Jollas Jewels

Hard Hat Zone

2008-09-21T16:29:00.000-07:00

As I revealed in an earlier post, our house was in need of a face lift. Now it is being upgraded to provide more needed space to accommodate the furniture. As always, my plans seem to explode into a lot more than hoped for. I prayed over a face lift, which grew to a small addition, but then after being denied permits for our small increase... the project blossomed into major renovations.

The old abode was wrapped in asbestos, which has finally been removed, and then our contractor agreed to provide more than anticipated without a major increase in cost. So, we are basically doubling the size of the house and adding another floor. The vision and the actual are melding together to give us all we need in living space.

After careful prayer and meditation, Linda and I are being blessed with a new master suite. Another bathroom is definitely something we can use to open our home to visitors and house guests. I am still praying over the completion date, as winter rapidly approaches. I have become a Helper Monkey, doing plumbing, carpentry, and electrical assistance with the guidance of our major contractor. Pictures will be posted as soon as I can transfer them from Linda's computer. Priorities permitting.

The church I have been attending is still awesome. Praise, worship and the Word are foremost, with fellowship and community an integral part of our group. I look forward to Sunday with the eagerness of a five year old going to Disney. I have joined a small group with men from the church and have been rewarded with increased humility and understanding.

Four philosophies I follow are:
1. Respect - others and myself
2. Caring - about my neighbors and God's temple.
3. Understanding - where others are and getting to know them better.
4. Fairness - In all I do, both business and relationships.

These tenets have brought me closer to God, and I have faith that all things are possible when I pray for God's will. Surrender is tough, but I want to immerse myself in Christ. Your prayers for my journey are greatly appreciated.

"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Laid Off

2008-09-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

The boating industry has been down this year in Newport. I was made redundant a couple of weeks ago and have had to accept the reality of earning a living. I loved the work, but at present it is unsustainable. My prayers have been to open my heart to what God wants for me. I wish to serve Him in a more direct way.
All is well though! I have been blessed with an abundance and Glorify His name for the great gifts he has freely given me. I want to become more involved with EFC Newport, perhaps as I pray and meditate on it something will be revealed.
What do I like best about this new group of Friends I have found? Primarily the praise and worship, but also like the way Pastor paul presents the Word. I have never met a preacher that talks to me the way he does. Joyous is the Word.
New friends have provided me with gifts that money cannot buy. Daily worship, prayer, and caring are at the top of my priority list!
I'll committ to updating this Blog more frequently, and desire to help those who have specific needs.

Blood and Water

2008-05-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

Two items needed for life! The Blood of Christ and the fluid running through all of our veins. The latter easily shed, the former sacrificed for us two millennium ago. Both can be taken for granted, until it is taken. My work on boats claims quite a bit as nasty little barbs jab and scrape. The blood of our Saviour can also be taken for granted when we forget how he suffered for our eternal souls. Lest we forget, we can wander into the dark realm of sin.

Climbing Aboard Soundwave

One must work for resources necessary to sustain our hygienic needs. This is where water has provided me ample compensation to have all the basic requirements and then some. Boats float on an ocean of water, yet we cannot drink it! Clean water is necessary for our vessels of flesh to hydrate and cleanse the toxins present in our modern world. So much water...so little fit to drink. In many parts of the world water is more expensive than the petrol we use to travel in our mechanized conveyances. How fortunate I am to only commute less than two miles to work. I am hoping to use my pedal power many times this summer.

I have started attending and joined a new church called the Evangelical Friends Church of Newport. It is one of the first places of worship I have truly felt welcome and home! There is no pretentiousness and all of the congregation I have met have opened their arms to me. I am excited about getting more involved in the good works being done there. Pastor Paul reminds me of Krister!

Check out his blog here:

http://pastorhoffman.wordpress.com/

A dear friend Colleen invited me to attend services about seven weeks ago, and I am hooked on the Word. The praise and worship is something I wasn't familiar with as a child, so I feel like a newborn. I never looked forward to going to Church so much!

The church website is here:

http://www.efcnewport.com/

Each week I learn more about what God wants for me. Sometimes after a physically demanding day at work, I reflect on Sunday's "sermon" and I find relief in the previous weeks gospel. It certainly is not my parent's church of creeds and custom. I found out that God is in me, and all I have to do is talk to him! Most of this is giving thanks for all he has done for me. If he can feed the birds and the critters, he certainly can take care of me. All I have to do is ask! Another thing I must never do is forget that ALL I have is just His property and I am to be a responsible steward of His gifts.

