irony (n.): deliberately contrary to what one expects

My break from campus started off with great intentions: clean my room, cover the walls with pictures and distinctions, all while making s’mores in my fireplace. Then I woke up.

Well, not literally, but almost. I should say something more like my dream bubble got popped. I was battling some type of pain in my face for about a week (which still hasn’t totally gone away and I’m too stubborn to see a doctor about it) and my days often seem to slip away when I don’t formulate a purposeful plan. For you Meyers Briggs folks, I teeter on the line between P and J, landing just on the greener side of P. So to say my break started slow would be a correct, and ironic, statement.

A few days before the 25th, my aunt and uncle from San Diego picked me up and we journeyed into the undulating mountains in the Sequoia National Forest. My cousin Kathy was desperately wanting a playmate since she’s an only child and she sure got one. We did everything from learn how to snowboard to discuss Seventeen magazine. Oh yeah, I learned what  a bffl, pronounced “biffle”, is. Come on people, a Best Friend For Life! I also learned that there’s a ridiculous show out now called Glee, filled will all kinds of drama. I praise God that those days are over for me. Confession: I was the same way in high school. Now God’s grace has set me free. On another note, I did thoroughly enjoy my time with my cuz, Kathy. “Facebook it!”

Then it was on to celebrate Christmas with my dad’s side of the family in Oakland. The time was somewhat challenging because when I’m around them it brings up old feelings and emotions of having my dad around, which was so long ago. I often times sense that our relationship is still stuck in my childhood years. I’ve grown to become a man now who loves and serves the Lord, with a different agenda for my life than what my family sees fit. But I can’t help but be “compelled by the love of Christ.”

On Christmas night I read the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and we had some great conversation following about why and how Joseph took Mary as his wife, and Jesus as his adopted son. I really do appreciate my family because even though they might not hold the same views as me, they are mostly open to hear where I’m coming from and discuss our differences. There’s one redeeming value of living in California: tolerance.

But let me cut to the quick. The day after Christmas my friend Laura flew into Oakland so she could catch a ride with me down to San Diego for our winter conference. Every year Campus Crusade puts on various regional conference right after Christmas for students who want to grow in their life with Jesus and others. But here’s the exciting news: WE’RE DATING NOW!

Yep, Laura Patterson and I are officially “walking towards heaven while holding hands” as she puts it. She’s an amazing woman of God who lives an authentic walk with Jesus. In an attempt to summarize Laura’s dynamic character, I asked one of her best friends to tell me her greatest character trait; I got three in one. HA! Laura’s friend said, “She is excited, loyal, and loving.” Yep, that’s my lady!

So Laura and I got to spend the next two weeks together just living life together. We did things like road trip to SD, watch each other speak truth to students we work with, care for each other while sick (nasty stomach bugs involved), shop for groceries, learn about our pasts, and I wish there was time for more. **We also went to the Rose Bowl on January 1st but Oregon (where Laura went to school) lost.** She had to leave yesterday morning to head back to Flagstaff, AZ where she works at Northern Arizona University with Campus Crusade. Please pray that we would seek wisdom from the Lord about how to pursue this long-distance relationship and that “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Today I’m gearing up and preparing to leave for a conference in Denver to train me for leading the summer project to East Asia this summer. Yeah, I know! It’s still kinda setting in but excitement is building every day. We will be pioneering to a new location this summer so even more adventure is thrown in the mix with SO MANY unknowns. Ahhhh, how I love blind adventure. There’s something about it that makes me check my heart beat and know that I’m alive and that He is God.

Well, friends, more thoughts to come in the near future. Until then, read your Bibles.

May the God of all peace be gracious to you through the riches in Christ Jesus,
Matt