Change

I once spoke on the topic of change and called the talk "The Law of the Diaper", I even used my children as visual aids, changing a diaper while I spoke. There is something about change that is refreshing to me, even exciting. I am on the threshold of change right now, I am looking forward to it, anticipating it, wondering what it is going to look like. I am fearful at the same time, questioning if it is all going to work out. (Jeremiah 29:11 at least lets me sleep at night.) The fall is about change, daylight changes, temperature changes, leaves changing,.. I love the fall. A crisp fall day makes me feel alive, I guess that is why I like change it shows movement. The dog days of summer in the middle of august with high humidity and sweltering nights can sometimes get old, as we wonder if it has always been this hot and is it alwasy going to stay this hot. The middle of february with it's cold dark days has us believing that we always have to scrape windshileds and wear winter boots. But change does come and when it does it is like an infusion of life and hope and a future. With that rambling over I want to invite anyone that wants to join my family at Letchworth park this Sunday, the 23rd of Sept. Weather is going to beautiful, sunny with a high of 70 degrees. We will be going down late in the morning and spending the afternoon there, we can grill out so bring your favorite meat and a dish to pass. We can plan on eating around like 2 pm. Bring your hiking shoes, a football, a frisbee and your camera.

Check out the following site for a map of the park, I was thinking we can meet near the middle falls in one of the picnic areas. Let me know if you are thinking of coming so I can keep an eye out. http://www.geocities.com/scanman94/letchworth/Letchworth.gif ( make sure you click on the corner of the map to expand it).

Jobs!

I have had a variety of different employment opportunities over the past 15 years or so. I am currently looking for my next "big" move in terms of a career. All of this thinking about jobs has caused me to reflect on my past. The good the bad and the ugly of jobs. These things called jobs are a necessary evil. They provide income that allows my family and I to eat and have a house, car etc. and it seems everyone has an opinion on what would be "best" for me. So here it is, an introspective look into the employment history of yours truly.

Late highschool years - Dishwasher and busboy at "The Little Whitehouse"
The Good - First paycheck, got my love for washing dishes, picked on the left overs from the banquets.
The Bad - Restaurant business usually nights and weekends, pay not that great
The Ugly - Psychotic dishwasher coworkers fresh out of mental institution

College years - Security Guard for RJD security company aka. rent a cop.
The Good - Felt kind of good to have a uniform with a badge. Enjoyed the authority.
The Bad - Worked late and long hours, usually by myself, pretty boring, pay not so great.
The Ugly - Only had a mag lite flashlight as a weapon and the bad guys knew it.

College years - Summer camp counselor - Christian camp
The Good- Heightened sense of God in my life, use of gifts, really fun atmosphere, great people to work with.
The Bad - Worked all day and night almost all summer long (for 2 summers), very tiring, had to deal with homesick kids and bedwetting.
The Ugly - Pay really not so great, (first taste of ministry!)

College years - Delta Sonic - guy that drys your car off at the end of the wash.
The Good - Enjoyed the physical labor, picked up my present day satisfaction in a well cleaned car, surprisingly good pay (remember next time to tip your drier boy!)
The Bad - Weather dependent, no one gets their car washed when it is raining.
The Ugly - Middle of winter, artic conditions all of Buffalo getting a super kiss to get rid of the salt.

Post college years - C.C.A, Lew-port high, clarence high - teaching regents physics and earth science.
The Good - Finally some decent money - good hours and vacation, enjoyed finally being a "professional", actually using college education, snow days
The Bad - Pretty routine, dealing with kids that didn't want to learn and parents that thought that was my fault.
The Ugly - Starting losing passion, not excited about doing it for the rest of my life.

Post teaching years - pastor - ehwc
The Good - Freedom to use creativity and leadership skills, traveling, working with people to see how God could use them, impacting people spiritually, made lots of cool friends.
The Bad - Not the greatest financial move, realization that church is many times a business
The Ugly - The new building ate my job

Post ministry years (paid) - carpenter/construction - j and r specialties/Buffalo Custom closets
The Good - No 'real' stress, physical work, accomplishing tangible things everyday, I don't work sundays, I get to wear jeans to work (and a tool belt), awesome group of guys to work for and with
The Bad - We are hitting the slow season, work will be inconsitent, no health insurance, feel like I should be using my brain as well as my hands for work.
The Ugly - Not a career move, need to figure it out ASAP

So there it is, my job history, (along with some random stuff strewn throughout), every job has its benefits and the stuff we don't like. Should a job be a way of life? A passion? The highest paying we can find? Where we find our purpose and meaning or is a job just that, a job.