Clearly not committed...

Good thing my blog isn't necessarily high on the search list - August 11th was my last post? That's crazy. Usually I have tons to say - apparently not. Of course, that may be because I'm NEVER HOME! I can't believe how crazy and demanding work has gotten. It's out of control - but I really like the work and appreciate Best Buy as an employer.

OK - enough griping. Today, Ethan and I went to church. Erikka was sick and Rhea stayed home with her. We've gotten REALLY LAZY about church this summer. For everything God has given us - so undeservedly - I think we can get our butts out of bed on Sunday morning and put a concerted effort to go and worship. Sickness is always a good reason to stay home, but we were still really disconnected this morning, clearly not making the conversation a priority.

Today in church we discussed the Beatitudes as part of a few weeks' worth of study on the Sermon on the Mount. I'm glad we're doing it - after the Pastor's set-up, I realized that I have never really studied this crucial part of Scripture. We talked about the many, many blessings we receive from God, not from our own doing, but from the love of Christ, Who died for us all. People sometimes take the Beatitudes out of context and think that these are things we have to do - that we are the source of these actions, and therefore somehow deserving of the blessing. Not even close. It is because of the Spirit that we act in certain ways, and God blesses regardless (because we are going to fail many times). And, this sermon was truly to those who already believed. Christ was setting up some pillars...anchors for His believers on earth.

Anyway - if you happen to stumble upon this for some strange reason, look at Matthew 5 - 7.

God's peace!

Still thinking about the Amish

This morning, I had a small serving of eggs and bacon with two slices of toast - nothing special. But on one slice was homemade rhubarb jam (Hershberger family) and on the other, dandelion jelly (Yoder family). Both families are Amish and did business at the Saturday farmer's market.

As I was tasting the amazing flavors, I suddenly felt sad. I can't say that the Amish and I are aligned on our faith - strong Christian roots, but somewhere, we got diverged in the wood. However, I have to say that I'm a little envious of their life. I'm not sure I'd survive it, but it's really attractive. As a child of God, I am but a traveler in this world for a short time. And I fill that time with technology, commuting, eating great meals, exercising (as often as I find the time), reading, watching TV, and a few minutes a day with my family. WHAT IS THAT?! Is my salary really worth it? Will my children truly suffer long term if I don't make the salary I do now? Am I misdirecting my question or curiosities?

I don't know, but those Amish folks really got me thinking about my priorities and how I look at life. To not put myself in a position to care whether I have something that I don't need...to fully appreciate and be grateful for God, family, friends, food, shelter, and clothing. The rub to that is that God put us on this earth to bring the good news to the masses...kind of hard - but NOT IMPOSSIBLE...when you live the life of true, gut-wrenching simplicity.

G&G B&B, the Amish, and a couple Minnesota Caves

For our family vacation, we decided to go to Harmony, MN. Rhea had been in that area about 20 years ago - so we considered the area to be largely unchartered for us - which made it even more attractive.

We stayed at Grandma & Grandpa's B&B, about 10 minutes from Harmony - down a largely isolated country road above the valley. It was quaint, and the owners (who also own the hardware store in town) left us completely to ourselves, which is what we wanted. It was cozy for four people, but comfortable and had everything we needed...and more.

The Amish are plentiful in the area and we were able to be in their presence at least a couple times per day. What a beautiful people, really, if you step back to understand them. First, you really can't get too much more environmentally friendly - and their simplistic way of life is appealing. They may be a bit too locked in their view of non-Amish folks...but you have to give them credit for sticking to their guns! I got to interact with some Amish children in the grocery store, and we also went to an Amish market and were able to speak to a couple of the craft women. We bought a couple crafty things, along with dandelion jelly, rhubarb jam, and raspberry/rhubarb pie. All of it - EXCELLENT!

