New Family Member and Happy Birthday Ashley...

Yesterday was the first day in the life of my new baby cousin...

My cousin Steven and his wife Amanda (also my cousin - right? - well, I love her either way - hah) had there first child... She was only 8 months pregnate and due to some health considerations they decided to have the baby now... We were a little nervice about everything as it was a bit early but, alas... Welcome to the world - at 4 pounds and 13 ounces... lying at 17 inches long... My new baby cousin.. Brady Luke Rhodes... Can't wait to get to know him!!!

New baby Brady...


My cousin Steven... Look at that proud daddy grin...

AND...

Yesterday was also the birthday celebration for my good friend and favorite firefighter... Ashley Apt... Happy B-Day!!!

A bunch of us ended up over at Flying Saucer to celebrate... Dang, we've got some good friends... I feel like we should all have more nights like last night... really days like yesterday... days of celebration and happiness... Just something too right about it to ignore... especially when you compare it to what's on TV, the paper, and the internets... people killing each other... people dying... all that stuff just feels wrong... Anyways... I am thankful for a great day of celebration and life...

Fish and Pat... of all the pics of Pat I have... he looks absolutely crazy in all of them...



Love and Peace,

-J

ps
Here is what happens when you ask three crazy people to bring you your camera because you left it at your house....





Craziness...

People I Love...

I am sitting in a room with people I love... Our band just finished playing the second service/gathering at Hope Community Church... It's been a great morning so far... still our Hungry Worship Gathering tonight... Can't wait... not just for the gathering's sake but just to see everyone... Tons going on right now within our community...

Anyways - It's a blessing to have friends like these... it's amazing and exciting to be on mission togther...

Lord, thankyou for people to live life with and thankyou for something to live for...

-J

Long Day...

Yesterday was a long one... Some friends and I (my brother, PRATT, and Sneeden) went over and helped Lauren and Aaron move her stuff out of her apartment and into his grandma's basement... They have 8 days til the big wedding day... CRAZY!!! - I will say this... he was mad organized... all the small stuff was gone already... big stuff - in the garage, cabinet doors taped, pillows off the couch... definately could write a book on how to maximize a movers time and effort (this could potentially be a later post explaining the how to's of moving) - Aaron - Nicely Done!!!

-on a side note... Chris Sexton drove out to meet us in Apex cause he got off work late... That was awesomely cool but then none of us had our cell phones on... Since he couldn't find the complex we were in he had to drive back... Awesomely bad... sorry Chris...

Then band rehearsal last night... after the move... YES!!! - I think music is something for me that no matter how tired... I would still do it... Simply said... I love playing music with people... glad we get the small things ya know...

But once rehearsal was over... the bed... ah yes the bed... The bed was ever so sweet to me last night... - (poetry moment)
I could feel her beckoning me as I proceeded down the highway... Line after line on the wicked asphalt... Toils and tares of delaying stoplights... But wait... there is hope... Alas, I arrived... sleep was then engaged...

...ofcoarse after I checked my email and had a late night snack...

Have a great Friday...

Peave and Love...

-J

Fun Week so far...

Diana and I had Shannon and Kim over for dinner on Monday... Such a treat for us... It was the first time they had ever been to our place (and we've been friends for how long?) - anyways - Thanks for talking life with us... We needed it...


Tuesday we had dinner with Josh and Grace... So good to hear how God is moving in the lives of people and in the world... It's so cool to inspire and be inspired be simply speaking of what God is doing... - Thanks for dreaming with us...

I also had a meeting at Cyclo' with our design team after dinner on Tuesday... I can't believe I get to work with such talented people...
This is a funny picture from that meeting...



I got to talk with Corrie on the phone today... thanks for the words... Also, I have made communication with Ashdown twice in 2 days... Love ya dog...

Tonight we had dinner with Jon and Christy... We went out to eat at Red Room downtown... Tapas restaurant off of Glenwood... Amazing food... I seriously almost felt guilty... - Thanks for taking a step of faith with us... it's more encouraging than you know...

I praise God for love, laughter, and life... I am thankful for being able to have friends and to be able to dream... may we keep our passion...

much love,

-J

Busy Last Week...

Dear Blog,

I miss you...

-Jason

ps
not as much as Jeff misses his...

A Beautiful 3 years...

It's July 5th at 2pm... Exactly 3 Years ago this hour and this day I was standing on the altar at First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, NC. Since that day my life and our journey together could not be summed up with words. Possibly a painting that I have never seen but would know if I saw it could do it justice... maybe a song but not only the lyrics... it would take more than that... or perhaps just a feeling that could not really be explained... the closest I can come up with would be... Beautiful... Simply beautiful...

Together we have had to make tough decisions, we've enjoyed blessings, we've made sacrifices... we've loved until it hurt... had friends that we love dearly move away, made new friends close by and far away... we've lost loved ones, watched our friends bring other life into the world... and trusted God in situations that we had no idea what was going on.

My eyes fill up with tears even now as I think of some of the moments we've spent together. Sharing moments with friends and family, and sharing moments alone together we would never speak of to anyone else...

What a journey it has been. I can do nothing other than give thanks to God for bringing us together and allowing us to love together... I am sure we have so much to learn... I find that out more everyday... we are constantly learning what real love really is... love that's patient... love that is kind regardless of the situation or emotion... I can honestly say I couldn't dream of another I would rather learn with...

Thanks to all who have been apart of the journey so far... We love you much...

Most of all, thanks to my beautiful wife... my princess... my love... its more beautiful than I ever thought possible...

-J