This was on my office door when I got to church this morning. Pretty cool! I'll have pictures of my office when it looks more presentable, so probably in 2009!
12.10.2008
My office!
This was on my office door when I got to church this morning. Pretty cool! I'll have pictures of my office when it looks more presentable, so probably in 2009!
12.09.2008
Just One Of Those Days
[Disclaimer: To most who know me, this post will not shock anyone. However, in order to keep up the drama, I will explain things as though they are completely unbelievable!]
Yesterday was just a weird day, the kind you have every once in a while and hope you don't have another like it for a long time.
It started out normally. I woke up, read my Bible and prayed. Then, I got my running clothes on went jogging. Ate breakfast, showered and got dressed. I found my to-do list for the day that I had crafted the night before and reviewed all 12 things to make sure I knew what I needed to do first.
One of those errands involved stopping in at church. On Mondays, our church is locked up and usually no one's there. The same was true yesterday, so I hopped the locked gate blocking people from parking in our lot. Then I unlocked the outer gate that protects the entrance to the gym, the sanctuary and the offices. I did what I needed to do inside and locked everything up inside. As I went to close the outer gate, I walked through and yanked on the gate handle . . . which promptly came off in my hand!
"Fantastic," I thought. I spent the next five or six minutes trying to fix the thing, but given my obvious mechanical prowess (wink, wink for the uninformed), that failed. So I called Pastor Ron and asked him what to do. He told me to put the handle in his dad's box (his dad is the maintenance guy) and it would get dealt with today. So I did and then I left to do some more errands.
Finishing those, I headed home to do the dishes, laundry and the massive amount of homework that I had/have. Now, usually when I'm in my car, I have my IPod plugged into the car's stereo system to listen to some of the 14 days of songs, Bible or sermons that I have on there. Because our car was broken into in October 2007, I now take the radio/CD/IPod faceplate out every time I park the car. Since I had my arms full of groceries and books, I figured I'd come back down and do that after I'd dropped things off in the apartment.
When I got to our door, I put my stuff down on our little balcony table so I could get the keys out of my pocket. Only the keys weren't there. I went back down to the car knowing what I was going to see.
"Yep, there's my keys in the ignition."
I hadn't left the engine running, but the key was turned so that the radio/CD/IPod could still play. And yes, the doors were all locked. I thought about calling AAA to come open it, but I decided to head back up to the apartment. Once there, I figured I could get the screen off of our bedroom window and climb in there. The only problem with that is that we live on the second story and our bedroom window opens to about a twelve foot drop to the ground. Of course, that just made it all the more fun to try to break into my own apartment!
I climbed over the railing, easily detached the screen, opened the window all the way, awkwardly shoved the vertical blinds out of the way, got a good toe hold and jumped onto the sill and then jumped over our nightstand into our bedroom. Well, at least now I had the apartment opened. I decided to forego AAA and just call Amy. It was almost lunch time so it worked out great that she could come home immediately. After I hung up with Amy I opened one of our windows that opens. However, I opened it too high and it came crashing down! A piece of plastic flew off from the side of the window. It was a piece of the larger contraption that involves a metal cable and and spring to keep the window at whatever height we want it at.
Of course, now I had broken the window dealie-thingie. So I called the office and asked if they could send a maintenance man to fix the window. They said they would but I was curious and using a pair of pliers I rigged it so that the window would still work.
Amy came home, unlocked the car and then we got to spend lunch together. After that, my day went fairly normal, as I did laundry, dishes and a lot of reading and Greek work.
Wow, what a crazy day.
Yesterday was just a weird day, the kind you have every once in a while and hope you don't have another like it for a long time.
It started out normally. I woke up, read my Bible and prayed. Then, I got my running clothes on went jogging. Ate breakfast, showered and got dressed. I found my to-do list for the day that I had crafted the night before and reviewed all 12 things to make sure I knew what I needed to do first.
One of those errands involved stopping in at church. On Mondays, our church is locked up and usually no one's there. The same was true yesterday, so I hopped the locked gate blocking people from parking in our lot. Then I unlocked the outer gate that protects the entrance to the gym, the sanctuary and the offices. I did what I needed to do inside and locked everything up inside. As I went to close the outer gate, I walked through and yanked on the gate handle . . . which promptly came off in my hand!
"Fantastic," I thought. I spent the next five or six minutes trying to fix the thing, but given my obvious mechanical prowess (wink, wink for the uninformed), that failed. So I called Pastor Ron and asked him what to do. He told me to put the handle in his dad's box (his dad is the maintenance guy) and it would get dealt with today. So I did and then I left to do some more errands.
Finishing those, I headed home to do the dishes, laundry and the massive amount of homework that I had/have. Now, usually when I'm in my car, I have my IPod plugged into the car's stereo system to listen to some of the 14 days of songs, Bible or sermons that I have on there. Because our car was broken into in October 2007, I now take the radio/CD/IPod faceplate out every time I park the car. Since I had my arms full of groceries and books, I figured I'd come back down and do that after I'd dropped things off in the apartment.
When I got to our door, I put my stuff down on our little balcony table so I could get the keys out of my pocket. Only the keys weren't there. I went back down to the car knowing what I was going to see.
"Yep, there's my keys in the ignition."
I hadn't left the engine running, but the key was turned so that the radio/CD/IPod could still play. And yes, the doors were all locked. I thought about calling AAA to come open it, but I decided to head back up to the apartment. Once there, I figured I could get the screen off of our bedroom window and climb in there. The only problem with that is that we live on the second story and our bedroom window opens to about a twelve foot drop to the ground. Of course, that just made it all the more fun to try to break into my own apartment!
I climbed over the railing, easily detached the screen, opened the window all the way, awkwardly shoved the vertical blinds out of the way, got a good toe hold and jumped onto the sill and then jumped over our nightstand into our bedroom. Well, at least now I had the apartment opened. I decided to forego AAA and just call Amy. It was almost lunch time so it worked out great that she could come home immediately. After I hung up with Amy I opened one of our windows that opens. However, I opened it too high and it came crashing down! A piece of plastic flew off from the side of the window. It was a piece of the larger contraption that involves a metal cable and and spring to keep the window at whatever height we want it at.
Of course, now I had broken the window dealie-thingie. So I called the office and asked if they could send a maintenance man to fix the window. They said they would but I was curious and using a pair of pliers I rigged it so that the window would still work.
Amy came home, unlocked the car and then we got to spend lunch together. After that, my day went fairly normal, as I did laundry, dishes and a lot of reading and Greek work.
Wow, what a crazy day.
