Monday, December 25, 2006

It's A Christmas Miracle

I have to admit that I've been a bit of a Scruge this year about Christmas. I've just been looking forward to it being over. Yesterday was just another day for most of the day. We decided not to go in for morning church. They were having a children's program, but we knew it would be impossible to find a place to sit. Our church recently went from having two locations to one and needed two. So, since they were only having the one service this morning, but decided to sleep in with plans of going to the 11:00pm service. We also planned on going to Jennifer's parents church at 6pm and then having them over to our place for Christmas Eve dinner. We did a whirl wind cleaning session to finish the cleaning that's been going on for a few weeks now and then headed out to OP Church of the Nazerene for their Christmas Eve service. I have to say that I wasn't expecting much, but was very pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the music and the scriptures. I just wish we could have sung all the verses of some of the songs, but that's just me. I could sing Christmas songs all night long.

Then it was back to our place to get things ready for dinner. Dinner was a Cole family tradition: turkey sandwiches, Frito's and bean dip, and five-cup salad. Then we gathered around the TV to watch the classic movie, Mickey's Christmas Carol. Once that was over we got ready and went to our church for the late service.

Midway through this beautiful service I realized something. I realized just what was missing from my Christmas season that made it an unbearable time. I forgot the Christ in the mass hysteria. I read something the other day from one of my new favorite Christian bands. The bass player in the band was talking about Christmas. I'll just use his words. They're much better.

"Christmas is coming and are you ready?
We all have heard the Nativity story from our birth, even without growing up in a Christian home, despite what the ACLU and others would like to stop, the story seems to be everywhere, but it seems to have lost its sparkle. If you are anything like me, an ice cold Mountain Dew can really quench a parched throat, and when my throat is dry I desire to feel that cool relief from downing a 20 oz on a hot day. But oftentimes I overwhelm myself with Mountain Dew, after drinking a 6 pack a day suddenly that refreshing flavor and soothing quench is gone and the taste loses its effect. Have I, or we, absorbed so much of the Christmas story that it is no longer that refreshing, exciting, quenching drink it once was?

Rev 2:4 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love...

In Revelation, John writes to the Church of Ephesus and commends them for their fruit and their perseverance, but he has this one thing to tell them ..You have lost your first love... That freshness that the Gospel brings no longer quenched them as it once did. Not to say they weren..t serving the Lord and toiling for his glory, but it had lost its freshness. How I pray for each of us that this season we might take the time to truly reflect on the amazing story and the best thing to ever happen in the earth and feel that freshness and let the greatness of the Gospel quench our tired souls.

In thinking about the Gospel I am often reminded of the great quote of Charles Spurgeon that rings true to my ears daily:..It is a very lamentable case, is it not, that a person should believe the Gospel to be true, and yet should live as if it were a lie? If it is the truth, why do you not yield obedience to it?..

It is one thing to accept the truth of Jesus and God, for the demons also believe. To know the truth, and to live the truth are two very different things. And don..t just think knowing the truth will get you very far. For a thirsty man may believe in water, but until he embraces it and drinks from it, he will surely die. So take an honest look at your life and your pursuits this holiday season and ask, ..Am I really living out what I believe, has it changed my life so radically that the gates of Hell won..t overcome it?..

2 Timothy 1:7..For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline...

Hunters, be bold this Christmas, take time to share the gospel in the power that it is truly lived, and know that we are praying for you and that our music may give you the boldness and encouragement to be called soldiers for Christ.

Your Brother in Christ,
Jonathan"

When I read this a little while back, I realized that I was missing something in the Christmas spirit. But sadly it wasn't until last night when this all became clear to me. I really didn't have any Christ in my mass hysteria. With work and all, I had let myself stray from the real reason for this season. I feel bad for it now, but I must say that it made last night's service even better. It took a Christ Mass, to bring Christ into my Christmas. But at least I'm now happy and enjoying Christmas. What's left of it anyway.

This next part might surprise some people, and after preaching might seem out of place. But when we got home, around 12:30 am, we decided to open the presents and then sleep in this morning. I must say that I like this tradition much more. Sad part is, we both forgot to get things for stockings, so we went without for this year. Which is fine by us. We both enjoyed the sleeping in part as well.

Well, know that I've gone and posted the longest blog I probably ever will, I need to go get ready for Christmas dinner with Jennifer's family. It should be fun.

I hope all of you out there in reader land, enjoyed your Christmas'.

