It's been a while

It's been a while since my last big blog. Here is an update of what God has been doing over the past month:

I finished Greek 1 & 2 which was a great challenge. I learned quite a bit but I was not ready for the workload. I was in class Monday through Friday 9am to Noon May 26th through July 3rd. Each day in class would be followed by 4 to 6+ hours of study each day. It was interesting to see how even the most accurate english translation has its faults in translation. I'm going to try and keep up with what I've learned so that I can apply it as God grants opportunity to teach His Word. By completing these classes I'm now on track to graduate next May! I praise God for this opportunity and how He is shaping and molding me through it and also praise Him for Jill as I wouldn't be able to make through this without her amazing support.

This past weekend was crazy! I had not had the time I usually have with the kids and Jill so this weekend was a whirlwind of activity. On Friday, as I basked in the glow of finishing Greek 2, we went to fireworks at the local high school. We met up with some friends (the Pauley's who have 3 boys - yes, when we get together it's always a party!) and watched the fireworks. It was priceless as Chloe cried, Caitlyn cried at first and then loved, and Caleb sat on my lap wide-eyed and his heart beating a mile a minute with a big grin!

On Saturday we went to fireworks in Rolesville (a town about 5 mintues from our house). While there we met up with the Joyce's from our small group. We watched the fireworks and everything went well until Caitlyn got bit by an ant right before we left. When we arrived home Jill asked Caitlyn where put her shoes and Cailtyn answered in tears that they were still in the field where we had parked in Rolesville. Sooo after we carried in Caleb and Chloe I picked up flashlight and headed back to Rolesville with Caitlyn. After searching in the dark for 15 to 20 minutes and man with tattoos all over each arm walks up to me and asks if I was looking for a pair of sandals. He stated that he and his wife decided not to wait in traffic and walked across the field and he walked over them. He them started to help search. After searching for a while he said he couldn't remember where they were and started to walk away. At that point I thanked him for his help and continued to search. Within in 2 miniutes I stumbled into a depression where I found the sandals! Super Dad to the rescue! Seriously though, Caitlyn was starting to freak out and I had just prayed that we'd find them and we did.

On Sunday we again got to see fireworks! Before the fireworks I got to take the girls to a birthday party where we got to tour a movie theater and see how the films are set up and then watch the movie "UP". The movie was awesome and very family friendly. As soon as the movie was over we had to bolt and go meet up with Jill and Caleb (who both took naps while we were at the party) to go to a minor league baseball game - the Carolina Mudcats the AA team of the Cincinnati Reds. We had a great time with the Pauley's and the girls got to meet "Muddy" the Mudcat! Then the fireworks! 3 nights in a row! Only a few tears this time.

God has really opened my eyes to something of late. He is teaching me of humility which is a difficult thing considering that I must be the most prideful man in the world. Humility has everything to do with Him and nothing of me. Humility is most difficult for the one wronged or presumes that he has been wronged. Asking for forgiveness is the easy thing, the granting of it and following through on granting it is the truly difficult thing. Through this I have seen how amazing the gift of God through His Son Jesus truly is.

I'm excited about this upcoming weekend! Jill and I are going away together for the first time since before we had Chloe! Our friends' are watching the kids and we are going on a dinner cruise on Lake Norman just outside of Charlotte and then spending the night there. We are both pumped! Jill is the most beautiful woman I've ever met and to get this time together is a true blessing. Thank You Lord for this time we will have together!

Thought for the Day

Good friends are like WEDGIES you share deep things with them and then you pick on them.