Starbucks, Housing and U-turns.

My friends...it has finally happened!

I have secured a place to live.  I will send out my address once I have moved in just to make sure no mail goes there ahead of me.  The process was challenging no doubt, but where I ended up seems to be the right place.  Its an apartment on Brodie Lane; a main N/S drag through South Austin.  I am surrounded by shopping and you can see one Starbucks from another.  Heaven.  ;)

The team is currently gearing up for our first Launch Team Meeting which happens in T-minus 3 hours and counting.  We have been so encouraged by the the meetings so far and can't wait to see what God is going to do over the next 5 months before we launch.

I am beginning to acclimate to the weather down here.  I say that now and I'll probably have heat-stroke in the middle of Spring, but I would like to think that I am beginning to adjust.  I am still so engaged by the clashing of cultures down here.  Its a difficult thing to explain and one that I am desperately trying to understand.  The move into my apartment at the end of the month should help me dive in a bit and understand Austinites better.

One of the strangest things to get used to is the absurd amount of U-turn lanes in this city.  You think you're turning left, and before you know it your going back the way you came.  A strange little idiosyncrasy that I am beginning to enjoy...simply because I can drive around in circles (literally). 

I miss you all, and I am sorry that blogging isn't my primary strength.  I'm not even sure if anyone reads this!  haha.  I will try to be more faithful to update at least once a week.

Be blessed and stay in the Word.

L

Location, Location, Location....

Good afternoon friends.


This past week has been full of highs and lows, filled with experiences, and brimming with hope.  I have to admit, I miss you all so much.  I feel like part of me is missing, and at the same time, a new piece of me is coming alive.  


I never would have imagined it to be this difficult to find a place to live.  Townhomes, apartments, houses....my brain is fried. Emotions are everywhere in the absence of normalcy and my ability to rationalize under pressuaurare is being tested.  At the same time, I have found so much comfort in the unexplored.  All of this is proving to be a chance to redefine my character.  


Austin's surrounding area offers an entirely different mode of stimuli than Colorado Springs.  Its a beautiful 75 here today and I write this to you from a bench overlooking Lake Austin.  Flowers are beginning to bloom and some of the smells have been simply glorious.  Although I do miss the crisp Colorado air, I am beginning to fall in love with the aura that is Austin.  


As my search for a housing location is still underway, I ask for your prayers.  I would love for this process to be over sooner than later, but I want to learn whatever it is God has for me in the process.


Also, I need your support now as much as ever; both through prayer and giving.  Your donations are helping to keep me above water down here and I genuinely appreciate anything you are able to do.  If you haven't given before, instructions are available on the right side of this page. 


I love and miss you all very much.  Keep me in your prayers as you are in mine.  


L

I Have Arrived

Well good morning world, and hello Austin.

I arrived here safe and sound Tuesday afternoon and its been great.  I met all manner of weather on my trip down; snow, sleet, fog, rain, sun, wind...some beyond the ambit of what I would have expected my southern course to provide.

I spent the night in Lubbock on Monday with Jim and Radene Fuller.  Their house is a perfect half way point between The Springs and Austin.  I believe the term "southern hospitality" was birthed at their house.  There can't be many other people as generous as them.  I got a hearty night sleep and was on my way again bright and early the next morning.

"So what is your course of action now that you have arrived in your new city?" you might ask.  Let me take you on a journey to explain the answer.
Yesterday, I searched for a place to live.  Today, I am searching for a place to live.  Tomorrow, however, I will be (yes indeed)...searching for a place to live.

I have been so blessed to have Tony and Carrie Black open their home to me for a brief time while I search for other living quarters.  They have been awesome to get to know and have provided me much sound wisdom about Austin.

There is so much to take in and so much to accomplish.  I am pleased that my waiting period is over and that I am now able to dig my feet in and get my hands dirty.  What will the next years hold?  My hope: whole-hearted abandon for a city who's time is yet to come.

"Wherever you are, be all there.  Live to the hilt every situation that you believe to be the will of God." ~ Jim Elliot

I'm Back

It is from the same Starbucks, on the same street, at the same time of day, sitting in the same chair with the same beverage that I write you my next update!

This trip has already been wonderful.  It was super dumb trying to get here though as the Austin Airport ran out of de-icing fluid.  Why in the WOLRD would AUSTIN of all places run out of fluid that takes ice off of planes and runways.  Something just doesn't add up.

So Spero and I arrived to our hotel sometime around 7 PM...12 hours after we had left our houses.  We went out and grabbed dinner at an amazing sports bar called "Tully's" and then proceeded back to the hotel to grab some sleep.

This morning found me starting my day at Mozart's Coffee shop; a modest little place sitting right on the river.

I then decided to take my incredibly indecent pair of flip flops for a nice long walk...around 10 miles.  I trekked across the city (literally) and my ventures landed me back here.  Starbucks is a safe haven for people everywhere.  Its like a CIA safe house or PETA for neglected critters.  (Insert sarcastic political comments here)

So after 5 blisters and several cuts, I have decided that Austin is beginning to feel like home.  Although I have to laugh at how many strange looks I'm getting today for wearing a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops in 50 degree weather.  I have seen no more than 2 people today without a long-sleeved shirt or coat and everyone is complaining about how cold it is.  The ornery part of me wants to stand up and start asking, "Is it hot in here?  Can you turn up the AC?"

I feel like I'm beginning to understand the layout of the city and getting a better feel for the people also.  I can't wait to move down here in a little over 2 weeks!  We have our interest meeting tomorrow night on the 17th floor of the Hyatt Regency which overlooks the city lake.  Its going to be a beautiful view.  It seems I have left my camera cable at home, but I will upload pictures as soon as I can.

I love you all!  Be blessed.

L