8-29-05 Job Update

I just wanted to thank everyone for the incredible amount of encouragement and prayer support during my job search. It's really been nice to know that people care AND are giving me great job leads...

The most promising situation is with a software company called International Decision Systems (http://www.idsgrp.com/) where I am interviewing for a management role. The company is a large tenant in the IDS building in downtown Minneapolis. I have interviewed 3 times over the last 2 weeks with their management team. Currently, I am one of 3 finalists and my last interview was today. I should know something by the end of the week.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!

Victor

As a side note, Maggie is recovering nicely from Lyme's disease. She will only be on antibiotics for another couple of weeks and then she should be fine!

Job Update

Friends:

Many of you know of the challenges that I have experienced in my work life over the last few months and I appreciate your support and prayers during that time. As of 8/16, I left my job at Life Time Fitness to pursue other opportunities.

This was not an easy decision but one that I contemplated with much thought and many prayers. The company has been very generous and I am now looking for employment opportunities (preferably in the Twin Cities area before Winter hits). I am also open to employment in other parts of the US.

For me the next step is networking, interviewing, and repeating the process. It's a numbers game. Any contacts that you may have (ie. recruiters, business owners, hiring managers, friends in HR) would be greatly appreciated!

I would ask for your continued support, prayers, and contact information as the next step for us is revealed.

Thanks,

Victor & Maggie

Maggie Has Lyme's Disease

I received an emergency call from the vet while in Kansas City to let me know that my black lab - Maggie - had tested positive for Lyme's Disease.

In case you're not up to date on your plagues and diseases, Lyme's Disease is transmitted primarily by the Deer Tick. I think that Maggie probably got infected on one of our recent camping trips. Amazingly, in Kansas City (where we relocated from) the vaccination is not required due to the rarity of transmission. Of course, "we're not in Kansas anymore..."

The symptoms of LD are joint stiffness, lethargy, and a high fever. Maggie has all of the symptoms. In some cases, the disease can be fatal. Fortunately, she has a great vet (Dr. Kroll at Flying Cloud Animal Hospital) and we caught the disease early enough that a full recovery is anticipated. In the meantime, she is definitely doing her part to support the pharmaceutical industry. Did I say how thankful I am that Maggie has pet insurance?

As of this morning, she is doing much better and I'm sure that we will be getting back to irritating the snot out of each other soon. That's my gauge for her being fully recovered. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

They Do!

I recently made the pilgrimage down to Kansas City to be an Usher in my friend Ken's wedding.


If any of you have "served" in this capacity, you understand the role. You're happy for the couple (Ken & Jane) and you don't complain about how much the cheap, plastic shoes hurt that you have to wear for 12 hours straight! Fortunately, there was more "happy" than "hurt" with this wedding.

Ken and I met when I first moved to KC. We attended the same church (Colonial Presbyterian) and both worked at Sprint. Finally, we were in the same Bible studies, team taught classes, and were both Discussion Group Leaders in Bible Study Fellowship. It's impossible to talk about my spiritual journey without Ken being in there somewhere...

Ken and Jane had a nice ceremony and I wish them the best in their marriage. With half of all Christian marriages failing, it really convicted me to pray for my friend's marriage. I can't imagine how two humans could make each other more miserable than to be in a bad marriage. I sincerely don't want that for them...

On a lighter note, for any of you needing detailed instructions on how to perform usher duties at a wedding, please read these "Usher's Instructions". Our wedding coordinator left nothing to chance so they are VERY thorough.

One other piece of friendly advice: if you have to do a roundtrip from Minneapolis to Kansas City in 72 hours and your choice is flying or driving, it's worth the plane ticket!

I Think I'm Addicted...

From what I understand, the first step in recovery is to admit that you have a problem -- so here goes.

Hi, my name is Victor and I think that I'm addicted to going camping on the North Shore in the summer.

Now is the part where you say, "Hi Victor"...

Seriously, my camping buddies (Adam, Johnathan, Tim, Jason, Naomi, and Matt) have spoiled me. We've had 3 killer "car camping" trips this summer and I've started thinking that I could get used to this. The disclaimers are:

1. I'm going camping with people who know what they are doing, are very patient with me, and get along with each other.
2. We have the right equipment (including 98% Deet insect repellent).
3. The weather has cooperated.
4. This is "car camping" so ipods and gourmet coffee are allowed, per Matt Henry.
5. There has been the right mix of alcohol, Texas Hold 'Em, and cigars.
6. Maggie has been our protector a.k.a "City Dog With An Attitude".
7. We've chosen to have fun no matter what!

These are some photos from our August Trip to Lamb's Resort, near Tofte on the North Shore.

This trip was a little "dicey" because yours truly brought everything but the Coleman stove and our propane lantern (I told you that I was an amateur in training...). This omission forced Jason, Maggie, and I to retire to the tent early until Tim arrived the next morning with the supplies.

The trip was salvaged by GREAT weather, the hiking, the trip to Grand Marais, and the chance to get away from everything except the bugs... Now that's camping!

Going to the Water...

Solomon's Porch recently had water baptisms for 3 of our new members (David, Ken, and Chris) at Minnehaha Falls.

One of the guys at the park saw us and wanted to be baptized also. His name was also David.

The following link will take you to my photo album of the event. Congrats to all!

Mom's Visit to MN

After a brief hiatus, I'm back to the world of blogging...

My Mom (Patricia) ventured up from my hometown in FL to the Northwest to visit a few weeks ago (7/21 - 7/25) and it was a great time! We did the MOA (Mall of America thing), the Walker Art Center, the Guthrie Theatre (His Girl Friday), the Farmers' Market, a stone massage for her at Life Time Fitness, various meals at Uptown restaurants, and finally church at Solomon's Porch.

If that sounds a little exhausting, you're right - it was. But, with parental visits occurring once a decade, you have to make the most of it... Also, we were in the weather sweet spot of 6 weeks where FL and MN have similar weather patterns. In other words, she felt right at home. Sweaters were only required in the evenings. As an aside, Maggie is wearing the "lamp shade thing" in the photo because she was licking the hair off one of her paws. The vet explained that it could be anything from anxiety to a mosquito bite. Either way, it was a $50 vet bill for the "lamp shade thing" and dog neosporin. Thanks be to God for pet insurance.

In between great talks with my Mom, introducing her to my friends, and explaining this "MN Nice phenomenon", I realized that I am very blessed to have such caring parents. My stepdad didn't make the trip due to a bad back and the news that his sister (Aunt Jeanette) had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer the week before.

During her visit, I noticed the aging of my Mom and the need to help her realize dreams that she has while her health allows her to travel. With 4 kids, my folks made a lot of sacrifices for me and my sisters to have the things we have. It sure was nice to see her live out a dream this weekend. That was a very small gift back to her.

Oh, and what did she think of my new friends (read: rotating support group, moving crew, and Onstar assistance)? She said, "God has blessed you with so many 'good people'. I won't have to worry about you being so far away anymore." She also thought that my church was great. I think her quote was, "I've never seen so many positive young people. If there were a church like this in our home town, I would definitely attend". As you can see, that's why I love my Mom...