Job search update...

Joshua's job search continues although positive progress has been made with second interviews happening in the next couple of weeks. The Lord moves in mysterious ways guiding our paths and leading us toward different careers. He has been interviewing with several large pharmaceutical companies for sales positions. He still interviewed with a large school district in our area for a High School Biology teaching position and is waiting to hear back from them.

We are excited to see how the Lord moves, opening and closing doors.

On another note, Tuesday night was Open House at his school...a time for teachers to "show off" their classrooms and student work. He demonstrated the Sound Wave Machine for parents and staff as well as some his students' most recent work.




Interestingly enough, he had a unique visitor to his classroom, the Superintendent, Dr. Kelvin Lee. Dr. Lee was highly impressed with Joshua's classroom, the student work and especially his application of science to the Music Appreciation Exploratory class. He told Joshua that the school and the district were lucky to have him teaching for them. Joshua then told him that he would not be teaching next year and Dr. Lee was shocked and asked why. He could not believe what Joshua told him as he looked around the classroom.

Joshua and I both know that the Lord is ultimately in control though it make cause Dr. Lee to question what exactly IS going on at this school if they are not renewing a teacher's contract of this high caliber.

Friday night adventure

There is a drive in movie theatre in Sacramento that we pass everytime we drive to Sacramento. It has six large screens, and at night, you can see different movies being shown. Joshua and I have never been to one, so we figured we should check it out. Last Friday, we checked out the information about the showings, and we planned on seeing Ice Age 2. As the start time coincides with the setting of the sun, we knew we could pick up burgers from In-N-Out and get there before 9:00.

We got there in plenty of time, and the grounds for the theatre are not much to look at. It's obvious that it is a low budget place, but as you are there to watch a show from your car, it really didn't matter to either one of us. We found out that we would be seeing two shows; Over the Hedge would be first.

So, we saw Over the Hedge. The lighting wasn't the best in dark scenes, but since you are outside, that's part of the experience. It was a cute show, but all the time, I was wondering when it would get done so we could see what we really came for. By the time it was over, it was 10:30, and we waited until 11:00 for Ice Age 2. Now, Joshua is not a night owl, and even though I like to stay up later than he does, getting home around 1:30 or 2:00 in the morning doesn't appeal to me. We were both getting sleepy, but we decided to stay. In the end, we were forced to leave, not because of tiredness, but because of technical difficulties. The screen went blank and the sound stopped, and even as we were driving away, we could tell the movie still was not running. At least we saw one of the films. I don't think we'll go back to see more films at the drive in movie theatre, but I am glad for the experience.

Pictures of house...

Here are some pictures of the outside of our home. We do think we will be getting it, but we don't know when. As you can see, the outside is not that attractive.


This is the outside of the master bedroom. We will make sure the windows both have shutters!

This picture shows the sidewalk leading to the front door. We will be taking out most of the bushes and trees.

This is the corner of the lot. Again, trees and bushes will be removed. I do like the corner windows.

4 years ago...

I remembered today that I graduated from Shenandoah University exactly four years ago. In a way it seems like more time has passed than four years, but then so much has happened in that time. My graduation was a huge deal to me because it closed a chapter in my life (that was probably filled with too much studying) and allowed me to enter full time into the workforce. Graduation also meant that I would have different duties, and as I majored in accounting, I would be starting to study for the CPA exam. Looking back, I'm not sure if I should have made such a big deal about graduation. Yes, it is a recognition of accomplishment, but that day is done and over with, and the knowledge you acquired is more important than the day.

I have a friend from church who is graduating this May, and to her graduation is more signaling the ending of studying versus a great accomplishment. She and her husband are also expecting their first child this August, so they do have more to focus on, but her perspective on graduation started me thinking. If I could turn back time and redo my graduation, I think I would approach graduation with a perspective somewhere in the middle.

It's a small world after all....

Believe it or not, some friends from our church here in Sacramento were out at the Together for the Gospel (http://blog.togetherforthegospel.org/) in Louisville, KY, and they literally ran into Mike, Pat and others from our church family in Northern VA. They started talking and low and behold, they both knew Joshua and Carrie Briggs. It is wonderful being part of the same body of believers!

Update on probate...

I just spoke with Barry, our realtor, and the escrow officer, title officer, "current" owners with their lawyer are working toward resolving this technicality within the time that we are scheduled to close. :) They aren't promising anything although they are purposefully working toward the close date staying the same. Please keep praying!

Complications with the move...

Last night Carrie and I found out that there might be a snag in the purchase of the house on Tamalpais Way. It seems that the deed was not recorded until the day AFTER his death, hence the need for the wonderful institution called the Probate Court. It looks like we could be potentially delayed 60+ days before being able to close.

Please pray for Carrie and I as we decide how to proceed.