Today is Monday. We had a good day yesterday attending one of the local churches in the area, meeting people and enjoying the services. We then spent the afternoon in some un-Sabbath-like work…unpacking more boxes and moving furniture. But we got the bedroom walk-in closet pretty much set up, moved the last of the boxes from off the floor of the bedroom, organized the downstairs recreation area (for the girls) and were ready to call it a day.
However, the day wasn’t quite over as I discovered that the large chest freezer in the garage wasn’t working. There was no power in the outlet. No breakers were thrown and only one other outlet (in the garage) wasn’t working. So I ran an extension cord to an outlet in the garage that was working and we’ll contact Bill (the maintenance man) today.
I had a conference with the relief houseparent and one of the girls yesterday…one that will be moving into our home this Friday. We are getting to know the girls and hopefully will have some idea how they think and interact with one-another before they make the move. That will be vital, as we must set up a working household from day one. We don’t have the luxury of taking several weeks to get it right.
Today will be hot (again) and humid (sigh), and a time to stay indoors if at all possible. I’m looking forward to it.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Routines
I have already set up kind of a routine in the mornings when we get up. I open the window shades, make coffee, generally inspect things, and straighten up the kitchen if needed. I then will go out onto the front porch to think.
I don’t think this routine will hold once the girls get here and school starts. Actually, my guess is that I’ll have to do it all over. Other people just bring a dynamic into one’s life that is impossible to ignore…especially when you have charge of them 24 hours a day.
But for now, the routine is good. It brings a sense of order into what is still a chaotic situation for Pat and me. My guess is that the chaos will reign for the foreseeable future as we absorb a ready-made family and deal with the comings and goings of girls into and out of the family. However, we also know that the hand of God lives in this situation and enables us to see by faith that order and control are truly His. We can, with eyes of faith, see that order and control and are grateful for the Rock which is ours to anchor upon.
I don’t think this routine will hold once the girls get here and school starts. Actually, my guess is that I’ll have to do it all over. Other people just bring a dynamic into one’s life that is impossible to ignore…especially when you have charge of them 24 hours a day.
But for now, the routine is good. It brings a sense of order into what is still a chaotic situation for Pat and me. My guess is that the chaos will reign for the foreseeable future as we absorb a ready-made family and deal with the comings and goings of girls into and out of the family. However, we also know that the hand of God lives in this situation and enables us to see by faith that order and control are truly His. We can, with eyes of faith, see that order and control and are grateful for the Rock which is ours to anchor upon.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Hectic Days
As you might guess, the last several days have been hectic, to say the least regarding them. You know the routine. You move boxes, open boxes, take a couple ibuprofen, unpack boxes, move furniture, put beds together, take more ibuprofen, try to find a “home” for everything, remove empty boxes, take out trash, take still more ibuprofen, and wonder why you moved as much stuff as you did.
We also have been learning what it means to be a houseparent here. We’ve attended meetings, met at least some of the children (some are at summer camp), and run errands for the home. We’ve studied policies and handbooks, filled out countless forms regarding insurance and employment, and visited often with our supervisor (Randy).
Tonight, Pat is staying in another cottage in preparation for staying with the girls there for the weekend. This cottage is a life skills cottage, and the girls who live there are older and pretty much on their own in the daytime. But at night, they still need some gentle supervision and Pat will provide that for a few days.
I’ll be here continuing to put things away and get the office in order. I’ll also work on getting addresses changed on things like insurance, credit cards, bills, etc. This is a hassle, this tie we have to society and our way of life. Time was when you could move and not tell anyone…it didn’t really matter. Now, you can’t do anything unless other people have all your numbers, your address, and a photo ID. Then they’re not sure they really believe you.
We have to get our TB skin tests read tomorrow afternoon at the health department. Hope we don’t forget it, because if we do, we have to repeat the test. We also have a team meeting and some other things going on tomorrow. It should be an interesting day.
We also have been learning what it means to be a houseparent here. We’ve attended meetings, met at least some of the children (some are at summer camp), and run errands for the home. We’ve studied policies and handbooks, filled out countless forms regarding insurance and employment, and visited often with our supervisor (Randy).
Tonight, Pat is staying in another cottage in preparation for staying with the girls there for the weekend. This cottage is a life skills cottage, and the girls who live there are older and pretty much on their own in the daytime. But at night, they still need some gentle supervision and Pat will provide that for a few days.
I’ll be here continuing to put things away and get the office in order. I’ll also work on getting addresses changed on things like insurance, credit cards, bills, etc. This is a hassle, this tie we have to society and our way of life. Time was when you could move and not tell anyone…it didn’t really matter. Now, you can’t do anything unless other people have all your numbers, your address, and a photo ID. Then they’re not sure they really believe you.
