At home I can really waste time. I just don't even know what to do with myself sometimes.
I have here exhibit A.
This is a picture of me sitting in my favorite reading chair at home. Notice however, that I am not reading, but rather taking pictures of myself with my computer.
Lame.
Right now I am sitting at my favorite cafe in Cincinnati. The Rohs Street Cafe. This is the place where I come to do anything that requires any sort of focus. Here it doesn't matter what is going on around me or what music is playing, I can get things accomplished.
So here is Exhibit B.
While drinking two cups of coffee I managed to have some great reading time, researching various things like flight info for travels to Kenya, and firing of quite a few emails that have been hanging over my head.
I even had a couple great conversations while I was here today.
I love this place.
This past week ended the long hard journey of trying to get rid of all things that are excessive in my life. A couple of years ago I was a single guy working in a good paying job. What did I need to complete the image I was trying to create for myself? A high performance sports car. To make matters worse I decided to lease this thing for four years to cut my payments down. In the first six months of having this vehicle I decided I needed to get rid of so much in my life. Especially material things. In this time I also met my wife and we decided to pursue full time ministry as a job.
After so many failed attempts to rid our lives of the curse and financial drain otherwise known as the GTO, things came to a close last week as the 400 horsepower with dual exhaust purred down the driveway onto a car carrying trailer. I was then able to cancel the insurance and be done with the last bit of debt that we had.
Even after this thing drove out of my life, it seemed too good to be true. I have been dealing with fears that it would come back to us somehow. After receiving a positive message on the phone late last night from the new owner in Cleveland, I know it is gone for good. Thanks be to God.
Here is the best wisdom I can give. Never lease a car.
There are so many people in life that we just lose contact with along the way. It really stinks sometimes. Phone conversations and emails only last so long sometimes.
Today I had a chance to reconnect with one of those long lost friends from college. His name is Mark. He has since moved to Florida to pursue a lot of further education. Mark happened to be coming through Cincy today. One thing led to another and we got to meet up over in Hyde Park. We talked for a couple hours catching up on what we have missed out on in each other's lives, good and bad, and some future direction. It was great. I just loved hearing about all the ups and downs that have shaped Mark's life since I last saw him.
I didn't feel the need to give any advice or anything. Just LISTEN. That can be hard to do sometimes. We always feel compelled to give answers or solve everyone's problem. I have come to grips with the fact that I am not going to solve any one's issues.
I love meeting up for coffee for anything, but meeting up with Mark was especially good.
Yet another great gathering of random people just looking to enjoy one another's company. Maybe even find some good eats.
I challenge everyone to open their home up once in a while and welcome people. Good stuff will happen.
Why you ask. Because love is in the air. This is the season of weddings and nature coming to life. This is my favorite time of year with the exception of allergies.
I was fortunate enough to play a part in my old college roommate's scheme to purpose to his true love. 
it's always good when she says yes.
This morning started the same way most other mornings do. I got up and started with a little breakfast and coffee. These days I have to start my day with some sort of food source and some leaded fuel(aka coffee). The physiology of my digestive system worked beautifully and I found myself on the toilet.
As I was sitting there, I noticed the new recycled toilet paper that we had just purchased in an attempt to do our part for the creation that we have been entrusted to take care of. I noticed the side of the package that had conveniently labeled on it the quick stats that justify buying this product.
It said right there on the package that by manufacturing 100% recycled products, Marcal(that's the manufacturer) saves the following Earth's resources every day.
6,000 trees
2 Million Gallons of Water
22,000 Pounds of Air pollution
140,000 Gallons of Oil
30,000 Cubic Feet of Landfill Space
That's pretty freaking awesome. We should all be wiping with recycled paper. It may not be as comfortable as the quadruple ply Charmin that some of us are used to buying. But I can guarantee that you will clog the toilet much less with this thin recycled tp.
For other earth friendly products visit
http://greenhome.huddler.com/
Happy wiping.
What did I get for my birthday this year. Well aside from the infinate wisdom I gain each year, this year I got to spend some time with my wife and best friends. I also got a job that pays some money. I am happy to announce my acceptance of a position as a Barista at Starbucks. Horray.
In a weeks time I will look as cool as this guy.