New stuff to do witth my blog

Well, I have decided to do something a little different with my blog. I got this neat application for my IPHONE called 6001 random facts. So each day I am going to post a new and interesting fact. Some may be disturbing... you have been forewarned.

I also want to use this as an encouragement to anyone who reads it. So in addition to the fact, each day I am going to post the lyrics to a song and what they mean to me.

So now onto the fact: It is now possible to print human skin with an inkjet printer

Hmm... very interesting indeed.

One of my favorite Christian Groups is Kutless. They have been around for a few years and I had the opportunity to meet them once. One of there songs is "Promise of a Lifetime" This song has helped me through a lot. Just to know that God is always there to listen to us is amazing. Here is the God who created the whole universe and everything we see around us, yet He loves us just the way we are. What an Awesome feeling. Be Blessed by the lyrics:


I have fallen to my knees
As I sing a lullaby of pain
I’m feeling broken in my melody
As I sing to help the tears go away
Then I remember the pledge you made to me

Chorus
I know you’re always there
To hear my every prayer inside
I’m clinging to the promise of a lifetime
I hear the words you say
To never walk away from me and leave behind
The promise of a lifetime

Will you help me fall apart
Pick me up, take me in your arms
Find my way back from the storm
And you show me how to grow
Through the change
I still remember the pledge you made to me

I am holding on to the hope I have inside
With you I will stay through every day
Putting my understanding aside
And I am comforted

Well, lots of stuff to update on.

Frist off, a while ago I had posted something about me going on a diet, well that has been a challenge. I can say that about a week ago, I stepped on our Wii Fit and found out I had lost 7 pounds. That was a big encouragement. That just proved to me that I can loose weight!

I really feel as if God has been talking to me the past couple of Sundays at church. For those who don't know, we go to Mountain Christian Church in Joppa MD. It is a very nice church. Jo and I love worshipping there. We are in the midst of a rebel with a cause series. 2 weeks ago, (Father's Day) Pastor Ben talked about being content with life. Now, I know that being content has always been hard for me. I have always wanted more or better then I have. New car, better home, new IPHONE, better job, more CD's, more children, etc. Well Ben said something that really hit me. God has me right where He wants me right now. I have all He feels I need right now. So it was at that point I decided that I was content. I have a car that runs, (It is still new), I have a roof over my head, I have a phone that calls people, even if it calls people when I don't want it too.

So that afternoon, I got my Father's Day gifts. Johanna had Elijah bring me my card that she made, (She makes all the cards we give out. So much better then Hallmark) Then Elijah handed me this little piece of paper. It was a coupon good for... wait for it.... wait for it.. a new iphone! I was so excited! So we went and picked it up that afternoon. My other Father's Day gift was going down to see my folks. I love my wife!

Then last Sunday, Ben talked about worry. He told us that if we worry, we are in a way saying that God is not in control. God always has our best interests in His heart. (Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not harm you, to give you a future and a hope) I have been holding onto that verse for some time now. Things are just starting to really fall into place in my life. I just need to keep leaning on God and knowing that He does have great things in store for me!

So there is my monthly update. I promise to try to update on a more consistent basis! Have a great 4th!

Coming soon to a blog near you

What happens when you take Joe Raymond and give him an electric chainsaw? Wait and see.....

Sometimes I just do not get life. I really wish at times that our plans were placed right in front of our faces and we would just follow them. I am talking in this instance about school.

I have been meaning to go back to school for some time. I went back a couple of years ago, took a few classes and stopped. I went back last summer & fall for a couple of classes and stopped. I just do not know what to do. I am undecided in what I want to study. I mean, I know I do not have to go to college, but Johanna wants to be a stay at home Mom so I feel I am under some pressure to finish school and get a degree. Let me say this though, I do not feel ANY pressure from her about going to school, the pressure is coming from within me. I want to be able to give my wife whatever she wants and will make her happy. She does feel like she has missed a big chunk of Elijah's life with having to work full-time. She would love to stay home. I really do not see that happening anytime soon, especially if we stay in MD.

The cost of living here is out of this world. They just find ways of taking our money and the prices of houses make it next to impossible for a first time home buyer.....

So there is my rant for today. I am going to go back to work now. Have a nice day!

Well, it is time for blogging again!!

