I'm leaving on a jet plane...

I'm finally coming home. It is time. I realize that for all her faults, there really is no place like the good old USA. I have had such a rich experience and will try to share it, but writing about it really does not do it justice. Experience is the best way to learn about the Asian culture. I have an incredible soft spot for the Chinese. I would even consider being a missionary there if that is what I should do. They are an incredible group of people and are a great model for collective living.

I'm in Seoul today. Talk about a contrast. This is big city done right. Shanghai is huge (18 million) but Seoul is cool. It is clean, well laid out, people are well dressed, traffic seems normal for a city of 10 million and there's a Starbucks on almost every corner. The Koreans really like coffee - so The Coffee Bean, Starbucks, and several smaller European chains are here as well. It's nice to be thousands of miles from home, yet be able to order a coffee frappacino and it tastes just like home!

I met a lot of interesting people, especially the children...they love America and think that it's a dream come true to study in our schools. They also think they will all go to Harvard if they study in America. Oh well, one can dream.

Looking forward to seeing Mosaic in action! See everyone soon!!

There's no place like home

It is nice to be home. I'm exhausted...but glad to be home. If you have a chance to go to Hawaii jump on it and go to Kaua'i. It is awesome...I've been to Oahu before, but the three times I've been to Kaua'i have been awesome and then to have Hill & Phil suprise me there was equally as fun. We had a great time swimming, relaxing, doing our brackets and just being together. H&H and B&E were the only things that would have made it ideal. Someday.

Had dinner with my family today - Phil leaves for Kuwait tomorrow but Hillary is staying home, which is great. I also bought her an EPT today as she has not been "feeling well". It's just in case...but fingers crossed. I bought Holly one when she was trying to find out about Ellie - so I figured, maybe if I can't have kids, I can supply the tests? Who knows.

Honestly, today when I saw Mosaic, I almost called and cancelled my trip. I hate when things happen without me and I feel like I've missed this huge event. I know we all make choices and I'm excited to travel but really feel like I am missing this great thing that God has created. It looks amazing down there...I mean...I was speechless when I saw it this morning. I can't describe it. I am amazed and honored to be a part of this and so excited for what the future holds!

Nothing Better

As I sit here on the lana'i or veranda or patio and look out to the ocean I am reminded that there is nothing better than being on vacation. The weather is about 78 degrees with filtered sunshine. The ocean is green in places and blue further out. There are whales spouting on the horizon and surfers (about 13) trying to catch a wave. I can smell the sweet scent of...burning bacon. Alas, there is always an awareness of reality when you vacation with your parents..my dad just burned the bacon trying to make himself a BLT. Snapped back to reality!

I also am trying to write a 15 page research paper (with a table of contents, abstract and 8-10 references) by Saturday. I have about 8 pages done, but it's hard when I want to go play. I am proud of myself that I've finished, with relative success, the first quarter of my PhD. program. It is now something I think I can resolve to do and finish.

I do wish I could bring friends and family with me..but I do have a HUGE surprise to bring home with me...that none of you will guess! I'm so excited!

China here I come

For the 2nd time in six months I'm off to China! This time I'm going to Bejing, Shanghai and Seoul South Korea. We're going (all expenses paid) at the request of a school recruiting firm there that gets Korean and Chinese students into American schools. Oddly, a lot of them want a Christian education as it's something they can't get there (yet..).

I come home from Kauai on March 17th and leave for Bejing on March 22nd - and I'll be back by April 1st. I will miss the Mosaic grand opening - which grieves me - but will be ready to jump in for my volunteer shifts when I get home!

Speaking of Mosaic...we have decided (with the help of the City of Seattle) to work on a donation only basis. There are some great models for this (successful) not only in Seattle, but in other parts of the country as well. It is at this point that we really trust that the Lord has brought us this far and will not ever let us down. Funny how images of the Children of Israel come to mind - standing at the foot of the Red Sea.

In the words of C.S. Lewis in the final Chronicles of Narnia book "Further in and further up!"

Do we believe this?? Do we?

"Now to Him who is ABLE to DO immeasurably MORE than we can ask or even imagine, according to the power that is at work within us; to him be glory and honor in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever AMEN!!"

