A Quote from Tozer

I've been reading A.W. Tozer's "The Knowlege of the Holy" after I found two copies in Josh Fox's office and convinced him to give me one. This past week, I read this:
"The GREATNESS of God rouses FEAR within us, but His GOODNESS encourages us not to be AFRAID of Him. To fear and not be afraid--that is the paradox of faith."
I've been chewing on that this week...

Speaking at Mt. Hermon Dec. 5-7

I looked at Mount Hermon's website and found this picture of me... If you were a youth pastor or a teenager, would you go to a Winter Weekend with a speaker who looked like this? I've always looked at the pictures of camp speakers and tried to figure out what kind of person they are just by their picture. What opinions will they form about me???
Well, if you want to hang out with me at Mount Hermon, I'll be speaking for the High School Winter Weekend on December 5-7. Last week, I sat down and prayed through some of the direction I'll take during the sessions. I'm pretty excited about it, and I'm really looking forward to returning to Santa Cruz to see my friends at Vintage Faith.

New Discovery: Two Day Weekends

What is this thing called, "Two Day Weekends?". For the last 13 years, I've tried to take Saturday off and work half-day on Mondays, but now I am experiencing two days off in a row...and I LOVE IT! I get Saturdays off and then another whole day! We use our Sunday mornings to do an activity with the family and then we head to church (The Stirring) on Sunday evening. I find myself singing the old Loverboy song, "Everybody's working for the weekend" throughout the week.

Two guys I resemble...

Most people I meet tell me I look like Dana Carvey. I guess I can see some similar features:

But I've had 3 people tell me I look like David Crowder:

...should I be concerned?

Simpon Update

Well, I've officially been in Redding for two weeks. I am loving it here. I am going through that overwhelming feeling whenever you begin new position. It will take me awhile until I fully grasp my responsibilities, but everyday seems to get better.
I was hired as the Director of Campus Ministries, but there have been some changes and my role is now Director of Spiritual Formation. I will oversee the Student Missions and Student Ministries areas, along with helping organize many of the chapels.
I love the students. They have been very welcoming to me and my family. This is what charges me up the most. I enjoy being a part of young lives and to pace with and lead as God directs their hearts. I am so encouraged and challenged by their faith. My role is NOT to organize things for the students, but to develop THEM as leaders. God has put a call upon THEIR lives, not just mine. I am so excited about this part of my role here. I met with two students today who have been praying and talking with friends about creating a night of student led ministry and worship together. It is contagious...their passion rubs off on me.
I'm tired, though. I haven't had much time to be with my family yet. That will change soon. I leave tomorrow after chapel for Southern California to officiate at Cory Ritzau's wedding. I am looking forward to this and am honored to be a part of this ceremony.
I miss my friends from Riverside and The Grove.
I also miss our friends in Santa Cruz from Vintage Faith Church. Today, I listened to some of Josh Fox's songs on my iPod. I am so blessed to have worked alongside him and Dan Kimball, Lee, Kristin, Sarah & Sara, Amy, and the rest of the team. So much of what I learned there at Vintage Faith is helping me here in Redding.
I have a few former Overflow students here with me at Simpson (Heather Calfee and Melissa Hart) along with some Vintage Faith friends, too.
I was able to teach at the New Student Chapel last Sunday. It was good for me to share with them, and I received some encouraging feedback. I also have to stop saying, "When I was your age" and change it to "When I was in college...".
Thanks for loving us so much. Our friends think so highly of us and are so supportive. Everyone needs a posse like ours to have in their corner. I have to admit that it sure gives us strength to know how much we are loved. We are blessed to have so many people that love us and want the best for us.

I'll be at The Grove this Sunday to see some of my peeps (I roll deep).

I'm in trouble...

Today, Annette called me to say that Jonah told another boy at school that, "my dad is going to punch your dad in the face!".

...bring it...

We're Here!