So, if I must bleed, so be it. Band-Aids and Neosporin work fine; but if I want to 'Drink the water of Life', I must believe in what Jesus once said, "I am the way, follow me." It amazes me how ordinary people gave up all they had to follow this wandering Rabbi. One who hung out with the "wrong crowd", and "did his own thing". The words written in red letters in the Book have a big impact on my thoughts and actions. I refuse to follow the one who tempts, coerces, and makes false promises. I'd much rather hang out with Jesus.

Goat Island Lighthouse Taken from the Company work boat "Overtime"

AS I ONCE SAID," I AM THE PROPERTY OF A HIGHER POWER". Now I know who that is! Like the lighthouse guiding a ship into harbor, the Bible lights my way to eternal salvation.

May God's blessing be upon all who may read this.

On a special note: It has been a while since my last post. Please excuse the hiatus. Learning the new career has left me quite exhausted and my hands haven't been able to type too well. I will make a better effort to keep my readers more frequently updated.

Happy Birthday Resa

Brewer Street Boatworks

2008-04-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be two full weeks of working on boats at Brewer Street Boatworks. It is a small boat-yard specializing in winter decomissioning and spring comissioning. Power boats as well as sailing vessels. I have joined as a Marine Electronics Technician. I didn't have any direct experience working with boats, but the boss, Skipper Helm (yes that is his real name), decided to give me a shot. Two weeks in and they let me come back. Hooray! Check out the company web site here:

http://www.bsbw.com/

Some of the systems I get to work on include radar, radio, navigation, and auto-pilots. Sailing by push button, can you believe it? Punch in a course and the boat will steer it unattended. Kinda takes the fun out of sailing if you ask me. It helps pay the salary though. I have been on some very nice sail boats with neat names, Swing, Mutiny, Misty, Wired...

Crawling around in the hold astern can be very challenging. One must be part contortionist to squeeze into some pretty tight spaces. I have recently lost 25 pounds so I can fit where a larger individual might have trouble. I have been using some muscles I haven't used in a while, so I get home pretty sore some days.

Check back in a few days for some photos of me on-the-job.

May those who read this entry be blessed with the Lords gifts.

Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes

2008-04-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

Today the Sun made it's first lasting impression of the year. I actually got to go outside without a coat! Spring means changes in both the weather and my life. The aches and pain in my joints has receded somewhat, and activity is the word of the day.

With the warmer weather comes increased opportunity to ride. I maneuvered through the DMV and now have my bike legal. Rhode Island has absolutely the most demanding of registration in all of the states I have lived; Louisiana, Tennessee, Colorado, Hawaii, North Carolina and Missouri. It also has some of the most beautiful scenery, but many of the worst roads. Yin and Yang are fully employed in the Ocean State.

Speaking of employment, I was granted an interview a couple of weeks ago. The position seems to be desirable, as it is working with marine electronics. I hadn't heard back so I sent a follow-up message and have another interview to discuss terms. I am confident that we can reach a mutually agreeable arrangement concerning compensation this Saturday. If all goes well, I start on Monday the 14th of April. I am looking forward to working on boats, after all Newport is the sailing capital of the World.

My prayers are with all who read this blog. May each of you find happiness and fulfillment in His love. My own needs are being provided for by God. I have let go of control and have handed him the reins. It may turn out to be a wild ride, but with Him as my shepherd this sheep will not go astray.

Blue Day

2008-04-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

Rainy and Cold. The sun will not be making an appearance today and more rain is expected through Saturday.

Today is a day for working on inside projects. Learning how to blog better, cleaning and cooking dinner, calling on Mom and praying.

Our house to the left is in need of a facelift. This summer will include painting and pruning.

Spiritual Growth

2008-04-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Since my last entry, it seems as though I am more in alignment with the inner self. The accupunture didn't "cure" me but it has enlightened me to a new way of thinking. The pain is still with me but I can no longer let it control my life. I have an increased faith in God to guide me through the maze of life. It isn't always easy to transfer control of my actions to Him, because I have always wanted to be in charge.

Today the sun has finally come out to play. I think I will join in! The little kid inside me wants to have some fun so I am going to satisfy that longing. I am going out without any specific plan or destination.

Accupunture

2008-03-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

Tried accupunture for the first time today. Seeking relief from the pain in my back.
Although I wasn't sure of what to expect, I went anyway.
The results are still inconclusive.

Check back later to get updated on this therapy.

Lots of Love to all who may read this.