Moving

I am renting an apartment from some Christians which is a blessing. I am not sure what day I will be moving because of apartment availability. I sold my motor-cycle so I have first months rent and security deposit. The Lord has provided for me in so many ways and I am very excited to be starting this new job. I will also be able to fly for this company once I get all my training finished. See some of you later this week.

moving to virginia

Last Wednesday I was hired by a company in Virginia as a aircraft mechanic. I will be moving on the 26th of November. I am in the process of getting an apartment, which is not easy. I am also still trying to sell my motorcycle. I am pretty happy with the situation as a whole. That's whats new. I will update as more happens.

I have a interview on November 5th in Bridgewater Virginian with Dynamic Aviation. Pray for Gods leading. The job is very appealing and would be good experience. I also have a missionary in Brazil who wants me to visit. Seems they need a pilot to fly a float plane on the Amazon. Do I like that......ABSOLUTELY. Pray about a trip to the jungle for me; I would really like to go see the work in Brazil.

Click the link to the right....."Mike"

When it rains it pours. I had no job prospects or so it seemed now I have two interviews one in Maryland and one in Virginian. I am leaning towards the Virginia job right now. I am trying to sell my motor-cycle so I can buy tools and pay for a plan ticket. If you know anyone who wants a good bike at discount get a hold of me some how.

going to first shift starting Thursday morning and I am thankful.

Zac arrowed a buck but we never found it. it rained and washed away most of the blood trail, we found the arrow but no deer. Cougar or coyotes might have got him too.

Mike I do read your posts don't despair.

These are a few radom photos and some from my trip around the big lake. Got to go enjoy!

nothing really new

I will post some pictures as soon as I can. I had a phone interview with a company in Virginia today and it went very well. Don't know anything for sure yet. I have been given full time at my present job. thank the Lord.

firstshift

I start first shift in a week. I will get 30 hours a week and hope to get a part time job in the evenings and get back into the gym. I flew around Lake Michigan last weekend; it took about 12 hours. Good friends, good fun and good pictures. write more later. If you call yourself a fundamentalist you must believe in the elective Grace of God and the inerrancy of Scripture.

So a fellow I know from school gives me a Yamaha 600. yes that is correct gave it to me. I want to ride it but I should sell it. Not sure yet what I am going to do. I am still looking for a job and have a few leads but nothing definite. I am basically broke right now because you can't run a full time life on a part time job. So please pray a full time job will be forthcoming. I am going to give plasma tomorrow and that should give me some cash for gas. like how that rhymes! have to go do some stuff. I try to post more often. Ha ha.

two weeks of work

God provided a two week job in Muskegon disassembling a Citation 5, its a small business jet. The company I am working for is selling all the parts. We are going to have nothing left but a shell when we are done. Why am I not at work then you ask. Well I'll tell you, says I. My car has been making a bad noise for a while and it has gotten worse over the last couple days so I tore down the right rear wheel thinking it was the wheel bearing but I received some sound advice from a mechanic, who is attending SMAT this year, he was an auto mechanic for ten years before coming to SMAT, that I should check the other side of my car for wheel problems. AND.... I just needed a new tire. So I will change my brakes and get a new tire and hopefully that will solve the problem. And be able to be back to work tonight at my night job.

See most of you this Saturday.

....and at the end of winter there was great rejoicing!! Yea!!

I am officially an airframe and powerplant mechanic. Praise the Lord!! I am done with school as of noon a couple of hours ago. I am pretty excited. Its been a long year but the Lord has taught me so much about myself and a whole lot of other areas of life as well. As an individual you are capable of much if you just set your mind to getting a goal or task done. You never will know what you are capable of completing until you try and with God directing the impossible happens and you are the stronger and wiser and more faithful. I can say that God has given me the desire of my heart. I have been living a dream for that last two years and all the glory goes to God who has directed and caused it to happen. If I am not blogging much in the future it's because I don't have Internet at the house. I will try to update as I can.

