wait for it...

ok, so its time for me to update.

I HAVE A W.... but hold on a sec, lemme tell you the whole story. or, at least, an abridged version.

so, after so many long months of engagment, ridiculous class loads, and an early graduation with an American Studies degree, (and minors in Psych and Bible) i landed a job at the new lowes over in xenia. i'm a sales specialist in the millwork department (windows, doors), but i had to help out with the mass inventory and all that jazz. jess worked at the school and stayed with some friends over in jamestown over the summer as we made final preperation. and then, a little over two months ago, we got married.

I HAVE A WIFE!!!!!!!!

then we went to ft. myers beach for a week of relaxation. now we are settling into married life and are happily sprucing up the apartment and getting jess through school. being that this is the short of the long, thats about all you get. and no, i do not apologize for the long lapse. i had nothing exciting to tell. ok, so, peace. i'll write back when i get something else.

love ya'll

joe

OK, so it's been a while... a long, long, ridiculously long while... but here it is. my newest entry.

I HAVE A F...

wait, wait, lemme explain first...

ok, so the past 6 months have been kinda hectic, which explains the long absence from here. at the same time, the last 6 months have been the best 6 months of my life. my last full entry included the message that i had just started a dating relationship with the most amazing woman on God's green earth. well, i'm here to tell you now that everything i said before just doesn't cut it. she is far, far, FAR more amazing than that. she is most incredible God fearing, beautiful, caring, dear, cute, hot, attractive, joyful, happy, exciting, strong, soft, loving, thoughtful, fun, funny, and fabulous young lady i know. there is no way i can express to you how absolutly wonderful she is. God definitely broke the mold on her. i simply cannot see me living the rest of my life without her.

that being said, i will now continue with my announcement.

I HAVE A FIANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

and, of course, all of you ladies want to know how it happened. and if you're a guy that's ever been engaged, you know how much you love the story but get tired of telling it to every passing female acquaintence. so, that being said, check out my fiance's website for the whole story. besides, she tells it much better than i do!

http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=ica07

well, i'm lazy and don't think i have much more to write, so i guess i'll write later sometime.

Peace ya'll!

SITE UNDER RENOVATION. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES.

howdy ya'll!

I HAVE A... wait, i'll get to that in a minute. gotta save the best towards the end!

ok, so where to begin? i'll just start and see where this goes...

first, let me just say God is, was, and forever will be awesome! to see what has happened over the last few weeks is purely a testament to this fact!

second, congratulations to my two close friends, Steve and Catherine, on finding an amazing relationship that God has ordained! you guys are so perfect for each other, and i wish you all the best and am praying for you both!

third, more congratulations to The Craig and Courtney! you guys rock! i'm so very glad for you and and am praying for you two as well! WOOT!

ok, so now that all that's out of the way, here's a short synopsis of last week. monday and tuesday were a bit of a wreck, but i survived (by the grace of God). tuesday night i got to hang with steve a bit and got some much needed direction as we picked up stuff for Jess' birthday bash. wendsday was a bit hectic, but ended sweetly enough with a total makeover of the rock! then, thrusday was the big day, filled with random fun moments with Jess that really took off with her suprise birthday dinner at Bobby Vans. alas, that i could have made it... (sigh)  anyway! after the party we all met up at the park and kinda hung out for a bit. woot for swings!

so after hanging at the park, we all came back and Jess and i went out for a bit and we walked and we talked and we decided some stuff and...

I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!  

but she's not just a girlfriend. those of you who know Jess, you know what i'm talkin about. she is an uber-awesome, on fire, servant-hearted, caring, listening-ready, encouraging, selfless, devoted, lover of Truth who can best be described as a young woman of God. (i could go on, but time and space does not permit...) if you couldn't tell by that description, she's a real jewel and perhaps the biggest blessing God has ever placed in my life!

this being my first real girlfriend, naturally, i'm still in a bit of shock, but we have been able to spend a bit of time together this past weekend. saturday night, it was off to the movies with everyone then out to eat where we almost got blown away by the super-phsyco-hand-dryers! total madness! sunday, i got the opprotunity to meet Jess' family again, both home and church. her parents are wonderful, and her brother, well, Josh, you just plain rock! i had the opprotunity to see how much her church family meant to her and how big of an impact it has had on her, even now that she's away at college. the youth can truly be called her youth! they all love her for the way she has poured herself into their lives. it's humbling to see how mightily God has used her in her church because she was willing! sadly, her pastor is leaving to minister elsewhere in the Body. please pray that God will send the right man to lead the church in the upcoming weeks!

as sweet as last week was, this week has been and will be much more difficult than it ought to be. but, only a couple of days and i'll be in michigan, chillin like a villian! a couple of days of rest sound real good right now. even so, it'll be nice to get back and spend some quality time with you-know-who...

i'd love to leave ya'll with a poem or something, but i'm to dog-gone tired, maybe next time. anyway, gnight and God bless you all!

Peace, ya'll!

howdy ya'll!

trying to avoid some homework, so i thought i'd spend some time writing.

ever have a conversation with someone where God picks you up in His infinite hands, carries you above your situation, and shows you how things are coming together? where you see your prayers being answered, not how you would want (even when you prayed otherwise), but in a fashion that can only be described as perfect? like a magnificent symphony of universal proportions playing out right before your eyes, beautiful beyond all you could hope or imagine. tonight, some "why's" have been answered. i look over the landscape of  my life, at friends, at the past, at the future, and i am begining to see how everything happens for a reason. how each person, each event plays into the greater master plan. tonight, there is a small pain that may still linger for quite some time (please pray it doesn't), but more importantlly, there is joy and security that i've found in God. i can see His work in me. only He could afford me the ability to sort this all out. to Him i give the glory for carrying me through, providing grace, mercy and strength for every new day. in Him my hope is found.

one more thing. can i say again how awesome my family and friends (who are also my family!) are? i love you each and every one! i thank God for each of you! you are truly part of the inheretence of being a child of the Kingdom! i pray God's blessing on you all today, and everyday!

peace ya'll!