Flatlined

Apparently eating is important if you want to lose weight. I have managed to not lose a single pound (or gain) since last Tuesday. I neeeded a few more calories in the ol' diet I guess. So this week I revamped my eating habits a little bit, and I'm back at it. Hopefully I'll get down a few more by the weeks end.

Every now and then I look at the "stats" for my blog. I don't know if its a self esteem thing or just curiosity. For some reason they are just fun to look at. Especially since someone from Alaska reads my blog. I'm pretty sure I don't know anyone from there. Except Sarah Palin, and I doubt she has time to read my blog. I'm probably not high on her radar at this point. Not that I want to be... And not that I don't want to be. I guess I wouldn't care either way.

If anyone knows anyone (hah) that wants to buy a house, fix it up, and sell it (or live in it) let me know! I think I know of a house that could soon be for sale.

One of my favorite parts about blogger is that it auto saves everytime you stop typing. Its the greatest thing ever. I've never had my browser stop working while I was blogging or anything, but I imagine if I did, it'd be nice to not have to retype everything.

Is it ok that I've already picked out the 7 jobs that I hope to get one of in the Air Force? This is what I am thinking would be fun:
1) Munitions Systems
2) Fuels Apprentice
3) Security Forces (Military Police)
4) Fire Protection
5) Missle and Space Systems Electronic Maintenance
6) Nuclear Weapons

There is one more that I can't remember right now. 4 and 5 are probably my top two choices. They sound like the most fun to me.

Thirteen to go.

Pipes or Guns?

The other day while I was driving, I began to think about whether its nicer to have your arms referred to as "pipes" or "guns". I guess pipes could be good. Like the lead pipe in clue. If someone was comparing those two that would be nicer than guns I bet. But usually when I think of pipes I think of copper, or PVC, or corncob. Nothing that really says "I am gonna blow you away with my massive arms". But when someone says "nice guns" or something to that effect, its like...whoa. Guns...those will knock you down and blow you away. (not trying to be vulgar here, stick with the metaphor.) So I think that "guns" is a better way to describe arms than "pipes" But I'm somewhere still in the pistol range, so I'm not quite a gunner yet!

In other, more serious news. Allyson and I have been making some future plans for our lives. Since about June we've been discussing me joining the Air Force. We've gone through our lists of pro's and con's and sought out some good advice. So, we decided that it'd be a good fit for us. Unfortunatly in order for me to get signed up I have to lose 25lbs...now down to 13, so I am halfway there! Hopefully I will meet the requirement by the first week of January. I most likely won't be off to BMT until May or so. But we are very excited and can't wait for me to lose some weight and get things in motion!

Thanksgiving week..

Also, if I did have a bagel shop, I'd have my friends work with me. And my wife, of course. That would make it the most fun. But, before I let them work, I would interview them and ask them werid questions like, 'why do you want to work here?' and 'where do you see yourself in 5 years?' See if they would sweat or not. Because those questions really have no good answer in an interview. Then after I finally gave them the job, that is if they still wanted it after having to answer said questions, I'd let them know that the first customer in the store in the morning gets a free bagel and coffee. That way we'd always be busy right when we opened and that would make the employees grumpy. Who wants to be busy working at 5 or 6 in the morning? I like to ease into work, so I'd stay by the cash register and watch them work fast. That would make them more mad I think. And after they found out they were only making minimum wage they'd walk out and I'd have to work all by myself. So in the long run, I guess its good that I don't own a bagel shop. But I still think it'd be fun, someday.

I work out at the YMCA 3-5 times a week. And when I get there, its usually just a bunch of elderly retired people walking, and the guys do some light lifting so they can still feel strong and try to impress the elderly ladies that are there. It's nice for me. Then I can feel strong because I do more than all of them. The Y is kind of a wimpy gym as I see it. Its not where the big strong guys go to get bigger. Its where people like me go to try and get strong. So I fit right in. But all these elderly guys, when they are in the locker room, just strip their clothes right off. There's always an old man butt in the locker room. This morning, I walked into the locker room after my workout, turned the corner to get to my locker and whammo...there it was. There's not really a way to get around that I guess. So I pretend like there isn't a naked man standing there, which makes me self conscious, and just go shower. But I suppose that's how I'll be when I'm old too. Because when you are old you arn't self conscious. You're wiser than that.

