So, through much prayer and thought, I did decide not to go on the young group missions trip to Mexico this spring over March Break. I do have to figure out if I want to work over that week or not yet, as I had requested the week off of work prior to deciding not to go on the trip.
I do have some short traveling options coming up over the next few months that I still am praying and thinking about. From driving an hour and a half to both of my grandma's places, to traveling to a nearby state to spend time with relatives, to traveling 1,000 miles down to Texas to spend time with my immediate family. I have put minimal prayer and thought into these and I hope to put more in before deciding on them. I would love prayer for wisdom and guidance on these. (Just a thought I just thought of while writing this is, if any of this traveling would fall in either January or February, I am wondering if traveling would be considered a spending expense? I wonder that because I committed at the beginning of the year that I wasn't going to use any spending money for January or February. I suppose I will need to pray and think on that as well).
And to be honest, I am thinking about if I want to stay in the Gridley AC church or not. I know I haven't really been going there that long, and time is a key part in all of this. I feel that I haven't really connected well. When you have someone in the Apostolic Christian Church who has grown up in the church and married someone in the church, there is little to no concept of not knowing anyone. But not connecting well, is something that is likely to happen in any church, especially after only a couple months, if that. I understand that this will involve time, and this will likely not happen overnight. I know that I have connected better at other churches and I feel more comfortable at other churches, yet I really want to avoid comparing churches in the sense that they are all the body of Christ. It's like a I once heard someone say, "We all have frosting on the cupcake, but we have different sprinkles." This is not a salvation thing, it is not a life or death thing, it's a sprinkles thing. Also meaning, it shouldn't be that big of a deal either way. To be honest I'm not sure. I know that God's shown me a lot by going to the Gridley AC church, even though I don't feel that comfortable there. I know that God will work all things together for good for me, even if I stay in this church. At this point, I don't know. I want to stand confidently on one thing or another, but honestly I don't know. I could also use prayer on this.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Multi-Million Dollar Mansion
This past Saturday was the ISU (Illinois State University) AC Young Group's Winter Retreat. I was planning to go, but last minute decided not to as my textbooks that I had ordered came in and I realized that it would be too overwhelming for me to go to the Retreat and the try to cram all the reading in when I got back. Yes it was only a one day Retreat, but still it would of been difficult for me. Primarily as I know that I become overwhelmed very easily, especially with reading and writhing (part of my dyslexia) and when I become too overwhelmed my mind just shuts down. I am really working to be able to come out of an overwhelming time without a shut down, but it is still hard - it's a work in progress. Anyways I stayed home and spent probably 4-5 hours reading from the textbooks that came in (one was late). Bethany (who was a work that morning) texted me and offered that I could ride with her to the Retreat that evening. She was leaving at 4:00 PM after work. I got enough homework done that this worked out. And I am glad I did, it was a ton of fun! The retreat was in Morton, Illinois at Encore, the huge mansion just out of town. Here are a few pictures I got from realtor.com of this place, it was absolutely gorgeous.
And we (basically) had free reign in the house, with respect of course. But it was really cool, so beautiful and amazing! Shortly after Bethany and I got there they started the evening session. The session was based in Colossians 1, and was on prayer. After about 30 or so minutes of the session, we were handed a half sheet of paper with a few questions on it. We were told to go throughout the house and find a quite place by ourselves for twenty minutes. For the first five minutes we were to pray, then five minutes answering the first question (Describe God, What are God's attributes), then five minutes on writing "What is my personal prayer?" (based on our session that night), and finally, five minutes on the third question, "What is your prayer for the group?". The top of the sheet read, "After reflecting on Colossians 1, create a heart-felt, honest PRAYER to become your semester/year/life prayer:"I actually didn't make it this far, in fact I didn't do what I was suppose to do, entirely.
During that time I went up to a solidarity place knowing that God was present there, and just spent time with God. I knew that God was speaking to me and working in me through the session and now in the time of prayer. I spent quite a bit more than five minutes in prayer, just talking and pouring my heart out to God. It was really releasing. Then I started with the first "question" on the page, "List out attributes of God:" Describe God, who is He, both in bible words and in my own words. This is where I spent most of my time during this alone time. I thought to myself, "okay, who is God to me?" So I started to jot down words that described that, "Dad, Father, love, provider, comforter, forgiver, perfecter of unconditional love, joy, cares, takes care, gives, heals brokenness, picks up, leads/leader, listener..." then I also started thinking of who He is, what He does, Him. "...Inventor, artist, creative, beautiful, big smile, compassionate, never fails, never leaves, comes to me, walks with me, patient: He waits for me, perfect correcter, alive, strong,courageous, bold, mighty, has authority, creator, matchless, beyond imaginable, relentless, marvelous,..." I tried to only jot down words or phrases that described Him to me. Meaning words or phrases that He may be, but I haven't experienced Him to be that yet or I don't get that yet, I didn't write down those words. "...Builder, finisher, carpenter, responds in love, taker, generous, kind, peaceful, trust, restorer, His laughter brings joy, King, Lord, counselor, talker, unchanging, perfect, revealer, joyful, God, loves me more than anyone else loves me, Good, wonderful, wisdom, guide, hope, life, comedian, lifts up, everywhere, Awesome, overcomer, mysterious,..." By now the 20 minutes I started with will well past, but I didn't care. I needed God more than whatever else was going on, so I stayed there with Him in His presence, alone. I felt like I really needed this time, needed to hear what He was saying, needed to write out what I saw, what I see Him as. Especially with all the struggles I've been going through and how down I've been feeling, I felt that I really needed to dig deep inside and express who I really know God to be. "...Potter, gracious, observant, stirs, full, engaging, perfect timing, not limited, perfect, undoubting, saving, well, almighty, supports, speaks, hears, stretches, 3-persons, trinity, judge, loving, unchanging, Jesus, Holy Spirit, light, trainer, responsible, reliable, seeks, humble,..." I was near if not in tears through this. I thought back to what I had experienced God to be, primarily over the last three years. "...Papa, refreshing, in me, glowing, radiant, secures, the foundation of life, the corner stone, friendly, blesses, gives gives and gives, rewarder holy holy holy, was and is and is to come, supreme, magnificent, seeks and finds, caller, washes me, righteous, true, fruitful, united threesome, greater, stronger, higher, starter, being, servant, celebrates, rejoices, comes, here,..." Through this all I was also reminding myself and trying to think of how I would describe God to someone. If someone out of the blue walked up to me and asked me who God was, what would I say? What words would I use to describe Him? What experiences declare who He is? "...mindful, peace, honourable, heart-toucher, commander, willing, spirit, abundant, encourager, worker, plentiful, cleaner, glorified, author, writer, collector, fearless, protector, adopter, everlasting, Holy, hugger (gives the best hugs), transforms finite, restores, abides, embraces, gardener, planter, Shepherd, diligent, blessed, trustworthy, honest, honouring, cool, brilliant, beaming, merciful, faithful, strategic, all seeing, all knowing, all powerful, worthwhile, purposeful intentional, intimate, there, friend, open, thoughtful, fills and overflows, produces, chooses, delights."
