Chismville

I’m still playing around with my new iPhone 4…and created a quick family video while on a walk last night. Pretty amazing how quick and easy it is to make videos these days. By the time we got home, my video was done (all with out a computer). I love the BIG smiles from Chalice and Aria’s personality in this clip.

This week, I returned from a 2 1/2 day trip to New York to visit two painting clients. I traveled with business consultant, Brian Nolan. What a blast the two of us had. I really enjoy spending time with Brian. He is such an incredible businessman, and I’ve learned so much since I started working with him. When I say “working with him” I am an affiliate of his business: Summit Services. He recommends me to work with his clients to help them on marketing and technology for their painting businesses. We thought it was a good idea to go see two of his top clients in New York and spend some time with them. Each company was SO different yet so much fun to be around. I enjoyed ever minute of the trip. It was a long trip though. I felt like from the moment I left my house on Monday til when I returned late Wednesday night I did not stop! I love being busy and productive though…felt good.
I returned home to enjoy two days working on getting caught up on business and trying to spend time with the family. Joli and I went on a date Thursday evening and an hour-long walk around a park near our home. I got to carry Hailey in our Baby Wrap (cool invention by the way). Friday, Joli made healthy but the best homemade pizza in the world followed by a 50 minute family walk near our home. We ended the day with a brief visit from Mom Howard.
Today was a nice and quiet Saturday. I started to mow our lawn, but my mower began to act up…again. I think the piston is bad. I’ve had a terrible experience with mowers and weed wackers since moving to Maryland. I’ve spent a lot of money fixing these beast all for the sake of cutting grass! But that is another story. We are trying to find a babysitter so Joli and I can buzz out to a b-day party tonight…so far…no luck, so either we will both stay home or I will and Joli will get to go.
Not sure what Sunday holds for Father’s Day. I heard there was a crab feast at the Howard’s house in Silver Spring, but after traveling a lot this week, I’m ready to sit back and relax at home! Monday morning I leave for San Francisco to visit 3 painting clients. Although I don’t like traveling and leaving my wonderful family, I do enjoy the trips. This trip will be very very busy and yet will also be a real blast. I can’t wait!
July will be full of activity! My dear friend, Patrick Crais, will be joining my family for a 5 day visit the first of July. Then we’ll head out as a family to Massanutten VA for a family reunion with the Howards. 4-5 Days after we return home, Joli and I have to race to California for my brother’s wedding to Liz Summerville. It will be a fun yet short 3-4 day trip.

I know this sounds really nerdy…but if you have an iPhone, iPod Touch or an Android phone (Droid, etc), you can view our blog quite easily now. There is a mobile plugin we installed to make viewing our post easy! If it does not automatically detect your mobile device, down at the bottom of your screen is an “on” and “off” switch. Make sure that is turned on!

This morning, I read the interesting and short story of Jonah. I was amazed at how Jonah, a prophet of God is so much like me! I’m no prophet! But I do, at times question God’s plans and in a sense feel like I’m on the run from God! Jonah, who had direct conversations with the Lord still questioned the works of God and thought his (Jonah) plans were better!The other thing that was very interesting, once again to me, is to see how great are the mercies and grace of God. Jonah was upset at God for witholding his wrath upon Ninevah? Why? Because Jonah thought it was just punishment to destroy the evil and wicked people! Jonah was correct! It was just, and throughout the Old Testament we do see a lot of justice being done! However, Jonah also knew that God’s character was filled with mercy and grace and that He was slow to anger! Reminds me of James 1:20, “the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God!” The God of the Old and New Testament is the same God executing both justic. And mercy according to the good pleasure of His will. This is the God we worship and serve! Praise God His ways are higher than our ways!I wrote this post because my heart goes out to those who believe the God of the Old Testament was a mean and angry God and had little or no mercy! The book of Jonah gives us the best illustration of the Creator of all things!

