Well, as you've seen, I'm not good about keeping up with this blog. So at least for the foreseeable future, I'm putting it aside. Feel free to follow the blog of my lovely wife, as she is much better about posting updates than I am.
Thanks.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Friday, December 21, 2012
End of the World?
Well, today there are many posts on Facebook about how the world did not come to an end today. You may be wondering if it did, since I'm updating my blog. Yeah - it's been awhile again.
These last couple months have been busy, but good. I went to Ohio again a couple times to finish up my initial training. I have now been signed off so I can sign for all of my own work - I don't have to have another mechanic watching and signing the logbook for my work anymore. This is both nice, and scary at the same time - I know longer have the constant "safety net" of having someone else checking all of my work.
The weekend before Thanksgiving my schedule in Ohio gave me a 5 day weekend, so I got back from Ohio and flew straight to Roanoke, VA where Becky picked me up and we drove up to Vermont. A few days later, I helped Tim and Beth drive down to Virginia with Annette and Evan. I had them drop me off in Roanoke so I could fly back to Charlotte and get my car, then return home for work Thanksgiving week. The following week I was back in Ohio, then I got to make a trip out to Texas on the 5 day weekend I got after my second week in Ohio.
While I was in Texas I got to go visit some friends at LeTourneau, then hang out for an afternoon and evening with some of my closest friends from LeTourneau who live between Longview and Dallas. I then was able to spend a few days with my grandparents and my mom, who was also visiting Texas. At the end of the long weekend I flew back to North Carolina and returned to work.
Last week I made a day trip to West Virginia for premarital counseling and helped Becky move her stuff from the dorm to the apartment where she'll be living next semester. I finished another week of work after that, and last Saturday evening Becky drove down, getting to Charlotte about the same time I got off work, so we left her car at my work and drove down to Waxhaw. We got to go to church together last Sunday, then enjoyed going around Charlotte for the day, and Monday we did some apartment shopping then went to Virginia to spend a couple days with my parents and grandparents. My sister Sarah came up to Virginia for family Christmas this past Tuesday, and on Wednesday I took Becky to the airport in Charlotte for her to fly home, then I went to work.
It's been a busy last couple of months, but it has also been very good. Sunday I will head back up to Virginia to spend a four day weekend with my family and do some hunting. I only have a week and a half of second shift left before the new schedule kicks into effect, so I will then be switching back to working Friday-Monday, 5:30 AM to 3:30 PM. My first weekend on that schedule, which starts December 31, I will be headed up to Vermont for a few days.
Let me know how you're doing and what's going on in your life - I'd love to hear from you!
These last couple months have been busy, but good. I went to Ohio again a couple times to finish up my initial training. I have now been signed off so I can sign for all of my own work - I don't have to have another mechanic watching and signing the logbook for my work anymore. This is both nice, and scary at the same time - I know longer have the constant "safety net" of having someone else checking all of my work.
The weekend before Thanksgiving my schedule in Ohio gave me a 5 day weekend, so I got back from Ohio and flew straight to Roanoke, VA where Becky picked me up and we drove up to Vermont. A few days later, I helped Tim and Beth drive down to Virginia with Annette and Evan. I had them drop me off in Roanoke so I could fly back to Charlotte and get my car, then return home for work Thanksgiving week. The following week I was back in Ohio, then I got to make a trip out to Texas on the 5 day weekend I got after my second week in Ohio.
While I was in Texas I got to go visit some friends at LeTourneau, then hang out for an afternoon and evening with some of my closest friends from LeTourneau who live between Longview and Dallas. I then was able to spend a few days with my grandparents and my mom, who was also visiting Texas. At the end of the long weekend I flew back to North Carolina and returned to work.
Last week I made a day trip to West Virginia for premarital counseling and helped Becky move her stuff from the dorm to the apartment where she'll be living next semester. I finished another week of work after that, and last Saturday evening Becky drove down, getting to Charlotte about the same time I got off work, so we left her car at my work and drove down to Waxhaw. We got to go to church together last Sunday, then enjoyed going around Charlotte for the day, and Monday we did some apartment shopping then went to Virginia to spend a couple days with my parents and grandparents. My sister Sarah came up to Virginia for family Christmas this past Tuesday, and on Wednesday I took Becky to the airport in Charlotte for her to fly home, then I went to work.
It's been a busy last couple of months, but it has also been very good. Sunday I will head back up to Virginia to spend a four day weekend with my family and do some hunting. I only have a week and a half of second shift left before the new schedule kicks into effect, so I will then be switching back to working Friday-Monday, 5:30 AM to 3:30 PM. My first weekend on that schedule, which starts December 31, I will be headed up to Vermont for a few days.
Let me know how you're doing and what's going on in your life - I'd love to hear from you!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Update
Well, I'm told it's been awhile again since I've posted on here. It turns out, I'm told right.
The past month and a half has been rather busy. I've adapted to the schedule of second shift, and like some stuff better about it than first, but I do miss the sleep schedule of first shift, interestingly enough.
Over the past month and a half I've kept busy, with work, going to Virginia to visit family a couple of times, going to Texas for my best friend's wedding, and going to West Virginia to start pre-marital counseling. While they have kept me very busy, all of these things have been very good. I will actually be headed back to West Virginia for our next counseling session early next week, and on October 22 I will be headed back to Dayton, Ohio for another two weeks of training.
It has been great to see how God has provided for different things. Becky was having some issues with the car she's been driving, and so my being up there a week and a half ago worked out well, as I was able to take my tools and work on her car while she was in class. It definitely still has issues, but I think the work I did helped with some stuff, and thankfully she should be getting her car and giving this one back this week. It was also awesome to see how God provides as I have been getting information about my student loans lately. I looked at everything and was able to completely pay off one of my higher interest rate loans. Praise be to God! This was one of my smaller loans, but still, being able to pay a loan in full before the first payment was due was absolutely awesome.
As some of you may have already seen in Becky's blog post, my parents took some engagement pictures for us on one of our trips to Virginia. Becky and I also were able to start our wedding registries, celebrate the engagement by going out for lunch with my parents, and things like that. Additionally, we have published a wedding website that we will continue to update (primarily Becky, as she is better at keeping up with that type of thing than I am, but we will both do some more work with it). It can be found here if anyone is interested.
Today Becky and I are thanking God for two months of engagement! It's hard to believe in some ways that it's only been two months, but when I remember that we're getting married seven months from tomorrow, two months seems like a high percentage of our engagement.
How can I be praying for you? I'd love to hear from you and learn what's going on in your life, and just how you're doing in general.
The past month and a half has been rather busy. I've adapted to the schedule of second shift, and like some stuff better about it than first, but I do miss the sleep schedule of first shift, interestingly enough.
Over the past month and a half I've kept busy, with work, going to Virginia to visit family a couple of times, going to Texas for my best friend's wedding, and going to West Virginia to start pre-marital counseling. While they have kept me very busy, all of these things have been very good. I will actually be headed back to West Virginia for our next counseling session early next week, and on October 22 I will be headed back to Dayton, Ohio for another two weeks of training.
