"Yeah, I Schpreckin"

I'm sure by now most people know what the Rosseta Stone software is.  The kids started about three months ago using it to learn some Espanol.  It's great seeing them whip out a little culture when we're talking about canyons and quesadillas, and about how our gato es muy gordo y flaco.  I haven't yet started on it yet myself, but I did take one semester of Spanish in high school.  Mi llamo Miguel (at least, that's what I went with for that semester - don't tell my parents that I wished they named me Mike).

So going back to my high school days brought up other memories and other Mike's.  I'll be ever thankful to the one that introduced me to this other Spanish Mike.  Whoever you are, thank you.

I guess since the AF is providing the software for me to expand my skillset (is that a new buzz word?)  I should probably spend some time on it.  Maybe they'll let me say "clear to land" in other languages than English then.

DMZ 3 - Confusious say, "Man who stand on toilet..."

This one was on the "station" to the right of mine.  This one almost speaks for itself, buuuut...

Something I seem daily reminded of is the value of time.  Even as I write these thoughts I have to decide what it's worth to me, and why.  I spend moments with my children each day, moments with Candi, reading books, praying, working, and playing.  But almost without exception I think "Man, it's already ... o'clock."  So there never seems to be enough time in the day.  I know that if we were given more time and our bodies would go longer without needing sleep we would fill every second and that's the thrust of it - we would fill it, intentionally or apathetically, but it would be filled.

And with each moment we draw nearer to death, which is one of the few sure things.  "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement."  Kind of morbid, but I think it's important to face reality - and not ignore it. 

There are times that I call down the hall, "Kids, get in the car.  We're leaving."  I almost always get the response, "Where are we going?"  That's a great question.  The answer to that question determines what preparations they'll make.  The answer to that question determines what they will spend time on before going.  The answer to that question determines how excited they are about leaving.  The answer to that question determines what their expectations will be for the future.

The question of God is obviously a big deal with these questions.  There are plenty of other important factors that determine what I'll do between now and death, but I think the God question must be answered first.  After answering that, every other question changes.  I won't determine how I will spend my time the same way whether or not God exists.  My priorities or the things that are important to me won't be the same.  No, I think this is a deal-breaking question.

In the end, I somewhat disagree with the wisdom of this one bathroom sign.  I believe death comes when it's supposed to.  I only hope that I find myself prepared and not caught off guard, thinking I still had things to do.

Time Is On My Side

This is the first Saturday since being home in the States that didn't have high demands on it so Candi and I enjoyed some deep conversation this morning.  Topic of discussion: what in the world is daylight savings time?

Confession: my mind doesn't get the math.  I'm glad that my whole family is in the same time zone this year.  That'll save me some headaches.

This is what we read on the topic. 
Why Observe DST?


Many countries observe DST, and many do not. The reason many countries implement DST is in hopes to make better use of the daylight in the evenings, as well as some believe that it could be linked to reducing the amount of road accidents and injuries. The extra hour of daylight in the evening is said to give children more social time with friends and family and can even boost the tourism industry because it increases the amount of outdoor activies.


DST is also considered as a means to save energy due to less artificial light needed during the evening hours—clocks are set one hour ahead during the spring, and one hour back to standard time in the autumn. However, many studies disagree about the energy savings of DST and while some may show a positive outcome of the energy savings, others do not.


It is difficult to predict what will happen with Daylight Saving Time in the future. The daylight saving date in many countries may change from time to time due to special events or conditions.The United States, Canada and some other countries extended DST in 2007. The new start date is the second Sunday in March (previously the first Sunday in April) through to the first Sunday in November (previously the last Sunday in October).

Since joining the military we've only observed daylight savings one year... this one.  Arizona (our first and third assignments) has let everyone in else in the states know that you're all crazy and we're simply not changing our clocks.  Japan didn't participate.  My Pastor in Korea said that the RoK tried it one year and it almost brought the entire economic infrastructure down.  The church we're fellowshiping with this weekend change all their service times to allow people to screw this up.  I like the benefits of it in the summer time, but I wonder how long it will last.

Here's a link that lists the countries that observe for those that have friends and family around the world.

Living the Dream

I now have 2713 days left in the Air Force until I'm retirement eligible.  Maybe blogging about that is like my daughter saying she has six years until graduation.  It's a little early, hey?

The retirement concept in the military is a little different because it's really just preparation for another job.  So then I'm left thinking about what that job will be and how I should prepare for it.  But how do I prepare for something I don't know?  Here's my game plan which will probably get revised often, but I thought it would be good to have it here to look back on one day and think "That's funny."

1. Pray.  That sounds like the church answers I hear from my kids: "God" "love" "Jesus" "the Bible."  I tell my kids that those answers are great when they are correct answers.  So as you've all seen from the past prayer is something I consider on a practical rather than religious level.  So I'll pray about... well, I'm not all together sure yet.  I probably need some more brainwashing and better glasses, frankly.

2. Focus on improving the skills that God has placed before me now.  They may only be needful at this time of my life, or they may be a stepping stone.  Either way, those skills are worth the attention.

3. Watch those that God has placed around me (friends, family).  God has provided me with amazing friends and family who love God and teach me daily how to pursue dreams and desires in a healthy way.

4. Don't obsess over what job or activity I'll be doing; God's plans are always about the people that we will have influence on and about His glory - not me and mine.

So that's the "road map."  It's not very definitive, but really how can it be when the Bible says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."  and "A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." and "A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?"

While I'm thinking about this, does anyone have any suggestions?