NorCallin': Faith and Frustration

Two weeks in the Sacramento area, and so much has happened!  (Hopefully I'll get a chance to add pictures later)

First was my brother's bachelor party, which involved, at separate times, guns and alcohol, (not my thing) as well as good conversation, fire, camping, and the Sierra Nevada! After they had had a bit to drink, we actually had a really good conversation on the church and homosexuality. It was the first time I'd ever realized the number of gay guys I've met, and to think about how each of them handled things differently: some are Christians and actively practicing homosexuals, some are Christians but don't practice because of that, some accept their homosexuality but don't accept the homosexual "culture" and how you're supposed to talk or dress. Others were sexually abused or were called gay every day until I think they started believing it. Anyway, it was a strange "testimony" to share, and Justin brought up and we all agreed in the end that our job is to love people whoever they are, and that still, we believe that homosexuality isn't morally right, but I think it made us all think about things and it was cool.


So when I was in México, we had an Argentinian youth counselor come to the ranch for a couple weeks on a missions trip. She was really inspiring, AND she introduced me to her friend Claudia, who is a professional opera singer. When we were visiting Claudia, I met Oscar, Claudia's boyfriend who lives in Sacramento, and when I was in Sacramento, I met up with them. First we went around handing out flyers on Thursday, and then Friday night, my sister and I went down to a concert she put on in a local hispanic church. And I got to translate! It was the most intensive translation I've done, but Claudia's testimony and sharing was one of the most attractive and loving presentations of the gospel I've ever seen. She sang Disney songs and opera songs in an amazing voice, and in between, shared about the love of God, her story, and how the songs related to that love. The pastors even put me on the spot and had me sing!! It was intense, and a little awkward, because the left those who didn't speak Spanish behind a couple times. But Glory to God, that I got to translate and share such an amazing message of hope and love.

I also got to share 20 minutes at Sierra Grace Fellowship's Youth Group. I think it was really God's timing on this, because all of the students who I felt the most connection with as 8th and 9th graders were graduating from High School and getting ready to go away to college!! It was SO cool to meet with them, pray with them, and play some music apart from youth group, and also super amazing to share my story with them! I think my main points were 1)Walk in Faith, follow God and 2)Make God a priority in your life and 3)(Like my sermon in Ensenada) If you're a Christian, you're a missionary!

It was also really encouraging to meet with friends/supporters and elders in the Auburn area. Although I think the Sierra Grace leadership is a little obesessed with marriage in their advice-giving, it was challenging and encouraging to meet with them. The Miller family just exudes the JOY of God! It's so cool to be around them. Todd and Don, two of the elders, always give me somewhat conflicting advice, but I think the balance of the two is just perfect, and their church is much the better for it! Catching up with the high schoolers and me friends from the ol' college group was also super-encouraging, especially my buddy Matt, who is helping out with a youth group even though he's in Med School right now. (*poke* So what's YOUR excuse for not getting involved in ministry?)

Also, my FAMILY was there! It was especially cool to sing, walk, and share life a little with my sister Kate! Justin and I also combined to beat some Call of Duty missions, and had a couple good times, but he was pretty busy because HE GOT MARRIED!!! The wedding was outdoor, simple, but a lot of fun. He married Bridget, who was a co-leader with Justin in the youth group at Sierra Grace, and also a manager at Eddie Bauer. She's a great girl, and I am super-excited to see how God continues to use and grow them together.

Last off, God really spoke through the sermons. I was getting pretty wishy-washy on my Christology reading the Qur'an. I mean, very honestly, I wasn't sure how compatible the Muslim Holy book was with the Bible, and I was pretty worried about it. Sunday school was aimed right between my eyes on that one, as we read through Colossians where Paul very specifically is very clear, in Christ the fullness of God's divinity dwells. My friend Joel preached an awesome sermon on the Spirit and pentecost which really pointed me in the right direction.

But it was the final sermon that really got to me. Vince, our resident Dodger fan and elder (everyone else in NorCal pulls for the Giants...go Dodgers!) preached on Joseph, and he preached on "when God puts you in frustrating situations..." And when he started preaching, I knew this was directed at me. I was stressed with family stuff, wedding stuff, and a bazillion places and plans to figure out, not to mention boxes to sort through. I was weary. And SO, I put my pen to the edge of the page, ready and eager to figure out the solution to tough times, frustration, and weariness, eager for God to speak. And he disappointed me. According to Vince, those answers weren't in the Bible. What Vince did say, however, and it hit me right in the heart, was that God's promise is that He will be there in the midst of whatever setbacks, trials, tribulations, side-tracks, or frustrations we experience. And that God-with-us, is enough. Amen.