I realized I haven't posted for quite a while. I was just reminded of my blog recently when talking to somebody about blogging for books.
Many people have joined our facebook group Josh and Kassie's adventures in Painesville or something like that and receive updates on our life that way.
There's a lot going on in our lives lately, but I want to focus this post on what God has been doing in my life. I have been to several different churches in the past few weeks since leaving Crossway and it has been refreshing. I have also been reading some books that have been making me think and giving me new perspective.
When I read fiction books, even Christian ones, I don't necessarily expect them to make me think or change my views or anything but that is just what has been happening with the Christian fiction book I am currently reading. No this isn't a review of a book for a book blog. It is just a book I am reading that has given me some good reminders.
I think the book is called Lights on Tenth Street by Shaunti Feldhahn. I am not sure if I spelled that name correctly. She is also the author of a book I did read for Blogging for Books. It was a non-fiction book about women in the work place. Shaunti has done a large amount of research about gender differences and it definitely shows in her fiction writing as well as her non-fiction writing.
Aside from interesting insight into the way men and women think and react differently, though, one of the characters in the book is kind of a mentor to another lady and she suggests an hour with God each day. It seems simple enough. It is something I have done in the past, but I must admit spending time with God has not been a priority in my life lately.
Instead, it has become something I do quickly to get onto the next thing if I do it at all.
So, today I decided to make sure I spent an hour with God, and it was really good. It didn't completely change my life or make me a better person, but it was good, and I am sure if I continue to do it on a regular basis, it will affect my life in large ways.
Prayer is emphasized in the book and I could also tell it was very important to the church Kassie and I went to yesterday. Spiritual warfare was brought up in both the church and I have been reminded again of the power of prayer.
I really need to get better at remembering that and believing it, living my life based upon the truth that God listens and that prayer is powerful.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Unsettled
Kassie and I have continued to have an unsettled feeling, even as we get more used to the area and our apartment and everything. One thing we are lacking is community/friends. We enjoy our church and have gotten involved in a couple other things but as far as people to hangout with on a day to day basis, we don't really have that.
The Census has been somewhat stressful but it almost done for both of us. The current operation should hopefully completed by next week and we will not be able to participate in future operations due to our busy July schedule.
Crossway is going through some changes. We are going to be done with our contract with YMCA (where we meet each Sunday) at the end of June and will be looking for another place to meet. We are considering partnering with another church in the area, basically our whole church joining another church and merging ideas in ministries in some way. on that topic, I talked to the pastor of one church in the area that could be a good possibility for us to join. Ironically enough it is called His House Ministries. he will be talking with our pastor this evening, and we'll see what happens from there.
Kassie and I decided today that we will most likely be taking the month of July off from our responsibilities with the church and stuff. We will be participating in a mission trip with Crossway in New Mexico during that time though. We are also thinking about spending some time in the beginning of July at the cottage and the making our way to and from New Mexico making some stops along the way.
We have discussed the possibility of moving away, but I think we will probably be staying in this area. I am hoping the "merger" with His House works and that creates more of a community for us. We will be pursuing the possibility of Kassie taking some classes at a local community college. She also has been in contact with a local coffee house that might be hiring in August, so she could get a job there. There is a lot of uncertainty, but not matter what happens, we are trusting God to provide.
Another idea we have had is to live in a van. We plan on honoring our lease for our current apt for the rest of the year (ending in December) and after that possibly moving into a van. Although, that would not be the best time of year to do so, so depending on circumstances we might continue to rent our current apt monthly until it warms up a little bit or something.
I am continuing with Broken Buildings and that is going well. Our first concert was exciting and I think it went really well. We definitely need to work on some things and it was a good learning experience. We have another concert coming up on the 18th that we are preparing for. We will be playing for about twice as long as our last concert so we are working on some new material and some covers.
We are also excited to be playing at Convoy of Hope the following weekend, I believe the 26th.
Well, that's kind of an update on our crazy life. It is hard at times but God is always good.
The Census has been somewhat stressful but it almost done for both of us. The current operation should hopefully completed by next week and we will not be able to participate in future operations due to our busy July schedule.