That means when I am old I'll have a bagel shop, and strip my clothes off in the locker room. Hopefully I'll be self conscious enough not to do it in my bagel shop. I wouldn't get many customers if I did. Maybe just some elderly ladies.

bagels

There was just one bagel left in our house this morning. I wasn't particularly hungry at 7am, so I toasted it for Allyson upon her request. But as I began my drive into town, I thought how nice it would be to have a bagel with cream cheese on it for breakfast. I had pondered getting a BK breakfast sandwich, or a Mcgriddle. But that was just too much substance. I just needed a little light something to sit in my stomache. I thought about all the places in Alexandria that I could have breakfast at, and I couldn't think of one that would meet my needs. It was then that I missed Times Square. Just a plain bagel with strawberry cream cheese, please. Upon racking my brain some more, I remembered that Caribou sold muffins. French Toast muffin it is. It did its job, just a light little breakfast. However, it did not satisfy me nearly as much as a plain bagel with strawberry cream cheese would have. If I was smarter, or wealthier, or had more equity in my house, I suppose I would open a bagel shop. What could be more fitting than a bagel for breakfast?

The end of a work week.

I am so glad that today is Friday. I am looking forward to a very fun and relaxing weekend. First excitment of the weekend? Meatloaf at the in laws. Its delicious. Especially with the sauce Karyn makes. Mmmm....
After that its off to see unstoppable. I think the agenda for Saturday is pretty open, but I feel like there is something going on that I am forgetting about. I guess we'll see. And Sunday...its off to church and then down to the cities to see Donald Miller and the Robby something band. It should be a pretty good time. I'm looking forward to it!

Me and Allyson and our friend Katy went to a 'spinning' class at the Y on Thursday, oh man, it was pretty intense. I don't think I've sweat that much in a very, very long time. My knees still are sore. It was kinda fun...in a kick my butt sorta way. I think we're going again next week...and then I'm gonna sit in the hot tub and relax.

I'm hoping to hear back from WASP, Inc next week. I applied for a position and I think that I will at least get an interview. But, it'd be a great job to have. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my prayers going. The Lord knows what I need and where I should be, so I will trust him to bring me to the right places.

And...

The elections have come and gone. I don't think anyone I voted for won. Thats always kind of a disappointment. The WCA school referendum passed, which means I'll have higher property taxes to pay for things I'll never use. But life goes...and now I can think about the more important things in life. Like the Vikings. And just football in general. Hopefully Childress will be fired by the end of the year. :)

I was reading Galatians this morning. Chapter one. I was planning on reading through the Bible from beginning to end since I just got a new NLT, but I only made it as far as Gen. 26 before I got bored of the old testament. So Galatians it is. The last verse of the first chapter was my verse of the day. "And they praised God because of me" So Pauls situation was pretty drastic...I mean he went from killing Christians to Evangelizing and discipling, so no doubt people would praise God because of that. But then I thought, 'will/do people praise God because of me? I don't think so...not so much anyway. Spotty at best. The Lords really been hammering home the Romans 1:16...not being ashamed of the Gospel and all that. I guess you'd call it boldness. Living with intentionality. etc... Here's to that! May you remember to praise God today. Simply just because He is worthy of our praise.

Soo

Since the last time I posted I have 1) gotten married 2) had jaw surgery 3) [&3a] made two trips to PA for my cousins weddings 4) made a trip to VA to move my sister back home and 5) done lots of house projects. Its was a crazy busy summer. I should also mention that one of my sisters got married inbetween the two trips to PA. Now things are starting to settle down and I can relax from the summer rush. I'm actually going to take my wife on a date tonight! Just the two of us....(busting into Will Smiths song)

I guess I don't ever get into to much detail. The last three months I just summarized in one little paragraph. How infuriating that would be to my wife if we were having a conversation. :)

I've always wanted a little bible. Not the new testament only, but just a smaller sized whole bible. Yesterday I did just that. I bought two. One for Allyson, and one for me. Also, they are in a different translation(NLT) than what I usually read(NIV). Now I can read through it and mark it all up! I'm actually looking forward to it.

Pastor Mike did a sermon series not too long ago about growing up spiritually; he started off every week with the quote "You can't put earthly things before spiritual things and expect to grow spiritually". So I can't watch tv instead of reading my bible and grow spiritually? It mostly speaks about intentionality. If you don't want to do it, then you won't, and you will live like it. But as the Lord works in my life and I learn new things, I want to live as intentionally as possible. So here's to a little less tv and a lot more bible. A little less sleep, and more God. A little less music and some more worship.

