Just thinking

There have been many high profile trials in the past few years that have caught the attention of the nation. I usually don't pay much attention to them but for some reason the trial of Scott Roeder captivated me. As in most criminal cases there are no real winners. Society as a whole has been wounded. We as a nation have been divided on Pro Choice or Pro Life, Republican or Democrat, Homeschool Public school or Private school, Mennonite Catholic Lutheran Free Church Home Church or any other social, political or religious conflict you can think of. The Scott Roeder case has wrapped up all social, political and religious issues into one big mess and I believe it has further alienated true believers from being an effective voice in the world we live in, or has it? He shot a man because of his firm belief. He acted on what he believed, he had the brass tacks (I know, not politically correct choice of words) to do what he believed was right. I in no way agree with what he did. What he did was sin and he deserves to suffer the consequences of his actions. He did not allow God to complete His work in the life of Dr. Tiller. Was Dr. Tiller in less need of a relationship with Jesus? Did Dr. Tiller have a personal relationship with Jesus? I don't know. I do know that the society has been wounded and so called christians are praising the actions of this man. My hearts desire is that I am willing to do what God wants me. Many men of God were crucified, boiled in tar, beheaded and stoned because they had a correct view of who Jesus is. These men made a difference in society. May I not get in God's way, may I not act apart from the Holy Spirits leading, may I be an example of who Jesus is to those within my sphere of influence regardless of what the cost. May I not let the social, political and definately not the religious arguments of today draw me away from God's will for my life.

Whatever!

So, Firehouse Talk recently has been about our new payroll system. It seems the city felt it needed to update (and legalize) how they do our payroll. It has caused quite a stir at the firehouse. Being on a 24 on and 48 off schedule is great, but as city employees we are viewed different from other city employees when it comes to hours worked. It takes us 212 hours worked before it is counted as overtime, to reduce our hours worked and not have to pay for OT the city gives us "Reduction Days", or days off without pay. We are required to take these days off. I know, its rough to take ANOTHER day off but we have to. So rather than working 10 days a month, I have to work 9 days in various months (man that stinks!!) Rather than celebrate a day off, we complain because we cannot move this Reduction Day to any day that we want. We also are now paid by the minute. Yes, the minute. We also are no longer paid to be on call, but we do get $.75 an hour increase for every hour worked to be on the recall list. We don't celebrate the pay raise we would rather complain about not being able to trade our recall days. We have hired more help in the last year so we now have 10 guys at my station as apposed to the 6 when I first started. We aren't thankful for the extra help, but we do complain about who is not doing as much work as I am. Thankfully I am employed, I work with great people, they pay me to sleep (most the time) I get to stick people with needles, put tubes down their throats, give drugs (legally), rappel off buildings, spray lots of water inside peoples homes, drive millions of dollars worth of vehicles really fast, cut cars apart and they even give me a day off occasionally. What is there to complain about? In 19 years they have never missed giving me a paycheck. I will never be rich, I may never have all the toys that I want, I may not be able to completely pay for my kids college, I will never drive new vehicles, I may not be able to take that big cruise that I want, but I enjoy going to work, it has always met our needs, I have made lifelong friends and hopefully, someday, simply by God's design someone will see Jesus in me. Man! I hope I don't miss that chance! I am so thankful and truly blessed.

Happy New Year!!

Well, we made it through the holidays and it was a holiday season that will be remembered. Cold, white christmas, sick family, christmas delayed, family members without work and yet we remained well fed, received more than needed, no hospitalizations and no immediate life or death crisis. We are so blessed.
Right now it is 4 in the morning. I have been trying to get up earlier to have some time to myself and to become more focused on prayer and just listening to what God wants from me, however, I have been up since 1 going from one bathroom to the next helping two sick kids. YUCK!!! One is now sleeping on our bedroom floor, the other is resting in their bed, for at least 20 minutes then we start the routine again. Why is there not a manual on proper positioning of children over a toilet when sick? It seems rather easy but apparently not. I feel bad when my kids are sick. Nothing to do but let the bug run its course. Tami is also sleeping in her bed, with a bowl next to her, just like the kids!! It is really sweet!! Me? I think I will go to work early.....a day early....Call me if you need me, my number is 911.