Whatever Takes Us Away

It's nearly summer now! And, if it's not one thing it IS another. I haven't posted in quite some time now and have only recently checked my comments section - weird who and what they may say, the odd ones have been removed!

Changing times here with us, church things are changing, bedrooms are changing and well, just life in general is just changing.

As you may know from previous posts my father has taken on his own church as Pastor. Tina and I debated, fretted and wondered what we were to do. We really enjoy and love the church we've been going to, and we have both been getting involved with different ministry opportunities there, but there was this inner struggle we were both having individually and as a couple - we felt pulled to go with my dad, but at the same time felt we had to continue our duties at the Nazarene church, out of faithfulness to and in obligation to those we were serving - not to mention we were enjoying it! However, after much searching, discussing, praying and talking with those around us, we felt we made the best decision we could have - we will join up with my father at his new church, and there will be much transition for everyone involved.

It is a small country church, less than 100 people there; needless to say I won't be a part of a band there, but growth brings new and interesting things all the time. My main focus will more than likely be the audio/video aspects of everything. There isn't much sound equipment there so we'll have to do what we can with very little - I like a challenge.

Tina is already involved with helping the children's ministries there and seems to like the equally challenging things to come with that. And I'm sure that we'll both have plenty to say about all this in the coming months.

Bedrooms anyone? Have I mentioned lately that we have four kids? No, well let this serve you all as a reminder. Now that we've re-established that tidbit, let's continue. So, two girls in one room, two boys in another room; swap places! When we first moved into this house we decided that we'd get the kids rooms done before anything else in the house was worked on - make them feel more like this was their home. We went with grey walls and a black ceiling in the boys room, the trim was darker than the walls, but not too close to black. Let me tell you, don't ever paint a ceiling black unless you know for sure you will never have to paint over it! Two coats of primer and another coat of ceiling paint was needed to cover everything. And, once the rooms were painted (I know, we don't always do things the easy way) we then swapped all of the furniture. That said, everyone is now settled into their "new" rooms. We've evened things out a bit in the process also. Before, the boys had everything, games, TV, computer, music; where the girls had only a small clock radio/cd player. Now, the girls have the games & TV and the boys have the computer (with DVD player, music and a few games).

The school year is nearly at its end, and both I and the kids are really excited about that. For me it will be a change in the normal everyday routine at work. Doing the same old stuff day after day gets a little old, and even last night at work a kid walking in the hall asked, "Doesn't it seem like you sweep up the same dirt everyday?" My reply was yes. Funny isn't it? Even the kids I clean up after realize how mundane my job is. Summer is a needed respit from that. And, I get to take vacation time too! I look forward to those days where I don't have to wake up early and I can just hang out with the kids until we decide what to do for the day. Time well spent. I hope to take Jake and my nephew David camping and/or fishing sometime this summer as well, more time well spent. And speaking of time, I must get back to my usual routine and get ready to clean up that same old mess again.

and things continue to roll, along that is . . .

Another busy weekend, running around with this and that going on, another weekend with friends and family. Most of it a blur, with spots here and there of brilliance, and spots of dullness, and scattered chances of rain - all weekend, rain.

As we wrapped things up yesterday we met with friends, discussing lifes many great issues, mostly the kids and the things going on in their lives, but also about ourselves and what we are going through. And, in-line with my last post I am still struggling with where my journey's taking me these days. I see two sides of the same story, wondering which side will end up falling to my feet's path, directing me where to go. I see many options and opportunities everywhere, and yet, for some strange reason I am unable to make the decision - highly unlike my usual self (give me options, I will make a decision). I have sought counsel from a few different people, and they, much like myself, see both sides and wonder the same things I wonder. And I wonder . . .

However, things aren't all bad. I know that the kids have only a couple more weeks of school left, and summer break will come rushing in, leaving us no option but to enjoy that time. I am looking forward to being able to take Jacob with me to the golf course, help him find his swing and hit balls until we both get sick of it. I look forward to going to the Cincy Zoo as many times as we can, learning what we can about the animals with the kids. I'm looking forward to having our nephew come stay with us in a few weeks, wanting to do whatever I can to give him some good memories of childhood times with us and his cousins.

Today I'll march on, remembering things from my past, times spent with family and friends, things from my childhood, teen years, and adulthood memories alike. If I'm lucky, maybe something, some time from the past will help me find some answers, give me a moment of clarity as I move on.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone, expecting an answer, but never getting even the smallest acknowledgment? This journey I'm on the find what and where I am supposed to do/be, to find God's will for me, at times feels that way. I ask, I wait.

I've been asking for months now, what it is I am supposed to be doing. Is this the right job for me? Am I doing right for my family? Are the things I do in my spare time (what little I may have) encouraging to my kids and wife? Are we spending enough time with friends and family? Is this where we are supposed to be? I ask, I wait. I have more than enough time to talk to and listen for God while at work. For the most part, I walk around, alone and in silence - doing the things a custodian might often do (trash, sweep, mop, etc.). I continue to ask, I continue to wait.

There is so much going on in our lives right now, I think I may have too much in my head and cannot hear what I need to hear. Am I asking too much of God, and myself? I hope, and expect an answer. Where, Lord, do you want me; and what is it that I am supposed to be doing for you?

Am I like Proteus from Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen from Verona"? "Thou art a votary to fond desire." I know the answer is out there, waiting for me to ask the right question, or speak to the right person that will carry the message from God. Only time will reveal to me, by God's will, what, where, and how. Until then . . . I will ask, I will wait.