Ephesians 3:20-21

Women of Faith

I was asked to go to Women of Faith this year by a friend at work. Max Lucado is speaking and I would not mind seeing him, however, this type of thing simply does not do it for me. It's not that it's bad or anything, but to me, it's pretty simplistic but certainly serves a purpose for some women for sure. I just get a little board of the "you can do it" speak and "look how I did it" postulating that occurs. I wish it had a little more action connected with it - like how we actually go about putting the red letters into action. Plus, I think the McLaren conference is my quota for the year.

Other than that, Mosaic opens in a month! I can't believe it and am very excited. I am trying to find someplace that can take the logo and make me a roll of stickers for the first round of cups...this has proven more difficult than I anticipated because the place I thought would do it does not so I'm back to square one. I think we are going to do some decopoge in the bathrooms - that is something I can actually do! Stay tuned for more Mosaic updates...

Western Bacon Cheeseburger

Anyone who lived in or grew up in California will no doubt remember the famous Carl's Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger. I know it's hard to tell, but I have consumed many in my lifetime and am proud of it. It's just the right combo of meat, cheese, bacon, bbq sauce and topped off with an onion ring. Perfect!

I just found out that there is a Carl's Junior in Kent (OPENING SOON!). This is great news as now Brent & Ellie can enjoy the WBC as much as my sisters and I did! This might be enough to get Phil & Hillary to come home for good!!

P.S. I bought a new car, but none of my friends are online now so I can't tell them about it...oh well.

Not a lot to say

I don't have much to say...but figured something is better than nothing. I made a commitment to blog dangit and I will power through.

I have two papers due this weekend. Fun times. I am staying with Brent & Ellie tomorrow night - Hokey's grandma passed and they are going down tomorrow for the funeral.

I worked at Mosaic on Saturday - my legs are still sore from pulling weeds. We only found one hypodermic needle too, which for an urban church's secluded side of the building, is pretty good.

I also heard that Paul Cunningham was spotted at Hooters. You can check out the Naz. Nooz link on the side...true story...there are pictures to prove it.

See...not much else going on.

Thomas Hardy unobscured

I love Thomas Hardy. This love affair began my senior year of High School. We had just moved to Orange County, CA to start a new journey and I got to go to a new school as a senior. I had no friends, didn't go to the prom, and, due to a silly California State law, had to take Driver's Ed - even though I had my license for the last two years!

Anyhow, I started this last year of high school by taking English Lit with Mrs. Leslie. Now, Mrs. Leslie was a small woman who wore really great Sesto Meucci shoes and I'm sure her suits were not St. John's - but they were pretty close. She sometimes woke up late and her hair was messy but she always had her bright pink lipstick on. She used to get so tickled by talking about Thomas Hardy and all the sexual entendre present in his work...through her love of him, I fell in love with his writings as well. I made my mom walk all over London searching for his books (unpublished in the US). We even went to his grave at Westminster Abbey.

There is a new biography out of his life called Thomas Hardy, Life Unobscured. I would love to buy the book, but have had so little time to read for fun! Hardy wrote Jude the Obscure, Tess of the D'Urbervilles and other emotionally charged books. If you want a good place to start with T.H., start with his short story The Withered Arm. I think you'll be hooked!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Last night we had a great evening of prayer at church. The sanctuary turned into...well...a Sancturary. It was dimly lit with candles and music playing. There were a few of us there to simply pray.

As I was up pouring my heart out and crying like a baby for my family a thought crossed my mind. I was praying at the alter and right underneath the sanctuary, underneath the knees I'm praying on, is the skeleton of Mosaic...a community coffee house.

This coffee house that was only a dream of some people who wanted to engage their community with something different. A coffee house that we didn't know how to pay for...until God, of amazing faithfulness, created opportunities. Why wouldn't the same God that created a community coffee house also create opportunities for my family? I left the Sanctuary with the peace that passes all understanding. I do not know what it will mean, but I am at peace.

Just what I needed

I took Ellie to Jack in the Box after gym yesterday. The lady that usually takes our order there asked where my "son" was (meaning Brent). I chuckled and said "no, he's my nephew and this is my niece."

She said, "Oh! You two look so much alike" meaning Ellie and me.

I turned to Ellie and said "ha ha...she said you look like me" and Ellie said "I don't mind, cause you're beautiful!"

All it takes is the love and admiration of a 10 year old to let you know that maybe the world is not such a sucky place after all.

