Change has come

Several weeks ago I posted about dealing with change and the possibility that it might be coming.  Well, change is definitely coming.  In May I will be moving to a different branch in Warsaw.  I am looking forward to the move as it will give me some new experiences and help position me to advance my career.  At the same time, I am worried about getting adjusted to a different group of people and how they will adjust to me.  I really like the people I currently work with and leaving them will not be easy.  However, I trust that it is all in God's hands and that he will help me make it through the coming transition.

Devotions

For many years I struggled with doing daily devotions and spending time in the word.  I talked with others and they made various suggestions from using my music as a devotion to various books that I might want to look at, but nothing never really took hold.  Finally last summer I got an NIV Study Bible and found a plan to read through the Bible in a year.  Along with reading the Bible, I started writing about it.  Often this takes the form of a recap of the passage, but sometimes it gets more in depth.  Anyway, things have gone well, but I didn't realize the true impact of my devotional life until this past weekend.  Renee and I went to visit her parents and I had every intention of not getting behind on my reading, but I did.  By late Saturday/early Sunday I was actually feeling the effects.  I wasn't my usual self.  I don't know if anyone else knew it but I felt off.  Having not done devotions since Wednesday, I was out of sorts.  It was an interesting revelation that I have finally gotten to the point where starting the day with devotional time actually has a profound impact on my day.  I'm not sure yet what I am going to do when I get through the Bible.  I may read through it again in a different order (chronological vs. cover to cover) or possibly find a good devotional to read each day and meditate on.  Whatever it is, I know that maintaining a devotion is an important part of my life now and I can't afford to get away from it.   

Spring Break

YEAH!!!!! Renee's Spring Break is here and I am taking the week off.

BOO!!!!! That means it is time for the annual spring cleaning - YUCK!

Actually its not that bad.  So far today we have cleaned out the filing cabinet and desks, sorted through the clothes, removed unwanted books (going to used bookstore), cleared the balcony, and arranged the storage area.  Still on the agenda - the bathroom and our cars. 

Tomorrow Renee has to work so I will be working on getting the CD rack reorganized (several new additions require the update), making sure DVD's are in order, dealing with the living room in general, and organizing the pantry/laundry area.  Tuesday is also laundry day so I will be washing, drying, and folding clothes.

Wednesday we tackle the kitchen as well as dust, sweep, and vacuum the apartment.  Then we go to Fort Wayne to take the books and possibly do a little shopping.  As a reward for all of this hard work dinner will be at Mad Anthony's, one of our favorite local restaurants.

Barbers

There is nothing like a good barber to keep you looking good.  Yesterday it was time for a haircut (I know because the hair at the back of my head was curling up), so I headed off to Benz Salon.  Ben has been doing my hair since high school and I have always been pleased with the results.  I did try one of the chain Supercuts places in college, the ones with the $6 hiarcuts, and that didn't work.  I'm a guy so my haircut is really quite simply, but they just didn't do anywhere close to the job that Ben does.  So, even though it costs more, I will always go to Ben because I look much better for it.

How 'bout those Olympians

Don't know how much you all are watching the winter games, but I have definitely been enjoying them.  It is something else watching these athletes do some incredible things.  Top on the list - Shaun White, his runs were absolutely incredible.  I would totally wipeout and give myself a severe concussion at least, probably break several bones as well.  Leave a comment with your favorite performance so far.

Change

They say that change is inevitable, what they don't tell you is that change still contains a lot of stress. Recently it seems that many things are changing. With the economy still struggling everyone is looking for ways to cut costs. Thankfully, I am not in danger of losing my job or benefits. The other thing is that there have been several personnel moves that are currently playing out. I don't know what this will me for me yet, but I have bid to move up within the company. Praying that God does know best and that his plans are best. Work is not the only area of change in my life.
Two weeks ago we found out that our Associate Pastor is leaving to take a position with a church in West Virginia. Jeremy served as the Youth Pastor and also the leader of our praise band. He has been a tremendous blessing to me and has helped me grow as a musician. On top of that, Renee and I are struggling with church as a whole. When our old choir director left, it created a void for us. Since I was already a part of the praise band, mine filled in fairly easily. Renee's did not. Our church is about a 30 minute drive for us, which can become a strain, especially when I don't usually get off work until 6:15 or so. The ability to participate in anything beyond Sunday morning is difficult. We are beginning to consider looking for a church that is a bit closer to home so that we might have the ability to be involved in a mid week something (bible study, small group, etc.) Even though I am in the praise band, I have felt the need for relationships with others in church that exist beyond Sunday morning. Of course, leaving a church is always difficult.
I do find myself taking some comfort from the words of Jeremiah. We all know Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (NIV) What has helped me is looking at the context of this verse. This was not written to people looking at some scary yet good change (i.e. going to college). It was written to people in exile. These were people who had experience change in a bad way. They had been uprooted from their homes by a foreign army and forced to march to a foreign city that was a 3 month journey. This was definitely not what the people were expecting. Granted, their sin is what led them to this position. Still, in the midst of all this bad stuff happening, Jeremiah reminds them that God does know what he is doing and he does watch over his people. I find that very comforting right now.
Anyway, that is it for right now. I will try to post regularly on Tuesdays as that is my current day off. Hopefully I can maintain regular updates. Most probably won't be as long as this one.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. Anyone can now leave comments for me without having to log in (not possible on my former blog). I hope to update this weekly if not more often. Anyway, I don't have much time now as I must get ready for church, but I will be back in a day or so with a real post.