Crossway is going through some changes. We are going to be done with our contract with YMCA (where we meet each Sunday) at the end of June and will be looking for another place to meet. We are considering partnering with another church in the area, basically our whole church joining another church and merging ideas in ministries in some way. on that topic, I talked to the pastor of one church in the area that could be a good possibility for us to join. Ironically enough it is called His House Ministries. he will be talking with our pastor this evening, and we'll see what happens from there.
Kassie and I decided today that we will most likely be taking the month of July off from our responsibilities with the church and stuff. We will be participating in a mission trip with Crossway in New Mexico during that time though. We are also thinking about spending some time in the beginning of July at the cottage and the making our way to and from New Mexico making some stops along the way.
We have discussed the possibility of moving away, but I think we will probably be staying in this area. I am hoping the "merger" with His House works and that creates more of a community for us. We will be pursuing the possibility of Kassie taking some classes at a local community college. She also has been in contact with a local coffee house that might be hiring in August, so she could get a job there. There is a lot of uncertainty, but not matter what happens, we are trusting God to provide.
Another idea we have had is to live in a van. We plan on honoring our lease for our current apt for the rest of the year (ending in December) and after that possibly moving into a van. Although, that would not be the best time of year to do so, so depending on circumstances we might continue to rent our current apt monthly until it warms up a little bit or something.
I am continuing with Broken Buildings and that is going well. Our first concert was exciting and I think it went really well. We definitely need to work on some things and it was a good learning experience. We have another concert coming up on the 18th that we are preparing for. We will be playing for about twice as long as our last concert so we are working on some new material and some covers.
We are also excited to be playing at Convoy of Hope the following weekend, I believe the 26th.
Well, that's kind of an update on our crazy life. It is hard at times but God is always good.
The Last Christian
If you like futuristic ideas mixed with suspense, infused with Christianity, this is the book for you. Abby, a woman who was raised in the isolation of the jungles of Papua New Guinea, emerges to find somebody to stop the plague that is killing her tribe. Upon leaving the jungle, she receives a message that she is being called to bring Christianity back to America.
With all the new technology and ideas of this future age, along with confusing messages from all directions, Abby has a wild ride ahead of her, more wild to her than the jungle she came from.
I really enjoyed and appreciated this book for many reasons. First of all, it was entertaining; it kept me wondering what was going to happen next. Second of all, it made me think about my faith and beliefs in different ways and reminded me of things I tend to forget. I appreciate being able to read a book that keeps me entertained while also strengthening my faith.
One red flag I do have to put up, something that I do not like about the book is the way it portrayed the Big Bang Theory and Evolution as if they are proven facts. I know it is common for Christians to not really know about about how the Creation described in Genesis fits in with scientific evidence. I, for one, have just recently started becoming enlightened on that topic. Because of that, it frightened me that the faithful Christian in the story explained to a questioning college student that the Big Bang was most likely used by God in creating the earth. It goes on to say that the story of Genesis isn't meant to be taken literally, or something of that sort. I disagree with this, due to recent research I have done and would suggest that anybody who has questions about this should take a look at answersingenesis.org.
I hope you find the site to be as interesting and insightful as I have.
As far as the book, I would suggest it to friends but would make sure to include a warning or explanation about that red flag.
To get your own copy of the book, go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400074976
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah
With all the new technology and ideas of this future age, along with confusing messages from all directions, Abby has a wild ride ahead of her, more wild to her than the jungle she came from.
I really enjoyed and appreciated this book for many reasons. First of all, it was entertaining; it kept me wondering what was going to happen next. Second of all, it made me think about my faith and beliefs in different ways and reminded me of things I tend to forget. I appreciate being able to read a book that keeps me entertained while also strengthening my faith.
One red flag I do have to put up, something that I do not like about the book is the way it portrayed the Big Bang Theory and Evolution as if they are proven facts. I know it is common for Christians to not really know about about how the Creation described in Genesis fits in with scientific evidence. I, for one, have just recently started becoming enlightened on that topic. Because of that, it frightened me that the faithful Christian in the story explained to a questioning college student that the Big Bang was most likely used by God in creating the earth. It goes on to say that the story of Genesis isn't meant to be taken literally, or something of that sort. I disagree with this, due to recent research I have done and would suggest that anybody who has questions about this should take a look at answersingenesis.org.
I hope you find the site to be as interesting and insightful as I have.
As far as the book, I would suggest it to friends but would make sure to include a warning or explanation about that red flag.
