Can't Stop Thinking . . .

Over the last few days, I haven't been able to stop thinking.  So many things have been running through my mind.  As I'm starting to feel like a real married person (it's still just a little strange), my thoughts and the consequences of those thoughts seem to have become more weighty.  I'm not just thinking about where I should live, or what job I should take.  Now I'm considering where to plant my family and how to invest myself most faithfully in the lives of others.

I've been reading a book called "The Working Poor: Invisible in America", which highlights the struggles of so many Americans who work extremely hard and yet barely get by.  I have been made aware in so many ways over the past few years of the great needs all over the world, but for the most part I have ignored the needs of the men and women right in front of me.  Everywhere I go now, I try to look around and notice the people working hard to make the U.S. a comfortable place to live.  I am so grateful for everything, everything, that  God has provided.  I never want to grow attached to material comforts or an easy life.  I've been asking God to show me what my response should be to those around me who are in need. Sometimes I feel discouraged because I don't know how to help, but I know that God has a plan to take care of people through His Church.

 

As I've been thinking about so many different things lately, my biggest prayer has been that God would help guard my heart from pursuing a lifestyle of service without him. I want to be careful that I don't overlook the most important need of those around me, the need to know the Christ.  Without sharing Him, any help I try to give is meaningless.  I pray that I can learn to serve others as a result of what God has done for me, in the good times and the bad, whenever it is easy and whenever I want to run away from Him.  I know I can take courage in the fact that God is in control.  He is not worried about how He is going to get everything done.  In His perfect will, and in His perfect timing, He will accomplish everything He has planned.  Until then, I will keep on thinking . . . 

Back Home :-)

We're finally back home in our new apartment. We got back to Dallas last night. It's so great to finally be able to start living together as husband and wife. I'm so grateful that God has finally brought us to this place in our lives.

As we are working to unpack and organize everything, we are also getting to just hang out and enjoy being together. Gilda and I want to really understand what it means to love each other and die to self everyday. I am already realizing more than ever how selfish I can be and how much I need to ask Jesus to help me let go of my self-centered attitude and truly love my wife. I know that this is going to take a lot of prayer, patience, and hard work, but I know that God created marriage for a purpose and He will lead us if we seek him.

The (Very) Windy City

Well, we're about half-way through our trip here in Chicago and it has been great so far. On Monday we went down Michigan Avenue on the section of it called the Magnificent Mile.  Filled with super-expensive stores and restaurant names I could never pronounce, it was definitely fun to look at.  We had some great food and came back to our hotel as it began to snow.  

Tuesday we rode the Union Pacific train over to Wheaton College. It was great to walk around the campus. After returning to Chicago, we went up into the top of the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the western hemisphere. It was great to see the city from such an amazing height. 

Today we went to the Navy Pier, a huge area of shops and restaurants that sticks out into Lake Michigan.  The views out towards the lake and back toward the city were great.  We will try to post some pictures later on.

I hope everyone is doing well back in Dallas. We'll be joining you soon, back in some normal winter weather - 80°   :-)

Honeymoonin' in Chicago!

Well, I've never been one to journal or write much outside of class, but I've had the urge lately to start putting down thoughts and sharing what is going on in my life with friends and family. What better time to start then after just getting married? I am so incredibly grateful to God for bringing me an amazing woman to be my wife. Gilda is truly a gift and I am excited about living life with her. Our day has finally come and we are now officially married! 

For our honeymoon, we decided to come to Chicago.  With such a rich history and a huge variety of fun things to do, it was a great choice. We have loved every minute of it so far and we still have 5 days left. We will have to post some fun pictures in the next few days.

I hope to be able to share more of my thoughts and reflections in the coming days, weeks, and months, and I hope to better understand others in the process . . .