At Last

at 12/03/11 1:42AM
I said I would give a more detailed account of our Yosemite trip - so here it is...
(I made this for my brother and his wife for their birthdays. They got it Thanksgiving weekend.)

Yosemite Adventure


If you would like to see my Arizona Adventure from last year, go here...
(I made this for my friend Aaron who put the trip together. It is his Christmas present. You are getting to see it before him.)

Men 2 Boys Trip


I must put a plug in for Mixbook.com. I looked at several other sites to make books, and they were by far the easiest (and cheapest too I think) site to use. It allowed me to do things with my books that the other site wouldn't.
  • sallyanne
    That's amazing!! The pictures are beautiful!
    by sallyanne at 12/03/11 2:32AM
  • waerick
    Thank you!
    by waerick at 12/03/11 10:03AM
  • mamahastings
    I didn't get to look through every detail yet, but those look amazing! Great job! So glad we get to see you all next week!
    by mamahastings at 12/03/11 4:22PM
  • waerick
    I can't wait. Beth, however, is not as excited... j/k.
    by waerick at 12/03/11 7:49PM
  • smiley_beth
    What a comedian.
    by smiley_beth at 12/04/11 10:04PM
  • madtomkidd
    The AZ one was really cool, too. I'd really like to see a bigger version of a couple of the canyon pictures - VERY nice.

    Looking forward to you all visiting!
    by madtomkidd at 12/05/11 12:23PM
  • derbydi
    Those are awesome!!! I'm going to have to use that site.
    by derbydi at 12/06/11 5:51PM

MONTANA ! ?

at 10/17/11 11:34PM
Things are going really well for me and my family. I had a most spiritually uplifting month last month and so far things are continuing. However, Beth and I were confronted with a brother who seems to be on the flip side of the coin. Things have been rough on him and his family for quite some time and they seem to keep getting blows. He made a comment to Beth and ever since she told me, it has been gnawing at me. He said he would love to get a group together and move to Montana to start a new work. This hits home with me on several levels. For one, I am quite familiar with the lack of congregations in that area. (If you don't know about TruthDirectory.org - look it up and click on Montana. I'm not saying that site is a complete listing of churches, but it will give some perspective.) Two, I have always dreamed of living out west. I can't leave out number three, it is what we are called to do... spread the Word.

Just something that is going through my head. Most likely nothing will come of it (in the immediate future). Out of curiosity, are you doing your part to spread the Word? Would you take a leap of faith? You don't have to answer those questions, but I would like to know who would be willing to join us - if and when it comes up. At the least, keep my friend and his family, and me and my family, in your prayers. Many thanks.
  • hartschloss
    It depends on where you want to go. As far as areas that need sound congregations, just drive US 41 from Haute to Evansville. There are not too many there. Haute hasn't had anything sound for a long time, except for a few abortive attempts to start a group.

    Go where you can do the most good, and you can figure that out, I'm sure.
    by hartschloss at 10/18/11 9:47AM
  • mamahastings
    We would certainly take a leap of faith, but those leaps are different for everyone and there are certain seasons that they are better to do in than others. Good friends of ours took such a leap and went to LA last year. LA is the second largest city in the US and there was one struggling congregation that could not find a preacher who was willing to work with them. Our friends went and they are working with so many people (many from all areas of the world) who are hungry for scripture. Sometimes you have to weigh more than just congregation numbers. You have to look at population, need etc... I truly believe the Lord has a plan for all of us and we need to be open and ready when it becomes clear to us. Ben and I are working to get to the point where we can do some extensive travel in the future, with the purpose of preaching the gospel. Who knows what those plans may look like in the future, they may change or they may come about sooner than we think. Right now our work is very clear to us, but as I said, I am sure the work will change with the "seasons."
    by mamahastings at 10/18/11 11:04AM
  • kamille
    We are having a series of lessons right now on personal evangelism.
    by kamille at 10/18/11 11:47AM
  • sallyanne
    We lived in ND and SD for several years...it is so true that churches in that area are few, small, and often struggling. We've known several families who started works in areas with no congregation...some good work done there!! I've always looked at pictures of Montana and Wyoming and told folks that I'd love to take the plunge and go west!

    If my husband was willing to take a leap of faith, I'd leap right with him :). We've talked about things like this many times over the years. I love adventure. Right now, though, he is working hard to evangelize and teach where we are...we are growing and content that we are doing good. When he's ready to move on . . .or when they send us packing ;) . . . a new adventure will be just around the corner :)!
    by sallyanne at 10/18/11 2:44PM
  • madtomkidd
    I imagine one reason for so few congregations in Montana is that there are only about twice the number of people in all of Montana (less than 1 million) as in Montgomery County Ohio. That, and they're spread over 3 times the area (147 sq miles) of the entire state of Ohio (44 square miles). So, it's populated largely by people who - by definition - don't want community (essential for church). Of course, that isn't true for everyone there, hence the existence of about 3 churches.

