So, following somewhat in the footsteps of my trip West one year ago, tomorrow I'm embarking on my second trip to the Rockies...this time, by myself. I'm taking a bus to Colorado Springs to hang out with some friends I have there and to see if it's a place where I could eventually live. I'll be gone until October 11. Just like last year, I will try to post regularly on here and have pictures of the places I visit.
I'm excited to see what God has planned for this trip. Great things usually happen when I get out of my own comfort zone, and this is pretty far out there. Don't get me wrong, it's something I definitely want to be doing, but this is the biggest trip I've ever done by myself. I've been needing a shake-up to my routine, though. This trip will be really good for me in that way.
One big issue I'm facing with all this is getting someone to lead worship at my church this Sunday while I'm away. So far I've been entirely unsuccessful at finding a replacement, and now I'm leaving Lansing without having this problem resolved. It doesn't feel good, but I'm trying to trust that God has it under control.
Another issue is my job situation after I get back. One of my friends from church is giving me a referral to his factory when I get back, and it would be exactly the kind of work I need right now. I would appreciate your prayers for this and for the other things I've already mentioned.
Peace.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Life turmoil in 3...
So, as I said in my last post, this is the last week of my park ranger job. People have been praying for me and keeping their eyes open for jobs, and some things are starting to get sorted out.
First, I have an interview this Friday at the Harris Nature Center in Okemos. I already know the workers there and have been volunteering there for a number of years, so I have a good foot in the door to land the position. The job itself would be part time; mostly weekend work from what I know so far. This is exactly the kind of job I want in regards to what it actually is; however, it wouldn't give me enough hours by itself.
Second, a guy I know just told me his workplace is taking referrals for full-time work, and he would like to refer me if I want the job. It would be a third shift factory job...meaning that my sleep schedule will get messed up really fast and that I would be BANKING. He said it would sometimes require weekend work, but because it's third shift, it wouldn't interfere with me leading worship on Sunday mornings nor with the job at the nature center, if I can get either/both of them. The main issue is my upcoming trip to Colorado. Had I known my park ranger job would end so suddenly, I would've bought my ticket sooner and planned it for this month instead of the beginning of October. I almost certainly won't be able to get the factory job if I tell them I need that week-and-a-half off, so I will need to get referred sometime around when I get back to Lansing...and they might not be hiring anymore at that point. My friend who told me doesn't know just yet when the hiring is happening; he'll find out for me soon.
I also put in an application to a security company where one of my good friends works and to two other Ingham County parks, but I haven't heard back from them yet. So far the two jobs above are my best bet, and I would love to land at least one of them. If I only get the nature center job, I could at least try to pick up more hours at Family Christian Store...as much as I don't want to go back there.
Anyway, I could really use prayer for all this. The factory job would be the best option because I need to save money and start paying things off. If I don't get any of these jobs, I'm in a pretty bad situation, and I don't really know what I will do. Thank you.
Peace.
First, I have an interview this Friday at the Harris Nature Center in Okemos. I already know the workers there and have been volunteering there for a number of years, so I have a good foot in the door to land the position. The job itself would be part time; mostly weekend work from what I know so far. This is exactly the kind of job I want in regards to what it actually is; however, it wouldn't give me enough hours by itself.
Second, a guy I know just told me his workplace is taking referrals for full-time work, and he would like to refer me if I want the job. It would be a third shift factory job...meaning that my sleep schedule will get messed up really fast and that I would be BANKING. He said it would sometimes require weekend work, but because it's third shift, it wouldn't interfere with me leading worship on Sunday mornings nor with the job at the nature center, if I can get either/both of them. The main issue is my upcoming trip to Colorado. Had I known my park ranger job would end so suddenly, I would've bought my ticket sooner and planned it for this month instead of the beginning of October. I almost certainly won't be able to get the factory job if I tell them I need that week-and-a-half off, so I will need to get referred sometime around when I get back to Lansing...and they might not be hiring anymore at that point. My friend who told me doesn't know just yet when the hiring is happening; he'll find out for me soon.
I also put in an application to a security company where one of my good friends works and to two other Ingham County parks, but I haven't heard back from them yet. So far the two jobs above are my best bet, and I would love to land at least one of them. If I only get the nature center job, I could at least try to pick up more hours at Family Christian Store...as much as I don't want to go back there.
Anyway, I could really use prayer for all this. The factory job would be the best option because I need to save money and start paying things off. If I don't get any of these jobs, I'm in a pretty bad situation, and I don't really know what I will do. Thank you.
