December 28, 2004
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This seems like a great time to do an actual update. I am off work this week and return on Tuesday, January 4th, 2005. Kathy is working all this week so, though this is only Tuesday, I'm bored already.
Matt passed his Math class and now has only to finish his English class, this coming semester, to get his degree. Keep praying for him because as I stated a couple of posts ago, he lacks the motivation to get things done. The two daughters did well this past semester and have 3.0 and 3.27 averages.
Since my last "update" our worship leader resigned after some less than flattering statements made at a meeting and I was drafted to take over, at least on a temporary basis. I lead on 12/4, 12/11, & 12/18 (no service on 12/25) and will probably continue to do so for the next few months. I hope to work the person who resigned back into the job slowly until he is ready to take over again. I guess this is a great time for me to re-hone my skills and to be a living demonstration of what I have been trying to teach the other worship leaders at church. I just haven't the desire to do it long term anymore as it is a lot of work to get it all ready each and every week. I don't know how I ever did three services a week for nine years.
My work situation is still pretty much up in the air. My job has been moved to the Federal Building in Pittsburgh but my old boss at the field site still has lots of work for me. The problem is that in the reorganization, control of the money has been moved to Project Managers and they have to approve funding for me to continue to work, at least part of the time, at my old field office. So far, no one seems to know how to get that accomplished. This reorganization has left a whole lot of us in the dark.
Christmas has been alright so far. The whole thing just isn't the joy to me that it once was amidst the gift exchanges, etc. A couple of years ago I dropped out of all gift exchanges because of the setting of prices and the trading of gift lists. I don't see the connection between the great gift Christ brought us and the stingy way in which we try and celebrate it. I just buy gifts for whom I want and pay whatever I feel I want to pay and suffer the fact that I don't get much back from anyone. To me, it is the giving that Christmas is all about, not the receiving, but that fact has seemed to get lost in our abundant society.
Well, that is about all for now. I hope to get around to visit some of you soon! I pray you all have a great and prosperous New Year!
Comments (6)
God bless Matt. He has achieved something awesome and may he continue to stretch just a l-i-t-t-l-e further. But what a stressful situation for you with your job, through no fault of your own. The so-called "business model" applied to government agencies, churches, schools and hospitals is ludicrous. I mean, as if we with Master's in business ALWAYS have the best interests of the families of our employees--let alone our employees--in mind. I'm sure no one who knew me as a manager in a corporation in the early '80's can imagine me as a minister, that's just how changed my worldview is now, compared to then. On a lighter note, Christmas here has been a time of great affection and many surprise gifts--nothing too extravagant, but all nice. However, I do enjoy the giving more than the receiving. Shopping is rarely stressful to me. But I can do it at odd hours because of my goofy night and evening work schedule. And, I'm very decisive. I can tell that just from the last few days of going to stores with my mom and daughter. They ponder, ponder and ponder. I'm efficient and decisive by comparison. Take care, derive blessings from the return to worship leader duties, and know that I am praying especially for Matt and your job situation. Hugs, Claudia
God bless. I will try to comment again tomorrow when I have a bit more time. My unsaved son-in-law calls December the month of the "Winter Consumer Holidays." It is my desire that my testamony before him would be that Christmas is the celebration of hope realized through Jesus. How we celebrate that day says much about our priorities. Take care. I am sure Matt will pull it through and graduate. I am so glad the girls are doing well. Government jobs can be very frustrating, but at least you were able to hang onto your job.
In His name,
Carol
hello,happy new year and keep on running therace for Jesus!:) God Bless!:)
elvie
hello there!:)
its great to hear from you and its great to know that you are also a worship leader. Its really a great privilege serving God through the talents that He has entrusted us..Keep on running the race for Jesus!:)and keep in touch.God BLess!:)
elvie
"This reorganization has left a whole lot of us in the dark."
I hate being in the dark... hmm. I'll pray for you about this and the worship leading of course
Giving is really the feeling we should have at Christmas. Our small group at church bought an entire new winter wardrobe for a mentally challenged neighbor of mine that attends our church. Hers is a pitiful situation, but life has been looking up for her in the past seven months. Give God the glory!
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