Stay Awake! 

Caroling Party 2004 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Foo

I don't want to brag (well, actually, I guess I do), but I have proven to the world my Java Foo.

Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green States

Living in Minnesota for way too long, I can only imagine: Do Texans have conversations like this?


"I'd like a coke."

"What kind?"

"7Up."

Nathan, and TJOPP, part II. 

Nathan, and the joy of packing peanuts. 

Amanda and Kit 

Emily, on the Feast of Christ the King 

David, on the Feast of Christ the King 

Working With Electrons vs. Working in the Real World

Greetings, all. I am just ending the second four-day weekend I've had in a row. I think I could get used to having four-day weekends. I find I truly leave work behind when I'm gone this long.

This evening has been very good. I spent time reviewing lessons for our church's religious education program. It has been a while since I've done something like this, and it has reminded me that my true areas of strength (such as they are) do not really lie in the "real" world. I'm not very good with wood, sheetrock, wiring, gardening, and the like. I struggle to get my house ready for Winter and my yard ready for Spring. Yet, when I am given the opportunity to put together a presentation, write a clever piece of code, or review a theological lesson for accuracy and clarity, I find I'm in my element.

It can be frustrating, because the things I'm good at are just not evident to the casual observer. Unless you understand software development you just won't appreciate the work I do. (You may not appreciate it anyway, but I can guarantee you won't appreciate it if you are not a developer.)

But this is all good. I should not be doing work to impress you or anyone else. I should be working for the glory of God. He knows what I do (and, m0re often, don't do) better than anyone. If I can work for Him, then my work is never in vain.

God bless you all!