Today is June 30. I've been swending resumes out like crazy the last 4 weeks or so and have virtually no nibbles. A church in richmond Virginia said they were interested but that I needed to be patient with their process. I haven't heard anything since. A church in Cody Wyoming is interested but they are already brigning someone out to candidate the 2nd weekend of July.
If it continues silent like this for another month, it seems likely that we will rent this house out and move out to Brentwood or Oakley
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wing tip boy goes backpacking
Yes, Matt did manage to backpacking once. But never again. Wearing wingtips on the trail just doesn't cut it in Yosemite. Speaking of Yosemite...
Somewhow Matt got the idea ( I have no idea where) that we weren't bringing in a lot of food but instead were going to eat off the land. Kill squirrels, that sort of thing. So he brought a gun. Into a national park. Which is illegal. Highly.
To make matters worse, we ran into a ranger. He must have had gun on the rain that day because he asked me, as the leader of the group, whether I had seen any guns. Matt was standing right next to me. I could truthfully answer that, no, I had not seen any guns.
That doesn't mean, however, that I didn't know where one was...in which pocket of his backpack Matt carried it. Matt just about crapped a brick.
Somewhow Matt got the idea ( I have no idea where) that we weren't bringing in a lot of food but instead were going to eat off the land. Kill squirrels, that sort of thing. So he brought a gun. Into a national park. Which is illegal. Highly.
To make matters worse, we ran into a ranger. He must have had gun on the rain that day because he asked me, as the leader of the group, whether I had seen any guns. Matt was standing right next to me. I could truthfully answer that, no, I had not seen any guns.
That doesn't mean, however, that I didn't know where one was...in which pocket of his backpack Matt carried it. Matt just about crapped a brick.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A story about Zach
About 10 years ago or so, ZAch went on his first backpack trip. It was the infamous (according to Matt) Kibble Ridge Expedition. Matt and Bryguy came up to my place in Wanlut Creek for dinner and to go shopping at REI for camping stuff. I do remember that we had dinner at Fuddruckers. When we went to REI I told Zach that where we were going had no water and that he needed to pack in water for the weekend.
WHen we got to REI, Zach was looking at all the portable water containers, the 5-gallon size and the 3-gallon size. At one point he came up to me and asked how many of them he needed to bring. Remember, water is 8 lb per gallon.
About that time either Bryguy or Matt took me aside and asked me how long I was going to continue this charade with Zach. I said all the way up until he got in the checkout line.
Zach was an excellent backpacker and he was always a joy to have on such a trip. Matt, however, was another story. Mayber I'll tell that one tomorrow.
WHen we got to REI, Zach was looking at all the portable water containers, the 5-gallon size and the 3-gallon size. At one point he came up to me and asked how many of them he needed to bring. Remember, water is 8 lb per gallon.
About that time either Bryguy or Matt took me aside and asked me how long I was going to continue this charade with Zach. I said all the way up until he got in the checkout line.
Zach was an excellent backpacker and he was always a joy to have on such a trip. Matt, however, was another story. Mayber I'll tell that one tomorrow.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Zach's Memorial
This last Saturday Christa and I were at Zach's memorial service in Fresno. An emotional time, to be sure, but also a healing time as Matt, George and Brygu were there also. We had along talk with Keith on the phone also. The last time we had all been together was at my wedding, 8 years ago. We all resolved not to let such an occasion be the only reason for us to get together. We are tentatively planning a vacation with all of our families either in late 2009 or in early 2010.
My part in the service shrunk a bit as the church (zach's church as well as his mother's) took more of a lead role. I was the first speaker up and I told stories about how Zach became a believer and how grew as a Christian. Part of my job was to tell people about Zach before he ended up in Fresno. Fill in some of the details and background. BUt the one who was really extraordinary was Douglas, the father of Zach's ex-girlfriend. He spoke to Zach's character in a way which made everyone want to know him that much more, about being such a hard worker and a man of integrity.
it was tough on the family, of course, but Zach's mother Pamela wrote and read an extraordinary tribute letter that she wrote to Zach. Full of raw emotion and the love that only a mother could give and feel. I still have a hard time believing that she made it all the way through the letter without totally breaking down.
