Great time so far in Portland. Very much reminds me of all the great things about Cincinnati (river, rain, trees, laid back feel) and the great things about Los Angeles (mountains, environmentalism, health minded, spiritual). The final answer: I could totally live here. Does that mean I am moving? Alison and I talked about that yesterday as she was checking out Portland State. God would have to give me some good reasons and open doors like he did with the move to LA for me to actually pull the trigger, but I would not be opposed.

I met Susan Isaacs. How I love that woman! I knew from reading her new book "Angry Conversations with God," that we would totally hit it off, and we did! We're going out to dinner tonight. My prayer is that it will be the beginnings of a wonderful relationship.

And yes, I met Don. He is truly just a guy, and a beautiful one at that. He recognized my name from Twitter. He is so warm and real and sweet... It must be so hard to have a relationship with someone when it would be so lopsided. Like I know so much about him and his past, and he knows nothing of me. How do you navigate conversation with that basis and NOT sound like a creepy stalker? "Do you remember that time when you were living in community and you had that really cool room in the attic, and you wouldn't wash housemate's dishes, and....?" AWKWARD.

Sigh. Lord, you know how I feel. You know what's best for me. You know WHO'S best for me. Even if he is... "just a guy..."

It has been a rough road, but the robotics team I was a co-advisor for finished 24th out of 60 and took home the "Highest Rookie Seed" award- quite impressive for a school that has never had a team before!

 

There was a lot I learned about myself from the process..

1. My Achiever strength is stronger than I ever imagined. Near the middle of the process, my other co-advisor got frustrated and refused to help the team anymore. The team came to me and I offered to spend the weekend at school so they could finish. I found them team sponsors, helped order the shirts and buttons and dealt with all the craziness with the front office secretaries. When given a project, I really cannot let it go until it is 1. done and 2. done as best as humanly possible.  This means that I need to be particularly careful as to which projects I say "yes" to. I would do my "PR role" for robotics all over in a heartbeat, but it is something I need to keep in mind for future projects. Don't invite ME into a project unless you want it done and done well. (I know in the rereading that sounds arrogant...but there actually came a point where my co-advisor and I were at odds on whether or not to help the team finish well) 

2. I learned more about unconditional love. What do you do when nothing you do for your friend is the right choice in their opinion? When nothing you can do can make them happy because they are fundamentally unhappy? When they won't look you in the eye and refuse to communicate? When you have to lie to them so that they will do the good and right and responsible thing?

3. I learned that the best form of youth ministry is real investment in non-churched kids. My favorite times in this process have been when the kids and I just hang out and talk about what is going on in their lives. I get a chance to show Christ to them by sharing my story. I get to show them what a loving, caring adult really looks like when none of their parents bother to help or show up. I love this age, when I get to stand in the gap for them. It is always an honor and privilege.

Good comes from the darkness. Eventually.

 

 

 

I think I'm going to blog a series of lists. If you feel so inspired, tell me yours or blog your own!

Things I Can't Get Enough Of (addictions?)

1. LOST (like you didn't know that)

2. lime flavored tortilla chips and Pace mild salsa

3. traveling (Portland is the next flight!)

4. books (latest purchase: "Angry Conversations with God" by Susan Isaacs)

5. salty pretzels with cheese

6. mornings on my bike

7. text messages

8. the Discovery Channel (Mythbusters, Cash Cab and Dirty Jobs to be specific)

9. phone calls from my niece (hint, hint!)

10. Lemonheads or cherry sour balls

11. Christian Bale (I'm on a Netflix streak)

12. classes/degrees/new things to learn (next class: Strengthsfinder Coaching)

13. opportunities to sing (next opportunity: this Sunday!)

14. students doing well in my classes

15. peppermints (the best food at Christmastime!)

 

What about you?