Life Without a Paper Route

I have to tell you the past few mornings have been glorious. I never thought 10-11 hours of sleep would be so enjoyable. In case you haven't noticed I am not the person that likes to be in bed for long periods of time. I feel like I am wasting time if I spend more than 8 hours asleep. The past few days though have been sorely needed. 10 months with only 4-5 hours of sleep a day....wow!

My last day on the route, Saturday, was great. A good friend of mine, Mike, came along to take in the glory of the day. We enjoyed going around the route knowing that at that time Sunday I would be sleeping. We talked about the times I would walk into church trying to find a person to sit in front of that I wouldn't want to see me doing "head bobs". Last week it was Dr. Barrick, an elder at our church. We talked about the days of throwing the newspaper that had a Cheerios's promo and all the boxes of Cheerios flew all over peoples driveways. I do believe that sometime this summer one of the people on my route will find a box or two in their garden. We also talked about life without this early morning fellowship time. As much as I am glad that it is over, I will miss it.

So now that I am wide awake what will become of "Paper Boy Diaries"? Well I think it will become a potpourri blog of all the things I enjoy and think are funny. It will range from my faith, my church and my God to what movies I like and funny things I see in the news. As scary as it might sound I'll let you into the abyss called my head....... somewhat...... not totally.

First non-paper route post to come soon.

Second To Last Day

Well one day to go on the ol’ paper route. I don’t know what emotion is the best to describe how I feel. I feel sadness because, I was able to use this time to listen to some people preach that I normally wouldn’t have time for. I was for the most part able to listen to about 3 sermons every morning while I delivered the papers. I was able to listen to one Emergent pastor speak on how the sin of homosexuality is no different than a person who has a weight problem eating a chocolate bar. Don’t worry I also listened to Piper, Johnny Mac, Francis Chan and Al Mohler. But, oh what fun I had at 2:45 am listening to Mark Driscoll. Secondly I feel great joy I do not have to get up at 2:00 am any more. No more worrying about papers that land on the roofs of cars. No more worrying about water getting into the plastic bag. No more worrying about if I’m going to kill a wayward kamikaze bunny. I also feel thankful. I am thankful not only that my paperboy days are completed, but that the Lord taught much about my possessions and having the proper perspective on the things I own. Every time I think that I need o have a better car, I need a better house or that I deserve more stuff for my house, I will always remember 2:00 am wake-ups. I will remember delivering papers and the sleep deprivation it caused. What a way to have a point driven home. Thank you Lord! I am also thankful for those people who prayed me through this time. Do you realize that in the 10 months that I was delivering papers and getting between 4-5 hours of sleep a day I didn’t come down with any major sicknesses? I had one ear infection at the beginning of the paper route, but nothing else. Due the prayers of many and the grace of my God I stayed healthy. Oh, what a blessing!

Most of all thank you to my family for enduring this time with me. Theirs was a sacrifice too. Their sacrifice was in that our normal routine was turned upside down for 10 months and they rolled right with it. They put up with my mood swings due to sleep deprivation. Thank you Suzi for being my co-pilot for the first couple of months. That was probably the most fun I have had with you in our marriage up to this point in our lives. Thank you to all my other co-pilots too. What fun it was delivering with my favorite stuntman Kevin and delivering with my good friend Mike. Thank you guys for the company and the fellowship I will never forget it. Well if I have the energy I will blog tomorrow about my last day, if not I will try to get it in sometime this weekend.

Yes I am Still Alive!

After nearly 10 months of delivering papers I am still alive. I have not killed any rabbits or creatures of the night. I will say though that the paper route is coming to an end. On May 26th much rejoicing will come out of the Santa Clarita Valley from my family and friends. Why on that day you might ask? Well that is the last day I throw papers. We have turned a significant financial corner and are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a rough 10 months and I appreciate all the encouragement I have received.

So you may ask what will become of Paperboy Diaries? Well after much debate I decided that I am going to post here every now and then about everything that I enjoy. That would be everything from religion to college football, from theological issues to funny stories I read on the Internet. I hope you enjoy it.