Let me ask you all a question

[Amelia Bedelia]

A friend gave me a link to GP...

loose use of the term friend there... yikes  with friends like those...

[YooperYankDude]

Lol... a nice friend... but never mentioned the sharks... definitely should go in the disclaimer...

[Sis]

I'm from Duluth Mn now living in the DC area. So I'm kinda close to two of your haunts. I went to San Antonio a few years ago. Loved the river walk.

[Newsman]

ooh, Carlisle.home of the U.S. military archives.. I would like to visit there.

Oh, and welcome from the media section


John 

[YooperYankDude]

I'm from Duluth Mn now living in the DC area. So I'm kinda close to two of your haunts. I went to San Antonio a few years ago. Loved the river walk.

I used to be 3 hours from Duluth, Mn... it is an amazing town. I love going there, and to Superior, Wi, and then on up to Gooseberry Falls, and the Split Rock Lighthouse, gorgeous views year round.

Now I live an hour north of Green Bay, Wi... so it is only an hour to Escanaba, Mi, and 4 hours to see Mackinac Island...

Where at in the DC area?

I lived with my grandparent for a few yrs, and was just back to visit this past October. The live in Falls Church, VA... 5 min bike ride from the Metro, and I took that to DC with my bike... Love the area, just not the traffic.

It takes them 45min to an hour to travel 20 miles... lol

Tyson's corner was always a fun place to try and find parking.

I am always at a loss as to which church to visit when I go out there, I never know anyone... lol

[SippinTea]

A friend gave me a link to GP...

loose use of the term friend there... yikes  with friends like those...

Nice.

[Sis]

I used to be 3 hours from Duluth, Mn... it is an amazing town. I love going there, and to Superior, Wi, and then on up to Gooseberry Falls, and the Split Rock Lighthouse, gorgeous views year round. Not to mention Goosberry's hiking trails. Love it up there.

Now I live an hour north of Green Bay, Wi... so it is only an hour to Escanaba, Mi, and 4 hours to see Mackinac Island...

Flew in my first small plane in Green Bay. Loved it!  Ahhhh Escanaba, the only stop light betwen Niagara Falls and Duluth!

We walked the Big Mac one year. On Labor day they close it to traffic for a couple of hours and take everyone who wants to walk it to the other side on busses, and we walked back at dawn. Seeing the sun come up over the water was amazing. All night it was a party mode but nobody got drunk or obnoxious. (We slept in the car, too cheap to get a motel. LOL)

Where at in the DC area?

Fairfax county in Herndon. Was just a cow pasture at one time (*Looks around to see if JD is lookin*)   but they're building all around us now. Too bad it's only apartment buildings. LOL We're a half hour to the metro by car. The Fairfax/Vienna stop. (Last stop on the line) They're talking about putting in a connector train from here............. someday. That would be nice. We'd go into DC more often if they did.

I lived with my grandparent for a few yrs, and was just back to visit this past October. The live in Falls Church, VA... 5 min bike ride from the Metro, and I took that to DC with my bike... Love the area, just not the traffic.

It takes them 45min to an hour to travel 20 miles... lol

My husband works for George Mason University as the music librarian and teaches a couple of classes. It only takes him a half hour.  Of course he avoids the freeway where the mess is!  LOL

Tyson's corner was always a fun place to try and find parking.
We've driven by many times but have never stopped there. Want to some time. We've only been here five years. *Grin* Maybe in a couple of years....

I am always at a loss as to which church to visit when I go out there, I never know anyone... lol

We're going to a metro-missions church in Manassas, but there are several around. We've visited many of them.

[YooperYankDude]

My grandparents have had the same house for over 30 yrs, he was Active Duty Air Force, so they were gone some during that time. But it is the only house I have ever seen them in. It's a cozy little street, with lots of houses.

Sadly for me, but good for them, they are moving to a retirement community and having a new house built. But it will be like 20 miles away... so I am saddened about that, I wont be 5 min. from the Metro anymore...

Besides seeing them, the metro is like the 2nd highlight of any trip to that area. I can people watch, and no one thinks it odd.

DC is a great area, as is NYC and Chicago, but don't know that I would survive for long without a apple orchard or some fields full of corn.

[The Cold Water Kid]

I find it a bit scary that not wanting to date someone because they already have a child(ren) is some wrong or bad thing.  Not every guy is ready to become a father let alone to one that isn't theirs.  They didn't concieve it, they weren't there for the birth, they haven't raised the child whatsoever.  There are some guys who are ready and willing to take on such a huge role but if a guy isn't, it's not a bad thing whatsoever.  In fact, it'd be better that a guy take it incredibly serious and not move forward than jump in and it not work out, hurting everyone, especially the child if there is ANY bond made.  

I think it's a very valid reason for those who are still even just learning about love to not want to involve a child's heart in such a relationship if they're not ready to commit.  Kids sometimes latch on very easily which can hurt them in the long run if time after time it doesn't work out between the couple.  That's almost impossible to tell when you just begin dating but that doesn't hinder a child's perception being molded by it.  Just because the girl is great does not mean it's enough to go on when there are kids involved.

It's not making the mom pay for a mistake from her past, sadly worded.  It's an unavoidable effect.  And the father may be out now, but you never know 15yrs down the road what could happen.  That's a whole lot of stuff that a mature guy will consider before becoming involved with a girl just cause he likes her.

but that isn't an issue with Kyle anyway.  I think Ruby and other's that concurred are the best advice.  We are not to be unequally yoked.  And backslidden with worker in the church may be an edifying friendship for the backslidden, but dating?  That is more dangerous than anything.  Which relationship is worth more, God's or a potential romance?  God said to not be unequally yoked, if that doesn't settle with you, maybe you're not as strong in the church as you think.  And if that is even a possibility, dating a backslider IS dangerous.

Excellent post. You are wise.