Oh my. I really have to remember to post more often.

As is, unfortunately, often the case, I've been thinking a lot about posting and not doing it. So, here's the update.

Since my last post, I have (according to official standards) become an adult. I am now 18 and can legally do a lot more stuff on my own... such as buy ammunition. :D I haven't actually bought any yet but I'll get around to it eventually. :P Other than signing up for an adult library card at the Belle Center Library and getting out an R-rated miniseries (rated R for realistic war violence), I really haven't done anything much with my age. Well, I did register for Selective Service, but, God willing, that won't come into play at any point. The other big thing is that Mom and Dad are getting me a new Bible for my birthday. It's been ordered but not arrived yet. I'm really looking forward to it, since it's an NKJV (which I like a lot) and a study Bible, so there's a lot of other resources in there. :)

I've started back into school again. As before, I'm only doing one class with Clark State Community College. Thankfully, I can do everything online. That includes the homework, discussion questions, and even the quizzes. I just finished up everything for the first chapter today, and ended up doing quite well on it overall. :)

My time has been taken up some lately with looking around for a part-time job. My job at the airport wasn't available starting around the beginning of December, mainly because there simply isn't quite as much to do in the winter. So, I've been looking around for something. Unfortunately, there really isn't a ton around here for an 18-year-old guy that doesn't have any major technical skills and can only do part-time work. I would highly appreciate prayer that something would turn up soon! Until something does, I'm simply looking around and trusting God to provide.

Speaking of Him, I had the privilege of attending the presbytery Winter Conference from December 29-January 1. The conference was... well, I can't totally explain it. It was incredible. (Just about) everything there was the best I had ever had it for WC. Since this was my 5th year, it was my last, and I sure went out with a bang. Gordon Keddie, the pastor of the Southside Indianapolis, Indiana, RP Church, was the speaker. He gave four messages on Ecclesiastes. They were quite useful. It's not a book of the Bible that I'm very familiar with (or was), but it's one, like all the others, that is INCREDIBLY useful.

The one verse that particularly struck me was 11:1. "Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days." The author of Ecclesiastes is saying here that we must have complete and total trust in God to work in our lives. We have to give our all to Him, and simply trust Him to keep us. That struck me, as a great-aunt of mine would say, right between the nose. I'm worrying too much and trying to do too much by myself, instead of giving it to God. Since WC, I've been trying to work on that a bunch. Spending more time with Him every day in His Word and prayer has also been a big emphasis. I learned so much about God and His Word there at WC. The time spent with about 10 other guys my age and a counselor, discussing the messages and other edifying topics helped tremendously. I came away from the conference feeling that I had matured a year spiritually. It was great. Thankfully, many of my other friends had the same experience, more or less. :)

One of the biggest parts that was a blessing was the chance to, with three other guys, witness to a young man on the last night. Please be praying for him, that he would come to Christ!

I haven't been doing much of any flying lately. Due to weather, lack of income, and being busy doing other things, it's kind of fallen by the wayside for now. Hopefully, that will be "taking off" again soon.

Thankfully, we're all staying warm. The weather is the coldest it's been around here since 1994. Last night, in north-central Ohio, a town got down to -28 Fahrenheit. That's actual temp. We had some snow, but it was light and fluffy enough that I cleared most of the sidewalks with the gas leafblower. THAT was fun! :D

Nathaniel is continuing to heal up very well. So far, there have been almost NO side effects/complications. He's to have the six-week checkup on the 27th.. I think. It's sometime around there. Hopefully, at that point, the only restrictions he has (no carrying anything over 10 pounds and no bending at the waist) will be lifted. The sutures were taken out successfully by our family doctor ten days after the surgery, and things seem to be healing up perfectly there. :)

I think that's about it for now. I really need to get to bed soon, so I'll do this, change the music, then head upstairs to bed. Good night everybody!