Long days and short nights

I just completed my powerplant oral and practical! The Lord worked out all the financial details and I was able to pay off my bill; I owe the bank now but I at lest I have my licenses. I can not begin to describe the relief I have since those test are done. It is a great burden lifted and never to return! I am so thankful for the hand off the Lord and his timing. Gods was are the best ways; though different and perfect for everyone. I have seven days of school left and not much responsibility left in my studies. I just need a job; which I know God will give in time. Thanks to every one who as prayed for me and who has encouraged me. You might not have even known you did but little things mean more when you are tired and discouraged. I will see some of you this weekend and others later on in the week and some of you at Christmas. Hope you all have a great weekend and rejoice in the goodness of God.......GREAT BIG SIGH OF CONTENTMENT.

The end is near

Yes I am almost done with school and I am starting to realize that in this industry you are never out of school. The amount of information concerning airplanes is so vast you are constantly learning something new because peoples lives are in your hands when you are flying or working on airplanes. Very intimidating and sobering. Well enough of the grim and serious. I have two jobs that I have sent resumes to: one in Ohio and the other in Wisconsin. Both are sheet metal modifications and would be very useful on the mission field. The Wisconsin job is more attractive because it is in Oshkosh (home of the worlds biggest airshow every year) and is sixty miles from Watertown. Dave and Steph go to school in Watertown. Plus the shop does DC-3's conversions. The old radials to turbines; the shop does all of the wing reconstruction for the conversion. Basically, a whole new wing. A DC-3 is a old plane that was used in the military for dropping cargo and para-troopers and in civilian life as a airliner. It is a great old plane with a ton of history. The other job is rebuilding Caravans; a plane that many mission agency's use but I don't know much more than that. I have heard of these jobs from individuals who are involved with the running of the school; so I have good references to get my foot in the door.



I my be going to the fair tomorrow to see my cousins 4-H projects and I will be hunting ground hogs all weekend. Its good practice for deer hunting: small targets at long distances. I may try the cannon this weekend, haven't decided yet.

Best bush plane ever!!!

ground hog hunting/ambushing/sniping

Testing Successful

I passed my airframe and general test yesterday after about nine hours of testing. I am an airframe mechanic. My folks arrived safely in Detroit last night around nine. They will be returning home some time today(Thursday). Thanks for praying for them and for me. I have a line on a job in Ohio so if y'all could pray about that as well I would be grateful. Oh and if anyone talks to grandma tell her that I shot a ground hog last Sunday. Thats a grand total of eight or nine killed on the farm this year and there are more. If your wondering I am not useing the cannon to kill a ground hog, that would be more like vaporizing a ground hog.

test tomorrow

I have my general and airframe test tomorrow starting at eight in the morning and should be about seven to eight hours before I finish. Four test in all, two oral and two practical, and I think I am ready. I will be studying a bit more this afternoon and evening. I would appreciate your prayers for me tomorrow. I will blog about the results later this week.

almost is never enough but it sure is encouraging

I passed my last written for my airframe licence today and I will take my oral and practicals on Monday the 23rd. After those test, of which there are four, I will be a licensed airframe mechanic. I am looking forward to having Monday behind me. Got to go to work and make the big bucks. I just found out that the company my company contracts to made 6 billion dollars last year. might be net might be gross but at that amount it is definitely disgusting.

We had a tour of the Alticor hanger today and it was most impressive. A grand total of twelve aircraft in three hangers: One four seater- $400,000, two helicopters- 35 million, twelve inter-continental jets,(Beijing China to Grand Rapids in fourteen hours kindof jets) some of the jets cost 12 million and the others 30 million. The others fall some were in between but who cares. There was also a Ferrari in one of the hangers. I can't imagine what 30 million is much less think about buying an airplane of that price.

The Family made it safely to Lithuania

Prison break in thrity d's

I have one month until I have a degree of freedom or shall we say a change in schedule. I know what I wont be doing but the trouble is I do not know what I will be doing. Guess I will wait and see what happens. I am speechifying at graduation but it will be a charge to those in a attendance to be faithful in the ministry. None of this going to miss you guys and I will never forget you all; those things are true but overused. (well there are a few I wont miss) I have a pretty good idea what I will be saying but nothing on paper yet.



