Surrender

God, I surrender Milwaukee. I lay down Wisconsin. (Most important words I've prayed in a long time).

David and Elise's wedding

Karen and I were in San Francisco for my friend Dave's wedding this past week. Dave asked me to be the best man, and it was one of the proudest moments of my life standing next to him as tears dripped from his eyes as he watched his bride walk to him. That moment contained so much joy, love, expectancy, longing, and it was overwhelming. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. My own longing to see my bride, my love, Karen walk towards me was right there with me in that moment, and I wasn't sure if the tears forming at the edges of my eyes were of joy for David or sadness for Karen and I. Our wedding couldn't come soon enough. It wasn't jealousy, just sadness and longing. As the night continued, both emotions grew and grew. Joy and celebration for Dave with sadness and longing for Karen and I. Karen felt it too, even more strongly than me. And as Dave and Elise drove away, Karen and I walked down the block and out of sight. I held her as she cried and cried. And my heart hurt badly. Inside I was feeling the same thing she was.

It seems there are so many obstacles in the way of Karen and I getting married. Things that we shouldn't have to deal with. People who shouldn't be set against us. But they're there. And God, I so need you to be the incredible God you are. The LORD who says that nothing is impossible for Him. I pray that by bringing us together in marriage, your glory would be on full display.

I feel a rush of emotion as I think about the past week, and the beautiful wedding that it was. And how proud I am of Dave and Elise, and how blessed I am to be called their friend.

God put it all together

First thing, I really need to put up a new picture at the top of my blog, because it's dated. Like, from last winter. And now that I'm here at the church for 8 hours, I have a lot of time to put my thoughts down. So i'll be writing more!

God has done so much for me the past month. He's given me a job right where I feel called--Milwaukee. And doing what I want to do. I'm the new Youth Minister for St. Paul and St. Veronica on the south side. I get to do ministry, and I'm so happy about that. After more than a year of praying and trusting God, He's given me this gift at just the right time. Also, the day I found out I got the job, I found out I could move in with some awesome friends on the east side. I called Luke and said something like "Hey, do you know of anyone who needs a roomate? I need to move to Milwaukee quick." And he was all like "Dude, Kyle's moving out, and we need someone!" This is the perfect place for me to be right now, and God put it together. He is so awesome.

And I'm just a short drive away from the love of my life. I'm so blessed to be near her. I'm going to continue persuing her and save up for a ring! God's brought everything together. He is so faithful. If you're in a hard place right now and you're reading this, please know that you are exactly where God wants you to be. I'd love to talk to you about it, actually. The past year has been very hard, and a season of trial for sure. But Jesus has never left me or forsaken me, as he promised (Joshua 1:5). He's teaching me to be courageous.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). No matter where you're at, He's with you.

"No means of measure can define His limitless love."

This video is AWESOME. I want to share it with you.

That's My King! from Albert Martin on Vimeo.

Word

If you wonder, "Why is animal sacrifice over now? Does that have something to do with Jesus?" Well please turn in your Bible with me to Hebrews 10.

I really do miss it all...

My mother insists that BO is going to bring about the apocalypse. We'll see.

My new camera is treating me quite nicely. I'm uploading photos all the time now on this thinger- http://flickr.com/photos/theelfdance/

Working at 4:30am is a drag. I'm really over working at Starbucks. I really want a real job now. And to be back in Milwaukee. Oh, how I miss my home. My community. Most of all, my sweet love Karen. I thought finding a job would be easier. It's been really discouraging. The future is so uncertain. Except I'm so thankful to know Karen will be right by my side through it all.

Speaking of my sweet love, Karen, I want to post this picture because I think it is the most adorable picture ever. We had a picnic that day, in the late sunlight. The leaves were crisp, and it was a bit chilly. Karen surprised me with some Gelato. We just do the most fun things together. People just stop and stare because we're so cute.

I'm still learning. I'm trying to make it a priority to be in the Word learning every day. I'm listening to lectures, reading books, and spending time in devotion. I picked up some new things. The timely, "Jesus for President", which is such a great read. And Shane Claiborne is so true to the early spirit of the peculiar, nonviolent, and non-stately Church. A Church that actually lived a new way, with its focus on revolutionary "enemy love." Something so strange to American Christianity. Maybe more on this later.

I'm listening to lectures by Rob Whittaker. Sermons by Rob Bell and Danny Parmelee. And music (which gets me in a deeply spiritual mood) by Copeland. These things keep me sane in such a strange new situation. Living at home again.

Anyway, I want to write here about what I'm learning as well as what I'm thinking. And what I'm doing visually with photography. And the beautiful things I'm reading. So keep reading you.

I miss you.

-m