Finally Back with a random life update.

This is probably the longest I've gone withot posting anything public on my blog. It feels weird. I don't know that it was intentional to not blog for so long, but there probably was a little of Zechariah in me waiting to make sure I had some clarity on what to say publicly at least. Not saying I've finally arrived at something profound to say but part of me misses blogging, as I do believe blogging has helped form and solidify my thoughts/faith in ways that no other medium can. But a lot has happened in the past 5 months. Great things, tough things, not-sure-what-to-deem things:

I'm going on three months in a relationship with a pretty girl I really like (though I think I compliment her too much) and get to serve along with at church; I'm now living with another married couple (whom I also really like and get to serve along with at church); and I somehow survived that last semester despite making unwise decisions with my time. Youth ministry continues to be challenging, and I've grown a little bit more in being a little more "unashamed" to be a pastor ... Ha ... Though this past Sunday I reverted back to introducing myself as the "youth guy" (kinda lame). I've gotten to a point now where I think the "honeymoon" part of being a pastor is gone and I'm getting to know the kids in ways that I can more clearly see a little more of who they are ... including the good, bag, and ugly. And the scary thing is that the honeymoon phase between the youth pastor and youth is kinda ending now for them as well. They get to see more and more of me ... including the good, bad, and ugly. I've noted to myself from the beginning that if I was ever to pastor, I wanted to emulate what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 and share with the youth not only the gospel of God, but also [my own self]. And there's a leveling of the image of "mature pastor" that comes with that price. But I can still say with confidence that I'm reaping some of the fruit from that decision, even if it costs me my pride. 

I don't know that I experienced a "drought" season in my faith the last year or so, but it's the closest I've felt to it in my whole life. And coming out of that this past semester has been slow, but beautiful to me. Beautiful to see the restorative power of God's word, and the fact that it stays the same despite my flesh's failings. It's beautiful to think about the fruit that comes from the un-glamorous time spent little by little through this sacred book. And it's exciting to me to know how much I really don't know of it lol. Every time I finally catch a little glimpse of the story of God, it makes me want to want more. Man, I wish I wanted to want it more. Spirit help me. 

Yay summer mission trip in the end of July! It'll be my first time leading one ... Gah! Nervous/Excited ... haha.

All that to say, I gotta sleep now or I'll owe the Qins $5 (we're doing this deal that if I sleep past 3 I have to pay for it ... literally). But I felt I should at least write something to document where I'm at now. More thoughts, there's always more thoughts. But that's for later. 

Grateful for the patience of God,
-Jon