Weeks 30, 31, and a Touch of 32 of the New Years Goals
My oh my, I've been a busy boy. First, work has been a tremendous time consuming factor for me these past few weeks. Good, but demanding work. As always, I'm thankful to have it in the abundance it presents itself, but I need to find some relaxation between shifts as well. I'm really just being a wimp about it though since I've acquired far more hours in a week than what I've actually been doing these past few weeks... My overall life has just become so schedule oriented that it's hard to even find the available time for a few hours of overtime. Monday evenings I have my Sanchin-Ryu class, Wednesday is Bible Study night, Thursday is golf league, and generally my Friday's are spent on the road (driving to Leah's and trying to get there with a hair of daylight left). Tuesdays are my only "open evening", and that evening is usually spent sleeping to recover from the weekend. I desperately need to simplify my life so I can fit drawing time in, business planning, etc. for Robo Bug. Looks like I may have to add a few goals to dumb down my event calendar. O_o`
But enough griping about enjoying fun activities throughout the week, having a job, and a delightful girlfriend to occupy my time. When I say it that way, it's a lot easier to see the blessings than the curses. ^__~
Speaking of my "Delightful Girlfriend", Leah and I have decided to add a few things to our relationship. Like... a baby! JUST KIDDING!!! Trust me when I say that a ring and a wedding would definitely predate a child. lol. Actually, we're adding prayer to how we close our evenings together. Couples that pray together tend to stay together, and it's a great way for us to remain pure of heart and thoughts late at night. I'm a lucky man to have a woman in my life who loves the Lord so much and only wants to further His kingdom. I won't be seeing her for the next two weeks since she's going to be going on vacation with a friend of hers (traveling out west to rock climb and sight see). Please pray for her safety and health as she ventures out into the great unknown.
And now for the updates on the goals.
1. Paying off College Early = This is still a day to day goal, and with the addition of the available overtime work, I think I might be able to make some headway here. Hopefully God will keep me sane in my efforts. *__*
2. Reading the Bible in One Year = I've been bouncing around a bit and have started to engulf my studies into the book of Acts. Leah's Sunday morning Bible study is working their way through the book, and I want to be able to contribute with solid information and insight.
3. Good Works in God's Name = We recently cleaned out the basement of a widow's home, removing a lot of old clutter and junk that just made the place feel far less open than what it was. She was so thankful for the assistance, and I'm working on contacting other widows in order to schedule more work for the church body. I might have to start reaching beyond the widows and into the needs of the rest of the surrounding community though. I need to pray on this and seek His guidance on when and if I should be pursuing this just yet. I don't want to overlook anyone or any possibilities.
4. Achieve 2nd Degree Brown Belt Status in Sanchin-Ryu = Master Shruga has invited me to have some private training lessons on the weekends (when both of us are available) so we can hammer out some of the pieces I'm missing in my forms. I'm really looking forward to this as I respect Master Shruga very much as a teacher and friend. I think this will be good for both of us, as my studies will receive some great instruction and insight, and I'll hopefully be able to present myself as a loving Christian friend and allow for seeds to be planted and grow in him as well. He's always very respectful of my beliefs, and I just try and let God have God's moments with Master Shruga while we're in conversation. I'm not of the mindset that beating someone over the head with the Bible always is the best approach. We're suppose to witness out of love, and when that love isn't in the witnessing process, it's only seen as "Bible Thumping". I don't intend to deliver the Word of God in anyway other than love. The response of the individual may vary in their reaction, but I can't let pride some false belief that God can't defend Himself falter my witnessing. I'm a seed planter right now, and a sower when He calls me to do so. He does the growing (well... He does it all really). ^__^
5. Run a Full Marathon = Bought new shoes this week and a knee brace. My knee has been a bit of an issue these past few weeks, and I'm thinking that an update in foot gear will make a tremendous difference. At least I hope it does... shoes aren't cheap. lol.
