Another Task Checked Off

My last semester at the University of Iowa is finally underway and I just submitted my graduation application. What a great feeling! I'm so excited to get my degree and say goodbye to exams, term papers, studying, and group class projects! One of my classes started this past Wednesday, and the other will begin Monday evening. Just over 12 weeks until freedom. :-D

Thankfully, Watershed has recently become much more manageable during this busy time. My buddy John is helping out with the worship team leading/organization. This is reducing a huge weight on my shoulders! Thanks to God for providing a partner for this ministry.

The Times, They Are A-Changin'

Here I am, not even two weeks into 2007 and I can already see that this is going to be a year of many changes. My family is getting a new member in August. Heather will soon stop working full-time outside of our home. I will finish grad school after this semester (only three months until I’m finished, but who’s counting). And now, there’s one more possible change: my career.

Let me preface this by saying I don’t hate being an engineer. I’ve been such for almost six years now and have learned a lot. But, as I realized a few years back, my personality would be a better fit for something else. That’s why I started pursuing an MBA in 2004. And here I am, 13 classes completed and 95 days until my last class meeting (ok, obviously I *am* counting). When I started the program, I didn’t really know where I wanted to go next. Program management? Project management? People management? Something else?

Just before Christmas, I was given a phone interview with a completely different area within my company. I’ll save the details of the position for later in case something comes of it, but it looks promising. I received a phone call last week and was informed that they want to meet with me face-to-face. I haven’t had a formal interview in six years, but I’ll be doing just that from 2:00-4:00pm today.

An older and wiser man once told me not to start a new job simply to get out of your current position. Rather, he said to take a new job when it’s a better opportunity. This subtle difference in attitude has really impacted me. As I said before, I definitely don’t hate what I’m doing now. In fact, I’m rather enjoying most of my current projects at work! If I’m not made an offer, at least I can still be happy in my current position. I’m thankful that I can approach this interview with peace.

It's the end of the world as I know it...

...and I feel MORE than fine! My world is going to be going through some big changes soon, as Heather and I are expecting the first little addition to our family! Yes, baby #1 is due to arrive in August 2007.

It's really hard to sum up my feelings, but I think a combination of excitement and anxiety will do. I love kids, but it's hard for me to imagine myself as a father. Each day it becomes more real to me that I am going to be responsible for watching over another human life. Scary stuff. At this point in the pregnancy, I think the anxiety comes from worrying about the baby's health. The first trimester is definitely the most risky time, and I've been praying that God will protect this little life until we are able to meet him or her.

People keep asking if we've started thinking of names, which we have, of course. I think the top names are Ichthar Richard (Icky Ricky for short) for a boy and Egberta or Robocop for a girl.

I'm not sure that I've sold Heather on those choices yet.

At any rate, for the very few of you that happen to read my blog, I wanted to share the good news since we've already let the cat out of the bag with most of our close friends. Parenthood, here we come!