Friday, June 30, 2006

Lessons NOT Learned

So with this whole thing with my former place of employment,(MFPofE) I've learned a thing or two about my denomination.

They just don't learn do they??

I remember just as my junior year in academy, high school, was coming to a close, one of the factories that many of my friends worked in, Harris Pine Mills, was shut down. Turns out that the owner in his will donated the whole thing, lock, stock and barrel, over to my denomination. They in turn put the running of it into the hands of a pastor who ran it into the ground and they had to close it.

At MFPofE, the same basic thing has happened. It was 'run' by a pastor and it has basically been run into the ground. Only a true miracle can save it now - which by the way is entirely possible. (You know, with the lack experience and training I have in running a business or ministry like the one at MFPofE - if I were put in the leadership position, I could have done as well, if not just a little better than my former boss. I am not exaggerating there! Yes - it was just THAT bad!!!)

Another conference in my denomination had a moving business built up to move teachers, pastors, doctors, nurses or anyone who wanted to move around the country. It was over-seen by pastors and due to a couple of very poor decisions, and mismanagement it went bankrupt.

Those are the few examples that I personally know of first hand, with 'pastors' running businesses or ministries into the ground, bankrupting them, magically making them disappear, whatever!

I know from talking (listening), over the years, to family and friends talking that this has happened in my denomination over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. Hummmm?!!! Interesting.

The definition of stupid is to do the same thing the same way over and over again expecting different results.

Hummmm!!!!

So, logically I could say that my denomination is being stupid when it comes to these things.

Disclaimer - I'm not trying to diss or rag on, or trash my denomination. I call it 'my denomination' because for the most part - I love my church, it's truths, it's people, it's outlook on life, and mostly it's focus on our Savior. With that said, I'm very disappointed in some of it's leadership, or the very serious lack there-of.

Pastors need to be leading churches! That is what they were 'supposedly' called to do. They can be on a governing board to recommend ways to handle 'businesses' and 'ministries' so that they stay true to the beliefs of my denomination - but they (in general) in NO way should be the majority of leaders of businesses. (Some could and do lead businesses quite effectively - but those people are the exception rather than the rule.) They were taught in school to be a pastor, a spiritual leader, not business people. If they can't hack the position or if they make some terrible decision and do something wrong, or if they need to be moved, move 'em once or twice, but then if they screw up again - don't just move them into leadership. Encourage them to get a job in the real world. Don't make them leaders over something they know absolutely NOTHING, or very, VERY little about!!!

What our church could do with the influx of people and money if businesses and ministries were run by those who had the proper training to make each succeed. Wow - what a thought.

Anyway, I've got these emotional feelings running around in my brain because of the way the boss, and especially spouse, at MFPofE treated me, which lead to my departure and then the latest debacle with over 80% of the staff being fired.

It is so sad that my denomination allows that type of leadership to pervade.

In fact, just this afternoon, I talked with one of those fired, and he talked with a higher-up in my denomination about the latest activities. This higher-up admitted that they knew some things were wrong there, but just did not have the time to look into them specifically, and because the ministry was located somewhere else than Simi-Valley, CA the whole thing was basically off his radar screen and he was sorry the way things happened.

He's sorry? What the heck is that? He's sorry, but he's still got his job and doing whatever it is he does, meanwhile 6 people, 4 families, are left without jobs, scrambling to find something because he didn't keep up with his overseeing of the ministry and let the 'pastor' in charge go crazy as the 'head' of the ministry. I don't even consider him the 'leader.' He never lead - just dictated about a great many things that he didn't and still doesn't understand. That is very, VERY sad!

This higher-up was shocked by the volume of material, and the contents of said material that poured in from former staff memebers, people who had dealings with my former boss and those who run affiliate stations, about how poorly the boss at MFPofE was running the ministry. He said they might look into it. Might!!! *&#$$R@%!@*

What a load of junk! This guy, when he's on the air, spews forth with loads of Christian cliche's, gobbley gook and sound/feel good stuff, then behind the scenes is downright evil to those under him and to those who he deals with.

