This book had a bad cover...

Hello everyone,

This is Micah, writing to you from work at the wellness center. It's spring break and I'm sitting at a desk watching security cameras and handing people racketball gear. Yep, its riveting! Anyway, I had a good idea for a blog mainly because this idea happened to me Saturday morning. It IS a little long but you'll enjoy it if you read it through!

Before I start the story I'll give you a saying, "Dont judge a book by its cover." I'm not quite sure where this saying is from but it caught me in the face this past Saturday.

Well, here it goes. I was at the Post Office Saturday morning getting MY PASSPORT! whoo, anyway. The office opened at 9 but I got there early simply because I didnt want to be waiting in line forever (I did anyway!). So, I'm standing in the lobby alone when a rather large, out of shape man walks in. He has on a matching NIKE sweat suit and an ear piece for his phone. I was instantly annoyed because he shouted out to me "Is this place not open til 9?". I shook my head NO, not really caring. He walked out only to come back in talking on phone (remember he has an earpiece in so he doesnt have the phone to his face or anything.) He was taking VERY loud, waving his hands around acting like he was someone special. Also take note that we are the ONLY people in there. Well his annoying hand gestures and loudness only got worse. He hung up with the first person only to call someone else. Since we were the only people in the building I heard his conversation perfectly. He said, "Hey Mark, I was working out about an hour ago and I left my lifting gloves there. I'm not sure where, maybe over by the cardiovascular machines? Its not there?? Hmm, well I might have left it in the mens dressing room." Ok, heres where I went over the edge. THIS guy has been working out? In my mind I was thinking, "there is no way this out of shape, annoying guy just worked out. If he did why would he need lifting gloves?? It looks likes he taken several DECADES off from lifting." Another thing, who calls them cardiovascular machines? Can you not just say treadmill? AND, who calls it the mens dressing room? I thought it was the LOCKER room?

Anyway, I was annoyed to say the least. He began pacing the room and I noticed another annoyance. His shoe squeeked everytime he stepped. So, I heard the swish of his sweat suit and the squeek of his shoe for at least 20 minutes. I was ready to explode. I was trying to find something to say and then it hit me. I realized he had an Illinois basketball shirt on. The day before (Friday) Illinois Mens basketball team lost to Western Kentucky, an upset. So, I said something in an anoyed, haughty voice, "Did you see Illionois lose to Western Kentucky?". He replied, "OOh, this is just a present from a friend. I'm actually an Ohio State fan." Well my jab at him was not that good.

I was still annoyed by him and thought about saying how bad Ohio State football is and how they're just not good. Before I could say any negative comments about the state of Ohio he asked me where I was from. I replied, "Camdenton, Lake of the Ozarks." I responded quickly so he couldnt ask me questions and asked him where he was from. His response made me hurt inside. "Well I'm originally from Dayton, Ohio. However, I came down here to Evangel to attend college. After college I lived in Chicago where I was a pastor. However, I wasnt there too long." I asked him why Chicago wasnt a permanent place. He said, "Well I felt the Lord call me to be a missionary. I've lived in Pakistan for the last 17 years as a missionary. I raised my two boys there and we're now moving back to the states." I then asked why they were moving from Pakistan. "My boys are in college now and we wanted to be closer to them. I've been able to take a position at a ministry here in Springfield so I'm looking forward to feeling American again!"

My heart sank knowing the pre-judgements I made on this guy. He was so nice and just opened up his life story to me. I had already assumed this guy thought he was the only person in the world. In my mind and thoughts I had already counted him out as "the annoying, sweatsuit wearing, weightlifting, stuck up jerk." However, I was the stuck up jerk that day.

The Post Office opened and I got my passport. Before I could leave I heard my name yelled out. I thought who is calling my name? I remembered I had told this guy my name. He walked up and said, "Micah I hope you have a great day. It was nice to meet you. Remember, God loves you and always will." I kind of stepped back because I then processed that thought. God loves me and always will. It doenst matter if I'm out of shape or have squeeky shoes, he loves me. In the end, God is our Judge and I shouldnt be making judgements about others. I was mean and hateful to this person without him ever knowing. I felt guilty and knew I had been a jerk. I guess the lesson I learned is not to judge people from their outward appearance. How many times have we been told, "Dont judge a book by its cover." Well, I judged and look what happened. My advice for you: "Dont judge a book by its cover."

