Hey everyone,
I know that I mentioned in previous blogs that I would keep you updated on school, work and other things. Well here I am about to share with you all the awesome news from the past few months.
School
I am taking 5 classes and the semester is ALMOST DONE! I am getting decent grades in all the classes (I have never been an "A" student) but I do have an A in one class. Here are the classes and what grade I am getting in each one.
Math - Algebra - Yes we all know I am no genius when it comes to math, so this class has been tough on me. The teacher is the Basketball coach, God bless his heart but he has no desire to teach this class. It has basically turned into a math lab and we are teaching ourselves. I just need to pass so I can take stats next semester.
Current Grade: Just Barely a "B"
Contemporary Discipleship - This class is all about discipleship. Jim Crain is the teach and he is pretty awesome. But this stuff is pretty elementary. We have gone over 9 different dimensions of discipleship.
Current Grade: "B"
Organizational Behavior and Management - This class is pretty cool. It can get boring sometimes, but it has increased my knowledge on org. behavior. It has also challenged me. The tests have been pretty intense and I had to do a presentation on an organization of my choice. I like this class and am excited to take more business classes in the future.
Current Grade: "B"
Personal Development - This is, in my opinion the worst class I have. The teacher is not really a teacher at all, she is the career counselor. The class consists of all freshman sports players except for 3 of us. This class reminds of jr.high classes. I feel bad for the teacher because you can tell she doesn't like teaching the class all that much and gets frustrated with the unruly sports players. I however am getting a great grade in the class so it makes me feel better!
Current Grade: "A"
Old Testament - This has been my favorite class of the semester. The teacher is really knowledgeable and teaches the OT with some serious passion and insight. She lived in Jerusalem for a few years, lived with a Jewish family and learned Hebrew while she was there. I have learned so much from this class its not even funny. I have taken what I have learned and used it in small groups and just random dialog with others. Its been a great class.
Current Grade: "B"
As you can see I'm pretty much a "B" student and I'm okay with that. Next semester is gonna be a kick in the butt. I foresee next semester being my hardest semester yet.
Ministry
Ministry has been going well at The Bridge. Of course it has it faults and hiccups but overall things are going good. As of right now, my favorite part of being apart of the high school ministry is small groups. I go to Loomis every Monday night and get to hang with 14 of the coolest guys I know. I look forward to it every single week. I would take this time with the students over Wednesday night program and Sunday morning program in a heart beat. Also, I had the chance to lead/teach out student leaders in our weekly Student Leadership meeting - this was both challenging and exciting. We are still working out some organizational kinks but things are finally getting smoothed out. People are getting into their roles and are doing what the do best.
This month of Decemeber is packed full of fun stuff for students. We are teaming up with Herold Presley (former kings player) and his non-profit organization called "Treat Them Like a King." For this event Harold is renting out "Hardwood Palace" in Rocklin and is bringing over 100 kids and young mothers from the inner city for a few hours of fun - our students are gonna help Harold with basketball and volleyball games, a few of the girls are going to be doing manicures and pedicures for the young mothers and at the end we are giving a Christmas gift to each one of them. It should be an awesome experience for our students.
We also have PJ's, Pancakes and Peanuts. we are gonna be hanging with the students at the Boies' house. Making them pancakes and watching some sweet Christmas movies.
Then there is "Let it Snow" This is an overnight trip to Truckee with the students. We are staying in a church and then the next day going and playing in the snow, snowboarding, tubing and all other kinds of fun snow things. I however will not be able to spend the night. I am house-sitting for my uncle until the 2nd of Jan.
A Few of My Favorite Things
Well I haven't had a ton of free time to do a ton of fun things but I have done some things. I was able to go to see Mute Math at the Filmore in SF a few months ago with my buddy Steven. Went to Disneyland for Halloween with a group of my friends (I surprised them, they thought I wasn't going) Played a grip of golf this semester and just been enjoying some time with friends and family.
Till next time.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thoughts from a photo album
I took my nighttime cold meds after a day of school, Monday Night Football and House I found myself laying in a bed unable to sleep. I sat there for a while and stared at the wall, the light switch (glows in the dark), then to an odd shaped glass filled with sand, sea shells and a candle and finally resting my eyes on a bookshelf with about a half a dozen photo albums lying on the bottom shelf. I easily pull myself out of the bed and gently take a photo album from the lower shelf. I opened and to my surprise I see my parents, aunts and uncles, and a few of their friends from when they were right out of high school. While viewing these pictures I found myself making fun of my Dad’s wavy Johnny Estrada hair and my mom’s interesting choice in footwear. They had been married for about 1 year in these pictures. I put that photo album down and began looking through all the others.
