Another Christmas has come and gone and I am reminded of two things. First, I am very blessed and Second, it is not due to anything I have done and I should be (and I am) very thankful. We spent that last few days before Christmas like everyone else, scrambling to find last minute gifts. Kristin and I set a limit this year and amazingly we both stuck to it (for the most part). We decided to stay home for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning this year and the first thing I am thankful for is family that understands our desire to do that.
Christmas eve we went to a beautiful service at the Lifepoint Stewart's Creek campus. It was a great time with some old friends and many new ones. Over 200 people in the service celebrating Jesus' birth it was a great reminder of what the entire season should be about. Of all the changes this year, merging with Lifepoint has probably been the biggest. It has been a bumpy road at times but we believe that we made the right decision and are excited to see what the future holds for our old/new church family.
Christmas morning Kyndal actually slept until 8:30 and we got to open presents and enjoy our time as a family. Kyndal would open a gift and if you asked her if she liked it she would say "I am not talking" or just shrug her shoulders with her palms in the air. I am thankful that when I asked her what Christmas was about she still said Jesus. After we opened everything we made the drive to Cookeville and spent the rest of the day with Kristin's parents and enjoyed some great time with family. Then, yesterday we got up had breakfast and drove on to Kingston to spend the day with my family. We really appreciate all of our family and have been reminded during this season how important they are. Last night we drove home and looked like a traveling Toys R Us.
Today, we went to church and then spent a lazy day at home. It has been wonderful to relax and get some things done around here. I was able to finish unloading the car, clean the garage and get all of my new electronic gadgets hooked up. I am off tomorrow and plan to spend some more down time, no big plans, no agenda, just a lazy day, hopefully. After a few days at work, we are planning a New Year's party for the first time and really looking forward to it.
So, if I have realized one thing in the last week it is that we are surrounded by great family and wonderful friends. We don't tell you all enough how much you mean to us, we love you all!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
What happened to the Front Porch Society?
There have been a lot of changes in the Aune household lately. Still waiting on all of the changes to be revealed at work with Ingram's reorganization, but interestingly work is becoming less important to me lately. Hard for a workaholic to admit but true. We have also begun the process of our church becoming a new Lifepoint Church campus and we are very excited to see what the next two months brings for both congregations. Kristin, Kyndal and I attended our first service at Lifepoint yesterday and I totally enjoyed myself. Someone asked me what I thought as I was sitting in the cafe between services and I responded that I loved the feeling of community in the building. So many people talked to us and welcomed us we felt at home. I can not tell you how much that meant.
The word community seems to be resonating with me this week. I was given a great book yesterday about building small groups and connecting people. One of the key points in the book is that people were not created to do life alone or isolate themselves. In Genesis 2 God says it is not good for man to be alone, and we often hear this in relation to mairrage but God also meant this in regards to life. We were designed for relationships with others. Yet, our society has become just the opposite. If you ever see how older homes were designed they often were built with big front porches. In the evening and on weekends people would sit on the front porch and invite those passing by to sit and share stories, drinks and life. Today..... we sit at work all day and barely know the person sitting next to us. Then we drive home on busy streets and pull in our garage shutting the door behind us, only to drop down in front of the TV. If we do go outside it is to the back deck not the front porch.
It is easier (for me especially) to isolate myself in the house and be comfortable. If you never put yourself out there, you can not get hurt. However, there is great reward in investing in other people and knowing they are doing the same for you. I am not saying it is easy, we all know difficult people and can be one sometimes as well. What I am saying is that it is worth it. Relationships should be cherished and are valuable. So, the next time you wonder if you should talk to someone, invite someone and especially forgive someone do it. These get progressively harder I know but God forgave us and he continues to each day, who are we not to extend that to others? Something to consider......
--Bret
The word community seems to be resonating with me this week. I was given a great book yesterday about building small groups and connecting people. One of the key points in the book is that people were not created to do life alone or isolate themselves. In Genesis 2 God says it is not good for man to be alone, and we often hear this in relation to mairrage but God also meant this in regards to life. We were designed for relationships with others. Yet, our society has become just the opposite. If you ever see how older homes were designed they often were built with big front porches. In the evening and on weekends people would sit on the front porch and invite those passing by to sit and share stories, drinks and life. Today..... we sit at work all day and barely know the person sitting next to us. Then we drive home on busy streets and pull in our garage shutting the door behind us, only to drop down in front of the TV. If we do go outside it is to the back deck not the front porch.
It is easier (for me especially) to isolate myself in the house and be comfortable. If you never put yourself out there, you can not get hurt. However, there is great reward in investing in other people and knowing they are doing the same for you. I am not saying it is easy, we all know difficult people and can be one sometimes as well. What I am saying is that it is worth it. Relationships should be cherished and are valuable. So, the next time you wonder if you should talk to someone, invite someone and especially forgive someone do it. These get progressively harder I know but God forgave us and he continues to each day, who are we not to extend that to others? Something to consider......
