Get out of work free...
I got half the day off yesterday!
Read the little story all about it...
Smell prompts evacuation (about half way down the page)
All I did was get some yard work done, but it was nice to have some free time off!
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
I got half the day off yesterday!
Read the little story all about it...
Smell prompts evacuation (about half way down the page)
All I did was get some yard work done, but it was nice to have some free time off!
Something new...
My wife and I are going to try sharing this blog. I have decided to separate our posts with some icons.
So... for the time being, if you see this:
You know that Martha posted this!
If you see this guy:
You know that Mike posted this!
I hope that makes it a little less confusing.
This should be fun! :)
Monday, June 28, 2004
I'm famous... well sort of...
Our church made the paper this weekend, and there was a picture of me printed under the headline. (ok, I was about an inch tall, and you couldn't really tell it was me unless you read the caption...) But it was me none-the-less, and I feel really special about it.
Actually, it was a really nice story about our church. I think you might like to give it a read. (I especially like the last quote in the article by Chris Swanson. Their family is dealing with the death of their 4 year old son last month, and he is still looking to reach out to others. I see Jesus in them so much!)
In other news, I am trying to get my wife to sign up and contribute to this thing! I would be so honored if she would, because I think it would add the missing dimension that this blog needs. Everyone who has read the posts so far has no idea that they are only hearing from half of me! (by the way, I know that she will read this and feel so guilty about not doing it yet... :)...)
So, I think you will be hearing from her soon too!
Friday, June 25, 2004
Friday has come...
Seems that a lot of our friends have left town on vacation. Some went to Mexico, some went to Montana, some are in Houston, and others are on a road trip south.
We are still here counting pennies, and holding down the fort I guess.
It is really quiet all the sudden though. The phone isn't ringing as much, and we find ourselves wondering what to do with our time. This weekend will be a quiet one too. Which is quite alright with me!
Next weekend will be very busy on the other hand, so I guess I should enjoy it while it lasts. And, maybe I could catch up on some projects around the house, or friends I havn't connected with in a while.
I have also decided that this blog needs more pictures. The one in this post is of a summer sky near my home. Looking down the avenue toward Lake Superior.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Well, I have a couple seconds...
I just want to update this while I have a couple of seconds to do so.
It has been a busy week or so all around.
Work has been nuts! I have been trying to keep up with all the various projects, but I feel like as soon as I get one done, there are four more on my desk. It really helps to raise the stress level, that's for sure.
Typically when I get done with work (usually late each day)I go home and have dinner, and then it is off to the next task. Work on the church building, have cell group, meet to go over the church treasury...
Somewhere in between I spend time with my family, and find some time for myself. Then I go to bed so I can wake up in the morning and go to work.
That pretty much sums it up for right now... that will calm down soon (I hope).
I had the opportunity to preach on Sunday, and I think it went well. It has been a while since I last preached, so I brought a bit too much material to cover, but I got most of my point across.
"Receive your call from God, Step into that call, and Prepare to stand your ground." I took the overview of the life of Nehemiah.
Cell group tonight! We are planning a kick-off party for next week, so it should be fun!
Thats all for now.
It has been a busy week or so all around.
Work has been nuts! I have been trying to keep up with all the various projects, but I feel like as soon as I get one done, there are four more on my desk. It really helps to raise the stress level, that's for sure.
Typically when I get done with work (usually late each day)I go home and have dinner, and then it is off to the next task. Work on the church building, have cell group, meet to go over the church treasury...
Somewhere in between I spend time with my family, and find some time for myself. Then I go to bed so I can wake up in the morning and go to work.
That pretty much sums it up for right now... that will calm down soon (I hope).
I had the opportunity to preach on Sunday, and I think it went well. It has been a while since I last preached, so I brought a bit too much material to cover, but I got most of my point across.
"Receive your call from God, Step into that call, and Prepare to stand your ground." I took the overview of the life of Nehemiah.
Cell group tonight! We are planning a kick-off party for next week, so it should be fun!
Thats all for now.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Monday, June 14, 2004
Five years from now
I had an awesome weekend!
First of all, this was the first weekend that we had good weather in a long time. It has been rainy and cold for most of our spring. But this weekend we had sun and 70's which is always good.
We got a lot done on the construction on Saturday. We managed to get most of the windows in and it is starting to look a lot more like a building. I really am enjoying seeing that all come together.
We had to let the Ballards know that we won't be able to go to MT with them this year. It is actually a load off my mind and heart now that the decision is finally made. I would have liked to have gone, but for some reason, or many reasons, this year wasn't the year to go.
My wife and I celebrated 5 years of marriage on Saturday. It is amazing how fast 5 years can go, and how much can change in that time.
So, here we are 2 kids later, looking back on the years we have had. They were good years, and we accomplished a lot. We learned a ton. We loved even more.
Now we are looking forward to the next 5 and wondering what they will bring. I want to finish my Berean studies within 3. Martha is starting a new phase of ministry. Our children will be 9 and 6, and who knows how many more will be here by then...
...and those are just some of the things we think will happen. I wonder more about what God has planned for us.
We will continue to follow Life HIS way!
First of all, this was the first weekend that we had good weather in a long time. It has been rainy and cold for most of our spring. But this weekend we had sun and 70's which is always good.
We got a lot done on the construction on Saturday. We managed to get most of the windows in and it is starting to look a lot more like a building. I really am enjoying seeing that all come together.
We had to let the Ballards know that we won't be able to go to MT with them this year. It is actually a load off my mind and heart now that the decision is finally made. I would have liked to have gone, but for some reason, or many reasons, this year wasn't the year to go.
My wife and I celebrated 5 years of marriage on Saturday. It is amazing how fast 5 years can go, and how much can change in that time.
