Go Against the Flow

I once had a T-shirt that I wore until it was thread bear. It had a cartoon depiction of all kinds of vicious-looking fish swimming together in one direction. Just right of center swimming in the opposite direction is the Ichthus or what is known as the Jesus fish, the symbol of Christians. The picture illustrates what Paul is telling us in Romans 12:1-2. Swim with the sharks and go against the flow.

We are urged to become living sacrifices. This sounds serious doesn’t it? If we are Christians, we are holy. That means we are set apart for the Lord. We need to not just “talk the talk, but walk the walk” that is to live our everyday lives in God’s will. In today’s society this is not easy. We become easy targets. But we cannot hide away, we must be willing to become a sacrifice and swim with the sharks and piranha. This is our spiritual act of worship.

Once we have begun to swim in the world’s sea it will difficult not to follow one school of fish or another. It is difficult not to follow the world’s image. Through prayer, worship, bible study, and fellowship with other Christians we can renew our minds, that is, getting rid of old bad habits and focus on those lifestyles that are pleasing to God. We are still swimming along but now we are going against the flow. Now we can truly discover and approve what God’s will is.

We can become radical Christians. I like the idea. Swim with those sharks but go against the flow and learn the will of God.

Computer work

I have been hard at work today on this desktop o'mine. I have been updating the family trees at Ancestry.com with data and pictures and the family site at MyFamily.com (Alymer, Price & Company) and finally decided how I want to use this blog. I will try to update with news about us and from time to time add one of my writings (a story, meditation, essay or something). Maybe a picture or two.

It has been a fun day on the computer for me and especially since Nigel is sitting next to me on his computer doing his aviation thing.

Employment Update

Well finally! I have a job. After two months of resumes, applications, interviews and staffing agencies I am finally gainfully employed. And wouldn't you know it...with two jobs.

Job number 1 is through a staffing agency. They have assigned me three days a week to a trucking company. Please... of all the places I never thought I'd work, a trucking company is one. But it's money coming in. Barely. My glamorous job is calling for employment and education verifications. I am constantly amazed at the jobs people leave to become truck drivers. At the same time, I am not surprised at other types of people who become truck drivers. And the qualifying schools are as varied as the students. But I am most surprised at myself at being surprised at how many people lie on job applications. Do they think employers don't check? Of course they think this. Don't even get me started on criminal backgrounds... . So before you think to ask; no, I don't want this to be a career. Nooooo way!

Job number 2 is right up my alley. As you know, I was a Church and Community Worker for the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of the United Methodist Church (yeah, you should see the resume title). I had to take a leave of absence when I got married and moved to Georgia because there are no assignments available in GA. But my dear friend Becky (the Deaconess Mother Superior, if you will)submitted my name to Mission Personnel as someone to consider for Consultant to the New Missionary Recruitment Campaign (see email link below). I was considered, interviewed, offered and I accepted. The position will only last about a year and I probably will not be really busy until the end of summer through the end of the campaign. So I will continue to work the short-term temporary jobs from Randstad for a little while. Even at trucking companies.

But, I am working! I'm paying my taxes and earning money.

Honey... back later. I'm going shopping!

Now for that link: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/missionaries/

Finally!!

Well, here's the thing. We don't have video of our wedding. Not a problem... not a problem. I did not really plan on having video anyway. So, what I've done was to put some of the pictures together with the song my friend September Fisher sang and created my own little video. The song is "Grow Old With Me" written by John Lennon and recorded by Mary Chapin Carpenter. There are tons... and I do mean tons of pictures from the photographer and many of the best ones from family and friends. If you want to see them all, you'll have to come for a visit. Until then here is a sampling which is found on youtube. So just click...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIFmf2nxnhc

New Beginning

Well, here is something new to try. Seeing as I have been miserable at keeping a journal in the past I must say I have been fairly good at emailing (yes, yes, I know). So, I thought this might be a melding of the two. Maybe. Actually I thought this might be a good way to show off pictures and give some news and you could find it here in case I just forget to tell you something. You know how I am. And I am getting more forgetful as I get older (What's your name, again?)

As they say "Watch this space." I am attempting to embed the wedding video that I created and have been unable to send to you. Maybe I will be successful here. Once I get going on the genealogy front I'll try to embed a link to the tree. Nigel may stop in with a picture or comment or two. Or not.

So, I'll try to be faithful. Although I am sure I will not be as faithful as my friend Becky who in the space of one year has gotten married AND had a bouncing baby boy (yes, if she weren't so nice and lovable she'd be easy to hate).

And with that... welcome into my head.

Wear seat belts, keep hands and arms in at all times, and feel free laugh and comment.