--Bret
Monday, June 29, 2009
Growth is painful
It has been a while since I have stopped to post here. This post is a series of random thoughts for those who are not up to speed and have an interest in what is going on in our lives.
On the personal front, yesterday was our last Sunday as Stonebrook Church. Kristin, Kyndal and I have been attending there for a little more than 5 years. That has been our home, our family and the only church that Kyndal that has ever known. Yesterday was wonderful to see several faces we have not seen in a while and catch up on what is going on in their lives. I think back at how much Kristin and I have grown and I am amazed. I sat in my office today and reflected on what Stonebrook has meant to us and realized it is sad to close the book on that chapter of our lives, but I am very excited to see what God is going to do with this new chapter. I was convicted today that I did not do everything that God wanted me to do while we were at Stonebrook and I am prayerful that I continue to grow and have the faith to step out and do what He wants me to do. I was reminded today that I don't have to be strong enough, or smart enough to do it on my own, I only have to be willing to do it and trust in Him. I am not sure what that something is right now, so if you are reading this and would pray for me, I would appreciate it.
We have also been having a small group in our home for about 3 months now and it has been going very well. We have an amazing group of familes that we are blessed to have in our home each week. We have a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do, but I had forgotten how fun it is to really get to know people and call them friends.
On the work front, there was a reorg two weeks ago of all of the Ingram Content companies and a new CIO started today. So, it should not be too long before there will be a reorganization on my department. My boss has tried to reassure me that there is a place for me there (translation, I should not lose my job) but there is no assurance I will not be asked to take on a new role. I have been through it before but each time is different and scary in it's own way.
So, I think that catches you up on us for now. I pray this finds all of you very well and that God is blessing you. We love ALL of you!
--Bret
On the personal front, yesterday was our last Sunday as Stonebrook Church. Kristin, Kyndal and I have been attending there for a little more than 5 years. That has been our home, our family and the only church that Kyndal that has ever known. Yesterday was wonderful to see several faces we have not seen in a while and catch up on what is going on in their lives. I think back at how much Kristin and I have grown and I am amazed. I sat in my office today and reflected on what Stonebrook has meant to us and realized it is sad to close the book on that chapter of our lives, but I am very excited to see what God is going to do with this new chapter. I was convicted today that I did not do everything that God wanted me to do while we were at Stonebrook and I am prayerful that I continue to grow and have the faith to step out and do what He wants me to do. I was reminded today that I don't have to be strong enough, or smart enough to do it on my own, I only have to be willing to do it and trust in Him. I am not sure what that something is right now, so if you are reading this and would pray for me, I would appreciate it.
We have also been having a small group in our home for about 3 months now and it has been going very well. We have an amazing group of familes that we are blessed to have in our home each week. We have a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do, but I had forgotten how fun it is to really get to know people and call them friends.
On the work front, there was a reorg two weeks ago of all of the Ingram Content companies and a new CIO started today. So, it should not be too long before there will be a reorganization on my department. My boss has tried to reassure me that there is a place for me there (translation, I should not lose my job) but there is no assurance I will not be asked to take on a new role. I have been through it before but each time is different and scary in it's own way.
So, I think that catches you up on us for now. I pray this finds all of you very well and that God is blessing you. We love ALL of you!
--Bret
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What we learn from our children
For the last few days I have been amazed by all of the change that has surrounded us on a daily basis. Teenagers I remember being born are graduating high school (this should not be allowed because that means I am older than I want to admit), close friends are having more babies (before you ask when we are having another one, we don't know), Other friends are moving into new homes, Kyndal has new furniture and she is in her first "Big girl bed", and there are other changes I am not ready to discuss yet (more to come later). So, all of this has me thinking are we changing just for the sake of change or are we growing as well? As Kyndal grows and changes, I begin to understand that she will always be my daughter and I will be her father, but she will not always be my little girl. Someday, she will be able to take care of herself and make her own decisions, even if I don't agree with them. The more I have thought about that today, the more I realize it is the same with our relationship with God.
John 1:12-13 says
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent,[a] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
There are three specific times of day I really look forward to
1. When Kyndal wakes up in the morning -- usually she runs into our bedroom already carrying on a conversation before we realize what she is talking about. I will ask her for a kiss and a hug, sometimes she willing gives them, other times she refuses
2. When I get home each day -- as I walk through the garage and into the house I am already anticipating how Kyndal and Kristin will react. Will they be excited to see me, be unaware that I am home or be ready to discuss what ever event was the focus of the day? Again, I ask for a kiss and a hug, with usually the same results, willingness or refusal.