I know that I could of gone on, but I did stop there. By then my paper was pretty much full, and I hadn't gotten to the next two parts yet. I then spent some time in prayer, then moved to the personal prayer. However I didn't do what I was really suppose to do here. Yes I did write a personal prayer, but it wasn't the one that would become my semester/year/life prayer. I simply just wrote out my talk to God. I poured out to Him in writing where I was. It filled the rest of the front of that page and much of the back too. I opened up and spoke things that I felt that I hadn't really mentioned before. I felt complete freedom to be fully open and release everything.
I was up there for well over an hour, yet it seemed like five minutes to me. When I came down everyone had gathered in the foyer for worship singing. Many of the songs were hard to follow and some I didn't. Most if not all of the students there have grown up in the AC church and with these songs (not all the songs), so it seemed easy for them to sing by heart. Though not knowing them I found them hard to follow and understand, especially since most of them they didn't announce what song they were going to do (and in general why would you. If everyone knows the songs they will join in when the hear the words or even the tune of the first line). But for me, when I could pick up what a line or two was, I would google it on my phone in hopes that the song would come up so I could find the lyrics. Some I was able to find lyrics for, others I couldn't - I found that some hymns have less appropriate secular songs named after them on Google.
After singing, we cleaned up the house and those who stayed after played a group game. Jesse and I stayed till the end of the evening. We turned off most of the lights, and played Sardines, and Live Mafia. Both were a ton of fun, especially in the house we were in, and in the dark. In the end I was really glad that I went and found it quite beneficial personally.
Thank you God for blessing me so much, I couldn't experience all this without you!
And we (basically) had free reign in the house, with respect of course. But it was really cool, so beautiful and amazing! Shortly after Bethany and I got there they started the evening session. The session was based in Colossians 1, and was on prayer. After about 30 or so minutes of the session, we were handed a half sheet of paper with a few questions on it. We were told to go throughout the house and find a quite place by ourselves for twenty minutes. For the first five minutes we were to pray, then five minutes answering the first question (Describe God, What are God's attributes), then five minutes on writing "What is my personal prayer?" (based on our session that night), and finally, five minutes on the third question, "What is your prayer for the group?". The top of the sheet read, "After reflecting on Colossians 1, create a heart-felt, honest PRAYER to become your semester/year/life prayer:"I actually didn't make it this far, in fact I didn't do what I was suppose to do, entirely.
During that time I went up to a solidarity place knowing that God was present there, and just spent time with God. I knew that God was speaking to me and working in me through the session and now in the time of prayer. I spent quite a bit more than five minutes in prayer, just talking and pouring my heart out to God. It was really releasing. Then I started with the first "question" on the page, "List out attributes of God:" Describe God, who is He, both in bible words and in my own words. This is where I spent most of my time during this alone time. I thought to myself, "okay, who is God to me?" So I started to jot down words that described that, "Dad, Father, love, provider, comforter, forgiver, perfecter of unconditional love, joy, cares, takes care, gives, heals brokenness, picks up, leads/leader, listener..." then I also started thinking of who He is, what He does, Him. "...Inventor, artist, creative, beautiful, big smile, compassionate, never fails, never leaves, comes to me, walks with me, patient: He waits for me, perfect correcter, alive, strong,courageous, bold, mighty, has authority, creator, matchless, beyond imaginable, relentless, marvelous,..." I tried to only jot down words or phrases that described Him to me. Meaning words or phrases that He may be, but I haven't experienced Him to be that yet or I don't get that yet, I didn't write down those words. "...Builder, finisher, carpenter, responds in love, taker, generous, kind, peaceful, trust, restorer, His laughter brings joy, King, Lord, counselor, talker, unchanging, perfect, revealer, joyful, God, loves me more than anyone else loves me, Good, wonderful, wisdom, guide, hope, life, comedian, lifts up, everywhere, Awesome, overcomer, mysterious,..." By now the 20 minutes I started with will well past, but I didn't care. I needed God more than whatever else was going on, so I stayed there with Him in His presence, alone. I felt like I really needed this time, needed to hear what He was saying, needed to write out what I saw, what I see Him as. Especially with all the struggles I've been going through and how down I've been feeling, I felt that I really needed to dig deep inside and express who I really know God to be. "...Potter, gracious, observant, stirs, full, engaging, perfect timing, not limited, perfect, undoubting, saving, well, almighty, supports, speaks, hears, stretches, 3-persons, trinity, judge, loving, unchanging, Jesus, Holy Spirit, light, trainer, responsible, reliable, seeks, humble,..." I was near if not in tears through this. I thought back to what I had experienced God to be, primarily over the last three years. "...Papa, refreshing, in me, glowing, radiant, secures, the foundation of life, the corner stone, friendly, blesses, gives gives and gives, rewarder holy holy holy, was and is and is to come, supreme, magnificent, seeks and finds, caller, washes me, righteous, true, fruitful, united threesome, greater, stronger, higher, starter, being, servant, celebrates, rejoices, comes, here,..." Through this all I was also reminding myself and trying to think of how I would describe God to someone. If someone out of the blue walked up to me and asked me who God was, what would I say? What words would I use to describe Him? What experiences declare who He is? "...mindful, peace, honourable, heart-toucher, commander, willing, spirit, abundant, encourager, worker, plentiful, cleaner, glorified, author, writer, collector, fearless, protector, adopter, everlasting, Holy, hugger (gives the best hugs), transforms finite, restores, abides, embraces, gardener, planter, Shepherd, diligent, blessed, trustworthy, honest, honouring, cool, brilliant, beaming, merciful, faithful, strategic, all seeing, all knowing, all powerful, worthwhile, purposeful intentional, intimate, there, friend, open, thoughtful, fills and overflows, produces, chooses, delights."
I know that I could of gone on, but I did stop there. By then my paper was pretty much full, and I hadn't gotten to the next two parts yet. I then spent some time in prayer, then moved to the personal prayer. However I didn't do what I was really suppose to do here. Yes I did write a personal prayer, but it wasn't the one that would become my semester/year/life prayer. I simply just wrote out my talk to God. I poured out to Him in writing where I was. It filled the rest of the front of that page and much of the back too. I opened up and spoke things that I felt that I hadn't really mentioned before. I felt complete freedom to be fully open and release everything.
I was up there for well over an hour, yet it seemed like five minutes to me. When I came down everyone had gathered in the foyer for worship singing. Many of the songs were hard to follow and some I didn't. Most if not all of the students there have grown up in the AC church and with these songs (not all the songs), so it seemed easy for them to sing by heart. Though not knowing them I found them hard to follow and understand, especially since most of them they didn't announce what song they were going to do (and in general why would you. If everyone knows the songs they will join in when the hear the words or even the tune of the first line). But for me, when I could pick up what a line or two was, I would google it on my phone in hopes that the song would come up so I could find the lyrics. Some I was able to find lyrics for, others I couldn't - I found that some hymns have less appropriate secular songs named after them on Google.
After singing, we cleaned up the house and those who stayed after played a group game. Jesse and I stayed till the end of the evening. We turned off most of the lights, and played Sardines, and Live Mafia. Both were a ton of fun, especially in the house we were in, and in the dark. In the end I was really glad that I went and found it quite beneficial personally.