Here at last.

I saw a video clip today on the weather channel about some huge gas tank that got struck by lightning and burned for 6.5 hrs until all the refine oil was gone. The fireman said thats what they were trying to have happen, cause there was no way they could put out the flames. So it turned out to be a controlled fire. But, stories like that have always made me want to be a firefighter. Especially a wildfire fireman. It just seems so exciting. In an adreniline exciting sort of way, not in a "oh wow, awesome" sort of way. This made me go on to think of other things that it would be fun to do.
1) Firefighter.
2) Play on the PGA tour.
3) Climb the tallest peaks on each continent
4) Sail around the world. (If a teenager can do it, can't I?)

Ok, so I only got to four, but still. I think they'd all be quite exiciting!

I have about 2.5hrs until I have something to do. I can finally take a breath. It seems like every day is run run run, go go go. And I think it will continue that way throughout the summer. But come October life should settle down a bit. I will be ready to chill by then.

Bible

I enjoy reading the scriptures. The words just seem so alive, almost like they are jumping off the page at you. It all makes so much sense. When I read the words I like to just think about what it means. Oh how God must love us to give us these great words. And any attempt I make at trying to explain them or what they might mean only detracts from the power that is already placed in them. The words explain themselves. Its so easy to tell that the Bible is "living & active" when I read it. The Bible just brings clarity. It brings perspective. It provides a right focus. It's so easy to become "I" focused instead of being "Him" focused. When I take a second to draw back, and look at life and what is really important life becomes so much more simplified. I like the fact that I don't know what all the scriptures mean, and that I never will. I like that God is much bigger than I can comprehend. Yet at the same time, so personable, so caring, so patient. I like that I don't see the BIG picture all the time. And, I like to know that the big picture doesn't revolve around me. It revolves around bringing God glory, that HIS name is praised. I like resting in the fact that God is good, and no matter what he does, it is good. Even if my feeble mind cannot understand it, or see how it would be that way. If it comes from God, its good. If God does it, it is good.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.

My God is indescribable.  My favorite part of this whole video is that after nearly three minutes of describing God he says how he wishes he could describe him. My God is immense. He's much bigger than I can fathom, much greater, and much worthier than words can describe.

This, that, and the other thing.

In my head there is a lot going on. Wedding plan stuff, Texas stuff, helping my brother start a lawn care business, jaw surgery, helping out with EPIC, bettering my relationship with God, with Allyson, and with other people. Oh, and house stuff...which there is never a shortage of house things to do! EVER. (Which reminds me I need to turn down the water heater...the waters' been too hot.) So I have all this 'stuff' going on, but I am not good at verbalizing any of it. At least not in any depth. Somewhere deep inside of me there is a fear of being rejected. Of not being liked, of not being good enough, of being dumb, etc... I think that deep seeded fear is mostly what keeps me from verbalizing my thoughts.

Another part of why I have a difficult time, especially with spiritual thoughts, is be I think due to the general population saying that those types of thoughts should be kept private. Not to make excuses for myself by any means. Its just something that I think I have fallen under the influence of.

The first step is recognizing that there is a problem though, right? I don't want fear to run my life. To prevent me from having fruitful, and thought provoking conversations. Here's to letting fear go!

April 16th

Today is April 16th, and it feels like the load of the world has been lifted. When I was in college I would generally hold off studying or doing take home tests until the last minute. That usually meant that I was a little bit stressed out, and rather rushed to make sure everything is done and that it is acceptable to turn in. Then, once it is turned in there is a big sigh of relief. Today, for me, that big sigh of relief is today. Tax season is over. I can sit back a little, everything isn't quite as rushed. Back to the normal pace. Breath. It's a nice feeling.

Healthcare

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." Mark 12:17


I'm not big into politics, and I don't get to concerned with what is going on in D.C. For the most part the things they decide have no direct effect on me. However, it seems this healthcare is stirring up quite an ado. I've only read a little about it, so I might be somewhat naive. From my understanding, if this is passed I'll have to buy healthcare by 2014 or face a penalty that is a percentage of my income. I'm sure there are pro's and con's for both sides, but it doesn't really matter to me. 


