@ Home - Digressing from a long day

Two important things happened today. I worked and it was the most memorable day today because my coworker Jonilynn and I had a laughing fit for about 10 minutes straight. We literally couldn't stop laughing long enough to take an order or call out the drink that we just made. It started by myself seeing Jonni lean forward and ask a guest if they wanted Whip on their drink; she didn't just ask, she yelled. I kept making the drinks that were in line and I thought to myself "I think she just yelled at that lady.... hmmm... I'm going to ask her if she just did what I thought she did." So I asked her and she said "no," then a short pause, and she busts up laughing. I immediately start laughing hysterically because she is laughing. We are laughing so hard we go into silent mode, and then she tries to tell me, whilst still laughing, "Stop it or I’m going to pee." LOL. Oh well, it continues further for another 10 minutes while we joke about it and we can't even keep a straight face... I felt really bad because it felt unprofessional, but I really could not stop laughing so hard. It was a great memorable day at work.


The second thing was my Grandma Ryan died today, and I found out from one of my cousin status’ on Facebook. I also found out before my dad knew... it was his mom. Albeit my uncle tried to call him and he wasn't home, so it really wasn't my uncles fault... but still it just rubbed me so wrongly.


Wow, today was a long day. It was a day full of laughter and good times, yet also a hugely sad one as well.

@ Home - After work

At work today there was a lady that I met named Stormy. That is the coolest girl name I have ever heard of. That is all.

@ Home - Grinning

So I am grinning because at work today, apparently two ladies thought I was really cute. They didn't say it to my face, but one of the ladies that worked with me was in line to buy something and she overheard the two ladies behind her say that I was really cute. I just shake my head because I think it's funny.

Today Drew and I took another set of brotherly photos together. So we are going to use those as Christmas gifts this year.

It is so hard to find the time to look for an IT job when you are working about 40 hours a week. I will request that my hours come down soon here so I can take a stinkin break.

Otherwise I'm just living my new life

@ Home - Listening to what is next

This past week has been a long one for my family. Monday I had a repeat EKG and met the surgeon who was going to be performing the surgery. Tuesday my dad met with a whole group of people involved and things didn't go well. Wednesday everything was put on hold because of the meetings that my dad had. Finally Thursday, everything was officially put on hold and everything was canceled until my dad satisfied Banner's wishes. Friday my dad sent a nasty letter to the people at Banner that burned every bridge for possibly having surgery in the future. I am so at a loss for words, I have no idea what to do. Barb Marshall told me on Sunday that all these complications were supposed to happen, and the surgery isn't supposed to happen right now, if at all. I was so frustrated with this sound of that, but it is something that I needed to hear. So it is official, the surgery is off and may not even happen.

@ Home - Thinking about a career

Tonight after I went running with my brother, I laid out in the back yard to cool off. I starred up at the sky and thought about my future, then I remembered my coursework and what I liked. I took some Geographic Information Systems classes and liked them so much that I got A's in the classes. I then thought I might need to find a niche market to go toward in the computer field. I am now going to start looking for jobs within this field to see if that Is where I can get my foot in the door. ESRI is the leading GIS software company and I have experience using their products, which I enjoyed using. I will see if I am a fit to the company :)

@ Home - Life insurance & Surgery Date

I finally got life insurance. Everything worked out better than expected and I got the Super Preferred rate so my monthly payment is well below what I was expecting. Praise God

My dad and I also scheduled the surgery date for December 1st. Everything came together really quickly that day with planning the final tests and meeting dates. We'll see what happens from here.

@ Home - Review and Updates

eBay Case Search Term: White Softgrip TPU Gel Skin Cover Case Motorola Droid X




Otherwise I am doing pretty well waiting for this Kidney surgery to happen. My dad has been getting better with his lack of Alcohol consumptions, and I am trying to get health insurance. The magic number that my dad is trying to achieve for a surgery date is November 14th. So that is fine, I guess, I just wish it was sooner. But I can't really get insurance before that, so it works out. I'll update this more often from now on... hopefully. And also I am going to visit my fabulous friends in Missouri and Oklahoma from October 19-28th, I'm so excited.

@ Home - Citicard Fail!

This was my bill that I got this month, and I looked at it and laughed. I posed the issue on facebook and asked people what I should do. Should I pay it or what?

Many told me to call Citicard and ask that they drop the charge. So I proceeded to do that this morning. When I called I talked with a guy (i think... he was very soft spoken kinda like Michael Jackson) named Ron and he heard that I wanted to see if the company would drop the charge. He put me on hold for 3 minutes and told me their proposed solution. It was to call back on the day the payment was due 10/13/2010 and ask that the balance get transferred to the next month. I told him the ONLY problem with that is that if I forget to call that day then I would be incurring a whole ton of charges and possible dent on credit score and such. I told him I didn't mind paying it, I just didn't want to send a check for $.01 and put a $0.44 stamp on there to send it to them. So he told me I could pay it with my debit card and that he would transfer me to a specialist to pay the amount over the phone. I agreed and when he transferred me to the lady Ebony she told me that she'd be happy to take care of the payment over the phone. When Ron hung up after the transfer, I laughed and asked if she saw the balance in front of her to which she laughed and said yes. I told her that I just called to see if they would drop it and it be done with. She said "I can't believe they didn't drop the balance" and I told her the solution the proposed to me and she laughed again and confirmed how stupid that sounded. (I could tell at this point she was ashamed of the company she was working for and apologized profusely. She then told me she wasn't sure the one cent would go through with the debit card but offered to try. I gave her the numbers and she said it went through, so I thanked her and hung up the phone thinking "that just happened." Citicard is awesome at some things, but absolutely ridiculous at other things. 

