Hello Everyone,
I hope that everything is treating you well. I wanted to say "thank you" to those of you who have been reading my blog and keeping up with the mission trip to Hong Kong. It was a great trip. Three kids accepted Christ (one being the first in his whole family), my love for the people there grew, and it reminded me that God's Kingdom is a lot more diverse than we give it credit for! I'm hoping that I will be able to go back next year.
A lot of times when I wrote a blog, I will give an update on what's going on with my life. Sometimes I may talk about what events I'm part of, books I'm reading, or just some random thoughts in my head. Rarely do I just vent or really go in depth about how I am feeling. I mainly don't do that because I don't want want to seem depressing or because I don't want to get personal online. This is a blog after all, and if you wanted to get more personal you could talk to me. Yet over the past several months, I have found it a little hard to talk about what's been going on and effectively communicate how I feel. So I am going to use this blog as a way to do that. This blog is not directed toward anyone in particular. Whether you are in a similar situation or totally opposite, this is mainly an outlet that I want to use for me and for others that want to see what's really going on.
Today is the first day of school for Williamson County. As most (if not all) of you know, I graduated this past December and have been applying for teaching jobs - mainly in Middle Tennessee. Since college I have been told since I was a male teaching in the elementary age group, I would have no problems finding a job. I was told that through classes, through student teaching, and by people inside and outside of the profession. Even though I appreciate the encouragement, I kind of wish they would have not told me that! I applied for several jobs, e-mailed some principals...and didn't hear anything. I kept rationalizing it saying that it's too early, they need to take care of this first, they still have some time, they are still reviewing my stuff, etc. Looking back, I know I probably wasn't as pro-active as I should have been and I should have broadened my outlook a little bit. From what I heard from people too, it's also to find a job here in Middle Tennessee regardless of profession. Whatever the reason, I didn't get employment as a teacher. To be honest, I'm a little disappointed. I love to teach. I could have been passed over because of my experience or because they felt that there was someone better for the job. I have some friends that did find employment teaching, and I am happy for them. They knew they wanted to teach since they could walk, and it's a dream for them. For me though, it's a different story.
To quote one of my professors, "It is what it is." Looking on the bright side, I still have employment at a job where I feel that I am contributing. I am still teaching Lifegroups and I am actually starting something new this year and helping to teach a children's Sunday School class. I love to teach and being able to teach about God makes it even greater. One reason I'm happy I didn't take a job elsewhere is because of these opportunities.
Did you know this is my 5th year with my Lifegroup? It's amazing how much they (and I) have grown since I met some of them in 6th grade. Now they are starting their first year of 10th. Then this Sunday I will be in a room full of 1st graders building relationships, learning about a new ministry, and growing myself. How come no one really wants to ask me about this? Whether in church or outside of church, it seems like people define you by what job you have. I know some of them are concerned, and I do appreciate that. But no one really asks me questions that I would like to answer. "What has God been doing in your life lately?" "Tell me about this year with your Lifegroups." "What is your favorite episode of Scrubs?" "What makes a perfect Hamburger?"
Kidding aside, I can say that things haven't turned out like I thought. As pastor Billy told me in Hong Kong, "Man proposes, God disposes." Right now I am keeping my eyes open for any open doors, trying to be content in all circumstances, and focusing on how to be a great leader for my guys and group I'm going to meet this Sunday.
Thank you for listening and for those of you who continue with prayers and support. Have a great rest of the day, and I wish you the best!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Monday, August 02, 2010
Hong Kong 2010 (Flight Home)
Hey Everyone!!!
I am writing this blog from home. I am trying to stay awake right now to get my body re-adjusted to this time zone. It's a struggle. I would like to sleep right now, but I know that it would be more beneficial for me to stay awake and go to bed early. So, I will do that!
Yesterday was our trip home. The trip home is always the longest day of your life. When I went to the airport, it was August 1st in Hong Kong and July 31st in Tennessee. When I got back to Tennessee, it was the night of August 1st and the morning of August 2nd in Hong Kong (doesn't that blow your mind?!?). Basically I pulled an all-nighter of travel. Let me tell you about my adventure with the planes.
First, Lacey and I went to the airport. All of our team was at CBIBC giving the wrap-up of our VBS week with a presentation. We got to the airport (with plenty of time to get checked in and go through security) and we came to a VERY long line. But, it was all right. We should be able to get through the line and security before the gate closed at 9:55am. We finally got to the counter at 9:15. It was cutting it short, but we could still make it. We got up there and the guy said, "There's a problem. You didn't reserve your seats." We both looked at each other like, "What is this guy talking about?" We did not have to reserve seats for this flight, the ticket was already paid for, and we were confirmed to be on there. As a matter of fact, they were supposed to assign us seats when we got to the counter. So the man told us to stand to the side and he would get to us in 10 minutes. Twenty minutes went by, and he didn't even look at us. I went to ask him a question, and he refused to talk to me. It was the same with the others. There was nothing we could do but wait. I looked at my watch and it was 5-10 minutes until our gate closed and we still didn't get through security or immigration. Then it was 9:55. We knew there was no way we could get on the flight. Lacey was talking to her dad about other options and I was thinking of who I could contact. I couldn't contact any of my team members and I didn't have anyone's phone number for the missions office at BBC. I ended up calling two ministers from BBC (who are Godly and forgiving men...sorry if I called you guys late, but I appreciate your help!) Right when Lacey was on the phone with one of them and was texted information about who to contact, a miracle happened. At 10:05am, we were called up to the counter. We thought that they were re-booking us. That was fine, as long as we got home. It turned out they got us seats for this plane. But the plane was going to TAKE OFF in 10 minutes. One of the crew members said, "Follow me." We went through the security and immigration that the crew members go through. We got to our gate and they were waiting for us. We gave them our ticket, ran to our seats, and the plane took off a couple minutes later. We looked at each other and were like, "That was unbelievable."
