Overdue update

I decided today that I needed to update my blog. It's been far too long since I did so. I am just about to start my 3rd week of classes, and I'm already overwhelmed. I didn't have a chance to do my homework this past week, so I'm cramming it all into this weekend. I got 2 of my classes done/almost done yesterday, and I'm working on the rest today.

Unfortunately, I'm having a bit of difficulty concentrating on my studies because of my allergies. I haven't had to deal with them for quite a while, but they have beaten me up badly. I've probably been through a half box of Kleenex so far, and I'll probably end up near a full box just this weekend. My nose looks like Bozo the Clown's nose . :-(

Please keep Casey and me in your prayers for our sanity and well being.

Eric

My wife...my blessing

The other day I saw a wall decoration that said "God grant me the patience to deal with my blessings." Well God has definitely made that stand out in my mind. I've always been pretty poor in communications with others. I do 'okay' in social situations, but not well...and I have always struggled with communication with my wife. Thank goodness my wife is so great at it.

Slowly but surely, I'm being yanked from my shell (the one that isolates me from having to share how I feel--yeah, yeah I feel dirty just saying that!). My wife does very well communicating, but that has never been my forte. She is definitely my complement...and my better half. Thanks to her patience and ability to pull me out of my shell, I feel so much more comfortable talking about things with her now than ever before.

On a related note--and more to the topic of this post--my brother recently told me that he needed to find a good woman, and I told him that I already married her. My wife is such a blessing to me that I can't begin to express how much she means.

New blogger announcement

My incredible wife, Casey, has started blogging. I'm sure she can use lots of support in her new endeavor!

Please keep us in your prayers as we're about to be tested to our limits. I'm currently working full-time and she is working part-time, I'm about to start back into school and she is about to begin nursing school. We've made it over a year now (had our one year anniversary on the 14th of this month), but haven't had to deal with nursing school yet.

Phil 4:13 says "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength"...well we're gonna need it! Thank you for your prayers.

Obama and Christ

From the very beginning I have been a fan of Barack Obama. The fact that he lacks typical 'political experience' is not a negative in my book. Maybe I'm too cynical about our politicians, but between lobbyists and everything else I don't trust 'Washington experience'.

When Obama came along I felt like he had that fresh look to him...but something gets to me--and still bothers me: "I believe there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people." This is very obviously wrong...but he isn't the only one who has made this nature of statement. Our current president said this 4 years ago:

Charlie Gibson: Do we all worship the same God, Christians and Muslims?

President Bush: I think we do. We have different routes of getting to the Almighty.

Charlie Gibson: Do Christians and non-Christians, do Muslims go to heaven in your mind?

President Bush: Yes, they do. We have different routes of getting there.

I never liked Bush...but I'm finding myself between a rock and a hard place here. I don't like Obama's statement on beliefs, but I don't care of McCain either. I just don't know what to do, and I have the distinct impression that I'm not the only one.

Roll call?

Hey, I know there are a few of you who read my blog, and I'd like to see who is watching. Feedback is always helpful, too! So if you're reading this please comment just to let me know you're paying attention.

Thanks!

Running on empty

I am officially declaring that I want to live my life in a full manner. I want to get to where I'm living my life with some reserves in the tank. What do I mean? Well, more than just having a full tank of gas.

I want to live NOT paycheck to paycheck. I want to live my life without constantly feeling drained and tired. I want to live my life that I can have time for myself and my family. I want to live a worry-free life. Don't get me wrong...I don't want a life void of fun or anything like that.

When I was younger, I held everything on my shoulders. I had issues with ulcers and stress. I recently decided that most things weren't worth worrying about. I've been told that many people come to this realization when they have a heart-attack or some major medical problem where they realize their problem [life] is terminal. If I die tomorrow, is it going to matter that there's a few dishes in the sink, that there's a bed unmade, or a flower bed that isn't weeded? Not one bit!

I want to live with weekends where I can [mostly] relax. Working all week, then doing massive projects/running around all weekend, and then back to the work week is not a way to live life. If for no other reason than the fact that we are to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Never slowing down may be a way to keep up with the Jones's, but that life--THE Rat Race--is a way to NOT efficiently get projects done, or work for that matter.

I want to live within my budget. Having gas cut significantly into my budget means I don't have enough reserves. It is my sincerest hope that I can budget to live off one income (great idea if one person loses a job!), save half of the other income, and use some of what's left for play. That way WHEN gas prices go higher, it isn't a big deal.

I want to live within the time allotted to me. I want to budget my time to have time for my God, my family, and myself.

I hope that sharing this may help some of the rest of you. If you have thoughts on this, please share them!

Meeting the neighbors

When you move to a new neighborhood, you never know who your neighbors will be. I remember [waaaay back] when I was a kid, moving meant your neighbors brought over cooked dishes and introduced themselves. The apartment I lived at for the past year was nothing like that. I never did meet my neighbors from anywhere around me.

Well, fast forward to our new home. The first day I went over and met our neighbors a few doors down. It turns out the neighbors consist of a 60-ish widowed woman, and two men in their mid-40's. I introduced myself and quickly figured out the guys are living an alternative lifestyle. I have never felt comfortable hanging out with 'them', but these neighbors are really fun to hang around.

I feel like God is trying to open my eyes to see everyone as a somebody rather than stereotyping and shutting people out. After spending some time with them, I just feel like I need to share His love. I don't agree with their choices, but I'm still called to love them as people. Who knows what God may do through me!