And these higher-ups feel it's in the best interest of the denomination to keep him in place and let the staff go? What a load of bunk!!!

He said, this higher-up, that while he couldn't divulge everything in the decision making process, that they decided to keep the boss, and wife, at MFPofE and hopefully help the ministry to hang on for a while longer as opposed to bringing the staff back and having to shut it down in 2 months for lack of funds.

It is directly in relation of the lack of following through on the responibilities and charge given to the boss, and his wife, at MFPofE that the ministry is in such a bad position.

Yet, my former boss and wife, still retain their jobs - and if things follow suit, once the ministry folds - and I'm betting that it does (Again which is NOT my wish - I would love to see it turn around - I just don't see how it can so short staffed.) - he will be shipped off to a denomination leadership position somewhere.

Another lesson NOT learned by my denomination.

Will they ever learn?

It is my prayer they do!!!

Unique Thing

Y'all know that I married a very, VERY special lady a long time ago.

Well, this past week she's started a uniqe thing she does. He, he, he!

She takes her cell phone, that is warm because of use or being in her pocket and holds it on her forehead. She says she likes the way it feels cuz the last couple of days she's had a bit of a headache!

Didn't know that would cure it - but whatever floats your boat!

CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!!!! :)

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Another "Ant" Story

Got a suprise phone call yesterday, it was Aunt Evie wondering if she could stop by for a bit today (Sunday). She was in the area because of my Matt's, her son - my cousin, graduation from his residency!

Wow, that is quite an accomplishment. After lots of hours of school and hard work, he is officially a Dr. The good thing is now he has a job and will be able to work in a variety of positions at his new job. Awesome! Congrats.

Anyway, Evie stopped by today and we showed her around our new home and had a good chat, and just a very, VERY nice visit!

Thanks for stopping in Aunt Evie!!! :)

Friday, June 23, 2006

Canoe Covered Ants

So here John and I are attempting to drown the ants in the canoe. I'm standing on some rocks and John's actually standing on the canoe in some pretty deep water. What a day - what a trip!


While waiting for lunch to come together I was just looking around and thought this was kind a cool photo!

Sir Gooneys

One afternoon, just for fun we hit our local miniature golf course. The girls are pretending to be eaten by a HUGE snake on this hole! :)

Two little kids pretending to be part of the old woman and the shoe story! :)

Clown & Snazzy

We went to the Discovery museum, for kids, this past week. It is loaded with things to do and touch and feel etc. It is awesome.

They had a little theater room for kids to dress up and lights and music and sound effects.

Here's my little thespians! :)
The Death Test

According to our research, you'll be dead by October 2052 at age 82

- probable cause -

heart attack

YOU DIE: 82.5 years

AVERAGE MALE LIFE SPAN: 72.5 years

As you can plainly see, you have more health & vitality than the average man.

WHY YOU DIE?
56% heart attack
24% car accident
13% loneliness
5% drowning of the lungs
2% wounds

You have 16936.8 days left on this earth.
You've already lived 44% of your life.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

So, SO Smart

Doreen called today as I was leaving the bakery in the truck as I spent most of my day running locally, swapping trailers and loads etc.

She was extremely excited. She had just received the results of her test to help her get into Dental hygiene school.

She practically aced the thing. She was so high up that she looks to me, as smart as Albert Einstein.

Lately, she's been a bit concerned that she may not be able to pass that HOBET (I have no idea what that means by the way...) or score high enough to get into dental hygiene school.

I've been encouraging her and letting her know that she can do it.

Ba da boom. Ba da bah, ba da bing - she scored well over the 90th percentile.

She's just plain brilliant!!!

Oh yeah!!!

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Thankful for a Lack of Patience

One of the things in my life that I have to seriously work on is patience. You know that prayer, "Lord, please give me patience and give it to me now?" Well, that's me and I am working on it, but still have a long, LONG way to go.

Well - for once in my life, I am so thankful for a lack of patience. If I were more patient, then I would be in a tough, very tough spot. No job and no quick options.

