With deadlines creeping up and expectations increasing, I stare at my computer as I attempt to offer my limited wisdom and experience through the medium of writing. I am brought to my knees:
May your kingdom come, your will be done. May your dream unfold today and may I participate with you in bringing about that dream on earth as it is in heaven. As I sit in the cover of the massive redwoods that illuminate and hold your glory in and among me, may I rest. May I experience the Shalom of your restoration and may I live that Shalom today. As I serve my hurting friends a warm meal and see their smile, I see your face. As I breath in the crisp mountain air, I embody your renewal. As I listen...........silence..........stillness.......I hear your voice in Creation. Thank you for the reality of your presence.
It can be so obvious, but yet I feel so blind. So far away. I have no inspiration. No motivation. I listen, but am distracted. I am hopeful, but hurting. I am seeing, but not believing.
May my soul come alive and may my fingers tell the story.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Papers, Books and Companions
A deep sigh of relief and accomplishment has taken me over after finishing my first semester of graduate school. Although overshadowed by the pain of losing our first child, it was an incredible time of learning, conversation and growth. It is a ton of work, but I love it. In fact, I have just decided to change my emphasis to Christian Ethics. Still a Master of Arts in Theology, but the ethics emphasis will focus on justice, poverty, creation care and peacemaking. It is an incredible feeling to study and participate in the issues I am most passionate.
Now that my last paper has been submitted until classes start up again in January, I will have time to put into re-reading/editing my manuscript of a book I have been working on for the past couple of years. Yes, I have FINALLY signed the contract and through Youth Specialties, Zondervan will be publish my book! It will actually come out (at least initially) as an ebook, which has all the same elements of a hard copy book(including a cover, art, etc...) but is 100% digital. Should be interesting to see how it all works out, but for now I have a 176 page manuscript to submit by Jan. 1. There goes any holiday downtime:)
Thanks again for all the love and support offered to Janny and I through this whole mess the past couple of months. We would love to forget the pain/grief, but know that it will be part of us forever. Although we still have bad days/hours, we often experience hope and peace.
Shalom Haverim(companions)
Now that my last paper has been submitted until classes start up again in January, I will have time to put into re-reading/editing my manuscript of a book I have been working on for the past couple of years. Yes, I have FINALLY signed the contract and through Youth Specialties, Zondervan will be publish my book! It will actually come out (at least initially) as an ebook, which has all the same elements of a hard copy book(including a cover, art, etc...) but is 100% digital. Should be interesting to see how it all works out, but for now I have a 176 page manuscript to submit by Jan. 1. There goes any holiday downtime:)
Thanks again for all the love and support offered to Janny and I through this whole mess the past couple of months. We would love to forget the pain/grief, but know that it will be part of us forever. Although we still have bad days/hours, we often experience hope and peace.
Shalom Haverim(companions)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Baby H
Until about 4 weeks ago, I had never really experienced loss. My mom went through breast cancer, but is now stronger than ever. I was too young to really feel the pain of losing 3 of my 4 grandparents. I suppose I should be grateful for that.
You don't think anything is going to go wrong when you are in your 5th month of pregnancy. I was feeling more anxious about the delivery than Janny was, but neither of us were worried about not having the chance to at least meet our baby. By your 5th month, you are told that you are "in the clear" and by then everyone(and their mothers) know that you are pregnant. For some reason, our baby had a different story to tell. We are doing our best not to try to figure out what that story may be or why we are the ones to tell it, but we have experienced bits and pieces of it in the midst of the thick fog of grief.
- Janny and I got to experience the intense love of a parent for 5 incredible months. A love that we still have today and one that wasn't fully realized until the moment we found out that Baby H's heart had stopped beating. It was our child and we will always love it as its parents.
- This whole thing probably could have either driven Janny I apart or woven us closer together. It has done the latter and we are so grateful.
- We have realized more than ever, the love of our friends and family. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling guilty because we don't have the capacity to send out a thank you note or return phone calls, but we know that is not the expectation of those that have reached out to us anyway. Thanks SO much for simply being present with us through this mess. It is knowing that you are with us in the pain that offers the most support.
- We know that this sucks. It hurts. It is confusing. It makes us think we did something wrong. It makes trying again really scary. It makes us aware of how precious life is. Right now, we need to live in that pain to fully experience the grief and move forward to the hope. We aren't there yet, but we know it will come and that little Baby H wouldn't want us to miss a moment of living life in exactly the way God created us to live it
You don't think anything is going to go wrong when you are in your 5th month of pregnancy. I was feeling more anxious about the delivery than Janny was, but neither of us were worried about not having the chance to at least meet our baby. By your 5th month, you are told that you are "in the clear" and by then everyone(and their mothers) know that you are pregnant. For some reason, our baby had a different story to tell. We are doing our best not to try to figure out what that story may be or why we are the ones to tell it, but we have experienced bits and pieces of it in the midst of the thick fog of grief.
- Janny and I got to experience the intense love of a parent for 5 incredible months. A love that we still have today and one that wasn't fully realized until the moment we found out that Baby H's heart had stopped beating. It was our child and we will always love it as its parents.
- This whole thing probably could have either driven Janny I apart or woven us closer together. It has done the latter and we are so grateful.
- We have realized more than ever, the love of our friends and family. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling guilty because we don't have the capacity to send out a thank you note or return phone calls, but we know that is not the expectation of those that have reached out to us anyway. Thanks SO much for simply being present with us through this mess. It is knowing that you are with us in the pain that offers the most support.
- We know that this sucks. It hurts. It is confusing. It makes us think we did something wrong. It makes trying again really scary. It makes us aware of how precious life is. Right now, we need to live in that pain to fully experience the grief and move forward to the hope. We aren't there yet, but we know it will come and that little Baby H wouldn't want us to miss a moment of living life in exactly the way God created us to live it
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Not Quite a Master...But Definitely a Father!
Oh man, it has been a LONG time since I have dabbled in the blogosphere. Not that I haven't wanted to keep this updated (although I honestly haven't had much desire), it is that most every waking hour I now have my nose in one of the books in the picture. It is a ton of work, but SWEET! First time in my life that I have been totally over my head in school work, but loving (almost!) every minute of it.
So, with the confusingly endless support of my wife, I am now working at my Master's full time at Fuller Theological Seminary. Between memorizing Hebrew, reading way more books than I will probably finish and some really good conversations, I am also working as a permanent, part time Adult Education Teacher. It is pretty much the best job I could have dreamed of for this stage of life. Very much engaging with students I am honored to know, while having almost ZERO discipline issues and leaving myself time most every afternoon to study/prepare for my evening and weekend classes at Fuller. More on that later...