Another week gone by, snared by head cold, sore throat and not much sleep. However, there was a lot of good to come of it all.

Take Saturday, for instance. It was a beautiful day outside, slightly windy, mostly sunny and a good day for a round of golf. One must take into consideration that it was the first outing of the year for me, and with that in mind it was a decent round played. There were a few pars here and there, and for the first time in years I did not beat my dad; no, we had a tie. A round of 96 for both. Not bad at all. And on the way home we stopped for some lunch and ended up in a Mexican restaurant that surprised us both, very authentic and very good quantities too. Next time you end up in West Union, Ohio I highly recommend El Habanero, right across the street from Wal-Mart.

Yesterday was equally nice. You see, yesterday was the first of many to come for my dad. He started at his own church as being the Pastor. It's a small church, close the the middle of no where, but a short drive (maybe 7 minutes) from our house. The service was good (I missed most of the message due to a cranky baby) and afterwards there was, of course, food and fellowship. There are a lot of wonderful people there who are excited about having a fresh perspective. I feel it will be a good fit for Pastor and congregation in the future.

In the same manner, yesterday brought about soccer too. Jake had an awesome day on the field. He played forward most of the two games he played in and was a playmaker from the start. I don't think I've ever seen him run that fast before, and able to control the ball. He had several good shots on goal and had one go in! I don't know why, but the kid hustled more than I could have wanted him to.

The weekend was filled with busy-ness from the get go. Madison started with the American Heritage Girls Friday evening and was part of the Lock-In they had. She came home with a badge and boxes of candy bars to sell to help with the costs of uniform, badges, trips, books, etc. While at Jake's soccer games yesterday she peddled $18 dollars worth of candy to those parents litttered along the sidelines. There is plenty more where that all came from, keep your eyes open for a little blonde selling chocolate in the near future.

That's about all for me for now. More flowers pop open every day and I've been taking pictures. Check the Plant Kingdom part of the journal for colorful splashes of God designed art. Until next time . . .

It's a strange line we walk between quest and conclusion. I find myself often wondering when the conclusion will be revealed and how the quest was played out. This past week has made me question even more, but at the same time has shown me, by and far, that I am not in control of this journey. It has been a while since my last post, so I will attempt to catch up . . .

. . . and to begin, "And now for something completely different!" What do a satellite, a tree and a television have in common? Upon first glance, nothing. But, further inspection shows that when there is a small cluster of trees in one's yard its' leaves may block the signal of your satellite dish, knocking out the ability to watch TV. "What? No TV! This is outrageous!" This small group of trees lies smack in the middle of our back/side yard in the direct path of our dish Network signal. I've been wanting to get rid of this eye sore since we moved in two years ago. Now I have a ligitimate reason (not to metion that it is a pain to mow around!). That said, I started with chainsaw in hand and began the process of felling said trees. After only one out of four the signal was better, but I was not done. Number two went down and better still. I cleared the brush, chopped the larger timbers into smaller, fire place sized pieces and contemplated taking the other two. That will have to wait until I have reinforcements, they are slightly larger and lean in a way I don't want them to fall. Firewood anyone?

. . . and have you ever wondered where God was/is in your life? I too wonder this from time to time, and every time I receive an answer. Tina and I discussed the other day about getting new tires for the front of the van, one had some tread loss and another kept getting low every couple of days. Later that same day she ventured out to do some routine shopping, and on her way home she called me. A blown out tire? I guess we have a reason to get rid of that one (replaced by new one). I drove to her location, swapped blown tire for donut tire and away she went. Hi-ho the dairy-o the tire shop we go!

I am usually quite skeptical of taking a vehicle to any maintenance shop, for any reason. They always seem to find things to fix that you aren't expecting, right? That feeling rested well within me this time too. We tell the man to replace the blown tire and the one that slowly leaks air, and while you're at it, check the brakes as well. A couple hours later I answer the phone, totally expecting to shell out a few hundred dollars for tires and brakes and whatever else they find wrong with this van. To my surprise he only says, "Your van is ready, the brakes look fine, we only put on the new tires." God answers. Now, what about this $114 bill for the tires?

Funny you should ask! This past week at work a sheet was laid out for overtime during the weekend. An after prom party would be going on Saturday night until roughly 5:00 am. I signed up. And, there I was, all Saturday evening and Sunday morning (sorry Lord, I missed church, but you already knew that). There were slow times throughout the night, but for the most part I was cleaning up after these kids, mopping up spills, taking out trash and talking with the parents that were there. This time, though it left me bitterly tired, will more than cover the cost of the new tires on the van (the answer revealed). And, though they are all teenagers, they were quite pleasant this year.

. . . and yesterday was the last Sunday for my parents at the Bethel United Methodist Church. I was going to be there for that, but if you've read the prior paragraph, you'll know why I was unable to attend. Which leads to next weekend, my Dad's first week at his own church. Opening another chapter in the adventures of our family. the fun never stops, the excitement never ends, and God always, always is there for us. Like the Israelites, our family is lead by the Lord (though we don't get the pillar of fire and smoke to lead the way) and I hope it stays that way always.

. . . and lastly, the flowers are starting to bloom! Iris and tulips for now, but lots of growth throughout the yard. I got the tall yellow sunflowers and another sunflower (called the Joker) planted and they are growing nicely. Other flowering plants to follow suit this week. I will try to start getting more pictures posted in the coming days and weeks. Until then, enjoy spring!