Life's Waiting To Begin

2007-03-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, It's been way to long since I have posted. Having a baby pretty much takes all your spare time, but there is no way I would trade it. Actually I think I have forgotten how to post on here. Life has changed a lot in the past 3 months, but it's been great. Macie is growing like a weed and she gets more beautiful everyday. Alexas is a wonderful Mother and God has blessed us by allowing Alexas to take Macie to work with her. My new job is going well and my hours are the same as Alexas'. Now I just pray God helps me become a good father and a better husband, which I sure Alexas would tell you I struggle with sometimes. I can be to critical at times. Thanks for reading this if you did and God Bless you.

2006-11-05T20:33:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I haven't been commited lately to my blog. I'm still trying to get use to this new schedule and balance God, Family, Church, and work. We have a lot left to do before the baby gets here. We put the Crib together last week. It looks pretty good. We also started our birthing classes last Saturday and that was fun even if it did take all day. Things are going good for us right now, God has really blessed us. I realize just now in saying that, that I pray I could still thank God for his blessings if things weren't going well. Thats all for now. Thanks for stopping by I will update again soon.

2006-10-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

Today was the firt day of my new job. Everything went very well. I couldn't believe how fast the day went by. God helped me through everything. Alexas and I were able to get up and eat breakfast together and have prayer and some bible time before I left. God has been very good to us and seems to be just pouring out blessing after blessing. My new boss is a great guy and I think we are going to get along really good. Tomorrow Creative Services is going out for lunch to welcome me to the department. It feels good to be involved in something were I are valued, and not just at my job, but at chuch and in everyday things. I feel God telling me that he loves me and I am valued and I have a purpose. That being said I feel my purpose is to serve God in the video ministry. Thats why God has blessed me with the skills and opportunities that I have. God just layed all this experience in my lap and then said now use it to serve me.

I now have afternoons off with Alexas and today was great, but please pray for me that I don't loose contact with people at chuch that I'm use to seeing in the mornings. I want to be able to continue my duties there but with out that communication with everyone face to face each day it could be hard.

2006-10-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it's sure been a long time since I blogged. Sorry if you have been checking here without seeing anything new. To be honest I have been wanting to post an update on my job search for awhile but I had to keep stuff to myself until it was official. Speaking of which, IT'S OFFICIAL. Starting Oct. 2st I am the new Creative Services Producer. I would like to say thanks to everyone who has been praying for me the past few months. God is good.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

My prayer now is that God will give me the skills to do well at my new job. I'm completely confident that he will.

On another note. Our Baby is doing great. Alexas is six months now. She just got back form Mississippi visiting with her family, and becuase of the new job we will soon have the same schedule.

2006-09-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

Alexas and I got to slip away a few weeks ago and take a break from the business of life. We went camping up in the mountains of NC where I grew up. My Mom, Dad, and Sister came with us. It was great, we didn't really do anything, but relax. I have a lot of great memories from that place, and we made a lot more on this short little trip. We took the dogs with us and let them run around. They were glad to be outside the gates that they confined to on a daily basis here at home. My Grandparents own about 50 or so acres, so there was plenty of room for them to run. We roasted marshmallows and made smores. We ate really good the entire time. Mom and Dad grilled steak on our first night. We took a lot of pictures to remember the trip and if the Lord allows us to do it again next year we will have an additional camper.

Also this guy needs a home. I found him about 2 weeks ago. We cant keep him we are already dog poor. But he needs a home. If you know anyone looking for a puppy let them know about him. I call him Wilbur but he answeres to pretty much anything.

2006-09-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Well It's been a while and you would think I would have more to say but my mind just feels drained by the end of the day and I can't really think. Today is September 11th 2006. Everyone who was old enough to realize what was going on 5 years ago knows exactly where they were. I was living in Sugar Grove, NC just out side of Boone. I was in my third year at ASU but had gotten sick a couple of weeks earlier and doctors were having a hard to finding out what my problem was. My Mom had been staying with me and trying to help me get better. That morning at around 8:30 or so my Dad called and said "a plane just flew into the World Trade Center". For the rest of the day we stayed on the couch watching the different news channels, flipping back and forth to see if one had any info the others didn't. And then we watched in disbelief as a second plane hit tower one. Then we knew for sure it was no accident. After 3 planes had hit 3 buildings that day I think everyone in the country was just waiting to see what came next. Was the entire country under attack? Like a lot of Universities ASU canceled most classes that day. I was too sick to go reguardless. We view life now as pre 9-11 and post 9-11. That day changed everything. Though we did come closer together as a country and at least for a time seemed more united, we did loose something. We went from being a worry free and careless nation to a paranoid, tense, and and open eyed nation, aware of the evil of the world outside and inside our borders.