It has been great to see how God has provided for different things. Becky was having some issues with the car she's been driving, and so my being up there a week and a half ago worked out well, as I was able to take my tools and work on her car while she was in class. It definitely still has issues, but I think the work I did helped with some stuff, and thankfully she should be getting her car and giving this one back this week. It was also awesome to see how God provides as I have been getting information about my student loans lately. I looked at everything and was able to completely pay off one of my higher interest rate loans. Praise be to God! This was one of my smaller loans, but still, being able to pay a loan in full before the first payment was due was absolutely awesome.
As some of you may have already seen in Becky's blog post, my parents took some engagement pictures for us on one of our trips to Virginia. Becky and I also were able to start our wedding registries, celebrate the engagement by going out for lunch with my parents, and things like that. Additionally, we have published a wedding website that we will continue to update (primarily Becky, as she is better at keeping up with that type of thing than I am, but we will both do some more work with it). It can be found here if anyone is interested.
Today Becky and I are thanking God for two months of engagement! It's hard to believe in some ways that it's only been two months, but when I remember that we're getting married seven months from tomorrow, two months seems like a high percentage of our engagement.
How can I be praying for you? I'd love to hear from you and learn what's going on in your life, and just how you're doing in general.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
(Belated) Exciting News!
Well, I can't believe it's taken me this long to post - not because I'm good about posting, but because of the exciting news that will be in this post!
I came back from Dayton in mid July and went to Virginia and met up with Becky again at my grandparent's house for the weekend. After a fun weekend there I returned to work in Charlotte. I kept working for the next few weeks, with nothing standing out in my mind right off during those few weeks.
I took off my work "week" of August 10-13 so that Becky and I could go to Montana for our good friends Aron and Mandie's wedding. Wednesday, August 9 Becky flew down from Burlington, Vermont to Charlotte and we then spent the night with my sister in Charlotte. Thursday morning first thing we went to the airport to try to catch a flight to Denver, Colorado. The first flight filled up, but we were able to make it on the second flight as standby passengers. When we got to Denver, the car rental place was out of Economy and Compact cars, so we were upgraded to a Mid-Size for free, since that was the closest they had to what I had reserved - I was grateful, as the Dodge Avenger has a bit more legroom than a compact car.
We left the airport and went to Casa Bonita, a cool restaurant in Denver that my parents took me to once or twice back when we lived in Idaho. We left Casa Bonita and went to Wal-Mart to get what we needed for our time out west, then drove up to Ekalaka, MT, arriving around 11:15 Mountain time Thursday night.
Friday we got up and I picked up Becky where she was staying, and we went to camp to say hello to people, and did a bunch of work getting things ready for the end of camp and for Aron and Mandie's wedding. Friday evening we drove out to the Cliffs, one of our favorite spots near camp, and also where camp does rappelling and one of the camp out locations. We went out there and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (the supplies we bought in Denver was mainly peanut butter mixed with jelly, and bread, for meals such as this).
A while after we ate, I suggested to Becky that we go throw some rocks off the edge of the cliff. Some of our good friends from camp had mentioned that they like to go up there sometimes and write various things (or people) they want out of their lives on rocks and throw them over the cliff. So I wrote something on a rock and let Becky see it, then threw it off the cliff, and she wrote something on another rock, let me see it, and threw it off. Then I suggested that we each do a rock for something we wanted out of the other person's life, and give it to them to throw off. So she wrote on a rock for me, with me not watching, then handed it to me to read and throw it off. I read it, agreed with her on what was written, and threw the rock off the cliff. Then I walked behind her so she couldn't see me and wrote on the rock I had for her. She was positive I was writing the word "worry" because one thing we've talked about is that she does struggle with worry a lot - she was even sure she could hear me writing the two r's and everything. I stayed behind her and handed her the rock, with the writing side facing away from her so she'd have to turn it over. While she was turning it over, I moved over to being beside her, but just out of her line of sight. She turned over the rock and saw the word "singleness" and was confused, so turned towards me - by this time I was on one knee, holding out a ring, and I asked her to marry me. We talked for a minute, with her asking if this was for real, me saying yes, her asking if I'd talked with her dad, and me explaining the conversation we'd had - finally I asked "so, is that a yes?" and she said yes! I then put the ring on her finger and she looked at it, we talked briefly, and we got in the car and drove to where we had cell phone service - so excited that we completely forgot to take any pictures where we actually got engaged ( we went back and did that the next day, though.)
And that is my exciting news! As of 08/10/2012, I am engaged to the woman of my dreams, my best friend! I still can hardly believe that God has blessed me so much as to allow me to marry this amazing woman! The encouragement that she is to me in day to day life, and in my Christian walk, is absolutely incredible. I now know I must for some reason be God's favorite person, or there's no way He'd be allowing me to marry her!
(If you'd like to read her account of this story, it can be found here.)
I came back from Dayton in mid July and went to Virginia and met up with Becky again at my grandparent's house for the weekend. After a fun weekend there I returned to work in Charlotte. I kept working for the next few weeks, with nothing standing out in my mind right off during those few weeks.
I took off my work "week" of August 10-13 so that Becky and I could go to Montana for our good friends Aron and Mandie's wedding. Wednesday, August 9 Becky flew down from Burlington, Vermont to Charlotte and we then spent the night with my sister in Charlotte. Thursday morning first thing we went to the airport to try to catch a flight to Denver, Colorado. The first flight filled up, but we were able to make it on the second flight as standby passengers. When we got to Denver, the car rental place was out of Economy and Compact cars, so we were upgraded to a Mid-Size for free, since that was the closest they had to what I had reserved - I was grateful, as the Dodge Avenger has a bit more legroom than a compact car.
We left the airport and went to Casa Bonita, a cool restaurant in Denver that my parents took me to once or twice back when we lived in Idaho. We left Casa Bonita and went to Wal-Mart to get what we needed for our time out west, then drove up to Ekalaka, MT, arriving around 11:15 Mountain time Thursday night.
Friday we got up and I picked up Becky where she was staying, and we went to camp to say hello to people, and did a bunch of work getting things ready for the end of camp and for Aron and Mandie's wedding. Friday evening we drove out to the Cliffs, one of our favorite spots near camp, and also where camp does rappelling and one of the camp out locations. We went out there and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (the supplies we bought in Denver was mainly peanut butter mixed with jelly, and bread, for meals such as this).
A while after we ate, I suggested to Becky that we go throw some rocks off the edge of the cliff. Some of our good friends from camp had mentioned that they like to go up there sometimes and write various things (or people) they want out of their lives on rocks and throw them over the cliff. So I wrote something on a rock and let Becky see it, then threw it off the cliff, and she wrote something on another rock, let me see it, and threw it off. Then I suggested that we each do a rock for something we wanted out of the other person's life, and give it to them to throw off. So she wrote on a rock for me, with me not watching, then handed it to me to read and throw it off. I read it, agreed with her on what was written, and threw the rock off the cliff. Then I walked behind her so she couldn't see me and wrote on the rock I had for her. She was positive I was writing the word "worry" because one thing we've talked about is that she does struggle with worry a lot - she was even sure she could hear me writing the two r's and everything. I stayed behind her and handed her the rock, with the writing side facing away from her so she'd have to turn it over. While she was turning it over, I moved over to being beside her, but just out of her line of sight. She turned over the rock and saw the word "singleness" and was confused, so turned towards me - by this time I was on one knee, holding out a ring, and I asked her to marry me. We talked for a minute, with her asking if this was for real, me saying yes, her asking if I'd talked with her dad, and me explaining the conversation we'd had - finally I asked "so, is that a yes?" and she said yes! I then put the ring on her finger and she looked at it, we talked briefly, and we got in the car and drove to where we had cell phone service - so excited that we completely forgot to take any pictures where we actually got engaged ( we went back and did that the next day, though.)
