Wanna see my new house?

Getting Home

Well, we are making ourselves at home. We have cleaned, and moved the house around, and we both sat back and went "Yup, I like it." Someday, we'll take pictures, but for now, know that our home is becoming homier, and Kansas is still being good to us. Rather, God is being very good to us.
We are still growing, as a couple, as followers of Christ, and as people. I am becoming more responsible, seeking God without burning myself out :); Bethany is finding out what matters to her more and more, and we are seeking a future, together, that does not have us in the same place 6 months or a year from now. We are giving God control of our lives, but doing our part to contribute. We are saying "if the Lord is willing, we will do this and do that." This is a much better way to live than the paranoia most American's function in. Most young adults.
I am finding freedom from a guilt driven faith that I allowed for too long, and we both are pursuing an authentic love of Christ and His people. It's easy to fall into a pretentious "well, I guess we should do this and that," rather than asking "What should we really do? What is the desired result? Would God really approve, or is this simply a tradition? If it's a tradition, is it really beneficial to anyone?"
Bethany and God are teaching me to lighten up, to not create responsibilities and commitments so I can feel good that I'm accomplishing my own list of things to do.

New Family Member

This is Jackson. After much loneliness and debate, he now lives in our home. We got him from the pet store on October 5th, 2007!



He enjoys playing:

and sleeping

and playing

and sleeping...

and OH! Playing!

Alright, so he eats and goes to the litter box too, but I don't have any pictures of him eating and I'm not taking pictures of him in the bathroom. I would be upset if someone did that to me. So, there is the cutest new Peterson in ND! -Michael

Shelves

That's right. You've been waiting for a month to hear what's going on. And I'm going to post about the shelves I built. Okay, that would be cruel. Good news: We have been going to Hope Evangelical Covenant Church for the last three weeks, and it has been very excellent. So far, everything about the church makes me see that they have many things together. Very well run, and a solid Pastor. We have already begun being fed, and Sunday School and Small Groups aren't far off.

And on to the shelves!
Messy Closet


New tools I "had to" buy for work that helped this project happen. They drive screws like hot nails in butter... only louder.


Shelves made of free lumber courtesy of P.S. Doors delivery trucks (my sweet job)

By the way, the shelves all were designed to be removable for the next move, the frame work simply has to be unscrewed from the studs and moved to the next location, the shelves are all separate.

Rather strong construction...


And AFTER!


These worked out so well that I'm going to build another set along the back of the closet to further our storage needs. I covered the finished product with Masonite (also free) for a grand total of $6.00 for screws as my total project cost. Yeah free stuff! Praise Jesus for free things when you are poor. Hey, I'm not kidding... Bye all!

Three weeks??!?!

It's been three weeks.
Been Busy.
I'll put up some pictures this week.
I'm building shelves and Bethany is redecorating our bedroom.
Work is good. I feel manly.
Bethany and I are hanging out primarily with each other, and it's the best thing for our marriage. Best thing.
We love you all.

Alive and Well

Hey all, it's the Lonely Man. Bethany is out in Colorado for Manager Training/Fun Camp. I talked to her on the phone Tuesday night and she was having a blast. She is being recognized for who she is, and that's a very good thing. I'll let her tell you all about it however.
I started my new job Monday as a commercial/residential door technician. Basically I found a great job that puts my mechanical knowledge to use, gives me more experience with a lot of tools and equipment I haven't had much experience with, and it's run by a good bunch of guys. Unfortunately one of them is named Michael L. Peterson... so I'm thinking of going by Larry so they don't pin "new mike" or #2 on me.. Anyway, back to the good stuff: I've come home the last two days feeling great about work and myself. Oh yes, and another plus is that I need to use quite a few tools I don't have, but wanted, so the job makes it worth it to get them now rather than later. So that makes me happy in and of itself. For instance, I had to organize my current tools in a NEW TOOLBAG!! (yes, I'm that easy to get excited.) Give me useful tools and I'm like a puppy.
Last new cool thing is that we have the internet up and running as of 7:00 Wednesday, so the blog will get more postings and you all can stay in touch easier. Give us an email or phone call if you want to. Life is still crazy around our new home so I know we haven't contacted everyone. Love you all, have a great day! -Michael

And Tuesday

So last night ended with Ryan getting me to run two miles. I'm fat, or old, or just out of shape. Someone colored outside the lines with me. I had to stop and walk like four times. And, in light of that, I took a new job running pizzas to peoples homes! No, I took a job for a commercial door place. The pay is good, they give me vacation so I can see family in January, and I'll have a really good excuse to buy tools.

That's me after buying boots for the job, and apparently I shopped at the enemy to buy a router so we can have internet! That means staying in touch will be so much easier. No more trips to the coffee shop only to have forgotten the camera cord.
Speaking of coffee shop, there's me just before typing these really long posts.

and here's the Traveler, Photographer, and my Chauffer for the week:

Yup, he's still here and safe, and hasn't died of flatness. Although his blood WILL be flatter when he gets back to Wisconsin. He was a good sport, enduring me trying on boots. Hey, Ryan sold shoes, so he did the work and the lady got money for it.

And last, Ryan with what we believe to be a scuplture of Jesus' hand