He's cute, single & a good country boy :-)

I'd like to introduce you to my elligible bachelor friend, Nick Durick. We met in 2003 on a YouthWorks Mission Trip in San Francisco. Nick is from Rockford, Illinois. 8 years ago, Nick blew my girlfriends & I all away when he sang "You Remind Me of A Girl" by Usher. One of those school girl crushes, that's for sure!! I wish I had a picture of us together from 8 years ago, but I don't have one handy...here's some recent ones.

 

Now that you have a face to go with the name, I can continue. Nick & I have remained friends since that summer of 2003. We've kept in touch in a variety of ways. If you've ever heard me say "Holy Moses" you have Nick to thank for that. If you've ever heard me say "Chi-town" rather than Chicago, you have Nick to thank for that. There are many things that remind me of Nick, 5 that come to mind without any efforts: Abercrombie, Cubs, His Sister's Bday (we share it!), Field of Dreams and Quotes.

When asked what one of my favorite quotes is, often times I've quoted Nick. This is my ultimate favorite: "You don't make life happen, but the choices you make in life make you who you are."

On March 8, 2011, Nick made a very important decision. For lent, Nick chose to give up alcohol. So for 40 days he was committed to not consuming alcohol. I'm not sure Nick really knew what he was getting into when he made this decision, but I am so proud of him for the growth that has occurred over the past 21 days. Nick's eyes have been opened to the obsessiveness he had with alcohol and the power it had in his life. He recently shared with me how lost he'd get in the alcohol & how it could really ruin his life. Practically everything he did involved alcohol, and he was starting to realize the hindrance it was having, the problem it was becoming. On day 17 we had a pretty good conversation. In his own words, he says he feels like he has matured 5 years in just 7 days. What an awesome thing! And the maturity difference is VERY evident. I am so proud of Nick!!!!! He is being held accountable by his friends in his life group & also by his pastor. But nothing shows his determination better than how he put it: "No one said giving up is or would be easy. However moving forward, separating yourself, cutting things out, bettering myself, and moving forward with life is pretty motivating itself!"  This whole 40 day concept has turned into something life-changing for Nick. All because of ONE choice. How awesome is that!!  On day 17, he brought up the fact that Day 41 was a big game he'd be going to & how easy it'd be just to live it up and drink. Rather than giving in to that, Nick decided to extend his 40 days to 80 days. WHAT A CHAMP! He shared with me that on average, a night out would cost around $300 in alcohol alone. Shoot, that'd give me a heart attack, the heart attack would kill me long before the alcohol would. I keep telling him his whole life must be changing & I want to know what he's doing with all of the money he's saving! Plus, designated driver's get free soda's in bars, so he's not even spending money. It's a WIN WIN WIN situation. Nick is making awesome choices that are defining who he truly is.

So, I just wanted to brag on Nick, because I am so happy to see his life changing for the better. I am very proud of him for the choices he is making. He's a great guy & I know he's going somewhere in life! Excited to be a part of it and be here to encourage him along the way.

Nick, if you're reading this, you can send me flowers now for advertising you to all of the ladies! I know you can afford $20 ;-) Just kidding! I love you, hugs from Cali!

On my way to becoming DEBT FREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

For Christmas in 2009, my mom gave me the gift that would forever change my life. Actual cost of the gift $110, value of the gift: PRICELESS.

It was the Financial Peace University kit thru Dave Ramsey. This kit gave me all of the tools, plus lifetime membership to the classes (online or any location that the classes are being held). This was a 13 week course that our church offered. It truly has been LIFE CHANGING. This month, April 2011, I am able to begin my Debt Snowball. If you're not sure what Dave refers to as the Debt Snowball, please check it out here:  https://www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&articleID=118512

I went ahead and calculated all of my total debts owed, and I currently owe $66, 613.00, to 7 different companies. I know it's alot, but roughly $9,000 is my car and $51,000 is my student loans. I am so excited to have begun my debt snowball, and this is why: I put it all down on paper (ok, on an Excel sheet!) and am now able to see what will be paid off when, if just sticking to the minimum payments for the snowball (meaning I'm not throwing in any add'l $ other than what I would've been paying in minimum payments). Comparing payoff times with the debt snowball to how long it would take me to pay off my debts without the snowball, I am AMAZED and so excited to see what I will be able to accomplish in the next 5 years (hopefully sooner!!)