2006-08-31T21:18:00.000-07:00

Just a quick praise. Alexas and I went to the Doctor yesterday and found out that everything is normal with the baby and just as it should be at this point. Also I don't have Crohns. It's ulcerative colitis, which still isn't good but it's more manageable than crohns. God has blessed me with a lot this week, and I have been praying hard about this job position at work. I feel like God is really going to move on this for me. It's all in his hands. Please be in prayer for this for me. Basicly it's a promotion to a different department with much better hours.

2006-08-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

Well last sunday night our small gourp had game night. The guys stunk up the place, so badly that you might go as far as to say that it, "smelled like death". Any way, as a reward to the guys for their smelly effort I have put together a little movie of the ladies looking a bit silly.

2006-08-24T22:19:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy lately, sorry. I will post real soon.

2006-08-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

This kid is really cool, wish I could do this.

2006-08-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

Wow,

Don't feel bad Jonathan, your not alone. I found out how un-cool I am. Tonight at work I had to do this story on Teens causing problems at a theater. They weren't really causing problems just hanging out. But these teens needed some serious parenting. Girls wearing next to nothing, (bounce the eyes), and boys saying just what ever they please to these girls and acting like total morons to get there attention. Was I like that as a teen?

I was trying to shoot some video of these kids but instead ended up surrounded by them, and if nothing else I learned tonight that kids want to be noticed. Every kid there was trying to out do the other. Trying to say something more outrageous or do something cool, and they all wanted to be on TV. That's something adults never want. One girl ask me how old I was and when I told her 26 she said, "wow your 12 years older that me". My first thought was, where are your parent's? I can tell you right now I will never drop my 14 year old kid off somewhere and say have a good time and I'll see you at 10. That little girl was getting an education out there by some boys a lot older than her.

Another kid begged me to put him on camera but I kept telling him he was to young and I would need his parents permission. Just before I left he called his Dad and told him that I need to talk with him. Well I didn't but to humor the boy I talked to his father. Just before he handed me the phone I said,

"is this your Dad?"

"yes"

"I bet he would like to know all those dirty things you said to me earlier, maybe I should tell him."

Then the color droped from his face and I thought he might cry. I didn't rat on him though, I just explained to his confused father that he had ask to be on TV but I didn't need the interview but thanks anyway. The boy heard me do this and thanked me for not putting him in hot water. He also left me alone for the rest of the evening.

After all this I thought of Jonathan. How is he able to relate with the youth. I mean I think I stay on top of trends and I know the score, so to speak. But the age difference still separates you no matter how cool you may be. These kids made me feel like I was 45.

2006-08-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

tired

So a lot of things have been going on this week. The positive side is that out podcasts are up and going again. Go to iTunes and search Catawba in the podcast section. The negative side is that in switching everything over to apple from windows I'm having to search out a new method for streaming our video because the program I need to save wmv files on a mac costs around $130. So for a short time, I hope, video will not be available on our website. I'm trying to teach myself how to stream mp4 instead of wmv.

There have also been a lot of things going on at work. Several opportunities have came up which I can't mention here. Stuff I may need to keep to myself for right now, but either way it's in God's hands and I'm not worrying about it. I also found out this week that I'm going to Seattle for a week next month for American Idol tryouts. Thats nice, because I didn't get to go on my secheduled trip to L.A. in May. So it feels nice that my Cheif Photog chose me to go on this trip. I would love to be able to work at CHBC full time, but until then I am thankful that I do have good managers at fox for the most part. Other than that it's the same thing each day. Start around 8:30 or 9 and I get back home around 11. I stay tired a lot, and I'm not sure if I can keep this same schedule once the baby comes along. Speaking of which here is a little movie of the ultrasound.

2006-08-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Couple of Videos for you to Check out

2006-08-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

I know, I know.

It's been a while since I have posted a new blog. I have been really busy lately. Here's a little update on the past week. Alexas and I went back to the doctor on Wednesday and we got to see the baby again. You can kinda see the head and face in this pic. The baby was laying at a funny angle so we have to go back in 4 weeks just to make sure everything is ok. I will post video soon.

Tuesday night was a distant second to Wednesday morning, but it was still kinda cool. I had to cover The American Idol concert for work and after it was over we had to follow up on a rummor that Taylor Hicks, the american idol, was playing with his old band at a bar outside of town. I really didn't want to go, I wanted to get a good nights rest to be ready to see my baby in the morning but I had no choice. After waiting for about an hour Taylor did show up, aswell as sveral other of the contestants from the show. Derek and I got a bunch of interviews and some video of the after party concert and headed back to the station at 1:45am.

