Christmas is coming. We started decorating the house tonight. A house without kids in it for the first time in 24 years. Weird. Still, getting the house fixed up puts us in a Christmas mood, and that's always nice.
Tomorrow, I will call back the only two companies talking to me. Still, as many of you have counseled me, God *is* in control. I know I need to stay focused on Him and not worrying about where or when I will work again.
Zoolights was nice, even if we did have dueling photographers. I found there are some nice features the other guy has that I don't, and vice versa. We did see a lot of the same shots. And it was fun having all 4 of my kids here for a little while. Who knows when I'll see them again (at least the TX ones)?
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Sit Down and Finish Your Test
Oh, sorry. I substituted for a fourth grade teacher yesterday and am still in that mode. It was fun...kinda. I just got a call to substitute for the same teacher this afternoon. Hello. Of course. Finally, I'm getting a paycheck...kinda.
Other job search notes: a company might hire me on a temporary contract to update their SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) relative to IT. Another company, PetSmart, interviewed me last night over the phone (during King of Queens! Lucky for them I have a DVR) for an application I sent in over a month ago.
Sunday's sermon was about how God is in control even when we are clueless. 2 Kings 6:8-12 talks about God using the wisdom of others and we didn't have a clue. Vv 13-23 shows God surrounded us with His mighty warriors and we didn't have a clue. Judges 7:1-22 demonstrates that God took away our props so we had the opportunity to experience His power. He protected us from our own naive decisions in 2 Chron 18:1-34. And each of us has our own examples of blessings that came from God's hand and we didn't have a clue.
Whew! I got preachy. Sorry. Let me end with some of Abraham Lincoln's proclamation of Thanksgiving. "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.... They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens...."
Amen. Have a great Thanksgiving.
(I reserve the right to add another post before then...if I want to.)
Other job search notes: a company might hire me on a temporary contract to update their SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) relative to IT. Another company, PetSmart, interviewed me last night over the phone (during King of Queens! Lucky for them I have a DVR) for an application I sent in over a month ago.
Sunday's sermon was about how God is in control even when we are clueless. 2 Kings 6:8-12 talks about God using the wisdom of others and we didn't have a clue. Vv 13-23 shows God surrounded us with His mighty warriors and we didn't have a clue. Judges 7:1-22 demonstrates that God took away our props so we had the opportunity to experience His power. He protected us from our own naive decisions in 2 Chron 18:1-34. And each of us has our own examples of blessings that came from God's hand and we didn't have a clue.
Whew! I got preachy. Sorry. Let me end with some of Abraham Lincoln's proclamation of Thanksgiving. "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.... They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens...."
Amen. Have a great Thanksgiving.
(I reserve the right to add another post before then...if I want to.)
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Need a Christmas Tree?
Here is the definitive tree for our generation:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=9352&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=336&iSubCat=571&iProductID=9352
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=9352&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=336&iSubCat=571&iProductID=9352
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
What Would YOU Think?
Well, my phone interview with a Scottsdale electronic questionnaire provider has been delayed a second time. First, from Monday until tomorrow at 11. Now, from 11am until 3pm. The good thing (to my way of thinking) is that they are still calling. No contact yet from University of PHX.
No other responses from any other firms. Only 2 applications sent in this week. I've spent most of the mornings at Dad's helping build a cabinet for his huge TV. It's so big that the timber shortage due to hurricane rebuilding in the South is affecting our progress.
Just got back from a quick trip to Calico (remember Ballad of Calico by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition) and Zion National Park. I only took about 220 pictures. Yeah, I guess I was feeling off, huh? We enjoyed both places. I think Calico Ghost Town might not have been quite as interesting if we hadn't been familiar with the stories from the album.
Nisey, thanks for the supportive words. Just when I feel a little down (or maybe a lot), someone comes along to encourage me.
No other responses from any other firms. Only 2 applications sent in this week. I've spent most of the mornings at Dad's helping build a cabinet for his huge TV. It's so big that the timber shortage due to hurricane rebuilding in the South is affecting our progress.
