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Small groups have been going great this semester! We've recently started a high school group at the Four56 where we've been going through Ephesians and learning how to read the Bible. And this past Thursday our college group was lucky enough to have one of our gracious women open up her home and prepare a meal for us.

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December 26, 2016

These past couple of weeks have been hard. Now, I’ve experienced my fair share of hard times, but this was new. It was all kicked into motion by my grandmother passing away on the morning after Christmas. Due to her long battle with Alzheimer’s, this was something that has been expected for years, but nothing really prepared us. 

It’s beautiful to know that she is no longer suffering and that ailment will no longer plague her, her life assured me that her faith was firmly placed in the one who holds all of creation together. She is safe. She is whole. 

Another aspect of beauty that showed itself forcefully in this time has been unity. I’ve seen my family lock arm in arm through brokenness. I’m not sure why I’m surprised by this, if anyone were to ask me a month ago if we had it in us I would have undoubtedly said yes, but seeing it in action truly took my breath away. We’ve loved each other through this well and have encouraged the grieving process, which is so rare. I’ve seen death, I’ve been to many services, and all anyone wants to tell you is that it’s okay, life will move on, things are better, etc. A little tip for you who haven’t lost anyone close, those things don’t help. Condolences and respects are nice. Hugs help. Meeting needs helps. Genuine questions about the deceased REALLY help. Sharing stories is an amazing way of solidifying the fact that not all is lost, memories that have shaped us live on. 

In the midst of all of this, I have been blessed to be in the presence of real, raw human emotion. In no way do I mean for this to sound sick and twisted, but I loved it so much. It pulled at my heart, it settled in reality, it urges action but needs none. I never get sick of observing genuine feeling, even in myself.

I hate that this has happened for many reasons, but I am thankful that the Lord has taught me to seek out goodness and beauty in the midst of pain and turmoil.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who shared their love with my family in any way through this, it is greatly appreciated.

My sisters and cousins agreed to write our grandmother letters to read at her funeral service, this is mine:

Our dear Maw-Maw,

I’ve learned a thing or two about death over the past few years and no matter how ready you should be, there’s a new level of intensity that sneaks its way in at the terrible news. At this time, my thoughts tempt me to dive into the fact that I’ll never see your smile or hear your laugh again, that my future family will never know you, that I’ll never get to hold you again or yell “HELLO” walking in your front door, never again to be greeted by the wondrous smell of all your perfectly and abundantly prepared meals. But I will not give into that temptation, you would have never wanted that.

Instead, I will rejoice at the fact that we had time together to laugh, jeer, and joke around marbles, cards, or dice. I will rejoice at the thought that your smile is an image burned into my mind for the rest of my life. My family will know you because of the great stories that will be narrated by all of those who loved and cherished you deeply (I can almost heat the laughter that will interrupt those precious memories). Because of you, I know what it means to give a hug worth giving, an embrace filled with a deep, unconditional love saying what a thousand words could merely attempt. I’m truly blessed to have so many memories with you in your busy kitchen, from being tricked into smelling a freshly opened bag of Fritos followed with you yelling, “Smells like rat piss, right?!” to you breaking me off any piece of fried meat right out of the pan telling me not to tell Pa.

Maw-Maw, this hurts. It hurt to see you battle sickness and it hurts to see you go. We’re sad and we’ll miss you, there’s absolutely no denying that. But when I think of you, which will be often, a glisten will find its home in my eye but a smile will always accompany it on my face. I’m blessed to have known you. I’m blessed to have been around you. I’m blessed to have hugged and kissed you. I’m blessed to have seen your unyielding faith, your drive, and fighting spirit. Your love lives on in all of us.

You are beautiful in absolutely every way. I love you.

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Having this little guy run around small group is the best.

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The Four56's College Discipleship Week was absolutely incredible.

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I had an amazing opportunity to preach for FBC Ozona's D Now this weekend, it was such a blast. What a great group of students, the Lord is definitely working through these youth.

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The Four56 helped College Hills Church with their Fall Festival. It was a blast!

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WE WON! It was great going to see one of our students play volleyball with the ASU Ram Belles tonight

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Preteen Invasion in Lafayette, LA with Micah Mariano this weekend has been great. The Louisiana Baptist staff treated us to some incredible food and it was so nice being able to worship alongside them and dive into the Word. Them Cajuns know what's up.

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Rambunctious weekend was a blast. I was able to hang out with current students as well as meet some new ones. I praise God for this campus and the countless opportunities we have for the gospel. Please pray for the continued discipleship of our current students and that we may be a light for the lost at Angelo State.

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RAMBUNCTIOUS WEEKEND

Welcome new and returning students!

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Out college small group has been going great this summer. Here's some Snaps of the best students in Angelo.

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Spending the weekend with Micah Mariano at a men's retreat in East Texas. It's gorgeous out here.

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Spending the weekend with Micah Mariano at First Baptist Winona's D-Now.

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Hanging out at the ASU/West A&M basketball game with some students tonight. What what

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I got to be with my best friend in California to see him get married a couple of weeks ago. What a great time of celebration and love.

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I'm loving the new set up at the Four56.

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I had a great time sharing Jesus at Austin Christian Fellowship's D-Now last night. I'm excited to see The Lord work and move through these students this weekend. #acfdnow