It's been much too long since I've posted on this blog. It's amazing how life will take over when you just sit back and let it happen. Let's get some obligatory updates out of the way.
-Melissa and I are still together and very happy. 10-Sept makes 3 years.
-I've taken a job in Deridder, La as an Analyst Programmer for American Interstate Insurance Company
-I graduated in December of 2005 with my Bachelors of Science in Computer Science
Phew, glad that is out of the way. God has been doing some amazing things in my life at this point. Joy and happiness has overcome me as He has guided my every step. Now, as expected, I have no clue what is coming next, but I'm ready for anything that He has for me. I searched for a full year before finding a job here in this small town of 9,900. I knew it was God moving because they offered me more than I could have expected and He provided one thing after another as the days became closer to me accepting. For one, this is very close to a military base, Fort Polk. Alexendria, Leesville, and Deridder are the main places where people like to live when stationed there. When I initially began looking for apartments there were none available that we could find. When looking at one apartment complex they suggested one down the road a bit that might have one. The place was recently bought by a couple that has meticulously renovated each apartment by themselves. They had one apartment open. It was the perfect size and $100 cheaper than most in the area. I moved in 4-Nov-06. I couldn't ask for better accomodations.
Not only in my residence by God also gave me a place to worship and a group of believers that share my heart to see the nations reached. I moved in Saturday and attended Church that Sunday. The singles group took me in as if I was a lost sheep and began nurturing me with scripture, prayer, and accountability. As I was leaving that Sunday they caught me and informed me of a Tuesday night Bible study. God had them lined up perfectly for me. I couldn't have asked for anything better. This most recent Thursday, 22-Feb, we began a Men's Study group for accountability and lifting up of the men in the group. There should be a link to the blog for that group as well.
I don't know why I am so amazed at how God works in amazing ways when we pray. He's so consitent and powerful when He works. Now, that is something that I'm not used to yet. "When He works." He's not on my timeframe. I waited a whole year before getting a job. I went through several phone interviews, many personal interviews, and more emails than I can count. Through all that I remained faithful that He would provide the way. Don't get the idea that I didn't get frustrated or tired or depressed through this whole thing. Many nights were spent asking why I had to wait so long; begging for Him to hurry up the answer. He actually used the time I was working at Target, living with my granparents, on a meager budget to teach me to be humble, honest, and realize that I'm not the guider of my life. If we rely on Him then all things fall into place. He took me to my limits and brought me here. He is now bringing me to new limits. I know that things aren't going to be easy. Take today for instance. 3 out of 4 projects that I submitted failed the testing phase at the same time, my sister went to the hospital for kidney failure and anemia, and my granfather suffers from alzheimer's disease to boot. All I can do is pray for them while I'm here. I can't go home and tend to my family. This has been a fear for me since moving here. That something would happen and I wouldn't be able to do anything but sit and wait for phone calls or emails. But I know that He wouldn't put this upon me unless I was going to come out of it stronger and more sold out for Him.