I have no pictures to post, just some updates:
* We made it here on Thursday. Dan Lance, Nate Edwardson, a guy named Tyler, and Heather and Simone Calfee stopped by to help us move in. Dan and Nate brought their families, too. Thanks guys.
* I had some meetings at Simpson U. on Friday morning. I'm so excited to get started. I get to meet the student leaders tomorrow morning and walk through a passage of Scripture with them.
* The U-Haul was a champ driving over Hwy 17. The only mishap I had was when I first rented it and brought it to our house in Felton to load it up. I got stuck turning in to our uphill driveway, blocking our street with the truck and trailer. I was freaking out while trying to move it but it wouldn't budge. The tires would just spin because the trailer was grounded on the street. Thankfully, I had a few people (including my friend Ron) stop and help me get it unstuck. A Tow Truck driver named J.J. stopped to help and he looked at me and said, "Where do I know you from?". I told him I was a barista at Starbucks and would serve him is 5-shot Iced Venti Americano each day. After that, he smiled and started helping me out.

* We LOVE our house. We have a large backyard with grass and plenty of concrete for the kids to ride their scooters and bikes on. The people behind us have some horses and cows that graze in their backyard. I feel like I'm back in Norco! Beyond that, we have a perfect view of Mt. Shasta.
*Yesterday, I took the boys on a bike ride to Simpson. It is only half a mile away and there is a dirt trail we ride our bikes on. There is a little jump on the trail that some kids have made and we charged it like pro's. Davey bit the dust, but didn't cry. While at Simpson, we saw the President of the University and Davey was excited to tell him how he could "pop a wheelie".

Well, I'm heading home and the Lances are coming over to help me with some IKEA furniture. I normally set that stuff up with no problem, but yesterday was different. It would help if all the holes lined up!!!!!! I know Dan has super-human patience with IKEA furniture, so I invited him over. I'm kidding about his patience...

Our House

These are pictures of the house we're moving in to on Thursday (we're renting, not buying). Payton is so excited to have her own room...actually, Annette and I are excited to have our own room, too! It's been 18 months of living on a futon in the living room! This house is about 1/2 mile away from Simpson.
I am preaching this Sunday to about 100 of the Simpson student leaders. I'm trying to find time to work on the message while also packing our stuff and moving into our new house. I spent all day yesterday finishing up stuff at Vintage Faith Church. It is crazy around here for us. I move in on Thursday evening and then start work at 7:30am on Friday and have a few meetings to attend. Overall, we're so excited to start this new venture in our lives. Pray for our kids as they transition to a new school and new group of friends.

Main Beach Tournament

Josh and I won our volleyball tournament at main beach (Josh is the shirtless guy). These other two guys were in the finals against us and they are great players. The name of the tournament was "No Attitudes Allowed" and we won T-shirts that have that phrase on it. So I come home and tell Annette that her husband still has skills and how we won the tournament and she is so lucky to have me (I didn't really say that, but that's what I was implying). She proceeded to mock my T-shirt!!!!! How could anyone mock a T-shirt that says, "No Attitdudes Allowed"? I said, "This T-shirt is a major award!" I felt like the dad in "Christmas Story" when he brought home the leg-lamp and his wife could not appreciate the depth of the accomplishment.
So yesterday, in defiance, I wore the shirt under my long sleeve button-up.
...no attitudes allowed...

Beach Volleyball Tournament

Josh and I are planning to play in a beach volleyball tournament this Saturday at Main Beach in Santa Cruz. It is our "farewell" gift to each other. We've been playing at the beach on Fridays with some friends. It has been so good to play again. It will be fun to play a tournament again. The last tournament I played was back in 2000 with Miko Sivonen, who was on the Finland Junior National Team and starting setter at CBU. Josh has big shoes to fill...(I mean that literally because Miko had big feet. You know what they say about guys with big feet? BIG SOCKS.)

Simpson University, here we come!