I used to think, a long time ago, that election was important but wonder how it interacted with the every day ministry philosophy. I have come to believe the lack of election theology in our churches, the multiple versions in circulation, the introduction and use of rock bands, the over all "we need to win souls and get more people into church attitude," is the cause of not understanding the sovereignty of God and the Christians proper role as a saint. It is Gods responsibility to save souls we are merely the messengers. The modern church wants to see results of ministry; so they assume that when the biblical way is not working something must change. The result we see is the secularizing of the church. More of a business plan than a spiritual endeavor. No one will come right out and say this is what they are doing; they spiritualize it because if you are not having new people join or "souls being converted" you are not doing your job.
The churches job is to be faithful to God by following his word, period; no matter what the "success of the church" may look like it to those who have the twisted idea of how the church should run. This twisted idea is man thinking he is responsible for the growth of the church and if the church is "failing" he must improve his method of evangelism. Notice the modern methods practiced today revolve around men reaching other men not God reaching men through men.
The version issue: The new versions will reach more people.
Rocks bands: The church service will be more popular. i.e. more people will come.
The feel good gospel: Sell them salvation and just get them saved; never mind the warfare and
being separate from the world.

Someone put my name in to some Christian foundation and they sent me a one thousand dollar check; which I promptly put on my school bill. "The goodness of God leadeth me to repentance." Praise God for His provision and faithfulness!

Prayer Requests

I have been presented with a job opportunity in Louisiana. Basically, if I want the job then I have it. I do not know if this will work or not. I also need to have my school bill paid off to get my licenses. I am seeking the Lords will and want to do the right thing. Please pray for me to be discerning and wise in my thinking and decsion. Housing has been generously offered and the there is flight training available. Lots to consider and bring to the Lord in prayer.

48 days to graduation:)

I was very discouraged last night. I was at a loss of what to do about my school bill and tools. I still do not know how its all going to work but before I went to bed last night I read Psalm 27.

1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

I have seen the goodness of the Lord and am waiting to see it again. This passage teaches us that God is always with His children. No matter what arises God is in control. Now let me tell you, when you do not know what to do and know you can do nothing, you depend on the Lord. ( well most of the time Because you are reminded, by Psalm 27, that's its all you can do.

I ordered a tool box today because it was a very good deal(on sale and a hundred dollar gift card) and am trusting God to provide for it and all the rest of my needs. God knows what is going to happen between now and graduation and I do too. I am going to go to school and do my best to serve God in all that I do. God knows that and all the rest of the happenings I have no clue about. That's a whole lot harder to to do than type. When I am tired and sick of the constant re-runs of the daily grind, the temptation to give up on everything is knocking on the door. I cant' count how many time I have wanted to quit and do something else. Yea quit the dream I have had since I was twelve or thirteen.

The Christian life is not a walk in the park; its a bloody battle field were severe wounds and monumental victories happen throughout the campaign. The wounds because we are foolish and have forgotten what we were purged from and the victories by the grace of God alone.

I have to finish cleaning the house tomorrow and hopefully I will enlist the help of my cousins next door:) I am planning on having it all squared away by Sunday night; I hope and so does everyone else coming to stay.

I am very tired and want to go to bed but work comes first. If I had worked the job I have now full time I would have school almost paid off. Hindsight is 20/20. No reason to dwell on it.

Well I am all blog out. have a great weekend. yours for cheaper gas and smaller government

So I come to the realization that I am the last line of defense when it comes to cleaning the house. I am the only one who lives there. So whats the big deal? In two weeks a virtual army of family will descend on my place of residents. Normally my Grandma comes early (its her house) and cleans it up to girl standards. Though this year it is up to me and being that I am a janitor, excuse me a SUPER JANITOR, I am up to the task. I have the living room finished and the kitchen is about done. Well on my way to meeting the standard of the Lady's. HAHAHA! I am sure something will be wrong. Why? because I am a guy...period. I will have the house ready. No worries girls no worries. The basement needs to be brushed up as well but that wont take long.