~geoff

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Well, I don't have a whole lot to say right now. I'm just happy to have survived the pre-Christmas season without any customer casualties. Had a few close calls, but things worked out ok. Now if I can only survive the post-Christmas season things will be ok. It's not as hard as the pre season, but it's still hard. Although on a better note it looks like I'm going to be working early shifts this next week. I realized about a week ago that I was going to be working through all of the good waking hours. Most of my shifts have become 10-7 in this busy season. So, I asked to work either 7-4 or 8-5 for this next week. I hope that everything works out. We'll have to see. I'm still wondering if he remembers our conversation earlier this week. I wrote him a note, but I just remembered that he asked for a note yesterday and he doesn't work the next 2 days. Oh well. I'll be there early on Tuesday anyway.

On another note some little monster got taken in for a bath earlier this week and that bad character named stinky, is now call Gingerbread Boy. I'll leave you with his latest mug shot.



Monday, December 11, 2006

Off Kind Of Day

Well, I don't really have much to say. Things have been really busy at work. Tonight I'm going to try and buy the Lumina. I'm also trying to find a way to get rid of the Buick and take care of that at the same time. I think I've found a place that will buy the Buick for a little money. I'm not sure what it's worth though so it's kinda hard. They only want me to name the price, but I don't want to be too high and I don't want to be too low. I don't know.

I feel like I've lost a few hours today. I've been playing games and such and now it's mid-afternoon and I've barely eaten breakfast let alone gotten ready for the day. Oh well... It is my off day. Or day off however you want to say it.

Well, I don't have much else to say today. I'll keep y'all posted on the car situation. It looks like it might be fun.

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

"New" Car Pics!!!



Here are the pics that I said I'd post. It's a nice looking car. I like driving it.
I just wanted to put a more positive sounding post up here. I hope that people can see the humor and sarcasm in my last few posts. I don't hate things as much as I sound. I was reading back through some of my previous posts and I didn't hear the sarcasm that I meant to be there. I see a lot of humor in my car breaking. I also see God working in some interesting and amazing ways. It turns out that a few weeks ago one of my father-in-laws friends asked him if Jennifer and I could use a car. He had gotten a new car and didn't need the one he had been driving. At the time we didn't need one. But then this thing happened to my car. I'm now driving his car and will be looking to buy it this weekend sometime. But I'm still able to get to work and not have to take Jennifer out to work. The car is nothing special, but it's a blessing all the same. When we picked is up last night, he told us a story about how a few years ago he asked God to let the car last until May. He didn't specify which May and it's been working for about 5 Mays now. The car is a Chevy Lumina. I'm not sure of the year. Probably early 90's. It's got a lot of miles on it and needs new tires, but seems to be in really good condition. I'll probably try to have a mechanic look at it this week, just to make sure nothing is wrong with it. But will probably buy it nonetheless.

Well, it's time for me to head back to work. I'll see about putting some pictures of the new car up here soon. Maybe later tonight. I know you'll all be sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for them. So I'll try to take care of that soon.

Sunday, December 3, 2006

Car pics

Here are the pictures that I promised.

Driver's side pushed in.
Driver's side pull out. Passenger's side.

Now you can see what I have to deal with.

Saturday, December 2, 2006

Cars and why I hate the cold...

Well, I should start of by saying that I can't stand snow. Most of you know that, but it's true. I hate how it ruins everything mainly. I went to work on Wednesday and the weather was OK. A little overcast, but not bad. Then it started to rain ice. It's kinda fun your fist time or two, and wouldn't be too bad, if I didn't have to be anywhere. It continued to do this all night and by the next morning all the schools had closed. I woke up to Jennifer happily saying that she had a snow day. That's not a good way to start the day. I knew I'd still have to go to work. It was pretty stupid for us to be open. I think they paid the employees more then we made between Wednesday and Thursday. But we were there all day anyway. I think it had to do with the manager who made the decision getting off at 5. What does he care if everyone else has to stay until 10. Anyway...

Thursday, when I went to get into my car, I couldn't get the door to unlock. I didn't think much of it. It was really cold out and I figured that the lock just froze. So I took Jennifer's car into work. One of her friends picked her up and had her babysit her kids for the night. I stayed home.

