Friday ramblings

Up until very recently i had been ramping up for some writing, but it seems to have derailed once again.  One thing i did manage to accomplish was to consolidate a lot of my resource materials.  Hopefully they will still be together should i begin once again.  Well, writing as opposed to blogging.

One thing i recently learned about blogging, and i have come to love, is the schedule posting option.  I often will have two or more blog entries in various forms of editing, thinking, etc.  For example, while posting to my "The Way of Walking with Christ" series i would have anywhere from three to six posts pending.  And yet i still have editing issues... LOL.  It has helped me when life intercedes and takes up my blogging time... which has been a lot lately.  In any event, the scheduling feature is very nice.

I was recently home with PIRATE, my DS2, and he of course had some course work for school to complete.  He was a trooper and plowed through it.  As a form of encouragement i asked him what he wanted to do to celebrate.  He took a little while to think about it and asked me to play a round of Mario Party 8.  What a joy that he asked me to play with him.  Unfortunately i squandered away some of the time and did not get to finish the game with him.  8(  I really hate myself for that.  I am hoping to play with him again this weekend, and this time for a complete game.

Wind unheeded
Waves crashing on the shoreline
Even rock yields to time 

Have you ever felt like it would be better to go ahead and just get struck by lightning, or broadsided by a train at a failed crossing?  It has been sometime since i felt confident in most anything.  TULIP has brought this to my attention before as well.  Part of my depression i guess.  Lately it has felt like anything i have touched has turned to manure.  Some day this will all be over, and that day will not be of my choosing... but there are times... when i wish it were sooner rather than later.  When it does finally come... i will probably be ungrateful and wish for more time.  As they say, be careful what you wish for.  You just might get it.

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Luck of the Random Dozen

1. On a scale of 1-10, how superstitious are you, honestly? ~ Maybe a 2.  I've done things like drive around the block so my odometer doesn't stop on '666', and things like that.  but i can count on one hand how many instances like that, that i remember.

2.  Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, "I came, I saw, I conquered." Which  circumstance or experience of yours does this saying best describe? ~LOL, nothing comes to mind actually.  A lifetime of making it through with some kind of effort and no sense of complete victory.  To me this saying is reflective of the sense of overwhelming victory.  One of complete domination of the task or experience... and i cannot really say that about anything that comes to mind.

3.  If I peeked in on your day like a mischievous little leprechaun, at  what time would I most likely find you blogging? ~ Hmm... that truly varies from day to day, but if i've not posted or completed my train of thought for a blog by lunchtime, it will probably not get posted that day.

4. Re springing  forward for Daylight Saving Time, is there anything you've ever been  really early or really late for? ~ I used to get to church about four hours early... but then i was on the set up crew... so that probably doesn't count.  My 11th grade English class... i was REALLY bad at English, and i REALLY didn't like my teacher, so i made a conscious effort to be late for his class every morning (it was my 1st period class).  One day, i sat with a friend of mine who was in the same class, in the cafeteria until the late bell rang, then we went to the Library where we sat until five minutes before the class was to end.  We walked in and there was a substitute!  We weren't marked late! LOL

5. What are you most looking  forward to concerning Spring? ~ Warmer weather, taking my beloved on some walks, the Easter season, Mother's Day... rainy days... being able to open up the windows to allow the fresh air to blow through the house...

6. Shamrocks are the national  flower of Ireland and are picked on St. Patrick's Day and worn on the  lapel or shoulder. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day ~ Yes i do, but this year i realized that i did not own a green shirt.  I know, weird.  So while i was out running errands last night i picked me up one. 8)  And just so my blog doesn't get "pinched today, i have sprinkled green in many of my little buttons. 8)

7. One  of Caesar's assassins, Casca, said, "But, for my own part, it was Greek  to me," which of course means he didn't understand something. Probably  his own lines in the play. Anyway, what is something that is "Greek to  you," something incomprehensible or indecipherable? ~ Women.  I mean it.  How can you all spend so much time talking all around a subject and then not get to the point?  Why is it that if your hair is giving you trouble you (might) cry about it?  How can you have a closet full of clothes and/or shoes and not have anything to wear?  Why is it that women (not necessarily all women) do not understand the need for men to wrestle and bond over competition?  All of these are generalizations, and not all women do these things mentioned here... but women, even my Beloved Wife, are "Greek" to me.  But i do know this about my Beloved, she truly completes me... even if i don't understand her. 8)

8. Is March  behaving more like a lion or a lamb where you live ~ It really began with a roar, but it has settled down into it's mid-day nap.