God Provides

Well I found fifty dollars in my car on Wednesday night and the next day a found a envelope with two-hundred and seventy dollars in my folder on my desk. That's enough to cover all the test for my airframe license. God provides but not always when we think He will.

I am going home now I don't feel to great. I am free Saturday if anybody wants to do something.

I am back. What rough week it was but it over and this week is going very well. I am not so tired and have a better attitude than I have had in a while. "Joe? have a bad attitude you say." A yeah, but not now because I have sixty days till I graduate and am done with school, well maintenance school. People not associated with aviation have no concept of the amount of training it takes to get ready for the mission field. I will probably have close to three thousand hours of training by the time I qualify for the minimum standards for most mission boards. That's a rough number but you get the idea.

I have been applying for aircraft maintenance jobs and have heard nothing back but my bosses husband is the head of security for the company my company contracts with and the company we contract with has a good size company business jet program. So she is going to see if I can get a job there through the references that she and her husband and various other people there would provide me. Pretty cool if it would happen. Wouldn't have to move and it would be good pay with benefits.

I flew to Muskegon last week to drop off a friend who had to pick up his airplane. When I took off the wind was straight down the runway and I barely pulled back and the plane just jumped off the ground. So I kept the plane straight and level and just let the wind push it straight up. The controller told me to turn left to 180 and contact departure. So I hauled back on the controls and turned hard and boy oh boy did she climb and turn fast . It was great! Such fun it is to fly in the sky!! Yea, I know you all think I am nuts.

I am doing a price check for tools and it is very scary. As a student I get fifty percent off all tools I buy from snap-on; while I remain in school. They are very expensive even with the discount; but they are world wide and have a life time warranty(they have stores world wide).

I applied for a job in Mannassas Virgina today. Will see what happens.

I am going up north to an open house for my cousin tomorrow. See a lot of people I havent see in a long time.

Don't have much else to write so I will sign off. Have a great weekend everybody!

Bruised but thankful

What a weekend! Four days of fun and rest. It seems I get less sleep on the weekend than I do during the week. Thanks cousins. Friday I slept in and watched the old standby Star-Trek, read a book and then took a nap. It was great. I woke up from the nap and a few minutes later my Mike S. called and wanted me to come up and spend the night at his house because he was bored. Got there around six and a couple of my siblings arrived later. Its always good to see family. Our family is like no other family I know. The cousins are closer to each other than alot of siblings are to one another. The bruises my body bares are more than I have had in many days. Considering my usual actives, i.e. sitting in a classroom or standing in lab, its a lot more than normal.

I withstood the force of two men and a very strong teenager. They were trying to throw me into the pool, I did not want to get wet, so I fought them until we all wore out. I felt like throwing up after we were done because of all the exertion.

Pastor preached very well on Sunday, no surprise. What I got out of it? We all have goals in mind and most of those goals are in the future. Get a college degree, become a pilot, have a family, you fill in what your own goals and aspirations are. Basically we want to do Gods will for our lives. We think that our purpose is found in those goals, that God created us to accomplish the things we are striving for. Consider this. What if I never live to see those goals come to their final end. What if I never finish my pilot training. It is conceivable that I could die in a airplane crash, car accident, or be killed in any other sort of way or the Lord could come back to take us home. So if my focus is on the big picture and I am not worried about my every day life how will I live? What I am driving at is, I can be and tend to be unconcerned with my spiritual walk every day. The temptation is, " I'll put aside these habits or start those habits when I get into the ministry. Well what if I never get into the "ministry"? I should all ready be in the ministry! God gives me one day at a time and I am never sure if I get tomorrow. So I must live each day with eternity in mind not five years from now not ten, but live with the thought I may see Heaven today! So my life will not be wasted on something that may not even happen. Prepare for what God will have you to do but do not focus your energy on the future but focus on the present and serve God with your life today.

Thursday is Friday

No school tomorrow and no work. Four whole days of nothing to do but dream all day and when the sun goes down its time to play. Getting together with a family will consist of theology, baseball, streetfighter, magic, possible a card game or two, food and more food, not necessarily nutritious food, lava man, airsoft, trampoline, and possible a water fight. The fun we have is always enjoyable.
I just broke 80 hours total time. Not a milestone but a stepping stone. have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Yours for cheaper gas and smaller government.

