Big Mistakes

Windy and I were shaken today at the news of some good friends who had a child step off the good path recently. That's not to say that this child was not good, just that they made some big mistakes. We talked about if it was due to some thing that their parnets did or didn't do. Was it just rebellion or was it just free will exercising itself? Who knows, but it sure does make one worry if they are doing everything that they can to ensure that children have all that they will need to resist mistakes in the future. We love our children dearly and yearn for them to enjoy the blessings of righteousness.

Have you ever felt like . . . ???

Windy and I have wrestled with so much lately. We have been at out wits end with the kids who really know how to push our buttons. Also, new budget guidelines as well as dealing with difficult, indecisive and ambiguous people have made church callings a mess. Lastly, I find myself waffling back and forth about what position I should apply for at work, or if I should just stay the course.
So much confusion, so many questions, I feel like George's father on Seinfeld. Like I sould begin screaming, "Serenity Now!!!"
The good news is that I was finally able to put both cars in the garage finally. :)

The new "Crib"

Some of you are aware that we bought a new home. Here is a recent picture of the new place. It is located about 5 to 6 miles south and slightly west of our old place. We are still in th process of unpacking. Today I was visiting with an old friend who had moved about a year and a half ago. He told me that they had just finished unpacking al of the boxes. AGGGHH. I hope that he was joking. Actually, we are not doing all that baad, but I must admit that we were going crazy with the unpacking until just about Christmas and then at that point, we just gave up and have not been motivated enough to look in another box. I am sure that many of you can sympathize. One of the other big stumbling blocks to unpacking is the fact that we are running out of places to put things. Not that the new place is not big enough, it's just that it lacks the storage space or shelving to fit the bill. So until I get handy with the tools and build us some new shelves, the boxes just sit there and stare at us . . . mocking our new home and it's cavernous interior.
-Shad

Day two - already tired of my rambling?

I ache all over today because I am pushing myself to get ready for a test with APD. There is a "Search and Rescue" division that is starting up and they are selecting members based on their abilities to perform physical tasks and also based on some critical thinking skills. I ran today until I nearly threw up. Rough start to my day!!
Later I went to help my mother install some lighting in her back yard. It was a little bit technical and as I finished the job I found myself driving home thinking that I am truly blessed. I mean, I have had a lot of really great opportunites to sit with people and learn some really great skills. I don't pretend to know it all, but I sure can fake it when it comes to a lot of things. The best part is sharing those skills for the benefit of others. I'm not saying this to toot my own horn, but just the other week, a friend and I were able to climb on the roof of a sister in our ward and help her by re-roofing her patio roof. She was blessed and I was happy to make a small deposit to pay her back for all of the wonderful things that she has done for our family over the years.
The Lord really blesses us when we use the gifts that he has given us to bless others.
-Shad

The start of it all

It is 12:10 am on Saturday the 7th of January, 2006.
Windy and I just read an article about how Blogs can really be a neat thing to help span the distance between family and friends. Also, to help share information with those in your circle of friends. So this is it, we have entered the world of Blogging. Hope that you will join us. It doesn't hurt and I promise that when you become a Blogger too, I won't tell anyone. It'll be our little secret. Post a comment and let's see where this takes us.
-Shad