Simple

"Do you have a light?
No, sorry, I don't have one.
Can I ask you a honest question?
Sure, go ahead.
What do you think about God?
Well, I think a lot of things; He is pretty big.
Yeah, that's true."

You see, Robert Stewart asked me for a light and for about 5 minutes, he engaged in brief, but fitting conversation with me. He asked about my thoughts on God and religion. He stated that he has faith, in fact, he claimed he had not only faith, but knowledge too. As he was leaving he said, "Keep the faith. It's not about the quantity of life, but the quality. It's that simple. My name is Robert Stewart. You know, like Martha, but I'm Robert. She's got the money and I've got bottles and cans (as he points to the cart he has attached to his 10-speed). Keep the faith. See you around."

Recently, I have been desiring to strip away the complexities of life. The drive for success, the need for material possessions, the craving for a higher number in the checking account; these are being challenged. It's a good feeling, actually, to be relieved of this need for stuff. A lot has happened since being in Eugene that has frustrated the societal norm of success. A lot is still happening, for the better I think. I was talking with Staci tonight and I was saying how relevant the Gospels really are in this time. Often it is easy to think, "Yeah, they are great to study, but they did occur 2,000 years ago." But there is more to it than context and chronology, or else they wouldn't be so transcendent. As I think about the ministry of Jesus, I realize that He had no possessions, no home, and no savings account. Oh yeah, neither did those other 12 guys that tagged along. Yet, they ate, were clothed, and had places to stay. Certainly, I must work and earn enough to pay the bills, support my family, and go to the grocery every now and then. But maybe there is something to be learned about the absence of excess. I haven't figured out what exactly that is yet, but Staci and I are willing to journey through it. I have been reading a book by Donald Miller called "Through Painted Deserts," one I have read before, but have a new look on it now. In it, he talks about the societal pressure to have stuff and maybe that not being the way it was intended by our Creator. He writes, "And maybe when a person doesn't buy the lies anymore, when a human stops long enough to realize the stuff people say to us to part with our money often isn't true, we can finally see the sunrise...and know, this is what I was made to do. This is who I was made to be , that life is being given to me as a gift, that light is a metaphor, and God is doing these things to dazzle us" (p. 77).

I didn't initiate the conversation between Robert and I, but I am sure glad it happened. I certainly do not have it all figured out, but I hope that I am beginning to understand the thankfulness of having just bottles and cans.

D

Living in Eugene

I love this city. It's good for me to be here.

I don't worry about the same things as I did when I was living in Indy. People don't really care what you look like. Any outfit, and I honestly mean any outfit, is acceptable here. No one looks at anyone different. You can go into some of the restaurants downtown and you will find so many different people crammed into a little building. Some of the best places to go here in eugene are also the smallest, go figure. I find that people are friendly, will talk to you if you talk to them, and the pace of life is so much slower. People are really trying to take advantage of the present life. People like to get out and experience as much as humanly possible.

God is so present here in this city. I'm so blessed to be able to partake in what He is already doing. He's one step ahead of us, watching out for us, and guiding us.

Much love,
Stacie :)

Goodbye Eugene...

Maybe it's that Eugene doesn't need you...
Rather, you need Eugene.

I will never forget these words spoken by Larry Mitchell on a building-top in Toronto this past summer. It seemed like a great idea, and I felt like I should embrace it. So I did...I thought.

I arrived to Eugene August 9, 2008 eager to take on the world, or Eugene, or...I was just plain eager. I knew God was doing something cool in our lives back in Indianapolis, and I was certain He'd continue out in Eugene. He didn't disappoint. In these past several months, I have experienced hurt, joy, laughter, friendship (like the real kind), community (also...like the real kind), blessing, fear, love, and the list goes on. I can't always say that I've felt close to God, but I am certain He was not far. God has continued to purify my heart, making me into something more useful for His Kingdom.

Tonight is my last evening here in Eugene, and it stings a bit. It doesn't sting with regret, guilt, or fear of making a wrong decision; rather, it stings with leaving a city that has loved me well. I set out on this mission to love the people of Eugene as accurately as I knew how, but I'll admit, I've learned more about "loving" from the people here than I was actually following through on the action. My colleagues at work have rallied around me through hard days, and willingly shared in my joys. My community has reached out to me when I needed it...like REALLY needed it...and has taught me how to be a brother in Christ. My friend Mike has not only helped me realize my own discriminatory heart, but has been relentless in his pursuit for our friendship. Eugene has loved me well.

I am a transformed son of God because He has allowed me to struggle through these times of unfamiliarity, loneliness, and culture shock. He has orchestrated such beautiful friendships, conversations, and situations to allow me to see that there may be more about me or my life or this world that I've been missing for 24 years. In the past week, I've had the opportunity to travel to northern California to see the mammoth redwoods, to the Pacific coast to see sculpted rock formations, and to Crater Lake to see a pristine lake 6 miles across, and God has been speaking one resounding message to me...I'm small. I'm not insignificant to the Kingdom, but Eugene is going to be fine without me. This church body is going to be fine without me. Center Point School is going to be fine without me.