Thank you God for blessing me so much, I couldn't experience all this without you!
How's Daycare Going?
So I've now worked at my new job for just over a week and some of you have been asking what I think of it. I love it! Time flies by so quickly. I am in there for 5 hours a day and it feels like little more than an hour. It's absolutely amazing. It's a gift from God. I get to do something I love and I am good at and I get paid for it. Even though the earliest I ever start is 10:30 AM, some kids arrive there as early as 7:30 AM and are gone by 5:00 PM. The facility is set up as a daycare not a school. As far as I know, when I am there, it is not necessarily structured like a classroom. Yes they have the routine schedules and such, but there isn't classroom-like learning going on throughout the day. The daycare does serve the kids complimentary breakfast and lunch plus an afternoon snack. And the food they serve isn't just a small little of this and that, they have decent meals (us teachers and assistants get to eat with them too). When I was there on Monday we had for lunch, meatloaf, buns, and pears with milk and a snack of goldfish. Wednesday (yesterday) for lunch we had chicken and pasta casserole with cooked veggies and thawing (still really cold) strawberries. They can eat all they can but there are a few rules first. They are strongly encouraged to try a bit of everything, even if they don't like it, before they can have seconds of anything.
For snack yesterday (Wednesday) we had quite a big addition. Snack was pita chips and hummus. However one of the girls in the class had a birthday so her mom brought in popsicles. Normally kids only eat snack if they feel like it, well actually that's always how it is. Snack is right after nap. So we normally have only a few kids for snack, depending on what the snack is. But yesterday everyone had a snack, because not only did they get pita chips, hummus, and a popsicle, but they got something else too. Pizza! One of the kids in our class, his mom works at a pizza shop. So she was so kind as to bring in pizza for everyone. Even all the helpers and some parents got snack yesterday.
At this point I do not know what I get paid for this job, but that isn't a huge concern of mine. Last Friday was the day time cards were due, so I hope either by this Friday or early next week I'll get paid.
For snack yesterday (Wednesday) we had quite a big addition. Snack was pita chips and hummus. However one of the girls in the class had a birthday so her mom brought in popsicles. Normally kids only eat snack if they feel like it, well actually that's always how it is. Snack is right after nap. So we normally have only a few kids for snack, depending on what the snack is. But yesterday everyone had a snack, because not only did they get pita chips, hummus, and a popsicle, but they got something else too. Pizza! One of the kids in our class, his mom works at a pizza shop. So she was so kind as to bring in pizza for everyone. Even all the helpers and some parents got snack yesterday.
At this point I do not know what I get paid for this job, but that isn't a huge concern of mine. Last Friday was the day time cards were due, so I hope either by this Friday or early next week I'll get paid.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
A Reality Check
I know this post is a bit
more personal than what I’ve posted recently, yet I don’t want to lie about
where I am at. Over the past few months
I’ve really been struggling in life, and I don’t want to pretend
otherwise. Ever since I read the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee in
High School, I have been really struck by the character Atticus Finch. In To
Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus is the same man in public as he is at
home. Since reading this I have strived
to be just that. Recently I was
challenged with that, and I thought that I haven’t been totally up front with
my feelings and challenges that I am going through in life. And while I do try to filter what I post on
my blog so that it is appropriate for the audience, I started this blog with
the intent to not only post about the good and fun things in life but also the
struggles and downs in life.
New Job
Yesterday I started a new Job at the Child Development Lab at Heartland. I have classes at Heartland on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and now I will work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I will get about 15 per week. On Monday and Wednesday I will work from 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM, and on Fridays from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM. I really enjoy it and it is a ton of fun, time also flies by really quickly. It reminds me a lot of the kindergartners I helped out with back up in Canada last year.
A Day At Collage
School. Tuesday was my first day of school for the spring semester of 2018. My day started out Great! I had my The Bible as Literature class first thing (11 AM - 12:15 PM). The professor/pastor is really good. Since we are at a secular school and I doubt he is allowed to "preach", he is very open. He stated clearly that when he is talking about the Bible he is not saying it is truth, nor is he saying it is false. He is primarily saying the Bible is really good literature. And the way he does it is amazing. He says his belief but offers that anyone can disagree with him and that is okay. He also made note that a lot of people have had a wide range of experiences and thoughts on the Bible. He told us to put those aside and let the text speak to and we can draw our own conclusions from there. I am really looking forward to this class. Over the next 16 weeks we will go through most of the Bible. We started in Genesis this week and we will end with Revelations.
Fifteen minutes after that class ended I have a class several buildings (and blocks) away in the Child Development Lab. This class is CHLD 109 or Observation and Assessment of Young Children. It was okay. There will be quite a bit of observations in classrooms and such which is a bit intimidating but so what, I'll need to do it any way and it's not that bad. Though it was a bit odd, the class atmosphere I mean. I was one of two students. That's right just me an another girl and the teacher. One girl is in the hospital, and the other has never showed up - it's possible she dropped. Still it was quite different, though it means a lot more one on one time and more flexibility with the class.
After that class ends at 1:45 PM, I have an hour and forty five minutes to eat lunch and take break or do homework. Then I have another Child Development class from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM. This class is CHLD 105 or Early Childhood Curriculum Development. Walking out of this class it was really had to think positive thoughts. It was very intimidating and seemed way too overwhelming. It appears that I wasn't alone in that. After the class I think one of my classmates dropped the class, dropping the class from 5 people to 4. I am the only guy again in this group of four (plus the teacher). In this class we will be developing, learning and writing lesson plans and executing them in a classroom. The professor is also nice but firm on things. No late papers. Each day an assignment is late, 10% is docked, and after 3 days late it's an F. The teacher also made it clear that falling behind is not allowed. Meaning there is so much that we go through, there is no time to fall behind. The problem is I am already behind. There was an error on the Syllabus that I didn't know was an error - though just about everyone else found out the right answer. It said that there was no textbook required for the class. I was excited about that! Except come to find out I do need a text book and each class we will have a quiz over the next chapter. Meaning today the professor let us do a group discussion for the quiz since I didn't have a book and therefore couldn't read the chapter. Though I have one ordered. ---- Though I have to say it was different today. On Tuesday I felt really overwhelmed by this class and I was dreading coming today. Yet today I felt a lot more peace about it and a bit of excitement. It will be a ton of work and tons of reading, which will be really hard for me, but I think I will like the class more than I first thought.
Fifteen minutes after that class ended I have a class several buildings (and blocks) away in the Child Development Lab. This class is CHLD 109 or Observation and Assessment of Young Children. It was okay. There will be quite a bit of observations in classrooms and such which is a bit intimidating but so what, I'll need to do it any way and it's not that bad. Though it was a bit odd, the class atmosphere I mean. I was one of two students. That's right just me an another girl and the teacher. One girl is in the hospital, and the other has never showed up - it's possible she dropped. Still it was quite different, though it means a lot more one on one time and more flexibility with the class.