If you haven't heard, we have some BIG news. I have accepted a position at Simpson University as the Director of Campus Ministries! Annette and I have been praying about this position for over four months now. We are so excited. We sense God's peace and passion in this move. I will have the opportunity to pace with and lead college students in their walk with Jesus Christ. I'll work to develop discipleship groups and spiritual growth retreats. I'll have a hand in chapels with a few speaking opportunities. I will also be able to get my Masters of Divinity at Tozer Theological Seminary these next few years.
We found a wonderful 3 bedroom house with laminate flooring and plenty of yard space in front and back. It is 1/2 mile from the University. When we called to inquire, we found out that the owner and I went to Simpson together in 1994 (Troy Jacobson). He is a pastor at a church just below San Francisco, so we met together today to iron out the details.
It is very difficult to leave Vintage Faith Church and Annette's family. We do love it here. The people here have embraced us as their own, and they would love to see us continue in ministry here. I have learned so much during my time at Vintage Faith. I am better for it. I will miss being a part of such a wonderful church community that is passionate about loving the people of Santa Cruz.
I leave tomorrow for a week long service trip with our church to Gleanings for the Hungry (http://www.gleanings.org/) When I get back, I have a few days to finish things out here at Vintage and then pack up our stuff and move. If any people from Redding read this blog, we could use a few hands to unload our stuff on Thursday evening, August 21! (here's a shout out to Trevor C. and Dustin M. for driving with me for my move from Riverside to Santa Cruz...thanks, guys).

A wonderful week in God's playground

I still have a bruise from this...

Me and my backpack. I have a confession to make: I brought three pairs of undies for the four day hike and I only used two. Ooops.

Rock climbing up the "piece of pie"

This is where we slept each night. You could see so many stars.

Repelling down a 90+ foot rock face.

A close-up of my "adventure shoes" as Annette and her sister, Vicki, call them.

A look up the Rubicon River.

Back from the Backpacker Paluza...

I'm back from our week long backpacking trip with our youth from Vintage Faith. We had an AMAZING time. We capped off the week with a little white water rafting on the South Fork of the American River.
I'll post more pictures and details later this week. I just wanted to let you all know that my Farmer's Tan is still in full effect.

Heading out for the Backpacker Paluza

We leave tomorrow for our Backpacker Paluza. We have a team of 11. It is a GREAT team. I'm sure we'll have an amazing adventure. I'm praying that God draws us near to Him and to each other through this challenging week. At the end of the week, we're going white water rafting on the South Fork of the American River. I've never been white water rafting before...I'll probably pee my pantalones.
Personally, I'm anticipating this week. I need some time alone with the Lord. I have some important decisons to make, and I really need His guidance (that is a complete understatement).
If you read this, would you please pray on our behalf? I would love prayer for our teenagers, our leaders, and I'll even ask that you pray for me and these decisions Annette and I need to make. I only ask because I believe God does His work through our prayers and the prayers we offer on behalf of others.
Thanks.

Dillon O'Rafferty

While I was in Riverside, I had the privilege of dedicating Baby Dillon O'Rafferty. Eight years ago, David and I went to Peru together on a mission trip. Six years ago, Danielle and I went to Houston on a mission trip. A few years after that, David and Danielle O' started dating soon after Annette and I placed them as leaders on the same Mexico Mission Trip Team (was it team "Guapo"?) A few years later, I officiated their marriage ceremony. A few years later, I dedicated their child. ...what a blessing and a privilege...

Ah, the happiest place on earth...

We took a trip to Disneyland a few weeks ago. I don't think I've ever seen Walt so happy:

We had dinner at Goofy's Kitchen:

We swam at the Neverland pool at the Disneyland Hotel:

And we grew closer as a family:

Gleanings for the Hungry

I'm excited about this trip we're doing with our youth and the rest of the community at Vintage Faith. This ministry (30 miles outside of Fresno, CA) collects fruit from local growers that is not "pristine" enough to sell in our markets. Instead of being thrown away or fed to animals, we will be working hard to turn it into dried fruit that will be sent out to missionaries and disaster stricken areas as they feed the hungry of the world.
This will be a NEW ADVENTURE for me. I've enjoyed our trips to Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Guatemala, and Chile...and now Fresno!

