Sorry to have been silent for a minute…but I always understimate the amount of work to move. Especially with kids (and all their stuff) involved.  Needless to say plenty of work left but we’ve been moved in to the new place in Irvington for over 2 weeks. Thank God for amazing friends. Don’t know what we would have done without em.

Many people are asking us about our new community. And since I’ve been an Eastsider for a couple weeks I’m noticing plenty of differences. As a Letterman fan I thought I would break it down in classic Top 10 format.

1. No one has mailboxes in our Irvington neighborhood. Fishers crib- mailbox? Yes.
2. In our first visit to McDonald’s here we had the only white kids in the place.  (Pretty cool actually.
3. Many people here think everyone living in Fishers is rich, and many in Fishers think everything inside I-465 has been claimed by the Crips and Bloods.
4. In the city, art is appreciated, valued, worshipped, and includes a range of formats and methods… and in Fishers art is mostly what goes on the refrigerator by an alphabet magnet.
5. We have already met our neighbors!
6. Fishers has lots of pizza places but only Irvington has Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza!
7. Our current kitchen would fit in our Fishers kitchen at least two times.
8. Potholes down here are large enough to fit my Honda in. In Fishers; a pothole gets someone fired.
9. At our first visit to the Irvington library we saw a fight broke up (inside the library). In Fishers, occasional soccer mom glaring occurs.  
10. Fishers has an S’Bucks every half mile, but Irvington has Lazy Daze. Word.

Ok, this is random but I find these types of personality surveys affirming.

It’s amazing the uniqueness of personality and passion God gives to every person as completely unique and detailed in every way. As Jesus says in Luke 12:7, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered…”

Jung Test Results

Your type is: ENFJ

Extroverted (E) 60% Introverted (I) 40%
Intuitive (N) 51.35% Sensing (S) 48.65%
Feeling (F) 56.76% Thinking (T) 43.24%
Judging (J) 61.76% Perceiving (P) 38.24%

“You are a “Persuader”. Outstanding leader of groups. Can be aggressive at helping others to be the best that they can be. 2.5% of total population.”

Check out the variety of free online personality tests at SimilarMinds. 

I have pondered for a great deal of time dedicated this Starbucks to the random conversations I’ve had and new friends I made at Starbucks, Mojoes, or other local coffee joints I spend time  reading, studying, and on occassion working at.

Over the past month alone I have met a school teacher in IPS and heard amazing stories and insights, a double Grad student, got to know some baristas, along with quite an eclectic variety of connections.

I read a quote recently that emphasized, “this generation belongs to the storytellers and connectors” and I’m intrigued by the amazing stories to be heard when one just sits, listens, and ask the right questions.

It’s so much easier to connect people with people and people with God after you hear their story in their words! So much to learn about people and the Lord from listening!  

One of the quick visits I had today was from a guy affectionately referred to as “Van Halen” by a few of my IMC friends.  “Van Halen” is a guy that lives on the streets of Indy, attends IMC pretty regularily, never seen without his guitar, wears all black, and has a really interesting personality. I’ve had some fun conversations with him over the last year. So today he popped in to “the office” for a visit. Asked if we had a Wednesday night service cause he missed yesterday. I informed him we didn’t but hoped to see him next weekend.

Then, he asked if I would pray about a job interview he has. He is following up with the Salvation Army to be a bell ringer. He was really excited and asked for prayer multiple times because this job “pays really good” at about $8.00 an hour. He is really praying it comes through because he wants to take a vacation next spring.

Vacation?  Spring break vacation planning is fairly normal I understand. Understand, I’m talking with someone that lives full-time on the streets or at local shelters. Just didn’t expect that to come up. So, obviously I was struck back by this and asked an obvious question. “Where are you saving to go,” I couldn’t help but ask?

Responding quickly….. “someplace with beach and water” he said with a big smile….. “oh and with girls too” continuing to smile ….. ” and my guitar”……. “oh, and God too.” Girls, guitars, and God…. all somewhere with a beach he proclaimed!

I will just pray he gets the job!

I was thinking today about many of the college students I know and the jobs they have during college. Or some of them and their first jobs out of high school. Many of them have jobs to make it through college. Or to simply get extra money. Or just to expand their social network. Trevor sells shoes at the Circle Center Mall. Adam works in customer service at an insurance company. Jena works at a hotel. Justin works at Kohl’s. All descent jobs to get through college I think.

My first gig out of high school? Well, my dear Uncle Bryan promised to have the hook up for me. He was gonna get me a job working for the state right out of high school. One of those perfect summer jobs for college you know? So I found out it was for the INDOT and I showed up to work the first morning not knowing what I would be doing or how much I would be making. I was clearly young and stupid at this point. Then it all came to surface.

On day one of this dream job right out of high school I learned I would be making $4.76 an hour. Strike number one. That was bad money even 13 years ago. And while the first couple of days I was mowing lawns or holding signs for the road crews the DEATH BLOW came a few days in to this job. That was when I was part of “the team” that drove the roads looking for road kill. A raccoon or possum here or there is no big deal! Try stumbling upon a 3 day old deer that sat in the 110 degree summer sun! Then load that baby up in the truck and take it to the place the burns ALL the dead animals for the region. Oh it’s time for lunch break? And for $4.76 an hour? Forget about it.

We have all endured this right? Situations where you end up asking yourself maybe I should have asked a few questions first before making this decision? A situation that reveals a lack of personal advanced planning? Needless to say this job was short lived. I gave a one week’s notice after the first week! Oh I’ve had many bad jobs and/or job responsibilities since then…but hey at least they paid better!