Long Drive Home

Tuesday I decided to take off Christmas Eve and spend it with my family. As the day progressed, it appeared that the drizzle was freezing outside. We watched traffic moving slowly on the road in front of my office. People were starting to leave early due to the inclement weather. I decided that I too would leave a little early and try to get home while it was still daylight.

I had scraped the truck clean and was rolling just before 4:00pm. I decided to take a state highway home as opposed to the more outlying roads. It is a 10 mile drive home and it is basically a straight shot to the subdivision which takes typically 20 minutes, unless traffic is excessively heavy at which point it may take 30 minutes.

And then there was last night. I called Krista after 30 minutes on the road. I had traveled just over a mile by that time. It would take me nearly 3.5 hours to travel about 3-4 miles from work. Total commute time, 4 hours. Did not get home until 8 that night. Witnessed a five car accident which took place about 2 cars in front of me. Crazy night in the car. Watched two trucks spin out without involving others, watched a car right beside me fishtail into my lane, narrowly missing me.

God was good to me last night. I thanked him hard on my way home and I made it to my family so that I could enjoy Christmas Eve with them.

Piano

Last weekend at church there was a special Mother’s Day brunch on the Saturday prior to Mother’s Day. Krista’s mother made the trip to our home so that she could attend with Krista. And on that Saturday, Brandon had been asked to play piano during the brunch. He had never played in front of people before and he did a wonderful job. Many people from church commented on his ability. I am so thankful that someone asked him. Otherwise, no one would ever know. Sometimes we have to put ourselves ‘out there’ and Brandon did. He enjoyed it and so did the crowd. Mom and Dad are so very proud.

Contentment

The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need. (Psalm 23, NIRV)

 

In six days I made the heavens and the earth. I made the oceans and everything in them. But I rested on the seventh day. So I blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20, NIRV)

 

Strange how many things we allow to frustrate us, to cause us discontentment. We are told that to be bored is a bad thing. It means we are not progressing, getting better. But better at what cost? Our modern society is no longer agrarian, with its natural cycles of work and rest. And of course, that means it is better, correct? We have more knowledge and more access to knowledge than ever before. We can perform our work at home via the computer and connect with people around the world. And we can progress, never looking back, never taking a break. Because if we do, we are not helping society or ourselves be all that we could be.

It is all a delusion. No, not hard work. No not doing honest work for honest pay. But rather our need for more. It is a need that does not only manifest itself in our materialism, but one that manifests itself in every nook and cranny or our lives. When we rely on God, we have all we need.

Moving

When we moved, it seemed like we were the only ones who changed. That is, that we could always go home and that home would be just as we remembered it. Same friends, same places. And then you realize that will never be the case. It is funny that a short while back some of our friends moved to a different city. Then a year and a half later we moved. And since we moved, some other friends have moved. And yet another couple of sets of friends are looking to move.

It is hard to remember that it takes time to make new friends and to make a new house, a new town, …a home.

Bell Leadership

Last week I spent a few days in North Carolina at UNC attending a leadership conference. Very much worth it. On the return flights, one was delayed ultimately delaying my return by 3+ hours. But overall, the conference was good. I learned much, and have much to put into practice. My goal is to be better as a person, better as a leader, better as a worker immediately and ultimately in a permanent manner. The seminar provided much insight into myself.

Springtime

Springtime may have finally arrived. It was a beautiful day and evening. After work my son and I went for a short bike ride around the subdivision. What a good evening we had.

 
 

Today something unexpected happened with our unsold (maybe not) house. With springtime here, the grass is turning green and growing. My mother asked me about my lawn and how I was going to mow it and whether or not I wanted her to mow it. I was thinking of calling a friend to ask him if he would mind mowing the grass for me or if his son could. Then today, Krista told me that the lawn had been mowed.

A retired friend from church came over and mowed today. I am deeply appreciated of Tom’s deed. I will remember this act of kindness. Thanks Tom.

Office

Well I did it. I finally broke down and bought Microsoft Office. After years of trying not to purchase it I finally caved. My son has to do a PowerPoint for school and the open office version was just too confusing for him. It is significantly different as far as menus, etc from what I am used to, but then again there is great familiarity with the product.

Since we have moved, this is Brandon’s second powerpoint presentation that he has had to give at school. He is only in the 5^th grade. I remember the first time I had to give a speech. I was in the 7^th grade. He has been giving presentations since the first grade. Hopefully this will help him in whatever career he chooses.

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And I am writing this to the blog straight from word. I am anxious to see if I get more creative with a product that I generally already know.

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One last thought, as I now edit my post in word.

I finally completed a book. The McManus book, Uprising was good. Not sure if it was what I was looking for when I bought it, but found it quite an enjoyable read. But April is nearly over and all I have read is one book. I do not read much each year, but I am behind. Time to read.

2 Houses

Well our old house may be sold. We are awaiting the buyer’s inspections to be completed. After all of this time, it is still nerve-wracking. As of now, I don’t consider it sold. In two weeks, I will know for sure if this is going to happen. As such, I will take the conservative view that it is not sold.

Sometimes I wish I could celebrate now, rather than later. But for me, I will wait before getting excited.

Taxes

Well today was tax day. I am not sure if I have ever filed on April 15, but this year I did. Well, I filed the states today. I filed the Federal return in February or March.

Doing the state return just did not seem like fun. Since we as a family lived in one state last year and I worked also here in Indiana, it meant that I had to apportion income and worse, I had to read the instructions.

But Krista took the forms and mailed them this morning. What a relief to complete something that you don’t look forward to.

Spring time is coming

OK, so Spring is already here, but when you still have to wear a coat, scrape the car’s windows in the morning, it makes one wonder. But tomorrow it is supposed to be in the mid 70s. And windy, but 70s nevertheless.

 

It is fun watching trees bud and flowers bloom. It makes one realize that whenever life seems dull, boring and dead, that God has a way out. That things can get better. That things are supposed to be better, for that is the way he created. Spring reminds me of God’s presence and his redeeming grace.

 

I like Spring.