We have to get our TB skin tests read tomorrow afternoon at the health department. Hope we don’t forget it, because if we do, we have to repeat the test. We also have a team meeting and some other things going on tomorrow. It should be an interesting day.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
We're Home
We made it. We're in Wichita. We had our last church service this morning, said our good-byes to several folks, went to get the truck (in Lawrence) and loaded and drove here. We had help this afternoon. Thanks Earl, Chris, Mary, and Vernon. Thanks Kevin, Scott, Michael, and Deanna. Without you, we couldn't have done this.
For the first time while talking with my new supervisor today, I said "we" in reference to the place we will be working. I told him that and said that we are in the midst of a change in our minds in terms of ownership. That was a good sign, and one that I was appreciative of seeing in myself today.
We will stay with my brother tonight, then unload the truck in the morning. We think several will be there to help and we can get it done in an hour or so. We go to the office tomorrow, fill out the requisite paper work, and start on the payroll.
Now the real work begins.
For the first time while talking with my new supervisor today, I said "we" in reference to the place we will be working. I told him that and said that we are in the midst of a change in our minds in terms of ownership. That was a good sign, and one that I was appreciative of seeing in myself today.
We will stay with my brother tonight, then unload the truck in the morning. We think several will be there to help and we can get it done in an hour or so. We go to the office tomorrow, fill out the requisite paper work, and start on the payroll.
Now the real work begins.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
To Glorify God
This likely will be my last blog before we move from Topeka. It’s Saturday night and I need to break down the PC and get it ready to move.
This has been a wondrous, wonderful time here in the Capital City of Kansas. My wife and I have grown to be very fond of a people and a place in so short of a time. We truly leave here with mixed emotions.
We were in Gage Park one last time this evening. We talked about our times of moving and how some people seem to have such ordered lives. We, on the other hand, have moved more times than I care to count (I think this will be the 11th time as husband and wife). We were blessed to be in one place while our children were growing up and in school. And one of us said that since it’s just the two of us, it really doesn’t matter much now whether we move a lot or not.
That’s true, very true. Anyone who has given his/her life to Jesus Christ and is trying to live that life as being directed by God will be blessed if he or she never moves and blessed also if he or she has to move often. After all, as Christians, we’re not here for ourselves, but rather to glorify the One who created us and sustains us.
This has been a wondrous, wonderful time here in the Capital City of Kansas. My wife and I have grown to be very fond of a people and a place in so short of a time. We truly leave here with mixed emotions.
We were in Gage Park one last time this evening. We talked about our times of moving and how some people seem to have such ordered lives. We, on the other hand, have moved more times than I care to count (I think this will be the 11th time as husband and wife). We were blessed to be in one place while our children were growing up and in school. And one of us said that since it’s just the two of us, it really doesn’t matter much now whether we move a lot or not.
That’s true, very true. Anyone who has given his/her life to Jesus Christ and is trying to live that life as being directed by God will be blessed if he or she never moves and blessed also if he or she has to move often. After all, as Christians, we’re not here for ourselves, but rather to glorify the One who created us and sustains us.
Friday, July 21, 2006
The Disconnect
As I was driving back to the house this evening following the running of an errand, I thought of the disconnect that we are feeling now that we know we are moving. That disconnect is something that is probably the most disconcerting to me at a time like this.
I no longer call Topeka home, and no longer call our place our home, yet we have not yet moved and begun to sink roots in Wichita. It’s a kind of listless feeling…one that I’m sure many people feel in the course of their lives…but yet one that I don’t fully understand.
I can’t fathom what it must be like to be homeless and feel this way all the time; or to be a refugee and feel the disconnect, but not have a place to go. I can’t imagine how it must feel to not be able to stand on soil somewhere and say that this is home.
We will be disconnected about 48 hours longer; then we will begin to plant roots in our new home. We are truly blessed.
I no longer call Topeka home, and no longer call our place our home, yet we have not yet moved and begun to sink roots in Wichita. It’s a kind of listless feeling…one that I’m sure many people feel in the course of their lives…but yet one that I don’t fully understand.
I can’t fathom what it must be like to be homeless and feel this way all the time; or to be a refugee and feel the disconnect, but not have a place to go. I can’t imagine how it must feel to not be able to stand on soil somewhere and say that this is home.
We will be disconnected about 48 hours longer; then we will begin to plant roots in our new home. We are truly blessed.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Communication
We’ve done most of the packing and all that remains is tying up loose ends with insurance, the bank, the doctor, etc. We have a few boxes open that we’re putting little crippy-crap (as my sister says) stuff into, but we’ve pretty much been done for a day or so.
The weather will break this afternoon, hopefully, and we will have nice weather this weekend for the move. Rain would be great, and much appreciated. Temps in the 80’s (or even 90’s) would be a relief from the 108 to 110 degree temps we’ve been having.
Even though I’m excited about the move, I’m getting more and more nervous. I have to understand that I’m not in this on my own. I have a capable and competent woman at my side who doesn’t need me.
