distination unknown

my girl jamie took me out for a day of surprises. i had no clue where we were headed.

1st stop: starbucks. a great day out wouldn’t be complete without a java chip frappe double blended.

2nd stop: dodgers stadium. we had great seats in the reserve deck right behind home plate. we stayed until the 11 inning. they were stilled tied (1-1) so we decided to head out before the traffic. baseball i one of my favorite sports to go to. a great group event.

3rd stop: universal city walk. went to “saddle ranch” for dinner. had a chicken wrap and garlic mash potatoes (sorry kris). while we were there someone gave us tickets for a concert at the amphitheater.

4th stop: gibson amphitheater. it was a cover band called “save new wave”. we only stayed for like 2 songs not because it was bad just not our thing. on our way out we saw some shops…

5th stop: universal studios. how we ended up inside i don’t know, but there we were in the theme park. we walked around a little and then decided to go on “The Mummy” ride. It was a great start but ended short. after that we headed into the special effects show. we weren’t super inpressed but it was fun.

one last stop at “popcornapolis” for a candy apple and delicious caramel popcorn.

thanks jamie for a great day! love ya. ;-

p.s. check back later for pictures.

can you say ackward

i don’t know if it was everyones hype or just the feeling that came from the random and sometimes very inappropriate pictures plastered on the walls… and i didn’t even make it into the bathroom.

if you haven’t figured it out i’m talking about buca di beppo’s

the only thing that wasn’t uncomfortable was the amazing apple gorgonzola salad & tiramisu.

daily thought from realsimple.com

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

— Victor Frankl

star wars & spiritual metaphors

if you read my blog on a regular basis you know that i have been reading erwin mcmanus’, soul cravings.  i am loving this book.

you have to when he uses star wars to explain spirituality.

“The way of the Jedi is a life of honor but also a life of detachment.  You must give up your right to love, to feel, and even to be loved.  You must learn to live a life absent of desire…

Spirituality and desire are not in conflict from the perspective of Jesus.  In fact, he teaches that genuine spirituality results in the passionate pursuit of life…

At the same time we must heed the warning of the Sith, that unrestrained passions, passions lacking a moral compass, will lead us to a life that is self-destractive and will hurt anyone who chooses to come near to us.”

may the force be with you all. 😉

daily thought from realsimple.com

“One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it.”

— Sidney Howard

the book

neal’s sermon this weekend reminded me of something justin said when he was little.

justin is a boy my mom use to take care of. when he was maybe five years old he asked my mom,

“what is jesus middle name?

she responded, “why don’t you ask God?”

so he bowed his head and closed his eyes.

a moment later he looked up at my mom.

she asked, “what did he tell you?”

“book”

out of the mouths of babes.

my guitar hero dad

working for a church you never know whats gonna happen. father’s day is next sunday and i may have to work. in anticipation of that becoming a reality i moved father’s day up a week. so today i spent the day with dad.

lance david montgomery:

he grew up in riverside during the 70-80’s grunge hippies. he was the lead guitarist in a local band “wirez” who won battle of the bands in corona in the 80’s. he had a custom guitar shop on tyler, “lantz’ custom guitars”. on the verge of being signed he had to make a choice, family or the band. he gave up that dream of becoming a rockstar to be home with us. he likes to say he came out of “retirement” early to work building cabinets and eventually ending up at fleetwood motorhomes.

this year my parents bought the new wii for hd. i wanted to give him back his dream…

to become a guitar hero.

god-sized and god-inspired

“You are a unique creation made by God to live and not simply exist.  Your soul longs to find its ultimate purpose.  It will not rest until you do.  Your soul craves its destiny.  Your soul desires.  It always will.  You were created as a creative being.  You were made to grow, to dream, to achieve.  Your soul is letting you know you come from God and your life is intended to be God-sized and God-inspired.”

-Erwin McManus, Soul Cravings