Baaa

From the land of many sheep, I say, "Good mornin'!" We are about finished with our staff training, as the rest of leadership training begins the moment our first student steps off the plane, which is on Thursday. It is crazy to think it all begins and doesn't stop until the end of February. Our students that are coming are longing for adventure and to grow with their relationship with their Creator, and after they are poured into, we go out to share. We are doing two schools at once, with the Justice school rocking our backpacking socks off. Please be praying for safe journey's for our students, for open and soft hearts.
All is well over here. The weather is warming and the sheep are a sheepin'. Peace to you from the Ends of the Earth.

Oh, and here is the staff for the backpacker school. We like being outside, but even more we love Jesus.

Snow pellets falling.

Good afternoon from a land far, far, away. There is not too much to update as of yet. We are in the middle of staff training and also the Rugby World Cup. I have read over my last update a few times and am amazed at how bad it was. I wrote it after 24 hours of airplane travel, so just tuck that update right into your e-mail trash. I suppose it got the point across of making it here safely. 

So, I am trading college football season for rugby this year. Although, it is not the same at all. The vibe is very different. I noticed while watching New Zealand's team play, in a room full of Kiwis, that the amount of yelling is a ton less. I tend to yell all the way through each great play and had to stop myself every time. When they do make a try (goal/touchdown) there are only a few louder claps. Maybe I wasn't in the right place. Two of my Kiwi friends get this update, maybe they can enlighten us.

Some good tunes I am enjoying as of recent: Ben Rector (Something Like This), Mumford and Sons (Sigh No More), Enter the Worship Circle (any album), and always Waterdeep (any album). One of my favorite memories of my life involved a hammock, a cup of coffee, and a record player. Music speaks things about life in a way nothing else can. Go find some great music and let it soothe your soul.

Here are a couple pictures from a few moments when snow pellets fell from the sky. It was so neat! The first picture was taken right before Jeremy (the fellow on the left and our brave base leader) got hit in the eye by one. The second is on the porch of my house.

Home, sweet, New Zealand

Well, for those that don't know I did make it to Oxford, New Zealand. There is a chill in the air, but warm coffee in my tummy. Some of my favorite people are here and boy we sure have fun. We are all so excited for this school. Thank you all for supporting me with love and prayers. Blessings.

The Rugby World Cup is in town, go All Blacks. They are New Zealand's team. There jerseys are all black.

First star to the right and straight on 'til morning...

I just wanted to post a link to several videos. In a few days I will be on a plane back to one of my favorite places on the planet. Christchurch, New Zealand; a city devastated by earthquakes. The videos show what the Central Business District looks like as of August, six months after the earthquake that killed over 100 people. The videos show the red zone. The red zone is the area where only structural engineers and really, really cool people are allowed. I would love to help clean up the city, but it still isn't safe enough for us to go. Now, it is nothing like what Japan has suffered, but I try not to compare. Things just stink no matter what a lot of times, but it is how people respond that brings light to the darkness.

Click on this to go to the link.

On another note, please be praying for my good friend Andrea's nephew, Talbey, the little guy needs supernatural restoration to his three year old body.

And to end, a quote that is really great.

"...to be in a relationship with God is to be loved purely and furiously. And a person who thinks himself unlovable cannot be in a relationship with God because he can't accept who God is; a Being that is love. We learn that we are lovable or unlovable from other people...That is why God tells us so many times to love each other."

-Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz)

hello, hope you are well!

I just wanted to share this recording. It is by a fellow named Dalton Lifesey. He is 26 years old and has more wisdom in his right pinky toe than many people, maybe an exaggeration, who knows?

I am not usually the person that can turn on my computer or iPod and listen to someone talk, unless it is NPR. I think of a million others things I would rather do, like clean the toilet or go outside to weed the garden and sweat in the over 100 degree heat.

Instead, I found something good. Dalton is talking about community. A subject or a way of life; something I am passionate to see, not just in my life, but to see others live in.

So, if you are inclined, the link is below.

DaltonLifesey.com

In other news, I will be jumping on a plane soon (Sept. 4th). The day after Oklahoma State football defeats Louisiana. This time I plan to return home sometime in March, not July. Stay tuned to my adventure by reading my e-mails, or don't, but I will still update either way. Thank you for everything. I can not do a thing without your support and encouragement!

Traveling...

I am reposting this from an author (Chris Guillebeau) that inspires/challenges me to step out. His original post is here.

AUGUST 15, 2011

WHY TRAVEL

Because when you leave behind the familiar, you can't help but be changed by the foreign.

Because comfort zones become constricting zones over time.

Because the world was meant to be experienced, not imagined.

Because you'll meet people who are different than you. (Are we all the same? Not really, but that's OK.)

Because it will frustrate and annoy you at times, and you'll be better because of it.

Because you are afraid, and it's always good to make peace with your fears.

Where to?

That's up to you -- it's a big world out there. The choice of destinations is far less important than the choice to depart.

When you return you'll look back on your journey and think, Did that really happen? Was I really in the land of _____?

And then you'll go through reentry and reverse culture shock, and then you'll face a choice.

Option 1: to reminisce, to think about those days when you were brave, and that time when dreaming was something you did wide awake.

Option 2: to take another look at the map, and start planning the next adventure.

Which will it be?

________________________________________________________________

I would add that travel helps me see things that I would not normally see if I stayed in Tulsa. It helps me stay grounded, realizing I am quite small (not just physically), but that this world is huge and it is not about me. Travel means many things to many people. It is great to be home though, but I am off soon, traveling South for a new season in New Zealand.

love coffee.

It is quiet around my house. Pandora is playing, but the amount of free time I have while I am home makes it still. I am loving being home. It was beyond any prayer (out loud or in my mind) to get to come home. HE knows better than we do.

I am at my old coffee shop to work a couple shifts a week while I am home. They have new bottomless portafilters. See the picture above. Doesn't that look glorious?

Being home makes the idea of my next adventure in New Zealand that much better. I am excited for our staff team, meeting and getting to know people, and being back for more adventures in the the most beautiful country. It will be great, you should come!

If you didn't get my most recent update on life, well then, let's change that.

Read THIS <--- click on that, yes, right there, or left...ahhh

"No, life cannot be understood flat on a page. It has to be lived; a person has to get out of his head, has to fall in love, has to memorize poems, has to jump off bridges into rivers, has to stand in an empty desert and whisper sonnets under his breath... We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?" -Donald Miller,Through Painted Deserts"
— Donald Miller