Big changes

Here you have it, my "Surf Pastors" dream. If you look closely, not only is this guy carving this left, but in the background there is a church. This great photo from Shane Peel was taken in the Batu Batu Islands, Sumatra, Indonesia. Even the name sounds exotic. I'm guessing that most surfers would love to have the time and money to travel the world and surf relatively uninhabited breaks like this. I've had the pleasure of living in Hawaii, surfing in Oahu, Maui and Kauai. I've also surfed at different breaks all the way down to Cabo San Lucas on the Baja peninsula. Even good old San Diego isn't half bad for warm-ish water great surf.

I found this photo on the cover of The Surfers Journal, volume 14, number 3. I have been blessed over the years with a great friendship with Skip Frye who not only attended our church for years, but also served unselfishly in many areas. For years, every other month, I'd meet Skip at his shop, have some great conversation and prayer time and he'd bless me with the latest issue of TSJ. When I saw this cover, my eyes immediately went to the wave and surfer, but under later examination discovered the church in the background. I still love surfing, still love pastoring, but both of those activities will change significantly in my life real soon.

After over a year of prayer and reflection, we will be moving up to Washington state. The biggest draw for me is my family who all live within about 45 minutes of each other. I'm ready to spend the second half of my life around my siblings, their kids (and their spouses) and my parents. I can't wait to raise my children around the godly influence of my family. I'm praying about my next ministry/pastor position and when and where that will happen. Meantime I'll be looking for work that will support my family during this transition.

And regarding the surf in Washington state, yes, there is plenty. In the latest issue of TSJ, there is a great article on cold water surfing and the advances in wetsuit technology. Needless to say, I'll be investing in a thicker wetsuit with an attached hood, booties and gloves. In this article, the author was saying that a real surfer has to check his/her true motivation, dedication and desire when they move to a place with cold water. Well, after surfing cold water in northern California for 4 years, I'm ready to test my mettle in even colder water in the Northwest.

It's a new adventure and one that we're praying is full of many great benefits we can't even image. I'm ready to start this next chapter of my life and am extremely grateful for the 30 years I've had to live in California and Hawaii. Bring on the cold!