9. "An extra  yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the  autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts. We borrow an  hour one night in April; we pay it back with golden interest five months  later." -Winston Churchill.  If you had one extra hour per day every  day, what would you do with it? ~ Wow... this has been a dream of mine forever... that or an extra day of the week... or even extra day a month.  Right now my priorities would be in spending that time with just my Beloved.  We do not get enough one on one time in my opinion.  The extra hour may not be directly used for that one on one time though.  It will most likely have to be used to get more of the other things done around the house and with the kids that there just isn't time for.

10. Legend says that every  Leprechaun has a pot of gold hidden deep in the Irish countryside. Aside  from real gold or money, what material item would be in your dream pot  of gold? ~ I can honestly say nothing came immediately to mind... but after some thought, i wouldn't mind having some kind of magic device (since we are talking about hypothetical magical situations) that would help me get all of those little jobs done around the house.  Need the tile replaced in the shower?  Poof.  Need to paint the living room?  Poof.  You get the idea.

11. "The best things are nearest: breath in your  nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand,  the path of God just before you." Robert Louis Stevenson. Look around  you right now and tell us about something essential or beautiful very  near you that you take for granted every day. ~ Time with my children and Beloved.  Often i am tired or just want to spend time doing something that i am interested in.  Someday, sooner than i may fully realize, they may not be interested in spending time with me (the children, hopefully not my Beloved).

12. Just for a bit  o' fun, click here  (www.blogthings.com/irishnamegenerator/) and then report your Irish  name.  I love it! ~ "Liam O'Brien" ~~~ I've always liked the name Ian and have often thought of changing it... but then no one would call me that... do it would be a waste.

Ramblings on my way to the Random Dozen

I can usually tell when i am not feeling well.  I have bizarre dreams, like being trapped on a billiard table and something is basically playing nine-ball with me trying to avoid getting knocked around.  Last night i was back in the National Guard and getting deployed somewhere.  The base we arrived at was mostly abandoned, but with all new buildings.  The "barracks" i, and a lot of others, had been assigned to was a single family styled house... but it was like the crazy Lego houses i used to build when i was a kid.  Stairways and doors that go nowhere, passageways way too small, that kind of thing.  I don't have a fever that i know of, but i most definitely have not been getting good nights of sleep lately.  Now that i think about it... i wonder if that dream was related to my blog from yesterday...

Ok, enough about me... it is now time for this week's Random Dozen...

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow? ~ Both actually.  When my mother was dating an avid hunter type of fellow (who absolutely LOVED Bluegrass music by the way)we went to a Turkey Shoot one fall day.  While i hadn't ask to, they entered me in the shooting competition.  One shot at a target with a .12 gauge shotgun.  Closest to the center would win.  That thing knocked me off of the stump and on my backside.  I will never forget the ringing in my ears.  While i never went hunting with the fellow, i did appreciate what he did (in trying to include me in his family).  Later on when i joined the Army National Guard i found i had already had some basics when it came to the marksmanship ~ qualified expert on my first go, and that was with a jam that cost me three rounds.

Later, when i tried a game called Dagorhir, i really got into archery.  Of all my youthful hobbies, i regret not practicing this more and carrying it through into my adulthood.  Specifically i prefer the recurve bow over the "stick" design, and much more than the compound variety.

2. Do you  know where your childhood best friends are? ~ From before High School?  I only ever remember one.  Billy "Auto" L.  I've made sporadic attempts at finding him again, but no success.  Probably for the better, i was a real handful back then.  But my High School friends, very much so.  I am still best friends with one.  I refer to him here in my blog as RAM.  Our families still get together at least every other month, and our kids get along really well.  His son and DS2 look a LOT alike.  They are only a month a part in age, and we have had people come up to us and ask if they are twins.  All of my other friends from High School, sans two, i have kept in touch with.

3. Do you usually arrive  early, late, or on time? ~ My preference is to arrive no later then ten minutes prior to whatever it is, sometimes more. When my beloved and i first got married this was a huge "sticky" point between us.  Mostly because of my own issues.  As we have gone through life, and especially in working with trying to get the entire family anywhere, i have loosened up a little.  My preference is still to be early, and i still struggle when we are running late (to anything), but i am not as 'rabid' as i used to be.

