It was not in vain!

This summer did not pass in vain. I have a few more days of this challenge set forth, but I consider this a perfect time to highlight everything that has happened. The original challenge I set up for me this summer on June 5 was to:

1) Memorize 4 verses. Which I failed. I only memorized Psalm 43:3 -- seems to be the appropriate mantra for my life this summer.

2) Do some sort of working out 5 times a week. I successfully met the challenge of working out 5 times a week, even though most weeks it is only four times. I consider this a success. I walk twice a week at the beach, I go to the gym and do the elliptical once and then do cardio and Yoga once. The only thing left to do is add more resistance training to my workouts. Whether I have to add a day of Pilates or use dumbbells at home while I have my hair wrapped in a towel drying each morning.

3) Meet people. This I thought would be the hardest challenge to meet and pursue. But, it probably was the easiest. I thought it was going to be a major leap of faith because I have always considered myself shy. I have met people I know who I will want to keep as friends and others I have stopped talking to because of their lack of ambitious faith. I’ve tried a few groups at other churches for the fellowship part, but both definitely did not work out as well as I was hoping. One I went to three times, the other was a struggle just to stay there for one evening. But by a divine appointment, I heard about this young adult group at Calvary Costa Mesa from two people and decided it wasn’t going to hurt to try it once or twice and then leave. But God didn’t have that in mind. He had in mind that I learn that shyness is a learned trait rather than a natural trait – that you can be introverted your entire life but not be shy… that the two are not synonyms or always work together. Until 3 weeks ago, I did not see the truth to Psalm 68:6 (NKJV) “God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.” But because of the short time I have had with these people from Calvary, I know I have a family there. Families have warts and I certainly have mine (but for another post!), but it brought the ache I have to be in a family to the front and center. So it is no wonder the bulk of my conversations with people from Calvary AND Compass were centered on this in the past 2 weeks.

All through this, I've also been thinking about the phrase “anything, anyplace, at any time.” There have been numerous times I've heard Pastor Mike say that, probably once a year. The most recent time was on June 10, Ambitious Faith - Part 6. That in the Christian walk, we are to tell "God, 'Any thing... I'll do whatever you want me to do God or any place... I have no geographical preferences or at any time...it's on your schedule, God. You are signing a blank check across the table to God." I have the complete desire to do all three of those things. My problem is there is no avenue to do something bigger (yet) like packing my bags and going on a missions trip to another country or moving to another state. But, I have small examples from the last year… it was shown with my health stuff, even at the risk of going into debt for a while. It was also shown when I quit my job of 5 1/2 years and to go into "temp" work while looking for a permanent job (which I'm still praying for!). And it was also shown when I decided to join Christa on her summer challenge even though we are not in the same circles.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that putting Christa’s challenge and this phrase together would lead me to leave Compass. CBC has been my family for 2 ½ years not to mention the time I was at PCC since 1999. CBC will always be my family. I just have to move to another city (in more than one way!) to keep my walk with Christ strengthened and sharpened (Hebrews 4:12 and Proverbs 27:16-18). I am keeping my CBC sticker on my car. I have a standing date with my walking partners twice a week unless something comes up. I will keep the business cards to CBC in my purse to give to people in Orange County. I am remaining on the mailing lists. I am even offering to be “on call” if I am ever needed to help with the bulletins. And I of course also still have email and this wonderful blog.

A few things come to mind that some might be wondering.

Why is this time different than last time 2 years ago. This time is different because I am leaving under God’s leading, not because I’m disgruntled. This time is different because I actually have a place to go, as opposed to last time where I just left and did the searching after. This time is different because I’m much more confident about this prompting. Even if the young adult group doesn’t work out after this initial honeymoon phase, there are plenty of other ministries at Calvary to become involved in – and who knows, maybe it will lead to moving to another state or short term missions trip.

What about my statement on August 16? I did say it wasn’t MY plan to leave CBC…right? *grin*

What about the bulletins? There is/are a new bus driver(s) *BIG GRIN* (for the full effect of that title, read my post on June 10) who started driving this weekend. My hope is that if you are reading this and you attend CBC, that you will show her/them love and go in the church office once or twice a month about 3 pm and help her/them… or find out when the bulletins are being stuffed and serve her/them so she/they will not become burdened in serving, because it is a HUGE job and cannot be done with only one or two people all the time. Believe me, I know that first hand.