Flying the height of the country

I had a great last weekend and this is what happend.

We left on Saturday morning at three thirty in the morning for Rayville, Louisiana. We stopped in Indiana twice, Missouri once and Arkansas once. When we landaed in Missouri we discovered we had a broken magneto. There are two mags for every engine; so if one dies you can keep flying. Good thing because I was at the controls when it broke. I heared the engine get little rougher and we adjusted the mixture(fuel to air ratio) and it helped a little. We were at ten thousand five so we thought it might be the atmosphere. So we were delayed by about an hour and a half. We were able to get so good tips and advice from the mechanic that helped us out. From there we flew about two and half hours to Arkansas were Thad got out and took a test flight in a Baron(a turbo charged twin engine). He was looking at buying it for his dads business. He wont though because the guy flys it like he stole it and various other reasons. Nev and I meet up with Thad in Rayville Louisiana, were we inspected the Baron and tried to implement the skills we have been learning. We looked like we knew what we were doing but did we? Well yes and no. Thads Dad then took us all to San Miguel's, Probably spelled wrong, were I had the best fijaitas ever. I get a smile and hungry just thinking about it. HMMMMM!! What do you do when you have been flying for nine hours and have just eaten a large Mexican meal. Go flying for another hour but not just flying, fun flying. For security purposes I can not divludge the exact details of our flight but it was a blast. Then it was nap time for a short half hour and back t0 the air for the return trip. I flew the first leg to the Cape(Missouri). We tried top get a hotel but every place was booked solid, tournaments and weddings or so the said, so we went back to the airport and tried to sleep in a wrecked airplane that has very nice reclining seats but it was locked. The fuel truck on the other hand was not, so Thad and I slept in the truck while Nev slept in the airplane. About and hour and half later we left landed and and fueled up on gas and coffee in Indiana then stopped in Goshen for a bathroom brake. Then continued on to Lowell and arrived there at about seven thirty in the morning. A total of eighteen point one hours in the airplane. A whole lot of fun and a lot less sleep. That was my weekend and it was fun.

PAY DAY

I am convinced that most paydays are on Thursday because it helps encourage people at the end of the week. you have pay day and then you have Friday. it does for me;

i probably wont get much sleep because were watching the pistons beat the bulls tonight.

there is a grilling out party going on at the apartments this Saturday and i am thinking about going unless the cousins call and want to do something. better call cousins or i may call y'all on Friday.

i started face book and have found all kinds of people i know. the Internet is a very good way to network. no pun intended. i really need to go flying. flying is the only drug that the government wont put you in jail for getting high on. i don't mean altitude high either. it is a real rush. though the difference between the flying drug and others is some people get sick, scared, or it is just boring. i feel so sorry for those people. there is a freedom in flying and it acts a great stress reliever. i am very relaxed but focused while i fly.

we have two four day weeks in a row coming up and a four day weekend in the middle. no work or school those days and that will be indescribably wonderful. it has been a long time since i have had school and work off on the same day.

i was writing above about flying and i will be next Monday and maybe more during the week. I will be safety pilot for a fellow who is working on his instrument rating. very cool. I will get to log hours and that is what I need; presently have about 73 hours total time. a mere pittance to what is required for the commercial ticket. all in good time. well i gots to go eat some food and then go to work. yea for the first boo for the second.

so much info, so little brain

Well I am back from a long week to start another long week. Same song but about the two-hundredth and something verse. I have eighty-nine days to graduation. The end is in sight and the bill is overdue. Well I think it is overdue but the Lords timing is best. I slept well this weekend and it really helps start the week off right.

Played some basketball today and I still have a little talent; have to revive all those old moves and school some boys. LOL. I wish I could play more often, I really miss the fun of the game.

Preached yesterday and it was not the best I have every done. I tried to tackle a pretty deep topic and I think I kinda bounced off.

Sat in the classroom for most of the day and tried to learn about magnetos, thermal efficiency and fuel injection systems. I know the theory pretty well but the troubleshooting is a more difficult aspect to grasp.