Friday morning I woke up to Jennifer coming in the front door and Buddha jumping off the chair barking like a mad dog. Then going crazy when he saw it was her. He is such a mommas boy. Anyway. I got ready for work and went to leave. I thought I'd try my car again and got into it this time. I turned it on and closed the door to clear the foot of snow of it. After clearing most of the snow off, I tried to open the door again and get the scrapper out. I couldn't open the door. I knew that I had unlocked the doors and could see that it was unlocked. So I tried pulling harder on the door. For those of you who know my car, I'm already missing the door handle on the passenger side and this is a replacement handle on the drivers side. So, I'm pulling and I hear a snap. I look down expecting to have the door handle in my hands. Nope. It's still on the door. But the panel on the door that surrounds that handle is now broken. I'll try and get some pictures of it up here later. The car is running. I'm becoming late for work and I can't get into my car. Luckily I know how to break into my car. Like I said before it's happened before and I've figured a way to get into the passenger side and get the keys out. But I'm not sure that I can drive this car anymore. If I have to replace the whole door, I'm pretty sure that the door would cost more then the car is worth. Right now I'm looking for a cheap car to get me through the next 6-7 months until I sell it again. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I do know that I hate cars and the cold.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Busy stuffings...

Well, not much going on right now. But I can't say that about the last few days. Like I said before, Jennifer and I took a rental car down to her grandparents for Thanksgiving dinner. As to why a rental car, we don't trust either of our cars on a trip out of town. We barely trust them in town. Neither one will be making the journey west with us the summer. Don't really feel like getting halfway and having to figure out how to get the rest of the way. So, we're looking to sell both our cars and use that money, which won't be a whole lot, to help us move or pay for a rental car to get us out there. We're not sure if they let you do one way rental cars anymore, but that's what we're looking at. Right now we are thinking about going carless after the move. A question to those carless readers out there, how do you do groceries and things like that? That's the only hang up that we have on it. We are both looking forward to not having a car. We thought about getting a new or new to us car, but were planning on trying to take public transit as much as we could. Then we thought, why make payments on a new car to have it sit in our driveway. So, that's our thoughts for now.



All that after starting out to tell you that we had a really good time at Jennifer's grandparents. It was really nice to be with family for the holiday. I didn't like having to drive back right after dinner, but that's the way it goes. We stopped on the way out of town to get some Mountain Dew to keep me up after the coma affects of the turkey.



Work has been interesting these last couple days. It was busier yesterday morning when we opened then it has been at our busiest times lately. It was crazy all day yesterday. Today started out really slow. We figured that people were just sleeping in after having spent hours upon hours shopping yesterday. Sure enough, around noon it picked up and was busy when I left at 6. I know it sounds bad, but I'm just so happy to get out of there everyday. I don't even care what I'm doing outside of work. I'd much rather be doing that then be at work.



Well, I think that's it for now. I'll leave you with a picture of the bandit from earlier known as Stinky to those who've been close enough to smell him. He was apprehended with minimal injury. The streets are safe again.







Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Your Wish Is My Command

Since the fans have spoken... Here you go. Not really much to say right now. I'm tired and it will only get worse. Tomorrow after work Jennifer and I pack up a rented car and follow her parents down to her grandparents place in Hesston, KS. We'll spend thanksgiving with them and then drive back Thursday evening. I have to be at work at 9 on Friday, so we can't stay as long as we'd like to. Things are going crazy at work. Busy. I'm so tired I don't even know why I'm up still and writing on here. But the fans have put in the request so, I thought I'd give in to the presure.


As you may have guessed, because of the lack of updates on it, I've stoped writing for now. I'm just too busy and tired. I figure I'll pick it back up at some point. No point in rushing it. I would like to finish this story though. So, I'll have to try it again in a few months.
I'll leave you with a picture to sum things up.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Umm... Yeah...

So... after the last couple up and more happy posts here goes a downer. Sorry... I haven't been feeling well lately. Yesterday I stayed home sick. I actually threw up while getting ready to go to work and so decided a day of rest would be good. I'm still not feeling great and just hoping to make it through the day. I've had an almost constant headache for most of the past week or so. It rarely leaves me. And is the cause of some confusion in my mind. I've felt my mind slow a little these last weeks as it deals with the pain. I can't figure out what is wrong and causing this, but I hope it gets worked out soon. I do know that headaches can be a side effect of depression, but I've never had them like this before. I know, I know... I should just go to the doctor and get things checked out. But I honestly don't have the energy. I sit around all the time that I'm not working because it seems to take everything out of me. I come home so drained and tired that most night I eat dinner and then fall asleep watching tv. I barely spend time with Jennifer anymore. Partially because of exhaustion and partially because of schedule. I know things will only get worse for the next little while. I'm not sure if or when they might get better. I think having this move on my mind is causing a great amount of stress. That might be the cause of it all. Who knows...

Well, I have to go back to work now. Hopefully the rest of today will go easier then the first part.

