the end to yet another day in the life of CG

Song playing: "Oklahoma Girl" --Eli Young Band

Alright, the end has come to yet another day in the life of Cody Giles.

So, last night was a great night. I was reminded why it is that I strive to live the life I do. And of course, referring to the SHORT leash my God keeps on me, it occurred SHORTLY after my last blog posted. There ya go.    :)

Worked this morning from 8-2. I am beginning to think that I need to stop complaining about my life so much. I know that seems like a bit of a "no kidding" statement, but I really do a lot of complaining, even if only in my head. My life isn't anywhere near where it's going to be one day, but I'm living in the here and now. And while I am preparing for the future, I feel I need to live each day in the present to its fullest. No, I am not trying to be over-philosophical, just making a statement.

I went and saw The Social Network today and I have to say that I was pleased. The story was quite an interesting one. I'm not completely sold on the accuracy of the "facts" presented, but all in all, an entertaining flick.

I have a busy week ahead of me:
Tues: Volleyball practice at 6.30
Wed: film Week 2 NFL game-balls results, then church
Thurs: not quite sure yet, still a "?"
Fri: I feel like there is something for this day, but at the moment, I'm drawing a blank.
Sat: Shooting the wedding of one of my best friends, Kelli Pollard (soon-to-be-Ford). I really am anxious about shooting weddings, especially those of my good friends.

And Lovebug's birthday party is coming up on the 23rd. SO excited. I have been able to keep her present a surprise and a secret since Feb. Quite proud of that fact. I am so excited to FINALLY be able to reveal it.   :)

OK. I'm calling it a night.

Prayers welcomed.

Mascot saved by grace.

Feeling a void.

I am void of something. Maybe someone. Who knows? God. Obviously. But He's yet to feel me in. Maybe he has. Maybe I don't get it. Maybe I'm too stubborn to listen, or too jumbled. I don't know.

I had a great day today with my little brother Austin. We ate at Genghis Grill and then went to the Harbor then to some random clothing places.

The Rangers and the Cowboys lost. Bad sports day.

I'm sitting up at Stbux waiting for Micah to get here and just chill.

I need to do something with my life. That much is CERTAIN. I feel absolutely lost. Insecure. Inept. Unable to make that next step. I don't know where to go from here.

I just feel as if there are eyes watching me, waiting for me to do something. Something with my degree. And I should. But how? Where? When? I "know" that I "can't" leave Greenville right now. I feel like I have a role here. A purpose. A calling at the moment. My church, my little brothers, and the other families I have contact with. I love them to the very core of me.

I was reminded two weeks ago, by a great friend that there will NEVER be a "perfect" time to leave. And it COULD be that I'm scared. Scratch that....I AM terrified. I don't know what to do. At all.

My fear is fueled by insecurity. Period. Bottom line. I don't feel up to it. It's something that I've battled my entire life. And it's something that I need to give to God. I really do. And I feel like I have in some way. But I still feel like sometimes it controls me. It wrecks me. I can't run fast enough from it. It's ridiculous. I HATE it.

Ok, so I'm done for the night.

Prayers welcomed.

Mascot saved by grace.

Praying for that pregnant hitchhiker lady...

Song playing:
"Until the End" -Norah Jones

The time has come for me to really start making big life decisions. I'm 23, and ready now to go off on my own, to fly the coop, leave the nest or any other aviary cliché there is about growing up and moving on.

This realization has been one that I've tried not to think about in hopes I would cease to grow or fly past milestones, but alas the time has come.

Ok so that's what's on my mind, anyway, this weekend has been great!

Friday: work til 6 then movies/pizza over at Chris & Ellisha's....Happy Gilmore then Gladiator! :)

Saturday: work til 2 then watched some Hulu and then went over to the Phillips' pre-fireworks, then fireworks, then back over to the Phillips'! :)

So, today, there was a lady, a pregnant lady, on the side of the road hitchhiking...I wanted to give her a ride and help her, but with the world being what it is, I was afraid to pick her up alone. So, I called Jeff Phillips (haha... you may recognize the last name) and picked him to go give her a ride. And by the time we got there, she was gone. I'm hoping someone with a good heart picked her up. I just hope my fear for being accused of misconduct or car jacked ( I know she was pregnant, but a gun can be quite convincing) didn't cause me to miss out on an opportunity to help her.

So, tonight my prayers go out to God for that pregnant lady today. I pray that she is safe and not scared or hurting.

Hmmmm....going to bed, gotta set up for church in the morning. After church we are loading The Beast (the sound system) for Rock Haven. We leave Monday morning at 7:30am. I am so very excited! :)

Alright, goodnight! :)

Prayers welcomed.

