Seeing Opportunities in the Little Things

It seems that lately, I've been stuck on thinking big at the expense of the smaller here and now.

Several of my friends are going or have gone on mission trips, they know what God is calling them to, and they are going out into the world to evangelize people for Christ. And while that is great, sometimes it just makes me feel inferior in some way. I mean, here are people traveling to foreign countries, teaching others about Jesus, and here I am, doing schoolwork, watching siblings, cleaning dishes, changing diapers . . . MUNDANE STUFF.

I have slipped into the mindset of regarding one set of activities as somehow "holier" than another.

However, God has been telling me lately that instead of trying to avoid these little things in life as I grasp for bigger, "holier" things, I should make the most of every opportunity (Eph. 5:16). He's telling me to live more in the present, rather than in some uncertain, imaginary future. He's showing me that I should view even the little things as having eternal value and as being opportunities for growth, and that in order to be entrusted with bigger things, I must show myself faithful in little things.

It's a rather large perspective shift, and it will not come to me easily I know. But I am confident that with God's help I can truly see every good activity as having real meaning and value, and that every day I live will be rich with new meaning! I'm excited!

~Mac

THE Vacation

Over this past weekend, I had the privilege of attending a CollegePlus! gathering in Ohio.

(For those of you who don't know, CP! is a Christian accelerated distance learning program that helps students earn their degrees faster and cheaper than traditional college. http://www.collegeplus.org/)

This was my second CP! get together event, and each one leaves me refreshed and encouraged. While I have had the privilege of interacting with many of these people online for some time, we had never actually met till this past week. It is such a blessing to get to know other students who share many of the same beliefs and outlooks on life, and to interact with them through activities, service projects and other events. I made some new friends, and really strengthened and deepened existing friendships. The trip was such a blessing for me, and for all of those who attended!

~Mac

Benefits to Living In a Large Family

While I was doing some of my chores today, I suddenly thought of how many ways being in a large family helps me. One way is that it's easier to stay in shape! Here are some examples (I may edit as I think of more):

~ Taking out the trash: This is my job, and let me tell you, carrying two giant full bags of garbage to the can, one in each hand, does wonders for your arm strength!

~ Carrying siblings around: Whether it's moving the babies and toddlers from room to room to playpen to changing table, or giving piggyback rides to older children, there's nothing like carrying around siblings for keeping those core and leg muscles toned!

~ Carrying in groceries: This is a great time for group exercise! All of us children form a relay team of sorts and carry all the groceries from the car to where they are needed. Carrying four gallons of milk, two in each hand, keeps your arms and legs in shape!

It really is wonderful how God has built an exercise routine into a typical day!

~Mac

Doing the Life Thing

Yes, I'm still here.

It just seems like nothing really "bloggish" has happened in my life lately. Wait . . . maybe some things have happened that are kinda cool!

We just tried out a new service from Google called GOOG411, and it's pretty neat (in a tech geek kind of way). When you don't know the number of a business you want to call, or when you want to find a category of business in a certain area, you dial 1-800-GOOG411 and speak the name and location of the business or business category you want, and after you confirm the place you want to call, GOOG411 will connect you! Suhweet! :-)

The doctor checked me out today and I'm a healthy young man! :-)

I've gotten a good deal of work lately which is nice. Running wires, hooking up speakers, crawling through attics, setting up home theaters, the usual. It's pretty fun work - and my boss pays for meals! :-)

I'm still working on my Media Writing class and studying for Intro to Business :P Well, I'm trying to study, but "life" keeps getting in the way! Have no fear - with God's help, I shall overcome!

Oh, and I'm also growing a full beard. All of the females in my family say it looks good so that's a good sign. :-)

And . . . that's all I can come up with for now.

~Mac

Motivation

Yep, it's that time.

That time when you just want to chill, veg out, hang free, whatever.

That time when schoolwork seems to be the most unappealing thing.

I'm struggling with motivation. It's happened before, but right now I seem to be spinning my wheels trying to keep going with classes and such. And I end up wasting my time on lots of little trivial things :-P So I'm asking you:

What do you do to stay motivated and concentrated on the task at hand?

I welcome your comments!

~Mac

Dancing the Night Away

This past Thursday, my family and I attended a Civil War era dance at a friend's house with about six other families. I was not sure I wanted to go, because I had never danced before :O but I decided to go, and it's a good thing I did, because I had a BLAST! They taught us to line dance, circle dance, polka, and waltz. I discovered that I actually had a left foot AND a right foot! :O Now I can't wait for another dance, which will probably happen around Christmas! Till then, I'm gonna have to practice to keep up the muscle memory. And if any of you guys/gentlemen/young men have a chance to learn to dance, DO IT! :-D

~Mac

Finally . . . A Use for K'Nex!

Yes, I know . . . some of you may be upset that I knocked K'Nex. But to me, they are inferior to LEGOs in every respect except one: creating strong frames. Of course, I never really figured out a good use for this, so my K'Nex sat in the attic . . . UNTIL this morning!

I suddenly had an inspiration, so I dragged out my box of K'Nex and got to work.

Behold the results!

A suhweet holster for my LEGO Glock! :-) It fits in the thigh pocket of a pair of cargo pants ^

Or clips to a belt or the top of your pants ^

Using this clipping piece here ^

It draws very quickly and smoothly, and reholsters well too! I'm feeling very happy that I kept my K'Nex! :-) It was a good morning . . . and a good break from school! Now I'm ready for LEGO combat and law enforcement action!

~Mac