BUSY

Well I have been in my new home for about a week now. It has ended up being a good fit for me. The family, Jeff and Valerie and their children Ethan, Lindsey, and Sarah have been a blessing to me thus far. I will be spending 6 months with them so I'm sure they need all the prayers they can get.

I am currently so busy with the new projects I have been assigned. Some days I feel overwhelmed some days I feel like I have a handle on it. The biggest lesson I am learning right now (and a very important lesson) is how to say no though. Many people can quickly be burned out in any job setting simply because they have not learned how to say no to others requests. It is easy to take on tasks coming from all different directions but soon your commitments have caused you more grief and anguish than excitement and confidence. I am learning more and more about what I am capable of daily.

SETTLED IN

Hope this update finds all of you blessed! My last update mentioned how easy the transition to Orange County life has been. Of course the 70 degree weather has played a significant part in that! It’s funny, I was in Utah last weekend for a retreat up in the mountains and of course it was snowing and cold the whole time. I mentioned to one of the guys, “Man, I can’t wait to get back to Southern California where it’s warm!” Yes I am already completely spoiled by this place, and I have only been here a month! But God has been so active in answering the prayers that have been lifted up for me during this time. I know I am prayed for, that’s why I am so thankful for you who have chosen to remember in your times with the Lord. I am so blessed by you all!

Where to begin? I have become active in CRAVE, the college ministry here at Saddleback. It has been through CRAVE that God has brought an amazing group of people in my life. I have become apart of such a tight community of incredible individuals where there is a tremendous amount of love, support, and faith. I truly cannot ask for more in a group of friends. It is a group in which I am able to do life with, where I can grow spiritually, and at the same time have a blast just living life along side of them. These guys and girls are studs and so sold out to God, this has been such a blessing to me in the craziness of Orange County culture.

It has taken a month to settle into the internship with PEACE. However, God has used this last month to stretch me and fine tune some areas in my life. I am here to serve, regardless of the task! I have been reminded that in all I do to do it wholeheartedly as unto the Lord and not to man. However, as of yesterday I have been assigned my first long term project! I will be helping to develop and create materials along side one of team members that will explain to other churches what a PEACE coach is. PEACE coaches are lay members who essentially coach the trip leaders and team leaders as they prepare for overseas PEACE trips. In that process I will be managing our coaches and working closely along side of them. I cannot wait to jump into this project and am so grateful God has opened up the door for me!

I am learning everyday! God is doing some radical things in my life and so far this has truly been a journey of refinement and renewal. Thank you again for praying! Friends and family, prayer is a mighty weapon in the hands of the saints! Do not shy away from using this weapon boldly and expectantly! I love each of you and I am so blessed to know I have such an incredible group supporting me through this season of my life!

Please do not hesitate to write me or send an email. I would love to hear from you! If you have also considered joining in supporting me financially and just have not had a chance to think on it, of course, do not hesitate, it would be a blessing! There still exists a need on a monthly basis for my living expenses. I ask that you seek God as you consider investing in my journey during these next two years! If you are considering investing in me, please send an email to me. God is the supplier of all our needs! Praise God!

IT IS WINTER, RIGHT?

Well it seems that while much of the middle of the country is being bombarded by an arctic blast of snow, ice, and bitterly cold weather I am tucked away in this warm pocket of the nation called Southern California. Sunday its suppost to be 75 and Mondy even a warmer, 78. It is winter, right? I think I have forgotten. Apparently you can go to the beach during the winter here. Its a new concept for me and I think I am qucikly starting to love it. I know, I apologize I should not be boasting. I should be suffering out here right? Well sorry folks its Southern California, its God's year round vacation spot. It must be why so many cool things are happening out here. ha.

Well I am just about a month into the internship. It seems so weird to think that its been a month. For some reason this has been the smoothest transition I have ever made to a new place. I feel like I am right at home even though my current living situation is coming to a close. I guess that goes to show that home is not always just a roof over your head but a place where a community you love is. It is true I have found an incredible community of people that God has placed in my life at least for this season. Yes and my living situation, well I will only be living here with the Edward's until February 17 because of prior obligations that they have made. It has been ideal living situation but it is time to move onto a more permanent place which the church is still trying to figure out. This is something you can be praying with me about, that God would bring forth a great family who is willing to host me for at least 6 months.