11.24.2008
Tolerance?
I know, I know what you're thinking: "Two posts in one day?! What's happened?!"
Well, what's happened is that I read this article that Dr. Mohler published this morning. Interestingly, my dad told me last night about the cited article from the Los Angeles Times. It's incredible to me that these Hollywood people who were crying for "equal rights" and calling Prop. 8 "wrong" can turn around and begin a witch hunt for supporters of Prop. 8. Where did the tolerance go?
Also, how come we as a culture can't settle for a simple yes or no after the people have voted? I think this shows a worrying discontent with the democratic process.
Here's a paragraph if you don't want to read the whole article:
Well, what's happened is that I read this article that Dr. Mohler published this morning. Interestingly, my dad told me last night about the cited article from the Los Angeles Times. It's incredible to me that these Hollywood people who were crying for "equal rights" and calling Prop. 8 "wrong" can turn around and begin a witch hunt for supporters of Prop. 8. Where did the tolerance go?
Also, how come we as a culture can't settle for a simple yes or no after the people have voted? I think this shows a worrying discontent with the democratic process.
Here's a paragraph if you don't want to read the whole article:
Now, as these developments in California unfold, it is clear that where efforts to legalize same-sex marriage fail, proponents will hunt down opponents of gay marriage for sanction and opposition. Note carefully the fact that Hollywood insiders and gay rights activists are scrutinizing the list of those who contributed to Proposition 8 support, looking for individuals, organizations, and corporations to isolate and punish. At least some are out to get people fired.
Wow.
What's Going On?
Once again, it's been a while. Here's some food for thought and some updates.
Congratulations to our President-Elect, Barack Obama.
Clearly, the country believes in you and backed you in a decisive victory over John McCain. We support you when we can, oppose you when necessary and always pray for you. We respect you and your family, but we cannot respect some of your views, such as your stand for the murder of unborn babies and your support of human embryonic stem cell research. God himself has placed you in this position and so we plead with God that you would change your mind on the issues pertaining to the sanctity of human life. God help you Mr. Obama.
I've settled into my new position as Youth Director at Village Bible Church and have hit the ground running. I am learning my way around the office and figuring our procedures. One thing that I have much to learn about is how to handle the paper work and financial processes. I am also trying to learn how to balance my 20-hour-a-week job, my full-time schooling and having time to spend with Amy. It's been challenging to find a happy medium, because Amy is busy working hard to support us and is also trying to keep up with her Financial Accounting class. Pray for us.
My book reading this year has been abysmal, and I'll end 2008 with by far the lowest count since I started keeping track in 2005. As it stands right now, I've read 27 books on the year. Now, with the semester ending in December, I will add some of the books that I've been assigned for classes. However, I doubt there's any chance that I'll rise above 35 books. I know, I'm a failure. But there's always next year!
Speaking of being off the pace, you'll notice on the sidebar that this is only the thirty-second post of the year on this blog. To match last year's pace, we'd have to post 71 more times before January! All I can say is that we'll just have to try harder to post more regularly.
Also, click on the Web Album 2 link on the sidebar to see some new pictures from some of the things we've been doing.
In two days, we'll be heading up to Santa Clarita for Thanksgiving with my family and we'll have Amy's brother Tom with us! It will be a fairly small group, so we're glad to add to that number with Tom. Other than my mom and dad and my two brothers, my grandpa will also be joining us. It looks like there's some rain in the forecast for the rest of the week, but our annual football game on Thanksgiving Day should be rain-free. Amy and I are looking forward to some long walks (to work off all the calories!) in the colder Santa Clarita air. It should be good! There is so much to be thankful for!
Congratulations to our President-Elect, Barack Obama.
Clearly, the country believes in you and backed you in a decisive victory over John McCain. We support you when we can, oppose you when necessary and always pray for you. We respect you and your family, but we cannot respect some of your views, such as your stand for the murder of unborn babies and your support of human embryonic stem cell research. God himself has placed you in this position and so we plead with God that you would change your mind on the issues pertaining to the sanctity of human life. God help you Mr. Obama.I've settled into my new position as Youth Director at Village Bible Church and have hit the ground running. I am learning my way around the office and figuring our procedures. One thing that I have much to learn about is how to handle the paper work and financial processes. I am also trying to learn how to balance my 20-hour-a-week job, my full-time schooling and having time to spend with Amy. It's been challenging to find a happy medium, because Amy is busy working hard to support us and is also trying to keep up with her Financial Accounting class. Pray for us.
My book reading this year has been abysmal, and I'll end 2008 with by far the lowest count since I started keeping track in 2005. As it stands right now, I've read 27 books on the year. Now, with the semester ending in December, I will add some of the books that I've been assigned for classes. However, I doubt there's any chance that I'll rise above 35 books. I know, I'm a failure. But there's always next year!
Speaking of being off the pace, you'll notice on the sidebar that this is only the thirty-second post of the year on this blog. To match last year's pace, we'd have to post 71 more times before January! All I can say is that we'll just have to try harder to post more regularly.
Also, click on the Web Album 2 link on the sidebar to see some new pictures from some of the things we've been doing.
In two days, we'll be heading up to Santa Clarita for Thanksgiving with my family and we'll have Amy's brother Tom with us! It will be a fairly small group, so we're glad to add to that number with Tom. Other than my mom and dad and my two brothers, my grandpa will also be joining us. It looks like there's some rain in the forecast for the rest of the week, but our annual football game on Thanksgiving Day should be rain-free. Amy and I are looking forward to some long walks (to work off all the calories!) in the colder Santa Clarita air. It should be good! There is so much to be thankful for!
10.31.2008
Happy Reformation Day!
Oh, is it Halloween too? Sorry, the fact that people waste tons of money every Halloween makes me more inclined to remember the fact that 491 years ago, a Roman Catholic monk nailed 95 theses to a church door and changed the world. If you have no idea why that's significant, then maybe you should browse around here today. Yeah, it's that important.
Sometime soon I'll post about my reading so far this year and the outlook for the rest of 2008 and for next year as well. To see someone else's reading for 2008, go here.
Also, I wanted to make sure that I added this video on the election. Very centering and focused. I think these seven minutes are better spent than almost any other half-hour or hour-long talking head show on TV.
Sometime soon I'll post about my reading so far this year and the outlook for the rest of 2008 and for next year as well. To see someone else's reading for 2008, go here.
Also, I wanted to make sure that I added this video on the election. Very centering and focused. I think these seven minutes are better spent than almost any other half-hour or hour-long talking head show on TV.
