Confused and Stressed

Right now I am a loss of what to do. My 2 classes this semester have been polar opposites. First there is my Hermeneutics class that has to be my most favoritest class ever and then my Theories in Psychology and Counseling that would be the worstest class in the history of worst classes. The content in the Psyc. and Counseling is good and works, but the professor has been horrible. English is not her first language and she would write the tests so poorly that I didn't have clue what she was talking about. On top of that, I'm stuck with misunderstanding a message online which now results in me not being able to pass the class. (I thought a class was canceled and it wasn't. This was a presentation day for projects and she will give no leeway.) Because my test scores were so poor, this takes my C to an F. Now this takes me to my next problem. How will I pay for these classes? I'm under a private scholarship that requires me to have a 2.5 GPA and now it's not going to happen. I'm so scared! We don't have enough money to pay our monthly bills and now toss on a few grand. Back to the positive.....my Hermeneutics class has been so wonderful. The professor is brilliant and explains everything so well. I've never looked forward to sitting in a classroom so much. The class has only consisted of learning each style of hermeneutic and reflecting on books and the Bible in 6 short papers. I've never felt like I've learned so much before in a class. Please pray for miracles to happen.

Blessed

Lately things have been so tight financially. Both Serena and I have been out of work, but most recently a friend came to our rescue and provided me with painting and other odds and ends. When things are so tough I feel like God gives me a friendly reminder of who is in control. Serena and I always talk about wanting to have our own place and to afford the simple things, but at least God has blessed us with a safe place to live and with a loving family. We are so lucky to have my parents who love us and will make sure we are taken care of. Thank you Lord for providing us with all we need and for the things that we just want. You are our provider and in control.

80's Fun

I know this is a scary thing to see, but it was such a fun night.

MISTAKEN

Recently I started a new a'cappella group with some friends. It's exciting to be a part of a ministry that is talented, dedicated and striving for more. It consists of Adam Wolfgang, Jeff Hicks, Nick Rucker, Shawn Hanowell, and myself. Our first gig is at the church were Jeff and his dad works in Lynnwood, WA. Christ's Heritage church is having there grand opening on Oct. 19 and we will be doing a concert in the afternoon. Like all groups we struggled with finding a name, but ended up with Mistaken. It comes from a Warren Barfield song. Here is the chorus from the song.

Till everyone I talk to hears His voice
And everything I touch feels the warmth of His hand
Till everyone I meet
Sees Jesus in me
This is all I wanna be
I wanna be mistaken
For Jesus

What's up with me?

So my blog is obviously lacking in posts. I'm not sure where time has gone. I've been busy working for my dad. We've been building a house in Oregon City and are just a couple weeks away from finishing. Right now I am posting from the grand land of Gravelbourg, SK, Canada. I helped my father in law move hay to they're new farm. (That's always a decent chore.) After hauling 300 bales we tied down a tarp over the 1000 bales. They are getting a manufactured house moved in on their full basement they built out there. My father in law is a pulpit minister who can't get away from the farming life. He is now adding sheep to his list. One of the most exciting projects for me right now is the recording studio I've been building in my parents basement. I plan on recording groups I sing with and also recording others for some side income. It will be nice to have projects while school is going. The more I record, the more I get a bug for it. It can be addicting. I'll try to post pics or even a video tour of the tiny studio.

Alive in Oregon

Morning time on Grandma and Grandpa's couch.


Working on being a goat farmer like his mommy was.

You would think that Tyson was born on a farm.

Tyson's first time fishing.

Tyson doing some work on the tractor.

Great Trip

Here are some pics of the scenery in Branson. Very hilly country. It made me feel at home. Like my parents special driveway.




Here are pics from the show Tim is in. Great music and some hilarious comedy.




Now some shots of Tim and Angie's cute kids. Evan does remind me of Tim except with adorable curls. We went to a place called Silver Dollar City where Emma got her little umbrella decorated with her name.




And of course a couple of ours chillin in the car.

Branson?

