What a wonderful weekend

Dylan and I topped off the weeked by going to the Shriners Circus down at Municipal Auditorium. I want to thank my friend Jennifer Butcher for inviting us to go with her son and parents. We had a blast. Our favorite part was the elephants. On the way home the kids fell asleep for a short while.

Hayride at Tim Bob & Andrea Cordonniers

We had a great time at Tim Bob & Andrea hayride. It was held outside of Faucett at Tim Bob's parents place. It was a fun filled night; full of hot dogs, elk chili, smores, and of course a nice long hayride. The kids sang songs. Somehow Dylan was convinced that this 60 pound log should be something he could take home with him. Basically don't ask about it, you have to know the company that night:)

Dylan's Pre-school Performance

Dylan had his first on stage performance at Edison school Thursday night. As I watched him just sing away it made me realize that my baby is growing up!

Everything seems to be good

Aubrey had her first RSV shot. She also was cleared for the surgery. It is scheduled now for November 28th, the week after Thanksgiving. This is all dependent on the surgery team all being back from their holiday break, so it may have to shift a little.

My studies are going well. Jennifer is doing good also, I am so lucky to have her. Dylan is loving preK and making friends.

Our First Weekend Away

Well Aubrey is almost 6 months old and we finally had our first night away from her. With Dylan he was nearly a year old before we did that. For both of us is wasn't any easier, however, both the kids were in very good hands....Grandma Kathy's. We went to Branson, our favorite family place to go. I was good, Jennifer and I walked, talked, caught up, laughed, ate, and had lots of fun. We really didn't do too much, it was the time together that was the best part. We both talked about how lucky we are to have each other. We didn't take a single picture if you can believe that. We were excited to come back home to our family and our lives, renewed and connected.

Dylan loved spending time with Tyler & Kaitlin at the hayride!

Happy HayRide

We had a wonderful time at Clayton and Joyce's place this weekend. We have always enjoyed going down to Pleasant Hill for the annual hayride and outdoor roast. We had wonderful weather, company, and food.

We made it home late Saturday and I made it up for church and bible study. I was so tired when I woke up at 8:10 and thought about telling myself I won't have time to make it, I did and I was rewarded.

I am not sure if I mentioned this, but I am so energized by the Crown Class. I am learning more about what the Bible has to say about finances and a lot about myself.

Below is an awesome section in which Paul is instructing Timothy what to watch out for. It is amazing what we have confused in our society as a want and a need. Marketing doesn't help us out either. We allow ourselves to be influenced by what we hear on television and radio. It isn't just about money, it is about everything. Paul isn't telling Timothy to run away, he is saying "be careful" of this vary easy ensnaring trap. I know I have been guilty of placing my trust in material things and accumulating them. It becomes self perpertating, even our leisure activities do the the same.

Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

More updates

The surgeons are now looking at four weeks after Aubrey is cleared up. So that is at a minimum five weeks away. She loves the breathing treatments also. She is all smiles and giggles.

We started her back on the aspirin and they will also begin getting her vaccinated for RSV. Since it is late in the cold/flu season when she will be out of the hospital they don't want to take any addition risks.

The surgery is being pushed back

Because of the congestion Aubrey developed over the weekend the surgery is being pushed back at least three weeks. They don't want to take any changes with the anesthesia.

Please put Jennifer Kellogg and the Kellogg family in your prayers. I just learned tonight she is recovering from heart surgery.

Who needs an MBA?

First, God moved me in church today. After getting to bed at 3 in the morning, it was hard to roll out of bed even though I woke up excited. As Zig says "Just get out of bed and think about it later." He is really moving me in the Crown class also. I have much to thank the Lord for and Pastor Scott today reminded me to say thanks for a few more also.

The skills Aubrey is picking up during Jennifer's garage sale will be invaluable, even if she is just sitting there looking cute. After Jennifer's sale this weekend and her marketing, I am wondering who needs the MBA. She has pulled off another successful sale. With more people putting more stuff. This was more like a 7 family sale.

I was scared this week when I walked out the basement door and it looked like a goods dumpsite. She definitely has earned her title as the "Garage Sale Queen." I know this has kept her mind off the surgery and hopefully the surgery isn't delayed due to the congestion Aubrey is having. There is so much to get ready for when you will be basically living somewhere else for several weeks.

Last night of my 8Week class is tomorrow.

Garage Sale Tomorrow

Jennifer will be having her garage sale tomorrow, Friday and Saturday. She is exited about the sale and keeping her distracted from the surgery next week for Aubrey.

Classes are going well and still are alot of work, but manageable. Like Dr. Hamzaee used to tell me, I could be an excellent student but I put more time into other things. This time I am putting the right amount of time into the classes. It is paying off, because it has solidified my undergraduate work. I really like my finance class with Dr. Paskelian, I am not sure if it is him or the subject matter. Dr. Koudou is a good professor also. My online Econ class has presented some difficulties in communication, though the coursework has been a repeat of Stats, International Trade, and Forecasting.

Crown Class

As I mentioned before, I am taking a Crown Financial Class. I haven't never been so excited about delving into the Bible and looking for new meaning since I purchased my John Maxwell Leadership Bible five or six years ago.

This ministry and God have brought out an interest and passion that I have since childhood. Jennifer says that sometimes my enthusiasm is too much for people to take all at once. I understand this weakness I have and I will definitely ask for control in this area. Now, one area I am so excited to share with people is Compound Interest, just ask me sometime I would love to share it with you.

Luke 16:11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
This passage intructs us that if we are not faithful stewards of God's possessions, why would he entrust us to the true riches. Afterall none of this is ours.

In regards to an area I frequently speak about is credit card debt, look at these:
Proverbs 21:20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
Have you heard of paycheck to paycheck. Now I am not talking about people that are literally straped for income for which I have been an advocate for, I am talking about those that have decent cars, decent home, decent toys.

Proverbs 22:7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
This one my wife and I followed and God gave me te experience of community service full time. What a rewarding time because we were not a slave to debt. May I ask you, do you work to please God or so that you will not lose your stuff? This is a tough question to answer truthfully, however it may set you free here on earth.

Oh, I would love to go on and on but I have things to do and kids to play with.

Celebrate for he is alive and that is truly Good News!