Funkyjimmer's Blog

Friday, September 30, 2005

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY

That's what I've been doing the past several weeks--in addition to work and church and other things. I have spent parts of many days studying at work over the last few weeks. I spent two days this week studying at home.

I'm only about half way through the thick book and have only listened to a small part of the first CD. :( And I haven't done as well as I had hoped or would have liked on the self-exams at the end of each chapter.

Time has about run out. Next week is the Pathfinders course to prepare me to pass the exam! At least that's what the course is supposed to do! It is Monday Through Thursday, 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. and homework each evening. (I've had plenty of advice and warnings -- and some encouragement, too -- from people who have taken and passed the exam before me. But I know some who haven't passed it, too.)

I take the State exam Tuesday, October 11th. It is a three-hour exam. I am fortunate in that I can take it here in Indianapolis. I was first told that I would have to go to Evansville or Fort Wayne! And the location for the exam is on the west side of Indy, not far from where I live and work. So I'm glad I can take the exam in my city soon after taking the course.

I will be calling in all the prayers I can from my friends on Tuesday, October 11th! And a few prayers regarding being able to understand and retain what I can from the course would be appreciated.

Having the "opportunity?" to engage in something like this does wonders for spirituality and one's prayer life!

Hopefully this explains my lack of Posts lately and my silence over the next week or so. I'll try to update you on my progress but no promises. But please pray!

Tuesday is Karon and my 36th wedding anniversary. I am at least going to take her to dinner at one of her very favorite places-- The Red Lobster. That's the day before her next treatment so she'll be feeling the best she will for a couple of weeks. I'm bummed out because this will be the first time I will not have been able to go to the doctor with her before she has her treatment. :(

Jim

posted by jim 4:12 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

THE MOTORCYCLE RIDE

Labor Day weekend was hectic—like all of my weekends! A traditional thing for us to do on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends is to wash windows at the house. Ugh! How I hate doing it! But this time we “recruited” our kids to help so it got done. Never takes very long—just a job I don’t like doing. But Karon really likes having her windows washed. We did that Sunday afternoon. We fed everyone really well and then put them to work!

Monday (the actual Labor Day) we had lots of people come by to bring food, etc. One of our friends from Maxwell came to visit. They were riding their Honda Goldwing. It was an older, but really beautiful, bike. I stood outside with them admiring the bike for a while. I was also was admiring their helmets.

Finally I asked if I could try on the helmet. It was more comfortable than I expected it would be. Karon took my picture with the helmet, standing by the bike.

After considering the situation for a while longer, I got up enough nerve to ask if I could have a “short” ride. Of course the answer was, “Yes”. I had only been on one other “bike” ride a gazillion years ago. It was a very little bike. That ride scared me and I hadn’t been on another bike since.

But this was different. I was expecting the worst but it was the best! As my friend described it, “At the first stop sign Jim released his death grip! Then he relaxed and enjoyed the ride!”

Indeed I did! I was ready to go again. I was surprised at how comfortable it was and how relaxed I felt – after the first couple of blocks! That was a blast. It was a perfect day weather-wise and I felt safe with an experienced operator and very comfortable on the seat behind him.

The ride was probably a mistake, though. Then next time someone with a great bike says, “Wanna ride?”, the answer will be a quick, “You better believe I do!”

Jim

posted by jim 4:45 PM 1 comments

Thursday, September 15, 2005

“NOW I KNOW WHY”

I am ashamed that it has been 4 weeks since I have posted in my journal. I didn’t even remember what I wrote until I re-read it. I don’t usually read things I have previously written. But I had to do so this time. When I read what I wrote I sort of understood why I haven’t been back to the journal.

It isn’t like nothing has been going on. I just realize that I didn’t know how to write what’s been going on and keep it short and not sound like whining. So I haven’t written anything! But I need to give it a shot, so here goes.

I’ve allowed myself to become stressed over a combination of things. None are particularly devastating taken individually. It seems to be the combination. It is a good thing that I have probably blocked out a lot of what has gone on that has contributed to my stress lately. But I am aware of enough to keep me disturbed.

My annual study leave in August was more stressful than usual. It seems there were things to deal with at church that took away from what little time I had for study. Not bad things, really, just “things”. We have introduced a number of changes and most have been well accepted. The girl from our church who was committed to going to the Ukraine as a missionary suddenly (or it seemed sudden to us) decided not to go. We had a commitment Sunday and raised about half of her required monthly support. It was an excellent response for our smaller congregation. We would have committed more had we had more time. But after the first Sunday she decided not to go! That was a shock and a major disappointment for our church. At least we are thankful that she didn’t get over there and decide to come right back! But that whole situation, in addition to the changes we were implementing beginning in September, required much attention right in the middle of my study leave. I didn’t get the books read that I had hoped to read. I think next year I’m going to have to take some vacation time and go away somewhere for part of the study leave if Karon can be left alone.

At my “day job” they decided to move several of us from our offices to a less-desirable location in the same building. And I had to do some traveling during that time which made the move even more difficult. Also, someone “higher up” decided I have to get a State Insurance Agent’s license for Life and Health insurance. I’m not an insurance agent, I don’t sell insurance and I don’t plan to sell insurance. But they say I have to have a license. So---I’ve got two 81/2 X 11 one inch-thick books to study and 2 CDs to listen to. It is a ton of stuff to try to learn and remember for testing. I’ve got to get through these books before October 3rd. October 3rd through the 6th I spend each day in class, 8 to 5, with homework every night! Then following the classes I have to pass this 2½-hour test. All this is in addition to my regular duties at my day job. Plus I have responsibilities getting ready for our fall emphasis at church and trying to prepare for the fall sermons. Lots going on and most all of these things are good but just overwhelming.

We’re kind of in a holding pattern regarding Karon’s health right now. Yesterday was doctor and chemotherapy day. We had hoped to learn something one way or another as a result of the scans she had done last week. But as is so often the case, the tests weren’t conclusive. They did some additional X-Rays yesterday on the leg that gives her so much pain. We won’t know the results of that for a while. The scans showed some lessening of the lesions in some areas of the bones and some increased lesions in other places. There is a little spot on her liver that concerns me but didn’t seem to overly concern the oncologist. She will have 2 more chemo treatments after yesterday then they will do more scans. The doctor said we would make some decisions based on those results. It will be Monday before we know if the cancer count has decreased any further or not.

Guess I’ve whined enough for one Post. I’ll try to be more upbeat and have something to say of more general interest in the next Post. So many people in the South have so much more trouble than I could ever experience. As I see and hear the news from there it helps me to be thankful. Our church has partnered with our old church to provide items to help fill a couple of semi-trucks that went to Mississippi and Louisiana. We have also provided financial aid. Our church is very generous.

Jim

posted by jim 4:15 PM 2 comments