Blessed, Baffled, and Betrothed: A Precarious Pilgrimage from Pulpit to Pre-Wedding Panic with a Brother-in-Law on the Side

I will start off with something really neat: Anna and I are getting married next month! There has been a lot of debate on how to go about us getting married. But, after some time, we have just settled on doing something that makes the both of us happy. So, we are going to have our good and close friend David officiate our marriage. I am so grateful that my father is making the trip up from Florida to be present at our union, along with Anna's parents. I was bewildered when I discovered that David was ordained to marry. One day when we wrapped up a church service, it randomly came up in conversation that he could and has officiated weddings.

The day of our engagement at Poo Poo Point in Issaquah, Wa!

It's funny, David is the kind of man who does not really ask for these random situations to happen to him, they just do. He will randomly have a story where he does something that only really happens in fiction. I seriously think he could have a TV show and it would be engaging. One minute he is doing his thing, painting and giving the gospel. And next, he is assisting the United States Military in conquering a country (made that up, or did I?).

Anyway, I am sincerely grateful that David has agreed to marry me and Anna. I'll briefly mention that Anna's brother visited! We hung out a bit and it was nice to get to know him a bit more. For those who are followers of Christ please pray for Wade and that he will be safe on his deployment and will be able to have a healthy walk with Christ despite the constant travel. I imagine it is taxing on him.

Not as important as what was written above but I bought a cat wheel recently! I had seen it on Facebook Marketplace and it was a ridiculous price. But, a couple weeks after seeing it, I was trying to sleep and our three year old cat Anastasia had the zoomies. Around 3am I wake up to her running back and forth in the apartment. You can imagine the frustration because I am trying to be well rested for work. So, I went on marketplace the next day and the price had significantly decreased. After a bit of negotiation, I secured the cat wheel thanks to Anna's parents' and their van. Attached is an image of the wheel. It spins, super cool thing.

I have been pondering a lot on what I want to do for a career. With the marital counseling me and Anna have had to do, I have felt enabled to consider how I want to provide for my family. Working at city hall has enlightened me. I feel that getting a job in the government is the best option for my family. I am considering other options. But, I am consistently checking the City website and King County website for job openings that I feel I am capable and qualified to do. It is difficult to be patient or content with where I am at, but I am grateful for the job I currently have and how God has provided for me and Anna so far. I am always keeping a sharp eye out on opportunities. One position that I have put a lot of energy into recently is a CO (Corrections Officer) position. I saw the position and watched a video attached to the job listing. After viewing it, I applied and did not really think much more of it. But, I got an email a few days later with interest. It said if I wanted to move along in the hiring process, to submit a lot of information within 9 days I think it was. If I did not meet this deadline, I would not be considered. It asked for my high school and college transcripts, everywhere I have lived in the past ten years (I move around a lot), jobs I have worked and their contact information, and a lot of other questions I can't remember. But, after submitting the information through their secure database, I did not hear back for a little over a week. But, this week a sergeant reached out and asked if I wanted to tour the jail. So, on Friday, I went and he took me on a tour! It was wild seeing the whole operation. I had watched many YouTube videos talking about the corrections job. But, that did not prepare me for what I saw. I saw feces smeared on a couple cell walls, got stared down by inmates, and flipped off. Not horrific, but definitely provoked me to consider if that is something I want to deal with on the daily. That was just yesterday, so that is still pretty fresh. The benefits and pay are the only things that make me even consider the job, but I don't want to be miserable at work, y'know?

Moving on from that, my sister had a successful surgery! She was having a rough time with some pain that made every day tasks difficult. My grandma made it down to Florida to be with her during the beginning of her recovery. I am so grateful to have a grandma that cares so much for her family. I got to pick her up and have her at my apartment before she went to the airport. It was fun having her over. She met my cats and slept on my recliner. I was dead tired driving her to the airport after sleeping for a few hours. But, I am grateful to have memories like this with her. I am looking forward to seeing her again and getting her home.

I spoke with my mom on the phone a couple days ago. She is doing pretty well in rehab! Soon, she will be moving to a house with other people who are detoxing for accountability. She is going to be working and getting the help she needs. I remember being so worried about her and the people that were being bad to her. Although it is difficult to reflect on what has happened, I am so grateful that God got her out of the drugs and has burdened her with the desire to get better. After speaking with her about her recover, the gospel, and small talk, I reflected a bit on my time at Heartland Baptist Bible College. I cut my time there short because the situation with my mom got so bad that I had to report her missing. And, me and my aunt were very determined to find her. I am so grateful for the enhancement I got in my biblical understanding. I also am grateful for the people I met and the experiences I had.

Remember how earlier I spoke about my friend David officiating my marriage with Anna? I found it so random that he was ordained. So, I looked into it. It turns out basically anyone can be ordained to officiate a wedding. So, after a two questions and a $49 fee, I am now legally ordained to officiate a wedding in the state of Washington. Hit me up, I gotta do this. I have GOT to marry a couple before I die. I should make a bucket list.

I have so much to be grateful for. My friend Jesse is fixing my motorcycle so I can ride this summer, I am getting married next month to my best friend and the love of my life, I have a decent job with decent pay and an apartment that feels like home. I have more than I deserve and I couldn't be more grateful for the ones I get to call my friends and family. God is good, through all things he is good.

I was talking to Jesse yesterday and I was recalling on giving a bit of my testimony earlier this week. I think it is good to acknowledge that God sometimes allows things that are not so great to happen in order to glorify Him. Even though it can really suck, sometimes we ought to endure to ensure that He is glorified. Through the rough times, we can praise God for being with us and loving us and keeping us alive through them. Even in death we can glorify Him, not that any of us want to haha! Anyway, I think you probably understand what I am attempting to convey.

I have counseling to do and a show to prepare for tonight. Myself, Anna, Jesse and his brother are going to see a comedy show!

Thanks for reading!

Matthew 18:15-17