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Top 5 David Crowder* Band Songs

1.      O! Praise Him

This could possibly be my all-time favorite song, and I don’t say that lightly. If I ever get a tattoo, it would probably have something to do with this song. The simple message behind the song is the idea of “All to Christ our King”, obviously speaking about Jesus. The verses encourage you to turn your attention to heaven, to the angels, to the songs that are being sung, to the awe and wonder of Jesus, then join in with the sound and praise him because he is holy.

 Mr. Crowder wrote this song on a flight when he looked out of the window at the sun gleaming through the clouds. It’s a reminder to set your mind on things above and simply praise Jesus. Now you know why I’d want to get a tattoo related to this song.

 2.      Here Is Our King 

If you can only ever listen to one DC*B song, this would be the one to go with. It’s penultimate David Crowder* Band. The electric beeps and blips unlike any the CCM world has ever known before, the poetic language that only David Crowder could imagine, it’s all in this song.

 Let’s start with the instruments. The kick drives the song and doesn’t let up. The snare acts as the ocean tide in the pre chorus. Seriously, listen to it again. “The ocean *snare* is growing *snare*” It’s brilliant. And I love how the band does a slight pause on the word “our” in “Here is our King”. It completes the anticipation and then *bam!*

 Now let’s pay homage to the line that Mr. Crowder has said is his favorite lyrics he’s written:

“And what was said to the rose to make it unfold was said to me here in my chest, so be quiet now and rest.” 

How do you think of that? Someone spoke to the rose and made it bloom and that same voice spoke the same thing to me and now my heart is beginning to bloom. The crazy thing is that you might miss this during the song because of the timing between “make it unfold” and “was said to me”. If you hear that as two sentences then the first half becomes a question and it takes away the parallelism. What a song.

 3.      Shadows 

This song makes the list because it was the theme song of my sophomore year of college. It was the greatest year, but it was also extremely challenging. This song gave me the proper perspective on how to live in that tension.

“Life is full of light and shadows. Oh the joy and oh the sorrow, oh the sorrow.

And yet will He bring dark to light. And yet will He bring day from night.

When shadows fall on us we will not fear, we will remember. When darkness falls on us we will not fear, we will remember. When all seems lost, when we’re thrown and we’re tossed, we remember the cost. We’re resting in the shadow of the cross.”

4.      A Beautiful Collision 

“When our depravity meets his divinity, it is a beautiful collision.”

I picked this song because it’s the title track of the album and A Beautiful Collision is one of my favorite albums of all time. It’s about death, but in order to know that you would have to read a book Mr. Crowder co-wrote with the DC*B violinist called “Everybody Wants to Go To Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die”. It’s poetic and confusing and thought-provoking and spiritual…echoed by the history of bluegrass. The book takes you through David Crowder’s experience of his best friend dying in a devastating yet ironic way (I won’t spoil it) and the song takes you through the same journey, but spiritually. It’s fascinating and heart-wrenching.

“There seems no end to where you begin and where I end now you and I collide.”

5.      The Glory Of It All 

This is one of the least likely songs to make it into the list. I’m surprised it’s on the list, yet here we are.

This is a song of hope and rescue. We mess up, he forgives. Life falls apart, he repairs. We are lost in the fall, he offers redemption. So simple, yet so powerful. Check this chorus that supplies the theme for that transition from fallen to redeemed:

“Oh, the glory of it all Is He came here For the rescue of us all That we may live For the glory of it all Oh, the glory of it all”

Mmhmm.

Bonus: All I Can Say 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WGQk07jZhI 

This is the last song I heard the David Crowder* Band play live. Besides the instruments and the song writing, the intentionality DC*B put into their song, albums, live shows, music videos, etc is remarkable. There is so much symbolism between having 7 albums and the album cover designs, and themes that run through albums and reappear in future albums…it’s amazing. So why would they choose this song that I admittedly hadn’t even heard before to close out their set list on their final tour as a band? Well, let’s just take a look at the lyrics:

Lord, I'm tired, so tired from walking And Lord, I'm so alone And Lord, the dark is creeping in, creeping up to swallow me I think I'll stop, rest here a while This is all that I can say right now and This is all that I can give And didn't You see me crying And didn't You hear me call Your name Wasn't it You I gave my heart to I wish You'd remember where You sat it down

This is all that I can say right now and This is all that I can give

I didn't notice You were standing here I didn't know that that was You holding me I didn't notice You were crying too I didn't know that that was You washing my feet

This is all that I can say right now and This is all that I can give

This is all that I can say right now and This is all that I can give, yeah that’s my everything.

