I know it's been a long time since I've posted but I always stop by to catch up as much as I can and keep up with all the many prayer requests. Well, I figured I'd give a little update 
Work has been much better and I had a really good close to 2008. Passed two major inspections and even got an "excellent" on the one nobody thought we could ever pass. Actually we were the only plant in the company to pass it
Hired a new supervisor to help me out last July and he's working out just fine. Believe it or not, his name is Jesus. (he pronounces it that way). The other day during Kosher for Passover production, I had the pleasure of introducing Jee (as we call him) to the Rabbi. You should have seen his face when I said, "Rabbi, I'd like you to meet Jesus"
They started building our new church and it should (prayerfully) be ready by the end of the year. We just finished voting on the name and we'll be the "Living Faith Christian Church". It's going to be beautiful and seat close to 600 people. I can't begin to tell you all the ways that God has answered prayer with this church. It's been amazing. We can't possibly afford it all, but then again, that's why we're called "Living Faith"
This past Valentines day, Vicky and I had our 28th anniversary and we celebrated by entering in an amateur chess tournament. Turns out that V has been taking lessons with a chess Master for about a year and heads the after school chess program at her school. Needless to say, I had a lot of brushing up to do but I agreed to play. We played two games each day over 3 days. You have 2 hours to make your first 40 moves and then 1 hour after that. Run out of time and you lose. There were 1200 people playing. Here's the rest of my team. That's Vicky, Harry and Paul. Harry and Paul are pretty highly rated; somewhere around 1800 each.
My cat however, does not find chess interesting. Actually, "Floyd" thinks that anything humans do for enjoyment is beneath him..
Well, I did manage to win one game the only way possible and that was by default. Someone on the other team didn't show up I also managed to get my butt kicked by a 9 year old kid. Other than that, I think I played very well considering. I got some nice complements from the last guy I played. Here's me at one of the tables. Yes, I grew a beard and I look a lot older (but dang, I LOVE not having to shave!)
Whenever I can, I try to get out and hunt. It's been brutally cold here so the only place you can go without need of a jackhammer is the beach. A buddy of mine (that I met on the other MD forum) drove from the city to meet me at the beach. It was a balmy 29 degrees when I got there and no wind. Perfect (except for the fact that we didn't find much to speak of). We had a great time though. It was nice to get out. Here's a beach pic. Hard to believe we couldn't find anything with a negative tide like that Lot's of real-estate to dig!
Last week I went to pick up my State Park MD license and found out that it went from $20 to $40 for the year! Amazing. Since I was near a State park and the weather was pretty good, I decided to do some long awaited dirt digging. Managed a Merc and a Rosie and a couple of wheaties. (no pics though)
Still playing guitar for Worship at church and trying to practice more at home. Started fooling around with flat-picking and it looks like I should be able to handle some "speed" if I keep at it.
Mom is going to be 92 next month. She's in pretty good health although she can't get around without a walker. The tough part is she's suffering from dementia and can't remember anything for more than 30 seconds. Yet, she still knows us all and can recall stuff that happened 60 years ago. Go figure. We have someone staying with her 12 hours a day 7 days a week but we're going to need 24 hour care real soon.
Well, that's about it. Sorry for being so long, but it has been a long time
Take care everyone!
Joe G
Work has been much better and I had a really good close to 2008. Passed two major inspections and even got an "excellent" on the one nobody thought we could ever pass. Actually we were the only plant in the company to pass it
Hired a new supervisor to help me out last July and he's working out just fine. Believe it or not, his name is Jesus. (he pronounces it that way). The other day during Kosher for Passover production, I had the pleasure of introducing Jee (as we call him) to the Rabbi. You should have seen his face when I said, "Rabbi, I'd like you to meet Jesus"
They started building our new church and it should (prayerfully) be ready by the end of the year. We just finished voting on the name and we'll be the "Living Faith Christian Church". It's going to be beautiful and seat close to 600 people. I can't begin to tell you all the ways that God has answered prayer with this church. It's been amazing. We can't possibly afford it all, but then again, that's why we're called "Living Faith"
This past Valentines day, Vicky and I had our 28th anniversary and we celebrated by entering in an amateur chess tournament. Turns out that V has been taking lessons with a chess Master for about a year and heads the after school chess program at her school. Needless to say, I had a lot of brushing up to do but I agreed to play. We played two games each day over 3 days. You have 2 hours to make your first 40 moves and then 1 hour after that. Run out of time and you lose. There were 1200 people playing. Here's the rest of my team. That's Vicky, Harry and Paul. Harry and Paul are pretty highly rated; somewhere around 1800 each.
My cat however, does not find chess interesting. Actually, "Floyd" thinks that anything humans do for enjoyment is beneath him..
Well, I did manage to win one game the only way possible and that was by default. Someone on the other team didn't show up
I also managed to get my butt kicked by a 9 year old kid. Other than that, I think I played very well considering. I got some nice complements from the last guy I played. Here's me at one of the tables. Yes, I grew a beard and I look a lot older (but dang, I LOVE not having to shave!)
Whenever I can, I try to get out and hunt. It's been brutally cold here so the only place you can go without need of a jackhammer is the beach. A buddy of mine (that I met on the other MD forum) drove from the city to meet me at the beach. It was a balmy 29 degrees when I got there and no wind. Perfect (except for the fact that we didn't find much to speak of). We had a great time though. It was nice to get out. Here's a beach pic. Hard to believe we couldn't find anything with a negative tide like that
Lot's of real-estate to dig!
Last week I went to pick up my State Park MD license and found out that it went from $20 to $40 for the year! Amazing. Since I was near a State park and the weather was pretty good, I decided to do some long awaited dirt digging. Managed a Merc and a Rosie and a couple of wheaties. (no pics though)
Still playing guitar for Worship at church and trying to practice more at home. Started fooling around with flat-picking and it looks like I should be able to handle some "speed" if I keep at it.
Mom is going to be 92 next month. She's in pretty good health although she can't get around without a walker. The tough part is she's suffering from dementia and can't remember anything for more than 30 seconds. Yet, she still knows us all and can recall stuff that happened 60 years ago. Go figure. We have someone staying with her 12 hours a day 7 days a week but we're going to need 24 hour care real soon.
Well, that's about it. Sorry for being so long, but it has been a long time
Take care everyone!
Joe G
more often and do find some nice goodies! People won't be buying like they used to do and won't be losing as much jewelry until times get better, but they will as they always do, unless Jesus comes and takes us Home, first! 
God Bless you both and your church! Betty