I started to think about something. What did my parents do that defined themselves back in the day? Was it what they did? Did they accomplish things, have a high status amongst friends or was it a sweet job where you made lots of moola? Or, were they defined by who they were, their character, what they did for others and how they loved God? This got me thinking about myself. Am I defined by the things that I have done or accomplished? Or do others see me for who I am and what my character is like? I know if I think back, I have made some decisions based on how people will look at me, they will like that I have made this decision because it is makes me “look” successful. Let me state that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being successful. I am merely tackling the heart and mindset of the issue of being defined by the things we do and not who we are. I will be the first to say that I am a mess, I let things, people, situations, greed and selfishness(to name a few) occasionally define who I am. I am asking myself and you, the reader, this question. What defines you? are you ok with that/those things? If not, why? Would your friends say the same thing?
Here are my answers.
I tend to let my accomplishments/status define me. I have worked really hard to get where I am at and I feel like I should be rewarded. I have a hard time saying no due to the fact that I need to accomplish more to please more people and feel better about myself, I feel accepted. In the end I tend to get burnt out and feet like I have been used.
I am not ok with that defining me.
God looks beyond our sinful nature and if all I want to do is feel like I did something for a title or status then I need to check my heart and my motives.
I think my close friends would say that I work hard. They might not realize that sometimes I do it because I need to gain that acceptance from others.
God does not want us to define ourselves in the things of this world. He wants us to have our identity found in Him. I hope that this sparks some thoughts inside you. I know it got me going enough to type all this out at midnight. Goodnight and farewell till next time!
I started to think about something. What did my parents do that defined themselves back in the day? Was it what they did? Did they accomplish things, have a high status amongst friends or was it a sweet job where you made lots of moola? Or, were they defined by who they were, their character, what they did for others and how they loved God? This got me thinking about myself. Am I defined by the things that I have done or accomplished? Or do others see me for who I am and what my character is like? I know if I think back, I have made some decisions based on how people will look at me, they will like that I have made this decision because it is makes me “look” successful. Let me state that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being successful. I am merely tackling the heart and mindset of the issue of being defined by the things we do and not who we are. I will be the first to say that I am a mess, I let things, people, situations, greed and selfishness(to name a few) occasionally define who I am. I am asking myself and you, the reader, this question. What defines you? are you ok with that/those things? If not, why? Would your friends say the same thing?
Here are my answers.
I tend to let my accomplishments/status define me. I have worked really hard to get where I am at and I feel like I should be rewarded. I have a hard time saying no due to the fact that I need to accomplish more to please more people and feel better about myself, I feel accepted. In the end I tend to get burnt out and feet like I have been used.
I am not ok with that defining me.
God looks beyond our sinful nature and if all I want to do is feel like I did something for a title or status then I need to check my heart and my motives.
I think my close friends would say that I work hard. They might not realize that sometimes I do it because I need to gain that acceptance from others.
God does not want us to define ourselves in the things of this world. He wants us to have our identity found in Him. I hope that this sparks some thoughts inside you. I know it got me going enough to type all this out at midnight. Goodnight and farewell till next time!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
New page in my life...
Hey guys,
So I'm now in a new chapter of life. God has opened some doors for me to continue to work at Bayside church as a part time staff member. He also opened doors for me to go to William Jessup University. With this new chapter comes changes. Some awesome, some not so awesome. The awesome things include: actually going to school with a purpose, not freaking out about whether or not I will have a job after my one year was up. Also, I have a great resource with Bayside. They give me an incredible scholarship for being in the internship at Bayside. The not so awesome things include: the fact that I will be very very busy with homework and Bayside. If I am about to drop 35,000 bucks in the next three years for school, I am going to make sure I take it seriously, get good grades and be the best student I can along with balancing work, family and friends.
On a personal level. I would like to say something to all my friends and family. I will be busy. I'm sorry if I seem out of touch with you or if it seems as if I don't care. This is NOT TRUE. I am just trying practice what I preach (see above). I will definitely make time for friends and family because I think its an important part of keeping myself healthy(mentally and spiritually) and accountable. So please try not to take it personal if you don't hear from me for a few days/weeks. I will try and keep this blog updated a little bit more this semester while in my hours of study so I can at least let you know whats going on.
P.S. This is how I have plotted my schedule this semester.
