Soaking.

The sunshine in this state rocks my world. I am at the office this afternoon for a spell and gazing out the window in awe of the misty mountains, towering palm trees, and radiant sun that casts a beautiful glow upon the landscapes in Pasadena.

I love new experiences like this. I recently took a strength finder test and discovered that adaptability was one of my strengths, which does surprise me but doesn't. Taking that strength finder, first of all, was amazing. Sometimes I find myself being all too hard on myself, that I don't do anything well rather, it could always be better. But seeing that I have evident strengths in certain areas was great to know; somewhat affirming.

Spending time in new places is a hobby I want to instill in my life forever. I have a long list of places I'd enjoy visiting. Ireland. England. All 50 states. Australia. You know, the typical. Among those are more specific locations like L'Abri, learning centers all over the world. The Fellows Initiative,which are great community experiences while taking your Masters. And visiting people I know and love. Even with access to a car, I've started to experience some of that. Nothing like a great road trips with the ipod and the windows down.

But I know at the core of my that there is something about PA that will always capture my heart and remain there, expecially Coffee Hollow. Living in LA hasn't been some horrendous experience of culture shock. In fact, I don't think I experienced any kind of culture shock. But in the midst of living in a new place with a different structure of community, there are certain things about the homestead that I wish for, and miss.

The smell of a grill while relaxing in the lagoon-shaped pool.

Fresh-cut grass on a lazy Saturday.

Yard saling in the morning followed by a lunchtime samich.

Random and strange projects from the garage.

A morning on the porch as the dog sunbathes.

Afternoon soaps down the road at the relatives.

Seeing family. Seeing friends. Seeing pets.

Smelling the hay that probably still hasn't been cut.

I'm sure the list could go on and on, because it's my hometown. My roots. And even though I am soaking up LA like a sponge, I will never cease to soak up the others as well.

Leftovers and Art

When you're young and low on money, sometimes the simplist things mean more than what would typically meet the eye.

One of my favorite things about the internship in California has been the experience of meeting with the Graphic Designer at Mosaic each Thursday. I join together with two other interns each week to experience and learn something new about LA and about art. Last week's adventure took us to a little Italian place in Pasadena that left my stomach topped off for the remainder of the day as we talked about the role graphic arts play in our regions and how it can be used to convey certain messages to its audience. And the leftovers were just as great. Talk about a huge meal for a great price. It was like I was back home at the Villa.

Today's adventure took us to Little Tokyo where we dined at a local restaurant that was one of our leader's favorites. I've never feasted on Japanese until today as we sampled various items from the menu that I can neither spell nor pronounce. But even more so, afterwards we briefly toured the area observing the art, posters, and design around us in order to connect with an audience specific to the one we were in for our next project.

There is an element of treating others on your behalf that means the world to that person. Sometimes an individual is hungry, often physically but emotionally hungry for the connection for community. A simple embrace in conversation. A common thread across a table.

This element of serving and giving to others so simply is one I've experienced before. A snapple at the bagel shop. A mocha at the coffee shop. And the amazing thing is that is has a ripple effect, like this insurance company commercial I just saw. It catches on.

And I want to keep it going.

Fire destroys main building in Claiborne community

For those of you who are CCO savy, an avid book reader of the author Shane Claiborne, a man who gives hope a place to rest in a neighborhood in Philadelphia, or you're a supporter of individuals in the urban regions of our country making a difference in the lives of people through relationships, this article will mean heaps to you. The Simple Way, Shane's community, lost a large, main building where their resources were kept for various things. For a in-depth report on the matter with a touch of the heart, stop by the Hearts and Minds BookNotes blog or the Simple Way website.

A Shower named Serenity

American culture is sometimes so weird when you meet people from other parts of the world. One area of ambiguity is in the essense of time and busyness.

Busy.

I hate that word. It has a terrible taste that comes with it. The excuse
"I'm busy" gives me the willies because I used it like a right to excuse me from things just because "I'm busy". And then, in retrospect, the busyness was actually worthless.

If there's one major thing I learned this past year, it was about time management. In the fall after returning from the summer break in Ocean City, I found myself getting burned out faster than a bonfire admist a pouring rain at a potluck (never seen that before...). Then my mentor and I chit chatted as I was broken and exhausted. So exhasuted that the things I used to enjoy became tasteless and empty. Then it all made sense. I didn't rest. At all.

18 hour days. Up early, late to bed, and working througout the day without even a pause.

