It's not a good day when...

I turn around and look out the window of my office and see two kids that I work with being hauled off by the police in handcuffs. I guess my interventions aren't working so well, huh?

It's 1:07 a.m. on Monday morning. I'm trying to finish up some homework. I'm getting too old for this - I should have been in bed a couple of hours ago. Another reason I'm still up is because I have to go and pick up my sister and my new brother-in-law at the airport here in a few minutes. They're getting back from their honeymoon. Life is just grand.

A few words to friends who might read this. To my friends from California: I'm glad that the surgery was successful. I pray for a fast and painless recovery. To my little buddy in Tennessee: Happy Birthday! Although you don't realize it yet, you have two of the coolest parents in the world. This first year of your life was filled with nothing but love and care.

I had actually tried to publish a post a couple of hours ago, and it got lost in cyberspace. I guess that was a sign. Sin infests my life. I am so self-involved that I believe that I struggle by myself and I struggle worse than others. Anyway, for those of you who know me well, pray for me because I'm hoping to do something positive that will be helpful to my spiritual journey at the end of today. I'm a little nervous, but I think it'll be good.

I have a cousin who is 9 days older than me. Last night he was involved in an accident. He had been drinking. There was a family in the van that he hit. Four children were killed last night. Another family member died today. I believe three more of the family members are in critical condition. Pray for the family who has suffered such great loss. I can't imagine what they're going through. Pray also for my cousin. The feelings of remorse are a punishment in and of themselves.

Today we celebrated Easter. I got to lead singing in church. It's funny how God uses broken vessels. I'm shattered. The funny thing is that I think I can put myself all back together. Self-control is what I long for; yet at the same time, I want to let God be in control. God, help me figure this out. It's way too complicated for my simple brain.

Got to get to the airport.

Catchin' Up

Spring Break was awesome. Not awesome in the sense that you get when watching MTV's spring break shows, but it was still good. A good friend of mine celebrated a birthday on Friday, March 18th. Because I am a slacker, I only sent a birthday e-mail and not a card. How can I send her a card when I didn't send my other good friend who had a birthday on March 8th a card. Believe me when I say that these things really do occupy a lot of my thinking time.

So my older sister got hitched on Saturday. It was so cool to be a part of her wedding. She looked so beautiful. The chapel that she got married in was spectacular - the architecture was amazing. I had the honor of reading scripture (in Spanish) at the ceremony. I thought that was a nice element that was a tribute to our heritage. I also was the lucky guy who got to walk my mother down the aisle. She looked beautiful too. I just have to say that I have a beautiful family. And that's not just coming from me - a lot of people from church told me that after the wedding. My younger brother composed the song that my sister walked down the aisle to; he also arranged some of the other pieces that he played during the ceremony. That's right - he played the piano and sang. I am so proud of him for the talent that he has.

There were so many other things that I could talk about. We made those satin roses that birdseed is put in to give to the guests as well as Mexican wedding cookies in little white boxes with bows as presents for the guests to take from the reception. In all, we made about 1000 cookies. It was truly a celebration, and I'm so glad that I was a part of it. I guess the coolest part is that I now have a new brother-in-law. He's a good guy and very laid back like my sister. They are in Costa Rica right now for their honeymoon.

So now it's back to work and back to school. Thankfully, the semester is winding down. I think I can make it.

Later.

A Great Day

Hello all two of you who read this. You should know that today is a wonderful day because an awesome friend of mine is celebrating a birthday. She is kind, compassionate, fun, talented, and a great mom and wife. I don't want to post her name because I think I'm getting a little bit paranoid about posting actual names on this sight (I know, I'm weird). But hopefully, she'll know that I'm thinking about her and thanking God for putting her on this earth to be an encouragement to me and many others. Now, if I could just get a card in the mail to her.

Alright, I'm going to be late to class if I don't leave right now.

Will it ever end?

OK, so I'm not the best blogger in the world. To tell you the truth, I'd rather just go to my blog to hit that "next blog" button and see what comes up. No, I didn't do that for hours last weekend. That can be addicting and scary - there are some weird blogs out there. Anyway, there isn't much going on right now other than work and school. The case management aspect of my job is killing me. I've spent five hours at my office today, a Saturday, doing a monthly report. I'm still not done, but I've got to get out of here. My younger sister is coming home for spring break - it'll be so good to see her. My older sister is getting married two weeks from today - I think the wedding should be really fun. If you've read my previous blogs, you might know about my problem with my brother. Well, things have gotten better and we've talked once since the heated discussion after valentine's day. I guess things are going to be alright. A good friend of mine just started a blog and his entries are so insightful. I wish mine were that way, but I guess I'll just have to be my shallow self for now. That's OK - I have to be in my thinking, insightful mode while I'm at school.

OK, my younger sister just called.

Later.