Being apart of PEACE at Saddleback has been an overwhelming experience so far. There is alot going on in this ministry which means alot to learn and alot to get accustomed to. But so far it has been great. I have jumped in head first and am loving all that I am able to get to sit in on and be apart of. I have learned much about some of the new things going on missions ministry alot of which Saddleback is leading the way on. Which means alot of things are subject to constant change and revision since what is going in missions here is so new. PEACE is essentially a not so traditional way of how missions ministry is done in the church. Its quite revolutionary. I thank God that he has put me at such a place.

I found out this week that I will be leading a team to Rwanda Africa June 2 - 18. I am super stoked about this since it will be my first oppurtunity to mobolize a small team and then lead them on a trip overseas.

Please pray:
That God would provide a family who is willing to host me for a 6 month period.
That I would continue to find my niche in PEACE
That God would help me along the process of preparing a team to travel to Rwanda.

May the peace of God be upon you.

Love and peace to all!

January Update

Greetings from California,

As I write you my first week in California is coming to a close. I arrived safely to town on the afternoon of the 8th and have hit the ground running. I am meeting new people all over the place and trying to find my niche in this fast paced yet laid back environment called Saddleback Church and Orange County. The transition has come easier than I had expected and I am quickly transitioning into this new season of life. God has been so good on this journey thus far. His provision is evident on a daily basis on all levels of life.

I am living temporarily, maybe just another week, with a couple who have been heavily involved with Saddleback for many years. It has been a blessing to be with some incredible folks who have already made a great impact on my life in the short time that I have known them. I should be finding out within the next week where I will be staying more permanently. Though I may move around several times within my time here it is a blessing to be able have my housing provided in this crazy real estate market here!

I am entering into a season of uncertainty. I cannot see very far in front of me. Yet I rest assured in the promises God has given me concerning this time in my life. I am staying the course and walking in faith knowing that although my eyes cannot see so distantly in the future God has me here for a reason that is bigger than just me. I am so privileged to be apart of a ministry that will be able to equip me to accomplish what God brings before me in the future.

The missions ministry of Saddleback Church is called P.E.A.C.E. The word PEACE stands for, Plant Churches, Equip Leaders, Assist the Poor, Care for the Sick, and Educate the next generation. The P.E.A.C.E. Plan is a mission’s ministry that seeks to empower not only the local body of Saddleback but also the universal body of Christ to go and change the world. This new ministry within the community of Saddleback Church has quickly evolved over the last several years as a new paradigm in how mission’s ministry can be accomplished within the church. The vision of P.E.A.C.E. could have far reaching effects and is indeed already making an impact locally, nationally, and around the globe. Since this is a new ministry and a whole new paradigm in mission’s ministry there are many things that are still being figured out by the P.E.A.C.E. team. There is still a sense of trial and error taking place to find out what works best and what does not. Now I could spend a great amount of time in this letter informing you about PEACE and what my role is with it over the next two years. However, there is still so much more I am figuring out about how not only the P.E.A.C.E. plan works but what my place is in the midst of all of it. Thus, as that pans out over the coming months you will indeed be kept informed on what it is I will be doing.


I praise God for each of you and I am thankful for how God has enabled us to partner together in this journey that God has us on. I ask that you continue to partner with me through your prayers and financial investment. I ask that you pray presently for several things:



• God’s protection on all levels, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• That God would bring forth a group of friends in my life who would uplift me spiritually and who would be group who I can simply do life with.
• God’s continual provision financially so that I can live out here in Southern California.
• That God would continue to bring forth incredible opportunities that would help equip me for my future ministry.

Please feel free to email or call me. I would love to here from you! Thanks again your prayers, they are truly coveted!


Love and Blessings to all,