thanks!

Scott here! Things are good… had a really good weekend back in MJ- the cool thing about working days a week for 10 hours is that the 3 days you have off are like a mini-vacation every week! Its nice- no complaints here. Lets recap- went home Thursday night after work- met up with todd and we went to the new Kroger and got some junk food. Friday I slept in and hung out around the house… todd and mom and I went to eat chineese for lunch and then later that day we all got together at “The Nash’s” for dinner (mike wasn’t there- still in TX)… Allison made some chicken and we had a very pleasant and relaxing time. We played a game or two and messed around with the cat… we also watched a lot of random “america’s funniest videos” and the VH1 show with the same theme “web junk”… that was fun… Saturday it was wedding time.

First Jeremy and Marie’s wedding:

I have known these two for as long as I can remember… I’m pretty sure they were either in MJ when we moved here when I was 4 years old, or came here soon after… but they are just two super nice people and I’m so glad they found each other- its something that everyone at my church back home is so excited about. The wedding was very large- I guess maybe about 400 people or more were there… it was cool. Its so obvious to see when you are attending a Christ-centered union- no guess work to it at all. I think by the end of the ceremony there had been no less than 3 prayers (including right before the “you may kiss the bride” part)… there was a really big reception out back too—it was well done- the food was good and it was so great to see my church family there and catch up with them… I’ve known many of those people since I was 5 years old- much longer than any friends I made along the way in school. I was raised by my immediate family, but also to a large extent by the members of the church- there are so many people there that are just like my brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, grandparents… I don’t think I could really express how close they come in my mind to actual family members. I someone come and tell me that they had been praying for me (my leg situation) several times a day for the last several weeks without exception… and that’s just… that’s one of the best gifts anyone could give me. I’ve had so many people there tell me how they’ve been thinking of me and praying for me, and how they miss me… it really means a lot- and I hope I can live my life in a way that will make them proud of me, that I can live up to be at least most of the guy that they see me as (that made sense to me… but who knows how it’ll read!)…

After that I came home and met Aryan at my house. We got ready again and Todd, Aryan, and myself headed out to ryan’s wedding—I told Chris and Chun how to get to Hillsboro Church of Christ where Ryan’s gig was and they met us there. We were there 20 minutes early but that place was already looking pretty full- we had to sit off to the right side. I knew that Ryan’s bride to be was intending to be a wedding planner/decorator after she graduated (she graduated a few weeks ago)… but you know… I think even if he hadn’t told me that, I could have guessed her future vocation by the decorations… the music was beautiful, the place looked great, and the ceremony was just a pleasure to witness… what I really liked that was done at this wedding and at Jeremy’s was that a month or so before the wedding, the respective preachers had asked each of them to write a letter to the other that they couldn’t share—and at each of the ceremony’s the preacher read each of the notes for everyone to hear. Ryan’s girl- Emily I could tell was really touched by what Ryan had written to her… it was good stuff… the reception at Ryan’s wedding was awesome- really good food, and they had bottled CocaCola- woohoo! It was cool! I talked to Mr Staggs for awhile- and he came over and talked to all of us pharmacy dudes for awhile… after it was all over I had to watch ANOTHER one of my good friends run out of the church and get in a car and drive away… I’ll admit- I was a little sad seeing him drive away- but that’s just how it is- that’s the natural progression of things… I’m really happy for them and I’m sure they are going to have a wonderful marriage. In these times there are a lot of divorces, but you just know when you see two people get married the right way… and for the right reasons… and with the right hearts- there isn’t that much room for error… saw two of those kinds of weddings on Saturday- and you just can’t help but smile in happiness for them, and for the great examples they’ve set for everyone else… you couldn’t plan a better wedding in my opinion.

Thanks to Josh and Jesse for letting us come over Saturday night and hang out- I appreciate you opening up your home for me and my pharmacy friends- you always make me feel welcome.

Thanks Aryan and Chun for coming to the wedding- and afterwards- it wouldn't have been half as fun without you two.

Thanks Todd for being cool and for tolerating your big goofy brother. I know everything will work out for you- you may have another hill to climb before you can see the trail ahead of you, but it’s going to be cool… and I think you know that. They say the smartest people are the ones who can’t ever seem to find the best outlet for their gifts (yeah I really did read that somewhere…). I really wish I could have joined you at church camp this week- I know you’re going to have an awesome time… (looking forward to seeing the pictures you took- you did a great job as photographer)

Thanks Mom and Dad for being great parents. You have both really handled the whole “empty nest” thing very skillfully… I think there’s a reason that there are 25 couples in your “young married” Sunday school class- because they can see in you the obvious result of a God-centered life together as a married couple- I think you guys could write a book about it (well at least Mom could do the writing part)!… thanks for being such a good pattern for Todd and I as we enter into adulthood.

And Thanks to Jeremy, Marie, Ryan, and Emily for getting married… because it’s always great to have an ‘excuse’ to come hang out in Mount Juliet… Memphis just doesn’t cut it sometimes…

Thanks to the rest of you for reading—Memphis can be lonely sometimes- but it doesn’t seem so bad when you can still connect with the people you care about.