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.

General Status Update #2

Hey all - our lives have been busy ...

-: Jason :-

* I finished the Shack - powerfully written fantasy that has the potential to bring many people back to Christ Jesus.  I was personally moved by the foreword.  I believe the essence of the book is true and that not any single aspect of the content to be impossible.  Miracles happen every day.

* A few weeks ago I grew a full beard. In the last three days I've shaved it. I took pictures ...



- As you can see, I appear to lose several years of age and maturity. It is quite odd :D

* As mentioned previously, I have placed my web-comic online. Please post comments if you would like to peruse.

* Almost a week ago, my back seemed to be less than stellar.  Through the Lord's healing, and a wake-up call to slow down, my back has been healed!  Praise God for His healing mercies!

* School starts for me, Lord-willing my last semester doing undergraduate work for a Computer Science degree. Books are expected to be ordered before too long and away we go! I'll be studying Astronomy, Programming in C++, Network Technology, and Software Engineering. A big shout out goes to God for allowing this past year to occur with all its grandeur. Truly He is amazing!!


-: Ruth :-

* Ruth got her car inspected and it failed - but that is where Dave Ramsey's suggestion for an emergency fund kicks in! We've had, built up, used, and built up again this thing several times now - and I heartily endorse it!

* Ruth has been an amazing care-giver, a reliable and loving domestic engineer, and a consistent stabilizing force in my life - I am blessed to have her as my wife!

* I learned recently that Ruth has drawn closer to God as a result of living with me.  Apparently she prays a great deal as my wife!  The reality is that we are two very different people and it is only Christ Jesus that allows us to function as one flesh.

-: Peter :-

* Peter is adorable!  He continues to grow into his skin, sometimes over the course of a week, sometimes over the course of an hour!  At least five times, we've seen Peter go down for a nap and wake up visibly different.  The boy grows in visible spurts!

* Peter has gently improved his crawling, having made his first "official" crawl stance today.  This is in addition to his tendency to crawls backwards.  Yes, he IS my son.

* Peter will, no doubt, make many friends over the course of his life.  I believe one of his newer friends is a Rumba!  We found he fits nicely upon it.  Initially we placed him a box on the Rumba - later, we let him ride the Rumba for a short time as well ...

 - Which didn't last too long but was a joy to share with the family.

-: God :-

God has shown Himself faithful every day in so many quotidian details that to list them all would be only evidence of my own inability to recognize every aspect of His presence in my life.

A short list would be:

• We were able to visit a family relative
  
• We observed amazing weather
  
• We made it home safely after being driving more tired than we were aware
  
• I continue to be gainfully employed
  
• Peter continues to be a source of amazement and humility as I identify many of his weaknesses as my own

May you praise Christ daily in your heart, life, walk, and mind.

General Status Update #1

-: Jason:-

I've been reading "The Shack" (author: William P. Young) ... and won't endorse it yet; but, I've personally been encouraged by the raw hope and faith exhibited by the character/author.

We start our ball-room classes up next week - I have not practiced often (enough). Haven't quite worked out consistent recollection of the distinction between dances. It comes with time, I expect.

I'm looking forward to starting classes next week - last semester for my Bachelor's Degree!

I have been considering starting a web-comic.

And I just realized I've been getting phonemes and phenomes backward!


-: Ruth :-

Has been busy doing her fair amount of chores, t'toring, d'livering, b'keeping, and Petering.

Has been working on something of a secret project that I look forward to observing when she's through.

Has been mulling over the epilogue to a novel she wrote.


-: Peter :-

Seems SO CLOSE to speaking - he's been repeating his phonemes quite a bit. I expect he'll be a bit of a talker :D

He has been standing up in his portable crib, with help. Not quite strong enough to climb up there by himself, but getting there.


-: Praise Reports :-

1. Clan Miller stopped by last weekend to do what they do best - enhance!
It was amazing to see my house be transformed by God's grace and copious effort into a place where I can really see clearly the vision God has placed in my family's heart.
It is humbling to know how much I cannot do myself and how much simple trust and acceptance in Christ can transform ... EVERYTHING!

2. I finally got my grade for Programmable Logic Controllers: A!
I find all for of the classes resulted in praise resports this semester and seeing His hand in reconciling my efforts was a huge blessing.
It was only through hand of Christ Jesus that I was able to stay focused, learn so much, and grow as a student this past semester.

Well, I'm out - hope your walk is stronger now than ever before.

Leave a note if you'd like.

How much of our crying out to the Lord is vanity?

:- Peter
Peter has been growing so very, very fast. I don't have great recollection of any particular day, but it is amazing to me how much he's grown since I first held him, an hour after he was born, less than two months ago.

:- General
Growth is painful, as are the transitions between growth spurts. Ruth has shared that she remembers growing. I don't recall anything close to that ... but growing, regardless of context, is hard. It's hard for cities, it's hard for companies, and it's hard for people.

:- Ruth
Ruth has been doing wonderfully. She is becoming increasingly aware of her fitness needs and I have heard her plan. She put in for two part-time jobs: newspaper delivery driver and Trader magazine (Friday Only) delivery driver. We're getting rid of the credit cards!!! She also has an accountability coach, which is always encouraging. Her birthday is on Monday!! I already planned a small surprise - I anticipate she'll like it :)

:- General
Being a father is very eye-opening. I know it's cliche ... but you have a much clearer understanding of what God sacrificed when He gave His only begotten son. In addition, you see how much He wants to give us good things, and most of the time we're whining. Simply whining. All is vanity says the preacher. This applies even to heart-felt worship. If God didn't guide your heart to do it, even if you were focused on God, it's likely it's a form of vanity.

:- Jason
House purchase moving forward, settlement date seems to be end of September.
Classes are progressing nicely - have an appointment with adviser in early September and should start up new classes cleanly. Also, no word on amount or degree of corporate reimbursement, but any would help knock out the credit.
We also have a budget. Dave Ramsey Rocks!!

Bye Ya'll!