A New Day

Well, I have now moved. We have three bedroom house, with an office. Not everything is set up yet, but we're getting there. The house is in great shape in is much larger than what we had been accustomed to over the past two years. We are very pleased.

I have already been able to do some visitation. Many of the people live very near my parsonage.

My two churches are about 2.5 miles apart. The people at both are wonderful. We have had two big church gathering in the two weeks we have been here. The first was a fifth Sunday potluck after the morning services. The second was a Independence day cookout. Both churches attended both events. It's great to see the cooperation. They are planning a combined VBS as well.

Laurie has begun planting vegetables and flowers in the yard. The kids are enjoying the outdoors. Things are certainly look up for us. Thanks to everybody that have helped us in this transition, especially those of you who helped with the actual moving of our stuff.

So, I'm moving

I am moving on June 24 from Bybee UMC in Waco, KY to both Cedar Grove and Wisemantown UMC in Irvine, KY.

The new parsonage has three, count them 1, 2, 3, bedrooms. All right!

I'm sad to leave the little community of Waco and my church family there, but am excited about moving to a larger home with a greater salary in my old hometown. Cedar Grove is my home church where my grandparents attend.

I don't like having to drive even farther to get to class in Wilmore, but am pleased that I will live in a town (a county seat) with a grocery store, library, video store, etc.

If anybody would like to help me move, I'd appreciate it.

More later.

license to preach school

why would they schedule it during Asbury Seminary finals week? I'd really like to close out my semester without cramming it (papers, tests, reading) all together in the last week or two.

why would they schedule it during the primary election for our state? I've been following the elections and want the opportunity to put my two cents in.

Rapidly approaching

There are less than two weeks left in the semester. I will miss one of those weeks for License to Preach School. I have to get the semester work completed a week early. I finish the semester and LTPS by May 25. One of my summer classes starts May 27. The other on June 3rd.

I need a nap.

Some of the times are not a changin'

It looks like the White's are not moving to Wilmore, at least not this summer. There was a possibility that I was changing appointments to a church nearer Wilmore, but that is no longer the case.

So much for looking for intentional community and feeling like part of the greater ATS community. So much for adult conversation for Laurie (with persons other than myself). So much for the hopes of a nearby groceries or a movie store.

And gas prices continue to climb. The drive to Wilmore is about 55 miles one way. I drive it at least twice a week. This past week I made the trip 5 times.

On the otherhand, I get to continue in this church where I am comfortable and loved (or at least by my perception). Also, I don't have to find a new place, pack everything up, and move. I still have a parsonage.

So, let's wait and see how all the rest turns out.

Two Words

Greek Test, Today. That's three words. But, I'm okay with that.

the times they are a changin'

Laurie and I are uncertain about a few things in our upcoming future...

My unit is deactivating, and I have to find a new unit home before April 2009. I am looking to be promoted in the Army in July, which is good. But there are rumors of an upcoming deployment. Then again, you know how rumors are. I have considered switching over to the Chaplain Candidacy program because I would be non-deployable until I complete my degree. Degree completion is a big priority to me. But, if I switched, I wouldn't be able to go to drill once a month and would lose that income, which we need. Also, I have to wait until after I promoted or I lose the promotion. I could continue to go to monthly drills if I switched to the National Guard, but that's not really something I want to do. I have also considered volunteering for a deployment so that I would have control over where I am sent and what i would be doing. Besides, the money is good.

We are also considering moving to Wilmore (or at least closer), but haven't been able to find away to afford that. I don't like driving back and forth and back and forth an hour at a time, especially with gas prices seemingly without an apex. Laurie is starved for adult conversation as she is home most of the week with three young kids. (Incedently, Cooper turned 7 this past Sunday and Ainsley turned 3 today). I feel left out of the seminary community and the kids don't really have anybody with which to play. There are four girls of similar age that live near, but they are all sisters/cousins withone another and are perfectly content to play among themselves without my children. Plus, we don't appreciate the having to drive 15 minutes to buy groceries or rent movie, or .... whatever.

Mom is opposed to our moving further from Berea. When we moved here almost 2 years ago she was upset and we are only 1/2 an hour away. If we move to Jessamine County, it would be a full hour away, which is still closer than my siblings.

I'm also not sure, yet, whether I have to move. Appointments are being determined very soon, if not already. If I am re-appointed somewhere else. I will have to move from the parsonage. If not, I can stay, but ... see paragraph 1. Either way, how can I afford it.

Laurie and I are interested in finding an intentional community. I know of two in Madison County, but that does not releave my driving much (in fact in one case, it would increase it considerably). I have not found any such community in Jessamine County, although I do applaud the efforts of Tom & Cassie and Eric & Erin. However, they are just one home and we are a big family.

I'm tired of rambling. In short, it would be nice to have a little more certainty in our lives just now. But, we'll keep on keeping on and pray for the best.

And now for something completely different.

So, a semester and a J-term of seminary have past since my last writing. It was July when Last I wrote. So what, nobody has read the other posts and likely will not read this one. I'm not a dedicated blogger.

We have decided to home school Cooper this year. He has completed his first semester and the new one is taking off. I think he's doing pretty well, but it's hard to compare homeschool progress with public school progress, especially since I haven't bee in 1st grade in like 26/27 years. Cooper is also involved with a learning cooperative two days a week. It seems to be a good source of socialization for him.

Today, he stole a piece of fruit (from his co-op). I talked to him about stealing. He seemed genuinely remorseful. I hope I wash harsh enough that he won't attempt to steal again yet compassionate enough that he knows he's loved and that he is forgiven. I fear I was too nice.

I am about ready for my Spring semester to start. I'm becoming to lazy sitting at home.