After that class ends at 1:45 PM, I have an hour and forty five minutes to eat lunch and take break or do homework. Then I have another Child Development class from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM. This class is CHLD 105 or Early Childhood Curriculum Development. Walking out of this class it was really had to think positive thoughts. It was very intimidating and seemed way too overwhelming. It appears that I wasn't alone in that. After the class I think one of my classmates dropped the class, dropping the class from 5 people to 4. I am the only guy again in this group of four (plus the teacher). In this class we will be developing, learning and writing lesson plans and executing them in a classroom. The professor is also nice but firm on things. No late papers. Each day an assignment is late, 10% is docked, and after 3 days late it's an F. The teacher also made it clear that falling behind is not allowed. Meaning there is so much that we go through, there is no time to fall behind. The problem is I am already behind. There was an error on the Syllabus that I didn't know was an error - though just about everyone else found out the right answer. It said that there was no textbook required for the class. I was excited about that! Except come to find out I do need a text book and each class we will have a quiz over the next chapter. Meaning today the professor let us do a group discussion for the quiz since I didn't have a book and therefore couldn't read the chapter. Though I have one ordered. ---- Though I have to say it was different today. On Tuesday I felt really overwhelmed by this class and I was dreading coming today. Yet today I felt a lot more peace about it and a bit of excitement. It will be a ton of work and tons of reading, which will be really hard for me, but I think I will like the class more than I first thought.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
The Bible In School
Today is the first day of the Spring Semester of my first year in college. I am taking only three classes this semester (9 credit hours). I am taking Child Development 105 and 109 and Literature of the Bible (Religion 260). I am most excited about the Literature of the Bible class. The professor is the Executive pastor of a local church and has several Bachelor degrees from several universities. As I was looking for what textbook was required for that class, I found that there are two required textbooks. The first is a book called How to read the Bible as literature and the second is an English Standard Version (ESV) Bible! Sweet! I asked the professor via email if I could use the Readers Bible that I got for Christmas (a 6-volume set -- there are no chapters nor verses, it's the ESV Bible that is formatted as a novel). He said I could, however I may want to get one that has verse as he will from time to time have students read aloud in class. He also requires a ESV Bible that has no markings in it as I will be able to use the Bible on tests. Hmm, funny. I've never thought of using the Bible on an academic test before. I like that!!!!
No More Car Worries.... Really?
So I took my car to the shop in Gridly yesterday and to my wonderful surprise they didn't think the engine block/mount was a problem. They did say that they were a bit worn, though they are nothing to worry about. I did have to pay them $20 for the time it took them to check, but that was much better than telling me I needed a repair more than I could afford. I am quite grateful! Praise God!
However this morning as I went out to start my car to go to school, I found that the battery had died. I find that highly unusual as I just put a new (and Canadian) battery in last December. I will check and see if I can get it started this evening. Bethany and I rode together today with her car.
However this morning as I went out to start my car to go to school, I found that the battery had died. I find that highly unusual as I just put a new (and Canadian) battery in last December. I will check and see if I can get it started this evening. Bethany and I rode together today with her car.
Friday, January 12, 2018
Updates: Health, Pain, Car & Money
Health update: My health is about the same as yesterday and the day before. It has kind of steadied out at a point of little to bo gain nor loss. I still have only some of the energy that I use to have. It’s not bad but I do need to be careful in watching my health in what I eat and do.
Pain update: I went to the rheumatologist the other day for all my neck, back, hip, knee and joint pains and I think that this place may be a bit more helpful than the last doctor I went to. The doctor put me on two new medications and had me drop an older one. She put me on a muscle relaxer and a joint pain something reducer. I don’t recall off the top of my head what it is exactly. She is also having me do several tests and labs along with some X-Rays. I go back to see her at the end of February.
Car update: My car did get out of the shop, however the shop told me of another soon-needed repair. The engine mount thingy isn’t on properly or something like that. In a sense that is why my car vibrates so badly and it really makes the engine shake. The shop thought that was the reason for the ball and joint breaking. The problem is I don’t have the money - the ball and joint thingy pretty much cleaned out my bank account. But there is a solution in the making ...
Financial update: As my car has sucked much of my finances away, I am yet again grateful that I am not spending money freely for the month. I am also quite blessed to have a Gift Card for a gas station which will help me buy some time for affording the next soon-needed car repair. But that is not all. In the making is a onsite job with children. I had an observation and conversation (interview) at the Heartland Community College Child Development Lab (HCC CDL). And it looks like I have the job. They want me to start next week. I have to get a physical, fingerprints scanned and a handful of papers to fill out and done, but it looks like I’ll have a job this semester. They told me today that I am one of only two new student workers this semester, the rest are continuing from last seems. I do not know how much I will get paid yet nor my exact hours, but it looks like that I may be working from 10:30 to 3:30 Monday and Wednesday. Possibly Friday too. They are going to review the available hours and get back to me.
Pain update: I went to the rheumatologist the other day for all my neck, back, hip, knee and joint pains and I think that this place may be a bit more helpful than the last doctor I went to. The doctor put me on two new medications and had me drop an older one. She put me on a muscle relaxer and a joint pain something reducer. I don’t recall off the top of my head what it is exactly. She is also having me do several tests and labs along with some X-Rays. I go back to see her at the end of February.
Car update: My car did get out of the shop, however the shop told me of another soon-needed repair. The engine mount thingy isn’t on properly or something like that. In a sense that is why my car vibrates so badly and it really makes the engine shake. The shop thought that was the reason for the ball and joint breaking. The problem is I don’t have the money - the ball and joint thingy pretty much cleaned out my bank account. But there is a solution in the making ...
Financial update: As my car has sucked much of my finances away, I am yet again grateful that I am not spending money freely for the month. I am also quite blessed to have a Gift Card for a gas station which will help me buy some time for affording the next soon-needed car repair. But that is not all. In the making is a onsite job with children. I had an observation and conversation (interview) at the Heartland Community College Child Development Lab (HCC CDL). And it looks like I have the job. They want me to start next week. I have to get a physical, fingerprints scanned and a handful of papers to fill out and done, but it looks like I’ll have a job this semester. They told me today that I am one of only two new student workers this semester, the rest are continuing from last seems. I do not know how much I will get paid yet nor my exact hours, but it looks like that I may be working from 10:30 to 3:30 Monday and Wednesday. Possibly Friday too. They are going to review the available hours and get back to me.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
It’s Not Over Yet
The excitement is not over yet. My health seems to of steadied out. I still ware out easily and sleep is better yet not great. But the excitement just got bigger. Yesterday I was planning to head to Gridley to pick up some papers that I needed for a doctors appointment today. However I took my car into a shop to get an oil change - one of the final parts in the trouble I had with my car a week or two ago... or so I thought.
I did make it to Gridley, tho for only about 3 minutes, then I left again as I had to make it back to pick up my car before the shop closed. However my car didn’t leave the shop yesterday. When I got to the shop they told showed me the complications with my car. The ball & joint that connects my front right tire with the axle came off and is in a different location. This meaning my car is not drivable. How I got it to the shop is a miracle. The shop said that if I drive my car the front right tire would likely cave and bend inward ruining the front end. They also said that my engine should of been shaking back and forth when I start the car and shift from drive to reverse and vice versa. I didn’t tell them that I haven’t turned the car on in nearly 2 weeks.
