May Update

I apologize for the lack of blogging these days - I'm sure no one even reads this anymore after weeks of absolutely no news...

I started a new job on 4/20 - working for our church. What a rewarding experience it's been so far. I have no regrets even as I adjust to a work life and a faith life that cross paths (and the big dip in salary is an adjustment as well, but what a testimony of what God is capable of doing.) Our steps the last few years have somewhat defied logic (house purchased at the height of real estate prices, SUV purchased when gas was over $4/gal, a salary cut almost in half during the worst recession in recent history) - again, we'd not be able to thrive without God.

Our students are about to graduate - sniff sniff. The first group of high school seniors that we have been teaching in Sunday School are all set to bolt outta here. I'm super proud of the people they are, the decisions they are making for their futures, and how they live out their faith daily. I'm planning their senior recognition breakfast and church service now that I am on staff, but clearly I want it to be even more meaningful since I know each one so personally and treasure this special time as they are celebrated.

Tim has been gone the entire month of May - in fact he left on 4/27 and comes home FINALLY on 5/22. It's been a rough go of it for us as he's been gone - only because of schedules. Making time for each other when you're as busy as we are is hard even when you're in the same house - let alone states apart. With the new job responsibilities I've not been able to go visit so I think we're both just over it all ;)

We're looking at painting the outside of the house - it might be the last big undertaking of house repairs. Thankfully our city has a program where they give out free exterior paint, up to 15 gallons.... of course, there are restrictions - such as the strange array of colors to choose from: off-white, beige, gray, terra cotta and aqua... so South Florida to have an aqua house. I think I will try to use my next Friday off to look at the colors and once Tim's home we can see about painting before it gets too hot - we might hire a few deserving students who are trying to earn theyr way to summer camp. I love "slave labor". And who am I kidding about "too hot" - it's been over 90 degrees every day this week and it's only May...

That's all the updates I have I guess.

Article: Don't confuse money with happiness

A small excerpt from a great article on CNN.com today, which gave me peace having made the tough choice to give up a lucrative career to pursue something I know I'm going to love:

[The economy] is what it is.

And when we wake up in the morning we are left with the question, "Now what?"

It's actually a great question, because in a situation in which we've lost control, it gives us a little back. "Now what?" means we have a choice, in this moment, to do something. What's it going to be?

I think it's a mistake to try to rebuild what we've lost. We have less now and I think we can do better with less. Having less forces choices. And consciously making those choices can bring us closer to the things we care about. Which can make a poorer life richer than a rich one.

Because the research is clear. Above a basic threshold, more money doesn't make us happier. But we think it will, so we do all sorts of things that make us unhappy in order to get it.

A senior leader in an investment bank called to tell me she was leaving her job. She realized she wouldn't make much money in the next few years and didn't want to miss her children growing up. Did you get that? She was willing to miss her children growing up if the money was good enough.

People act in ways they'd rather not in order to make money that doesn't make them happy. Maybe, if we do this downturn right, we can get out of that cycle.

So, what makes you happy? Is it spending time with people you love? Working on a pet project? Having the time to exercise? Being part of a community and feeling cared for? Knowing the answer enables you to make decisions that will prioritize those things.

Of course, losing money can break people apart; we fight about money, people lose jobs and get depressed; tension rises as mortgage bills sit on the kitchen table unpaid; resentment builds when one person doesn't live up to his own and others' expectations.

But I am also seeing the opposite. Losing money can bring you closer to your values; can actually bring people together. It's hard to appreciate in the midst of our loss, but embracing the forced reduction in lifestyle can be positive.

Finally free!

Well, I did it – I put in my letter of resignation today. What a burden that has been lifted! If I've not shared much on my blog it's because it's so public and this has been a private struggle. My company declared bankruptcy in August and even before that it was a painful place to work as people began being laid off in October 2007 when my then boss was let go and I was handed most of her responsiblities as the lead communications person. They put a technology vice president in charge of marketing and it hasnt been the same since.

The look on my supervisor’s face was priceless. I hadn’t planned on discussing my new plans - but you know they are going to ask, and as the shock continued and she didn’t speak I felt I had to fill the air and at least answer the only question she was able to form at the time.

