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Airplane Driver?

 

 

The inevitable flight has begun! This term technically began with a crash course on hermeneutics, which is a $35 word for bible study methods. It was a lot: a three credit hour course in three weeks! (perspective, most of my classes are 1-5 credits each over a 5 month semester) However, it was an incredible blessing to spend so much dedicated time in the Word, and to do it as a group. It went fast. The first weekend I did homework, the second weekend I went to my housemate Collin's wedding, and the last weekend I took my Powerplant Oral and Practical test (again). I passed the test! No paperwork problems!

 

 

During the weeks I spent most of my evenings at Collin and Daisy's new home helping complete the construction/remodel work. We finished most of the necessary things barely in time for them to get back from their honeymoon. It was a fun and special time working with everybody to get it done. The finishing touches I need to go back to help with soon. A good excuse to visit them!

 

 

Over break I enjoyed visiting my science class in person! Doing experiments with them was lots of fun. (This one involved fire, so it was more of a demonstration) They also got me a Christmas present: a new hat for my collection!

 

 

My break coincided with my friend's leave, Josiah is a Ranger Medic, and we enjoyed a great hike up to rooster rock viewpoint. As you can tell, there was a beautiful view of fog, and we were unsuccessful at starting a fire, but it was a fantastic and chilly time! At the top there, the hymn 'How Great Thou Art' ran through my head with some slightly altered words. "When through the woods, and icy paths I wander, and I hear the crunch of snow beneath my feet. When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur, and see the fog, and shiver in the breeze. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to Thee, how great Thou art!" God is still incredibly good, He creates the beautiful landscape and He nestled the mountains in their thrones of power above them, even when the fog comes by and covers it up so you cant see. So let my soul sing to Him and be at rest! Later I went to Josiah's folks' place to hang out, talk, goof off, and jam some music which was awesome.

 

 

This is just a random picture of our church bus guarding the parking lot after AWANA.

 

 

And now I am taking to the skies! It is a different flavor than many I have tasted. I have class time that is the theory, and then briefings with a flight instructor for the practical training. Because I am doing maintenance specialist my schedule is a little different than my class. I have had simulator time for taxiing (airplane driving), which is very tricky, and I haven't gotten the hang of it yet. You use your feet to control the steering, and your right hand for the throttle, your toes for the brakes, and your other hand moves the yoke (a steering wheel not for steering!?!) to keep the wind from tipping you over! Tomorrow I have the first simulator flight, hopefully I don't crash! (Don't worry though, I wont, they have done a good job of teaching us what we need to know)

 

 

Simulator sessions

 

 

This is the view outside of the classroom window. I am learning a lot of cool things, but also a lot of important things. It is really exciting! Stuff like, spending more time with God, discovering how to relate to and encourage my friends who are pilots, and how to navigate pursuing excellence, rest, and bringing God into and honoring Him through every moment of the work I am doing. I also have been enjoying the opportunity to drift my pickup (with brakes that work, yay!) around corners on the almost perpetual supply of snow!

 

Please pray that I would apply myself well in this newish environment and that I would take advantage of the right opportunities to learn, and the right opportunities to rest. Also, please pray for my friend Josiah as he excels as a Ranger Medic, that he would be able to settle into a good local Christian community. And pray for my friend Rachel who recently moved to Georgia to prepare for working in Bolivia as a missionary! Until next time!

 

Honoring Christ,

Jonathan

 

P.S. I read Psalm 116 this morning, highly recommend!