Work to Learn … Learn to Work

I started working when I was 16 years old in 1986. My first job was a busboy at the airport restaurant at the Eugene Airport. I have had an interesting job history (at least in my mind it is interesting).

Every job provides learning experiences. Work to learn. Learn to work.

I have worked at about 20 different jobs. Everyone has provided me with many learning opportunities. I have never had a job that didn’t provide a lesson in life. As I look back I regret all the missed opportunities … I could have been a better worker and I could have learned more. There are always many “could haves…” I could have done this or I could have done that. Every job has some failure and some frustrations. However, you learn to do your job or move on to something better. All but one of my previous employers would hire be back if they had the opportunity.

The following is a brief description of each of my employments:

Flightline Inn Restaurant – Eugene Airport (formerly known as Malon Sweet Airport). I worked two days a week (Sundays-Mondays) during the summer of ‘86. It would be very slow until an airplane landed and then we would be swamped with work. They had some amazing greasy hamburgers. I learned how to wipe down a table among other things.

GI Joes (now know as Joes) – Athletic shoe department during the summer through winter of ‘87. I learned some about the corporate world and athletic equipment retail.

MovieLand Theater – For a month during the summer of’88 I worked at the snack bar of this now extinct movie theater (Lowe’s parking lot off West 11th is where it once stood). A friend (Brian Johnson) and I got the job through the music minister at my church*. The only job I really-really disliked, hence only lasting one month. I learned concessions are a gross messy business.

Institute of Molecular Biology at the UO – Starting the summer of 1988 through the school year I was did the filing for the accounting department for this department. I was also the errand boy and I watered the numerous plants in the office. My boss (Mary Rigby0 went to my church*. I learned about how the university worked and the money that came from National government agencies for science programs and research at the university.

Crater Lake Lodge Gift Shop – During the summer of ’89 I had the opportunity to live at majestic Crater Lake. Some friends from church* (Nate & Farah Reed) had worked up there the summer before and were going back up and invited me to join them. Working in the retail shop and at the information desk made me realize tourists are an interesting breed. Not real easy to deal with at times. I learned Crater Lake is and amazing creation of God and that the snow doesn’t melt up there till July.

Institute for Molecular Biology at the UO – same job as before, working through the school year (Fall 89 – Spring 90).

Lane ESD – My Mom worked for the ESD for about 20 years, during the summer of ’90 I applied for and got a job working in their warehouse. We prepared supplies to be sent to the county schools for the following school year. I learned about working 8-5 in a warehouse.

Payless Drug Store (now know as Rite Aide) – After moving to Boise to attend Boise Bible College (BBC) I got a job at Payless. I stocked shelves and cashiered. They were good to me, giving me hours around my school schedule and even holidays off to go home to Oregon.

Payless Drug Store – In Eugene, at the beginning of the summer of 1991 I got a part-time job at the store at 29th and Willamette. However, I needed to be working full-time and they knew it so I continued to look for other jobs. After two weeks I was able to start at…

Marathon Coach - I worked in their parts department and my main job was to be the parts driver. I would pick up specialty parts around town in a company van or sometimes the stretch flatbed p/u. This was a cool job, I liked being a delivery person and learning about million dollar RVs was very interesting. The money people spend on these coaches is remarkable. And the luxury parts were spectacular.

Idaho Sporting Goods – On returning to BBC I was able to get a job at ISG in their screen-printing shop. Here I learned how the screen-printing process works. We printed jerseys and corporate shirts for teams and businesses in the Boise area. I worked there through the winter.

NW Cable TV – In the late winter through the Spring I worked assembling antennae for this wireless cable company (ironic, huh?). I worked alone in a backroom making antennae after antennae but I didn’t mind it. [I think it was here that I first became acquainted with the Rush Limbaugh radio program.] A friend from Bible college, Scott Colburn, suggested I apply for the position*. Even though I enjoyed working for the cable company and there was even possibility of advancement in the company, my next job offered a big jump in pay.

Freightliner Corporation – My step-dad has worked for Freightliner for over 30 years in the 90s they offered summer jobs to employee’s kids and they paid almost $10 an hour, which was good money in 1992. I worked in the Parts Plant making brake petals, u-bolts, and other parts for big trucks. I learned about union jobs, fabricating, and machine shops. My brother Curtis and stepbrother Mike also worked nights making parts.

