Summer Plans

For those who didn't know, I had a grueling, 3.5-hour job interview on Monday. After putting all the time and effort into the interview, I'm no longer certain if I even want the job. I haven't had any peace about the subject all week, until a day or two ago when Jamie and I decided it would be best to decline if they offered me a job. It's still hard to say exactly why I didn't feel good about the job, especially since we could really use some solid income, like, right now; but today, I talked with one of my professors about an independent study I plan to take this summer, and he noted something interesting that I hadn't really considered before: Apparently, in recessions, when the labor market is really tight and everyone's looking for work, people are inclined to take the first job offer they receive. This results in people entering career paths that don't best suit their interests or skills, and since people tend to stick with a general career path, this first job defines the remainder of their lives. (In turn, the society as a whole suffers as thousands of people fail to reach their highest potential.)

I don't know if that's why I don't feel good about this job, but it's very true that the offer is not really in line with my ultimate career goals (to work for the Tampa Bay Rays or Cubs, or writing [about economics]). Also, adding a job at $40K per year, but still taking classes would actually carry the potential of worsening our financial situation (i.e. still no cats, and possibly having to move to the ghetto). The difference, in terms of actual weekly and monthly obligations for us, of $40K and $45K is monumental, so we would be better served to hold out for a little more.

So, on Tuesday I applied to about 6 or 7 more opportunities, namely some summer internships or internship-type jobs. So, if you guys remember, please keep me in your prayers that I might navigate this summer prudently and according to God's big, sometimes secret plan.

In the meantime, Jamie and I have continued to train for the Chinatown 5K. Yesterday, I ran a 5K in about 24 minutes, which is about 4 minutes slower than I want to, so I'm still far away from my goals. Additionally, we are now in possession of three different kinds of Oreos (peanut butter, chocolate, and reduced fat -- which is hilarious). I have deemed all three kinds of these Oreos contrary to my running goals, but too delicious to resist.

Also, and I don't know if Melissa reads this or not, but Daniel and Melissa: I've been praying for you guys every day, because I'm intimately aware of the pains of wedding planning. If there's anything Jamie or I can do to help you guys (maybe send you a pizza?), let us know.

Getting ready....

I feel like my life is made up of purely "getting ready" for things right now.

First off, Brendan and I are getting ready to FINALLY officially release the Porchlights album....we are at the point where we don't even enjoy the songs anymore. We were trying to pick a song order and kept blacking-out during the listening. But we are done mixing, are about to send out for mastering, and are shopping around for packaging. Pray that God works out the finances

Secondly, we have been writing worship songs for a Burn Worship Project we are putting together. I have NEVER been able to write a worship song until now. Whenever I would sit down to write a worship song, through scripture or just "musical prayer" I would hit a wall. But within the last couple months, I have written THREE SONGS! Whether they are good or not I cannot say, but just the fact that God is finally starting to put this stuff on my heart is pretty rad.

And finally, we are getting ready to move. I am excited to know what God wants, but its scary to make all the different pieces move: finding a place, getting a job, settling down, etc....its just tough.

Anyways, love you all!

-Matt

A Mom Update

Hey Kids-

Well, it's been sort of nice to be done with the comic book, but we both are looking forward to the next one. All of a sudden we feel a little bit like we lack purpose and direction. However, I finally did get to some things done I had been wanting and needing to do...yard work (the weeds were higher than the hot tub), sewing and general housework. During the 6 weeks or so of work on the comic book I didn't spend any money on anything other than groceries, gas and taco bell. BUT that is over, and I went to bed, bath and beyond and bought a new bedspread for Janelle's bed and then I ordered the coordinating dust ruffle from e-bay. I cut that dust ruffle up and Velcroed to the bed frame so it doesn't always slip around, then used the material from the back side of it to make a curtain and a pillow. That was fun. Now I'm working on matching outfits for Nate's kids using left over material from Janelle's wedding. I'll include a photo of those when I'm done.