10.27.2008
God Answers Prayer
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." - James 4:3
Yesterday, the members of Village Bible Church voted unanimously to hire me as the part-time Youth Director. Amy and I had been praying for this for several months, and God answered our prayer in a way that was "far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).
After the worship service, the church reconvened in the sanctuary for a business meeting. The meeting was called to order and details were explained. Then, Pastor Ron gave a short biography of Amy and I and then called me up to the stage for a short testimony time, followed by a Q & A time. The questions were good, God graciously gave me the right words to speak, and then we voted. The votes were counted in about three minutes and the tally was announced.
Now, the deacon board will make me an official offer and Amy and will accept and starting November 1, I will have a new job as Youth Director at Village Bible Church!
Soli deo gloria!
To God alone be glory!
Yesterday, the members of Village Bible Church voted unanimously to hire me as the part-time Youth Director. Amy and I had been praying for this for several months, and God answered our prayer in a way that was "far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).
After the worship service, the church reconvened in the sanctuary for a business meeting. The meeting was called to order and details were explained. Then, Pastor Ron gave a short biography of Amy and I and then called me up to the stage for a short testimony time, followed by a Q & A time. The questions were good, God graciously gave me the right words to speak, and then we voted. The votes were counted in about three minutes and the tally was announced.
Now, the deacon board will make me an official offer and Amy and will accept and starting November 1, I will have a new job as Youth Director at Village Bible Church!
Soli deo gloria!
To God alone be glory!
10.21.2008
In Case You Were Wondering
In chapel today, the Biola Gospel Choir sang. I realized two things:
1. I'm not charismatic.
2. I have very little rhythm.
Just thought you should know.
1. I'm not charismatic.
2. I have very little rhythm.
Just thought you should know.
10.09.2008
9.30.2008
Books, books, books!
“Even when reading is impossible, the presence of books acquired produces such an ecstasy that the buying of more books than one can read is nothing less than the soul reaching towards infinity... we cherish books even if unread, their mere presence exudes comfort, their ready access, reassurance.”
– A.E. Newton
In the Library
I'm sitting here in a group study room in Biola's library working on homework and I thought to myself, "I should update the blog!"
So I started to.
And now I'm not sure what to write.
Oh, check out our second web album on the sidebar and see pictures of our trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park with our pastor's three-year-old son. That was fun.
This past weekend I took most of the guys from our youth group to San Diego for a little weekend road trip. There were 12 guys and and three adults. Pastor Ron and a dad of one of the kids game with me. This was partially a reward for every guy at Wildwood memorizing all of Matthew 7. They had absolutely no clue where they were going as we left the church Friday afternoon. Here's the short version:
We headed down to a parking lot near Old Town San Diego. From there we jumped on a train that took us right to Petco Park and the Gaslamp District. We purchased tickets for the San Diego Padres-Pittsburgh Pirates game and enjoyed a good game, a great view of the San Diego skyline (which incidentally consisted of several banking institutions, some of which no longer exist, thanks to the last few weeks) and wayyyyyyyyyyyy overpriced food.
After the game, we ate a late dinner at In-N-Out before Pastor Ron drove home. The other two cars drove north to Vista to stay at a friend's grandpa's house. We were locked out at 1:30am and were forced to wake Grandpa Dennis up to unlock the door that he said was going to be unlocked for us. We slept, some showered, some ate and then we were off.
We headed south again, this time for La Jolla (a really, really nice part of San Diego. Kind of like the Beverly Hills of San Diego.) and San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours. We had made reservations to rent bikes and ride them all over La Jolla, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach (this is the beach we went to last summer after Tom graduated from boot camp). We had a great time and only two guys crashed, however one of those guys ate it twice, the second time quite badly.
After that we stopped at an awesome beach in Carlsbad (thanks Becca!) and played in the water for an hour before finally heading home.
Okay, so that wasn't a very short version but that's how it went. Look at that, we blogged twice in two weeks! Wow!
So I started to.
And now I'm not sure what to write.
Oh, check out our second web album on the sidebar and see pictures of our trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park with our pastor's three-year-old son. That was fun.
This past weekend I took most of the guys from our youth group to San Diego for a little weekend road trip. There were 12 guys and and three adults. Pastor Ron and a dad of one of the kids game with me. This was partially a reward for every guy at Wildwood memorizing all of Matthew 7. They had absolutely no clue where they were going as we left the church Friday afternoon. Here's the short version:
We headed down to a parking lot near Old Town San Diego. From there we jumped on a train that took us right to Petco Park and the Gaslamp District. We purchased tickets for the San Diego Padres-Pittsburgh Pirates game and enjoyed a good game, a great view of the San Diego skyline (which incidentally consisted of several banking institutions, some of which no longer exist, thanks to the last few weeks) and wayyyyyyyyyyyy overpriced food.
After the game, we ate a late dinner at In-N-Out before Pastor Ron drove home. The other two cars drove north to Vista to stay at a friend's grandpa's house. We were locked out at 1:30am and were forced to wake Grandpa Dennis up to unlock the door that he said was going to be unlocked for us. We slept, some showered, some ate and then we were off.
We headed south again, this time for La Jolla (a really, really nice part of San Diego. Kind of like the Beverly Hills of San Diego.) and San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours. We had made reservations to rent bikes and ride them all over La Jolla, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach (this is the beach we went to last summer after Tom graduated from boot camp). We had a great time and only two guys crashed, however one of those guys ate it twice, the second time quite badly.
After that we stopped at an awesome beach in Carlsbad (thanks Becca!) and played in the water for an hour before finally heading home.
Okay, so that wasn't a very short version but that's how it went. Look at that, we blogged twice in two weeks! Wow!
9.16.2008
I Can't Come Up With A Good Title For This Post, So This Rambling Explanation Will Have To Do
To begin with, here is a link to our second web album. You'll also notice it's been added to the sidebar on the right side of the screen. There's a whole bunch of pictures from our camping trip to Santa Rosa Island. Also, the first web album has had its last update. Take a look here.
Yes, we have a frog, and his name is Fred. Amy has taken tons of pictures of him, so take a look in both web albums. A lady at Pan-Pacific inherited the frog from a neighbor (I might be butchering this story!) and asked if anyone at work was interested. Amy jumped at the opportunity because she'd always wanted a frog, and a free frog sounded even better. So we now have an aquarium on top of our entertainment center. He eats mealworms and crickets three times a week. A few weeks ago he ate a rock and we were very concerned, but we're assuming he passed the rock since he's still croaking.
I'm in the library at Biola University as I write this and am supposed to be studying, so I'll get back to Greek and try to update sooner rather than later.
