Life After Israel

Just Six Days To Go

So it's Sunday night and I'm sitting here realizing it has been almost two months since I've updated! Does anyone even read this anymore? I hope so.

Anyway, Amy and I just set up a new blog for the both of us since, you know, we're getting married and all that. You can find it at http://andrewandamygilmore.blogspot.com.

We'll update more regularly, especially at first when we have engagement pictures, wedding pictures, honeymoon pictures, and pictures of our new apartment. Yes, you read that right, we have an apartment! It's in Stanton, just north of Huntington Beach where I'll be working. In fact, it's only six miles away from work, praise the Lord!

Well, that's about it for now. Lots of organization and purchasing, etc., has to happen in the next six days so I'm going to bed. Well, I'll read a little first - oh! That reminds me to make a little plug for a great book that I HIGHLY recommend. It's called The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It's wonderful. That's all I'm going to say. Bye.

Fortune Cookie

For lunch today, Amy and I went on a double-date with Brian and Becca to Siam Rice II, a Thai restaurant. Here's what my fortune cookie said:

You may soon change your present line of work.

I'm so glad that I have a God who's in charge and not a fearful belief in Fate.

Oh yeah, I've been meaning to post a picture of my new shoes! Why? Because I can.

God the Provider

Hello everyone. Today was my second interview at Liberty Christian School. I left at 8:10 am for my 11:00 appointment. I didn't walk into the school office until 11:20. Traffic was horrible on the 405. I was somewhat apprehensive walking into the office. I had tried to call the school from my cell phone, but as usual, it didn't work. So I text messaged Amy and had her call the school for me. The secretary was very compassionate and understanding, and I only had to wait two minutes for Mr. Doney--the school principal--to shake my hand and lead me into his hodgepodge office (it's being renovated).

We talked about some of the issues that we had discussed in my last interview. He then asked me what Amy and I had decided about the job. I told him that we had decided to take the job if it was offered to me. So Mr. Doney drew out a large white envelope, and offered me the contract within it to be a Physical Education teacher at Liberty Christian School for the 2006-2007 school year! I tried hard to contain my excitement while he took the contract out and explained the benefits package. There will also probably be an opportunity to coach basketball at some level (i.e., hopefully not junior high girls basketball!).

I have to sign the contract and send it back to the school this week to accept the offer. The job would officially start August 28. Next week, Amy will start to look for a job in the Huntington Beach area as well as start the process of consolidating her loans. So, right now the plan is to find an apartment and move our things into it before the wedding on July 8. Then, we'll return from the honeymoon to our apartment and somehow make some money until I start working in late August.

The Lord is so good, and his mercy endures forever!

Wedding Stuff

Today was Amy's bridal shower. Thanks to all who helped out and showe up.

Also, sign our guestbook!

Real Life Ahead

I have a job interview Thursday. It's in Huntington Beach at Liberty Christian School, a K-12 Christian school that I actually remember competing against in junior high athletics. The interview is at 11:00 am. Pray for me please. I sent my application in about two weeks ago and am continually praying that God would calm my useless anxieties and give me the proper words to say. I want to be humble and open to God's Spirit. I acknowledge my complete and utter dependence on Jesus for my very life. Amy's coming with me. It should be fun! Back to homework.

Do we look Secret Service or what?

Red ties!

And you thought she was normal!

My RD Siona and I

Gotta love Rick's tie

Tommy and I.

.

These are the smiles my mom particularly enjoys!

Everyone is smiling, except . . .

Brian and Becca + Nick and Christie

I had a shrimp okay? I really didn't want sauce on my shirt or tie.

Dinner at Black Angus

Men: Me, Jared Foy, Nick Foy, Brian Baughman
Women: Amy, Holly Wooton, Christie Baughman, Becca Boone

Comment War

Thank you to the three people that read my blog for the current comment war that is being waged here in cyberspace.

On a more serious note, I just finished my application to be a teacher at Liberty Christian School in Huntington Beach, CA. I searched on ACSI.org and found that Liberty is looking for a high school history teacher. I know that I am not the seemingly ideal pick (no teaching credential, no teaching experience, etc.), but I am praying that the Lord will show me soon what his will is in this. I am trusting and believing in his amazing sovereignty for a job for the summer and for the next year and for life!

When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.

-Psalm 56:3

No April Fools today

I'm sitting in the library for another FULL day of New Testament Survey II outlines. Don't get me wrong, I love Dr. Halstead's class and I promised myself that I wouldn't graduage from The Master's College without taking one of his classes. I entered the semester knowing full well that these outlines would be tough and so it's no one's fault but my own that I'm sitting here all day. I guess this is just another lesson in getting work done early and working on things little by little instead of waiting till they are due.

Right now I 'm looking for a job and I think I want to be a teacher at Christian school. I'm pretty sure that I want to get my credential and a masters degree in education. Please pray for me as I look for a job in these last few weeks of school and figure out furthering my education. Of course I am financially concerned about the future and how that will play out in the wedding, getting a place to stay, planning to pay off debt, etc.

OK, back to work.

Wow!

I just returned from supervising intramural basketball games in the gym here at TMC. This semester, I'm the assistant intramural coordinator. Fancy title, but it just means that I have to help my good friend (and groomsman in my wedding!) Brian Baughman organize, supervise, and delegate to facilitate a fun, competitive intramural atmosphere. So far it's been a lot of fun and has taught me responsibility. If I slack off, more than a two hundred people are affected.

One of tonight's games was discouraging and ridiculous. Guys from both teams were complaining at every single blow of the whistle. In total, two technical fouls AND two flagrant fouls were given out. One guy was ejected for throwing the ball at another guy's chest. Only by the Lord's grace did a fight not break out. Frankly, I'm disappointed in the guys' actions. But I'm not shocked. One of the things I've learned this year as an RA is not to be shocked at anything that we sinful humans do. This has also taught me to examine my own heart (Galatians 6:4) and to take the log out of my own eye (Matthew 7:3) before telling my brother to get the speck out of his own eye. Am I capable of doing the same things that I condemned tonight? Sure. Now, I would hope that I have enough self-control to not do that. I would pray that I would be filled with the Spirit and respond in a loving and Christ-like way. Now, this doesn't excuse the actions that occurred and it doesn't mean that people will be given grace. They will be held accountable for their actions and (let's call it like it is) their blatant sin. It saddens me when people act so horribly out of line to what they profess to believe. It grieves me when I act like that.

Sorry for the ranting and raving. Maybe I'll have a more encouraging post in the next few days.

Registries and Tuxedos

Quickly, Amy and I now have a website for our wedding. Visit it! Also, we're registered at Kohl's and Target . . . just in case you wanted to buy us stuff!On Sunday, Amy and I picked out all the tuxes for the wedding. It took about three hours, but everything worked out well. We'll be wearing three-button tuxedos. My vest and tie are satin ivory and my groomsman will have the same style jacket with a geometric-design periwinkle blue vest and tie. The ringbearer--Dan, Amy's brother--will match me. That's all for now.