Mascot saved by grace.

Not a bad week so far! :)

This has been a pretty great week so far.

Monday: work, soccer/swim

Tuesday: work, Stbux, then saw Grown Ups with Jacob and Austin

Wednesday: lunch with Kayleigh, then went and saw Eclipse, then Stbux where we no doubt scared this girl just trying to read a book :), church, food, then out to the Cano's where I spent the night

Thursday: got to see Mathew for the first time in 2 weeks (he went to FL), hung out at his house all day, then saw The Last Airbender (not bad at all), then the bowling alley to watch people bowl and then convo in the parking lot

So far, it's been a great week. I'm excited about tomorrow night's movie/pizza night at Chris and Ellisha's...nothing really planned yet for Saturday and nothing really nailed down for the 4th either.

Super excited about going and serving at Rock Haven Bible Camp in Hasty, AR next week! :)

Ok, I'm gonna go get some sleep (work at 8 in the AM)!

Love you guys!

Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

Siting in the Polar Bear listening to commercial-free Monday on 106.1 KissFM is not a bad place to be. :)

Alright!! Another Monday in the books!! :)

Hope everyone had a great day!

Mine consisted of working at the ol paint store from 8-2 then got off and watched Brazil beat Chile in the FIFA World Cup, then swam a little bit until the storm clouds came and boasted of a storm.

I was treated to a steak dinner by the Phillips'. It was wonderful! :) Thanks guys!

Now, I'm waiting for Chris to show up to work out. The night, while humid, is not too bad. Siting in the Polar Bear listening to commercial-free Monday on 106.1 KissFM is not a bad place to be. :)

Today was pretty much just a chill day. Nothing really happened, which I'm beginning to see as a good thing.

Long for the boring, for the chaos will find you soon enough.

Still excited about Rock Haven in a week! Spoke to a few of those already there today and it only fueled my excitement! :)

Not sure what tomorrow holds. Work til 2, then hopefully watching the Portugal vs Spain soccer match! :) And if my wishes come true, Portugal will come out victorious! :)

We shall see.

Ok so I'm going to go back to waiting for Chris.

Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow! :)

Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

Been too long...recap episode!

So, it's been a while since my last post, but I hope to get more on the regular with posting. Fingers crossed. Haha! :)

Ok so what's happened since my last post?

-BP spilled a bunch of oil...
-I got my first cavities/fillings EVER!
-I'm now -55 pounds since December
-I've raised all my money for the Jamaica mission trip in August
-I've turned 23...
-Apple unveiled/released the new iPhone 4 and the new iOs4...not bad at all.

I'm sure there's tons else that has happened/occurred/went down, but that's all I could think of at the moment.

I leave for Arkansas next Monday for a week to serve as a counselor at a camp. I am so very excited. We got to spend time with these students when they came earlier this month for their student leaders for training. Great group of kids.

Summer has officially begun and with it has come sun, swimming and soccer.

I know this post is reading quite randomly and a bit like a bad recap episode of a sitcom, but like I said, I'm going to try and get more regular with my posts!

Love you all and have a great day!

Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

right smack dab in the middle of God's Will on the Phillips's couch

So this weekend has been a pretty great one! It started out kind of slow on Friday when I was at home by 9:30. It is rare I see my house at that early of a time.

It's funny, I pray for God to keep me from spending so much money and He answers by keeping my life free of "doing stuff" that would cost me money and I feel lame because I have "nothing to do". Maybe one day I will learn to see God when he answers my prayers an blesses me. Haha. One day.

I worked this morning from 8 to 3 then got to spend some time with my little brother, Michael, in from the Air Force. Not near as much time as i would have preferred, but I know that eventually we will. Just have to be patient.

Then I headed to my GA's house for her birthday shindig. I had an absolute blast spending time with her and the people that were out there. I really enjoyed meeting the people that fill her life at UNT with so much joy.

And now here I sit at one of my boys Jacob's house while he sleeps, waiting on his parents to get home. He didn't feel comfortable going to sleep alone while his parents helped out at his sister's prom. Haha so here I sit.

To think about the influence that God has allowed me to have in his life, as well as the other kids at my church is quite humbling. I wouldn't have it any other way.

In the morning we head back to the Civic Center for morning services and back into a routine, which is a welcome change.

So here I sit, right smack dab in the middle of God's Will on the Phillips's couch. Haha I love you Lord! :)

Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

More about "God stuff"... :)

Not a bad day at all! The weather was amazing and work went by pretty fast.

I was able to make Micah and Jacob's baseball game.

