Branches: Beautiful Things

Today marks the end of a chapter we've known as The Branches Church, and if just one picture says a thousand words, then this chapter has been something incredible. From snapshots of sermons and worship services to photographs of friends and family loving one another well, thousands of illustrations bring this story to life. 

Naturally, the end of something so lovely brings sadness; yet there is anticipation for the journey ahead. God is a good author, and just as this chapter has, the next will certainly be full of beautiful things. 

No words can express what a blessing it has been to be written into this story alongside such wonderful people, all by a sovereign God who draws us more near to Him page by page.

Sorting through these through these thousands of pictures has taken many hours of deliberation over the course of the last few weeks. Each one represents a memory so distinct; how can this rich season of life be captured in just a short montage? 

The answer is... it can't.  

More than just an abbreviated summary of the last six years, this 5 minute and 47 second video is a token of gratitude; an expression of deep thanksgiving to God for this chapter and all of the beautiful things He has included in it.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5

My 2013

It's been a heck of a year.
I'm blessed.

2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

less than 51 hours

In less than 51 hours, Kimberly and I will be headed to the airport to fly home for the holidays.

No work. No class. No practicum. None of that.
Just precious time to relax and enjoy family and friends.

This has been a productive year for us. As I've continued to trudge through school, Kimberly has built her business to something quite impressive. And although we can look back at those accomplishments and feel good about them, we're definitely exhausted and in need of rest.

I can't wait to relax and be surrounded by my family again! And snow. I want snow!

Mommacita, Fall Trip '13 102613 - 111513

*A super great trip! Kimberly and I were blessed to have Mommacita for 3 whole weeks! Its always hard to say 'goodbye,' but fortunately we get to say 'hello' again soon in December when we fly into Indiana for Christmas!

Dad visits SoCal, 062213-062913

Very. good. times.

Snapshot 062413 1800 PST

 *Palomar Mountain, camping with Dad.

Next Sunday

I didn't call him today, mostly because I suck. Granted, I did work an overnight shift last night, so I spent a majority of Father's Day sleeping and then prepping things for church service...

But with that said, I should've made the time. He's a pretty awesome guy, and he deserves all the time in the world.

He's flying in next week for a visit, and I'm pumped. I've spent the past two days wrapping up plans for a two-night camping trip we're going to take while he's here. He doesn't know it yet, but we have a campsite reserved for us on Palomar Mountain next week.

Kimberly and I don't have our own camping equipment, so I've been busy making lists and contacting people to beg and borrow everything we're going to need for the trip. Almost all ducks are in a row, and I can't wait!

So, with his upcoming visit in mind, I'd like to think today is just like any 'ol Sunday... Next Sunday, on the other hand, will be a day to celebrate!

In the meantime, Happy Father's Day!

37 days

My dad. 

He’s a busy guy. 

Probably the hardest worker I’ll ever meet.

Plus, he’s a jack-of-all-trades. 

Literally, everywhere he goes he manages to amaze at least one person he encounters with his vast set of obscure skills and knowledge. 

Just thirty-seven days 'til he flies in for a week’s visit. 

Now, a week is a big deal; a hefty chunk of vacation time off work, and seven whole days to fall behind on his many side-projects at home and around the farm. 

Plus, I kinda get the impression he’s not a big fan of flying. 

With all that said, I’m grateful, and super excited for the visit. I can't wait to spend time together and make some new memories! Now I just gotta start mapping out an itinerary! Palomar Mt. is definitely gonna make the list!

this kid

This kid, he's kinda awesome. His 'lil bro and 'rents aren't too bad either. Here's something his momma had to say on FB today:

3 years ago, Isaiah was sick. He refused to eat, had excessive thirst, was losing weight and lethargic. We had to wait for the official diagnosis, but we already knew. Type I Diabetes at 2 1/2 years old. So little. So scared of shots and finger pricks.

Today we have a 5 1/2 year old who is so brave and responsible, that I can't hardly believe it sometimes. He has been forced to grow up (in some ways) a little too fast. Waiting for meals until his blood sugar has been checked, realizing that there are times he can't eat what everybody else is enjoying. And he's okay with it. He doesn't cry, and rarely complains.

Diabetes sucks.

But I am so thankful. I'm thankful that God knew this was coming, and He had created Isaiah with such a calm, patient and adaptive personality. I'm thankful for the discovery of insulin and now, because of God-granted wisdom to some doctors, maintenance of the disease is manageable. I'm also thankful for all the support we received at diagnosis, and continue to experience from friends and family.

I look forward to watching Isaiah grow into a man, and using his gifts to help spread the Kingdom.

Yep. Love this kid. And when the strain of working as a childcare counselor gets to be too much for me, all I gotta do is pop in for a visit with this little guy. Instant therapy. His calm, caring, and good nature just melts all the 'yuck-of-the-world' right off my heart. A reminder of hope. He will, no doubt, spread the Kingdom. 

Dear Mommacita,

Two thousand three-hundred and thirty-seven. Big number, right? That's how many miles there are between us, from Randolph Co., IN to San Diego Co., CA. In fact, I couldn't have moved any further away without leaving the continental US. Driving that exact same distance from home in any other direction besides here would have led me deep into Canada or plunging into the Atlantic Ocean. Even though I can feel every single one of those two thousand three-hundred and thirty-seven miles between us, you don't really seem all that far away. Its like you're just a twenty-minute drive down the road.

Thats who you are; always close.

You love deeply, and not just from the bottom of your heart; you dig all the way down to the tips of your toes. And I'm blessed because of it. We all are. Thank you for that love. For always being close.  For everything you've given. Thank you.

Happy Mother's Day!
-Nate

Sah-weeeeet!