Either way my $35 oil change has turned into a $335 repair. Thankfully my bank account has about $400 in it so I do have the money, tho it complicates my budget quite a bit.
Monday, January 8, 2018
A Quick Sick Update
I am feeling better today. Though last night I was upped by a terrible stomach pain. It’s majorly gone away, but it still is in existence. My shortness of breath isn’t gone, but it’s not as bad as it has been.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Wait! Whaaat???
Okay this is just crazy! I had a dream 3 nights ago that I had a $10 and a $15 gift card to Walmart along with some other ones. I was excited to have $25 to spend there since I am cracking down on my budget and not spending money cash/credit/debit this month. Anyways I was so excited and then I woke up and realized it was just a dream. And something came up tonight in talking with my grandma and I shared it with her and it made me a bit sad again that it was just a dream. BUT just moments ago I got an email informing me that someone just sent me a $25 e-gift card to Walmart!!!!!! What!?!?! Thank you God!!! I am so happy right now!! (And laughing all over in the inside, haha)
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Prompt Care
I was planning to head back to the Schlipf’s today, but decided to stay here with grandma Baurer a few more days. I woke up this morning with a temperature that dropped yet again down to 96.5 and my sleep hasn’t gotten much better. I don’t feel well, I have more stomach pains and I am even more weak today than I was yesterday. I do have a slight cough too. Not to mention chest pains and such.
So I went to a prompt care, and boy were they busy! Over an hour and thirty minute wait to be registered and the line is moving decently quick. About thirty minutes later I got in and they took care of me. They put me on two new meds and sent me home. I hope and pray that these will help.
So I went to a prompt care, and boy were they busy! Over an hour and thirty minute wait to be registered and the line is moving decently quick. About thirty minutes later I got in and they took care of me. They put me on two new meds and sent me home. I hope and pray that these will help.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Budget Cut
So as the new year comes around I have decided to (finally) get a better grip on my financial standpoint. I way overspent in November and December last year, and I am financially on the edge, as it seems. So, as much as it pains me as a spender 🙂, I have decided that for the months of January and February I am not going to “spend” money. Now when I say this I mean that I am not going to use my spending category in my budget: no baking, no movies, no food, no this or that. I need to re-get ahold of my spending habits and cut back. I should control my spending not my spending controlling me. Along with that I have decide to cut back on movies as well. I have re-set up a system that I have used before (For those of you who know Bryan Furguson, he taught me this) that charges me $3 per movie that I watch on my phone (that I watch on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video), and I cant spend money so, a lot less movies. I ask and encourage you to hold me to this if you are willing. I have been given a couple gift cards for Christmas that I will be able to use if I would like, tho I can’t spend more than what is on them- even if it’s a few cents over for tax or something. (I also will still be able to pay for fuel, tithing, giving, etc... the regular payments).
2017/18 Sickness
So once again, it has been a while since I poster - without reasonable excuses. Since a few days after Christmas, I have fallen into a sickness of some sort, and over the past week or so I’ve had plenty of time to blog and I didn’t. I am sorry.
I’ve been staying with my Grandma Baurer since Christmas. She looks we both were sick this past week or two and still are. We think she may of had the flu, but the doctor we went to said they wouldn’t do a flu test. Since extended families on the Baurer side headed back to their homes, a handful of them have fallen into this sickness. However it’s not just our family, but (from what I’m hearing) it seems like everybody and his brother has picked up some sort of sickness. Well, not quite that many people, but it sure seems like it. I had an observation-interview with the Child Development Lab at Heartland Community College on Wednesday morning (I am seeking employment there this semester) and I had to cancel because I was sick. I wrote them an email and told them I wouldn’t be able to make it because I was sick. The lady emailed back very understanding, saying that the sickness had took down a good chunk of her family too. Hopefully I will be able to go get another interview soon.
I also had to skip my monthly allergy shots as they won’t give them to me if I even have a slight cough - for safety reasons - the injections mixed with a sickness could cause a dangerous reaction. So whenever I get better I need to get that done - which will put me behind on schedule for it. So be it, that’s part of life.
Today I have shortness of breath, I get worn out easily and a bit of a sore throat. You His trend has been going on for several days now. Two days ago I picked up the trend of getting headaches in the evenings and every now and then throughout the day. And last night as I was about to head to bed I had some really sharp chest pains. I should be use to these by now, I’ve had them for years without the slightest clue of what it is, but it really took me off guard as I haven’t had them for 4-6 weeks now, probably the longest period I’ve gone without having them. Anyways I took my inhaler last night (I like to think that helps, I don’t know if it really does or not - at least consistently). I had a small chest pin through the night and a bit this morning as well.
I also have noticed poorer sleep the last two nights. I’ve been waking up a lot throughout the night (which is very unusual for me, I am a very deep sleeper) and I’ve had some really sad dreams. Well not all I would say are “sad” but I really don’t like most of them (which is also unusual). And I’ve had dreams where I wake up with such strong emotions that my first response it to figure out what the emotions are before I let them frustrate, anger, or confuse me any more. Okay wait just a moment there... one I can struggle sometimes with being able to put my finger on specific emotions that I’m feeling, Two I’ve almost never have been very expressive with my emotions (am I right mom?) - well recently I’ve been getting better, and three, at whatever time in the wee hours of the morning if I am not planning to get up my mind isn’t able to function that well - at least I did think so. But the last two nights when I’ve woken up with these emotions, I’ve been able to diagnose some of them and process some - I am a slow processor (it’s a work in progress) and struggle with processing a lot. But I’ve been able to do some when I don’t want to do some upon waking up at night.
I’ve been staying with my Grandma Baurer since Christmas. She looks we both were sick this past week or two and still are. We think she may of had the flu, but the doctor we went to said they wouldn’t do a flu test. Since extended families on the Baurer side headed back to their homes, a handful of them have fallen into this sickness. However it’s not just our family, but (from what I’m hearing) it seems like everybody and his brother has picked up some sort of sickness. Well, not quite that many people, but it sure seems like it. I had an observation-interview with the Child Development Lab at Heartland Community College on Wednesday morning (I am seeking employment there this semester) and I had to cancel because I was sick. I wrote them an email and told them I wouldn’t be able to make it because I was sick. The lady emailed back very understanding, saying that the sickness had took down a good chunk of her family too. Hopefully I will be able to go get another interview soon.
I also had to skip my monthly allergy shots as they won’t give them to me if I even have a slight cough - for safety reasons - the injections mixed with a sickness could cause a dangerous reaction. So whenever I get better I need to get that done - which will put me behind on schedule for it. So be it, that’s part of life.
Today I have shortness of breath, I get worn out easily and a bit of a sore throat. You His trend has been going on for several days now. Two days ago I picked up the trend of getting headaches in the evenings and every now and then throughout the day. And last night as I was about to head to bed I had some really sharp chest pains. I should be use to these by now, I’ve had them for years without the slightest clue of what it is, but it really took me off guard as I haven’t had them for 4-6 weeks now, probably the longest period I’ve gone without having them. Anyways I took my inhaler last night (I like to think that helps, I don’t know if it really does or not - at least consistently). I had a small chest pin through the night and a bit this morning as well.
