10/26/2008
I have now been on the job for 3 full weeks.
I have learned quite a bit about the new responsibilities and am enjoying it. I have to admit, the first week was a bit brutal as I hit the proverbial wall of information/responsibility overload. I am now getting into the swing of things and have requested a 4 week review at the end of the week to make sure I am on the right track and not going off doing what “I” want to do.
I have some reviews to do before the week is over. That will be tough as I don’t have a ton of information on all of the employees yet. I hope to make sure that each of their next reviews are filled with good information.
It seems that I have been in a bit of a transe with life. All of the responsibilities at church I have had to shelve as my brain learns the new job. This Friday I hope to begin stepping back into the saddle of men’s ministry. The problem is that I am a bit late in the season to rehit some of the big things that men can do … they tend to mentally/emotionally shut out during the November and December months. March seems like a great time to re-hit the ministry. I look forward to developing a basic plan to help prepare for “March madness” though. I am hoping to lead some men in a study on “how to lead a bible study”. If I can get enough men trained to lead a study, when March comes around I can help fill some of their groups with some challenges.
A barrier we have with our men (and I tease them quite a bit about this) is that they don’t seem to be too tech-savvy. Instead of utilizing email or the men’s web page to share information, we will need to utilize face to face contact (or even phone I guess). Not being able to contact all the men by myself, with the help of others this should be done.
In January, I will be help leading a young adult ministry by being responsible for teaching and coaching on the side. We are hoping to start with a retreat, and then “launch” from there. I look forward to that … especially teaching regularly in the church I ministered to for so long. (More redemption!)
Home school is back into full swing and the girls seem to be oding well. They are taking a class or two at the local elementary school.
I bought a new truck recently (new truck) … it has been FUN having a truck. What makes it cool? The ability for my family to sit in one seat. Mer has made it fun as she snuggles up to me on our times together. All I seem to be missing now is a gun rack, boots and cowboy hat.
Enough for now … time to finish my lazy Sunday and prepare for our family night.
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10/17/2008
The site will be down for a few days (most likely still visible) as there will be behind the scenes changes.
As always, thanks for spying on me. 
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10/12/2008
Having had two days of orientation and 3+ days of OTJ experience. I am not currently receiving a formal training and most of the training has been via my peer (another supervisor) and on an “hears what you need to know now.” She is doing well. I do tend do best just being dropped kicked in to the mix and then organizing my way out.
The culture where I work is different than other places. There is almost this “fearfulness” about interacting with doctor’s that will make my first interaction a bit awkward, not sure why though, odd. The rest of the staff I have interacted with has been pleasant. I think they have identified me as a “newbie” (I weare a bright green dot on my ID badge signifying “noob” to all) and so I think most are respectful and helpful in that capacity.
One of the bigger learning curves is going to be the 24/7 schedule. I finally figured out that they basically have rotating two week schedules. That is helpful, but this past week we have had quite a bit call out sick, we seem to be a little understaffed as a couple are out on leave, which makes it difficult. But the leads that are there have a good grasp on filling in the holes with the staff. Very thankful for that!
I haven’t had the temptation to only stick to a 40 hour work week, I know being new that there is quite a bit to learn. Thankfully there is coffee to help me stay awake.
My personal time with Jesus has been poor this week. I am out of my normal routine of hitting a coffee shop in the morning and need to find a new routine. I did spend some time at the Willammette University Mess Hall .. in fact Friday I had an entire “hall” (of 40+chairs) all to myself. I sat by the window where a creek flows by and read. It was great. That may be my new routine. The meal was inexpensive and I am fairly certain I could bring in my own food if I were to by a drink there or something.
There seems to be a strict policy against using the internet for personal use so am trying hard to refrain from that, on top of that my cell phone has the oddest coverae there. I could be talking on a phone no problem, lay it down on my desk and not hear it ring for the rest of the day. Then when I take it out of my office and into the main lobby, it goes back on and then all of my messages start popping through. It seems to suck up my battery quite a bit during that time “searching hard” for a connection. Oh well … glad I didn’t get the iphone after all.
They are in the process of building a new hospital “tower” where they will eventually move all of the patients and surgeries over and slowly not use the “old” hospital. It seems to be an exciting time to be involved. I look forward to learning as much as I can and being as useful as I can.
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10/06/2008
Started my first day back to work.
