Has it really been that long since our last post?! Some much has happened that I know it must have been six weeks, but they have been so full that they have just flown by. so here are the recent happenings . . .
1. The Move
We moved into our new apartment on Sept. 23rd, a much needed transition. Just last night I looked at our gas expenses for the month of September . . . over $300!!!! Thankful we are both much closer to work so we are saving money and time with our shortened commutes.
2. The Wedding
A couple days after the move we flew back home for my brother Andy's wedding. It was sooo beautiful. My brother is so in love and he has married a beautiful woman of God, I am really excited for the both of them. As come with weddings, most of the family was together. It was really nice to hang out with my brothers and get to know my new sister-in-law better. There have been so many weddings in our family lately, it is really exciting to watch our family grow. It reminds me of God's amazing grace and His restoration. We were a family full of broken lives, many of us scared of any kind of intimacy. But by God's strength my parents fought to make us a tight family and most of us have now been able to expand our hearts love others and invite them into our family and our hearts. It is more exciting than I can express with words.
3. The Masters
Cami has started his masters study a Prescott College and he is doing great! After long days at work he is diligent enough to come home and get a few hours of school work done before calling it a night. I am so proud of him and his dedication.
4. And finally The Teachers
Cami and I both love our new jobs!! It is so great to spend each day using our gifts as teachers and our passions for education to impact the lives of inner city youth. Just today I had the privilege of talking with a student about life and motivation. He told me that it was too late for him and there was no point in trying in school. But I did not hesitate to contradict that lie and talk with him about who he wants to be. I am amazed at how quickly these students want to give up, thinking who they are today is who they are always going to be. But then again I have to remember the streets they come from. Most of the boys in my school are considered men on their streets. There are not many men much loder than them around and they will be lucky if they make to age 23. Everyday they are faced with adult situation and decisions, choice they are not yet equipped to make but are forced to carry the responsibility for. No wonder they think its too late - according to their streets they have already reached maturity and are almost at the end of their life, there is not much time, nor room for change. Thank God He offers a different message and allows be the honor of carrying that hope to my students. Maybe one of them will head down a different path than the one their street is taking them on.
So that is us . . . oh yeah, we started attending a new church on Sunday. Cami's school is attached to a church close by so we decided to start going there. It is Angelus Temple - a mega churh here in LA. Neither Cami and I are really mega church kind of people, but we know this is where we need to be. On Sunday Cami and I were both impacted by the intimacy of our God through a specific song. It is a song that we sang at NECF and were both very blessed by. Since then, the churches we have gone to have all sung that same song on our first day there. It is like the Lord gives us a little taste of home everywhere we go. Additionally, the preaching seems to be solid and straight from the word. This is not only a place to be fed, but a place to serve - they have over 140 ministries serving the people of LA and are committed to empowering all of God's people to get out there and serve. So I admit I was skeptical at first, but I beleive this is going to be an awesome place for us.