Citicard Fail!

@ Home - soon to be in HD

Good News Peeps! I got a HD Webcam, so that means Chris Ryan in HD... not Full HD for all you techies, but 720p ain't bad. There will be more soon. 


Update: Here it is!

After patiently waiting for this date for over a month, Verizon has failed me. I was told two times that I could upgrade a week ahead of time. And the lady that I talked to this morning said that I could order it though her, but I would rather wait longer and save more money via online. I am really eyeing the Droid X, because I think Android is the way to go and this X is a solid phone. So alas I will wait for another week so my “official” upgrade date can hit and I can hopefully save another $50 by purchasing it online through a coupon code. But now I can trust in God more by waiting.

@ Home - Watching the last season of LOST

Today when I was singing the song Mighty to Save for the children in service, I realized one essential bit that I hadn't realized before. The songs says that God is the Author of Salvation. That means that God wrote Salvation into existence. I know it's quite elementary to think of that, but it still enlightened me how God is so cool like that.

@ Starbucks - Blogging

So blogging about Technology… what a wonderful thing. I have decided that I am going to get a Droid X from Verizon in a month, when my upgrade date of September 28^th has hit. I have been eyeing the android community and it’s time for me to join, at least for a year. I am only going to do a 1 year contract so that I’m not stuck paying for the data services that the phone requires. I figure I’d venture into this technology area so that I help those around me with it, and it just plain excites me.

I am idling to find out when this Kidney surgery is going to be, and I hope it is no more than 2 months away. Life is going quickly also with the life insurance that I need. I just want to relax. 

@ Home - Kindey Testing Day

I found out on Thursday August 5th that because this Kidney transplant will be a pre-existing condition, that I will never be able to get life insurance after the surgery. So they recommended that I get it now, and raise it up to what I want it at, because I also won't get to change it at all. That is something that I never foresaw with this decision, but God is faithful till the very end.


***UPDATE***


I got about 7 calls from different life insurance brokers wanting to help me find insurance today... it was really really annoying. I wanted to do this online so I would just get a ball park quote... not have 7 brokers all wanting to book me and give me a quote. 

@ Home - Playing the Dogtar

Ownage!

@ Home - Lots of stuff

Today I got Starcraft II after doing the audio work for Head Start. At work today I won a free book from a raffle, it was My Lucky Day (pun intended). Then after picking up Starcraft II from Best Buy I picked up the mail and found Microsoft Office 2010 Professional in my mailbox for me. I'm so excited about today. Especially since I also got a TV tuner card today and installed it. Now I can watch my shows even though I may miss them. It wouldn't be such a big deal but Hulu won't post them till 8 days after they air; dang Burn Notice and Royal Pains :) Now I can also record Adventure Time, Wahoo!

@ CCC - Running audio

Today is a special day, because I am running audio for an organization called Head Start. It is my second summer in a row to help them run audio. This year I am paired with Will who is doing the video side of things. Really, I am getting paid to sit here and read news on the internet all day and blog about it; it's quite nice. Tonight I am especially excited because it's the release of Starcraft 2 at midnight tonight. I wouldn't normally be so excited, but many of us have been awaiting the release of the game. After getting delayed and delayed further it's just time. Today is a good day, and tonight is going to be a good night (black eyed peas style).

@ Home - Arizona Diamondbacks Flag Lady

We went to the D-Backs game against the San Francisco Giants. The Diamondbacks ended up loosing but what happened at the game was really cool. Keenan and Justin's friend Shannon and I went and talked to the Flag lady that is at every Diamondbacks game. Shannon said that she talked to her once and she said she was a really nice lady. We started talking with her and found out her name was Cindi. She told us about her flags and found out that she makes every single one by hand, for every player; as in each player has their own flag.   Each player has also signed their own flag, and the team flag is signed by all of the players. Cindi at that time asked us if we wanted to wave the flags with her, so Shannon and I got to cheer the players on via flags. After that Cindi asked us what we did for a living and Shannon told her about working at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship and then she told us that she was excited that we were Christians as well. We talked and then she hugged us both because "Christians hug" as she put it, and said goodbye. Cindi is such an awesome person, and it was an amazing night. 

@ Home - After Jr. High Camp

Ok, so by itself camp wasn't a life changing experience, but in some ways it is. I have found myself having an easier time loving others. More so of the people whom I care about, but still, I sure hope this continues. I also was invigorated with this passion of service, and more specifically service with the kids at Chandler Christian. I have to make lasting relationships with people in a ministry somewhere, and I already have a great base here at Chandler. It makes me sad that I'd want to move away from that just because I have closer friends in a different state. If anything it has refreshed my passion for ministry with Jr High and Elementary aged kids. Yay, Go God!

@ Home - Thinking about blogging

I think maybe in the future I’m going to try to see if I can review technology. I have been seeing Lito doing stuff with movies… I can’t tell if he’s actually reviewing them or just talking about them… and it got me thinking about things I can do that with.

