Books and such…

Sorry I have not written in awhile. Life has been quite hectic for modawg.

Basically it has been crazy because I started working again. I work for Lowe’s in Brick as a cashier. I have been there for almost a month, and I have been working about 39 hours per week. I am a cashier and you can find me either at the main exit, in lumber, or in the garden center. I am considered a seasonal employee, which means I am guaranteed to work until the end of July. But, my manager basically told me she likes me and wants to keep me. YES!

I have also been reading a lot once again…

I have recently finished to books by Mitch Albom, Tuesdays ith Morrie and Five People You Meet in Heaven.  Both were great books and really challenged different areas in my life. I am currently reading two books…Searching for God Know What by Donald Miller, and UnChristian (I forgot the author). They are sure to be great reads!

That’s it for now. Hope to be back soon!

What Modawg Loves…

1. I love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. I also strive to continue to live this life everyday.

2. I love the smell of any baked good that is baking in my house. My two ultimate loves woould be homeade chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

3. I love to look at the stars at night. Have you ever done that? Beautiful.

4. I love chicken parmesan. Ultimate favorite. Well, I love any dish you can combine pasta and chicken (smile).

5. I love my friends. They have become my family.

6. I love my family, they are my friends.

7. I love the fact that I work once a week as a cleaning supervisor assistant. It’s something for now,and plus no one can bother you.

8. I love education. I love to learn and help others to learn. I will one day return to the classroom both as a teacher and a student.

9. I love to laugh. The funnier, the better.

10. I love my mom, she has become my hero (for reasons you may know).

11. I love sign language. Being able to communicate with your hands is an amazing gift!

12. I love SOME reality TV. I admit I am a reality TV junkie, like Top Chef or even Survivor (I’m so weird)

13. I love going to see Christian bands live. Things like Revelation Generation and Creation are amazing experiences!

14. I love working with teenagers. They are so inspiring and I am honored to be a part of their lives.

15. I love you, my reader….

Well, that’s the basic list and I will probably add more. But you get the jist, don’t you?

A Whole Lotta…

Hey all..

I know its been awhile since I last posted and I apologize for that. It’s just that not a lot different has been going on lately. I feel I have reached a plateau in my interesting life.

But, I have not stopped thinking and pondering about certain topics. I just got out of the car with a very interexsting couple. Do not get me wrong, they are awesome people. But, they way they interact sometimes just makes me laugh hysterically. I promise you, I could write a bestseller on their lives. You two know who you are, and I love you to death. This relationship is truly unique.

I am a Christian. I live a life of faith. No full time job. No insurance. Not able to pay bills. But I live a life of faith. I am a little concerned over the recent speeches Obama has given. It brings concern not for me alone, but for family members, specifically my mother. I AM NOT A POLITICAL SAVY-IST (if thats a word) AT ALL. And frankly, I do not like getting into debated about something I am not schooled in enough. But, I have faith that President Obama’s decisions, whatever they are, be for the benefit of the country at whole.

If you know me at all, I love sign language. I fell in love with it in high school, took some college courses, and have been trying to figure it out ever since. I recently was asked to sign twice on Easter Sunday (OI VAY!). But, it’s what I love. I love to sign with others (YEAH HOPE) and I will continue to look for opportunities to use a passion of mine.

This job market stinks! I am at the point where I will take anything. PLEASE, if you know of an opportunity, forward it my way!

Sean Mogee = Jesus Freak. Plain and simple.

Trust can sometimes be a hard thing to do…

So, I have been living in Lakewood, NJ for almost 13 years now. I live with my mom, who is ill, in order to take care of her. The federal government has been nice enough to offer us something called Rental Assistance. Basically, the government was able to subsidize our rent.

We have had all kinds of amounts to pay for rent. But basically, we have also been lucky to have amazing landlords who would accept payment from this program. Throughout 2008, we were paying around $350 a month for rent for our house. It’s not a big house by any means, but we are blessed to be in it.

Well, every year they re-evaluate their cases to see any progress. To make a long story short, we were kicked of rental assistance this year and basically have to come up with an extra $900 a month to stay in our house.

To make things even trickier, I am not working like I should be. NO place is hiring, even if they say they are. I just want a decent paying job that would allow me to give more money to my house and basically survive.

So, I ask for your prayers. Please pray for a job for myself, for finances and strength for my family, and for a quick resolution to all this mess.

No song of the day today because prayer is much better!

Thank you all and God bless!

Mediocrity anyone?

To elaborate on a previos post, I am tired of living a life of mediocrity. I am tired of settling just because it is the easier thing to do…

About a year ago, I was in a relationship. I thought that she was the one to be honest. I looked past all the things that I didnt like about her, and was ready to propose to her. Except, all the feelings that I thought I had were not reciprocated. I was like, OK God, she must be the one, as I haven’t dated in a long time. But, I stood up against mediocrity and ended the relationship. Not to say anything negative about this person, because I have no negative feelings towards her. But I know now that settling and marrying her would be a mistake.

How can this apply to our spiritual life? Revelation 3:15-16 states:

15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

I do not want to live a life of mediocrity, or a life that is lukewarm. I become easily frustrated when I see our country being mediocre…in many ways. Granted, I know that not everyone will feel like I do…and perhaps I grew up in a sheltered life. Who knows. However…I do know that I love my God. I really need to make sure that when I talk the talk I also walk the walk.

Well, just a rant if you will. Maybe a challenge as well…are you hot or cold in your relationship with God? I know I do not want to be either cold or lukewarm. What about you?

