Places

Segment 1: Destiny
This Past year at SSI (and everywhere else, i guess) was humbling for me in a way. Having distanced myself from the emotional problems and stress that came up over the summer, I can now look back at what I learned at SSI and put it in its proper perspective.
I went in with a bit of a Chip on my shoulder, to be honest. I had been there enough times that i knew it all and had done it all and wasn't concerned about learning anything. Being neither ADC proper, nor Staff proper, i allowed myself to skip teaching session and chapel if it bored me. Its odd that I view something that happened 5 months ago as "my foolish childhood". I had forgotten the truth that underlies everything at SSI.
The first year i went, when i was still innocent for the most part, I had come away with a Passion and fire, but because is was still "soft" i lost it though what I learned never left me.
The constant theme of SSI is "Truth, Destiny, and Purpose". By the end of the week, alot of emphasis is placed on Destiny, and for a long time i considered my destiny something that was mutually exclusive. But in reality, You cannot have any one of the three, without the other two, or if you do the end result will be misguided.
Anything done without truth finds its bases in falsehood, and has no stable foundation. No God-inspired destiny can be built without a foundation. Neither can ones destiny be achieved without purpose. Both attempts will result in living aimlessly and will bear no fruit.
I used to wonder why i fell in love with SSI my first year, and why it lost its drive the years that followed. The reason for this I have already explained: I was arrogant. I had taken the things I learned at SSI for granted, and truth taken for granted may as well be forgotten. I fell in love with the program because it equipped me with real, hard truth on which God would build my destiny. When i forgot those truths, it stands to reason that the joy would be forgotten as well.
Little wonder why my life was so off track. Without the truth as my stability, my purpose had become fluid, and my destiny was like the leaning tower of piza. The clear vision i had for my future had faded, not because God had left me, as i felt at the time, but because I had taken the truth for granted.
And as i considered these things in the months since SSI 08, I realized that with the truth comes a greater calling. A calling that doesn't not apply just to me and my life, but to any person who attends SSI, or any place where they can learn Gods powerful and unchanging truth. Any person who is given such a gift is inescapably part of Gods divine plan, because such truth is not given without a reason. If God has given a person truth, then he has done so intentionally, not by some circumstance or accident.
With God given truth and a Kingdom- bringing purpose, a person has a divinely inspired Destiny, and everything they need to accomplish it and THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE!
We often say when we are entering a domain for which we don not feel prepared, that God will give us the strength we need, but if a person has the truth and a purpose, they have a destiny! Its not some miraculous event where we will be turned into a Great spiritual warrior for Christ; rather, if a person has those three elements, God HAS ALREADY GIVEN THEM all the strength and power they need.
We live in a world full of lies mistakes, and problems. This world is broken and weak and full of darkness. But the truth, when given by God is light. As Mr. Muffett explains, Light does not Run from Darkness, but rather it overwhelms darkness. The world is ripe and ready for change, and we have been the tool to change it... not Barak Obama Change, but the kind that is brought by the real Messiah. We have been Given a gift, and we have no excuse.

Segment 2: Firearms

"Don't think of it as `gun control', think of it as `victim disarmament'. If we make enough laws, we can all be criminals.
The possession of arms by the people is the ultimate warrant that government governs only with the consent of the governed."

Government- "If you think the problems we create are bad, wait till you see our solutions."

"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed."

-- Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers

"Among the many misdeeds of British rule in India, history will look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest."

-- Gandhi

Segment 3: Spending

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=215&modelid=17316

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsPgYAn258c&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1252230872&src=fftb
http://www.nintendo.com/wii/what

Segment 4: Budget
When I left my second job at Vinnai in June, I knew it would affect my finances but i didn't anticipate the level of spending that i would want to subject myself to when it came to the holidays. Obviously i have to budget Christmas Gifts, but considering my list this year, that wont be so hard. Its the things i want to Buy for myself that are creating the issue. I know that sounds selfish, but let me explain a little

In the above Segment "Spending" are links to the Big three (the items that are both expensive, and greatly desired).
The first is my Digital Camera, which i will need one way or another, as my old one is an inch from death. The Digital Rebel XS is the highest quality camera in its class, and has the better features compared to other brands (and is a little cheaper too). On is own the MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) is about $500. I've never been one to buy low quality and cheap, as shown by my knives, mp3 player and computer. If i'm gonna get something i'm gonna get the best i can. The upside to this, is my parents have agreed to go half with me on it. Even so i'm spending $250. I have always wanted a nice camera hanging around my neck with which i would be taking pictures constantly (min. 10 per day). It's kinda a dream of mine.