Monday
- School: 8am - 2:30pm
- Homework 3pm - 5pm
- Small Group 7 pm - 9pm (Starting October)
Tuesday
- Work 9:30am - 2pm
- Homework 2:15pm - 5pm
Wednesday
- School 8am - 2:30pm
- Homework 3pm - 3:45pm
- Work 4pm - 10pm
Thursdays
- Mantastic 7am - 8:30am (breakfast with the dudes)
- Mentoring 9am - 10am
- Homework 10:30am - 2pm
- Work 3pm - 10:30pm
Friday
- School 8am - 8:50am
Saturday - Off
Sunday
- Work 8:30am - 11:30am
- Homework 2pm - 4pm (make up time if needed)
Hint - Fridays and Saturdays are good days to hang or call to chat.
- Jesse
So I'm now in a new chapter of life. God has opened some doors for me to continue to work at Bayside church as a part time staff member. He also opened doors for me to go to William Jessup University. With this new chapter comes changes. Some awesome, some not so awesome. The awesome things include: actually going to school with a purpose, not freaking out about whether or not I will have a job after my one year was up. Also, I have a great resource with Bayside. They give me an incredible scholarship for being in the internship at Bayside. The not so awesome things include: the fact that I will be very very busy with homework and Bayside. If I am about to drop 35,000 bucks in the next three years for school, I am going to make sure I take it seriously, get good grades and be the best student I can along with balancing work, family and friends.
On a personal level. I would like to say something to all my friends and family. I will be busy. I'm sorry if I seem out of touch with you or if it seems as if I don't care. This is NOT TRUE. I am just trying practice what I preach (see above). I will definitely make time for friends and family because I think its an important part of keeping myself healthy(mentally and spiritually) and accountable. So please try not to take it personal if you don't hear from me for a few days/weeks. I will try and keep this blog updated a little bit more this semester while in my hours of study so I can at least let you know whats going on.
P.S. This is how I have plotted my schedule this semester.
Monday
- School: 8am - 2:30pm
- Homework 3pm - 5pm
- Small Group 7 pm - 9pm (Starting October)
Tuesday
- Work 9:30am - 2pm
- Homework 2:15pm - 5pm
Wednesday
- School 8am - 2:30pm
- Homework 3pm - 3:45pm
- Work 4pm - 10pm
Thursdays
- Mantastic 7am - 8:30am (breakfast with the dudes)
- Mentoring 9am - 10am
- Homework 10:30am - 2pm
- Work 3pm - 10:30pm
Friday
- School 8am - 8:50am
Saturday - Off
Sunday
- Work 8:30am - 11:30am
- Homework 2pm - 4pm (make up time if needed)
Hint - Fridays and Saturdays are good days to hang or call to chat.
- Jesse
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Un-comfortability
I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago and she was sharing with me about her life. She said she didn't feel like God was as close as He used to be. after talking to her about a few different things about how God is never far, we always seem to just push him to the side while we deal with the matters of life and getting comfortable with where we are. This got me thinking - I found myself asking God to reveal himself to me in a new and fresh way, so while I am around my friends and family they will know that the Holy Spirit is working through me.
A few of us went on a trip last weekend to San Francisco and spent a lot of time in Union Square and Fisherman's Warf. I thought to myself man I would love to see how God is going to reveal himself to my on this trip. Well....He did. In a way that is plain as day, but I didn't even realize till I was in the shower this morning. As all 6 of us were walking around SF enjoying the sites, food and company of each other, we missed a truck load of opportunities to see Jesus in a new and fresh way. You see living in Roseville/ Granite Bay area we don't encounter very many homeless people. And if we do, we don't usually pay any attention to them.
As we walked downtown SF I found myself avoiding these people. They made me uncomfortable. Asking for money for food holding signs saying they have nothing but there family and they cant even feed them. My thought while I was down there was "eh they are all lying or just lazy and dont want to get a job. Cruel huh? I shamefully confess that those were my true thoughts.
Matthew 25:40-43 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." 41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
Ouch...this is not easy stuff to read - Read Matthew 25:31-46 for the full story
This is how God wanted to get my attention and reveal Himself. Unfortunately I ignored it for the comfort of the one and only...me. I was there to relax, hang out with friends and have a good time. I didn't need these people asking me for money or trying to make me feel bad. I feel safe saying that you have felt that way and if you don't want to admit it then you feel that way inside and your just ashamed to come out with it. Anyway, I neglected wanting to help these people. I say I am a follower of Christ. I say I choose to follow the path he has laid for me. I say I give up my rights for Him and the kingdom, but this last weekend - I sacrificed nothing but connecting with God and getting to known the homeless, desperate, poor, lonely people he cares for. He cares for them just as much as he cares about us. Following Christ is not rainbow's, unicorns, fairies and being comfortable. Following Christ is hard...sacrificing things you don't want to sacrifice and all for the glory of...not you...but Christ.