Have to get ready for the Super Janitor job. I am a SUPER HERO by night. Makes for a very busy schedule.

Fry day

My brain is fried and I feel like doing nothing. I am so glad I do not have to go to school tomorrow. I have had a problem lately with motivation; it is very bad because I must learn as much as I can. There is so much to know in this industry and I have so little space left in my brain. You would think with all the technology today we would be able to format part of the brain and start over saving worth will stuff. You know the one sided conversations where you just listened; basically a waste of time. Usefully space that needs to be cleaned. Or stupid movies that you really wished you had not watched (I think I would start formatting the Napoleon Dynamite memory area first). Or that time your parents left you at church to teach you a lesson about coming when they call (Still have nightmares about that). Girlfriend brake- ups, get rid of those. The list is endless. This is a resource just waiting to be tapped; free money. People would flock to have portions of their memory erased. The CIA would want it. We could empty the prisons; and make them all soldiers, they could all be reformed. Naturally we would have to work over the political scene. Talk about word domination; all in the name of increased learning ability. This will work people.

well enough of my pinky and the brain ranting.

The trifecta has the engine torn down, ahead of everyone else. Trifecta is my group, Mikey Ryan and I. Best team there is in school. NO ARGUMENTS PLEASE.

Have to go to work and be the super janitor that I am. Its a tough job that someone has to do.

be back Monday

Ryan and I flew over to GRF and practiced the light gun test at lunch today. No it was not the plane above. I will have no trouble passing. I have to pass it in order to be able to meet one requirement for my commercial license; not that I am even close to getting my commercial ticket but hey its a step in the forward direction. I really wish I could build hours while I am in school but such is life and patience is a virtue.

I have no idea what I am going to do after school is out. I would like a to get a job working on planes but if the school bill is not paid then I have no license and no license means less money and longer time to pay off debt for school and longer to wait to fly. Oh, the puzzles of life!! I guess I'll cross that bridge, wherever God builds it, when I come to it. Again patience is a virtue.

One hundred and two days to graduation!!

We got a tour of a DC-3 on Friday and it was very cool. The DC-3 was the work horse of WWII. The one we toured was a civilian model but very much the same as the military. When we arrived I lead the guys I was with in the wrong hanger but it turned out OK because we found the planes pictured above and stared for a while and wished for a even longer that we could have them. The one pictured above is a Cessna 185 on floats; I could very well be flying this type of plane on the field.

Took my mom flying for her b-day and she enjoyed the flight. Levi and Cecily went and had a blast. Very smooth flying; just a few bumps hear and there. I greased the landing; which is a good thing because non-pilots never ask passengers how the pilot flew; they ask how he landed.

We had an uneventful trip back besides the fact that Johnny had the worst gas ever. Small plane + bad gas = vents and windows open as fast as possible. He was given a new nick name "The Mad Bomber".

Pastor did a great job on Sunday. More people need to hear the truths which God gives him!

I was able to put $900 on my school account today. Praise the Lord for His provision. Please pray for God to provide more so I can take my test soon.

My brother and his wife are coming down for the weekend (4th and 5th). Call or leave comment if you all want to do something. We have a church work day on Sat 5th.

The family I stay with during the week dealt out retribution to me last week. I was "involved" with a prank in which they were the receiving party. My soap was cut into very small cubes and my bed was short sheeted. So after making my bed; I crawled under the covers to discover a sand like substance (turned out to be salt) all over my sheets. So I shook them out but that did little to help. The sheets ended up on the floor in front of the locked door. I was taking no chances with an open door and me being sound asleep.

I have twenty hours of make up to do and about three months to complete it. I am doing about an hour a day. Shouldn't be to bad.