My dad got a Casio G'zOne Rock because I showed it to him saying that it was the next version of my brother Drew’s phone the Casio G'zOne Boulder. It may be next version I’m not sure, but it seems like it. My dad’s Rock has all sorts of neat phone features:

 

·       “Earth Compass performs as a standard compass, showing the distance from and directions to over 40 domestic and worldwide locations

·       Walking Counter measures steps, time, distance, speed and energy consumption

·       Thermometer shows current temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit

·       Astro Calendar provides the moon’s age and days until a full or new moon

·       Sunrise Sunset shows the current time and position of the sun and times for sunrise and sunset for current, past and future dates, allowing users to view times for select major cities; shows the ratio of day and night in numbers and graphs

·       Tides shows the tidal graph for the day; shows the time of ebb and flood tides; shows the time of sunrise and sunset; shows past and future sea tide levels; shows tidal graphs for 100 locations made available by Surfline’s webcams, and GPS will show the nearest location; shows the current tide and the best time for fishing”

-Source

I tried out the pedometer in the Mall when we got it and it worked pretty well. Also the compass updated itself much faster than Drew’s Boulder... but whatev. I will try and play around with the phone more, but that’ll be a little later.


Oh and another thing is that I tried the Droid Incredible today at the Verizon store and it seemed slow loading pages to me. I’m not sure if that’s Verizon’s end (some would be quick to say “yes”) or if it was the phone, It didn’t impress me much from first look. I didn’t however try out the camera… that is one think I’d like to see how it works. I mean c’mon 8MP in a stinking cell phone, how sweet is that.

@ Home - 4th of July

It was nice to just relax for the 4th of July yesterday. I ended up spontaneously going with Scotty Daily to see Iron Man 2 which I like but didn't think it was worth the $8 I spent on it. It was a well placed movie because it was all about America and supposedly how Awesome we are. To watch fireworks Drew and I went over to the Anderson house to watch them from the backyard. It was nice to spend time with friends and eat good barbecued food and just sit and talk. This week I am working around 18 hours at Target and then next week I will be headed to UCYC again for Jr. High Camp. It's going to be a great week with the Jr. High students, I really hope that I can experience God's direction whilst there. This has been a trying time because our family was supposed to meet with the kidney transplant people and discuss what needs to happen before we can schedule the surgery. We ended up running out of gas on the way there and so we needed to reschedule for this Thursday, July 8th. It will be a pivotal meeting because I will hopefully find out the soonest we could do the surgery and a realistic timeline for recovery. God needs to be ever increasing in my life right now.

@ Home - Smiling

Today was just another normal day for GodSquad until something happened. For the first time when I was on stage serving communion I was thanked for it. It totally caught me off guard and I just smiled. It's nice being thanked for things every now and then.

@ Home - Back from UCYC

The 4^th-6^th grade camp was pretty cool. Nick, Adam and Richie were doing the musical worship this week too. Amberyly Neese was speaking again. I haven’t heard her speak in probably 3 years.  

The group that I had consisted of guys that I didn't know, which was great, but a whole ton of work. They didn't really band together either, but that's alright because I didn't expect perfection. I did my best to be a counselor that listened and did everything that they wanted to do, but this year my guys weren't really adventurous like every year prior... whatev. My 25th birthday up at UCYC was perfect. It wasn't really a big deal which was nice and there was a UCYC staff member named Julie that also had the same birthday, but she turned 19. I also spent some time contemplating and just thinking that night about what was going on in my life and it was much needed. I spent that time at night on a rock, looking up at the radiant stars that were blaring that night. Camp was magnificent!

@ Home - After Ab Ripper X

Every time I do the P90X’s Ab Ripper X program I am reminded of why I am pursuing this Kidney transplant. I have a Father, who needs a kidney. The more I think about the future, the selfish I get. I want to be normal, but the circumstances that I am in don’t allow me to be. I am selfishly afraid of the consequences of only living with one kidney. I need to provide for my family, even if I don’t have one of my own yet. God has provided for me, so I must provide for those around me. I just hope someone meets me who can understand that and still love me. I want to carry out a love revolution.

@ Home - After a quick run

Is it weird to say that I enjoy the smells that I pass through when running. I just got back from a run at 10:30pm with 86 °F air surrounding me. I guess what I think is so magnificent about running here in Arizona... at least where I run is the different experience you get from other places. There are different things about different places, like firefly's in the midwest and such... and on that subject I thought I saw one tonight and giggled, but it was just a big flappidy bug mesmerized by the streetlight. When running I enjoy the smells that the houses laundry vents blow out into the air, the cows, the trees, or the smells rolling out of car windows late at night. It's an interesting combination that I can't really describe, you just have to do it. So go out and run, it makes you feel good, you can learn a lot from the run, and even spend a quiet time with our maker, thanking him for our blessings.

@ Home - Homeless & Holy Spirit teaching

Today we served the homeless breakfast before service and it was a really neat experience. I didn't know that some of them spoke a little English, so next time i'm going to try and have conversation with them and hear their stories.

There has been a lot of learning on the Spirit lately and I really have been liking it. Relying on the Holy Spirit's power inside of ME is crucial to focusing on God. Just a quick realization that I thought as Romans 8:26 was read, the Holy Spirit takes an internal inventory of what we need, and speaks it to God.

