***

Picture description: Michele and I attended a 4th of July celebration (yeh, they do things early here) and at first it seem awfully corny, but I was reminded how blessed I am to live in America. But the most remarkable moment was this Marine who joined the singers as he came out during the salute to our soldiers. He came out a fluid, discipline march and every movement was controlled and intentional.

If you have time - thank a soldier you see.



QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Is it always humid? - Ray D

The answer is no. The weather here is bizarre and maddening. Why? One moment it will rain, the next hour it won't and the cycles repeats. The weather keeps you on your toes. You might exit your house with shorts only to find yourself in a rainstorm an hour later.


***

For DAVE M:

My review of the Garmin i30 ( pic is with Japanese language option on)

When you unwrap the Garmin i30 from the package you cannot help but think it's a toy. It's about the size of a baseball, and it only have three buttons, and one of the buttons is a scroll wheel. The remarkable fact that this thing has all the street maps of the USA loaded into memory is a remarkable feat in itself (9 gigs worth), but to add a GPS system on top is just ridiculous.

My recommendation: get it. This is the easiest-to-use GPS device I've seen. The scroll wheel makes finding street names and points of interests easy as pie. Think 'iPOD' scroll wheel speed on a GPS system. Only a monkey could get lost with this GPS device.

Key points:

1) Ease of use. When you don't have to read a manual, enough said. You don't have to be a techno geek to know either. Great for moms and anyone who doesn't like technology.

2) Speed. The GPS recalibration and sensitivity is first rate.

3) Features. You can go with several languages on the voice instructions. I prefer a British accent, but the coolest feature? The very fact you can get real time GPS positions, time of arrival to any point of interest where you are currently at. Example, you're in the middle of Broadway, and you want to find a Chinese restaurant. The i30 will give you all the Chinese restaraunts within 15 miles, and tells you how far each one is. When you select one, not only will it tell you how to get there, but tell you how long it takes. Don't worry about missing your turn, the i30 will automatically recalculate the shortest route to get you there.

You know those credit card commercials?

Here's mine:

2100 miles
38 hours of driving
10 refills on the gas tank
8 Monster Energy drinks
Subway Sandwhiches

****

Well, it started in San Luis Obispo with goodbyes to my co-workers, friends at Grace Church and many others.

Then off I went, with a faithful guy - Daniel L (kid is only 16 but you won't find a better guy on planet earth). He went along to keep me company, keep me awake, and I found out he really likes Subway sandwhiches. I couldn't have done it without him, and my love Michele agrees: Daniel you are awesome.

Anyone who is going to read this post is going to find some journaling here very much the same - so I'll skip the extras and get to the heart of the matter.

First week here wasn't easy. Had to move out of my apartment to another one because of a mysterious water leak and it smelled the apartment up like a sewer leak. Niiiice. Then I found out - there's not much DSL here. That's another niiiiice since I need broadband for work, which I'm also eager to do.

Finding my groove, my routine is important. Change is always difficult, but someone said life CHANGES whether we like it or not, but personal progress/change is not. That is a matter of the will. God has been very, very good to me. In my doubts whether I done the right thing ( you think about that alot as a Christian) in alllll my phone calls for customer reps from phone to cable it has been gals named, "Michele". How's that for coincidence? I think it's God saying, "Hey, I'm watching over you."

Psalm 2 reminded me the Christian life is truly of faith / belief. If I started let the doubts, discouragement I would make a God a liar basically saying he sent me to the MidWest to mess with my life. God has goodness for us...we just have to walk with Him on a daily basis.

Yes, it was discouragingw with my long trip, infection on my knee and the apartment switching, but I am THANKFUL for email because it keeps in touch with alot of you. I will make it a habit to post to keep in contact with everyone.

I do miss everyone, but building a new life out here in the MidWest has some benefits, namely a gal called Michele.

***

Questions: How is Rockford different from SLO? People are certainly more friendly here...I think I will be making oodles of friends soon enough. The weather is the one that certainly throws me off. Thunderstorms one moment, and then a few hours later bright sunshine. One thing I will not enjoy here: humidity.

How is it so far? I really have to say, finding a routine, and schedule will help your transition. I don't know how personally people can move anywhere by themselves and then find it hunky-dory. It doesn't work that way with me, but with Michele on a daily basis helps. We're transitioning into a couples life. I think it will help ease into marriage.

Well everything should be coming down the pipe: a new computer monitor, broadband, office furniture and then getting back to work, which I am excited about again. I hope everyone at the Parable knows I am praying for them and my many friends...that I have not forgotten.