Holy cow! I cannot believe that it's been so long since I've updated. I'll be posting less lengthy posts more frequently, but I think I need to get you caught up...
So much has happened since June where do I even begin?
It's probably best to do with pictures around the events; this might hold your attention better.
 |
| Playing FootGolf with Devin and Kyle! |
 |
| My first time playing Blue Ribbon Pines in East Bethel. |
 |
| Teaching the coworkers all about disc golf. |
Being outside brings me so much joy and June weather is the absolute best! Over the summer I went FootGolfing for the first time. Precisely what it sounds like, you bring a soccer ball onto a golf course and you kick it around counting your "strokes" until you get close to the pin that is unique for the FootGolf players.
 |
| Putting is actually the hardest part of FootGolf. |
This sport is awesome. It's a great way to be outside, get some great exercise. Part of being an official FootGolf course is being on an official PGA golf course, which is getting young people into clubs and courses which should really help those establishments. I'll be going frequently this spring and summer, I cannot wait!
As expected, much disc golf and mini golf was played. It would seem that I'm really into golf, except that I don't play real golf — so I'm not sure what's up with that.
On June 10th, I started officially dating the beautiful Marissa Schrader! I finally mustered up the gusto to ask her out after being setup by some mutual friends of ours.
 |
| One of our first dates as "an item" at a movie in the park! |
I also went camping for the first time in my adult life over the summer. While hanging out in a tent in the back yard is exciting, it's nothing like the real thing. I moved into a house with some friends from high school whom are all very outdoorsy. Needless to say, I've now been camping correctly.
For my first camping trip, some friends and I went to Gooseberry Falls up North. We stayed at a state campground and hiked a good portion of the falls. So much fun to be in a new place, enjoying God's beautiful creation!
It was also the first time that I've been to Duluth and we were able to visit the pier for the 4th of July!
 |
| Marissa making me look good on the pier, at Lake Superior. |
The second camping trip of the year was with those outdoorsy men that I live with. We drove out to Glacier National Park and stayed there (Avalanche Park) around a week. What an adventure! I've never been in the middle of such beauty before. I felt small and insignificant at times, and unique and wonderfully made at others. I felt God's protection was over us as the fire that destroyed 4,000-acres of forest could have swallowed us up had the wind been the other direction! Needless to say, I absolutely loved the trip and adventures and will remember it the rest of my life. No question about it!
 |
| The "seven ill-prepared young people" that were hiking to the falls! |
 |
| A view of the fire just starting, very close to our trail. |
In August, I turned 25 and had a fabulous cake made in my honor.
 |
| I have an obsession with pugs, it's a real thing. |
 |
| Myself with Stephen and Courtney at the Minnesota Zoo. |
 |
| Marissa and me with Nate and Haley, good friends from NWC. |
 |
| I think this speaks for itself. |
The fun that I had changed drastically during the winter. I don't like being cold, and I had a bad experience on some snow skis, so I don't enjoy doing that by any means. But I cannot stop having fun, where's the excitement in that?
 |
| I love hosting board game nights! |
 |
| Giant "snoctopus" near our church in New Brighton by the Bartz |
 |
| All bundled up for sledding in the cold! |
 |
| At the Michael W Smith and Amy Grant Christmas Concert |
And I cannot get away from the golfing. There is an indoor minigolf course near my house that I have been a frequent customer at during these cold months.
I am a huge advocate for having fun, and work is no exception. Why would I want to hate going to the same place day after day if I can make it something that is enjoyable?
 |
| Our team recently got approval for a RAM upgrade. |
As if I wasn't having enough excitement in my life by this time...
I decided to surprise Marissa by bringing her to the Ice Castles in Eden Prairie. She loves forts and castles, and loves when adventures happen.
Stopping a movie halfway through, something that I don't do, I told her to get her boots on and that "we were going to be late." I absolutely surprised her with the trip and we walked around in an icy, LED lit, ice fortress!
Trying to find a cool part of the ice castles, I found a random banner that looked like it advertised the Frozen heroines (logically taking advantage of the "Frozen" arena that we were in) and wanted to know more. Having Marissa read it to me, I realized the situation I had put myself in.
You see, a couple months earlier, I had a "friend in the diamond business" give me some help. While Marissa was reading this sign, which I had legitimate interest in, her back was turned to me. I saw this as an ample opportunity to lighten the immense weight that was burning in my pocket.
The weight was completely lifted and turned into a euphoria of sorts after a simple question.
 |
| SHE SAID YES! |
And now I'm an engaged man, who calls the most stunning woman alive his fiancée. Marissa is beautiful inside and out. She loves God passionately, and serves Him with her many talents. She is an incredibly hard worker but loves to have fun and loves to do it with me. Her positive attitude and bubbly personality are a constant source of joy in my life and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with her! I pray that I can bring her the same exhilaration that she brings me.
While these details and images are just a glimpse of the past year, I think that gets caught up with the major details and life events!
If you made it this far, you are a true champion and I appreciate your time.
Thanks for being interested in my life, it's never short of adventure.
Here's to so much more!
No comments:
Post a Comment