Maybe Al Gore Was A Genius!

My wife and I finally gave in and are now sporting internet in our home. We've used internet (or at least the old bulletin board system if you remember those days!!) since it's conception, but as we concentrated on our budget the past year or so, internet was quickly one of those "extras" that was sacrificed. We have been without internet in the house for over a year, although both of us have access at work.

At least once every week for the past few months I have had to run out to the office (or in the driveway of a nearby friend with a "hot spot") to download something or to check an important email. Talk about frustrating!! And with our daughter home for the summer and needing to do some research, we finally decided to take Al Gore's invention :) back into our home. Now with DSL readily available, we are speeding our way to a never-ending informational search.

Now we'll see if this helps me keep this blog up to date!!

Time Keeps On Slippin'...

It's funny how life can change in an instant.  You might go to bed one evening and wake up the next in a totally different world.  I've always been told that as you grow older time will go much faster.  It has been proven that time is not a constant but simply a variable that is navigated at an unnoticeable rate, but I can't imagine that time actually "speeds" up as we get older.  I will agree however, that the appearance of time moving faster is certainly true. 

I remember when I was young dreading many summer days simply because they "crept" along.  Do you remember those days?  And then the teenage years where the days seemed long but you had lots of things to do, so you lived in what felt like the "eternal party."  Then along comes marriage, college, a family, a career.  The responsibilities keep piling up and before long you've blinked and you're 30 years old.  I remember my 20's, but I certainly don't "remember" my 20's. 

In just a few short years I'll be approaching the 40 barrier.  Age has never bothered me, so I don't anticipate this next one being an issue either.  But what has me asking some questions is whether or not I've accomplished anything in those 40 years.  I don't think many of us will ever be totally satisfied by what we've done in life, but can we live with the "how" we lived in life?  I guess that's the stage I'm in now.  Sure it matters some "what" I've done, but at this stage of my life's journey it matters much more about the "how" I am living life.  Maybe 40 is a natural time to revisit that question. 

But then again, maybe today is the day to revisit that question.  What am I waiting for?  What are you waiting for?

Saturday (horn hit!) In the Park

For the first time in quite awhile my wife, my youngest daughter and I took some time to visit a local state park called Millstream Gardens. I talked briefly about this park last fall, but we took a new "route" this past Saturday that ended on a scenic overlook called the "Cat's Paw." What a phenomenal view!!

I have attached some pictures of the splendor of nature. It is very similar to Johnson's Shut In's, but much more secluded and pure in my opinion. We'll be back to take some family pictures very soon!It's nice to take a break from reality and experience the glory of God's kingdom. At first my brain resisted - I have too much to do, I don't want to get outside, etc. My wife can be persistent (I love this quality about her - it really pushes me out of my comfort zone!! I love you because...), and before I could process my comment, I had agreed to take this short day trip.

The mile hike seemed longer than it really was thanks to some winding trails, but what a beautiful day!! The trails reminded me of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee where we spent our vacation a few years ago - more beauty and wonder from nature. I forget all to easily why I love to be outdoors. My body and mind get so trapped in the "real world" that I forget my soul needs a break. Watching the streams of water helped to refresh me and "refill" my soul - just what the doctor (or in my case, the nurse) ordered. Thanks Mrs. G for reminding how much I needed the break!

I'll challenge you to take a break today. Put down whatever you're doing and walk outside. You might even need to run to the nearest exit. Others may wonder what in the world has happened, but you can simply shout back to them that it's time for a "soul break." Peace. Tranquility. Goodness. God always knows just where we can find it. It might be His way of giving us a quick glimpse of His love or what the party might be like after our this life comes to an end. Either way you look at it, it's a great way to bring "Up There, Down Here."

Q Stands for Qumana

I'm trying out this new blog publisher called "Qumana" - this is a sample.  I'll let you know how it goes!

UPDATE:  Qumana seems easy to use.  I downloaded the Beta version and typed this entry in a matter of a few seconds.  I can also manage, edit, or create any entries directly from this wysiwg - very cool!  Let the experiment continue!!