And that is my exciting news! As of 08/10/2012, I am engaged to the woman of my dreams, my best friend! I still can hardly believe that God has blessed me so much as to allow me to marry this amazing woman! The encouragement that she is to me in day to day life, and in my Christian walk, is absolutely incredible. I now know I must for some reason be God's favorite person, or there's no way He'd be allowing me to marry her!
(If you'd like to read her account of this story, it can be found here.)
Friday, July 13, 2012
In Dayton
Well, once again, it's been awhile.
It's been a busy month. After my last post I flew to Dayton and spent Monday evening through Friday afternoon here, then went back to NC, worked a day, and went up to VA and visited my parents and grandparents, and Becky came down that weekend, too. I spent a little under 24 hours in VA then went back to NC, stayed with Sarah and worked a day, then resumed my usual schedule of working Friday-Monday.
When I started my weekend on Monday, July 2 I left work and drove up to West Virginia. I was able to sleep on the couch at some friends of Becky's, and was able to spend a lot of time with her that Monday evening through Thursday morning. We went to a few different state parks, went and saw fireworks, and just enjoyed some good time together. You can read more about that and see a few pictures on her blog. Thursday, July 5 I headed back to NC, where a couple of LeTourneau students, including my old roommate, David, were staying at the house where I live while they were doing some flying. I worked Friday and Saturday (the LeTourneau guys flew out while I was at work on Saturday), then Sunday was able to attend a small church in Waxhaw. I had Sunday off from work because I was scheduled to fly out to Dayton again on Sunday.
Unfortunately, I made a stupid mistake figuring times on Sunday, and I ended up running up to my gate for my flight out of Charlotte literally 1 minute or less after they gave up my seat on the flight, and all the remaining flights to Dayton were either booked full, or overbooked. I ended up finding a company retiree who was flying standby to Dayton, so he wasn't going to be able to make it, either, and we both switched and flew into Indianapolis, where we split the cost of a rental car and he dropped me off in Dayton on his way to Cincinnati. My trip was definitely not as planned, but I got to my hotel and checked in around midnight Sunday night, and was at the training center in time for class at 8:00 Monday morning. The first week of the two week training I am in Ohio for is now over, and a week from tonight I'll be flying back to NC, with plans to drive up to Virginia again when I land in Charlotte.
Let me know how I can be praying for you, and what's been going on in your life lately!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Mid-weekend update
What? You mean your weekend isn't Tuesday-Thursday? That's weird.
Well, a lot has happened since I last posted. The day after my last post I flew from Dallas to Dayton, OH to do a couple hours worth of paperwork and such, then flew back to Dallas. Wednesday May 23 I left Dallas to drive to Tennessee, and the following day I drove from Tennessee to Virginia. I caught up on rest, sorted through what I wanted to leave in Virginia and what I should bring with me to Waxhaw, NC where I am living, and drove down here to meet Uncle Doug, the man whose house I am staying in.
Friday, June 1 I flew from Raleigh Durham, NC to Charlotte to Albany, NY, where Becky picked me up from the airport and took me to Tim and Beth's house in Vermont. I spent the weekend there with Tim and Beth and Annette, then on Tuesday of last week, the 5th of June, Becky and I drove down to Virginia. On Wednesday she drove to West Virginia and I drove down to Waxhaw to get settled in. Thursday my parents met me in Charlotte with my tool box, since it doesn't fit in my car, and we went out to supper with Sarah. Friday the 8th I started work at 5:30 AM. I currently work first shift, (5:30 AM-3:30 PM) Friday-Monday. It will be several months before I am able to sign things off as the work being done, but I am very much enjoying my job. Since I'm doing line maintenance, there is a lot of sitting around and doing nothing but studying manuals and visiting with my co-workers, but that's okay, because when everybody's sitting around it means that everything is good with the planes. I'm continuing to learn a lot, but very much enjoying learning at work instead of at school.
Friday I go back to work, and will work through Sunday, but then I will be flying to Dayton, OH for more company training - I'll be spending the week up there and returning next weekend in time to work the last few days of my shift.
Let me know how I can be praying for you, and have a wonderful day!
Well, a lot has happened since I last posted. The day after my last post I flew from Dallas to Dayton, OH to do a couple hours worth of paperwork and such, then flew back to Dallas. Wednesday May 23 I left Dallas to drive to Tennessee, and the following day I drove from Tennessee to Virginia. I caught up on rest, sorted through what I wanted to leave in Virginia and what I should bring with me to Waxhaw, NC where I am living, and drove down here to meet Uncle Doug, the man whose house I am staying in.
Friday, June 1 I flew from Raleigh Durham, NC to Charlotte to Albany, NY, where Becky picked me up from the airport and took me to Tim and Beth's house in Vermont. I spent the weekend there with Tim and Beth and Annette, then on Tuesday of last week, the 5th of June, Becky and I drove down to Virginia. On Wednesday she drove to West Virginia and I drove down to Waxhaw to get settled in. Thursday my parents met me in Charlotte with my tool box, since it doesn't fit in my car, and we went out to supper with Sarah. Friday the 8th I started work at 5:30 AM. I currently work first shift, (5:30 AM-3:30 PM) Friday-Monday. It will be several months before I am able to sign things off as the work being done, but I am very much enjoying my job. Since I'm doing line maintenance, there is a lot of sitting around and doing nothing but studying manuals and visiting with my co-workers, but that's okay, because when everybody's sitting around it means that everything is good with the planes. I'm continuing to learn a lot, but very much enjoying learning at work instead of at school.
Friday I go back to work, and will work through Sunday, but then I will be flying to Dayton, OH for more company training - I'll be spending the week up there and returning next weekend in time to work the last few days of my shift.
Let me know how I can be praying for you, and have a wonderful day!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Update on My Life
Hello,
Well, I don't know who's even reading this thing - probably nobody that doesn't already know what's going on, but just in case, here goes:
Saturday, May 5, I graduated from LeTourneau University. It was great to have my sister Sarah, my grandparents, my parents, my Uncle Doug and Aunt Jody, and Becky all there with me. After graduation we finished packing up and emptying my apartment. Sunday morning I went to Hope Fellowship, my church in Longview my whole time at LeTourneau, with my parents and Becky. After church we had a quick lunch, then went back to campus where I met up with three of my best friends from LeTourneau, and said goodbye to my parents and Becky. My friends Andy, Amaris, Bonnie, and I then hit the road for Florida at 2:00 Sunday afternoon. We took turns driving, with one person driving for about four hours, another person sitting up front to help them stay awake, and the other two people sleeping in the back seat. We got to the condo we had in St. Cloud, Florida at about 8:00 Monday morning, and promptly all of us went to bed until we got up and ate lunch, then bought groceries and went around the town.
