I pray that this becomes our prayer.. That we would be in love with our precious Lord!
Monday, May 24, 2010
short tid bit
So Chad has decided to fix the truck himself. It is going to be a nice little project for him, but he'll do great. I'm glad he is learning how to do all the maintenance on our vehicles, it will save us so much money. Yay for mechanic training.
I have been working a lot lately, I got overtime last week and I could possibly work more this week. The unit is completely full and it's been a pretty sad few weeks. Its nice to be home for a few days to get things done around here.
Our update letter is finally complete so we will be sending that out very soon. If you know anyone who would like the letter, it updates on Chad's training and our hopes for making it to the mission field in the near future.
I have been working a lot lately, I got overtime last week and I could possibly work more this week. The unit is completely full and it's been a pretty sad few weeks. Its nice to be home for a few days to get things done around here.
Our update letter is finally complete so we will be sending that out very soon. If you know anyone who would like the letter, it updates on Chad's training and our hopes for making it to the mission field in the near future.
Celebrating our Papa!
Yesterday was my Dad's birthday. All of us kids were there! I haven't seen the entire family really since December. We were together for a short time for Porter's dedication, so it was nice to spend some time with the family. 
Hope you had a great birthday Papa, we love you!
Monday, May 17, 2010
The decline of an "Old Reliable"
It is with a heavy and sincere sense of loss that I report that my truck might have seen its last days today. I was with Jamie on our way back from running errands when suddenly while climbing a hill something changed from within "ol Betsy". I immediately knew that something was wrong because the normal engine noise turned into a dull metal-on-metal grinding sound accompanied by a low whooshing noise which can only be air escaping past parts that normally don't allow such freedom.
I coaxed her up the hill and pulled off on the first opportune spot on the side of the road and sat there and turned the engine on one last time and turned it off and sat there and sat there...and sat there. I finally called a tow truck. Our bank, USAA sent one over at no charge to us. And we sat there. Our good friend from church, Josh, came over from home and kept us company until the tow truck arrived and hoisted my disabled friend onto its giant gurney bed. We followed in Josh's car as my great truck was being ferried to Aamco Transmissions in downtown Everett. It is 7:04pm now..almost 3 hours have passed since this event. All I can do is wait as the mechanics have gone home for the night. Betsy is in the hospital. I can only pray that they will quickly efficiently diagnose the nature of the engine trouble. I have some possibilities in mind already. One is certain. I have a rear differental leak. I noticed this as Betsy was being towed. The second is a possibility. I possibly lost a piston ring which seals the combustion chamber from oil and allows air to be compressed for ignition. This ring failure would explain the grinding and air whooshing past. The third possibility is one that I cringe at. I possibly lost one of the connecting rods which attaches the piston to the crankshaft. That is not desirable because it involves an engine overhaul as well as possible cylinder honing or replacement. I am an aircraft mechanic, not an automechanic so I'm not as familiar with auto engine repair procedures as I am with aircraft piston engines. One thing is certain, however... I am not thrilled about the prospect of finding a replacement to a paid off truck that has been more reliable than most people's vehicles that I've known.
I welcome prayer for clear direction in this matter.
I coaxed her up the hill and pulled off on the first opportune spot on the side of the road and sat there and turned the engine on one last time and turned it off and sat there and sat there...and sat there. I finally called a tow truck. Our bank, USAA sent one over at no charge to us. And we sat there. Our good friend from church, Josh, came over from home and kept us company until the tow truck arrived and hoisted my disabled friend onto its giant gurney bed. We followed in Josh's car as my great truck was being ferried to Aamco Transmissions in downtown Everett. It is 7:04pm now..almost 3 hours have passed since this event. All I can do is wait as the mechanics have gone home for the night. Betsy is in the hospital. I can only pray that they will quickly efficiently diagnose the nature of the engine trouble. I have some possibilities in mind already. One is certain. I have a rear differental leak. I noticed this as Betsy was being towed. The second is a possibility. I possibly lost a piston ring which seals the combustion chamber from oil and allows air to be compressed for ignition. This ring failure would explain the grinding and air whooshing past. The third possibility is one that I cringe at. I possibly lost one of the connecting rods which attaches the piston to the crankshaft. That is not desirable because it involves an engine overhaul as well as possible cylinder honing or replacement. I am an aircraft mechanic, not an automechanic so I'm not as familiar with auto engine repair procedures as I am with aircraft piston engines. One thing is certain, however... I am not thrilled about the prospect of finding a replacement to a paid off truck that has been more reliable than most people's vehicles that I've known.
I welcome prayer for clear direction in this matter.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Boeing Training / Flight Training
For the past seven weeks Boeing has been training me to be an assembly mechanic for their new 787 Dreamliner. The training has involved a combination of classroom theory lecture and hands on application in their high bay facility which houses two 767 wings, a 787 body section, and a plethora of workbenches with vises. Essentially, the job is simple. At any given time I am drilling or countersinking precision holes of various sizes on either aluminum alloys, carbon fiber reinforced plastics (composite), or simulated titanium (steel). While the job doesn't directly challenge my A&P skills or abilities, there is a lot of technique that requires constant practice to maintain a proficiency level that will allow me success when I get to the production factory line ultimately building airplanes that are designed to last indefinitely given proper maintenance and care. Additionally, the job is a great income generator which will help us pay off the Civic and finance future mission aviation training endeavours. That said...
