What have I been doing?

Above: The Excel Family @ Laidlaw.I know this photo makes the webpage freak out being this big, but any smaller of a photo wouldn't do it justice. Pictures update!, click the link to the right ------>

What haven't I done, would be a better question. From hustling around Auckland trying to sort out the medical scene for the visa, to welcoming the new Laidlaw Students and new Excel Students to the campus, proceeding in and out of all sorts of meetings, it has been full on.

Hebrew has proved to be on this side of ridiculous to learn, and I have never been this scheduled/meeting'ed out in my life. For two weeks I maintained a strenuous early morning regiment of study and exercise, which ended up exhausting me as I was burning the candle on both ends by not sleeping well as my brain was fully engaged upon going to bed. From about the 11th-13th I began to get the flu, which I shrugged off for a time then relentlessly took me out as I slept 40 hours over a two day period. I'm on the mend (10 days later), feeling better and now "sleeping in."

From the beginning I have embraced my role on the student council, seeking to meet all the students in attendance at Laidlaw and to encourage them in their studies and walks with Christ. It was a bit nostalgic to remember being greeted just a year ago by someone like myself now considering the journey since then. Kinetic Youth Group at ABC has drastically shifted in demographics going from equal number of sexes to female in a matter of weeks. The Bible study and Youth Group are going well and ABC has begun the process of looking for a new head pastor.

Were I'm currently at is journeying/pastoring a young performing arts community experiencing the joys and pain that comes with this spot. Pain in reference to enforcing the expectations of the community we live in but joy in doing life along side guys that are 17-19 years old. I share this role as Resident Leader with Christine Bachelor leading the women and I can already tell that this year is going to stretch me like few other seasons in my life.

I still am having trouble with my eyes, but I think it is caused by lack of sleep. There was a night last week were I didn't sleep at all being sick/wired from study, learning, discipline issues with students, bible study teaching and speaking to a group- I just stared at the ceiling all night. I pray that doesn't happen again. Please pray for me to establish and maintain boundaries as well as the ability to do sabbath well. Today was the first proper community worship at Laidlaw since school started and I was moved to tears while experiencing Gods love during the singing. Praise Him. Thank you all for the love+support+encouragement in the last few weeks, I really feel the warm embrace of community here as well as the States. 

Prayer Requests:

-My friend Daisuke in Japan is still navigating the junk around his home. I can confirm to my knowledge that no JP people from Peninsula College or their families were killed.

-The Excel students I'm leading at Laidlaw that come from various backgrounds across NZ.

-Health, energy, eyesight, humility, leadership, study, time, boundaries and maybe some fun in there somewhere : )

-Hebrew