    That's not to say there might not be value in such a move - certainly it can be a growing experience - but starting a church in a populated area is terribly challenging. And, if the area already has a work, wouldn't it make more sense to work with a congregation there already?

    by madtomkidd at 10/19/11 2:47PM
  • derbydi
    We have discussed this very thing with friends. I think I would do it. :-) Easier said than done, right???
    by derbydi at 10/28/11 7:42AM
  • madtomkidd
    I totally agree - the YJs performed - arguably - the best Swan Song ever!
    by madtomkidd at 11/07/11 12:06PM

Torn

at 10/06/11 10:16AM
I need everyone to weigh in on this please. I'm torn. There is a get-together I want to go to in which I will get to see some great friends, have a good time, and should walk away very uplifted. The problem is that I would have to call in sick to work as I am out of personal and vacation days. (I would not get paid either.) Technically, the policy is you can only call in sick when you are sick, but they also tell you they are not allowed to question it. I have even been told by an OPS Manager that in his mind being sick of working qualified. (I also know the same man is loose with laws in general.) I can make great arguments for both sides, but I want to have a clear conscious. Last month was very spiritually uplifting for me and I want it to continue. This world is not my home keeps running through my head as a reason to go be with other like-minded Christians, but I know I have a duty and responsibility to work. What are your thoughts on the matter?

  • busymommy
    Make the decision that you are comfortable with and won't question for a long time to come. If you are already analyzing the reasons it would be okay, you may be talking yourself into it and justifying it. Prayers for a wise decision and clear conscience! Aren't wonderful Christian friends a great asset. I am so glad that your family had a great time at the campout. Wish we could make it one year!!
    by busymommy at 10/06/11 10:35AM
  • hartschloss
    If it involves lying, don't do it. If it's not lying, no problem. My work uses time off interchangeably, so I don't have to call it sick or vacation time.
    by hartschloss at 10/06/11 10:42AM
  • homeschoolmomma23
    Was your agreement with the sick day policy inherently or specifically understood when you were hired? It is kind of like let your yes be yes and your no be no. Let your word be relied upon....would calling in sick when you weren't call your word into question?
    by homeschoolmomma23 at 10/06/11 12:11PM
  • kamille
    Some bosses have said that a "mental health day" is allowed.
    by kamille at 10/06/11 12:11PM
  • madtomkidd
    That is what I was going to say. Mental health is completely valid - that's why the "not allowed to question" it clause exists, you don't have to have a Dr.'s note. Also - typically - "sick" days are not only employee sickness, but also employee caring for the family.

    Regardless, mental health is sufficient. Go be uplifted in fellowship!
    by madtomkidd at 10/06/11 12:32PM
  • derbydi
    Do not violate your conscience in any case. Can you call in and say, "I am taking a sick day?" instead of having to say, "I am sick?" I would feel like I were lying if I said I was sick, but I would feel comfortable taking a mental health day. The older I get, the more I need those! Can't take the stresses of a job too well! Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you have prayed about it as well.
    by derbydi at 10/06/11 5:07PM
  • amcmichael
    Mental Health! I agree with Ben and Kamille. THat is what I was going to say. This is Mental health, spiritually being fed and uplifted. A kind of medicine that is few and far between. Now If Stewy calls off sick he cant go ANYWHERE but the Dr. or medically necessary places. (or he choses not too) I vote for mental health day!
    by amcmichael at 10/07/11 11:00AM

A GENTLE GIANT

at 10/01/11 5:35PM *
I hope to soon post more (about Yosemite and HS Camp), but at this time I simply want to share a small story...

While at home school camp, I happened to walk up on two men (who I am learning to respect more and more with every encounter) who were just finishing up a conversation. As one of the men walked away, the other passed me and said something that has led my mind into some serious thought about my life. It went something like this:

Sometimes after meeting someone, you feel as if you just met a giant.

After looking at my list of friends who will see this, I realized a lot of them know this man. Even though ultimately we are to strive to be like Christ, it makes that goal seem more attainable when there is someone you know who is much closer to that goal than yourself. My intent is in no way to embarrass this man, and he already knows what was said, because I told him.

I hope and pray that one day, I can be this kind of example and encouragement to others. Thank you brother for being a Giant.
  • purky
    What an encouragement to have someone like that around! As a young man with a young family you are always encouraging me.
    by purky at 10/01/11 6:35PM
  • madtomkidd
    Sounds like a good experience! I'm thankful we changed our plans early because of all of the "life" that happened this week, but we want to get there! We're looking forward to seeing you guys again soon!
    by madtomkidd at 10/02/11 6:40AM
  • kamille
    I think I know that man (giant.)
    by kamille at 10/02/11 12:51PM

Yosemite 2011

at 09/22/11 11:13AM *
If you want to see pictures from our recent trip to Yosemite, follow this link: Yosemite 2011

To see the pictures better, just click on one and you will be able to flip through them one at a time.

I hope to add a written account soon.
  • kamille
    Wow. I would like to go there.
    by kamille at 09/22/11 12:29PM
  • waerick
    ^ I would highly recommend it to anyone.
    by waerick at 09/22/11 12:51PM
  • derbydi
    Looks like a wonderful time. Bet you all made wonderful memories together!!! Bruce needs to take me there! ;-)
    by derbydi at 09/24/11 4:42PM
  • waerick
    ^ I agree.
    by waerick at 09/24/11 10:26PM