It was a success...

The Backpacker Paluza team held our Rummage Sale/Car Wash today. We stayed overnight at the church to sort the rummage. We made about $1,500! The team worked so hard. I got about 5 hours of sleep the night before. Typical me, I was walking around at midnight taping up a few more signs and moving cones around...stuff that doesn't really need to be done but I spend hours tweaking things. My leaders are really getting to know me because they kept telling me, "Trav...sit down."

Jo-Jo

Last night, Jonah and I laid on the couch together and talked for about 1/2 and hour. We would go back and forth asking each other questions. I would whisper secrets in his ear and he would do the same to me. Then we both fell asleep together. Then my wife woke me up by taking this picture...

Church is a people, not a place...

I want to show you a "real" picture of my church...here THEY are!

In my previous post, I gave you a picture of our church BUILDING...but we know that the building is just where the church meets to get out of the rain.

This was our group last Sunday...we were missing a few of our friends, but we had a great time together studying God's Word, loving each other, listening to each other, and praying together.

Vintage Faith Church

Here's a picture of the church I'm serving at. Vintage Faith is about only about 5 years old, but we joined with a Presbyterian church that has been in Santa Cruz for a LONG time. This building goes back to the 1930's.
At Vintage Faith Church, we are asking God to transform us into a:
WORSHIPING
COMMUNITY of
MISSIONAL
THEOLOGIANS

Give your bike some love...

This is a picture of when Annette's Dad went bike riding with us along the beach. Next week (May 12-16) is BIKE WEEK. How about riding your bike to work (or school or the arcade) one day? In Santa Cruz, thursday May 15th is bike to work day and a bunch of restaraunts offer a free breakfast if you ride your bike to work that day.

I rode my bike to work yesterday because I had to leave my car in the repair shop for a tune up. We live in the mountains so there are HUGE hills to and from work.


I took Davey's training wheels off on Monday. Today he made his first "turn" and kept riding. He calls his bike the "Mud Shark" because that's what the stickers say on it.

Great song...

Last Sunday, Josh Fox led us through the musical worship time of our service at Vintage Faith. He led us in a song from Tim Hughes called "Everything" from his album, "Holding Nothing Back". I LOVE THS SONG. You should download it...it is worth it. It speaks to much of where Annette and I are at in our lives right now. I hope you're encouraged as much by it as I am.

By the way, this is my friend Josh Fox:

He is a tremendously gifted worship leader and also becoming a good friend of mine. I'll hear him lead a song in service, then I go buy the song for my iPod...but I always prefer it when Josh plays it rather than the original artist! Josh has some songs on iTunes also (look them up under Josh Fox).

Backpacking...

We had our first meeting with our Backpacker Paluza team from the VFC youth ministry. We have 15 of us signed up to go. It sounds AWESOME. Our friend Mikahla (a Rock-N-Water guide & part of our church community) stopped by to tell us all about the adventure ahead of us. Some things I'm looking forward to:

* time alone with God

* new adventures in nature

* no showers for four days (we will have a fresh water swimming hole next to our base, though)

* using an upside down bucket over a hole in the ground for a toilet (I've always talked about an adventure like that, but I've yet to experience it...can't wait. I'm practicing at home.)

* seeing our young people be challenged spiritually, relationally, physically, and emotionally.

We still have 5 spots left...wanna go?

Yesterday was a good day...

It's been a nice week of rest. I taught at all three services last Sunday, so this week I'm taking some time to rest. Josh at Vintage Faith has encouraged us all to get away ALONE one day a month for prayer and reflection.

Yesterday, I went for a hike along the creek in Henry Cowell Park (see picture). I took my Bible, my journal, and A.W. Tozer's "The Pursuit of God". I hiked about 1/2 and hour to an isolated sandy spot alongside the creek. I hopped some rocks to cross the creek and even swam a bit (really cold water).