This was truly a wake up call. It now has me thinking about other areas of life that I am severely selfish in. Jesus talks a lot about the poor in the new testament. I do not have the excuse of not knowing this stuff. I have heard it my whole life...what areas of your life do you think God is trying to get your attention?
A few of us went on a trip last weekend to San Francisco and spent a lot of time in Union Square and Fisherman's Warf. I thought to myself man I would love to see how God is going to reveal himself to my on this trip. Well....He did. In a way that is plain as day, but I didn't even realize till I was in the shower this morning. As all 6 of us were walking around SF enjoying the sites, food and company of each other, we missed a truck load of opportunities to see Jesus in a new and fresh way. You see living in Roseville/ Granite Bay area we don't encounter very many homeless people. And if we do, we don't usually pay any attention to them.
As we walked downtown SF I found myself avoiding these people. They made me uncomfortable. Asking for money for food holding signs saying they have nothing but there family and they cant even feed them. My thought while I was down there was "eh they are all lying or just lazy and dont want to get a job. Cruel huh? I shamefully confess that those were my true thoughts.
Matthew 25:40-43 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." 41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
Ouch...this is not easy stuff to read - Read Matthew 25:31-46 for the full story
This is how God wanted to get my attention and reveal Himself. Unfortunately I ignored it for the comfort of the one and only...me. I was there to relax, hang out with friends and have a good time. I didn't need these people asking me for money or trying to make me feel bad. I feel safe saying that you have felt that way and if you don't want to admit it then you feel that way inside and your just ashamed to come out with it. Anyway, I neglected wanting to help these people. I say I am a follower of Christ. I say I choose to follow the path he has laid for me. I say I give up my rights for Him and the kingdom, but this last weekend - I sacrificed nothing but connecting with God and getting to known the homeless, desperate, poor, lonely people he cares for. He cares for them just as much as he cares about us. Following Christ is not rainbow's, unicorns, fairies and being comfortable. Following Christ is hard...sacrificing things you don't want to sacrifice and all for the glory of...not you...but Christ.
This was truly a wake up call. It now has me thinking about other areas of life that I am severely selfish in. Jesus talks a lot about the poor in the new testament. I do not have the excuse of not knowing this stuff. I have heard it my whole life...what areas of your life do you think God is trying to get your attention?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Lets Do This!
I have been thinking a lot lately about my health. I realized that after a few bike rides and hitting the gym last week, how out of shape I really am. So I have decided to do something about it. My current weight right now (as of this morning at the gym) is 220 lbs. My goal is be down to 190 lbs by the end of June. I know your probably laughing inside right now, but I am pretty serious about this. Both sides of my family has diabetes weaving in and out of the family tree and I really don't want to be a part of the diabetes club. Here is the plan so far...
1. Hit the gym 3 times a week (cardio and weights)
2. Work out with Gilbert 2 times a week ( kettle bells, resistant bands and other various workouts)
3. Ride my bike ( 2 times a week) and gradually work my MPR (miles per ride) up.
4. Eat healthy. no more junk food and lots and lots and lots of water (some high quality H20)
If you read this and know me personally please ask me how I am doing with it. I need as many people to keep me accountable as possible.
1. Hit the gym 3 times a week (cardio and weights)
2. Work out with Gilbert 2 times a week ( kettle bells, resistant bands and other various workouts)
3. Ride my bike ( 2 times a week) and gradually work my MPR (miles per ride) up.
4. Eat healthy. no more junk food and lots and lots and lots of water (some high quality H20)
If you read this and know me personally please ask me how I am doing with it. I need as many people to keep me accountable as possible.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
apology time!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope your 2009 will be awesome! I would like to apologize...I know I promised a blog about 2008... but due to the amazing partying,laughing and hanging out that has taken place in the last week... I have been have been unable to finish the whole thing. I mean I could have finished it but it would feel rushed and I don't want it to seem like its rushed. So please look for the 2008 blog within the next week.
-JAC-
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Awesomess that was 2008!
Wow...So 2008 was here and is now over. I hate using this phrase, but time has seriously FLOWN BY! During this blog I hope to communicate to you why the year 2008 was so awesome. Yeah sure it had some not so hot moments and times when I was questioning a lot different things...but 2008 also brought a plethora of highlights and I hope I never forget them. I could easily go in depth about all the negative stuff that happened but my point of this post is to tell you why this year was AWESOME! So I am going to tell you about my year in a different way. I am going to go through the year with stories, I will try my best to keep it in a chronological order. Some of these stories might seem cheesy or dumb, They have had a major impact on my life this year for reasons that might not show through while I am typing the story out...so bare with it. OK here it goes.
