Memorial Day recap

Wow...This is a late posting, but who cares anyway? This memorial day I went to the beach with my girlfriend and some church friends. I made a mental note not to go to Huntington Beach next year for a holiday. With the normal crowdiness (this that even a word) we found a good spot...right next to tower 15. As everyone started to set-up camp I walked to the water. My eyes where wide.

I love to bodyboard (or boogie board for you older folk). I absolutely love it! With that said I was in the water rather quickly and trying to find that perfect set that would send my 235 lbs. Body crashing over the water...I found one! Not only were the waves rocking awesome, but the rip was catching as well. So I took this one wave, it was beautiful but deadly. It folded my bodyboard like a piece of paper and I went tumbling into the shallow blue oblivion. Tons of fun!

Have no fear I was alright, but my board was trashed (or at least the leash was)...sad day.

Humble Pie Weekend

This weekend God gave me a wonderful helping of humble pie. On Saturday I had the opportunity to serve by helping a blind family move from an apartment to a house. This task seemed easy enough...wrong. Not only, did I get lost, I didn't have the guts to call to get the proper directions from the family. So I paid with 3/4 of my gas tank and a long day.

It is easy to forget what we are supposed to learn from things like this. I spend the day reflecting and this is what I came up with:

• Service is not about time schedules, pride, disabilities or ego...It’s about love!
  
• Never underestimate people with disabilities...God can use anyone!
  
• God's timing is unbelievable and perfect!

On Sunday, a student informed that our JH mission’s weekend experience (that is happening in June) will not be as good as the last one, because the former junior high pastor and his wife are not here to facilitate this event. This hurt...a little. I am one that wears his emotions on his sleeves. Acid comments and frosty glares do not bother me. But, as I'm trying to the best job I can with this ministry, a comment from a student who hasn't been in the JH ministry for the last year and a half was unexpected.

Lessons I learned from Sunday morning's second helping of humble pie:

• No ministry is perfect!
  
• God can use anyone!
  
• Learn from the past, be encouraged by the future!
  
• We do make a difference in our student’s lives!

God is so good! " My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" ( 2nd Cor. 12:9)

Leader Lingo

I facilitated my first leaders meeting last night. I heard it went well. However, I personally feel that I sounded like an idiot. Why do I seem to become more verbally incontinent when talking with people who are 20 years older than me? Am I trying to impress them with my $24,000 lingo I have received from CBU? Maybe it’s my utmost respect for them…and am so excited to be in there presence? Who knows?

Coffee Roasters vs. Starbucks

Have you ever found a place that you immediately claim as “your own special place?” Today, I have staked that claim. I have been looking for a quite place (where I can study, have quite time; listen to my ipod etc.) that was relativity close to where I am staying. There is this little shopping center right around the corner, and within this village center is the most appealing coffee house I have ever been to. It’s called “Coffee Roasters.” Now, some of you may be familiar with this shop, but I have never been to such a place. Being a college student, my radar reflected the commercialization of Starbucks®, so naturally I was searching for a Starbucks® that was close. Big mistake! Not only do I have to battle someone for a comfortable arm chair, their wi-fi requires a fee (thoughtful ideas from T-mobile). Where as "Coffee Roasters" wi-fi provides excellent signal strength and there is plenty of room for all. Ultimately, I find “Coffee Rosters” to be more sophisticated and accommodating to people who really want some quite time...and the some would say that the coffee is better. I would have to agree!

Well...here I am blogging. I swore to my friends that I would never do something like this, but here I am. I will try my best to keep you updated on everything I deem appropriate for you to read. Have a great weekend...whoever reads these things...?