Now, I don’t say that in a mean way. Clingy, whiny, overly-dependent women were never my thing. What I mean is that she’s not dependent on me for her life and livelihood. She’s always had an independent streak, and I enjoy and appreciate that. She truly will be my “other half” in this venture and will be able to stand on her own as her own person.
Communication will be the key…something that we both could improve. We’ll also be communicating a lot with the One who created us, all that we see and know, and all that we don’t see and don’t know. I rather suspect that communication will be every bit as critical as any we could ever have.
The weather will break this afternoon, hopefully, and we will have nice weather this weekend for the move. Rain would be great, and much appreciated. Temps in the 80’s (or even 90’s) would be a relief from the 108 to 110 degree temps we’ve been having.
Even though I’m excited about the move, I’m getting more and more nervous. I have to understand that I’m not in this on my own. I have a capable and competent woman at my side who doesn’t need me.
Now, I don’t say that in a mean way. Clingy, whiny, overly-dependent women were never my thing. What I mean is that she’s not dependent on me for her life and livelihood. She’s always had an independent streak, and I enjoy and appreciate that. She truly will be my “other half” in this venture and will be able to stand on her own as her own person.
Communication will be the key…something that we both could improve. We’ll also be communicating a lot with the One who created us, all that we see and know, and all that we don’t see and don’t know. I rather suspect that communication will be every bit as critical as any we could ever have.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Life Without Susie
Today, we think we have most all of the basement and garage boxed up, as well as the main floor. All that’s really left is the upper floor, which has most of the closets and the bedrooms. We should make a big dent in that today with my sister-in-law and niece from Wichita here to help.
We let Susie (our dog) go with my son and his family today. They didn’t leave until this morning due to the cooler weather prospects for this morning. She will be with them in Western Kansas as it would have been difficult to have her in Wichita with us.
It was not that difficult to actually see her go, but life won’t be the same without her around. She was truly part of our family, and there will be a big chunk missing in the coming weeks as we adjust to life without her.
If for some reason she doesn’t work out with them, I told them we would “work something out” with maybe my other son or perhaps my sister. I do hope, though, that Susie adapts to life out there and her remaining months (I don’t think she’ll last more than 12 to 18 months…she’s 15 years old) will be contented.
We let Susie (our dog) go with my son and his family today. They didn’t leave until this morning due to the cooler weather prospects for this morning. She will be with them in Western Kansas as it would have been difficult to have her in Wichita with us.
It was not that difficult to actually see her go, but life won’t be the same without her around. She was truly part of our family, and there will be a big chunk missing in the coming weeks as we adjust to life without her.
If for some reason she doesn’t work out with them, I told them we would “work something out” with maybe my other son or perhaps my sister. I do hope, though, that Susie adapts to life out there and her remaining months (I don’t think she’ll last more than 12 to 18 months…she’s 15 years old) will be contented.
Monday, July 17, 2006
It Has Started
Well, I now feel that we “officially” are moving. We have boxes piled in the corners of some rooms, empty boxes all over, and the house is a mess. We also had our small group over last night, and they helped pack up some stuff. Although it was a wild time, as there were several kiddos under the age of five in the group (and we old people had no place for them to go and play), they helped considerably and lightened our load a lot.
We also gathered to pray for one-another toward the end and had a meal together. It was a good time that will not soon be forgotten. We will miss our group and we will miss our church.
Our son, daughter-in-law, and our new granddaughter also were here and spent the night with us. They will be here today also, as he is interviewing with the State for a job. My sis and niece will be coming from Wichita for a few hours today to be with our granddaughter, and a sister-in-law and niece from Wichita will also be coming later today and tomorrow to help us pack.
A good time will be had by all, even in the midst of the chaos, sadness, and apprehension. Thank you, Jehovah God, for your marvelous care and your rock-solid foundation. Without You, we could never have the anchor in our lives that we need.
We also gathered to pray for one-another toward the end and had a meal together. It was a good time that will not soon be forgotten. We will miss our group and we will miss our church.
Our son, daughter-in-law, and our new granddaughter also were here and spent the night with us. They will be here today also, as he is interviewing with the State for a job. My sis and niece will be coming from Wichita for a few hours today to be with our granddaughter, and a sister-in-law and niece from Wichita will also be coming later today and tomorrow to help us pack.
A good time will be had by all, even in the midst of the chaos, sadness, and apprehension. Thank you, Jehovah God, for your marvelous care and your rock-solid foundation. Without You, we could never have the anchor in our lives that we need.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Work Prospects
We’re back from vacation, having had an eventful and fun time with the family. We also had an interview scheduled for yesterday in southern Kansas, so came by Topeka for about 30 minutes, long enough to get fresh clothes and re-supplied. We then traveled to Wichita and stayed with my brother in preparation for the interview yesterday morning.
