A NEW DAY

This summer has been one that has kept me busy.  It suprising how busy it actually got and now we are into fall and...well...its still busy.  I am not known as a pessimist but the summer has brought on success and struggles and I will focus on the struggles, just follow my titling:

Weight
This has got to be the biggest by far.  Since my mid-twenties I have struggled with weight gain over and over again.  I would do some stupid bets to make me feel like I was getting some accountability but in reality we made rules broke them and would reward our small success of flunctuating weight.  It had to stop and this was the year to do it.  So I joined Weight Watchers for the first time in my life.  There are several struggles, first of all there are people who made fun, second it was a call to a problem I didnt want to admit existed.  After several months and struggling with what Weight Watchers was I lost my first 10 lbs but then came a cruise, vacations, summer outings etc and I am currently 2 lbs away from my beginning weight.

Last week I decided I was going to start taking Weight Watchers seriously.  I am having a second child and I want to remain active with Malachi as well, so I am trying to get back on track and today I drank a 8 oz coke and water and tea the rest of the day.  I did however did not eat well but it takes time to get adjusted.

30
Turning 30 was really not a big deal, many people made it much more than what it was.  I was going to write a post on what I would have liked to do before I was 30 but realized that with how life is right now I am glad with the choices I have made and happy with the life I am a part of.  Yes, there are things I would like to change but life isn't good without some struggles and I am blessed to live life how I did with the people I did.  (PROPS TO ELIZABETH, MALACHI, AND UNBORN MILLS) 

Ministry
This has probably been one of my biggest struggles to date.  2 1/2+ years ago I left ministry and it was tough choice but the circumstances were against me.  I was struggling with leaving New Albany the previous year, my wife was into her Masters and I wasn't ready to move my family quite yet.  I figured when Elizabeth was done we could find a place and move with a new start, refreshed and ready to go.  Obviously things didn't work out that way.  We are not in a position to move and in reality I am not in a position for a full time ministry.  The past 6 months I have been searching diligently for a part time youth minstry job in the area, of course I am looking within the Church of God and there is just nothing really available.  There was one option but was turned down with a very gracious and oddly written rejection letter.  With all of that I have been in the ordination process for way to long, and have failed another year to produce the 10 papers that are needed for the next portion.  I am working and hoping for yet again another chance but its been hard.  (yeah I realize I could be writing a paper write now but really wanted to write a post) 

Asbury 
In October, I will be on my way to visit Asbury to look at the campus and decide if I am ready to start my Masters.  There is a dilema, it's adding more work load and provides more opportunities to procrastanate on responsibilites I have already given myself.  But that is a reason why I havent completely decided to move forward with starting school and still evaulating my options.

to be continued...

to come Spirtuality, Video Games, and just plain life

Tonight is the release of Halo 3: ODST and I am debating about getting up early to go get it oh well... 

UPDATE ON WEIGHT LOSS

Its been quite a while since I have been blogging.  Its something I enjoy doing but I guess Twitter has been hitting my fancy lately.  Anyway here is an update on my weight loss.  Since posting my last post I have joined Weight Watchers and really focusing on what I eat and drink, though there are plenty of times I am weak and fail.  I am ok with that, but most importantly I beat Wade in the weight loss challenge this year at camp.  But I am continueing my path to loss more weight so I can be healthier for my children.

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Follow me at www.twitter.com/nebsllim

The Last 13 Days

The past 13 days have been up and down. It is hard to stay on task with my kind of mentality. I love to eat and I love to eat excessively. I know that sounds weird but its like I get a taste or a craving I cant stop. This past week I have tried something new for me. It has been a real stretch but I am trying hard to stay on task and do what the program involves. I will know better on Friday. Until then...

Day 7 and 8

Day 7 is my break from excerise because Malachi has rookie sports but I did eat pretty decent, which is always good but Day 8 was a bad day for me. I got to work really hungry and had already spent all my "fun money" for the week so I sat there hungry and then a rep brought in fresh donuts from Krispy Cream and there they were staring me right in the face so I had to eat one. (if I had eaten I would have been able to resist). After biting into it I found that is was fresh and still warm so I decided to get another. To end with a bang I had a coke plus no excerise so today I have to kick it up a notch if I plan on beating Wade before everything is said and done. GEEZ why couldnt water be coke and veggies be donuts....

Rookie Sports

The past couple of weeks we have been taking my son Malachi to rookie sports at the YMCA. ITs a program that introduces sports to kids and since Malachi's father is not a sports person per se than we have to find alternatives for him to learn JK

The first two weeks have been total chaos. Its too many kids and not enough instruction but since we paid for it we are going to keep taking him. Plus he gets to spend time with his buddy John.

I am hoping that tonight is better but its good to see Malachi having some fun. We are somewhat private and dont get around kids Malachis age all that often so we are always jumping for those types of opportunities.

