Hurry Up and Wait!

I am bidding a WWTP (WasteWater Treatment Plant) in northwest AR that is a fairly large project. The published estimate is somewhere around 30 million. It take a lot of time and effort to put a bid of this size together.

After projects are released for bid, the project can be modified by the engineer through addendum's that he may or may not issue before bid time.

This particular job was to bid on Oct 2nd at 2pm. A few days before the bid date, we received an addendum that pushed the bid date back to Oct 16th, two weeks later. This was somewhat of a relief but not really in that even though you may feel like your not quite ready, you've got the train running full speed ahead and its tough to stop a train.

We shut things down on this job to work on others jobs and then started things back up a week or so later.

Again just a few days before the bid on the 16th we received an addendum that pushed the bid date back a month to Nov 13th. Once again we stopped the train to focus on other projects and work that needed to be done. around the first of November we started back up on the project and started calling everyone of the subs and suppliers again to get new numbers from them.

You guessed it. A few days before the Nov bid date, the project was postponed again for about 30 days. The new bid date was set for Dec 10th.

So at the beginning of this week we started gearing back up for the bid on Dec 10th. The train is running at a pretty good clip and then - screeeeeeeeeech. Hit the brakes!!!! The project has been delayed again until an undetermined date sometime after the first of the year.

This train is taking a lot of abuse. I'm wondering if we need to stop it again if it won't just crash!!!

4th & long on your own 20 yard line

Sometimes things happen in life that make you just want to quit and sit down for a while. Take a time-out and try to re-group or re-prioritize. When your opponent deals you a heavy blow and your head is spinning, you are likely to keep making mistakes that allow the momentum of the game to stay with your opponent.

I've been delt a heavy blow and I needed some time. A month ago today, my mother was taken from our family in an automobile accident. It was sudden and very unexpected. I don't know what to say other than that I will miss her greatly.

I really haven't had the opportunity to take a time-out. I need one. Maybe over the holidays, I will be able to work thru some of the pain and emotions that I feel.

I'm always so busy. There is always something else that needs to be done.

Time-Out!

Wounds!

My wife called me today and told me that she had purchased plane tickets for Michael to come home on Thanksgiving and to fly to Chicago for Christmas. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I really miss my son. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing the not so little guy again.

We are studying "Wild At Heart" by John Eldridge on Wednesday Nights. Last week we talked about the "wound" we received from our fathers. A harsh word at a vulnerable time. A lost temper. A time when you expected a "good job" or an "I love you" that never came.

And then I thought of how I have wounded my own children in the same way. Especially Michael. Once the words are said, they cannot be taken back. Once the temper is lost, we can't rewind and do things differently.

I pray that Michael will forgive me for the mistakes I have made as a father and that our heavenly father will repair and heal those wounds that I have caused.

God, don't let my imperfections stand in the way of Michael becoming the man of God you want him to be!

Michael

I'm concerned about Michael. I think he is at a crossroads now. The way he responds to his present situation will, I believe, determine the path his life will take. Pray that God will show him His direction and that Michael will be willing to follow that direction. I appreciate all who are praying for him. Thank You!

Old Friend

I thought about an old friend last night. Just kind of hit me out of the blue. I was wondering where he was at and what he is up to. I know he has a family with a lovely wife but I couldn't remember the names of his kids, or how many he has. I wonder if he has caught up with me and maybe passed me in that department.

He was what I would call my best friend in the world growing up in Paola, KS. He came out to our farm a lot and we built forts and played in the barn and stuff. I remember that he dared me to do a lot of things and I always seemed to be willing to do the stupidest, craziest things. I remember playing a lot of whiffle ball in his back yard or the back yard of the neighbors that lived close.

I took voice and piano lessons from his mom after school for several years. I wish I would have continued with those but I talked my mom into letting me quit. We were in a few school groups together and we traveled in the Lions Band for three summers. He used to be a pretty good on his alto sax. I think he used to have a Mark IV. I really can't remember.

We grew up and got married. He was the best man at my wedding almost 25 years ago. I named my first born son after him. I wonder if he really knows that? And then we just got busy with life and really never kept in touch. I've seen him a few times over the years, but not really very often. It's been a lot of years since I have seen or even talked to him. I usually think of him on his birthday the last part of January. He's just a few months older than I am.

