Monday, June 13, 2011

On Top of a Mountain

One of the highlights of being back in Cali this summer has been the opportunity to get out camping and hiking at elevation! The Midwest is fun and I enjoy getting out to Forest Park and state parks around, but they do not have much going on for getting up above everything and looking out over it. On Saturday morning, after a great night at an Angels game with Alan, I went with the college group from Friends Church Yorba Linda (where my brother-in-law serves as pastor) to hike up Mount Baldy. In just a 45 minute drive from Orange we were at 6,000 feet positioned to hike 4 miles and climb another 4,000 to get to the top of the mountain. I got excited to see snow at the top that I would hike to and got excited for the view I would see on the summit.

After a couple hours hiking with Nick Alvarez and pushing my legs on the climb I reached the top and felt a great sense of joy and satisfaction in the climb and the view from up there. The marine layer, or June gloom, covered the LA area with a couple peaks sticking out through it and the eastern mountain range shining clearly. Here's a shot of Krista, Aaron, and I at the top.



The trail was steep and the way down a bit painful, but it was awesome to get up high and get a perspective on everything below. The last couple weeks at Harbor have been a chance for me to get away and get a big picture view of what I have learned over the last couple years at Covenant and where God is leading me. My meetings with the various site pastors of Harbor, have been excellent and their questions have helped me reflect on my strengths, gifts, and vision for ministry. Just this morning I had a great conversation with an old friend from Cal Poly, Danny Kim, and he encouraged me a lot as we talked about Strengths Finder and what is important for me in being effective and content in ministry. We also talked about the need to fit volunteers within the church with the areas of leadership and positions they take. The conversation was extremely encouraging and I am thankful for the time with Danny and even the opportunity to be in San Diego serving with Harbor.

This came after a triple header of Harbor services yesterday with meetings or updates at each, Harbor Mira Mesa, Harbor North County, and Harbor Uptown...lots of Harbor, lots of processing, and lots of driving along the beach between them!

2 weeks in and loving Harbor and San Diego!