So the last few weeks have kept my life in a whirlwind. I’m hoping for a little rest and possibly some peace to go along with it.

Two weeks ago, my cousin Shaun called me out of the blue. We’ve always been friends but don’t talk much these days. I was excited to hear from him but that excitement quickly transformed into sorrow and pain. His brother Joel had died that afternoon. If you know me, you know that Joel has been a huge part of my life. We have been more than cousins, we’ve been band mates, room mate and most of all we have been very close friends.

I have always loved Joel. He and I always said we would play music together forever. We have written and recorded songs. We’ve poured hours of time and thoughts and beats and notes into songs that displayed our common love, music. Joel had a big heart and great talent. I will miss him every time I pick up my guitar. I will miss him every time I hear a good band and I want him to hear it too. I will miss him. I know that he’s with God now. I know that he had a love for God and that by God’s amazing grace, they are together today.

The day after Joel’s funeral, I got sick. It knocked me out for almost a week. I’m mostly better now. I spent a week without energy or even the desire to get up and do anything.

On top of these things, my tenant, owing me $1100, moved out and is nowhere to be found. They did take all their stuff but the place was a mess, dirty and gross. I had to hire someone to clean it because I just couldn’t do it. The brand new (2 month old carpet) was covered in stains. Most of them came out when cleaned but a couple did not. I was truely blessed with help from 6 wonderful friends and my beautiful wife to paint and finish preparing the duplex so I could try to get it rented back out. This was all finished on Sunday. Monday evening I met with a very nice couple who paid and signed and took the place. God is faithful. I couldn’t go another week without a tenant, I was losing money every day.

So now I’m ready to get back to life, changed by the loss of my cousin. I can’t say I haven’t been affected but if you know me, you know I have gone through a lot of crazy stuff in the last 5 years, good and bad.  Our lives are affected and changed by the experiences we encounter. This being so, I’ve gone through many changes just so far this year. Looking back, if you’d mentioned the things I’d experience from January through April to me at the start of this year I would have said no way. But I embrace my experiences in order to become a better man. I’m turning a corner. I don’t know what’s around the bend but whatever it is, God has spent years preparing me. I’m ready… ready for what? It. Whatever “it” is.