Tuesday after graduation the four of us went to Sea World Orlando. Wow. The dolphin and orca shows were absolutely incredible. I also discovered that I now like roller coasters. We got to Sea World at 10:00 in the morning, and several times throughout the afternoon we talked about leaving - we were going to leave about 4:00. We ended up staying until 10 minutes before closing time, which was at 7:00. Sea World was definitely an awesome experience, and I'm glad we made it part of our trip.
Wednesday we went camping in a state park about an hour from our condo. It rained before we bought our firewood, so the wood got soaked, but with work we did have a fire that night - it only took 2 road flares, a cardboard box, and about 30 minutes to get the fire going. It was great, though, because that let me and Andy cook our main course of supper - steaks. We figured out we'd forgotten to take the paper plates we bought with us on our camping trip, and we also didn't have any good grilling utensils. So, Andy had two kitchen knives and I had a kitchen knife and my pocket knife, and we would run water over our hands then go flip and check steaks over the fire, then go re-drench our hands. While we were (literally) running around doing that, Bonnie and Amaris were cooking up the potatoes for us to have with supper, and we ended up with the best camping meal I have ever eaten.
Thursday after we left the campsite we went to Cocoa Beach - another very fun part of the trip. We were early enough in the season that although there were plenty of people, the beach was by no means crowded, which made the time at the beach even better. During one of our trips back to the car while we were at the beach my phone rang - it was Kacey, the HR rep I've been working with from PSA Airlines. She called to offer me the job I interviewed for in Charlotte! I called her back on Friday and accepted the job.
Friday we all slept in, stayed in the Kissimmee/St. Cloud area and visited various music shops, antique shops, and a flea market, before going back to the condo and taking naps. For supper we cleaned out our left overs, we packed the car, and hit the road at 10:00 Friday night to drive back to Texas. We got to Longview at 1:00 Saturday afternoon where we went to the Olson's house for Andy and Amaris to pick up Andy's car and dog, then Andy and Amaris headed to Amaris' home and I went with Bonnie to her house halfway between Dallas and Longview, where my car had been parked while we were in Florida. I was too tired to drive to Dallas without someone to keep me awake, so I spent the afternoon and evening at the Daniels' house, spent the night at my friends Alden and Rebekah's house, then got back with the Daniels for church and lunch on Sunday, then I drove to Dallas.
I've been relaxing and taking care of various small things while I've been in Dallas. Tomorrow (Friday) I have to catch a flight out of Dallas at 6:25 in the morning to go to Dayton, Ohio for my new hire orientation with PSA. I will be arriving in Dayton at 1:00 in the afternoon, and leaving Dayton at 6:09 to land in Dallas at 10:12 tomorrow night.
Next week I plan to drive to Virginia, and probably down to North Carolina, depending on when I start work. God has provided a place for me to live with a JAARS guy in Waxhaw, NC. I will have about an hour commute to work, but the deal I am getting on housing will make it worth while, at least for a while.
Let me know how I can be praying for you. Also, let me know via email or whatever if you're actually reading my blog posts - I'm trying to figure out if people who don't already know what's going on in my life are still reading my blog, so I can decide whether or not it's worth continuing to post.
Well, I don't know who's even reading this thing - probably nobody that doesn't already know what's going on, but just in case, here goes:
Saturday, May 5, I graduated from LeTourneau University. It was great to have my sister Sarah, my grandparents, my parents, my Uncle Doug and Aunt Jody, and Becky all there with me. After graduation we finished packing up and emptying my apartment. Sunday morning I went to Hope Fellowship, my church in Longview my whole time at LeTourneau, with my parents and Becky. After church we had a quick lunch, then went back to campus where I met up with three of my best friends from LeTourneau, and said goodbye to my parents and Becky. My friends Andy, Amaris, Bonnie, and I then hit the road for Florida at 2:00 Sunday afternoon. We took turns driving, with one person driving for about four hours, another person sitting up front to help them stay awake, and the other two people sleeping in the back seat. We got to the condo we had in St. Cloud, Florida at about 8:00 Monday morning, and promptly all of us went to bed until we got up and ate lunch, then bought groceries and went around the town.
Tuesday after graduation the four of us went to Sea World Orlando. Wow. The dolphin and orca shows were absolutely incredible. I also discovered that I now like roller coasters. We got to Sea World at 10:00 in the morning, and several times throughout the afternoon we talked about leaving - we were going to leave about 4:00. We ended up staying until 10 minutes before closing time, which was at 7:00. Sea World was definitely an awesome experience, and I'm glad we made it part of our trip.
Wednesday we went camping in a state park about an hour from our condo. It rained before we bought our firewood, so the wood got soaked, but with work we did have a fire that night - it only took 2 road flares, a cardboard box, and about 30 minutes to get the fire going. It was great, though, because that let me and Andy cook our main course of supper - steaks. We figured out we'd forgotten to take the paper plates we bought with us on our camping trip, and we also didn't have any good grilling utensils. So, Andy had two kitchen knives and I had a kitchen knife and my pocket knife, and we would run water over our hands then go flip and check steaks over the fire, then go re-drench our hands. While we were (literally) running around doing that, Bonnie and Amaris were cooking up the potatoes for us to have with supper, and we ended up with the best camping meal I have ever eaten.
Thursday after we left the campsite we went to Cocoa Beach - another very fun part of the trip. We were early enough in the season that although there were plenty of people, the beach was by no means crowded, which made the time at the beach even better. During one of our trips back to the car while we were at the beach my phone rang - it was Kacey, the HR rep I've been working with from PSA Airlines. She called to offer me the job I interviewed for in Charlotte! I called her back on Friday and accepted the job.
Friday we all slept in, stayed in the Kissimmee/St. Cloud area and visited various music shops, antique shops, and a flea market, before going back to the condo and taking naps. For supper we cleaned out our left overs, we packed the car, and hit the road at 10:00 Friday night to drive back to Texas. We got to Longview at 1:00 Saturday afternoon where we went to the Olson's house for Andy and Amaris to pick up Andy's car and dog, then Andy and Amaris headed to Amaris' home and I went with Bonnie to her house halfway between Dallas and Longview, where my car had been parked while we were in Florida. I was too tired to drive to Dallas without someone to keep me awake, so I spent the afternoon and evening at the Daniels' house, spent the night at my friends Alden and Rebekah's house, then got back with the Daniels for church and lunch on Sunday, then I drove to Dallas.
I've been relaxing and taking care of various small things while I've been in Dallas. Tomorrow (Friday) I have to catch a flight out of Dallas at 6:25 in the morning to go to Dayton, Ohio for my new hire orientation with PSA. I will be arriving in Dayton at 1:00 in the afternoon, and leaving Dayton at 6:09 to land in Dallas at 10:12 tomorrow night.
Next week I plan to drive to Virginia, and probably down to North Carolina, depending on when I start work. God has provided a place for me to live with a JAARS guy in Waxhaw, NC. I will have about an hour commute to work, but the deal I am getting on housing will make it worth while, at least for a while.
