Working on Time Out! for Sunday
Friday, July 3, 2009
I am excited about the opportunity to share with our church. Pastor Seth will be out of town taking advantage of a wonderful Time Out with his wife and kids and he has graciously asked me to share this week from God's Word. If you're in the area, we'd love to have you join us. There are two services; one at 9 a.m. and one at 10:30. We meet at our facility at 710 5th Ave. SW in Pine City (the old Methodist Church building). We have an incredible worship leader and terrific time worshipping together each week. Hope to see you there!
Posted by Rob Spahr 9:34 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Evergreen Community Church, Rob's Stuff
Award-Winning Son!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Congrats also to all of the other recipients in the sixth grade class. Only 12 students received this honor this year from our school.
I can't believe I'm now the father of two junior high boys! They're so awesome!!
Posted by Rob Spahr 11:20 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Spahr Family
Moving Day on Thursday
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Of course, it wouldn't be moving day for the Spahrs without some type of inclement weather. This time we're expecting rain but hoping it won't last all day long.
If you're in the area and want to drop by and give us a hand for some of the day, please do so. We'll have some food for you, too! We're starting shortly after 8 a.m. and going until we're done (which hopefully won't be too late in the afternoon, depending on the weather).
Posted by Rob Spahr 7:22 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: moving, Spahr Family
So good!
Friday, April 24, 2009
The Pepsi has a very smooth tatse and none of the dry aftertaste the corn syrup sweetened pepsi usually has. Can't wait to try the Mountain Dew. (Coke has some "Coca-Cola Natural" coming out that is also made with real sugar, but I haven't found any yet.)
Posted by Rob Spahr 12:07 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Rob's Stuff
My Favorite Administrative Professionals
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I have worked with some incredible church administrative assistants/secretaries in my years of youth ministry. Almost every one has become a dear friend, and none moreso than the one I want to highlight today on this Administrative Professionals day, and that is Jeanne Johnson at Pine City Evangelical Free Church.
She has given her all to the church through the years and does far more for others behind the scenes than anyone will ever know. It's not because she's a workaholic, but out of a sense of love for the church and people and desire to do the very best job possible that she is often there early mornings and late nights on various days of the week. She pours her time and energy into her job and works with a true servant's heart. She strives for excellence without being an unhealthy perfectionist. She always seeks to learn more so she can serve better. Jeanne is one of the hardest workers I have ever served with.
You don't have to work in church ministry for long before you realize that it is very difficult. You take all kinds of criticism and abuse - mostly unfair and sometimes even from the very people you work under. Jeanne has suffered more than her fair share of this and yet in spite of the hurtful and untrue barbs she has taken in the past, she continues to serve with a cheerful attitude, humble spirit, and open heart. She is always willing to talk with people and is one of the best listeners I know.
So congratulations, Jeanne, on this special day. I dearly miss serving alongside you but will always count it a privilege to know you and call you my friend. Have a great AP day!! We love you!!!
Posted by Rob Spahr 6:32 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: ministry, Rob's Stuff
Awesome Weekend at Evergreen
Monday, April 20, 2009
Of course you expect a "home run" message on Easter, but Pastor Seth nailed it again this week as we kicked off a new series: Kaleo (greek for "Called"). We're beginning by talking about what we as Christ-followers are called to do... and then we're actually doing it - not just talking about it.
Now that we have decided to stay in Pine City our family is getting involved in Evergreen beyond just Sunday morning worship. I began training in on the tech team yesterday and Jordan attended his first youth group meeting last night. We both had a great time and are looking forward to getting to know more people at church.
If you live nearby and don't have a church home in the Pine City area, you should come join us! I am so excited to be a part of a growing and vibrant church that is really reaching out to people far from God. So cool.
Posted by Rob Spahr 11:03 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Evergreen Community Church, Spahr Family
Garage/Moving Sale this Wednesday only
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
We're moving and want to get rid of as much stuff as possible so we won't have to move it! (And if you're planning to help us move on May 1, you'll really appreciate our desire to downsize!)
