Scripture-osity

Some might argue that everything at Generations is horrendously overpriced, but today, Caitlin and I spent about $50, and with that we were able to get: three books; "Where The Red Fern Grows" on DVD (purchase, not rent); a baby book for the Rini-Beany; an emergency blanket.

One of the books is entitled, "Please Pass the Scriptures." I grabbed it when we came into the store, yet I almost put it back. In the end, we did take it, and I'm glad we did. It's a very informative read about how you can improve your scripture study, and from the sounds of the first bit, how you can improve your attitude towards scripture study. The author recommends that you don't read the book cover-to-cover all at once, but rather work your way through it, chapter by chapter. I say "work", because there are assignments at the end of each chapter. The first one being, write a journal entry about the importance of scripture study. I may rely on the material I just read, but that just means I agree with what the author said. That, and I don't plan on publishing this for money.

Scripture study is something that I've known is important for years. Most of my life I have known that scriptures have an importance. I remember on my mission I was feeling less than worthy of my call at one point, and I came across a verse in Helaman when Samuel the Lamanite was on the city wall berating the Nephites. At least I think it was. I just read through Helaman 13 and 14 and I could find anything that I remember jumping out at me. This time around Helaman 13:22 kind of jumped out at me though, and showed where I could use some improvement: Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you... In the introduction and the first chapter of Pass the Scriptures, there is quite a bit about remembering. Part of our baptismal covenants involve remembering God, and honouring our covenants would require studying the scriptures. Mckay White has even mentioned it to us in numerous home teaching visits that we need to make it more of a habit to study the scriptures. A handy little acronym also helps with the advantages of scripture study. PEACE - Protection, Easier to listen to the Spirit, All things what ye should do, C... was... calming? I can't remember now. I'll have to read it again.

New day, new surprise

Got back from the interview a couple hours ago, and it was... good. A successful failure I suppose you could call it, because I didn't get the job that I applied for. How do I know? Brother Baker told me. Ender Baker did the interview, but after we were done the job interview, he did something he had never done before and that was analyze the interview with the interviewee immediately after the interview. In his words, "I'm going to take off the hat of Operations Manager, and put on the hat of Ward Employment Specialist." I was a little surprised, but very grateful for the service provided to me. He told me first thing that from the interview, and from what he knows about me, the job as Bilingual Claims Officier would kill me. I would be lying awake at night inside of two months. It's not that they are terrible people, purposely out to ruin people and their livelihoods, but they have to stick to the contract. No matter what. He then told of a recent situation in which a widow called about her car which was not working, needed repair, and was covered under the insurance policy that her husband so wisely purchased. However, she had not taken the car in for an inspection the previous year, and that voided the policy. The lady was in tears, and there was literally nothing they could do except go over the policy, and clairfy why they could not help them.

Doing that in English would be one thing. To do that in french? I don't know. Plus, he's right. I do that at work sometime, and it eats at me. Another reason why I need to find another job.

On that note, Brother Baker said that he would help me with the job search in finding postings that are under my radar, and help me figure what to present in the application (cover letter, resume, and interview). Still haven't told him of my condition, but I'm thinking that it might be a good idea soon. Seeing that I may not be getting employment at his company, I should be alright in telling, but who knows. It does not interfere, and it's under control. No worries.

A new day dawns

Technically, it's not dawn yet. Somewhere in Eastern Canada maybe, but not here. So I would say that tomorrow is the big day. I have an interview at 9am for a position with Pro-Tech Insurance. I know that my experience with WFG fell flat on its face, but this is a bit diffferent in the fact that you have the clients come to you. Just the idea that it was Amway with Insurance didn't sit well with me, and it REALLY didn't sit well with Caitlin. We also didn't have a car at the time, and that put a serious damper on the feasibility of it. Now we have Elene, our wonderful 1986 Hyundai Excel that Bishop Orr gave to us on March 21, 2008 (have to double check the car log to be sure about that), and on the good days, I should be able to ride my bike. But it's the whole idea of getting into a job that will have hours that will allow me to be a better father and husband. At least that's the hope. Not attending church has really put a damper on me, and that can be a seriously bad thing.