4. Are you more of a New York or California  type? ~ I have lived in New York City, and i spent a few summers in California - i would consider myself more of the laid back California type.  This is more based on the stereotypes of both regions than personal experience though. 

5. Do you have a special ring tone? ~ I am not a big ringtone kind of guy, but yes i do. 8)  In the past if it was an incoming call from work my phone would play the Death March, but now i use "Peace on Earth" by Casting Crowns.  I just love that song, and it is quickly becoming a favorite especially around Christmas time.

 

6. What is your favorite  type of chip? ~ I prefer AMD over Intel.  Not because of quality, quite the contrary.  I like to root for the little guy, and AMD usually has enough umph for what i want/need.  But if i had to go high end, and have the absolute best, i would go with Intel.  Oh, you were talking about like... chips and salsa... um... Baked Lays for just a plain chip, and Tostitos Scoops.

7. Best comedy you've ever seen is .... ~That is a really relative term.  My opinions even vary from "season" to "season".  Maybe my funny-bone is broken, but there is really no one "funniest", although... The Cosby Show was really constantly funny.  Mr. Bill Cosby is always good for a laugh for me.

8. Have you  ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?" ~ All the time.  I use a set of electric clippers and sled #'s 3, 2, 1.  I usually have to have my beloved touch up the neck though.  I haven't paid for a haircut since the mid 90's.

9.  If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be  about your house or your personal self? ~ If you were to ask that question of my beloved i am sure there would be a part of her that would say me.  But overall we would probably agree the house.  Not that we don't love our house, but we would just like to get all of the walls painted, and maybe do a little bit more with what there is.

10. Are you allergic to  anything? ~ Life. 8)  Pollen, Dust, and a whatever a Dentist used to put me out when i was seventeen to take my wisdom teeth out.  I was sick as a dog for three days.  All i did was sleep, "purge" the stomach, and use the bathroom.  I sucked on tea bags (Lipton blend) the whole time.  Two days after that i was up and chopping wood to keep myself busy.

11. Why is it so hard to change? ~ Pride.  In my opinion most of the issues "man" has are directly related to pride.  It is in our nature to want what we want when and how we want it.  Why should we change?  Why can't everyone else just get used to the way we (i.e. I) am?  In the end, it is harder to get something to move that is at rest than something that is in motion.

12. One last question  dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be  vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any  thought you'd like to about this topic. ~ For me it means admitting that i am wrong, even when my own pride rails against me doing so.  Why?  Because i am hopelessly in love with my beloved.  I am me, and although there are things about me that she is not all that sure about, she loves me.  What hurts the most is when i can tell she is disappointed in me, or she says something that i interpret that i am somehow deficient in some way.  But at the end of the day, i am hers and she is mine.

13. (Bonus Question to make up for the one i didn't make up last week) Can You Taste The Difference Between Pepsi And Coke? ~ Not even close in my opinion.  Some people say, "what does it matter".  it matters.  If i order a Coke at a restaurant and they ask, "is Pepsi OK"?  I say, "no, thank you.  I will have ice tea instead".  Aside from the taste, Pepsi actually gives me a headache.  Although, i once had a really warm Pepsi (picture it sitting in a car for over four hours, in the sun, on a sunny August afternoon), and it was REALLY good.

Linda is a great blogger, and she has the ability to change her layout often.  I confess that i am a little covetous of her ability to both come up with content - not just for her blog, but for the articles she often writes and PUBLISHES.  Even though i do not blog about the same things as she does, or as well as she does it (i've lost count how many times i've cringed at my own writing), she inspires me to improve.  Thanks Linda!

