Journeyman

What's really exciting and nerve wracking is that I'm about to travel alone for the first time in six years. Going to school doesn't count because that's just driving 3 hours south, and I usually did it with someone anyway.

The last time I ventured to Vancouver alone was when I interned at UrbanPromise. I'm a very different person than I was then, and it's also unfortunate that UrbanPromise Vancouver no longer exists. That organization was one of the pinnacle moments for me in my life's ministry.

I'll be taking off at around 6:30pm tonight to Vancouver for a much different purpose. I'll be in Vancouver for 10 days, mostly for "work" related things.

This upcoming weekend, I'll be speaking at Westwood Alliance's summer camp down in Cedar Springs. I was told that the resort is really nice, so I'm looking forward to staying there. Preparing these talks have been difficult because I've needed to prepare 4 talks rather than just 1. On top of that, my primary purpose for being at this camp is to speak, and speak to many people who I'll be meeting for the first time and likely the last as well. What I've noticed is that a lot of what I've prepared for so far (I'm not done yet), is that a lot of what I'm going through in my season of life ends up in these talks. What I've learned from studying and reading has also affected the way I've lived life as well. Personally, I think every sermon should begin like this: we have to be ministered to by the message first, otherwise it diminishes the effect it would have on the people listening. So far, so good - though I'm sure there will be many times I don't feel this way.

After the camp, I'm going to be spending the week contacting churches and such. People ask me if I'll go buy anything, go to parks, or whatever. I want to, and the temptation is there, but I need to remind myself that it will have to wait. However, my cousin convinced me to go to an amusement park this week (I'm assuming the PNE). All it took was "roller coaster"; I'm not even someone that really enjoys them.

I haven't been to Vancouver in two years, and there's always that anticipation from me that wonders what has changed to the place and the people I know. I know I've changed, so I guess it goes both ways.

Here's to hoping it's a very productive couple weeks for me; my immediate future could very well hinge on these next days.