When we were first deciding on moving out to California I did a series of posts titled “jump”. Those posts were all about how we were taking a step of faith to come out to California and connect with the people at Saddleback Church.
After we have just come back from being in Ohio for two week it gave us ample time to reflect on the last year and a half - and how far God has brought us in this journey and call. Both my wife and I feel like this is the start of chapter two in this call, and we are both super excited to see what God will do.
Here is what we both see on the plate right now as we enter this new phase:
- Mandy has just left as a partner with the digital scrap-booking site/business ScrapGirls.com . Over time her responsibilities changed as the company grew and she was in a position where she wasn’t able to be a part of a creative process any more - which is her highest strength and passion. So she has stepped down and is pursuing several freelance opportunities while getting a great gig doing design at a local firm.
- Mandy is also in the process of getting professional advice and is refining the book she is in writing. We just need to nail down the angle that will help readers understand the theme and the “take away” as one friend put it.
- Contagious Solutions continues to grow, in fact the interest in the services my company offers is pushing on my limits to keep up. I am learning as I go in regards to running a business so I am back to have my nose in books to make sure I am not only doing things well - but not over doing them for the work and relationships I have. Hard work but awesome learnings.
- I am starting seminary this summer or fall. Ever since I was in undergraduate study I have wanted to go into graduate school, but just have never really pulled the trigger. I am now I am just deciding between Golden Gate Seminary (where all my friends on staff at Saddleback go) or Fuller Seminary which has been on of my picks in the past and is just up in Pasadena.
- As I first said over on the Who Are These Guys Blog, I am praying over what is either an “idea” or a “calling.” I feel like there is a tremendous opportunity building for a church to be built through a combination of online community and cluster groups (small group, house church, neighborhood congregation.) I am meeting and initiating many, many conversations right now with the innovators in this space as well as the best church plant movement people I can find. I am planning on starting the first step on this some time in the spring and I will keep you updated as things mature.
- There is one more huge opportunity but alas I can’t really get into the details as of yet. It it significant enough that I want to mention it, and it falls along the lines of some of the stuff I was getting to do with the who are these guys podcast. If it becomes a reality you can be sure I will be posting about it all the time.
So, there is plenty for us to “jump” into in our lives right now. And even though we are doing all kinds of work that we love, money will still be tight as it is for all normal human beings in Orange County, CA. And I would lie if I didn’t say that there are days when I try to take the reigns back from God and control situations - which usually results in me feeling hopelessly overwhelmed, haha. But God is in control and he has revealed that to us every step of the way.
Jump chapter 2 - hold on it is going to be an even crazier ride!
