Let's rrroll...

Well it has officially begun and I'm currently 0 for 2. I once went 0 for 22. I'm going for a new record. I'll keep you posted.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you're obviously living south of the border. But this will fill you in.

We have a home...

Ok, the title might be a little deceptive. We didn't actually find a home. Well, that's not entirely true either. We've seen lots of homes over the past week and a bit. Some of them were beautiful and some of them were...umm...well, let's just say that I don't really need a grow opp in my basement. But today we made a decision about our housing future.

Today we went to look at two more townhouses. One of them was in great shape with a lousy layout and the other had a great layout and was in lousy shape. Our realtor went to write up an offer while we took a "lunch break". So while he worked, we drove around and talked, prayed, questioned and then bought a daytimer. Then we said no (to the house, not the daytimer).

Sure, some would call us picky. Some will say we've set our sights too high. But it's important for us to have a place to live where we feel at home. We don't want to feel like we're just settling for something. After saying no (and having a lengthy conversation with our realtor that things may not get any better) we headed for lunch to plot our future.

Our decision: to take our sweet time. We're not going to be avid house-hunters. We're not going to jump at the first thing we see. We're going to take some time and save some coin and see what happens. We want this ministry stay to be a long term one, and we're prepared to wait for the right place to come along. So for now, I'm grateful that my in-laws have kept their doors open to us.

I just hope they don't change the locks one night when we're at youth group!

There's no way...

I simply cannot believe how expensive housing is out here. After countless hours on the internet and two days of a realtor showing us around, we are no closer to a solution to our housing woes. As for renting, that doesn't seem to be much better. The most affordable housing we found is in another city 30 minutes away! Is this normal?

Without further delay...

Well, I have officially made it through 2 days. It's tough adjusting to a new place with new faces. In some respects I feel as though I have completely changed career paths. But then I got to hang out with the SR Highs last night and I was reminded of why I do what I do: God & students.

I had moments yesterday when I asked myself what on earth I had gotten myself into. I think that was God reminding me that I can't be doing this on my own. And that's something I'm going to have to remind myself everyday.

Today was much better as I was able to connect with a few more of the staff. It's tough when you get used to doing church life a certain way for 5 1/2 years and then try to adjust to a new way of doing things. I've got lots to learn...but what else is new?!?

Tomorrow is my first day off. I know I only worked 2 days, but in my defense they were a long 2 days. Besides, we're meeting with our realtor to look at some more housing options. It's looking less and less likely that we'll be anywhere close to the church by the time we find a place we can afford.

Housing costs out here are through the roof! That can't be normal...can it?

With all that being said, I'm loving it here so far and I'm very excited about the future. Lots of great people, and lots of great potential for the church and for the youth. This is definitely going to be an adventure!

The night before...

I'm a nervous wreck right now. I'm awaiting my last sleep before the new job begins and my mind is racing with a hundred thousand different things, not all of which are life altering, but they still make my brain hurt:

• What will my office look like? (And where is my office?)
• What do I do on day one?
• How will everyone else respond to the new guy?
• Who do I direct certain specific questions to?
• What will I do for lunch?

And let's not forget the all important question: Where on earth are we going to live? That one seems to be eating at us the most, especially after spending the afternoon with a realtor showing us how slim the pickings are in this neck of the woods. This will definitely have to be a God-thing if we're going to find a place to call home that isn't a 40 minute drive from the church.

And breathe...

One week of school is officially done and now that means...umm...well, let's see...lots more. The first class went well but it sure is nice to be back home with the family. My son's surgery had a minor set back when I was away and he ended up being admitted again so they could observe him.

I found that out on the first day of class which made it extremely difficult to try and concentrate on anything that day. In fact, I even wondered if maybe I should have packed it in. But on the advice of my wife I stuck it out and now I'm that much closer to graduating. (Ok, so I'm not really that much closer...)

I should add that everything turned out well and he just ended up getting home a little earlier than we had previously anticipated.

On Tusday we have an appointment to look at some houses before I officially start work on Wednesday. And I just got an email letting me know that my first board meeting is this Thursday night. Should be a crazy week, and I'm only working half of it. Is that normal?

Getting ready...

Just finishing up some last minute pre-class work and doing some packing while listening to Dave Matthews Band Weekend on the Rocks (actually it's the dvd that's on right now).

I'm hoping I've got everything as tomorrow I head out for a long lonely drive to a part of the country that will probably be much colder than it is here. They might even have snow...

I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to the 10+ hours of driving that is scheduled just for tomorrow, but I do know that it will give me a chance to play catchup with my podcasts.

Other than that, on Monday I make my way into my first ever seminary class. It's been almost 7 years since the last time I sat through a week long class. And it's been even longer since I've had a week with no evening commitments. To pass the time I've succumbed and rented the first 4 discs of Lost (Season 1). I've seen part of the first episode before (and didn't really care for it, I might add) but thought I'd give it another try. Some people seem to like it, so why not?