Stop 31 - St. Louis, Missouri

Returning home is not only for prodigal sons, but nomadic wanderers can trek back to see family homes. Entering the threshold of my parent's apartment in the Midwest was a festive occasion with the slaughtering of the fattened calf. (or soy for a vegetarian nomad) Time at home included holiday feasting, generous gifts, and plots to solve world problems from a dining room table. As Christmas passed, my thankfulness for a loving family and parents who merit great honor has increased.

Stop 30 - Back in The Beltway (Washington DC)

My Youth With a Mission (YWAM) team was photographed outside Washington DC's Library of Congress. Throughout the last three months we have lived communally, prayed continually, and fought courageously for truth. Despite the fasted lifestyle, many days were filled with fun antics. (carefully examine the above image and post what you find)

Seasons of laughter notwithstanding, our group has shifted to a time of transition and farewells. Our leadership has declared a sabbatical and many people are changing vocations. With the scattering of our fellowship, I saw many tears wiped from crying eyes. I am thankful God gave me friends and homes worth a season of grief. Gandalf's words from Lord of the Rings are more than a light witticism when he proclaims, "I will not say, do not weep, for not all tears are an evil"

Stop 29 - Phoenix, Arizona

Adopt-A-Family is not a new game show with scandalous behavior, but a term for when friends from the Air Force invited me to spend Turkey Day in Phoenix. By accepting the generous offer, I spent a wonderful several days with an awesome family. Even though I was not officially a relative, I was showered with kindness, food, and friendship. My incorporation into the family included going with the father to work at a local ministry, playing music during devotionals, cooking pasta for dinner, and numerous opportunities to improve humility (losing at board games).

While reflecting on the holiday, I am so thankful for the many times I have received undeserved love and acceptance. My history of adoption was not only at Thanksgiving, but I have also received a free adoption by God into a heavenly family. (see Ephesians in The Bible)

What undeserved blessings are you thankful for? (feel free to post them)

Stop 28 - Peoria, IL

My next adventure involved sneaking back to Peoria to surprise my Mom for her birthday (see video). One my way back to the Midwest, I had to battle a snow storm and icy roads. After overcoming the wintery mix and flying out of DC, local officials shut down the small Peoria airport and would not let people leave while police swept the facility for bombs. My plans for spending the night in a tiny regional airport with one restaurant (a Subway) were thwarted when the airport security finally opened the door to freedom.

One day later, I had an awesome opportunity to Adopt-A-Block. In Peoria, the South Side Mission lets locals commit to serving a low-income neighborhood over the course of several years. As a result, I had the privilege of going with an engineering manager, several young adults, and a church secretary to knock on doors, pick up trash, and pray for people. Determined volunteers from Northwoods Church, have constantly visited the same block with the objective of meeting the needs of poor families (clothes, home maintenance, counseling, ect) and sharing with people how important they are to Jesus Christ. Years of consistent service produced noticeable results with a significant drop in crime rate, consistently smiling (and crying) faces at neighborhood doors, and a great sharing of love.

In retrospect, I wonder if God can use you to radically change a neighborhood in your city?

Stop 27 - DC (There and Back Again)

To complete my cross country circuit I have returned to the nation's capitol. While my Youth With a Mission Team did not get the desired election results, current events should not detract from a long expected party.

The celebratory day was enhanced by combining six birthday parties into one massive festivity. For enhanced appreciation of the festivities, we began with a massive house cleaning operation that ranged through the four floors of our communal home (28 people can clean or or destroy a house very quickly). Afterwards our Mexicana party theme included wearing fake mustaches, eating burritos, and playing ridiculous games. Competitions ranged from a pinata (beheaded by a giggling woman in one swing), to blindfolded fighting with foam noodles (everyone was sober at the Christian party), to other blindfolded antics.

The party provided and excellent juxtaposition to the stream of news about elections, wars, and economic downturns. Even in a world of miserable headlines, I have great reason to celebrate life and a God who loves me (and you).

Stop 26 - Los Angeles

Running through an airport with rolling luggage without a working escalator was an excellent workout. Though the luggage weighed less than my pack in the Bataan Memorial Death March, my race to catch a flight back to DC did not result in a victory. Out of breath and exhausted, I found myself with an extra 11 hours of unanticipated vacation (or layover) in LAX. Not wanting to waste the day, I headed to the USO Lounge to enjoy a plush couch and write my blog post. As a nerdy example in recursion, I posted a picture above of myself writing on my blog.

The minor setback at LAX gave me time to think about how much I have to be thankful for. Unlike my brothers-in-arms, I have not been shot at or had a car bomb explode close to my location. Along with physical safety, God has granted mercy for all of my mistakes and failures through Jesus' death on a cross.

What do you have to be thankful for?

Stop 25 - San Deigo (The Call)

While in southern California, my YWAM team stopped to pray at UC San Diego. Although I did not meet movie stars, I decided to spend some time with the 'Cat in the Hat' and Dr. Seuss. Unfourtunately, I forgot to bring mountonous headwear to match the cat's style. (see picture of the statue)

After a walk through the campus, we decided to stop and pray at the famous monument to humanism called 'The Snake's Head' near the campus library. Despite standing near man's pinnacle of self-worship, we saw God is still alive and active on the campus of UC San Diego.

Tomorrow, I plan to The Call in San Diego. Based on Joel 2 in the Bible, thousands of people are coming together to fast and repent to God. The hope is that God will have mercy on America and bring a divine solution to national crisis.