So tomorrow we leave for Branson, MO to see our friends the Storms'. I'm excited to see Tim in his show and to meet his little boy. I know he's going to be a spitting image of his dad. I'll try my best to post pictures and have an update at least when we get back. This trip has been long overdue. I've been telling Tim that I've wanted to come see him for the last 2 years since he's only 4 1/2 hours away. I'm also excited to hear Tim sing down to 2 hertz. That's right, Tim is singing 2 octaves lower than his previous record. So now he is 4 octaves of the piano.

Finals and Moving

So I miscalculated my weeks left in school. (bad informer) Today is my last day in class and I only have one final next week. It's my piano final and then I have a big paper due Thursday. It's amazing that this school year has come to an end. The other note is, we are moving back to Oregon! We will pack up the truck on May 20th and leave either that day or the next. Serena and the kids will fly up while I drive the truck and tow the car. I'm hoping a couple of friends will be coming up with me to make the trip fun. It will be their first time to the west coast and for one of them to fly. (flying back to OKC) It's so exciting to think of being back in the green and mountains while at the same time sad to leave the life we've made here. Lots of great people here in OKC and a great school. Pray for our move and a place to live when we get there. We're looking for a 3 bedroom house to rent or maybe even to buy.

The Home Stretch

So spring break is over and now we only have 3 weeks of school then finals. Wow, where did time go. I must be getting old. Later this week I'm heading to Tulsa, OK to join the International Soul Winning Workshop and have a chance to hang with good friends.

Beginning of Spring Break

Well... we are in in Oregon and are having a great time with our family and friends. Tyson and his cousin Braden are sleeping in the same room.....That's not going to well. It's been a battle everytime they're supposed to sleep. So we need to figure out another place for Tyson to sleep. Friday night I had the pleasure of seeing a friend from Rescue sing in downtown Portland. His band is called Phonochrome and they are quite good. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=242255526
They should be signed soon and playing all over the country. Today after church with my folks, we did lunch at Buster's Barbecue with the Sippel's. It's good to hang with Joel and his wife Sarah. Their little boy Trevor just turned 2 and is a great combo of his parents. (cute kid) I'm looking forward to the rest of this week. More great friends to visit and just more memories to make with the fam. Oh, by the way. I played the Wii for the first time. My brother-in-law has one and it's good fun.

Weather and Excitement

Today is a 80 degree day and it feels wonderful. Yesterday was about 70 and tomorrow will be in the 70's also. We leave for Portland on Friday and the 10 day weather is supposed to be in the 50's and rain everyday. I'm so excited to be back in Oregon to see the green, the mountains, my family and friends, but will miss some warmth. At least it won't jump from 70 down to 30 in a matter of hours. (This has been the pattern here in OKC for the last few weeks.) Praise God for quick means of travel and the funds to make it happen.

OC Goes Apple

This announcement was show in chapel yesterday. All staff, faculty, and incoming freshmen get a MacBook and IPhone. If you don't have AT&T then you can just go with the IPod touch. All other classes can do a buy-in for a great deal according to your graduation date. I believe all colleges and universities should chime in on this fine deal. (I love Macs) That's our university president in the video.

A Few Cute Pics

These pics were taken by Judson Copeland.

Happy Valentine's Day

I love that our baby is smiling. Look at her excitement.

Grandma Coles just sent this outfit in the mail and it arrived today.

Serena Ruth Coles

If you're not happy with my blog, then perhaps you'd like to take a click over to my wifes blog. She's quite a bit quicker than me with posts. There are new ones of the kidos.
http://serenaruthcoles.blogspot.com/

Crazy Oklahoma

So yesterday it was 78 degrees. It was so nice. Like a Portland summer day. Right now it is snowing. This place is confused.

Musical Confusion

So lately I've been confused as to what my role with serving God in music has been. I have great ideas, but are they His. I have strong desires, but are they His. I've been writing lots of songs lately too. It's weird because I've never really written before, but all sorts of things have been popping into my head lately. Mostly it's just been choruses, but I feel like God is putting some sort of song on my heart. What is my offering?

Finally posting more pictures...

The cloth says it all.

Her pose was just too funny to not take a picture.

Here's our Christmas time with Serena's parents. I meant to get more pics.



Here's Tyson upset since there's pink on his baby seat now.

Good old bath pics.

I always laugh when she crosses her eyes.