Just got back from a quick trip to Calico (remember Ballad of Calico by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition) and Zion National Park. I only took about 220 pictures. Yeah, I guess I was feeling off, huh? We enjoyed both places. I think Calico Ghost Town might not have been quite as interesting if we hadn't been familiar with the stories from the album.
Nisey, thanks for the supportive words. Just when I feel a little down (or maybe a lot), someone comes along to encourage me.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Look Out, Ben's Of The World
That's right. I got my state/FBI fingerprint card today, so now I can substitute teach in AZ. I went a while ago and filled out employment forms at Kathie's school so I can get paid. Now, I just wait. Yes, I am getting pretty good at that. No, maybe I am not.
Email today includes 2 promising tidbits. The tid is a phone interview on Monday for a Programming Manager position in Scottsdale. The bits are that a contact at University of Phoenix has put my name in for 3 positions there, and he feels confident that 1 and maybe 2 will contact me for an interview.
Even so, Kathie and I have committed to constant, focused prayer for this week to be sure we know what God is saying...not only about the job, but about Himself. I am often reminded of an old GVB song which says "I believe. Help thou my unbelief. I walk into the unknown trusting in Your love."
Email today includes 2 promising tidbits. The tid is a phone interview on Monday for a Programming Manager position in Scottsdale. The bits are that a contact at University of Phoenix has put my name in for 3 positions there, and he feels confident that 1 and maybe 2 will contact me for an interview.
Even so, Kathie and I have committed to constant, focused prayer for this week to be sure we know what God is saying...not only about the job, but about Himself. I am often reminded of an old GVB song which says "I believe. Help thou my unbelief. I walk into the unknown trusting in Your love."
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Looking for Mr. Goodjob
Well, I am trusting in that scripture that says the Lord helps those who help themselves. What? That's not a scripture? Isn't that what Prov 3:5-6 says? That may explain why I don't have a job yet. Kathie and I are putting forth a concerted week of prayer to know God. If we can know Him, we will know His will.
I am waiting on my state fingerprint card so I can be available as a substitute teacher. I am toying with how to take a temp job and still be available for family during the holidays. Today, I will help Dad replace his entire den with a single cabinet to house his gargantuan TV (see Carey's blog). It's so big he had car slots and speakers installed (see comments on Carey's blog).
I am waiting on my state fingerprint card so I can be available as a substitute teacher. I am toying with how to take a temp job and still be available for family during the holidays. Today, I will help Dad replace his entire den with a single cabinet to house his gargantuan TV (see Carey's blog). It's so big he had car slots and speakers installed (see comments on Carey's blog).
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Zip...Nothing..Nada
Some of you probably thought I was describing the wasteland between my ears. No, I am talking about job results so far. So, I figured you didn't need a post saying nothing and so I said nothing, but ZKW reminded me that the rest of you cannot hear the nothing that I hear, so I will write it. Well, you probably already guessed my news from a prior post, huh?
No, it is not that my first grandchild is a girl, although that is plenty exciting. Like father, like son, right? It is that I applied to a local Baptist church for their open Music Minister position. I held off on telling y'all thinking I would know something by now. Nope. Same nothing I am hearing from the secular job applications. All we know is that their search commitee has my information.
I went to a retirement party Thursday night for the guy that hired me at Motorola in 1983. There were some contacts there that are my next followups for the job search. I am not holding my breath. Who would have thought I'd still be searching after 5 months. I have begun expanding my search outside of PHX.
OK, I am rambling. That means it is time to sign off. Y'all keep praying. We certainly are.
No, it is not that my first grandchild is a girl, although that is plenty exciting. Like father, like son, right? It is that I applied to a local Baptist church for their open Music Minister position. I held off on telling y'all thinking I would know something by now. Nope. Same nothing I am hearing from the secular job applications. All we know is that their search commitee has my information.
I went to a retirement party Thursday night for the guy that hired me at Motorola in 1983. There were some contacts there that are my next followups for the job search. I am not holding my breath. Who would have thought I'd still be searching after 5 months. I have begun expanding my search outside of PHX.
OK, I am rambling. That means it is time to sign off. Y'all keep praying. We certainly are.
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