I have gone to this song when I was burnt out, tired, exhausted, feeling like there was no hope, feeling like I was faithless and disappointing God…and then I remember that during my pain and suffering I tend to lose sight that God is there with me, holding me so to speak, feeling my pain, and forgiving me. I can only do so much and that’s all I can say and that’s all I can give. My heart, my faith is my everything. And that’s enough for him.

The David Crowder* Band gave it all they had. They saw it through. That was their everything. I was able to meet the band after that last live show and simply say “thank you”.

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5 Songs That Made Me Cry

1. At The Cross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5rmIckeEgQ

When I came up with the idea of writing about music, my first thought was to create a chronological history of songs I remember having an impact on me throughout my life. This was the first song I thought of and it led me canning the chronological history idea in favor of a series of “5 Songs” posts on various topics. Here we go:

I went to elementary school at Evangel Heights Christian Academy and we had chapel service every Thursday. They played this song for Easter every year. I remember that because that’s the only time they would play it and I looked forward to singing it each year. God must have had a hold of my heart because the chorus resonated with me and drew me to tears. “At the cross, at the cross (gotta have that echo!) he died for my sin. At the cross, at the cross you gave us life again.” Little elementary school Sean, not knowing theology was a thing, was being given faith in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s neat.

2. There’s Something About That Name - Gaithers

Once again, little elementary school Sean was overwhelmed by Jesus. I was in church at Lighthouse Fellowship and my grandma was leading the songs. There must be something about repetition in songs that must get to me because when the chorus sang out nice and slow “Je-sus, Je-sus, Jeeeeeeee-sus” I couldn’t keep the tears in. There had to be something to that name, there had to be! It was beautiful. Grandma must have been moved by the song too because she had the lyrics hanging up in her kitchen. I remember thinking of that moment in church every time I saw those lyrics on the side of her cupboard. I can still hear my grandma’s voice when I read the lyrics; maybe she’s singing in front of him now.

3. I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe

I have to throw this one in there because who hasn’t cried during this song? I first heard it when my great grandma died when I was in 6th grade and it was a song I used for my grandma and pap’s funeral videos in recent years.

I don’t listen to this song very often. If I hear those first 3 piano notes come on shuffle I quickly skip it. Partially because I can’t casually listen to it without being swept up in the emotions, but also because I want to keep it a sacred song for sacred moments.

4. Zion - Kings Kaleidoscope

I initially thought this was a peaceful song about heaven. I admittedly didn’t listen closely enough to lyrics as I typically do. When I heard Chad Gardner, the lead singer, talk about the meaning of the song in an interview it changed everything. He and his wife miscarried a baby boy whose name was Zion. Now listen to the song again and see if you aren’t a flood of tears too. I love how he is the lone musician in the song while his band surrounds him physically and vocally. I see it as a symbolic reference to how his closest community supported him through the difficulty of losing Zion.

I only listen to this song if I can turn up the volume and focus on it. It’s not a casual listen.

5. Just A Dream - Carrie Underwood

I hate this song. I hate it because it hurts to know that this happens in real life. “I was counting on forever, now I’ll never know. I can’t even breathe.” I hate it. It’s not how life is ‘supposed to go’. So much searching and effort and love invested in another person, all the dreams for the future--all gone in an instant. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a deep-rooted fear that I have of this happening to someone I know or even to me someday.

Death has no favorites and it’s all our sinful faults. I skip this song when it comes on too unless I feel like being wrecked with emotion.

Disclaimer: I don’t have any connection to military deaths, so my commentary is based on the loss of the love of your life.

Bonus:

Carry On - Zach Bolen

You know I can’t keep myself to just 5 songs.

I hate this song because it hurts so good. What would you say to your spouse if you knew you were going to die? I’ve thought about it and it’s never a fun time.

“Carry on. I’ll always be with you.”

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Life Update: August 2015 – July 2017

Hi, it’s been a while. My last post was August 7th 2015 and one of my closing sentences was, “CPA studying started.” That is precisely why it’s been so long since my last post. I spent nearly all of my free time studying for a year and a half outside of the 2016 tax season. Now that I am done studying and have free time again, I’ve decided to resurrect the blog.

So the question to ask is this: where do I start?! I’ll throw out a few highlights from the past 2 years and throw in a few pictures along the way.

