Proclaim & Serve 2018

This past Saturday I was privileged to attend the first annual Proclaim & Serve Missions Conference, designed and hosted by Apostolic Christian HarvestCall.   The conference took place in Tremont, Illinois at the Tremont Apostolic Christian (AC) Church.  The conference officially started at 1pm, though Bethany, Jesse, and I attended one of the 3-hour Pre-Conference sessions that started at 9am, and then we were served lunch in the Fellowship Hall.   The final session of the day wrapped up around 9:10pm.

To give just a glimpse of what this conference was like, below is all the sessions that the conference offered.  The sessions that I attended are in BOLD.  This information is coming from their website (https://www.proclaimandserve.org/).

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS (3 hours long)

•  Sharing the gospel - Matt Kaufmann
• Fear,k apathy or a lacking skill set are common inhibitors to share the gospel.  However, there exists an exercise that believers can engage in today that will strengthen their faith and glorify God.  A wonderful side product will be fear giving way to courage, apathy giving way to desire and lacking skillsets - experience.  This workshop will expose and practice this gospel centered exercise. 
• Understanding the gospel more fully - Justin Koch
• "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."  The old adage is filled with sage wisdom.  Buyer beware.  When it comes to earthly transactions this adage is a good principle to keep near.  However when it comes to the gospel of Christ, this old adage collapses.  It really is too good to be true.  Nonetheless, it is true.  In this workshop we will seek to make ourselves more effective witnesses of Christ's resurrection. We will address four questions:
  
  -What is our source of Hope?
  -What is our source of Joy?
  -What is our source of Power?
  -What is our source of Identity?
  
  In our walk and work here on earth, the gospel must never be secondary.  Join us in grappling with the truths of scripture that provide the foundation for effective witness. 
• How to help without hurting - Paul Steitmatter
• Our church family continues to become more and more aware of poverty in the world and the opportunities to make a difference are greater than ever before.  However, over the past years we have learned that poverty alleviation is hard.  How do Christians meaningfully reflect Christ's grace when the disparities of wealth and power in our wold are so great? Why do the good but uniformed intentions of North Americans who engage the poor sometimes lead to unintended consequences that can be damaging to everyone involved? When does our culture and heritage lead us to make wrong assumptions when preparing and engaging in cross-cultural missions's trip?
  
  If your interested in learning together about ways we can serve the poor in God honouring ways that make a lasting difference, join us for this workshop as we simulate thoughtful preparation for engaging the materially poor. 
•  Caring for our missionaries (for active and prospective Mentors and Advocates) - Kirk Plattner
• This session is for active and prospective (Those who have a strong desire to engage int he missionary support process) missionary mentors and advocates.  This workshop is designed to provide mentor and advocate training for the purpose of more effectively caring for our missionaries.  We will discuss what has worked, what has not worked, and ideas for developing church support further.  The workshop will be interactive and practical.  

MAIN SESSIONS (Everyone attended all of these) (~30-40 minutes per session)

• Does the church have a mission or the mission have a church? - John Huber
• This presentation is a biblical overview of God's missional timeline and the role of the church as privileged participants in what He is doing and will do in the future.  Special emphasis is given to the role of the gospel as the means by which God will accomplish His mission.
• Our missionary experience - Keith & Alisa Beyer
• Listen to the perspectives of those currently serving on the mission field.  Hear about their struggles and joys and ways you can support them in this work.
• How to be culturally relevant without losing truth - Mike Leman
• How do we work though the challenges of proclaiming salvation by faith in Jesus in a different culture?  How do we teach new believers to be faithful disciples of Jesus regardless of their ethnicity or former religion?  The Apostle Paul said ... "To the Jews I became as a Jew and to the Greeks I became as a Greek." ... or did he?
• Preparing for God to use you - Arlan Miller
• Often our mindset towards ministry and mission can be "sometime, in the future, when I get there...then things will change."  However, God's Word calls us to a different mindset: a mindset of preparation, learning, and doing the here and now. 
• The long tradition of Apostolic Christian evangelism - Fred Witzig
• One of the roots of the Apostolic Christian Church goes deep into the historic beliefs and practices of the Anabaptists, who in the Reformation period became famous for their passionate evangelizing of Europe's marginal peoples.  From the 1500s, to the church started by Samuel Forehlich and extended to the United States int he 1800s, to HarvestCall today, evangelistic missionary work represents a rich tradition for Apostolic Christians.  

MINISTRY UPDATE BREAKOUTS (~30-40 minutes each)

• Planting new AC churches: challenges and opportunities - Tom Waldbeser
• USA: testimonies from South Carolina - Ray & Glad Slagel
• CVE: a day in the life of a caregiver - living the gospel one blow-up at a time - Brock Wiegand
• Haiti Dairy: listening to Haitians, listening to God, working together - Dewayne Dill
• Hospital Lumiere: dental teams fill a void - Todd Stoller
• What doe the Deaf in Jamaica lack? - Seth Kaeb

TOPICAL BREAKOUTS (30 minutes)

• What can we learn from the way Paul evangelized? - Wayne Laubscher
• Why Haiti is NOT  lost cause - Marie Lucie Jeune
• Elder Panel: ansering your questions about missions - Kent Heimer, Marvin Dotterer, Mike Leman, Duane Rocke, Tom Waldbeser
• Honor: what love looks like - Heather S.
• Truth centered community transformation - Dale Koch

DISCUSSION GROUPS (~30-40 minutes each)

• Do missionaries destroy indigenous culture? - Frank Sauder
• What it is like moving to bolster a small church - Duane Rocke
• Missionary Sending - Why, Who, When, What, and How - Kirk Plattner
• Sharing Christ in a world full of questions - Daniel Currier
• Do motives matter? - John Huber
• Redeployment vs retirement - Stephen Baner
• Using Bible distribution to reach the lost - Wayne Laubscher
• How can my local church be a missional church? - Brock Wiegand
• Is prayer central to missions? - Klint Beyer
• You and me, honouring Muslims - Heather S.
• When is our work over? - Arlan Miller
• Remembering them that are in bonds - Bill Schick
• Sharing Christ in the classroom - Fred Witzig
• Helping without hurting - Paul Streitmatter

The day was a full day, and I didn't think I would make it awake the whole time.   Even though I was very sleepy right after lunch, I did make it the day without taking a nap :) . I was very thankful that they set out bins of water and Life Saver Mints to assist as well.   I wish I could have taken more sessions than I did, but there just wasn't time.  Thus, I am greatly looking forward to next year's conference!

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Side note - the picture below shows the label on the water bottles that they gave out. 

As a way of ease and cost, I reuse my plastic bottles.  I had this bottle at work today, and while we were watching and playing with the kids outside, the teacher in our classroom asked me about it.  She thought it was neat and quite funny too.   We both joked about it for a bit, and laughed.   It struck me a quite neat that a water bottle label could catch someones eye like that and could potentially be an influence too.  

That Man

So today was yet another transition day for a kid in my preschool classroom.  This particular little girl is from across the hall in one of the infant toddler rooms - she is still two years old.  Over the past couple weeks she has come over to “visit” our preschool classroom. This week she started staying longer on her visits.  Tuesday she stayed for lunch and today she even stayed for nap time.  When she comes back next week she will be in preschool full time.