And, so, with a grateful heart, I say goodbye to the very city that was willing to welcome me in. Thank you to all who have prayed for us out here. Please continue to battle for Clint, Rachel, Stacie, CJ, Staci, Derek, Sarah, Drew, Elias, and Jael through your prayers. This is right, and they are the right people for this city.

I love you all,
Colby

Refreshed...

Sometimes I forget how amazing this state is, being cooped up in the apt all week (I work from home). I took a little road trip to the coast last weekend. Just me, my ipod, and my camera. Here's a few things I saw.

How do you get the tiny saddle on?

Jellyfish at Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport

Cape Blanco

Heceta Head (my favorite place)

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Bridge in Newport

View from highway 101

I heart Oregon. Just for the record.

-Cj

The rain has begun

Hello to all our friends in the midwest and other places of the world that read this blog. :) It's starting to really feel like we live in a rainy state. It's been raining basically off and on during the past 3 days! When looking at the weather update it just says rain for the 10 day update except for one day, ha.

One funny story...well, it might just be funny to me. Yesterday, Jess, CJ, and myself went to watch the guys play dodgeball. That's not the funny part, but shoot I wish you guys could come experience them playing that sport! :) As we were driving we (well mostly Jess and me) were all just talking about frustrations and letting some steam out. Then we get to the parking lot of where we need to be which was pretty interesting. CJ saw a spot and we were rejoiced. Well the spot where she parked at was basically over a gigantic puddle. I was pumped about getting out because I had my rain boots on (smart me, go me!). Jess made it out safely, but CJ was on the side where the water was WAY deeper. I checked it out, played in the water, and told CJ that it would probably be best if she crawled over to the passenger side to get out of the car because her shoes sure weren't going to make that HUGE puddle (maybe she should invest in rain boots, haha). So CJ gives me her purse, which I couldn't figure out how to grab because I was already gripping much needed coffee in both hands. CJ finally just gave me her purse and she closed her door. I proceeded to stop playing in the water and went on the sidewalk by Jess. We laughed and were friendly observers of CJ's mad skills of climbing over the seat to get out of the passenger door. She made it and conquered the puddle on that side! HOORAY!

I only say this slightly irrelevant, useless story that might not really make you laugh only to say that I needed it. My frustrations and everything else just disappeared during that moment. We need people in our life to have fun with, to laugh with, and to experience life with. :)

Much love,
Stacie :)

Living out our "thank you"...

This past week Rachel and I took Elias and Jael to a pizza place which had a big indoor play area. The play area had slides, video games, a merry-go-round and a maze filled with tubes (like you'd see at a McDonalds or other fast food restaurants) but only so much bigger. In addition it had a big netted pit filled with little balls that kids could jump in and play in. Needless to say, we didn't spend a lot of time eating! As soon as Elias was done with his pizza he was ready to go and play. So we got everything cleaned up and entered the chaos. There were easily 35-40 children in there running, playing, and screaming. Elias didn't waste any time and went sprinting to the pit of balls and jumped right in. Then he went to the maze, then down the slide, then back to the pit, then back to the maze...you get the point. Jael didn't waste any time either. She went right to the merry-go-round, then to a smaller slide, then to the maze, then down the big slide (hilarious...), then to the pit, then to the merry-go-round again. It was so much fun watching them just play and enjoy this enormous play room. We probably spent nearly 45 minutes there. Rachel and I had so much fun just watching our children play and enjoy where we had taken them. As I was driving home that night an interesting thought came to my mind. I told Rachel that I didn't even care if Elias and Jael didn't verbally say "thank you" to us for taking them there. For me, watching them have so much fun and enjoying where we had taken them was all the "thank you" I needed. I wonder if that thought was a glimpse of God's perspective (that seems to happen to me a lot now that I have children). I wonder if the best "thank you" to God is simply living life to the full. Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." That's what my heart yearns for, to live life to the full the way Jesus did. To enjoy living into His kingdom here on this earth as an expression of my gratitude for His glory, goodness, and mercy. What better "thank you" is there!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers (and sisters), in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

Blessings!

Clint

Some things I love about my church: Derek's fire and hardworking energy toward what he desires this church to be. Rachel's questions that are so sharp, and always make me think of new things. Drew's love of his church members, and how he defends them. Clint's comments that seem to fit just at the right moment. Stacie's rambling circle talk, that makes me think in about 12 directions at the same time. Elias' voice changes when he gets so excited about something. Sarah when she pushes through her discomfort. Karyl's wit that fits in perfectly to make me laugh a lot. Staci's struggles and emotions that she goes through on the behalf of others. Jael's love of the simple things in life like fun ice cream glasses and her toothy grin. Colby's ability to love with quality, not worrying about quantity. Jenny's presence...even though she's far away she still feels here.