August 2015

Returned home from Paraguay and began a relationship

September 2015

Ohio Road Trip to see Crowder

October 2015

Paul McCartney concert

November 2015

Debo’s Wedding

January 2016

Passed the first CPA exam

Winter Jam concert

February 2016

Grandma died, joining pap only 9 months later

March 2016

Rend Collective concert

April 2016

Finished my second and last tax season

May 2016

Florida vacation

Went to my first Penguins away game - Game 3 against Tampa Bay

June 2016

Youth group ended

Resigned from the tax job

Started an auditing job

Penguins won the Stanley Cup

July 2016

Camping weekend with friends

August 2016

Ginger’s Wedding

Switched from Harvest Kittanning to Harvest Freeport

Passed the second CPA exam

September 2016

Harvest Men’s Retreat I helped plan

October 2016

Crowder Concert

John Family Halloween Party

November 2016

Annual Turkey Bowl

December 2016

Passed the third CPA exam

CROSS Conference in Indianapolis

January 2017

Relationship ended

Cabin Weekend with friends

February 2017

Switched community groups

March 2017

Passed my last CPA exam

Paid off my student loans

Started Playing Bass

Gungor Concert

April 2017

Enjoyed being done studying and not being a tax accountant

May 2017

Red Hot Chili Peppers Concert

CPA License was issued

June 2017

Tim and Tori’s Wedding

Jay’s Wedding

VBS

Penguins won back to back Stanley Cups

July 2017

Joel’s Wedding

Hang out with Zeke every chance I get -- I promise I am as happy as Zeke is in this picture

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Life Update: May June July

Full disclosure: I thought I would have all this extra time now that tax season is over to start doing monthly udpates, but the summer has been all kinds of busy in its own way so I am grouping the past 3 months into one update.

As promised, new highlighter designs.

I may posted this picture already, but I really like it. 

I went with a group of 5th-6th grade Sunday School kiddos to Pittsburgh to give care packages to Children’s Hospital. This is the view.

They are pretty hilarious

Debrief time.

Paul graduated. So did two other cousins.

We failed at taking selfies.

Pastor Mike and Llewyn were matching at graduation.

I call this these fine looking people “my buddies”.

The Pittsburgh Thunderbirds ultimate frisbee team. So awesome.

Waiting patiently.

Bella turned 5 on June 3rd. Whaaaat?!

Softball started and has taken up my Tuesday nights. I love it. We do not win often, but we have the most fun out of any team. 

It is so great to be back in a softball jersey.

Michael and Naomi got married, so there was a big time Geneva reunion!

Discover IT got new logos so I switched. It’s so pretty.

I got a new car! A 2004 Honda Insight. First hybrid in America. 50+ mgh!

Thailand Trek VBS consumed a week of my life and several Thursday night band practices leading up to it. It was glorious to play drums and lead the games for all of these wonderful kiddos.

HK and I holding the limbo string.

This is HK. She’d make a great Mrs. Tumnus if there was one.

Bella being Bella.

A real man leads the little girls’ elephant race line.

New car perks.

Bella taking after Uncle Sean at her T-ball game.

There were several Paraguay fundraisers leading up the the trip. The car wash was fun, but I left early to go to Geneva’s graduation.

Geneva Graduation!

Elsie

J-Copes

Tori

Dibo

Matty K

Snapped this on the way to work.

New toys at work. The Avengers mini legos : ]

Cousins playing frisbee at grandma’s house.

Cranberry Park playground selfie.

We had a cousins Star Wars marathon/hangout day and I went around sneaking pictures.

It’s not a cousins party until the lightsabers come out.

OBXC Family Vacation!

Me being existential

Bella did my hair.

I gave her a mustache.

Lastly, on May 18th my pap saw Jesus face-to-face.

Miscellaneous thoughts/happenings:

Youth group ended.

CPA studying started.

The Penguins made great offseason moves.

The Pirates are still playing great (for the most part).

Mens breakfasts are still great.

I got to see Mr. Newell for the first time in 5 years. He’s a missionary teacher in Indonesia and his family is home for the summer. He was/is a father figure to me throughout high school and beyond.

I went Paraguay, but that will get its own post.

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Arrrrgh!

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#tbt to @elijahthompson13 eating a donut at a family Christmas party. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1K4V2HL

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Tax Season Part 2 : Mar - Apr

Hello.

How are ya? Doing well I hope.

I’m doing much better now that tax season is over.

But March and the first half of April were rough to say the least.

Let’s reminisce, shall we?

