TEXAS

Whitney and I are in Texas now. So far it has been ok. I was just informed today by my new boss that I will now be making 10.50 per hour. Thats down from $17.... still kind of shiver when I think about it. It has been a big adjustment. Dropping to part time and allowig my job that was 1st priority to take a seat somewhere in the back has been challenging. It is dificult for me to sit back and just be an employee. I like to be in charge, and I like to get more money!!

Its hot all the time. It can be very draining. Especially for someone who likes gray skies. I miss the ocean. Even though we didn't live on the ocean, I miss the fact that I could go if I wanted to. We are still figuring out which church we will be a part of. We had a positive experience @ Calvary Chapel Plano, but we will see.

Classes start next week. I think that Greek will be the most challenging because it will take the most discipline and is the one that I cannot BS. Funny to think of BS while studying at seminary. It's just that's how I have always gotten through school. Hopefully it won't be the same. I am interested in what we will be studying and everything that we study will have direct application to my life. That alone should motivate me to avoid the BS... but school is school. I will have to be careful to not follow in the footsteps of the student that I was. If that's even possible.

In a book I read recently by Henri Nouwen he pointed out that in scripture the is a pattern that is the secret to balanced ministry...

Solitude - Community - Ministry - Solitude

I think that this is wisdom for this particular season that Whitney and I find ourselves in. Daily we must set aside time to be alone wtih God. Then we must seek out relationships and love others as well as be loved by them. Then we need to participate somehow with others in sharing Christ's love with the world. Returning to solitude so that the Holy Spirit can shape our character and we can rest in Christ's love. Once I am trying to balance my time between school, work, and wife, it will be easy to allow the grind to smother me and prevent me from fully enjoying what God has for me here.

Lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon me.