The result was that an offer was made and we accepted it. So, we are beginning the preparation for yet another move, this time to Wichita where we both will work as houseparents in a children’s home. We will move, hopefully, in about 10 days.
We’ve been looking at this for some time now, and my wife’s unemployment really had nothing much to do with our decision. We knew before her termination from her employment that we probably would accept an offer from this place.
So, again I may not blog often, and will have to rename the blog from Topeka Transplant to something else…Wichita House Dad? I dunno. In any event, we are not looking forward to the move, but are excited about the prospect of working in a ministry such as the one in Wichita. Pray for us.
The result was that an offer was made and we accepted it. So, we are beginning the preparation for yet another move, this time to Wichita where we both will work as houseparents in a children’s home. We will move, hopefully, in about 10 days.
We’ve been looking at this for some time now, and my wife’s unemployment really had nothing much to do with our decision. We knew before her termination from her employment that we probably would accept an offer from this place.
So, again I may not blog often, and will have to rename the blog from Topeka Transplant to something else…Wichita House Dad? I dunno. In any event, we are not looking forward to the move, but are excited about the prospect of working in a ministry such as the one in Wichita. Pray for us.
Friday, July 07, 2006
A Short Vacation
Sorry. I took a short vacation from blogging this week. A lot has happened. We became grandparents for the first time this past Monday, and made the trip to Western Kansas to see Mom, Dad, and the new granddaughter. Everything is fine; however, the baby had to stay in the hospital for an extra day or two “just to be sure”.
We’ve also been preparing for our annual reunion. We’ll leave tomorrow for Missouri and will spend several days with family at a motel in Hannibal. Of course, there is planning and effort that attends events such as this, and we have spent the week gathering the things we will be taking and making final preparation.
The Independence Day holiday was this week also, and though we were more concerned with our granddaughter this year, we truly enjoy this nation, its opportunity and freedom. Yes, we have things we need to fix. Yes, we have things we need to throw out and start over. Yes, we have issues. But we also have been blessed by Almighty God with abundance beyond anything we could ever think or ask.
We’ve been working on the employment side as well, but as yet have no firm plans for the future. That probably is one of the harder things to deal with, yet seems to be the one that is most out of our hands.
We will leave early tomorrow morning. I may well not blog again for several days. Hopefully, we will come back from Hannibal refreshed and renewed and with confidence and trust in the Creator of the universe to provide our needs.
We’ve also been preparing for our annual reunion. We’ll leave tomorrow for Missouri and will spend several days with family at a motel in Hannibal. Of course, there is planning and effort that attends events such as this, and we have spent the week gathering the things we will be taking and making final preparation.
The Independence Day holiday was this week also, and though we were more concerned with our granddaughter this year, we truly enjoy this nation, its opportunity and freedom. Yes, we have things we need to fix. Yes, we have things we need to throw out and start over. Yes, we have issues. But we also have been blessed by Almighty God with abundance beyond anything we could ever think or ask.
We’ve been working on the employment side as well, but as yet have no firm plans for the future. That probably is one of the harder things to deal with, yet seems to be the one that is most out of our hands.
We will leave early tomorrow morning. I may well not blog again for several days. Hopefully, we will come back from Hannibal refreshed and renewed and with confidence and trust in the Creator of the universe to provide our needs.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Good People
We attended an open house and home dedication in the Kansas City area yesterday for a couple who recently moved from Topeka. They had been members at our church, and they retired and built a nice home in a nice place. I was struck by the openness of the main area…a huge expanse of high-ceilings large windows, and open space that encompassed the entrance, kitchen, and living/dining area. No walls were to be found in that area; only furnishings and a quiet elegance that lent itself well to the noise of the guests and visitors.
They are clear that they want their home to be used, and had it built with that in mind. Guest quarters are quiet and well-appointed. She is a great cook, and you certainly won’t want to miss anything she conjures up in her kitchen.
Many people will tell you to drop by anytime, and you know they really don’t mean it. When these folks tell you to drop by, they not only mean it, they expect it. They’re about 10 minutes from KCI, and I suspect that at least some of their friends will take advantage of both that and of their hospitality. These folks both expect and welcome that.
There are decent people in the world, and John and Joan are two of them. I am humbled and count it a privilege to know them.
They are clear that they want their home to be used, and had it built with that in mind. Guest quarters are quiet and well-appointed. She is a great cook, and you certainly won’t want to miss anything she conjures up in her kitchen.
Many people will tell you to drop by anytime, and you know they really don’t mean it. When these folks tell you to drop by, they not only mean it, they expect it. They’re about 10 minutes from KCI, and I suspect that at least some of their friends will take advantage of both that and of their hospitality. These folks both expect and welcome that.
There are decent people in the world, and John and Joan are two of them. I am humbled and count it a privilege to know them.
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