Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Whiffle Ball

Whiffle Ball got rained out. That sux, we had 10 kids ready to go and then nothing. They don't even get to go see the "Field of Dreams." Oh well Other than that work is good. We are fillling up my schedule rather completely these days.

Jodie and I are thinking about getting a dog. We might get a Yorkie that someone is giving away, but i am not sold on the Yorkie. Anyone have experience with one?

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Reviews

I started a new blog to review movies. I watched Dark Knight, so i started with it. go to www.ihfe.blogspot.com

Pool Party

So week two began with a pool party on Wednesday. It was fun. there 15 kids that showed up. Some of them were only out of the water for the brief time it took to eat. Some of them were only off their phones for the brief time it took to get in the water, but everyone seemed to have a good time. We played with water pistols, and these were some cheapo water pistols, so that added to the enjoyment. In the midst of 10 minute water gun fight with Emma, I stopped and refilled the pistol maybe 12-15 times. there was actually only about 6 or seven minutes of squirting the guns. I saw some great flips, and some incredible almost flips, and even a couple not even closes.
So far I have met a good number of the youth, maybe half, and they have been great. They have welcomed me more than I could have expected. They are funny and smart and some of them are goofy, its great. I think I will fit well with this bunch.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Work has begun

Day 1
Well, work began this week. I came into the office on Tuesday. I moved some furniture around, I went through the youth library that was left for me, and I pulled out the 15% of it I will keep. Its the process that the next Youth Minister will use when I leave. I will leave a mess of books that i think are awesome and some that I didn't think were worth taking and 85% will just be given/thrown away. I was told in my first staff meeting on my first morning that they need a six month calendar turned in ASAP from everyone on staff. I feel like that's alot of pressure to put on someone on their first day. Are there no plans in place for the next 6 months? I have yet to talk to any parent about scheduling, I have yet to meet with any students, with the youth council. But i needed to get to work on that schedule. Well I made one today on Microsoft Publisher. It has alot of blank space so far. Alot. Well, soon enough i will fill it. I went to the Staff parish relations Committee meeting. I was introdiced to the 6 people there. THey had no questions for me, so then i left and went home and they had the rest of their meeting. Overall it was a good day.

Day 2
I went to lunch today with Hunter, Noah, Chase, Allie, Natalie, Mary, McKenzie, Brittany, and Daniel. It was very low-key. But it was fun to see them and watch them interact. They seem to be alot of fun. They don't seem to wonder why I am here. Apparently the former Youth Minister parted on much better terms than where I previously served. I think that is a good sign. I came back put my Buddha collection on a table in my office, tryed to fill in some blanks on that calendar and then went home. overall it was a good day.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Dark Knight

So, since about March I have been asking Jodie if we can go see The Dark Knight.

I can't remember a movie I wanted to see so badly. I think the 2 trailers I have seen for this movie are better than the last 5 movies I have seen. This movie just has so much going for it. My obsession over this movie is quite a bit over the top i admit. Pretty much everyday this summer I have thought I really want to see the new Batman...oh and I need a job. But mostly Batman. Well just when it started getting closer, and I thought that this movie might be the highlight of the Summer, I get the Youth Ministry Position at Wesley Memorial. And now Batman is not as important. Don't get me wrong...I will see it the first weekend, but what has me the most excited these days is starting my new ministry with the people (youth specifically) of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. July 15th is now the day I am looking forward to. That is the day I am awaiting.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Gainful Employment

So I got a phone call today from Rev Paul Seay of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church (in Johnson City). I was asked if i could start work as the Youth Pastor on July 15th. I cannot tell you how satisfying this call was.

I rarely say things like this is what God wants or this is where God wants me. But as I interviewed with Wesley memorial I really began to feel like it was where I was supposed to be. Paul said that the committee was meeting last Wednesday night, and so I figured I would get a call Wednesday saying they went with someone else or that they were choosing me. The call never came. In fact the call never came. So i sat by phone from Thursday morning (actually Wednesday night) until Friday evening when we went to a 4th of July party. During the party I received an email from Paul that the committee was meeting Sunday. So I sat around all weekend wondering what would happen? I began to wonder what i would do? Go Back to school? Work at Food City or La Carretta? just stay home and clean (like thats what would happen).

That decision is now irrelevant. I will talk with them this week to get the details on working there, but to all of you who have been praying for me, thank you. More to come as I get it.

Peace,
G

Saturday, July 5, 2008

July 5th

g:
Well, just so you know, I am still unemployed. I have applied at a church here in Johnson City to be the youth pastor. I am one of three finalists, but I was unable to secure immunity going into the last round. They were supposed to let me know by now, but the search team has called for a meeting on Sunday, and hopefully I will find out Sunday afternoon. If that doesn't work i might go to school again to get a Masters in Education.........wow, I hope I do not have to go back to school.
Though this time of unemployment has allowed me the freedom to play more golf than ever before, it has not given me enough income to play the amount of golf that would allow me to improve.


Around the house things are improving. We have our china and glasses out of their boxes for the first time ever (except for our anniversary). We now have living room and dining room furniture, Things like a couch and love seat, a hutch, and an old secretary desk. We have put up enough photos of ourselves to replace the need for mirrors. BUT....we have an entire hallway downstairs with things to go on walls: diplomas, maps, pictures, etc. So we have alot of bare walls.



So I went over to someones house from Gray UMC for the Fourth. This house was landscaped like i had not ever seen. It was impeccable. Oh, they also had a whiffle ball field. No seriously they had a whiffle ball field. Like field of dreams style. There was a full whiffle ball field. Imagine a small softball field, with the fence the manicured grass, and the perfect dirt diamond in the infield. There was also a backstop and stadium seating. Then the youth of the church did a fireworks show. It lasted over 15minutes and even ended with a huge finale. It was pretty good considering it was just a bunch of stuff people had bought. I celebrated my independance by not wearing red white or blue.

Well take care. Peace.

you can see some new Wedding pics on this page