What makes my wife's support even more confusingly endless is the fact that we are..........pregnant!! Yep, that is the big news. We have been passing the word slowly(forgive me if this is the first time you have heard this) as Janny just entered her 5th month. In fact, we went for a check up with our midwife last week and got to hear the heartbeat. I'm pretty sure my heartbeat about stopped when I heard that little one ticking along. So excited! We are looking forward to taking it along with us in the wild "life's" ride we have chosen. May not be a wealthy or "normal" life, but it is going to experience all kinds of cultures, ways of life and LOTS of love as we do our best to live out the Kingdom of God. I don't think it knows what it's in for. Of course, neither do we!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Loud Silence
I went away for 24 hours a couple weeks ago with some close friends to spend an extended time in prayer, silence and fasting. Needed to do some listening. Good time. Actually, it was a great time. Something stuck out to me though, as we backpacked a few miles over pretty rough terrain to find a secluded place to camp for the night.
Before we started walking down the trail, we made the commitment to walk in silence in an effort to be fully present and open to simply exist in that time and place. It was awesome, but weird. Don't know if you have ever spent an hour walking within 5 feet of close friends without ever saying a word to each other. Strange. Then my mind kicks in. As I walk, I'm not distracted by stimulating conversation, so I am left with my own thoughts. Good, but distracting in and of themselves.
Instead of soaking in the sounds of the wind, birds and critters that envelop me in this surreal slice of God's Creation, what am I thinking about??! Yep, how freaking hot it is outside and that I should have carried a sheet instead of a huge sleeping back in my backpack. I continue by picturing how great it is going to be when we finally get to our destination, take off our shoes, sit in a lawn chair and have some conversation. It becomes all about "then" and nothing about "now."
Somehow in my mind's frantic dialog, I was able to stumble upon some redeeming insight while still out on the trail. How often do I live for the "ideal" or "dream" of the future and miss out of the dream of today? Does God only speak to me or use me in powerful ways when I finally get "there" or is he fully expecting me to be present and participate now? Man...I feel as though I have had this wrist slapping insight SO many times, but I keep coming back to it. A life lived to the full is not about waiting/preparing for the future. It is about being fully present in the now.
As I wrestled with this on the trail, I began to have the eyes to see the Life of Creation inhaling and exhaling through the wind blowing through the trees. Creation was alive, connected, moving forward and I was standing right in the middle of it, while being invited to be part of the action.
I write this on a Sunday night gearing up for another week teaching History at a continuation High School. Tough kids, with unreal stories. It is easy for me to already be dreaming of Friday afternoon when the bell rings. That is a sin. God, please allow me to soak in and live out your Dream when that bell rings tomorrow morning and every moment that follows.
Before we started walking down the trail, we made the commitment to walk in silence in an effort to be fully present and open to simply exist in that time and place. It was awesome, but weird. Don't know if you have ever spent an hour walking within 5 feet of close friends without ever saying a word to each other. Strange. Then my mind kicks in. As I walk, I'm not distracted by stimulating conversation, so I am left with my own thoughts. Good, but distracting in and of themselves.
Instead of soaking in the sounds of the wind, birds and critters that envelop me in this surreal slice of God's Creation, what am I thinking about??! Yep, how freaking hot it is outside and that I should have carried a sheet instead of a huge sleeping back in my backpack. I continue by picturing how great it is going to be when we finally get to our destination, take off our shoes, sit in a lawn chair and have some conversation. It becomes all about "then" and nothing about "now."
Somehow in my mind's frantic dialog, I was able to stumble upon some redeeming insight while still out on the trail. How often do I live for the "ideal" or "dream" of the future and miss out of the dream of today? Does God only speak to me or use me in powerful ways when I finally get "there" or is he fully expecting me to be present and participate now? Man...I feel as though I have had this wrist slapping insight SO many times, but I keep coming back to it. A life lived to the full is not about waiting/preparing for the future. It is about being fully present in the now.
As I wrestled with this on the trail, I began to have the eyes to see the Life of Creation inhaling and exhaling through the wind blowing through the trees. Creation was alive, connected, moving forward and I was standing right in the middle of it, while being invited to be part of the action.
I write this on a Sunday night gearing up for another week teaching History at a continuation High School. Tough kids, with unreal stories. It is easy for me to already be dreaming of Friday afternoon when the bell rings. That is a sin. God, please allow me to soak in and live out your Dream when that bell rings tomorrow morning and every moment that follows.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Which Dream??
Janny and I getting awful "NASCAR" for the night up at Mt. Hermon
About a year ago Janny and I had some unsettling stuff going on in our souls. Hard to discern, but strong enough to know we needed to do some good 'ol fashion soul searchin'. Did I just use two slang apostrophe's in that sentence? Odd. Anywho, I am pretty sure the unsettlin' stuff was God's Dream knocking on our soul's imagination.
Now, we have not mastered living out God's Dream by any stretch of the imagination, but it seems that every time we do take some strides in that direction it doesn't look anything like the American Dream.
God's Dream is REALLY hard to explain. It doesn't seem to fit inside the 2 sentence allotment given at the beginning of a conversation. For example, my life in two sentences: "Married, with dog and living in a one bedroom house in Santa Cruz and not going to a church. Recently turned down full time employment, with benefits, to substitute teach, finish writing a book and go to a (REALLY) expensive grad school to study theology(VERY practical)." Not too "Dreamy" maybe? Even embarrassing to say at times??
If given a few more sentences I would say: "Janny and I have never felt more connected to each other, God and those around us than we have since we started listening/living towards God's Dream He has put on our souls. For us, living out that Dream hasn't allowed us to live the "practical/secure" lives that are so tempting, but has FREED us to live out the practical/secure vision of Jesus in our lives. We love sharing our home and conversation with close friends/neighbors, we were super blessed to have experienced life with our friends at Mt. Hermon this summer and we are completely open to participating in the Kingdom of God whatever that may look like. For now that involves teaching high school history for a few months before starting my Master's in Theology full time at Fuller Seminary, while considering initiating the gathering of the church on our patio for a meal, conversation and shared commitment. These are the things that make our heart beat really fast and in pursuing that, the bills have been paid. Apparently God takes care of His children, so it has been sweet since I stopped worrying so much about that. It's super scary, but super fun."
I am hoping this is a slice of God's Dream being played out in our lives...it sure feels like it is!!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Living out the unexpected
I wasn't really interested in taking a job at Mount Hermon. Jan and I had just stepped away from institutional Christianity after leaving our Youth Pastor post and were fully enjoying living out the church in the everyday. A freedom and connection we have never experienced as a couple or in our connection with God. We were very grateful for our past experiences/relationships that were formed from our past church contexts, but quite content with living out a new reality. After a couple emails from respected friends who thought the Staff Pastor position at Mount Hermon would be a good fit, I dragged myself (more or less to appease my friends and my curiosity) into an interview that changed everything.
