New Family Member

Scout has arrived! Today my bride, Jamie, found her kitten. She wanted a girl kitty, but instead she ended up with a gray, boy, kitten. The kitten is 5 1/2 weeks old, and it was abandoned by its mother. We are feeding it a little kitten formula every hour and a half with a dropper. We are also about to try some softened crunchy cat food. We are also trying to get it to go "potty." The last time we put it in the litter box, it tried to eat some of the litter. ??? We were told to use a warm rag and gently rub its "butt" to try to get it to have a bowel movement. When the Vet opens on Monday, we will drop Scout off for a check up while we go to work. We will pick up Scout later that afternoon.

The kids are very happy with their new pet. The only bad thing about finding Scout now is that the kids go to summer camp tomorrow and they will be gone until next Saturday. We might take Scout with us to Abilene in a pet carrier. This way he won't be alone. Not sure where we will keep him while Jamie and I are at work though. We may keep him in the pet carrier while we are away, this will allow our dog Schnitzel and him to bond a little bit.

Schnitzel, our wiener dog, is not sure what to think about Scout. He keeps sniffing the little fellow and he growls whenever Scout cries his little kitty mews. At least Schnitzel is not eating Scout!

Job Hunt 2008 -- Update

My recent efforts to secure a new job have not yet produced fruit. I have applied for thee different school districts in the area and have looked for open positions in several areas outside of education. So far, zip, Nada, nothing! The only jobs outside of education that I find even remotely interesting or I am qualified for are, on-line survey taker or selling insurance. Selling insurance requires a lot of traveling around the area, that I currently cannot afford to do. The teaching jobs I have applied for have not yet called me for an interview. I know this process can take a while for schools, but I really want to know where I will be working at the end of July.

My wife and I have even considered looking into jobs in the Dallas metroplex area. Irving and some communities in Northern Dallas have nice school districts and communities to live in. The cost of living is higher though. Plus, our kids would have to start all over making new friends.

My only options are at this moment are to take two or more part-time jobs until something else comes along. I used to be a waiter and I did work some retail, so that's a start right? Will they hire a 41 year old guy to do that?

Keep praying that God works quickly! I still have faith.

Keeping the Faith despite the Economy's efforts to ruin our Summer!

Why does everyone want my money? I realize other people have to make a living but do they have to take my money that I need to feed my family and transport myself to work? This economy thing has got to pick itself up soon or my family will be living our version of a great depression.

Here are a few changes that have taken place in our home as a result of our slumping economy:

Gas Budget summer 2007: $200 for two vehicles
Gas Budget summer 2008: almost $400 plus.

Food Budget for summer 2007: About $85 per week.
Food Budget for summer 2008: Almost $150 per week. (Part of that is my son is finally growing and he is hungry.)

Clothing Budget for summer 2007: about $50.00 per month
Clothing Budget for summer 2008: Zero

We may even have to cut back on the kid's allowance. We are even thinking about cancelling our subscription to Netflix. We have definitely cut back on eating out and buying any unnecessary items.

We have cut back on our traveling. We have put-off once again a possible trip to Disney World in Florida. Instead we are going to a Texas Rangers baseball game, if we can afford the gas to get there. Now that school is out for the summer, my wife and I have started to car-pool to work whenever possible.

Our church contributions have gone from putting the money in the collection plate to help paying for Youth Group activities for our kids. (it's still church related right?) Much needed home repairs, such as fixing the ceiling in our kitchen, replacing an old roof, yard work and some painting have been put on permanent hold. This of course devalues our home.

It is during times like this that our family must fully rely on God (as we should do all the time). At least we have a home to live in. At least we can still buy groceries to feed our family. We still have clothes to wear even if they are a bit to small or are going out of style.

My family and I have been in bad shape before and God has always come through for us. When we thought we couldn't pay a bill, somehow an insurance check comes in the mail or a royalty check comes in because someone out there bought my book. Just this month, we we looking at falling short of our required budget to pay some bills. Yesterday, our first commission check from YTB Travel came in the mail. It wasn't much but it paid one of our bills. My wife's car insurance also was adjusted and we are paying $7.00 less now. Once again, it is not much, but it helps. God has always taken care of us when we needed it. So even though I may sin with a little worrying, I am not afraid. I just stand in amazement at my God.

We can blame the economy on rising gas prices or the outrageous debt Americans have placed themselves into, but the bottom line is...the economy may fail us but our God will not. He will always be there to protect His children. Have faith, that all will be well.

Two Little Indians -- Who Will Be the Next President?

The race for the White House has just become a lot clearer.

The Democratic Party finally has their nominee for President. Barack Obama has officially wrapped up the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. His number one competitor for the position, Hillary Clinton is ending her bid for the Presidency and throwing her support to Obama.

The Republican Party candidate, John McCain, has already challenged Sen. Obama to a series of "town hall debates."

Now comes the hard part for each candidate, who will be their Vice-President nominees. Will Obama pick Hillary Clinton as his running-mate, after such a bitter campaign? Will McCain choose one of his former rivals, such as Huckabee or Romney? Hopefully, we will know soon. In the meantime brace yourself for many an annoying commercial.

Americans...stay informed of the issues, research both candidates well. Make an informed choice when voting in November. Most of all, pray that God will work His will through whomever we elect. Happy voting.

Summer Is Upon Us!

The kids are out of school and the summer is now upon us. The family and I have a few things scheduled for the summer, but rising gasoline costs and uncertain job futures are putting a small dent on any further plans.

The kids will be attending ACU Leadership Camps in a couple of weeks. Specifically Caleb will attend MPulse and Rachel will attend Learning to Lead. We will miss them, of course, but they always have lots of fun, while learning more about the God they serve.

In July we plan to attend a Texas Rangers baseball game. We will go on July 12th to see the Rangers play the Chicago White Sox. We will get to eat lunch at the Legends of the Game Museum before the game starts.

The week before the game the kids will go to "Camp Susie!" This is a time when the kids get to spend a week with their cousins who live in Howe, TX. Their Aunt Susie, Jamie's sister, normally plans several activities for the kids to go along with swimming in their pool.

As for Jamie and I it's work as normal. Adult Education goes on through the summer, so no break for me. Social Work does not stop for anyone, so Jamie works as well. At least we will have a week to ourselves when the kids are at ACU Camps and "Camp Susie." We might just spend that time cuddling on the couch watching movies or we may try to go out on a couple of inexpensive dates. It's possible we might try to book another night at The Dowell House, a Bed & Breakfast in McKinney, TX. We loved the hot-tub!

My Votes for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Next month is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game (VOTE NOW)

As we all know the starting lineups for each league is determined by vote from the fans! Fair or not here are my current votes for the league starters. I try my best to fair in how I vote based on the performance of the players.

For the American League

1st Base -- Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
2nd Base -- Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
Short Stop -- Michael Young, Texas Rangers
3rd Base -- Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals (only because I don't want to vote for Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees)
Catcher - Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay Rays
Outfielders - Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers, Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox, and Maglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers
Designated Hitter - I wish I could vote for Milton Bradley of the Rangers, but with current ballot, I would vote for Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees.

For the National Leauge

1st Base -- Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
2nd Base -- Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
Short Stop -- Miguel Tejeda, Houston Astros
3rd Base -- Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
Catcher -- Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs
Outfielders -- Xavier Nady and Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Ryan Ludwick, St. Louis Cardinals.

I think these guys deserve to start in the All-Star game this year, but of course the fans of the "Big" Teams will of course elect people who are on the disabled list or are doing lousy simply because the player is on their favorite team. Oh, well so be it. At least I tried to be fair.