Song of the Day is Solid Rock by Desperation Band!

We Are Family

Have you ever wondered if there were family members of yours that you have never met or heard of? If so, have you wondered where they could possibly be? Well, as weird as it may seem, I have found 5 members of my family within a few month period.

Say what you want about MySpace or Facebook, they can have positive elements to them. A few months back, I received a message from someone on MySpace. She believed she was my half sister. Well, it turned out she actually is my half sister, and I remembered her and her mother. How weird is that?

Last week, my brother Chris decided to Google himself. He found someone named Chris Mogee Best. He decided to investigate further, and she turned out to my cousin!!!!! Through her, we met our other cousins, making a total of four family members found thus far.

This past Sunday, after I came home from youth group, I had a message from my cousin Chris, letting me know about my half brother. I decided I wanted to get to know him, and asked to be his friend on Facebook. This is crazy. But, also cool. My family is beginning to come together.

Family is so important in our life, and we need to come together and lift one another up as family. I am also so thankful for all my friends who are also my family.

On other news, I have my 2nd day of Mad Science training tomorrow, and I think I have narrowed my scientist name down to a few choices. Either Professor Fuel, Shockwave Sean, or Snowstorm Sean. Any thoughts? Maybe you have a new one for me…but I need to know it by tomorrow!

Stay tuned for more entries coming soon. There are many topics I want to discuss, and boy will they be interesting. Comments, questions, thoughts are always welcome. Let your voice be heard!

Song of the Day is Here in Your Presence by New Life Worship

Faith Like a Mustard Seed…

As I sit here, eating my bagel and drinking my chocolate milk, I cannot help but reflect on the events of this past week…

If you have been following the story of Darren and MIsty LeBlanc (www.leblanclife.com), you are aware that Misty is dancing in front of her Father in Heaven! As I sat at her memorial service this past Saturday, there was an ongoing theme of faith. Misty led a life of faith. The Bible says that with the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Well, Misty could have moved a whole chain of mountains. How amazing is that?

This brought me to a thought. When I was teaching, I had a poster in my room that had this question…”How do you live your life when nobody’s watching?” How many times in our lives do we fall into the trap of acting one way at home, and one way somewhere else (like work, school, or church)? I want to live a life of fath that is pleasing to my Lord, one that does not waiver, one that does not change.

Misty left a legacy of love, faith, humor, and influence. So I ask you who read this…How do you live your life when nobody’s watching…

(Obvioulsy this could have gone into the opiniated section…but more is to come…)

As always, questions, feedback, and comments are always welcome. Let your voice be heard!!!!

Song of the Day is Rescue by Hillsong United. A song of faith!

Please Pray

Hi everyone,

No new thoughts for today. Instead, I am writing to ask for prayer for a dear friend, Misty LeBlanc. She is in her early twenties, and has stage four brain cancer. Her husband, Darren, takes care of her 24/7, and they need our prayers. Please visit their blog at www.leblanclife.com. Let’s come together to support this amazing family. God is able to do more than we can ask or think!

Modge Podge

So, this entry will have many different topics. So, here we go. I started the week off at work on Monday night, and I was not feeling well. It turns out I somehow got an infection in my gums, and the right side of my face swelled up. Being extremely painful, I went to the ER on Tuesday night. I was there for a total of one hour, which suprised me. I saw the doctor for 2 minutes, and he sent me home with some strong antibiotics. So, needless to say I am doing better, but I have to go see a dentist, and I absolutely DESPISE going to the dentist!

I have a great mentor, Pastor Timm Ziegler. He has been working with his intern/secretary for almost 2 years. Well, it is now time for her to move onto the next chapter of her life. Kristin, if you are reading this, you may never know you’re impact until the day you see your Maker. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for what you have done for these students, your fellow youth leaders, and Pastor Timm. Our paryers are with you as you begin this next journey of your life.

Around this time of year, I begin to think about all the things dear to my heart that I no longer am involved in that I miss. Well, today, I miss being in the classroom. School has started and students and teachers alike have gone back to their routines, and I miss being a part of that. I miss talking with the students and seeing the exact moment when they understand a concept. I miss bringing home papers to grade (yes, I said it), in order to see my students progression. To any former student who may be reading this, you are in my prayers for a successful year, and I hope to see you soon.

Lastly, on Sunday, Pastor Timm challenged the congregation of my church to a 21 day fast. He talked about focusing more on God. If you would like to learn more about fassting or have any questions, click on the FUEL link to the right, or you can email PT at pastortimm@calvarylighthouse.org

Crickets in the House

About a week ago, I woke up at about 2:30am and I noticed a bug craeling on my floor, I didn’t think much of this, as bugs can get in pretty easily. But, as I began to investigate further, there were five crickets in my room. Again, I wasnt too worried here.

I went to get something to drink, and I saw more crickets outside the bedroom door of someone I live with. He was up, and I asked him what was happening. You see, he has a fear of crickets. His friends decided to knock out a piece of cardboard and put 120 crickets in his room. Now, he was not in his rom when this happened. But, we began the process of trying to get rid of them.

The one part I am not telling you is that my mom, who also lives in the house, has a heart condition. It was very possible that if the crickets got to her, she could have had a slight heart attack. I was not amused by this, and I made sure to let those who were involved know.

So the lesson of the day is…do not do a prank using live animals in a house with someone with a heart condition! Has anyone ever pranked you? What happened? Leave your stories here!

As always, comments and questions are always welcome. Let your voice be heard!

Song of the Day is Ready Now by Desperation Band. Check it out and be blessed.