It was MUCH more a conversation than an interview, between myself and would-be boss Danny Wallen. After a couple hours of mutual sharing, there was very little doubt that I would be spending my summer in this role. With the role revolving around teaching and shepherding of the summer staff, I couldn't have imagined a better fit. Little did I know that the highlight would soon become the lifelong relationships that Janny and I have been able to establish.
We have been blown away by the transparency and shared stages of life that we have encountered. I can honestly say that it was one of the last places I would expect to come into connection with so many Jesus followers who were/are asking hard questions about what it looks like to live out the church. As is often the case, Janny and I feel as though the mutual sharing of our stories, between us as the rest of the staff, has done more "ministering" to us than we have "ministered" to them.
It is now coming to the end of summer and the farewells are bearing down on us, but it is with more anticipation at what God is doing than in reflection of what He has done. We are sad and excited to see one of our closest couple friends, Jesse and Katie Rice(check out his new book! http://www.amazon.com/Church-Facebook-Generation-Redefining-Community/dp/1434765342/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249685122&sr=8-1) move up to Portland, but their VERY similar story to ours has been incredible to share in this summer.
I have alot more to write (mainly because I am so bad at updating this thing), but I will stop for now and put in some pics from the past few weeks of Huckins' festivity!
Our Family in Capitola
My Good Buddy Allen and I Conquered the Mighty Wharf to Wharf
Some of the Mount Hermon Staff at our Dirty Convicts game on the Boardwalk
It was MUCH more a conversation than an interview, between myself and would-be boss Danny Wallen. After a couple hours of mutual sharing, there was very little doubt that I would be spending my summer in this role. With the role revolving around teaching and shepherding of the summer staff, I couldn't have imagined a better fit. Little did I know that the highlight would soon become the lifelong relationships that Janny and I have been able to establish.
We have been blown away by the transparency and shared stages of life that we have encountered. I can honestly say that it was one of the last places I would expect to come into connection with so many Jesus followers who were/are asking hard questions about what it looks like to live out the church. As is often the case, Janny and I feel as though the mutual sharing of our stories, between us as the rest of the staff, has done more "ministering" to us than we have "ministered" to them.
It is now coming to the end of summer and the farewells are bearing down on us, but it is with more anticipation at what God is doing than in reflection of what He has done. We are sad and excited to see one of our closest couple friends, Jesse and Katie Rice(check out his new book! http://www.amazon.com/Church-Facebook-Generation-Redefining-Community/dp/1434765342/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249685122&sr=8-1) move up to Portland, but their VERY similar story to ours has been incredible to share in this summer.
I have alot more to write (mainly because I am so bad at updating this thing), but I will stop for now and put in some pics from the past few weeks of Huckins' festivity!
Our Family in Capitola
My Good Buddy Allen and I Conquered the Mighty Wharf to Wharf
Some of the Mount Hermon Staff at our Dirty Convicts game on the Boardwalk
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Matrimony and Stuff
I've never loved the wedding idea. I mean, I wasn't anti-wedding or anything, but never did I count down the days towards the next ceremony. As seems to be a common occurrence at this stage of our lives, Janny and I have been involved in a bunch of weddings this summer. In fact, I have even had the opportunity to officiate a friends' wedding this summer and am in the same role in another one in a couple weeks. With nuptials surrounding me like like the Redwoods I was sitting under on Monday, I can't help but feel a little love for the wedding.
Our wedding was sweet. Sweet like cool or killer or fun. Probably sweet like cotton candy too, but I don't really like cotton candy. It was a big ol' lunker of a party. Unfortunately there wasn't any tasty brews on tap(other than punch), but it was a good time. I remember standing at the front of the aisle waiting for my bride to come towards me. I'm not much of a crier(I'm trying to get better at that!), but I was sobbing my eyes out. At first reflection, I think it was because I was so overwhelmed with love for Janny(or just ALOT of sexual tension). The more I think about it, I believe I WAS overwhelmed with love for Janny...as I still am today. But I was also overwhelmed by the love and support of all the people that were there. We are in our fifth year for marriage now and I realize more than ever that those folks weren't just there to partner with us in our wedding ceremony. They were acknowledging their partnership with us in our marriage...in the everyday, for the rest of our days.
That's what a wedding is right? It is a celebration not of one day, but of all the dynamic days ahead. It makes the wedding celebration alot more sweet when approached with this mentality. I love partnering with my friends in their marriage like I have had the opportunity to do lately. It is the celebration of selflessness, oneness, friendship, etc...So, instead of getting bummed out about how much money we spend on weddings and how much time/energy goes into them, I am loving just jumping in and celebrating all that is going on. There is something sacred and I would be missing out if I wasn't aware of that.
Cheers!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Fenway, Beaches and Redwoods
I have had a lot going on in the past month or so. Much of it has been really great stuff that has involved quality community, new experiences/locations and just a little bit of chaos. With that said, I haven't had much motivation to write(blog) for some reason...Maybe so much to process I didn't know where to start.
In the past month I was able to go to a family reunion in Kentucky, celebrate my birthday with the fam, go to Janny's graduation in Connecticut, walk the streets of Boston, go down to the San Luis Obispo area to spend some time with my family and spend lots of time in contemplation under the cover of our Santa Cruz Redwoods. Here are a few pics:
In the midst of all the travel, I finished up my time teaching science at the local middle school and started in my Staff Pastor position at Mt. Hermon. The jobs overlapped for about a week, which was absolutely nutso, but both employers offered alot of grace. I am now about a month into my position at Mt. Hermon and both Janny and I are embracing/being embraced by some quality community. I will have some more coming on that soon.
For now, while this travel and different work contexts can be exhausting at times, I am finding that these dynamics/settings are some of the most real and rich for me to experience God. I am wired to see God most clearly when I am in the humble posture of a student, which is the posture that is required of me in travel and transition. I want to work through and live out that realization some more...hmmm.
In the past month I was able to go to a family reunion in Kentucky, celebrate my birthday with the fam, go to Janny's graduation in Connecticut, walk the streets of Boston, go down to the San Luis Obispo area to spend some time with my family and spend lots of time in contemplation under the cover of our Santa Cruz Redwoods. Here are a few pics:
In the midst of all the travel, I finished up my time teaching science at the local middle school and started in my Staff Pastor position at Mt. Hermon. The jobs overlapped for about a week, which was absolutely nutso, but both employers offered alot of grace. I am now about a month into my position at Mt. Hermon and both Janny and I are embracing/being embraced by some quality community. I will have some more coming on that soon.
For now, while this travel and different work contexts can be exhausting at times, I am finding that these dynamics/settings are some of the most real and rich for me to experience God. I am wired to see God most clearly when I am in the humble posture of a student, which is the posture that is required of me in travel and transition. I want to work through and live out that realization some more...hmmm.
Monday, May 11, 2009
What are you doing??