First, the customary calendar pictures. Spoiler alert: I’m changing up the pattern of my blue highlighter in May. Big news, I know.

I started March off by hosting a game night, which I greatly enjoyed. It felt ...right to be playing the host again. I love it.

I got my passport and can officially say I’M GOING TO PARAGUAY in July with the youth group. Many days in tax season I wished it was July 22nd already and we were on the way. Fun fact: I once heard or read that only 3% of American have a passport. I am happy to be in the minority.

March 6th may be the highlight of my last two months. I went to the Rock and Worship Roadshow in Pittsburgh to see Crowder (and a few other bands that were touring together). He only had half an hour, but it doesn’t take long for that man to captivate your spirit and take you somewhere else. This is what I said about it in a text later that night, “I realized on the way home that I was fully incapable of taking it all in live. I wanted to focus on the words, the instruments, the atmosphere, the lights, the people, the sounds. My mind, heart, and soul didn’t know how to balance it out. It transcended this world and took us to the very porch of heaven.” 

Trying to be artistic during someone who is not Crowder was playing:

Crowder’s short set was so spectacular that as soon as it was finished, we looked up the closest stop on his solo tour and decided then and there that we had to find a way to get there. More on that later.

The net significant moment in March was when I gave my testimony at Crave, which is my youth group. I thought it was a great opportunity to be an example of how to be open and vulnerable in front of the very people I was trying to convince to be open and vulnerable. I told my story in two ways, once through the public eye and then through the my eyes AKA the real story of my life. I had some positive feedback from some of the students who related to my story and one student ended up meeting with me to share their life story for the first time. Every Monday night and the time I’ve spent investing in these students outside of Monday nights instantly became worth it. For a moment in this student’s life, the walls crumbled like Jericho and scars starting looking a little more like beauty marks. I closed my testimony with these words:

And then I turned 23 on the 13th. After a 10 hour work day (woo! fun!) I went to play indoor frisbee, which was awesome. Afterwards, some thoughtful and great friends made me ice cream pies. Was it messy? Yes. Yes it was. Was it worth it? Yes. Yes it was. This is me turning 3:

The rest of March was like this: I went to a sportsmen dinner, which was tasty. I went to Quaker Steak & Lube with the cousins, which was tasty. I went Chick-fil-a with some Geneva friends, which was tasty. And I helped at a “Dine Like the World” Paraguay fundraiser, which also was tasty. 

Short Intermission:

Someone finally figured out that it’s more about what’s on the inside than the outside:

On to April.

April started off with lots of church stuff, which is always good. I went to a Maundy Thursday service with my mom. I guided a group of kiddos through a “Walk With Jesus Easter” event on Saturday night. Then I played drums on Easter Sunday morning. We introduced Dustin Kensrue’s song “It is Finished” and, o my soul, is it amazing.

I didn’t actually sing on Sunday, but I practiced with the mic.

Ahh, this brings us to the end of tax season. April 14th and 15th were both 14-15 hour days. Oh my, around 7pm on Tax Day they started passing out Yuenglings. We celebrated. Responsibly, of course.

Our secretary won our office a “catered lunch” on April 14th from a radio station, which turned out being the cruddiest “catered lunch” imaginable. They took this picture of us, which is absolutely hilarious. We all look super rough around the edges, but you probably can’t tell because you never saw these people before, but trust me...it’s not pretty. We hung this picture up in our kitchen so we can see it every day. It’s titled “Dream Team”. They say winning a championship with someone bonds you for life. I think that may be true for tax seasons as well.

Here is my final tally from tax season, although it doesn’t include over a dozen extensions I did:

Question. What are the best ways to celebrate the end of tax season? Answers. Going on a 5 hour road trip to Ohio to see Crowder. Dinner with my guys (and a few gals). Playoff Hockey.

I wanted to enjoy the show to the fullest, so I only took one picture, which turned out blurry and ugly, so instead I’ll show you the ticket. A full two hours of Crowder was beautiful. Neon Steeple is one of the most unique albums I have ever heard and it was an experience to remember.

Here are the fantastic people I roadtripped with, Hannah and Sam. (Not Pictured: Mr. Kolesar)

Does it look like we were in a car for 5+ hours? I’ll let you answer that.

Fun fact: By the time that picture was taken, I had already thrown up everything in me 3 times. Unfortunately, I got sick minutes before departure. Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you expect a fastball down the middle. I made through the concert and was able to enjoy it though. I was able to drive the whole way home from like..11-4 am, so it all worked out well.