To get your own copy of the book, go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400074976
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah
Friday, May 14, 2010
Math and Raccoons
I know many of you might have been slightly hesitant to read this after seeing "Math" in the title. No worries. Math is just what I got out of the title "Indivisible."
That's a book I've recently read. It's a book about raccoons. Well, raccoons aren't the central figures in the story.
Rather, they are part of a mystery that Police Chief Jonah Westfall can't get out of his mind. Others tell him to leave it alone, that it's nothing more than a prank. But Jonah Westfall has a hunch that there is more going on than meets the eye.
Speaking of meeting the eye, the Chief has had his eye on somebody for a long time, but can they get past their past?
This book is all about people who have something in their past affecting them in a major way in the present. We all have things in our past that affect our present. This book reminded me that people are not always who they seem to be. Some people just have walls up or disguises on because of their past.
Well, you'll have to read to find out more. Overall, I thought it was a good book, even though I had gone into it thinking it would be a mystery thriller, and it was actually more about relationships.
The book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah.
Here is a link to an audio interview with the author http://www.multnomahemails.com/wbmlt/audio/Kristen_Heitzmann.mp3
If you want to buy the book, you can go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400073092
If you want to borrow the book, you will have to talk to my mother, who currently has my copy of it.
Thanks for reading.
That's a book I've recently read. It's a book about raccoons. Well, raccoons aren't the central figures in the story.
Rather, they are part of a mystery that Police Chief Jonah Westfall can't get out of his mind. Others tell him to leave it alone, that it's nothing more than a prank. But Jonah Westfall has a hunch that there is more going on than meets the eye.
Speaking of meeting the eye, the Chief has had his eye on somebody for a long time, but can they get past their past?
This book is all about people who have something in their past affecting them in a major way in the present. We all have things in our past that affect our present. This book reminded me that people are not always who they seem to be. Some people just have walls up or disguises on because of their past.
Well, you'll have to read to find out more. Overall, I thought it was a good book, even though I had gone into it thinking it would be a mystery thriller, and it was actually more about relationships.
The book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah.
Here is a link to an audio interview with the author http://www.multnomahemails.com/wbmlt/audio/Kristen_Heitzmann.mp3
If you want to buy the book, you can go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400073092
If you want to borrow the book, you will have to talk to my mother, who currently has my copy of it.
Thanks for reading.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Census 2010
Well,
Life has kind of been crazy, mostly due to the census. I have learned that you never really know what to expect with the census. In fact it is quite a quirky operation. I mean, what do you expect when the majority of the work is done once every ten years by thousands of temporary employees?
Anyway, I started off being a QAC Rep., sitting at Lake Erie College, waiting for people to ask questions about the census, how to fill out the questionnaire, or asking for a Be Counted form. Nobody really came. I think I talked to 5 people about census-related topics in the 3 weeks(?) I was there. Then I got called to be an enumerator, for which the training would start this week. The next day Kassie got called to be an enumerator, and I got called again, this time to be a crew leader instead for which the training started the week following the phone call, which was also supposed to be my last week at the QAC. They said I could just close the QAC (Questionnaire Assistance Center...I know you've been dying to know what that stands for) early and do the Crew Leader training. So, I did. At the end of the training, I was told they had no spot for me as a crew leader but that I would be a Crew Leader Assistant with a crew that was currently working on the early enumeration. The early enumeration was slightly different from the normal enumeration and was done so that off-campus college students could be counted before they left for the summer. So, I did that for a week and finished it up.
That was last week. This week I have been as Kassie calls me 'a government gopher.' Basically visiting training sites and taking paperwork back to the office and stuff. When I am not running errands, I have been doing office work. Until...
Today I went into the office because they didn't have any errands for me. I did a little office work. Then Christine, one of the office people (I don't know her exact title, but I think she is somewhat high up there) told me she had a job for me. If I hadn't heard her talking on the phone earlier, I wouldn't have thought anything of it because she had been the one assigning jobs to me all week in the office. When I was working earlier, though, I had heard her asking about possible people who could do a replacement training next week. As it ends up, I am the person to do it. Which means, for the rest of this week I am preparing to train enumerators.