~geoff

Saturday, November 11, 2006

WANTED!!!



WANTED!!!

If you see this escaped convict be warned. He is armed with a loaded slober gun and is considered highly dangerous to himself and those around him. If you see him, do not be taken in by his pouting eyes or his sagging lips. It's just his way of suckering you in, so you'll take him home and give him some food and water. If you see him. Please contact the owner of this blog and we will catch this convict before he can hurt someone else. He is known by the names Buddha, Stinky, BG, and Dog Faced Gremlin.

Smile... It's good for you

Well, I am feeling better now. Nothing much going on. Just working and stuff. Turns out they really probably didn't need me there on Thursday anyway. But I'm sure they were still glad to have me. Wouldn't anyone be? As you might be able to tell, I'm in a much better mood today. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm getting more sleep. As I say that I'm reminded that I should be in bed right now. I'll be going there soon. I'm just excited. I've been reading a book on Portland, OR, that I picked up at work. Since my wife and I are planning on moving there soon, I thought I would take a more detailed look at the city and see what there is to see there. The more I read and look at things for out there, the more I can't wait to move. I'm really hoping that things will work out to move in May or so. We still have to figure out where exactly to move and where exactly to work, but I'm sure that things will work out.

As to the reasons for this rather drastic move... I'm just sick of being away from the mountains and water. I guess I've never really lived (while I could really enjoy it) to close to the ocean, but growing up surrounded by mountains has left it's mark on me. Living here for the last 5-6 years has also left it's mark on me. I'm not sure, but I think it's part of the reason I'm as down as I am sometimes. I know that once I live out there for a while, I'll get used to things and I might feel different. But to walk out and see the mountains and the trees and to be able to drive to the ocean on a day off... WOW!!! That's really all I have to say. WOW!!! I also promised Jennifer that if she misses snow at any time, we can probably go up to Mount Hood and she can get her fill. I for one am really looking forward to this. For me, it's where my heart has always been. Not necessarily Portland, but that area. And the more I look at Portland, the more I think it will be a perfect fit for Jennifer and me.

Well, now that I've gone on and on about that, I really should be getting to bed. I hope things are going good with all of you out there in blogreaderland. Things are definitely looking up here in flatlanderland.

~geoff

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Blah...

The title says it all. I came home sick from work today and I feel horrible. I was going to try and make it all the way through the day at work, but my managers sent me home. They said that it was more important that I'm feeling better tomorrow, then be there today. Today is our down day, and tomorrow we get a shipment in. So, I went home. I figured by the time the second one told me, I either looked like death or they knew I was trying my best to hide it. So yeah... Blah...

I hate being sick. I think I've been coming down with something for a few days now. I know I feeling horrible lately. It makes doing anything hard. I was up all last night. I wasn't tired. I can't explain it. I just wasn't. I wasn't feeling like writing either. Just completely down. I'm going to try and find a picture that might make my day better and hopefully yours too... Well, I'll have to find one that I like... I'll try and post it later...

~geoff

Monday, November 6, 2006

Late to sleep, late to rise

Once again, I'm up too late, but such is my life. Most of my posts will be in the middle of the night. It's the best time to think for me. I don't have much to say. I didn't do anything today. I missed church this morning, because I didn't sleep last night and didn't feel great this morning. So, I ended up sleeping on the couch this morning and most of the afternoon. Now I'm about to go to bed for the night. At least it's not quite time for Jennifer to get up yet. I'm happy about that.

I did write another thousand words in my story. It's coming along pretty good so far. One of the things NaNoWriMo tells you to do, is tell as many people as you can that you are doing this. That way you'll work harder to get it done so you don't have to tell everyone that you didn't make it. So, I'll probably be updating you all on the progress of it as the month goes on. I plan on writing for a while tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.

Well, I think that's all for now. My hands are getting tired of writing.

Goodnight or morning or whatever.

~geoff

Sunday, November 5, 2006

No Use For A Title

I really have nothing to say right now. I just thought I'd post something here since I just set this account up. I've done blogs on other sites, and I might keep some of those up, but I might just move over to this one. Who knows. Nothing really great going on right now. Work. Sleep. Work. Sleep. I am trying to write a story though. I joined a thing called National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo. The goal is to write a 50,000 word story in the month of November. I'm already 5 days in and I've only got a little over 1,000 words. Oh well. No big deal if I don't make it. I just thought it would be fun to try.

I don't really have much else to say right now. I should be in bed sleeping, not a big suprise to most who will be reading this. Well, I think that's it for now. I'll try and write more some other time.

~geoff