Overwhelmed

I tend to take on more than I can handle...this is one of those times in my life. I feel out of balance, overwhelmed, like I can't get everything done to the detriment of friends, family and those I would like to spend time with. I would much rather have dinner with you, or hang out, then do my homework. Thus lies the problem...

I need to find the rythym - get some handle on the things I need to do instead of playing solitaire all evening. I just do not want relationships to suffer because I can't get my act together! Maybe it's just this week that seems out of control.

I also took on a new part-time job to pay the bills. This is going to be great, but yet one more thing to "fit" into the daily grind. I don't mean to complain - I did this to myself. Just asking for grace and maybe an extra hour (or two) in the day.

Dirty Feet

I was reminded yesterday by a tried and true friend that Jesus washed Judas' feet. It was a simple statement and one that I could joke off by saying "yeah, well I'm not Jesus!" (No eye rolling). But, I've been thinking about that statement since he said it and letting it marinate in my mind.

I'm sure that Jesus looked at Judas not as potential betrayer, sinner, worthless follower, but as friend, love, companion and disciple. Jesus saw through what Judas would do and had done into his heart. Later that same night, Jesus even gives his permission to Judas to "go" and do what he needed to do. Jesus knew what was going to be done and that Judas would be the domino that started the road to Calvary.

I must admit, there are some people in my life whose feet I do not want to wash. But, I am in prayer that my attitude would be made whole, my heart made clean and that I would desire to "wash the feet" of anyone in need.

An Emerging Story

I was involved recently in a discussion of the emerging church and the roll it may serve in our Nazarene/Wesleyan theology. The discussion was sparked by folks who are fearful of it and do not understand it – anytime we do not understand something we are prone to fear it. Unfortunately, this may cause damage and I wanted to share the Nazarene/Wesleyan perspective on emergence and its embrace within our own denomination.

There are parallels of Wesleyan theology and the emerging church in discipleship, missional focus, incarnational approach, alternative communities, preaching and teaching, worship and a generous orthodoxy. If you do not understand what these mean…ask! Please do not assume.

Not only is there room in the Church of the Nazarene and in Wesleyan theology for the emerging church, but it is needed. “Perhaps one of the greatest things the emerging church has to offer us Wesleyans is a call back to being Wesleyan,” Hal Knight. Again, if you do not understand what it means to be a Wesleyan – ask!

The Nazarene Church leadership has embraced the emergent church movement, even at the highest levels. Jesse Middendorf, General Superintendent, and Jon Middendorf, Associate Pastor at Oklahoma City First Nazarene had a “Generational Dialogue” recently at a conference about the movement. Some of their comments are below.

Jesse and Jon talked about the tension between the Church of the Nazarene and the emerging church as they see it and about the natural partnerships between the emerging church and the Church of the Nazarene that center around justice, small groups and friendships and theology. Both acknowledged the tension, but agreed that it is a healthy tension because the points of pressure revolve around re-discovering our Wesleyan roots and re-claiming what we say that we believe.

Jesse said, “One of the things I have struggled with in my ministry, one of the traditions of denominations is to say, you believe so we engage you. I want to say we engage you so you can believe.” Jon concurred that we must make friendship the end goal, not a means to an end.

The question then naturally arose, “Do you think there is room (in the Church of the Nazarene) to embrace the emerging church?” Jesse responded, “Not only room, but it would be a tragedy for us to pull out of it. I don’t think we can ever afford to not be a part of this dialogue. It is helping us.” Jon agreed and pointed out that we need to work on our language so that people see those who are emerging as “hopeless romantics”, who desire to be a part of God’s story and the Nazarene story.

The tension is real and will always be there, but they see it as a healthy tension. Jon went on to describe the relationship this way, “Maybe lions and lambs don’t lay down together until there is a lot of tension. When they first see each other until they lay down together there is a lot of angst, there must be a priority to lay down together that goes beyond what might even be instinct to go away from each other. In order to bring that picture to fruition, we’re going to have to choose to stay together in the midst of unbelievable tension. That’s what we started as a denomination that was a ‘big tent denomination’. That despite the tension we could remain together.”

