Beginnings

First of all, I need to appologize, it has been far too long since I have posted anything. Second of all, I'm working again. And thirdly, new things are about to start happening. There are somethings that amaze me, such as the way everything seems connected, or the way that just when things start falling into place, appearant chaos inturrupts. Things start to happen, moving in a direction you want, and excitment grows. Then something unexpected happens making you feel like you're not even a pawn in the game, but the fly that gets swatted so that you stop distracting from the game. You start wishing you were a pawn again (which is funny since you have dreamed of being the king), but you're left outside. Then something else happens (much later of course leaving you time to think far too much), and you realize that you have been given the opportunity to enter another game, a game which is much more interesting than the previous game. Of course, this would not be real life if there were not a couple of offeres to enter mediocre games as well. But if we just wait, the new game that is much more interesting will come. The simple fact is that there are far to many games out there to be played.

Ok, enough of the metaphore, I got laid off a couple of weeks ago. When I found out I was getting laid off, I actually almost started laughing, it was an unusual experience. Then the first day after my last day of work, I get called back in. They make an offer, I decline, they increase the offer by almost 50%, and I still decline, because I had made a decision. I stuck by my decision and felt good about it. Then I get offered another job, but it wasn't what I wanted. In a way it was, but it wasn't. So I declined the offer. Now the whole time, I'm not making money, but I am enjoying my first time off in well over a year. In fact I ended up having a total of three weeks off, which ended up being great. It was nice to be able to spend so much time with my family. We had a great time. And then, after everything was said and done, and after I got a job that I am very happy about, things finally can be seen to be falling into place.

So, what is it that I am doing? I am working for a company that designs, builds, and installs custom cabinets and woodwork. Because it is all custom, each job is unique and different. I've only been there a week, but I am enjoying it and learning a lot. I have always wanted to get into woodworking, and now I have my chance. Getting laid off convinced me to take the chance and make this dream happen. I am feeling great about this. Not that this is easy, but this is what I really want to do. The other bonus, the shop that I am working at is less than a kilometre from home, I'm coming home for lunch. It's great being able to have lunch with my family.

So, all in all, life is good, and as I start something new, so is our church. The pastor kicked off a series of sermons on evangelism by explaining that he wants to nip the rumor mill in the bud. If someone hears something about him being over there, or with those people, or "did you know that the pastor is _____?", well, he is. He has decided that he needs to go where the people are. And so he will be going all sorts of places, to build relationships with people, through which he wants to share the gospel. As far as I'm concerned, that's a great example. It's got me thinking of things I've been putting off. It's encouraging me to start getting out more.

So, here's to new beginnings. I'm very interested in seeing where this all goes.

Another new beginning, and this one is totally frivolous. I've started a new hobby. Mostly, it's part of my need to always be learning something new. Partly, it's something that facinates me. I know that it is generally pointless (as in it has no redeeming value, it is non-productive, and there is not much of a chance that I could use this for gain, in fact it will end up costing me more than anything else) but I am willing to pay the price. So what is this frivolous enterprise you ask? Why, it is remote-control gliders of course! Specifically, the hand launch type. Why that specific type? No motors, no fuels, not nearly the cost of motorized, no noise. The challenge of throwing something high enough into the air to start catching some kind of a thermal, then try to keep it up in the air as long a possible. Or, just for the fun of it. To be able to play in three dimensions, mostly to be able to play.

And so, the beginnings continue...