Job Search

I just applied for another library position.  I've also tested for a para job in the schools (they're not posted yet).  And I'm hoping to apply for a job at a used bookstore.  Here's hoping one of these pan out.

Understanding Grandma

Grandma Brandybuck had an incredible heart for missions.  She supported many missionaries, both financially and by faithful, fervent prayer.  She diligently kept in touch with dozens of missionary families around the world - sometimes for decades.

I realized today that most of the missionaries she supported were either the children of her friends or the friends of her children, and I understand now why they meant so much to her.  That's how I feel about Anna going to Thailand.  It's how I feel about another of Erma's friends going to Guatemala, and about our friends' daughter (whom I've known since she was born) going to India.

My prayer list for young people going on mission trips this summer is long, and extends all over the world.  From Duluth and South Dakota to Australia, Uganda, and Peru.  Add to that Belize, Costa Rica, Ghana, Ireland, London, Haiti, Asia, Israel, and of course Nicaragua and Nepal.  These kids are going into all corners of the earth with the Gospel, and it's wonderful.  I'm anxious to see what will come of this ten years from now.

And I know now why Grandma loved these families and did so much for them.

Letting Go

Erma's life has had far too many goodbyes.  Starting when her Knight in Shining Armor moved away when she was 6, it's been one farewell after another.
The Backstreet Girl moved to Texas after her parents' divorce.
Her favorite cousins moved to Washington for their dad's job.
Some friends stayed in town, but grew apart.
Her older friends all left to go to college.
And then there was our dear Carin, who was taken from her foster family to live with relatives.
None of this was fair, and many, many tears were shed.

Now we have another goodbye, but this is different.  We knew it was coming - Anna has been doing short term missions for a while, so it wasn't really a surprise today to get the letter saying she's going into this full time, in Thailand. 

It's a wonderful thing.  It's great that she knows God's plan for her life and is following it.  And that's why Erma is struggling.  She feels like she can't say that this sucks.  She thinks that makes her a horrible person.

I understand.  I was 14 when Goose Cousin's family headed for the mission field.  They were doing God's will and we were all supposed to be happy about it, and in many ways we were.  But in other ways, it's really, really hard.

Please pray for Erma, that she knows it's okay to miss Anna, it's okay to say this isn't fair, it's okay to cry.  And it's okay to trust that God knows what He's doing.

I Need a Job

Don comes home from work...

Don:  How was your day?
Me:  I ate tuna salad.

In Which I Rant

I just have to say that this whole Sandusky thing makes me want to vomit.  It's bad enough that he did what he did.  His acts were reprehensible and he should be punished beyond the full extent of the law.
I think, though, that what the university did was, in a way, worse.  Not to defend Sandusky in the least, but obviously there's something wrong with the guy.  He has a total disregard for what is right and, besides being punished big time, he needs serious help.  But the fact that there were many who knew and didn't do anything?  That's completely repugnant.  If I knew a stronger word, I would use it.
When is it ever right to put one's job ahead of the protection of innocent boys?  And how twisted are our priorities when we value football ahead of young children?  It's despicable.
Everybody who knew anything should 1) lose their jobs, and 2) be prosecuted, if applicable.
And the college should lose its football program for the next twenty years.  Current players should have the opportunity to go elsewhere, but that should be it for Penn State football.

Happy Independence Day to All, and to All a Good Night

http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-study-finds-85-of-americans-dont-know-all-the,28697/