Well yesterday Melanie and I checked out.... Meaning that we shut off our phones and just ventured out to spend the day w/ only eachother and no distractions. It has been a long while since we have done this. We did not do anything particularly special except focus on eachother but it was great. We went and dropped off the Jeep to get an oil change and then went and saw "Blind Side" at the movies, then we went and shopped for a while in the University town center. After all that walking in the cold we decided to go out to eat and used a gift card we got for X-Mas to go to the Texas Roadhouse for the first time ever- we had a really good waitress who gave great service which was nice- and we gorged ourselves. Then last night we went to the mall and attempted to walk off some of dinner while we shopped. We ended up getting a couple of movies that were on sale at FYE (Baby Mama, and Death Becomes Her). We finished up the day by going home to cuddle on the couch and watch "Baby Mama" which was fun.
This post more than anything is just to share- in retrospect I think this was a great exercise to cut off all distractions and concentrate on each other as a couple- probably one that we will try to plan for more regularly- I would think it would be a great idea for every couple to encourage and strengthen eachother and their relationship.
Hope all is going well in your world,
Much Love,
Ira
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Just for an update in the process.
On goes the process of selection for service in Asia. Well last week brought a multitude of personality tests for Melanie and I that left us thinking the person grading them would believe us to be schizophrenic. Each inventory found ways to ask the same question 20 different ways plus 5-10 similar questions... All of the inventories took us almost 8 hrs total. So now we are waiting on hearing about how crazy they think we are.
We have been in contact with our College after we were told in our initial interviews that our degrees' religious nature may cause an issue with serving in closed countries in Asia. They have been helpful in addressing that concern with us contrary to my initial expectations.
We have also been attempting to make time with cooperative weather/ work/ other responsibilities of our schedules to take pictures for newsletters the agency would possibly send out. The scheduling has been probably the hardest issue.
Other than that we are mainly just praying and attempting to continue in obedience with each step. I really appreciate those of you who are remembering to lift us up to the Father.
Thanks again,
Much love,
Ira
We have been in contact with our College after we were told in our initial interviews that our degrees' religious nature may cause an issue with serving in closed countries in Asia. They have been helpful in addressing that concern with us contrary to my initial expectations.
We have also been attempting to make time with cooperative weather/ work/ other responsibilities of our schedules to take pictures for newsletters the agency would possibly send out. The scheduling has been probably the hardest issue.
Other than that we are mainly just praying and attempting to continue in obedience with each step. I really appreciate those of you who are remembering to lift us up to the Father.
Thanks again,
Much love,
Ira
Friday, December 18, 2009
Experiencing God....working on resolution.
Well for those of you who have been keeping up with us for the last few weeks you might be wondering if we have received an answer as to what the next step is at this point.
After several weeks of praying, studying scripture, seeking God, and seeking Godly counsel we think we know the next step He is leading us to. Monday morning on my way to work I was having some prayer/conversation time with God and He began to give me the strangest peace about going to Asia. Up until this point my biggest hangup has been the vast amount of fundraising that would be required, but God has given me a peace about it. So Monday night after small group, Melanie and I talked about where God could be leading and both felt like the next step for us was to fill out the application to go. So Monday night we both filled out the application.
So now the next step for us is the initial interview. My(Ira) interview is set for this afternoon at 2 pm so if you think about it I would appreciate any prayers you might lift up. Melanie's interview is set for next Tuesday afternoon so please continue to pray for us.
In other news I have a dentist appt today at noon(makes me think of a western--showdown at noon) and I am also hoping to finish the last of my Christmas shopping today.
Anyway I appreciate any comments you may have at this point and your prayers...
Much Love,
Ira
After several weeks of praying, studying scripture, seeking God, and seeking Godly counsel we think we know the next step He is leading us to. Monday morning on my way to work I was having some prayer/conversation time with God and He began to give me the strangest peace about going to Asia. Up until this point my biggest hangup has been the vast amount of fundraising that would be required, but God has given me a peace about it. So Monday night after small group, Melanie and I talked about where God could be leading and both felt like the next step for us was to fill out the application to go. So Monday night we both filled out the application.
So now the next step for us is the initial interview. My(Ira) interview is set for this afternoon at 2 pm so if you think about it I would appreciate any prayers you might lift up. Melanie's interview is set for next Tuesday afternoon so please continue to pray for us.
In other news I have a dentist appt today at noon(makes me think of a western--showdown at noon) and I am also hoping to finish the last of my Christmas shopping today.
