Jeffrey C. Long » Family

The happiest place on earth

jeffreyclong — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:28:05 +0000

Last night I had the privilege of picking up my daughter at the Boise airport. It was the second time I noticed that the arrivals area of an airport is that happiest place on earth. Both the people waiting and those arriving are anxious to be reunited with their loved ones. It’s nearly festive when they begin coming through the door. Hugs, kisses, flowers, balloons, people being surprised… It is just a joyous occasion. We should all fly somewhere, just so that we can be greeted at the terminal by someone glad to see us.

Seeing things from the plant’s point of view

jeffreyclong — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 11:47:31 +0000

“My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant’s point of view.” -H. Fred Ale

I have had fantasies about myself as a gardener. I went through this simple living phase where I thought we’d live off the land… have a garden, chickens, drink goat’s milk. Then babies kept coming and coming, and I had to work, and then my wife had to work, and the next thing we knew our entire 1 acre property was a giant unfinished project.

Now, here we are in Idaho, looking forward to a new house with less property and our own lawn. It will be nice to start over and hopefully have some success with a small garden and a nice lawn.

But I’ve been given an assignment at the church that is proving to be fulfilling. I’ve been tasked with watering the lawn. To some of you this may seem insignificant. But our lawn in Soap Lake degenerated rather quickly due to neglect. Since I’m at the church office throughout the week, there is no excuse for inattention. So it is my project. I intend to be proud of the green. To reclaim my fantasy of being a green thumb. Who knows… I might work myself up to flowers and weeding.

Beginning of a four day celebration

jeffreyclong — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 22:35:35 +0000

Today, I handed in the final work necessary to finish my teaching certificate. I’m done!

YIPEE!!!!!!

So, it is the first day of a four day celebration that will culminate on Friday when I have a celebration luncheon where I will receive my teaching certificate.

Words cannot express what a feeling of closure and completion and accomplishment this is for me. At class today I said "I feel so excited, I could hug Terry (a guy in our class who isn’t really a hugging type of guy)." Everyone is excited. We’ve all been in this together, some for a year, some for a couple years. It’s just great to be able to move into the future.

Announcement

jeffreyclong — Wed, 17 Nov 2004 21:39:29 +0000

For those who have not heard, I have been called to be the pastor of Filer Mennonite Church in Filer, Idaho. We are very excited to serve God and His people there. I am heading there at the end of December, and then once the house sells, Deana and the children will follow. Currently, I am finishing up my coursework for my Teaching Certificate, but my heart is not in it. My spirit is already in Idaho. What an exciting time for my family and myself. Please keep us in your prayers as we make this momentous transition in the next few months, and that God would bless my ministry in southern Idaho.

Mariner’s with my dad

jeffreyclong — Thu, 12 Aug 2004 21:57:10 +0000

Well, here I am in section 125, row 30, seat 6 at the Seattle Mariner’s game. First thing we did was walk the perimeter of the main floor. What sights and smells from the food vendors. I settled on BBQ beef over a spicey sausage. YUM!

The game is still half an hour from starting. I’ve been struck by the great choice of music played over the P.A. They’ve certainly done their research to make it a 100% pleasurable experience. Not unlike Disneyland.

———-

Well, game is over. I thought I’d have a little more chance to write about the game, but I stayed busy the whole time. Mariners lost 6-3.

Thanks Dad for taking me.