Current Games

As always I play lots of games. The currect games spinning on my xbox are Peggle, Halo Wars, GTA IV, and Oblivion.

Peggle is way to relax the mind. It gets you to think but at the same time it does a good job of not stressing you out. I would encourage anyone to purchase this game and give it a whirl Personally I give it a A+

I started Oblivion but like more RPG's got lost so I ordered the strategy guide for some tips and tricks (yes I do pay for stradegy guides because I would rather find it in one place than have to read through the internet OLD SCHOOL). Because of that, Peggle and my reintroduction to liberty city it has taken the back burner for now

Halo Wars is very fun and is typical of any RTS. Unfortuately I have to be in the mood to play RTS and would love to play online but would like to play with someone I know and I seem to be the only one that has the game that is online consistantly. But my rating as an unfinished game is B-

GTA IV is still a great game. I can do without the language and since the sex is what can be avoided I can still justify the purchase. It still has great game play but does get frustrating at times and I tend to shut the game down and try something else. I am almost complete and look forward to the expansion which I will only purchase after I have beat the game.

There are several games that I am ready for and looking forward to:

Godfather II (I will get on day one but probably will be overpriced)
Boom Blox Smash Party - the first was classic hope this comes with WiFI
Magic the Gathering for 360 - I am pretty pumped (even though there is still no locked in date) I really enjoyed MTGO but cant afford to keep up with the cards plus my friends dont play anymore if they get the coop working right and some expansions in the mix this would be worthy of any mtg player
Finally Family Game Night which comes out this week. This is purely for the pleasure of playing board games online with my family. I love interactive games where we can socialize as we play.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Rodrick Rules

After reading the first book (and liking it) I ordered the next book in the series (for my wife) and read it one it hit the steps of our door (I love amazon). I still liked it and read it in about 2 hrs but its more of the same.

It still written in diary form, which is to be expected but the situations are different yet they tend to be very similiar. I had the same problem with Series of Unfortuate Events after a while you feel like you have read the book just traiding the situations around.

The book still kept me captivated and will look forward to the 3rd in the series but that might be a while before I get to it.

Other books I am reading:

Spiderwick Chronicles Book 1
Y the last man
Sandman Vol 2

Day 4, 5, 6

I have done well with not drinking coke but still lack the discipline for eating. I tend to eat everything in sight and don't limit myself. This week the goal is to eat less. Also the workouts didnt go oh so well so another goal is to workout everyday this week.

Today is rookie sports with Malachi so there will not be a workout today since we wont get home until late.

I still drink Sweet Tea likes its going to run dry soon next weeks goal is to drink purely water which is a huge task since I hate water.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

My wife recently brought home a new book called Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I have seen it advertised at the local bookstore and amazon but by the cover (yeah I know dont judge a book by its cover) it looked like a childs book so I kept my distance.

When she brought it home she discussed how she liked it and thought she would use it with some of her students. She raved about it so I decided to read it one night and here is my quick review:

This book was written with middle schoolers in mind. Seriously the diagrams and words are what I was thinking through middle school and remember as middle school being. Kinneys' humor shines through each page making me laugh everytime.

The book is simple and easy to read and understand. It really appeals to the middle schooler but really catches the eye of an adult.

If you have a middle schooler (especially one that hates to read) buy this book one for you and for your student and read it together. You will laugh and in some ways it will let you be apart of that confusing preteen years.

Thanks Elizabeth for leaving the book on the bed for me to open it up :)

Day 3

So yesterday was day 3 of my weight loss challenge. Although I didnt eat fantastic I did limit my portion size and drank water and sweet tea. Unfortuately I will have to give up sweet tea soon but its great for taking away those annoying headaches.

Wade and I did our weigh in after church. I tipped the scale over 200 lbs but was glad to see that I had lost 4 lbs since the last time I weighed in. Now I am not going to weigh myself until camp so it will be a long time to see my accomplishment but I am ok with that.
Workout didnt happen but I didnt get home til 9 amd by the time I went to bed it was already late. Today I will get back to my workout so it should be a more productive day for me.

Day 1 and 2

My buddy Wade and I every year do some kind of challenge, they mostly deal with wieght loss or Bible study but this year it is going to be weight loss. This is the first time that I have gone over 200 lbs and it has not been a pleasant experience so I need some accountability (my wife) and a challenge (Wade).

Our agreement was drink no carbonated beverages, no ice cream, no donuts and pretty much no junk food. Each of these items cost us money if we decide to induldge in them. For me is been so far so good. I haven't told Wade this but I am not even eating at Qdoba until the weigh in because I want to make a treat for myself. Well I decided to use this blog to post my journey though a rough weight loss experience.

Day one

Simple drank no coke and had a massive headache, had an activitiy with son that made it to late to actually excercise. I did eat a massive hamburger

Day Two

No sweets no coke and did my first excercise with the P90X program which is chest and Back and it was brutal.

