Beverly Hills, that's where I want to be...

Well, not really, but the song seemed to fit.  I recently took a trip to Hollywood. I probably will never go back.   I LOVED L.A. but Hollywood, not so much.  I felt unsafe and dirty the whole time I was there.  The great thing about it, is that is does have a lot of history.  But, it's become so over populated with tourists and people trying to sell you something, that it has lost a lot of it's character.

Nonetheless, it was a city I've never been to, and I'm always welcome for seeing new places.  Los Angeles has a TON of character.  The old downtown district is where you can see a lot Latino-type places to eat and shop.  Tons of culture there.  Beverly Hill and Bel Air, are EXACTLY how they are portrayed on television, overly exuberant and very materialistic.  Whatever floats your boat, but I cannot fathom spending so much money on things only for myself...

The weather was perfect all week.  Started off cool in the morning and would top off at 75 degrees, every day.  That's the kind of weather I could get used to.

 

This was the view from my hotel room, not too shabby.

Big News, Big Change, Big Life

So, in January, I'm moving to China.  I'll be working with Chrissy at her church, doing about the same thing I do at Grace. Programming and producing the various programs that we'll do.

In June, when I got to stay on staff with Grace, I knew there was a possibility of my job ending in December. So, I kept my eyes open.  I knew that I was going to be moving on from Grace, even if they had a job to offer me.  I could feel that God was preparing me for something huge.  Something different, and something that would take a lot of faith.  Then, Chrissy came home for a break, and we talked, and I had this urge to talk to her about China.   So, a couple emails and college applications later, I had a job and was accepted to a University in the heart of Shanghai.

I'll be leaving the first week in January.  If you ask me how I feel about it, I'll tel you I'm not sure.  It's exciting and challenging all at the same time.  Lately I've noticed how much people and things change in short amounts of time, and I know I'm bound to miss a lot.  I'm also going to be seeing a lot as well.  So,I'm mixed about it all.  It's the biggest leap I've ever taken and will be way outside of my box.

I'll be keeping everyone updated through this site.  Talking about getting everything ready and then how life is once I get over there.

 

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Hebrews 12 1-3 (The Message)