Wow- it's been a really long time

I just realized that it's been like a hundred years since I wrote anything at all on this here blog. I still feel like I've not got much to say but I thought I'd catch people up if anyone cares.

I HATE my job. I mean I really HATE it. I got an apartment in Salem for about 5 months and could never actually bring myself to move my things in. I slept on an air mattress the whole time. I had my kitchen and bath things there and a chair and my TV. I finally decided to give up the apartment and move back into my parents' house and I am commuting again.

The nice thing about commuting is that at the end of the day I get to leave the job I despise behind - in a completely different city. I don't run into crazy students when I'm out and I get to see friends on a much more regular basis.

I am actively looking for other work so if anyone has ideas - I'd love to hear them. :) It's kind of weird because, OBVIOUSLY, I am thankful to have work when so many don't but I'm waiting for my body to react to the stress like it did when I work for "satan" at the surgeons' offices - anyone remember that???? I don't really want my body to eat itself (unless it's my belly fat). I'm not looking for open wounds again!

What a strange time of transition for so many. It's so strange because all of my friends that are working at Cascade are in the same boat. I don't know if I'm glad I'm not there for all of the sadness of closing the school or if I wish I were there to be with everyone in the final days. Can't go back - can only look forward, right???

I solicit prayers for new work. I've got some apps out and maybe one of them will pan out. I'm trying to remain hopeful. I've also got another project up my sleeves. I'm praying desperately for this to be the thing that pans out. I know it would change my life in amazing ways. I don't really feel like advertising it here on this public forum so I just ask if you love me to pray that this thing happens! It would be really great - and something I need desperately! I would be empowered to move on in great ways with my life.

I did run into my friend James on the street Saturday near the Starbucks he works at. He suggested I consider going and teaching English in Europe for a year. Maybe that's the ticket! I could handle Europe for a year, I think!

I think we could all look at the history of this blog and see that I have been searching for something for quite some time. I'm tired of talking about it and want to take action. It's just hard to know which direction to go. I suppose any action at this point is better than sitting around and waiting for life to happen to me. Do you just go and hope that you're doing something good? Do you try to hear the voice of the Lord leading you in a specific direction? Wise readers I solicit your opinions...

call + response

Please check this out. This is real - and it's happening in our neighborhoods.

nothing to say

I don't like that I don't keep up with this blog. So much has happened in the last three months and I feel like I don't have any words to share about any of it. The good and the bad. I want to share my thoughts on the closing of Cascade, the election, my new job, the passing of a friend, my hopes and dreams for the future, and my fears and failures, yet I can't seem to find the words. I usually have plenty of words but I haven't had any lately. I'm not sure what that means. Hopefully it will change soon.

YES WE CAN!!!!

Transitions

Well Kids, it's official! My last day at Cascade is Friday, August 22nd. I have accepted a position in financial aid at Chemeketa Community College in Salem. In all of the crazy transitions my plan is to commute for now. I'm sure once I start paying for gas I will get over it real quick and will find myself moving to Salem. Thankfully little Timmy and Kori live there and some friends of mine just moved to Keizer. So I have at least a small social circle there.

I'm excited about this new opportunity. I've been waiting patiently for the right thing for a couple of years now. I'm thankful that I didn't have to move to Texas to find a new opportunity. An hour's not so bad when you think about Texas. :)

I will miss many of the beautiful people I have worked with for the last 6 years and of course I will miss many of our students. It just won't be the same ever again!

I am going from working with 300 students to a place where they serve over 60,000 each year. Crazy! It's going to be a totally different experience but I'm so excited to have it!

Happy Birthday Tim!

Little Timmy turns 30 today! I thought about listing all of the things about Tim that I love but I couldn't think of any...just kidding!

I think I will just list my favorite things about Tim and then ask you to go wish Tim a happy birthday!

My favorite things about Tim
1. Growing up and into our young adulthood Tim always had this great childlike spirit about him. He was always so much fun. He was up for anything and was almost always willing to be silly - just for the sake of being silly. Sometimes it irritated me but I have to say that now that I don't see him nearly as often as I used to, I miss his silliness.
2. I love that when we were younger (like college) he let me call him Moth -you know, TiMOTHy. It was my name of endearment for him. No one else got to use it. It was a silly name but he let me use it anyway and, if I remember correctly, I once got a Valentine's Day card in my campus mailbox from a guy named Moth. :)
3. Tim has always had a very generous spirit. If he had it and someone else needed it, he shared it willingly. Back in 2001 when I moved back to Portland from Seattle, Tim was very generous in assisting me financially. It took a bit longer for me to find a job than I had anticipated and Tim got me through. I wouldn't have made it if it hadn't been for Tim.
4. Tim desires to do good. He wants to do honor God with his life. He, like all of us, doesn't always get it right but in his heart of hearts, he wants to do the right thing in all circumstances. He wants to be known as a Godly man - a man who is trying to be like Jesus. There's nothing better than that.

Happy Birthday little brother. I hope you have a great day! I love you so much.