Anyways, I sat by her at nap time today and tried to help her sleep - with little success, which was okay since she wasn’t all that rowdy or loud.  As nap time was nearing its end, the main teacher in our class took this girl back to her infant toddler room.  When the teacher came back she shared a funny story from her trip across the hall.  This little girl was telling her infant toddler teacher how I gave her some coloured pencils and paper to draw with during the last 30 or so minutes of nap time.   However she didn’t use my name.  She just said, “That man gave [them] to me”.  Later, after school, as both the infant toddler and the preschool teachers were walking this girl and her mom through the new classroom over here in preschool, the infant toddler teacher told me similar things.  She shared that this girl kept referring to me as “that man”.  So she had told her mom that anytime you hear about “that man” she’s talking about Joshua.

I’ve been called many things by kids before, but “that man” is a new one.  I wonder what will be next, haha.  

Car Update

Well, since I last posted about my car nothing has changed.  I have not heard from them, and I've hesitated contacting them just because the longer they take, I think there may be a possibility they will cover more of the cost (?), maybe.   I have enjoyed the car I have as a loaner, and I've driven over 800 miles in it.    I may try to contact them this week though, considering that this coming Saturday will be the three week mark since I took my car in to them.   

Abi, Alex, Pizza, Driving, Narnia and Wisconsin!

Last Friday, Friday the 13th, was quite eventful.   Abi and Alex, her boyfriend, came by, with my dad and Grandma Baurer, to spend some time together and then also stay for lunch.   Abi and Alex flew out of Dallas up to St. Louis late last Wednesday evening and stayed in Illinois through early Sunday morning when they drove back to Texas with my Dad.   It was great to see them and spend time with them; I don't think I have seen them since Christmas!  During our talks Jesse and Nina sprung out Jesse's Virtual Reality headset, and Alex and even grandma tried it out.  Watching them play was quite entertaining and a very joyful experience!

After that we left for Monical's Pizza, though on the way most of us stopped at Spare And Share, the local thrift shop, to see if a certain old camera was there - Alex is big into cameras and was interested.  However when we got there we found that not only had it already sold, but someone else was there double checking if there was anything of it's kind left to buy.   Yet again on the flip side, Alex found a working Slide Projector for only $10.  

At Monical's Pizza we enjoyed great fellowship, food, and Jesse, Alex, Abi, and I raced to see who could finish the Sudoku on the place-mats first. Nina didn't play the Sudoku and Bethany had to work - we were sad that she wasn't able to make it.   After Monical's, since we had some extra time, we headed over to Prairie Christian School (Where Nina (my cousin) attends and my aunt Renee works) to learn from Nina how to play GaGaBall.  I was quite surprised how much fun it was!  After a few short rounds we left.  Abi, Alex, Grandma and my Dad in one car and the rest of us in another.  From there the Schlipf's and I headed north, towards Wisconsin.  About 10-15 minutes down the road we met up with Bethany and she joined us in the van.   We then proceeded to Madison, Wisconsin to watch a play that Karissa Stahl (also our cousin) was in.  I went last year, and the play was phenomenal! The director of this small play rotates her plays through the seven chunks of the Narnia Series, by C.S. Louis.   Her and another lady wrote the extraordinary plays themselves under the permission of the C.S. Louis Foundation.  Last year was The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and this year it was The Silver Chair.  Both were very well done plays, with actors ranging from 7-years old to 15-years old.   I don't remember much from the book, The Silver Chair, but from what Jesse tells me, the play did an amazing job at keeping to the book and capturing the whole thing in just a short hour or two - and that is saying a lot coming from Jesse.  

After the play and light refreshments, we headed back to the Stahl household for the night.  I had a great time with them, through talk, and by playing with Lavel.   The next day around noon, we headed back home (about a 3 hour drive without traffic).  I am greatly looking forward to heading back up there in two weeks for out cousin get-together!  

10 Cent Provision

You know, God provides in even the smallest of ways.   The other day as I was taking one of my packages of coins into the post office I was informed that there was a problem with it.  Since I am able to purchase stamps cheaper online, I pre-stamp all of my packages with stamps instead of paying at the post office for a $3.50 sticker.  Well, I had $3.75 on this one particular package, which was the needed amount, but I had put tape over top one of my 10-cent stamps because I had originally put it on an envelope but then removed it to put it on this package.  When I removed the stamp, all the stickiness was gone.  So to solve the problem, I had taped it on.  Well, come to find out, the post office won’t accept a taped-over stamp because they can’t cancel it with their stamp.   So I owed 10 cents on this package still.  Instead of hassling with me credit card (and later my budget) I went out to my car and (thankfully) I had a dime in there that I brought in to pay for the stamp.  

A couple days  passed and I was leaving work (yesterday) and, what do you know, I noticed a dime on the parking lot near my car!!!  I’m not that desperate for money, but I do see that as a beautiful small provision from God.   He told me that He would provide, and I take that as both in the larger things in life and  the smaller things.   A dime may not seem more like luck rather than a provision, but I will take it as a provision because it brought me joy, and the Bible says that all good things come from God (James 1:17).   

Sometimes You Have To Let Go / Give To Recieve

God is so Good!   A little over a week ago I got a envelope in the mail from my Chiropractor's office.  Inside was a check for just a smidge over $100 to rebalance my account with them.  I was excited, and planned to put it toward my car payment (now that I need to make monthly payments on my "new" car).   However my dad wanted it, and he had the right to it, since he had covered my past three appointments there.  So I gave it to him knowing that he would put it to good use.   A few days later I was checking my PayPal account to see how much money had come in from eBay sales (selling coins mostly), and I noticed that 'out of the blue' someone had just sent me $100 a few days earlier!!!   WOW!  Just as I let go of the $100 from the Chiropractor, God reporvided it though someone else!   Thank you so much whoever it was that sent me the money!!!  It was such a blessing (and excitement)!

Coin Sales

Coinwise, I have had a lot less sales lately.   That is partly because I don't post as much, and partly because I drastically raised the shipping costs.  I did the latter because I had too many issues with coins not arriving, and it was costing me heavily, so I raised the shipping costs in order to equip each package sent out with a tracking number to ensure prompt arrival.  The former is because of the latter.   I knew that less would sell, so I haven't posted as much.  Though now that I have much cheaper stamps, I would like to try to get back to work at posting more coins.  

I also had a guy on Craigslist that is somewhat interested in buying a lot, if not all, of my IKE Dollars (Just over 1,750 of them).   However he hasn't said for sure if he will buy them or not - he wanted some time to think about it.  So, in the meantime, I will work on trying to sell them on eBay.   

Stamps, Stamps, & More Stamps

A while back I had found (with my grandma) accidentally that you can buy USPS stamps on eBay for cheaper rates than at the Post Office - though if your not careful, you can also pay a lot more for them too on eBay.   Anyways I had found a really good deal with a 10% credit back deal, and I purchased a lot of 300 forever stamps (valued at 50 cents each) for about 36 cents each.   This really helped with my coin sales on eBay as it either reduced the cost of shipping to charge, or raised the profit range I got.  