I'm just amazed right now. There are still no job interviews yet for me, but I have been talking to people to earn extra money outside of Target doing audio and house sitting.

The challenge for this week at service was "Do something you can only do with the Holy Spirit." So basically do something that only scares you that the HS will get you through.

@ Home - What do I do now?

Can I give up??? I don’t mean giving up praying for my Dad to come around to Christ alone, but with giving my all to donate my kidney. I have arrived here in Arizona with the mentality that everything will work out. That I just need to get the medical imaging done so that we can be sure that I can donate a living kidney to my dad. The very thing that I was originally afraid of has happened; my dad has now refused to take my kidney. He told the case matcher this, so there is nothing that they can do to reverse this unless he says that he is willing to take my kidney. My dad has also not been “all” there these past few days and I am worried that has had some influence in his drastic decision. I understand giving excuses on why he doesn’t want to “take” my kidney, because he wants me to have a “normal” life. That is not who I am, I am not someone who can be selfish and say that I don’t want to have a small sacrifice for someone’s quality of life potentially being drastically improved. I want to help my parents live out their dreams of vacationing in Europe together; this is tough to do when you’re on dialysis 3 times a week. Ughh… now I must regress back to the point. What he can “receive”, he sees as a “take.” He is not taking anything from me that I am giving as a gift to him; he just has to be willing. There was a verse that cut straight to my heart more than I can remember any verse being able to do. It was 1 Timothy 5:8. It was read to many, but it immediately broke me down and I lost control. It happened in the midst of getting tested for compatibility and I believe that this verse still stands. I am willing, but my dad is not. Why?

@ Home - After my first day at the Gilbert Super Target

Today was neat. Tyler Rice , Chris Gutierrez, Drew and I went for sushi at this place that has a conveyor belt to distribute it. I thought it was really fun. And tried a ton of things, Most of the rolls had the seaweed wrap in it, but it was always rice on the outside so it didn't hit my taste buds right away. It surprised Chris and Tyler that Drew and I tried so many different things. It was actually pretty good. It's nothing that I would ask for by name, but maybe some day I will.

It was an interesting day at work today. They have a much different setup than any of the others that I have seen. One of the first major differences I noticed is that they have music playing. It is because they are not attached to the Target Cafe, and are in a standalone part of the store.

I made this dude's drink wrong because I didn't see the letters correctly in the boxes and announced it like I saw it. Well he didn't think that was right so I got told "well lets get going, remake the drink, chop chop" and I looked at our team lead. It ended up being fine and he took it and left; Arizona people can be downright rude.

The Team Leader is a stickler and very nitpicky about certain things but I'm sure I can get along for now. There is a lot of change that I need to adapt to, so we'll see where I can go from here.

@ Home - VBS Day 3

VBS has been amazing the past few days. The first day we talked about Simon, and Jesus calling him whilst fishing (Luke 5:1-16). Jesus gave him a new name "Peter" and made him someone unique, while feeling accepted. The second day we talked about Peter walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33) and about having faith. We did water games to fit the topic of the day, and it was pretty sweet. Tonight we talked about Peter's denial of Jesus 3 times (Matthew 26:31-35; 69-75) and I'm not sure if it was good... more so strange that when I came back into B200 after eating some food that the speaker was leading ALL the kids in the Sinner's Prayer. I look at Angela and she looks back at me, and we are just in shock of what is actually going on. This was not right for the speaker to do that, so she got up after that happened and said that she agreed with what the speaker was saying but that it was their choice and they can talk to the leaders or herself, or Pastor Chris about what it means to follow Jesus. She went on to say that at Chandler Christian Church we believe baptism is the next step so there is a class for that as well. She gave me the wide eyes when she was talking about that... it was so strange to have the lesson end with the speaker leading everyone with the Sinner's Prayer... Well that was quickly offset by the mention of the pudding games that we had tonight. It was totally Awesome! I was all puddin'd up.

As we were walking to the field us male leaders were discussing how we were going to take down a kid if he wanted to dive into the pudding pool. One of the mentioned take downs was the "tickle them until they pee take down" I immediately laughed and thought that was a great idea. I don't know why law enforcement don't use that one :) Twas a good night for all, because there was much fun to be had. I mean who can say they had a pudding all over themselves from a pudding war. There were many cans of chocolate, vanilla, and tapioca used to make the pool full of pudding.

Also I got the job transfer to the Target Starbucks that I wanted, which is 4 miles away from my house... all freeway. And sadly tomorrow the Coquillard family (Joe, Lisa, and Traci) is leaving to Indiana for Joe's new Senior Pastor job. They will be missed here locally very much.

@ The VanEaton House (Shreveport, LA) - Digressing from the exciting day

Last night when I arrived at the VanEaton residence I was invited to go with them to their small groups on Wednesday nights. I went and had a good time and we went to Chick-fil-a. It was different than the one I had went to the day prior because they had a VIP Spicy Chicken sandwich section roped off with nobody in it.