Let me know how I can be praying for you. Also, let me know via email or whatever if you're actually reading my blog posts - I'm trying to figure out if people who don't already know what's going on in my life are still reading my blog, so I can decide whether or not it's worth continuing to post.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Graduation Week
Wow - I can't believe that in under 36 hours, I graduate from LeTourneau.
Last week I took my oral and practical exams on Tuesday and Wednesday, then on Thursday I drove to Dallas and flew to Charlotte, NC. Friday morning I had a job interview with PSA Airlines in Charlotte, and right after my interview I flew back to Dallas and drove back to Longview. I should hear back from PSA about the job by the end of next week.
This week has been filled with activity, although classes ended last week. I had to take two aviation finals on Tuesday, and I was exempt from the rest of my finals because of having good enough grades and graduating. Wednesday there was a luncheon put on by the Aeronautical Science department for all of us who are graduating, then the Honors College took those of us graduating from the honors program out to dinner in Kilgore on Wednesday evening. Thursday morning I had my senior exit interview, then in the afternoon I had my three FAA written exams. I passed all of them, and I am now a licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic.
Friday I have a senior breakfast, and will then spend several hours packing, trying to mostly finish that up Friday. Friday afternoon graduation activities pick up, and my parents, grandparents, my sister Sarah, and Becky will arrive. Saturday morning I have to be at graduation stuff at 7:30, with graduation at 9:00. After graduation I will finish packing, load my stuff into my car and my parents' van, and check out of my apartment for the last time. Sunday morning I will go to church, then will come back to campus to meet up with a few of my friends, and we will then road trip to Florida to spend a week there.
Please keep everybody traveling in your prayers, and let me know how I can be praying for you.
Last week I took my oral and practical exams on Tuesday and Wednesday, then on Thursday I drove to Dallas and flew to Charlotte, NC. Friday morning I had a job interview with PSA Airlines in Charlotte, and right after my interview I flew back to Dallas and drove back to Longview. I should hear back from PSA about the job by the end of next week.
This week has been filled with activity, although classes ended last week. I had to take two aviation finals on Tuesday, and I was exempt from the rest of my finals because of having good enough grades and graduating. Wednesday there was a luncheon put on by the Aeronautical Science department for all of us who are graduating, then the Honors College took those of us graduating from the honors program out to dinner in Kilgore on Wednesday evening. Thursday morning I had my senior exit interview, then in the afternoon I had my three FAA written exams. I passed all of them, and I am now a licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic.
Friday I have a senior breakfast, and will then spend several hours packing, trying to mostly finish that up Friday. Friday afternoon graduation activities pick up, and my parents, grandparents, my sister Sarah, and Becky will arrive. Saturday morning I have to be at graduation stuff at 7:30, with graduation at 9:00. After graduation I will finish packing, load my stuff into my car and my parents' van, and check out of my apartment for the last time. Sunday morning I will go to church, then will come back to campus to meet up with a few of my friends, and we will then road trip to Florida to spend a week there.
Please keep everybody traveling in your prayers, and let me know how I can be praying for you.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Long past spring break
Well, spring break is over. In fact, it has been for two weeks. It was a wonderful break from school, though, while it lasted!
After my last post I worked on my Exegesis paper, getting much less than I had hoped done, but making progress nonetheless. Then I went to Dallas and spent a couple nights there with my grandparents and my mom, since she was in town. I did some yardwork for my grandparents, and my mom and I did about 12 hours worth of grading to get me caught up on Carburetors lab grading. Then Sunday afternoon I came back to campus, and I've been keeping busy with school stuff ever since.
Last week I did get to hang out with friends for an evening, which is always fun. Mostly, though, I've been going to class and lab and work, working on my papers, and studying for my FAA testing coming up in a few weeks. I've also been going through a bunch of stuff that I have in the apartment, seeing what I should keep and what I should get rid of before I graduate so I don't have to take it all with me. The difference between me and many people on this campus is that many people just take everything they don't want during finals week and throw it into the huge dumpsters that get brought on campus. Me, I go through my stuff and try to sell it. Some of it is stuff I took out of the dumpsters last year, and the rest is just stuff I've accumulated over my time here at LeTourneau. It takes a little bit of time to sort through the stuff instead of just throwing it away, but since spring break I've made probably $125 or so from stuff that I would have otherwise thrown away - so to me, it's very worth taking the time to sort through stuff.
I ask for prayer as I finish working on my exegesis paper (it is due April 9, but I would really like to have it done by the original due date of April 5), as I write my Aviation Law research paper (due April 15) and as I prepare for my FAA Oral and Practical exams (starting either April 24 or 25) and my FAA Written exams (May 3) all while trying to get a job and place to live lined up before I graduate on May 5.
How can I be praying for you?
After my last post I worked on my Exegesis paper, getting much less than I had hoped done, but making progress nonetheless. Then I went to Dallas and spent a couple nights there with my grandparents and my mom, since she was in town. I did some yardwork for my grandparents, and my mom and I did about 12 hours worth of grading to get me caught up on Carburetors lab grading. Then Sunday afternoon I came back to campus, and I've been keeping busy with school stuff ever since.
Last week I did get to hang out with friends for an evening, which is always fun. Mostly, though, I've been going to class and lab and work, working on my papers, and studying for my FAA testing coming up in a few weeks. I've also been going through a bunch of stuff that I have in the apartment, seeing what I should keep and what I should get rid of before I graduate so I don't have to take it all with me. The difference between me and many people on this campus is that many people just take everything they don't want during finals week and throw it into the huge dumpsters that get brought on campus. Me, I go through my stuff and try to sell it. Some of it is stuff I took out of the dumpsters last year, and the rest is just stuff I've accumulated over my time here at LeTourneau. It takes a little bit of time to sort through the stuff instead of just throwing it away, but since spring break I've made probably $125 or so from stuff that I would have otherwise thrown away - so to me, it's very worth taking the time to sort through stuff.
I ask for prayer as I finish working on my exegesis paper (it is due April 9, but I would really like to have it done by the original due date of April 5), as I write my Aviation Law research paper (due April 15) and as I prepare for my FAA Oral and Practical exams (starting either April 24 or 25) and my FAA Written exams (May 3) all while trying to get a job and place to live lined up before I graduate on May 5.
How can I be praying for you?
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Into spring break
Hello again!
Well, the first part of my spring break was a great success! Saturday I ended up not doing much homework, but instead got a text from a friend asking me to help her learn how to change the oil in her car, so instead of doing homework (never fun) I went and worked on cars (almost always fun). Saturday evening I joined several friends of mine at their cousin's house in Tyler for a time of fellowship and reading from "The Life of Pi" (interesting book, at least the section of it I heard), then in the pouring rain we all drove back to Canton, getting in about 12:30 Sunday morning (pre-time change). I wanted to make sure I wasn't in the way as people were getting ready for church and everything, so I got up at 6:45 (post time change) and got ready; it turned out, almost everybody in the house had forgotten about time change, until Alden called at 8:30. There was a mad dash as everyone tried to get ready (not counting myself, there were eleven other people in the house), and we made it to church almost on time, and definitely before most other people. There was a lot of good fellowship on Sunday, making for a very enjoyable time.
