Law School

Last semester, as I was constantly thinking about where God was leading me after graduation, the random thought of going to law school kind of popped into my head.  As I was thinking about what I enjoy to do and what God has given me skills to do, studying the law seemed to be an interesting fit.  I had never really considered it before, but I decided that it wouldn't hurt to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and see how well I could do.  

Well, I took the test in December, and I felt pretty good about it.  I started reading more about what the realities of law school entail and what it really means to practice law - unfortunately we can't all end up on Law & Order :-)   By January I had decided that law school is where God was leading me.

My original plan was to wait and apply to some law schools next year, which would mean I wouldn't begin until the fall of 2009.  Gilda has just begun a wonderful job that she absolutely loves here in Dallas.  She has worked so hard and been so faithful in order to get this job and I sincerely want her to be able to enjoy this blessing she has been given.  That was part of the motivation to wait.  I also wasn't sure where I wanted to go. There are so many things to consider whenever choosing a law school, as with any other educational decision.  I had pretty much settled it in my mind that I would wait. 

That was until this week.  On Monday, I had lunch with my friend Aaron, who is finishing his final year of law school at SMU.  He had some very interesting and thoughtful advice for me.  His encouragement was to go ahead and apply to a few schools that I was interested in that are in the Dallas area.  He had chosen to wait a year before applying for law school and, looking back, he wishes that he would have gone ahead and started whenever he had the chance.  I always appreciate Aaron's straight answers and advice! After discussing everything again with Gilda, I've decided to go ahead and apply at a few schools as soon as possible and see what doors open up.  

I ask that you would pray for Gilda and I.  This is a huge decision in our lives and we want to follow God's direction every step of the way.  I am so glad God has given me a wonderful wife who encourages me as we seek God's will together.  I hope to be able to keep updating everyone on where God is taking us and what great works He will do among us.  I am excited about the future and I want to be a faithful steward of everything I have been given.

Puppy-Sitting

So Gilda and I are taking care of our friends Blake and Virginia's puppy this weekend. Dash, who is a 9 month old Yorkshire Terrier, is great! He's really energetic, but also quite obedient for such a young puppy. Blake and Virginia have done a great job training him so far. We're thinking about getting a puppy of our own, so this will be a good way to see if we really want to take care of a puppy full-time. For now, we will just enjoy the weekend with Dash. I will try to post some pictures of our new friend soon. 

By the way, Happy February! It's here already . . .

Can't Stop Thinking . . .

Over the last few days, I haven't been able to stop thinking.  So many things have been running through my mind.  As I'm starting to feel like a real married person (it's still just a little strange), my thoughts and the consequences of those thoughts seem to have become more weighty.  I'm not just thinking about where I should live, or what job I should take.  Now I'm considering where to plant my family and how to invest myself most faithfully in the lives of others.

I've been reading a book called "The Working Poor: Invisible in America", which highlights the struggles of so many Americans who work extremely hard and yet barely get by.  I have been made aware in so many ways over the past few years of the great needs all over the world, but for the most part I have ignored the needs of the men and women right in front of me.  Everywhere I go now, I try to look around and notice the people working hard to make the U.S. a comfortable place to live.  I am so grateful for everything, everything, that  God has provided.  I never want to grow attached to material comforts or an easy life.  I've been asking God to show me what my response should be to those around me who are in need. Sometimes I feel discouraged because I don't know how to help, but I know that God has a plan to take care of people through His Church.

 

As I've been thinking about so many different things lately, my biggest prayer has been that God would help guard my heart from pursuing a lifestyle of service without him. I want to be careful that I don't overlook the most important need of those around me, the need to know the Christ.  Without sharing Him, any help I try to give is meaningless.  I pray that I can learn to serve others as a result of what God has done for me, in the good times and the bad, whenever it is easy and whenever I want to run away from Him.  I know I can take courage in the fact that God is in control.  He is not worried about how He is going to get everything done.  In His perfect will, and in His perfect timing, He will accomplish everything He has planned.  Until then, I will keep on thinking . . .