After the game I went to have a family dinner for one of my "little brother" 's birthday at Dodies in Rockwall. Pretty fun night.

The night ended with one of their friends wanting to know more about "God stuff"...I pray that God allow me to be there for him and I pray that God moves me out of the way and I let Him shine through me...

The money situation for me us getting a little tight...which means alot less "going and blowing" and alot more packed lunches and passing on doing things that cost money.

Not a bad day at all!!

Prayers welcomed.

Mascot saved by grace.

Good day... :)

Ok so I took a break from this when I got back from Jamaica, no real reason just haven't gotten around to doing it too now.

So today was a pretty good day. Had lunch with a pretty cool dude that I hope continues to let God lead his life.

I was asked to share about my time in Jamaica to a fellow church. It's pretty exciting to be able to tell people how God moved in my life as well as in the lives of people in Jamaica.

Then tonight I attended a bible study geared for the collegiate age. I'm excited because I've been looking for one and have come up dry until tonight.

I'm excited to see what God has in store for me through this group. I pray that God continue to prepare me for the future.

So Sunday is the first service ALF will hold in the Civic Center as a step to move forward to prepare for growth.

Good day overall! :)

Prayers welcomed.

Mascot saved by grace.

I don't know who she is yet.

What I'm looking for:

She MUST be in love with God.
That's nonnegotiable.

She'll have a love for music. All kinds of music, but have that one band that she could listen to all the time and it never get old.

She'll have a sense of style all her own. She will have a knack for picking out clothes that makes her stand out in a beautiful and unique way.

She'll have a want to learn. She won't become content with the status quo. She'll always be willing to try new things.

She'll want to drive with the windows down, radio bumpin when the weather is nice.

She'll have a sense of wonder. An imagination that's not quite sold on reality. A want to be spontaneous, but a knowledge that certain things take responsibility over craziness.

She'll want to hold hands.

She'll have the ability to look into my eyes and know why I'm thinking and I'll be able to do the same.

She'll be ok with me taking her picture whenever. LOL :)

She'll be ok with laying in the grass for hours and just being with me.

We'll always lean in for a kiss at the same time everytime perfectly like in the movies.

She'll want to get to know everything about me as I get to know everything about her.

She'll want to kiss in the rain for the sole purpose of fufilling the clichè.

She'll be my reason and I'll be her rhyme.

She'll have "the look". You know "the look" that says that she's annoyed, but still in love.

And she'll also have "the look". You know "the look" that says she's happier to be with me than anyone else.

We'll share a song that we're both probably sick of, but don't have the heart to tell the other.

She'll not mind walking down the aisle to "Sit Still" by Brightwood.

We will write our own vows. She'll cry. I'll cry.

She will be everything God wants for her to be for me. And I'll be everything God wants for me to be for her.

She'll be willing to be rescued by me, her knight in shining armor. But not helpless.

We'll like the same foods and drinks so that when the other is done, the other can pick at and sip on the leftovers.

We'll both be crazy about serving God at a church. A church that God can help us be leaders as well as followers of Christ.

I don't know who she is, but if she's out there and she is anything like this girl...I'm more than excited.

I pray for her daily that God is protecting her and she is growing closer and closer to Him.

Prayers welcomed.

Mascot saved by grace.

Super excited. Super nervous. And super blessed.

Sorry for the absence of a post yesterday, this mascot was TIRED!

The 30 Hour Famine was a huge success. The kids all participated with a great amount of faithfulness and commitment. And the meal on Saturday afternoon was very well accepted and very quickly consumed.

We are showing the video today at church and I am super excited.

I didn't get to hang with Michael this time, but it's ok. He should be at church this morning! :)

Today is my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. Wow. 50 years! I just hope that if God putIna woman in my life for the purpose of marriage, that I could live long enough to see 50 years of marriage.

At the moment I'm at Starbucks waiting on my cold brewed tea. Passion/Orange Blossom with Apple Juice. So Good.

So I leave for Jamaica in 5 days. Super excited. Super nervous. And super blessed.

Ok drink is almost ready, then off to church!

Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

Proud beyond measure.

I am cold. I am hungry. I am worn smooth out.

This has been the weekend of the 30 Hour Famine. I am absolutely beat.

Along with the youth I am privelaged to lead at my church, I have sustained from eating since breakfast Friday morning. Added to the no eating, starting at 6:30 Friday evening, we met the kids up at the church for the actual 30 Hour Program.

The program is designed to raise awareness and funds for world hunger.

It is 5:32am and I have just woken up from inside the cardboard house me and my "tribe" constructed in the parking lot of the church.