Hide 'n Seek Eggs. They sure do hide.
Not big on the seek, though.

My favorite Easter candy.
Sugary, gritty, yummy goodness.

I haven't had them in years.
Hence the hiding.

But I got a package from my mom for my bday last week containing four bags of these heavenly poofs of goodness!!!

Four bags! Gone in two days :-)
Thanks, Mom, for the sweet gift!
I felt so loved!!! And full of candy...

Sah-weeeeet!

Adios, Mommacita!

My mom flew into San Diego from Indianapolis February 16th and boarded the plane to head home this morning around 6:10am.

We had a great visit! Hikes in the snow, warm and sunny walks along the beach, tattoos, margaritas, lots of yummy food, the safari park, an aquarium... and I'm sure I'm leaving lots of things out. We made some new memories and, of course, had a blast along the way!

Love you, Mommacita!

1 + 1 = 2 X 14 + pure luck = us

It's not our wedding anniversary, but it is a special day for us. We don't really recognize Valentine's day, but every year when March 1st rolls around, we get all sappy.

This day, fourteen years ago, I asked Kimberly to be my girlfriend over the phone. It was a greenish blue cordless and the closest thing to a cell phone I had ever used.

Kimberly would have preferred being asked out in person, but being the practical girl she is, she decided that March 1st would be a more memorable date than March 2nd. Yes, 1999 was a big year for us. Our life together began, and of course we met that epic milestone of our 16th birthdays; both equally exciting. Not to mention the awkward splendor of my first real kiss...

We've almost reached the ripe old age of thirty (a post outlining my most current existential crisis to come). And at almost thirty, stress on almost, it is not uncommon for many of our peers to be divorced and even into their second marriages, so from time to time we're asked, "How are you guys still together when you got started so young?" God. Definitely God. He's the most important component in our marriage. We also have a lot of friendships with other Christian married couples. This kind of fellowship is important, but of course, that's probably an expected answer from a Christ-follower. So what else?

Well, I'm certainly no expert, but treating one another kindly is a given.

Value time with your spouse; make it count. Make your time away from one another count, too.  It takes two to make a pair. Enjoy the life and interests God gave you. She reads. I hike. We each get fulfillment from different things, and that's okay. As two individuals, we're able to come together satisfied in life. And that time we do have together? Movies. Meals. Walks on the beach. We're present, engaging in shared interests with one another.

And? I really don't have much else to say. I got lucky. Real lucky. No advice there.

fresh ink

A unique mother-daughter-in-law bonding experience.

Tattoos together.

A butterfly for mom and a sparrow for Kimberly.

Both very fitting.

Of course, I was right there with my handy dandy camera.

And now I'm pondering my next dose of ink!

Home for the Holidays '12

December 23, Kimberly and I headed back home to Indiana so we could celebrate Christmas with my parents and her mother this year.  Although I spent about a week with my mom and dad in November '11 and Kimberly made a quick 48 hour stop that previous summer, this was the first time we've made the trek back home together since moving to SoCal three years ago. 

We were greeted by a blanket of fresh snow almost every morning. The peanut-butter fudge flowed freely. Pizza King was but a ten minute drive away. Soda became "pop" again. Going to the movies was just something fun to do instead of a serious financial commitment to make...

We were home again, in Indiana.

Of course, all humor aside, spending time with our long-distanced loved-ones was certainly the highlight of our trip. I'm happy to be back in San Diego; I love it here and this is my home now... but it felt really good to visit with some special people in Indiana, and I wish we could be a bigger part of one another's lives. Catching up with some old friends and family members is like riding a bicycle.

Having such a wonderful time with my parents made me miss them even more than what I did before this trip. Every second with them was a blessing. I'm already looking forward to the next time I can see them!

Happy holidays? You bet!

2012 MY LIFE mash.up / remix

After lots of technical difficulties and frustration... IT'S FINALLY HERE! I always look forward to posting a wrap-up video at the end of each year and was disappointed I couldn't follow my own tradition of posting the video right on January 1st like I have for the last three of four years now. In order to just crank it out and get it posted asap, it's just not quite as fancy-schmancy as it's been in the past. But I am super excited about this year's song selection! It's my first-ever self-made mash up! It's made up of several #1 hits of 2012 and was a blast to make! Happy New Year to all! I hope you enjoy looking back and reflecting with me!

2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

Snapshot: 122412 PST

Noggin' it up with Kimmy, Mommacita, and Pop.

The tree is lit and we're watching Home Alone 2.

Home. Family. Holiday cheer.

And lots of peanut butter fudge!

Snapshot: 120612 1300 PST

Sitting and sipping,
peppermint tea.

Served in a mug,
my mother gave me.

Adorned in snowmen,
and wintery cheer.

'Tis the season,
Christmas comes near!

MOG 092612

I've written. Lots. Some posted, some not. All cathartic. Sunday service at the Branches was great. Fellowship with my church family. Date night with my lovely wife. A great not-so-epic but still sweat-inducing-hike with my best friend. A lovely text message from my momma. 

I've slept. I've ate. I've laughed. I talked. I've sweat. I've prayed. I've read the bible.

I feel good this morning. I've felt good since yesterday. Almost normal. Maybe I'm coming to the end of a mood cycle, or maybe this is just some of those random throw-back days. 

Either way, I'm grateful.

Beautiful Things (Through the Eyes of the Branches)

The earth is filled with His Glory! We, the Branches Community Church of Escondido, CA, set off to snap pics of things that spoke to us of God's awesomeness the most. Everything from bumble bees, birds, buds, and bouncing babies! His craftsmanship is all around! Check out this video and see how God speaks to members of our congregation, and maybe take a moment to look around and take notice of what God has placed in your life to make Himself obvious to you!