Anyway I appreciate any comments you may have at this point and your prayers...
Much Love,
Ira
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Experiencing God...
As some of you may know, Melanie and I have been taking part in an "Experiencing God" Bible study. One of the tenants of the study is that God is always at work and we should be watching to see where that is and join him as he reveals where he is working. The study states that this will lead to a "crisis of belief". This study is messing with my mind a bit- it is by Henry Blackaby and in it so far he states that God normally asks you to do God-sized tasks, I know OK I get that, but how do you know for sure it is from God- Blackaby suggests that God will confirm what he is telling you through circumstances, the church, scripture, and the holy spirit. This is where we are stuck at the moment. Blackaby then states that how you respond to God's invitation says what you believe God can do and who He is. Let me describe to you some of the recent events of our lives.
In June Melanie and I moved across country to Morgantown, WV which we love, Melanie immediately got a job as an Administrative Assistant, I was hired about a month ago as a Care Coordinator for Valley Healthcare- which required that we purchase a second car on credit. We both are enjoying where we are at but with this bible study came a struggle- as we have begun to watch where God may be speaking things have happened.
At first I was looking at little things-AKA trying to be more aware to ways God was giving to share my faith throughout my day. But this week something strange happened that I may have just shrugged off except that we are going through this study- Melanie got a call when she was at work from the organization that we went to Asia with several years ago- They stated they were in need of long term teachers in Asia. Most people see what God might be calling them to(ie missions) and are scared to death at the prospect- but Melanie and I are particularly bent and both of our personalities find the prospect of new cultures, traveling, and doing something for God amazing. So here is one of our big dilemmas- While we both would love to go we want to know if it is something God wants or just us. If we were to go then it would be a "God-sized" task requiring us to raise support in massive amounts which I cannot even comprehend- but I know that if God does want us to go then he will take care of everything and increase our faith in the process.
So here is what I want from all of you who may read this incredibly long post- I want your comments, feedback, suggestions, prayers- I know this is a great deal to ask, but thank you for your support.
Much love,
Ira
In June Melanie and I moved across country to Morgantown, WV which we love, Melanie immediately got a job as an Administrative Assistant, I was hired about a month ago as a Care Coordinator for Valley Healthcare- which required that we purchase a second car on credit. We both are enjoying where we are at but with this bible study came a struggle- as we have begun to watch where God may be speaking things have happened.
At first I was looking at little things-AKA trying to be more aware to ways God was giving to share my faith throughout my day. But this week something strange happened that I may have just shrugged off except that we are going through this study- Melanie got a call when she was at work from the organization that we went to Asia with several years ago- They stated they were in need of long term teachers in Asia. Most people see what God might be calling them to(ie missions) and are scared to death at the prospect- but Melanie and I are particularly bent and both of our personalities find the prospect of new cultures, traveling, and doing something for God amazing. So here is one of our big dilemmas- While we both would love to go we want to know if it is something God wants or just us. If we were to go then it would be a "God-sized" task requiring us to raise support in massive amounts which I cannot even comprehend- but I know that if God does want us to go then he will take care of everything and increase our faith in the process.
So here is what I want from all of you who may read this incredibly long post- I want your comments, feedback, suggestions, prayers- I know this is a great deal to ask, but thank you for your support.
Much love,
Ira
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Waiting...
Friday was my last day of work at Trinity Behavioral Healthcare. My office family(co-workers) really sent me off well. They really made an effort to make me feel cared for and appreciated- they decorated the entire office for an aloha party- balloons, streamers, lays(the necklace thing you get on tropical islands), we had food all day and one of my coworkers even wrote a sarcastic poem including several inside jokes we all shared-really made me feel special/cared for.
It is now Tuesday- we move on May 29th and I am realizing that while I like being at home with Melanie- I am the type of person who really needs to be working/doing something or I get bored/ start to feel useless. I still have plenty to do, but I am glad I offered to the family if they had any projects to do I would be there.
In other news a friend of Mine Terry S. is puting together a Fish Fry on May 16th at his church(Cash Baptist church) to benefit a sister church and another pastor friend of ours Paul C. Paul's church has gone over budget on their new building which they had initially planned on being in by Christmas 2008. The initial plan was to have mission teams who would come in do most of the labor and thus cut down costs- but due to the economy not many mission teams have gone out and they only have the foundation and main support beams up so far and have opted to hire a professional contractor to finish the work- but this will put them over budget- so if any of you are not busy on May 16- the fish fry will be going on at 6pm for $5 per plate including fish and all the home made trimmings.
