I had started the summer with every intention of completing a large number of home projects, including re-wiring the sprinkler timer, digging up my backyard and re-landscaping, painting two bedrooms and select rooms downstairs, setting up a guestroom, and getting a good start on decorating the library/armory.

Sigh.  I don't even want to think about how little I've finished.  What happened exactly?  Not sure.  Either work projects, meetings, or various other engagements came up, and now here I am in July nearly August nearly over with little to show for my summer.

This week, however, looks promising.  I've set tomorrow aside for relaxing, but Tuesday-Friday, I'm thinking maybe I'll start in with the painting projects.  Tomorrow, I'm going to take a drive.  I don't know where I'm going, but I know it will be not here.  And that's exciting! 

I spent Friday and Saturday working the CCS Online booth at a home school convention in Modesto.  By myself.  It was a looooong two days, but I got in some reading (read 1984 for the first time ever), and I met some interesting people.  I always love the connections I'm able to make at conventions and such.  More and more I am learning that success is so dependent upon who you know, and I'm thankful for the opportunitites I get to meet and listen to influential people.

I also had the pleasure of listening to Josh McDowell speak for about an hour.  He was actually much better than I had imagined he'd be.  The funniest bit was when he was ripping on Pentecostals for being lazy (because they use the Holy Spirit as a crutch for not having to do any work/research/study/preparation).  I wonder how many people he offended with those comments.  I had honestly never thought of it that way before though.  Anyhow, I got out of there before I had a chance to dislike him.  In other words, I listened to his intro, but I didn't stick around for his apologetics lectures.

Other that that, I have been spending a good deal of time reading up on current events and watching way too much of the news.  I'm learning more than I can handle, and it does nothing but terrify me.  However, I'd rather know than not know.  I think.  And I'm, of course, comforted that God is in control of even this. 

Yet, I can't help but be disappointed at how ignorant the general Christian community is on what's going on.  How long are we going to let this garbage continue?  Since when are we supposed to stand by as the state slowly sucks away every last one of our rights until finally it's a crime to even believe or attend church?  I feel like most Christians think the possibility of Christianity being outlawed in the US is next to impossible.  Unfortunately, it's very possible, and we need to stop taking our rights, freedoms, and blessings for granted.  If we don't continually work to secure our rights, we are going to lose them.  Wake up, people!  Wake up. 

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you...for now.

HOLIDAYS, ETC.

I am pro holiday.  While it's rather a duh statement to say every day should be thanksgiving, I think it's important that we take one day in particular to really focus on all the blessings in our lives.  Thanksgiving is also one of the few days we have left where the Christian (or deistic, at the very, very least) roots of our country still show loudly and clearly. 

It's amazing in a day where we can't even say "Merry Christmas" without being hassled, that we still allow discussion of pilgrims and God's grace on national television and in the largest, most popular parade in the nation.  The inconsistency is astounding, but mostly it just reminds me that the non-Christian has no solid ground to stand upon.  They're always borrowing something or other and somehow find the nerve to curse God in the process.  It's silly, really.  Among other things.

FOR DORIS

Life has been pretty nutso lately, but I have to admit, I really do welcome all the business of the past two weeks.  Keeps me from dwelling on things I can't do anything about. 

Jess came to town, which was fantastic.  Stacey had a fun, amazing wedding.  I got to party with Jacob and Leanna again and really hang out with Diana and TJ for the very first time (of any significance).  I have to admit, they are all some of the most enjoyable people I know.  And for the first time ever, I felt like I was at "Table 8."  For those of you who don't know what that means...it's alright.

On Saturday, we went to a rad conference featuring Derek Thomas from RTS.  We celebrated my mother's birthday on Sturday night.  Ruth's Chris...perfect.  Churched it up.  We went to Crepe Escape and Nick and Norah on Sunday.  We closed on a house.  TJ (my bro, not the other one) and I got to get a couple of fun appliances for our move (late birthday presents from our parents), and last night, we bought a couch, which I'll be paying off for the next year.  But it's a beauty.

Needless to say, things have been extremely busy.  This is the first night I've had free in a while, and I only have it free because it's midterm week at City Seminary.  I'm auditing my class, thank you very much. 

Anyhow, that's the scoop.  I hope one day that I will fall back into regular posts on here, but I can't promise it will be anytime too soon.  Hope you all are doing well in Xangaland. 

XOXO

I WILL NEVER LOVE YOU MORE THAN MY MAC COMPUTER

Matt introduced me to this musician named Soko, and she has a song called, "I will never love you more, " which is pretty great.  You should all listen to it.

We have a three-day weekend, and I suddenly feel relaxed.  But I shouldn't, because I have plenty of things to get done, including about a days' worth of work I'm behind on at this point.  However, today, I am going to focus on cleaning the house, watching a few more episodes of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," and making cider with Margy.  I might toss in a little appliance comparison, too...since we have to find a washer, dryer, and fridge sometime soon.

I am getting excited about moving to the new place, but I'm dreading the part where I have to pack everything.  I'm also not excited about divorcing my roommate.  Since we've been roommates for so long now, splitting everything up is going to be crazy.  We're both going to have huge gaps.  I won't have a couch, and she won't have any kitchen supplies, etc.  Stuff like that...it will be a little bit sad.