It's a Good Day

It is an absolute fantastic day today. How can I say that when it is only 7:15 in the morning? Because my awesome wife Alisha is coming home today from an almost month long trip to Israel! I've missed her a ton.

If I could go back in time and do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. I was so excited when she told me back in January that this trip was available to her. I told her I would do whatever I had to, to make enough money for her to experience that wonderful place. I just don't think I'd ever be able to get her, or us for that matter, to Israel at any other point in the future. So this was her shot, and we got her there.

Now life in our small apartment has been significantly different with her absence. With there only being 3 rooms, including the bathroom, Alisha and I usually run into each other when she is home. It is next to impossible not to be around one another in our home. So while she's been gone, the silence has been loud, the food has been bland (Mac n Cheese, and Ramen Noodles), and the entire place just doesn't feel the warmth it usually has when she is present.

But tonight, that all changes. Tonight at 6:35, her connecting flight from London arrives at DIA, and I get to pick her up. I am preparing to see her. You know when you see a young child, maybe a nephew, cousin, or just someone you know, then leave for a period of time. When you encounter that child again, they have completely changed. Well, Alisha is pregnant. When she left for Israel, she had no showing of a pregnant belly, but in emails from her, she says it is apparent now. So, the image in my mind is of my smoking hot, skinny, non-pregnant looking wife, but when I see her, she'll have this little belly poking through.

It just makes it all the better. I know I wrote in a previous blog that I was really nervous about having kids, but I am coming more and more to grips with it. To be honest, I am excited, but not wanting it to come all at once. I am looking forward to the period of waiting and being there for Alisha. I'm sure the preggo hormones will get old and annoying, but as for now, I am excited.

The Love of my life will be here in less than 12 hours!

Beauty from Ashes

Today at church, we had a guest preacher. The guest preachers I have usually encountered are considered famous in some way, and usually on the later ends of life on the age spectrum. But today was different. Today we had Josh Weidmann speak. Josh is only 25 years old and attended Colorado Community Church growing up. Josh also was also in class at Columbine on April 20th, 1999. Josh watched his friends and classmates die as the two gunmen sought blood.

Josh could have resented God. Josh could have turned his back on faith. But he didn't. Josh took that horrible tragedy, and helped be a pillar of light for that dark moment in history. He called all the news stations and had them broadcast that a prayer vigil would be held at Colorado Community Church, and organized it on his own, at age 15.

He spent 2 years in world missions, 3 years at Moody Bible Institute, helps lead a church, lead a youth group, and has his own radio station broadcast. He's also been to over 30 countries preaching.

At the age of 25, Josh has changed the lives of countless people. He decided to believe that God was there in Columbine and wanted to do something miraculous from it. And He did - He rose up Josh as His servant and has influenced thousands.

I think we can all learn from this man. There are times when God feels distant, and even uncaring. But the fact is, He is right there with us in the hardest of times, and He can use us for the best if we let Him.