The Countdown To Stress.

Hello, all. It has been twelve days since my last entry, and I'll tell you why. School. With only a week and a half left, I've had to focus on finishing papers, making up work, and studying for any upcoming finals. So far, my attempt to do so has been only slightly above mediocre. This is the invitation to stress. I despise that school ends in such wonderful weather. It's the type of weather that makes you want to put aside your troubles and worries and just relax. This warm, cozy weather drives me to do the things I enjoy, like play basketball, or sit out in the sun and play my guitar, or converse with friends. It does not motivate me to sit inside and stare at a screen typing aimlessly away on little buttons on a small panel as words appear on the previously mentioned screen, much less do so for two hours in order to complete a four page paper. Why can't school end in February or March? I think it's because torcher is embedded in the whole idea of school. Sacrifice is necessary, though. And despite the fact that I lose the day that I would otherwise so thoroughly enjoy, there will be others. Kristine has been a wonderful motivator, too. She pushes me to do my best and complete the work necessary to excel in my classes. I, of all people, need that. Thank God that He put me with someone who will accept that task, however aggrivating it may be at times. Also, thank God that I will survive these next few days of school, whatever may happen, and come to the point of enjoying the beauty He so elegantly portrays through His creation. That's it for today. Obvioulsy I need to get to work. Until next time, (wait for it) ......................stay tuned.

Addition and subtraction

To any and all who pay attention to my links on the sidebar of my blog, you should notice a couple of changes. First, I have removed the John Mayer Trio link due to the fact that it has never changed and there is little interesting info on that particular site. Also, due to the fact that he's one of the greatest Christian artists (and one of my favorite artists), I have added a Chris Rice link. I feel that this is a necessary and deserving change to the links section of my blog. I also suggest that anyone who reads my blog check out the Chris Rice site and learn more about his "much anticipated" greeting cards. Anyone who feels the need to strongly oppose these changes I have made is more than welcome to leave a comment on my blog, and I will be more than glad to read it and ignore its content. I thank you for taking the time to read this most unnecessary blog and hope to compose to you again soon, so stay tuned (hopefully to a more interesting entry).

Offspring everywhere...

A few days more than ten months ago our neighbors brought home a baby boy-- David Shawn Standridge II. Not long after that time Josh and Erin Allen brought little Camrynne into the world. Since then, another neighbor of ours, the Hernandez family, had a baby boy, our youth pastor (Tim and Jennifer Raburn) had a baby boy, the Duncans, another neighboring family that moved in just a few days after Kristine and I, gave birth to Aiden Duncan two days ago, and the Vigils (yet more neighbors in our apt. complex) had a baby girl just today. Derrick and Debbie Waldrep are expecting in the not to distant future, as are John and Dawn Chambers. So, my point? Babies are everywhere! We can't get away from it. Kristine and I are not yet expecting, however. This is a bittersweet feeling. Though financially affording to have a small, completely dependent infant that eats, sleeps, and poops around the clock would be an added burden, having a child is something Kristine and I both desperately desire to have someday. All we can do is be patient and let God do what he does best. He knows the right time. I suppose all we can do for the time being is enjoy the presence of the little ones surrounding us now, and thank God that we can be a part of that. Well, enough baby babble. Stay tuned.

Taxes.

Hey, all! Well, it's April 3rd and everyone knows what time of year is quickly approaching--it's "TAX TIME!" (imagine it being said with a deep baritone announcer voice that echoes and fades out.) Kristine and I just finished doing our taxes and are looking forward to ridding ourselves of this burden known as tax time. We are still waiting in anticipation for something drastic to happen in our lives, and yet don't have any idea whether anything really will happen. It really takes us relying solely on God. As far as everyone else is concerned, Mandy and Andy had to cancel their plans of going to Bolivia due to air strikes and such, Mom, Dad, and Timothy are in the middle of hosting a few guests for revival, David is back in West Virginia after visiting with family (Dan, Karlie, and Maciah), and Josh, Erin, and Camrynne Allen seem to be doing well as far as I know. Ironically, almost everyone (if not everyone) reading this already knows this information due to the fact that they are the very people that read this blog, but c'est la vie. Anywho, I hope all are doing well. At this time I must resign my post (pun intended) in order to assist in planning a trip this weekend to the Memphis Zoo, so as always, stay tuned.