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).