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.
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