Decisions...

After a lot of thinking and criticism, I have decided that I am leaving Wednesday (assuming my car is done by then) to go home to Illinois for the rest of the summer.

My Dad called the other day and said that my Grandpa's cancer has progessed a lot farther and faster and has finally spead to his bones. As of Thursday they gave him 3 days to a month. Its hard and I originally thought that I was going home for that reason alone. And then I realized that I was using it somewhat has a front to go home, because I have been miserable at BBC this summer. Dont get me wrong, I love this school, but this summer is a bit much.

And then I talked to my Dad because him and my Mom didnt think that I should come home. And my Dad said some stuff that hurt, but it made me realize even more that I needed to go home. Because there are wrongs that need to be righted. And I think that after realizing that, that if I didnt go home I would be making a big mistake.

So my Dad, in trying to convince me that I shouldnt come home, actually succeeded in convincing me even further that it was the right thing. Who would have thought? So if you could all be praying for me as I pack up to go home these next couple of days, and a hard rest of the summer that lies ahead of me! Pray for my family and the comfort of my Grandpa in his final days.

God Bless!
Alex

Finally...

I finally got an estimate for my car that I am happy with. After driving with a car that looked like this for over a month...about time I am getting it fixed. I just have to wait for all of the parts to come in and then I am golden - I hope.

Anyways enjoy the pictures of my crashed up car!

A New Journey. . .

I never really would have guessed that I would be the type of person going on a diet, at least a specific diet that had its own book, cookbooks, workout tapes, etc... But I have decided to give it a shot, the South Beach Diet that is.

After talking to several people who have done the diet, and after purchasing and reading the book I decided "What's there to lose, besides the weight?" So far so well. I've been hitting the gym, I'm crazy sore though. I just got back from working out actually, and I can't lift my arms above my head and my legs are so sore they feel like Jell-O, my chest is so sore that I fell like my moobs (man boobs) are gonna fall off...probably wouldnt be a bad thing. Oh, well, you get the picture.

I am excited though. This first two weeks is gonna be tough, but its gonna be worth it. I can't wait to see the end result... in about 60-70lbs! Just pray for me that I continue to have the patience, resolve and will power to see this through to the end!

Summer so far...

Well so far this summer has been unlike any other summer I have ever experienced. Its the middle of June and I have yet to be on a vacation yet. which is very odd for me. Usually average about 5 vacations a summer . . . so all this summer time work has been different.

Living at BBC for the summer has proven to be an experience. I love this place, but its hard when there arent a lot of people around, and you're working 50 hours a week for the school and then about 20 more at the hotel. Oh well, thats what its all about...the money - unfortunatley.

Its weird to think that this time last year I was flying in a plane from Chicago to Sao Paulo Brazil. I really miss Brazil and cant wait to hopefully go back in a couple years. Its also weird that right now my family is at the cabin in Minnesota and I am not there. This makes 2 years in a row.

But its alright, I guess thats part of being an adult, right? Making sacrafices for the long run. At least thats what I keep telling myself. I am definitley looking forward to flying home next month though. Can't wait to see everyone back home, hang out with the friends and the family, go to a wedding. Its gonna be good.

Well I need to cut this entry short, since I have to get dressed for another 12 hour shift : /

The Gateway

I have often heard people, mainly in my "Christian circles", speak about the complete and utter depravity of man. Some blame much of today's problems in this society and country on removing God from the schools, banning prayer or of the 10 Commandments being publicly displayed...but these things did not happen over night.

Nothing really does, happen over night that is. For example WWII did not happen over night, there was a long list of problems and consequences that can be traced back hundreds of years, through WWI and into the 1700's and 1800's.

Ok so where am I going with this? Let me explain. . .

So I am currently in May School, taking American Literature with Dr. Hicks. I actually am really enjoying the class, Mrs. Hicks is an amazing teacher with a great passion, not only for literature, but for God and her students. As we are traveling through time on our literary journey starting with the Puritans all the way through the American Civil War, I am noticing a trend.

Well, maybe downward spiral would be a better phrase than trend. As I am reading through literature on and by J. Winthrop, J. Edwards, I. Mather, Woolman then into Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine and RWEmerson and HDThoreau, and even Arthur Miller; I am really put off and disgusted in the departure of God from everyday life and thought. It pains me to see how God has been taken from the center of life and government to a benign God, who will eventually, by Nietche (sp) will be said to be dead; "God is dead".

I guess I should not be suprised by the state of the world in which I live - the Bible says that this world is decaying and dying. I do take comfort in God and knowing that He has a perfect and Divine plan that one day includes resurrecting all of those who profess a believing faith in Him and I will rejoice in my Home going someday - - - but the level at which man has distorted God's creation is horrific at best.

And something that scares me even more, is that I am that same man. I have the same sin nature as Saddam Hussien had. Luckily, I have the saving grace that has set me free from it all, and the Spirit resides in me.

Alas, I feel as though I am straying from my point. It has been very - uh - eye-opening to read through all of this literature and see the rapid decay of man and his relationship with God over a short hundred years. Scary to be honest. I do not know where to begin, except to pray. To pray for mankind and that God will somehow use me to go into this world. While I am living on this earth it is not my duty to seperate and hide in fear, but rather I must follow the biblical mandate to go out into the world and live, to be salt and light. To be, as Winthrop put it, "a city on a hill".

Just wanted to share those thoughts.
-Alex