A day in the life of...Mark Williams

Seniors and graduation

It's that time of year that seniors and graduations are at the forefront of what's happening.  After all, great accomplishments are coming to fruition.  Hours and hours of schooling, classes, papers, projects, and accomplishments all come down to ceremonies, goodbyes, leaving the old things, beginning new opportunities, new towns, new cities, new professors, and even new friends. 

I must say that this time of year is exciting, yet bittersweet.  It's not easy to say temporary goodbyes to people.  You get used to people "being around".  But you know, I couldn't be happier either for those making those steps in life.  The opportunity to move on to something new and fresh.  The activities and opportunities will be endless for those that choose to make the most of what God puts in their path.  With each decision that is made, a life-course will be determined and changed.  It's not that they don't have directions.  It's the fact that the highway can go in many directions.  I will say, however, that God gives us a path to walk down.  It is straight and narrow.  But it has so many adventures and endless possibilities.  What an amazing way to look at the future.

You don't have to be graduating to think about those endless possibilities that lie before even you and me.  It is up to us to take the road that God has given us to travel.  We have the opportunity every day to Seize The Day.  So...even though I am not graduating, I am choosing to make those decisions that will forever alter my future.  My prayer is that you will do the same. 

Thinking back on Easter

I was sitting here thinking back to past Easters that I have celebrated and experienced.  Easter has always been a great celebration.  Being raised in a home where my parents actively took us to church, it was the norm.  Things I remember about past Easters...in no particular order chronologically, nor by importance.

• Hunting Easter Eggs in the back yard with Jennifer, Prentiss, and Jeremy Cole.  I'm not sure if this happened just one year, or multiple years.  Jennifer is now a travel editor for Southern Living.  Prentiss and Jeremy are both living in the Jackson, MS area I believe.  Prentiss was the punter for Miss. State for 2 years.  One of the craziest and funniest people I've ever met.
• Having a sunrise service at FBC Philadelphia in the courtyard area.  I was in youth, because I remember going and helping set up chairs.  It always seemed to be a little chilly. 
• I also remember seeing a rainbow on the pages of my Bible at one sunrise service.  Nothing superstituos about that, just reminded me about the promises of God.
• Hunting Easter Eggs and Buck Bounds pond/farm with Ryan McKay and his family.  Those were good egg hunts.   There was money in some of the eggs. 
• I resigned from Grace Memorial Baptist Church on Easter Sunday 6 years ago.  I had accepted the call to Agricola Baptist Church as minister of students.  I'm still at ABC.  I hated resigning on Easter Sunday, but I've never been one to put off the inevitable, and sure wasn't going to with something as big as that. 
• Being in Bow The Knee at ABC was fun the one year I was in it.  Excellent production.  I can't remember being in another one.  I really enjoyed the Living Last Supper at Grace Memorial.  It was amazing to see DaVinci's painting acted out.  When they pulled the curtains back...it looked just like the painting.

I never get tired of Easter.  Whether it is a church celebration of the resurrection of Christ, or a secular celebration of hunting eggs.  It is always a great time.  Above it all, though, is the hope that we have in Jesus!!  I am so thankful for the empty tomb!!

Thunderstorms, taxes, and Obama

It started at 4:45 a.m. this morning with some massive storms coming through.  Weather doesn't worry me too much.  This was the first storm in this house with lots of big trees around it.  We have a metal roof too, so there are lots more noises.  Micah was in the bed with us after a big BOOM of thunder and lightning.  Malaree slept straight through it all (Surprise!)  It's been dreary looking all day with more to come tonight.

I went to Gulfport today and finished up filing my taxes.  I can't believe it!!  I actually did NOT have to pay in to the OBAMA plan.  I had paid enough in my quarterly payments to cover it.  Now that's not to say I didn't pay a LOAD throughout the year, though.  Anyway, I was just glad that I didn't have any more to pay in. 

14 ways to spend less...per Tony Morgan

Tony Morgan posted 14 ways to spend less so you can do more on his blog.  He has some other insights, but this is good stuff!!  Thanks Tony. 