I know that he became a Pastor in the church denomination that we both grew up in. He married a girl he met in college and I married my high school sweetheart. I remember wondering if he would ever get out of college. His mom told me that he went to Florida for awhile and then moved back to Missouri to take a church of his own.

Our mothers used to be close friends when they were younger and I heard from my mom that his dad was not doing so well the last few years. I remember that his dad was the one who taught me how to keep a steady tempo through a song.

So I'm wondering if God has placed him on my heart for some personal need that he may have or if I'm just remembering?

Time to vote again!

Who is the badest girl in the bible? Tell me why you voted for "that" girl!

And the voting is complete!!!

And the voting is complete. It was a tight race with Peter leading around turn number four. But in a certain burst of speed and last leg momentum, Pastor Pat nosed out Peter by just one vote. What a photo finish!

Be sure to vote!!

Be sure to vote in my new highly sophisticated survey of the greatest preacher of all time. Don't be scared. Go ahead. Vote!

Blessed!

It's been a while since I posted a few comments. Sorry for the delay. Things get a little busy.. ok, alot busy and I find myself out of hours and stuff still left to do.

I am a blessed to have a good job, even though it is very demanding. I am blessed to have such a wonderful wife who is not. I have the best kids in the world. I know I am a little subjective about that but I wouldn't trade any of them. They are great.

God is so good to me. The troubles I face are nothing compared to what Christ has done for me. And the best part is, He helps me with my troubles too. Awesome! Stinkin' Awesome!! (Quoting Pastor Todd)

Michael

I sent Michael a care package today. I included mostley snacks like whoppers and beef jerky and small bags of chips from Michael Nair. I also wrote him a letter giving him an update on each member of the family. I miss him alot right now. Maybe its because I know the pain and loneliness he must be feeling because I've felt it before too. If only there was a way to take his place...

High Priest or AWOL

I was listening to James Dobson this morning as I do almost every morning at 5:30 and he had a speaker on that was dealing with Dad's being Dad's. He had a lot of good things to say about our responsibility as fathers. The first half aired today and the second half will air tomorrow.

We are more than willing to step up and be the "king" or "priest" or "pastor" or "boss" at work or church outside the home. But we tend to put less energy into leading our family's. We almost ignore them at times and put the behind work and ministry and volunteering to help others. My toes are sore this morning!

The speaker said that God has called us to demonstrate or "prove" our leadership in the home first - before we "prove" our leadership at church or work or out in the community.

The family is a model of the church with a leader (dad the priest), a board of directors (mom the counselor and in my case the prophetess) and the followers (I have a few more than some). Have we been successful leaders in our home? Have we stepped up with at least the same desire and energy at home as we do at church and work? I can't feel my toes anymore!

The speaker referenced Deut 6 and basically all 43 kings of the old testament. Almost all of the kings, with a few exceptions, were semi-successful at work, but failed at home.

Thank God for godly women who step up and fill our empty shoes - but we can't afford to shirk or slyt our God given responsibilities at home. There is way more at stake than we probably realize!

Dad's Day Out!

Well, my wife and my youngest daughter went out today for some mother / daughter time. That left me and my oldest son at home alone, so...It's not what your thinking!

David and I spent the day out...side. Yeah, thats right. We (I) mowed what part of the lawn needed it. We trimmed the bushes, pulled one out that I didn't like anymore. We sprayed for bag worms (they seem to like my evergreens). We burned the brush pile. We set the sprinkler out and watered the new grass in my backyard. I've worked pretty hard to get it to grow and I don't want it to burn up in the heat. We fixed the sprinkler and the leaky garden hose. (had to do that before we watered). We cleaned off the the front porch. We spayed for wasps and other critters around the back porch...and then we played catch with a softball for about 4 minutes and I was done.

I was soaking wet, tired, hot, so I went in and took a shower and got cleaned up. And then I remembered - I was supposed to go let the horse out in the pasture. So, David and I jumped in the truck and went and let the horse out.

Not a bad day out with my son - just really hot and tiring. But hard work is good, right!

Overtime!

