1. I absolutely love making THINGS TO DO lists. I list everything possible(including things I have already done)and then I love the thrill of crossing each item off one by one. Actually, I normally make three lists...1)Things To Do, 2)Things To be Excited for, and 3)Things to Worry about. I know that worrying is wrong...but don't tell me I'm the only one that worries sometimes!
2. I used to be an obsessive receipt saver. Don't get excited...it wasn't for budget purposes. I saved every WAL-MART receipt from the time I went to the first WAL-MART in Missouri with my aunt Donna to the 10th year that I worked for WAL-MART. I know this seems strange but I loved it!
3. I love to "pretend" I'm on an intercom announcing what I'm about to do. Normally, I'm with myself or my family when I do this childish thing but every time it makes me laugh. I love to say..."Jane Smith you have a call on line 1, Jane Smith Line 1. More often I enjoy saying, "Clint to your car please, Clint to your car." Isn't it strange that when I was younger I wanted to be the operator at the airport--making pages all day! I can't imagine how redundant this would be.
4. I love changing the words to hymns to fit whatever I'm doing... For example...my mom said she had a beautiful roast for Sunday and I would start singing Beautiful Roast so nice(to the tune of Beautiful Robes). I'm sorry if this offends some people but it is definitely a problem for me and I know someone with the name green gourmet might have a problem too. (at least green gourmet taught me a bunch of them...she may not admit now).
5. I love the smell of markers. In fact I have to sniff them in moderation. I also love the smell of fresh print on certain advertisements. I really love the smell of scotch tape and rubber cement.
6. I hit my first roommate at Florida College in the temple after he did some inappropriate things to me. He was the first person I have ever hit. I was so excited I actually was shaking and then I was absolutely terrified of the consequences. Looking back I was a modern day Rocky....
7. One good habit I have is drinking. I love to drink water. I always carry a gallon to work with me. I also drink coffee, tea and soda. You can imagine where I spend some of my day.
8. I sleep with a hood over my head every night. My fan has to be on full blast. I take my top sheet and pull it over my head (I sleep on my side) and then I make a small opening for breathing. If I ever get married I know I will either need to give up the fan or my hoodie.
Great list. 4 is a problem for me too. Sometimes I'll bust into a stanza of "Why keep Michael waiting, waiting at the door" when someone is stopped ahead of me at a green light. Remind me to teach you the words to "Lasagna", formerly "There Is a Habitation".
Some of these sound familar...I hlcan relate to alot of them and I can totally picture you doing the rest of them. I'm sitting at your house right now but you aren't here.
I love the smell of white out. I've never told anyone that. I don't want people to think I get high off of it but I just love it! I love the smell of yearbooks too!
It was a brand new day for Clint(and many,many others)and the silence in the air was reason to stop and remember. (The reader might be asking what did Clint actually remember by stopping to remember....) Clint suddenly realized that he never gave an update on his job situation. You see...Clint started working July 1, 2008. He decided to return to insurance and work as a claims adjuster. The company is Direct General Insurance which is located 3 miles away from his house. The prayers that were made for Clint to find a job were answered. It could be that some are mumbling under their breath right now wondering why Clint didn't update them sooner. Quite possibly one might even think they could have removed his name from their prayer list at an earlier date. Well... Clint appreciates every prayer that has been offered and can't believe how many have been concerned for his well being. He knows that many have remembered him and now it is time to remember them. Wow... Clint just realized he is only on a break and being late wouldn't be so great.
Stress doesn't begin to describe the feelings that come from Clint as he continues to look for a job. It seems that the hunt is a "mission impossible". "Could it be that it is time for Clint to retire?" said the tired conscience from within. "It couldn't be time...at least I don't think so." exclaimed a confused Clint.
It was a beautiful Thursday morning! Clint, encouraged by his earlier conversation with himself, jumped (not really) into his Honda Pilot and drove to Starbucks. He went to the counter ordering his usual, feeling slightly guilty that he had missed the "old codger breakfast" earlier that morning. He did feel really good about using money from his coffee change fund instead of draining the money that was generously given to him... Actually as he counted out the coinage he remembered his dear sister Maria had given him the change. "Oh great...well I'm going to have to be selfish and use it for me" he exclaimed in an excited fashion. Clint couldn't believe how assertive he was becoming. Ms. Walker would be proud.
There was a quiet hush that came rushing into the Starbucks located on Fowler Ave. Clint, looking above his computer, noticed brother Don T. walking briskly toward the counter. "Another addict..." said Clint quietly. The order made at the counter sounded like a rolling thunder that would shake up even the most rebelious soul. You see...brother Don ordered the usual, talked the usual and walked the usual. As Clint went back to his computer, not wanting to bother Don, he felt a chill up his spine. It wasn't his ciatic nerve bothering him, rather, it was Don asking Clint about the job search. He followed the question with, "what can I do for you?" Clint replied back almost too fast for any ears to understand, "It is fine, just fine." It was the quiet assurance in brother Don's voice and the brevity of his stay that reminded Clint everything would be just fine.