Starting my own business has been an awesome experience. I feel like it is the right thing to do, and I have been given a lot of positive encouragement from friends and family that they can totally see me doing what I am doing: helping small service businesses grow! Ah…but running a small business is difficult and has lots of burdens to carry. I am trying to help small businesses (like myself) save time, be more organized, and get results! However, I am feeling the pressure of what small business owners go through from time to time as I too have a full plate of events, marketing, follow up calls, scheduled events…oh and family and church activities! On top of all that…I’m in the process of moving!!! Can you talk about being stressed? Wow! I’ve had a hard time breathing the past few weeks and have been quite tired and worn out. I’ve even lost 2 clients who were NOT unhappy with my service but were running out of money. I came home from a 4 day vacation yesterday only to find out that my Acura needs $3600 worth of work done on it this week: it is not drivable! We backed over a rock…and the rock decided to destroy the under area of my car.

So, today, I was feeling overwhelmed. I began thinking about my savings account. I have money in savings. I have a retirement account. I have money from the sale of my San Diego home, but I am trying to be careful on how I spend right now. The savings was mainly for long-term items like a new home, our kids, etc. I feel like it is now slowly being spent on the “here and now.” Well, it was not until I just stopped and prayed. I prayed to the God who provides. I prayed for wisdom and that God would provide. It seems God has been showing me over and over lately to put my trust in Him and not to worry. I think it is also a wake up call to rest in Him for my future and my “daily bread.” Proverbs 3:5-6 reminded me to trust in the Lord with ALL of my heart: to NOT lean on my own understand and ways of doing things but acknowledge HIM in everything I do…and he WILL direct my path.” I was also reminded of the passage in, I believe it is in 1 Timothy, that the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil. I want to earn money to use it for God’s glory, not to “get rich” or hoard up earthly riches that will perish. Money is given to us to be spent: but wisely. So, in faith I went to the auto mechanic and told them to do the repairs. I came home and got an email and a phone call with several interested in my marketing services! One person in particular said he wanted to hire me on a monthly basis, and his fees will pay for my car repairs. Of course I have to work hard and service him, but that unexpected email requesting my services could not have been better timing. I read the email, looked up and said, “Thank you Lord. You will provide.”

A week and a half has gone by since the a helicopter crashed onto the 70 freeway, near Frederick, Maryland. I was driving home with my family not far from the crash site but did not find out till the next day. It was one of the worst thunderstorm/rain storms I had ever driven in, so I was shocked when I heard that a pilot flew in such weather. I really did not find out if it had stopped raining when the crash took place, but I do know that 15 minutes before the crash, it was awful weather.

A new networking friend of mine called me the following day, Friday, to discuss a marketing project we were working on for Hallco. He then said, “Did you hear about the helicopter crash?” I said that I had not. My friend then said, “Well, do you remember Niall?” I knew at that moment that it must not be good news. Niall Booth, was another man I had recently met at a business networking meeting and was one of the passengers on board the helicopter when it went down. The last time I saw Niall, I had sat next to him and had a wonderful conversation about why he moved to Maryland, where he had been, his new contract with the helicopter company, and much more. We had a lot in common when it came to sales and marketing too, so after he left that day, I realized he was one person I had to stay in touch with in the months/years to come. To hear such tragic news of his death made me so sick inside. I do hope to attend his memorial service coming up and see how his family is doing.

One of the strange things about the crash too was that the guy who told me about the accident was supposed to be on the flight. He was invited to get on the aircraft and backed out because he did not like flying. I then told him that there must be a reason God still has you on this earth. I really meant what I said. It isn’t that God was judging those who died that night. I meant that God was just not finished with this man. He responded with a sarcastic remark of maybe needing to be religious or something “funny” to him. I am not sure what was or is going through his mind, but I do hope he will think more about eternity in the future. God has placed eternity in the hearts of men, and I know this man too must think about it at times: why did God spare him that day? Wow! That would cause chills to go up and down my spin for months! My heart weeps to know that there are those who don’t know Christ, even after a tragic event. They continue to go about their lives thinking that they can live in this World with out His grace and mercy. Lord willing, this will stir in my heart a boldness to speak about the love of Christ to this man an many others.