One good reason to skip class

As I write there is a guest speaker in the classroom and he is a seventh- day Adventist missionary. Hence the reason I am blogging. He was getting his "bible" out just before I left the class room. I will not listen to the teachings of a so called law keeper. It is such a inconsistent belief system. No one can keep the law. It's like trying to go the speed limit your whole life. You will be distracted at some point and will go over the speed limit; breaking the law. It will not matter to the officer that you were distracted and the fact that you have never exceeded the speed limit previously is irrelevant. This is an impossible scenario because all men are born with a sin nature and would go to Hell strictly because they are Adams decedents. Satan has blinded the eyes of the world and they can not see the light. The have a warped sense of righteousness and do not know they are still on the path of destruction. I know most everyone who reads this will be in agreement with me but it really bothers me that this fellow is even given a chance to present his "ministry". The irony of the situation is most every one in that class is a Christian and planning to be a missionary and we are going to preach against what he believes and he is a guest speaker for us. He is going to be speaking for about a hour. I am disquieted with in my soul over this.

I started a new section at work last night and it's more work than I have been doing lately. I started this job with the biggest section in the building, then they halved it because it was to much and I had the easiest section. So now I am in between. It is in the warehouse and it is very warm. Though it does get cooler as the night goes on.

I am suppose to go up north for my moms b-day this Saturday; if not will do something with the cousins.

Had a good conversation with Thad, a southern redneck classmate. We talked about the ministry and some other interesting bible related topics.

I seem to be wearing down a lot more lately. I'm just tired all the time it seems. Some one said "The world is run by tired people" that being the case, I am still waiting my turn:) I still need to take my writtens test and orals and practicals but have to be up to date on my bill to test. Please pray that I can take them soon; I am filling my head with all kinds of new stuff and I have to be able to remember the old when the time comes.

going to go take a nap and hopefully feel a little more energetic.

Free Chinese Buffet for lunch! One of the board members took all twenty three students, interns and instructors to lunch. Twenty nine of us in all. It was mmm good. Then we watched a training video and were done with school. Big lunch+training video+one small class room=very drowsy, some sleeping and very content students. After class I went out to the picnic table and laid in the sun; watching airplanes take off and land. The Life of Riley; which brings about an anomaly. Riley was a radio personality back in the day; who was a buffoon, basically he was the Raymond of today but worse; if that is possible. So somewhere along the way of witty sayings it was twisted round. BANG Killed the rabbit. Basically it was a good day up to now. I have to go to work. Have a great weekend! Go to a good Church on Sunday.

education follies and some funnies

If you can't stay awake in class, can't pay attention,(even when you do try) and generally don't really care if the world were to stop spinning because you are so ready to be done, over, finished and in all respects ready to just plain quit; what does that mean? Yes, I know you are sitting in the edge of your seat waiting with bated breathe! If you have not encountered this along the path of life, one day you will be standing a top a hill looking into a beautiful adventure before you and somewhere in that journey you will get discouraged and depressed and exhausted and burdened. Then you will do what I am doing? Still haven't told you have I? It is very easy but very hard: Just keep going. Remember the picture you had at the beginning; it will have changed some but do not let circumstances dictate your attitude and actions. Finish your long run, jog, walk, crawl for you will do them all. Yes it rhymes, so witty of me. (writing this is self therapy)

It takes a college degree to fly a plane, but only a high school diploma to fix one. Reassurance for those of us who fly routinely in our jobs. After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and the pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers. By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never ever had an accident. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.

S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.

S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.

S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.

S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.

S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.

S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.

S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.

S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.

S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.

S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing

S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.

S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.

S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.

S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last..................

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with
a hammer.

S: Took hammer away from midget.

SUNNY ANS SEVENTY FINALLY!!!!

Took my final test and past. Just a couple hours of make up time and airframe is done with!! On to powerplant and engine overhauls.

It was a good weekend. My cousins and I discussed some family issues, played some magic and watched a movie. Emily made some awesome pasta. HMMMM Good. Slept like a log and woke up very groggy. Pastor did a great job on Sunday; if we could just live all he preaches. By the grace of God we are able.

I kept track of the questions asked by one of the guys in class today and lets say he was not as bad as he has been, but definitely asks more questions than, Oh wait let me amend that, useless questions than any one else in the whole history of man kind!! I am not exaggerating at all well maybe a little but not very much. I.E. his record is twenty six questions, doesn't sound like a lot but consider a thirty minute time frame and than you wonder what he is thinking. I know what I was thinking"put a sock in it already." Today he asked a total of thirty-two in all classes. Far to many. Whats really sad is he highly intelligent but does not seem to be able to connect the progression of the topic and will ask a question that the teacher just answered. OK I'm done ranting and raving but he really is a pain.

