"When the world is spinnin 'round....."

Ok so this is goin to be a REAL update. Goin back to the old days of long ass blogs just cause I feel like it.

I have been insanely busy this past week with all kinds of stuff, mostly school and UCC, but also catching up with old dorm friends and celebrating roommates' b-days as well as other friends' days of birth. Its been a costly week but worth every penny because of the fun times we have had.

Lets start monday, I had one of the coolest things happen ever. I got a letter from my mom in the mail and it was just a card with an old picture of me from around '93 when I was living to the fullest at the ripe ol' age of 9. It was simple, but what she said literally almost made me cry......I didnt, but almost. One section of the letter sums up its purpose:

"[The picture] got me thinking about you and all your wonderful qualities. I just wanted to tell you just how proud we are of you and all the things you have worked so hard to become"

This hit me like a ton of bricks cause my parents have never told me how proud they are of me, I mean a little about some events like mass on the plaza which they liked a lot, but never have they expressed it in regards to my total person, and all I am. Needless to say this made my week. I called my mom and we had a really long good talk about everything. Ive had several such convos with her, but this one was different because of spirit with which I had called her. God bless moms.

Tuesday was pretty crazy. I have insane schedules on Tues/Thurs and this one was no exception. Starting work at 745 on tues morning then having only 1hr of break before a class, then only 20 mins before the next 2hr class, another 30 before my 3hr class with erwin and then Liwanag at 7. I just read Angies blog and was nodding my head as I read it cause all the struggles she was experiencing were basically how I felt on Tues, I was so tired I was feeling physically sick and I actually wasn't smiling much which is rare before a LOG meeting. But I just said a quick prayer and tried my best to show His love....man it really works guys. Im not sayin a quick prayer will solve all your problems but it will help you bear them. I am reminded of lyrics to a Jars of Clay song that says "If I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through, and if I fall let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you". I was definitely falling, and His grace was there when I needed it. Praise God for that experience cause I got better and better as the meeting went on and we then went to Jack in the Box and like 30 people rolled, a lot of new people to LOG also so that was really cool.

Wednesday was not nearly as bad, just went to mass which was cool as always, then worked (thanks for the food GP and Kirs) then went to the YFC bonfire at CDM. I kinda got my car lost on the way there, which I apologize for, but we got there so it's ok. The bonfire was a lot of fun and I got to see a lot of people I havent seen in too long. I apologize to all of those who I havent seen, by being absent from YFC meetings, last week I was sick so its been 2 WEEKS since my last excursion to a meeting. Anyway we played the quintessential game of steal the bacon, which my team won, thanks to a crazy lil 4' 10" girl named Raissa!! Then during praise and worship I played guitar! it was the first time I played at an actual event, and I was surprised at how well I kept up...I mean I still pretty much suck at it but it was a whole lot of fun cause I learn so much more playing with other people than just plunking at the guitar by myself. So yea wednesday was a good day to say the least.

Thursday started much the same as Tuesday, but with a different activity planned for the evening. Ill get to that in a minute. After my first 2 classes, me and Erwin decided to skip our 330-620 class and instead hung out in HIB. after that, gp and kirs hung out with me as the 10.7.5 third wheel. but not really. but kinda. but not. We were at albertsons goin around, I dont even know why we were there in the first place, probably to just kill time, then I bought some deodorant which is a good thing for all of you guys, then gp bought his girly deodorant. we ate at bk then I went to sd with my roommates michelle and tricia, and 7 other people we knew either from dorms or just friends. That was fun times, the bar we went to was awesome, not too crazy but a good atmosphere. Had many good times there. I didnt get to hang out with my friend katrina tho, who had her birthday on thurs, but she had a girls night out anyway so we'll make that up later. Goooood times on thursday

Friday was cool....I was tired as hell from the past few days but happened to stay awake for my acting class, then hung with some peeps for a lil while, was late to work but not too badly, then closed the bookstore down and went to Mel's bday celebration at the ol' spaghetti factory. Happy bday to you mel! then I went to D&B's for a huge gathering of friends in the game room. That was a lot of fun also....just chillin and enjoying everyones company. Oh and by the way guys, I have undeniable proof that Nims used to be with GP now so if you want it hit me up and Ill let you in on the juicy stuff. But yea.....awesome times.

I am beginning to see how blessed I am, not simply in the immense amount of love that is manifested through everyone I know, but in the craziness of my life and all of its activities. I wouldn't have it any other way but to serve Him non-stop and be crazy busy while acknowledging His presence in my life as a product of all the tribulations I have undergone, but also the help and prayers I have received from those around me. I have blogged about this numerous times I am sure, but by saying it over and over I am better able to appreciate the degree to which people have gone out of their way to help me. I know I dont tell everyone how they have helped me along these past few weeks/months/years but they should know. This seems like an appropriate time for shoutouts. Here goes kiddos.....

Parentals: you don't read my blog but this is for all those who might not know you, a testimonial of your love for me if you will. You have sculpted me into who I am, and I pray that is a compliment, because ultimately I am very concerned with pleasing you guys. Not because thats what you taught me, but because through Christ I see the example of doing what is asked of you by your parents and being a model son for them. Thanks for the love.


Men of Madrona: All you guys over there (and Khristine!) have been awesome friends to me this past year. This actually marks pretty much the 1yr anniversary of me hanging out with LOG folk and you guys were instrumental in being part of the reason I kept coming back in terms of the social aspect because you were all so welcoming to me despite me being new, young, and white. Ok so that last thing doesnt matter, but its a good laugh. So many good times with you guys and I seriously am so happy to be considered part of a group that brought gentlemen like you guys together.

Ladies of Shawshank: All of you girls (and you too Dave!) are soooo cool! I dont mean to make this sound some lame yearbook entry from highschool, but I wanted to say how much you all mean to me and what an inspiration all of you are for living with each other despite being some of the most different people I know hahaha.This is just what makes you guys great images of christ tho, you are able to love unconditionally. Thank you as well for the many memories and awesome late nights over at that place.

Brenton and Kirsten: I could rattle on about how funny and dumb and weird you guys are, but it would just be a self-reflective rattle because you guys have rubbed off on me so much. Both of you have humbled me with your growth and the way in which you have accepted that growth as part of your walk with Christ here at UCI. I think by your saying "yes" you have grown more in 1 year than I did in all 4. Soooo good. Hopefully I may leave UCI with some of this stuff you guys have that makes you so cool. Until then Ill continue to just be the hopeless white guy makin jokes about rollin', rockin', and coppin'.

Erwin: yeeeaaaaa booooiiiiieee!! Family servants together this year! Im so stoked to work with you bro cause you have always been a model LOG member. Not just through your singing which I think is only an extension of your spirituality, but also through your daily witness. Thanks for so many funny times *cough* "<3 10/7/5 <3!". Love you man.

I know most of these shoutouts were general in addressing groups of people, but I have been workin on this blog all day and I dont want to keep writing things that I won't be as sincere as I can be. Im sorry, thats kinda lame but its true. Hope all of you know how cool you are, especially those I didnt get a chance to tell on here today. Here's to more good times ::raises imaginary glass:: and being brothers and sisters in Christ for years to come. Peace and God bless

Joseph Isaac Spencer