Quiet Reflection!

Peace comes from the Lord. Its quiet in Boswell, well, as quiet as it can be on a monday night at 11:40pm. Its cool outside but comfortable. Feels more like late september than August. The constant drone of the television across the alley at the sports bar creeps through the sleepy streets of this quiet little town. The crickets constantly play their stringed instruments. And in the midst of that gentle noise is peace. But peace does not rest on the shoulders of the town, or the porch I am currently sitting on, or even me. It comes from a deep satisfaction in my creator. It comes from knowing Him personally. I'm 26 years old but the Lord has placed a steadiness in me that makes me feel 70, perhaps. I guess I won't know for sure until I'm 70, but the Lord has removed anxiety, stress, and given me a hope and satisfaction like non other I've experienced. Not in the things of this world, but in the Holy Spirit. See, i have had to trust the Lord with my whole heart these past 4 weeks. I can truly say I gave it up to him entirely. I know I did because when it happened I no longer worried about impressing others with fancy words, or trying to meet the needs and standards of others. My words had purpose and were directed by his Word. I fixed my eyes on my lord and savior, Jesus, and purposed to be like Him. And put him at the direct center of my life. I am sharing this not to brag or boast in anything I did, but to honor the one who made my life possible. I also make this known so those whom I love and care for can keep me accountable to these words. See, it's happened before, I get excited about what the lord is doing and am on a spiritual high for a while and then come down and lose sight of how great God really is. But something is different this time and I want to make sure I don't lose sight of that. Its different because God is continually working on my heart. He has been trimming the branches out of my life that don't produce fruit which allows more of the sun, the Son, to get through. The peace I am experiencing comes with a disclaimer. It doesn't mean i won't face trials and tribulation. It does mean He will always have my best interest in mind. It does mean that my relationship with the one who gave me life and the One who saved my life deserve my full attention, and love. It doesn't mean I have done anything to deserve it. Thank you Lord! Peace comes from You!

Starbucks!

Lame title I know but that is where I am right now. They have internet and its only about 15 minutes from where I live. There is not even a movie rental place where I currently live I just moved to Boswell ???? I know most of you are thinking where on earth is Boswell. Surprisingly,it is a nice town, located very near to the beautiful Laurel Mountain which I love for obvious reasons. It is a short drive, and by short I mean a 3 hour drive from my hometown. Why am I here? Well I accepted a job as a photographer and videographer and operations director for a christian sports camp. This is truly an awesome opportunity. I get to use all of the skills I have acquired over the years.

So lets see. My new house actually feels like a house. In fact it is a house. I am living with housemates again. This is different but they seem like fun guys. While I was sad to leave my apartment in Grove City which I have called home for a year and a half, I am glad to be living in this new place. The moving process was overwhelming at times but mostly because I tried to pack everything I could into the two weeks I took off between my previous job and my new job. In those two short weeks I put a roof on the porch at my parents house, went rock climbing in Texas with a great friend, went climbing in West Virginia with two great friends, went on a date with my girlfriend and moved all of my stuff. No one seems to feel bad for me, not that I want their sympathy, because I spent part of my time off traveling.

While many of my blog entries have to do with climbing, this one is more informative and only lightly dusted with a hint of climbing. Don't worry there will be more to come about climbing. I have been on many trips and will be taking many more in the months to come. Anyway, I have found that one of the downsides to moving three hours away from anyone you know is that you don't have anyone to hang out with and I am currently in the process of trying to meet folks to hang out with. In this process I have found that while I am able to be outgoing in the last few years I seem to have become introverted and it seems like a job trying to go out and meet new folks. Oh well, all part of the process.