Too close for comfort?

I've been wondering lately about how our family will do in such close quarters for the next few weeks. You always hear the stories of families who just don't get along when they actually have to spend time together. I guess we'll find out won't we?

Just call me Clark Griswold...



This just makes me laugh...

It's getting real

Well, we went and picked up the truck and trailer tonight. They're both sitting out in front of the house (much to the chagrin of our HOA, I'm sure).

I backed the trailer up perfectly with no problem. I'm getting better. In fact, it's so perfect that the back bed opens up into the garage with just about an inch to spare on the one side.

Now packing begins in earnest...

Comments

I've turned off the moderation for comments for those who will be reading this as, honestly, I don't want to have to deal with it while we're on the road. So BE NICE!

Don't make work-related comments either or I'll turn it back on. ;-) Hey, I'm on vacation!

Everyone cheer Kiley on...I'm trying to get her to start posting as well...maybe with her posting, there'll be something interesting here.

Spiritual Maturity

Dallas Willard wrote, "One of the sure signs of spiritual maturity is that certain thoughts no longer occur to you."

He goes on to give the example of a recovering alcoholic on his first day of sobriety is thinking thoughts of pride, "I am going without...." Twenty years of sobriety later, however, those thoughts are gone and he is free to think about more important, deeper, and more joyful thoughts about life because he is no longer consumed with simply being free of the addiction.

What thoughts need to no longer occur to me?

Books I'm Taking with Me

Kiley has always said, "If Mike is going to have an affair it'll be with a book." I'm not sure how I feel about that statement, but, I have to confess, I love books. I've rarely met one that I haven't enjoyed at some level.

One of my many plans is to read books I wouldn't normally read or have time to read. Stuff that's not work-related, fun, mind-challenging, paradigm shifting, or just plain what everyone else out there is reading...

It's actually been a little bit of a challenge to figure out what to take along and what not to take along.

Here's a list of the books in my book box. If I get time, I'll put in links later:

• Star Wars:Specter of the Past by Timothy Zahn
  
• Star Wars: Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn
  
• Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 by Jim Lovell & Jeffrey Kluger
  
• Team of Rivals: The Politcal Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
  
• Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn & Fred Stoeker
  
• Choosing Your Faith by Mark Mittelberg (I actually have a pre-published copy of this that I've been meaning to read)
  
• Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur
  
• Wild at Heart by John Eldridge (One of those classic books that I keep recommending but haven't taken the time to read thoroughly myself)
  
• Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
  
• The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard (I've been reading this book over and over for about 10 years now)
  
• I'm still looking for a good book on Marriage by Les & Leslie Parrot. Haven't decided which one yet.
• I'm also going to be hitting bookstores along the way!

Plus, I'm finishing these books up this week:

• Time Bomb in the Church: Defusing Pastoral Burnout by Daniel Spaite (This is the primary source that we've used
  
• It All Goes Back in the Box by John Ortberg
• Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit by Chuck Swindoll
  

A sure Sign of Growth

I've been thinking about how we grow lately. As I've read and reflected, one thing I know, is that one of the sure signs of emotional maturity is the lessening of self-absorption.

Whether it's in a marriage or in a friendship, this is one of the hurdles that we rarely overcome. It's one of the secrets to the deep levels of relationship that we were designed to experience, but few ever cross the line that takes us into these deep cool waters. Once both individuals begin to wade into these waters, though, the rewards are instant, exponential and unexpected.

I've only known a small handful of people who live in that realm.

tick tock

5 Days and counting...