Last week I ran into my last sheet of 10 forever stamps, and I decided to restock.  Now that I have a car to pay off, I didn't have the money to buy another big lot of 300 in cash.  However, on July 1, eBay gave me the past quarter (3 months) worth of credit back I had earned - in all: $94.23.    Now I could use that and buy the lot of 300 stamps (only paying $20-30 in cash).  However that particular lot was no longer that cheap.  However I did find another one the same price and I bought it.   I bought it while I was at home on my phone.  When I went to pay eBay informed me that the required form of payment was not supported by the eBay Mobile App.  I thought that was strange as I've never had a problem with that before.   So the next day at school, just before work, I logged on to eBay and payed with my credit card - I normally use PayPal.   However it didn't seem to go through.  So I called eBay and they told me to do it again.   However I didn't have time to do it then as I had to get to work.  The next day I did it again.  But as I went to pay, I was not given the usual option to use my eBay Bucks (in-store credit).  It immediately payed the full price of $120 - an amount I can't afford.  I called eBay and they told me they would walk me through it next time - and that I can contact the seller and ask him to cancel the order.   So I did.  The guy was gracious and told me he canceled the order - and even sent me a picture of the cancellation confirmation.  That night, after work, I went to rebuy the lot, this time with eBay's help.  I called them again and they walked me through each step.  I was given the okay by eBay to confirm my purchase and then enter my credit car info in again.  So I did.   However it did the same thing again and went a head and placed the order without giving the option of using my eBay credit.   eBay then figured out where I had messed up.  They informed me that the seller was a Merchant seller and thus coupons and credit can't be used on their items.   They told me how to identify Merchant sellers in the future - look for the payment options.  If it's Visa/mastercard, American Express, and Discover, then it's a Merchant seller.  If it also includes options such as PayPal, then it is not a merchant seller.   They told me they would contact the seller this time and ask for another cancellation.  They told me that if the seller refused to cancel the order a second time, eBay would back me up this time.   Again the seller was gracious and canceled the order.

However a few days later I noticed that I was still charged $120 on my Discover card.  I went back and found that the first order was never actually canceled.   I looked at the confirmation picture that the seller had sent me and found out that, as it seems, he accidentally canceled the wrong order.  Another buyer had ordered a lot of 500 stamps and that buyer had a similar eBay name as I do (an understandable mistake on the seller's part).  I informed the seller and asked him to cancel my order.  He was very apologetic, however, he noted, he was unable to cancel the order as the stamps had already been shipped - eBay doesn't let you cancel a shipped order.  He didn't know what to do, so I suggested that he refund me the $120 and I will decline the stamps when they arrive - upon declining them, USPS will return them to the shipper.  The seller agreed to that, except that he would not refund me until he receives the stamps back (to ensure that I'm not scamming him).   I am not worried at all that he won't refund me, because eBay will make it right if there is trouble and this guy likely can't afford a bad review.

So, I was quite disappointed that I wasn't able to get the stamps, but God had a different plan.  It was as if He didn't allow the stamp situation to work out because He had something better!   God is so Good!   Not long later I found another seller on eBay selling 50 cent stamps (not forever stamps, but the same current valued stamps as forever stamps) in rolls of $100 for 30 cents each.   So I was able to buy 300 stamps again, and only use my eBay Bucks and no cash!!!!!  WOW GOD IS GOOD!!!!   

One Prius To The Next

So my car has had break problems since a few days after I bought it and I have taken it to the Bloomington Toyota Dealership twice and another mechanic once to have it checked out.  After taking it to the Toyota Dealership the second time, a week and a half ago, they estimated me just over $3,300 to fix the problem - claiming the hard-hard-to-get-to piece costs $2,500 plus 4 hours of labour.  Upon hearing that and hearing the advice from not only both my parents, but also the Toyota Dealership as well, I took it to the used car dealership that I bought the car from.   They took it in and gave me a loaner car to use until they figure out if they can get the work done cheaper (and hopefully help with the expense) - the Toyota Dealership thought that the problem may not have been known by the people I bought it from and may have been caused by sitting in a lot for a long time (likely prior to the used car dealership buying it).   They gave me a silver 2010 Toyota Prius.  Having this car makes me a lot more thankful for mine (three years newer).    This car heats up a lot when parked outside (as it has a black interior - mine is more white/cream coloured), three of the windows don't work and there are a number of other little things like that.  When the shop gave it to me the did tell me a few things about how the car wasn't finished yet (to be sold that is).  

The used car dealership took it to their mechanic who spent much of last week test driving it to try to repeat the problem.  Finally on Thursday, they were able to successfully repeat the problem.  The shop then called me and told me that they hadn't forgotten about me and they filled me in on this update.  They also said that they have been really busy this week so they haven't had a ton of time to spend on the car.  But they are going to dig into it now and see what it will cost to fix it.  I still have the loaner car - it gets about the same fuel economy as mine does.    

Coins, Coins & More Coins

Financial Update:

Having several debts now, my financial state has become a bit more serious - which is good in the way that it literally forces me to keep to a budget.   I have an immense debt of $10,000 to pay off my car, plus I had over $2,000 in debt to my credit card company, Discover.   The two thousand was primarily coin investments, predominately the Large "silver" Eisenhower (IKE) Dollars (non-silver coins).  

I felt that God has been leading me to not get a second job, but to spend my extra time with Him, digging deeper into Him and His word, and just spending more time with Him.    I know, without a doubt, that He has told me He will provide, and I trust Him on that, in whatever way, time, form, amount that He chooses.  Within that extra time, I have also filled some with working on selling my coins on eBay.   Yes eBay has large fees, but I purchased an eBay Basic Store Subscription for $28/month, which reduces many of the final fees by 4%.   Meaning if I sell $700 each month, I have saved myself money overall - the money saved will have paid the store subscription cost. I have spent hours upon hours upon hours posting more and more and more coins on eBay.   In all of this, I felt that God was leading me to keep my focus on Him.   I had told Him, that I wanted to do that, yet at the same time I also felt like I needed to sell my coins to help pay my bills.   I felt Him basically saying, 'focus on me and let me sell your coins.'   I still have to do the work of picturing, posting, packaging, organizing, shipping and all of that, but to not worry or focus about selling my coins and just let God do that part.   It has been quite hard, but effective.   I don't want to say that it is a clear equation for all circumstances, but God is using a gift and love of mine to answer a prayer of motivation to spend more time with Him.  He works in mysterious and wondrous ways.

Anyways, as I focus on Him, my coins sell.  I have sold tons and tons of coins.  fact I have just reached my $700 mark today, and I didn't really get into the full swing of selling until the last week or two.   But now I am in the full swing of the business market and am keeping many coins up online, even when more sell.   I currently have well over 100 listings (each containing anywhere from one to one hundred coins), and I have sold well over 150 listings already.   Though some sales I am nickel'n'diming on, I am still making profit for the expenses  I have put into them.    God has even blessed me with free or cheaper materials in many cases.   When I helped my aunt Cindy move, last, last weekend she gave me a bunch of packages and envelopes to use to ship bulk coin purchases.   eBay gave me, as a store owner, $25 off their name-brand shipping supplies.   I used the $25 to purchase about $23 worth of eBay large tissue paper for packing - I got 250 sheets for free.   PayPal notified me that if I spent $50, they would give me $10 off.  So I paid $40 for a handful of quite helpful and valuable to my business packing supplies, such as labeling stickers, a heat-sealing machine and plastic bags for coins to be sealed in, and a larger and much more actuate (than what I've been using) scale to tell me how much shipping will cost.   Plus, by accident, Grandma Baurer and I noticed on eBay that you can purchase USPS Forever Stamps in bulk for a cheaper rate than the post office.   So, combining Discover's 1% cash-back, an eBay 10% credit-back (I forgot to use the Ebates 1-8% cash back), and the already low prices of the stamps, I was able to get 300 forever stamps for under $0.36 each.   (That now offers me $0.14 extra saving per stamp for each lot that I ship - I've already used probably over a hundred stamps).   The post office also showed me how to get exact postage amounts so I am not wasting money - so through them (for their face value) I bought 2, 2, 5, 10, 21, and 71 cent stamps, and they gave me a copy of their sheet of prices per package and per weight.  