On Saturday my parents came down to help me cut some trees and clear some of my yard that looks like a forest. We worked all day and I felt real bad because my dad works him self to death during the week anyway. I love my parents very very much and they are always there for me but they need God in their lives so bad. My Dad is a good man and he knows Jesus died for him but my Grandfather has been such a negative influence on him and my Uncle for so long that it's made my Dad's heart hard toward going to churh. He's says he knows he should go when I ask him about it but yet he still doesn't. My Mom tries to go but she is afraid that it will increase the distance between her and my Dad if she gets involved in church. They need our prayers so very badly. Please pray that God will soften my fathers heart and give him compassion and love for my mother and that he will humble himself befor God. And that God would give my mother patientence with my father and those around her, and confidence in herself. I also pray that God would keep my mother company. My father works so much, and she gets very lonely.

That night my sister who had came down to my house was following my Mom and Dad up to her house rear ended my dad. It was rainy and my Dad had slowed down thinking he was in the wrong lane. Also my sister follows to close. There wasn't a lot of damage. Cassie's car will need a hood but other than that it wasn't bad. Dad's truck wasn't hurt at all.

Sunday morning started great. The video went very well at Church, and God has blessed me with some very talanted volunteers. After Church I went to help Cassie my Mom and Dad pick up a dryer from Home Depot. After we lugged it up to Cassie's condo and got it out of the box we found a huge dent it the front and back. So we had to take it back except they didn't have another one. So Dad and Cassie had to drive to Pineville to get a dryer, except they didn't have this dryer either. So then they went to Lowes and finnaly found the one they needed. While all this store hopping was going on my Mom and I were at the Urgent Care because I cut my finger open as we were taking the dented dryer back down the stairs. So if you see typeos in this post it's because i'm typing with just nine fingers. Dad had to ride my bike back to my house for me becuase after the stitches I couldn't squeeze the break. Right now Mom and Dad are driving back to Lansing. Mom in Cassie's car and Dad in the truck. I pray they make it safe. Dad is bad to fall asleep driving. They should be there by 12:00.

Please pray for my family, Alexas and the comming baby, my sisters new job, and me becoming full time at CHBC.

2006-07-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

Harmony

Today at Church Max gave the sermon. I have only heard a few of Max's sermons because I am still pretty new to CHBC. I have been going for about a year and a half but have only been a member for a little over a year. So it seems odd to me to hear someone else bring the message there. At first for some reason I felt as if I didn't need to listen today because Raymond wasn't here. And then Ron stopped by to tell me that Max didn't want the video on the screens only the passage of scripture he was speaking about. Well immediately the wind was taken from my sails. I was thinking "No video, but that's what we do. That's the entire point of my ministry and our way of serving God". Then as quickly as that thought came into my head another "thought" followed. This one saying wait, It's not about you. People aren't here because we have a video ministry or because we put the video on big screens. People are here to glorify the Lord. To worship and to serve. Even though God said this or reminded me of this, I still felt as if I had no purpose all of a sudden. But then again God reminded me, there are people in the nursery watching for the first time in a really long time, there is the green room, and of course Mr.Flowers who often picks up a copy of the service to take home to his wife. On top of that the video is posted on the internet on Monday. There was still importance in what we were doing. We just weren't being seen Sunday morning at 10:45 am. And I guess that goes back to pride and wanting to be noticed. I feel ashamed for looking at it that way. Once I got home I picked up my bible and turned to Romans where I have been reading for a while. I got to Romans 14:19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. 20 Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat. In this case for me "eat" was not food it was just the way I thought things should be done because we had been doing it that way. But that doesn't mean it's the right way or the only way. I'm glad that God kept me from making a big deal out of this as I might have if he had not whispered in my ear "It's not about you". And then when I got home he showed me why it wasn't about me. This is one of the first times that I have truly seen God speak directly to me through scripture. I had to read Romans 14:19 a couple of times thinking, what a coincidence. But I knew it wasn't a coincidence. Many people went forward to alter call this morning, thank God. And by not having video on the screens he taught me a very humbling lesson.

2006-07-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

I'm Married to a Mexican?

Alexas and I went to the new Wal-Mart tonight in Belmont to get some curtin rods for our living room. As we are walking through the store we pass this hispanic family with a new born that has a full head of hair. Then Alexas turns to me and says our baby could be like that cause I'm part mexican! This came as quite a suprise to me. We have been married for over three years now and I had no idea that she was part mexican. I then ask her, "who in your family is from Mexico?". And Alexas responded by saying I don't know. But I have really dark hair on my arms like a hispanic woman and some of my family is from South Texas. I though I was going to pee my pants I was laughing so hard. I told Alexas I would have appreciated her telling me all this along time ago. I didn't realize I was involved in an interracial marriage. Not that I have a problem with that, but I would have liked to have known. Here is a brand new picture of Alexas. Hispanic Woman or Silly White Girl. You be the Judge

