house=money

Had a good day. A real good day. At school, because my OLS professor had a death in his family, we canceled class for the week. Well, it gave my group a chance to get together and start out on the project. I think the meeting went as well as expected. I am going to be taking the majority of the work load, but it is the kind of project where it kind of does get thrown on the leadership of the group. I am more than happy, and able to do that, so I am going to.

At work, I got some quality time to play with the little kiddies. DANG, were they ancy today. Not a one of them could sit still worth two spits in a tin can. But, that is what I love about them. Through their craziness, I see myself and am able to love them through it.

I was tired when I got home. Just worn out from studying and playing, and reading, and typing all the stuff that fills an average day for me. Stuff I love, don't get me wrong, but it is actually pretty wearing on a guy. Having to be constantly aware of kids; what they are doing, where they are at, how they are interacting with each other and their surroundings, and watching for EVERYTHING can be vexing to say the least. Not a complaint in the least, I wouldn't trade my life for nothing!

SO, being 21, living at home with my parents (rent free) I am able to see just what life costs. I see that a new roof needs to be in place, and what all is entailed with that. I see repairs, landscaping, bills, mortgage, etc. Well, today my mudda and fada had to purchase a new hot water heater. Slam bam thank you ma'am, it broke, they had to buy a new one. I am so thankful they are able to do that, and especially thankful I am able to wreap the benefits that water heater provides...for FREE. But, it all just adds up like crazy. It really is a reality check when I think about what I want to be able to provide for my family. Dang, I am gonna keep working for that goal. The light at the end of the tunnel will get bigger eventually. Patience and endurance will show me favor in the long run. I am in a good situation, and I am so thankful for that.

I went to work out at about late 8ish tonight. I ran into some guys I knew from high school. They were younger than me, maybe 2 years younger or maybe 1, i'm really not positive. It was good though. One of them told me he was taking a break from school. It appears he fell off the band wagon in his first year of college. Well, I knew his situation all too well, and heard him out. Before I could even really start hearing it all, he told me that he found God, and is living his life in accordance with His will. "There ya go," is pretty much what I said, and we parted our ways. It was neat though, and a nice reminder that God is just a working all over the place. Umm, I like that.

You gotta try this

Hint(Click the picture to enlarge it in a separate window)
Hint 2(it's the blinking that really brings it out)

This really is super cool. My grandma sent me this picture along with some other illusions in an E-Mail, and I just had to share it. Do exactly what the instructions say, it really works good on a white or near white colored wall. Doesn't have to be a huge surface. But when you are concentrating on the 3 dots, don't let your eyes wonder, and you will really see it good. I didn't think it would work, but when it did I started laughing because it was so clear.

Today was jam packed, but it was so good. I woke up, went to work, and then school, THEN, I went to Snider again for some contact work at lunch time. I LOVE IT! I got my butt back to school and studied, studied, studied for an upcoming test in my OLS class. As soon as I was done studying for the day, I went to work and then home. Once home I ate and STUDIED THE BIBLE!! A bit of Genesis, talking about Jacob's kiddo's, and talking about mercy, and some other awesome traits. I'm not sure how much I am suppose to talk about the actual lesson plan. The main leader guy said that all the lesson plans are copyrighted, and so I will have to ask about that next Monday. I can say this, the Holy Spirit will show up every time you sincerely want it to. When I was done with BSF reading and writing, I went to the YMCA and worked out till it was about closing time. Now, I am extremely tired and just bet I will be able to sleep AGAIN, like I did last night. I really did sleep super well last night, and dreamed, and it felt good. I did watch about 25 minutes of some T.V. when I was riding the bike at the Y, I dunno if that counts though. Anyways, G'Night!

Twisted it right up

In my philosophy class, it got all twisted up. Ughhh, it was quite frustrating, but I kind of dug a hole for myself. We were referring to Plato's Republic and Feminism and how people at the top of the decision and thinking class make all the decisions, and how they lie sometimes for the "better good." A load of crap in my opinion, but never the less, the topic at hand. The prof wanted present day examples, and I offered up my 2 cents about how Obama seems to me not to give give up information about his heritage, which is actually his father (born in Kenya) and mother (born in Kansas) which would make him half white, half black. Anyways, I was trying to make reference to that drawing in the New Yorker that was published not too long ago. I suppose I was kind of hinting to the fact that if Obama doesn't have any thing to hide, then why not offer as much information as possible. I dunno, it was probably a supid comment. I paid for it too, I was made to be a racist against Arabs and ughhh, I learned my lesson on that. The moral of this story, "think it through 5 times before you talk."