This has definitely been an experience I will not soon forget. We have approximately 6 1/2 hours left until lunch and the end of the fast.

I am proud beyond measure of my kids who chose to do this. It makes me happier than ever to know that the kids I have nearly constant contact with are living for God in such a way that most teens will never know.

My weekend had just begun. I still have the some 6 hours of the famine remaining, after that has ended then I begin editing and producing the video of the event to show Sunday morning. Then Sunday is my grandparents' 50th anniversary.

Not to mention, my "little brother/best friend" is in this weekend from the Air Force and I really hope we get to hang out. I fear that won't happen, but I tryst God knows best! :)

I am cold. I am hungry. I am worn smooth out. But, I am loving it!

It's hard, but it ain't the cross!

Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

Hi Cody, whatchu doin?

Third day of sun!

Work was ok...sub par.

Lunch with Kayleigh was great! Subway.

I got a new windshield, which is awesome because the old one was cracked.

"Hi Cody! Whatchu doin? I'm watchin da chipmunks!"
Vincent called me tonight, which was amazing, especially since his mom told me that he was throwing a fit to call me. He's 2 1/2...so it makes me smile. :)

Tonight's work out was great! I hit 45 min on the bike for 14 miles...amazing!!

I am sooo tired, but ready to tackle this weekend! 30 Hour Famine, Grandparent's 50th, and hopefully see Michael.

Tired. Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

Sun for a second day in a row! :)

So today was a very long day. Spent the majority of it working at the church preparing for the 30 Hour Famine this weekend.

I ate at Yen Jing for the first time in a long time, and it was amazing! Lol The gunk on the bottom of Jimmy's glass was a bit weird, but I still love the place!

The sun for the second day in a row was very well accepted.

So, I am 9 days away from leaving for Jamaica and I couldn't be more excited! :)

Well I'm off to bed.

Goodnight! Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

Today was a good day. :)

So today's weather was great! No rain. No snow. No ice. Just cool temperatures and lots of sun! Made me smile.

I was picking up paint from the Terrell Sherwin Williams store and the district manager for my store and that store was there. Our interaction was that of usual, just normal small talk. As I was leaving, instead of shaking my hand, he fist bumped me. I felt a little cool about it. My DM is comfortable enough with me to fist bump.

At lunch, instead of eating, I prayed. I prayed that God would make my future goals and direction clear. I was quite frustrated, and to an extent, I still am, but a talk with my pastors, I feel a bit better to face this struggle. Thanks guys!

My "little brother/best friend" Michael told me today that he is coming home this weekend. Very excited. Now i just have to figure out a time to see him amidst all that I have to do this weekend. But I WILL find a way.

Part of this weekend is my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. More about that in the coming days. But I am trying to figure out what I'm more excited about, their anniversary or getting to see Vincent. Tie I think.

Also this weekend is the 30 Hour Famine with the youth. More to come about that later too.

Today was a good day all in all. Good weather. Good advice. Good texting with my "little brother/best friend". Good Subway. Good work out. Hopefully a good night's rest.

Thanks to today for being so good! Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

Growing up is hard to do...

As I sit here on the couch of what has become my second family, I find myself longing for the days where I had minimal responsibility.

I know that those days are long gone and I must accept my age and my journey into adulthood.

I won't lie, I am more than excited to see where God is leading me and what amazing things He has in store for my life. But it's the thoughts of school debt and finding a "real" job that have me anxious, nervous and hesitant.

I understand that growing up and moving on with your life is not only necessary, but also one day enjoyed.

I feel at this very moment, I find myself not only in between couch cushions, but also in between milestones in my life. Those milestones being graduating college and becoming a moved-out-of-the-house, career-having, tax-paying member of society. And all of this coupled with finding where God wants me, can be quite tiresome.

So as I take this journey, I hope you enjoy reading my blog as I attempt to adequately document it.

Thanks! Prayers welcomed!

Mascot saved by grace.

12 Days and counting...

Good evening, this is written with the heart of a man who has been praying for the past 30 minutes trying to calm his heart of anxiety of things to come.

I am traveling to Jamaica in 12 days to photo-document a children's ministry. I am excited, nervous, happy, scared all at the same time.

I have no doubt that God will use this trip to transform my heart closer to His will, and leave me a different man. I was blessed by the congregation of my church with the entire cost of the trip which adds somewhat to the nervousness. There is a certain sense pressure put on me by their expectations. Even if that pressure is self-created and a bit unreasonable, it's there and it's real.

I am, and will be for the next 12 days to prepare myself for this trip. Prayers welcomed!

-Mascot saved by grace.