After (July 2008)
This weekend Paul and I worked on the garden. We got some mulch for the back yard and planted some more bushes.
Also, John came up to visit Friday night. We went out to CiCi's for pizza and then went bike riding around the Whitewater center on Saturday morning. The temperature on Saturday was only 90 degrees, but the humidity had to be in the 99% range. I was completely soaked in sweat half way around the trail. I'm very glad we decided to drive there instead of biking the extra 4 miles there and back. I don't think I would have made it. Still, it was a fun bike ride.
After bike riding, John and I went out to a school supply store because he needed some stuff for his 11th grade English class and I needed some supplies as well. We got some poster boards and class planner books. I need to start working on my first weeks worth of lesson plans. I'm starting to stress out a bit. Thankfully, my current boss is transferring my clients to other tutors, so that gives me more free time.
John left after lunch on Saturday and later that day Paul and I went to a cook out at one of our neighbors house. They are also co-workers of Paul. They are really nice and we had a good time. A few other co-workers came over as well. I'm getting use to hanging with the "accountants". lol! A co-worker from India was in as well. We are having him over to our house on Wednesday for dinner. He is allergic to onions and he prefers chicken over other meats, so I'm trying to figure out what to fix. Any suggestions? I was going to make chicken pot pie, but that has onions in it. Does anyone have any good chicken recipes?
Church on Sunday was good. They had another missionary speak. We are planning on going to their membership classes next time they have them which is in August. Still, we meet new people each week because the church is so large. This is like the 5th church Paul and I have been to in Charlotte. We aren't looking for perfection, just a family to grow and to learn with. The first one we visited we really liked, but they were searching for a pastor. We visited that church for 6 months. We decided to wait on joining till they found a pastor. Well, the first sermon by the pastor who use to be a football player was on listening to the coach (God). Then, the second was on Paul being like Abraham Lincoln and Jesus was like Martin Luther King, Jr. with added football references. So... we were saddened and started to search for a new church.
The second church we went to was also looking for a new pastor, so that was hard. We wanted to wait till they got a new pastor there because of our recent experience. The people were friendly, but the elders were rather pushy. The church was about 200 people in size. The second Sunday we visited I was asked to teach Sunday School the next Sunday and Paul was asked to do the finances. After a few more Sundays, I asked if I could join their WIC group and start making food for families in need, but one of the elders quickly shot that idea down. After that, I did go to a lot of the events and I started to get involved with the kids at the church, but to the elders that wasn't enough. Needless to say, we felt rather overwhelmed. If we missed one event (even if we were in Aiken or in TN for the weekend), the elders would be extremely critical asking where we were and why we didn't show up. We continued going even through this, but when the pastor came we weren't too impressed, so we left that church. :(
After that, we started going to a larger church where the preaching is excellent! :) The church is really large. They have 2 services in the morning. The only problem is that you meet different people each Sunday. You never see the same folks and you can only get to know them if you go up and talk to them. No one comes up to talk to you. Paul and I do need to get more involved. We really do.
That's the church we are currently going to. Another church we visited after moving to our house was very small. Maybe 20 members. It was really awkward the first Sunday we went because one of the church members got up and told us to sit with them during the service, so we walked across the pews to their seats during the morning announcements. Then, right when the preacher was about to start he stood up and introduced us to the church shocked that young people had come... leaving Paul and me feeling rather awkward. The rest of the sermon the pastor would stop and ask Paul and I questions. We would have to respond with yes or no's before he would move on!
So we are back at the big church. We really do need to get more involved. The church has a ton of young people! It will just take a lot more effort on our part. I know that. We are just waiting on the Lord to lead us to the right church where we feel at home.... Please pray that we will find a church home here in Charlotte. I think we are just frustrated with all the drama in churches these days... :( It shouldn't be that way!
7 comments:
You guys are having a tough time of it in finding a church. You're right, it shouldn't be that hard.
If I could offer a word of advise it is to go where the Gospel is preached solidly. When the Holy Spirit is involved in the preaching, you will find people changed. Sometimes it takes a while for the Spirit to change the hearts. Be patient, and sometimes long-suffering.
Do get involved, as you spoke about. It may be your influence and Paul's that can make things better at the church. (But, also set some boundaries so you don't get dumped on.) Don't e afraid to ask someone from the church to pair up with you in doing something, either.
I have lots of ideas about the middle school math. (I taught a math enrichment class before.) I don't know what type of things you need. So, we might email or IM. I will suggest a great book that you must read before you begin. That is The First Days of School by Dr. Harry Wong. Classroom management is crucial. Everything stems from that.The other MAJOR thing about teaching is this: Teaching revolves around your life; not your life revolves around teaching.
Finally, don't eat in the teacher's lounge. Eating with your kids is far better and far more important.
Hey! The garden looks great, we need to fix up our yard. I'm sorry to hear about the church situations. That's so awkward with the last church situation. I wonder what goes through their minds, ya know? We go to a large church sometimes, it's the one Clint works with. It is really hard to get to know people. The only ones I know are people Clint knows through his job. Anyway, a good chicken dish is chicken tetrazzini. There are recipes online. If you want to know the recipe I use, just let me know. Take care!
Hey, Holly! Great to read your newsy post. :) Your garden is developing nicely. Well done!!
I know how it feels to have the school year looming up and feeling like there's so much to get done with the slight uncertainty that comes because it's your first time. Just take it one step at a time, don't look at everything that you must do all at once, because then it can seem overwhelming.
When do you start teaching?
Also, remember that some things you can adjust AFTER you've seen the classes and what the kids are like.
I'm sure you know this, but look at what you have to do for the whole year, how many weeks you have to do it in (minus breaks & holidays of course) and estimate roughly how many pages a day or a week you need to get done.
How about baking a simple whole chicken sprinkled with herbs, salt & pepper like Mom does? Hers are so succulent! I'm sure you'd make a great one! And simple mixed veggies steamed in butter, and maybe potatoes sliced into thin round sections & baked with melted cheddar cheese on top? Yum, my mouth is watering! ;)
Oooooh, bad church experiences. So sorry it all worked out that way! I know, a big church is hard because it's hard to really get to know people. But if they have smaller Bible study groups that's a good way to get to know a smaller section of people. Does this last one have lots of drama? Ugh! Simple is best... Just good solid preaching and singing, and good fellowship... I hope you find a really good one soon! I'll pray!!
Have you heard of the church that Doug Kelly (who teaches at RTS in Charlotte) goes to? We don't know much about it. He is a godly man but I don't know what his views of drama are!! ;P
Hi Holly! Happy Birthday! Great post, just had time to read it all! I felt so bad I couldn't chat last night. Iza was wild and it took until 10 before she finally went to sleep. Urr. Naptime today went much better so hope it will be better from now on! BOth babies are asleep and I desperately have to clean and do laundry.
Wow, I am sorry about the church situation. It is so hard to find a good one. Go where you will be fed and nourished spiritually! Even if it is not presbyterian! I learned that here!! Want me to ask Greg where to go?? Hugs!
Hopefully you can find a PCA that is great! I will be praying for you guys! Go where teh sermons are the best! We visited a few churches here, and the baptist group is pretty cool. There aren't any presbyterians, other than us, in our city.
Happy Birthday Holly!
I hope and pray the church search is coming to an end. I didn't mean to be pushy... well, yes I did. :)
Blessings
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!! I hope you have a terrific one!! :)
Our anniversary is in two days. Can't believe it - 9 years. Wow! I was hoping to go out but with this sickness probably not... oh, well, a cosy night in is nice too! ;)
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