And the hits keep on coming

Last night i found out my "Aunt" was being released from the hospital and going into Hospice. *sigh* This woman, her husband, and her kids took me and my brother in for a summer when we didn't have a place to go. The school year before this summer we had attended three different schools and lived in four different places and were about to be asked to leave the last one. That summer my "Aunt" and "Uncle" took us in. I still remember that summer with fondness. It was a great summer. "Uncle" was the Baptist Minister in the small town where they lived in the parsonage. The town had a blinking light for the four-way stop, and there was a bank on the corner. We walked everywhere and my brother and i shared in all the chores ~ which was an eye opener for us both. When it was coming to an end i begged to be allowed to stay with them but it was not to be. I am hoping to go and see her this weekend before it is too late, but i don't want to impose on my cousins in their time of grief... Lately i have been getting invites for a High School reunion. At first i was intrigued, but later i became annoyed. Not by the person who is working incredibly hard to get all of it organized, but at the school population from back then in general. When i went to that school i sat with only four other kids, three of which i am still friends with (not bad considering that was over two decades ago). For the most part we were shunned, mostly ignored, and sometimes picked on. We handled ourselves well enough (my "applesauce 'grenade'" is still fondly remembered), but we were not really a part of the whole if you get my meaning. If memory serves my nickname back then was "brainiack" as people stuck out legs to try and trip me as i read between classes. After seeing how my beloved's reunions have gone... i don't see it being worth my time. Yesterday, over at Eternal Revolution (yet another Christian Samurai themed blog) i caught wind of the samurai umbrella! LOL! That's right, the samurai umbrella! Sometimes i find out about some really cool Christian Samurai things, but this is one of those things that is just fun. I don't think i will be picking one up, but just knowing that such a thing exists made me chuckle. Such is the 'danger' of living in a free market economy i guess. Where if someone is willing to buy such a product at a price you can make some money on, people make it. For a while now i have been talking with a friend of mine about helping me sort of spruce up the "dojo" here. I finally sat down with him last night. Since i am asking him to do this from the kindness of his heart (well, he has not mentioned anything about paying him anyway), i am not expecting too much of a change, but it should look good, simple but good, when all is said and done. I am also unsure of any kind of time line. Just that i am finally working on it. If anyone has some suggestions i would welcome them, but i would ask for an example so i know what you are talking about. *grin* Lately i have been wanting to be in the middle of a really strong thunderstorm. I don't know why, but i just really have the desire to be in the middle of it, soaking wet, feeling the rumble of the thunder in my chest and the wind all around me. And i am not talking about one of those passing storms that roar in and is gone in ten minutes. One that lasts a good thirty minutes or more. Back when i had just become a Christian one of my new roommates had a sound track CD that had rain and gentle storm sounds on it. I slept like a baby when i went to bed with it on. Ok, in closing... lately it has been feeling like God has been telling me to get off the bench and do... something. I am not sure what, but... i need to continue to pray... delve into His word... and seek where He would have me go or do. That began Sunday with the sermon at the church we were visiting. The visiting pastor to the church was talking about the difference between a Christian who sits and studies all the time but doesn't do anything and one who may not know as much but is actually out in the fields getting his/her hands dirty. Then, yesterday, a sermon from Kenneth Maresco come up on my MP3 player - The Pursuit and Practice of Fellowship . Although i had listened to this sermon before it seemed to hit home on several points and i am now praying over a few specific points... we shall what God will do.