We went to two caves - Niagara Cave (outside Harmony) and Mystery Cave (in Forestville State Park). Both were great adventures, but Rhea and I agreed that Niagara got our attention most. It just seemed less...mainstreamed. But Mystery Cave kind of has to for educational purposes and to let all people access the cave. They still do a good job of preserving a taste of the natural cave terrain and formations. Niagara Cave, though, was spectacular. Not highly accessible, though for those in wheelchairs, the elderly, or the overweight (lots of spaces where we just squeezed through). But that's part of the charm - if they made it highly accessible to all, then they would have to blast out a big percentage of the natural formations that you otherwise wouldn't see. Niagara Cave also have a place outside the giftshop (which is very nice) where you can pan for gems and stones - both Ethan and Erikka did that and it was really cool. Even the big kids were having fun with it!

All-in-all the visit down there was great - nice giftshops, quaint places to eat and beautiful scenery. We also visit Lanesboro, but weren't entirely impressed - maybe we need to go to Lanesboro without kids or something...it just didn't seem all that it was cracked up to be.

Highly recommend all the things we went to - very fun, very memorable, and we got to learn new things about our Amish neighbors and God's amazing creation!

">http://grandpaandgrandmas.com/
">http://www.harmony.mn.us/
">http://www.niagaracave.com/default.asp
">http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/forestville_mystery_cave/index.html

Don't know what you've got...

...'til you're trying to give it away!

I'm in the middle of transitioning to a new job, throwing away things, reorganizing files, gathering info for my replacement, etc. And my new job is entirely different from what I'm currently doing, which means very little of my past 8+ years at Best Buy isn't coming with me. I didn't realize all I'm currently doing and all I've done until I started planning my hand-off.

YIKES! I'll do my best - with a little help from a glass of wine or two...or three...or...

I should be grateful...

Here I am, a thirty-something professional guy, in a position that most people would be thrilled to have. I've been invited (!) to investigate two different job opportunities - both in the same company in which I work currently - that would allow me to add value to employees' lives and do something really interesting every day.

And it's dragging me down. I hate leaving people in the lurch...and the timing for both positions could mean really throwing a wrench (albeit temporary) into the project timelines and resources. But that's not the kicker for me. I need a career that embodies service to others in tangible ways (doesn't have to be 100% tangible all the time) - something where I feel I'm really helping people in ways that are absolutely foundational to who they are and who they want to be. Right now, I don't feel my job gives me that. Others have argued that it does, but I'm not seeing it. I really can't see it! There's an indirect correlation there, but...I don't know...the flame has dwindled on that relationship.

PLEASE don't feel sorry for me. That's not what I'm looking for. Really, it's to put in writing the ridiculousness of my fretting over this situation, when I should really be grateful. And...I'll probably fret over it until a decision has been made. ;)

Peace.

Republican Convention - VOLUNTEER!

I'll start this new blog by asking for forgiveness for what may seem to be hypocracy. I'm going to plead with readers of this blog (are there any?) to volunteer at the Republican Convention in St. Paul, MN...knowing that I can't because I'm not sure if I'll even be in the country at that time (work-related).

I'm not a die-hard Republican...nor am I a lover of the Democratic party. Whether you side with one party or the other - the point is that we should all support the process that we have the freedom to have. The hateful words I've been seeing about "Republicans" is childish and uninformed - and frankly, for a country that values diversity and respect for the individual, it isn't very respectful to blanket all Republicans the same way.

That being said, this is also an opportunity to show the world that MN knows how to do democracy - that we know how to treat each other as human beings and support the overall process. Volunteering for this event does NOT mean that you've signed up to be a Republican or that you even support their views - it simply means that you are proud of your state and that you want all visitors to feel welcome to facilitate the process we hold dear to our hearts as United States citizens.

So...please give the volunteer coordinator a break and help out. If you aren't able to volunteer, at least be a proponent of peace between parties and don't contribute to negative, bashing conversation. To volunteer, click on the title of this blog.

It happened on June 20, 2008...

My first blog. Crazy. I've been told I'm opinionated - and long-winded - and supposedly have interesting things to say. A blog. Blog. What a weird word. Normally I don't do freestyle writing, but it's my blog, so I guess I can do that. Blog. Golb.

Much more interesting things will be posted here - trying to learn how to do this to be more effective at the work I do every day (which centers around technology strategies tied to corporate learning).

Will post again, soon.