For 14 months, I was patient trying to work with the changes that had to come to where I used to work. It was tough. It was uncomfortable. It was really, really rough.

Finally I got fed up. I was at the end of my patience rope. Doreen and I talked and talked and talked about what to do. Finally we decided to through the fleece out there and the call came. A door was opened and when it did - I sprinted through it and have not looked back.

Sure, I miss radio - my career love - my college degree (lots of struggle to get through college.) I really miss working in a ministry, especially one that was helping to connect people to Christ. But I don't miss the daily trials I had before I left.

Man, I feel for the people that I used to work with, the friends. We had a close knit group. We worked well together. We all had Christ at the heart of everything we did. Now most all of them have been treated horribly. We're praying for them daily. We're doing what we can to help and encourage.

But man, this is one time that I am thankful for being impatient. This was one time that a negative trait had a positive outcome! :)

Wow - I truly am thankful!!!

Injustice!

Here's a quick update on the happenings of my former place of employment. Nothing has changed - only things were handled legally this time. Though badly, very, VERY badly.

When we last left this saga, leadership at my former place of employment (MFPoE)fired 80% of the staff, illegally. Opening up the AMC and the NAD to lawsuits should any of the former staff chose to.

None did. They chose to be kind about it. They chose to be Christianly. I decided to step in and began making calls to the AMC and they were shocked to learn what was going on. They had no idea. So once again, began sharing the atrocities that took place while I was there and the many, MANY that had and were taking place after my departure. The leadership at AMC began speaking with the staff separately, getting their stories.

One story, that was told me was that an AMC leader said we'll work on getting your job back. This person said, if the current leadership stays in place - I don't want it. Give me my vacation time and separation package and I'll go elsewhere. So, at that point the leaders of AMC began asking the right questions on what was really going on there. Thankfully the staff gave honest answers, not mean, just honest.

An opportunity arose for me to contact a number of managers, friends and others who deal with MFPoE. They were encouraged to write or call the AMC leadership to let them know the truth on how they have been treated by MFPoE leaders. Many did.

All the information was gathered and passed along to those who might be able to effect a positive change and possibly salvage the ministry at MFPoE. We were informed that a meeting was to happen on Friday.

So then we waited, and waited and waited.

Monday I heard from a friend, a former coworker, that the results of the meeting changed nothing. Leadership at MFPoE remained in place and the staff fired were still fired.

At that point, Doreen and I were feeling very, VERY sad. For 5 years, I put my all into that ministry. We all did, and we were helping to connect listeners to Christ. Then the change and it was directed away from that focus. We used to have a personal one on one connection with listeners, they became friends. After the change, the listeners were put on the back burner.

I am disappointed in the leadership at MFPoE, for many, MANY reasons. But even more so I am disappointed in the leadership of the NAD. Apparently the leadership at the AMC woke up and got a clue as to what was going on and allegedly were backing and pulling for those who were fired.

But the "Good-old-boy" network, the church politics at the NAD has ruined more than one dynamic ministry and or business helping to support the church. And I believe that is exactly what is happening at MFPoE. Unbelievable. They have made the choice to stick with someone who has come in and run the ministry into the ground. They chose to stick with someone who has taken 90% or better of the personal interaction with listeners, VERY IMPORTANT in radio, off the air. They chose to stick with someone who has taken the focus off of Connecting listeners with Christ.

Why? That is my question. Why? Is it because they put him in there and will look bad if they admit it wasn't the right person for that position and pull him out? Is it because they needed somewhere else to put him because of other problems? What is it? Why? These people were brought in to do a specific job and they have not done anything they had been commissioned to or promised that they would do. He was supposed to be a dynamic evangelist that would be the face of the ministry, putting on meetings in cities that could hear the signal and win souls for Christ. She was supposed to be a marketing genius and would help to raise significant funds. He has yet to have any meetings and the campmeeting I did hear him speak at, a large portion of the audience snoozed through. She turned out materials so bad that I, with no training could have done as well. And I could go on and on and on with many specific problems. That's just not necessary. I just don't understand why the leadership of the NAD cannot see where the ministry used to be and where it is now. To see what was good, bordering on great and now see that it practically useless.

