Dim don't call me no more,

Officer calls me! So the big demo at the old house went really well. I'd say we're within sight of the rebuild. Fantastic damage to the plumbing all through the house. There are probably 6 or 7 holes in pipes that we've uncovered, plus all the copper sweat joints have separated. All new plumbing will have to go in. It's liberating to finally peel back the veneer and are the real structure of the building. The people who flipped it before I bought it are due some vengeance from the lord. I think. But my judgement is harshly erroneous oftimes.

Wait

Today is a waiting day. I am running time-consuming programs on two computers at work. Until they are done, I don't have a lot of real work to do. I'm still in the planning phase, but getting closer to the goal every day.
I wish I had my knitting here. The first couple feet of my scarf have taken three hours or better. I won't be done for a couple more days at least.

And there's a beard!

Tonight is knitting night. We've been looking forward to this all week. Kees is planning to be there too. We'll all go to Mars Cafe and knit and drink coffee. It's been many years since I last picked up some needles. My mother is a wonderful knitter, but I've forgotten what she taught me as a young lad. If nothing else, it's a nice evening out with my special lady. Grandpa G gets the kids, and we get some adult time.

Hammer time

Been working on Korbin the past couple nights when I get home from work. He loses his head during the day and treats his mom pretty poorly. I'm trying to communicate to him that his behavior is going to cause problems for himself. We'll see how long it takes him to turn around. I don't know why he acts one way with me and another way with Dawn. I'll force him to eat my chili if he doesn't shape up. Man it was too much vinegar. I shouldn't have dumped the whole jar of salsa in. Not many people took a bowl. I didn't even take a whole bowl.

Chili day

Competing in the chili cook off at work today. My wife thinks it's funny that I get excited about it. This year's entry is vegetarian and has no chili powder in it, so we'll see how it measures up. I'm hoping it's just the fresh new taste that the judges are looking for.

Dump

The big dumpster was delivered to the old house this morning. I had a nice talk with the neighbor afterward. He offered to help fix the problem. I just want to get it over with. The escape is just not materializing. Looks like hard work ahead. I had debated the new job for the cash in hand, but they wouldn't budge on the weekend duty so I turned it down even though I know I was the best candidate. Their loss more than mine. I still have autonomy. I didn't relish the thought of being tied to a pager for a week at a time. My life is more important to me than that.

Cold

It's cold. In here today. Yesterday we were all sick except for Asher. Dawn had to stay in bed all day, fighting a fever. Her boss wasn't impressed. Oh well. The job caused more stress than it was worth. We're doing better today, but still fighting. Dawn's dad came over last night to pray with us. That was good.

Care receiver

I walked out of work tonight as the sun was setting. The air was clear and crisp, and the sky was beautiful. I looked up and saw a river of birds high above me making their way peacefully home. It coincides with my dissatisfaction at work. The way I feel trapped in my job. The feeling that I will forever be two steps behind where I want to be. The birds reminded me that God takes care of millions of sparrows every day. How much more important am I? It was a hopeful feeling. Be patient. Wait on the Lord. As my grandpa likes to quote, He will bless is beyond what we can ask or think.

Caregiver

Tonight Korbin stayed home from church because he'd had a fever most of the day. He threw up last night around 4 am. Having to get up in the middle of the night to clean up puke kind of snapped me back into the day to day fatherhood role that I'd left behind while I was in Africa. When we were home tonight, we played on the Wii for a while. I studied my INSTE while Korbin fumbled through Paper Mario. Asher sat on my lap and played with my hands. It was peaceful and good.

The grind

I suppose it is what I make of it. Today is catch up day. I've gotten through all the emails. Now I have to decide whether or not to apply for the position that I've been groomed for. I pray for insight to make the right decision. The recurring theme on the MOVE trip was the "listening" portion of my relationship with God. I'm listening for the answer now, knowing God will work good out of any decision.

Home

Here I am. Back from the dark continent in one piece. I feel the connections to my home life slowly reforming. I hope to retain a more spiritual, God-conscious lifestyle moment by moment as I reenter the life I lead. Being far removed gave me a chance to see things differently and learn some things that are hard to learn while i'm in the midst of daily life.