In case you or anyone you know has an interest in any of these coins, I will post a link to my eBay Store below.

https://www.ebay.com/str/leminlimecompany

God has been enormously blessing me with my coins that He has entrusted me with.  I normally don't sell much during the week, but He has been working differently that what I'm use to, just as I've been spending more and more time with Him (Which I am thoroughly enjoying by the way!).  Just last night alone, I got bids on 31 different listings!  I don't know if I have ever had that many listings have bids on them at a time!  WOW GOD!!!  And to top that off, even though I've had a handful of problems with customers and my shipments to them (one never arrived, one not on time, one heavily damaged and missing coins, one with a postage charge/fee, etc...), God has given me the grace, patience and wisdom to handle each situation well, and I have all  100% positive feedback!

Now, I still have well over 2,000 coins to post - many are the Eisenhower/IKE dollars, though there are a lot of other coins too.   So I will keep plenty busy, and yet, I am blessed to be where I am, and to have this work.  I really do enjoy doing the business of selling; for me there is a great joy in it!  And God provides, just as He said He would.   Yeah, it is a lot, and a lot of work, and it takes tons and tons of time, but to me it's worth it.   I am growing, learning, and enjoying the process (Just as I am writing this, it occurred to me that there seems to be very few times where the process is enjoyable in life).  Thank you God for letting me enjoy the process!!   

Spontaneous 18-Hour Round Trip?

Two and a half weeks ago I, along with everyone else in our class, received an invite from one of my SLI classmates asking if anyone wanted to serve at this year's SLI Graduation night, which was this past weekend.   The idea of going to serve at that event got me quite excited, and I replied back saying it was possible I would be able to make it for Saturday afternoon/evening to serve.    I thought this could be possible for several reasons, 1) I enjoy driving, 2) I was about to have a great car (this was before I bought my car) with wonderful fuel economy, therefore I'd be able to make the trip a lot cheaper, and 3) to serve there, and to be with Canadian friends and family excited me.  However, much to my great disappointment, I felt God saying "no" to going.  I relented for a while, and kept pushing and asking, hoping that God would give me the okay to go, I even set up with my aunt Laura Baxter my housing for that weekend, but He never gave me what I was looking for.  Finally I couldn't relent any longer, and I submitted to God and confirmed that I wasn't going to go.  I told Laura I wasn't coming and left it at that.   

The way God works, leads, and directs and or answers, in the moment of asking, can be so mysterious.   I did not understand why I couldn't go.   But He saw things that I couldn't see at the time, and directed me the best route knowing what all would happen.   First I found out that my cousin up there gave birth to her second baby, Leo, five weeks early.   Knowing that bit of info (via my mom) it became more clear that that week/weekend may be quite a bit busy for the Baxter's, and me being there could have added more stress.    Secondly, once a handful of friends found out that I potentially was going to be up there, they all wanted to plan hangouts.   But hanging out with friends wasn't my purpose in wanting to be there - yes I want to hang out with them, but that wasn't my primary purpose.  And knowing my limited time there (less than 24 hours) that started to build a great stress about the trip.  So deciding not to go was almost a release.  As my mom put it, if I'm going to make the trip to Canada, go on a long weekend so I can have time with friends and family.    

Thirdly, my car.   When planning this trip (leave Saturday morning and return Sunday evening (I worked Friday till 5pm and also Monday at 8am)), I was planning on having a great car with great MPG and no problems.   However, with my car having break problems and such, I now the the benefit of not going.     At this point, I do still feel that my car is safe to drive, but I also feel that I would not be comfortable taking it on a long trip until the breaks get worked on (I have another appointment at the Toyota Dealership on Friday).   

Looking back at all of this, though it was sad to not make the spontaneous trip to Canada last weekend, I am grateful that God directed me based off of this knowledge that I had no idea about at the time.   Thank you God!    He is so, so, so good, all the time!

What Does Trusting God Look Like?

This morning I took my 3.5-day-old “new” car into the Toyota Dealership to get the breaks checked out.  Actually, I had thought they were going to fix them as well.  They had quoted me about an hour and just under $40.  I arrived 10 minutes late to my appointment and dropped off my car.  Two and a half hours later I got my car back, and the nearly $40 charge was waived due to the length of time they took.  However, I got more than just my car back.  

Along with my car came a stack of paper and a short conversation informing me of needed and recommended repairs for my car.  First off, they were not able to repeat the sounds I’ve been hearing in my breaks and they didn’t know what the problem was, though when I drive, it is very clear something is wrong.  They told me that it would be good to replace my break pads and and rotors, costing $409.29.  Secondly, they informed me that I have two tires that have tread below the legal minimum limit, a cost exceeding $300.  Thirdly, they found a side marker light bulb and a park light bulb inoperative (each costing just under $25), the cabin filter needing to be replaced (a $42.95 replacement), along with other needed and recommended repairs such as wheel alignment ($89.95) and the air filter ($29.95).  In all they estimated over $1,000 in repairs, none of which are covered by my cars 15 day limited warranty.  

So I find myself in this dilemma, knowing that some of these repairs, such as the breaks and tires, really do need to be fixed soon.  But I also know that in three weeks I will have a $700 credit card bill, and every month for the next 3-5 years I will have car payments of $150-$250.  And I have nearly no cash on hand.   I have a ton of coins that I am selling, and I hope and pray they sell quickly to help with these expenses.  

Yet, in all of this, I find myself doubting, wundering, worrying, with anxious thoughts.  In this, I was reminded that a week ago I had high confidence that God was with me and in on this car purchase, and just days ago I was confident that God, who allowed me to get this car, was going to bless me through this car.  And here I find myself doubting. I was then reminded by the Holy Spirit of the word of God. Just as I read this morning, Philippians 4:6-8 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”  I was reminded of a testimony of a couple at church during our War Stories series who went to buy a house and the inspector told them the house needed $10,000 in repairs before they could move in.  Not having the money, the couple cried out to God worrying what they should do.  Then the sellers of the house offered to pay the cost.  After the repairs, another inspection took place and they were told that the house needed $30,000 in repairs.  The couple freaked out again.  But looking back the husband said they should have trusted, knowing that God had provided once, He can provide again.  The sellers offered to cover the second cost as well. Then a third inspection was done, and even more was needed.  This time the couple trusted God would come through just as He had done before, and He did and they were able to move in.  I know in my heart that God is faithful.  In the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation we see over and over again Gods faithfulness and direct words, declaring Him faithful.  I need to trust Him in this situation of mine.  

Though all of this I was brought to the thought at work today, “What does trusting God look like?”   And though I can’t say it all, for I know very little of it all, I can say what I know.  Trusting is not worrying.  At all!  No worrying, for God says through His Word, which is true, “Do not worry about anything”.  Trusting God is giving circumstances and situations to Him.  Again, Philippians 4:6 says, “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Trusting God is to ask, with prayer and petition, with out any worry, and with thanksgiving; to ask expectant and with hope.  Noah Webster’s 1828 first American dictionary defines “hope” as “the highest degree of well-founded expectation for good.”  Trusting God is to come to Him with Hope, giving Him The highest degree of well-founded, Word-rooted, faith-filled expectation for good.   

Philippians 4:4 proclaims this decree for us, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!” And when we come to God rejoicing with thanksgiving, expectations, petitions and prayers, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  

I do not understand the circumstances around me, but I know that God is a good God,  and He has declared that because I love Him and am called according to His purpose, He will work all things together for good for me (Romans 8:28).  I am challenged by what Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-13 when he says,”...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (And, haha, the way God works, this is what I read while I was waiting for my car to get done).  