This weekend was not that great for my diet. I went to Dunkin Doughnuts/Baskin Robins with my brother in law and sister in law and bought a 3 scoop sundae. I wasn't even hungry. I just wanted to eat some ice cream. So that killed me. Yesterday, I did ok. I don't remember what I had for breakfast, lunch was 2 tuna fish sandwiches and dinner was homemade Taco Salad. It was really good. I will post how we make it sometime in the near future. Also, in other weight loss news, Johanna (my wife for those who don't know it) has made a deal with me. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, when she gets home from work, she is going to let me go to a local park which has a track going around it for me to walk. The track is at least a mile one time around. So more news to be coming soon. I have not decided what day to make my weigh-in day.

This weekend was enjoyable. I saw 2 cousins I have not seen in 17 years. They drove down from MI to see our Grandfather. He lived in FL but moved in with my parents a couple of years ago. He is 92 years old and in excellent condition. So it was nice to see them too.

Today marks a somber day in our nations history. 10 years ago today, 2 students went on a shooting spree at Columbine High School in Littleton CO killing 13 students and 1 teacher. It is so hard to believe that it has been a decade already. I just read an article this morning that said the 2 shooters had not originally planned for the shooting, but had planned to blow up the school using propane bombs and other incendiary devices. When that didn't work, they decided to shoot people instead. I have often wondered what goes through the mind of someone who wants to kill another person. So if you remember, say a prayer for the families involved. It may be hard for us to understand this, but can you picture how the parents and families of those killed are feeling right now?

Well that is all for now. I have to go back to work. More soon!

Well, I am on day 2 of my weight loss plan. I ate pretty well yesterday, up until dinner. I had 1 1/2 bagels with some cream cheese for breakfast, lunch was 2 turkey, cheese and lettuce sandwiches on potato bread. When I got home, I snacked on some carrots with fat free ranch veggie dip. Johanna and I went down to see our friends Steve and Brie at the hospital. Brie just had a baby, not as cute as Elijah, but close. So we had to grab a quick dinner since it was a long trip and we had to drop Elijah off at my parents. So we stopped at McDonalds and I got 3 1.00 McChicken Sandwiches and a Lg Diet Coke. Not the greatest thing to eat. Then I had a piece of cabasa once we got to my parents. So I did good up until dinner. So far today, I had 2 bagels with cream cheese for breakfast, and 2 sandwiches and a thing of yogurt for lunch. I am not sure what is for dinner, LOST is on tonight and the Mother-In-Law is cooking, so we will see.

Other then the weight loss, nothing too interesting going on in life. I do however have to say I really love my job. As many of you know, I went through 2 periods of unemployment in the last couple of years. I was very fortunate to get this job. I actually look forward to coming to work when I wake up. So that is my shout-out.

I may be starting another blog to do something with my music.... more on that later. I'm Out!

Well, I have got to get better at doing this. I have a couple of things to blog about right now.First and foremost, I would have to say I am proud of our US Military.

I am sure many of you heard that on Easter, 3 US Navy SEAL Snipers shot and killed 3 of the 4 pirates that were holding the Captain of that hijacked vessel hostage. As more and more reports come out about it, I am more and more proud of our military. Those of you who know me know that I have a huge amount of respect for our men and women in uniform. I make it a habit to stop and thank a solider every time I see one. I also tried to join the United States Navy while in High School. I passed everything except the hearing test. For those of you who may not know, I have no hearing in my right ear. I have been that way all my life... well.... since I was 6 months old. I had spinal meningitis, but that is a post for another time. Anyway, I want to encourage all of you to thank a solider when you see them. The looks they give are wonderful because I am sure they do not hear thank you enough.

Secondly, I have finally broken down and decided that I need to loose weight. I went to the docs a couple of days ago and was embarrassed when I stepped on the scale. 284 pounds. YIKES!! I run out of breath while going up the stairs and also when I walk for a while. I want to be able to run with Elijah when he gets older. So, my goal is to loose 10 pounds by the end on the month. I have been able to start the weight loss process. I use to snack (by snack, have 2 sandwiches at 10 PM) and eat out all the time. I have now cut out the snacking (now I eat carrots and oranges) and whenever we go out to eat, I ALWAYS do what I can to get a salad or some sort of grilled chicken.So I will keep everyone updated. I will also try to post more later!Joe