Lonely Friday

Coming back to work after vacation is tough. When i leave on vacation i shift gears. I think if i paid attention i could feel my body and mind relaxing, but then when i come back i have ramp back up again. It's not an easy thing. Today is harder (even though it is Friday) because two of my co-workers (there are five of us in my group) took today off and i am hitting a wall. The workload is not all that bad, it's just my mind and body wants to take a power nap! *chuckle* But there is just enough things to do to keep me busy, and we have a pair of interviews for an internal promotion this afternoon. I have the privilege of creating the technical questions. My favorite one that i've come up with is, "What is Layer 8 of the OSI model and what is its function"? My beloved and i have had a rough week, emotionally, this past week. So on Wednesday night i told her that we would though fish sticks in the oven for the kids and head out for a movie. We caught the 1915 showing of Star Trek. I really like this "reboot" of this franchise. I have a few friends who are refusing to watch it because they feel jilted because the movie changes things. Isn't that like having a "sacred cow"? Besides, this enables the writers liberty to come up with a whole new set of fresh ideas to explore. I mean, it's Science Fiction people. You have to take it with a grain of salt and check your sense of disbelief at the door as it is. I've said it beofe, but i am going to say it again... i am really looking forward to the release of the computer version of Blood Bowl. I may even play it more than Fallout 3 simply because it will be a turn based game that can be interrupted more easily. I am still having fun exploring the Capital Wastelands, but i usually have to have at least two hours to dedicate when i sit down to play it. I have pre-ordered the digital copy of Blood Bowl and will be able to download it in about a week. My plan is to download it straight to a thumb drive so it will be easier to transfer and play on my laptop which i keep isolated from the WWW. My beloved has the gift of hospitality. She loves to have people over, to fix food for them, to fix meals for friends and/or families who are having a rough time and taking it to them. She just seems to know instinctively when to reach out to... well, be hospitable. She has really helped me grow in this area. Yesterday when i got home she was telling me that she would be going to our old church to help out with a reception for the family of a woman who was murdered earlier this week. She was acting like i might be disappointed because it would be taking away a Saturday afternoon from me, but i reassured her that i was not upset or disappointed at all. You see, we've known this woman for almost two decades. Her son went to school with our DD3 this past year (such a sweet little boy ~ he often gave little gifts to our daughter). I still remember back in the early 80's when a cousin of mine was murdered. I such at personal mourning. I have very little in the way of knowing what to say or do to comfort those who are grieving. Even when my own mother passed away i remember not feeling all that sad. Don't get me wrong, from time to time i find myself missing my mother and feeling a little "down", but i struggle with the all out grief ~ and in many ways that makes me feel disconnected from the human race some. Still, i pray for those who grieve and do what i can. Earlier this week my beloved asked me what i wanted to do for Father's Day and i honestly hadn't thought about it. You see, this will only be the second Father's Day i will be home since becoming a father in 1996. Every other one i have been on duty with the Army National Guard. It feels really good to not have to worry about the drill weekends anymore, to be able to spend more time with the family, but i would not have traded on one day of my service. I truly enjoyed serving and feel privileged to have been able to serve. So... i still don't know what i want to do... but i am going to enjoy being home. May God richly bless you all, and to any Father who stumbles upon this little blog: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

"Are you cold at night?"

Yesterday my beloved asked DS2, "are you cold at night". Most people who read this will know what she was asking. My beloved wanted to know if he was having trouble sleeping because he was too cold. She wanted to know if he had enough blankets, etc. His answer made me laugh. "Yeah, but then I heat it up and I have to move to find a cool spot." LOL - he was saying that he was getting too hot, and had to shift around so he could get cooler in order to get more comfortable. The acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree. We're both nuts. :) I'm in trouble. I will be leading the discussion for our Bible study Friday night and I've not even started to study up! *sigh* I still have 48 hours though... There is a really good blog entry over at "Preachers Preaching" about "Lazy Preachers" - in my case, I am being a lazy 'lay-leader'. Verse for today: Philippians 4:4-9, ESV Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Too tired - is it Friday yet?

This past weekend was out church's family retreat weekend. I had to work some overtime Friday night for an emergency issue, but to make that part a little shorter - I arrived out at the retreat center about 9:00 PM, and got settled in. There was a nice get together around a bonfire until 10ish. We then got all of the kids to bed and we stayed up playing 'Golf' (a card game) until about 1:00 something or other. The next day we were up bright and early to get to breakfast and the various organized activities we had set up. I shadowed DS2 (my 'Aspie') to a basketball skills activity, and then to the pond for fishing (man he loves fishing!). We enjoyed a nice lunch and then some family game time. I helped out with the 'baloon slingshot' game (all the while keeping tabs on DS2, and two kids from our friends who were also staying in our same cabin). That was a hoot. After this I suited up and took all of kids down to the pool for a couple hours while my beloved tried to get a nap (which was impossible BTW). Spagetti dinner was enjoyed by all - my beloved had signed up to help to make and serve, while I was signed up to help with the clean up. In hindsight, I got the raw end of that stick. LOL - then it was off for another fun campfire - with some skits put on by two of our resident funny men. The night did become a little stressful - and here I will get even more brief. DS2 went off to play with a friend of his - one my beloved and I trust. About 15 to 20 minutes later I thought it best to just go check on him (by now it was close to 9:00 PM). I wonder halfway across the camp to find an several of my son's friends all playing touch football. but no DS2. I was told that he stomped off in frustration. For anyone who deals with these types of children you probably know, this means that they are getting into a 'mode' where they close down and they do not always respond to outside sources. It took almost 30 minutes to find him (he had returned to the cabin and was in his bed - thank You God), but I also found out the source of his trouble. He had an altercation with some older boys that escalated until it was essentially 4 on 1. In the end God made sure that the Holy Spirit was with me as I was able to really deal with the situation fairly calmly (including a second confrontation with the older boys in question). I could type out another hundred words on this - but, it really raised the stress level. We closed out the night getting all the kids to bed, and playing some more cards with our friends until about 12:00 midnight. For a variety of reasons I didn't get to sleep until about 2:30 (ugh). Up again at 7:00 AM for Breakfast, Chapel, and clean up. But we were home by 12:30. DS1 had a friend come over - which really was a blessing because, once I picked up McDonald's for lunch, and my beloved got 3 out of 4 loads of laundry started we both settled down and took naps while the kids played (with me in front of the tube for some football!). I kept up with the Panthers via the local Fox network (watching/sleeping-through the Redskins/Giants), and the NFL channel, and my cell phone - man they came close to losing that game. The Buccaneers come to Charlotte next week - and I don't mind saying that I am a little nervous for my Panthers in this one. Well, enough rambling for now... Verse for today: James 2:14-17, ESV What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good [2] is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

