Toopid Tuppy!

It baffles the mind to think that even the most intelligent dogs can be so stupid! Our beloved Jack Russell/Rat Terrier mix is a funny little free spirited dog who pretty much does as he pleases because he has not been much trouble for us. The breed is known for high level of intelligence and adapts well to routine. We have been able to let him out from time to time during the day to play with the neighbors dog. She is an Alaskan Husky. It really looks funny, Cali (the husky) is about 5 times larger than Chilly (our pup). They frolic and wrestle all day until Cali is put up. Well, the other day, out "Toopid Tuppy" (stupid puppy) and his little girlfriend decided to go and play on a busy street and get themselves picked up by the dog catcher. So now we have to go to court and pay a fine. He just earned himself a life sentence in a dog pen. Freedom is NOT free. It costs about $80!

I love Rock and Roll.......

Well, our band "Busted Luggage" had our first gig on Saturday night. It went well despite the rain in the air. The clouds parted and God let the rain hold off till after we got all set up, played the gig and tore down the PA. It started to pour right after we finished loading! HAHA!
We call ourselves "Busted Luggage" and here is why....All of the band members come from different backgrounds and have different pasts. We decided that we just needed to not only leave any baggage that we bring at the door, but to smash it and not pick it up gain. Hence "Busted Luggage". I know, it is kinda far fetched, but we like it. It is mainly just for the joy of playing music and writing new songs, but I am having faith that God will do more with it. I am NOT going to try to make it big or anything like that, we are just using it as a forum to worship and rock out from time to time. I have been studying Blues and Jazz guitar lately and really have enjoyed learning it. It really helps with my playing. I look forward to future jams with the guys and doing some recording. Well, gotta go...God bless. -DJ

A new day

Well, I went to work last night cuz the guy who was working was not feeling well. I had the chance to get 12 hours of OT by sleeping...who wouldn't do that? Anyway, I have been thinking. Today is a new day from yesterday. The bible says that God's mercies are new every day. PRAISE GOD! Often my attitude needs His mercy! Sometimes, I get down on my situation and think, "is God going to come through and provide like He said He would?" Then I read where the word says "My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory." here is my take on that scripture...
He has promised to supply our NEEDS not our wants. This means that He will indeed give us what we need to survive and to be productive. Often we tend to think that if things are not as they once were, then we no longer have God's favor. I tend to think that way too, but then God shows up in my prayer time and reminds me that my NEEDS are being met according to His will, not mine. Anything short of having the faith to trust God to supply our needs, constitutes dependence on ourselves. I choose to enter the new day with my hands out of my pockets and held open to God, who if we are paying attention, is indeed putting everything we NEED right into those outstretched hands. -DJ

Drummer Boy

Today was the first Sunday that I played the drums at church. It was fun! I have been practicing for only about 2 years! I already play guitar and lead worship, but I have always wanted to be a drummer. I have a LONG way to go, but I think I held my own. I have been doing online lessons to learn technique. I watch youtube videos and take what I see and apply it to my practice time. I have been doing the same on the guitar and have managed to improve in that department as well. I have been focused on learning blues and jazz chords as well as lead guitar scales. I really enjoy it. My current job allows me to do a lot. I have formed another band and we have our first gig next weekend. We call ourselves "Busted Luggage". It makes reference to leaving the past in the past. Taking the baggage that we carry into new days and smashing it to make room for the new things that God has for us.
I submitted my name in the kitty fro the CCEMS supervisor's position. I just put it into God's hands. I am way better off this time. I love where I am, so not getting the job will not hurt my feelings. I guess when you are indifferent, yo don't stress over it. God will provide whatever we need. I have faith for that. I will continue to post as often as I can, if only for my friend Krys. She is awesome! I hope to see her and her family again soon. God bless- DJ

