I feel so old.  I know that I'm not really that old but I guess I am feeling more and more grown up.  Hy and I are looking at houses and duplexes nearer to where she works in the Algonquin/Crystal Lake area.  It's just weird to think that I could be buying a house in the near future.

On another note I'm looking for people who might want to go out to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when it comes out next month, let me know if you are interested.  I'd like to do the midnight showing and it will prolly have to be in the Chicago area as opposed to Peoria unless midnight won't work out.

Well time to get back to work, hope everyone has a great week and go Bears! (it's not often that they are anywhere near first place, I've got to take advantage of it).

Currently Listening Nothing Is Sound By Switchfoot Lonely Nation see related

Sometimes I must be the most boring person ever, really how exciting can analyzing companies in my spare time to find investing opportunities be?  Or researching interest rate so I get the greatest return for my dollar?  At work it's no better I spend my time writing macros, building reports and fixing issues in our builds. 

Don't get me wrong I really like what I'm doing right now and it's an excellent opportunity, but I'm so excited that Hyacynth found a job that she really wants to do and will enjoy.  It's awesome to find the job that you've waited your whole life for.  I think my friend Meg may be on the verge of that with Mayo, it's great to hear from people that are there. 

The tough thing though is trying to serve God through your job, it's much easier to blend in but we are called to stand out.  It's still something I struggle with doing.

Finally for those of you that are getting nearer and nearer to graduating something to remember once you begin working: be a good steward of your resources.  This applies to all your resources, your time, your money and anything else that "belongs" to you.  This world is temporary, be a generous giver even when it means that you may have to spend the weekend with loud, crazy, messy high school students with leaders that are sometimes not much more responsible than the students.  Follow where God leads you and that's all that matters, enjoyment and happiness is not promised but an eternal reward is.  I want to be able to say like Paul at the end of his letter to Timothy:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Well another day another dollar.  This week has been rushing by so fast, one moment Monday the next it's Wednesday.  But I digress, now to rant about the Face Book.  I do not consider myself addicted like some may be but it is great to find friends that you haven't talked to for many years.  Like Erin Fitz who I was pretty good friends with in high school but lost touch with over the years.  I found that she joined face book by searching through people who graduated high school with me and she dropped me a note wishing me well and telling me about her fiance.  With out such a system I may have lost touch with many of those friends forever. 

Well enough of that.  Hyacynth is currently in a job interview with the Northwest Herold in Crystal Lake hoping to get a reporter position.  Hopefully all goes well and I know God will put her in the place she needs to be.  It's been a good week so far and hopefully it remains that way through the high school retreat that Hyacynth and I are helping out on.

Time to get back to work, have a great day to any of you that may still read this.

WOW!! I haven't done thins online journal thing since April.  Well for those that still might read this I'll give a short run down of the last 6 months in no particular order:

1. Got married - This is the biggest thing that has happened by far and it was awesome.  It's amazing to find and be eternally connected to the person who will be with you for the rest of their life.  Hard times are gonna suck but we will be committed to each other and God no matter what.

2. Started my job with Accenture - It's great having a job and I've been blessed to be working with some really great people who actually care how I'm doing and help me when ever I get lost in what I'm doing.  The strange thing is that I started my college education in computers then switched to finance and am now mostly doing computer stuff in financial systems.  God prepares people for the future in ways we often don't understand for a long time, if ever.

3. Got a cat - Well let me preface that by saying Hyacynth really wanted a cat to keep her company so I folded and told her I wouldn't mind.  Now the cat enjoys attacking me and agrivating Hyacynth's allergies.  The only person who likes the cat is my mom and now Hyacynth wants a dog, go figure.

4. Working with the high school youth group at church - This has been a challenge for Hyacynth and I because we don't know a lot of the kids and the environment is very different than what we are used to.  But God has helped us to adapt and right now things seem to be going well.

Well that's all for now since I do actually work at my job.  Time to do some fun programming in VB for applications, I'll try to keep up to date from now on.

As many of you may know by now I'm engaged.  I will recount the story later but I just wanted to let all of you know.  Hyacynth and I have not confirmed a date as of yet but we are shooting for early to mid fall.  I would really appreciate your prayers and support as it will be a bit crazy in the next 6 months with wedding plans, graduation, new job, moving back home, finding a place to live and all the other good and hard stuff that is to come. 

I'll be on again soon to give more details but in the mean time have a great last few weeks of classes and good luck w/ projects and such.