I just, flat out, do not understand.

It is a senseless waste of some good people with talent to help further a ministry and even more so their ability to help people who need Christ to nurture them into that vital connection. It is a senseless waste of a ministry that started out with one station, and thanks to the Lord has grown into a good sized radio network with potentially millions of listeners, that is now being literally run into the ground. It is a senseless waste of donations and money given by many sources and opportunities squandered and thrown away.

The injustice I see is maddening, irritating and annoying. It's disgusting. You know, it's simply evil.

I truly believe that satan saw that ministry as a threat and summoned many, many of his forces to work against it - and weak wills, and those who saw an opportunity for themselves opened the ministry up for attacks that have been very successful.

Programs are having problems, dead air is occasionally heard, and many, many technical issues are now appearing that the support staff is not there to keep things running smoothly.

It is sad - very sad. I can only pray for the ministry to somehow be salvaged.

How?

I guess that's up to God!

Monday, June 19, 2006

Gone and Back

So 16 hours after the scheduled leave time, they finally called with a lead driver for me and we left.

We ran the run and got back in time for breakfast.

Wheeew! :)

Sunday, June 18, 2006

...Still here...

Hummm, must be hard to find a fill-in driver on Father's day. 12 hours from my dispach time and I'm still waiting to leave! Ouch! I should have an empty truck by now and on the way home! Boooo hoooo hoooo! I've gotta miss out on a Father's Day dinner out. Waaaahhhhhh!

Getting stuff done around the house though! :)

To work or Not to work, that is the question.

So I was scheduled out at 11:30p for a run up through eastern TN, Southwest VA and one drop in Eastern KY.

I get to the yard, get my trip info, find the tractor and trailer, hook 'em up, weigh 'em out and go inside to wait for my partner.

I wait and wait and wait. Still no partner. 11:30p comes and goes, no partner. So I talk with a coordinator and still no partner. We wait another 30 min, and then he calls in sick. In the meantime - all the standby guys are called in because of all the other drivers that call in sick - so none are left. I am left without a partner to run with.

So they send me home telling me that they'll call me in the morning when they find someone to go with me.

As you can see - I'm still here. They can't find anyone to run with me. I'm almost taking this personally - but not really because this weekend is Father's Day (Which is probably why so many people called in 'sick.') and I get to be at home for breakfast with my family. I'll be gone the rest of the day - eventually! :)

So, To work or Not to work? That is truly the question! :)

Crazy Day Canoeing

Howdy y'all!!

Yesterday we had plans to go canoeing with some friends, two other families. So we did.

Well - what a day we had.

Friday evening, Doreen and I got our canoe out from behind the shed and put it on top of the pickup and strapped it into place. The next morning we threw the rest of the stuff in the bed of the pick up and away we went.

We all met at a gas station and convoyed to the river.

Once we got there, I noticed a 'trail' of ants on the inside of our canoe, but didn't think too much of it. Then we took the thing down and saw that it was infested. Our canoe is an old Mohawk built back in the early 60' so it's got a 'bulkhead' at either end of the canoe. Therein is where these creatures nested and once we put it on the grass they emerged like crazy.

Not knowing what to do we decided to put the canoe up and head home, we weren't gonna ride in that thing. Then one of our friends, John, had an idea - let's drown them. So we hauled the canoe down to the river and submerged it. Not an easy thing to do. All the ants and eggs that were in the hull of the canoe were washed away.

No more were coming out, so we all loaded our gear up and up the river we paddled. What fun. Well, a little fun anyway. I'm not that good of a canoer, so I'm a bit stressed when we get into tight situations cuz I'm worried about turning the thing over with two girls, 1 dog and 2 adults in it, plus gear and other things. We enjoyed it though.