The biggest thing that I have to remember tomorrow is not volunteer my bi-polar. That got me black-balled from Telus, and it is not something that will interfere with the job. I have it under control with medication, meditation, and... sleep.

Funny, Caitlin and I were going over some interview questions, and when we got to the issue of dependability, and what everyone would say, I thought of Free Comic Book Day. First Saturday of May, we went to Happy Harbour Comics, and talked with Ed and Liana (Ed and Red's night party). Through conversation, that was basically Caitlin and Liana going on about costumes, it was mentioned that Liana was an E cup. This fact was mentioned earlier, but I thought that it was said in jest. It was then that I thought it would be best if we went to Dawn's Bra-tique to invest in some undergarments for Caitlin, since she was about the same size as Liana, from my observations. Turns out that I was pretty close, if not correct in my assumption. The real story comes from what Rini and I did.

At one point, we discover that Rini needs a diaper change. Not emergency level, but it would be a good idea. Caitlin and I then realize to our dismay that we had forgotten diapers. And wipes. Lucky for us, Kingsway garden mall was across the street! I head off, baby in arms, and I venture into the mall to find the supplies. First stop, Zellers, where I could not find anything smaller than 80 diapers in a box, and I couldn't find any wipes to boot. So I ventured towards Shoppers Drug Mart. On the way to Shoppers, there are a number of stores, one of them being GameStop. I figured that since Rini's diaper situation wasn't too bad I would stop in there for five minutes. And I did only stop for five minutes! I found Psychonauts for PS2, went to the counter to purchase it, and by the time the cashier had rung the game through, Rini was asleep. When I recounted this story to Mike (manager at Source), he added, "Well, you can still change diapers when they're asleep." At this point I include the thoughts that went through my mind, "Since she's asleep, we don't have to change her diaper right away." With that thought in mind, I went back to Dawn's. You can only imagine what Caitlin's face looked like when I told her that not only was Rini still in the same diaper, but I had not acquired any more, and I had purchased a game. Comment from Mike, "I'm surprised you're here right now. My wife would have killed me!" I think if it wasn't for the fact that we spent over $200 on Caitlin's 'I feel pretty' clothes, she would have been signifigantly more miffed at me.

Well, I need some sleep so I can get ready for tomorrow.

Job Status

I just got word from the district manager that I'm getting a demotion. Quite frankly, I'm not surprised. I'm going to stay on as AM, even though there are two other people at the store that could do my job, and more often than not perform some of my duties, but I will no longer have the title of Rogers Specialist. Hence I will be turning over my shirts, or I'll keep them, or I'll use them as oil rags. I honestly don't know what's going on in that department. All I know is that I can't wear them at work any longer.

I thought I was going to get the message in person, and I surprised Steve (DM) when I told him that he was the first person to tell me about this demotion. At the same time, I think I might have surprised him when I wasn't in any sort of shock or dismay when he told me about this. Hey, I would do the same thing if I were in his shoes. It's been over a month since I have done any type of cell phone transaction, core or paygo. Quite frankly, I didn't anticipate staying this long, and I'm going to apply for another job very soon. I have to get the application together, and I have to go over some interview stuff. I'll also have to gather some info to see if I can get a reference from others. Need two professional references, and two personal references for the application. I don't think the professional ones would be tough, but the personal... hmmmm... Maybe the bishop and Mckay. I'll have to check on that one.

Had a bit of a freak out at work, because I could find my keys. I had given them to a co-worker so she could open the next day, and I was not told where they went after that. Silly me, I should have thought of looking in the most obvious place, which was the receipt/key drawer. Oops. All's well that ends at 10pm. Time to work tomorrow, and Sunday. Day off Monday, and I hope I can find the schedule!