-Starting A New Small Group-
So it had been a rough but good first few months for 2008 and one of the very first highlights was when myself and Bryce McAllister decided to start a small group for college age students. I had been back at The Shore for about 2 months and thought it would be cool to start up another small group. I had lead a small group before from Nov 06 to April 07 but Bryce had not yet lead a small group for college age people... so after a few weeks of prayer we talked to John Harris and Robi Quick and decided we were going to go for it and name the group "MAZEVO" which is Greek for "Gather".Ok so the very first meeting we had 1 person show up... not quite what Bryce and Myself had expected. It was like this for about 3 weeks then people started to show up and after about 1 month we had a consistent group of 5-7 people showing up. We had a great group of people and developed some great relationships while the group was together we even had a "Mazevo open" mini golf tournament. The winning team got free Big Spoon...my team won! BOO YA! Although it was sad to have to disband at the end of August due to my new job at Bayside, it was great while it lasted and I will never forget a lot of the conversations and talks that was produced from the group.
-POLF-
Oh POLF...Ok so if you havent played POLF then you have no idea what it is and probably have no desire to play it either. I wouldnt blame you but it was an important time, and the beginning of summer. So while I was cleaning up the yard with my pops I thought it would be cool to try something with the pool and a golf club. I was thinking about what it could be and decided that it would be sweet if I put the net (pool cleaning tool) and attach it to one of the lawn chairs and have it hang over the middle of the pool. So I did that and found a small plastic ball and put it on the lawn. I attempted many time to hit the ball from the yard into the net and actually hit it a few times. I threw in the towel after about 10 minuets. that following weekend I decieded to throw a BBQ with some friends. So all my buds came over we cooked up some hot dogs and a pork loin if I remember correctly. After that we were debating what to do...So I thought I would share with them the awesomeness that I had discovered. So I set it up and they are tried a few whacks. They ended up loving it. So as we played we set up a scoring system and a few more ways to rack up the points as well as coming up with the name POLF (Thanks Andy). We played this quite a few times over the summer even investing in more plastic golf balls a white board and a hula hoop(new way to score). It was amazing. Although the playing of POLF halted as fall came around we intend on playing it more as the spring comes.
-Hanging out at Chris, Steven and A.D.L.'s-
Although I did hang out with these dudes in 07 and early 08, I really started hanging with them in the spring of 08. I was probably over at their apartment 3 out of the 7 nights during the week. We had a blast. We watched a tone of movies, played a boat load of GH3 and every once in awhile we would play a board game. A lot stemmed from this hanging out time. There were a lot of laughs and some amazing conversations. I wish I could have recorded a lot of the different things while we were there. Here are a few video's of us hanging out VIDEO1 and VIDEO2
Even though that was a crazy day of shooting people...we usually just hung out and chilled it was awesome. I have never been able to do that with any of my friends up to that point in my life. So hanging out there was an amazing experience.
-Capture The Glow Stick-
OH dang! CTGS! So this is one the most amazing things that took place in the year 2008! I am going to try and explain it but you almost have to experience it yourself. I will start from the beginning. A few of us were hanging out on the 4th of July after the party at my house and lots of fireworks...Jon Bryant, Steve Shearer,Tori McLaughlin, Ashlee Carillo, Jared Carillo, and myself are racking our brains trying to figure out something to do. After a lot of debating we decided to try out an idea that I had been thinking about for some time. I thought it would be awesome if we tried to play a game of capture the flag at night with glow sticks instead of flags. There would be 2 teams So we went and bought some glow sticks and some energy drinks and headed to Hillsborough Park were the very first game took place. Here is a VIDEO of that first game. There were a total of 6 of us during that game. We ended up having so much fun that we decided to have another game the following night as well as make a facebook group. We talked to some friends and made a few phone calls and the next night 12 people showed up. Then we decided to hold another game the following weekend and 24 people showed up. As we played through the summer and fall, more and more people were showing up to play a game that was free and fun! Although we have not played since October CTGS is not dead yet!!! The game is hibernating for the lack of a better word. Its not super fun to play a game outside when its 38 degrees at night. So as spring roles around so will CTGS.
