Most of you know that I have a 1 year old little boy, Gabriel who is just starting to walk and talk and generally get into everything. This is the greatest joy I have ever known, and I could on and on about him for quite some time. But I am writing this note to tell about some of the other things that are going on in my life these days...
For nearly 2 years now I have been playing in a band called Joe Next Door. I started out just playing bass, but as things have progressed I have added percussion and backing vocals. I'm very pleased to admit that I my be finding my voice, and I am excited about singing again, after having abandoned it for nearly 2 decades.
Joe Next Door is currently working to build a fanbase, and also working in the studio to begin the recording process of nearly 5 albums worth of material. This project will find me singing, playing bass and drums, and quite possibly adding guitar and keyboard parts. And most definitely having a lot of fun!
Also on the musical front, I have taken on some new responsibility at church. Due to some financial cutbacks we lost our Worship Director. I had been his right hand man for at least the last 5 years, and had actually been wondering if it was time for me to move on to somewhere that was more in need of my skillset. This opportunity quickly anchored me right here (I'm actually typing this at Redeemer Church). For a few months now I have been sharing the responsibilities of worship coordinator with one of our elders who has been musically involved. As we move into summer I will be taking on even more responsibilities.
For some people this has been a difficult transition, and that possibility was certainly there for me- this friend had been my longest running "bandmate" ever- but it has been a huge blessing instead! I feel alive, like I am doing what I was created to do. I chose to believe that things happen in God's time, and that our actions and decisions are the instruments He uses to bring about His will. I am thriving in this new situation, implementing things that I've dreamed of for years. And based on their response, it seems that the great majority of the people were ready for some changes. Worship has been more intense these last few months than I have ever seen it.
Now, many of you know that I moved to a new job about 2 years ago, and wrote a lengthy note about how that came about. It has been an important 2 years, with plenty of growth, and I am happy to say that I am content there. But opportunity has come knocking. A week from tomorrow I will break into the IT field with no college and no experience. Through the efforts of an insider friend, I have secured an IT admin position with Pepsi that could change my life. Because he is their primary programmer, and because they have been unable to find a capable second programmer, I am being brought in to relieve him of all that is not programming, and learn the programming over his shoulder.
Here's the scary part: initially I am signing on as a contractor with a 4-week assignment. In that 4 weeks I need to prove that I am the valuable asset that this friend has promised, and then I can secure my position for the rest of 2011. The long term goal is to become an official Pepsi employee for 2012. The really long term goal is to work in IT for the rest of my life, unless music takes me elsewhere!
Oh, and the pay is more than a few dollars beyond what I currently make when I'm working OT. :)
