Chismville

“forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:14

How can a young man so full of zeal for the Lord have life snuffed out of him in a moment? It’s so hard to have a truly eternal perspective amidst the ache of loss, especially when this sometimes cruel, sometimes joyfilled world is all that we know. It is so difficult to fathom that this loved one could presently be in a glorious happy state at the feet of Jesus–truly indescribably happy. It is easier to see his empty place at my family’s dinner table–to long for another conversation–about anything!–to hear him laugh at the quirky things that represented humor to Randy. God brought a soulmate, a lovely lifetime friend and companion–my sister, Kendra, to Jesse before He took Jesse’s Jonathan-like friend Home to be with Him. Something about 21 years is just so short. It’s fewer even than Jesus’ powerful missionary sojourn on earth. I think of my own father’s several life-threatening car accidents. Had he left this world then, none of his children would be here today. My children wouldn’t be here. My little human mind wonders what things Randy might have done had he stayed here longer. But God foreordained each of Randy’s meaning-filled days. God wasn’t shocked at the dreadful screech of rubber or clash of car metal on car metal today. God knew that today was the day Randy Beaty would leave this earth and join Him forever in Paradise. God used this young man in his twenty-one years for His glory and Randy lived a blessed and powerful life. Many people will look with new expectancy toward the day when they can join this dear brother in a place where there is no sadness.

This afternoon, Joli called my cell phone while I was at lunch with a good friend, Aaron James. I had just spoken with her, so I was curious to why she was calling again so soon. Her voice sounded sad and troubled. She told me that she had some very sad news. I knew right away that something terrible must have happened to someone on the east coast.

Joli shared the very VERY sad news that Jesse Beaty’s brother, Randy, died just an hour earlier. Jesse is Kendra Howard’s fiance, and they are planning to get married early in 2008. Jesse and Randy were very close, so my heart grieves for my dear brother, Jesse. I just can’t believe the news and am shocked as I write. Randy had just left the Lynchburg area with a friend, Daniel, to drive to the Howard’s home for dinner (Libertytown, MD). As he headed down the highway (56), it appears he missed the stop sign (though it was rainy out), and a small red pickup truck slammed into the driver’s side. Randy’s close friend, Daniel, was taken to a nearby hospital and was talking! We pray for his safety and the other two drivers who are also at local Lynchburg hospitals.

Jesse, if you ever read this entry, know that I am here for you brother. You and Randy are such wonderful Christian men, and I know how special your relationship was with him. I only had the honor of meeting him last Christmas, and I could tell he was a cheerful and godly man! Praise God that he is rejoicing now with our Savior Jesus Christ. I am sorry for your loss and your family’s. I just do not know of anything more I can say at this point as I still sit here in San Diego speechless and with much sorrow in my heart.

Now may our God, the God of all comfort, bless, encourage, strengthen, settle and lift up your soul because of the great love of God our Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory in now and forever. Praying for you and your family, Jesse.

Our family is doing very well in San Diego. None of our extended family had to evacuate our homes! Praise God for that! All of us were in between the Witch Creek & Harris Fires, but we were in the safe zone. The fires continue to burn on, but it appears that the fire crews have a general handle on most of them. There is still a threat out there, but as for us Chism’s, we are fine.

Please pray for our city, because most of the city is not fine! I do not know who has lost their homes yet. A lot of my paint clients lived in the fire areas and at least 40 church families had to evacuate. So as of today, I really don’t know the damage out there. I just know it is very bad for those who lived closer to the fires. We will have a lot of work to do in the coming months if not years. I still cannot believe the fire burned into certain communities. I never would have guessed that could even happen!

I have not been around the burned areas, so I can’t show you all pictures yet. I work up in that area a lot, so very soon, I’ll be able to shoot some photos of the devastation.  God is good, and this is all part of His plan. San Diego really is a nice city. The volunteer and charity work here is simply amazing to watch. This fire scene brings back memories to all of us who were here in 2003, so we know we can rebuild and help one another. I pray that the name of Jesus would be high and lifted up during and after this “disaster!”

Today marks the 4th anniversary of the terrible fires that hit our San Diego community. The fire destroyed hundreds of homes in the city and several thousand around the statewide fires.  It was an amazing time for our community to unite and help one another. Who would have thought that four years later we would have another major fire hit our town that could end up being worse!

