So, I've been harrassed long enough and I guess it's now time to explain the extended absence from the BLOG (and update everyone on how it's going "living at home & away")!

Let's start with the update:
We have both been rather busy recently (mnostly with work) - which bothers us! Those of you who know us well, know how committed we are to living simply and at a healthy "pace" of life. Well, unfortunately we have fallen into a groove recently that has removed much of the margin that we worked so hard to create during the 2nd half of '05. We are currently working hard to re-establish healthy boundaries and margin...

Jamie is doing well and still enjoying her job as a "Family Support Specialist". Recently she has started taking classes on Tuesday nights that are going to prepare her to be a qualified Doula. For those of you (like me) who have no idea what that is - basically, a Doula is a "Birthing Coach" who supports, helps and coaches women through the childbirth process. For more detailed info and specifics check out: DOULA

I have been far more busy with the Church and ministry since the Christmas & New Years season. I am currently fully engaged preparing for a crazy summer of Student Ministry opportunities. Some of the highlights include: taking a trip with the graduating seniors during the first week of June; leading a team of 12 on a short-term mission trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina in June; planning, preparing and leading our summer camp - iGNITE in July; and preparing to mentor and strategically invest into a couple of interns coming to Eagle for the summer (1-2 in Student Ministry). I'm really excited about all of this stuff - but right now am kinda feeling the pressure and "weight" of all the admin & details that need to happen NOW in order for these experiences to be a WIN this summer.

Aside from all that, we bought a house in late January (pics to come soon!). That's about it in a nutshell... any questions? (j/k)

Now for the "explanation"...
There really isn't one! Well, that's not entirely true. I have been spending a lot of time thinking and reflecting upon how "healthy" this whole BLOG-world really is. Let me explain - I have found so many of the students that I lead involved heavily with online blogs, journals and especially myspace. I'm not necessarily saying that all this stuff is wrong or bad, I've just been questioning it because I find that people reveal so much stuff online (there seems to be little to no "boundaries" or "limits" to what people are willing to share).

Why is this a problem? Well, I think that (1) we don't consider just how "public" the whole online blogging, journaling, myspace is. (2) I have a problem with people being so extreme in the vulnerability with an online community of people whom they have little to no trust built (and often times barely know the other person). I have talked with enough students and young people to know that this goes on... they tell me how openly they chat with a certain friend online, but then when they see them in person (at school or wherever) they don't even talk to them. What's with that??? I don't fully understand it - but I think that there is something potentially harmful in developing such relationships... is it really helping us to become a better person???

Obviously there are safety risks also when it comes to revealing personal information online, but I don't want to dwell on that. I have been more bothered with trying to understand the value of these "synthetic" online relationships that develop so quickly. Maybe I'm just too old-school, but I think that there is something important and significant about the way that relationships develop in person. We don't just open up ALL areas of our lives to someone the very first time we have a conversation with them - we need to develop a sense of trust and acceptance first (knowing that we have found a "safe" person)... and I believe this can only happen over time. Spending time with someone - hanging out, chatting, whatever is where we begin to gain that sense of trust (or lack of trust) and as this begins to be established, then we arrive at a place where we are either more or less willing and comfortable to devulge more personal and confidential parts of who we are. Because of this, I wonder if we are actually hurting, even violating some basic principles of relationship when we immediately jump to complete transparency with someone online who we never intend to have a personal relationship with...

Then again, I could be wrong... Just some thoughts - for what they're worth!

Come back soon - and you WILL find a new post... I PROMISE! (and you can expect to find all of my deepest, most vulnerable confessions)
Clint.

HAIRCUT!!!

Here's some before and after shots of my latest haircut... Jamie's sister Joni did an amazing job...
I decided that it was time for me to "lose-some-weight" before summer hit... PEACE!