-New 4th of Ju-Christmas Party-
-A Few Weeks Before Sr.High Houseboat Trip-
So I had had an amazing summer at this point of the year. I was working for Weckworth Electric for over 2 1/2 years. As being with my friends and serving at Bayside more I started thinking about what I really wanted to do with the rest of my life. I prayed about it and talked to my parents about it. I just didnt really feel like I was getting any direction so I thought about anaylzing what I was doing and seeing if I could change something about my daily routines and commitments. The first thing that poped into my head was were I was serving. I was helping the college ministry at Bayside for about 4 months. I started thinking about the idea of serving in another ministry. The first ministry that came to my mind was the jr.high ministry. But after talking to my mentor. he suggested the high school ministry. So I prayed more about it and decided to talk to Brad (sr.high intern at the time) about getting involved. After talking to Brad, I had not heard anything back from him or the ministry. Then I got a text from another staff person (Gil) and asked if I was interested in being a leader on their annual house boat retreat in two weeks. I at first thought there was no way in God's green earth it would work out. But after thinking back at what I had been praying about I felt I should tell him I would try. Now I didnt think my boss at work would give me a week off with only 2 weeks notice...but thought i would try. So I asked him and he said YES! I was soooo suprised! I couldnt believe it worked out.
-2 Weeks After Sr.High Houseboat Trip-
-POLF-
Oh POLF...Ok so if you havent played POLF then you have no idea what it is and probably have no desire to play it either. I wouldnt blame you but it was an important time, and the beginning of summer. So while I was cleaning up the yard with my pops I thought it would be cool to try something with the pool and a golf club. I was thinking about what it could be and decided that it would be sweet if I put the net (pool cleaning tool) and attach it to one of the lawn chairs and have it hang over the middle of the pool. So I did that and found a small plastic ball and put it on the lawn. I attempted many time to hit the ball from the yard into the net and actually hit it a few times. I threw in the towel after about 10 minuets. that following weekend I decieded to throw a BBQ with some friends. So all my buds came over we cooked up some hot dogs and a pork loin if I remember correctly. After that we were debating what to do...So I thought I would share with them the awesomeness that I had discovered. So I set it up and they are tried a few whacks. They ended up loving it. So as we played we set up a scoring system and a few more ways to rack up the points as well as coming up with the name POLF (Thanks Andy). We played this quite a few times over the summer even investing in more plastic golf balls a white board and a hula hoop(new way to score). It was amazing. Although the playing of POLF halted as fall came around we intend on playing it more as the spring comes.
-Hanging out at Chris, Steven and A.D.L.'s-
Although I did hang out with these dudes in 07 and early 08, I really started hanging with them in the spring of 08. I was probably over at their apartment 3 out of the 7 nights during the week. We had a blast. We watched a tone of movies, played a boat load of GH3 and every once in awhile we would play a board game. A lot stemmed from this hanging out time. There were a lot of laughs and some amazing conversations. I wish I could have recorded a lot of the different things while we were there. Here are a few video's of us hanging out VIDEO1 and VIDEO2
Even though that was a crazy day of shooting people...we usually just hung out and chilled it was awesome. I have never been able to do that with any of my friends up to that point in my life. So hanging out there was an amazing experience.
-Capture The Glow Stick-
OH dang! CTGS! So this is one the most amazing things that took place in the year 2008! I am going to try and explain it but you almost have to experience it yourself. I will start from the beginning. A few of us were hanging out on the 4th of July after the party at my house and lots of fireworks...Jon Bryant, Steve Shearer,Tori McLaughlin, Ashlee Carillo, Jared Carillo, and myself are racking our brains trying to figure out something to do. After a lot of debating we decided to try out an idea that I had been thinking about for some time. I thought it would be awesome if we tried to play a game of capture the flag at night with glow sticks instead of flags. There would be 2 teams So we went and bought some glow sticks and some energy drinks and headed to Hillsborough Park were the very first game took place. Here is a VIDEO of that first game. There were a total of 6 of us during that game. We ended up having so much fun that we decided to have another game the following night as well as make a facebook group. We talked to some friends and made a few phone calls and the next night 12 people showed up. Then we decided to hold another game the following weekend and 24 people showed up. As we played through the summer and fall, more and more people were showing up to play a game that was free and fun! Although we have not played since October CTGS is not dead yet!!! The game is hibernating for the lack of a better word. Its not super fun to play a game outside when its 38 degrees at night. So as spring roles around so will CTGS.
-New 4th of Ju-Christmas Party-
New 4th of Ju-Christmas Party was the party of the year... at least in my mind. So Jon Bryant, Steven Shearer, and myself all thought it would be pretty dang cool if we celebrated Christmas in July. So we started planning a Christmas party for the end of July. As we contemplated what this party would look like, we started getting more and more abstract about how it was all going to play out. We all thought it would be amazing if there was a white elephant gift exchange then we thought it would be cool if santa showed up. Then we thought it would be even better if we had food. Then we decided it would be even more amazing if we celebrated new years in the party too! So we had a ball drop at midnight and live music by lincoln Brewster to ring in the "new half year". We had large Christmas tree's, wreathes, garland, lights, sound system and even a disco ball (thanks to a local church) People loved it and we heard about it for weeks after the party was over. Be looking for an even better New 4th of Ju-Christmas in 2009!