The reader might be wondering if Clint is smoking a drug or something because his train of thought is so very strange. Clint is only thinking of the perspective that he has had on the job search. He has been looking for six weeks. The methods have been maddening and as a matter of fact very saddening. Clint has had 'bleary eyes' from scrolling through hundreds of applications on the internet. Passwords, user names, new e-mail accounts, and special code words began to flood his mind as he tried to sleep. "Why isn't my phone ringing" shouted Clint on a regualr basis(not during worship services). You see, Clint was wanting the perfect job to appear in his sight and blind him with a new opportunity. "That's It... I have been praying for the job but I haven't been as motivated as I should be. I have been waiting for others to do it for me. I want to pray that I will be the best example and in that request sell my potential in a personal example. How could I have thought that my future employer would know me through the internet application?" Clint rambled all of this through his mind. "I need to get up from this chair, get a refill on my coffee and hit the road with copies of my resume." mumbled Clint. After nearly breaking his other femur on the floor in Starbucks, Clint rushed out to his Honda Pilot and cruised all over Tampa. He was excited and the rush he was feeling was incredible.
Clint passed hundreds of 'Now Hiring' signs. It might not have been hundreds of jobs that he wanted but he did see hundreds of opportunities. Of course he might be forced to pass up the places that made his fast food. (Just a side note-it is funny how we will eat our food from these places but we wouldn't dare work at these places, I know there are exceptions to this rule...) He passed out nearly 50 resumes in one day and spoke with someone face to face. Actually, it was a great opportunity to meet new people and look for those who are searching the Bible.
Clint finished the day meditating on all that had inspired him during his waking hours. "Now Hiring," said Clint. "I'm so thankful that GOD's plan doesn't require so much effort, I know he is looking for new Christians and I'm so thankful I was hired. Who else can I bring to Christ?" sighed Clint. Clint knows the application is simple and he knows he just needs to make it available to everyone who is seeking. Clint shouted out with great excitement (shouted quietly)"Wow, the benefits are AWESOME! I know I have been hired for a brighter place and that is the work GOD has in mind for me!
I guess our short chat on Sunday inspired a new blog! Just kidding. I wish I had your talent for writing. Have you ever thought about doing something with that talent?
Clint? Tara here. Keep hitting the pavement, you know I looked and looked for an evening or stay at home job to avoid the day care scene, and I was determined to do so. So I let my fingers do the walking. I called office(medical) that sounded eveningy(new word) like after hours, night owl such as those., and called and asked for thier fax number and then found one in the paper, and guess what it happened and now i have the best hours, maybe not the best of pay but works for us, no daycare and evenings--what more could I ask for. GOD is good and he will lead you through this, as you have found already. Keep it up and I can keep eyes out to, when I know what you do or looking for. prayers for you and your future.
I enjoyed your post and bumping into you at Publix also. You should come around any time you want to. We're always glad to have a dose of Uncle Clint! We all endure trials of varying degrees at various times. The question isn't "will we be tried?" The question is "how bad will they be? How long will they last? And how will we react?" React with God and somehow, some way, they will resolved themselves peacefully.
Hey Clint! My parents enjoyed you visiting, and like Missy(great comment BTW) you are welcome anytime here or at my parents. They told me about the possibilites and I am right there with what they told you. See what comes up then if not, you know who to call. I am here when you need us.
So lets see you are going to take the job that you told mom and dad about? or did you get an offer otherwise? Are you looking for customer service or what? I will look through the paper and see what I can find, since I am always looking in the adds. Have you thought of an agency? My first 2 jobs i florida i got through an agency, that way you can let them do the looking for you. and websites? I will be around tomorrow night if you want to call and i can scour the adds with you and such. you can always call me anytime!!!!! there is something out there.
love the "3rd" person, you've got going on there. You know, it's not failure if you are doing what you can do. Sometimes it just doesn't come as quickly as we'd like. Just keep the faith. That job will come to you and it will probably be from a very unexpected place and what what you'd least expect. Still praying for you.
I don't have the right phone number for you. I forgot to get the address from you before you left tonight. Email me or call my cell number that is in the church directory. Thanks.
There was a quiet breeze rustling through the air that
Wednesday afternoon in Birmingham. Clint gently closed the door of his 2004 Honda Pilot and rolled his suitcase towards the terminal entrance. "Curbside Parking is for loading and unloading passengers only..violators will be ticketed and towed.." The constant voice from the airport intercom system began to give Clint a numb feeling inside as he was beginning to feel disoriented.