I know those are really tweets but I hope to have more information later...

to be continued...

My 25 Random Things

1. I love turtles
2. Married and have a son
3. My biggest regret is leaving the youth in New Albany
4. I am always looking for a way for my siblings to move close
5. I want a brown bear (Mike you need to move closer)
6. Each sibling has an animal to represent them and each of us have a tattoo so we dont forget
7. I weight 130 my first year in college (now pushing over 200)
8. I love to preach, but pee a little everytime I have to hit the pulpit
9. I love to disagr..er I mean argue (even when I am wrong I am right)
10. My dream car is a Honda Element and I have one
11. I love to catfish
12. I am a wannabe Mac guy but can't afford it
13. I hate wannabe's
14. I have a great apprieciation and respect for my Brother and Sisters in laws and have become close friends with some of them
15. I left full time ministry in 2006, I left Part time ministry in 2007 and now volunteer
16. I have been Commissioned for way to long and been in the ordination process since 2005
17. I have lived with my Parent twice since college (thank God I have a supportive wife and a happy son)
18. I really want more children
19. I desire to return to full time ministry
20. I was in the bottom 10% in my high school class
21. I went to Italy in Nov 08 for business
22. I hate Florida and for some reason would love to move to California
23. I love pizza and hot dogs (but not together)
24. My wife is super supportive and she's my best friend
25. I pooed myself while in a car with my professor and it was embarrasing

About reponding to my blog

Do to some people who don't know how to post as an adult My blog will have to be approved before a comment can be posted!!!

Beginning a new year

Yes I back but unfortuately not for long. It has been crazy busy here and I just can't seem to get back into the blogging thing although you can still follow me on twitter. I have some big plans heading into 2010, yes you read right 2010 and 2009 is setting all that up anyway I like to do a blog featuring what I am looking forward to as of today and my recent memory here are the games that I look forward to most:

Halo Wars
Godfather II
Halo 3 ODST
and there will be many to follow

Beyond that I really am looking forward to these DLC

Fable Knothole Hill
GTA IV Lost and Damned
Fallout 3 Operation Anchorage

there are plenty more to be excited about but I again I dont have the time gots to pay the bills....

be back soon....promise.....

Touching...

The Back Burner

Recently I have not blogged at all, really no reason but just haven't felt up to doing to much. But here are some quick updates on life and hopefully I will be able to expand on them later:

• A new house
• NXE
• Netflix
• 6 yrs of Marriage
• Italy
• Volunteering
• Credentials

Well I know that doesnt tell you a lot but its slow around here so if my energy gets moving be looking out for new post.

First Day in Italy

Today was my first day in Italy and I have really enjoyed it I will write more but my wife wants to see pictures so here they are:

Credentials

OK I have been in the Credentials process for 3 yrs and I go today to plea for another year. To be honest I don't deserve it. I haven't done anything but really I haven't seen the point. In recent days I have had a change of opinion and decided to write my first paper. With the help of a friend I am hoping for one more year and I will work hard to get things done and fulfill what is required. I am asking for a small prayer so that I may get another chance.

Florida, Italy and a New House

As I have made mention before these past months have been busy and hectic. Again the reason why The (heart) of a Youth Volunteer no longer exist (at least for the time being). First off, it has been insanely busy here at work. I have been testing some new computer componants that might help the business be more "effective" and will hopefully soon come up with a solution that will satisify the management and employees and allow us to see how we manage time. With that I have done some training for Microsoft Project but again we have yet to decide if we are going that route.

A couple of months ago my wife and I made a plan to buy a house in May. With our agreement we decided to look for "ideas" on what we would like, this would give us a price that we could work toward. After looking through all the houses on our list (via Yahoo Reality) we started to just drive around until we came up to this house:

It had a "For Sale by Owner" sign, so we decided to call and the next day we looked at the house falling almost in love immediately. This past month and a half we have been working with a mortgage company and the home owners and were recently "officially" approved and will be closing sometime in October. We have some ideas for our area but we are happy and excited about this new venture.

Next week we go to Lake Wales, FL to see our new nieces, Anna and Wren both were born within the past several months. This is my vacation time so I plan on relaxing but at the same time it will be busy with visiting people.

I get back the following week and have a week at home before I fly off to....wait for it....ITALY. This is PURELY a business trip but I have never flown outside the US and so I am bit nervous but very excited. The reason I am going is to learn the "computer aspects" of a new machine we will be receiving in the shop.

See it has been busy and its going to get busier, I don't really expect a slow down until close to January 2009. I will keep you posted on these new exciting things and anything else that might be coming up in the near future.

Doctors VIsit

Went for a Followup Dr's visit:

Heres a shocker I'm overwieght but other than that things are good.

Shoo...