Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Faithfulness...




A lot has happened... We have been through several small issues...

1. My car died, my whole life, my Dad has helped me work through car issues and pretty much handled it all since he rules as a mechanic and master painter, not to mention bodywork as well... he restores Packard's at Custom Auto Service in Santa Ana. After spending an afternoon at Aroma's I got in my car and pulled out of my space and then headed for the exit but my car turned off after driving about 15 feet... it wouldn't start, so I pushed it back to my spot, proceeded to open the hood and walked around to the front of the car only to realize, this machine had complete power over me... normally i can troubleshoot things pretty well, fix pretty technical things... but i was lost... it was pouring rain so i went inside to call my Dad and see what His assesment would be... and fumbling around for fuse boxes, spark plugs, fuel lines and fuel filters he came to the conclusion that it was something else so I called AAA to have them tow my car to the nearest garage... we arrive at the garage and it is closed... Apparently Satuday is a day of rest in the automotive industry... I drop off my car in a vacant parking lot, only to have the driver tell me that my car has a 90 percent chance of being broken into... and that he had been shot twice and stabbed once in this neighborhood... after shaking my hand and an awkward smile, he gets back in his trucks... rolls down the windows... pokes his head out and says, "Welcome to Santa Rosa," and then away he drives... Now I'm standing alone in the pouring rain in the land of the twice shot, once stabbed tow truck driver. Scary.... the next day I receive a call... my timing belt is broken...and the valve is bent... if you know what that means then consider yourself lucky... they explained to me, my dad explained it to me... but it still doesn't make sense... Gary, the owner says it will cost me $1600... I call my Dad and he comes up with a solution that inloves running a test that would provide a substantial discount if it is successful... If it is not then I owe around 350 in addition for the test and labor and all... plus the 1600 to get the car running... I ok'd the test... and the next day they called me to tell me that the test was successfull... It was amazing to see God provide the right shop, the right manager, the right timing, giving my dad the knowledge to talk me and the guy at the shop through the test...all in all we ended up paying around 390 to replace the belts...

2. Everyone at work has 20 hours a week only for the next month or two... I don't know why... but it was a bit stressfull to find out about that... the Lord has given me favor with everyone at Apple. He has made my sales number go through the roof to the point that even though I am scheduled for 4 hours a day... Almost everyday I end up with 8 - 12 hours. Since I've come to the store the computer sales have doubled and my sales account for about half of the stores daily income... There was a point were I started to think that I was this really great salesman and could really work this angle or read this customer... but the Lord really showed me that I am successful because He is enabling me to be...

All of these are my receipts for computer sales... except for the one on the far right...

Elliott is learning patience right now... he is also learning that having a good attitude is part of patience... I need to tape him talking about it... it is the cutest thing...


The Day The Car Died

Elliot's Nap in the Fort

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Green Thumb

A tree is growing through my porch...

Morning and Afternoon

I was up early this morning to meet with Matt & Gabe Coello of His Clothing and got a chance to see their spring/summer line coming soon. New designs, new materials, new dyes and washes. I particularly like the new bamboo shirts. Bamboo is apparently the latest and greatest thing to hit the market... I guess there isn't really a shortage of something that can grow a couple feet in a day. It was pretty impressive to see such a small company using high quality materials in their new line.

I spent the afternoon preparing for tomorrow nights Bible Study. I'll be teaching Mark 1 & 2. I am always amazed when I see how Jesus deals with people. What an example we have in Him.

I've been noticing that my care for my posture has been decreasing since I've moved. I continually find myself wondering why my back is not feeling well... only to realize that I have been slouching for the last 20 minutes.

Here are todays sweet links:

www.bugmenot.com - this is an amazing free service that will help you bypass compulsory site registrations

www.retailmenot.com - sister site to bugmenot that allows the ability to search for discounts or coupons in any selected store... also free

Flying Goat Coffee


Brokendown trains outside Railroad Square

Monday, April 9, 2007

First Week...


Our internet just kicked in, so the post's will be a lot more frequent now... We survived the first week... I've only worked one day so far at Apple, it has been a bit weird to have so much free time on my hands. Our first Sunday up here was on April 1st. and then we had our Wednesday night service at Anthony and Vanessa Nunez's house since we were locked out of our usual meeting space in their community clubhouse. We had our Good Friday service at a Seventh Day Adventist church that Agape Christian Fellowship meets at. Char & I led worship and Michael shared a brief message. On Saturday, Char and I drove down to Calvary Chapel Petaluma to practice with Zach Vestnys and Matt Coello. Easter Sunday was unlike any other I've experienced. It was a combination of four fellowships. Calvary Chapel Petaluma, Refuge Santa Rosa, Agape Christian Fellowship, and Calvary Chapel Santa Rosa. We met at Sonoma State University, in a place called "The Lakes". It was an awesome day! We showed up in suits, led worship, Michael shared on communion, and stayed for a bit of fellowship with the other churches. They had organized a BBQ and games after the service. I'm sure most of you were up early, making your way through the annual 5 service marathon. Sadly, I missed out on Santos, and most likely Dennis Agajanian... So now that we are sufficiently updated, the posts will be less boring...

Lastly, June is almost here... which means if you are planning upgrading to the iPhone you better get your accounts in order, or figure out how to get out of your contract...

Here are some photo's of the last week...


Our new backyard

Elliott at Aroma's, Calling Grandpa, and Watching Corynne's knifing skills.

Wednesday Night Panoramic from my phone...

I set up my stuff at Char's... a temporary practice space

Friday, April 6, 2007

1st Post

Hey! just wanted to give you all a little update... we haven't really been able to post anything because we don't yet have our internet hooked up in our house... supposedly monday it will all be done and the post's will come more frequently after that.

So far we've unpacked most of our things and are starting to get settled in...

We arrived in Santa Rosa on the March 31st. Sorry, to the many who thought our moving was going to be a cruel April fools day joke. It actually turned out to be a cruel reality. We were able to unpack April 1st in about an hour and a half and then made it to church that morning in time. We spent the rest of the day with my parents showing them the city... and then on monday after breakfast at the Omelette Express. Then after a tearful goodbye we were ready to settle in to our new house.

I am currently working for Apple part time and hoping for full time if that opens up... I will post some photos as soon as possible...