It was awesome though because there were lots of interesting people there that we didn’t know… namely Pentecostals (who apparently to Courtney and Brielle wear skirts/dresses, and wear sandals and don’t believe in cutting their hair) and other folk. But Courtney’s friend Brielle is a stinking hoot. She is a really funny girl who said I reminded her of her friend Taylor. Well anyway, the Chick-fil-a in Shreveport wasn’t releasing the spicy chicken sandwiches. Another thing that was interesting was that right when we left I saw a swarm of bugs around the lights outside. I asked if that was something that normally happened and they said yes. But the flying bugs were everywhere. We didn't realize until we started walking to the car that they were all over the ground too. It was like a graveyard of the bugs, but some were on the ground twitching and getting back up and flying around. It seemed like they started trying to fly into us the closer we got the vehicle. It was really freaky and weird. To say the least, this was not normal, and they quickly retracted their "oh yea the bug swarm at night is normal" statement.


Today I spent a day with the VanEaton family and it was really neat and relaxing.



It was neat, because I learned about crazy bands today and Trevor VanEaton gave me one of his 42. He asked which sport I liked and I replied Baseball, so he gave me a baseball player throwing a pitch.



We just lounged around all day and then ran some errands and came back to make dinner. Susaan and Robbie made their famous breakfast (but for dinner) consisting of homemade biscuits and gravy. It was exceptionally good, and that is something that I will miss in Arizona.


Today was also the season premier of Burn Notice and Royal Pains, which I was anticipating for a long time. I ended up missing Burn Notice and only watching the Royal Pains, but whatev...

I am reminded that God is faithful. Nothing makes sense to me when it comes from God. He is the Good that is in everything. He provides me with much more than I need, even through the VanEaton's.


I’m excited to leave for Amarillo Texas tomorrow and to make a trip to Microcenter in Dallas along the way. I’m so weird, and I love computers so much that a trip to Microcenter is like a dream come true. Then I will roll into Arizona on Saturday June 5th. Then it will be the same as when Max says in Where the Wild Things Are “let the wild rumpus begin.”

@ Trevor's House - full of hope

Oh my Gosh! Today was a crazy day. I revised my plans at least 2 times. I originally was going to leave for Louisiana today with the end goal of Arizona. I am headed to Louisiana to visit the VanEaton family in Shreveport. Then I called Leggett and Platt this morning and asked about the application process timeline. I ended up talking to Jim, who would apparently know about the process more than the HR people. He and I started talking and he said they were still collecting and reviewing the Application and Career History forms from the candidates. I asked him the about the process and he told me that there is generally a phone interview with HIM, then someone else, then they filter good choices for a face to face interview. He asked if I would have any time conflict, and I told him that I was planning on leaving today but could stay a few days to see if I could hang around for a face to face interview. He asked where I was headed and I told him Chandler Arizona, and he told me that he was just there last week in Mesa visiting family. He said something about the “immigration” stuff that has been going on around there, and I told him I was just told about that today at a bookstore : ) So we just chatted a little bit and he told me that he would put a priority on my application and review it with another person and get in touch with me later this afternoon to let me know what to expect. I then decided I couldn’t leave until he called me with more news. He ended up calling when I was at Trevor’s place in Mt. Vernon, MO and told me that he and the other lady had realized that they were not far enough along in the screening quality applicants for them to do a face to face interview. So they were going to just start the phone interviews in about a week.

I’m just excited I got to small talk with the first person that the phone interview is with. So he knows my interest and tried to shoot for me to get an interview before I left. We’ll see what comes of this, but If I get a phone interview which leads to another, which leads to a face to face interview, I will make every effort to come to Missouri to do it. I’m so greatful for everything.

So now the plan is to leave tomorrow for Shreveport, LA to spend the night then head to Amarillo, TX. From there head home to Chandler, AZ. But it was to leave this morning, then to stay a few days, then it's back to leaving again for home... perhaps just to visit.

While Jordan Starkweather, Kevin Bryant, Trevor and I went to Joplin we had Chick-fil-a and got free everything. Thanks to Jordan who’s dad owns the store that we all went to. Spicy chicken sandwich, free drink and a free cookies and cream milk shake. Man o man I am blessed. Today was another good day.

@ The Bronson Home – Perfect close for a rough week

Today was Memorial Day and it was the most unique that I have had. I was invited to a lunch in Hickory Grove Cemetery to remember those that had died. We walked to a few graves where the Sager family had some members buried, then we walked to Chad’s girlfriend Amber that died in a car accident with Chad while he was in high school. We then went to another grave site in a different cemetery to see Kamie and Bailee’s friend Alex that died 4 years ago.

I had a great close to a mediocre week. I caught fireflies with Kamie tonight. I didn’t even think about doing it, until I saw the fireflies outside her house light up and then I instantly went into little kid mode. Both her grandmother Kitty and Kamie herself thought I was acting like a little child, but I was just having a lot of fun, and was thoroughly amused. I think that was one of the things on my bucket list, so I feel accomplished. Now I just have to wake up and call Leggett and Platt tomorrow and find out if I can get an interview that day or soon after. Otherwise I’m going to have to resort to dong a Skype interview of some sort. I will then leave hopefully towards Shreveport, Louisiana and spend a day with the VanEaton’s. Then off to Albuquerque New Mexico or Amarillo Texas (which ever I am feeling up to going to) and then hopefully arrive back in Chandler on June 4th.