Our entrance into the conversation may well be a belated, but it is definitely a beautiful and necessary voice. It is true that this is not a fundamental voice. If that is what you are looking for, perhaps look elsewhere. I am excited for what is to come and how I can personally be involved in embracing the message of emergence within my church. It is time and I believe we are the people.

Either we will emerge or we will die. I opt for the former.

For more information on the Emergent Church – check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergent_Church

The Joys of Car Ownership

Today at about 7:15 am I dropped my Beetle off for an oil change and new wiper blades. It was about $50.00 total - GREAT, I thought!

At about 1:05 p.m. they call me and tell me that some canister thingee in the back that recycles gas fumes or something or other has a large hole in it - which is what is causing my check engine light to illuminate (which it has for awhile now, but as long as it's not flashing there was nothing to worry about). I said that was great - and he said "yeah it will be $510.00". WHAT - how did we get from 50 bucks to now 50 bucks PLUS 510.00! I don't have that kind of money on me - and of course, on the phone, he says that I must have this fixed or else this will happen and that will happen and I'll spontaneously combust while driving!

Sometimes, life just seems to be going along well - things are happy, life is good and then POW you get nailed with an unexpected _____________ ! (Insert your own crappy noun). I do not handle unexpected things well - I tend to get really mad and want to kick some a*#. Maybe this time, however, I can pray about it - ask the Lord for some money to fall from the sky - or grow on a tree - or my W-2's from UW could come and I could file my taxes!

It's been kind of a hard week. I feel completely overwhelmed by the amount of work in this PhD program and am praying that I did not bite off more than I can chew. I try to take it one day at a time, one assignment, paper, discussion question, reading at a time but it's hard.

However, today at work I found a rather large error that I made - it wasn't an error per se, it was a posting of some account information but it made my co-workers reports all off because of the dates I used. I felt really bad and, if you know me you know I thought I was going to get fired (not really..but for better or worse, I go there). Anyway, I was talking to Blair, our superintendent, and he was so encouraging. He told me he knows that I was the best choice for this job and that he thinks I have a long career there and that he looks forward to many great years with me working there. He appreciates my contribution and knows that God sent me to them. It was really nice to hear. My direct boss is retiring soon (where have I heard that before?) and he was talking about all the possibilities available. He said "we will soon make this job exactly what you want it to be."

That was a great opening for me to ask for 4-10 hour days, but I didn't, not yet. My hope is to work closely with the development of the coffee house para-ministries and I feel to do this, I'll need one full day there at least. It is still early and I have lots of time to figure that out.

I Won!

I won a blog contest...I won a 2 CD set of music that is being mailed to me as we speak!

Here is the blog I won from - www.thispile.com

I wonder if I should give a speech?

This is what blogging should be about - uplifting and giving.

Thanks Jen and thanks CW for leading me her way! Worth the read!

Dangerous Unselfishness

If you have never heard Dr. King's "Mountaintop" speech, I encourage you today to listen...it's not long. He gave this speech in Memphis the night before he was killed. Here are some excerpts:

"because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding.

And also in the human rights revolution, if something isn't done, and done in a hurry, to bring the colored peoples of the world out of their long years of poverty, their long years of hurt and neglect, the whole world is doomed. Now, I'm just happy that God has allowed me to live in this period to see what is unfolding. And I'm happy that He's allowed me to be in Memphis.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
And so I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!"

The speech in it's entirety may be found here: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm

Let's reflect (and work!) today and everyday how we can continue Dr. King's work to bring God's children everywhere out of poverty and oppression.

Thanks for a great season!

Despite the final score, I was very impressed with how the Seahawks played today. Their defense was amazing and I'm glad that Lofa Tatupu & Julian Peterson are going to the Pro-Bowl. I think that Jordan Babineaux deserved to go as well, but perhaps next year. Now, they can take the off-season to get healthy and all of you won't have to hear me talk about them until at least July/August.

I have decided to be on the "list" for season tickets. My friends Kathryn and David have also decided to commit to the list. We put our money down and now we wait...and wait...and wait. I am hoping that something comes up as it sure would be fun to have tickets. I'm still waiting to hear on how the whole process works and where we are on the list. We had to put some money down, but it all goes toward ticket purchase.

Just imagine, next year, seeing all the home games in person! I'm so excited for that!

My nephew is hilarious

Watch this...it's so funny!


http://youtube.com/watch?v=7uiuUXtW4lE