Update

Sorry to my readers for not posting more often. Most people are using facebook these days, but I still prefer xanga.

Physical Health:
My head is improving, and it's almost gone. I'm at about 2% of the dizziness. When I came back from Europe I was at about 25%. It really has made a difference for me, as I feel a lot more positive about things. I was going through bouts of being frustrated and depressed, but now I'm much more positive. I have been seeing the chiropractor for a couple weeks for my chronic hip pain, and saw him for about 6 weeks. It really helped to improve my hip, and I was able to run for 30 min. on Mon. I haven't been able to run pain free since a half-marathon last Nov.

Remodeling:
We are working on remodeling our master bathroom and it has been a long and arduous process. We have been going back and forth with this Chinese lady that we bought products from. The first shower pan we got was broken. A 2nd was ordered, but it has taken a long time to receive. Hopefully we can get started next week with the work. I'm looking forward to a new bathroom. I am also starting to work on the kitchen remodel. It's sometimes difficult to put everything together, but I'm trying my best. I went to Lowe's yesterday for some design help, and it's really cool because they come up with 3-D drawings. We're also going to ripout our carpet, as it will be better for allergies and my asthma. Our goal isn't to spend a lot of money, and really what I want is a two bowl sink to wash dishes and a reverse osmosis system for water.

Work:
Work has been alright. My work model has been challenging as my entire team is in Irvine and I'm in Santa Clara. I have only been down to Irvine once this year, and it's been good that I haven't had to travel as much. As we are going through "Hole in Our Gospel" during men's group, it's challenging because I don't interact with people on a daily basis (co-workers). I love the freedom of my job, but I need to interact with more non-believers.

Church:
Wilma and I are settled in at LGCC. It has been challenging at times since we are older than everyone else in the young adult gruop, and since we were newcomers. It has been really good now. I started to teach junior high boys sunday school, and am going to Belize on a STM with the church. There are 35 people going. Pretty cool. We have been meeting in a married couples group about once a month, and that has facilitated getting to know people better and allowed us to share in the journey of marriage with others.

Personal Training:
I interviewed with the YMCA a couple weeks ago, and haven't heard back. I wanted to volunteer as a personal trainer, but they were fairly adamant that I would get paid. Unfortunately, they would require me to work at least 5 hrs. a week. However, during basketball season, I would have to shift my schedule, and I don't think they can trust me to be committed when I'm working part-time while having a full-time job. It would be nice to work there for the free membership, but honestly, I'm not that committed to working for them. If I could just volunteer maybe 2-3 hrs. a week that would be ideal. Within the next year, I'm going to have to decide if I want to renew my personal training certification.

Family:

My sister and bro-in-law and nephew are planning to head to Thailand to be teachers to TCK (third-culture kids). They are raising financial and prayer support. If you're interested in supporting them, let me know and I can put you in touch with them.

I'll write more later. Thanks for reading.

The Internet Generation

Wilma and I had an interesting discussion with a AACF staff worker at a Red Egg and Ginger Party on Sat. afternoon.

The jist of the discussion was understanding the trend in declining numbers within college ministry and college fellowships. I encouraged him to write a paper about it.

Anyways, the discussions focused around Gen. Y. It's the generation after us, and I would consider those born in the 1980s. I better caveat this post to say that these are generalizations, and not all Gen Yers exhibit these characteristics, but moreso to give the Gen. Xers a better understanding of what ministry might look like to the next generation. =P.

Gen. Yers have grown up with the Internet, text messaging, and cell phones. Access to information is always available, and they can get antsy when they can't get what they need or want right away. I would call this "Instant gratification and instant fulfillment." If you are running 5 min. late, they'll send you a text message, "where are you?"

Delayed fulfillment is difficult, and impatience is a common characteristic. I think it starts in how they have been raised. Their parents may had needed to work 2 jobs to provide for the family and because of that, most of their lives have been spent indoors, with electronics as their stimulation (TV, computer, video games, etc.). Not enough time to play with others and be outside. Why do they get antsy so fast? I think it may deal with their parents not having the patience after a long day to comfort them, and the parents sitting them in front on a TV when they are cooking or taking care of other household errands. The TV can become the primary babysitter.

It's been interesting that it's so rare to receive phone calls these days. The phone calls we receive are from people saying they are engaged, are pregnant, or are running late. Even when we call other people, they go, "are you expecting?" We're like, "No, we just want to see how you are doing."

Most of communication is done online now, and Gen. Yers are growing up lacking meaningful social interaction. Getting an update on facebook or twitter is feeling like you know someone, but in reality, it's not closeness in relationship, but an update on life. It's easy to hide behind the computer. We live in an information age, where there is so much information. It's hard to process all of it, and allow it to go deeper in our brains and mind. Our minds turn to mush.

I think it can translate to going to church/fellowship. It may feel awkward or weird to have to interact with real people. Online community vs. real community. Maybe they are all becoming like engineers, who are in the lab all day. Hahahaha. =P.

Anyways, just some thoughts. The Internet and communication has been a good thing for society. It's learning how we can apply it in good and meaningful ways.

Prayer Request Update...

Prayer Request...

I returned from a 2-week vacation from Europe this past Sunday. During the overnight train ride from Paris to Munich, I got some motion sickness. However, the motion sickness hasn't gone away in the past 3 weeks.

I basically feel like motion is still occurring (like getting off a boat), but I don't feel nauseous. I am able to do all my normal functions, exercise, work, drive, etc., so I don't really feel any pain. What I don't understand is the feeling of unbalance. I took Tylenol and Advil and motion sickness pills in Europe, but none had much effect.

Anyways, I went to a doctor yesterday, and he doesn't have much idea. I got some bloodwork done and did my first ever MRI on my head. The results on the MRI will come early next week. I would appreciate your prayers. Thanks.

Amazing Story...

Check out this story on espn.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=clemmons/0811107

It talks about a triathelete who overcame the greatest of obstacles.