It's About Time... Update

The week has increased in loveliness, but only after random spurts of snow, which we have miraculously and quite nicely been without since the beginning of January.

Brad is wrapping up his first semester at Lincoln Christian College. His business classes have been enjoyable and the friends he has made are keeping his social tank full. In March, he joined a group of students on a mission’s trip to Knoxville, Tennessee where they framed homes for Habitat for Humanity. (During which time, my dear friend, Cara, kept me entertained and well fed.) He still works part time for Fastenal, but is seeking supplemental income for the summer. If you hear of anything opening, please let us know.

I have been working for Integrity Data just over three months. Angie, my coworker, teacher, and friend, has been doing a wonderful job teaching me new concepts in Accounting and training me on the procedures we use at the office. They have also dubbed me Photoshop Girl, Scully Building Photography Girl (a building my boss purchased off the Town Square), Donut Retriever, and just the other day I was presented with a miniature door…still not sure what that is all about. We have daily Foosball games, birthday sing-a-longs (which really should be outlawed), a never-ending candy dish, and lots of laughter to spread around. Needless to say, it is one of the best places I could have ever chosen to spend eight hours a day. (And we get real work done too!)

Brad and I have been enrolled in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. We are in Week 3 of the program and moving right along. There have been tears, laughter, and gnashing of teeth, but we wouldn’t trade the experience or the wisdom we have gained and will continue to cultivate.

My love of photography and the endless possibilities therein, continue to grow. This summer I will be spending some time assisting in weddings with my mentor. Brad continues to be a significant part of my business, surprising me with equipment and always being along for the ride. It really excites me to have him on board with my adventures.

The family has certainly been a blessing – near and far. We miss Brad’s family like crazy, but know that our time apart will soon be remedied with a visit of some nature. It has been wonderful being near my family again, watching the little ones grow up with a closer perspective.

And friends...where would we be without our friends? These are the people who have to deal with us on a regular basis and continue seeing us! These are the people who have held our hands through stressful situations and laughed with us through silly situations. They don't have to, but they do anyway. We appreciate you.

I have a yob!!

That's right folks, Lindy is finally employed for the long haul! I spent the past four weeks trying to woo my way into the hearts of people in Illinois. Starting Monday, I will be employed as a Whatever They Need at the Moment Assistant. The blessing lies in this... I will be averaging at least 30 hours (probably closer to 40 for awhile) which makes me eligible for the full time benefits of the company. Another blessing is that the work environment is one of the healthiest I have been a part of in five years. The commute may be what kills me in the long run as the company is located 3 1/2 minutes from our apartment!! I will need continued prayer as I set out on this journey of 8-5 life doing tasks that may not be my first love, but something I am trained well in, as I try to take on the burden as the financial means of the family, and attempt to support Brad in his studying efforts. Thank you for your encouragement! This is a gift at just the right time.

Quiet Times and Loud Moments

It seems a bit contradictory that our lives can be so still and peaceful when all signs are pointing towards chaos and busyness. Brad and I have settled into a nice routine in Lincoln. While we experience stress in small pieces we also know that where we are is where we were meant to be.

It's much like the quality of quietly falling snow which can be suddenly whipped by the violent wind. The snow remains calm in existence, it is merely the circumstances surrounding the snow that make it appear wild.

Land of Lincoln Land

Brad and I have made it a regular event to hunker down in the Warehouse for internet use and possibly to avoid the haunting responsibility of organizing the final, most abstract room in the house...the spare room. I like to also refer to it as the clutter room, the end-all room, the study room, Brad's clothing room, or the New Hampshire Room (thanks to Jeff Peterson for giving us a beautiful, green NH sign prior to our departure).

Today the air reaked of Decatur. If you've lived here, you know exactly what I am talking about. It's a sicky sweet aroma that wafts from the soybean factories of Decatur, IL. At first sniff it is almost pleasant. Then, the stench doesn't give, but gets seemingly stronger and more oppressive.

Now, it is pouring buckets outside.

Finale

Tomorrow will be my last day at work.
Only a few will understand how liberating that moment will be...

In the Midst of Packing

My husband and I have resorted to Kraft Spongebob Squarepants Mac n Cheese coupled with Pomme de Glace dessert wine from Montreal.

Yum.

We're Moving

Whether or not you are familiar with demotivators, I highly recommend you click this link to despair.com and look up the following posters: Achievement, Adversity, Agony, Arrogance, Blame, Burnout, Challenges, Change, Conformity, Destiny, Disloyalty, Dysfunction, Elitism, Flattery, Get To Work, Give Up, Goals, Government, Hope, Idiocy, Ignorance, Incompetence, Indifference, Ineptitude, Intimidation, Irresponsibility, Limitations, Madness, Mediocrity, Meetings, Motivation, Nepotism, Pessimism, Persistence, Planning, Potential, Pressure, Pretension, Problems, Propaganda, Quality, Regret, Risks, Sacrifice, Sacrifice Temple, Sanity, Strife, Stupidity, Success, Teamwork, Tradition, Underachievement, Vision, Worth.

You have just summarized the last 9 months of my job and Brad's job. If it weren't so true, it would be funny. *Sigh* I'd like to go into detail, but in this age of Google, I'm traceable.

Brad has applied to LCC for the Spring semester and we have chosen to relocate as soon as possible so I can job hunt. We will be leaving NH the beginning of October and living in student housing until we can find something more permanent.

I'm exhausted, frustrated, excited, and optimistic. We hope to leave behind some demons and stretch forward in new adventures. We will most certainly miss our friends and family. Unless they disown us. Then we won't even remember their names.