Moving on -

Well, considering that this is our blog and only Heather has posted, I decided it was time to make an entry. I don't expect to write my deepest thoughts down here (I keep a journal for that). Instead, I plan to just write about random topics. Here's a taste of nostalgia: I turn 30 on Sunday. Bye-bye 20's. You hear all the time about how fast life moves, and don't give it much thought until you reach a milestone like this. I really can't believe it's been more than 10 years since I started college. It really seems like yesterday. I remember feeling very isolated and excited during my first semester at Jacksonville State. I was very aware of the fact that this was a fresh start...hardly anyone knew who I was or what I was about. For the most part, I acted like you would in a new house, car, or while meeting your future in-laws for the first time. I moved on eggshells afraid that if I relaxed, I would break something. I wanted the fresh start, but b/c I enjoyed high school - I felt the urge to hang on to the familiar (I know this is not unique to my experience). Gradually I made what I now consider to be the best friends of my life. I also adapted and thrived in the college environment (so much so that I am technically still in school today). However, the difference now is that I am very used to the concept of moving on. I moved on to Philadelphia, then to Iowa, then from working on my DMA to being a band director (shudder), and now to teaching at a rather obscure (but wonderful) university in Arkansas. While I truly believe that Heather and I aren't done "moving on" I must confess that I am getting ready to stop for a while. The problem with moving on is that you don't have time to put down roots. You feel as if you are in a perpetual transition. Friends? Well, you hold on for dear life to the ones you already have. Church family? It is very easy to quit "putting yourself out there" b/c you know you will be gone in 6 months to a year. However, I have discovered the real downfall to be the fact that in the time spent worrying about "moving on" you forget to live your life. It's ok to have dreams and ambitions. But as my man Casey Kasem says "Keep your feet on the ground while you keep reaching for the stars." OK - I confess...this entire post was a sham in order to quote Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. It's very interesting, for all of the transition in my life I've never been overly worried. Things just seem to work themselves out. The best description I can give you is that for the better part of my life I have felt as if I were just going with the current from one place to the next - the path already laid out. My constant in this life has been and continues to be Christ. He sustains me and keeps me going in the right direction. I've also been abundantly blessed with a wonderful wife who is with me every step of the way, a family life that is full of laughter and love, and a close circle of friends in whom I can completely trust and be myself around. In other words: bring on the next 30 b/c it's been great so far. Like I said....no deep thoughts here, just random topics. Future topics will most likely include: childhood heroes; movies; and songs of special importance. That will be a good start. Until next time.... Josh