The day before the concert I had dinner with these great people who I had the privilege of serving as their RA my junior year. I love that we still hang out.

Playoff Hockey. It speaks for itself. The pens barely made it in, but everyone has a fresh slate once Game 1 comes around. Unfortunately, injuries and a lack of depth were too much for the Pens against the Rangers, who eliminated us for the 2nd year in a row. I got to go to game 4 with a good friend who received free tickets. We cheered, we yelled, we made our team proud. But it was not enough, so I have yet to see a win in the Consol Energy Center. I’m sorry.

Quick Hits to close out March and April:

I was able to start attending men’s breakfasts on Saturday mornings and they have been amazing. These guys have a true passion for loving Jesus and loving the people around them. We talk about a passage of Truth and how we as a church can serve the people around us. It’s phenomenal.

I’m leading the games and playing drums for VBS and band practices are every Thursday for what seems like forever. That’s okay though, because I love it and the kids will be singing the songs for months afterwards.

Paraguay training started and it’s got me even more excited. I *literally* just decided that I’ll do a blog post on my Paraguay trip when I get back. (You have to read that sentence in a Chris Traeger voice.)

I think I’ll be going back to monthly updates now starting in May. They’ll be shorter so I can go more in depth.

One last picture I almost forgot:

I got to see these ole friends at Geneva after tax season (the same day I had dinner with my guys)!

Thanks for reading, friends. I still owe all three people who read it last time coffee, so I get a free pass this time : ]

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Bella gave me her valentine candy, one piece per sock and each one taped shut. #kidsdothedarndestthings via Instagram http://ift.tt/1B9dW9G

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Tax Season Part 1 : Jan - Feb

I. WORK

Breathe In.

Long Exhale.

Stretch your arms.

Your back cracks.

Eyes back to the screen.

Plug Away.

That's how I feel right now, after a day which started off with 20 minutes of stand still traffic then eleven and a half hours of sitting and staring at a screen.

Tax season is rough, man. It really is. The first month wasn't so bad, I thought I might've been on to something. But two employees resigning then another who was just hired being fired has us understaffed and with a lot of extra work. I'm just starting to feel the pressure. Up until this week I was on top of the returns I got the day they were on my desk, but now I've got a a book shelf full of unfinished returns, two stacks on my left that I need to ask questions about, and a stack to my right that I haven't started yet. I have been able to keep myself from feeling pressured by having the mindset that I can only work on one at a time and it'll all be okay. Having facebook messages, my twitter feed, music, podcasts, articles, and various other outlets give my mind little breaks that help keep me going.

It's not that I don't like the work, it's just the hours. 55 per week. I know I'm not doing physical labor, but it takes a toll on my brain, eyes, and restless body that wants to run around and be free. 55 hours a week is a long time to be sitting, add in the driving time and that makes 63 hours of sitting for work. It certainly takes a toll on my sleep schedule. I get up at 5:30, so I'd have to be sleeping at 9:30 to get 8 hours, which is what my body needs to be at its best. I was failing miserably at getting to bed early and after a zombie-like couple of weeks, I aimed for 10:30 and the results were much better. Some nights I kind of hope my alarm doesn't go off and I sleep to my heart's desire, but I don't really want that to happen. It would be pretty embarrassing to go into work late with that excuse.

My job is to draft them, I don't finish them, so I'm done with 51% of the returns I currently have, but I haven't started 14% of them and keep getting more everyday. Original estimate before we became understaffed: 120 returns. If only if only the woodpecker cries!

Allow me to mention some positives about work to balance the equation. I was greatly encouraged by one of my managers who was willing to go out of her way to help me and my family (more on that later). My suspicion of one of the partners being a Christian turned out to be true and one of my other colleagues might be a Christian too, I'm not sure yet. It's so cool to be surrounded by faithful people in a professional workplace. I wasn't expecting that at all. Forgive me for pulling out my inner Christian white girl, but ... #blessed

I'm sorry I just did that. I take it back desselb#

In other news, I was given $1,000 off the CPA study materials for applying for a scholarship and losing. I wasn't awarded the full or half amount, but I don't mind settling for about 27% off : ) Praise God. Oh, and I haven't told anyone yet, so if you're reading this you're hearing it first!

II. CHURCH

I love my church, and I have no idea how to write out why I feel that way. (I've never been much of a feeler, but I could tell you all the ways I think about my church.)

I'm going to list out my thoughts and not go into much detail, but *lightbulb* maybe that can be saved for its own blog post. : ]

(I hope you heard Gru's voice saying "lightbulb" when you read that.)