Ciao.
Yes, we have a frog, and his name is Fred. Amy has taken tons of pictures of him, so take a look in both web albums. A lady at Pan-Pacific inherited the frog from a neighbor (I might be butchering this story!) and asked if anyone at work was interested. Amy jumped at the opportunity because she'd always wanted a frog, and a free frog sounded even better. So we now have an aquarium on top of our entertainment center. He eats mealworms and crickets three times a week. A few weeks ago he ate a rock and we were very concerned, but we're assuming he passed the rock since he's still croaking.
I'm in the library at Biola University as I write this and am supposed to be studying, so I'll get back to Greek and try to update sooner rather than later.
Ciao.
8.26.2008
A Whole New World
I know when you read the title that you were hoping that there'd be a video of me singing the Aladdin song, so I'm sorry to disappoint. What I meant by that title is that on Thursday morning at 8:00am, I'll officially be back to school. Graduate school. Seminary. It's a daunting task, but Amy and I are both very excited about it. Last night, we went to Talbot New Student Banquet. It was a great time of being introduced to Talbot School of Theology at Biola University.(notice the guy in the brown shirt on the right side of the first picture that pops up on Biola's site. He's wearing a Hotchkiss shirt! That's the dorm I lived in at TMC!)
There was good food and cheesecake for dessert, but the best part of the evening was being able to sit at the same table with two professors. Dr. Garry DeWeese and Dr. Clint Arnold were very friendly and curious hosts at our table. We talked about how we got to Talbot, where we were from (lots and lots of questions about Amy being from New Hampshire, which she very much enjoyed!), what program we're in, etc.
Toward the end of the night, a microphone was passed around to all the faculty present. They introduced themselves, what department they teach in and several - sometimes very funny - interesting facts about themselves or their spouses. It was very helpful for Amy and I to be there together and meet and see who I will be learning under for the next several years.
This semester, I'm in five classes:
Beginning Greek I
Personal Foundations of Ministry
Theological Research Methodologies
Theology III
Hermeneutics and Bible Study
In other news, Amy and I are looking forward to a mini-vacation this Labor Day weekend with our newly married friends, Travis and Katy. They invited us to go camping with them on Santa Rosa Island, an island in the Channel Islands chain off the coast of California. We're jumping on a boat that takes off at 8:00am Friday morning from Ventura Harbor and hoping to return sometime in the afternoon on Monday. We'll be roughing it, since we have to hike a mile and a half from the shore to our campsite and nothing that we bring can weigh more than 45 pounds. It should be a blast! We'll post pictures and our experiences when we get back.
Adieu
There was good food and cheesecake for dessert, but the best part of the evening was being able to sit at the same table with two professors. Dr. Garry DeWeese and Dr. Clint Arnold were very friendly and curious hosts at our table. We talked about how we got to Talbot, where we were from (lots and lots of questions about Amy being from New Hampshire, which she very much enjoyed!), what program we're in, etc.
Toward the end of the night, a microphone was passed around to all the faculty present. They introduced themselves, what department they teach in and several - sometimes very funny - interesting facts about themselves or their spouses. It was very helpful for Amy and I to be there together and meet and see who I will be learning under for the next several years.
This semester, I'm in five classes:
Beginning Greek I
Personal Foundations of Ministry
Theological Research Methodologies
Theology III
Hermeneutics and Bible Study
In other news, Amy and I are looking forward to a mini-vacation this Labor Day weekend with our newly married friends, Travis and Katy. They invited us to go camping with them on Santa Rosa Island, an island in the Channel Islands chain off the coast of California. We're jumping on a boat that takes off at 8:00am Friday morning from Ventura Harbor and hoping to return sometime in the afternoon on Monday. We'll be roughing it, since we have to hike a mile and a half from the shore to our campsite and nothing that we bring can weigh more than 45 pounds. It should be a blast! We'll post pictures and our experiences when we get back.
Adieu
8.13.2008
Pictures
Here's some pictures from the last month and a half. For all the pictures, click on Web Albums on the sidebar.
Amy and I at an A's-Angels game on June 30th. Amy got free tickets from Pan-Pacific (the plumbing company where she works). They were nice seats down the first-base line.
Travis and Katy's wedding at Forest Lawn.
Dad singing romantically to mom at Travis and Katy's wedding.
Amy and I at Travis and Katy's wedding.
Me, Travis, Brian and Nick.
Jared and Holly's wedding.
Scott and I at Jared and Holly's wedding.
Amy and I at an A's-Angels game on June 30th. Amy got free tickets from Pan-Pacific (the plumbing company where she works). They were nice seats down the first-base line.
Travis and Katy's wedding at Forest Lawn.
Dad singing romantically to mom at Travis and Katy's wedding.
Amy and I at Travis and Katy's wedding.
Me, Travis, Brian and Nick.
Jared and Holly's wedding.
Scott and I at Jared and Holly's wedding.
7.09.2008
Two Years, Paintball and Work Boots
Yesterday marked the second anniversary of our marriage. Because of the kindness of my Uncle Glenn and Aunt Dorothy, we were able to spend the weekend at their apartment in El Cajon, near San Diego. We got lots of rest, went to Coronado Island and enjoyed the beach. It was a very relaxing and needed time of being together. We are both so grateful to God for his provision for us over the past two years. We know that is only by his abundant grace that we are more in love now than we've ever been.
Several weeks ago, several of the men of Village Bible Church drove down to Camp Pendleton to engage in some very serious work: Paintball. Actually, it was probably one of the most fun days I've ever had. I'd never been paintballing before and I'd heard many horror stories about the pain and the soreness and the welts. Well, those stories were true, but those things were all worth it. The place we played at was pretty incredible. I believe there were at least eight different courses with all kinds of buildings, ramparts, trees, nets, bushes, trucks, tanks and other objects to make for some really fun and tactical matches.
If you want to know more, ask me sometime, but here are a few pictures that show the aftermath.
Monday was my first day of work at Pan-Pacific Plumbing. The morning commute was nice as Amy and I drove to work together. I was put to work outside doing "pre-fab," a term I only heard from Amy a day later. Basically, I helped out with the guys who were cutting, fitting and organizing pipe to go to the various 
jobs that PPP has going right now. It was somewhat interesting and I got to learn a lot about it pretty quickly. However, my work boots wreaked havoc on my feet. I hadn't really worn them too much since my construction job in Palmdale right after graduation from TMC. They were pretty cheap work boots from K-mart and the soles are just shot. So, my feet are still paying for it, and sometimes it's difficult to watch. That's it for now. I will post some pictures from my friend Travis' wedding sometime soon.
