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So I loved A Million Miles in a Thousand Years so much that I decided to go back and read all of Donald Miller's books. And I started at the beginning. Through Painted Deserts. There were a couple of reasons that I decided to reread this one first. I mean I definitely picked it because I love road trip books and road trips themselves. And the other reason I picked it is because I've had moving and leaving on my mind a lot recently. Donald Miller is from Texas. Just like me. And he takes off on a journey with his buddy, Paul. to the Grand Canyon and ultimately to Oregon. I think my life is beginning to look eerily like his. I, too, am feeling the call to Oregon (see my last blog). After working there this summer, I see myself living out the rest of my days there. But that's besides the point.

I am a single man. I have been all my life. I think about having a girlfriend quite a bit. Probably too much to be honest. And I think about marriage and living my life with a woman for a large part of my life. I guess all guys do to an extent. Again, I may do this more than others. I'm a romantic. I guess it's in my genes.

So I'm reading Through Painted Deserts and Don asks his friend, Paul, what he wants in a girl. They're driving through Oklahoma at the time. And Paul's response mirrors exactly what I want in my lady. Here's what he says:

"I guess I'm looking for what any guy is looking for. I want a companion, you know. Just someone to share life with. I want her to be my biggest fan and I want to be her biggest fan too. I want us to raise kids in a home where they know their parents are in love with each other and with them. I guess that's all I want."

It's all I want as well. I just want someone I can enjoy the pleasures of life with. I'm just waiting for her to get her act together and come find me! Haha!

...kidding

The Dream

So last night we had a huge Mexican Fiesta over here at Mac 1048. It was a lot of fun. There were like six of us in our tiny little kitchen making beans, rice, tortillas, and other taco/burrito stuff. It was a wonderful time filled with friends, food, and great times. We watched a documentary called Jesus Camp which I could write a whole blog about. Maybe another time.

But as we were all cooking the subject of Portland came up. Right now there are five of us, myself included, that are seriously considering Oregon as the next step in our journey after we graduate. And the five of us all happened to be in the kitchen at that time. So Daniel, Leah, John, Anna, and I were all sitting there dreaming of Oregon and talking about all the things we would do there. Daniel and I talked about getting jobs and about the possibility of me crashing at one of my camp friend's houses until I was making money and going to seminary and such.

Well Daniel and I began talking about ministry in Portland. I know from experience, that it is screaming for God. It is a wonderful place that's for sure, but it is also a very secular place. A place crying out for change. For revival. And I was talking about what I thought God was calling me to. And the answer for me has always been, "I'm not sure yet. I'm waiting to see what He nails down for me." I think I may have been given a glimpse last night. Daniel began talking about he and I getting jobs with the City of Portland. Possibly in Human Resources so we can really get a feel for what the people of Portland need and how they act. Then he said that maybe we could use this experience to start a ministry to meet the needs that we realize need to be met.

And I realize that all of this is hypothetical and none of it is set in stone at all, but I got really excited. More excited than I've been in a long long time. And my soul was bursting with joy and happiness at this thought. It's what I want to do. I desire this. I long for it. I wanted to just go run to my car and drive to Oregon at that moment. And I think that God intended for that conversation to take place. I think that I got a taste of what He has for me. Because, like I said, nothing has ever gotten me that excited and pumped before.

I'm very excited to see what God has in store for me.

For you.

For us.

It's a scary thought, but also one that brings thoughts of adventure and forging new paths. It's exciting. I can't wait to be on my way.

Jumping Off a Dock to Say Goodbye

I want to write a better story. Donald Miller has inspired me once again. He's changed the way that I think and the way that I view this life that I have been blessed with. I want to begin to do bigger things. Things that have meaning. Things that change me in the process.