It’s getting late… I’m listening to Andrea Bocelli, the album “Under the Desert Sky,” and just chilling out at my brother’s place in Nashville. Wim, John, and I went out to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. It was so good — it was nice to get out and spend time with loved ones. I’ve enjoyed spending some time with Wim. He introduced me to his favorite music in the car… the best from the Beatles. When we got back to his place, I introduced him to some of my favorites… Keane, OneRepublic, Andrea Bocelli, and Josh Groban (to name a few). 

It’s nice to sit and relax. I’ve been in a really pensive mood today. My mind has been wandering non-stop about so many things… the future, school, my family, marriage, Wyoming this summer, music, accounting and career plans, things my brother told me… my little crush…

I’m thinking and praying about a lot of things.

I was sitting in my dad’s room this morning… just checking emails and talking. I had to make a few calls — I’m going out to dinner with Wim, Johnny, and Mr. McElwee, an older gentleman and friend from Wim’s church. He invited us to come up to his house in Nashville for dinner. I’m looking forward to it! It’ll be nice to get out of the house for a little while and have some boy time. :)

My mom and I are going up to Nashville after lunch to go exchange some shoes and go out for coffee… and then I’m heading up to Julie and Nick’s place to study with Julie for a while. I’m excited — Julie’s got a new kitten recently which I have yet to see. Then later this afternoon, Nick and I are going to check out the Franklin Gun Store downtown. I’ve been throwing around the idea of getting a 22 rifle for a while — I’d like to go small-game hunting with Nick and my brothers more often. We’ll see.

My dad shared this quote from John Wesley with me. We were talking about how things we do now stick with us in the long run. So often, I’m under the impression that things will just change when I graduate or when I get married or when I finally get a full-time career… My dad was quick (as he always is) to explain to me that people don’t just change. Things we do in life now will carry over into our marriage someday and into our jobs. The ways we handle situations now (for the most part) will be the way we handle similar situations in the future. All that to say, my dad’s advise was to set a foundation on the Bible and prayer in your life NOW… for that’s the most important aspect of any and all parts of life. It’s the groundwork and framework – if that is set in stone, we can’t go wrong. This quote from Wesley captured a good starting point, I felt..

I have to much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it.   ~ John Wesley