Anyways. I woke up this morning, and Ga$ was 3.69, after 2PM it sky rocketed to $3.95!! AHHHHHH!! I needed to fill up too. DO'OH!!

I didn't watch t.v. today, and I had to find new and interesting ways to fill my time. Tonight at 9:00PM I wanted to sit down and watch some telie, but instead I went to the YMCA and worked out for a bit. I thought it maybe would make me a little sleepy so I wouldn't have any trouble falling asleep, and wouldn't have to take any nasty sleeping medication or anything. We will see here in a little bit.

I texted my sister, who has been in MA./NYC. for the past week visiting her biological family for the the first time. She called me back and we talked about it for ohh maybe 35 minutes. It sounds like she had an amazing experience. She got to see the city right good, and her biological ties were good to her. She got to see her biological parents grave sites, and got to experience some of her heritage. Which, to an adopted kid/adult/anyone is extremely important. I would know, i'm adopted TOO! So it was good to talk with mer, and I think I am going to try to go to bed now.I envy people who can sleep easily. Seriously I wish I had that so bad. Shutting down the brain is such a slow and daunting process for me.

Funny/enlightening thing happened today at work. There was this little girl, maybe 5 or 6, possibly seven but i'm thinking she is a first grader. It was the first day she had been to YMCA afternoon childcare. Well, every month we are suppose to do something for for the community. This month because of a certain tie to someone over in Iraq, we decided to have the kids write thank you letters to people in the military. It was going nicely and one little girl had an especially touching picture and letter. It was a picture of her and her "daddy" holding hands. It said, please be safe and cum home soon so I can see my daddy. I asked her how long her father had been gone. I kind of got out of her that it was over a year. When her mother came to pick her up (who I ended up knowing), I asked her where her husband was stationed. She gave me a stranger look and said, "excuse me? My husband works at a restaurant in Auburn (near by city) as a manager." I explaiend as to my inquiry, and she kind of shook her head and told me that sometimes her little girl likes to "tell stories." WOW!! That little one was quite the extrovagant lier!!! I bought it, hook, line and sinker too.

G'Night......I hope

this and that

The day started off as usual. Work, then English class. Then I had some time to blow, got my hair cut ya know. I had a nice little surprise when I was walking into Great Clips, my best friend Jared was working at Higher Grounds next door. Well, he saw me walk into G/C and came over to say hello. I told him I would be over to chat as soon as the lady was done clipping.
It was really nice. And, this picture of Higher Grounds Coffee shop is the actual store Jared works at. I knew he was picking hours, but I didn't have any idea it was at this specific location. Ya see, there is a HG coffee on campus of my school, and I just assumed that was the only one he was working at. But all to my big surprise, he saw me!! It was cool to chat it up with him. We chatted it up about an "event" he has planned. I can't say any more because I am not sure if a particular someone reads this BLOG or not. So, until later when plans are more confirmed, I must keep my mouth shut. I didn't really have anything to work on, so after I got done with hair cut and talking, I went home, but watching T.V. was not an option, so I went to the YMCA to work out for a bit.It felt god to pump some IRON!! Some of the guys around me thought I was kind of strange because I took a picture of myself, BUT that's alright, I got nothing to prove.

I started BSF tonight. It was so cool because I got to sit with my dad, who has been involved for about 14 years. I am excited for this years study. It is over the life of Moses. That would be Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. We aren't going to be doing Genesis, because that is a study within itself. It is so cool and keeps you accountable in by being in the word every day. Questions, and it is just super sweet! I get to do it with my dad too. That is awesome!!! He has been praying for me for such a long time, and now he gets to enjoy BSF with his son. That is a beautiful picture. A picture of hope and endurance in Christ. BEAUTIFUL!