Have a great day,


Micah

Late Night Thoughts

I was trying to wait until Micah posted before I wrote again, but I just can't wait. I have had some things on my mind and am enjoying this new blog to be able to write about them, rather than just letting them sit in my head...that's no fun.

I work at a bank where we are required to refer customers to our products. We have a goal that is suppose to be met monthly, which I strive to make, but usually fall short. Sometimes I feel like I don't have the right words; I don't know why but I get nervous bringing things like that up with customers, afraid they'll turn me down. But a lot of times it's just my lack of knowledge of the products. All I really know is that we have checking and savings accounts. If you have either one, it's obvious because you show up in our computers. If not, I should probably refer you. Buuut, I'm usually lazy and say I'll do it next time. There are always other customers, right? Today at work I observed something interesting. A co-worker of mine (let's call her Jan) has worked with the bank for many years was helping a customer right at closing time. Everyone else was all packed up and ready to head home, but Jan stayed and helped out this customer. I was actually the one working the transaction, but she was talking with the customer. She could have easily just cashed the check and the customer would be walking out of the door in 60 seconds, but before I knew it, Jan had a sold referral. I know this sounds silly, but I was amazed. That never happens to me. When the customer gave confirmation that she wanted to open an account, Jan turned around and gave me a subtle wink. I was trying not to laugh in front of the customer. She made it look so easy. She was not afraid of what the customer would say or worried about the inconvenience it would be to her to stay 10 minutes later. I'm not good at telling stories, but I'm sitting here at home tonight thinking about that situation. It just made me think of the times I pass up sharing to others about Jesus because I'm afraid of what they'll say. Or afraid if they do come up with counter-arguement, what will I say to keep going? At work, their solution to enhancing product knowledge is to read up on the manuals and brochures in your spare time. My spare time is of course spent looking for rental houses online or playing calendar rubber band darts (yes, me and some co-workers invented it, and it's amazing...though, I am horrible.) Same thing with my spiritual walk. I need to be studying up and preparing myself for battle. Though, night after night, I find something else to be doing. (ie. facebook, looking for rental houses online, etc.) Jesus just brought that to my mind tonight and thought I would share a bit of struggle I'm going through right now. I know it's no excuse, but I feel a little busier than normal now, with school, work, and wedding planning all happening at once, that prioritizing it all can be tricky.

"11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spritual foces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground..." Ephesians 6:11-13

Our first blog!

Well, here it goes! Micah had a splendid idea that we should start a blog together to write about our experiences as a couple. We hope to use this to tell about our wedding planning adventures and in the future to share about our married life together as well. I told Micah he should be in charge of the wedding updates, but for some reason he didn't feel comfortable doing that...hmm...wonder why?? ;) Both of us are new to the blogging scene, but we hope to write as often as we can. School, work, wedding planning, and finding time to hang out together is what keeps us very busy right now!

I guess we could start by sharing that we started our pre-marital counseling last night! We are doing it with a professor and practicing psychologist (are those the correct terms?) at SBU. By the way, I forgot to mention this is Jill speaking. I'm sure you've caught on by now! Anyway, long story short...I was very impressed with the session and Micah and I have already gotten a lot out of it. We went on a walk with Maya (our HUGE puppy) last night afterwards and were able to talk over some things and prepare for this homework we have to get done before next week! I'm really looking forward to the next five sessions and learning more about marriage, Micah, and strengthening our future together.

I could also throw in that wedding planning is going well...I just bought the ring bearer pillow and flower girl basket online last night; they should be here in a few weeks! We're still waiting on the bridesmaids' dresses to get here so we can get the girls fitted and the boys' tux situation figured out. I am meeting with the florist Wednesday and getting that order finalized. It's a great feeling just checking things off the list! Showers and parties are getting planned and scheduled on the calendar so that is exciting. Micah and I are still trying to find a place to live and once we get that figured out we will finalize our registries and make two BIG checkmarks off that list. We have the cake, photography, and reception music figured out, but do not know what we'll be eating that night quite yet. Micah and I still need to go to Fremont for a tasting! BY THE WAY, anyone reading this...constantly remind Micah about getting his PASSPORT! He hasn't yet and needs to get it ASAP!

Well, I think that is enough for one day. I'll let Micah pick up everything I forgot to mention :)

Have a wonderful day!