I don’t want to make this post sound like a joke or sound judgemental either! I guess it is just a little humor in my little mind! I am “in charge” of setting up a men’s prayer meeting at my church. The prayer time is a small committment of 45 minutes, once a month. So I made an announcement at church and then sent out an invitation using Facebook. When I went to look at the list of who will “attend” so far I have 2 confirmed (myself as one) and 4 “maybes.” The rest have not replied yet. I just thought it was funny that folks would click “maybe” instead of “cannot attend.” It made me laugh when I thought guys don’t want to say, “I don’t want to attend a prayer meeting” or “I can’t attend a prayer meeting.” I don’t think God will be offended if one cannot make a prayer meeting, and I hope the guys that truly cannot come won’t feel guilty if they have to click “no.”  

I’ve been brainstorming and planning on and off about starting a small business for quite sometime. The thought has scared me but it never seems to go away either! I’ve always enjoyed helping small businesses work smarter on their business, not harder. I just love finding ways to make them more successful too. So, I’m in the beginning stages of getting my LLC, writing my business plan and collecting clients! I have my first presentation in two weeks in Chicago, where I’ll be speaking to a group of paint contractors about the importance of having and maintaining a good website. Things are slowly falling into place, and I’m praying for wisdom and guidance on how to best glorify God in the timing and running of this new company.  

Many people have wondered how Dave Chism would survive his first winter in Maryland. Believe you me, I’ve gotten a lot of comments and questions sound like this: “Soooo….how are you liking Maryland with all this cold weather?” or “Do you think you can make it through your first winter?” “Ready to go home to California?” I really don’t mind the questions, but after awhile…it does get a little old. Believe it or not, I’m doing just fine. I do sometimes wonder if winter will ever end. I think that is a normal response, even for the locals. When living in San Diego, I always wondered when the sunny days would end so I could wear a jacket or a sweater now and then. So, no matter where I live, I’ll enjoy it with a few wishes of change in seasons! Ahh…but some people do not know that I spent 1 full year in Indianapolis, IN in 1996-1997. If people think Maryland is cold, it does not compare to Indianapolis. Those days were brutal in January-February. I’ve heard that spring is approaching soon. There was a few signs last week with 60 degree weather, but this weak it has been windy and cold again. So, I’ll believe it when I see it. As for other news, our family is doing quite well in our “little” home. Actually it is the biggest home we’ve lived it, but it sounds good to call it “our little home.” The kids are anxious to get outdoors but still manage to have an adventure indoors. Joel and Chalice have also been very good lately. They seem to go through a series of fits, rebellion, anger, screams, and so on and then have a perfect week where we think they had a religious experience or maybe it is good parenting! Ha! I think it is just God’s grace to show Joli and me that He is always working in all of our hearts.Speaking of God: He is truly been good to us. I have been richly blessed with my job at Hallco Painting. Ted and Karin have been wonderful to me. The construction industry is not doing well in America and seems to have finally settled down in Maryland too. Homeowners just aren’t thinking about painting their homes this time of year. To prepare for the worst, Ted made some very tough but necessary changes to his business after the first of the year. He downsized from his beautiful office space back to his basement and reduced our office staff to: Himself, Karin and me. His basement is amazing! Being from California, where we don’t have basements, this office is just as beautiful! My desk is next to the big sliding glass door with a gorgeous view of rolling country hills! I am amazed that Ted has kept me on his team, and I am praying that God would truly bless Hallco with some work. We need it, and I really want to do my part. I hope God will use me mightily to bless my boss and the staff at Hallco Painting.My struggles have been in the area of trusting God, especially with this troubling economy. I have been diligently marketing and planning on how we can sell work but nothing seems to be coming in the door. I was so frustrated at being a salesman and marketeer a few weeks ago and realized I need to look to Christ. I am reminded to pray continually, casting all my cares upon the Lord. In Psalm 37, we are reminded that God will never forsake the righteous nor see His children lacking bread. We’ve had many years of plenty and now need to continue on on our knees praying for our daily bread: praising Him for the many good gifts! Church is going well. New Hope OPC is where our family has settled into since arriving on the east coast. We also have a nice little home fellowship group too with 5-6 families.I’ve been getting a good workout 2x a week at a nearby middle school in Walkersville. I meet with 8-10 men to play full-court basketball on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6am. It really has been a lot of fun for me. All the men are Christians but hope to have unbelievers show up to play with us. We start of with a 2-3 minute devotional and a brief prayer for our group. We then play for a good solid hour. Believe it or not, I’m one of the youngest on the court at 30. Most of the guys are in their 40′s and 50′s with a few in their 30′s like me. I’ve never been a real morning person but look forward to playing every week. Now I hope I have the same motivation to get up extra early to read God’s Word!My parents and sister will be visiting the first part of April, so I am counting down the days till their visit. I can’t wait! 

