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.