My part in the service shrunk a bit as the church (zach's church as well as his mother's) took more of a lead role. I was the first speaker up and I told stories about how Zach became a believer and how grew as a Christian. Part of my job was to tell people about Zach before he ended up in Fresno. Fill in some of the details and background. BUt the one who was really extraordinary was Douglas, the father of Zach's ex-girlfriend. He spoke to Zach's character in a way which made everyone want to know him that much more, about being such a hard worker and a man of integrity.
it was tough on the family, of course, but Zach's mother Pamela wrote and read an extraordinary tribute letter that she wrote to Zach. Full of raw emotion and the love that only a mother could give and feel. I still have a hard time believing that she made it all the way through the letter without totally breaking down.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Update on Zach's service
Zach's memorial service is still on Saturday afternoon. I'm not doing the entire service btu i am in more of a support role. One of the pastors at his church are going to do it in tandem. Zach's mom, knowing this was Zach's and her home church wants them to take more of a lead in the service.
My main role will be to speak for a few minutes about Zach's life during his time in San Jose, especially the when, why and how he became a Christian. I will also be closing the service, probably with some words from Revelation 21
My main role will be to speak for a few minutes about Zach's life during his time in San Jose, especially the when, why and how he became a Christian. I will also be closing the service, probably with some words from Revelation 21
Monday, June 16, 2008
The chiropractor blues
I need tyo go to the doctor to figure outvwhat is going on with my finger and ulnar nerve. Christa talked me into going to her chiropractor in Hercules. SHe's gone to him off and on for the last few years. She set me up with a 5 pm appointment.
I showed up at 5. He gave me some forms to fill out as a first time patient. Then he promptly forgot about me. For 50 minutes. It was crowded in there.maybe half a dozen other people in various stages of treatment. Some came in after me and he put them on whatever electrical stimulation machines or whatever. Nothing for me. No "I'll be with you in a minute' or anything.
So after 50 minutes, when he had been with someone for about 20 minutes or so, I just up and left. I don't have time to put up with this
I showed up at 5. He gave me some forms to fill out as a first time patient. Then he promptly forgot about me. For 50 minutes. It was crowded in there.maybe half a dozen other people in various stages of treatment. Some came in after me and he put them on whatever electrical stimulation machines or whatever. Nothing for me. No "I'll be with you in a minute' or anything.
So after 50 minutes, when he had been with someone for about 20 minutes or so, I just up and left. I don't have time to put up with this
Saturday, June 14, 2008
My dear friend is gone
My close friend Zach Gleason died on Thursday. His body was found at the body of El Capitan in Yosemite on Thursday afternoon. It is presumed that he jumped.
Zach was extremely depressed over a relationship vwhich had gone sour and he blamed himself for the end of the relationship. for Zach, this was the perfect woman. In retrospect, he is the one who made mistakes in the relationship (no, he didn't cheat on her...other mistakes) He was scheduled to leave for OCS in the Navy to be a civil engineer starting today. He really didn't want to go into the military but he felt it was his only option.
That's all I have to say rtight now. I found out about this 12 hours ago. Later this week I will write a tribute to Zach.
Zach was extremely depressed over a relationship vwhich had gone sour and he blamed himself for the end of the relationship. for Zach, this was the perfect woman. In retrospect, he is the one who made mistakes in the relationship (no, he didn't cheat on her...other mistakes) He was scheduled to leave for OCS in the Navy to be a civil engineer starting today. He really didn't want to go into the military but he felt it was his only option.
That's all I have to say rtight now. I found out about this 12 hours ago. Later this week I will write a tribute to Zach.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Orchard
The Orchard is a church out in Brentwood, where Christa and I are thinking about moving. The Senior Pastor is the best friend of my pastor at Bay Hills. His name is Steve.
I talked to Steve today about a part-time position at his church should Christa and I move out there and he up for getting together to talk about it. The Orchard is part of the Reformed Church of America (Bryguy would be so proud). They're running about 100 people or so which would make it a great chance to pug and do a lot of hands-on ministry work.
We're going to get together in 2 weeks or so to talk about things and see what we can come up with.
I talked to Steve today about a part-time position at his church should Christa and I move out there and he up for getting together to talk about it. The Orchard is part of the Reformed Church of America (Bryguy would be so proud). They're running about 100 people or so which would make it a great chance to pug and do a lot of hands-on ministry work.
