concept I need to be working on. I am so thankful for everything He is using to teach me more trust in Him, although in no way does that make it easy. I thank everyone who is praying for this, as my family needs it. But ya, I am doing fine. So, onto other things... I will be playing again at Ascending Glory Coffee House on June 4th probably around 7ish. I will post more details when I know an exact time. I actually set this up right after my last one, but have not had time to post an update. So, thanks for checking the site out as usual, and remember that He is so much better than anything of this world. May the Lord be your first thought day by day!