Side Note = I've been enjoying the book "How to Make Webcomics" by Brad Guigar, Dave Kellet, Scott Kurtz, and Kris Straub. It's a great read into both the business of making webcomics and the marketing of comics on the web (and much much more). I would strongly suggest it to anyone with a flare or idea for a webcomic (this might be directed slightly to Grant *cough* *cough*). Definitely worth the investment.
And with that, I take my leave. Time to get back to what I'm paid to do on this machine. ^__~
Take Care and God Bless,
Chad
But enough griping about enjoying fun activities throughout the week, having a job, and a delightful girlfriend to occupy my time. When I say it that way, it's a lot easier to see the blessings than the curses. ^__~
Speaking of my "Delightful Girlfriend", Leah and I have decided to add a few things to our relationship. Like... a baby! JUST KIDDING!!! Trust me when I say that a ring and a wedding would definitely predate a child. lol. Actually, we're adding prayer to how we close our evenings together. Couples that pray together tend to stay together, and it's a great way for us to remain pure of heart and thoughts late at night. I'm a lucky man to have a woman in my life who loves the Lord so much and only wants to further His kingdom. I won't be seeing her for the next two weeks since she's going to be going on vacation with a friend of hers (traveling out west to rock climb and sight see). Please pray for her safety and health as she ventures out into the great unknown.
And now for the updates on the goals.
1. Paying off College Early = This is still a day to day goal, and with the addition of the available overtime work, I think I might be able to make some headway here. Hopefully God will keep me sane in my efforts. *__*
2. Reading the Bible in One Year = I've been bouncing around a bit and have started to engulf my studies into the book of Acts. Leah's Sunday morning Bible study is working their way through the book, and I want to be able to contribute with solid information and insight.
3. Good Works in God's Name = We recently cleaned out the basement of a widow's home, removing a lot of old clutter and junk that just made the place feel far less open than what it was. She was so thankful for the assistance, and I'm working on contacting other widows in order to schedule more work for the church body. I might have to start reaching beyond the widows and into the needs of the rest of the surrounding community though. I need to pray on this and seek His guidance on when and if I should be pursuing this just yet. I don't want to overlook anyone or any possibilities.
4. Achieve 2nd Degree Brown Belt Status in Sanchin-Ryu = Master Shruga has invited me to have some private training lessons on the weekends (when both of us are available) so we can hammer out some of the pieces I'm missing in my forms. I'm really looking forward to this as I respect Master Shruga very much as a teacher and friend. I think this will be good for both of us, as my studies will receive some great instruction and insight, and I'll hopefully be able to present myself as a loving Christian friend and allow for seeds to be planted and grow in him as well. He's always very respectful of my beliefs, and I just try and let God have God's moments with Master Shruga while we're in conversation. I'm not of the mindset that beating someone over the head with the Bible always is the best approach. We're suppose to witness out of love, and when that love isn't in the witnessing process, it's only seen as "Bible Thumping". I don't intend to deliver the Word of God in anyway other than love. The response of the individual may vary in their reaction, but I can't let pride some false belief that God can't defend Himself falter my witnessing. I'm a seed planter right now, and a sower when He calls me to do so. He does the growing (well... He does it all really). ^__^
5. Run a Full Marathon = Bought new shoes this week and a knee brace. My knee has been a bit of an issue these past few weeks, and I'm thinking that an update in foot gear will make a tremendous difference. At least I hope it does... shoes aren't cheap. lol.
Side Note = I've been enjoying the book "How to Make Webcomics" by Brad Guigar, Dave Kellet, Scott Kurtz, and Kris Straub. It's a great read into both the business of making webcomics and the marketing of comics on the web (and much much more). I would strongly suggest it to anyone with a flare or idea for a webcomic (this might be directed slightly to Grant *cough* *cough*). Definitely worth the investment.
And with that, I take my leave. Time to get back to what I'm paid to do on this machine. ^__~
Take Care and God Bless,
Chad