It's nice to get to a place where I can update my blog!

Since moving to Oshkosh I've had trouble arranging high-speed internet at home. It seems that no one is offering it to my location at this time. I struck out with DSL, Cable, and Satellite. Harrumph!

In the meantime, I've been settling in, unpacking boxes, looking for work, and doing some husbandly chores about the house.

Speaking of which . . .

It's amazing how much snow we've been getting. I've been shoveling the walk off and on for days. We have a nice sized deck leading up to our front door. The thing that makes it difficult to shovel is that whoever built it used nails instead of screws, so the nails tend to work their way out of the wood, and the shovel gets caught on them. Today as I was shoveling, I had a hammer with me to pound the nails down whenever I got hung up by one. When the weather breaks we'll begin to replace the nails with screws so that next year we won't have this problem.

On the job front, I've met with the local pastors and the District President. My "candidate" status paperwork has arrived, so I may now begin to fill in at various pulpits in the area. So far I've gotten a number of preaching assignments, which is cool, but what I really want is to get a regular Call to a local congregation.

There are a number of calling congregations in the area, and one right in Oshkosh would be ideal for me. They are a Confessional/Liturgical congregation, and I think I would be ideal as their next pastor. I'm going to attend church there this Sunday and speak with the head elder. I pray I make a good impression on him.

For now, I have to be able to exercise my versatility in worship styles to accommodate the various congregations I'll be serving as guest pastor. I believe my familiarity with various worship forms will enable me to do a competent job for each worship setting.

As far as my CD is concerned, I've had little time to devote to promoting it, but that may now be changing. I've begun to contact various record labels and management firms in an effort to submit my CD for a distribution contract. One local congregation has inquired about having me present some special music for them, so I may offer to sing those songs which seem appropriate for worship. I ask the Lord's guidance and that He will open the doors which He desires that I walk through.

In all of this Liz has been a tremendous support to me. Marrying her is truly the wisest decision I've ever made. She is my best friend as well as being a wonderfully loving and patient wife. I love her completely.

That's about all for today. Not sure when I'll post again. Maybe next week when I come to hang out on the UWOSH campus. Take care and let me know how you all are doing.

God's peace!