Monday I got up, then after breakfast most of the kids had dentist appointments, so Jonathan, Bonnie and I figured out what we needed to get for our 8 person camping trip, then Jonathan and I went to town to buy food. We headed to Tyler State Park about 1:00 Monday afternoon, and were very blessed in being able to camp. We hadn't been able to get through when we tried to make reservations; when we arrived we were informed that the had completely booked out all of the campsites, but a large group had not made it in, so a few campsites had been made available. We were able to get one of those, so we set up camp, changed and went walking around the lake and swimming. We went back to our campsite, hung out, then eventually got the fire going and I cooked hamburgers that Jonathan had made. After supper we talked, played some games, and sat around the fire with Jonathan and James playing their guitars - overall a very fun time; the evening ended with everyone going to bed shortly before midnight.
Just before 2:00 this morning I woke up to a sound coming from very near my head; one of the multitudinous raccoons in the area was apparently at the tree that the head end of my hammock was tied to. I scared him off, and went back to sleep. I ended up waking up about 5 or 6 times and scaring the raccoons away from our sleeping area. It was still a quite restful night, though. This morning we got up, and eventually I started cooking our breakfast of cheesy scrambled eggs with bacon, onion, and tomato in them, while Jonathan was making toast for everyone over the fire. Breakfast took forever, cooking everything with just one skillet, but I believe the overall consensus was that it was good enough it was worth the wait. We hung out for awhile more, then finally broke camp and headed out a little after 11:00 - I came back to Longview, and the others all went back to Canton.
So far break has been very good - now for a less fun couple of days studying and writing papers, then I will be heading to Dallas on Friday, is the current plan.
I'd love to hear from you and find out what's going on in your life, and how I can pray for you.
Well, the first part of my spring break was a great success! Saturday I ended up not doing much homework, but instead got a text from a friend asking me to help her learn how to change the oil in her car, so instead of doing homework (never fun) I went and worked on cars (almost always fun). Saturday evening I joined several friends of mine at their cousin's house in Tyler for a time of fellowship and reading from "The Life of Pi" (interesting book, at least the section of it I heard), then in the pouring rain we all drove back to Canton, getting in about 12:30 Sunday morning (pre-time change). I wanted to make sure I wasn't in the way as people were getting ready for church and everything, so I got up at 6:45 (post time change) and got ready; it turned out, almost everybody in the house had forgotten about time change, until Alden called at 8:30. There was a mad dash as everyone tried to get ready (not counting myself, there were eleven other people in the house), and we made it to church almost on time, and definitely before most other people. There was a lot of good fellowship on Sunday, making for a very enjoyable time.
Monday I got up, then after breakfast most of the kids had dentist appointments, so Jonathan, Bonnie and I figured out what we needed to get for our 8 person camping trip, then Jonathan and I went to town to buy food. We headed to Tyler State Park about 1:00 Monday afternoon, and were very blessed in being able to camp. We hadn't been able to get through when we tried to make reservations; when we arrived we were informed that the had completely booked out all of the campsites, but a large group had not made it in, so a few campsites had been made available. We were able to get one of those, so we set up camp, changed and went walking around the lake and swimming. We went back to our campsite, hung out, then eventually got the fire going and I cooked hamburgers that Jonathan had made. After supper we talked, played some games, and sat around the fire with Jonathan and James playing their guitars - overall a very fun time; the evening ended with everyone going to bed shortly before midnight.
Just before 2:00 this morning I woke up to a sound coming from very near my head; one of the multitudinous raccoons in the area was apparently at the tree that the head end of my hammock was tied to. I scared him off, and went back to sleep. I ended up waking up about 5 or 6 times and scaring the raccoons away from our sleeping area. It was still a quite restful night, though. This morning we got up, and eventually I started cooking our breakfast of cheesy scrambled eggs with bacon, onion, and tomato in them, while Jonathan was making toast for everyone over the fire. Breakfast took forever, cooking everything with just one skillet, but I believe the overall consensus was that it was good enough it was worth the wait. We hung out for awhile more, then finally broke camp and headed out a little after 11:00 - I came back to Longview, and the others all went back to Canton.
So far break has been very good - now for a less fun couple of days studying and writing papers, then I will be heading to Dallas on Friday, is the current plan.
I'd love to hear from you and find out what's going on in your life, and how I can pray for you.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
So close to spring break!
Hello!
Well, it's almost spring break - my last spring break. Wow - I can't believe I've gotten to this point. I graduate in 57 days, 12 and a half hours.
The past month has gone pretty well; I've been enjoying work, I've started working with a group to get ready for Oral and Practical exams at the end of the semester that are required to get our Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificates from the FAA. It's been going pretty well. I've been applying to lots of jobs - this week I applied specifically to jobs in Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Texas. I'm trying to decide whether or not to apply for jobs in Singapore and Jakarta. Prayer for wisdom would be appreciated.
This next week will be spring break. I finally decided over the past couple days what I'll be doing. Saturday I'll sleep in, do laundry, and do homework. Saturday evening I'll be joining a friend of mine in going to her cousin's in Tyler, where a group gets together and hangs out on Saturday evenings, then after that we'll go back to her house - I've been good friends with her family since my freshman year, so I'm really looking forward to that. I plan to stay there with them until Monday, when at least several of us (me and some of the family) plan to go camping in Tyler State Park. Tuesday I'll come back to campus and do some work on my research paper for Aviation Law. Wednesday and Thursday I plan to work on my exegesis paper for Biblical Covenants. Friday I plan on driving to the Dallas area, where I'll spend some time with my grandparents and my mom, then Sunday I'll come back to campus.
I'd love to hear from you, including how I can be praying for you.
Well, it's almost spring break - my last spring break. Wow - I can't believe I've gotten to this point. I graduate in 57 days, 12 and a half hours.
The past month has gone pretty well; I've been enjoying work, I've started working with a group to get ready for Oral and Practical exams at the end of the semester that are required to get our Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificates from the FAA. It's been going pretty well. I've been applying to lots of jobs - this week I applied specifically to jobs in Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Texas. I'm trying to decide whether or not to apply for jobs in Singapore and Jakarta. Prayer for wisdom would be appreciated.
This next week will be spring break. I finally decided over the past couple days what I'll be doing. Saturday I'll sleep in, do laundry, and do homework. Saturday evening I'll be joining a friend of mine in going to her cousin's in Tyler, where a group gets together and hangs out on Saturday evenings, then after that we'll go back to her house - I've been good friends with her family since my freshman year, so I'm really looking forward to that. I plan to stay there with them until Monday, when at least several of us (me and some of the family) plan to go camping in Tyler State Park. Tuesday I'll come back to campus and do some work on my research paper for Aviation Law. Wednesday and Thursday I plan to work on my exegesis paper for Biblical Covenants. Friday I plan on driving to the Dallas area, where I'll spend some time with my grandparents and my mom, then Sunday I'll come back to campus.
I'd love to hear from you, including how I can be praying for you.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Well into my final semester
Hello!
Well, my final semester of college is about 1/4 of the way gone, and I'm having a hard time believing it, although I know it's true. In 88 days, I graduate, Lord willing.