1. Avoid eating out. It costs us anywhere from $25 (Chik-Fil-A) to $50 (Applebee’s) to feed our family when we eat out. When we eat dinner at home, it’s only about $6 per meal for our family of 6.
2. Buy used cars. We haven’t had a car payment for seven years, but I’ve never owned a new car either. We’ve committed to having no debt with the exception of our home.
3. Pay off credit cards every month. Avoid interest expenses at all costs. That means planning ahead for emergencies and saying “no” to the stuff we really don’t need.
4. Eliminate the telephone landline. This probably saves us about $400 per year now. We just use our mobile phones at home. We also shop around to save money on cell phone plans, insurance, utilities, etc.
5. Refinance your house. If you’re planning on staying in your home for a year or more, now’s a great time to either lower your monthly payment or reduce the term of your mortgage. Either way, you’re paying less money on interest. That’s the goal.
6. Use Vanguard for investments. Start with money market accounts then graduate to stocks and bonds. Saving money can become fun especially when you use a company like Vanguard that helps you save more of your money by keeping investment costs low.
7. Shop at T.J. Maxx. You can get name-brand clothes at a fraction of the cost. One of our favorite dates now is hunting through the racks at T.J. Maxx looking for bargains on clothing.
8. Use the library. Books, music and movies are essentially free. Ask for Killing Cockroaches. If they don’t have it, they can get it through the interlibrary loan program.
9. Vacation off season. We shop VRBO.com for a condo that ends up being cheaper than a hotel room right on the beach. The same condo costs four times more during the peak season.
10. Share date nights. Watch your friends’ kids one week and then let them watch your kids the next week. That means you have free babysitting twice a month.
11. Carpool and share rides. We save gas and on vehicle wear and tear (and time) by sharing rides with neighbors and friends. With four kids going in four different directions, that adds up.
12. Use sale ads and shop with a list. Our family of 6 spends less than $500 per month on combined groceries, paper products and health and beauty needs. (And with a face like mine, H&BA’s are essential.)
13. Be responsible. Avoid late fees in every area, drive the speed limit and don’t buy double of something because you forgot you had it.
14. Don’t own a pet. Even the fish that won’t die is costing us money we could spend on something else. Your kids don’t need a dog to learn responsibility. That’s a lie.

Paul Harvey passes away

Paul Harvey died today (Saturday, February 28th, 2009) at the age of 90.  I grew up listening to Paul Harvey and "the rest of the story".  My dad introduced that radio program to me.  I didn't exactly grow up in the radio era.  But Paul Harvey was one of two things I listened to on the radio.  The other was Jack Cristil as the commentator for Miss. State sports.  

For Paul Harvey, though, my dad and I would ride around town and through the country long enough to listen to the local news and then Paul's show.  On some Saturdays, we would catch it twice I think.  Anyway, it is a fond memory to think back on today.  Paul's distinct voice was known by millions, and allowed me to make memories with my dad.  Thanks...and goodbye.

Two really good Super Bowl commercials

Here's two of my favorite:

Hmmmm.....

Whatever happened to purity and holiness? 

Mississippi 1st again. 

I think my favorite line in the whole article is this: "It's not clear why Mississippi surged into first place." 
Really?  It's not clear to you?  I think we all know HOW. 

 Thousands of babies growing up without a mom AND dad.  I think that is what is just as troubling as to WHY this actually happens.

What does today hold?

Well...this is what I "think" it will hold.  We're not promised another minute:

I can't type b/c Malaree is tickling me right now......ok.

1.  Having fun with Malaree.  Happening now!!
2.  Micah's school Christmas party
3.  Staff party tonight
4.  Throwing the football with Micah
5.  Packing
6.  Eating
7.  Wrap a few presents (that I haven't done)

Shot up and drugged

I went to the doctor.  I have a sinus infection (I knew this before I went).  However, they gave me what I needed.  A good decadron shot and some antibiotics.  Hopefully, I'll start feeling better pretty quick.  I just hate waiting at the doctor's office.  I think I'll bill them next time.

Jealous for Snow

A good portion of Mississippi is getting snow today.  Not us.  It looks like we may get some flurries, but nothing substantial.  Yes....I'm jealous.  Growing up, we would get a decent snow every 2-3 years.  I'd love for Micah and Malaree to see snow on the ground.  I guess this is one of the few downsides of living so far south.