This is a little bit different from the normal enumerator training though for a few reasons. First of all, it is in the evenings rather than the day. Secondly, since it is a replacement training, I won't be their crew leader after the training. Instead, they will be placed with other crews that by that time will have already been working for a week and may need more people. And I...I don't know what I will do after next week, but I am assuming I will probably be assigned as a CLA with one of the crews, possibly the same crew I worked with for the early enumeration.
So, it's been an interesting few weeks, not knowing what I will be doing from week to week or sometimes day to day or hour to hour. But it has been a blessing to have a job, not only as a source of income but for something to do each day.
Life has kind of been crazy, mostly due to the census. I have learned that you never really know what to expect with the census. In fact it is quite a quirky operation. I mean, what do you expect when the majority of the work is done once every ten years by thousands of temporary employees?
Anyway, I started off being a QAC Rep., sitting at Lake Erie College, waiting for people to ask questions about the census, how to fill out the questionnaire, or asking for a Be Counted form. Nobody really came. I think I talked to 5 people about census-related topics in the 3 weeks(?) I was there. Then I got called to be an enumerator, for which the training would start this week. The next day Kassie got called to be an enumerator, and I got called again, this time to be a crew leader instead for which the training started the week following the phone call, which was also supposed to be my last week at the QAC. They said I could just close the QAC (Questionnaire Assistance Center...I know you've been dying to know what that stands for) early and do the Crew Leader training. So, I did. At the end of the training, I was told they had no spot for me as a crew leader but that I would be a Crew Leader Assistant with a crew that was currently working on the early enumeration. The early enumeration was slightly different from the normal enumeration and was done so that off-campus college students could be counted before they left for the summer. So, I did that for a week and finished it up.
That was last week. This week I have been as Kassie calls me 'a government gopher.' Basically visiting training sites and taking paperwork back to the office and stuff. When I am not running errands, I have been doing office work. Until...
Today I went into the office because they didn't have any errands for me. I did a little office work. Then Christine, one of the office people (I don't know her exact title, but I think she is somewhat high up there) told me she had a job for me. If I hadn't heard her talking on the phone earlier, I wouldn't have thought anything of it because she had been the one assigning jobs to me all week in the office. When I was working earlier, though, I had heard her asking about possible people who could do a replacement training next week. As it ends up, I am the person to do it. Which means, for the rest of this week I am preparing to train enumerators.
This is a little bit different from the normal enumerator training though for a few reasons. First of all, it is in the evenings rather than the day. Secondly, since it is a replacement training, I won't be their crew leader after the training. Instead, they will be placed with other crews that by that time will have already been working for a week and may need more people. And I...I don't know what I will do after next week, but I am assuming I will probably be assigned as a CLA with one of the crews, possibly the same crew I worked with for the early enumeration.
So, it's been an interesting few weeks, not knowing what I will be doing from week to week or sometimes day to day or hour to hour. But it has been a blessing to have a job, not only as a source of income but for something to do each day.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Not Just A Review
I realize I haven't been posting much other than book reviews lately, but here is a real post.
As some of you know, I have been working for the Census Bureau. Last week I had training to become a crew leader. Basically, the enumerators are the ones who go out and knock on people's doors to get them to fill out the questionnaire. Crew leaders supervise the enumerators. Field operation supervisors (FOS) supervise the crew leaders and so on.
At the end of training last week i was told that I was going to be a CLA (crew leader assistant) rather than a crew leader because there are already two crews out in the two districts we live on the border of. They started in the Early Early Phase (official name, no joke) to try to get the college students before they leave since LEC (Lake Erie College) lets out at the end of April.
So, they won't need a new crew leader in those districts, but I might be joining one of those crews, which actually might combine, as a CLA, meaning I would have some enuerator duties and some supervisory duties. I don't know for sure yet but my FOS is supposed to call me tomorrow morning to let me know.
Crazy census stuff.
In other news, the band I am in, Broken Buildings, played acoustic versions of some of our songs at an open mic night this past week and it went really well. I am excited for the May 28 concert.
Today, I went to a rally/march to raise awareness about human trafficking. It was at OSU in Columbus, OH. I went down with people from Annex and met up with my good ole pal Rebekah Benish. It was interesting. It was a good trip overall, although I didn't get a whole lot out of the actual event. I would like to maybe use our band to raise awareness about human trafficking or something though.
