Off Getting Married...

I haven't had time to post any images lately, but I just wanted to let everyone know how I appreciated you sharing in my joy as I approached this day. This day is an answer to prayer. God has brought me an amazing woman; A woman who I have prayed for since I was a teenager. Sandy possesses all the characteristics that I have wanted in a woman. God is so good and has showed me once again how much He loves me by bringing Sandy into my life.

As I'm typing this, I'm listening to "Amazing Love" (You are my King) in the background. This song will be played today while Sandy and I take communion during our ceremony. The song talks about Christ's amazing love toward us. I can't help but think of how He's made one of my biggest dreams come true today. He loves me that much.

I know that me and Sandy's union is a powerful one. I truly believe that God has lots of things in store for us.

Thank You, Jesus.


"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."
- Psalm 40: 1-3


"...and I will sing, sing a new song"
- U2 "40"

What It Felt Like To Fly

When I was 15, I reached the pinnacle of my jumping ability; I was now able to grab a 10 ft. Basketball goal. It wasn’t “dunking”, but it was the next best thing for this 5’-11” dude. I don’t think I could quite do it right now, but maybe if I got back in shape, I could reach those heights once again?

Above is one of my most favorite images that I’ve taken thus far in my life. It’s very iconic to me because of all the meaning that it represents. For all of my teenage years, I was in love with Basketball. It still holds a dear place in my heart, but those were the intense years. This image was taken at the start of that season of my life, when I was around 13 or 14 years old. As I looked at this image recently, I was inspired to write the following.

What It Felt Like To Fly
With speed, I approach the goal. In one continuous motion, my body prepares for take off as both feet take plant on the ground and my knees bend. Momentum is changing directions. As this happens, my arms swing upwards, thrusting me into the air like a rocket off a launch pad. I’m airborne. My body feels free for that moment. In a split second, my hand is at the rim, my head at the level of the netting. A place that once seemed so far away and unattainable is now within reach. The laws and rules in my own mind are broken.

I grab the rim with authority! The break-away spring action of the hoop gives way. I hang for a moment. As I let go, the rim snaps back into place and creates a thunderous sound that echoes throughout the gym, evidence of where I had just been.

My feet then return to solid earth, the place that is my world. But for a few split seconds, I had gravity defeated. It could not keep me from visiting the space where the hoop lives. Oh yes, the lofty hoop; It stood defeated as well! It no longer could stand in defiance of me, mocking my every attempt to reach it’s height...for I had reached it.

This is what it felt like to fly.

Right Place, Right Time

I captured this image the night before Thanksgiving last week. I looked out the window from Sandy’s house and saw that the sky was amazing. Thankfully, I had my camera (I had just photographed Sandy’s Christmas tree). So, I hurried across the street and went behind her Aunt and Uncle’s house to capture this scene from their dock.

Fortunately, I also had these subjects fishing, silhouetted against the warm hues of orange. I was in the right place at the right time.

The Color of Now

When I got this phone a few months ago, it came with two different face plates. One set of dark blue and one set of red. Since blue is my favorite color, I went with that. But, now that it’s December, the month of Christmas and the month that I’m getting married, I’ve decided to change up the plates to be a representation of the magical month that I’m now living in.

I guess that’s just the way I am, I attach meaning and significance to a lot of things in my life. That’s something that became very apparent to Sandy the first time she saw my apartment. I showed her my photographs that I have on my walls and explained where I acquired different items or why I was displaying this or that. She later stated to someone, “When I saw the way he had his apartment decorated, everything had meaning and purpose behind it.”

I never really noticed that about myself, but when she pointed that out, it definitely rang true.

December 1

A New Time Has Come
This is “The Month”. The month where I will marry Sandy Vasquez 28 days from now. The wedding planning has been going well and God has been providing for us every step of the way. I’m amazed at how He has blessed us.

Soon, I’ll be moving from Lakeland to Kissimmee, changing churches and adjusting to a new way of life. My bachelor days are over…and I‘m glad!

A lot of changes are coming my way, but I’m ready for these changes. I’ll be facing them with God and with my best friend…soon-to-be wife, Sandy.

I captured this image of Sandy’s Christmas tree last Wednesday night. We actually put this tree up over two weeks ago. What can I say, we were excited to get this season rolling!