Believe it or not I’m working a bit. I know some of you thought that would never happen. I’m doing a bit of substitute teaching. I’m not sure I’m going to keep doing it very long. I have an even greater respect for teachers now though. Some kids can be a pain in the butt.
I’m not stopping because of that though. The problem is a need to make some real money. Now I’ve never been one to seek high pay. I remember a time in college when I was looking at two different jobs. One job really scared me because they wanted to pay three times more than the other. The jobs were very similar. I didn’t want it to look like I was taking the higher pay. I’m not looking for great pay right now. I just need enough work and enough pay to pay the bills. Thankfully I don’t even have a lot of bills right now. Problem is I’m only getting a couple days of work a week.
So I’m looking into other options. I may still sub a bit on the side, but it won’t be a primary thing. I’ve talked to some people about waiting tables. I may look into a little more long term job possibilities if it looks like I might stay here a while.
I’m trying to make some long term decisions right now. A possibility to stay here has come up. Not yet sure if it is something I want to pursue. But I’m definitely praying a lot about it. I’ve also considered moving towards Baltimore. I’ve got a great friend up there. I’d love to spend some time around him and the community he pastors.
For a time in Africa I was miserable. I wasn’t happy with the job I was doing. I wasn’t happy with my community. I was dying. I was questioning if God ever even called me to Africa. I was in a tough place. I made a decision then that I never wanted to be in a place that I was that unhappy. I didn’t like waking up and going to work. I was miserable. I want to find a place and a work I’m excited about. I want to enjoy getting up and going to work. I want to be excited about what the day holds. I’m not there right now. I found that place again in Africa. It was so amazing; so fulfilling. I need to find that place again.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Unrelated Family...
Last week I stopped in my parents’ restaurant. I went in to see if my brother was around. When I got there he told me a couple ladies asked about me. Two women were there who worked for Dad years ago. I was reminded of something as we sat and talked.
I thought of my time in Africa. I remembered how their concepts of family were so different than what I remembered growing up with. They have an understanding of community as family. They live near one another. They share with one another. They help with raising kids. I realized I had more of that growing up than I remembered. I did much of my growing up in a restaurant that my parents opened when I was 5.
As I sat and talked with these women I remembered that they had been like family to me. They had helped participate in my upbringing. I had watched them work hard and love people. I had watched them poor love into me and I was better for having received it.
One of them is sick. She has battled with cancer for a while. A couple of years ago they told her that she wasn’t going to live past Christmas. She is still alive but struggling. They have stopped her chemo. They decided it has worked as long as it can.
She talked to my Dad on the phone while I was there. She told him that she was trying to wait for them to return before she died. Not long after the conversation she asked me a favor. She told me that she had asked Dad before to do her funeral. The favor of me was if she didn’t make it until he got home would I take his place. I was caught off guard. I told her that of course I would do it, but then I told her I didn’t want to do it so why didn’t she just wait until Dad came home. She assured me she was trying.
Yesterday, they found two more tumors. This time they are in her brain. They started radiation treatment. We aren’t sure how well it will work or how long it may continue her life. I hope that if her days are few or many that I am able to be used as a light for her and her one remaining son.
I thought of my time in Africa. I remembered how their concepts of family were so different than what I remembered growing up with. They have an understanding of community as family. They live near one another. They share with one another. They help with raising kids. I realized I had more of that growing up than I remembered. I did much of my growing up in a restaurant that my parents opened when I was 5.
As I sat and talked with these women I remembered that they had been like family to me. They had helped participate in my upbringing. I had watched them work hard and love people. I had watched them poor love into me and I was better for having received it.
One of them is sick. She has battled with cancer for a while. A couple of years ago they told her that she wasn’t going to live past Christmas. She is still alive but struggling. They have stopped her chemo. They decided it has worked as long as it can.
She talked to my Dad on the phone while I was there. She told him that she was trying to wait for them to return before she died. Not long after the conversation she asked me a favor. She told me that she had asked Dad before to do her funeral. The favor of me was if she didn’t make it until he got home would I take his place. I was caught off guard. I told her that of course I would do it, but then I told her I didn’t want to do it so why didn’t she just wait until Dad came home. She assured me she was trying.
Yesterday, they found two more tumors. This time they are in her brain. They started radiation treatment. We aren’t sure how well it will work or how long it may continue her life. I hope that if her days are few or many that I am able to be used as a light for her and her one remaining son.