More than any other time in my life, I get asked the question, "What are you doing these days." I don't blame anyone that asks that question, because in large part, I have intentionally fallen off the grid of most of my past involvements. I am no longer a youth pastor, Janny and I moved up to Santa Cruz, we don't "attend" a church, etc...With that being said, I thought I would offer a bit of a personal update for anyone who may be interested.
As you may know based on previous posts and/or personal conversations, I have been trying to move forward in a posture of humility and awareness of my God designed soul more than ever before. Hard to quantify what that may look like and their isn't much language to describe its details, but I think that's what I'm finding makes it so divine. I am beginning to discover what contexts burn the heck out of me and lead towards oppression/depression and am being open to ones that seem more in line with how/what I was created be.
I committed this Spring semester to be a living experiment. I have left the "known" for the "unknown" to some degree. After resigning from Harbor Chapel in January, I had opportunity to jump into other Youth Pastor positions that probably would have afforded me more security in terms of finances and reputation, but I knew that it was not the spot for me at this stage of my life. Instead, I committed the semester to being a substitute teacher and high school golf coach, while at the same time applying for local non-profit jobs in Santa Cruz that might fit my interests. My good friend and LONG time sub, Steve Boutry, offered the profound insight that "substitute teaching is like earning a Master's Degree in human nature." Well put. It is NOT glamorous, often inconsistent and when people ask what I'm doing it isn't rare to be looked at like I've gone off the deep end.
A couple months into teaching the different class everyday gig, I was offered a Long Term position teaching 7/8th grade science at a local Middle School until the end of the school year. Although science is by far my weakest subject, I figured for the sake of getting the most accurate data for my experiment, I had better take it(like my scientific language??). It has been terrible, awesome, overwhelming and incredibly insightful all at once. Not to my surprise, I enjoy the lunch break conversations with the kids that wander into my class WAY more than the discipline, grading and parent stuff that frequents most elements of the position. I also took on the Head Golf coach position at a local high school this spring. It was a great experience as a whole, other than the REALLY long days and endless driving. I built some solid relationships and we actually played much better than expected.
As this phase of the experiment comes to a close, I'm fairly certain it has served its purpose as giving me a realistic look at the life of a public school teacher. It is a great place to live out the church and invite others towards God's story through my life, but I'm not sure whether it is the context I'm going to commit to 100% at this point.
While somewhat hesitant at first, I am now very excited about my next "experiment." I was recently offered and have now accepted the position of Summer Staff Pastor at Mt. Hermon this summer. I had already committed to speak a couple weeks up there as I have done in recent years, but will now be on as a full time staff through the end of the summer months. I am a pastor to the staff and will be doing almost 100% the things I am most passionate about; teaching and shepherding/listening/counseling. While hesitant to get back into an "institutional" setting, I have found my responsibilities won't involve what has disenchanted me so much in the past. Of course, it will be a challenge at times, but I am hopeful it will be healing and that I will be an active participant in living out and inviting others towards a life lived in the Kingdom. We will see!
As you may know based on previous posts and/or personal conversations, I have been trying to move forward in a posture of humility and awareness of my God designed soul more than ever before. Hard to quantify what that may look like and their isn't much language to describe its details, but I think that's what I'm finding makes it so divine. I am beginning to discover what contexts burn the heck out of me and lead towards oppression/depression and am being open to ones that seem more in line with how/what I was created be.
I committed this Spring semester to be a living experiment. I have left the "known" for the "unknown" to some degree. After resigning from Harbor Chapel in January, I had opportunity to jump into other Youth Pastor positions that probably would have afforded me more security in terms of finances and reputation, but I knew that it was not the spot for me at this stage of my life. Instead, I committed the semester to being a substitute teacher and high school golf coach, while at the same time applying for local non-profit jobs in Santa Cruz that might fit my interests. My good friend and LONG time sub, Steve Boutry, offered the profound insight that "substitute teaching is like earning a Master's Degree in human nature." Well put. It is NOT glamorous, often inconsistent and when people ask what I'm doing it isn't rare to be looked at like I've gone off the deep end.
A couple months into teaching the different class everyday gig, I was offered a Long Term position teaching 7/8th grade science at a local Middle School until the end of the school year. Although science is by far my weakest subject, I figured for the sake of getting the most accurate data for my experiment, I had better take it(like my scientific language??). It has been terrible, awesome, overwhelming and incredibly insightful all at once. Not to my surprise, I enjoy the lunch break conversations with the kids that wander into my class WAY more than the discipline, grading and parent stuff that frequents most elements of the position. I also took on the Head Golf coach position at a local high school this spring. It was a great experience as a whole, other than the REALLY long days and endless driving. I built some solid relationships and we actually played much better than expected.
As this phase of the experiment comes to a close, I'm fairly certain it has served its purpose as giving me a realistic look at the life of a public school teacher. It is a great place to live out the church and invite others towards God's story through my life, but I'm not sure whether it is the context I'm going to commit to 100% at this point.
While somewhat hesitant at first, I am now very excited about my next "experiment." I was recently offered and have now accepted the position of Summer Staff Pastor at Mt. Hermon this summer. I had already committed to speak a couple weeks up there as I have done in recent years, but will now be on as a full time staff through the end of the summer months. I am a pastor to the staff and will be doing almost 100% the things I am most passionate about; teaching and shepherding/listening/counseling. While hesitant to get back into an "institutional" setting, I have found my responsibilities won't involve what has disenchanted me so much in the past. Of course, it will be a challenge at times, but I am hopeful it will be healing and that I will be an active participant in living out and inviting others towards a life lived in the Kingdom. We will see!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Midas Touch
I listen to alot of Giants games. That being said, I love this time of year when I can listen to a ballgame just about everyday if I am able. As I listen, I find myself often getting the catchy marketing slogans that are inserted between innings or a pitching change stuck in my head. Some are for Autozone, Speedy Oil Change and Tune-Up, Midas, etc...I was driving down Ocean St. here in Santa Cruz the other day and saw a sign in front of a Midas for an oil change for $19.95. Not a bad bargain and of course having heard the "Midas Touch" jingle a few times, I was inclined to check it out(don't I sound like a pawn of corporate marketing!). I went in about 9am this morning assuming it would be a quick one. No no no no...hour and half later I finally got out of there.
I am always intrigued by the magazines/newspapers sitting in these type waiting rooms. I started with the newspaper. One article caught my eye. It was discussing some recent U.S. religious statistics. This was the main point of the article and the stats: over the course of the average "religious" person's life in America, they change religions and/or denominations at an incredibly high rate. It specifically talked about the rate at which protestants "walked away" from their inherited religion. The main reason, their stats argued, was not due to science disproving the reality of God, but the judgmental/hypocritical examples they had seen and experienced within Christianity. And for a variety of other reasons, they had become disenchanted by this version of Christianity. Interesting article.
