I don't know why but sometimes I don't think that I'm a very good person. Actually, when I think about it I'm just not living a simple life. I was just watching Forest Gump and it's the picture of a simple man who lives a simple life. For some strange reason because he's so simple and so singular in his purpouses this makes him seem like a good man living a simple life. I think I feel this way sometimes because my life seems complicated to me. My life is probbably complicated because I make it that way. What I need is more singularity and less complication. No, that's wrong. I need more focus. Life isn't complicated. It's like a those little glass balls with facets all over it. When a single shaft of light hits the ball it shoots out all over the place. Not only that, but it's intensity is broken down. I need to loose the ball. Part of the reason I'm losing focus is because the things that are important in my life aren't always the things that are the most "fun" for me. But that's not the reason either. Self control and discipline. I'm struggling with these two things right now. I also recognize that I'm struggling with these things which means I'm not going to stay the way I am. That's just how I am. At the same time God is in the midst of it all. He sees me wake up, flop about my day and finally lay my head down to sleep. I can't do it all on my own. I can't change as much as I want to just by me wanting to. There's the element in my life that requires divine intervention. I'll see where I am a year from now. Danielle left on Wednesday. When she was here it was the best two weeks of my life. I love that girl. There are so many things about her that I love. I know that when I get sick she'll take care of me. When I'm weak she'll make me feel strong. When I'm tired she'll help my lie my head down. She treats me better than anyone I know. When she was here we cooked together, went to work together, we had a good 'ol time. The next time I see her we'll be getting married. I'll be coming out to California around April 13 and we'll get married on the 16th. We'll move into an apartment for a little while then look for a condo.

Danielle and I have been looking at condos the past couple of days. What we've decided to do is rent a place for six or so months and take our time looking at a place to buy. We don't want to rush into anything and I definitely don't want to make a decision of that scale while she is out in California. I'll be happy just to be with her finally. It's been wonderfully having Danielle out these past (almost) two weeks. The time really has flown by. She really doesn't want to leave and I don't want her to leave either. It's strange that the next time I'll see her is on our wedding day. Crazy. Today we had lunch with Paul and Jennifer Osteen. We talked to them about marriage and other things. Paul and Jen have a wonderful marriage and we wanted to ask them about how they make thing work with church and home life. They provided some really valuable insight. Tomorrow we'll meet up with Scott and his wife after the church volunteer meeting. At the meeting they'll be showing the video Wendell and I have been working on for the past two weeks. I'm pretty darn happy with it. I think it gets the message across well. Danielle is also going shopping with Clayton's wife tomorrow afternoon, so that should be fun for her. Everyone has loved Danielle, of course. I know that we're going to have a great time developing new friendships. I can't wait to cook, hang out, find new restaurants, places to go, and other fun stuff with my best friend. We will get lost of course, but that's just our way.

Danielle arrived a few days ago. I was waiting at the gate exit for her with an orchid in my little hand. I had a bit of a moment when she came through the gate. I haven't seen her in a little more than a month so when she came through the gate she was at such a distance I couldn't tell if it was her. She didn't rush to me, as I expected her to, so I wasn't sure it was her. The cool thing is I was thinking 'Man, I hope that's her because if it isn't I'm going to feel really guilty for checking some random girl out.' I was totally checking her out as she was walking up thinking 'Oh man I hope that's her because that girl is HOT.' What an amazing feeling to see the cutest girl walking out of the gate give you a huge hug and tell you that she loves you. She is truly the most beautiful girl I know. The past couple of days have been so nice. Danielle has gone with me to work and been introduced to my fellow Lakewood staff members. She's sat with me while I was working and has even helped me with a few events. The girl learns fast, too! This Satruday we are hoping to go see some homes with Karen, our Real Estate agent. Tomorrow is Valentines Day and according to weather.com it looks like it'll be really nice in Houston. I'm going to cook Danielle dinner :). It's just been so nice to have her around me again. God continues to confirm that our relationship was meant to be.

Tomorrow Danielle arrives off of her dainty plane in rainy Houston, Texas. I can't wait to see her. I have something planned and I hope I can get it done in time tomorrow. I don't really have much of a plan for when she is visiting, I just want to spend time with her. One thing I'm concerned about is balancing my new job and being with Danielle. This will be a great opprotunity to see how we do. I'm commited to making sure I spend plenty of time with my bride to be no matter what. I'm not going to overwork myself. I'm going to make time for that which is important, my family (or at least my wife :) ). Weird, wife. It's a strange concept for me right now but I like it. Jon suggested a couple of cool things to do while Danielle is in town tonight. We went to Cafe Express then to Amy's ice cream. Jon claims it's the greatest ice cream in the United States. I do have to say it was pretty darn good :). I was going to rent a limo to pick Danielle up at the airport but I realized she would probbably be more upset that I spent the money than happy that I did it :). I like that about her. Thank God she understands how to manage finances well or we'd be in trouble. I am the royal loser of financial planning and responsibility. I just think "Oh boy! My magic card works!" I just hope I don't get lost on the way to the airport.

The past couple of weeks have been busy :). I've got everything setup in my office. I've even completed the first video! Paul Osteen is doing a sermon on "The Love Languages" (if you don't know what these are find out.. it's awesome). He wanted a "man on the street" type interview video asking people about their love languages. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. David and Paul have watched it and I've been told they're very happy with it. A project that is coming up is the volunteers video for the big volunteer push the church is doing. Wendell has put together a really nice script that I think will bring the message about really clearly. I'm really looking forward to doing this video because I'll have a chance to plan it out and do it right. I'm also a little nervous because some things will be new to me, but God is stretching me. I'm beginning to step into more of a producer role in some of the ministries. It looks like my job is becoming more along the lines of "Producer, In House Media Productions". It's more like I'm not only doing video but I'm also directing and supervising the production of events. This is awesome because I have a real heart for doing things like that. I really enjoy producing and directing events. I've come up with some ideas on how to improve the events that a currently going on at the church and I hope to implement them soon. I've met some friends and I'm still impressed at how genuinly kind everyone at the church is. Tomorrow I'll be going to a Superbowl party at Tom's house. Tom does all the lighting for the main service at the church. There is going to be a bunch of media guys there so we should have a good time. Danielle comes to visit in four days! I'm going nuts! I can't wait to see her. I'm thinking of something special for the airport, but I can't say what yet. Her Dad and I are working on getting her a hotel room for the two weeks she'll be out. I can't wait to introduce her to everyone at the church. I know they are going to love her. I also know there are a ton of ways she can get plugged into what is going on at the church. I ran into Dakri tonight at the service and talked with him about how she sings. Dakri is one of the music leaders at the church. He asked me if she is good sing on a Sunday service. I told him I think she is. I totally think she. Danielle is so talented and amazing.. We're going to have a great time when she's out. God has been so good to me.