One great vacation

Fear not, I arrived home safely just under a week ago. The trip was amazing. If you get a chance, you should go. We saw a lot of great things without spending too much money. Waterfalls, mountains, castles, cathedrals and the sea. We ate sandwiches we made, slept in people's homes and twice slept in the car.

I traveled with two of my best friends, Jordan & Chris, and my new close Polish pal, Michal. As a car full of believers the trip had spiritual implications too. I attended two masses (Michal is Catholic), had deep conversations, saw amazing creation and read some great books.

It's bittersweet. Vacation is great for reloading and relaxing but it's good to be home. To sleep in my own bed and go back to work. I felt a little behind but after playing a little catch-up I'm getting ready for another year as a campus minister. I'm stoked to see what the year in store. Pray that I follow God's will and don't stand in His way.

Here are some pictures from the trip. Enjoy...

I'm outta here (and not a minute too soon)

well, i just spend the last 5 weeks working 5-7 days/week on renovating our new coffee shop. It is finally up and running. Go to www.greyhousecoffee.com and see what's up. Best place in town!

In other news, I fly out tomorrow for my two-week vacation in Europe (Poland, Germany, Italy) with two of my best friends. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity probably. I am super excited. Say a prayer for me. I'll post pictures someday.

See you in another 2 weeks or so.

peace,

-SAM-

Greyhouse Construction

We are well into week 2 of demolition and construction of our beloved coffee shop. It's hard work. It is almost entirely being put together our staff and volunteers. Praise Jesus for all the people setting time aside to help us remodel the shop. The place was in pretty shabby shape when we got there so it's an uphill battle. It's totally worth it though. In many ways we're working 7 days a week; Monday-Saturday at Greyhouse and all our responsibilities on Sunday still need to be fulfilled.

While I can't for the shop to be finished and opened, it's nevertheless been good "laboring for the Lord." This is all about telling people about Jesus and bring our God glory. May I never forget that (even when I'm sleepy or bash my thumb with a hammer).

Peace be with you...

2 cool quotes

1) "The world promises temporal things of small value, yet is served with great affection; but God promises high & eternal things & the hearts of people are slow & dull."
-Thomas Kempis; Imitation of Christ-BookIII, Ch3



2) "If you are willing to share what is everlasting, you should be that much more willing to share things which do not last."
-William Sloane Coffin; The Courage To Love-Ch1, pg4

We invest so much in this world yet it is temporary. All I think about is my own, current comforts. I should be investing in the eternal. I especially like the Coffin quote; I'm so quick to share the gift of salvation (which I should) but I'm even quicker to hoard my money and time.

It is my duty as a Christ-follower to try to bring God's kingdom to earth. To see His kingdom come. Otherwise we'd be swept off to heaven after being saved. But we're not, we're left here to tell others about Jesus through our lives.

My prayer: May we no longer be self-absorbed but Christ-absorbed. May we be willing to share all that is everlasting and temporary. I pray that we invest in the eternal and forsake the fleeting things of this world, for God's and our brother's sake. Help us to be more like You. We want to see Your kingdom lived out here on earth. In the Name of the One who died for us. AH-MEN

Jamaica Trip

I just got back from leading a 10 day mission/service trip to Jamaica. I traveled with 16 students and another staff member to the greater Montego Bay area to serve in orphanages and a public school. Check out the website to Robin's Nest Children's Home, an awesome orphanage that is certainly doing things right. I could type 100 pages of stories but that would take too long. Suffice it to say that it was amazing and I believe God used us to bring His kingdom to earth. Here are some of my favorite pictures:

Check out the rest of our photos HERE.

Here's Gabe!

It's the only picture I have thus far. I'm pretty sure he's the blue one with floppy ears.

Uncle Sam

What's happening? Something big happened at 1:16am on Saturday April 26th. I became a blood uncle for the first time. My little sister gave birth to a 5.1 lbs (slightly premature) baby boy. I now am responsible for buying gifts, ice cream and weapons for my nephew, Gabriel Kenneth Johnsten. It is my duty to get him all jacked up o sugar and caffeine so that I can send him home to be a little monster for his parents. It's a hard job but some has got to do it.

My brother-in-law, Sean, is a great guy and already a great father to a very well behaved 4 year old girl named Alexia. I hope to have the ability to play the same role in her life however I have to spend some more time around her before she feels comfortable around me.

It'll be a challenge investing in both Gabe and Alexia considering I live 2 hours away. That may not sound like a long distance but it feel like an eternity away. If I am not around frequently in their young years they may not even know who I am. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing.

Anyway, I don't have a picture of him but this is what I imagine he looks like...that's right he wears a top hat and drinks champagne.