@ The Bronson Home - Trying to be patient

Mikeschair – Here With Me

When my world is crashing down

Left in pieces on the ground

I will stand knowing you are here with me

With my hands reaching for sky

I can feel you holding tight

I’m stepping out on water knowing you are

Here with me

You take the broken and the weak

And use them for your glory

So help me to believe

That you will do the same for me

When everything is going wrong

I will trust in you

I need God more than anything else right now. I am so frustrated with what is happening to me. I want to stay here locally in the Missouri/Oklahoma area, but the reason I wanted to, has become the thing that makes me want to leave fast, quick and in a hurry. At the very least, I need to go back to Arizona and find out what is happening with my dad’s health. But I really now could see myself coming back here to the Midwest to see my friends out that I have invested in at Ozark.

On another note, I have worked for Katherine doing data recovery and various computer things. She runs a photography business http://www.photographybykat.com. It has been the biggest financial blessing that I have had this semester. I started helping her in January with data recovery after a business could not do what I did. I then helped her recover the same data again when the external that I put everything on failed. I archived and consolidated her older data to yet another external and helped her network her computer and fix various stuff. The most unexpected thing was that she hugged me right away on Tuesday when I met her face to face for the first time. She has brightened my passion for computer work and for now moving that passion to a professional career. I one day dream to have my own business doing exactly what I was doing for Katherine, those type of odd job computer things. I wish to have a large enough clientele where I can live comfortably off the income and do something different every day. I also want to do computer work as a ministry for a church and serve the community in which I live. Oh my dreams and future, I just hope that I put those in the Lord’s hands to steer me ever so diligently. To do this I have to remember to follow the Lord’s direction, instead of selfishly leading my life.

@ The Bronson Home - Fruits of the Spirit

Yesterday at Delaware Baptist Church Chad talked about the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. It was such a needed lesson, because it reminded me of many things to continue doing. I also realized that Gentleness can be an attitude toward those with Love. Self-control really needs to come before the rest of the fruits of the spirit to be able to control the rest and keep them in check. Joy can be a choice or it can be given from God. I was also reminded of my Dad’s goodness that he has. I know firsthand that everything in me is not good, but that the good in me comes from God. My dad has that goodness in him, and I thank God for that.

@ The Bronson Home - Freaking about application questions

I am filling out an Application and Career History form for Leggett and Platt, and there are questions that are freaking me out.

What qualifications, abilities, and strengths will help you succeed in this job?
What are your career objectives?
Amount of overnight travel acceptable?

I have not thought that far ahead, and it's forcing me to. I'm scared what is next.

@ Ozark - Amazing Day

Today was a really great day. I feel like I almost aced my Luke final exam, I hung out with my life group leader and got many free gifts. The dinner with the Life Group was the best part. We decided to go eat out somewhere, and Cliff treated us too food. So we ended up trying the little hole in the wall El Rey. I ordered a Burrito California, and it was stupid big. I mean El Vellarta and Chipotle have nothing on this burrito. And the owner gave Cliff a free hat, and I laughed because it was a trucker hat, but then he gave me and Adam one as well. Adam and I traded, so that I could get the maroon and gold one to match the hoodie I was wearing.

We started walking around after we obliterated those burritos, because it was the Third Thursday in Joplin. So we are walking around with our matching El Rey hats on and getting compliments left and right. Everyone wanted to know where bought the hats, so we pointed down the street where we came from. We walk around and see people we all know because everyone is out along Main Street. We asked each other where all these people came from, because Joplin is kinda small townish. After we were done walking around and checking out the art and listening to the music, we went back to Cliff’s house. He gave me a graduation present, along with some dress pants, dress shirt and a tie; all of which he couldn’t fit into or didn’t wear anymore. So I scored big I guess. Today was a great day because I just let life happen and it was Awesome!

@ Ozark - Helping the homeless

Helping the homeless was one of the most enlightening experiences I have had in awhile. Today at Watered Gardens we washed the homeless people’s feet, and then gave them new socks and shoes to put on and keep. I first met a man named Mike, he said he was 63, I believe, and I was talking with him about Arizona, and his life and what I came to Missouri for. I asked him what he was doing after this and he said he was headed over to the social security office and then had nothing planned. I then helped out a man named John, he was more of a scruffy looking guy, whereas Mike looked older and pretty well kept. John had some very dirty, old, and unkempt feet, and it was interesting washing in-between his toes. All I know is that some dirt or whatever came from in-between his toes. It was a great experience to just ask him what he was doing after and just asking him if I was tickling his feet, or providing any discomfort. With both men, we also gave soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush. I didn’t really have Godly conversations with my guys like some others did, but I still know that God has touched them and provided for their needs. I need to remember just like 1 Corinthians 3:7-8 explains, that God is the one who changes and grows people, we don’t have that power.