Also, I randomly met up with a couple friends from Cornerstone, Jesse ... and Ben Rezendzian or something like that. It was cool to see them unexpectedly. THey both go to a private college near Columbus.
Kassie is doing pretty well in Arizona. I miss her a lot. She is supposed to be coming back on Tuesday. Things have been a little rough. Please pray for her brother and his family. Thanks.
As some of you know, I have been working for the Census Bureau. Last week I had training to become a crew leader. Basically, the enumerators are the ones who go out and knock on people's doors to get them to fill out the questionnaire. Crew leaders supervise the enumerators. Field operation supervisors (FOS) supervise the crew leaders and so on.
At the end of training last week i was told that I was going to be a CLA (crew leader assistant) rather than a crew leader because there are already two crews out in the two districts we live on the border of. They started in the Early Early Phase (official name, no joke) to try to get the college students before they leave since LEC (Lake Erie College) lets out at the end of April.
So, they won't need a new crew leader in those districts, but I might be joining one of those crews, which actually might combine, as a CLA, meaning I would have some enuerator duties and some supervisory duties. I don't know for sure yet but my FOS is supposed to call me tomorrow morning to let me know.
Crazy census stuff.
In other news, the band I am in, Broken Buildings, played acoustic versions of some of our songs at an open mic night this past week and it went really well. I am excited for the May 28 concert.
Today, I went to a rally/march to raise awareness about human trafficking. It was at OSU in Columbus, OH. I went down with people from Annex and met up with my good ole pal Rebekah Benish. It was interesting. It was a good trip overall, although I didn't get a whole lot out of the actual event. I would like to maybe use our band to raise awareness about human trafficking or something though.
Also, I randomly met up with a couple friends from Cornerstone, Jesse ... and Ben Rezendzian or something like that. It was cool to see them unexpectedly. THey both go to a private college near Columbus.
Kassie is doing pretty well in Arizona. I miss her a lot. She is supposed to be coming back on Tuesday. Things have been a little rough. Please pray for her brother and his family. Thanks.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Amnesia
I have had a couple incidents with amnesia lately. I haven't personally had amnesia, although I can't say I'm not a forgetful person. Rather, I both read a book and watched a movie dealing with somebody who had a blow to the head that caused temporary memory loss.
Here, I'm going to focus on the book. Forget Me Not is quite a thriller with a twisted plot and an intricate web of connections. As you read, the plot unwinds and parts of the web are revealed.
A woman is running...you don't know from what, and she doesn't even completely know, but she lives her life running from something, somebody, some group of people. She has lived that way for a few years and is getting tired of picking up and going. Through it all, though, she is helping others by creating safe places for them to go and get help. Until one day, she is caught. She wakes up barely alive, not knowing who she is or where she is.
All she has are hunches, feelings that tell her what to stay away from. Somehow she seems to have escaped, or actually, it is more like she was let go by her captors. As she recovers at a crisis center, she starts remembering pieces and her past comes back to haunt her, the things she was running from catch up to her, and she has to face them. Only by the grace of God does she stand a chance.
This book is a captivating mystery novel that weaves faith into fiction. It kept me interested and wanting to read more and more. I would recommend it for anybody who likes this genre or anybody who would be willing to give it a try.
If you want a copy, go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422057
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Here, I'm going to focus on the book. Forget Me Not is quite a thriller with a twisted plot and an intricate web of connections. As you read, the plot unwinds and parts of the web are revealed.
A woman is running...you don't know from what, and she doesn't even completely know, but she lives her life running from something, somebody, some group of people. She has lived that way for a few years and is getting tired of picking up and going. Through it all, though, she is helping others by creating safe places for them to go and get help. Until one day, she is caught. She wakes up barely alive, not knowing who she is or where she is.
All she has are hunches, feelings that tell her what to stay away from. Somehow she seems to have escaped, or actually, it is more like she was let go by her captors. As she recovers at a crisis center, she starts remembering pieces and her past comes back to haunt her, the things she was running from catch up to her, and she has to face them. Only by the grace of God does she stand a chance.
This book is a captivating mystery novel that weaves faith into fiction. It kept me interested and wanting to read more and more. I would recommend it for anybody who likes this genre or anybody who would be willing to give it a try.
If you want a copy, go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422057
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
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