Today is Chuckie's birthday so we are going to take him to Capt. Anderson's for dinner. Oh, if you think of it, maybe you could send him a happy b'day e-mail (he doesn't do facebook really). My mom is buying Rob and Chuckie matching shirts and is hoping they will wear them both to dinner tonight, yay. Dad is a good sport about all of that.

We finally got the pool quote that we can afford and he is supposed to be here this week to sign the contract and start no later than 2 weeks from now. This price ($3900 for resurface, $1500 for hot tub) will include a demo of the hot tub and filling that space with concrete. Dad wants to put a patio umbrella there when it's all done.

We are sure enjoying the warm weather that has finally arrived. Dad took an afternoon nap outside yesterday and got sunburned. A couple of large turtles have shown up in the yard and all the plants are starting to sprout. The azaleas are blooming and the orange tree has HUNDREDS of blooms on it. Of course the weeds are coming too, and the great weather represents weekly yard work, but that's all part of it.

I got my hair done by a lady at Eastgate who has been nagging me to come to her for some time. I waited until Kathy Cravatta moved to see her, and she finally cut/colored my hair last Thursday. She did a great job, but she cost me an arm and a leg! Move than I have EVER spent on hair! She gave me a "deal", half off and only charged me $75. I told her she didn't have to give me a deal and she said "ok", so I paid her $100 plus $20 tip. Ouch! I see now why she wanted my business so badly. What does she think pastors make anyway? From the picture you'll see she dyed it my natural color of brown and then put very subtle light highlights all over. I was there for 2 1/2 hours...I like it, but am still getting used to the darker shade.

Ok, I've blabbed on enough. In order to talk to you guys a little more often, could you all let me know what your schedules are, if you know them from week to week? I think about calling but am worried I will interrupt work, or school...thanks so much. I'll put mine here: Work 8-3 on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Other than that, I'm pretty much available except during Eastgate meetings, which you would know anyway. Thanks, kids I love you and miss you all-

Mom

Lots of Things!

So there are so many things happening right now. Melissa and I in homage of the proposal have chosen to forgoe our bi-annual break up, thus creating a stronger, tenser bond between us. We are really trying to get everything ready for this wedding, and so far everything has been falling into place, minus a couple details. We are looking at possibly having the wedding in early December as soon as Melissa finishes her classes. Hopefully this date will work with everyone's schedule.

In other news, Melissa's 2007 Kia Rio purchased in early February has broken down for the second time and this time was not covered in the warranty. The nice mechanic at the Kia dealership explained that a hose from the power steering had rubbed against a pulley for the power steering and caused the hose to slice and spill all it's fluid. Luckily Melissa was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage when that happened. Now, the mechanic also explained that the hose was moved due to damage from a front end collision that had obviously been repaired. So we went down the street to MazdaCity where we had purchased the vehicle and explained to them the situation. They did try to give us the run-around but we were able to have the car towed to their service department (out of pocket of course, but luckily I work with some one who lives on the west side, who knew a towing guy, and was able to get it for $45 cash). This was all on Tuesday, and Melissa had to work night audit tuesday and wednesday, not to mention school which I gave her rides to since I get an hour lunch every day. So, yesterday, Wednesday, I called them after they never called back and found from some one who claimed to have no idea on the details, that David from sales (who sold us the car) was going to pay for the labor but that we would have to pay for the part of which he had not idea on the cost. So, today after I get off work and Melissa wakes up from night audit, we are going down there one more time to shake things up. Melissa has a list of demands, including not paying for the part and getting a signed statement saying they inspected everything else in the car for possible future damage.

We'll see how that works, but feel free to pray that we're able to keep our cool and hopefully get Melissa back into a working vehicle. Looking back on all the paper work, including the interest, warranty and down payment she will have paid over $13,000 for the car. I don't believe that is a price for a vehicle that only worked for 60 days, especially considering the prior damage found by the Kia mechanic, who will be our lead witness in the civil case against Tom Bush (owner of MazdaCity, BMW of Orange Park, who we financed through, and a couple other dealerships in the area). Granted, we never looked at the CarFax, but we chose to buy at the dealership because of its' reputation.