We are priced to sell. Seriously. It seems like everything is about a quarter. Come for great deals on...
- Housewares - Dishes, small kitchen appliances, decorations
- Clothes
- Games
- Toys - Lego, Yu-gi-oh, Iron Giant, Star Wars, etc.
- Video games - PC games, Gamecube, Gameboy DS, Wii
- Books - science fiction, graphic novels, books on tape, kids books, and home improvement
- Videos
- CDs - Contemporary Christian, worship, pop
1041 9th Street, Pine City, MN (just down the street from Grace Lutheran Church)
Wednesday, April 15, 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Update: Doing so well on Wednesday we decided \not to open Thursday. Things are pretty picked through. Awesome weather and great day.
Posted by Rob Spahr 11:44 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: garage sale, Spahr Family
Real Estate Update
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Second learning: there is almost nothing in the Pine City area or surrounding communities for rent if you are looking for a house with at least three bedrooms. We saw one place the other day - the only one in the area on the rental marked - and it was pit. It would take hundreds and hundreds of dollars (or more) to bring it up to livable condition and they still wanted $1000 a month! Are you kidding me? I know that supply is almost nil, but still...
Some property manager or real estate investor could really do well by buying and fixing up single family homes with 3 bedrooms or more in the Pine City metropolitan area and putting them up for rent. It is a completely untapped market as far as supply, and I have to believe there is demand out there beyond just our family.
Fortunately for us we have tapped into the "underground" market/network (ie. friends and their friends and so on). Not that there is a lot there either, but we do have a lead we are pursuing. Right now we are trusting that since God seems to be calling us to stay in the area for now that He will provide both the housing and finances to rent it.
Posted by Rob Spahr 7:04 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Spahr Family
Pine-ing Away for Minnesota
Sunday, March 29, 2009
So we are staying in Pine City. I'll be working at Walmart and hopefully moving into management in a little bit. We are excited to settle in and get involved in the great church we have been attending here in town (Evergreen Church).
We are very sad not to be able to be closer to my dad, aunt, and friends in Florida, but that's what vacations are for, I suppose. We are also sad to leave the wonderful sunshine and warm weather behind (it's supposed to snow Tuesday and it's almost April!) Of course we have nice scenery here, too, from time to time - that's sunset on Lake Pokegema in the picture up above.
On the other hand we are happy to be able to stay close to the wonderful friends we have made in our neighborhood and at work. And we are glad to be able to keep the boys in the great schools in Pine City. (Now if someone could do something about that awful auditorium... but that's a topic for another post.) I also have greatly enjoyed working at the Pine City Walmart and have made some good friends there.
So, Pine City, you're stuck with us for the time being. If anyone in the Pine City school district knows a house we can rent, let us know! Be seeing you!
Posted by Rob Spahr 12:17 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Spahr Family
The Real Estate Agent Who Called Back
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
No, this is not an imaginary story, dream, or fantasy post. We actually had a real estate agent who called us back today! If you are wondering why this is a big deal, you obviously haven't dealt with real estate agents recently. We barely hear from our own agent in Pine City who has listed and - finally - sold our house. Trying to find someone in Florida to return a call - because they never answer their phones! - was difficult. I even tried contacting an old friend I grew up with who manages properties and even he never called back.
It's pretty sad, in a sense, that something as simple as returning a phone call/email/etc. can make such a huge impact but so few do it. I can't tell you the number of churches I've contacted whom I've never heard from again. Several years ago this happened with a large well-known church in the Madison area. We had spent the entire day meeting on site with the search team and the senior pastor (who also gave us a tour of the city). We left with a great impression and were never contacted again - no email or anything to indicate that we had ever been there or been under consideration! Seriously, for churches that are supposed to be caring for people, the way they treat potential candidates is abysmal. I suppose it does give you a clue to the church leadership and culture, though.
In any event, we now have a realtor in the area we can work with and you can bet we'll be in touch in a few years when we're ready to buy another house. How hard would it have been for one of the other agents we tried to contact to reply? They could have had a faithful customer (and a cool write-up on our blog!)