Started off by being almost late as I am no used to leaving the house at a certain time in the AM AND I had a “wardrobe malfunction” (no not that kind). I got into the building at 2 minutes till the time I needed to be in there. There were quite a few people in attendance of the “new employee orientation”. None of which were completely familiar and a few that were vaguely familiar to me.
Until after lunch time, I was doing pretty keeping track of the information being dished out. But after the sleepiness of the lunch hour came, it was hard to stay awake. That and the combination of a small chair and shoes that, for now at least, appear to be a little too narrow for me, made the afternoon a bit difficult.
We got out early enough that I can visit some of the staff I will now be responsible for during their shift change. I am so thankful that we are required to wear name badges as I would not be able to remember the names for a little while.
My hope is that I will be there early enough for the shift change to the graveyard (assuming it is graveyard … I still have yet to understand the schedules).
On my way home, picked up a friend who wanted a ride home since his bicylce got a flat.
Now I am home … having been “unplugged” from social media most of the day desiring badly to take a nap before small group starts. Must sleep …. must sleep.
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10/03/2008
Will have to update and modify later … 
There may have been quite a few re-posts … but I had to repost a few blogs to get back to being updated. I apologize for the “doubles”
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10/03/2008
More pictures from recent beach trip
Click on them to make them larger (and see the proper proportion)
Anyone else going to join me doing photo Fridays?
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09/30/2008
I will write more on my experiences today, but wanted to write “something” now.
Last week I received a letter from the employment office stating I had a mandatory meeting to attend, to tell me how to utilize the employment office to get a job. Yesterday I was called to take a position in the Salem Hospital and would report to work Monday AM. I didn’t think I needed the class since I have a job, but went anyway to tell someone in person (forget about calling and talking to someone … too long of a wait).
I went in and stated I was here for the class, and then asked since I was starting a job next Monday, if it was needed. They said “yes, of course … but only if you want your unemployment benefits.” I signed in, and just to be sure asked someone else, and they gave the same response. So I waited in class. What is funny is that I thought they might do so, so I began praying “God while I have to be here … is there anything you want done?” A guy I hadn’t seen for a long time from church, Joe, walked up to me and reacquainted himself with me. We ended up talking for a bit before the class and during the break. He asked if I knew anyone that would be interested in their open youth pastor position at church, and I said that I did. I gave him the name and we discussed other matters. After the second hour as we were working on the resume through (iMatch skills) I was dismissed and even told “boy if I had known that you had a job, I wouldn’t have made you stay). argh.
I don’t know if that connection would pan out or not, but it made me think a little. If I had been fairly sour and rude to the staff and put off the big show that “I don’t have to be here” (and specifically because I knew that parts of our conversations were overheard by the eavesdroppers in fron and to the side of us) then …
1) my image of Jesus in me would have just been tainted
2) I couldn’t have reconnected with Joe
3) that possible connection for ministry may not have ever happened
I think that is a good reminder to live out the concept of “as you walk”. (Something I will bring up after a while).
Have you ever looked back at something you dreaded not doing, attended/participated and then saw God in the midst of it (in spite of your attitude)?
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09/29/2008
… or rather employment update.
I was called this morning and officially offered a position at the Salem Hospital.
I can not tell you how much God was in the timing of these events! My last severance check was received this past Friday. That and unemployment covers me through end of October and my first paycheck in October will be at the end of the month!
Here is a verse from a song I wrote a little while ago (can see the whole song here)
You provide in the nick of time
with what I need, right to the dime
You will provide my clothes and food
I will wait … just like I should
it’s so hard Lord, it’s so hard
It is true. I have indeed struggled through this time, but totally see God’s hand throughout.
The week I was laid off I was asked to substitute preach, and I prayerfully chose a topic on complaining. Little did I know that the message seemed more for me that week!
All of the energy/effort that went into looking for a job didn’t pan out. The only leads I had were ones that were as a result of someone pointing me to it. Not a single one of the apps/resumes I put in resulted in an interview.
Thank you so much for encouraging me up during this time and talking to God on my behalf.
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09/26/2008
Hey all,
I am still waiting to hear back from my recent interview. Monday I should have an interview with the State. I was told that I should receive a call back on Wednesday to give some updates as to how the interviews went. I haven’t heard back … however, I do know that the one who might be my boss was sick on Monday and showed up to work sick on Tuesday. Quite possible she is still sick.
I will call tomorrow to find out where I am at in the process.
I have been having this song in my head quite a bit.
How do you cope with waiting?
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