In a Non-Hypothetical Way

SON: Ask me what's the most important thing about telling a joke.

MOM: Ok, Son. What's the most important thing...

SON: [interrupting] Timing!

It's been a great Spring Break...

I accomplished a lot of things. I read. A book. Visited with friends. Saw Aggie basketball. Drove to Brownwood to see the Lady Jackets advance to the Final Four. Drove to San Antonio to watch the Spurs lose to Boston... :-(.

A lot of those things were on my list of things to do before I deploy overseas. I accomplished one task that was pretty important to me. I'm not gonna say what it is now. Maybe later. But not now. I've learned a lot from that experience. Worst case scenario, it's a learning experience. So that's a plus if that's the worst that can happen.

Right?

Until next time,

Continue in Excellence,

jdmerx

American as Apple Pie

That's baseball, and it's my game. Y' know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave 'em there. You yell like crazy for your guys. It's good for your lungs, gives you a lift,
and nobody calls the cops. Pretty girls, lots of 'em.
- Humphrey Bogart

I'm not sure if there is any better sporting experience than an afternoon baseball game. I love football, but I don't think an afternoon football game can come close to an afternoon baseball game. Especially when it's an Aggie baseball game.

For those that have never experienced Aggie baseball, you should. It's quite different from any other collegiate game. I was able to see A&M play Centenary College this afternoon. The weather was great. Not too hot. Not too cold. Perfect. There was a time I used to hate baseball. Really despise it. That was before I understood it. Now I love it.

Maybe because teams play so many games that individuals games lose their importance. Maybe because it's the only sport where 30% is considered excellent play. Maybe because it's the best individual team sport. Maybe because it seems so American. It is our national pastime. It seems like the NFL and NBA get more coverage. More glitz. More glamor. The best sports movies are those about baseball. There are more analogies for life dealing with baseball than other sports. Think about it. I didn't always feel this way. But I do now

. Here are some pics I took at today's game...

Until next time....

Continue in Excellence,

jdmerx

Cold Weather

Well it is a little chillier than I had thought. So I have fashioned my hat back into my pants.
Michael Scott - The Office

I had drill this past weekend in Waco. It should be the last time that I have to drill there; which is unfortunate since I enjoy visiting with Alan and Tovah while I'm in town. I was able to get the necessary paperwork completed so I should be able to transfer to Austin. If all goes as planned then I should leave for training at the end of the month to Massachusetts. A lot could happen until then. I could NOT go to school. At that I would be severely disappointed. Things could be worse. It's all about perspective. I mean, I think the New England area is cold. I hate cold weather. And really hot weather. But that's for another post.

I don't want to get ahead of myself and tell everyone I'm leaving. And then not leave. But then I haven't really told a lot of people that I could be gone for the 10 weeks. I can see the conversations now...'Guess what? I'm leaving for training. I'll be gone for 10 weeks. And I leave tomorrow.' Yeah, that could happen.

I think I prefer it that way. At least I'm not getting ahead of myself. Until next time...

Continue in Excellence,
jdmerx

A (very) late thought for Valentine's Day

"...Nobody said it was easy,
No one ever said it would be this hard...."
-Coldplay "The Scientist"

So much has been running through my mind this past month. If all goes well, I should be leaving at the end of March to Massachusetts for Army training. It's not set in stone yet. So there is still room for changes. There is a great part of me that eagerly looks forward to this opportunity. However, I still have reservations. There are those relationships and friendships that I would like to strengthen and develop here in College Station. Are they strong enough that we will continue correspondence? Time will tell.

It's kinda funny when I've thought about my past over this past month through the Valentine's holiday. If the goal in my relationships, romantic or otherwise, is for the other person to be a better man/woman of God, then I have ensure that I seek Godliness, among other qualities, at all times. So my first criteria in any type of romantic relationship is that she must desire and practice to be a Godly woman.

Check.

Other than that, other variables are reviewed on a case-by-case situation. I've realized that for me, I have another criteria which is almost as limiting. She must be willing and open for periods of separation and being apart. I have found that this criteria can almost be more selective than the previous. Some people are not cut out for it and want no part of that. That's okay. There is nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, that is a luxury outside of my grasp for where God has called me at this present time.

I will be gone for periods of time. Sometimes known. Sometimes unknown. I remember in a former relationship, my girlfriend at the time had me read Passion for Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. I don't remember much from the book. But I do remember that Elisabeth and her husband were separated for a long time. I remember thinking at the time that I was reading it, what a horrible situation. Now, older, maybe wiser. Maybe not. I see distance as an opportunity for strength and growth. And purity.

So, I'm going back to the start. Ensuring that my main focus is on God. Whatever springs forth from that is an added blessing. The timing of which I do not know. I can only handle those things within my limited control. Whether I meet a woman of God who is up for the challenge or find one who is not, I cannot and should not worry. I still must seek to glorify God in all I do where He has put me.

Until next time: Continue In Excellence.
jdmerx

p.s. Hopefully, the freuqency of my posts should increase.