Here's a short synopsis of the debts I have & when they will be paid off w/ the debt snowball vs. when they'd be paid off if I just did monthly payments on each of them without the debt snowball.

Dept. Store Card, will be paid off in July 2011, would be paid off in November 2011
Car Extended Warranty, will be paid off in July 2011, would be paid off in July 2011 (this one works out to be even)
Dept. Store Card, will be paid off in September 2011, would be paid off in December 2012
Credit Card, will be paid off in January 2012, would be paid off in December 2013
Credit Card, will be paid off in November 2012, would be paid off in May 2014
Car, will be paid off in June 2013, financed to be paid off in September 2014
Student Loans, will be paid off in October 2016, financed to be paid off in January 2024

I will post updates as to how the Debt Snowball continues to grow & pay off this debt. I am sooooooo excited (hence why I am still up at 12:25 a.m. to share this!!)

This is who I am!!

I'm not trying to hide anything, I wear it on my sleeve. I'm not trying to be something I'm not, this is all I've got. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel, just trying to be real. I'm not trying to say follow me, I'm not the one who leads. Let me introduce myself to you, this is who I am: no more, no less. I am just a man who understands, because of You I'm blessed: no more, no less.  

I was listening to the MercyMe CD & this song, No More, No Less, came on and it really got me thinking. I like when things get me thinking! You can listen to the song here if you've never heard it, it's a great one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFQvlhhaYUw

I was reflecting today about who I am and where I'm at in life. Not only where I'm at now, but how the now is going to affect what is to come. This Sunday I taught my 5th/6th Graders about choices, how we choose everyday what we are going to do. We have a vast amount of choices that we make daily. I realize that every decision I have made leading up to this day has contributed to who I am. I am so excited how the present is unfolding and how the present is leading to my future.

Everyone thinks I'm crazy because I have so many jobs, or because I spread myself too thin, because I do this, because I do that...but you know what, all of these things make me who I am! I do appreciate the concern when people see I'm winding down and they recognize I need some rest, or I need a hug, or a word of encouragement. I definitely thrive once I am rested and restored, then I'm ready to serve some more. I am able to recognize that right now I am willing to "Live like no one else, so later I can live like no one else." (Dave Ramsey)

I have the 4 jobs (ABC, Church, Airport & Tutoring) to not only meet the financial needs, but to build up who I am, to help build up those I work with. I am not just working a shift to make money, I am working shifts to make a difference! It is so special to see children growing: their academics, their relationships, their personalities, their functioning, and so much more. I know I am where I am supposed to be. Working with kids (on many levels) has filled my heart with joy beyond what words can put forth. It means nothing more to me to know that I am at a place right now where I know I am fulfilling my life's purpose, and that is to make a difference in the lives of our children...THIS IS WHO I AM!

To Say I'm Busy Is An UNDERSTATEMENT!

Despite how busy I am, I am not too busy to pass by the daily joys that come my way. I am met with smiles each day & strive to make the best of every opportunity given to me. Sometimes pictures say it so much better than words, so here are a few pictures of what a typical day would be like for me, full of fun, love and determination!

 When the puppets won't stay on your hands, you can always make them dance w/ your feet!

                               Enjoying a community outing to Chuck-E-Cheese, where we say "CHEESE!"

                         ATS: Always Thinking Something: Deuces!   But really, Airport Terminal Services

Random Acts of Kindness! We Made Sugar Cookie Mix to hand out at church