Peace.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
The Soo
So, I just got back from vacation with my family at Sault Ste. Marie. My grandparents have been going there almost every autumn for the past...many...autumns so my grampa can go fishing. My mom and I went up to visit for an extended weekend since neither of us had been there with my grandparents in seven years. I didn't actually catch anything, but it was a great trip. We went thrift store shopping on the first day, something my family isn't used to doing, and I got to show them what kind of AWESOME things you kind get for super cheap. Alright...maybe their idea of awesome is a little different from mine, but oh well.
My mom and I visited Whitefish Point and Tahquamenon Falls on the second day. Note: the snack shop at Whitefish Point has AWESOME pasties (I had my first one ever there) which they order from Gaylord, and they make their own fudge, which is really fresh and delicious. Tahquamenon Falls was really nice; there are two parks, Upper Falls and Lower Falls, which were formerly only connected to each other by a long, rough dirt trail through the woods...but now it's all boardwalk and asphalt. Definitely an improvement.
Like I said already, I didn't catch any fish at the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie, for any non-Michiganders), but spending time with my grampa was worth it. We went out hours before the sun was up each morning to try to land a big one. This morning, the skies were clear for the first time and we got to watch the stars right before sunrise. I saw a shooting star travel down the handle of the Big Dipper, and Orion is finally back in the sky. It was a good morning.
This is my last full week as an Ingham County park ranger. I'm sad, but I'm hopeful that a new job will come my way soon...one that will help me save more money so I can get out of Lansing for good. I started applying for new jobs this weekend.
Also, my good friend Nate Martin stayed at my house on Labor Day. We walked around the Harris Nature Center in Okemos in the evening, and he took some pictures with his awesome camera. He sent a bunch of them to me, so I'll share some on here.
Peace.
My mom and I visited Whitefish Point and Tahquamenon Falls on the second day. Note: the snack shop at Whitefish Point has AWESOME pasties (I had my first one ever there) which they order from Gaylord, and they make their own fudge, which is really fresh and delicious. Tahquamenon Falls was really nice; there are two parks, Upper Falls and Lower Falls, which were formerly only connected to each other by a long, rough dirt trail through the woods...but now it's all boardwalk and asphalt. Definitely an improvement.
Like I said already, I didn't catch any fish at the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie, for any non-Michiganders), but spending time with my grampa was worth it. We went out hours before the sun was up each morning to try to land a big one. This morning, the skies were clear for the first time and we got to watch the stars right before sunrise. I saw a shooting star travel down the handle of the Big Dipper, and Orion is finally back in the sky. It was a good morning.
This is my last full week as an Ingham County park ranger. I'm sad, but I'm hopeful that a new job will come my way soon...one that will help me save more money so I can get out of Lansing for good. I started applying for new jobs this weekend.
Also, my good friend Nate Martin stayed at my house on Labor Day. We walked around the Harris Nature Center in Okemos in the evening, and he took some pictures with his awesome camera. He sent a bunch of them to me, so I'll share some on here.
Peace.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Finally
So, I officially deleted my G+ account tonight...meaning I am no longer a part of any social network (except for LinkedIn, but that's a professional site, and I'm rarely on it). Since getting rid of my FB account, I've been able to tell which of my friendships are actually going to last by how much effort certain people have put into keeping in touch with me. Now that some time has passed, G+ has gone from a transitional social network to an unnecessary one for me. A number of my friends read my blog, most have my cell phone number, and I'm connected with others via Skype, Steam, and League of Legends (online game)...not to mention the people I see face-to-face on a weekly basis without being in contact with them in any other way. Social networks are convenient and very helpful at times, sure, but I feel so much better when I am less connected to technology.
Next week is the last week of my park ranger job. I'm actually pretty sad about it; I've made some friends, my boss there is fantastic, and it really has been a great job so far. Our contract with the City of Lansing is expiring two weeks earlier than expected, though, and it won't be renewed...so there's no chance of getting the job back. Now I'm trying to get a better-paying job at a security company where a friend of mine works. I could really use a job that will help me save up money to move out West soon.
Tomorrow morning I'm heading to Sault Ste. Marie with my mom, where we'll be hanging out with my grandparents all weekend. Fishing at the Soo, birdwatching at Whitefish Point...good times. I love the Upper Peninsula.
Peace.
Next week is the last week of my park ranger job. I'm actually pretty sad about it; I've made some friends, my boss there is fantastic, and it really has been a great job so far. Our contract with the City of Lansing is expiring two weeks earlier than expected, though, and it won't be renewed...so there's no chance of getting the job back. Now I'm trying to get a better-paying job at a security company where a friend of mine works. I could really use a job that will help me save up money to move out West soon.
Tomorrow morning I'm heading to Sault Ste. Marie with my mom, where we'll be hanging out with my grandparents all weekend. Fishing at the Soo, birdwatching at Whitefish Point...good times. I love the Upper Peninsula.
Peace.
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