My oil change was over the 1 hour point by now and I continued to peruse the magazine options. Between a few on Brad and Jenn locking eye's on some red carpet, I saw a magazine with the bold headline, "How Jesus Can Save Your Career." I was hooked, so I picked it up and had a read. This article described a growing trend of church goers whose main goal in attending was learning how a faith in Jesus could bring about financial wealth and security in a time of economic downturn. I can understand these people's fear and I can also understand the desire to cure the fear by putting my faith in something bigger than myself. Here is the kicker...the article continues by telling of this "wealthy, Prius driving" demographic going to a church where the "rock star" pastor takes the stage holding a staff with a money symbol adorning the top. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the pastor said some great things and it sounds like he did reference some good resources, but to me the "money" conversation needs to be elevated to a higher level if we are to truly follow/model the teachings of our Savior, Jesus. Rather than preaching a model of strategic accumulation of money that leads to comfort and sustained excess in this time of economic downturn, shouldn't we more closely be looking at/living out Jesus teachings of giving away our possessions and self sacrifice for the good of others?
Maybe this disconnect between Jesus teachings and our "church" teachings has something to do with this disenchantment from those that have at some point aligned themselves with Christianity. If for no one else, I know this realization proves to be a challenge for me. Does my life preach strategic financial accumulation or obedient giving and self sacrifice? I have along way to go...
I am always intrigued by the magazines/newspapers sitting in these type waiting rooms. I started with the newspaper. One article caught my eye. It was discussing some recent U.S. religious statistics. This was the main point of the article and the stats: over the course of the average "religious" person's life in America, they change religions and/or denominations at an incredibly high rate. It specifically talked about the rate at which protestants "walked away" from their inherited religion. The main reason, their stats argued, was not due to science disproving the reality of God, but the judgmental/hypocritical examples they had seen and experienced within Christianity. And for a variety of other reasons, they had become disenchanted by this version of Christianity. Interesting article.
My oil change was over the 1 hour point by now and I continued to peruse the magazine options. Between a few on Brad and Jenn locking eye's on some red carpet, I saw a magazine with the bold headline, "How Jesus Can Save Your Career." I was hooked, so I picked it up and had a read. This article described a growing trend of church goers whose main goal in attending was learning how a faith in Jesus could bring about financial wealth and security in a time of economic downturn. I can understand these people's fear and I can also understand the desire to cure the fear by putting my faith in something bigger than myself. Here is the kicker...the article continues by telling of this "wealthy, Prius driving" demographic going to a church where the "rock star" pastor takes the stage holding a staff with a money symbol adorning the top. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the pastor said some great things and it sounds like he did reference some good resources, but to me the "money" conversation needs to be elevated to a higher level if we are to truly follow/model the teachings of our Savior, Jesus. Rather than preaching a model of strategic accumulation of money that leads to comfort and sustained excess in this time of economic downturn, shouldn't we more closely be looking at/living out Jesus teachings of giving away our possessions and self sacrifice for the good of others?
Maybe this disconnect between Jesus teachings and our "church" teachings has something to do with this disenchantment from those that have at some point aligned themselves with Christianity. If for no one else, I know this realization proves to be a challenge for me. Does my life preach strategic financial accumulation or obedient giving and self sacrifice? I have along way to go...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Blog Freeze
So I have been running from an honest update on this blog for some time now. Reading the blog of my great friend Chip, has stirred me to action. Some use the "blog" as a platform to inform others of the latest life happenings, some use it as a public journal of personal thoughts/exploration, others may use it as a place to sound tough on issues they are passionate enough to write alot about, while often taking much less effort to turn the words into actions, etc...I probably have used it for all of those things. Further, most blogs I have read end with some kind of conclusion that gives the impression that the writer has mastered the issue(s) at hand and can come off a bit arrogant. I have probably done some of that too.
I am typically a "glass half full" kind of guy. Not lately. Things have been a tough go, while lacking many of the positive experiences and/or insights I mentioned above. Something I am realizing more and more everyday is that I am a product of a paradigm/culture that doesn't very well embrace the reality of simply "being" who we are without having some kind of positive spin to it. Especially those that find themselves in religious leadership positions. If I don't have some positive news, life experience or insight then why share it? Well, I am finding that this may be the most important time to share. I can often relate to the pain of real life in a much more profound way than I can relate to anothers' success. Not that I am saying we shouldn't celebrate and throw a party as a result of anothers success. We should. But I also want to be with others in the pain of the everyday in the same way that I need those closest to me to partner/share in mine.
These past few months have been full of relational tension, confusion, frustration/anger, hopelessness, passivity and depression. It is not necessarily the events of these past couple months that have led to this, but the illumination of past hurt that has surfaced. Not just ways that I have been wronged, but ways that I have wronged myself through unrealistic expectations. I feel as though I am going through a detox from this culture of "assumed/expected daily euphoria" that I had bought into and moving towards one of transparency, humility and service.
I have a pretty good idea what to blame for this extended time of introspection and revelation. Like never before, Janny and I have experienced a peace in our souls that affirms that we are uncovering and partnering in the Kingdom of God in a real way. It hasn't come in the form of going to a church service or speaking/sharing only the ways God has "worked" in our lives. It has been through an acknowledgment of the ways He is "working" and asking us to better identify with those that may not have it all together...like ourselves. I'm not saying this peace has made it all easy or at times even felt worth while. But I have to assume that if God wants us to invite others into His Kingdom that raises up the weak, poor, hurting, broken...we must be able to relate. I must get a more true understanding of who I am in light of this Way of love and share with others in the midst of chaos.
I'll save our latest life happenings(teaching, coaching, church, etc...) for the next blog. For now, I have thawed the Blog Freeze with some good old fashion honesty.
I am typically a "glass half full" kind of guy. Not lately. Things have been a tough go, while lacking many of the positive experiences and/or insights I mentioned above. Something I am realizing more and more everyday is that I am a product of a paradigm/culture that doesn't very well embrace the reality of simply "being" who we are without having some kind of positive spin to it. Especially those that find themselves in religious leadership positions. If I don't have some positive news, life experience or insight then why share it? Well, I am finding that this may be the most important time to share. I can often relate to the pain of real life in a much more profound way than I can relate to anothers' success. Not that I am saying we shouldn't celebrate and throw a party as a result of anothers success. We should. But I also want to be with others in the pain of the everyday in the same way that I need those closest to me to partner/share in mine.
These past few months have been full of relational tension, confusion, frustration/anger, hopelessness, passivity and depression. It is not necessarily the events of these past couple months that have led to this, but the illumination of past hurt that has surfaced. Not just ways that I have been wronged, but ways that I have wronged myself through unrealistic expectations. I feel as though I am going through a detox from this culture of "assumed/expected daily euphoria" that I had bought into and moving towards one of transparency, humility and service.
