Quick Overview

For those of you in the dark here is a quick overview of where I am and what I'm doing.

The engineering department: Me and my supervisor Terry.

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This summer I am working at JAARS, Inc. (Jungle Aviation and Radio Services) which is a part of Wycliffe Bible Translators that provides technical services to bible translators overseas. I am working in Research and Development on designing and implementing modifications to mission aircraft to ready them to enter the mission field. I am currently working on 2 major projects, one is installing a fire detection system of the engine compartment of the new Kodiak in order to prepare it to go to Paupa New Guinea in August. The second is a pair of cargo pods to be used under the wing of a Pilatus PC-6. These cargo pods help the aircraft's center of gravity (CG) and allows cargo (such as food for markets like fish, rice, and dead animals) to be placed away from passengers in Indonesia.

My desk and office.

Go CNC machine, Go! Cut out those parts!

A Long Way from Home

Don't worry. I made it to NC safe and sound on Saturday. I moved into my house for the next three months. It's not much but perfect for what I need this summer and it has a nice coffee maker! Although, it has very limited cell and Internet. I went into work this morning in order to get everything worked out with HR. I got a little held up since I supposedly needed a drug test in order to start working. The person that administers the drug test is on vacation until Thursday. Luckily, my supervisor talked to them and I don't have to take it. It's been one more lesson in communication.

It's been different living on my own. It gets a little lonely in the evening. I am way out of my comfort zone here, everything is new and different and it's a long way from home or Longview. I feel like I just wander around looking lost trying to figure out where to go at JAARS. The Powell's have been great and a huge blessing in helping me out. It is going to be an exciting summer. I know I will get things figured out as I finally get into the schedule of how things work around here.

Home

The things I love about being home:
Family
Sleeping in "the cave"
Having my own bathroom
Having a relatively clean kitchen
A sewing machine
good...no great food
picking on my parents
my parents picking on me
laughing together
free laundry machines...that can do three loads in one

Oh Summer

Today I decided to find the perfect summer dress. One that was light weight cotton and you could where with out getting hot in the middle of the summer. I, of course, also wanted it to be modest, long enough and a high enough neck for me to feel comfortable in. After searching for the perfect dress I have come to the conclusion that such a dress does not exist. So I went to the fabric store to make my own. The first hurtle I came across was that the patterns aren't really my size. I decided I could take the smallest size and alter it if I needed to. Hurtle number 2: People used to make their own clothes all the time because it was cheaper. I have found that this is no longer the case. Patterns are expensive...and so is fabric. So, at the end of the day I picked out the perfect dress pattern, fabric, and everything I would need to make it. I added up the cost and decided I couldn't afford it. I left the store empty handed. In conclusion, the perfect summer dress still doesn't exist and at this rate never will.

Blog Rebirth

I know I haven't posted on here for a few years, so I doubt anyone will even read this. However I've decided to resurrect this blog. I am an outward processor, but recently I have no one around to be my sounding board. I'm not much of a writer (probably why this blog hasn't been updated in two years) but am willing to try again.



Originally, I started this blog to keep people informed on my summer travels and adventures and pass along prayer requests to those praying. This summer I am desiring the same things. In an week I leave my family to work at JAARS in Waxhaw, North Carolina. I'm pretty excited, but a little nervous. This will be the first time to really "live on my own."



In other recent news, I got a new haircut!



This week is looking to be busier then I thought. Besides spending as much time with my family as possible, the two classes I'm taking online this summer start tomorrow. Also, since I will be gone for my brothers high school graduation, I am in the process of drafting a letter to him giving some advice and telling him some of the things I have learned from college. My brother and I rarely see eye to eye so I'm not sure how my advice will be taken and I know that most of what he learns will be from his own experiences and mistakes. He is my only brother and I want him to know I care though. If you have any comments, stories, or encouragements that could be included, I'd love to hear them. Along with this letter I am giving him a compass. Reminding him to be mindful of where he is going and to keep him focused on God, but also remembering where he has come from.