So far this semester has been going pretty well academically. My classes are going pretty well - I'm understanding most of the material well, and I'm enjoying lab assisting again. I've been able to be doing a lot with my lab assisting this semester - I do a lot of discussing various aircraft fuel system components with the students and make sure they have a thorough understanding of their function. I also am doing all of the grading for this lab - 34 students - they are keeping me busy. I'm enjoying it, though.
A couple weeks ago the instructor for the lab I'm working with, Mr. Foulk, had a biopsy done and it has been confirmed since then that he has a form of cancer. As far as I know they are still figuring out his course of treatment. So if you think of it, be praying for Mr. Foulk.
Last week a good friend of mine, Rebekah Daniels, found out that her mother has cancer. Her treatment started yesterday. Please be praying for Rebekah's mom, too.
I would love to hear how I can be praying for you, and what is going on in your life. Send me an email and let me know!
Well, my final semester of college is about 1/4 of the way gone, and I'm having a hard time believing it, although I know it's true. In 88 days, I graduate, Lord willing.
So far this semester has been going pretty well academically. My classes are going pretty well - I'm understanding most of the material well, and I'm enjoying lab assisting again. I've been able to be doing a lot with my lab assisting this semester - I do a lot of discussing various aircraft fuel system components with the students and make sure they have a thorough understanding of their function. I also am doing all of the grading for this lab - 34 students - they are keeping me busy. I'm enjoying it, though.
A couple weeks ago the instructor for the lab I'm working with, Mr. Foulk, had a biopsy done and it has been confirmed since then that he has a form of cancer. As far as I know they are still figuring out his course of treatment. So if you think of it, be praying for Mr. Foulk.
Last week a good friend of mine, Rebekah Daniels, found out that her mother has cancer. Her treatment started yesterday. Please be praying for Rebekah's mom, too.
I would love to hear how I can be praying for you, and what is going on in your life. Send me an email and let me know!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Back at school
Well, I'm back in Longview - in fact, I have been since Sunday afternoon. I went to church and had dinner with my parents and grandparents on Sunday, then headed back to Longview. I got settled back into my apartment, and just relaxed. I had expected my new roommate, Jason, and his brother, Derek (who has been in my apartment since last semester) to get back Sunday, but figured they must not be coming until Monday when they hadn't showed up by 10:30 or so Sunday night. I woke up Monday morning to find Jason asleep on the couch because he hadn't wanted to disturb me when they got in at 1:30 or 2:00.
I spent Monday working on getting books, and again just taking it easy and hanging out. I have class at 7:10 AM out at the airport on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I was up early to get some breakfast from the cafeteria before catching the 6:50 bus out to the airport. Class went well, then I lab assisted for Carburetion and Fuel Systems lab and came back, working on different stuff around the apartment the rest of the day. This afternoon was class and lab, so I feel like I'm starting to get back into a schedule and a routine, which is nice. I never thought I would say this about Longview, but it feels good to be home.
I spent Monday working on getting books, and again just taking it easy and hanging out. I have class at 7:10 AM out at the airport on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I was up early to get some breakfast from the cafeteria before catching the 6:50 bus out to the airport. Class went well, then I lab assisted for Carburetion and Fuel Systems lab and came back, working on different stuff around the apartment the rest of the day. This afternoon was class and lab, so I feel like I'm starting to get back into a schedule and a routine, which is nice. I never thought I would say this about Longview, but it feels good to be home.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Preparing to head back to Longview
Happy New Year!
What are you going to do for God this year?
I know for me, I tend to focus on selfish plans at the beginning of the new year. Plans for how to better my life, to do what I want, etc. But when it comes down to it, that's not what we should be thinking about. I've been convicted that my primary goal for this year needs to be to glorify God, and do His will - no matter the cost. I'm not comfortable with this - but I know that it is the best way to go, and I plan to live by that philosophy.
I'm getting ready to head back to Longview on Sunday to finish up my time at LeTourneau - if God wills it, I will be graduating on May 5. I have used Christmas break to start making some more contacts about possible employment after I graduate - two of the companies I contacted told me they aren't currently hiring, but to go ahead and send them my resume. One responded a couple hours later, asking for more information and references, which was encouraging. I'm not just seeking a job somewhere, I want to please God and do what He wants me to.
Let me know how I can pray for you, and ask yourself - what are you going to do for God this year? Then do it.
What are you going to do for God this year?
I know for me, I tend to focus on selfish plans at the beginning of the new year. Plans for how to better my life, to do what I want, etc. But when it comes down to it, that's not what we should be thinking about. I've been convicted that my primary goal for this year needs to be to glorify God, and do His will - no matter the cost. I'm not comfortable with this - but I know that it is the best way to go, and I plan to live by that philosophy.
I'm getting ready to head back to Longview on Sunday to finish up my time at LeTourneau - if God wills it, I will be graduating on May 5. I have used Christmas break to start making some more contacts about possible employment after I graduate - two of the companies I contacted told me they aren't currently hiring, but to go ahead and send them my resume. One responded a couple hours later, asking for more information and references, which was encouraging. I'm not just seeking a job somewhere, I want to please God and do what He wants me to.
Let me know how I can pray for you, and ask yourself - what are you going to do for God this year? Then do it.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Christmas Break
Hello!
Once again I have fallen behind in updating my blog, and for that I apologize.
Thanksgiving break turned out to be very interesting - I had car problems in Mississippi and ended up spending Wednesday, all day Thanksgiving day, and part of Friday, in Brandon, MS. The vast majority of Wednesday, and Friday morning, I sat in a shop while my car was being worked on. Eventually i got it fixed, and returned to Longview on Friday. Saturday one of my professors invited me over for Thanksgiving leftovers, and I went over there for a delicious supper. Shortly after I got there, though, my car was backed into. Not a whole lot of damage was done, though, thankfully.
My semester finished out well - I was reasonably pleased with my grades, and was able to spend some time with friends. I finished finals on Wednesday evening, drove to Tennessee on Thursday, where I spent the night with my uncle and aunt, then Friday drove to Virginia. The following Thursday (the 15th) I went to West Virginia and picked up Becky from college after she finished her finals, then we came back down to Virginia, where my parents are still staying with my grandparents while they continue to look for work and thus a new home. Yesterday, the 19th, my parents and I took Becky to the airport in Charlotte, NC, for her to fly home to Vermont, then my parents and I spent the night with my sister Sarah. This morning we came back up to Virginia, and tomorrow morning (Wednesday) my parents and I will be driving to Tennessee to spend the night with my uncle and aunt again, then Thursday we're heading to Dallas, where I plan to spend the remainder of my Christmas break.
Let me know how I can be praying for you, and may you have a blessed Christmas.
Once again I have fallen behind in updating my blog, and for that I apologize.
Thanksgiving break turned out to be very interesting - I had car problems in Mississippi and ended up spending Wednesday, all day Thanksgiving day, and part of Friday, in Brandon, MS. The vast majority of Wednesday, and Friday morning, I sat in a shop while my car was being worked on. Eventually i got it fixed, and returned to Longview on Friday. Saturday one of my professors invited me over for Thanksgiving leftovers, and I went over there for a delicious supper. Shortly after I got there, though, my car was backed into. Not a whole lot of damage was done, though, thankfully.