I just hung around waiting for more people, but none really came so I helped move some food upstairs to downstairs and talk to fellow students. When I was leaving, a man named Moses pointed me out and wanted to talk. He noticed I had my Arizona State hoodie on and asked if I went there. I told him that I graduated from there and now I am here. He was telling me that he helped build the 101 Freeway and that he also did work in Tucson. He moved to Missouri on a whim that he was in love with his girlfriend. But when he got down here her and her son stole his car and wrecked it. So he has been struggling ever since. He got some good work out here doing concrete and house building work, so the money was good and he bought trucks, a boat, 4 wheelers and just fun things. But then there was all of a sudden no work because of the economy, so he ended up having to sell most everything to pay the bills. Now he is living on 7 acres of land that another friend of his owns and is living in a 14x22’ storage shed with electricity. He is just living life, but was out at Watered Gardens to try to get groomed and find some work around here so he could help his friend that has been blindly providing for his needs. He was such a great role model for me when I was talking with him. Even as I am writing this I’m getting shivers because of the conversation we had. We were both pouring out hearts out to each other. Eventually we started talking about Offroading and the kinds of things he and his buddy had put together and the KOH – Something something hammer racing events that were about 2 hours away from Joplin that is a stress rally for offroading. He was telling me about all the vehicles that were used and what to have in them so you can lock up the back tires together or separately with a single lever (apparently making them non street legal). He poured out his heart and said if they can have power lifters doing what they do, but Glorify God with it, then someone can have offroading clubs and demonstrations that lift up God and promote his Kingdom. I believe that is something that has been put on his heart, and I told him about my dream with computers and making an outreach with that as well. Ugh… there are just so many good ideas that “could” work, but who knows what kind of Church would help fund that kind of dream.

It really hit me as I was talking to Moses, I am just so blessed and he was too. I started tearing up while I was talking to him and started choking up while I was headed back to my car. I am so blessed and I often don’t recognize it. Thank you Lord for your patience with me

@ Ozark - Applying for Jobs

I found some jobs here locally for Leggett & Platt. I had never heard of the company prior to moving out here to Joplin, Missouri. Apparently they have a large presence here in Carthage, Missouri. The two jobs that I stumbled on were Network Security Analyst and Logistics Systems Analyst. From the descriptions both sound like amazing opportunities to start with. Because there is no listed experience required, it’s safe to assume that I might have a chance.

Writing a cover letter for jobs is some serious business. Since each one has to be tailored to the specific position, the reusability of them is nonexistent. I am learning along the way, with Arizona State recommended websites, to write this little tidbit to send off with my résumé.

I’m checking out: http://www.quintcareers.com/cover_letters.html

I hope it allows me to stand out more.

@ Ozark - Being vulnerable and following

Today in Chapel we had student speakers that were preaching their BTh sermons and the first one was teaching about Honor. Her passage was 1 Timothy 5. The message was about treasuring what we honor. In that she read 1 Timothy 5:8 "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (NIV)

The scripture struck me right in the heart. God's Word does not do this as much as it should in my life, but I immediately felt an example in my life. I knew that I needed to give it up to God. At that moment I started tearing up. I fought it for the sake of not trusting myself (with a false motive), by wanting people to notice what was going on. So I fought this, but just focused on God and what he was teaching me in that moment, and putting my faith in Him. I started shaking because of the crying, then the nose ran and then the tears just started falling. At that moment I completely lost control. I continued reading the scripture the best I could and it got worse. God really stirred in me during the rest of chapel, and I'm so glad that it happened. It let's me know that God is in control and that I can let Him take care of my needs and wants. But more importantly it reminds me that I must be there for my family like none other. Things will be different...

@ Ozark - Direction

God, I need some direction, my emotions are getting the best of me with my girlfriend, school, surgery, and loneliness. Has nobody gone through what I am currently going through. The dynamic is frightening. Let me embrace this change.

@ Ozark - Memorizing scripture

I just want to document this, that I have said it to more than one person. I am really having a fun time memorizing scripture right now. I am trying to memorize about 10 verses a day of Matthew 5 (The Sermon on the Mount) and it really is sweet action.

@ Ozark - Taking it slow

There are just so many factors against Kamie and me, that at times our relationship doesn’t seem possible. I told her that I liked the Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence lyrics:

All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms

And I found that applicable to the times that we have been having. So I don’t know what happens from this point on, but it is going to be taken slow.

@ Ozark - Reading a Book

I am reading Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World and I picked up something.

I hope to be a father who provides my children with the ability to feel needed and wanted.

@ Ozark - On my way to Principles of Family Living

Yea, I'm crazy

@ Ozark - I am the oldest

I just realize that I am now the oldest person on Boatman 3rd. I kind of found that daunting when I realized that a second ago. Greg Hull just moved off the floor, into his big boy rental house, so that leaves me, a mere 24 year old… to be the oldest one on the floor. Weird…

Among other updates, I have met a wonderful lady whom I am proud to be the boyfriend of. Her name is Kamie and she is from Oklahoma. I met her through my old roommate Chad Bronson and was strangely not looking for anything, yet it happened.

I also have been getting tested for cross compatibility to see if I can donate my kidney to my dad, so that he doesn’t have to be on dialysis anymore. So far after 2 rounds of testing I am compatible. I did the third round of blood work today, so I should hear the results from Jennifer in less than a week from now. Exciting!