I have a pretty good idea what to blame for this extended time of introspection and revelation. Like never before, Janny and I have experienced a peace in our souls that affirms that we are uncovering and partnering in the Kingdom of God in a real way. It hasn't come in the form of going to a church service or speaking/sharing only the ways God has "worked" in our lives. It has been through an acknowledgment of the ways He is "working" and asking us to better identify with those that may not have it all together...like ourselves. I'm not saying this peace has made it all easy or at times even felt worth while. But I have to assume that if God wants us to invite others into His Kingdom that raises up the weak, poor, hurting, broken...we must be able to relate. I must get a more true understanding of who I am in light of this Way of love and share with others in the midst of chaos.
I'll save our latest life happenings(teaching, coaching, church, etc...) for the next blog. For now, I have thawed the Blog Freeze with some good old fashion honesty.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Drawing Dragons
After walking into the Kindergarten class Jan was working in the other day, I immediately realized I was not cut out for elementary school teaching assignments. Yesterday, I taught elementary all day long...
We are not exactly in a place to get picky about what jobs are available, so when I heard that there was no middle school or high school jobs available, I bit the ugly bullet and took the elementary job.
I was what is called a "rover" in the substitute teaching biz, which basically means I cover a bunch of different classes for about 45 minutes each throughout the day. I subbed for 9 different classes. Couldn't help but laugh at different contexts I found myself in over the course of the day. I covered a variety of classes from Kindergarten to 6th grade.
A couple of my favorites/most memorable were:
1. The little boy that wouldn't stop turning his Lego creation's into machine's guns and running around the room like Rambo no matter how many times I told him guns were bad.
2. The little kindergarten girl who believed with all of her being that it was her job to tell me how the "Real" teacher runs the classroom. Including who and how to discipline.
3. The sixth grade boy who during "Sustained Silent Reading" chose the profound tutorial called "Drawing Dragons." Yes, a step by step reading(with illustrations of course) on how to properly draw your everyday dragon.
4. The little guy who couldn't help but tell me why every color of his jelly fish, which he had just finished making out of a coffee filter and water color paints, had so much purple in it.
5. Finally, playing heads up 7-up, pictionary and musical chairs with my last class of the day which had only about 11 kids of whom all spoke only a few words of English.
Some cute kids...but I STILL am not cut out to teach elementary kids.
We are not exactly in a place to get picky about what jobs are available, so when I heard that there was no middle school or high school jobs available, I bit the ugly bullet and took the elementary job.
I was what is called a "rover" in the substitute teaching biz, which basically means I cover a bunch of different classes for about 45 minutes each throughout the day. I subbed for 9 different classes. Couldn't help but laugh at different contexts I found myself in over the course of the day. I covered a variety of classes from Kindergarten to 6th grade.
A couple of my favorites/most memorable were:
1. The little boy that wouldn't stop turning his Lego creation's into machine's guns and running around the room like Rambo no matter how many times I told him guns were bad.
2. The little kindergarten girl who believed with all of her being that it was her job to tell me how the "Real" teacher runs the classroom. Including who and how to discipline.
3. The sixth grade boy who during "Sustained Silent Reading" chose the profound tutorial called "Drawing Dragons." Yes, a step by step reading(with illustrations of course) on how to properly draw your everyday dragon.
4. The little guy who couldn't help but tell me why every color of his jelly fish, which he had just finished making out of a coffee filter and water color paints, had so much purple in it.
5. Finally, playing heads up 7-up, pictionary and musical chairs with my last class of the day which had only about 11 kids of whom all spoke only a few words of English.
Some cute kids...but I STILL am not cut out to teach elementary kids.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Eyes from a Bike
sun is creeping in an out like and eel under its shelter. not hot, not cold there isn't a better time to go for a ride. grabbing my "man purse" and throwing it over my shoulder i jump on my bike. fishing pole in one hand, the other focused
on keeping me going in the right direction. the neighborhood is still, on this Saturday afternoon. a car pass in the same way that the wind passes through my short hair. breathing in long breaths acknowledging the Kavod of my Creator. stress
forgotten from the suffering that was selling our Honda and hope streaming in at the thought of time alone followed by a night of connection with those that are closest to me.
slowling cruising on my cruiser, it seems that everyone has been injected with the drug of relaxation and peace. front porches full of husband and wife, friendly conversation and quiet gazes at the sky. there is so much to see when i allow my life
to slow down for a few minutes. it is as though others are looking for opportunities to smile and show their kindness as everyone of my "hello's" was quickly returned with a wave or a "how you doing" accompanied by a gracious smirk.
riding down the jetty like a gymnast on a balance beam, endless sailboats to my left and afternoon strollers on the beach to my right. parking my bike above the jagged jetty rocks i traverse down to the waters edge and toss out my line with the hope of
catching dinner, but content to simply be in the setting i find myself apart of.
i feel my weight hit the bottom of the channel and i slowing work my jig back to my feet. occasionally a sail boat makes its way back into the safety of harbor, while fewer boats begin their voyage to sea. today, the sea is safe for the kayaker and the cruise ship as its surface looks like the glass table that my computer now rests on. no fish my first few casts, but i'm not disappointed. a mother and her duckling play in the water in front of me as they skim across the surface of the water on their hull shaped bellies. no doubt that the Creators plan is actively unfolding today. i walk my bike back up the jetty and chain it up against the "heavy waves" sign and step onto the beach to try my luck casting over the lightly rolling surf.
a tourist takes a picture of me standing with my rod in hand and line in the water...i give an awkward acknowledgment of her action. after a few casts with no luck i think i have hooked the monster...nope, it is apparently the largest clump of seaweed in the old seas' history. my line snaps. apparently i am done fishing for the day and i walk back to my bike with a care free feeling. awkwardly climbing up a few rocks, while avoiding a two early evening lovers chatting/flirting nearby i unlock my bike and head back up the jetty towards home.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Los Ninos
So everyday for the past few weeks I have found myself teaching in the classroom for either middle school, high school or continuation school students. Of course, I am substitute teaching, so there is a very different mindset from the students when they walk into class and don't see their regular teacher around. I remember the feeling and the thoughts when I would turn the corner, look into class and see a sub standing their looking a like seal about to be thrown into a shark tank. We would eat them alive. Now I am the seal and it is a unique experience.
Janny and I are both doing this as more or less an experiment. We are both considering going back to get a teaching credential/master degree, but thought this would give us a good picture of what teaching might be like. I don't think it's that great a sample because of the seal/shark dynamic that exists, but it has allowed me to wrestle with the stories of these students. As I have mentioned in detail in previous posts, Jan and I are on a mission to use all of our energy towards BEING the church and avoiding the temptation to use our energy to "put on" church once or twice a week as we have often felt obligated to do. With that mentality, I can't help but think of the stories that lie behind everyone one of these insecure, hyper active and attention seeking teenagers. This is new territory for me and it puts me out of my comfort zone, which is leading/forcing me to some new insights that I had never wrestled with before.