My middle son just called me and told me he was going to be late tonight getting off work. He is helping the masons lay brick on the houses he is helping to build this summer. The masons need to be done today and so he called me and told me they were going to stay untill the brick was done.

He sounded so excited and full of energy, like he just discovered the mother load. He'll get payed time and a half for a few more hours today.

I remember working six tens in Dallas and I don't remember being so excited about the overtime I work. I just remember being really tired.

Jump!!!

Remember falling backwards on purpose hoping your friends would catch you. I hope they did! Anyway, you probably didn't do it unless you knew who was supposed to catch you.

Last night in church, Martha Tennyson said that you only trust the people you know, and to know them, you have to spend time with them. That's why we have so much trouble trusting God, sometimes. We may pray a lot but we never listen to get to know the other person (God).

I had my own little object lesson in trusting God last night. I went forward to play the keyboard for the alter time and Sis. Tennyson ask me to play a song I had never played. I knew the old hymn, but I had to trust God to give me the music. He was faithful to do it.

Like falling backwards in my friends arms, it was difficult the first time, but it will get easier as He gains my trust in Him.

How do you eat an elephant...

Sometimes, when I step back and look at the big picture, I am completely overwhelmed. Especially when I go back to work after a vacation or a holiday. Things just seem to pile up on me. It's nice to have the time off, but the battle that waits for me when I get back is daunting at times. I have so many commitments and responsibilities in different areas of my life. I have to be the strong one. The one everyone else can lean on. The rock that doesn't move! The anchor that is secure. Enough of those euphemisms... The point is, I struggle keeping my head above water sometimes. Anybody else like that?

I take encouragement in knowing that you can't eat an elephant in one sitting. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! I make it my goal to keep taking little bites out of each of the many things I do and are responsible for. Eventually, they are completed...most of the time. Sometimes I fail and let people down. That's a real bummer for me because I hate to let people down. But most of the time, things get done and I look back and am amazed that the elephant is gone...

It's My Money and I Want It Now!!!

You've probably heard the commercial with this post title. "It's My Money and I Want It Now!!!" Well, it probably is your money and you can probably have as long as you haven't previously agreed to some restrictions concerning that money in that investment.

But I don't want to talk about money. It's the attitude of entitlement that rubs me the wrong way. People think that society owes them everything, or at least most everything. The government didn't GIVE me enough or I know I should make more than that other guy I work with because I do twice the work.

Jesus told a story where a owner of a field hired several people to work in his field, but he hired them at different times during the day. Some worked all day. Some worked half a day and some worked only a short time. Each one agreed on his wage when he went to work...and was happy.

At the end of the day, the owner payed every worker the same amount of money regardless of how long they worked. Can you believe that. That's just not right. The guy that worked all day in the heat should get a lot more than the guy who worked maybe an hour. Right!...or maybe not right.

I'm dealing with this very attitude with people that says: I am entitled to this or that because...
I'm so tired of selfishness and "its all about me".

Lets give up for others - Lets sacrifice so that others may have. - Lets do without so that others can have.

This stuff is wearing me out!!!

Soccer Referees

My youngest daughter passed her test to be certified as a grade 9 soccer referee. She will be the fifth soccer referee in the family. We have a recreational soccer league in the area that we have been involved in for many years. Since '96 I think. I'm in charge of the referees again this year, so I'm always grateful to have a larger pool of refs to pull from.

Most of my kids, including my youngest, have played since they were little so they are very familiar with how to play the game. Ref'ing the game is a different story. The only time a ref gets any attention is when he makes a questionable call. (I've made my share)

Refs, like anybody else, need practice to get better and more confident in what they see and how they call the game. I think ref'ing for the younger ones helps to develop self confidence and leadership skills - or maybe I just need more ref's to fill the schedule. Either way, I'm happy!

Grease Monkeys

I never thought I would say that I was looking forward to working on a truck but...I am! My son recently bought an old '82 Chevy pickup that needs some work. We worked on it together last Saturday changing the oil and replacing the speedometer cable. I really enjoyed working with my son and showing him what I know and fixing things together. This Saturday, we plan on fixing the door window cranks on both doors and maybe a broken passenger side mirror. Maybe change the spark plugs. I used to work on my vehicles all the time, but its been a long time since I bloodied a knuckle under the hood. Sounds crazy, but I'm looking forward to it!