1. We are in a sermon series on Hebrews. It's fantastic.

2.Tuesday night community group aka the younger crowd. It's so nice to be around people my age who share their lives openly and live for a common cause. I miss being around 1,200 like-minded people at college, but this certainly helps the transition.

3. Thursday night community group. This is the one with the people of all different ages. This group is so great because everyone is there to love each other. Everyone brings food and laughter, our discussions are theological, and people share their struggles in the hope for encouragement and advice. *SPOILER ALERT* They get it : ]  I love community.

4. Monday night youth group aka CRAVE. My goal as a leader is to serve students and build relationships, but I think I receive just as much as I give. I see a lot of potential in these young guys and I hope I can be a positive influence in their lives. Just today I got a message from one of the guys opening up about a struggle and hoping I could mentor him. The LORD is good.

5. Missions. My church is deeply concerned with increasing the health and size of God's church EVERYWHERE. We hosted a live stream of the Cross Conference which is all about global missions. John Piper, David Platt and others really brought the word from 7 to midnight last Friday night. It was so great. My church is living it out too. We just sent 3 families to an unreached people group and it's 100% joyful and 100% sorrowful. It's joyful because the light is about to shine where it's never shone before and it'll be like Aslan singing over Narnia bringing it back to life. It's sad because our worship pastor, his family, and the other families are our no longer with us and we miss them so much already. Grandparents won't see their infant grandchildren again until they are 2, parents said goodbye to children, brothers said goodbye to sisters, and friends are without someone for which to share laughter and tears.

I could say more, but this is already really long.

I volunteered to fill in for Sunday School and got to play with kids. It was a long time since my imagination had been put to use. This was pure and fun.

III. HOME

I haven't been home much, but there is one notable item worth mentioning. I'll put it bluntly: my mom got fired from Chili's after 9.5 years of 50-60 hour weeks. It's legally a layoff, so she can still collect unemployment, but they basically gave a BS scripted line about how she's not the leader Chili's wants going forward. Statistically, she is probably the best (if not the best, then top 5) manager in the region. I'm not going to get my blood pressure up again explaining how there is no statistical merit for letting her go, I can't let bitterness and anger get the best of me. It's taken an awful lot of self control to not go off on Chili's on social media. Oh it would be so, so easy to do and I could make a lot of people upset, but that's what sin is: easy and hurtful. So I've kept my mouth shut. Though and army encamp against me, I will not fear. We'll be okay, God has always provided and he is better at dreaming than we are, so I'm going to deny myself and let him dream a dream for my mom and her future. Praise God I have a job. Chili's was so great while it lasted. I shared a lot of free meals with dozens of friends because God provided my mom with that job. Now I'm just never going to enter another Chili's again. A business that would give the finger to their best and most loved manager and not bat an eye is not a business I will support. No cookie skillet can change my mind. I'll make my own, in fact I got a cookie skillet maker for Christmas. God really does a sense of humor AND A PLAN!

This is what being a "poor leader" looks like to Chili's. Her team thanked her for what she did (and still does) for them and told her how much they'll miss her.

IV. QUICK HITS

Andrew and I always have the "best" YMCA dances, his sister got married this past summer and more pictures were published recently.

Random Friday shenanigans led us to Fun Fest, twice.

I spent Super Bowl Sunday at the Coombers. I got to play cajon in church again (mine is one the with the tamby on top). I miss my college church family, it was rejuvenating to be back with them for a day.

I saw Jenny and Tyler at Grove City College, Noa Jordan opened for them!

I sent out sponsorship letters because I'm going to PARAGUAY this summer! It'll be my first time out of the country and my first big mission trip and my first time leading a mission trip. I just applied for my passport two days ago. Before you know it I'll be on my way to South America. That'll be a fun blog post : ]

I had way too many negative degree drives in the past few weeks, but fortunately I've been using my mom's car, so it's really nice. She kind of doesn't need hers since she's out of work. She uses Thoran now.

I'm starting to read this book by those two awesome guys. Shoutout to HK for the awesome bookmark. She's one of four people who actually read some of these posts. I promised her I'd write something deeper since she actually reads it, so here is this month's wisdom..Geneva's student min department definition of ministry is "the wake you leave behind while following Jesus". Our faith leads to works and our works are a sign of our faith. Pretty nifty.

Family bowling night happened.

Mmm Cupcake Land.

If you made it all the way through this, I owe you coffee.

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