30 Years Well Spent

Not many people can claim to have worked for one organization for 30 years - 5 is even a stretch.

In today's ever changing job market, people are scrambling from job to job. There is not a lot of consistency. They (the arbitrary researchers out there) predict that those entering the job market today will change careers at least 3 to 7 times. I would have predicted higher based on how often my friends change jobs. But this blog is not about them. It is about a legend.

On September 1st, 2011, Joyce Luy wil be retiring after consistently supporting and guiding students to Christian Higher Education for the past 30 years. More specifically, she has been working at Westmont College, one of the top Christian Liberal Arts Colleges in THE WORLD! ... Ok, ok, I may be a little biased since I did attend Westmont and now work for the college. But, seriously, it is an amazing place and Joyce had a huge role in making it the place it is today.

For me, Joyce has been a great mentor. She has taught me how to be professional, creative, organized, and aware of the most important thing in life... faith. She has always supported my work with Young Life and she genuinely cares about my well being.

As much as I know I will miss her, I am excited for the adventure God has her on.

To Joyce, Westmont Legend, adieux.

*Here are some pics from her Farewell Party.*

Baptism: Cleansed by the Blood

"... for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

-Galatians 3:27

Last Sunday I was able to observe something very powerful.

Gus, one of my Young Life Capernaum guys, was baptized.

Now... baptism is more than being dunked in a tub of water (or ocean, in this case). It is an outward expression of someone committing their life to Jesus.

Seeing someone baptized is moving. However, seeing someone baptized that you know, love, admire, and most importantly that you have shared in that journey - it is life changing.

God has used Gus in my life to teach me how to love. He has used Gus to teach me to be thankful in all things. And most importantly, God has used Gus to give me a better picture of who God is... a personal being who desperately desires to know us and love us.

I pray God uses these pictures to speak to you. If you want to know more about Young Life Capernaum feel free to contact me. It is definitely a ministry worth checking out!

Destination: June Lake

Lately I have been busy. Haven't we all? Busy thinking, busy doing, busy responding, busy checking, busy waiting, busy... whatever!

It is an easy trap to get entangled in. And boy do I get stuck!

This is why it is important to plan a strategic get away. Many call this "vacation." - (a foreign concept for busy people, like myself).

Thankfully, every summer my family likes to sneak away to a lovely place in the High Sierras called June Lake. For those of you who do not know where it is, it is a half hour or so north of Mammoth Lakes or two hours east of Yosemite National Park. It is the perfect place to be in nature without being surrounded by millions of tourists.

For me, it is a place that brings back memories of learning how to fish, hike, and enjoy the almost forgotten beauty that surrounds me.

June is a beautiful "get-away," with crystal clear water, warm sunshine, blooming wildflowers, and best of all - silence.

Here are some pictures of my trip two weeks ago. I was there with my parents, both grandmas, sister, brother-in-law, and niece. My niece, Hailey is in many of the pictures because... well... she is pretty much... adorable.

Just take a look (it's in a book... Reading Rainbow)! :)

What a good looking family! :)