I've accepted a position at our church as the Student Ministry Assistant. I told her this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And she didn’t bat an eye when I put in my letter my last day will be next Thursday – take Good Friday off and the rest of Easter week to enjoy my husband, paint the house (maybe) and take a few days to go away – our last hoorah for a while…

I guess I’ve never had a job pay me for something that was enjoyable enough that I’d do it for free – and I’m pretty much doing a lot of similar things already for free for this ministry. I would love to know how great it could be waking up wanting to go to work. And to work with people I respect, with a mission that I wholeheartedly support will be life changing.

I’m a comfort junkie, and even though this current place is evil right now, I know my job and I do it well – it’s just my heart isn’t it in anymore -- meaning I’m not longer doing my best, and doing sub-par quality work to collect a check doesn’t make me proud of what I do. Work done well honors the Lord, and I’m not even doing that anymore.

I’ve never worked in a ministry before – I know there will be great fellowship and accountability of faith, which I do crave working with and for other Christians. The question becomes one of getting over myself (going down to an “admin asst” position from where I am now as a communications director, but what my company has done with my duties has turned my position basically into a glorified admin anyway, but I have a snazzier title and pay), and working “for” friends.

The only down sides I can see are:

• seeing the church personnel for who they really are
• working FT for what could feel like PT pay
• the commute is a bit longer and more traffic depending on the hours and which route I choose
• the difficult balance between the work of the church and the fellowship of the church
• Not sure yet how this would affect the teaching we currently do Sundays or the work with the band

The pluses:

• I would get a chance to be creative again, designing flyers as needed, doing event coordination, and almost being a big kid.
• In the summer they like to plan events for the students so a “work day” could involve a fellowship day at the beach.
• I’d be getting paid to do things I already do for free
• Assisting the church is doing a role that could have eternal significance to a student who may come to know Christ as a result
• The growth I could experience spiritually by sitting under the leadership our of pastor – staff does mandatory devotionals Tuesday mornings and I’m ready to learn
• The position is pretty secure and the church has yet to experience a lay off
• Everything is done in the light – no secrecy, conflicts are handled, meetings may be frequent but that is to keep all parties informed
• I love the staff already – these people cared for me in my hardest days (dad’s death, MS diagnosis, blindness, etc)

So there you have it. My departure is schedule and I'm excited and scared, ready and not ready. But I trust the Lord, I thank my husband for partnering with me on this journey and I don't know what lies ahead, but I'm sure ready to find out. Pray with me and for me as I depart from this place (4/9) and make a new career serving the church and the Lord full time (4/20) Eeeek!

Update on the front yard

First, yes I did hit my head on a tree in the front yard and gave myself a concussion... but I'm better now. What a fun trip to the ER that was (a day later). Man what a fierce headache! It took the rest of the week to feel better.

Pics of the front (and the tree offender)





And pics from the "Rock Band and board game party" we attended this weekend with our high school seniors that we teach at church - they are a blast!

House color inspiration

This house is several blocks from our home but I pass by it each day on my commute and watched it as it was built- I just love the mocha and cholocate brown on the gutters and front door, with the cream colored trim on the roof line and windows ... maybe once Tim sees this he will see my vision.

My landscaper rocks!

Mulch in the back went in on Friday. We still have minor adjustments to make - and we had to teach Cooper he can't run on it like he wants... but at least he's not trying to eat it.

They make supplements for dogs to make their urine not ruin the grass - going to get some tomorrow! I also purchased a few landscape lights and once I make sure they glow like I want (amber instead of LED bright blue/white) I'll get more for the rest of the back and the front.











So excited! I was so motivated with the changes going on outside that I finally adjusted the height of the mirror that has hung in our entry way since we purchased the house 4 years ago (so I can finally apply lipstick on the way out) - and I hung the planter sconces I've owned for more than a year.



Now, to select an exterior wall color and accent color - the trim will remain white/cream but I want to do the front and back door and back shutters a dark color, either dark coffee brown or black.

So many choices!



Even a lizard tried to place his vote:

New green carpet

I forgot what my yard looked like with grass considering it never had that much to begin with, and what little it did have Cooper made sure to trample down to nothingness.

I came home yesterday to a sea of green in my back yard - how awesome is this looking!









Mulching is next along with the final touches on the front!