We're going to get together in 2 weeks or so to talk about things and see what we can come up with.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Numbness in finger
I've had some numbness on the tip of my left middle finger for a couple of days now. It's more a little irritant than anything else. I don't knwo what is causing it. I did have a tickle in my ulnar nerve (funny bone for you, Matt) on Friday that took a couple days to subside and I'm not sure that is connected or not. I looked in a medical reference guide and couldn't find much help there either. There's a thing called "Reynaud's Syndrome" where fingers can become numb but it's usually not just the tip of 1 finger and they normally turn white at the same time. If it's a stroke (highly unlikely) then it is the smallest stroke in teh history of mankind. SO I'll give it a couple of days and see what happens.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Starting to get some nibbles
I'm starting to get some nibbles on the resuems I am sending out. The first is from a church in Powell Wyoming. Powell is a church about 75 miles south of Billings Montana and about an hour from Yellowstone. Location-wise, it would be ideal for what I have always looked for. It's for a Senior Pastor position for a church of about 150 people. When I had sent my resume, the first response I got was that I seemed like a breath of fresh air after some of the other resumes he had looked at. They asked for a Statement of Faith, a copy of a sermon and answers to some key theological questions.
Wyoming here we come????
Maybe wr'e just working our way through the states alphabetically. First Wisconsin, then Wyoming. Christ better hope this one works out because next up on the list are Alabama and Alaska.
Wyoming here we come????
Maybe wr'e just working our way through the states alphabetically. First Wisconsin, then Wyoming. Christ better hope this one works out because next up on the list are Alabama and Alaska.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Regan is learning to speak Russian
My little girl is quickly becoming proficient in the Russian language. When we ask her a question, most of the time she answers with "Da".
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Perhaps things looking up a bit
I've been a little frustrated with things at my job the first 2 days this week. I've been getting a lot of good responses in the field and car dealers are signing up, but it hasn't really translated into anything concrete as far as funding contracts. Things took a slight uptick today.
1. Saturn of Concord said that I'll be getting a lot of business and there are some contracts on the way.
2. Hilltop Nissan told me that tye have 3 contracts in for funding
3. Dublin Toyota committed to 10 contracts for the month.
4. I was 6-for-6 on loan approvals in the office today
1. Saturn of Concord said that I'll be getting a lot of business and there are some contracts on the way.
2. Hilltop Nissan told me that tye have 3 contracts in for funding
3. Dublin Toyota committed to 10 contracts for the month.
4. I was 6-for-6 on loan approvals in the office today
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Meeting with Gary
I met with Gary this morning, one of the elders at our church. Many years ago he also was a pastor. He ended up leaving his church and looking for another vbut coulnd not find anything in almost 3 years of looking and sending out resumes. Toay he is a Sales Manager for a pharmaceutical company. Hoe did he get to the point of no longer being as pastor? How did he balance what he felt was God's call to ministry to a barren field of ministry opportunity?
I wanted to ask some of these questions because I'm starting to deal with some of these thoughts. How do I balance the fact that God called me to ministry and Him (so far) no providing a place to do it?
Gary was encouraging me to keep trusting in God on this. If God has a place for me, if there is a pastoral job out there for me, then God will open the door. This was refreshing to hear because I have been tilting towards the perspective that I just have to send out more resumes, try harder...that sort of thing. There has to be the angle that God has a hand in this also, that if it is the right situation then He will sprinkle a little magic dust on it. SO I need to work on my trust in God for this...that He has indeed called me to this and we will see whatv happens.
I wanted to ask some of these questions because I'm starting to deal with some of these thoughts. How do I balance the fact that God called me to ministry and Him (so far) no providing a place to do it?
Gary was encouraging me to keep trusting in God on this. If God has a place for me, if there is a pastoral job out there for me, then God will open the door. This was refreshing to hear because I have been tilting towards the perspective that I just have to send out more resumes, try harder...that sort of thing. There has to be the angle that God has a hand in this also, that if it is the right situation then He will sprinkle a little magic dust on it. SO I need to work on my trust in God for this...that He has indeed called me to this and we will see whatv happens.
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