The government is able to do what it wants to do. That's just the reality of the deal. As a Christian, my response is to obey what they tell me to do. Romans 13:1 & Titus 3:1 are specific about obeying government that is placed over us. Titus says specifically to willingly submit to government. 


You may disagree with the government about healthcare, taxes, or a number of other issues. However, as a Christian it is out job to submit to their authority. If they want a few more dollars for taxes and healthcare then so be it. Give to the government what is theirs. And give to God what is his. 


What is his?


You are his. Your time is his. Your thoughts are his. Your very being is His. You are not your own. You were bought at a price. A price of God's only son, and if you have bowed your knee and surrendered your heart to Jesus Christ, then it is your responsibility to comply with President Obama's plan of healthcare. Whether you agree or not, it makes no difference. And you are to do this without grumbling and complaining. Obama deserves your respect as an authority figure. 

Lord

Lord keep me strong. Remind me of who you are. Remind me of the completeness that there is in you and in you alone. Even though the earthly body may die, we are alive in you for all time. Remind me. Help me not to ask 'why' but 'how'. How can I bring you glory and honor?

The dilemma with eating...

Why is it that eating is so comforting? Taking a nice big bite of ______, in my case, usually something greasy and unhealthy. Trav's has thee best bacon cheeseburgers ever. Add fries and BBQ sauce and I'm set. I could eat them multiple times a week. When I don't, Papa Murphy's is just down the road. I love Papa Murphy's pizza. Especially the cheese. I try to avoid going in there when its being held up, but if its a pizza day, its a pizza day. Today is a pizza day(but payday isn't until tomorrow). So tomorrow will be pizza day. Sundays should be designated pizza day. There's just something so nice about coming home from church and eating a nice cheesy pizza. Or grilling.

But here's the dilemma... if I were to eat like that all the time I would resemble something like John Madden mixed with an elephant. In other words, its not healthy. But it tastes so good.

So, how do you curve(curb?) an appetite? You can eat a head of lettuce and get as many calories as 3 M&M's... its just not fair. Who wants to eat a head of lettuce? Or three M&M's for that matter. You see, I am on this LGN diet, and there is an ideal weight that I would like to reach, but I would also like to eat. And it must be possible, because while I was across the ocean a few years ago I ate just fine and lost plenty of weight. Which I managed not to gain back for probably almost a year. Thats when I succumbed to a love of fast food again. Perhaps therein lies the problem. Back to rice and beans? Maybe a little chicken?

I have managed to cut out almost all of my soda intake... and I'm working on the snacking thing. Its just so easy when there is nothing else to do. But, I'm trying to drink water instead of girl scout cookies... oh how I love girl scout cookies.

So, what to do? Anyone have some good recipes? Healthy recipes?



P.S. I'm going to hopefully remember to 'label' all my posts.

Saturday

Its Saturday. I already vacuumed, did two loads of laundry, dishes, and thirty minutes on the treadmill. And I got the mail. Oh, and I folded the clothes. Now just to get them put away. But what's the rush? The other load is still in the dryer.

I would like to take a nap, but thats not very productive. I would like to plant grass too, but its way too wet. There is also many things I'd like to work on in the house, but that won't come till later this summer.

I guess I will go read. And then take a nap. :-)

Xanga

I happened to return to my old xanga today, much to my suprise all of my posts are still there, including this poem written sometime in late 2007.

Dusk turns to night,


The pain and tears set in.

Lonliness encompasses my being,

As dusk turns to night.



The night gets cold,

Feelings follow suite.

And soon I grow numb,

As the night grows cold.



Cold gives way to dawn,

The light starts peaking.

Emotion flows in,

As the cold gives way to dawn.



Dawn breaks into day,

While the sun shines high.

Hope begins to grow,

As dawn breaks into day.

Learn

I thought I would add a nice little something to my profile, so there is a Calvin & Hobbes. There are many different strips that I could put up of them, but I found this one to be nice. Learn something everyday. Learn something from everyone you meet. Not only will it help you improve your attitude, you will learn tons of awesome things. Be a lifetime learner.

I finished my dinner of corned beef and toast not too long ago. Mrs. Clare made a very tasty dinner. And I ate just enough to satisfy my hunger. After I was done eating I had the oddest thought...why is it that Batman had Robin? Superman had no one, The Hulk had no one, Spiderman had no one. Is Batman so lame and weak that he needs help? Or, is it that he is above all else and goes beyond what other super heros go, that he needs someone to catch his back every now and then? I guess it could be either way.

