Happy 4th of July Everyone!

• Listening to some talk radio during the trip, it struck me that many in our country (perhaps all of us at one time or another) have a sense of entitlement. We are entitled to live where there is cheap gas. We are entitled to own guns. We are entitled to be free from guns. We are entitled to live life the way we want, irregardless of how it might affect others. We are entitled to low interest rates. We are entitled to have perfect leaders. We are entitled to have every supply our classroom could ever need. I could go on and on. It seems to me that we would all be better off responding with thankfulness and humility for the blessings we have on this 4th of July rather than proclaiming a sense of entitlement. Perhaps we can be that light to others, showing them that there is another way to fulfill unmet "needs" through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
• There is something about driving through west Texas that requires listening to country music!
• Montana is one of the few states in our country which I have never visited, and I know that its nickname is the Big Sky Country, but New Mexico also qualifies as Big Sky Country in my book. Watching the clouds form, the lightning flash, and the rain fall in very specific places was fascinating. I felt like I could see forever. The volcanic landscapes of the northern part of the state are VERY interesting.
• Shirts, hats, and other gizmos from the vendor area of NECC are big hits with daughters. As for me, I'm looking forward to working with all the trial software!
• Is there any Texas town that doesn't have a Dairy Queen or Whataburger? Didn't find many like that!

Look for some additional notes from NECC sessions I attended in the next couple days. Feel free to share any comments about these sessions as well.

Enjoy your 4th of July celebrations!