So I learned the meaning of rest. Beginning it was difficult. I couldn't unclutter my mind with the things of the day and what needed to be done, what I could be doing...and the list could go on forever. But putting myself into a place of rest and establishing rest in the pattern of my life has been an asset, a very valuable asset that even Christ used. Honestly, the crowds followed all the time, but he made a point to get away and refocus.

Because of my value of rest and also the pattern of my previous part time job at McLane, I am enjoying the lack of structure at this internship. It's initiatve based, being proactive, and jumping into your area of interest rather than just waiting for someone to give you a job. And because of this, I feel a better opportunity to find rest in reading a book, taking a run, journaling, or writing a blog.

When you learn to rest, you find places that give you a specific sense of serenity. It might not be a walk as it is for Susie down the street. Serenity looks different for everyone. A clean room. A great novel. A painting. A shower.

A shower.

The place the female interns are housed in until this monday aren't top of the line but rather a dorm like situation. Despite the awkward bed that is about to release a spring into my spleen while sleeping, there are some benefits. Laundry is realitivly cheap for California. The food service provides lots of fruit for lunch and dinner. And the showers are suberb.

I've always loved showers and baths. In fact, my goal for my own home someday is to have a round bathtub. I'm a shower fan, but a bathtub like that?! You can't deny it. It'sa slice of heaven. Water has always been a fasantation of mine whether it's the pool, a spa, or even a lake. I believe one of the reasons I enjoy washing dishes so much is because of the water trickling and running all over my hands. But showers each day are a blessing. Taken for granted.

Warm water. Hot water. Whatever you wish. Steady stream that is just right. Long, steamy showers that take you to a place where time stops and soap reigns. Thoughts can focus, thoughts can drift. Restoration. Peace.

Serenity.

So today, find your shower wherever it may be - indoors, outdoors, or lost in imagination or creativity.

Because resting is living with a healthy heartbeat.

A Trojan Cookout and T-shirts

One of the ministry areas I requested here at Mosaic was college ministry since I seem to be sucked in a vortex of campus ministry since I left for Edinboro and truly eat it up. So it has turned out that my summer Tuesday's will offically be USC day as I head onto campus from 12:00PM in the afternoon to the late hours of 10 or 11PM when the frisbee is worn, the temperatures drop and the burgers sizzle upon the grill.

One imprtant and essential aspect of campus ministry is just being on campus. It's an element, I personally feel, that lacks in the ministry in Edinboro. Presence on campus. Just hanging out. It's similar to being in the office. Sometimes it's so much easier to just be in the building. The same is true with campus outreach.

So we started with a meeting yesteday afternoon with just five interns and three USC campus staff at Mosaic at a little coffee joint outside of campus for soup, a sandwich, and "a game plan", which consisted of having fun and establishing relationships. Who knew that just being yourself and having a great time really does something productive in a strategic manner. So we headed off to campus, took a walk, headed to the bookstore, and even viewed the countless Heisman trophies among the awards in the football adiministration building.

If you're a football fan, I know you're jealous, and yes, I am snickering.

So we headed back to McCarty Quad which appeared to be a picture right out of the brochure. Blue skies. Green trees. Fountains. Bicycles. sidewalks. Students reading. And the intern gang, throwing around the offical weight ultimate frisbee. This took place for quite sometime, just the three of us, chucking around the plastic disc with the fling of the wrist.

Then we had frisbee neighbors. So we invited them to play. I had to piddle from the tasty Jamba Juice delicasy that was sampled earlier, and when I returned, the crowd had multiplied, doubled, and we now had a team of Ultimate. A game started. Sweet moves were made. Ultimate is a great way to learn people's names. "PAT!" I yelled as I moved across the side of the field. You have to be quick on your feet with names when on the field. Without it, the thrower will never know if you're open.

After an epic game to 10 (which my team triumphed 10-8 woot woot) and then we headed back to the architect frat house on the row for the weekly cookout. For awhile it was just the Mosaic gang bringing out fruit cabobs and burgers to throw on the grill. Then our new-found frisbee friends showed up, and we ate together, exchanged names, swapped stories, used our hands to show people the map of Pennsylvania (ok, maybe that was just me), and made a date for next week's UF match-up.

Just show up and have fun. Bring down the walls. Be real. Talk to people. And listen to their story, because we are all on a spiritual journey. We're just at different places on the map.

So today I wear my USC t-shirt with pride. Not only was it the cheapest in the store (for which I always brag about the deals I get), but it rings true with having a kinship with USC. A weird analogy.

T-shirts.

