Hello, again...

I haven’t posted anything here in a disgustingly long time. As good excuses go (e.g. “my critical, groundbreaking cancer research kept monopolizing my time”), I’m fresh out. So, I won’t fake it. A brief update on some happenings ‘round here lately:

-Made some really nice progress on Greta’s list of 30 things to do in her 30th year (some highlights: Dole whip at Disneyland, snowboarding in Boise, a night at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey)
-Witnessed Japan eek out a win over Korea in the final of the World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium (most electric sports crowd I’ve ever been in)
-Got evacuated from our home during yet another Southern California fire (stunningly inconvenient, and our home was unaffected)
-Read The Reason for God by Tim Keller (best book I've read in a long time)
-Got a new job

I’ve got more than that, but most of it is tied to the final one. On May 15, I worked my last day at Westmont College. Really, it was a great two-year run and I loved the chance to work with incredible students who continue to shake up the world and alongside fantastic co-workers who made every workday an adventure. Not many other positions would have made me consider leaving Westmont. Youth Pastor at Santa Barbara Community Church is one of them.

On May 27, I started working at the church that Greta and I had attended (and loved) for the last two years. My job responsibilities are varied, so I won’t reproduce my job description here, but, in short, I oversee the church’s ministries to youth 5th-12th grade. We had such an incredible summer and I have really loved diving right in. I can’t wait to see where this road will lead and the path that God has drawn out.

In preparation for reawakening this long-dormant slice of cyberspace, I read through some old posts. Just two summers ago, I sat around in misery waiting for God to open doors that seemed firmly shut. Then, at just the right time, he brought along Westmont. Now, he’s done it again and I find myself, just as in August of 2007, consumed with thanksgiving.

Ironically, I already got to preach a sermon this summer in my new role. The topic? Psalm 100 and thanksgiving. Consider me convinced.