The 'internal radar' for locating Starbucks was one of Clint's greatest strengths. He quickly purchased his quad venti carmel maciato(feeling slightly guilty)and began to savor every drop of the calorie filled coffee drink.
The writer will have to continue later as he is being paged by his sister....
You are home already? I thought you left later today.
Hearing you in the background while talking to mommy makes me want to see you.
I'm going to try to go down to lectures this next year and I'll have to stay with you alittle bit. =D
Wow. I didn't know that Mandy and Luke had gotten married. Good for them. I didn't know her that well but I liked him a lot. I am waiting for the continuation of your story with bated breath.
It was a heavy rain storm that caused Delta flight 1019 to arrive much later than the scheduled arrival of 9:55pm. Several layers of clouds filled the skies as the plane made its final descent. "Ladies and Gentleman, we are making our final approach into Tampa...the captain has asked that the FASTEN SEAT BELT sign remain illuminated until landing. The captain has indicated that we could experience turbulence as we have unusual cloud patterns ahead."
There was a sudden rustling of a bag that came from the passenger in seat 32A. It was the kind of noise that catches anyone that has an ear. It was the opening of the complimentary barf bag. Within moments of the bag opening, a large 'turbulent' gagging sound came from this very same seat. Every eye soon opened wide looking around to confirm what had happened. It was Bertha Burkstrum barfing all over the place. You see those little bags aren't enough to hold every chunk anymore.
While everyone, including a JELD-WEN employee, remain seated in simple shock and horror the smell permeated the entire cabin. One passenger sitting in 28A decided it would help to spray several long segments of CHANEL #5. The mixture of vomit and perfume caused the mother in 25B to quickly locate her childs inhaler. The JELD-WEN employee who was struggling to swallow quickly rang the call button for something to quench his thirst and possibly help his sudden nausea.
It was the next movement into the aisle that brought a sudden chill to everybody on the plane. The 'old woman' in seat 31A stood up,barely able to stand on her deformed feet, and started cleaning Bertha. The 'old woman' had a kind face that showed so much compassion for Bertha. Gloves were not even used for her hands that only advertised years of hard work. No hesitation was even visible from the expression on her face as she made sure every bit of 'vomit' was removed from Bertha's body.
The event that captured the attention of all brought a silence to the cabin. You see the 'old woman' was blind and she had been since birth. There were 154 passengers on board, 306 eyes that could see and did nothing to help, and 2 eyes that could only see darkness.
The pilot broke the silence in the cabin by saying,"flight attendants prepare for landing." As the wheels touched the runway and DELTA 1019 continued towards the terminal, Clint (the JELD-WEN employee) pulled out his rewetting drops for his dried up contacts. "One, two, three, four drops in each eye"...he muttered to himself. It was then he felt distracted and wondered how he had become so blind to the needs of others. "Thank you Lord for my eyes, please Lord help me to use them in your service..."he prayed. From this moment on he realized that it is so much easier to put on 'blinders', more comfortable to sit rather than stand, and much more 'accepted' to be like everyone else.
The bags continued down the belt at BAGGAGE AREA 9. "MANY BAGS LOOK ALIKE," repeated over and over from the airport intercom system. Clint looked up, after being in a daze, and noticed the old woman locating her bag. Her bag was unlike any other. The shape reminded Clint of a mustard seed (only larger) and it had a bright yellow color with braile covering the top of the bag. Clint decided he needed to go speak to the old woman (since he had refreshed his eyes and moistened the dry contacts) and thank her for showing him and so many others how to see. Clint couldn't help but ask the woman about her unique bag. She said, "I am reminded every time I use this bag that it only takes the faith of a tiny mustard seed to overcome the great challenges of this world..." The color, she added, "reminds others that there will be a brighter day." The old woman, who introduced herself as Beulah, was greeted by her daughter and son in law. "It was great to meet you Beulah."exclaimed Clint.
It was this very moment that Clint realized MANY BAGS DO LOOK ALIKE and there are very few that look different.
What about each of us as christians? Do we find it easy to simply live like everyone else? Why do we hesitate on letting our own colors shine through? We are all different and when we aren't ashamed to be ourself we let our talents soar into action. As long as we filter all of our decisions through GOD, there is no limit to our individual abilities.
Meanwhile, at the baggage claim, Clint is finding some chewing gum stuck all over his brand new luggage. "Oh well...I guess my bags are different."
What a great post! Your writing is great. Your application is great. And it's great that your eyes were open enough to even make a spiritual application out of this situation. Thanks for posting it!
clint, read your story finally and you should be a writer. I mean really! You asked me recently what you'd be good at and I think writing is your calling. Also, so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I'll be praying for your whole family.
Whatever you'd like to do. Just a simple card remembering how she has visited you in the past, or helped you in some way, a bag of candy, cat anything. She'll appreciate whatever you come up with. When do you get back?
