September 20

Its been a long last couple of weeks. Kristine has been working 30 hours a week, and I've been up around 45-50. My partner in the financial aid office was out of town for a conference so I had to handle everything and believe me, it is definately a 2-person job. I even worked 8 hours on Saturday, plus my normal 40 during the week. Yuk. I've been getting a lot of compliments lately, both from students and those in management. My Director even gave me a compliment which just doesn't happen, so I felt very good about that. God has definately had His hand on me. It seems taht wherever I go, I have favor. It reminds me of Joseph and Daniel. I am certainly not changing nations, but I am working in a secular environment and succeeding. People see that, but then see my humility and sincere love for people and they have no choice but to ask whats going on. Obviously its my faith and love for Jesus Christ that compels me to love those that He loves, and died for. There is lady in the Student Accounts office that seems a little hard hearted. She shows signs here and there of compassion. She seems really up tight and angry most of the time though. Well anyways she has a horrible keyboard at her computer that she has to use one finger at a time because she has to press really hard to make the keys work (you can hear her typing all the way down the hall). So I went out and bought her a new keyboard. I brought in to her and she was absolutely floored. Why would anyone do something like that. She kept insisting I fill out a requisition form to get my money back for it but I refused and said it was a gift for her. She has definately softened up, at least around me, since then. That was pretty cool.

Kristine's parents are currently in Yukuska, Japan. They are visiting David, Kristine's brother. He's in the Navy, recently got married and had a son named Brody. We are all jealous that they got to go see Brody and David, not to mention Miku (Davids wife). Their trip is 10 days long so it was impossible for me and Kristine to go since we both have fairly new jobs. Oh yeah, and it costs a lot of money to fly around the world. They are due to get back this Thursday, so it will be quite interesting to hear all about Brody and Miku, as well as the tourist stuff they did. We instructed them to have their cameras ready at all times and use up all the available space on their digital camera (I sent them with about 600 MB worth as memory).

Now that Kristine and I are pretty solid in our finances, we are looking at next summer as the possible date for buying a house. I'm looking into christian mortgage companies. We are looking into homes between 80,000-110,000. Nice starter homes, nothing extravagent. We just want simple and something that costs just a little more than apartments. We are pretty confident we can find the perfect place for us by then. I love our apartment so I have no problem staying here until then. This place really feels like home and Snowflake definately likes all the different rooms to sleep in.

EBC starts its new term shortly and I'm not there. This feels so weird. I'm so used to being at the registration and working long hours in preparation for it since I worked in teh financial aid office. It doesn't feel like I graduated, but I have a degree to prove it. What a weird feeling it is not to have homework or required reading. I love it. Kristine and I have been reading a lot since we moved here. Its very relaxing when you aren't having to study. Kristine has been reading a lot of historical fiction books (set in the times of Aaron and Moses, during the Civil War, during the Dark Ages, etc). They've been a very powerful influence for her. She also is doing INSTE. I've been reading a lot of fiction as well, except for I just finished "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. What a powerful book. Anyone who has doubts about the authenticity of the existence of Jesus should read it. Let me modify that actually, everyone should read it because it dives into all the tough questions regarding the historicity and authenticity of scripture, proof for the ressurection, proof that Jesus was an actual historical figure and that he was Divine. Very powerful, a must read.

Our life in Iowa

We have now lived here in Des Moines, Iowa for 2 months! Time has flown by and we are more excited everyday for the things God is doing here. About 4 weeks ago I got a job working at Vatterott College here in Des Moines. Its a technical college with about 170 students presently. That number is a bit low, but only because this branch campus was opened in 1997 and has been steadily growing each year. I currently have a partner, Craig, who has the same title as me in the office, and then a director who oversees our office but not usually involved in the actual work. Thusfar it has turned out to be a great ministry opportunity. Craig and I have become very good friends and he has confided a lot in me. He has known I was a christian from day 1 but that has not deterred him from getting to know me. I've done my best to be a friend while never compromising any of my morals or values. Its been tough at times because he cusses a lot, drinks, is promiscous, and gets high once in a great while. He is about 38 years old, but acts like an 18 year old. I feel like I'm more mature than him, and I'm not joking about that. Its tough to be around the joking and making fun of less fortunate people, which we see everyday in our office. This place is definately not a bible college but I am so glad to be here. Its great to be in a place where I can really be a light and not just be around christians everyday like I was at EBC. I treasure the time I was at EBC, but I was so secluded from the world. Now I have been thrust back into the world and am loving the opportunities. For anyone reading this, please be in prayer for Craig as he is battling to find faith. God is using me to really bring about conviction and making Craig think about things of spiritual significance. The other part of the job thats great is the other guys who work at the school have taken a liking to me, but are a bit cautious of whether I am a "bible-thumper" or not. They even have gone to Craig to find out. Craig greatly respects the fact that I haven't shoved the bible down his throat but at the same time have demonstrated Christian qualities that you don't see very often. The guys want to take me out drinking soon. I will go with them but will not drink. That will in itself raise some questions in which I will be able to share a little about my faith. I love being able to truly witness to these people and go to the places they are comfortable. I must be on guard when I go to the bars and such, but taking a stand for Jesus in those locations can be very powerful. Jesus spent his time with prostitutes, drunks, disabled, and the scum of society. He didn't just spend his time with his followers. At the same time, he never compromised himself. I've got to find the right balance.

In other news, Kristine recently got a job at Hallmark. She really likes it and they are giving her pretty good hours (33 in her 3rd week). The only problem is that they also own a Halloween store. She has to work there 3 times next week and shes kind of scared. I told her to use it as a ministry tool and just pray for every single person that comes through the doors. If she feels to surrounded by evil, then we'll try to get her not to have to work at that store. But the Hallmark store is great and she's caught on very fast with their merchandising system.

We are getting involved at our church. I'm not able to do most of the ministries that the church does because of my hours at work, but I am looking into working the powerpoint, lights, and video for sundays worship service. I checked it out this sunday and in two sundays I will actually get training on it. Kristine on the other hand has a loaded schedule. She and her mom are going to be teaching a sunday school class for preschoolers. They are involved in a womens prayer group and also a small group. Kristine is in her 1st week of INSTE which is a college level bible education through the church. Theres something else, but I can't remember off the top of my head.

Things are going great here, but we do miss all our friends so much. We've been so busy with work and church that we haven't been able to really make any close connections with people. Hopefully that will come soon. But yes things are great and we are excited to see what God has in store for us next.