Elena’s First Laugh
Originally uploaded by mushin.

Elena has a new trick. Tonight we were taking some pictures of her and Nancy. I was trying to get her to smile, and so was making goofy faces and noises and heard the most amazing sound I’ve ever heard in my life. Elena laughed for the first time (that we’ve heard).

I’ve decided to quit doing everything else I do (including my job) and instead pursue trying to make her laugh again. ;-).

Seriously… a laughing baby… beautiful music.

CNN has a very interesting series starting tonight at 7pm (EST).

> Hidden. Forbidden. Addictive. Porn In America. > > ABOUT THE SERIES > In Part 1 on Monday, Glenn profiles a man’s addiction to online porn, and we’ll show how he and his wife got through it. On Tuesday, we examine the proliferation of the multibillion pornography industry. In Part 3, we look at what new technology porn companies are embracing. And Thursday, we’ll profile a woman who left the business and now counsels others.

Can someone tape this for me?

Kathy has a great post on the “God Is Still Speaking” campaign, which touches on what I was talking about a few posts ago with biblical literalism. It is well worth the read. Quick quote:

No Christian–even the most fundamentalist believer–really takes the Bible literally. Language isn’t that simplistic.

Check it out.

Edify – To instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement.

Encourage – To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten.

Rebuke – To criticize or reprove sharply; reprimand. (The Greek is interesting here: Epiplesso: 1. to strike upon, beat upon 2. to chastise with words, to chide, upbraid, rebuke )

Admonish – 1. To reprove gently but earnestly. 2. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution. 3. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility.

Patience – 1. Bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance with calmness. 2. Marked by or exhibiting calm endurance of pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance.

Why is it that we (in our minds) change most of these definitions into the word “be nice” (except rebuke, which we all cringe at and usually avoid).

I am a Web designer by trade. I’ve been doing it for seven years and have gotten fairly proficient at it. I love doing what I do. It is a very exciting, fast-paced, ever changing, and very influential field. It was a hobby that someobody once started paying me to do. I thought they were crazy. Now it’s how I support my family.

Last week I formally accepted a position with AOL and Weblogs Inc as a Senior Designer. I am extremely excited about the opportunity. It is sort of a dream job. I get to work from home, have a fairly flexible schedule, and work on some pretty high profile projects.

This has several immediate implications:

• I’m leaving my job at the University, which in some ways is hard. My experience there helped me to build the skills that got me this job, and I love the people, but it’s a no-brainer as far as a career move goes.
• I’ll be continuing, but on a limited basis, my consulting work with Direct Steps (basically will be supporting current clientele, and helping to manage a few future projects here and there).
• A lot of my brain space will be freed up, now that I only have one job to worry about, and don’t have to manage new clients or worry about sales.
• I will be leaving GCM Associate staff at the end of this month, but only because I don’t need it anymore. I will continue my current ministry involvement all the same, and still be able to help support The Rock, Stonebrook, etc.

Just thought you’d like to know, in case you hadn’t heard yet :)