A Sunday News Miscellany

Sunday Funnies: Follow this link to a humorous column entitled "Three Reasons to Ban All Non-Amish Novels", written in the style of Andy Rooney (or, as the main header indicates, Randy Rooney).

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Monday, my mother lost her job due to downsizing at her bank. Two or three other employees were also let go at the same time; more had been fired previously, and more firings are scheduled. She did receive a severance package and some material that will assist her in training for and finding new work. She has a mortgage payment, a car payment, and the same household bills to pay as the rest of us, but she's at peace about it. We believe in prayer, in relying on God to meet our needs, and she says Tuesday, the day after the firing, was one of the most peaceful, stress-free days she's had in a long, long while.

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My brother is in officer training in Montgomery, Alabama. He's so exhausted that his voice fades away on the answering machine, and he's fighting off illness. Seems to me that more is being required of him now than when he was in basic training -- but he was younger then, and unmarried, and life was (perhaps) more of an adventure. This OTS business is only allowing him two to four hours of sleep each night, and his day is strictly regimented. My prayer is that even fragments of sleep will be refreshing and healing, and that he will have strength and mental alertness to do well in all that is demanded of him.

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My father called last night, a little after 9:30, and wanted to know if I wanted my birthday present early. I laughed and asked, "Is it a lawnmower?"

No, he wanted to buy me a stool to use when I'm on the computer (which is sitting on the top of a bookcase, so I can stand; sitting in a cushy chair too long makes me sleepy).

We didn't find a stool that worked, but we ended up getting groceries for his household. He didn't have a written list, and his wife wasn't there, so I hope he arrived home with everything required.

As a result of that late-night foray, I missed Bubba's call.

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I really, really want to turn in my resignation, but I still haven't found another job. Despite the rewards of working with kids, there are a lot of stresses incurred by working with this particular set of "grown-ups" who are anything but grown up in their attitudes and behavior.

Months ago, I posted something on this blog about the search for work. I need a certain amount of income, or I'd pitch everything overboard and work at a department store again, or a fast-food restaurant, something almost mindless in the requirements. If I had more skills, I'd go to work for my dad again, but he needs people who can do construction and remodel work without having to always ask what needs to be done next. I can paint, though, and hammer nails. Mindless work, again.

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Philippians 1:3-6 (New International Version)

3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:19-21

20Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.