Yesterday afternoon, Joel and I drove back from Coronado after spending the afternoon with my mom, dad, Curtis and his fiance, Shannon. My mom pointed out earlier that it looks like there was a fire. I looked over towards downtown San Diego and saw something that looked like smoke. I shrugged and said, “Nope…probably just a marine layer or something.” When we walked back towards our cars several hours later, I smelt smoke and told Mom, “I think you were right.” I drove over the Coronado Bay Bridge and was shocked at the site of our city. Though I saw no flames, smoke filled most of the city and headed for the ocean cities. I turned on the radio and listened to the reports. It was threating the Julian area and Campo (both about 1 hour away from my home) but it did not seem to be a major threat, yet.

This morning, I drove to work at about 6:15 for a shop meeting. My dad came right up to me to ask how I was doing. I thought it was a little weird he would do that, because I was late for the 6am meeting, and he wasn’t in the meeting! He started chatting with me and told me the guys are not working due to the fires. I couldn’t believe how active the flames got over the night. At least one foreman has evacuated his home and one of our current customers (in progress) are evacuating as I write. It is possible that a huge area we work will be evacuated as well.

Please pray for our community. People are saying this is worse than the fire we had four years ago, and that was very bad!

I have a few things to wrap up at work and a couple of appointments today. I will keep writing to let our family back east know what is going on. Please pray!

Pops Howard reminded me it was time for an update!

A lot is going on at the Chism’s house. We are currently in deep sadness knowing that two of Joli’s beloved sisters have left our presence after being with us for quite some time. Kirstie was visiting for 1 month and Heidi for two weeks. I also had to leave the last week they were here for a 5 day trip to Chicago.

My Chicago trip went VERY well. I enjoyed every minute of the time (except for being separated from my little family). I had two painting conferences to attend. I love these conferences, because it always encourages me that a painting business is not so bad after all. There are a lot of quality people in the paint industry.  I’ll write more about my Chicago experience soon.

When I returned home, I spent the few remaining days with Joli’s sisters and continued with work and school. No, I’m not a full time student. I’m just taking an accounting course from the local jr. college online. It is hard, but I am plowing through it. I’m now more than half way done! I can’t wait til it is over, because it sure does take time.

Sales was slow the first 4 days back in town. I did not sell anything until the end of the 4th day: two BIG jobs back to back, which caused me to be within my weekly sales goals! That was rewarding and exciting.

I have been working hard on developing a new estimating system with a friend of mine, Jon Durham. We have been working on it off and on for the past year: trying to make it Perfect! We are not quite there but very close. My hope  is to have it working bug free by November 1st. The first of November I hope to have our new estimator, James Becker, join me in selling. This will be a major step for Chism Brothers. It has been almost three years since we had our last estimator (besides me). It did not go very well, so we are hoping James will be a better fit. He is one of our top foreman in the field but has a lot of sales skills, so we thought we would utilize his sales gifts. I’ll be training him with my new system, a general sales process and get him up to speed so he can be on his own very soon.

So, that is a quick update from the Chism Family. We have more good news coming in site to brag about. One of several is the fact that we have planned our Christmas vacation for Maryland again this year. We leave on the 19th of December. Can’t wait!

We’ve had a recent influx of visitors from the East. Daniel, Jenny and Kirstie arrived several weeks ago. Daniel put in a skylight in our kitchen window. It looks beautiful! It was great seeing Jenny and Daniel. Kirstie will have been here for a month in all. It is so much fun to get a long period of time with her to enjoy life together! I love how Joel especially latches on to his aunts when he sees them. His pet name for Kirstie is “Ayah.” Heidi arrived last Tuesday and will be here for two weeks. She adds many things to our home including hearty laughter.

Today is lonely with just Joel and Chalice. It seems our neighborhood has gone to sleep. I keep wondering what’s going to happen like in that game “Mafia” when all the people “go to sleep” then wake up and SOMETHING has happened. I suppose it doesn’t help that I’m still trying to plow through a huge reading assignment for my course on terrorism. Truly, a peaceful neighborhood is a pleasant diversion from mowing, helicopters, and yappy dogs.

David is in Chicago for a painting conference this week. Heidi and Kirstie are in Disneyland for the day. Joel is identifying every item around him. Chalice will be a whole year next Wednesday! Joel frequently gets stuck and says “I suck” over and over!