My semester finished out well - I was reasonably pleased with my grades, and was able to spend some time with friends. I finished finals on Wednesday evening, drove to Tennessee on Thursday, where I spent the night with my uncle and aunt, then Friday drove to Virginia. The following Thursday (the 15th) I went to West Virginia and picked up Becky from college after she finished her finals, then we came back down to Virginia, where my parents are still staying with my grandparents while they continue to look for work and thus a new home. Yesterday, the 19th, my parents and I took Becky to the airport in Charlotte, NC, for her to fly home to Vermont, then my parents and I spent the night with my sister Sarah. This morning we came back up to Virginia, and tomorrow morning (Wednesday) my parents and I will be driving to Tennessee to spend the night with my uncle and aunt again, then Thursday we're heading to Dallas, where I plan to spend the remainder of my Christmas break.
Let me know how I can be praying for you, and may you have a blessed Christmas.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Thanksgiving
Wow, it's been a long time since I've done this. And a fair bit has happened since then.
Since last posting, I went camping for fall break, with a group of my fellow students, and some of the leadership from my church. The time there was absolutely awesome - I got more sleep those first few nights than the last time that I can remember any other weekend. One night four of us guys decided to go sleep by the bluffs, instead of at the main camp site, so we ate supper, grabbed our gear and went to the bluffs - getting there around 7:00 PM. We talked, and I fell asleep at 9:00 - that is something that does not happen often at all. I woke up at 6:00 the next morning to the sound of heavy animal breathing - my hand was over 3/4 of the way from my hammock to my revolver when I realized that what I'd heard was a deer blowing. I smiled, pulled my hand back into my hammock, went went back to sleep for another hour. It was great.
I've spent the past few weeks doing homework, spending a little time with friends, and being amazed by how close the end of the semester is getting. Tonight I got to go see an artistic presentation called The 5 Dragon Daughter. This is an artistic presentation of the gospel that was written and everything was done for it by local people here in Longview. They are working on getting up to the point of touring the U.S. doing this presentation. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend attending.
Right now I have two days of classes left before Thanksgiving - our school only gives us Thursday and Friday off, but I have no classes on Wednesday. As a result, I will be leaving campus very early on Wednesday morning, driving to Alabama and meeting up with Tim and Beth and Annette to ride with them up to Virginia. Saturday we will return to Alabama, and Sunday I will drive the rest of the way back to Longview. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to go and spend time with my family again this Thanksgiving. I ask for prayers for safety in travel, as there are many people out traveling.
Let me know how I can be praying for you.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Almost fall break
Well, the semester is about half over, as evidenced by the midterms last week and this week, and the fact that fall break is nearly here!
For fall break this year I will be doing the same thing I did my sophomore year - going camping with a college group from my church in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. I will be there Saturday through Tuesday, out of communication with the outside world, and I'm really looking forward to it.
Please be praying that the rest of this week, including a couple of tests, go well and that I be able to focus, and for safety on fall break.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Update
Hello!
Well, I am amazed by the fact that the semester is already over 1/4 over. Classes are going well, though, as is lab assisting. I am really enjoying my job, and the paycheck that goes with it is also quite nice.
Right now I'm anxiously waiting to find out where my parents are going to live next, and to find out the next step with helping my grandfather's heart issues. Thankfully I have a light course load this semester, as my mind tends to spend a lot of time not on school, with everything going on. If you think of it, please be praying for both of these situations.
Please also be praying for the Hewitt family (Becky's family) as Mr. Hewitt's father (Becky's grandfather) went home to be with his Savior last week. While there is no doubt where he is, it is still hard for his family, especially his wife of over 60 years. So please keep them in your prayers.
How can I be praying for you?
Sunday, September 4, 2011
With semester well under way. . . .
Greetings!
Well, it has been an eventful couple of weeks since I last posted.
As I briefly mentioned in my last post, at that time I was on my way back to Virginia. My reason for flying back to Virginia for a couple of days was to help my parents pack up in preparation to move, and to say goodbye to the people of Chestnut Level Baptist Church. While I was home we accomplished most of the packing work I was hoping to, and I was able to say goodbye to most of the people that I wanted to. I do regret not having gotten to see the others and say goodbye, as chances are I will not see them again in this life - unfortunately, though, that is just a fact of life.
After flying home on Friday night, I flew back to Texas on Monday, arriving back at campus some time after 9:30 Monday night. I had been so thankful for my schedule on Sunday morning, because I have no classes before 1:00 PM this semester - I was grateful that I would be able to sleep in on Tuesday. Then I remembered that I have work at 8:00 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I'm enjoying my work as Composites lab assistant, though, so it was fine.
I also lab assist for Composites on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and I'm in class after finishing working in the labs those afternoons, and in class and lab all afternoon Monday and Friday. Wednesdays I have an open day to work on my online classes, which is really nice.
This semester I have the added blessing of having my own room - I was sad to see my roommate from last year move off campus, but he was able to get a much better deal financially for housing, and it has worked out nicely, since I was never assigned a new roommate. Here is what my room looks like this year:
Walking in through the door from the living room to my room.
Turning left.
The rest of my room.
Looking back out the door into the hall, where Derek and Jonathan's
room is, as well as the walk-in-closet with attic access,
and the bathroom and living room.
room is, as well as the walk-in-closet with attic access,
and the bathroom and living room.
So far classes are going well, and are mostly enjoyable. I find it very hard to believe that I am now a senior here at LeTourneau.
Please be praying for my parents, as they leave Chestnut Level that God would give them wisdom and guidance to the next place He has for them, preferably quickly, as in the mean time they will be living with my grandparents in Virginia.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Back from Montana, on to Virginia
Well, camp has been over for almost a week now, and life is just as busy as ever.
Camp ended up very well - i had a very difficult group of campers the final week - they decided that they were going to hate me, and they let it be known, but I hope and pray that they learned something last week, and that God grows them through it.
Saturday morning the campers went home, and Saturday evening was a staff dinner. We had an excellent meal of prime rib, twice-baked potatoes, fried onions, and other absolutely delicious foods - Jim and the others certainly spoiled us. After the dinner we watched a slideshow of staff pictures, a staff video, shared in what God did in our lives over the summer, and had communion. Overall it was a very good, albeit hard, due to all of the goodbyes, evening.
Sunday morning at 7:00 Mountain time I headed to Wichita, KS, arriving between 10:00 and 10:15 that evening, Central time. I slept at my aunt and uncle's house again, then met up with some really close friends, Alden and Rebekah Daniels, for breakfast at IHOP. After breakfast I got on the road for Dallas, where I again spent the night, taking advantage of my grandmother's amazing cooking. Tuesday morning I got on the road at 5:30 to drive to LeTourneau, where I started working with Themelios for freshman orientation, starting work at 8:30 AM. I worked with orientation stuff and moved in, working on both of those things Tuesday through today, Friday. Now as I write this I am sitting at East Texas Regional Airport, waiting for my flight out to fly home to Virginia, to help my parents pack. Monday I will be flying back to Texas, with classes starting on Tuesday morning.
Be praying for travel safety, renewed energy, and a godly attitude in everything to come these next days and weeks.
Please feel free to contact me, as I'd love to catch up on what's going on in your life.
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