I’ve gotten to experience a good bit of snow and ice during my first full winter on the east coast. So far, I’m surviving. The funny thing is, I actually don’t mind 20 degree weather most of the time. It is rather dull and boring when it is in the 40′s in the middle of winter. My thinking is…if it is winter, let it be winter. However, what I really like about winter is not the freezing cold mornings or days. I love SNOW days. Every time it snows it is just gorgeous. It is so peaceful and beautiful to watch. The first major storm we got, I was sick with pneumonia but I just had to go outside. I bundled up nice and warm and sat on the front porch swing for probably a good 45 minutes listening and watching the pleasant snow fall!

Having cold weather has it’s share of problems, and I guess I am getting a little tired of the cold and longing for a few nice days of good temperatures where I can take the kids to the park. They are definitely getting cabin-fever over here! One of the problems is more my fault than the weather. I can’t keep my cars clean! It is humanly impossible. For several years, I always thought it was a great idea to have an auto detailing business in Maryland. However, from November through parts of March, it either rains or snows just enough to keep cars clean, and it is just too cold to wash cars! I know because I tried it! I took my filthy company truck over to the car was a couple of weeks ago to get it looking spiffy once again! I did the self-car wash and had a heck of a time cleaning my truck. The soap suds froze to the car before I could rinse them off. Because the soap was frozen and some water, I could not scrub any of the dirt of my truci. I spent the rest of my $5 in change blasting my vehicle with tons of high-pressured water to get all the suds off. I was able to accomplish that but in the mean time…the rinse water froze to my truck! I drove away with all my mirrors frozen and a layer of ice over my still dirty truck. The temperature? 16 degrees! Can we say “stupid.” I forgot to mention that I almost had frostbit’n hands during the wash cycle too!

Today we had a small ice storm. We had 2+ inches of snow followed by a nice bit of frozen rain. I did not even know what frozen rain was until I moved here! Ha! Now I know. I spent about 15 minutes this morning breaking off the 1/4″ think pieces of ice on my trucks windows. It was rock solid! I had to warm up my truck for probably 20 minutes to help warm up the windows and literally crack the ice with lots of force before scraping it off! I then headed to a postal box to drop off a company newsletter. The walkway up to the box was covered in ice. I was extremely careful while approaching the postal box! I was balancing my right side with my letters and the left side with my cell phone (talking to Joli). Have you ever tried to walk on ice with things in both hands while talking on the phone? It can’t happen! I finally had to quickly hang up and try to slide my way over to the mail box! I made it to the mail box after 2-3 falls! It was such an ordeal that I ended up sliding back to my truck and NOT mailing most of my letters.

So, ice and snow days…what an adventure. I prefer the snow without the ice now that I’ve experienced them both.