Seattle Condo

In case you ever wanted to know what our condo looks like...
RENTED.

roxy play

by Meredith Dancause

Graybar new hire

Have you ever heard of Graybar Electric Co.? I hadn't either till May of this year when I applied for a job there. Well I got it and started on June 11, 2007. Graybar is a Fortune 500 company with branches all over North America. We are an employee-owned company that is a "provider of electrical and telecommunications service solutions and products." Seattle is the NW District headquarters.

I work in the Financial Department. My job is quite diverse, which I like, so it is hard to explain what I do. My main duty is that of financial manager for about 300 commercial accounts. I establish creidt lines, ensure payments are made, and do a lot of problem solving to resolve payment issues. I also create financial reports, set up new accounts, and work with other departments as it relates to finances, especially accounting.

I realize this may sound boring to a lot of people, but I enjoy working with numbers and analyzing things so I have been enjoying my job. As well, I am getting the experience I desire which I believe will help prepare me for my long term goal of doing Business as Mission.

All Done

This not so interesting photo is the final moment of my Mars Hill Graduate School - Masters Of Arts in Christian Studies degree. With the click of the mouse at 3:32am on August 7, 2007 I turned in my final paper via email to Dr. Carl Raschke.
This is all my assigned reading for my degree. It represents so much...

Oops

Trish fell asleep and this is how I was greeted when I came home from school. It's diaper ointment!

Jocie is 2

Koen, Samuel, Jocie, Roxy, Matia

Guess what???

2-9er

That's our hotel behind my left hand
For my birthday present we took an overnight trip to Victoria, British Columbia. It was a three-hour ride on the Victoria Clipper. It was a relaxing time in a beautiful city.
Tanning by the pool

Class of 2007

I graduated today! I earned a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Mars Hill Graduate School. I do love my school. It is unique and it is a gift from God.
I had the privilege of being one of the three student speakers. Click here to read my speech. I actually have three more classes this summer, but they only have one ceremony a year. I think my last assignment is due August 3rd. I enjoyed the ceremony much more than I thought I would. The chapel was beautiful, but it is hard to tell from the lighting in this picture. I was extremely nervous giving my speech, but I think it came out okay. I am glad it is over and thankful to be a part of the story of Mars Hill.

Me with one of my favorite professors, Dr. Dwight Friesen

Our Easter

We went to Vineyard Community Church which is the church we have started attending somewhat regularly. For dinner we went to the Dancause house for a tasty potluck and fun time with about a dozen friends.

Easter Progression

I

One minute in the life of Roxy

By popular demand, a Roxy video clip. It is nothing extraordinary - actually pretty standard.

Mom time

My mom came to visit us Thursday through today. We had a good time, nothing really out of the ordinary, just enjoyed food, shopping, nature, and time together. Mom, thanks for making the trip - we appreciate it.

26

Again, not too many birthday pictures. These are the only two - the coffee shop two blocks from our house where we ate breakfast and cherry blossoms on the walk back. For Trish's birthday present we went to the Melting Pot. YUMMY!

2

Yep, Roxy is TWO. We had two parties to celebrate our 29 lb, 36 inch daughter who has never had a haircut, talks non-stop, and loves putting anything or anyone to sleep.

Sadly, we didn't get too many good pictures, but we still have the best toddler ever.

Just one of those days...

This was one of those days when you are compelled by the weather to spend some time outside. This park is about three miles from our house. We are blessed to live in such a wonderful place.
Happy Swinging
She already has skills
Almost there

Katie

My niece was born today. Let's celebrate!

Kathryn Grace Dinkins
7 lb 12 oz - 21 inches
March 5th @ 1:02 p.m.

Ring around the Rosies

Click to watch video:Ring around the Rosies.

Stories

I really should record more stories about Roxy here to help me remember. With that thought here are two...

Today Roxy was flipping through My First Bible and coming across a cartoon image of Moses holding a staff says, "UNCLE JASON!" Where that came from I don't know.

I was going through a list of "What does a _____ say?" When I asked her for the first time, "What does daddy say?" she pondered a bit and I braced for what could be a telling moment. She answered, "I love you!" and my proud heart melted.

ABC 123 Videos

Click here to see Roxy sing her ABCs.

And here to see her count.

ABC 123

Roxy is 23 months today and still amazing us. She sang her ABCs and counted to ten this past month all on her own. I think that makes her a genius, but I don't know.

From a recent assignment

Personal Mission Statement:
My mission is to employ business as a tool to facilitate economic, social, and spiritual well-being for individuals and entire communities. I will use my talents, experiences, and passions to do my part in bringing the kingdom of God to the here in now; specifically, God’s will that no person live in poverty. I will connect with communities stricken by poverty so that together we can harness the potential of business to reduce poverty and to advance of God's kingdom globally.

Reflection:
As a white male from the USA, I have a lot of power in the world. I do not say that arrogantly because in actuality I shy away from that power because of the responsibility that accompanies it. In addition, I do not like being identified with my “demographic” that is responsible for much violence and oppression in the world past and present. Regardless, I am what I am and with the born privilege comes power. I can choose to use that power to perpetuate or to change the systems that oppress. I want to change those systems. In particularly, I sense a calling to reduce the oppressive systems of poverty.
Poverty is the source or at least major contributor of many of the world’s problems such as preventable diseases, human trafficking, war, HIV, illiteracy, starvation, and the oppressive list goes on. If the problem of poverty is solved, many of these other problems would be solved or at least lessened as a result. Poverty is a complicated systemic issue that requires many different solutions. The most obvious solution to me and the one I feel equipped to apply is to help grow the economies of poverty stricken communities and nations. Carrying out this solution requires careful handling. Social, environmental, psychological, and spiritual development must accompany the economic growth. I want to work with others, rich and poor, to help figure out how to best grow together in all these aspects.

All Done

Wednesday was my last day at PDIC (my part-time employer). It was a mutual termination after our pre-established three-month probationary period because he was looking for someone long term to grow with the company. That person is not me. I hope that I gained helpful experience for my life to come. I feel relief from the job. So now what...

I have applied for a couple of paid internship/volunteer positions in mircofinance (a field I am highly interested in). Although I have been successful in making some good contacts/relationships with people in the field, it doesn't look like those opportunities will come to pass anytime soon. I also applied for an Admin Assist position at Starbucks in the International Dept and I have an interview on Thursday. I started off applying because it sounds like a good idea/opportunity, but as time goes on I am getting excited about it. We'll see...

Snow Day II

As seen in this picture, Roxy doesn't quite appreciate snow days like she should.

Urbana 06

Post-trip Report:
December 27-31 I attended Urbana 06 in St. Louis. It was attended by 22,500 people. Seeing and being around that many people passionate about missions was thrilling. Visiting or walking through the exhibits from missions organizations brought great joy. I talked with some amazing people and potential contacts. The relationships and networking that happens at Urbana is perhaps its greatest benefit.

I did the Business as Mission (BAM) track "for those who have a passion or growing interest in business and global missions. It will build, mobilize, and equip a multi-generational network of business practitioners who seek to harness the potential of business to contribute to the global advance of God's kingdom around the world." Mission accomplished. It was the first such track for Urbana and the largest gathering ever for BAM (1200 people).

I don't want to go on and on about the details, but finish with a few words: theater, ethnic diversity (I was a minority in BAM), sleeping on the floor, Bono (U2), poverty, calling, AIDS, exposure, and knowledge.