NEED A LYFT?

I kept pretty busy for the first fifteen months of my retirement, but then I started to feel some boredom.  I would occasionally wake up with no distinct plan for the day.  My consumption of television news began to grow.  I felt a drag on my motivation.  Some days I was accomplishing very little.

• "It's too cold to work outside today."
• "I don't want to waste the propane to heat the garage."
• "I'll just do some reading and sorting today."

I considered looking for a part time job, but held back because I don't want to be tied down.  

Then I got online to see what kinds of part time jobs were available.  I considered Dollar General, WalMart, and Chick-Fil-A...but just wasn't motivated to move on any of them.

Then, I came across two ideas that captured my attention.  

1. teaching English as a second language online, and
2. being a Lyft driver.

I'm moving forward with each of these, but pursued the Lyft driver position first.  I got as far as their request to do a background search - and stopped.  For several months they pursued me to continue the application via texts.  I still kept the 'pause button' on.  

In early December they tempted me with a $400 bonus if I continued and gave one ride by December 20.  I immediately told them to begin the background search.  I submitted all of the required documentation - which was promptly accepted.  The background search took some time.  

On December 24, I was approved to drive.  I spent the full morning online doing all of their company training tutorials.  I was very impressed with the training materials and felt fully equipped to begin driving.

I picked up my first rider on South Avenue in Youngstown and took him home from the grocery store.  It was one mile and I made a little less than three dollars.  :-)  

After giving a few more rides (on Christmas Eve) I headed home happy - and $30 richer!  

Right after Christmas I received a text to all Pennsylvania drivers that beginning in 2019, we had to have a 2004 vehicle or newer;  I was driving a 2003.  :-(

I gave a bunch more rides that week and then quit driving on New Year's Eve.  Bummer!

I immediately began looking for a 2005 Camry, figuring I would be able to drive it for at least two years.  I found one and bought it.  After waiting for the title, getting some repairs, getting it licensed and inspected, I was approved to drive again!  Woo Hoo!  I pushed to get my 50th ride in before we left for vacation, because it qualifies me for a bonus!  [Lyft is big into bonuses for drivers!]

I love my new job!  I can drive when I want, as long as I want.  I do my own scheduling.  I get paid every Tuesday - straight into my bank account!  I'm doing research into how I'll be affected by taxes and am trying to calculate that against my expenses.  I've clearly got a lot to learn.  

I've found the company to be very helpful and cooperative.  They even gave me the $400 bonus, even though I missed the deadline by a few days!  :-)  

I'm meeting new people every time I drive.  All are nice and some are happy to talk while we ride together.  I've gotten some tips - some in cash and some online.  Tips are all mine!  My longest ride so far was from Poland, OH to Cleveland!  That was nice!  

I feel useful.  I'm providing a service to the community.  Many people without cars use Lyft (and other ride-sharing services) to do their shopping as well as getting to and from work!  I get to provide a cheerful greeting and a piece of candy to lots of people.  Hopefully, I can be a bright spot in their day!  I've had people of many kinds in my car.  I've heard languages I couldn't decipher.  Some people hop in front with me - I like that.  Others choose to ride in the back seat.  

The Lyft App for drivers is comprehensive and provides all of my directions.  I still make occasional wrong turns, but by-and-large, it's easy!  I'm actually excited to get home from vacation and start driving again!  

If you're interested in driving for Lyft, please use my referral code in the process (or contact me).  You'll get a bigger bonus if you go through me than if you go directly to their website;  and, of course, I'll get a bonus too!  My code:  HAROLD88049

If you have questions or want to talk more about it, contact me:

halinasia@psmail.net

(724) 944-3881

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WORK IN HEAVEN

In her book, Jesus Life Coach, Laurie Beth Jones states (p.47):  "I believe that we are here on earth to learn how to grow our talents and abilities, which we will put to use in heaven."

Interesting concept.  She believes that life on earth is preparation for life in heaven.  Hmmmm.

Is C. S. Lewis still writing fantasy stories in heaven?  Randy Alcorn believes he is.  If Alcorn's right, I can't wait to get there to read Lewis' latest books.

