More thoughts on change

Looking back, I think that my last post was rather confusing. I wasn't really paying attention to what I was saying and ended up combining two different but related thoughts. My apologies.

Here is a better explanation of my first thought: I've been reconnecting with some old friends. Although we haven't talked for years they seem to be the same. Circumstances in our lives have changed, but their basic personality and their character as a whole isn't necessarily all that different. Who they were becoming years ago is who they have turned out to be; and who they are now reflects who they were in the past.

My second thought was a bit of a disclaimer to the first thought: I don't think that people can't or don't go through radical transformations. The best transformations result from God turning us upside down and inside out for HIS glory. I also believe that there are bad transformations. Everyone will eventually get hit by the junk of life and when that happens we need to actively try to respond how God wants us to respond. If we don't we will often be tainted.

James tells us the best way to react: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1: 2-8

Quick Update

Not many things have been going on lately. My house still hasn't sold. I'm starting to get impatient, but I know that God will have it sell at the right time.

I have been able to start reconnecting with some old friends. It is interesting to see how people really don't change. Circumstances do, but personalities and tendencies really don't change all that drastically. Maybe I should make a disclaimer here: people don't truly change their own personalities by their own effort. God can change people and it is only through him that we have true hope.

My Newest Little Buddie

I don't think that the average person has an attention span that really allows for long blog posts, so yesterday I only mentioned one of the newer things going on in my life. Here is another: Zach. My newest nephew was born May 4, my brother's birthday. My brother seemed to be thrilled to share his day with Zach. Maybe now Daniel will still get his superhero birthday parties. Zach won't outgrow it for quite a while and if he is like my brother at all he never will.

Zach is an unusually alert baby. From the start he would look for the cause of whatever sound he was hearing. Most babies don't do that on the day they are born. Way to go, Zach! And welcome to the family.

For Sale

It has been forever since I've updated the blog...as if you hadn't noticed. However, I do hope that you enjoyed watching my last post as much as my sister and I enjoyed the process of torturing her youngest son into talking on camera. It is a post worth savoring. So why rush on to the next post, right? (OK. The truth is that most of what was going on in my life couldn't be made public.)

So what's new seven months later, you ask? A LOT!!

So here is my biggest and best news: I'm moving! Yay! I'm excited.

Once my house sells I will be moving to Cedar Rapids, IA to work for Life Connection. I will be counseling at risk teens and their families. Otherwise I landed my dream job. Once I get relocated I will give updates on what the job entails.

Because of the changes my life took a couple years ago, I have been wanting to leave the Des Moines area. But I didn't want to leave in order to run away. I wanted to leave in order to go to something. So I started praying about it. A year and a half later this job opportunity was presented and it wasn't just a job to have because I need to work to support myself, it is one I want because I want the position. Let me reiterate: Yay!

Know anyone who wants to buy a small house? I really want to get moved.