I know that God is faithful, and I know that He clearly told be before I bought the car, “I will provide.”  I know that when He says something, He will do it.  I don’t know how or what or when, but that it will be done.  I was confident that God was with me in buying this car and that He okayed it along with His promise to provide, so I should have no doubt in trusting that He will work this little situation.  I can go back into history and see where He provided out of the blue and continually fulfilled His promise to me in His own way and in His own timing.  I know that God is with me, and He will never forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5).  Deuteronomy 31:6 states in confidence, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  

A Step To The Next Car

In other big news, I finally came to a conclusion about a car.  I had been searching excitedly for another limo.   Though I offered it to God, asking Him to give me peace if He want's me to get a limo, and if not to take all peace and desire for it.   Shortly after starting to ask that, the limo I was hoping to get sold, and almost every bit of peace and desire for it left, just like that.   So I started my hunt for fuel efficient cars.  The most logical one to me was to get another Toyota Echo.  I've had great experiences with Echo's in the past and they get good mileage (and I can fit into them well).  Though, Echo's are much harder to come by in the US as they didn't do so hot on the market as they did in Canada.   

During my searches, I had a conversation with my dad that led me to considering a Toyota Prius.  Through some research, and talking with a Prius owner and several dealers, we found that they are quite reliable and cheaper and less likely to have a hybrid battery failure than we had thought.   The night after my dad and I had that conversation we met again and test drove several Prius's.  Then we sat down and calculated out the costs.  We wrote out all the numbers from initial cost, resell cost, fuel, repairs and all that such costs, and concluded that I would save about a thousand dollars a year getting a Prius verses, say a Chevy Impala that gets 27 or so MPG.  Both my dad and I went together and spent time in prayer over this and that next morning, I felt God speak to me quite clearly.    

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About a week or two ago, God spoke to me something that He told me a year ago when I was praying about this past year.   He had told me "I will provide."  I look back and can see, WOW, God did just as He had said, He provided.  It wasn't always in my timing or when I wanted provision, but He provided.  When I couldn't afford this bill or that expense, He provided.  He was faithful all the way.   About a week or two ago, God spoke to me again, telling me (regarding this next season, I believe) saying, "I will provide."   I can hold on to that and remind Him of it, but most importantly, remind myself of it.  He is and will be faithful.  

When God told me this time that He would provide, I felt that it covered the idea of getting the Prius.  I was also reminded that He had given me peace about buying this Prius before I knew this Prius existed.   That itself wowed me.   When God told me He would provide, I had replied saying that I didn't want to take His promise of provision and run foolishly with it, buying this car for such a high cost.  Yet He told me not to worry about it, He would provide.  I felt that He was in it and was freeing me to buy the car.   Also lots of peace and desire for this car came in abundance.   

So I called they used car dealership in Tremont (Tremont Car Connection) and put a hold on they car (via a small $100 down payment).    I had found a way to get a loan for the full cost, but I wasn't able to get the money until the following Monday (this week).    

After returning from Indiana on Monday, I headed out to the shop to get the car. I picked it up and it was beautiful.   

As you can see the car is red and pretty sharp looking.

The car is the 2013 model (3rd generation).  The first two generations (up through 2009) are too small for me.  I do fit in them, as the Prius has great head room, but when I sit up straight I am not looking directly at the windshield, but rather the sun visor.   The option to lower the seat didn't come until the 3rd generation in 2010.

The car has just over 135,000 miles on it and it runs great.  Prius's are know for running for a while, and it's also a Toyota, so it will run good for a while.  

Also, with being a Toyota, it will hold it's value well.   Yes I won't likely be able to sell it for more than I bought it for, but I'll still likely be able to sell it for a lot.   Then again, I've sold every car I've bought in the past for more than I paid for it - God has quite blessed me when it comes to cars.

Now this is interesting.   The stick to shift is kind of spring loaded.   The car is an automatic, but I don't believe it has a transmission or anything like that.   When I move the stick into D, it puts me in drive, but the stick returns to it's spot - same as N, R, and B.   Now the B is new to me.   The B is engine breaking.  If I want to save on my brake pads, I can engine break while driving by shifting into the B position.  

Also what's interesting here is there is no place to shift into P.   Park is not an option there.  But if you notice just to the upper left of the stick is a P button.  Yep, Park is a button.  When you want to put the car into park, just push the button and the car will be put into Park.  

The car is quite spacious for such a small car, and it has great head room.   Overall, It is a great car for driving.  

I haven't sad in the back seats yet, but they look pretty roomy too.

It has great trunk space too.  Not only that, but if you lift up the floor of the trunk (in the picture), there are more storage compartments under there.

Again the car is a Toyota Prius. 

And the Prius is a Hybrid, so it gets great mileage.   It is advertised to get 48 MPG on Highway and 51 MPG in town - I love the fact that you get better mileage in town.    So far I haven't gotten these numbers consistently, but then again I have only owned the car for  two days.  I'm sure I'll figure them out soon enough.  

Moving With The Stuckey's

This past weekend I got the privileged to make a trip out to Indiana to help some relatives move (The Stuckey's).  The weekend prior, my dad drove grandma Baurer out there, and then returned her car to the Schlip's house (where I am living).   Then last Thursday, I drove grandma's car to work, and then left work to head out to Indiana (~5 hours on the road).

I was planning to meet someone a little over an hour into the trip (near Kankakee IL) to sell my scrapbooking papers.   We had agreed on a price of $140 for all 550 sheets.   A little over half an hour into the trip I checked my phone and noticed a text and Facebook message from the lady I was meeting.  She explained through the message that she decided to calculate it out that day and concluded that she wouldn't pay any more than $40.   She was asking if that still was okay with me and if she should still plan to meet me or not.   I didn't feel that I could reply right away and not act on emotions.  So I drove a while, asking God about it, and then I pulled off to the side of the road and poured it out to God.   It was really frustrating.  My initial reaction was to back off and not sell it to her because she backed out on our agreement.   Though, $40 was still more than I had paid for the whole lot, even if it was worth over $300.   I was really frustrated and upset at this lady, yet God kept challenging me with several thoughts.  First, I kept hearing over and over in my head, 'Do unto other's as you want done to you'.    I knew deep down that If it was flip flopped I'd still hope and pray they seller would give me such a great deal on them.    I also kept hearing, forgive her.   That was a little harder.   But through time, God brought me to the place where I could forgive her.   I was reminded of the clip in the movie The Shack, where Papa tells the main character, you may have to say "I forgive you" a thousand times before it gets any easier, but it will.   I was challenged with that, so I kept repeating it, working it down into my heart.  I forgive you.   Knowing that I still needed to reply to the lady, I messaged her back.  God helped me word it, having me rewrite the message several times to not be pushing blame on her.   I told her that it was really frustrating that she broke her agreement, though I do forgive her.  I also told her that I would take $40 for them.   Then I got back on the road and drove on, filled with peace from God.   She messaged back and said that if I felt that frustrated then I should look for someone else to sell them to.   She wasn't going to buy them.   I was sad that it didn't work out, but I was also thrilled that God allowed me to go through that and how He worked such peace, love and life in me through it.  

I continued on my journey.  I arrived at the Stuckey home around 11:30pm Eastern Standard Time (I left work a little after 5:00pm Central Standard Time).   When I laid down on my bed, it felt amazing - It was so comfortable!  God blesses me so.

