There are many reasons for obtaining full time work and moving out. One of the most important of these reasons is boredom. I'm so glad I have a job and a place of my own because sitting around the house the past few days has been dreadfully boring at times. Sure it's been great to lounge around and watch TV for a large portion of the day, but I can only take so much of that. Good thing we have some things going on today. First there's the lunch at church so we can interview the youth pastor candidate. Then Helen and I are going to the apartment to drop off some more things and get the mail. Finally, it's game time at Amy's with the girls!

I'm back in Naperthrill for the next few days for my surgery tomorrow. I'm actually not really worried about it, which is incredible for me. It's exciting how God works to change me in areas like this.

Work has been going well. There's not really much to say about it, unfortunately. It's not all that exciting but it can be enjoyable at times. It can also be boring at times too, but I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn about the position and the company.

At least I'll have access to the Internet whenever I want the next few days. There's no Internet at my apartment because it costs way too much. However, I find that I really don't need it. I just check my email at work every other day and that's about it. I wish I had it so I could update Xanga more often and read about what's going on in everyone's lives, but oh well, it's not worth the $60 every month.

I don't like leaving church on Sunday nights. It's like I have to go back to my other world where I live and work for another week. I feel removed from what's going on at church; then again a lot of that is due to this summer being so incredibly busy for Helen and I. It was truly a blessing having those 3 weeks off between school and work because I was able to do more stuff at church and I had a great time. Take the church work day-it was fun to work and spend time with everybody on a random weekday. Sadly, those times are over now. So I hope that encourages you all to enjoy these times while they are here because you won't always have as much time as you like to have fellowship together and serve.

I'm cleaning my room, separating pretty much everything I own into various piles: (1) bringing with me to my new life with Helen (that sounds amazing, by the way); (2) staying here at home; (3) garage sale; (4) trash/recycling. So I was cleaning off my bookshelf when I found $5 inside a Jewel receipt. Woo--free money! When you think about it, however, it's like I saved money (though I lost money due to inflation and opportunity cost of the interest I would've made on it). Anyway, finding that money and going through a bunch of old Jewel paychecks reminded me of how I didn't save money for many years while working at Jewel. It's sad, in fact, to think of how I would've been better prepared for a few things now with all the wedding and other expenses. Please do yourself a favor and save money instead of spending it on your own quick gratifications. I'm can be guilty of this sometimes, but not nearly as much as I used to be. 

Other Considerations:
"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 20:24). I think that Jesus is teaching us not to make money a priority over God, like many "rich" people do. Jesus is not telling us to be unprepared. It does not mean that saving money is bad. In fact, it is good for us to save.
"A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..." (Proverbs 13:22).
"In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has" (Proverbs 21:20).
Therefore, do not be "rich" by "devouring all you have." Instead, give the Lord what he is due, prepare for the future by saving money, and make God first in all that you do.

---

I found out today that I get insurance starting August 1 at my new job, which is what I hoped. Plus, I don't have to be covered in between my current insurance, which lapses June 30, and my new insurance. Whether I'm covered or not for that period of time, my new insurance will cover my surgery even though it is a pre-existing condition. This was my biggest concern about not having the surgery yesterday.

Random note: whenever I listen to Caedmon's Call, it gets stuck in my head for a few days because it's so darn catchy. Well, back to cleaning and organizing!