-A Few Weeks Before Sr.High Houseboat Trip-
So I had had an amazing summer at this point of the year. I was working for Weckworth Electric for over 2 1/2 years. As being with my friends and serving at Bayside more I started thinking about what I really wanted to do with the rest of my life. I prayed about it and talked to my parents about it. I just didnt really feel like I was getting any direction so I thought about anaylzing what I was doing and seeing if I could change something about my daily routines and commitments. The first thing that poped into my head was were I was serving. I was helping the college ministry at Bayside for about 4 months. I started thinking about the idea of serving in another ministry. The first ministry that came to my mind was the jr.high ministry. But after talking to my mentor. he suggested the high school ministry. So I prayed more about it and decided to talk to Brad (sr.high intern at the time) about getting involved. After talking to Brad, I had not heard anything back from him or the ministry. Then I got a text from another staff person (Gil) and asked if I was interested in being a leader on their annual house boat retreat in two weeks. I at first thought there was no way in God's green earth it would work out. But after thinking back at what I had been praying about I felt I should tell him I would try. Now I didnt think my boss at work would give me a week off with only 2 weeks notice...but thought i would try. So I asked him and he said YES! I was soooo suprised! I couldnt believe it worked out.
-2 Weeks After Sr.High Houseboat Trip-
So I had just been on an amazing houseboat trip that stretched and challenged me. And thought to myself this is actually really cool and I enjoy this. I heard there was an opening on the staff as an intern...gave it a thought and then just stopped cause I felt I couldnt make that work too. There were a few hurdles: Finances, quiting my current job (which intled talking to my boss again) But for some strange, God only knows reason...I really wanted to apply for it. I talked about this with my parents and some friends and they all thought it would be great...they also thought my financial situation would work itself out if I was suppose to have the job. So I went to work one day and decided to tell my boss...I was SOOOO stressed out about it...this is crazy. I wanted to leave a job where I was making good money, fun co-workers, and great benifets! So I sat the boss down in his office and explained everything and told him I wanted to apply for the internship. And his response? Was, well suprising. He said "You have to like what you do and if you dont like what you do then you will be miserable looking for that thing that you like to do. So please apply for the job and if you dont get it you will still have a position here at Weckworth." So after the burden of that converstation was over I sent over my resume to KJ (Sr.High Pastor) and after 1 interview/lunch and a week, I was invited to go on the staff retreat. I still had no idea if I was going to get the job. The staff retreat was fun and it was amazing getting to know the staff. about 3 days after I got back KJ offered me the job.
All this had caught me off guard. within 2 months my life had turned a serious corner. As of right now March of 09 I feel that God has called me to be in full time ministry. Not full time in the sense of hours on the job but more like this is what I want to do the rest of my life. I dont know how long I will do youth ministry. I will do it as long as I feel God is leading me to do it. I figured out trusting God to lead you is so exhilerating!
-Friendships-
As I reflect on this year I can honeslty say that the biggest highlight has been the frienships that I have developed. I have learned so much from my friends. Not only about who they are but also who I am. I have learned this year that friendships are not something that you can take lightly...yeah your gonna have your half heart accquintences but when you focus on your true friendships...they will really flourish. I feel the need to thank each one of my friends that have made a major impact on me this year.
Steven Shearer- So mine and Steve's friendship started in the fall of 07 thanks to my friendship with his older brother Chris. But our friendship really didn't start to flourish until spring of 08 when I started hanging out at his apartment. We started hanging out a lot! it was amazing just chillin... Steve has been a great friend to talk to about the deepest of issues of life. Steve-o which is another name I gave him has also helped bring the some of the creativity out of me. Capture the Glow Stick, POLF, and the New- 4th of Ju-Christmas party where all creative compilations between me and steve as well as Jon Bryant. So thanks Steve for just being an awesome friend and accepting of me and my some of my crazy ideas! Although it does suck that he has moved to LA for school...we are still having fun! We went urban exploring a few weeks ago and had an amazing time.
Jon Bryant - Oh what to say about Jon Bryant well Jon has been around for sometime but I never really knew him all that well. He was a friend of Steve's and worked at Bayside with my dad. So He had just got back from Germany and Steve invited him over to my house for a little game of POLF and ever since then we have been close friends! Jon has been a great friend since connecting. He also has been apart of helping create CTGS and New 4th of Ju-Christmas. Jon is a very creative person, he is amazing with the computer along with videos and website stuff. Jon also helped me with my Human Development...he has a way with words that I envy! Thanks Jon for being you bro, your amazing!!!