The next day, Grandma, Aunt Cindy, and myself got to work (as Cindy and grandma had been doing much of the past week - plus cleaning) packing.   We loaded boxes into a van and took them to Salvation Army, and then more and more loads over to the new house (about 10 or so minutes away).  That occupied most of the day.  It was a great day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Saturday, was the furniture.   My cousins, Justin and Caleb, joined in as they were off work, and we moved tons of furniture from the old house to the new house.  A friend had brought over her sheep trailer and we hauled load and loads of furniture all day.  It was a lot of heavy lifting and Tetris-like thinking.  Again it was a lot of fun.  After the day of loading, unloading, re-hydrating and eating, we finished out aim for the day.  Justin, Caleb, and I sat down at the new house and played a great number of rounds of cards.   We played Fair Weather/Don't Get Cocky.  For the first handful of rounds we played the normal ways, but over time we decided to start adding rules.   We got to the point where we added a new rule almost every round, and they really made your mind have to think hard. Yet it was soo much fun.   It was like a combination of Fair Weather/Don't Get Cocky and Mouw.  

Saturday night (and Sunday night), grandma and I stayed at the old house, while the Stuckey's slept at their new house.   Sunday Cindy, Roland (my uncle), Grandma, and I headed to Broadway Church - which was amazing, to no surprise.    Sunday afternoon we rested.  Caleb and I started a wonderful game of ERS (Egyptian Rat Slap - or as some call it, Emergency Room Situation (because someone usually gets hurt)) in the living room.   However, out slapping grew too lowed and we were relocated to the basement.   We decided to play on the kitchen counter top in the basement - which concluded to still be quite loud - though it was a ton of fun!  After a while, we came up and talked with everyone who was up.  Then Justin, Caleb and I headed out for a park about 5 or so minutes away and went swimming in a small pond - which was quite warm.   Sunday evening, for Father's Day, we went to Cracker Barrel for supper - quite late in the evening.   We had some good conversations and good food too.   After returning to the new house, grandma and I said our goodbye's and headed back to the old house for the night.

Monday morning, Grandma and I left shortly after 8:00am heading back to Illinois.   We had great travel time without much traffic.    We made it back before noon Central time.    Overall, it was such a great weekend!!

Car Hunting

I am still on the hunt for a car.   I've been asking God for wisdom and direction for a car, but also to prepare my heart for what He has for me.  I've asked Him to give me a desire for what He has, and remove other desires.   Sad (kinda) to say, but as time has gone on, my desire for a limo at this time in life as been dropping.   And the last couple days, even I've been searching all kinds of other cars, not even looking at limos.   I am still searching and praying, but ideally I'd like to get a high mpg car, that is if I'm not going to get a limo.   From my local searching on Craigslist, I've found that some of the higher mpg cars closer to my price range are either VW Beetles or Toyota Echos - both are not very common at all, thus there is limited selection.   I've been warned about the VW Bugs, that I may not fit in them, whereas I know I can fit in the Echo's.    I contacted they guy of the only Echo (that I've found) on Craigslist in Bloomington-Normal, and now it's possibly just a waiting game - we will see.  I also need to sell my coins before I can afford the car.  I have someone who made an offer of $1,800 for a lot of coins I am selling (I have them advertised at $2,200) and I made yet another counter offer (for 40 less coins, yet still $1,800).  So I am waiting to hear from them about it - my main hesitation is I paid about $1,816 for this lot, so I'd like to at least break even.   Selling a big lot for nearly $2,000 is very attractive, as it would save a lot of work, and time, to prep, post, sell, and ship them all individually.   I ask for prayer that God would work His will in this, not mine.  

Home Alone

This past week I have been home alone.   The Schlipf's left last, last Monday morning for Texas for vacation (and they had a wonderful time I hear).   This past Monday, one week from when they left, just over half of the crew (3 out of 5) returned back to Gridley, Illinois.  The other two, Renee and Bethany, stayed to be part of a VBS program with many immigrants down in southern Texas.  They will return this coming weekend.  

While they were all gone in Texas, I kept busy at home.   Well, I was sick Wednesday and Thursday (thus missing work), but I was able to get lots of rest.   I also spent most of my time working on sorting coins and trying to sell them.   I had ordered 2,200 Large Eisenhower Dollars for an average of $1.24 each - a Great Deal in my opinion.   I have sold them on Craigslist in the past for $1.30 each.  Plus several hundred in these lots are uncirculated, increasing their value.   I've spent much of my time trying to sell them, along with my other investments, which are for sale if anyone is interested.   I am selling Eisenhower (IKE) Dollars, Krispy Kreme fundraiser certificates for  1 dozen original glazed donuts ($6 or best offer - I am very flexible on price - a dozen donuts cost $8.99), and Scrapbooking paper ($0.25 per sheet - New).  

I also got the privileged to head to Princeville this last weekend to spend a bit of time with Grandma Baurer - plus two aunts, Cindy and Jill, and one cousin, Karissa, came as my great uncle just died and his funeral was this weekend.    I had plans to head to Princeville several days earlier and spend some extra time with both my grandma's, except I got sick and was out until the end of the week.

This past Monday night I got another privileged, that is to go to my dad's, brother's, and other brother's place over in Tremont, Illinois.   The three of them are renting rooms in a decent sized place out in the country - a house our family had actually considered buying when we first moved to Tremont.   It was great to see the four of us guys all in the same room - it's been a while since that has happened.   We chatted for a bit and then (when the pizza was done) went a watched Antman (which I had never seen before).  Afterwards dad and I played 4 games of pool.    It was an amazing night - I loved it!

Build That Group

During the month of May I finished the fourth and last book in the novel series, The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson.  Upon finishing it, I felt deep within me a yearning for life as in these books.   God has spoken to me and right to my heart countless time though this series.  I highly recommend these books, though I caution they are very difficult to put down and are very addictive.  But if done with God, Oh my word, there is such value and strength and courage and challenge within its text.

 But in the last book, especially in the last few chapters, my heart felt so heavy for them (for the character's that is) - and it still does a bit.  Those last few chapters make me want to cry - it ends hard but with pure Hope!  It’s very good.  It’s hard to describe how I felt without giving away the end of the book (as I do really want y’all to read it).  There was and is such beauty and heart touching life in it.  Like how hearts were changed and the heart and pure-ness of John 15:13 seen so clearly and vividly with life that is giving. Holding to life and hope in God and strength in and through Him!  I cried just writing this.  Such pure surrender to save others, again in John 15:13.

 I cried over and over on this.   I want to bring the leadership at/and heart some of the characters have and the courage to take “that” step despite __________ (any- and every-thing).  I want to build/have relationships like what another character seeks, the love as deep as John 15:13 that some other characters have.  I want that group of people that are willing to sacrifice, even their lives, for others.  I want to be a part of that and be in that.

Then I heard God say, “build that group.”   (He was reminding me what He told day me in the Memories Cemetery well over a year or two ago, while I was in Canada). To which I replied, "How do I build it when I struggle with relationships (a lie that I've believed much of my life, but God is challenging and dissolving it now)?" He replied, "You only struggle because you don't want to."  I said, "God, you know my heart, I want to be part of that group."  He responded with, "You don't want to do the work."   Boom!  Deep down I knew He was right.  I want those relationships, but I don't want to to the work to get there.  I want to see lives restored; I want to see the lost found and the broken restored.  I asked God, "But where do I start?"  He replied, "Start with the prayer group."

(The prayer group is something He put on my heart a while back while I was in Canada for Wayne Keupfer's funeral.   Via someone else, He put it on my heart to start a prayer group at school.   However upon looking into it, to start an official group/club at my college, there has to be a president, vice president, secretary (I think) and a school staff member.  Meaning I have to start with a handful of people - that I don't have - rather than starting with just me and growing from there).