Several weeks ago, several of the men of Village Bible Church drove down to Camp Pendleton to engage in some very serious work: Paintball. Actually, it was probably one of the most fun days I've ever had. I'd never been paintballing before and I'd heard many horror stories about the pain and the soreness and the welts. Well, those stories were true, but those things were all worth it. The place we played at was pretty incredible. I believe there were at least eight different courses with all kinds of buildings, ramparts, trees, nets, bushes, trucks, tanks and other objects to make for some really fun and tactical matches.
If you want to know more, ask me sometime, but here are a few pictures that show the aftermath.
Monday was my first day of work at Pan-Pacific Plumbing. The morning commute was nice as Amy and I drove to work together. I was put to work outside doing "pre-fab," a term I only heard from Amy a day later. Basically, I helped out with the guys who were cutting, fitting and organizing pipe to go to the various 
jobs that PPP has going right now. It was somewhat interesting and I got to learn a lot about it pretty quickly. However, my work boots wreaked havoc on my feet. I hadn't really worn them too much since my construction job in Palmdale right after graduation from TMC. They were pretty cheap work boots from K-mart and the soles are just shot. So, my feet are still paying for it, and sometimes it's difficult to watch. That's it for now. I will post some pictures from my friend Travis' wedding sometime soon.
6.19.2008
Couple = Two
Yes, I know, it's been 5 months since I've posted on our sad little blog. I would say I've been really busy, but that's only partially true. No excuses, I just didn't want to post on our blog—and I didn’t really have anything interesting to post about. Why would I burden our readers with boring posts? Hopefully I’ve turned a new leaf and will start posting more regularly. But perhaps I'm just assuming that my summer will be more interesting to write/read about?
Happy has officially started his first seminary class and I’ve started my first accounting class. I’m debating whether or not I’d like to pursue an actual degree in accounting. But, before I get too far ahead of myself, let me say that I finished reading the first chapter of the $125 accounting book I got on Monday. It’s so much fun!!! Part of the reason I decided to post about this was so that I could look back at it when, down the road, I’m feeling like throwing the very same book out the window.
I won’t bore you with details of what I read, but I will say that it makes such a difference to have some experience with accounting and watch the puzzle pieces fit together as I learn more. One thing that’s a little intimidating about the class—my entire grade rests on 12 chapter tests. Each test has 10 questions on it and each question is worth one point. My teacher recommends that for the summer course each student take two chapter tests each week. So far, I haven’t taken one. My goal is to take one on Friday and perhaps another on Sunday. We’ll see how that goes.
Well, there’s an exciting post for you from “the other blogger.” Perhaps I’ll post again…. some time…. I make no guarantees, but I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!
Happy has officially started his first seminary class and I’ve started my first accounting class. I’m debating whether or not I’d like to pursue an actual degree in accounting. But, before I get too far ahead of myself, let me say that I finished reading the first chapter of the $125 accounting book I got on Monday. It’s so much fun!!! Part of the reason I decided to post about this was so that I could look back at it when, down the road, I’m feeling like throwing the very same book out the window.
I won’t bore you with details of what I read, but I will say that it makes such a difference to have some experience with accounting and watch the puzzle pieces fit together as I learn more. One thing that’s a little intimidating about the class—my entire grade rests on 12 chapter tests. Each test has 10 questions on it and each question is worth one point. My teacher recommends that for the summer course each student take two chapter tests each week. So far, I haven’t taken one. My goal is to take one on Friday and perhaps another on Sunday. We’ll see how that goes.
Well, there’s an exciting post for you from “the other blogger.” Perhaps I’ll post again…. some time…. I make no guarantees, but I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!
6.15.2008
Unemployed
I am no longer an employee of Liberty Christian School. I do get paid through the rest of the summer, but my contract with LCS has expired. Friday was my last day and it was a weird feeling. Teaching at LCS was my first "real" job. It was the thing that determined where Amy and I would live after we got married. I said my goodbyes on Friday, gathered my last few belongings from my "cloffice," and drove out of the gates on Friday afternoon.
Now, I'm excited, nervous, and anxious about my first seminary class tomorrow. I'm also anticipating a great summer of being the youth ministries intern at our church.
Speaking of that, it's time I got back to reading and studying.
6.11.2008
A plethora of . . . stuff
Last night, my Aunt Tracy gently reminded Amy and I that we hadn't updated our blog since May 20. Of course, I knew that, since I think about blogging everyday, I just never do it! So let me give a few updates:
Today is the last day of school at Liberty Christian School. Tomorrow and Friday are clean-up, wrap-up days and then it's officially summer. Friday will also be my last day as an employee at Liberty. I have worked at Liberty for the last two years, teaching PE, Bible, doing recess duty, lunch duty, coaching basketball for two years and volleyball for one and loving what I do. There have been a few rough spots, but I can truly say that I have enjoyed working and serving and coaching at Liberty. I am very appreciative to the principal, Thom Doney, for giving me this job and giving me much leeway in how I developed and taught PE. I have learned so much here.
The main reason that I will not be returning next year is because of my plans for seminary and becoming a pastor eventually. I am enrolled at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University and will begin full-time in the fall. Because Amy and I decided that I should enroll full-time and try to complete seminary in a timely manner we also decided that I should only work part-time, at least at first. We both know my strengths and my weaknesses, and so we came to the conclusion that I would be a lousy husband, Christian, employee, church member, sleeper, etc., if I tried to work full-time, go to school full-time, be involved at church in the youth group and other ministries, and be a good and loving husband to my wife.
At first, I tried to investigate working part-time at Liberty, but due to several factors, and after much discussion, prayer and mulling over scenarios, we thought it best to try to find part-time work for me elsewhere.
Last Friday, June 6, Amy and I celebrated her 25th birthday with a spaghetti dinner (disastrously planned, orchestrated and partially cooked by yours truly!) and then a stop at Coldstone Creamery after my softball game. On Saturday, we drove over to Seal Beach, ate lunch at In-N-Out, and walked around Main St. and the pier for a few hours. It was a fun, relaxing time together that we have rarely had in the past few busy months. We browsed in some antique stores, noticed the many Irish pubs and bars, and walked out to the end of the loooonnnnnnggggg pier.
That night, we enjoyed being treated to Olive Garden with our good friends, Brian and Becca. We went home after that and chatted with them for a few hours, which was really fun. They were also the first people to sign our hospitality cloth on our new (used) kitchen table! Amy found a solid wood table on craigslist and borrowed a truck and picked up the table two weeks ago. It has six chairs and a leaf to extend the length and we really love it. Maybe now we'll begin to practice hospitality a little more.
