Arrival in Chicago

My year-long journey has begun today with my flight to Chicago for a week-long orientation for YAGM prior to my departure for South Africa.  Thankfully, I did not have any problems with my flight to Chicago, though I had no leg room to speak of.

We took a bus from the airport to the seminary in Chicago.  Now, I'm not sure how long the trip usually takes, but we hit some serious traffic and the drive took an hour and a half.  The traffic served to illustrate two lessons that should serve me well during my journey this year.  First, I will need to learn to go with the flow.  Second, even when I know where I am and how to get to where I want to be, the pace may not always be the speed I want it to be.  Of course, both lessons will serve me well in my spiritual development as well.

I am excited that the first part of my journey is now in full swing.  Being with all of the YAGM volunteers again for the first time since the DIP event in April invigorates me.  The opening worship service this evening was very moving.

Gratitude 15 July 2010

I am grateful for unexpected connections.  I was at work today, when I met a coworker who found out that I was going to South Africa.  It turns out this coworker had been in the Peace Corps.  We got to talking for a little bit and she made quite a few recommendations for books and movies to watch while I prepare for my journey.

Gratitude 14 July 2010

I am grateful for freedom.  This applies both to the freedoms I enjoy as a citizen of the United States and as a Christian.  Regarding the former, I am free to express my thoughts in my blog without fear of repercussions of American laws.  Regarding the later, I am free to be in love with my neighbors without fear of repercussions of the Law when I live my life according to the Gospel.

Gratitude 13 July 2010

I am grateful for God's gift of grace through Jesus' death and resurrection.  God's grace enables us to be free from the constraints of the Law - free to love and serve all of God's creation.  The freedom of grace allows us to shift our focus from the doing constraints of the Law to the being in love that follows from the Gospel.

Gratitude 12 July 2010

I am grateful for rain, even when it rains so hard that your clothes get soaked all the way through no matter how long you are outside.  Rain brings much need nourishment to the soil.  Rain can also serve as a reminder of my baptism and the redeeming power of God's grace.

Gratitude 10 July 2010

Since I did not get a chance to post yesterday, today I will focus on two blessings.

First, I am thankful for the strong support of my family and friends in Christ.  Tonight's concert was a huge success and everyone's support encourages me as I prepare for South Africa.

Second, I am grateful for my dad.  I have never heard my dad sing before.  It means a lot to me that he decided to sing a song with my mom, sister, and me tonight at the concert.  God has truly blessed me to have such a wonderful father.

My Concert Tonight

My concert tonight went really well.  Thank you to everyone who came out to join in thanking God for the wonderful gift of music.

A special thanks to my sister and mother who helped me put together an awesome program for the concert.

Thanks to my sister for accompanying me tonight and singing a few songs with me.

Thanks to my mom, dad, and Jim for singing with me as well.

Thank you to Tom for helping set-up the audio equipment tonight.

Thank you to Pastor John and Stacy for handling refreshments.

Finally, thank you Pastor Seiple for the wonderful message at the beginning of the concert.  Your words will be with me along with your prayers as I travel to South Africa.