And then I remember. It’s because in the wet, windy air, I feel something that reminds me that I’m alive. For me, it’s pretty easy to box up my life into the dry, warm house I live in; the somewhat trustworthy and always enclosed car I drive; the little cubby hole of an office I spend my day in. It’s easy to quickly transfer myself from one box to another, protected from the elements (warm or cold) by Gortex, Windstopper, and air conditioning. And with those things, it’s easy to forget that God’s raw, beautiful, very much alive world is out there.

I’m not walking to work just to feel the wind on my face, mind you. I walk to save money on gas, to be active, and maybe to do my little part to chip away at our addiction to oil and be a little more “green”. However, I think God has other reasons for calling me to “foot-it” sometimes. Maybe it’s to remind me that his creation is out there. Maybe I need to remember that I am a part of it and I’m responsible for being a creative member of it. Maybe it’s a way of showing me that things may really be perilous out there and in need of redemption, not just spiritually, but physically, by means of conserving, preserving, and respecting the powerful elements God has put in motion.

On this dark, wet night, I remember God’s wild world out there. The world of wind storms, warm sun, snow and ice, cool breezes, giant trees, and teeming with life, which I am a part of. And just as the rain makes my jeans and sweater wet, the powerful world God created that I’m a part of impacts my life more than I realize. And, as a good steward of God’s kingdom, I’m reminded I’m responsible for impacting the natural world responsibly as well.

I’m going on the trip listed first. Now watch the video.

i grew up learning (directly or indirectly) that questions of politics were personal, something to be kept in close conscience, something to let people decide for themselves. while, over time, i’ve begun to abandon that idea for a more open, dialoging approach to making decisions in that area of my life, something over the last few days has led me back into those waters of silence and contemplation.

over the course of these last few months, i’ve spoken in support of one candidate. i like a lot of things i’m hearing him say. but something compells me now to shut up, listen, and watch. something tells me God is working, somehow, in all this mess. so, in hope of being faithful to the leaning of the spirit, i will shut up.

here’s to having the right to vote and finding ears to hear, eyes to see, and a tongue to bite.

You’ll notice my special Obama pumpkin design. Found that on http://www.yeswecarve.com, if you’re interested.

Then today, Stacy and I (mostly Stacy) have been putting all kinds of pumpkin-y good things together, like Pumpkin butter, pumpkin cupcakes. We even munched on pumpkin seeds from yesterday’s carving (thanks Brandon for cooking those up).

If it didn’t feel like Fall yet, it sure does now.

And for anyone else out there. I think I might have a little more work to do, but I feel some writing coming on.

Let’s see what happens.

http://www.pcusa.org/collegiate/inn-interns.htm

It’s been a pretty great summer. I’ve been able to actually relax. I’ve read a lot, slept well, exercised, spent time with Stacy, spent time with family, and haven’t really worked much. Kind of a dream. Through it all, my focus has been on making a Sabbath of the break. There are too many things that get passed over, too many things that get missed, when we live at a frenzied, restless pace. This summer was my attempt at slowing down, living life with my love (Stacy), and remembering how to take heed to the simpler things. Good meals with friends, good long runs, good books, good music, all those things were enjoyed and used as a means to a more settled, calmer existence. I feel healthier, rested, and most importantly, more prepared to do the work that I am so blessed to get to do each year at the INN.

And so, the year begins. We have days like today, where we plow through the schedule, divide our tasks, plan for the big push as students come back in 3 weeks. We have the hectic, frantic, and beautiful conversations in which I can feel the pace quicken and can also feel the deep movements of the Spirit, pouring around the room, guiding us towards something wonderful.

With each year, there’s a lot we know that we’ll do. We’ll have the INN on Tuesday nights. We’ll have a retreat or two. We’ll have student leader gatherings. We’ll work with a staff of new interns. We’ll go on Spring Break service trips. And yet, in all that we know, there is always this underlying knowing that we do not know what the year will hold. Questions of “who will the students be that show up on Tuesday nights?” or “what ways will we be able to impact Bellingham for good, for justice, for God’s kingdom?” or “what will we all be asked to confront in our understanding of God as we work out our faith this year?” all roll around in my head. I think it’s in those questions that excitement rises from. It’s this embracing, this jumping out into, this unknown dance that we’re all about to step into as a community. It’s these things that drive me forward and keep everything at the INN fresh, year in and year out.

I am hopeful for what this year brings. For the students who will make the INN there home. For the relationships that will be built, with people being a community. For the fun. For the hard stuff. For the learning and growing that will happen, not only in students’ lives, but in the lives of our staff and of our supportive community.

So here it goes. I’ll try to write more as the year goes on (as I always promise). Please continue to check in and find out what’s going on with this vibrant college ministry. I’m so happy to be a part of what God is doing here and, if you can’t tell, hopeful for the unknown that will play out this year.

Also, if you happened to miss it in the news yesterday, Obama’s speech was given on a very special day. 45 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his historic “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, DC. The parallels and historical significance of his speech, now in relation to Obama’s nomination, are important to be aware of and inspiring to think upon as we consider where we are going and where we’ve been as a nation.

Enjoy both of these speeches.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream”

Barack Obama’s Acceptance at 2008 DNC

It’s been almost two years since my parents made their epic trek through the Great White North into Alaska, following the Alaskan Highway. They had a great trip, brought back wonderful stories, and count it as a lifetime goal achieved.

They blogged (that’s right, my parents blogged) while on the trip, and posted pictures to share. Since I’m cancelling my TypePad blog, I have had to export their blog to a new location. If you’re interested in what their trip was like, you can view it now at akbound.wordpress.com.

Enjoy.

Click on the photo for details in Flickr.

So, what’s in your bag? I’ve seen this before on other blogs, so I’m not original. Other bloggers out there, feel free to join in and share what’s in your bag. Post a link to your site in the comments section below.