just because...

I'm working a little late tonight... now gonna shut it down, and I realized most of my last posts have been quotes or links... so not that personal.

Here's what's in my head the last several days...

Encouraged and excited: participated with the association of churches we partner with last week; they had a conference in Montreal; so many people had a light bulb go off about the uniqueness of Quebec for the church to live and thrive here. Some of my developing friends from other parts of Canada got a clearer sense of how to pray for us here.
- I did a Montreal tour with 350 other Canadians and got a chance to see Montreal in a new way. We ended the day joining 150 youth (on mission here for a week) on Mount Royal. We took communion, worshiped Jesus, and prayed for the city - all in the open air. I loved it, and so did my kids! I got to go back up to that spot.
- Hung out with friends from out West on Saturday for coffee, and others over dinner in Old Montreal (it was packed, but fun)
- Hosted David Balzer in our Sunday gathering. He's the radio show host of www.godtalk.com, a show that's all about creating a national conversation about God. He was great, down to earth, funny, and had lots of great things to say. He also has a passion for what he does.

This week I used up my day off to prep for a kids camp were running and getting extra work done before my vacation next week (YEAH).
We're hosting a great team of older teens. They are so stinking mature and caring, and good at what they do, it freaks me out. I wish more of us were like them when it comes to serving Jesus... they rock (THANKS GUYS)
- we've actually spent lots of time together (b/c it's a smaller team this year)

Rethinking Vision:
I had a meeting this week that will catalyze a re:visioning process for Westside. Westside has been around for 5 years (from inception with 4 people; 3 1/2 years from our launch) and has gone through a variety of learning curves, ups and downs, with lots of great things along the way (people transformed, the community impacted). Last season (2007/08) we saw a new energy reemerging, the previous year (2006/07) was getting ourselves onto a better track (biblically and missionally) readjusting our rhythm from the previous year (2005/06) of burning out. Funny how in all that God has brought people closer to himself and taught us some invaluable lessons about life, faith, following Jesus, and the true nature of church.
I'm excited about what this process will bring about. We might only see it's effects in about 6-12 months (not counting the energy it will put in everyone involved through the process in the meantime).
I'm excited about moving forward this fall, and I believe part of this fall will be movement forward and part of it preparing us for an even greater future.

OK, I'm tired, I'm going to bed.