Delima

Here I am writing in the land of no comments again...but oh well, it it kinda like therapy. Anyway... I worked fro Crawford County EMS for 13 years. My career had many ups and downs. I made several good friends and a few not so good ones. More good than not. I made a difference in the lives of several people while working and I feel good about that. I believe that I am good at being a medic. I still love doing it. Now I work for AMR ambulance in Linn County Kansas. I love it there too. I have made some new friends over the past 9 months and have enjoyed doing what I do there as well. There is now a supervisory position open in Crawford County. I had applied for this job twice before for various reasons. I was passed up because I did not "sell myself" enough. My downfall being that my beliefs would make that difficult. You see, I don't believe in self promotion, I think one should be promoted based on their accomplishments and performance. In the world of reality though, you have to be able to sell yourself so to speak, if you want to move up in a company.
I have owned and operated my own successful business for over 10 years and know full well how to talk to people and also how to motivate them. I am not afraid to be harsh when I need to be, but I like to treat people the way I would like to be treated. I love my current job, but feel that I can make a difference in a supervisory role here. Therein lies my problem. What should I do? I am torn between 2 places.
Here is the breakdown: Pros and cons
Linn Co. AMR
Pros - Great schedule 2 days on 4 days off, no call back (nobody calling you when you are off). Decent pay for the region, low call volume, laid back work environment.
Cons-$350 a month for insurance, $120 a month in gas to travel to work and back. Unknown future with the company. Contract is up in 2 years. Plenty of political back biting. Little or no chance for advancement or pay increases.
CCEMS-
Pros- Familiar system, I know people well, Decent pay (for supervisors). Having the ability to make things better, low travel expense. Fixed station, free insurance for the whole family, better insurance as well, KEEPERS retirement (which i paid into for 13 years). Computer documentation, not long form hand written.
Cons- Backstabbing can be bad, way busier, many more calls. Frequent forced overtime if on call. Having to carry a beeper everywhere.

You can see how deciding what to do would be hard. I write this only as a way to work it out in my mind. I still am praying for wisdom, seeking a multitude of council and thinking hard. What to do, do I apply and see what happens? Do I stay where I am and hope to have a job in 2 years if AMR pulls out of the area? Hmmm... Any feedback would be appreciated. If you have made it this far in reading this post, you are truly devoted. Thanks. DJ

Divorce

I write this blog today with a heavy heart. My friend has suddenly found herself in the midst of a divorce and bitter custody battle. A week ago, there was simply talk of a mutual separation. Now, her husband has filed for divorce and custody of their 3 shared children. Obviously she is not in the greatest of moods at the moment and is asking my opinion. I have given her the biblical perspective on divorce but it has not seated well. I am praying for the best in this situation. She has been evicted from her house and a restraining order has been issued barring her from her home. I know, pretty jacked up. As I understand it, her husband has been in an unfaithful relationship for some time now. Overall bad deal. I hope things get ironed out soon and that the kids do not have to bear the brunt of the divorce.... - DJ

New songs

We had the songwriting clinic on Saturday. When it was over, I wanted to keep going. I just love hanging out creative people. We went over a few tips for writing songs, how to put all the elements together and lots of great stuff. Harold Forbis and is wife Lori came down and did a great job. We took a few lines of text that Obi had written and turned it into a new worship song. I could do that everyday. I plan to keep writing songs as much as I can. I want to record them and preserve them on some form of media to make sure they are available. I look forward to hanging out with the Forbis' again. I plan to travel to Kirksville as soon as is possible to do so.

I am back at work today and have been a bit busy. That means we have had 1 call so far. That is busy for this station. Been reading in Daniel today. I have been meditating a bit on the dream of Nebachanezer. He had a dream that Daniel gave an explanation for. He wound up loosing his kingdom until he could give glory to God. After he was able to do this, he was restored to power and his kingdom was successful. I have been thinking about what it will take for some of us to give God what is due... I am guilty of this as much as the next guy. I try so hard to make things happen for my family and people who are in need. I often don't trust God for things, I simply try to do it myself. It is like I think that God does not want to be troubled with the little things that we have. The deal is, He does want us to ask Him for even the small things, He wants us to ask him and have faith to believe that he will deliver. So with that, I have decided to do just that. Today I am praying for my wife to be healed from her persistent headaches. it is not a little thing to her or myself, but some may see it as such. God does not. He WILL heal her. I believe He can and He will. - DJ