| who knew? |

People are so interesting!

It's funny how as individuals, we are prone to thinking some crazy things. We are often worried about the first impressions that we make on people. Perhaps it's our insecurities, but it seems like we're always so quick to categorize everything and everyone. I could go into a party and come away from it wondering what people thought of me and who I might have had a good connection with or not. 

The sad thing about these first impressions, is that they're just not often true. There have been so many times where I've met someone, and I thought that they were specifically one way. I've walked away from meetings with my mind made up about someone, only to spend more and more time with them, and finding that they are completely different from the way I previously viewed them. There is so much depth to people sometimes, that it's crazy. I guess I'm really quick to judge people. In our society, it's really easy to put a label on something. We have to have a name for something. It's either this, or it's that. The best of something, the worst of something. We label people...

Why is this?

One great example of this is my friend Katherine. I totally thought that when I met her, she was just this senior aged girl, who had a great chip on her shoulder. I thought that she was having issues with things, and that she kinda hated men. I felt like as I was talking near her, that she was scrutinizing me and that she was just ripping me apart in her head. She was definitely not the type of person that I would think I'd have anything in common with. I think if I would've stayed with that idea, that I would've missed out on a really good friend.  She's actually really an amazing woman! God is really putting Himself onto her and she's receiving it well. I've been quite surprised that what I originally thought was completely off.

What's really cool is that, there are people who I always think are just done with me. Or who have bad impressions of who I am, and they turn out to really not mind me. Actually, they think that I'm a cool guy. Who would've thought!? 

People are funny that way. 

I'm out...

| I will be with you |

On Thursday I decided that I would go back to Davis to check out Michael Koh speak at Intervarsity's large group. I thought it would be a while before I'd be back at Davis for a large group, but I had to come and hear this guy. He's an awesome speaker. There aren't many people that I remember giving talks, but he is definitely one that I do. He gave an awesome talk at spring conference a few years back. One of his main points was about prayer. If we really pray with all of our hearts, big things can happen. He was speaking about Exodus 3 this time. Where Moses first encounters God through the burning bush. He asks God: "Who am I?" and God tells him, "I am with you".

I really think that's applicable to me.

I was thinking the other day, I don't know what I'm doing with myself. I thought that I had made a mistake in coming to Sacramento and going to Sierra College. I didn't think that I was connecting with students at all. For some reason, I just believed that there was no way I'd feel like I was being disconnected at all if I were still in Davis. Things would just be getting started, and I'd be right in the thick of it, loving every moment of it. The truth is, I was just feeling like I didn't want to be here. However, what was awesome about that was the fact that I totally was honest with God and with Troy (my boss) from the beginning. I told him that I didn't have a heart for community college students, but that doesn't mean that I couldn't let Him grow it in me. That was a huge thing for me to remember, because it wasn't like it was some secret shame or anything. It was good! It was freeing to know that my starting line had been defined.

I feel like God has really been with me these past couple of weeks. Working in Davis and making deliveries to campus, right when the school year is starting was not weird at all. Generally, NSO is my favorite time around campus. I love helping freshmen move in and helping them with things their first week of being college students. I loved helping to get people plugged in with stuff through IV. However, I was a little nostalgic when I would see lots of the preparation. I knew that this was not the place for me anymore. I wasn't too sad about things at all. I thought it'd be kinda painful, but it wasn't. Going to the first large group, it was amazing that I was able to see the fellowship, and where God was bringing it, and not be sad that I wasn't part of the movement. I was proud that I was part of the legacy of this place and these people that I'd loved were growing and going strong. Before the end of last year, God told me that I wasn't needed there. He was telling me how He had things under control and that it was ok for me to move on. I saw that on Thursday.

I am also seeing how He's with me at Sierra. Bible studies have been going pretty well. The interest in things is also way up! We've had about 80 people sign up with interest in the Bible studies and have consistently had about 16 people coming to the studies. It's really awesome, and God has been right in the middle of all of that. Today we had a general get together. It was just what we needed. I feel like a lot of the students have been wondering what we were going to do outside of Bible study. A good number of them came out today, we had a dessert potluck, and we played some games. It was just good fun. I have to make sure that we get more of those kinds of times together, cause that's what cements a great community.

I really am thankful that i've gotten the chance to see God walk beside me as I'm trying to test the waters as a campus minister. Sierra College is not UC Davis, but that's an awesome thing. I'm really feeling as the weeks go on, that I'm a Wolverine now, and not so much an Aggie. Sierra is becoming my school, and these students are really becoming my heart.

I'm out...

| RE:definition |

A large part of my transition to the city of Sacramento has been through my commuting. I did not want to drive my car so much, partly because gas is REALLY expensive, partly because I just knew it'd be better for me and for the environment. 

My great idea, for when I got settled, was to learn how to get around on the bus/light rail. I had an idea that I would begin to take the Amtrak to work everyday (the transition to Sacramento has also included being willing to continue working in Davis). I am literally between the two places, but I am also both places mixed. I wanted to use the car like a sacramento resident, generally to get to Sierra, and in town, I wanted to get to use a bike to get around. 

Mr. Oliver Wong had a mishap about a week and a half ago, when he had a bike stolen. The bike that he lost was a really good one too. It was kind of a sad occurrence. He got a REALLY nice gift, as Alf decided that he would give Ollie some money to get a new bike. Ollie (who is really still trying to make the dream of Oakland come true) made the decision to really use the money and bless all of us. He decided that, instead of getting one really nice replacement bike, that he would get a bunch of bikes that are pretty good, for everyone in the house.  So, (being included in the gift receiving) I have a bike again. (my old bike was stolen in bits and pieces). Being reunited with two-wheeled transportation has been a dream for me. I've been able to get around again, without the use of my car. 

I've been able to successfully navigate my way around the greater sacramento area, through use of my trusty schwinn, and the bus/lightrail systems. I use the lightrail and amtrak to get to Davis when I have to work, and I've even figured out the light rail/ placer county bus system to get to Sierra on days when I'm able to be on campus. Both are delightful trips! I'm able to get around pretty efficiently, and see lots of the city. I've even begun to bike to Bible study! What I've found out through all of this, is that the public transportation system here is really good! (I teased Ollie about his ravings when he first got here, but I am now seeing the light).

Amtrak, as I have never known before, is very awesome! I didn't know the amounts of options that they offer. I've been surviving on a ten-ride pass between Davis and Sacramento. I found out, only today, that they offer transfers between themselves and some of the local transportation system. This saves me at least 2 dollars a day! If I'm really clever, I'm sure that I can even get them to save me 4 dollars a day! 

I've become a bike commuter! I love getting on my schwinn and taking myself to random places, knowing that I'm making strides (or pedal strokes) to getting healthier, and I'm transporting without making emissions! Coupled with busses/trains, it's a great way to get around.

Yay for Bikes!