Category Archives: Project 365

Serendipity?

We went out to dinner to celebrate Daniel’s new job at our favorite Thai restaurant about 20 minutes away. It is well worth the drive — they make the best Panang Beef, Cashew Chicken, Phad See Ew, and Phad Thai in the area (our favorite dishes). As an added bonus, they make delicious fresh spring rolls (which Kathy really enjoys).

Kathy, David, Sarah and I had speculated at some length as to whether Daniel would prefer to have dinner at Chili Thai or Red Robin, but in the end we all agreed that he would choose Chili Thai (and of course, he fully realized our expectations). However, as so often happens, this simply raised another question: what would Daniel order?

It is always fun to celebrate the blessings that God brings into our lives, especially at Chili Thai.

It is always fun to celebrate the blessings that God brings into our lives, especially at Chili Thai.

Traditionally, Daniel prefers Phad See Ew, with its broad noodles and sweet, smoky flavor. But ever since he traveled to Thailand last summer, he has been favoring Phad Thai. Sure enough, when we got to the restaurant, he was very conflicted.

“Should I order the Phad See Ew, or the Phad Thai?” he agonized, an expression of real pain on his face. Clearly, the idea of not having one of the two was very distressing to him.

“One or the other,” I reproved. “I’m only paying for one.” My generosity has its limits, after all.

Ultimately Daniel decided to go with the Phad See Ew, and hoped to trade with David and Sarah (who invariably set their faces like flint against anything that is not Phad Thai).

But when our meal arrived, we were shocked and surprised (and somewhat delighted) to receive an extra plate of Phad Thai. The waiter apologized and began to take it away, but I can recognize serendipity when I see it. Sometimes the hand of God moves, and it seemed obvious to me that God wanted to honor Daniel with an extra order of Phad Thai.

Daniel had already shared some of his Phad See Ew with everyone at the table, so I don’t think any of us begrudged him the extra helping. I can imagine God chuckling to Himself, and nudging one of the angels. “Just wait ’til you see his face, when he realizes he doesn’t have to choose between Phad Thai and Phad See Ew.”

Sometimes the best way to make a choice between two good options is to choose both.

Sometimes the best way to make a choice between two good options is to choose both.

I did end up paying for the extra order, but I don’t begrudge the restaurant or picking up the tab for God’s generosity to Daniel. God has certainly picked up the tab for me, many times more than once. :)

Congratulations on the new job, Daniel!

Project 365, Day 91
Tim

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Give that Boy a Job

Tim and Daniel have been working on an employment letter for a possible job. We got word that the new Chick-Fil-A coming to our town was getting ready to hire employees. Not only that, but the hiring manager contacted homeschool groups in the community specifically looking to find interested homeschoolers. Interesting. Of course, I’m biased and think homeschoolers are certainly hard workers, creative, and trust-worthy. Not only that, but they also often have flexible schedules.

This is one of my very favorite homeschooling girls in the whole wide world!

This is one of my very favorite homeschooling girls in the whole wide world!

After a few rewrites, Daniel sent an email to the hiring manager. He heard back from him immediately and set up an appointment for today, Monday morning. How exciting! We helped Daniel pick out a snazzy tie, gathered around him to pray for a favorable impression and good interview, and sent him off (breakfast in hand).

Mom, a picture now?  I'm trying to take my oatmeal and go.  :)

Mom, a picture now? I’m trying to take my oatmeal and go. :)

After a little while Daniel came back home. Before he came inside David said, “He got the job!” Tim quickly told him, “No, he won’t hear back for several days. Don’t pressure him.”

Meanwhile Daniel came through the door with a goofy grin on his face. “I got the job!” he said.

We looked at each other. “Haha, funny Dan. So when will they get back to you?”

“Um no,” he laughed, “really, I got the job already.”

“What??!!” Cheers erupted from the family.

Sarah said, “I thought that was your I’m Just Joking face.” Ha.

The interview went well. They hired Daniel. The store opens the day after his 18th birthday next month, and he starts training in a week. Such excitement!!

The official employee folder!

The official employee folder!

Thank you to all of those who heard my Facebook request to pray for Daniel this morning. Thank you to cousin Samuel for sharing your experience and impression of working at Chick-Fil-A in Virginia. Thank you to Tim for helping Daniel draft an interview letter and go through interview questions.

Bring on the chicken sandwiches!!

Project 365 – Day 89
Kathy

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Hosanna!

Today is Palm Sunday. It always sneaks up on me — I never seem to know when Easter will be. I wish it would stick to a particular day, or even a particular month! Fortunately, Palm Sunday is sort of like that automated phone call you get from the dentist three days before your appointment, except in a more positive way. When you see the kids waving palm branches, you know Easter is only a week away.

