"Changes" by David Bowie

So I'm taking a page out of my friend Mitchell Carter's book (or rather blog). I plan to start posting my thoughts on the books of the Bible that I'm reading. I'm going through them in order and I'm currently passing through Genesis 35.

In other news. The bike was stolen. It's really sad to think that someone would take it, but these are just things. So I've had to reconsider my working out goals. The bike issues (both it being broken and now stolen) have really tripped me up in all I had been hoping for this summer.

Today I went out into the heat (91 with a heat index of 106) and walked. I walked roughly 4 miles it took about 70 minutes, and they were miserable. I considered in the midst of the walk how at some point this was the primary mode of travel, sure you might have a pack animal, but as far as general travel this was all there was. So now my goal is to keep this up. I've got Phil as my partner in this since he just tipped the scale at 220 (which is almost where he had started about a year ago when he begin police training). I don't know what weight I want to get down to, or what weight I should be at and I know that if Harrison Dell reads this my lack of a solid goal will drive him nuts. I know I need one but I don't know what yet. I'm too afraid that I will overshoot a proper goal and burn out, or undershoot a good goal and not accomplish much. Input in this area will be appreciated.

What else is going on? Oh yeah I'm changing my major to accounting. I had a real heart to heart with Phil, he was concerned about the lack of real career direction in my life. I mean if ministry turns out to be something I'm not able to do full time and support a family or cover student loan costs I'll need to be employed doing something else. Why accounting? I think I can do it and be satisfied with what I'm doing, and it is a profession that is always needed by employers. I've just signed up for 4 business classes along with Living World Religions and an Oral Comm class (I'm changing it to a minor since I'm already so close to that, just with what I have). In all honesty I feel really good knowing I'm taking a focused direction. I really hope this attitude becomes pervasive in my life.

The last bit of news is sort of a two parter. about a week ago Phil and I were talking about a goal we've wanted to achieve for a month and a half: Getting my family here. We wanted them to meet him, and the other people I with whom I spend my summer. We wanted them to have a real idea in their head of the place that about which they've heard stories from me. So the moment came we had both of them on board to come and now we just needed the money, and after giving it some real thought I told Phil, "I've got the money saved up." He knew the money I was referring to my laptop fund, and he said to me, "You just have to ask yourself which you'd rather have: a few days with them or that laptop." I told him I'd have a check for him as soon as I can. They will be here a week from Friday and I cannot wait, it might actually be the last time all three of us are together since Lizzie is going into the army in September.

The second part of that news is that this past Sunday, Phil is standing before the congregation in the midst of what we've deemed "Family Time," during which we openly share any new prayer requests or prayers answered and any other news about the goings on of people in the church. He then says, "I'd like to talk to everyone about Matt." My face must have looked like a dear in the headlights. I had no idea what was going on I started thinking back for any reason, and it wasn't a special day, I was speaking, but to comment on that would be premature. What could it be? He began to speak very highly of me, and how I have matured since we first met over a year ago. Then he gives me a card I open it and start to read as he recounts the talk we had in deciding how we could afford to get my family here. As he is telling the story I'm reading the card. The statements in it all say things like, "Enjoy it," or "use it well." and just as I'm starting to piece it all together Phil reaches beneath the table and pulls out a laptop box.

I was flabbergasted. truly speechless, I got up and took it, and gave Phil a hug (which is significant since he isn't really a hugger). I have gotten to see it but not use it. Phil is a man of great consideration, which means a lot of research went into the purchase of that particular laptop and he is currently having the Village President (small town mayor) Kenny Scott look it over, since Kenny is also the operator of a computer sales and repair business in town.

The song of the day is "Changes" by David Bowie, because I'm "just gonna have to be a different man, time may change me but I can't trace time." Many things are changing in my life, plans, people, places, and I trust that God over time is using these things to shape me into the man he wants me to be.

-matt