Interesting moral conversation…

I’ve been thinking about something that happened spontaneously in 7th grade math yesterday…when these things happen, you have to take the opportunity to discuss with you students…

Before class starts, I give them 2-3 minutes to chat and get settled. I wasn’t really paying attention to the conversation, but something sparked one of them to ask me, “Mr. Gehrke, if I gave you $1,000 would you give me an answer to a problem on this assignment?” I quickly said, (without even looking up) “No.” A couple boys said, “No way…it’s a thousand dollars.” So the first asked, “What if I had $1 million and I gave it to you for an answer?” I asked, “Is it sitting right here in cash?” He said, “Yes.” I answered without hesitation, “No.” That’s when the rest of the class was completely engaged into this discourse. The group erupted, “WHAT!?!?  ONE MILLION DOLLARS FOR 1 ANSWER!?!?” Another kid said, “I’d give him the entire assignment for that much!” So they started throwing out numbers like 1 billion, 1 trillion, “infiniti money.” Then another said, “You wouldn’t have to work here ever again and just live on the beach!” They just couldn’t believe it. So I asked them if they’d be like Michael Vick and drown a puppy for $1 billion. They couldn’t believe I’d ask it and said, “No!” I asked them what made some things right and some things wrong. Are there things that you can just do over and over and others that are completely out of the question? They said, “That’s different.” Is it? I’m reminded of a conversation earlier in the year when a few boys said if someone pushed them in the hall, they’d step up and start a fight and beat that person up right there. “Why?,” I had asked. Why wouldn’t you just walk away and be the bigger person. Is fighting okay and cheating all day long acceptable in their eyes? I’m thinking about this after the fact, but it gives me insight into a few of them. I did continue the discussion (thank you God for insight into what to say) by saying, “I may be living on the beach with millions of dollars, but everyday realize that I gained this wealth by helping a 7th grader CHEAT. How honorable is that?” They had nothing to say. A few nodded their heads and I could tell they were thinking it through. I finished by explaining it’s where you choose to point your “moral compass.” Will you choose honesty and truth and God or selfishness and control and power? You’d live a much fuller, happier life with God and integrity. Please continue to pray for all youth in our country that they would grow to know God’s Love, His Truth and kindness to all.

We’re in!!

Yesterday was a big day and an extremely exciting one!  We FINALLY moved our stuff from the storage unit into our house.  We’re so relieved to have everything in here and the craziness almost completely over.  We have 1 more week of classes and then Emily and I will have a week to finish getting the house settled before we head to Colorado for a few days.  So, when we get back in the New Year, we’ll have a new house to enjoy.  We’ll have new pictures soon…check back in the next week or so.  Praise God!

Tile & Mold

Well, we broke up all the old tile and got it all out…which was a big accomplishment, but we found some other bad stuff.  Looks like the previous people had leaks behind the fridge, under the kitchen sink and behind the washer…gosh!  There is tons of mold on the fiberboard in the laundry room and some where the refridgerator goes and a little by the sink.  We don’t know the whole extent or how much it will cost or how long it will take to get it out, but please pray that it isn’t too much.  We’ve gotten a ton of things done, but there is always something else to do!  God is good all the time!

Lots done!

The kitchen is painted! No more pink!

The kitchen is painted! No more pink!

More House Work…

The Garage filled with work supplies

The couch came, but the 3rd piece didn

Ted built a new space for the microwave and then painted everything!

California has Fall too…except it’s not cold!

It’s crazy to see the beautiful reds and yellows while you’re in shorts and t-shirts and it’s 75 degrees outside.  But on the other hand, it’s pretty sweet.

Work in Progress

Installing a new guest bathroom toilet.

Inside the sink... I was actually a little worried I would be stuck when my shoulders wouldn't slide through on the way out... I'm actually writing this blog from inside the cabinet.

The horrible vent hood comes down…that thing was a beast.

The RED laundry room after a good shot of primer.

Working hard!

is she working? - the room BEFORE being painted - in yellow glory

Sanding, sanding....sanding.

wine tasting with Ted and Janet

Steve and Helen (friends from church) went with us as well and we ate lunch on the patio out back of the winery.

There are tons of vineyards in the central valley of California - all very close to Modesto. It

THE HOUSE IS OURS!!

After over 3 months of waiting and 44 days of extensions on our original closing date of Sept.27th…the house is ours!!  Thank you for the prayers and the thoughts as we learned faith and patience on this endurance race.  God has been good and taught us a lot.  Now, the fun begins.  We’ll be sure to post before and after pictures on here, so you can enjoy in the fun.

Closing and help coming

God is faithful!  We signed our loan documents and we are about 95% sure we’ll be closing on Friday and getting our keys!!!  I don’t think I can explain how excited we are.  The best part was when our mortgage broker called last night (3 hours after signing papers) and said she reviewed the closing costs again and found that they overcharged us and it’s actually $2000 less than they told us a few hours earlier!!  What great news!  Now, we are looking forward to Emily’s parents who should arrive Friday or Saturday to help us fix up the house, paint, etc.  It’s going to be a lot of fun…keep checking for more pics and updates on the progress to come.