Missing My Dad

On March 27, 1992 at 2:07pm my Dad died from tramatic injuries suffered from a farm accident. That has been a little over 16 years ago. I was 28 at the time. I still feel the pain of that day standing by his bedside and watching him die while I held his left hand. My Mom, my middle brother and I had made the descision to take him off of life support and let him go. There few things harder in this life than making that descision. I still miss him so much. He was a calm, gentle, wise man who had little to say with words, but volumes to say with character and example. Happy Fathers Day, Dad!

Rain, Rain, Go Away. Come Again Some Other...

My son and I were getting ready to leave for work a little before 6am this morning and sure enough, the rain started to fall. It was a deluge that soaks you in about 5 seconds. I don't know for sure how much rain we have recieved recently, but several roads were fooded on our way to work. Can you even imagine what Noah and his kids must have been thinking?

My New Baby Has Arrived

I'm so excited to finally get a Taylor Guitar. I've wanted one for years but the circumstances have never been quite right. They are pretty expensive as guitars go. Well, the other day the opportunity presented itself to buy a 314CE and I got it. I really enjoy playing the guitar, especially this one. Unfortunatley, my son is much better at playing than I am. I sure he'll get the opportunity to play it often.

God Is Good!

God is good, no matter how we feel! I'm sure glad that God goodness is not dependent on our feelings. I've said many times that God is worthy to be praised for his goodness no matter how we feel!

Warp Speed!

The days are just flying by. I must be way to busy - with good things. I've talked about busyness a lot over the years, but an involved father of a big family is just busy. There is also work and church and friends and volunteer stuff and - well I guess I dive into everything I do 110%. Sometimes I think of things I'd like to do for people to help them, but I just don't have any more time.

Enter time management. We have to prioritize what we want to do most or think is most important and put those things at the top of the list. There is simply not enough time to do all the things I want to do. I guess that is a good thing.

Road Trip

My wife and I are getting ready to go see my youngest son at teen challenge in Minnesota. I can't hardly wait to see him. Its been two months since I've seen him.

To save a little cash (couldn't really take off work anyway) I decided to only get a hotel for two nights. We are leaving at 1:00am Sat. morning and drive straight through. I know I won't have any trouble staying awake on the way there. Now on the way home may be a different story.

We get to see him for 2 hours on Sat. from 12 - 2pm. Then on Sunday, we'll see him in whatever church they are singing at. And then on Monday, we get to spend the whole day with him from 10am to 6pm. Can't hardly wait!

I really hope its not as hard to leave him this time as it was last time. It nearly ripped my heart out last time. But I know its for the best.

We'll leave Monday evening to drive home. My wife has to be home in time for school on Tuesday at 1:00pm. I'll head home and sleep...sleep...sleep!

Pray for us that our time with Mike will encourage him and make him more successful in the program!

S..T..R..E..T..C..H ! !

God stretched me a little more last night. We had a Sunday night service that was planned to be worship only. A night of worship (N.O.W.) I have never led an entire service of worship. I lead worship every Sunday morning and evening all the time, but worship time is usually about 20 - 30 minutes. I had a lot of questions about whether the band, the congregation, and my voice would last for an hour and a half. But, you know, it did, they did, we did!!
God showed up like he always does and I believe lives were changed - and I was stretched a little more and I think we, as a congregation, moved a baby step closer to where the Lord wants us to be.

Wild Ride of Life

Ever Feel like you're on a runaway train going downhill and you’re the conductor. Your responsible for all the people and cargo on the train. You can't stop the train for whatever reason (brakes don't really work) and you are desperately trying to do everything it takes to keep the train on the tracks.

You look ahead and there's another curve you were not expecting. Your stomach knots up and you thing "Oh Lord God, how will I keep this thing on the track around this curve. You feel the urge to jump, but you know that if you do, you will surly die and so will all the people you are responsible for, plus the loss of all the cargo. You frantically work the levers and the buttons to try and control the train and - whew! - you barely make it around another impossible curve and you don't know how.

You keep waiting and hoping that the track will flatten out so that the train will slow down, but all you see ahead is steep grades and blind curves.