I also have noticed poorer sleep the last two nights. I’ve been waking up a lot throughout the night (which is very unusual for me, I am a very deep sleeper) and I’ve had some really sad dreams. Well not all I would say are “sad” but I really don’t like most of them (which is also unusual). And I’ve had dreams where I wake up with such strong emotions that my first response it to figure out what the emotions are before I let them frustrate, anger, or confuse me any more. Okay wait just a moment there... one I can struggle sometimes with being able to put my finger on specific emotions that I’m feeling, Two I’ve almost never have been very expressive with my emotions (am I right mom?) - well recently I’ve been getting better, and three, at whatever time in the wee hours of the morning if I am not planning to get up my mind isn’t able to function that well - at least I did think so. But the last two nights when I’ve woken up with these emotions, I’ve been able to diagnose some of them and process some - I am a slow processor (it’s a work in progress) and struggle with processing a lot. But I’ve been able to do some when I don’t want to do some upon waking up at night.
Friday, December 29, 2017
That’s The Worst
I may be sick now but you know those cold winter days where you go out and your car won’t start, this is bad but that, that is the worst. (For those who get what I’m referencing 😉😄).
Yeah, so the last couple days have been a bit crazy with car troubles. Monday my car was giving warnings that the coolant was low, the the car didn’t overheat. Tuesday the car wouldn’t start. When I tried it gave warnings that the was no oil, no coolant and that i needed to STOP. Wednesday my car yet again wouldn’t start. It has been getting a bit cooler at nights, and my car is outside so I figured that something was freezing in the motor. Whenever I tried to start it the battery sounded strong. If you remember back to last December, while I was up in Canada I had my battery replaced, so it shouldn’t be anything with the battery now. In the afternoon on Wednesday, I tried jumping it (at the recommendation of my dad). I was home alone with grandma Baurer and she was sick. So I backed her car out if the garage and pulled it around on the road to face my car. I tried starting my car several times with the jumper cables hooked up to both batteries and my grandmas car running, yet my car wouldn’t start. So I put it all away and called my dad. He suggested to let grandmas car stay connected to my car a bit longer and then try to jump it again. So I hooked them up again and tried it again. I tried a handful of times to start my car, each with 2-5 minutes of charging. By the last try, my battery sounded pretty low. My dad was out of town with some family along with my sister and brother (Jonathan) and grandma was sick in bed. So I waited until my dad got home.
When he got home we pushed the car in neutral perpendicular with the road but lined up with my grandmas driveway - we couldn’t push it by hand up the hill on her driveway. So my dad used his car to bumper push me up the driveway and into the garage. Once in the garage we popped the hood. (Oh yeah, also while it was out on the road I had checked the oil twice several hours apart and it showed really low so I added 2qt of oil). Under the hood we found that the fuel was too gelled and frozen to move they the fuel filter. At the suggestion of a guy who used tow irk on this car Ben Koch, we decided we needed to replace the fuel filter. Now my dad and sister were supposed to leave early Thursday morning to head back to Texas, but my dad decided to stay till noon to help me out. Wednesday night as we dug into the fuel filter unattaching everything so we could take it out to replace it the next day, we found yet another small little plastic piece had broken. We guessed it would cost $5-10 to replace. The next day we found that the retail value of that piece was about $55 but we were recommended to a guy in Peoria by Princeville Automotive that had one left in stock and was able to sell it to us for around $13 - Praise God!!! We got that piece and the filter. Plush we picked up some fluid that I need to put into my tank whenever I fill up to prevent his from happening again. I had already bought some Desicl 9-1-1 (another fluid to help). Come to find out also, all those warnings my car was giving were false including the oil level- I now have 2qt too much oil in my car. I hope to take it to a shop soon and have them do an oil change.
Anyways as we got back to grandmas we started reassembling the car. My dad left and I finished it up, well mostly. Just as I was finishing up, the Mickey Mouse Pin That holds the filter piece to the filter tumbled down into the darkness of my engine. People online said this is the last thing you want to happen because it will take forever to find it. I never found it. I then drive into Princeville to see if either of the automotive shops had one. Neither did nor had heard if it. Princeville Automotive again suggested that I go to the guy I went to earlier with my dad. I didn’t want to drive that far. But I did drive to a closer part of Peoria and went to AutoZone and Advanced AutonPaets And neither of them had it. One of them recommended me to try the Peoria VW dealer just down the road. So I did, but they didn’t have it either. So I set off to the guy I had gone to earlier. I went in and asked him for the part, shows him the picture and part number and he said he would look and see if he had it. He seemed unsure. A little bit later he came out out and said, “have you ever played the lottery?” indicating that finding the part in his shelves was like playing the lottery. But (Praise and Thank God) he just happened to have one left in stock for a whopping $4.95. I was so happy. Yes it took me nearly 3-4 hours to get it, but I got it.
Once I got home and was putting everything together (it was nigjtby now), I couldn’t get the filter cap to go all the way into the filter. It seemed like I had tried everything. I the. Started thinking that I would wait until Jonathan got home to get his help. I needed another thought on this. Just the. I heart Gods still small voice say, “you can ask my thought on this”. I kind of rolled my eyes in thought not knowing if I should 1) trust the voice in was hearing as I’m still struggling in lea God’s voice and 2) how I would be able to know that what was said was him and not me. But I replied with, “how do I do this God?” H simply told me to push down on the left side. So I started to push down on the bottom (in a way it could be considered left based on this piece) and the piece went down a tad further but then got stuck again. As I kept trying, I heard God ask me if I was pushing the left side. So I pushed the left side, which I had already done seemingly thousands of times, and click it fit right in. Boom! Thank you God.
My car now runs good and is thaw. I am glad that I was able to get it done (with lots of help) before the real cold hit. Starting tonight till Tuesday, the temperature is continually going to drop. Up until Tuesday where the temperature will be in the -20’s Fahrenheit plus wind. Thank you God for all you have allowed and all you are!!!!
Monday, December 25, 2017
Moana - More (Repraise - Outtake)
If you are planning to read this post now, I ask that you set aside 20 minutes to read, listen, and think through this post - if you are going to rush, save this post for another time when you can take 20 minutes. Thank you.
Over the last 8-10 months I have been more and more attracted to the animated movie “Moana”. When I first watched it I really liked it and wanted to watch it again. As I watched it a second time I invited God to join me and He revealed to me something new in the movie. As I continue to watch this movie over and over He keeps revealing more and more. He uses what He shows me to encourage me, expand my boundaries, increase my understanding, and to reveal Himself more.
Since falling in love with this movie, I have downloaded the films entire soundtrack on my phone. There were a couple of songs that I deleted out of it, but most of the songs really speak to me and really encourages me, as God works thru them, to pray and believe. Several songs on that soundtrack album are an outtake and is not actually in the movie. One of them particular I will be talking about today.
Below is what I listened to, wrote, and read last night in a meaningful and powerful time with God. Please listen to the songs and read the words in the order that they appear below.
