Miscellaneous

Today I have no time (or energy) to write a well crafted post (even by my sad standards) so instead I'm just going to share some miscellaneous stuff that stood out to me.

-First, I'm having a stressful week; I have three major assignments due by Friday (one of which I need to tour a place that I can't seem to get an appointment with), I'm working 5 shifts at Olive Garden, I'm trying to work on my investment property, I need to fix my own house, and I'm trying to sell some vending machines that I bought as part of a business. All in one week. When I start thinking about it, I have to stop; it's too overwhelming. I don't usually feel overwhelmed, but I can feel myself approaching the naked edge of it. I guess the idea that I may not be able to do all of it (or even enough of it) is enough to scare me because it means I'm not in control. Personally, being in control (or at least the illusion of it) is very comforting . . .

-My friend Evan got engaged and I just wanted to say a public "Congrats!" You are the man Evan . . .

-The other day at Olive Garden I was enraged at one of my tables. I actually witnessed a woman emotionally abusing her thirteenish year old daughter. When I came over to the table I heard this woman threatening to leave the restaurant and telling the daughter that she was useless and the cause of all her problems. This kind of treatment continued throughout the entire meal. I actually felt rage inside because (A) I couldn't do anything and (B) I know what the results of this kind of thing are - emotional abuse is often as damaging (or worse) then physical abuse. The girl just covered her face and looked . . . beaten. Needless to say, I felt traumatized after seeing this abuse, it broke my heart. If you think to, please pray for her. If nothing happens, she will grow up thinking she is as worthless as her mother tells her. . .

-This Sunday, our family headed up to Mennville, the church where I used to youth pastor. We hadn't been there for a long time and it felt good to go back. We went to attend my good friend Terry's big 25th Anniversary Party but before the party we were invited out to lunch at Dwight and Lorna's (members of our old leadership team). We had such a great time hanging out on the farm. The kids got to play with kittens, newborn chicks, and Dwight and Lorna's kids. Seeing out kids playing outside with animals on the grass . . . just seemed so natural. Jobina even started talking about moving out to the country again. As for the party, that too was really cool; Terry and Eloa seemed to have a good time and we had a lot of fun catching up with old acquaintances. It made me think about my future 25th . . .

-Today I helped my friend Dylan put up drywall in my rental property (we're fixing some water damage). I am now officially a man! Finally . . .

May Light increase!