2006-07-26T19:05:00.001-07:00

Well all of my pestering and annyoing people over their blogs is starting to pay off. I have been pushing the Staff at CHBC to start blogging ever since I got back from Saddleback and saw how it tied the church and the community together at their convenience. I am happy to say that Jeremy is now a professional blogger. Raymond almost blogs a sermon, which is extremely insightful and inspired. Phil and Alison are blogging regularly, and Jonathan even updated his blog from NY while on a mission trip. If your reading this and you haven't checked out these other blogs YOU SHOULD. All are accessible through my link section. God is really working in this. Please feel free to start a blog of your own if you haven't already it's really easy. Just go to www.blogger.com and follow the three easy steps, and it's free by the way. If you do have a blog leave me a comment with your URL and I'll link you to my blog. This is just the begining. We are also picking up steam in our podcasting. That can be found at www.figsoup.com, or search Catawba Heights in the Podcast section of iTunes. Please go subscribe, it's free!!

2006-07-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

I have been really busy lately, and therefore haven't had much time to update my blog. Sorry if you have come by and seen the same post for a week. Alexas and I went to the doctor on Thursday to hear the babies heart beat again. Every thing was really good and the baby was moving around a lot. Alexas is starting to be able to feel the baby move. I'm getting really excited about the baby coming, especially after this last weekend. Our friend Katie came to visit and she has a 7 month old baby girl plus there are a lot of babies in our small group.

Here is a link to see our visit to the doctor.
Baby's Heart

2006-07-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Not a lot of response to my last post but that's ok. I have always been the type of person that had a few close friends rather than a lot of friends that I just kinda knew. Thanks Lindsey and Wes for you comments. Here is my top five in case anyone wants to know. The Moon is Down by Further Seems Forever, Four Minute Mile by The Get Up Kids, Tell All Your Friends by Taking Back Sunday, Recovering the Satellites by The Counting Crows, and Your Favorite Weapon by Brand New. Of course that changes a lot.

Alright, today has been another day of dealing with Crohn's, which is not a fun thing. I have to have a procedure next month to determine how bad I have it. It's been something I have had to put up with for a long time and it's getting old. Regina, a woman from our small group at CHBC has a similar problem and actually had her procedure today so if you are reading this than please keep her in your prayers.

Today has also been a day of struggling with our podcast host. For some reason I have been unable to post a new cast from anywhere I go. But long story short, episode 2 and 3 of Raymond's Sermon on Marriage are now on Figsoup.com. Just look For Catawba Heights. And in a day or two you can subscribe to it through iTunes. Also be sure to check out his blog, you can get to it via my links. Come back later casue I'm going to add some So Cal pics. That's exciting.

2006-07-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

This is just building on a topic I saw on Flowerdust's blog last night. What are your top 5 albums? 5 albums you just could not live with out.

2006-07-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

Monday is over, thats always a good thing. I don't really dread Monday, it's just that I have so much to do on Mondays. But I thank God for blessing me with another day, and for giving me the ability to do these bussy tasks. It's easy to get caught up in all the things we need to do or feel we have to accomplish and forget that God has blessed us, my wife and I, with so much.

2006-07-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

Saw Taking back sunday tonight. Here is a pic of Alexas as she enjoys Angels and Airwaves. And also one of us taking a break on the grass. It was a great show, everyone sounded really good. Was disapointed with how many times I heard the F-bomb get droped during Angels and Airwaves though. Who are some of your favorite bands? Click on the picture of Adam for a really low quality video I made with our digital camera.

2006-07-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

Going to see Taking Back Sunday, my favorite band. The only thing I regret is that we are going to miss VBS tonight at Church. We are trying to squeeze in a few fun things together before the Baby comes. I'm sure there won't be time for concerts this time next year. Come back tonight I hope to have some pic's of the show.

2006-07-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, I just spent like an hour building my profile and trying to upload a picture to my blog so everyone can see what I look like. It was hard work, but you all deserve it. I'll be posting pretty late cause I don't get off work till 10:30 and with two jobs there isn't much time for this during the day.

Today we had our budget meeting at church and I think everything went really well. I am praying that our vision is God's vision, but if it isn't I'm sure God will let us know. I'm kind of jittery right now. I have asthma, and everytime I have to take my inhaler I get all crazy feeling like I drank 10 cups of coffee. Maybe this would be a good time to do some house work, since I'm bouncing off the walls. Or maybe not. Ok, well I think thats it for now it's after 1am so I need to force myself to go to sleep.

2006-07-05T07:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is my first blog. I am 26 years old. I live in Mount Holly, NC which is just outside of Charlotte. I am a videographer , and I work part time in my church, Catawba Heights Baptist, in the video ministry. I am also the "IT" guy, or at least I try to be.

I am a Christian and blessed to be so. I thank God for loving me so much that he sent his Son to die for me so I could be called a Christian and be forgiven of my sins. God continues to bless me everyday. I am married to a wonderful woman and we are expecting our fist baby in January. Well that all for now but I will update again very soon.