Wednesday, November 3, 2010

a long overdue update

alright, it's been awhile, sorry. but i thought i'd fill everyone in with what's goin' on in my life!

last time i blogged, i really had no idea what i was gonna do or where the lord was leading me. i thought about going back on the field to lead a world race trip, i almost moved to iowa, i almost moved to chicago, i applied to be a cop again, i tried to apply to seminary (and missed the deadline), and i applied for a part time staff position at a new church in denver. oh, and i started working construction.

throw in "re-entry," some health issues, a relationship, having no money and putting my house on the market and you can understand why things were a bit hard.

fast forward a couple of months and here's what's going on now:
i sold my house and am living in a friends condo in lakewood, i'm working construction part time, i'm single, i'm in the application process at denver seminary, my health is getting better and i'm working at new denver church as an associate staff member in community life.

health. it seems that i picked up some lung disease thing in africa...or at least that's where the symptoms first started. the doctors here did some x-rays and diagnosed me with an "unknown lung disease." i've done a bunch of tests but they don't really know what's wrong. that said, they threw me on some steroids about 10 days ago and it's really seemed to help...in fact, all my symptoms have pretty much disappeared! so hopefully it'll continue but in the mean time, your continued prayers are appreciated!

seminary. i applied to the christian formation and soul care program at denver seminary. my hope is to start in january but i need to get accepted first! it'll be a two-ish year program that i feel will equip me to help others in my quest to follow god's calling on my life.

construction. i'm working for my sister-in-laws dad, jeff, part-time. he's amazing and so are the guys i work with. jeff, his flexibility, and the job have truly been a blessing. i've been the "labor guy" which means i can be doing anything from simple carpentry to sweeping floors all day. just this morning i called jeff to ask for the day off (to work on church stuff) and he asked if i wanted to be promoted to safety manager...while keeping the church (and hopefully school) my top priority! god is good.

new denver church. it's a new church plant in denver. as i mentioned, i'm working in community life. basically, i work alongside the community pastor in connecting small groups with service projects in denver, meeting with newcomers, having "one on one's" with people in the church, and i just helped launch a young adults group. it's amazing and god is doing big things through the church! i'm finding such joy and passion while working with the church, it's been a true blessing and honor to have been giving the opportunity to work in "full time" ministry so soon!

family. my parents are doing well, they just got back from their annual cruise to the caribbean! in much bigger news, i'm gonna be an uncle!!! my brother and his wife are expecting their first child on may 16th! it's so awesome and such an answer to prayer. everyone is beyond excited! here's the happy and expecting couple:

thanks for following along and for your prayers.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

good vid

i love this song.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Changes

I've been meaning to put a blog up about future plans for sometime now but it never felt right, I guess that's a sign.

Many of you know that I decided to go back out and lead a World Race trip for 3-5 months in September. There was a lot that went into the decision and it was a difficult one to say the least. I made it a few months ago but it never felt right. To be honest, when I told people about it, I would say something like, "I don't want to do it at all but I'm hoping my heart will change before training camp."

It never got easier, my heart never changed, my heart wasn't in it. Could I have sucked it up for a few months and given it my all? Yeah. But would it be more appropriate to have someone with their heart in the right place leading? Absolutely.

I went back to the Lord and prayed about it and sought wise council. It was difficult but I felt release from my commitment and asked the World Race to release me as well. They were, as always, supportive and wanted what was best for me, I really appreciate that about them.

So I won't be leading another Race, right now. I start working construction tomorrow morning and am praying into a couple other longer term options. I'm still praying but feel like the Lord is leading me in the right direction. It's a hard transition and a big step in my life but I look forward to sharing it with you soon!!

Thank you so much for all of your support, I know all of this is easier because of everyone of you!
(Hua Hin, Thailand)

God is Love, Nothing is Impossible.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

May We Leave A Legacy Like This

Thank you for making the move with me! I hope to blog a bit more often and keep you up to date with what is going on in my life but I can't make any promises!

While serving in Gulu, Uganda this year, I was able to visit Invisible Children and learn more about what they are doing in the war-torn country. It's powerful and effective to say the least and they have changed thousands of lives.
About a week ago in Kampala, Uganda, a terrorist detonated a bomb in the middle of a field packed with people watching the World Cup. The blast killed at least 74 people including Invisible Children volunteer, Nate Henn.

Here is a short video to commemorate Nate's life and the work he did with Invisible Children:


God is Love, Nothing is Impossible.