So we went as far as we could upstream, about a mile and turned around and headed back. We got back to the dock about lunch time. So we got out picnic out of the canoes and ate. Then up to the restroom with all the kids, and in doing so we noticed that John & Tami's window of their vehicle was broken out and it was discovered that her purse, stashed under the seat, was stolen. A call to the police was made and then to some credit card companies.

They were done for the day, with no way to lock the vehicle, so we loaded up their canoe and gear and they headed for home. We decided with Kalvin, Kristine and kids to go on another trip downstream then call it a day.

Well, when we got back down to the dock, we looked in our canoe and everywhere, ants, ants, ANTS galore. They were swarming everywhere. We decided not to ride in it, nor take everything out, submerge it again, then load it back up and canoe. So the kids all got in Kalvin & Kristines boat for a short trip while we packed ours up.

I submerged it again to 'wash' out all those 6 legged creatures before putting it back on top of the pick up. Then we hauled everything up the hill and loaded it all up.

We got done just in time for the return of our friends and kids, to help them unload and haul theirs up. Turns out on the return trip, the battery on their trolling motor died. So they had to paddle the rest of the way back.

Ayi yai yai!

What a day, what a trip.

What a story to tell! :)

This is one for the memory!!!

Friday, June 16, 2006

Just a Week.

Hey y'all,

Don't have much to say - don't really have anything to say. It's just been a week with some ups and some downs, but that's pretty much just life isn't it?!! :)

Have a great weekend and hopefully I'll have more to 'pester' ya with next week!

:)

Friday, June 09, 2006

Awareness...

So this past week I had three trips. One to Kentucky, one to Louisana and one to Georgia.

I don't know what it is, but I think that in each truck I drove, on the back doors it said, "It's tick this driver off week."

I'd have to take off both socks to count the number of times I was cut off, or someone just "hung" out in my blind spot, or stop at the red light waaaaaay passed the white line, or lets go slow together in the truck lanes just for kicks.

My goodness man. So many people today are driving without awareness. One of the essential elements of driving my dad hammered into my head. Now I'm not always 100% perfect, but I try. (yeah, don't ask Doreen about this cuz she'd have too many stories to tell - he, he, he!)

Just this week, in our little automobile we about had a head-on with a mini-van that was waiting to turn left, with blinker on when a huge Dodge Ram pickup and driver just plowed into the back that of that van. Aye, ayi, ayi.

I had a SUV pull in front of me to take an exit ramp and JAM on the brakes. I was 3 feet away from climbing into the back of his Cherokee with the front end on my semi-truck!

Then going from one wharehouse to another on Thur, these people must have idiot water stored up in their tanks because on 5 of the 8 turns we made getting to the 2nd warehouse when we were halfway committed to the turn, these people would 'rush' up to the corner, only to have to immediately back up so we could squeeze on around the corner.

I tell ya, if those of us who drive 'large' vehicles (And I put it that way to include you too Sue!!!) drove with the same lack of awareness that so many drivers in 'smaller' vehciles do - this country would be in bad, BAD shape because of so many of the extra accidents and such out there.

Most of us have to drive seriously defensively and constantly aware of what is transpiring around us to keep those 'large' vehicles outta the trouble the 'little' vechiles cause.

Be-aware!!!

Duh!

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz




You Are Elmo



Sweet and innocent, you expect everyone to adore you. And they usually do!



You are usually feeling: Talkative. You've got tons of stories to tell. And when you aren't talking, you're laughing.



You are famous for: Being popular, though no one knows why. Middle aged women especially like you.



How you life your life: With an open heart. "Elmo loves you!"



Doh, I was hoping to be Grover! :) Or maybe even that two headed monster. Waa ha, ha, ha!

Monday, June 05, 2006

Providence

Hey!

Today has been an up and down day. Doreen got up early and went to take her HOBET test. Basically an exam to test her aptitude to begin Dental Hygene school. 3 Hour standardized test. While she was gone, the girls and I went and played soccer in the park, then walked a bit and played on the slide and swings before heading home.

The rest of the story starts last night. I was reading a friend's blog and she mentioned that her hubby, a former co-worker, was dismissed/fired/laid off. That was JUST before crawling into bed. So, I told Doreen and we tossed and turned for a bit feeling for the family.