Posted by Rob Spahr 7:25 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: job search, Spahr Family
It's a Sunshine Day!
Monday, March 9, 2009
I never thought I would want to move back to Florida, but over the past year or so that has really changed. We were talking with a church in Bradenton recently about a youth ministry position and our whole family was very excited about the prospect. We decided that even if that opportunity did not work out, we all still really wanted to be in Bradenton near my Dad and the rest of my family and many friends who still live there. It'll be a great chance for Jordan and Jonah to get to spend more time with their grandparents on my side of the family whom they have only been able to see once a year or so until now. It may mean that I will be out of vocational ministry for a season, but we really feel like God is leading in this direction. I'll still be actively involved in a local church and be able to volunteer with the youth ministry wherever we end up attending.
Another attraction of living in Florida for us is the great weather. We are all very tired of the snow and cold - it seems like this winter has been worse than most. None of us are into winter sports (other than the occasional broomball game) but we love the water and swimming which we only had the chance to enjoy twice last year. I've lived in the Midwest for over twenty years now and am ready to warm back up!
We'll keep all our friends and family posted with our new address once we know what it will be. Our e-mails will remain the same so you can keep in touch that way, via my blog here, or through Facebook. Plus we'll look forward to having many of you visit and stay with us on vacation! (You can spring for Disney World.)
Posted by Rob Spahr 8:51 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Rob's Stuff, Spahr Family
Jordan's Speech Meet
Monday, February 9, 2009
Jordan competed in speech this year in the category of Great Speeches. He gave Robert F. Kennedy's speech in Indianapolis following Martin Luther King's assassination. The speech included commentary that Jordan had researched about the speech. He did an awesome job, placing 6th in the category. The Pine City Junior High Speech group placed 2nd overall!Great work, everyone! Here is a picture of the team with their trophy. (You can see Jordan's head in the back row, just to the right of center, above the kid with the baseball cap on.)
Posted by Rob Spahr 11:17 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Jordan Spahr, Spahr Family
A Wonderful - and very funny - Treat
Friday, February 6, 2009
The funniest thing happened when I got a call from Pizza Hut asking for directions to my bar. I said, "What? I don't have a bar."
She replied, "We have an order here and I thought they said it was for Rob's Bar."
Posted by Rob Spahr 2:58 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Rob's Stuff
Busy Weekend
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A good friend e-mailed today to ask for an update on Jonah. I was reminded that not everyone who reads my blog also has a Facebook account and keeps up with my personal family stuff. That tends to be the place where I micro-blog about just brief personal items while using this blog for longer, deeper insights, observations and updates.
Nevertheless, here is the update: Jonah is doing well and should have his stitches out on Friday. He came down with the stomach flu on Saturday, followed by Rosalie with a milder but longer-lasting version the next day. Jordan was afflicted, as well, and both boys spent the day at home Monday, but are back to school today. Rosalie is doing better, as well, and I somehow seem to have dodged the bullet this time. So far. I hope.
One other highlight of this past week was Jordan's first speech meet. He is in the Great Speeches category and delivers Robert F. Kennedy's speech in Indianapolis following Martin Luther King's assassination. Part of the speech has to be Jordan's own researched commentary. He did an excellent job - in spite of some nervousness - and received an A- from both judges (he had to devlier it at two different times). I'm very proud - as always. Congratulations, Jordan!
Posted by Rob Spahr 10:42 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Rob's Stuff, Spahr Family
Jonah's first stitches
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Jordan was the first in the family to have a broken bone (with his foot due to a football injury last year) but Jonah now claimed first place from his brother for stitches. We has a call yesterday shortly after noon asking us to come get Jonah from school as he had fallen during a floor hockey game in gym and hit his head on a cement ledge, cutting his ear. Two hours and seven stitches later, he was home and beginning the healing process. His convalescence is continuing today after a restless night (he kept wanting to turn over, but can only sleep on one side). He should make a full recovery with only a small scar.
As you can see, Toby is taking good care of him, too!
Posted by Rob Spahr 8:42 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Spahr Family