This summer I have an internship at our church and I'm also taking a summer class (Patristic and Medieval Theology, woo hoo!) at Talbot starting on Monday. That's all for now. Keep checking the blog for more updates.
5.20.2008
Incredulous
In case you don't know what the word "incredulous" means, read this article. I'm unbelievably shocked and disgusted by this ridiculous anti-human ideas! God save us. Also, yesterday's Albert Mohler program was all about this issue in the field of biomedical ethics.
5.11.2008
Ouch!
Happy Mother's Day!
Yes, we're still here, still alive, still kicking, still in love. I'm sitting at our kitchen table typing on my laptop with the whirring of the overhead fan, the soft "on" static of my paused iPod speakers, and the muted sounds of people playing at the park surrounding me. Amy is asleep in bed, recovering from wisdom teeth surgery on Friday.
We both didn't go to work Friday, slept in a bit, and drove to the oral surgeon's office in Huntington Beach a little before 8:00am. Amy was a bit nervous about having her first surgery, but it was over in barely half an hour. I sat with her for awhile as she groggily woke up from the anesthesia, and then we went home less than two hours later than we left. I went to CVS and filled the vicodin and penicillin prescriptions and tried to help Amy out. We watched two movies on Friday (Shrek 3 and August Rush) and just generally took it easy. I doubt anyone would be surprised to learn that I did a lot of reading!
Saturday was more of the same: laundry, reading, soft foods (yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, etc.), and the Indiana Jones Trilogy on USA. This morning, Amy didn't take the vicodin so she could stay awake at church. She has been a real trooper and is ready to head back to work
Also, we have neglected to announce that we got a new used car! Several Saturdays ago (April 26), Amy and I headed over to the Angel Stadium parking lot for the semi-annual Enterprise Car Sale. Enterprise teamed with several local credit unions to sell '06, '07, and '08 cars. We went armed with our Consumer Reports magazine, wanting but not needing to buy. After driving the V6 and four-cylinder editions of the Hyundai Sonata, we decided to see how much it would cost with the number-crunchers. It was too much, and so we headed back out on the lot and ended up driving a 2007 ruby red Kia Optima. Amy liked it better than the Hyundais and so we decided to go back to the numbers game and see what kind of deal we could get. After much discussion with each other, looking through the magazine and calling my dad, we decided to do it! Amy really loves "her" car and I now get "my" car back.
Last weekend, we took the new car up to Santa Clarita because Amy was helping host Heather's bridal shower at my parents' house. On Friday night, we went on a fun quadruple date with Nick and Christie, Brian and Becca, and Travis and Katy to Black Angus. We got to catch up on a lot of things, eat (too much!) good food, and laugh a lot. The next day, my dad and I helped the ladies set up for the shindig, and then jetted out of there so as to flee the girliness! That night, we celebrated Trevor's 17th birthday at Chili's before heading home.
A lot more has happened and will happen, but (do I always say this?) we will try to keep you better informed and perhaps offer some thought-provoking links as well. I leave you with a picture of a (not our) 2007 ruby red Kia Optima:
Yes, we're still here, still alive, still kicking, still in love. I'm sitting at our kitchen table typing on my laptop with the whirring of the overhead fan, the soft "on" static of my paused iPod speakers, and the muted sounds of people playing at the park surrounding me. Amy is asleep in bed, recovering from wisdom teeth surgery on Friday.
We both didn't go to work Friday, slept in a bit, and drove to the oral surgeon's office in Huntington Beach a little before 8:00am. Amy was a bit nervous about having her first surgery, but it was over in barely half an hour. I sat with her for awhile as she groggily woke up from the anesthesia, and then we went home less than two hours later than we left. I went to CVS and filled the vicodin and penicillin prescriptions and tried to help Amy out. We watched two movies on Friday (Shrek 3 and August Rush) and just generally took it easy. I doubt anyone would be surprised to learn that I did a lot of reading!
Saturday was more of the same: laundry, reading, soft foods (yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, etc.), and the Indiana Jones Trilogy on USA. This morning, Amy didn't take the vicodin so she could stay awake at church. She has been a real trooper and is ready to head back to work
Also, we have neglected to announce that we got a new used car! Several Saturdays ago (April 26), Amy and I headed over to the Angel Stadium parking lot for the semi-annual Enterprise Car Sale. Enterprise teamed with several local credit unions to sell '06, '07, and '08 cars. We went armed with our Consumer Reports magazine, wanting but not needing to buy. After driving the V6 and four-cylinder editions of the Hyundai Sonata, we decided to see how much it would cost with the number-crunchers. It was too much, and so we headed back out on the lot and ended up driving a 2007 ruby red Kia Optima. Amy liked it better than the Hyundais and so we decided to go back to the numbers game and see what kind of deal we could get. After much discussion with each other, looking through the magazine and calling my dad, we decided to do it! Amy really loves "her" car and I now get "my" car back.
Last weekend, we took the new car up to Santa Clarita because Amy was helping host Heather's bridal shower at my parents' house. On Friday night, we went on a fun quadruple date with Nick and Christie, Brian and Becca, and Travis and Katy to Black Angus. We got to catch up on a lot of things, eat (too much!) good food, and laugh a lot. The next day, my dad and I helped the ladies set up for the shindig, and then jetted out of there so as to flee the girliness! That night, we celebrated Trevor's 17th birthday at Chili's before heading home.
A lot more has happened and will happen, but (do I always say this?) we will try to keep you better informed and perhaps offer some thought-provoking links as well. I leave you with a picture of a (not our) 2007 ruby red Kia Optima:
4.20.2008
What's Going On?
Well, a lot has been going on down here in our little corner of Orange County. Here's a peek into all of it.
It's been busy and will continue that way, as we have several more weddings this summer. It's exciting to see God-honoring couples commit to each other for life.
Soli deo Gloria
- On the morning of Thursday, April 3, Amy and I headed out for a four-day camping trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona (for those of you that were wondering). We rented a Saturn Aura from Avis for $1.07! We decided to use some of our credit card points to get $200 in gift certificates to Avis. So we crammed all our stuff into the sizable back seat and enormous trunk and started out on a 500-mile trip around 10:30am. Here are all the freeways/highways that we ended up taking: 22, 57, 60, 15, 40 and 64! We arrived at Mather Campground at the Grand Canyon just as the last light of day was disappearing. We caught a brief, darkened glimpse of the canyon as we drove to the campsight. One first for me was setting up camp by the headlights of the car. That was fun! Oh yeah, it was freezing while we were there, literally! Well, to make a long story short, we had a great time sleeping, cooking, eating, hiking, taking pictures, making and enjoying fires and having the great privilege of acknowledging our God for his creation of such a wonderful place. We're both so glad we went and Amy actually added a state to her list of states visited!
