We are officially fianceed!

This blog seems to be better told through pictures. Emily and I went to Joshua Tree National Park (a desert park...but this time of year beautiful). We went on a few beautiful trails, and ultimately ended up at a place called Key Views where you can see the valley from above. It is amazing! Here are some pictures from our wonderful Sunday trip! And the pictures are kinda in backwards order...no time to fix. Going camping for the weekend!

Foreigner (not 70's British-American rock band)

Something I find very ironic, is how foreign I STILL feel here in southern California. I'm familiar with many of the important prerequisites to "feeling at home". I have a wonderful apartment, I know how to get to the most important places (without GPS), Emily and I have found a great church (Mosaic in Pasadena), I have identified my favorite grocery stores, I know where the nearest Starbucks is (as well as the nearest drive-thru location), I have found some great hiking and biking trails, I have explored both independent and chain restaurants unique to this part of the country, etc.. I have found many comforts, yet, I still feel like a transient guest. I can't seem to shake that "vacation feeling"... knowing that inevitably this time will come to an end. At this point only God knows where Emily and I will be heading once graduation arrives in less than a year! Let me quickly emphasize that this past year has NOT been a vacation. It has been one of the most challenging, busy, & formative times in my life thus far.

Emily and I have discussed our thoughts and feelings at length regarding Los Angeles county. We share the same views of this new home of ours: It is impersonal and grossly anonymous. A huge factor is our lack of engagement with our local communities...the primary struggle being lack of time and energy. Another barrier, I believe, is the very real assumption that we will be leaving next year. If we are leaving so soon, what is the point in creating new bonds and friendships? It is hard to reconcile the differences between what is ideal and what is realistic.

Last night Emily brought up something that made so much sense. We have "friends" here, but what kind of friends? I hate to discount the genuine friendships we have formed (there are a handful). Overall, the relationships we've formed are surface level, superficial. Do these people really care for us, care about us? I could go on and on about the inadequacies we've found. This is sad, and I would also like to acknowledge that I recognize that southern California IS filled with many great people and opportunities, simply put, it isn't the place Emily and I think of when we dream of our future.

Description of the ideal: forests, mountains, seasons, quaint, friendly, slower/simpler pace, less populated, NO Walmart, land for farming, peaceful, star filled evening skies, no smog, sidewalks, trails, arts, good schools (K-12 and post-secondary). It could happen, I won't lose hope in that.

* The pictures have little if anything to do with this post. Only 54 days til Michigan!

May

Time continues to FLY by. It is MAY and I am still reconciling the fact that I live in Southern California. Only two more weeks of actual class (though there are two assignments due after we end class meetings). There is so much to do in the next two weeks including reading a few more books, multiple articles, leading class discussion, presenting about the workshop a fellow classmate and I will be leading at Citrus College in the fall, finishing up my final graduate assistantship project (the Grad binder), finding another part-time job for the summer, etc. etc. I have a long to-do list, but I am confident that I will be able to finish out this school year strong!

I am definitely longing for weekends filled with day trips and relaxing, rather than reading and writing! My roommate Aaron will be heading back to Kansas the day after classes end until August...at which point he will be moving in with another cohort member (cutting his monthly rent in half). Though it will be quiet around the apartment without Aaron, it will be enjoyable to live "solo" for the summer!

On Friday, I attended a "passing of the torch" end of year get together for the Ministry and Service office that I will be working with next year. It was amazing to see what a profound effect working in the office has on those who work there. I am so excited to actually be part of this team of AMAZING people.

"The Office of Ministry and Service (MAS) believes that faith in Christ should inspire people to reach out to a broken world and embody the good news of God’s inclusive and empowering love for humanity. Driven by grace, a love for God is interconnected with a love of one's neighbor and should lead to a pathway of reconciled relationships with those across the street and around the world...Azusa Pacific University, founded as the Training School for Christian Workers, has a strong legacy and commitment to service as a response to faith in Christ. This commitment begins in the city of Azusa, with strong partnerships that connect APU with children, families, community leaders, churches, and the local government. Downtown Los Angeles provides additional opportunities to learn and grow in relationship with our neighbors. These experiences in service will help move the APU community from indifference, ignorance, and fear to faith, reconciliation, education, and action."

At this get together I received two things that will be important as I begin my work supervising the coordinators of Door of Hope, S.A.Y. Yes!, and L.A. 101: a map of the "City of Angels" Los Angeles, AND from José, a fellow classmate, a "Los Doyers" Dodgers t-shirt. These will help me get around the inner-city and somewhat fit in :)

This weekend Emily and I spent some time relaxing in between sessions of productivity (writing reports for her and reading, researching, and writing for me). We did get to test out our "camping gear" which is comprised of a tent I received as a birthday present well over 10 years ago...and uh...that's it. We definitely need to save our pennies to get more gear. It was a nice evening in the backyard, although I had to turn on my iPod for more authentic camping sounds to drown out the traffic from the nearby Arrow Highway & I-10. Here's to pretending!

One thing that is great about time flying, is that we are now that much closer to visiting Michigan in July! The thought of seeing all our friends and family, growing nieces and nephew, possible new homes, Holland, Zeeland, Allendale, Grand Rapids, PORT AUSTIN...is well, exciting! Aren't you excited too? I bet you are! I want to see my family...so let me know when you may be able to Skype...we really haven't been utilizing this technology, and should! Off to homework-city. Much love!