Have to talk to the Duane about money and school and see if we can work something out. Gods kept me hear for eight months and I pray he will provide so I can finish and get my license at graduation. It's in the Lords hands and he is able.

Ryan and I are teaming up to work in engine class. He is pretty good with engines and I should be able to learn a lot with him.

I get to play super janitor tonight and get paid for it. Oh the misfortune some have of not being able to experience the exhilaration of cleaning cubicles. I get excited just thinking about it. GET ME OUT OF HEAR!!!!

I have a test in about ten minutes over about three months of material. You really can't study for a test of this size. Unless you don't' have a job, responsibilities or a life in general. It involves math formulas which I have memorized for the moment. You know how it goes; recite them backwards forwards and in your sleep but will you remember them for the test. The law of probability says, "you will remember enough of the material to be confident that you did well and then will be shocked back to reality when you barely pass the test." As I write I can hear then last minute cramming in the hall, terms and discussion of them. Most of the guys here are focused on the mission field, though there are a few of them that I have a feeling the mission field would be better off without. Harsh, I know, but only those who are going to do a true work for God should go. Makes me wonder what drives some of these fellows to make this type of commitment.

Talked to my cousin last night, have to call him back tonight and finish the conversation. There are a lot of people who do not understand my family. From my grandma to the great grandchildren we get together two times a year, Christmas and Fourth of July. Every one trys to make it, accept for Uncle Phil. The last few years he has not shown up. He has had a few good reasons but not always. He had better show up this year!!! Hear that Uncle; we are going to give you a hard time at the wedding. You had better be there, not that we will do anything to you but harass you one way or another:-)

Going to go study. I'll finish this later.

Well I finished the test and it was not that bad, till I the results come in and I have come face to face with the reality of my own incompetence. Just kidding it was really very easy. Some generous folks brought lunch to the school today. Not sure what it is but it smells delicious. Granted a bachelor, who never cooks, is writing this.

I have one night of work left and then the weekend. Mike, Mike and I are going to do something on Sat. (Yes they are different Mike's) We were going to lift weights but I sprained my wrist awhile back and it seems to be getting worse. I could be tough and try but that would be counter productive and painful. Have a great weekend and be in a Bible believing church on Sunday.

I figured out how to cut and paste me into a cockpit. HA HA!!! This is really me flying safety pilot for Bill the fellow who sits behind me in the THIRD ROW. Yea that's for the THIRD ROW!! I'll upload more later. Do right and be faithful.

It's been a pretty depressing day in western Michigan, if you stepped outside you would think the month was February and the state Alaska. This to shall pass and at least I am not working outside! We are just under the four month mile marker for graduation and will be finished with airframe next Monday. Oh yes the utter joy and exhilaration. Power plant is the final subject and I am looking forward to getting dirty in an engine and accessories. Not so much getting dirty but the opportunity to learn more. In all I have learned this year one thing stands out; though I have learned much I have learned only a small portion of what I need to know. If you do not continue to learn in the realm of aviation, be it pilot or mechanic, you run the risk of making a mistake that will put you an others in danger. Scary thought but that's why we stay on the ball and why they show accident videos and pictures in one of the first classes they teach here. Put a little fear in you and you will be careful. So if your reading this and don't like to fly do it any way because if it's your time to die it doesn't matter where you. Flying is safe, crashing is dangerous! I have no planes to crash ever:)
I have three test coming up but my bill needs to be paid before I can take them. Please pray for Gods provision. Have a great day and be faithful to the Lord.

Well here we are in the month of April and there is snow on the ground and it is colder than it should be this time of year. I am starting this blog to keep friends, family and any one else who happens to read this informed about my life, school and anything else I happen to write, be it fact or fiction. More fact than fiction to be sure. I will be posting pictures as often as I can and as most of you know I take a lot of pictures. I'll write at y'all later.