Then I went to Cowell's Beach and surfed for about 45 minutes. Annette bought me some of those water "booties" for my feet and they worked GREAT!

Then I closed out the day at the beach with some friends as we played doubles volleyball. My legs were a bit tired from the whole day, but it was a good time with some good friends.

I'm a bit sore this morning...

Playing Volleyball Again...

One of the greatest things I've been excited about has been Friday afternoon volleyball at the beach with some of my friends from Vintage Faith Church. Playing volleyball was such a major focus in my life during high school and college. It has been SO REFRESHING to play ball again. My mom bought me a volleyball for my 35th birthday and I carry it in the passenger seat of my car (not in the seatbelt, though). I feel 21 again...except for my ariolas are a few inches lower.

Snowboarding in Tahoe

Annette and I are having fun at Northstar in Tahoe. We both went riding today and had some fun. Notice we are both wearing our brain buckets. As we were snowboarding today, we were remembering our snowboard trips with the Overflow. Here are a few memories:
* "buttering the muffin"
* PB&J sandwiches in the parking lot at Mt. High
* Checking the Ski Patrol for wounded kids
* seeing one of our students given a free ride down the hill by Ski Patrol because his friend left him at the top
* Always riding with a posse of Overflow kids and leaders down the Faultine park

What I'm looking forward to

Tomorrow, the staff at Vintage Faith is heading down to Pasadena to attend the Awaken Conference put on by Mosaic Church. Dan Kimball is speaking at a few of the sessions. I'm looking forward to hanging out with our staff.

When I get back, Annette and I are heading to Northstar at Tahoe for some snowboarding. (thanks Mom for flying up to take care of the kids!). We are in need of some time together. I waxed our snowboards today...haven't done that in awhile.

It has been a good week...

This past week was pretty awesome. Check it out:
* I went surfing twice with my sister in law, Vicki
* Went to a skate park with a couple kids from our youth group (it was my first time EVER in a skate park...and, "no", I did not stick out at all)
* Played volleyball with a few friends at the beach
* Joel Hasemeyer & his band (The Fragrance) led musical worship for our youth group...Joel's hair is almost long enough to donate to "Locks of Love"
* We played 4-square in our youth room...pretty intense
* Annette shaved the "Duck Tail" off my neck (thanks Dan for the suggestion)
* Had Jury Duty all week but never had to show up
* The McIntyres (Adam, Jess, Agatha, & Gwyneth) visited us for a few days and they treated us to dinner and ice cream

...not too shabby...

A Visit from the 'Rents

My Mom and Dad visited us last weekend. We had a great time and we celebrated my Mom's birthday (she only got to one candle because Davey blew out two of them). The kids LOVE their Nana Sharon and Papa Greg. When Davey woke up on Monday, he asked if Nana and Papa were still here. I told him no and he got real sad and just rolled over and went back to sleep. I get to take Davey and Payton down to see them again in a few weeks and they're already excited about it.

Point Break II

Today, I took a break from the office at church and went surfing for an hour. This picture is of Cowell's beach which is 2.5 miles from our church. It is also recognized as one of the best places for beginners. I bought a used wetsuit from Play It Again Sports a month ago and it keeps me warm in the frigid NorCal waters. I've also gained 90 pounds since moving up here and that keeps me warm, too (actually, I've gained about 5 pounds, mostly around my ariolas).
I've surfed a few times before, but today I rode my first wave. It was a great feeling...kind of like when you first get the hang of snowboarding. I can't wait to watch Point Break again...

Visits with good friends

In February, we were able to visit with some of our good friends. Above: we took a trip to Redding to visit the Lances.


Below, the Solorios finally admitted that the Osborne's actually did move out of Riverside and came to visit us. Josh was a girl and didn't want to ride a mountain bike anywhere, so instead, we just took a walk through the woods (girly).

We took the Solorios to a local restaurant called "Tucson Taqueria: Real Food. Real Mexicans." Of course Josh loved it because he thinks he is Hispanic...