3. When we put Kyndal to bed -- admittedly, some of this excitement is anticipation of quiet time or me time after Kyndal is asleep, but again, I ask for a kiss and hug and wait for the response The difference this time occasionally is that she wants to fight us putting her to bed, because she does not want to go. However we know what is best for her.
If you have read this far, thanks for sticking with me.... here is my point.
Our interactions with God are often the same way.
Throughout the day, God would love for us to stop and acknowledge him but more often we refuse than willingly focus on him. We proceed from day to day in the same manner, then some change comes about and we don't understand why, or where it came from. If you are anything like me, change is almost always viewed as a bad thing first. Only after I stop and acknowledge God, can I see that there may be a bigger purpose. See no matter how smart, strong, organized, or confident we think we are, we are still just the child. God is the Father and even when we don't want to do something, he knows what is best. So, is there something God has been trying to tell you, that you keep resisting?
John 1:12-13 says
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent,[a] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
There are three specific times of day I really look forward to
1. When Kyndal wakes up in the morning -- usually she runs into our bedroom already carrying on a conversation before we realize what she is talking about. I will ask her for a kiss and a hug, sometimes she willing gives them, other times she refuses
2. When I get home each day -- as I walk through the garage and into the house I am already anticipating how Kyndal and Kristin will react. Will they be excited to see me, be unaware that I am home or be ready to discuss what ever event was the focus of the day? Again, I ask for a kiss and a hug, with usually the same results, willingness or refusal.
3. When we put Kyndal to bed -- admittedly, some of this excitement is anticipation of quiet time or me time after Kyndal is asleep, but again, I ask for a kiss and hug and wait for the response The difference this time occasionally is that she wants to fight us putting her to bed, because she does not want to go. However we know what is best for her.
If you have read this far, thanks for sticking with me.... here is my point.
Our interactions with God are often the same way.
Throughout the day, God would love for us to stop and acknowledge him but more often we refuse than willingly focus on him. We proceed from day to day in the same manner, then some change comes about and we don't understand why, or where it came from. If you are anything like me, change is almost always viewed as a bad thing first. Only after I stop and acknowledge God, can I see that there may be a bigger purpose. See no matter how smart, strong, organized, or confident we think we are, we are still just the child. God is the Father and even when we don't want to do something, he knows what is best. So, is there something God has been trying to tell you, that you keep resisting?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Never say never.....
I thought I would share some things going on in the lives of the Aune's lately. Things have calmed down at work for me a little since my project has gone into production, but it seems everything else has gotten busier. Most everyone knows that our church has been without a pastor for over a year now. We have an interim pastor whom we really enjoy but he does not want the job permanantly. One thing he has done is decided to change a lot of things at our church and Kristin and I have been getting more involved in that effort.
Kristin has taken on the new role of working full time with the 2 - 5 year olds. She creates the schedules and the curriculum each week. It has already been a lot of work but we decided that if we wanted to see things change we needed to get in involved. Also, there has been an effort to start small groups this year and Kristin and I have agreed to host and lead a small group in our home once a week. If you don't know what a small group is..... it is a group of people (usually 8 - 12) that agree to "do life together". That means, birthdays, doctor appointments, ballgames, whatever life entails. For those who know us well, you will know that is a pretty big stretch for both of us... well ok, probably more for me. I have been a very private person most of my life and I can probably count on one hand the people I have opened up to in my life. I am nervous about letting more people in, because most of the time, people disappoint. However, I am excited, because I have seen how we are being changed for the past few months, as people and as a family. I am enjoying being around people more and I feel drawn to get to know people more...... funny how things change.
I am a little sad that it means less time with our extended family for now, but I think once we get things settled we will be able to make the rounds again and of course everyone is welcome to come see us.
It does feel like an answered prayer for me.... I have been telling Kristin for several months that I have been disappointed that I don't have many people I can truly call friends anymore. Maybe God has heard my prayer.
Till next time.... I love you all.
Kristin has taken on the new role of working full time with the 2 - 5 year olds. She creates the schedules and the curriculum each week. It has already been a lot of work but we decided that if we wanted to see things change we needed to get in involved. Also, there has been an effort to start small groups this year and Kristin and I have agreed to host and lead a small group in our home once a week. If you don't know what a small group is..... it is a group of people (usually 8 - 12) that agree to "do life together". That means, birthdays, doctor appointments, ballgames, whatever life entails. For those who know us well, you will know that is a pretty big stretch for both of us... well ok, probably more for me. I have been a very private person most of my life and I can probably count on one hand the people I have opened up to in my life. I am nervous about letting more people in, because most of the time, people disappoint. However, I am excited, because I have seen how we are being changed for the past few months, as people and as a family. I am enjoying being around people more and I feel drawn to get to know people more...... funny how things change.
I am a little sad that it means less time with our extended family for now, but I think once we get things settled we will be able to make the rounds again and of course everyone is welcome to come see us.
