Wednesday, August 19, 2015

AWtheBean

I don't exactly know when it happened, but sometime in her early years I looked at my beautiful, fun-filled little girl and dubbed her "Alicia bean." There were lots of nicknames for my kids over the years. Most were just thrown out at the moment and then forgotten.  They were just little verbal hugs in the moment: It might have been "goofball," or  "Drewboy" for Caleb Drew or "B-dub" for Brendin or any of a hundred other little names I would call them by while we were playing around.  For some reason this one - Alicia bean - seemed to stick. I don't know why or even really where it came from. There is no back story other than it means "I love you and I think you're amazing." There is no logic to it. It's just my name for her and it means something that can't be logically explained.  Please don't call her that - it's just between us - and perhaps her beautiful mom too.

Anyway, I am writing this because my beautiful girl is 20 years old today!  That is so hard to believe. More than that, in the past year she has grown so much emotionally and spiritually  that I can hardly believe it. She left us last September to go to Buenos Aries to study for one school year. She boarded the plane capable but uncertain - even a little shy and afraid.  When she came back she had plans to go away all summer for another experience as a ministry intern in Albuquerque, NM. Alicia has been such a gift to us for years, and now after her time in New Mexico, many others know what a blessing she is.

I know this because they told us over and over as we went there to surprise her last week. This past summer was not an easy one for Alicia.  Ministry is often full of challenges and Alicia saw more than her share of challenges in this past summer in Albuquerque.  She walked with students through hard times and loved kids who felt unloved. She struggled with how to help hurting families and kids who felt that they didn't matter. She was a blessing in the midst of long-term darkness with kids who felt abandoned and lost.  In short she sought to show Christ to kids who desperately needed to see him  - and they saw him in her.

In 3rd John, the Apostle of love writes: "It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth." When I reflect on Alicia and the journey on which she continues, I understand what John meant.  He speaks of faithful disciples as his children. In my case my beautiful daughter is a faithful disciple. I could not be more proud or happy to call her my own.

None of this comes as a surprise to me.  I am overjoyed that she has continued to be the person I have known her to be.  Alicia, you have stretched me and continually challenge me to hold on and practice those values  that your Mom and I have prayed would be yours.  It wasn't that long ago that I found myself on Thanksgiving Day driving around town looking for some random homeless people to invite to our house for Thanksgiving dinner.  This was only because of Alicia's prodding.  It was a great idea . The meal we shared with two men that day was richer than if they had not been there. The football we watched together and the pie we shared that afternoon were a milestone of experience for me.  Alicia was the reason because she wanted to honor Christ by giving back what we were blessed to have.  That's my Alicia bean!

My eyes well up and my throat has a lump thinking about how God has blessed me with 20 years of you!  I am grateful and excited to see what adventures the next twenty years will bring. To say "I love you" doesn't seem to capture enough of what I feel, but it is true and I do!

Happy Birthday to my amazing daughter!

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Sabbatical Journey

Several years ago the Elders of the Conejo Church adopted a Ministerial Leave policy, whereby full-time ministers are entitled to a 12 week sabbatical once every 7 years. I am very grateful to take advantage of this time for leave and personal renewal.  I am also truly indebted to the Elders for the amazing flexibility they have afforded me in the process.

In April and May of 2014, I took 8 weeks of my 12 week sabbatical to finish writing my dissertation for the Doctor of Ministry degree. At that time I negotiated with the Elders that Tami and I would take the remaining four weeks as a trip to visit my Father-in Law on the mission field in Albania.  Another goal in this trip is to visit biblical sites – something we have always wanted to do but have never been able to.. Tami and I are thrilled that this time has now come.

Tami’s Dad, Tom Bonner, has been a lone missionary in Lushnja, Albania for the past thirteen years. Tami and I are so excited to join him and then take him with us into Greece to several biblical sites. A loose itinerary for our travels is listed below:

  • Monday, September 8 – Fly from LAX to Istanbul, Turkey
    • Visit sites in and around Istanbul        
  • Saturday, September, 12 – Fly to Tirana , Albania
    •  Visit with Tom Bonner and the church in Albania
    • Jack will preach and teach
  • Monday, September 21 – Fly to Athens, Greece
    • We will take Tom Bonner with us
    •  Embark on a Mediterranean cruise including stops at several biblical sites such ancient Ephesus and the isles of Crete and Patmos
  • Friday September 25 – Arrive back in Athens
    • Tour sites around Athens including the Acropolis, Mars Hill and the Parthenon
    • Attend church with family friends in Athens on Sunday
  • Monday September 28, Fly from Athens, to LAX

For obvious reasons, Tami and I are very excited to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. We are very grateful to the Elders and to our wonderful Conejo Church family for making this possible.  During our travels you can keep up with us as I will post on Facebook and through this blog. 

I can hardly wait to get on the plane and begin this adventure.  It is even more wonderful to be able to make this journey with my beautiful. amazing wife. Tami you are the greatest blessing God has given me in this life.  That is more true as each year goes by! I am also very blessed to be able to share this trip with my Father-in law, Tom Bonner. Tom I admire you more than you know. You are truly one of my greatest examples and a Godly hero in my mind.  

Ready...set...let's go!!!