Wedding Slideshow

Hey guys, this is a video I made for our wedding. As many of you know, I married my best friend on July 18th. This video was shown at our wedding reception, and I hope that you guys enjoy it here. (Sorry about the nudity... It's just a baby butt, after all.)

I hope everyone is doing well. Starting Monday the posts will become frequent again!

Update

I have tons I am thinking about, but I decided I wanted to take a different track. I just wanted to give you a couple of quick updates on my life:

- Megan and I are still plugging away at our wedding plans. We have picked a cake, food, colors, flowers, bridal party people, invitations, registry items, and we are setting up our showers with those hosting them. Megan has a dress, and they have picked out bridesmaid dresses. All we have left (for now) is music and tuxes. Go us!

- Life is good at KU, just trying to figure out how to stay on top of things. I am working hard, on our ministry search committee, doing things almost every night of the week... I write three lessons a week, I am in the office, I spend three days a week on campus, I am planning weekend activities and retreats, mission trips and service projects, Bible studies, ministry search committee problems, etc. I rarely ever get to stop and simply have time to myself. But, as someone recently told me, I really only work two days a week for an hour each time. What an easy job I have. Gotta love my life!

- I am going to participate in my first Civil War Reenactment in February. I am excited to go and spend time in the field with these guys. Yes, I know that makes me a dork. I don't care.

- I am missing school like crazy. I miss learning each day and having to expand my knowledge. I miss walking in with an open mind and being challenged to read Scripture differently. I can't wait to do more school. I know, I am weird.

- I am trying to learn Spanish right now. Well, I just started yesterday. Pray that it goes well!

I am sure there is more going on, but that is it for now. Be blessed!

16 Random Things (plus some)

I have copied this list from my Facebook. It is a bunch of random statements about me. I hope you enjoy...


1. I have wanted to be a missionary since I was about 8 years old. I was just too afraid to admit it. (Plus, I kinda wanted to make some money at some point in my life, but I figured out this was more important.) Interestingly, I want to do mission work in South America BUT... I have never been there and I don't speak any Spanish.

2. I am in love with the most amazing woman in the world. She has the greatest heart, and I love the way that she looks at the world. It amazes me to hear her get excited about little things that I don't think about. And I love hearing her pray.

3. I love soccer. I started playing when I was 4, and I kept playing off and on until now. I am also a soccer referee and have been for the last 5 years, but I don't enjoy it at all. There's not enough money in the world for me to enjoy getting yelled at, although the amount they pay me is close.

4. I have always wanted to be in the military. I came close to going to the Air Force Academy; I almost became a Naval Chaplain a year ago; and I still think about it at times. BUT... Megan tells me I can't.

5. My favorite sports teams (in no particular order) are: Tennessee Titans; Tennessee Vols (football); Memphis Tigers (basketball). But I also find myself cheering for the Kansas Jayhawks (since I work here.) But can I tell you a secret? I would give all of them up for the chance to attend a Manchester United game in Old Trafford.

6. I like pets. I think dogs would be fun to have around, in theory, but I am not a dog person. And you think I am kidding. I don't like petting them, holding them, playing with them, walking them... About the only ones I can stand are Beanie and Beaker.

7. I am a huge JAG fan. I know it's cheesy at times, but I still find myself watching it all the time.

8. I would rather climb a mountain than go to the beach any day.

9. I really want to write a book, but I have so many things I want to write about and not enough gumption to actually get up and do it. I do have a couple of ideas, though. Hmm...

10. My greatest heroes: My dad; John Moore; Joe Cannon; Craig Phillips. There are a couple of others,

11. I have always enjoyed Civil War history. I was supposed to participate in a CW Reenactment this weekend, but the guy letting me borrow a uniform could no longer make it. I was pretty bummed. Yes, I am a dork, but I am ok with that!

12. I love to learn. I always have. I will probably be a lifelong student. I want a PhD, but I could also see myself getting a couple of Master's degrees too, or at least continually learning new things. And I am not picky; I enjoy learning languages, history, current events, music, cooking, sports...

13. I was pretty intimidated by girls until college. I had the biggest crush on one of my best friends all the way through high school but never told her. But... I did a LOT of dating in college. And I had a lot of fun.

14. I am not a car person. I barely even notice them. I have friends who say, "Wow! Did you see that _______________? (fill in the blank with an amazing car: Porche, Corvette, Jag, Lambourghini, etc.)" The answer will always be, "I never even saw it." Sorry, fellas: Just not a car guy. I get more excited about tools.

15. I love giving gifts, but not receiving them.

16. If I could visit anywhere in the world, here's the list: Ireland, Scotland, Argentina, China, Israel. There are tons of others, but right now those are the top five.