There's this sense of "ownership" or "pride" in wearing t-shirts. Ladies know that wearing their beau's t-shirt is a sense of honor and connection even if it's two sizes bigger. There is sentiment. My Penn State shirt isn't the prettiest but I brought it to LA to represent. I don't attend PSU and pay their outrageous tutiton, but it's as if I live vicariously throught that university because of their pride and spirit. Today I represent USC because I believe in them. If you believe it in, you wear it somehow.

I believe God moves on campuses, Christian or not. Big or small. Expensive or cheap. Warm or cold. It's just a matter of getting out there and having fun, and inviting Him too.

And I make the commitment of putting on the clothing of Christ each day. To wear my Beloved with pride, passion, and commitment. From this I strive to make Christ more than apparel to a lifestyle, a part of my skin, flesh, blood, and soul. Wanting to be fashioned by Christ, never going out of style.

So here's to you, USC, for cookouts and t-shirts. I believe in you.

(photos now accessible in the link bar to the right under "Facebook Pictures...")

Finally at the Pacific

Ever since I spent last summer in New Jersey on the shores of Ocean City, I have this deep longing for the ocean like never before. Family vacations didn't really occur in my family. One of my best friend's family goes on some week long adventure to hit every destination in the town. Mine takes day trips, and honestly, I don't feel like I missed out. I think these summer projects are making up for it.

So the Pacific Ocean and I became friends Thursday night. The smell of fish (odd, but a reminder of the sea), the sand between my toes, and the crashing of the waves that roll towards the shoreline. It was lovely.

Getting there was just about the same level of adventure. It took us two hours to reach the Santa Monica bay due to traffic and traffic...and more traffic. Thankfully, we had a car full of joksters who made the best of the moment. I was laughing so hard I was crying. You know it's a good laugh when your face hurts.

Speaking of hilarity, it appears by brother is having a good time in the outskirts of civilization. It's funny how much I can learn and see in his day to day by reading hios blog versus phone converstaions. Writing does more for some than others, and this is quite apparent in my older sibling.

This week is filled with all kinds of different tasks and assignments. Each day is like a new adventure. William Carey food line of 5 items or less, Ultimate Frisbee at USC, and the continunal car pooling here and there.

Expect the Unexpected

I'm not gonna lie.

This atmosphere at Mosaic is utterly amazing.

Sure, you throw around the word amazing like other words. Maybe it's a dog trick that is "amazing" or this sunny weather is "amazing" but the use of this word "amazing" goes back in a different direction. It's also "unique" and "raw", and it's coated in love.

The staff here love on people like no other. No jokes, no gimicks, it's pure love and it radiates energy from start to finish. They run at a different pace. Structure is a blessing, but it can also become an idol, like a prision enslaving the creative spirit. Believe me, I've seen how it can play out when I work with Andy. I can be overstructured, and he can be overflowing with unbridaled vision. You begin to see how to expect the unexpected. A delicate balance.

There is so much to create, so much to develop, so much to push for here at Mosaic in this internship. My deepest prayer is that God would use me, push me, hold me, and keep me close by his heart. It is out of our love for God that our passions will follow.

Go until you hear "no".

Play It Up.

Pictures to the right - William Carey University
Administrative Offices for Mosaic



I used to believe I knew a lot about community. I have practically spent the last 10 month in community, which includes a roommate plus many others. I thought I knew a great deal. And then I came to California.

God keeps me on my toes, that is for sure. It seems to be the constant that when I become adjusted, he pulls the rug from underneath me and shows me a new rug I didn't even know I was standing on.

The group of interns here are a different breed than any other I've ever encountered. But don't read this the wrong way and percieve that this community is lacking. If anything, I believe they are the most hard core in some respects.

I've been observing and staying quiet for some reason lately, but I believe I am just taking a natural process, allowing myself to grow into the realm of community in my own fashion. These barbarians are prayer and spirit driven individuals who are desperatly seeking to serve and to sacrifice, to love people passionately. I'm challenged without saying a single word. Just observing.

Another thing I discovered about all communities through this gang from all over the world is that play is essential in so many ways. Whether it is laughing at hilarious childhood stories, splashing water in the bathroom, or playing an intense game of Ultimate Frisbee, play is a bonding glue that cannot be replaced. I see in the communities I've lived in the past, and I see it now. Laughter truly is a medicene that is irreplacable.

The weather is beautiful today. Like everyday, pretty much. I know, woe is me.

I believe my word for the summer is challenge. And my strength for the summer is my Beloved.