Though Trees May Fall, I'm Still Standing

I feel like for the last 4 or 5 entries, I have started by saying sorry for not writing on here in so long... Well, once again it has been a while. Last time I wrote I had just moved my furniture up here and made this new life a little more "permanent". (This word is in quotations since if I didn't put them in there, my parents may cry). Haha, sorry no one really knows what permanent is anyways. Suffice it to say, I am leading a new life and truly beginning to feel like I am developing a new lifestyle. (of sorts) The one thing that I have not done yet to make me an official oregonian is change my cell phone number to 503 area code.... This may be in the future.

LIFE IS SIMPLER IN MOVIES
I think a lot of us go through our adolescent years overlooking our many blessings and don't seem to face the realities of life, though we know they lie ahead, we don't really fully grasp them. After being up here for coming up on 6 months, i am realizing the challenges of being financially independent. Also what it means to truly trust in the Lord to be my provision. (below is an advanced graphical display of my financial state)haha, that was probably a good waste of 10 minutes on microsoft paint. Well, this graph is more of an exaggeration, but right now I am seeking the Lord and just trusting in His provision because the job I have at CPK isn't paying the bills. I know that if I don't get a new job in another month i will be in some financial trouble so that has been a little unnerving but I would love prayer on the matter that God would open the best opportunities for me that would still allow me ample time to do work for Colossae and make sure that I am focusing on the body.

Parents In Portland
My parents decided to take a trip to seattle, alaska and Portland for their anniversary so i was graced with their presence for about half a week! That was a blessing and a lot of fun! It was cool because I got to show them around my new house and just where I live. I bet it is hard when someone you love so much is in a new place and though you may see them on skype or see pictures, you truly don't have a grasp on where they are at. Well they got a chance to see some of the beautiful sites, parks, meet friends and hook me up ROYALLY. Lets just say that my roommates lucked out on the deal as well. Our bbq is cooking up a storm! The trip was great though and it was just nice to hang out with my parents!

Labor Day Craziness
Ok, so on labor day we had a colossae party at the Bomar's friends' pond of awesomeness! It was pretty amazing. You can't see the ridiculous 20 ft steel structure where Aaron swung from to fly into this lake but that was a ridiculous rope swing that was amazing and cause many aches for the aging men (shoot, i'm even included in said category).
Ok, this picture needs some explaining. That is josh coming out of a water slide. I had the brilliant idea of getting into this small boat with my expensive camera, have eric paddle me about 15 feet in front of this tube to get the perfect photo sequence. Lets just say that immediately following this picture a tidal wave of water came at our little shanty boat and as we both turned quickly, me trying to cover the camera... THE BOAT FLIPS OVER . I knew that we were in pretty shallow water so as we begin to flip i immediately throw a left stiff arm praying to hit ground and erected the camera straight towards the sky. As my body and face entered into the water I realized that my camera was still held in the air like a flag of victory. Drenched, yet victorious i emerged from the water yielding only a very splashed yet functional camera rather than the very likely flooded and dead camera. Needless to say, that was enough scare for me to not be that dumb again.

God's Beauty Is Insurmountable
I am continually amazed at God's beauty and grace. I am learning so much right now and truly just trying to draw near and be a Son of God like He calls me to be. Lately I have been reading more books, trying to just expand my mind and just look at God in new ways. I am just excited about life.

Prayer is CRUCIAL
I would love prayer for a few things:
1) Job opportunities
2) More opportunities to reach my community
3) For Colossae to continue to be a body who seeks after spiritual guidance and yearns to
draw people nearer to the Lord
4) For the Ability to focus on the unseen rather than what's seen.

Scripture Time
Psalm 9:1,2 "I will give thanks to the Lord with mywhole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!"