I again countered God with, "But I need other people for that."   He told me it's okay to start with just me, then I can invite other's to join from there.   But that means that I'll have to work on those relationships.  He asked me, "What if your struggle [in life] (the one I kinda want and know is coming) is lots of work with little visible progress/impact?"  I cried, saying, "So be it. I do not want that, I ask that not be so, but if it's your will God, then so be it.  I deserve it, I deserve much worse (yet You chose to save me by dying for my sin)."  

Deeper & Deeper

I just watched the Disney movie Brave, again, tonight.  I asked God, briefly, beforehand to watch it with me and speak to me through it.  But as the movie went on I didn’t hear anything from Him.  In fact, I didn’t cry or feel like crying in many of the places that I usually do.   At the closing scene(s) of the mivie it hit me what I like about these movies; it’s what I’ve asked God to stir in my heart.  I love the restoration, the confession, forgiveness, and heart of it.  God is just slowly, here and there, prepping my heart.  He is slowly building a strong, well-founded, heart of salvation, restoration, the blind seeing, the list found, the sick healed, the broken restored, the hurt made well, the dead alive.  Deeper and deeper and deeper into Him.  

Investments

After having lost so much on coins in my last impulsive investment in several hundred dollars in coins, I have set a bit of guidelines.   These guidelines do not stop me from making investments nor even impulsive investments, but they really limit how I purchase them.    The last hunk of coins I purchased was not a bad investment, but I didn't do it properly and it left me with little wiggle room, which I believe was not a wise decision.  The new guidelines I set help to ensure that I will indeed make profit from what I am purchasing and that the expense to profit margin needs to be much greater.  

This week I have taken to several more investments.  I try to keep an eye out for good deals and will sometimes bid on them on eBay - keeping to the new guidelines.   I usually do not win the auctions, as I am not willing to pay that much anymore.    However I have won some recently.   Most are coins, but not all.    The one lot that I purchased was a lot of Krispy Kreme fundraiser certificates, each for 1 dozen original glazed donuts.   1 dozen Original Glazed donuts at Krispy Kremes costs $7.99.   I purchased the certificates for $2.87 apiece.  I plan to sell them for $4-$5 each (they sell for about that on eBay - though I will also try to sell them on Craigslist and Facebook so I don't have to pay eBay's fees).  

I also invested into bulk quantities of the old, large, Eisenhower (IKE) Silver Dollars (not silver - silver is just a name referencing the size of the coin).   Though they only have a face vale of $1.00, they generally sell between $1.30 and $2.00 each - generally closer to the $1.30 when buying in large quantities and sometimes closer to the $2.00 mark when buying in small quantities.  I was able to purchase a large quantities, some for $1.26 each and others for $1.22 each.   Yes it may appear that this expense to profit margin is small, could be as low as 4-8 cents per coin, and that is true.  However when sold in large quantities, such as what I purchased, it can be easy to make 20, 40, 60 plus dollars profit.   I also saw this as a great buy because I know from experience that I can sell these.  In the past I have sold lots of 100 IKE Dollars for $1.30 per coin on Craigslist, so I have little doubt that I can do that again.    

We shall see about these investments.   One goal I have with them, is as a second or third (if I get a second job) source of income on the side to help fund my car.   

Passing Out

This past Sunday I had a new experience: I fainted.    I have never fainted before, though for some reason I have kind of have wanted to experience it, and now I have.   I fainted from standing up too fast, I think.   Growing up I have almost always had low blood pressure (at least as much as I can remember), and because of that, when I would stand up too fast, sometimes I would partially black out and lose a bit of sight for a few seconds before returning to normal.   However I have noticed up until the last week or so, I haven't had that happen much if at all - a doctor even told me that my blood pressure was low last fall.   Well, the day before I fainted, I had a chiropractor appointment and they took my vitals and told me that I have low blood pressure.   So when I stood up on Sunday after sitting for a while, I started to black out.  When I first noticed that I was starting to black out I reached out and held onto the bookshelf (I was in the living room).   As I fully blacked out, I have memory of a dream-like feeling mixed with hitting the clock with my head and seeing my aunt looking down at me.   It was very dreamy and peaceful.   It took me a bit to get my bearings afterwards again.   I apparently fainted, hitting my head on the clock on the wall and bringing it down with me.  My aunt heard the loud bang (which I recall hearing as well, but it too was dreamy) and came in and asked if I was alright.   She saw that I was kneeling on the floor and holding the clock.   When she asked about it, I replied, but my reply was delayed as my mind hadn't processed it all yet.  It still took quite a while after that before I felt fully with it again.   

Bump Again

Well, come to find out there was a little misunderstanding between me and the coworker who switched schedules, and our employer who was making the schedules.  So, below is the official, new, summer schedule that I will be (and have been since Monday) working.

     Mondays: 8am-Noon

     Tuesdays: Noon-5pm

Wednesdays: 8am-Noon

    Thursdays: Noon-5pm

        Fridays: Noon-5pm

So far I have really enjoyed the new schedule change.  I enjoy working more, and being able to work some mornings.  In the mornings there is generally a lot more time playing with the kids and there is also the bonus of breakfast.   Afternoons are more nap and cleaning, but they include lunch and snack.  I like having a bit of each.

Boom, Boom, BUMP

I just posted an update this morning regarding my summer work schedule, and it has changed already.   While at work today another student worker asked if I would be willing to switch schedules with her and I agreed to do so.   So instead of the early 8am - noon shift, I have now been bumped up to the noon - 5pm shift.    With this schedule change, I gain an additional 4 hours each week (Yeah!!), Praise God!!  Though not working the morning shift means more cleaning and no free breakfast in the mornings, it does mean free lunch and nap time like I have now!  

Boom, Boom, Boom

 One thing right after another happens this week.  This morning I came in to school for an 8am final - which was a breeze - Praise God!   In just a little bit, at 9:30, I head over to work.    Normally I work from 10:30 to 3:30, but because some other student workers have finals, I get to work an extra hour.

Thursday (tomorrow) I have to head in to a mechanic shop in Normal, Illinois at 9am to have some repairs done to the car I am driving - the passenger-side outer tie rod is about broken - if it breaks, the front right tire will move at free will, not connected to the steering wheel.   Then at 2pm tomorrow I go in to take my last final exam of the semester.  I expect it to take 60-90 minutes.  

Friday is another early morning, as I will be leaving home around 7am.   I have to be in Peoria (~40-60 minutes away) by 8am.  I am getting my MRI on my right knee tomorrow at 8:15 am.  Then I will be coming back and again having the opportunity to start work an hour earlier.  I will work from 11am to 5pm.  

Saturday is not as early, but still not too much sleep-in time.  I have a 10:10am appointment with my Chiropractor.   I went to this Chiropractor twice last week and he is really good.  My mom's new chiropractor down in Texas recommended this guy (who is 10 minutes away from where I live) as the guy here in Illinois got the guy in Texas into the chiropractic field.   Anyways, he has really helped me.  My pain has dramatically gone down, not gone, but much less than it was.    He, unlike many chiropractors, doesn't have me to come in two or three times a week.  I went in twice last week, and then again this coming Saturday.  My chiropractor then said, after this Saturday's appointment, I only come back when I want to.  

Sunday Morning is another early one.  I get to serve again on Eastview Christian Church's parking team!  I have to be there by 8:15 - sometimes they will have refreshments there if I come early.   Eastview has all of there church body serving set up as one month on and one month off.   So I will be on in the odd months (May being one of them).

Monday starts the summer of early mornings.  My new work schedule for the summer is 8am to noon, so I will consistently have early mornings this summer.  