FINAL REFLECTION day # 14

14 of 14, yep that is what today is. The stretch of the two weeks has ended. It’s time for a conclusion I suppose. I should probably sum things up. Well, just a reminder for the readers (you) and myself, I’ll give a quick recap. And I will give the Thesis that I should have given to start this out with. But, better later than never I suppose.

Thesis: To examine my thoughts and actions in hopes to find ways to get a little closer to Christ.

(Recap)

1. To rid my life of things I KNOW need not be in it.

2. To constantly strive to see women as Christ see's them. To pray over that constantly.

3. To surrender my temper.

4. To allow God to be the ultimate authority in my life, and respect the earthly ones who are over me.

5. To love ALL PEOPLE.

6. Fight to find JOY in all situations.

7. To be comfortable being patient.

8. To really surrender a relationship with that "special someone" over to God.

Cool lesson I learned today at Dave church. God want's us (believers) to be connected and on the same page with things. Listen, I am tired and sleepy so I am just going to put this awesome verse up. John 17:20-21 This is dinner at Daves after Dave church. The smiley guy is Dave. The cutie sitting next to him is Rach (she's the younger one) and the beautiful woman is Margie, then closest is the bold and beautiful Richard. What a wonderful crew. We make a good team, it is very good for me to be a part of. I gain comfort and insight from Dave every single time I go over there. I am quite thankful for you Dave Pelz. :-)

After I went to Dave church, I couldn't go to Interogation/Collateral because I had to get to the school library and write this paper for English class tomorrow. It got done, and I am super happy. I went home and watched T.V. till it was spilling out my ears. I suppose I had to get my "fix." You'll read why....if you keep reading just a little bit more.

~REFLECTIONS~

1.) T.V.!! It is everywhere. I can't seem to have peace and quiet for more than 2 seconds. If I wake up in the morning, and am having a bowl of cereal or whatever, I turn on the T.V. If I have 15 minutes before I have to leave for work, I turn on the T.V., When I could be studying the word, or school, I watch T.V.! I watch too much.



R 1.) I think it's time for a break. I am going to take this very serious. I am taking the next two weeks off...Well, I am turning the T.V. off for the next two weeks is what i'm trying to say. I am going to have to train my brian to do other things. I'll do it dag nabbit!! You just watch and see.

REFLECTION day # 13

But today is number thirteen (13) of fourteen (14) days in a journey or self examination and careful thought processing as to why I do certain things the way I do. The point of this was to take a break, and really examine why I do the things I do and what are the inner motives for doing them. And, I suppose I don't really even have a REFLECTION for today. Not on my own life and habits, but I do have a lot to share. Starting with this amazing radio conversation/video presentation. I am just in awe of this little one. In fact I look up to him, and desire to have that inner push to learn from mistakes. That is what this whole reflect stuff has been about. Being able to learn from mistakes and past wrong doings. Not for me to dwell on anything and beat myself up because of it, but to LEARN from it and become free from whatever "IT" might be. I do know this. I can never be free if God is not in it. I'm rambling, so I am just going to post this and you can listen to what Logan has to say about this subject.
It's the simple childlike faith, and the deep sense of honest pains that attracts me to Logan. Like the radio announcer said, Logan is far wiser than he knows. He is about twenty steps ahead of the game if he continues in that way of thinking.