Is the Apostle Paul still teaching and church planting?  If so, among who?  Does God have other realms where He will use us?

Are architects designing without the limitations of this world?

Are builders following those blueprints and bringing concepts to reality?

Are artists creating with a whole new array of colors?

Are musicians of all ages working on new symphonies?

Are the skills, abilities, knowledge, experience and talents I'm developing
during this life going to be the genesis of the work I will do when I'm in heaven? 

I know this raises more questions than answers, but you have to admit, they're interesting questions! 

Our work is more meaningful than we realize.  In his book, Rethinking Retirement:  Finishing Life for the Glory of Christ, John Piper writes: 

Most men don't die of old age, they die of retirement.  I read somewhere that half the men retiring in the state of New York die within two years. 

Our work helps us to make a life, not make a living!  And it is likely to be eternally meaningful!  It is central to who we are, whether it is home-making or car-making;  childcare or healthcare;  agriculture or acupuncture;  ditch-digging or pole-climbing. 

Fine-tune yourself today.  You're preparing for eternity!

DR. CHADWICK

I was delivered into this world by Dr. Chadwick.  My parents must have respected him, since they gave me my middle name, Eugene, in his honor!  I don't know how the relationship formed, but my Dad did odd jobs for Dr. Chadwick and his wife.

They lived in a beautiful colonial-style home across the street from the Beaver County Country Club.  They owned the equivalent of four lots in this exclusive residential area.  Every spring, my Dad would assemble their outdoor awning;  then every fall take it down and pack it away.

I think my brother, Ira, worked for the Chadwick's.  At the age of eleven, my Dad took me up to the doctor's house and trained me on how to work.  Together, we mulched flower beds.  My father taught me to work on my knees.  If you're sitting down, Mrs. Chadwick might look out and think you're not working.  He also taught me to work steady instead of working in hard spurts and then resting for awhile:  "When Mrs. Chadwick looks out the window, you want her to always see you working!"

He taught me how to start and service the mowers.  He showed me how to trim the trees and shrubs.  I learned how to put a sharp edge around their many flower beds.  And then, he turned the job over to me for the rest of the summer.  The Chadwick's paid me a dollar and hour!  I thought I was rich!

On Saturdays, I would ride my bike from my home on Brighton Heights, down through Oak Hill, across the 10th Street Bridge, under the 5th Street Bridge, up what we called "Story Book Hill", past the Country Club and to the Chadwick's.  On the way home, after working all-day, I would change my path to pass Waite's Restaurant where I would splurge on a hot-fudge Sundae!  It seemed to taste better because I bought it with my hard-earned money!  Sitting in Waite's made me feel big!

Mrs. Chadwick (and her daughter, Joan) would always invite me in for lunch on Saturdays.  They would have a table set for me in their kitchen.  They used china settings with multiple pieces of silverware.  I was nervous about eating properly.  Mrs. Chadwick and Joan would stand and watch me eat.  The food was always different from what I ate at home, but I enjoyed it. 

I continued working for the Chadwick's until I left home for college at age 17.   I am grateful to them - and especially to my Dad - for the opportunity to establish a strong work ethic as a young boy!

TV GUIDE ROUTE

When I was young, I had a TV Guide route.  I delivered 50 Guides every week to neighbors, church friends, family, and folks all around New Brighton!

They cost $.15 at the time;  I got to keep $.04 for delivering them.

Every Thursday, I would walk down Penn Avenue, down the hill to the second level to deliver a few near the High School, then down the steps to the first level to deliver to my Aunt Peg and a few of her neighbors.

Occasionally someone would give me a quarter and tell me to keep the change!  I would usually stop at the Oak Hill Store and buy a candy bar for a dime!

I would take the money home and divide it up so I could pay the bill.  That usually left about $2.00 for me!

My mom taught me to give a tithe to the Lord!  I did so religiously!  My Dad spoke to our church treasurer and she issued me my own set of church envelopes.  Every Sunday, I proudly dropped my envelope in the offering - with two dimes in it! 

Starting then has made it easy to tithe ever since!  I have NEVER regretted it!  I believe tithing is the cornerstone of living a peaceful, contented, and happy life!

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