Worry brought me nothing but the theft of my mind

I'm employed, joyful and sad at the same time. I knew six of those that were hit in today's layoff.

Days like today make me feel the need to keep searching for that magical identity that isn't based on performance or job title. We all have many titles and most are more important than the titles we get paid to carry. Financial security is often thought of something that responsible people possess. To me it was like a badge of honor. When I lost my financial security during my second year at HC I saw my world coming to a screeching halt. It didn't stop at all. I had more life improving changes than ever, I graduated from a 2 year college and I was married to a compassionate like minded cutie, just to name the bigest moments. All in the same year! I'm not trying to give permission to be irresponsible. Rather that bad things happen to even the most prepared people on the planet. Check your Bible on that one.

When I think of losing my job, I lean toward remembering the despair, not the joy that grew out of the freshly tilled soil. Thought patterns have to change so that the promise of spring makes winter endurable.

At first I thought the title of this post was a "Dan Original", but now I'm 100% sure I remember a quote just like it. I just wonder, who am I quoting?

Cords of Life

Rumors have been floating around at work recently about layoffs and the possibility of an extended shutdown. At today's "safety meeting" the rumors were "neither confirmed nor denied", however it was stated that on May 4 we will be returning to a 40hr work week. It was felt, if not implied that the full time status was for those who will remain employed after April 30. Yea, its that obvious. So tomorrow is the big day and with it the cords of my future will be bound or loosened. Upon further reflection I suppose everyday is that way. Guess I shouldn't sweat the stuff that has not happened yet.

Still, I'm praying to remain employed, this is the best assembly job I've experienced. I also think of coworkers at this time, especially those that are already financially stressed, and pray for the peace of Christ in their lives as well.

If unemployed I'll probably become a full time gardener here at "Schroeder Acres". The lettuce, radishes, cauliflower, tomatoes, corn, potatoes, onions, strawberries, snow peas, sugar peas, cantaloupe, watermelon, parsley, basil, and sunflowers are doing quite well in this rather wet Kansas season. The trees we planted last year need some TLC, especially those that the deer decided to make a winter snack of. Mowing is a never ending chore this spring. We need to post pictures soon.

We participated in the Relief Sale 5K, I (Dan) finished in under 34 minutes, not a great time but I beat the over 70 age group to the finish line. Lynda walked in two 5K events on back to back Saturdays, winning an "hour long massage" in the drawing at the Emma Creek Classic. Exercise is increasingly becoming part of our lifestyle.

Lynda's starting graduate school classes this summer, and we're planning a vacation. Our vacation will take us as far as our money can get us, provided it can take us to the states of Oregon and Washington.

I am Dan and I approved this message. (not affiliated with the Dan For President Campaign group)

It seems like it has been a long time since we have written. We have finished our foster care classes and are working on becoming licenced. This means installing baby gates, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, making a rope ladder for upstairs and fixing our upstairs baluster. Dan has done a great job of getting door latches and outlet covers attached. I recently bought a Diaper Genie from Craigslist and we are excited to put it to good use. When I was in Lancaster over spring break, I went to my favorite Goodwill store and got some really cute non-gender blue jean items and baby crib sheets. We hope to find toys at yard sales this summer.

We have started our garden with rows of potatoes, onions and lettuce interspersed with radishes. Dan said that there are still more radish seeds to plant, I will have to find some recipes for the gazillion radishes that sprout. Our little trees from last summer are doing well, with the exception of the ones in the backyard that the deer snack on regularly. The lilacs are growing and hopefully will bloom one day. We have a row of daffodils in the front lawn that someone planted long ago. They were blooming when the big snow hit a few weeks ago and are still blooming, amazing! We have one tulip by the peach tree that is blooming and the forsythia bush was almost all yellow when the snow hit, now it looks kindof pathetic!

We are loving the warm weather and Dan likes to hitch up the old mower and water the plants and trees. I think the only reason he enjoys doing that is so he can ride the mower. He said next week we are going to start mowing. I think he only says this because I am usually the one who does most of it.