Then this morning, while at the park, I get the idea to give him a call. Figuring he might be cleaning out his desk or wrapping up a few things, call the office to talk with him. The person who answered the phone started acting really odd when I asked for my friend. I was patched through to another friend - so I asked him what was going on and found out that 3 other people/friends were dismessed/fired/laid off. What the??? Has my former boss gone crazy? He just fired 80% of his staff. Crazyness.

So I spend most of the rest of the morning on the phone talking to these people and others about this situation. I'm in shock because these people are good friends and don't deserve this type of treatment.

At the same time, I can't help but be extremely thankful for how things came together for me to change jobs when I did. To not be dealing with that extra stress for the last 8 months, or having the extra frustration or be in a situation where I just get dismissed/fired/laid-off and trying to decide what to do.

Was that providence? I'd really like to think so, but I tell ya, the decision to put an application at what was to be my current job was very difficult. But we felt like we were in a room that was shrinking and I couldn't last there much longer. So we started trying door knobs. After much discussion, prayer and agonizing - I put the application in with the prayer that if the company called - I was to take the job and if they didn't I was to stay where I was and make the best of it. Over my life, I've watched other friends go through a somewhat similar situation and knew that if things were questionable that I needed to go ahead and try a few doorknobs and see if the Lord had another doorframe for us to walk through that the knob would twist. It rarely ever twists on it's own. Ya know?!!

Well - one of the door knobs opened things up to a doorway that lead to a different job and a more peaceful way of life. (By the way, please help me pray for my friends as they look for the next door they end up walking through. It is interesting to see how the different families are reacting to this - some good with excellent support, some not so good.)

Anyway - needless to say the ministry has been decimated. In it's hey-day in Vonore, we had like 26, or so, people employed there reaching hearts and lives - connecting people with Christ. With some people leaving on their own their positions weren't always filled. Then we had a major shakedown and one point, then things ran smoothly for a bit, then another leadership change - and that lead to my leaving - now this. The only thing I can say is "WOW!!!!"

That was the definite downer of the day, and pretty much it's been hard to not think about it.

But Doreen got home (And overall she feels like she did great on her test) and so we talked about it, which is always theraputic. Then we had lunch, ran some errands, got rid of some junk in our spare bedroom and garage, then went swimming, then home for the evening.

All in all - an interesting day.

Now - I go to bed. Time to sleep blissfully, have breakfast with the family, maybe do a couple of things and head to work at noon - then drive to Lousey-anna! I'll be home Wed night and probably done for the week.

Excellent!

Friday, June 02, 2006

Dog Burial

I regret to have to inform you family and friends that we had a dog burial this week. Because of the nature of it all - I regret to have to inform each of you in this manner and can't take the time to call or e-mail personally. Sorry about that.
Joelle, since the dog was given to the family around her birthday took it upon herself to perform the burial without any assistance from Doreen or me. She was such a big girl and did the job thoroughly. We thank you for your empathy...



...especially with Sugar in this position. Anyone who has ever been buried in sand alwasy finds sand on their 'person' in places one would think sand wouldn't go!

Sugar is such a good doggie that she sat quietly as this event happened and it's the cutest thing.

Yes, both of them got a bath that evening! :)

Have a great weekend y'all!!!

Company Picnic - Lake Winnepesokah

So today was the company picnic. They rented out the local amusement park for the day for us. And what a day it was. We rode just about every ride there - some more than once. We had a great meal, walked a lot, enjoyed time with friends, walked a lot, drank a lot of water, walked a lot, sweated a lot, walked even more, and had an absolute ball. Did I mention we walked a little. :)

Here's Natalie my litle biker chick - concentrating pretty seriously ridin her 'hog' around! :) CUTE.

In fact we went on about 3 rides that make your tummy tingle and Natalie isn't really up for that kinda stuff. Joelle on the other hand is a crazy girl when it comes to that stuff. She can't get enough tummy tingle.

What a fun, FUN day we had!!!