Mirth and its fruit/seed

-: Jason :-

* In late April/early May, I was let go from my position at Cox Auto Trader.

The circulation arm of the company was bought out - I was not included in the migration.

* Visited the food pantry over at Sovereign Grace Church

My very first impression of the church was the peace - deep, amazing, and simple!

The administrative aspects of the pantry were a true representation of Christ - they were organized, there was no hint of disrespect or dishonor, and it appeared as if God was truly blessing people through this church. The manner in which it was accomplished caused me to praise God and made me want to participate as well as contribute when next I have goods or services to offer.

* I completed the course work for my degree ... several times.

Lesson: get your transcript notarized and any agreements in writing!

Note:

FEMA.gov (link) offers free college credit/continuing education unit classes.

Be sure your college accepts them, and when complete, submit a request for a transcript.

* Was part of the effort to put on a Home Schooling convention, through HEAV, last weekend

It is put on every year, and no year is easy, though some are more flawless than others.

This year we had more help, more attendees, more lives touched, and amazing speakers.

* During the convention, I took time out to listen to Voddie Baucham.

He had powerful stuff to say - my personal take away is

I can be more attentive to Christ, a better student of Scripture, and also to discover what the Bible has to say about things on things to which I have not applied, or not consistently applied, in my own life.

* I recently signed up to do E-Learning on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.

I've set a goal for myself to accomplish successfully the Certification by July 4th.

The Preparatory courses are six in number, and in addition to being interesting information, I have first hand knowledge that not having it is occupationally detrimental.

-: Ruth :-
* Has been looking lovelier than ever!

As was possibly mentioned earlier, she is pregnant and due October 31st.

We don't know the gender but, as with Peter, are blessed to know the child is healthy and will wait on Christ.

* Was also busied this past weekend with the convention.

As the primary Office Moblization Coordinator, she makes sure stuff gets to the right places and safely arrives at various offices, stations, and tables as appropriate. During the convention itself, she and I run errands, working help the teams that ensure smooth running. Our efforts usually have her one of the last five people, every day, to leave the Convention Hall

* Was able to visit grandparents (and Peter's great grand parents) immediately following convention!

They live in Richmond, so the convention was a perfect opportunity to visit.

During that meeting, Ruth's dad was able to visit - having four generations in one place is a trip!

* Has officially finished her secret anniversary project - Jason will have to wait for October!

Jason knows it took hundreds of hours to finish.

Jason also believes it to be a craft project of some kind.

this is about all Jason knows - and he is excited!

* Has recommitted herself to healthier choices, both in exercise and diet.

Ruth has mentioned that having a healthier form makes pregnancy easier.

It is also is, perhaps, one of the reasons Ruth is gloriously adorable!

-: Peter :-
* Now chirps when he's in a comfortable place.

Jason believes he chirps nearly the moment he becomes comfortable.

Jason has seen him chirp in this same way when he is finally comfortable with individuals too.

* Has taken one or more steps three or four times.

Jason believes the convention helped - that much space encourages an expansive mindset!

Jason believes the only thing holding Peter back is a little confidence and some patience.

... thus Jason is excited and interested to see how much running Peter will be doing.

* Has had a boil the past few days.

Jason has learned that many boils indicate the potential for the spiritual presence of anger

thus Jason and Ruth are mindful of that potential area of prayer need in Peter's life.

Peter is mostly healed now and Jason gives all credit to Christ, who strengthens us all!

* has migrated, in the past few months, from an old room and earlier feeding methods

This has included a migration to the auto-feeding of Ruth via the obvious natural method to more oatmeal concoctions - its amazing what you can add to oatmeal to suggest a different foodstuff :)

This has included a migration from his old room in the middle of the hallway (current a stanging area of unsorted goods) to the corner bedroom.

This is part of our schema to give him more room to play, more room to grow, and less disorder as his sibling arrives in a few months.

-: General :-

School - Schooling has been on our minds of late. I have been getting an undergraduate through Thomas Edison State College (link) and I am still encouraged by their flexibility, the fact they offer all of their classes online, the fact that so many of my own credits transferred from TNCC (link), and the fact they offer classes that start every month gave me the opportunity to knock out 36 credits in 36 weeks. What I'm still dealing with is that their transcripts are dynamic - and sometimes credit for a class one week may not count the following week because the transcript available online is not a frozen pdf but a living document that reflects the ... actions and thoughts of the college system. Not necessarily good or bad, just a point of which one should be aware is that this causes a potential for frustration.

In addition, as happened several years ago, Ruth and I are planning on offering an Algebra review class this summer! It will cover Algebra I, Algebra II, some Trigonometry, some Geometry, and is intended to get the target student ready for either Pre-Calculus, the screening test before one might enter a college or classroom environment, or for students who have taken the courses and need a more personal aid/mentor before attacking it again. It is of importance to note that the student should already have had the material, or be an excellent student, because the rate at which the material is covered is fine for a review but perhaps a bit rushed for an initial introduction. Rate, time, and duration to be discussed, but we will likely offer discounts for multiple students from families.

I've been trying to build up enough SwagBucks to buy a guitar! Swagbucks is simply, much like other sites, a search engine. I believe it ties in results from Google.com and Ask.com. Once you've logged in, using the search will intermittently offer SwagBucks - which can be redeemed for various prizes. If you consider it something in which you'd like to participate, every SwagBuck that you earn is also given to the person you signed up under. My own signup is available here. Please take a look and use the service if useful.

No progress on the aforementioned June novel(s) - taking care of Peter, the house, and trying to find alternate income have made the focus and/or core material for the novel(s) of scant or nonexistent character. To be sure, I'll be participating in NaNoWriMo and perhaps this year I'll actually meet or exceed the word count requirement. I have to say that 50,000 words is no minor feat.