So, here we are 2 kids later, looking back on the years we have had. They were good years, and we accomplished a lot. We learned a ton. We loved even more.
Now we are looking forward to the next 5 and wondering what they will bring. I want to finish my Berean studies within 3. Martha is starting a new phase of ministry. Our children will be 9 and 6, and who knows how many more will be here by then...
...and those are just some of the things we think will happen. I wonder more about what God has planned for us.
We will continue to follow Life HIS way!
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Questions... Questions...
Had our first "real" cell group tonight (in my opinion). I take that back! As far as that goes, I have found that real is how you see it... or what you make it. So, I will say there was a significant change in the way cell group went this evening.
At any rate, we had a good discussion about Ephesians 6. Specifically the part about the armor of God. I could have talked all night, and I had a hard time holding back.
Man, I really enjoy being around a new Christian. There are so many refreshing questions to think about. It is weird how sometimes it is easy for me to forget to ask good questions. Since when did get to the point where I have everything figured out?
I think I am slowly figuring out what my heart is yearning for through all of this. I guess I am going through a time of wishing to be a bit more child-like in my imaginings of all things Christ-like. Like... like... like...
In other news, I am struggling over whether we should go with the Ballards to Montana in a couple weeks. My heart is divided with my mind. Part of me worries that we will not have the funds to do it, but then I have those moments where I feel that we really need to go... like right now as I write this.
Can someone just confirm this to me one way or another?? Well, I will sleep on it again...
At any rate, we had a good discussion about Ephesians 6. Specifically the part about the armor of God. I could have talked all night, and I had a hard time holding back.
Man, I really enjoy being around a new Christian. There are so many refreshing questions to think about. It is weird how sometimes it is easy for me to forget to ask good questions. Since when did get to the point where I have everything figured out?
I think I am slowly figuring out what my heart is yearning for through all of this. I guess I am going through a time of wishing to be a bit more child-like in my imaginings of all things Christ-like. Like... like... like...
In other news, I am struggling over whether we should go with the Ballards to Montana in a couple weeks. My heart is divided with my mind. Part of me worries that we will not have the funds to do it, but then I have those moments where I feel that we really need to go... like right now as I write this.
Can someone just confirm this to me one way or another?? Well, I will sleep on it again...
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Almost a week...
Well I let it go almost a week since my last update, and I can't believe it has been that long. It is amazing how time flies!
What has happened this last week? Not too much. Work has been crazy busy. I can't keep up with all I am trying to do, and I don't really know why. I think I may be too much of a perfectionist sometimes. I have to try and find the balance between worrying about things being perfect, and letting them be good enough.
The family is doing pretty good. Although, James managed to fall yesterday and gave himself a pretty nasty gash on his forehead. Had to get 5 stitches! (ouch!)
Well, I am at the end of my lunch break so... off to work I go! :)
What has happened this last week? Not too much. Work has been crazy busy. I can't keep up with all I am trying to do, and I don't really know why. I think I may be too much of a perfectionist sometimes. I have to try and find the balance between worrying about things being perfect, and letting them be good enough.
The family is doing pretty good. Although, James managed to fall yesterday and gave himself a pretty nasty gash on his forehead. Had to get 5 stitches! (ouch!)
Well, I am at the end of my lunch break so... off to work I go! :)
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Global Rich List
How rich are you??
I found this little test while searching for something else. I don't know how this works or how accurate it is, but it does make you think about what you have, what you don't, and what you really need...
Global Rich List
I found this little test while searching for something else. I don't know how this works or how accurate it is, but it does make you think about what you have, what you don't, and what you really need...
Global Rich List
Finally the sun!
Went to coffee this morning with my brother-in-law. We finally have a decent day as far as the weather goes.
Duluth is REALLY beautiful... when the weather cooperates. There is no place like it!
Check out Northern Images to view some great photos of where I live!
Duluth is REALLY beautiful... when the weather cooperates. There is no place like it!
Check out Northern Images to view some great photos of where I live!
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
It has been a few days...
So I will try to recap my weekend just for fun. It was miserable weather for most of the weekend. Cloudy and cold and just for kicks some rain and fog mixed in!
We went to the Ballard's house for dinner on Friday. That was good. We had a nice dicussion about the state of our church both Spiritually and emotionally. We agreed that God is up to something and is drawing us together as a group. It is so good to see how close we can become with God's love!
Saturday was a work day at the new church building. We got a lot of little stuff done even though it didn't look like a lot. I am off to work up there again this evening. Sounds like I will be hoisting bundles of shingles to the roof. (oh joy!)
Sunday was church, which went pretty well. The rest of the day we just hung out at home.
Monday was Memorial Day holiday. I had a Company vacation day, so that was nice. I just wish it was nicer out! We went to a service put on by the local VFW post to honor the veterans who have died. Then we went to visit the various grave sites of my family. Later my family got together for ice cream. It was a nice day.
Today I am back to work and swamped as ever!!! So, I better get to it!
We went to the Ballard's house for dinner on Friday. That was good. We had a nice dicussion about the state of our church both Spiritually and emotionally. We agreed that God is up to something and is drawing us together as a group. It is so good to see how close we can become with God's love!
Saturday was a work day at the new church building. We got a lot of little stuff done even though it didn't look like a lot. I am off to work up there again this evening. Sounds like I will be hoisting bundles of shingles to the roof. (oh joy!)
Sunday was church, which went pretty well. The rest of the day we just hung out at home.
Monday was Memorial Day holiday. I had a Company vacation day, so that was nice. I just wish it was nicer out! We went to a service put on by the local VFW post to honor the veterans who have died. Then we went to visit the various grave sites of my family. Later my family got together for ice cream. It was a nice day.
Today I am back to work and swamped as ever!!! So, I better get to it!
