We Made An Offer

We made an offer on a house yesterday. It is beautiful and over 500 square feet larger than our house in Red Bluff. It is two story with a basement garage and family room. I think we will turn the family room in the basement into our Master Bedroom. This will require installing a whirlpool tub in the half bath that is down there already. Other than the lawn needing to be mowed, not to many other things need to be done. The final paperwork needs to be completed and a good faith payment needs to be made. So in a couple weeks we could be in it!
It seems like things are just clicking along. I must also add that the weather has really been great through this camping adventure. Most days are 80-90 degrees and then it cools off to 60 at night.
Eastern Tennessee is experiencing a drought. I heard on the news that Maynardville (about 10 miles from here) is rationing water. No watering the lawn or washing the car. Offenders will be fined $50.00.
My new job is going well. There is alot to learn and much is expected from someone doing this position. I had a chance to go out and see some of my houses. It was great to interact with the residents. That will definitely be the fun part of what I get to do, then there's the paperwork part. Uggg!
I heard a song by Starfield on the radio yesterday "Filled With You Glory". The lyrics to the chorus: "The whole earth/Is filled with your glory, Lord/Angels and men adore/Creation longs for what's in store (Mountains bow and oceans roar)/May you be /Honored and Glorified/ Exalted and lifted high/Here at Your feet I lay my life"
As I have driven much in the last few weeks and seen alot of country the thought of creation longing (groaning) for what is in store has added another dimension to this journey. Following the fall of man (Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 http://www.ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Genesis%203&niv=yes) creation also suffered a great consequence. The ground was cursed. From that very moment, creation began to suffer decay and death. As a result of sin, the earth groans for the day of the Lord. Not only, we as believers, but all creation is anxiously awaits the Lord's return and longs for what's in store. A new Heaven and a New Earth.
Fall is coming and the leaves will soon be turning and from what I hear it is quite a show here in eastern Tennessee. Even though on the surface there is beauty. Inside there is a longing, a groaning. We are all longing until the Lord's return.
In this we have hope, better days are coming! Just as we are about to see the Glory and Beauty of God manifest through His creation, things will change.
Romans 8 paints such a beautiful picture of this :
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
At times isn't it difficult to wait patiently? The other day, I was waiting to be seen by the doctor for a drug test. Once I signed in they said "please wait, we will be with you shortly". Even though I knew what the outcome was going to be, it sure seemed like longly. I know it wasn't all that long, but it was still "wait". The test came back negative, by the way.
While driving (which is the mobile form of waiting) the miles and hours can seem like they just go on forever (especially in Nebraska and Ohio). Finally the day comes and the waiting is over. In my most recent case, after many miles of hoping and trying to be patient, Knoxville came and my groaning was over. In time, our journey, waiting and groaning will be completed on this earth as well. Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Weather today-85 degrees and beautiful.

Now it's time to wait for everything to go through on the house. But right now it's time to go do laundry!

-Norm

Driving Down Memory Lane

Driving around Knoxville (and across the United States for that matter) has given me alot of time to think. The other day I was reminded of a client whom I use to work with. His name was Sam. I really liked Sam. He had a gentle spirit and frequently teared up when he laughed. Sam was one of the first people with a disability I had frequent contact with. He really liked riding his bike, mowing the lawn and listening to his scanner. Sam lived with his mother who was elderly and as time went on her health deteriorated. They were very close.
One week we decided that after work on Friday our group would take a bike ride and then go out to a local mexican restaurant for dinner. At the time I was driving a little Ford Festiva. I put a bike rack on the front and one on the back to haul our bicycles. We were all packed in the car. It must have looked halarious to someone not knowing what was going on. We all had a great time!
I also remember Sam's reaction when I told him Tina and I were going to be parents. A big smile came on his face and sometime later he arrived with a gift.
One day we got the call that Sam's mom had passed away. Our worlds changed forever on that very sad day. Sam bestowed on me one of the greatest honors of my life. He asked if I would be a pallbearer at his mother's funeral. As part of his mom's request, a neighbor became his care provider and they eventually moved away. Every once in a while he would call me and then we lost contact. He had an impact on me and I am grateful for his friendship. Maybe someday we will see each other again. I'd like that!

Weather today: 85 degrees and it was suppose to thunderstorm, but just a few spinkles this afternoon. The rest of the week looks clear and low to mid 80's.

-Norm

Celebrating Two Weeks!

Tomorrow I will have been in Knoxville for two weeks. My first day of work was last Friday. I received a brief overview of client/resident files and then toured a couple houses. There is alot to this job, mostly quality assurance and making sure all documentation is complete and up to date.
When not working I have been looking at houses and/or areas to live. I think we have narrowed it down to two areas. Powell or Halls. Both areas are in north Knoxville and are known for their good schools.
I attended City On A Hill Church again today. I really like it there. The pastor's message this morning was on suffering and how God allows it to make us better. I also enjoyed the worship.
During one of my many excursions during these past couple weeks I came across a discount Christian bookstore. I purchased the EPIC dvd by John Eldridge. He is the author of Wild At Heart, a book that caused quite a comotion in the church back home. John presents the gospel in four acts. It is a great presentation and one I will share with Buck when we get together. I have been watching over the last week.
I also purchased a few cd's at bargain prices. I have been listening alot to Leeland-Sound of Melodies. Stand out songs are "Carried To The Table" which is a song about communion and "Yes, You Have" about how Jesus has stolen our hearts. Everything on this cd is great! I also purchased Tait-Empty, Dizmas-On A Search In America, Family Force Five-Business Up Front, Party In The Back.
Today, I am going to take a look at a couple more houses in Halls, so I better go do that. After that I'm gonna seista for the rest of the day. Life is good here. It will be even better when the family arrives and we purchase a house.