@ Delaware Baptist Church - Thoughts after Chad's lesson a few days prior

I need to change my attitude towards God. I will pray expectantly knowing full well that God can and will move me. I am a Christian; I am not popular by default, but am always striving to be. When will I care about people’s souls rather than how they treat others. Shoot, even I myself, manipulate those around me so that I am comfortable. When can I comfort those who I don’t want to comfort, or outwardly pray for those that need encouragement? God tear me in a way that I cannot put myself together again. I will be hated among men, and should not be of this world. I will be made fun of, not because I have a mustache, but because I’m not experiencing life in a way that others do. Even at Floridino’s, upon my faith in you, others made fun of me. I continue to pray for boldness but completely forget what it looks like. Lord immerse me in that again, because I never want to forget what it is like to be lost in the world, searching for something more. Fill me in your truth because I want to be the light and the example for those around me. I also never want to feel like I have it figured out, because I never will. I must seek you and others at the same time. Allow me to be your bridge O God. Thank You Lord. Amen

@ Ozark - Feeding the 5,000

Today in my Gospel of Luke class we were talking about Luke 9:12-17, where Jesus feeds the 5,000. Now, this is the only miracle that is recorded in all 4 Gospel accounts. But our teacher Gerald Griffin (Griff) was talking about the Twelve disciples just getting done healing the sick and RAISING DEAD PEOPLE TO LIFE. They obviously know their power that Jesus gave to them in Luke 9:1-2. But now somehow they are not sure what they need to do. Jesus wants them to figure out what to do in the situation in Luke 9:13. On a side note it says in John 6:6 that Jesus already knew what he was going to do about the hunger situation. But Griff was saying that after they were doing all these miracles like raising people from the dead, that he doesn’t know what to think about the Twelve’s faith. Griff was also surprised that Peter, being the way he is didn’t speak up with his tenacity and offer to do a miracle to feed them. I was thinking when he said this, well shoot, I bet Peter is thinking ‘I shouldn’t have raised those dead people, because now they are wanting food too.’ I told Griff about this and he thought it was funny enough to tell his classes in the future, that he wrote it down in his personal lecture notes. But really it might be true, because in Luke 8:55 Jesus told the 12 year old dead girl’s parents to give her food. So there may strangely be something linked to being dead and “waking up” from death to needing nourishment :) Cool huh…

@ Ozark - scared to wake up tomorrow

So last night I had a dream that I was literally possessed by a demon, and it was weird because cat’s the size of squirrels were attacking me and inflicting pain on me. I don’t remember what all I did as a demon, but I just remember getting attacked like crazy.

Well today I was hanging out with Kamie and told her about my dream, so I told her to keep her cat away from me. When we were making dinner, the cat came over to eat some food, so I reluctantly just decided to pet it… because I was kinda scared of the dream coming true. I did though, and the dog came over, so I was going to pet it, and it bit me, I then was going to shake my finger at it and say no, but then it grabbed hold of my left thumb and began to repeatedly bite down on it like 6 times within a second. I tried pulling my thumb out of his mouth, but he kept biting. It didn’t look too bad after it happened, but within a minute it stared bleeding in one place. Kamie and her grandmother went to get hydrogen peroxide and clean the wound, while scolding the dog and literally beating it up. I was just in awe of what happened, because I have never been bit by a dog before. Kamie cleaned the bite for me like a champ and her grandma put a band-aid on it for me. They were such a good little paramedic team, I hardly knew what happened. They replaced the bandage in a few hours after Kamie saw that it had bled threw the bandage, and I pulled off the band-aid only to see more of the bite showing up. All I know is that I kept thinking District 9 when his hand turns into an alien’s because of some bite, or interaction with the aliens. I sure hope my hand doesn’t turn into something different.

Maybe I am possessed by a demon after all… it’s weird.

@ Ozark - Pondering

I just got done talking with one of my professors about help with an exegetical paper. I was walking back to the dorm thinking what on earth am I going to do with this incomplete paper, and just the worries of how my passage is going to fit into another paper for a different class? Right then, it hit me. This is just like when Jesus’ mother Mary, was pondering all the things in her heart that the shepherds told her about Jesus (Luke 2:19). She literally is tossing them around in her mind. I just have so much bouncing in my head right now with all the assignments that are due tomorrow, and how I’m not going to be able to do them all, or if so it will be a miracle. Mary had this, but it was because she just had a child, which is not from human descent, and she was just getting hit so fast with life, and what Jesus was going to be. I can understand her a little bit right now. I think we all can actually, whenever life is just being… life.

@ Ozark - Empty for You

I haven’t updated my blog in awhile, so I figured I’d so now that I have a topic. I am worried about money. This sounds like one of those times that I go through, but it really is. I need to focus on what I NEED rather than what I think I need or just would like to have. I don’t know if I need books for class, I thought today. I saw someone writing in their harmony book in my Life of Christ class today and thought that I might want to do that, which means that I would have to purchase the book. I decided however to check out most of my books that I could, and hope that I can borrow the others from friends so that I can use my last semester here at Ozark. I feel also that I need computer speakers, and a new battery for my car (because it’s dead), and things for school, like new binders and paper. I am just disorganized right now and it frustrates me. Normally I will just go and do what I need to and get it done. I have done that today, but not with needs that are tangible. Lord continue to help me have a mind that is focused on the needs of others, during this time, and not just the ones I choose, but that are in need of friendship, or money, or things that I am holding back. Get me in this mood God. I am not here to learn for myself, but to learn along with others, so that I am a well used vessel that is priceless for someone else. Help me be this to my Mother, help me to be this to my Father, help me to be this to my Brother, Help me to be this for my Grandparents, but most of all Lord help me be this for the people whom I don’t like to associate with and that is out of my comfort zone. I am not better than them, I am the same. Continue to give me passion and mercy for those that are hard to love. Tear down my pride fortress 5 blocks an hour, allow me to give to you what is yours anyway, my life, but without any hindrance, and completely for you. Amen