Merlo’s Cutlery – At the end of the summer I got a call from a friend from church in Boise*, his mom managed a knife store in the Mall, he said that she needed a worker and wanted to know if I wanted a job when I returned to Boise. I agreed to meet with her and accepted a job selling knives (and nick-knacks), sharpening knives, and repairing electric razors. I learned all about knives and the steel used to manufacture good knives, as well as Mall work. It was enjoyable to work there for the whole school year. It was here that I got the first glimpse of my future wife when she returned to Boise from summer break; she came by to say “hi”. Was she pursuing me?

Idaho Camera – I stayed in Boise the summer of ’93 getting a new job doing video transfers in the lab of Idaho Camera. I would take 8mm and 16mm movie reels and transfer them to VHS using special movie projectors that converted the signal to the VHS recorders. This job was also through a church* acquaintance in Boise. I worked here through the winter.

Coffee Merchant – Also during the summer of 1993 I worked selling coffee out of the Coffee Merchant’s warehouse. I had never drank coffee and didn’t even like the smell of coffee. After working around it and making espresso and mochas and lattes I developed an appreciation for the smell of good coffee and a great dislike of the smell of cheap coffee. I still don’t drink the stuff. This was a fun job in that it was fairly slow and so I got to read several books during slow times (~15 Louis L’Amor paperbacks). My friend Mark Harris* helped me get this job.

Idaho Camera – The bosses at Idaho Camera approached me during the winter of 1993-94 and offered me a sales job in their downtown store. I learned all about cameras, film, and camera accessories. I worked with them full-time through the spring until I graduated from BBC. I enjoyed working in downtown Boise, it is a great city to live and work.

2-Bar-A – After graduation from Bible College, not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, Lori and I decided to place a classified ad in the Capital Press Agricultural Paper seeking work on a horse or cattle ranch. The ad stated I had little experience but I was willing to learn. We got several calls and ended up taking a job in Outlook, WA in the Yakima Valley. The ranch is 30,000 acres on the Rattlesnake Ridge. We had a few hundred head of cattle, a couple horses, 200-300 acres of grass, alfalfa, oats, and small apple and Asia pear orchards. So much was learned during the year and a half I am not sure what to say … it was an amazing experience (riding, fence building, round-ups, brandings, feeding, tractors: bailing, disking, raking, caterpillar work, irrigation work)
We joined the church on the Yakama Reservation outside of Toppenish during this time and I taught HS Sunday Bible class, which I enjoyed but I only had an hour or so with the students every week. It was a 30-minute drive from the ranch to the church and ranch work often was 60+ hours a week. At this time I decided I wanted to disciple teens and we started putting resumes out to churches in Western Oregon with the help of Harry Orn, director of the Oregon Christian Evangelistic Fellowship (OCEF – i.e. church planting association) at that time.

Amity Church of Christ – In December of 1995 I began as the Associate Minister in the small town of Amity, OR. I was to oversee the ministries of Education, Youth, and Children (for awhile I was Office Manager and for a time I oversaw the Preschool and janitor, as well). This was an excellent place to begin ministry and we have many friends from the seven years we spent living and ministering in Amity.

Santa Clara Church of Christ – In December of 2002 we moved back to my hometown to become the Youth Minister at SCCC. I was to be in charge of Middle School and High School ministries. We enjoyed all the friends we made amongst the students and adults during our 4 years working with this congregation.

C4G4 Construction – May of 2007 I began working with Steve Cornelius (friend from SCCC*) in his real estate development business. We are building duplexes in Harrisburg and developing 37 acres in Thurston for house lots. I am learning about home construction, obviously, which is a great skill to have, and about the process of developing land, both will come in handy in the future.

While working with C4G4 I am also taking classes to become a Real Estate Appraiser. Later in 2007 I hope to obtain a position as an Assistant Appraiser (I am required to complete 2000 hours as an assistant before I can become a licensed Appraiser).

*Looking back it is interesting to note that many of the jobs I have had have come about because of people in the church. I love church!