Between earning the students attention, sending some to the participle's office, dodging paper airplanes and sometimes wanting to run out of the room screaming, I am trying to keep in mind their stories. As I have some conversation with them, I am blown away by what they have endured and are currently enduring. Majority with broken homes, many with learning disabilities that they are too fearful to acknowledge, constant verbal abuse and all with a hopeless yearning for popularity and acceptance. Although I often receive my 6am phone call assignment with a poor attitude, I know I am in a place to live out Jesus and be the Church in more ways that I often think I am capable. I'm on a mission, but it is a lot harder and not near as pretty as I had originally imagined.
Janny and I are both doing this as more or less an experiment. We are both considering going back to get a teaching credential/master degree, but thought this would give us a good picture of what teaching might be like. I don't think it's that great a sample because of the seal/shark dynamic that exists, but it has allowed me to wrestle with the stories of these students. As I have mentioned in detail in previous posts, Jan and I are on a mission to use all of our energy towards BEING the church and avoiding the temptation to use our energy to "put on" church once or twice a week as we have often felt obligated to do. With that mentality, I can't help but think of the stories that lie behind everyone one of these insecure, hyper active and attention seeking teenagers. This is new territory for me and it puts me out of my comfort zone, which is leading/forcing me to some new insights that I had never wrestled with before.
Between earning the students attention, sending some to the participle's office, dodging paper airplanes and sometimes wanting to run out of the room screaming, I am trying to keep in mind their stories. As I have some conversation with them, I am blown away by what they have endured and are currently enduring. Majority with broken homes, many with learning disabilities that they are too fearful to acknowledge, constant verbal abuse and all with a hopeless yearning for popularity and acceptance. Although I often receive my 6am phone call assignment with a poor attitude, I know I am in a place to live out Jesus and be the Church in more ways that I often think I am capable. I'm on a mission, but it is a lot harder and not near as pretty as I had originally imagined.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
quality fellas
The past month or so has been a pretty tough one for me. While I have great peace about our recent decisions that have us living in Santa Cruz, teaching in the public school classroom everyday and working intentionally towards living out "the Church" to the community around us, I have been going through a rather brutal detox from past life/church/school rhythms. My tendency is to try to stifle or ignore my depressed thoughts, but I'm finding that a symptom of the very system I'm am trying to recover from. It is amazing the new, fresh, difficult, angering and very enlightening perspective I am gaining when I embrace the realities of my past and present through these eyes. Very important.
With that being said, this past weekend I had two of my best buddies in town for a few hours each. Between rich conversation with Ryan Mcrae on Saturday and my long time mentor Chip Johnson on Sunday, I came out very encouraged and hopeful. Not hopeful in a "well that was an insightful month of detox and now it's time to move on" kind of way. But a hope that is centered in embracing and growing in and through these uncomfortable and vocationally confused times. For me, it is in these times of wrestling through the good and bad with those that are closest to me, that the Kingdom of God is more visible and present than ever.
Thanks fellas...jonny
With that being said, this past weekend I had two of my best buddies in town for a few hours each. Between rich conversation with Ryan Mcrae on Saturday and my long time mentor Chip Johnson on Sunday, I came out very encouraged and hopeful. Not hopeful in a "well that was an insightful month of detox and now it's time to move on" kind of way. But a hope that is centered in embracing and growing in and through these uncomfortable and vocationally confused times. For me, it is in these times of wrestling through the good and bad with those that are closest to me, that the Kingdom of God is more visible and present than ever.
Thanks fellas...jonny
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Changes in Scenery
The last two weeks have been eventful to say the least. With about 1 week left of time in Europe, we got news that my Grams was really sick. She was in the hospital with double neomonia and a bad heart condition. When we heard this, we made a bunch of phone calls that turned into LONG conversations with airlines, insurance and ticket brokers. After a few days and a schedule that's new priority was "get home to grams," we stuck around the Frankfurt Airport to see if we could catch a flight. This is when it got ugly...but humorous. Over the course of 48 hours we were unsuccessful on 3 stand by flights and decided that we needed to save money and didn't want to stay too far from the airport. So what did we do?? Yes, we paid to simply sleep in our rental car in the parking garage of the Frankfurt Airport. It was about 12 degrees outside and after hanging a bunch of my clothes in the windows and waking up every 30 minutes to turn the heater on, we got arguably the worst night sleep in human history. See pics below...
The next morning we actually got the first flight back to San Francisco and after a short time back home in Santa Cruz, we packed up our car and headed down south to San Luis Obispo to see grams. By the time we got there, she had fought her way back to some better health, although still very weak and tired. It was great to get/give some hugs and kisses.
From there we were able to keep heading south down to North Hollywood and spend the night at my bro-in-law Jason's place. It was great to be with him, especially since he is leaving to move to Kansas City tomorrow. We soaked in our time together...
The next afternoon Janny and I drove up the mountain to Big Bear where I was speaking at a Junior High Winter Camp for the weekend. The weather was terrible on the way up(of course driving our Honda with no chains!), but once we got there, it ended up being a beautiful weekend. We were hooked up with a small cabin in the snow and had a great time connecting with students and counselors. Getting back in that context defintely sturred up some memories of all the years we had with our kids at Harbor Chapel. At the same time, watching all that the youth pastors did and were responsible for gave us great peace about our decision to step away from that role/context.
On the way back up north we stopped and gave grams some more love and now we are back in Santa Cruz trying to figure out what life will look like. We are both subbing and I will be coaching a local H.S. golf team starting in a couple weeks. Should be interesting!!
The next morning we actually got the first flight back to San Francisco and after a short time back home in Santa Cruz, we packed up our car and headed down south to San Luis Obispo to see grams. By the time we got there, she had fought her way back to some better health, although still very weak and tired. It was great to get/give some hugs and kisses.
From there we were able to keep heading south down to North Hollywood and spend the night at my bro-in-law Jason's place. It was great to be with him, especially since he is leaving to move to Kansas City tomorrow. We soaked in our time together...
The next afternoon Janny and I drove up the mountain to Big Bear where I was speaking at a Junior High Winter Camp for the weekend. The weather was terrible on the way up(of course driving our Honda with no chains!), but once we got there, it ended up being a beautiful weekend. We were hooked up with a small cabin in the snow and had a great time connecting with students and counselors. Getting back in that context defintely sturred up some memories of all the years we had with our kids at Harbor Chapel. At the same time, watching all that the youth pastors did and were responsible for gave us great peace about our decision to step away from that role/context.
On the way back up north we stopped and gave grams some more love and now we are back in Santa Cruz trying to figure out what life will look like. We are both subbing and I will be coaching a local H.S. golf team starting in a couple weeks. Should be interesting!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Computer Issues
We have some fun pictures and stories to add, but haven't had the ability because our computer with all of our pics has decided to no longer charge and when it does it overheats. Quality machine. We will get it back soon and give an update. It has been an eventful week or so!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
More Travel Pics
Hello all!!