- On April 12, we drove to Studio City for the wedding of a classmate, Micah Panama. Micah and I were classmates from first grade until we graduated from Santa Clarita Christian School. The ceremony was held in a beautiful Presbyterian church and the reception was at a very nice restaurant in Hollywood, with a view of the Hollywood sign from the street (which we forgot to take a picture of!). At the reception, I was able to see several high school friends that I hadn't seen for some time, and Amy got to finally meet them.
- This past Friday we drove up to Santa Clarita right after school got out and beat most of the traffic to attend my lifelong friend Matt Dixon's wedding. Matt and Sarah had a beautiful wedding at the Hyatt in Valencia, and again, we were able to see many friends.
- After congratulating the couple, the six of us (my family and Amy and I) piled in my parents' van and drove up to Santa Maria for the 22nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma's! Amy and I stayed at Aunt Kathy's and Uncle Mel's due to the catlessness of that grand establishment. Saturday morning meant a typical big Parker breakfast and the usual Easter Egg Hunt festivities at Grandma's. I'm proud to say that I finally won an Easter Egg Hunt by finding all five of my eggs first! I don't think that's happened in a decade, at least. Unfortunately, Alex and Tyler and Chris were unable to make the trip and my cousin and THE best man, Mike, was on duty, protecting Santa Maria from various and sundry criminals. We made the best of it, had a good time talking and laughing and eating and watching the Spurs beat the Suns in double overtime. The ladies went shopping and soon after returning, we again piled in the van and headed to Santa Clarita. After a quick pizza dinner, Amy and I headed for home.
- Amy continues to enjoy her job as Accounting Assistant at Pan-Pacific Plumbing and is learning more and more about the different projects and duties it requires. She has also enjoyed having a fellow member of Village Bible Church and good friend, Emily, join the ranks at Pan-Pacific.
- We are in the process of looking for another car, so that Amy will have her first car and so transportation to and from Talbot will be easier on us this summer and in the fall. Lord-willing, we'd like to buy a used Toyota Camry in the next two months or so.
It's been busy and will continue that way, as we have several more weddings this summer. It's exciting to see God-honoring couples commit to each other for life.
Soli deo Gloria
4.02.2008
3.13.2008
Overpopulation?
Justin Taylor provides a link to a chapter about the population of Europe and its future. Very interesting.
3.12.2008
Why is Easter when Easter is?
Here's some help from anonymous source in an e-mail my mom sent to me about the date of Easter:
Easter this year is Sunday March 23 2008. Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover. This is why it moves around on our Roman calendar. Based on the above Easter can only be one day earlier (March 22) than it will be this year, and falling on March 22 is pretty rare. This year Easter is the earliest any of us will ever see for the rest of our lives! and only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above) and none of us have ever of will ever see it a day earlier! Here are the facts: The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be in the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was in 1913. The next time it will be a day earlier (March 22) will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was in 1818.
3.07.2008
Homeschooling in California
This article strikes closer to home for us now because of our involvement in our church's youth group. Many (most?) of the kids are homeschooled and this could strike quite a blow. Note especially the last quote that Dr. Mohler includes.
3.06.2008
What's Right or What's Cool?
Justin Taylor posts an excerpt from Douglas Groothuis, pleading for Christians to wake up. Read it here.
3.05.2008
The Found Ark?
Here's an interesting article at Time.com. Seems a bit of a stretch, but has lots of info I've never heard of before.
And here's a crazy video of a mass prank pulled at Grand Central Station.
And here's a crazy video of a mass prank pulled at Grand Central Station.
3.03.2008
March!
Some bits of information, staccato fashion:
- I've inspired someone! Read my friend Eric's blog.
- Junior high basketball season is over. I know I didn't blog about it, so let me fill you in on some season highlights. We finished 3-9 on the year, and missed the CALOC playoffs. Our team had only two returning players and a whole lot of short, scrawny seventh graders. It's true that we weren't as talented a team as last year's, but I really saw marked improvement among the players individually and as a team. A few minutes ago, one of the seventh graders returned his jersey to me and I made sure to encourage him to keep playing, to keep working hard because I saw so much improvement in him this year. It was hard being on the losing side so many times, especially when all of our losses but one were by ten or more points. I learned many lessons this year as a coach, most of them having to do with patience, perseverance, attitude and perspective. It was good season and I'm reminded how much I love coaching by the fact that as I'm typing this I would usually have been on my way over to the court to start practice.
- For those of you who don't know, at the end of January I was accepted into the M.Div. program of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. I have sensed the Lord calling me into pastoral ministry and this was and is being confirmed by many different circumstances, conversations (with Amy, my pastors, friends, family) and prayer. Lord willing, I will enroll in classes in the fall and Amy and I are tentatively planning for it take me four years. It is a long, grueling program, requiring more units than a JD (law degree) or MD. Since then, I have begun teaching our church's mid-week service - Reality Check - every second Tuesday of the month. Amy and I continue to wait on the Lord for his leading in many different ways. We have decided that I need to work part-time, so I can focus enough time on studying, writing papers, increasing ministry loads at church, etc. Please pray that we would be patient and peaceful as we wait for God to show us how he will provide for us financially. I do not know if I will continue at Liberty Christian, but I have told my boss that I would love to come back next year and teach Bible and PE and whatever else he needs until about noon every day.
- Last, the Lakers are playing amazing ball right now, and I can't wait for April and the playoffs!
2.27.2008
2.14.2008
2.05.2008
Super Tuesday
Don't forget to vote today! I thought it would be fun to have all the many, many readers of this blog leave a comment stating who they voted for and one or two sentences on why. Let's see if we can get some good discussion and maybe ten or so comments by Wednesday or Thursday.
1.29.2008
2007 Reading
I have failed. A year after first accomplishing my goal to read at least 50 books a year, 2007 was a failure, as was 2005. Ah well, 2008's off to a great start! Look through the list and tell me what you think!