It does feel like an answered prayer for me.... I have been telling Kristin for several months that I have been disappointed that I don't have many people I can truly call friends anymore. Maybe God has heard my prayer.
Till next time.... I love you all.
Friday, January 23, 2009
A long time coming
I sit here tonight, the house is quiet, Kyndal is a sleep, Kristin is napping and I am exhausted. The project that would never end finally went into production today. I had many, many days when I thought this day would neve come. I thought several times that this one would get cancelled. If you have never been through it, I can not really describe it to you. My team has been working on this project for 15 months. It has been exciting, frustrating, exhausting and rewarding all at the same time. In that time span I had two full time team members and a contractor quit, and I had to fire another contractor. It has been quite learning experience. I am not sure I knew what I signed up for when I took this job.
All that out of the way, it feels goods to sit here tonight and say that almost everything went perfectly. Two small glitches that were fixed in about 30 minutes and the performance could be better, but overall, I would call it a success. I feel a sense of accomplishment to have it done. I have to admit though that I wanted someone to be excited today and everyone just kind of seemed subdued and ho-hum about it all. I felt like we should celebrate. I even felt like we should celebrate when I got home tonight but to be honest I was too tired. Now I understand why the two bosses I had before me decided it was too stressful.
Don't get me wrong, I really like my job most of the time and I think I am good at it. I am sure others would argue that point, but most days it is pretty satisfying. The big drawback is that I lose out on a lot of time with Kristin and Kyndal and with our extended family. I miss all of you and I hope we can spend more time with all of you this year. Thanks to everyone for understanding that when I have had to say I have to work this weekend, I have really meant it.
Now, I have to say a special thanks to my wife. She has been great through all of this. over the past year, she has taken great care of Kyndal (mostly on her own) and great care of me. Most of all she has been very understanding of my overtime and the extra time I have put in at home. It helps that she has done this before and she understands what it is like, but I am thankful for her patience and understanding.
Anyway, if you have read to this point, thanks for reading and I apologize if I bored you, but I wanted to share.
I love each and every one of you who may read this!
Now off to bed........
All that out of the way, it feels goods to sit here tonight and say that almost everything went perfectly. Two small glitches that were fixed in about 30 minutes and the performance could be better, but overall, I would call it a success. I feel a sense of accomplishment to have it done. I have to admit though that I wanted someone to be excited today and everyone just kind of seemed subdued and ho-hum about it all. I felt like we should celebrate. I even felt like we should celebrate when I got home tonight but to be honest I was too tired. Now I understand why the two bosses I had before me decided it was too stressful.
Don't get me wrong, I really like my job most of the time and I think I am good at it. I am sure others would argue that point, but most days it is pretty satisfying. The big drawback is that I lose out on a lot of time with Kristin and Kyndal and with our extended family. I miss all of you and I hope we can spend more time with all of you this year. Thanks to everyone for understanding that when I have had to say I have to work this weekend, I have really meant it.
Now, I have to say a special thanks to my wife. She has been great through all of this. over the past year, she has taken great care of Kyndal (mostly on her own) and great care of me. Most of all she has been very understanding of my overtime and the extra time I have put in at home. It helps that she has done this before and she understands what it is like, but I am thankful for her patience and understanding.
Anyway, if you have read to this point, thanks for reading and I apologize if I bored you, but I wanted to share.
I love each and every one of you who may read this!
Now off to bed........
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Life is about choices and changes
I felt compelled to write a blog entry tonight and forgive me if it is a little all over the place, but here goes.
It is a new year and in the first 20 days it seems there have been several small changes and one large one have and will impact Kristin, Kyndal and I. Obviously, the big change is that we have a new president today. I am excited to see how things change in the coming months and committed to praying for our new president. Regardless of wether you voted for him or not, I believe we should all be in prayer for our leaders and respect the office they hold.
As for the little changes, Kristin and I have been exploring our new hobby (semi waste of time) on facebook. It has been somewhat surreal connecting with people I have not talked to in almost 20 years. Interesting to see how life changes people. We have also been trying to take a more active role in our church. One of the things we have realized is that we are not closely connected with most of the people that we know on a daily basis and that has recently been bothering me. I seem to find myself wishing out loud that I had more people I trusted to provide support, counsel and guidance.
On the work front, the project I have been working on for over 15 months is going into production on Friday. I hope that means less work, but I am concerned it may mean that there are many changes coming. I recently found out a co-worker was quiting to become a writer, simply because he did not enjoy being a programmer. I admire his willingness to try something new, but it made me realize that I am not brave enough most of the time to attempt anything new.
My hope for 2009 is to be a better husband, better father, better son, and make some new friends. If that means stepping outside my comfort zone, I hope God gives me the strength to do that.
Until next time.... Here's new picture, I love it
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