Pastor Reg preached today, and he mentioned that Easter, as compared with Christmas, is actually worthy of a lot more celebration, from a theological perspective. Yet most of the time even Christians spend a lot more time fixated on Christmas than we do on Easter. I suppose he’s right — time to break out the Easter lights and hang our Easter Baskets by the chimney with care.

I love the tradition our church has of bringing the kids up on Palm Sunday to sing for the congregation. It is a lot of fun to see each of them waving the palms (or sometimes colored gauze handkerchiefs) at their parents, while their teachers try desperately to arrange them on the risers without any fatalities.

The kids did a great job singing for us.  I was sorry they only stayed for one song.

The kids did a great job singing for us. I was sorry they only stayed for one song.

Our church has begun a building campaign to expand the facilities to deal with recent growth in attendance. Although we’ve grown, I didn’t realize how dramatically until today — there must have been 60 or 70 kids up on the stage this morning. Add the thirty-odd volunteers and toddler and nursery-age kids who stayed in their classrooms, and I begin to understand how our church growth is making itself felt not only in terms of how full the sanctuary is.

Being full to the rafters is a good problem, but I can’t help agree with one of our church members, who wished that we could just clap our hands and a new building would be ready. As we embark on a multi-year fund-raising and building plan, I wonder how we’ll deal with the sheer number of adults and kids that fill our church each Sunday, before the new facility is ready.

I suppose we could seat a bunch of folks up on risers, on the stage, if we give ‘em palm branches. I’m sure the pastor wouldn’t find it too distracting, to have people sitting behind him. It will be sort of like having church ‘in the round’.

Project 365, Day 88
Tim

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Beach Time

This weekend I snuck away with some other homeschooling moms. We are blessed to have a family in our co-op with a beautiful home at the beach.

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They share generously with so many people and offered it to us for a mini retreat. We’ve been relaxing, sleeping in, eating delicious meals, and connecting deeper as a leadership team.

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It is always difficult to leave Tim and the kids and make time for weekend events. I’m thankful Tim is so supportive of my ministry responsibilities.

Meanwhile I’m sleeping in a bunk bed. Hee hee. Hopefully the sun will be out tomorrow and we can find time for a walk on the beach.

Praying to be used by the Lord in this ministry position. He is so faithful to equip and enable me each time He calls me to serve. I’m not sure why I continually forget that and try to do things in my own strength.

Project 365 – day?
Kathy

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Do You Believe?

Kathy is off on a leadership retreat for the home school co-op, and so the kids and I are at loose ends. I checked the movie listings and found that Do You Believe was still showing at our local Regal theater.

So we hopped in the car and caught the early evening showing. I always forget that there is no rush to getting to a movie that plays in the theaters — there must’ve been 20 minutes of previews tacked onto the beginning of the film.

Street preacher who appears briefly at the beginning of Do You Believe

Street preacher who appears briefly at the beginning of Do You Believe

It was a very well-spent $46. I always like to support Christian movies when they are in the theater, even though I’ll probably buy the DVD. If Christians don’t go to see these movies, theaters will stop carrying them. After all, why let even one of 15 theaters sit empty? It just doesn’t make good business sense.

There was a decent crowd for a Christian movie — I’d say there were between 40 and 50 people in the theater. Not bad for a movie that has been out a week or so.

The acting was pretty good, and the plot moved along nicely. It wasn’t too preachy, and the movie connected with me — I teared up several times. I was very glad to have a chance to see it, and I’ll definitely buy it when it comes out on DVD. It has a good chance of appearing on the AWANA prize table, one of these days.

One of the grave markers in the Western State Cemetery.

One of the grave markers in the Western State Cemetery.

I was out playing my portal game (Ingress) at lunch time, and I happened across a cemetery for people who died in a nearby mental hospital. There are more than 3000 people buried there, in what looks like a poorly-maintained grassy field. It made me sad, to think of so many people dying, most likely abandoned by family. Some of the grave markers were named, but others were merely a brick with a number.

The Western State Cemetery monument

The Western State Cemetery monument

The human mind is very fragile, and I am sometimes frightened by how narrow the gap is between mental health and a variety of mental illnesses. It reminds me of the Biblical story of Nebuchadnezzar, who went from being on top of the world, to being treated as a madman, in a matter of a few weeks.

Number 818 must have had a name, and I know he or she was deeply loved by God.

Number 818 must have had a name, and I know he or she was deeply loved by God.

I am thankful for my mental health, and I don’t want to take it for granted. I am also glad to be reminded to pray for those who suffer from depression, anxiety and other poorly-defined maladies of the mind.

Project 365, Day 86
Tim

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