Matt "Nemo" Cimino- AHHHHH NEEMS! So Nemo is quite possibly one of the most amazing human beings I know. He has the patience of a turtle (he isn't slow) He has challenged me in many different ways. He likes to think deep...and sometimes just says really, really dumb stuff. It has been a pleasure getting to know him over the last few months. We are like bros.
Drew -Drewsky has always been my common denominator best friend. Drew and myself go so far back he cant even remember...literally...he cant remember. Drew has been there for me through thick and thin. We might not always be connected on a daily basis but we get together for some dinner or coffee and within 5 minuets we are acting like we see each other every week. Drew helped me through alot of stuff in 2008 and I appreciate it very much.
Gilbert and Stacy Acevedo - The Acevedo's. Yup thats all I have to say. Just kidding, I have loved developing my relationship with these two. I feel as though they have brought me into their family. I have had some seriously amazing conversations with them as well as just having fun hanging out at their house and watching movies and HOUSE! Its a lot of fun working along side Gil in ministry. He has a heart for students that I envy. Stacy has already told me that I have to screen my future girlfriend through her...I will being praying for that specail girl. Anyway, I cant wait to see how our relationship will shape my/our future.
Thats it...hit me up if you have questions.
Thank you.
All this had caught me off guard. within 2 months my life had turned a serious corner. As of right now March of 09 I feel that God has called me to be in full time ministry. Not full time in the sense of hours on the job but more like this is what I want to do the rest of my life. I dont know how long I will do youth ministry. I will do it as long as I feel God is leading me to do it. I figured out trusting God to lead you is so exhilerating!
-Friendships-
As I reflect on this year I can honeslty say that the biggest highlight has been the frienships that I have developed. I have learned so much from my friends. Not only about who they are but also who I am. I have learned this year that friendships are not something that you can take lightly...yeah your gonna have your half heart accquintences but when you focus on your true friendships...they will really flourish. I feel the need to thank each one of my friends that have made a major impact on me this year.
Steven Shearer- So mine and Steve's friendship started in the fall of 07 thanks to my friendship with his older brother Chris. But our friendship really didn't start to flourish until spring of 08 when I started hanging out at his apartment. We started hanging out a lot! it was amazing just chillin... Steve has been a great friend to talk to about the deepest of issues of life. Steve-o which is another name I gave him has also helped bring the some of the creativity out of me. Capture the Glow Stick, POLF, and the New- 4th of Ju-Christmas party where all creative compilations between me and steve as well as Jon Bryant. So thanks Steve for just being an awesome friend and accepting of me and my some of my crazy ideas! Although it does suck that he has moved to LA for school...we are still having fun! We went urban exploring a few weeks ago and had an amazing time.
Jon Bryant - Oh what to say about Jon Bryant well Jon has been around for sometime but I never really knew him all that well. He was a friend of Steve's and worked at Bayside with my dad. So He had just got back from Germany and Steve invited him over to my house for a little game of POLF and ever since then we have been close friends! Jon has been a great friend since connecting. He also has been apart of helping create CTGS and New 4th of Ju-Christmas. Jon is a very creative person, he is amazing with the computer along with videos and website stuff. Jon also helped me with my Human Development...he has a way with words that I envy! Thanks Jon for being you bro, your amazing!!!
Matt "Nemo" Cimino- AHHHHH NEEMS! So Nemo is quite possibly one of the most amazing human beings I know. He has the patience of a turtle (he isn't slow) He has challenged me in many different ways. He likes to think deep...and sometimes just says really, really dumb stuff. It has been a pleasure getting to know him over the last few months. We are like bros.
Drew -Drewsky has always been my common denominator best friend. Drew and myself go so far back he cant even remember...literally...he cant remember. Drew has been there for me through thick and thin. We might not always be connected on a daily basis but we get together for some dinner or coffee and within 5 minuets we are acting like we see each other every week. Drew helped me through alot of stuff in 2008 and I appreciate it very much.
Gilbert and Stacy Acevedo - The Acevedo's. Yup thats all I have to say. Just kidding, I have loved developing my relationship with these two. I feel as though they have brought me into their family. I have had some seriously amazing conversations with them as well as just having fun hanging out at their house and watching movies and HOUSE! Its a lot of fun working along side Gil in ministry. He has a heart for students that I envy. Stacy has already told me that I have to screen my future girlfriend through her...I will being praying for that specail girl. Anyway, I cant wait to see how our relationship will shape my/our future.
Thats it...hit me up if you have questions.
Thank you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