So, I got dressed and headed off to my school's library by 10:50AM. I got in there and started typing as soon as I sat down at a computer. I finished my first paper for my OLS class too. I think it's really well done also.
When I was done typing, I headed up stairs to a quiet spot, and I started reading. I read and read until I didn't have to read any more. It was long, and horribly boring. I was reading The Analects: by Confucius. And, it was just silly. I do not enjoy reading this material, nor do I feel like I gain anything from it. I'm in it to win it though. So, that is that. Here is a picture of me deeply entrenched in reading BLAness. Can you spot me? That picture was a bit blurry, I think because that sun was so darn bright. I guess I can't say I didn't learn anything. I learned that remonstrate means to plead in protest. When I got done with school activities, I went over to my friend Tony and Josh's house.Tony and I rocked out on these two classy bicycles. HA! The girl bike with the trendy basket was the one I rode. That bike belongs to one of my moms friends. I think she is borrowing it....Anyways, you might notice some string and a handle(tent stake) in the basket. You noticed correctly! That is for pulling Josh on his skate board. We went through the neighborhood. Now, remember I am 21 years old, both of those guys are 22. It was awesome though, just like back in the day when activites like this were common place, and life was a heck of a lot less complicated. Maybe life is only complicated because I allow it to get that way, or maybe it isn't and I just think it is. I'm not really sure. I do have one more picture to share though. The below picture is of me, Josh, Tony, Trouble (Tony's dog), and Chris (who is behind me, out of the picture). We are hiking through a nature preserve. I didn't even know it existed until today. It was out in the middle of no where, and was actually a lot of fun.It was such a beautiful day. And what a nice way to simmer it down to an end. After a day of study time, reading & writing, I get to go on a beautiful walk through a very quite and desolate forested area with friends and a good dog. Good conversation, laughs and so on. They all were going to go to Buffalo Wild Wings (BW3) for beer/food or whatever and to watch the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) title match, but I declined for whatever reason inside me said to.

REFLECTION day # 12

Did you know that today is the day that the Lord has made, I really will rejoice and be glad in that fact. Today is also the twelfth of a fourteen day series devoted to God and examining my inner daily workings with reference to how I see, act, and think on things in LIFE. I think that the word "twelfth" is a very funny word. So today started off like normal, I went to work and then went to school. When I was at school, I was complemented over and over by my English professor, because he is genuine and that is just his personality. He is a great guy, and really loves to encourage and motivate his students. I want to, "not let him down." And I won't either. It is going to be a good semester. When I got out of ENG W233-03, I felt like writing. I didn't have the material done for the next English assignment, so I started working on my OLS paper that is due on something like the 27th. It is about a man named Geert Hofstede. And his 5-cultural dimensions. It is pretty interesting actually, and I am enjoying working on it. I just got in the "write" mode, and couldn't stop it. Then I went back to work, where they were setting up for a huge carnivale.Yes in deedy, the kids were excited for this one. They had a dunk tank, bob for the apple, pie in the face, grill cooked burgers with all the right fixings, EVERYTHING a kid could want at a school carnivale. As soon as I got out of work, I went over to my friend Matt's house. He has since reconciled with his wife, and actually went to Indiana Beach over the Labor Day weekend. I think they are in a good place, and I think that Matt's heart for sure is. Anyways, I stopped by his house because he has not been returning my or any of the other guys calls. This is very unlike Matt's personality. As soon as I left Matt's house, I went to an empty parking lot and prayed and wrote for about a half an hour. Then I went to my Friday night Bible study. I was there forever, and Matt even came to that. The other guys were real glad he did, especially me!!I love the Bible. Dag nabbit it can be hard to start digging into sometimes, but once I sincerely do, I am always, ALWAYS fulfilled and satisfied. I love the insight and comments from the other guys as well.



~REFLECTIONS~

1.) There are so many beautiful women on my campus. I really desire a healthy relationship too. I mean, I really really do. But, I am not willing to give in to an un-Christ like relationship. A relationship that isn't completely built on the principals of Godly living, is not worth having. One with a female I am talking about of course. So, taking all of this into consideration, why do I still look at women the wrong way. I'm not only talking about lusting after them, but even wishing to have a relationship, just for the pure and simple fact to have "someone." It got to the point today, where I had to stop right where I was in the computer lab, and just take it to the Lord in prayer. I just asked that I could view them the way Christ views them. It was just put on my heart, and my eyes were not directed towards their hearts.



R 1.) I desire a relationship so badly, but at the same time, I have really released it over to Christ. (I know this kind of sounds like they aren't going together, but hold on) So, I think that creates a bit of conflict, it's the conflict of FLESH vs. CHRIST-LIKE HEART. It is a constant battle, one I only have a chance of surviving if I take it to the Lord on a DAILY BASIS.



It's beautiful that I am able to do that though. Christ died, so that I can take my problems and issues to Him on a daily basis. I got one word for that, WOW!