A family outing

Two 'funny' - not typical - family outings to amuse... Last night my beloved and I had our Chiropractor appointments. Our doctor has these really nice recliner type chairs that massage up and down the back - with heat! (Man! If only I could get the insurance company to pay for one of those!) Afterwards, my routine differs from my beloved's. I am placed on a "rack" wearing some ankle brackets that have a 'reverse hook' on them. I then step up on a foot rest and move the table into a horizontal position. From there I then put the table into a steep incline with my feet up in the air. It sounds wierd, but does it ever feel nice! I also then do some 'half' push ups. This is the "McKenzie Method" of working the back into proper alignment, and it does not work for everybody, but it sure is a nice alternative to more invasive methods (when they are not needed). Then there are some alignments that take place for my back and neck. I mean, I feel like a whole new man. And the kids had some great questions. "Daddy, why are you putting those boots on?" LOL Then this morning, in preperation for upcoming vacations to Busch Gardens and Disney World (No, not at the same time) I had to get all new military ID cards for me and the family. It's an experience to work through a military process with my family who, for all intents and purposes, are really not much more than civilians. After all, I am only a part time soldier. "How much longer? was an oft asked question. But in the end, the kids were all very pleased to have their very own ID card. :) A side, and unrelated, note: While I was running this morning I was listening to a recent sermon from one of my old Pastors, Kenneth Maresco. It is titled, "The Pursuit and Practice of Fellowship", and is based off of 1 John 1:5-7. Now, my HTML, or blogging skills, are not really all that great, but I would encourage any one who may stumble upon this little blog of mine, to click on the link here: Kenneth's Sermon on Fellowship. The sermon was dated 06.24.2007. I would have preferred to do something like I've seen in other blogs where the audio/video would be accessable directly from here... but I have not learned how to do that yet... I am going to be re-listening to this sermon myself, as well as requesting some of the hand out material. It really spoke to me and where I find myself currently. Verse for today: 1 John 1:5-10, ESV This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

What an awesome weekend

It really was a beautiful weekend. What incredible weather. Saturday we packed the kids up and took them to the pool for a couple of hours. Not much else went on that day. Nice and relaxing. Yesterday, after church, out of the blue my beloved asks if I would be interested in heading out to a park or something. Sure, why not! Highs in the upper 70's, no rain, nice breaze. And just like that we packed up the cooler, and headed out to Cacapon State Park in WV. What a beautiful place. It was a National Park built during the depression by the conservation corps. It has a swimming lake, rental boats, a nice playground, and some excellent views of the valleys and some hiking trails (the latter two we did not take advantage of this trip). But it is reasonably close - an easy day trip. On our way home we were pretty hungry, not having packed any meals for the trip. The family we went with really wanted Mexican, but neither of us wanted to wait until we got back home. We stopped at a little resteraunt on our way back through Berkeley Springs, WV called Mi Ranchito. Wow, what a wonderful find! Excellent salsa, excellent fajitas! Just excellent food all around. And I was able to feed my family of five for right around $40 - including tip & and a half a carafe of Sangria. It was jsut a nice weekend all around. Note: I've not forgotten my promise. I will be working on my testimony and getting it posted. :) Verse for today: Psalm 8:1-4, ESV Lord, our Lord,how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?