Bonus Facts:
1. I love helping people, but I get really cynical when helping people who randomly come into my office.
2. I often wear the same pair of jeans for a LOOOOOOOOOONG time. And I do mean long. But... I won't ever wear the same pair of running shorts twice without washing them. Weird, huh?
3. Every time I say "Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk" on the inside I am quietly yelling, "GO MEMPHIS!!!"
4. I am a sap, and I really like chick-flicks. Sue me.
5. I like going to the symphony. I enjoy classical music, as long as it isn't too contemporary. The newer guys sound like moose in heat.

Engagement Story

For those of you who don’t know… Megan and I are officially engaged! It happened on October 21^st. Many of you will want to hear the story, so I guess I am going to go ahead and write it down so that you can read it (and I won’t have to repeat it 37,000 times in the next month! No offense…) Hopefully you will enjoy it almost as much as we did!

I had been trying to hold out until November 6^th before I asked Megan (the anniversary of the time we decided to see each other over Thanksgiving break), but the ring was burning a hole in my pocket. Actually, I have had the ring for the last (almost) two months, after we went ring shopping and Megan found one that she refused to take off. I snuck back later and put down a down-payment on the ring so she could have EXACTLY the one she wanted…

I arranged with Megan’s friend Amy to take Megan to dinner. Amy came up with a devious plan to convince Megan to dress up a little and then brought her to McAlister’s, where I was waiting in the back booth. Amy came in and went to the bathroom, and she called me to go out front and surprise Megan. She was totally shocked! =) Then I told Megan I was stealing her away for the evening, but I am going to pay for the two of them to have dinner soon. Megan got in the car, where she found a rose in her seat waiting for her.

As we left the restaurant Megan was totally shocked and kept asking where we were going. I told her “I don’t know,” but she didn’t believe me! Eventually I looked at her and said, “We are going to Topeka.” She replied with, “Nuh-uh! I don’t believe you! Are we really?” As we kept driving, however, she realized that I was serious. As we drove along I was talking 90 miles a minute about anything and everything. So much for not being nervous! I had burned a CD of songs that described our story, reminded me of her, or played a significant part in our relationship. We listened to that as we drove to Topeka.

As we got into town I told Megan that she had to close her eyes until we got to our destination. I drove to the plaza around the state capital, where I pulled over and parked the car. The question you must be asking is, “Why in the world would you go to the state capital of Kansas to get engaged?!?” Well, I’ll tell you…

“Did you know that the state capital dome is green because it is made out of copper and it oxidizes? And there is an Indian on top pointing at the North Star named Ad Aspora, because of the state motto…”

Megan and I go through this conversation every time one of us drives through Topeka. The very first weekend I came to visit her she told me this story as we drove to Manhattan. Two days later, as we were driving back to the airport, Megan forgot she had told me the story and proceeded to explain it all again. I listened politely all the way through, then looked at her and said, “Umm… baby? I know. You’ve told me all this before. Two days ago…” Thus, our tradition was born! So what better place to choose than the state capital!

We got out of the car and walked over to the steps near the visitors’ entrance. We stood and talked together for a while, and I began to talk about our relationship and how I couldn’t wait to be her husband. The state motto of Kansas is “To the stars through difficulty…” I told Megan that our relationship had been such an amazing journey and was a total blessing from God, and being married to her would be reaching for the stars. Our life together would be full of ups and downs, good times and bad times, joy and some sorrow, but there was no one I wanted to face the journey with more than her. We stood and held each other for a while, then I asked her, “Question?” (To which she always replies, “Answer.”) I turned her to face me, got down on one knee, and asked her to be my wife! And Megan (while crying and turning red) said, “Absolutely!” I picked her up and twirled her around (after we kissed.)

As we got back to the car I reached behind her seat and pulled out an envelope. It contained a letter I had written to Megan in February when I realized I wanted to marry her. I had sealed it and given it to her in March, but I told Megan that she wasn’t allowed to open it until I told her she could. She filed it away in her filing cabinet so she wouldn’t be too tempted! So, I arranged with one of her roommates to come over today and steal the letter back. I came by and took it from her room, but I left a present behind. I had bought a dozen roses for Megan, and I arranged 11 of them in a vase and placed it on her desk. (She found them once we returned home that night.)

As we drove to the restaurant Megan read her letter and gave me a huge hug. When we got to Paisano’s we were shown to our table. After we ordered I went to the “bathroom” by way of my car. I had bought Megan a Willow Tree figurine, the “Promise”. It shows a couple holding hands as if they are dancing. It is one of her favorites and she wants to use it as her cake topper in the wedding. I had wrapped it that morning and placed it in the trunk. I snuck out and brought it inside and gave it to our waiter, who brought it to our table! We had an amazing Italian dinner, and then the restaurant treated us to cheesecake before we left. (Seriously, check out Paisano’s in Topeka or in Lawrence if you are ever there!)

As we drove home we talked, Megan stared at her ring, and we called all of our family members to tell them about our engagement!

Thanks to all of you who have been a part of our story so far. Our lives are richer for having known you. And we thank you for rejoicing with us in our engagement. Our wedding will be July 18^th at Northside Church of Christ in Wichita, probably around 2 pm.