Need To Know Info

Okay, maybe you don't really need to know but here it is. I married my wonderful wife Jenny on August 7, 1999 and we have two beautiful children: Ciera (born Jan 2, 2001) and Bradyn (August 6, 2003). Our family has 2 dogs: Shasta (8 yr old Siberian Husky) and Mike (6 yr old Sheltie mix). I have worked at ORHC since March 1999 as a Paramedic. Jenny teaches 3rd grade at Wildwood Elementary School. I am in my 13th yr of youth ministry here in Ottumwa.
I am an avid fan of my kids and enjoying going to Ciera's softball games. Bradyn is obsessed with basketball and hopes to be an NBA star. I am an avid Disc Golf player and enjoy playing sports with the youth group. I also dabble in web design in my spare time but would love to pursue a career in Computer Networking/Security. I also love to cook, especially grilled foods and chocolate desserts.

Devo from DH

06.14.2011

My place of employment was hit hard again this month with layoffs and cut backs. As usual, there is an overwhelming aura of negativity surrounding almost all conversations at work. The knee jerk reaction by many staff has been to look for jobs elsewhere. Is this really the answer? Is jumping ship when the waters are a little rocky the answer? How did that work for Jonah? We are all going to be faced with hard times in our lives. That is a guarantee. It will come in some form or another. Whether that be with employment, finances, home stressors, relationships, etc. We are going to be tested many times over our lifetime. God uses these times to strengthen our faith. Look at what Jesus endured here on the earth. Nothing we go through even holds a candle to what our Lord suffered by dying on the cross.
The next time we are faced with some hardship and take the knee jerk reaction of wanting to bail out, think about how much stronger it will make us when we endure the test and how much closer to God that will make us.