Meanwhile, on the train, there are some of the people in coach fighting over the window seat and others in the dining car can't stand the calamari. Most of the people think the train is moving too fast, but not all of them. Some like a wild ride. Some want to jump off. Others sleep. Not very many of them seem to be happy and you do everything you can think of to calm and appease and reassure the people that we're going to make it just fine.

And then...another curve - sharper this time! Woooooh! Barley made it!!

It's well beyond what you could ever control on your own. You could just give up and ride it out, hoping and praying to God that the tracks will flatten out and the train will stop so everyone, including yourself, could just get off and walk away.

You ask yourself, why did I ever get on this train? Did I know where it was headed when I got on? Did I know what the ride was going to be like? Would I have chose to board if I knew what the ride was like - the fast pace - the grumbling and complaining - the curves?

Is this your life? Maybe your marriage or your family? It could be your church or your work place. It is most likely all of this combined in some way to varying degrees.

How do YOU keep the train on the tracks headed to…?

Kicking & Screaming

It's been a few days since I've posted so I thought I would write a few things.
Not everything in my life is going the way I would prefer it to. So many things happen that are out of my control and I have a choice how I will respond. "I" want to kick and scream sometimes. I get frustrated, I get tired, I get worn out by "life". Here's the problem - I'm trying to do things all on my own again. Once again, I've left God out of the equation. I need to accept that (like Kieth Green said in one of my favorite songs) once I've done my best, I need to let God take care of the rest.

Look Behind the Mask

I had a conversation today with my boss about another employee who had made some interesting comments to me. My boss gave me some great insight by telling me to look past the comments that were made and see the root of the comments. The reason or the perspective that this employee has compared to what I see.

We all see things a little differently (just ask three witnesses of a car accident what happened) and I think we need to be a little more understanding of others when their comments ruffle our feathers. Look past the outer shell and try to understand why the said what they said or did what they did. I am not proposing that we excuse rude or bad behavior, but sometimes we crucify others who lash out and what they really need is for someone to see their hurt and help them through a tough time. It would serve us well to put our instant wall of self defense aside and display compassion and understanding to those around us that we often disagree with.

Saturday - In the Park - I wish it was the fourth of...

Actually Saturday was spent in the Rarick park - my yard - on the 3rd of May.
It was a good day. Elaine planted flowers and I mowed the lawn. Duke (my German Shepherd)ran loose all day. He loved it. Kevin helped mom and I felt like we got a lot done today. I always like the feeling of getting things done. It makes me feel like I'm getting somewhere, even though I may not be. We ended the day by going out to eat and eating way too much, but it was good. It's always good to spend time with family - working, playing, eating, or just sitting around. We need each other. It was a good day!

I'm Back In Town!

It's good to be home. I missed my family and ooh I missed my bed!!!!! The trip was a whirlwind of appointments and travel. No time to see any sights, except while driving through downtown NYC, China Town, the Bronx, seeing all the crowds of people, no grass, not very many trees, dirty, crowded, cars honking, not somewhere I would want to live. I went to look at a concrete forming system that we am thinking of using on one of our new projects. It was an impressive system, very pricey. We went to a couple of job sites and to the distributors warehouse. I did have some good seafood at a recomended place in NJ somewhere. I really don't know where we went, but it was good food. I had some fish I can't remeber the name of that lives off the coast of Italy. It was an expensive dinner - like everything else in NY. The people I met with were nice (they are trying to sell me a product) and I really enjoyed my time with them, but like I said, I good to be home!

The Name?

Well, long ago in a land far away (before I was married), I dated a girl who's father invited me to go on a float trip with him and his buddy's. This was before cell phones and CD players, but every truck in our convoy had a CB radio in it. Of course, everyone knows that if you have a CB radio, you have to have a "handle" and since I was wearing overalls and had no "handle", the guy I was riding with gave me a handle - "Plowboy" I must have looked pretty pathetic to be called Plowboy. I guess it fit a little bit, anyway it stuck and I was called Plowboy the rest of the trip and beyond by some.

That's the short story!

1st Post

This is my first post on my first blog. Hope this site will be interesting and informative. I pray that I may be able to help someone along the way. Maybe even help you to avoid mistakes I have made along this journey of life.