Pizza Party

In one of my Child Development classes our professor brought in Dunkin Donuts donuts and cuties (oranges) for everyone for our last day of teaching/learning this semester.  Then she asked us what kind of food she we wanted her to bring the next class for a end of the year party.  We concluded on pizza.  So yesterday she brought in two large pizzas from Papa Johns and some ginger ale.   Everyone else brought in some sort of drink or side.   Considering that there are only five of us in the class, there were some leftovers.    Over all I have enjoyed this class much more than I expected - this was the class I had thought about dropping.    God has been so good to me!!   Tomorrow I have the Final in this class, and it will be my last final for the semester.  

Parking 6,000 People

Yesterday I started on the Parking Team at Eastview!!! I am so excited.  We server for both morning services for a month, and then we get a month off - so I will sever for a month, every other month.   I am super excited about this!  I loved being on the parking team at Koinonia, and it was one of the really hard things to leave in Canada.    But, Praise God, I get to join here at Eastview!!!!   At Koinonia we had two services, somewhere around 1,000 people (I think) between the two and one entrance and one exit to the parking lot.     At Eastview we have (that we serve for) two services, somewhere around 6,000 people between the two (many bus trips, using 4 busses, are made to and from the next door high school parking lot, plus the City bus now stops there), and two entrances and three exits.  We also have a bigger team on board.  But with only 4-5 people per entrance, it still get's busy.   Plus, at Koinonia the exit was a different pathway than the entrance, but here at Eastview it's the same pathway.  So for 30-40 minutes between services each person has to manage three different flows of traffic to the same lane (1 flow leaving the row, 1 flow leaving rows further back and now lined up on the enter/exit path, and 1 flow entering).  Plus we have to make way for front parking for visitors and handicap attendees, and the entrance and exit of the drop-off flow.   It gets a bit chaotic, but it is soooooo fun, and it goes waaaaaayyy too fast!   I love it!!!!!  Praise God!!

Most Expensive Opening Message

Church this past Sunday was a bit different than most Sunday's.    Pastor Mike Baker dug into the thicket of money.  But he did something unusual, which he said was his most expensive opening message that he has ever done.    As he started the service, the usher's passed around the offering plates, as usual, however they passed them for a different purpose.  Normally you put money in the plate, this time we took money out of the plate.   Each plate had a stack of envelopes and each person took one.   Inside was a card an either a $5 bill, $10 bill, $20 bill, $50 bill, or $100 bill!  In total, between all three services, he gave out $50,000!   Then he preached his message.  He on Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of the Bags of Gold (or the Talents).  As I was getting up to leave (I stepped out early to serve elsewhere) he had offered us that we now have the opportunity to put this passage/parable into action in our lives.  That was what the money was for.   We each were randomly given one of the dollar bills mentioned above and Pastor Mike was sending us out.   We are to do basically whatever with it, to try to make more - just as the servants did in the parable.    In one month, we are to bring back what we have from it.   Out of what everyone brings back Eastview will take back their $50,000 and all that comes in above and beyond will go towards the communities in Bloomington-Normal that we will be helping this year in our Serve Project (Serving our communities).   In the past people have invested the money, bought cupcake mixes and had bake sales, and all sorts of others.   Now we get the amazing opportunity to put on our thinking caps, revive our creativity, and actually do something to help!

My envelope contained a $20 bill in it.  I, today, took it to the bank and exchanged it for quarters.  I am, and have (last night) working on finding specific key date and condition coins out of general circulation and then sell them.   For some, it may be just nickel and dime-ing it but, it's an investment.  It isn't easy to grow $20 in a month, but with God's help, I have no doubt that it can multiply.   If God will allow it, my goal is to bring back $100 from that $20 (five times the original amount).  If this was for a living, the time may not be worth it, but for the cause, I am willing to put the extra time into it.   

Chronic Pain

Over the last week or so, the 'chronic' pain that I felt God healed back in March, has returned.     I am not sure why God has allowed it to come back, but I am thankful that I was gone while it was.   I didn't think about this at the time, but looking back I can see that God knew what I was going though and what I was about to go through over the next month.   I believe that He eased the pain to help me though that time - both of emotional pain and stress in school work.    No only has the neck pain returned (it feels worse - but that is hard to say, considering that I went from almost nothing to everything just like that) - it has more solid "pop"'s when I move it certain ways (I do not like that sound, but it helps the pain temporarily (I think)).  The pain in my knees has also returned.  I have been feeling the pain in my right knee a lot more than before - which makes since as that is the knee that has some irregularity in it (as seen on the X-Rays).   I haven't been able to find a pattern for the pain yet, but it comes and goes all the time - I find myself having a bit of a limp a lot more frequently.   I also noticed that today, I had a ton of pain in my left knee - like I use to have - so this morning my limp was on the other leg.     I am thinking I may go ahead and take my rheumatologist's "order" and get an MRI on my right knee along with a few blood work tests.    I also am behind in setting up a few other appointments on my list of things to do, such as a dentist and chiropractor appointment.  

Last Day of Class?

Three weeks from today is the final day of the Semester (finals included).   In my CHLD 109 class today (a different class than what I usual talk about) our professor informed us that next week we weren't going to have class, so we can have more time to work on our Final Project.   She also decided that we wouldn't have class the next week, in order to give us even more time, because, she told us, she knew we probably had a lot going on in our other classes, let alone this Final Project (and other end of the year projects in this class).    And we don't have a final.... so..... today was the last official day of class in CHLD 109.   We set up times for how we can turn in our projects when they are due over the next couple weeks.    

Physical Activity

Today in my CHLD 105 class (the one where the teacher has been super helpful through the struggles I've had in her class) we did our Big project, the Physical Activity.   Our class as a whole (all 5 of us) wrote up a lesson plan (with the guidance of our professor) and planned for a 45 minute activity lesson.   Today we did it - oh and because we were doing the activity with the group of preschoolers that I work with, I was put in charge of the group.    I was thankful for the opportunities, experience and teaching/training I got in SLI, as they really helped.    Below is the outline of what we did.

We had a warm up in the classroom that included reading two book books, a fun physically active song and dancing or movement, and engagement in conversation and or opinions of the children.  Second we implemented our physical activity using the three stations: Ball Toss, Hop ‘N Run, and The Obstacle Course.  

In Ball Toss, children had a basket of red, yellow, and blue balls.  The children took turns selecting a ball of their choice and throwing it into one of three bins.   Each bin was labeled with a large blue, red, or yellow circle.  The children’s goal was to throw the yellow balls into the yellow bin, the red balls into the red bin, and the blue balls into the blue bin.  

In Hob ‘N Run, children took turns hopping on each of six stripes on a coloured, striped mat. Upon finishing the six hops, they then ran to the far end of the room where several stuffed animals were sitting on several foam blocks.   Each child the grabbed one stuffed animal and returned it to the leader of the centre.  

In The Obstical Course, children took turns completing four different obstacles.  First they climbed up and slid down a slide.  Second they rolled over a round foam block.  Third, they had to crawl through a foam tunnel and under a series of three foam arches.  Finally, they returned to the line by the teacher.

The lesson closed with a stretching activity called Pizza Making.  In this closing activity, children sat with both legs out straight in front of them, spread apart as far as they can.   At the leader’s instruction, several students (one at a time) that were following directions got to choose a topping to add to our pizzas.  Everyone then pretended they are preparing that topping to put on their pizza (e.g. if the topping is cheese, they rub their hands back and forth as if they were grading a block of cheese over the pizza).    Finishing up this activity each child ‘stuck their pizza in the oven’. 

   Upon finishing each of the centres, each child will receive a stamp or sticker on their hand.