The second is my Firearm. The Sig Sauer P250. Considering our president elect, and a building fear of what my government will do in the future, i want to exercise my Second amendment rights while i can, and this is the most frugal way to do so. The P250 is the most affordable Weapon for its functionality Sig makes. There are cheaper brands than Sig, but i don't trust the quality. Sigs are carried by Police all over the world. Compared to the 1000+ that Sig charges for its other models, the P250's $699 is pretty dang good. Owning a weapon is a right i will fight for (one of many), and if nothing else, i want to learn how to proper defend my future (and present) family by any means necessary, hand, gun, bow, sword, whatever... this is a step in the direction of building my family in the future. I want it for the Principle of the matter.. as a statement, if nothing else.

The Last is a Nintendo Wii. Obviously, this is mostly for entertainment purposes, at $250-300. TO the observer buying one of these may be the least important, but even for it i have my reasons. I have wanted one for a while now, but suprisingly my mom has wanted one as well. The physical activity involved in some of the games makes it appealing to her as a family activity. I want it for the same reasons. I only have a few months before i leave for college, and i want to spend as much time doing things with my parents as i can. Sitting in the same room while mom studies, da putters around, and i work on my computer doesn't count. there aren't many activities we do TOGETHER as a family and a Wii could change that while there is still time. I really would like this so i could have some quality time with my parents.

Now my goal a year ago was to have $10000 before i went to college. i big goal for sure, but with two jobs it was attainable. Now i'm scaling it back a great deal, and i will be very pleased if i get to college with $5000 to my name. Considering my current accounts, and estimating potential income (assuming my income doesn't change) i wont be able to make much more than $1000 before i have to leave my Job. i'm not sure exactly how much i have right now as my funds are separated into three accounts, which i hope to consolidate soon, but id guess it around $4000. Adding up the expected costs, and not even counting in Gas for my newly attained car i'm looking at $1200 minimum. Its still possible i'll be able to keep $4000 for college, but i don't like how close i'm getting to it. I'm considering giving up one of my Big three, but i consider them all worthwhile expenses, and i wouldn't have the faintest idea which to give up; the dream, the statement, or the quality time.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Segment 5: Eyes

Another section of my "Hunter" story... i didn't have time to write much else after nanowrimo... haven't done much writing since it ended.

Hanna barely slept at all. Something about the room bothered her, but it also felt good. She felt like she was surrounded by someone, or someones feeling. She stared at Hunter all night, feeling that , though she didn't know him, she felt sorry for him. She wondered what he looked like and why he work the mask-helm. Any fear she felt about him had faded, and somehow his presence even dulled the pain of her lost Grandfather.
Without realizing she had dosed off, Hanna noticed that suddenly Hunter was gone. She bolted upright, then remembered what had happened yesterday morning. The fear of having to hyper speed through a whole city she didn't know in order to "catch him" again... He wouldn't do that to her, would he?
The small about of light that trickled in through the window illuminated the room enough to show that Hunter's coat and shirt were draped loosely over the table. Hanna looked back to where he had been sleeping and almost sighed in relief: there on the floor lay Hunter's helm. Curious, the girl looked out the window to see if she could see him. The first thing she saw was the fire that generated the light. And there was Hunter, on his knees beside the fire, face turned toward the stone that Hanna had noticed the night before.
Because of the light of the fire, Hunter's skin looked grey and jagged, like a charred tree. His Chest and head were completely without hair, so there was no color to contrast his skin. He touched the stone for a long moment, running his hand over the writing on its surface. It was only then that Hanna understood what the stone must have been.
Hunter stood quickly, taking his sword by the sheath in his left hand. Hanna watched as he slowly drew the blade, eyes closed, in the beginning of an intricate form. She was nearly put in a trance by the movement of his body and the sword, dancing together in the light of the fire.
Slowly the natural light began to grow and the fire to fade. As this transition happened, Hanna was surprised to notice that Hunter's color didn't change in the different light as she had expected. Then she realized that the tatters black denim of his pants hadn't been affected. It was not the firelight that had given Hunter his un-natural grey color; that was the color of his skin. She felt that she should be afraid of what this might mean, but something was keeping her from actually fearing him. Something about the room, and his movements and the stone.
Just as the the light of the sun negated the light of the fire, hunter opened his eyes and looked right through the window at Hanna. Eyes of Red.


Segment 6: Home
Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life you chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love remains true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.

These places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.