Sorry, I just needed to vent some of that stuff and hopefully I will be able to say the right things today. Please pray for Melissa and I both. Thanks!

Hello family

I keep waiting for something exciting to happen so I can write an awesome blog. No luck with that, so I'll just write about my life.

I told you about the new office and I have to say that it's pretty awful. There are five girls, (including me) and the boss man. This means that there is nothing but drama, drama, drama. The editor and I usually just keep quiet and put our headphones in. It has been nice to work in the same office as the boss because now I feel more confident that he is happy with the job I'm doing. (Or, at least he says he is.)

Outside of work, life is wonderful. I'm always thanking God for bringing me to such an amazing place with such wonderful people. I am surrounded by so many great women of God here. (I wouldn't mind being surround by a few more great men of God, but that's all in good time I suppose.)

Oh, and it looks like April will be moving back to Panama City. We had a talk the other night and she's got a friend there that wants to room with her and of course she has that job at Book It to go back to. Obviously nothing is for sure right now, but I can tell that mentally she is pretty determined to move back. She hasn't been connecting here with the people at all. It's been pretty frustrating for me, as I can't understand why she chooses to remain so distant. If you think of it, be sure to keep her in your prayers.

Honestly, I'm slightly relieved. She has been a bit of an emotional burden for me. Of course, if she chose to stay I would be happy to continue living with her. I think I just feel responsible for her and it's hard to see her not making the decisions I think would be best for her. But, that's how life is I suppose.

Well, those are the basics of my life. In happy news: Janelle and I had an awesome weekend with the parents over Easter. (I love you guys.) I've been working out a lot more in hopes to continue to lose weight. Bradley let me use his password for MLB.com so I could listen to the Cubs game at work, (which was so fun), he's the best! This weekend should be filled with plenty of sunshine and bike rides!

I love you guys and I look forward to reading more from you!

i just farted at work...

Howdy yall! I hope its okay that I'm posting again, but I FINALLY thought of something to say.

First of all, Dr. Green has me working on the clinic website which is kind of exciting considering I don't know anything about anything. But, me being me, I have updated home page photo to current non pixelated one, I have inserted hyperlinks giving people a map to where the clinic is located and have put up a photo gallery which has pictures of the pets with santa. Now, I won't give you the web address because you guys would say "well the website still looks like its from 1998"... so instead, imagine the most beautiful website you've ever seen and then pretend that's the one I made. thank you.

this Sunday is Alpha sunday! I'm really excited. It's from 9a-2p at Lee Brookins house. He talks about the holy spirit and then we all go down to the beach, and those who want to get baptized. A girl came to our group on Tuesday and started to cry a little and said, "I finally felt God!! I know he's real now" and went on to tell her story of how that happened. It's exciting to see God really working in these peoples lives. Matt and I have watched them grow so much and it has been such a blessing to be apart of it. Last week was the first week where some of them started to pray for one another and it was all very exciting... I was telling jess it was like the book (Adrian Plass diary) said, "I wanted to see someone get healed, but I never expected God to show up..."

anyway, that's what's going on with me. God is also proving to Matt and I daily that he will provide for us with the moving fund and that's exciting too... except when I realize that I suck at trusting him.

love you guys!!! Missing bradley and jamie extra lately-

Also- June 5!!!! Eileen is having a reunion concert/ 'everyone is moving soon party' hosted by matt's parents, all of you are invited and should come out to j-ville,

that is all..

-janelle

Ahm-a-finished Y'all!!

Great news everyone! I've finished my very first 28 page graphic novel. It was over a month of 11-13 hour days, 7 days a week...but now it's all done. Yer Ma was the one who made it possible to get it done in that time frame, and she worked just as many hours. She's awesome (as if you didn't know that).

But now it's done. And I'm sorta' sad, because i miss working on it. So it's time to get back to Rabbi Encounters!!!

Anyway, I'm uploading pics of the final art and stuff. Love you all!!!