I suppose this is a bit dusty ...

A good friend of mine reminded me about my blog, and how I don't really use it much anymore. Thus I am generating another post.

The past few months have been crazy. Working at Kiewit since January has been such a period of growth. I have screwed up many times, learned from my mistakes, and kept on walking. But who really wants to talk about work when they aren't at work. I certainly don't want to today, so that's all I'm going to say about that.

One topic I could go on and on about is Sarah. If you are reading my blog, you most likely know who I am talking about. Sarah is my most wonderful girlfriend whom I do very much love! To say that the past year has been an easy time for us would be a lie, but I am glad that we are able to encounter adversity so early on in our relationship. These trials and tribulations have defiantly taught us much about ourselves and each other.

That being said, not everything has been so doom and gloom with us. We have been grateful to share with 2 couples this summer who have joined themselves in marriage. I has been a unique experience for me. I have never really had an opportunity to go to a wedding where the bride or groom was a friend of mine. This has only made me more excited for more of my friends to get married (of course I am not pressuring any of you, but I do want to be there if, and/or when you get hitched).

Sadly though, Sarah has left Edmonton for the rest of the summer. Her life has been full of a myriad of changes lately, and she needed to go home for the rest of the summer. Being the eternal optimist, I have taken this change with a grain of salt. Although I do not in any way love being away from Sarah, it forces us to communicate much more, and in the end I do believe that we will be stronger when all of this is said and done.

For all of you out there who are wondering if Sarah and I are engaged yet, I will tell you now that we are not. That is that, and we will leave that subject alone.

Lets move on in my life ... we still have a good chunk to cover (although I have already talked about the best part ... and if you can't figure out which one was the best part I think we need to talk more).

I have also taken up reading again. This has been a wonderful experience that I do truly miss. I was reading a lot when I was in school, but then when I started working I got bogged down and didn't seem to make the time (as I believe we all have enough time, we just don't make time for certain activities). To give you an update on the books that I am reading, I currently have bookmarks in 2 books (plus the bible). The first one is a book that I have been trying to start and finish for a few years now, it is "War and Peace". It is such a literary giant that I feel I need to read it if I am going to consider myself educated. The second book that I am reading (and am currently spending the most time in) is "The Saucier's Apprentice". This is a wonderful book about a man in his 50's who is trying to discover food, and his journey doing this.

As for the bible, there has been a few verses that have stuck out to me in the recent months. The first one was 1 Timothy 3:1-5. It has turned into my life verse. This is the man whom I want to become. By no means and I there yet, but I would like to believe that I am well on my way. I don't think I need to say anything more, I hope it speaks to you.

1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder,^[a] he desires an honorable position.” 2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.^[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker^[c] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? - 1 Timothy 3:1-5

The second verse is from the book of Daniel. When the days have been hard, or when the nights have been long, I have turned to this verse for encouragement.

19 “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” - Daniel 10:19a

Well, I think that is enough for tonight. I hopefully will be posting much more frequently (not that it's hard to post more than once in about 7 months).