Something else that I am incredibly excited about is that this Saturday May 9, 2009 My amazing wife Melanie will be graduating from Williams Baptist college:-) woohoo.
With all the extra time I have on my hands now I picked up a book I had to read as a freshman in college for a book review, but now I am actually pushing myself to take it in and learn from it. The book is Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I am only a few chapters in and I am realizing the depths of wisdom this book has to offer. I just finished a chapter on meditation, surprisingly it really is pushing me to expand the way I perceive prayer and how I seek after Jesus. I wanted to share a quote from the book which really stood out to me so let me know what you think:
"True Godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it"
This book is helping to push me and show me practical ways to seek God and to gain a greater passion and desire for Him and his word.
I hope this has been encouraging,
Much love,
Ira
It is now Tuesday- we move on May 29th and I am realizing that while I like being at home with Melanie- I am the type of person who really needs to be working/doing something or I get bored/ start to feel useless. I still have plenty to do, but I am glad I offered to the family if they had any projects to do I would be there.
In other news a friend of Mine Terry S. is puting together a Fish Fry on May 16th at his church(Cash Baptist church) to benefit a sister church and another pastor friend of ours Paul C. Paul's church has gone over budget on their new building which they had initially planned on being in by Christmas 2008. The initial plan was to have mission teams who would come in do most of the labor and thus cut down costs- but due to the economy not many mission teams have gone out and they only have the foundation and main support beams up so far and have opted to hire a professional contractor to finish the work- but this will put them over budget- so if any of you are not busy on May 16- the fish fry will be going on at 6pm for $5 per plate including fish and all the home made trimmings.
Something else that I am incredibly excited about is that this Saturday May 9, 2009 My amazing wife Melanie will be graduating from Williams Baptist college:-) woohoo.
With all the extra time I have on my hands now I picked up a book I had to read as a freshman in college for a book review, but now I am actually pushing myself to take it in and learn from it. The book is Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I am only a few chapters in and I am realizing the depths of wisdom this book has to offer. I just finished a chapter on meditation, surprisingly it really is pushing me to expand the way I perceive prayer and how I seek after Jesus. I wanted to share a quote from the book which really stood out to me so let me know what you think:
"True Godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it"
This book is helping to push me and show me practical ways to seek God and to gain a greater passion and desire for Him and his word.
I hope this has been encouraging,
Much love,
Ira
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Dealing with adulthood.
It is an interesting occurance to come to a point in which after carefully budgeting you realize that no matter how carefully you plan or prepare; things may just not work out as easily as you plan(before I go any further, no Melanie and I are not pregnant). We are planning on taking the truck into the shop to get checked out and see how much it will cost to get it in decent (roadworthy) shape. Knowing what is wrong(front differential leak, oil leak, needing new tires, possibly brakes, possibly shocks, and any other possible problems which may come up to be fixed) I am afraid that it may take much of what we have in savings/ tax refund which we were planning on using to move with after Melanie graduates.
This situation reinforces the idea that scripture has about planning for the future in that no one knows what will happen in the next minute much less the next week or months or years. I found it interesting this morning when our pastor touched on the verse in proverbs that states not to lean on our own understanding- great timing.
As for now I will do my best to focus on trusting that God is in control over what I can see and what I cannot see. I guess I am learning the difference in knowing in my head and understanding from experience. Hard lesson, but I know that what is often is hard is what is most beneficial.
as always Much Love,
Ira
Oh and also the GRE went very well I made 610 on the verbal section and 510 on the math section, 1120 total- I guess I will report on the essay portion when I get the results.
This situation reinforces the idea that scripture has about planning for the future in that no one knows what will happen in the next minute much less the next week or months or years. I found it interesting this morning when our pastor touched on the verse in proverbs that states not to lean on our own understanding- great timing.
As for now I will do my best to focus on trusting that God is in control over what I can see and what I cannot see. I guess I am learning the difference in knowing in my head and understanding from experience. Hard lesson, but I know that what is often is hard is what is most beneficial.
as always Much Love,
Ira
Oh and also the GRE went very well I made 610 on the verbal section and 510 on the math section, 1120 total- I guess I will report on the essay portion when I get the results.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
GRE
I am going to take the GRE today- please pray for me. I will update on here afterward at some point!!! hope you all are having an amazing Saturday!!
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