1. The Testament by John Grisham
2. The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway
3. Tempest by Troy Denning
4. Pursuing Holiness in the Lord by Jonathan Edwards
5. What Jesus Demands From the World by John Piper
6. Love That Lasts by Gary and Betsy Ricucci
7. The Pelican Brief by John Grisham
8. His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis
9. Whale Done: The Power of Positive Relationships by Ken Blanchard
10. Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis
11. The Last Christian Generation by Josh McDowell
12. Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene
13. Exile by Aaron Allston
14. Kingdom of Priests: A History of Old Testament Israel by Eugene Merrill
15. The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels by Thomas Cahill
16. Dawn by Elie Wiesel
17. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
18. Going Places with God: A Devotional Journey Through the Lands of the Bible by Wayne Stiles
19. Aces: The Last Season on the Mound with the Oakland A’s Big Three by Mychal Urban
20. Tamerlane: Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World by Justing Marozzi
21. Humility by Andrew Murray
22. Prague Counterpoint by Bodie Thoene
23. The Summons by John Grisham
24. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
25. God’s Passion For His Glory by John Piper
26. The Legacy Of Sovereign Joy by John Piper
27. Moneyball by Michael Lewis
28. A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan by Michael Kazin
29. Allegiance by Timothy Zahn
30. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
31. The Weight of Glory by C. S. Lewis
32. Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible by Jay Adams
33. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
34. Preaching the Cross by Mark Dever, et al.
35. Munich Signature by Bodie Thoene
36. Searching For God Knows What by Don Miller
37. The Giver by Lois Lowry
38. Let The Nations Be Glad! By John Piper
39. Sacrifice by Karen Traviss
40. Inferno by Troy Denning
41. The Assassins by Bernard Lewis
42. Suffering and the Sovereignty of God ed. John Piper and Justin Taylor
43. Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
44. A Murder of Quality by John Le Carre
45. Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by C.J. Mahaney
46. The Parables by Gary Inrig
47. Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck
Non-Fiction - 29
Fiction - 18
1.23.2008
Muslims and Christians
I wish I had more time to comment on this, but John Piper has a good nine-minute video on the recent developments involving a paper written to American Christians by "138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals," entitled "A Common Word Between Us and You." It is also discusses the reply from American Christian theologians, scholars and pastors entitled "Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to A Common Word Between Us and You."
Dr. Mohler also talked about this on his radio program on December 12, 2007. You can listen to his response here.
The main point is, do Muslims and Christians (we could extend this to Jews if it applied to this specific occasion) believe in the same God? The answer must be an emphatic NO, as you will see in the video. Christians must be careful, however, not be unloving in how this answer is phrased, and I think Dr. Piper does a good job of expressing this.
Dr. Mohler also talked about this on his radio program on December 12, 2007. You can listen to his response here.
The main point is, do Muslims and Christians (we could extend this to Jews if it applied to this specific occasion) believe in the same God? The answer must be an emphatic NO, as you will see in the video. Christians must be careful, however, not be unloving in how this answer is phrased, and I think Dr. Piper does a good job of expressing this.
1.18.2008
My Little Brother
This is the current background of my computer at work:
I've gotten several comments from people in the office ranging from "Who is THAT?!?" to "Aww.... he's so cute!" Frankly, every time I look at this picture I think how alike we are. And I miss my little brother!
Mom, make sure Dan sees that he's famous on his big sister's blog :-D
I've gotten several comments from people in the office ranging from "Who is THAT?!?" to "Aww.... he's so cute!" Frankly, every time I look at this picture I think how alike we are. And I miss my little brother!
Mom, make sure Dan sees that he's famous on his big sister's blog :-D
1.11.2008
Christmas Pictures!
I'm still alive--I promise! I know I haven't posted on the blog in well.... a long time.... Perhaps I've just been too busy with all that's going on, but the main reason.......... I forgot about our blog!!!!
Now that I've been graciously asked by my wonderful husband to post pictures on our blog, I thought it would be a good time to post more than just pictures. Yes, this will actually be an UPDATE by AMY.
Since..... my last post...... we've been getting more involved with church and loving it very much. We've had opportunities to get to know many of the students better and are beginning to build friendships with them that I pray the Lord will use for His glory. It's so exciting to use the gifts He's given us and see Him work!
Speaking of work, things at my job have been getting more and more busy. I've gotten many more responsibilities and have very little free time. I'm now entering about 80% of the invoices we receive and helping sort the invoices by vendor each month. I've been getting more "odd" jobs from many of the project managers as well, and am thoroughly enjoying being more of an asset to the company. My hours also changed so I now work 7am-3pm with a 15 minute lunch break. Wednesdays I work overtime for payroll, and have begun entering time cards (we have over 250 to enter each week). It also sounds as though there are some changes on the horizon, but we'll see how that goes.
For Christmas we were able to fly back to the East coast to visit my family. It was such a blessing to spend a more extended period of time with my family and enjoy the cold weather as well! Of course a lot more can be said about that--in particular about our flights there and back--but I think I'll save that for another post. However, I am supposed to post pictures, so here they are.
Now that I've been graciously asked by my wonderful husband to post pictures on our blog, I thought it would be a good time to post more than just pictures. Yes, this will actually be an UPDATE by AMY.
Since..... my last post...... we've been getting more involved with church and loving it very much. We've had opportunities to get to know many of the students better and are beginning to build friendships with them that I pray the Lord will use for His glory. It's so exciting to use the gifts He's given us and see Him work!
Speaking of work, things at my job have been getting more and more busy. I've gotten many more responsibilities and have very little free time. I'm now entering about 80% of the invoices we receive and helping sort the invoices by vendor each month. I've been getting more "odd" jobs from many of the project managers as well, and am thoroughly enjoying being more of an asset to the company. My hours also changed so I now work 7am-3pm with a 15 minute lunch break. Wednesdays I work overtime for payroll, and have begun entering time cards (we have over 250 to enter each week). It also sounds as though there are some changes on the horizon, but we'll see how that goes.
For Christmas we were able to fly back to the East coast to visit my family. It was such a blessing to spend a more extended period of time with my family and enjoy the cold weather as well! Of course a lot more can be said about that--in particular about our flights there and back--but I think I'll save that for another post. However, I am supposed to post pictures, so here they are.
1.09.2008
Happy New Year
To open a new year (the third year of this blog), I wanted to post a link to a Christian review of my third favorite movie trilogy (behind the two Star Wars trilogies, of course!) The Bourne Trilogy, consisting of The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum. The review is by Pastor James Harleman of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. Here's a taste:
It seems very curious that water plays a pivotal part of Bourne’s life, at every moment of transition. We find Bourne is:
- Baptized into his life as a killer…
- Baptized after a crisis of conscience and awakening
- Baptized from life with Marie to become an instrument of vengeance.
- Baptized again, after having his past sins revealed.
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