Weather today about 90 with a nice breeze. Only suppose to be 67 degrees tonight. Perfect.

-Norm

I Got A New Job!

Well I received the call today offering me a job at Sertoma Center in Knoxville. I am being hired as a Residential Coordinator and will oversee about 8 residential homes for people with disabilities. It sounds similiar to what I had been doing at the Opportunity Center, but on the residential side rather than vocational. I am very excited! I must have TB and drug tests before I can start working. I will put a link to Sertoma on my "Sites I Like To Visit" list. Go check it out.

I have been going all over Knoxville trying to get a feel for the area and the best places to buy a house. Some places are good, some places are not as good, but I really like this place. The weather has been exceptional! 85 degrees during the day and about 60 degrees at night. Perfect.

I attended City On A Hill Church on Sunday. It is a Foursquare Church reaching out to Knoxville. I really enjoyed the worship and the pastor's message. They have a website http://www.cityonahillchurch.com/ I wasn't the only recent California transplant in the congregation. There was another couple that moved 2 months ago from Burbank, California. After church Pastor Tony came up to introduce himself and asked me some questions about being there today. I told him about the interviews and our family moving to Knoxville. Together with the group standing around us, we asked God to provide employment and help us with the move. Today I got the call about the job and spent the afternoon/evening with the realtor. How cool is that????

God promised that He was going before us and not to worry. He is doing just that. I trust Him to show us which house would be the best for us. I met with our agent this evening and we toured a few homes. I really liked a couple of them. We are going to meet again tomorrow. I can't wait!

I think that's all the news for now.

-Norm

Leeland - A new favorite!

We had a chance to hear Leeland at Joshua Fest.

Excellent Band and vocals!

I thought I'd post their banner.

I Made It To Knoxville!

O.K. I left last Thursday (9/6) at about 3 Pm in the afternoon. I drove that night as far as Winnemuca, NV. Beginning mileage from Red Bluff was 262480 on the Volvo (don't worry Volvos go forever!). I stopped briefly to gas up in Reno. The next morning (9/7) I started out at 6:00 Am and drove until 7:30 Pm when I stopped at Laramie, Wyoming. The mileage that day was 262868 to 263449. I stopped and gassed up in Elko, NV. On Saturday (9/8), I drove the width of Nebraska, stateline to state line only stopping for gas in North Platte, Neb. and Percival, Iowa where I spent the night. Mileage that day was 263449 to 264248. Sunday, I started out at 6:30 Am to drive through Missouri and Kentucky, only stopping for gas in Boonville, Mo. and Paducka, Ky. I spent the night last night somewhere near Hopkinsville, Ky. Mileage for Sunday was 264248 to 264885. I arrived in Knoxville today (9/10)ending mileage 265185. I booked a hotel online and when I arrived it is on Knoxville's eastside. I took everything of value out of the car. I went to Wal-Mart to buy clothes for my interview tomorrow. It's bedtime in Tennessee. Good night.

It rained a little this evening and 50 % chance of showers in the morning.

-Norm

I'm On My Way

Last Friday was my final day at the Opportunity Center. It was happy and sad all at the same time. We partied all afternoon and then it was time to say our final good-byes. My staff are the greatest and they put together such a great event!
That evening we left for Joshua Fest! As always it was an incredible weekend filled with incredible bands. It was also a great distraction after leaving the O.C.
I left yesterday around 3:00 Pm for Knoxville. I drove for about 7 hours making it as far as Winnemucca, Nevada . This morning I awoke about 5:30 Am and started driving again at 6:00 Am, grabbing a sausage biscuit and coffee at McDonald's. My driving day ended at 7:30 Pm in Laramie, Wyoming. I decided to get a room and am staying here at the Travel Inn. It appears that the University of Wyoming is having a football game tonight and all alumni were invited, which meant rooms were kinda scarce and it's a Friday night. My biggest concern before I left Red Bluff was the Volvo. I am thankul that it has been running great and no problems! This confirms what I felt like God spoke to me earlier, that He is going before us and making a way. I trust Him to do just that.
Thursday was a sad day. I woke up early to meet the movers. Tina brought the girls by for final hugs. I cried and Hope did to. I'm really going to miss my family. After all the car stuff I left my family in Red Bluff head for our future.
Weather today in Wyoming, about 80 degrees and clear BIG skies. I refuse to "Cowboy Up" while I'm here.

Leaving Laramie......

-Norm