There's not much to say about the 15 hour flight, so I will go on to our next adventure. These words are like curse words in the aviation industry...Newark Airport. We already had a 3-4 hour layover and when we got there, they delayed it for two more hours! We were there from 2pm-8pm. I met a guy there who had been there since 6:30 in the morning trying to get a flight to Nashville! Can you believe that? He was also getting deployed to Afghanistan this week. He made it with us, but my goodness. Anyway, the fun thing that happened was our gate changed twice. The first change was okay. We were at least in the right terminal. Then as I was talking about it this man came up to me and said, "Are you going to Nashville? They changed the gate to terminal C." I went and double-checked and then an announcement came on. We had to take a shuttle to terminal C and then wait for an hour or more. We finally TOOK OFF at 9:00pm and got home around 10ish? I was tired, I really can't remember.
That was our day of flight. Once again, once of the longest days of my life. I will probably blog again to wrap up everything, but I wanted to share what happened yesterday.
I hope that everyone is doing well. Have a great rest of the day!
Scott
I am writing this blog from home. I am trying to stay awake right now to get my body re-adjusted to this time zone. It's a struggle. I would like to sleep right now, but I know that it would be more beneficial for me to stay awake and go to bed early. So, I will do that!
Yesterday was our trip home. The trip home is always the longest day of your life. When I went to the airport, it was August 1st in Hong Kong and July 31st in Tennessee. When I got back to Tennessee, it was the night of August 1st and the morning of August 2nd in Hong Kong (doesn't that blow your mind?!?). Basically I pulled an all-nighter of travel. Let me tell you about my adventure with the planes.
First, Lacey and I went to the airport. All of our team was at CBIBC giving the wrap-up of our VBS week with a presentation. We got to the airport (with plenty of time to get checked in and go through security) and we came to a VERY long line. But, it was all right. We should be able to get through the line and security before the gate closed at 9:55am. We finally got to the counter at 9:15. It was cutting it short, but we could still make it. We got up there and the guy said, "There's a problem. You didn't reserve your seats." We both looked at each other like, "What is this guy talking about?" We did not have to reserve seats for this flight, the ticket was already paid for, and we were confirmed to be on there. As a matter of fact, they were supposed to assign us seats when we got to the counter. So the man told us to stand to the side and he would get to us in 10 minutes. Twenty minutes went by, and he didn't even look at us. I went to ask him a question, and he refused to talk to me. It was the same with the others. There was nothing we could do but wait. I looked at my watch and it was 5-10 minutes until our gate closed and we still didn't get through security or immigration. Then it was 9:55. We knew there was no way we could get on the flight. Lacey was talking to her dad about other options and I was thinking of who I could contact. I couldn't contact any of my team members and I didn't have anyone's phone number for the missions office at BBC. I ended up calling two ministers from BBC (who are Godly and forgiving men...sorry if I called you guys late, but I appreciate your help!) Right when Lacey was on the phone with one of them and was texted information about who to contact, a miracle happened. At 10:05am, we were called up to the counter. We thought that they were re-booking us. That was fine, as long as we got home. It turned out they got us seats for this plane. But the plane was going to TAKE OFF in 10 minutes. One of the crew members said, "Follow me." We went through the security and immigration that the crew members go through. We got to our gate and they were waiting for us. We gave them our ticket, ran to our seats, and the plane took off a couple minutes later. We looked at each other and were like, "That was unbelievable."
There's not much to say about the 15 hour flight, so I will go on to our next adventure. These words are like curse words in the aviation industry...Newark Airport. We already had a 3-4 hour layover and when we got there, they delayed it for two more hours! We were there from 2pm-8pm. I met a guy there who had been there since 6:30 in the morning trying to get a flight to Nashville! Can you believe that? He was also getting deployed to Afghanistan this week. He made it with us, but my goodness. Anyway, the fun thing that happened was our gate changed twice. The first change was okay. We were at least in the right terminal. Then as I was talking about it this man came up to me and said, "Are you going to Nashville? They changed the gate to terminal C." I went and double-checked and then an announcement came on. We had to take a shuttle to terminal C and then wait for an hour or more. We finally TOOK OFF at 9:00pm and got home around 10ish? I was tired, I really can't remember.
That was our day of flight. Once again, once of the longest days of my life. I will probably blog again to wrap up everything, but I wanted to share what happened yesterday.
I hope that everyone is doing well. Have a great rest of the day!
Scott
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