Yesterday was a red letter day in my book. My training school, Mission Aviation Training Academy, has been blessed by generous donors lately. Last January (I think?) a friend of MATA's director donated his high performance Cessna 182. This aircraft is a 1969 model, but it is in immaculate condition and flies like a dream. Last week, another person affiliated with Pilots for Christ volunteered to donate their Cessna 172 to MATA. So yesterday, I flew MATA's 182 with my instructor, MATA's chief mechanic, and another student in the 182 to a small private grass strip airfield just east of Bremerton to inspect the aircraft. I'll center the focus on that last point. It was a small private grass strip!
As a missionary pilot I'm going to be flying in and out of all sorts of grass, dirt, or gravel airstrips all over the world. To date, I've never performed a takeoff or landing on a strip carved in the middle of a forest of trees. Yesterday I did that. And in an aircraft that's high performance (more than 200 Brake Horsepower)! I wish that I had a panel mounted camera to record the experience. For those who have never experience an approach that glides you down to treetop level for landing, let me tell you its a rush!
Currently, I have over 270 flight hours. I have roughly 20 hours left before I'll be ready to test for commercial. I've been flying after work almost every day this past week. I'm ready to get it done! There is an opportunity arising that might allow me to fly cargo for private businesses in a Cessna 182. Pray that I'll be able to take advantage of that opportunity!
Yesterday was a red letter day in my book. My training school, Mission Aviation Training Academy, has been blessed by generous donors lately. Last January (I think?) a friend of MATA's director donated his high performance Cessna 182. This aircraft is a 1969 model, but it is in immaculate condition and flies like a dream. Last week, another person affiliated with Pilots for Christ volunteered to donate their Cessna 172 to MATA. So yesterday, I flew MATA's 182 with my instructor, MATA's chief mechanic, and another student in the 182 to a small private grass strip airfield just east of Bremerton to inspect the aircraft. I'll center the focus on that last point. It was a small private grass strip!
As a missionary pilot I'm going to be flying in and out of all sorts of grass, dirt, or gravel airstrips all over the world. To date, I've never performed a takeoff or landing on a strip carved in the middle of a forest of trees. Yesterday I did that. And in an aircraft that's high performance (more than 200 Brake Horsepower)! I wish that I had a panel mounted camera to record the experience. For those who have never experience an approach that glides you down to treetop level for landing, let me tell you its a rush!
Currently, I have over 270 flight hours. I have roughly 20 hours left before I'll be ready to test for commercial. I've been flying after work almost every day this past week. I'm ready to get it done! There is an opportunity arising that might allow me to fly cargo for private businesses in a Cessna 182. Pray that I'll be able to take advantage of that opportunity!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
P-Man!!
So Porter is getting so big. I can hardly believe he will be one in July. Time sure is flying by these days.
It is such a joy to watch him grow. I only see him twice a month and every time I see him he is so different. Here are some pictures from our last few visits. I had to take a video of his fun "crawl." He got creative and found a way to get around faster and he doesn't have to hurt his knees on the hardwood floor. Such a smart boy
It is such a joy to watch him grow. I only see him twice a month and every time I see him he is so different. Here are some pictures from our last few visits. I had to take a video of his fun "crawl." He got creative and found a way to get around faster and he doesn't have to hurt his knees on the hardwood floor. Such a smart boy
Our lovely new abode!
Well the time finally arrived for us to leave our apartment. Chad and I moved into the apartment when we moved from Spokane. A year ago I searched and searched for a house to rent with no luck, this year we had MUCH better luck. The previous post is no longer the house we are renting. We found a different one just a few blocks away from where we were living before. Yes we sacrificed some yard, but we love this house so much more. There is definitely more living space, and it is much brighter.
Lincoln is slowly adjusting, he is still confused at times and walks around whimpering. But he sure does love the yard. He is SO trained to go potty on command and with us present that he hasn't learned it's ok to go potty when we put him in the yard off a leash, it'll come with time.
I've gotten most of the house organized with a few small things like the bedrooms, but that will come also. There are few more things to tie up at the apartment and then we hand back in the keys.
Chad finally has a big garage which he is so excited about. The whole right side is full of tools, tool boxes and fun other gadgets of Chad's.
There is a big bonus room/livingroom/office down stairs which for now is the office and will soon (hopefully) be the game room so I can get his XBOX out of the living room :-)
Maybe once I get this place a little cuter I'll post pictures of it again.
Lincoln is slowly adjusting, he is still confused at times and walks around whimpering. But he sure does love the yard. He is SO trained to go potty on command and with us present that he hasn't learned it's ok to go potty when we put him in the yard off a leash, it'll come with time.
I've gotten most of the house organized with a few small things like the bedrooms, but that will come also. There are few more things to tie up at the apartment and then we hand back in the keys.
Chad finally has a big garage which he is so excited about. The whole right side is full of tools, tool boxes and fun other gadgets of Chad's. 
There is a big bonus room/livingroom/office down stairs which for now is the office and will soon (hopefully) be the game room so I can get his XBOX out of the living room :-)Maybe once I get this place a little cuter I'll post pictures of it again.
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