I heard some interesting things today regarding money. I'm listening to a series on being content by Chip Ingram(amazing teacher) and at this point he ties it in to our material wants etc... anyway, the point being this: he said that money is all about worship. I had never thought of it that way before. It was quite a nice thought. He also was talking about giving sacrificially and how we get our needs and wants mixed up. God always provides for out needs. Needs. Needs. Needs.

Those who sow abundantly will also reap abundantly. 10% is not abundantly. Scripturally, 10% is the MINIMUM. Convicted. Guilty. Not sowing abundantly or sacrificially. Also, you don't reap in the same season you sow. This being a rather rural area I can understand that. The farmers don't plant corn one day and harvest it the next. Rather, it takes months for the harvest to be ready.

And think of this, if you need a friend, instead of complaining about no one talking to you and being your friend, be a friend to someone. If you need love, give love. If you need affection, give affection(appropriatly of course). The underlying theme is this: if you need... give.

Are you the fly?

The fly didn't know it was going to die yesterday.

Harriet is a very precious cat. She's just 7 or 8 months old now, and full of energy.

She's also a precarious cat, jumping about from here to there. Onto the dresser, back to the floor, onto the shelf in the wall, to the table(before she is shooed away) back to the floor. She loves to chase pieces of paper on the floor too. Wadded up receipts is one of her favorites! When she is finally worn out she lay on the top of the couch and sleeps. Only to be awaken by the sound of a fly. She awakes with a start and sits right by the lamp, because thats where the flies like to gather this time of the year. Her jaws move in the most fastest of ways, make the oddest noise I've ever heard out of a cat. Then, without notice she will leap up at the wall and try to snatch the unsuspecting fly. She had been trying to catch this fly for several days now, if not a week or two. Yesterday she got him. Allyson and I were watching a movie, and we heard her leap up the wall, we turn to each other and ask, 'did she get it?' then we look at Harriet on the floor munching on said fly like a mid-afternoon snack. Harriet loves to eat flies. Especially that one. And I'm glad she does. They are the most miserable insects to have bothering you in the summer time. I hope she eats them all.

It leaves me to wonder if I am a fly. Am I just buzzing around the light, not paying attention to what's going on around me? Am I desensitized to the hurting, the lost, and those without hope? Am I susceptible to an unknown attack? The devil is seeking to devour me. How aware am I? I pray I am more aware than the fly. I do not want to be eaten like a mid-afternoon snack. I pray that I am engaged in battle, defeating the enemy and his minions.

Come one come all!

Alas, I have entered into 'blogosphere'. Its not quite 'a whole new world' as Ariel would say. I have been here long ago, long, long ago. Does the name Xanga ring any bells? Thats how long its been. Before the days of Facebook, (there was such a time) and perhaps even before the days of MySpace. However, as my life become more uninteresting to the world, my blogs became far and few between. But this blogging is the hip new thing, as it was 10 years ago, so here I am to give it another whirl.

What should be the topic of my first blog? Thats a legit question. One that I may even answer. However, its something that should be seriously considered. After all, this is the FIRST blog. I need to be able to leave a good impression, if there isn't a good impression you won't bother to read it again, and I will fall out of 'blogosphere' again. In the process of writing this unimportant paragraph, I came up with a good topic for my 'first' blog.

Dessert.

Do not underestimate the importance of dessert. If you eat dessert after breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anywhere in-between it makes no difference. It also makes no difference what you like to have for your dessert. It may be cheesecake from Chicago shipped in on dry ice, or from your local grocery store. Maybe its cookies, or grandmas cake recipe. Perhaps you are fancy and love the art of cooking, maybe you make chocolate mousse, or pie. There are even some of you who lack a 'sweet tooth' (why God made you that way, I have no idea) and you simply prefer celery and peanut butter, pita and hummus, or a little bowl of fruit. What you eat for dessert makes no difference. Its the fact that it truly is dessert. Its important to have that special food that you enjoy and just the right time of the day. So, fellow blogger, whatever it is that you enjoy as a dessert, go and have some. Enjoy your little snack and smile. Smile knowing that no one can take that dessert away from you, and even in all of life's troubles you will have that dessert to cheer you up when nothing else will.