LYRICS:
She showed me day after day
How to find my way
She taught me how to rely
On the wind and sky
She named me after the sea
She believed in me
MY NOTES:
“She showed me day after day”
God, my Father, my Dad, shows me day after day
“How to find my way”
He shows me the way and how to find the way - to seek Him
“She taught me how to rely”
Abba Father shows me, He teaches me, gently, how to rely
“On the wind and sky”
He shows me how to rely on Him and His Word; how to rely, on full trust, on His Spirit in me: How to depend on what I cannot see (Wind / Him - the Holy Spirit) and trust what I cannot touch or fathom the expanse of (Sky / Him - His work - His understanding; His will)
“She named me after the sea”
Daddy gave me a name on purpose, The God, Lord of all, named me!!!
“She believed in me”
My Father believes in me; He has called me to a purpose and has entrusted me with His empowerment; He believed in me, He believes in me!
LYRICS:
I know we use to be bold
From the tales she told
I know she left me prepared
From the things she shared
The was more she wanted to see
MY NOTES:
“I know we use to be bold”
From what we read in the Word, the early church was bold and courageous;
“From the tales she told”
We see this in both the Word and History
“I know she left me prepared”
‘God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.’ God has called me and has equipped me: I know that God is in me and I in Him (John 14:20, John 15:4); I know that God is for me and will never fail; I know that God will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5): I am prepared by God!
“From the things she shared”
I know this by the experiences He has shared with me; by the words He has spoken to me; and by His Word: the Bible
“There was more she wanted to see”
God has so much more for me; He has so much more He wants to show me.
LYRICS:
Staring at the barrier together on the shore
We practiced all the names of everyone who came before me
Voyagers, warriors, ancestors in our line
Their blood runs in mine
MY NOTES:
“Staring at the barrier together on the shore”
God is with me; He will stand with me as I face barriers in life
“We practiced all the names of everyone who came before me”
He encourages me to move forward. He encourages me by reminding me who He says I am and who He is
“Voyagers, warriors, ancestors in our line”
He reminds me of His faithfulness throughout the Bible; He reminds me of who He chose and worked through in the Bible
“Their blood runs in mine”
And that I am a member of the church, the body of Christ, today just as much as the members of the early church including the apostles themselves.
LYRICS:
She always knew more
She hungered for more
She taught me more
And somehow I know
She’d want me to go
MY NOTES:
“She always knew more
She hungered for more
She taught me more”
God is role modeling this for us to follow: that there is always more to know, He knows more; that we are to desire more of Him, His Word, will and way; and that we are to teach more of Him: to go out and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)
“And somehow I know
She’d want me to go”
He tells me not only in His Word but also in life, the still small voice, and others, that I am to know Him, to seek Him, and to magnify Him (to know, to hunger, to teach/live).
LYRICS:
To navigate, you have to keep your island in your mind
You’ll know what lies ahead if you remember what’s behind you
Want to know the answers to the questions you still don’t know
You just have to go, find more
MY NOTES:
“To navigate you have to keep your island in your mind”
To successfully navigate life with God, you need to remember and to learn and remember where you were
“You’ll know what lies ahead if you remember what’s behind you”
And if you know where you were, you can know where your going. You can’t go from point A to point B without point A, likewise how can you rejoice in what God has done in your life or will do, if you don’t remember where you were before God brought you to point B?
“Want to know the answers to the questions you still don’t know”
I have lots of questions. But to find answers to those questions
“You just have to go, find more”
I need to Just Go, with God. Go where? to Find More! find more of God,
LYRICS:
I wanna know more
There’s always more
How can I stay
She taught me the way
MY NOTES:
“I wanna know more
There’s always more”
I want to know more of God, there is always more of Him I can learn
“How can I stay
She taught me the way”
How can I stay where I was if I know where I can be? God has shown me that the way is thru Him.
LYRICS:
Every turn I take
Every trail I track
Every path I make
Every road leads back to the sea
I am sailing to the edge of the sea
MY NOTES:
“Every turn I take
Every trail I track
Every path I make”
Everywhere I go, no matter what I do, no matter what I decide,
“Every road leads back to the sea”
It All leads back to God. Really? Are you sure? If I am s child of God, then yes, I am positive. Because God’s Word says that He will work All things together for Good (and He is Good-Psalm 136:1- and everything good comes
From Him-James 1:17) for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28) - He takes care of His children. I believe that if I am His child and I wonder off; if I make a bad decision; if I mess up, He will correct me, re direct me, and work it for Good.
“I am sailing to the edge of the sea”
I am going to dig into God ; Know, Seek, and Magnify Him, as much and as long as I can.
“And it calls me-“
And better yet, God Himself has called me!
LYRICS:
Moana go now
Moana don’t stall
Don’t worry about how
Just answer the call of the sea
There’s nothing there holding me
MY NOTES:
“Moana go now”
Joshua (your name) Go Now
“Moana don’t stall”
Joshua (your name) do not delay any more
“Don’t worry about how”
Trust. Do not worry about anything, instead pray about everything (Philippians 4:6-7). Do not lean on my own understanding. Trust God with my whole heart (Proverbs 3:5). I cant understand it, I won’t understand it now, and I don’t have to. I am called , therefore/thus/because I am called, I do not have to worry about how
“Just answer the call of the sea”
I Just have to follow God when He takes a step. My job is to Go (the action), God’s job is the how (the process). My Job is NOT THE HOW! Leave to God what is God’s, Don’t worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34), just, only trust God and Go
“There nothing there holding me”
With God no one, no circumstance, no situation, not even Satan Himself can hold me. God is greater and God is with me.
LYRICS:
If I had time
I’d say good bye
I will cross the divide, I will ride
I will see what’s on the other side
With the ocean as my guide, on the tide
I will go where no one’s ever been before
There always more
MY NOTES:
“If I had time
I’d say good bye”
I have not been given all the time in the world/ all my life to sit in my comfort and resist God. I have been given my life to know, seek, and teach (to magnify/live) Him - to make disciples.
“I will cross the divide, I will ride”
I will take a deep breath, remember that God is with me, and cross the divide from my comfort to His call for me
“I will see what’s on the other side”
I can only see what God has for me after I have crossed the divide
“With the ocean as my guide, on the tide”
With God as my guide, on the foundation of His Word
“I will go where no one’s ever been before”
God will take me to unimaginable places
“There’s always more”
There is always more with God
There is always more to God
There is always more of God
Monday, December 18, 2017
Texas, Cards, & Travel
So, once again, I am behind in my blogging. Currently I am down in Texas with my family. Prior to heading down here I, after much thought and prayer, too the step and got new tires for my car. I feel that God’s hand was over it all as I was able to get 5 new winter name-brand tires, plus installation, plus ridding of the old tires for under $350 USD. Now that is one great deal!!! No I didn’t have the money, but I was able to take a loan for it from my dad. I got my tires at Sams Club - it seems that it was good that I paid the $45 for a Sams Club membership that I haven’t used until now. Having the membership saved me a lot more than $45 in tire expenses, so it was well worth it.