Since our last post we have been the island of Malta, Barcelona and then flew up to Germany where we rented a little car we call Hanz. Pretty funny seeing us drive around in the smallest car in history on the autobahn, with ice and snow all around us. We are now in the town of Heidelberg...Pretty amazing. We ran into a little hostel with a REALLY friendly owner names Martin. Fun talking to him about life, politics and a little about religion. He has a big group from Azuza Pacific coming next week to stay with him for 3 months. Random. Here are some pics.
Janny and I on a lunch boat ride on the Nile in Egypt.
Overlooking the Island of Malta. We were able to go to the shelter where Paul stayed after his shipwreck there.
Playing some cards with our new friends Dan and Monica
Trying to stay warm on a famous bridge in Heidelberg, Germany
Since our last post we have been the island of Malta, Barcelona and then flew up to Germany where we rented a little car we call Hanz. Pretty funny seeing us drive around in the smallest car in history on the autobahn, with ice and snow all around us. We are now in the town of Heidelberg...Pretty amazing. We ran into a little hostel with a REALLY friendly owner names Martin. Fun talking to him about life, politics and a little about religion. He has a big group from Azuza Pacific coming next week to stay with him for 3 months. Random. Here are some pics.
Janny and I on a lunch boat ride on the Nile in Egypt.
Overlooking the Island of Malta. We were able to go to the shelter where Paul stayed after his shipwreck there.
Playing some cards with our new friends Dan and Monica
Trying to stay warm on a famous bridge in Heidelberg, Germany
Monday, January 12, 2009
Walk Through the Bible
Wow...We haven't had any internet access for a week now and we are currently in a small cafe on the side street of the VERY chaotic Alexandria, Egypt. The past week has been full of unbelievable sites, experiences and conversations. We don't have much time, so we will give a picture tour rather than a written tour. We will write more later, but since our last post we have been to and experienced: Rome, Corinth and Athens(Greece), Ephasus(Turkey), Cairo and Alexandria(Egypt).
At Vatican City just after the Pope came out and held a Mass for the Three Kings holiday.
In Ancient Corinth where Paul spent alot of time. This is in front of the Temple of Apollos.
Standing on Mars Hill where Paul preached next to the Acropolis in Athens.
Standing on street in front of the ancient Library in Ephasus where Paul once walked.
Janny and I on a camel in Cairo overlooking the Pyramids and the Spinxs
At Vatican City just after the Pope came out and held a Mass for the Three Kings holiday.
In Ancient Corinth where Paul spent alot of time. This is in front of the Temple of Apollos.
Standing on Mars Hill where Paul preached next to the Acropolis in Athens.
Standing on street in front of the ancient Library in Ephasus where Paul once walked.
Janny and I on a camel in Cairo overlooking the Pyramids and the Spinxs
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Montserrat, Spain
This will be a quick one as we are packing up a our backpacks and have to catch a train in a few minutes.
We are up in the mountains of Spain in a small town called Montserrat (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat). It is known for its monastery that sits atop the cliffs overlooking the town. It is a small town of about two thousand people and we are staying in the one an only hostel in town. It is a beautiful place. Fog is thick and laying low in the mountains that surround us. There is a river that runs right through the middle of town and the poeple are very friendly. We just finished our breakfast of coffee, juice and crossant that comes with each night of staying here. Good stuff.
Our first night here, while searching for hot water for our cup of noodles we were eating for dinner, we ran into some new friends name David and Juan. They are brothers that were thilled to meet Californian´s. Through our language barrier, we used lots of hand motions and laughed for a couple hours. They want us to teach them how to surf and they made fun of our crappy Spanish skills.
Yesterday we took a cable car up the cliffs to the monastery. Jan was not a big fan of the bouncing, suspended and rusty tin can of a cable car! I wasn´t in love with it myself...It is a couple thousand feet high and it was freezing cold, but full of life and interesting history. There are 80 monks that live there. We brought up a bottle of wine and bread to have for lunch between audio tours that we went on. Incredible art and construction. For the most part, it all had to be rebuilt after WWII.
We still are having some trouble with jet lag...I was reading and writing at 3am. Not easy to wake up once I finally fell asleep.
After two nights up here we are going to catch a train back to Barcelona to continue the adventure. Hope you all are doing well!
Jon and Jan
We are up in the mountains of Spain in a small town called Montserrat (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat). It is known for its monastery that sits atop the cliffs overlooking the town. It is a small town of about two thousand people and we are staying in the one an only hostel in town. It is a beautiful place. Fog is thick and laying low in the mountains that surround us. There is a river that runs right through the middle of town and the poeple are very friendly. We just finished our breakfast of coffee, juice and crossant that comes with each night of staying here. Good stuff.
Our first night here, while searching for hot water for our cup of noodles we were eating for dinner, we ran into some new friends name David and Juan. They are brothers that were thilled to meet Californian´s. Through our language barrier, we used lots of hand motions and laughed for a couple hours. They want us to teach them how to surf and they made fun of our crappy Spanish skills.
Yesterday we took a cable car up the cliffs to the monastery. Jan was not a big fan of the bouncing, suspended and rusty tin can of a cable car! I wasn´t in love with it myself...It is a couple thousand feet high and it was freezing cold, but full of life and interesting history. There are 80 monks that live there. We brought up a bottle of wine and bread to have for lunch between audio tours that we went on. Incredible art and construction. For the most part, it all had to be rebuilt after WWII.
We still are having some trouble with jet lag...I was reading and writing at 3am. Not easy to wake up once I finally fell asleep.
After two nights up here we are going to catch a train back to Barcelona to continue the adventure. Hope you all are doing well!
Jon and Jan
Friday, January 2, 2009
Trip Update
Well...we are officially traveling once again and we love it. After about 22 hours of flights and busses. We made it to Barcelona, Spain. It was beautiful. Tons of energy and lights in the city for the new year. Of course, we were pretty tired once we got here, so I think we slept through most of the action and woke up before it all got going again. Kinda nice actually.
We love the new perspectives we gain while traveling. We have already had 2 rich conversations that stick out to me. One was with our hostel manager named Fernando. He actually studied in Fresno of all places. Really nice fella, who was really accomodating.
Last night while drinking some REALLY good Sangria on Las Ramblas(barcelona´s most popular street), we invited a gentleman who was selling roses to sit with us. His name was Justice(in English) and was from Pakistan. The conversation started by me declining the option to buy his flowers and he politely asked, ¨Are you another mean American? Why is the world so mad at you?¨ That led to a long conversation on a variety of issues. He was a very humble and understanding man with a very different story than our own. Hard to imagine all he has been through. Ironic his name was Justice.
We are now up in the mountain town of Montserrat outside of Barcelona. Beautiful area, with lots of cool air, rivers and huge mountains.
Hope all are well!
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