Last Thursday my dad flew me down there Austin Texas. It was actually a two part flight. I flew from Bloomington Illinois to Atlanta Georgia. Then from Atlanta to Austin. My dad picked me up in Austin around 5pm Thursday evening. My dads friend, an old friend from when we used to live in Texas 10 yeas ago, Mike Hardcastle, invited dad and I over for supper. He made us vegetable spaghetti (spaghetti squash, cooked veggies, etc...) it was really good. After supper another one of their friends came over for some games. Mike taught us a new card game called Five Crowns - it was a ton of fun! Then we played Pictionary. I stayed with my dad until Sunday afternoon. During the weekend we had some really good chats, played some Rummy - it wasn’t my night for it (he creamed me), we watched Thor 2 and some other episodes from a tv show that Jonathan has gotten into. We also played a racing game that we really like on my dad Xbox.
On Saturday my dad and I drove up to Waco Texas and met Abi for brunch. Then we went to a theater and we watched the new Star Wars. I would rate the it a 7, it was good and well done, but I wouldn’t say it was great. I would like to go watch it again though.
Sunday I was hoping to go to the small home church that my dad goes to but the pastor was sick so we went to Austin Stone (the north campus). The main campus of this church is where Chris Tomlin was the worship pastor before he started recording. It was a really good service. We had to leave abit early though as we hand planned to meet my mom in Waco (at least an hour away) by 2pm. We hit some traffic and we’re late. When we met up with my mom I went back to her house with her and dad went back to his house. When mom and I got to her house we did a short partially “family” Christmas. It wasn’t the same without dad. After that we watched some Top Gear and another episode of Jonathan’s tv show. We ate supper, went over all of our Johnson O’Conner results and then went through some old memories by looking through our school files from the last 15 years.
Then the four of us sat around the kitchen table and played Dutch Blitz and ERS (Egyptian Rat Slap - a really fun card game)
Last Thursday my dad flew me down there Austin Texas. It was actually a two part flight. I flew from Bloomington Illinois to Atlanta Georgia. Then from Atlanta to Austin. My dad picked me up in Austin around 5pm Thursday evening. My dads friend, an old friend from when we used to live in Texas 10 yeas ago, Mike Hardcastle, invited dad and I over for supper. He made us vegetable spaghetti (spaghetti squash, cooked veggies, etc...) it was really good. After supper another one of their friends came over for some games. Mike taught us a new card game called Five Crowns - it was a ton of fun! Then we played Pictionary. I stayed with my dad until Sunday afternoon. During the weekend we had some really good chats, played some Rummy - it wasn’t my night for it (he creamed me), we watched Thor 2 and some other episodes from a tv show that Jonathan has gotten into. We also played a racing game that we really like on my dad Xbox.
On Saturday my dad and I drove up to Waco Texas and met Abi for brunch. Then we went to a theater and we watched the new Star Wars. I would rate the it a 7, it was good and well done, but I wouldn’t say it was great. I would like to go watch it again though.
Sunday I was hoping to go to the small home church that my dad goes to but the pastor was sick so we went to Austin Stone (the north campus). The main campus of this church is where Chris Tomlin was the worship pastor before he started recording. It was a really good service. We had to leave abit early though as we hand planned to meet my mom in Waco (at least an hour away) by 2pm. We hit some traffic and we’re late. When we met up with my mom I went back to her house with her and dad went back to his house. When mom and I got to her house we did a short partially “family” Christmas. It wasn’t the same without dad. After that we watched some Top Gear and another episode of Jonathan’s tv show. We ate supper, went over all of our Johnson O’Conner results and then went through some old memories by looking through our school files from the last 15 years.
Then the four of us sat around the kitchen table and played Dutch Blitz and ERS (Egyptian Rat Slap - a really fun card game)
Monday, December 4, 2017
Christmas Is Coming!!! - buuuuut school is too
As School is coming to a close as Christmas approaches times are getting busier and plans for the holiday are beginning to set. First, I have nearly 5 weeks of break over Christmas! Which is Amazing, especially compared to high school. So, on Thursday, December 14 I will be flying out of Bloomington, Illinois to Atlanta, Georgia and then from Atlanta to Austin, Texas. I will then spend just a tad over a week in Texas with my mom and dad and Jonathan and Abi. Then I will drive back with my dad and siblings to Illinois just before Christmas.
But before all that happens I have a busy week, or so I thought. Going into this past weekend I sat down and calculated about how much time I expected of homework over the next week. This is the last "week" of school, next week is finals. However I won't be here for finals next week as I don't have any finials to take in class - I have two-ish (not really finals, but rather end of the semester tests) and they are online over the weekend before. Anyways I estimated about 21 hours of work. Now with not having a computer most of that has to be done at school. I was able to get a good chuck done on my phone (which I am very grateful for) though it was quite a bit more of an inconvenience. This morning (Monday, December 4th) I had planned to come to school for 9am. Thankfully, praise God, that worked out. I don't have any classes on Monday until 6pm. I've spent the entire day here working on getting assignments done. I knocked the estimated 21 hours down to an estimated 1.5 hours. And I am proud to say that I got a lot more done than I expected. Though I'd have to say as I sped up with the quantity of work that was done, the quality of the work dropped. Yet, 6 papers and over a chapter of online reading, quizzes and assignments later, I am glad to be done with it all.
Oh and I was suppose to give a speech on Wednesday in Biology on Nutrition and Diabetes Type 2, but I asked the teacher if I could do it tonight instead (so I can get it over with and that I can go to church on Wednesday night) and he let me. So I will be doing my speech tonight!
Thank you God for the productive day and all that you have blessed me with, I am truly blessed!
But before all that happens I have a busy week, or so I thought. Going into this past weekend I sat down and calculated about how much time I expected of homework over the next week. This is the last "week" of school, next week is finals. However I won't be here for finals next week as I don't have any finials to take in class - I have two-ish (not really finals, but rather end of the semester tests) and they are online over the weekend before. Anyways I estimated about 21 hours of work. Now with not having a computer most of that has to be done at school. I was able to get a good chuck done on my phone (which I am very grateful for) though it was quite a bit more of an inconvenience. This morning (Monday, December 4th) I had planned to come to school for 9am. Thankfully, praise God, that worked out. I don't have any classes on Monday until 6pm. I've spent the entire day here working on getting assignments done. I knocked the estimated 21 hours down to an estimated 1.5 hours. And I am proud to say that I got a lot more done than I expected. Though I'd have to say as I sped up with the quantity of work that was done, the quality of the work dropped. Yet, 6 papers and over a chapter of online reading, quizzes and assignments later, I am glad to be done with it all.
Oh and I was suppose to give a speech on Wednesday in Biology on Nutrition and Diabetes Type 2, but I asked the teacher if I could do it tonight instead (so I can get it over with and that I can go to church on Wednesday night) and he let me. So I will be doing my speech tonight!
Thank you God for the productive day and all that you have blessed me with, I am truly blessed!
Orchestra & Chorus
Saturday - I joined the Schlipfs in going to my cousin's Christmas concert at Illinois State University. He was part of it, though there were many, many other students as well. I absolutely loved it! It was full of beautiful singing from the Glee Club, Madrigals, and many others along with a fabulous orchestra and energetic and passionate Conductors. It was an exciting 90+ minutes! I had great joy all throughout it, especially at the end. As I was watching it I asked God to show me something through it and let it all, whether intended or not, to be a glory and praise to Him. And He did! It was so amazing and joyful! Praise God!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)