It is hard to specify the excitement I have towards the future. It is like an adventure I know I am embarking on yet not really understanding what is going to happen. But it is also hard to say goodbye to Colorado. I really love this state. I was born here. I love the mountains, the Broncos, and Denver. And it is with this twist of emotion that I look around and realize there is a lot more work to be done. Less typing and more packing! Tomorrow we start our journey across the country. I expect lots of corn and sunflowers in the immediate future. And hopefully a good roadside chicken fried steak. Carolina or bust!

The past few days have been quite difficult. Mandy and I have been constantly on the move — even when we are not moving, our minds certainly are. There are lots of things to ponder and question. There are decisions that have to be made. And while we are confident in our larger decision to move to South Carolina, there are dozens of other decisions that cause confusion. And over the past couple of days, I have come across the obvious answer.

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It seems there has been a lot of junk happening in our lives recently. It is as if someone is trying to interfere with progress. Makes sense, right? If we are truly following God we can only expect to have some difficulties. Jesus promised that right before His high priestly prayer:

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House is up for sale. Packing has begun. And now Tony has made me famous.

I am praying that God will allow this all to happen smoothly. It would simply be swell if someone bought our house this weekend AND if we could find one in Anderson this weekend, too. Pray with us for that!

I am pretty giddy about being back in South Carolina in a couple of days. These truly are exciting times. I am also pumped about virtually meeting so many cool people in and around NewSpring — can’t wait to meet them in person!

It occurred to me today that packing is like going to the dentist. It hurts a little, you find a lot of stuff you don’t want, and it takes altogether way too much time. Mandy and I are nomadic; we love to move around. But it is a pain. Again, kind of like the dentist’s ultrasonic gum-cleaner thingy. Painful, but feels good. Every time we move, we get rid of stuff. Given the circumstances, we are getting rid of a lot this time around. I must own thousands of books; I suppose I collect them, much to Mandy’s chagrin. But I just boxed up several hundred headed for the thrift store. (The Castle Rock thrift store uses donations to feed the needy - I like that.) And I have a few hundred more boxed up headed for Denver Seminary. Maybe they will name a building or park bench or tree or probably a small plant behind the chapel after me. I do hope someone can be blessed by this relatively painful experience.

I realize it is a shock (grin) but we are moving again! This time it is far. Like really far. The story goes like this: I was looking for a job change. First, the instability of my current position was disconcerting. Second, the idea of being a traveling consultant became less and less appealing. I called my old friend, Brian, and told him what was going on. The next day, he sent me a couple of links about a job he had seen posted. I thought then, and think now, that it is the perfect job for me.

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I have met many new people in the past few days. It is uncanny how so many of them are so cool. Not like leather-jacket wearing, piece-of-hay-in-the-mouth cool but just real people who I have been able to connect with. In one conversation I had, the discussion of the call of God came up. I have always struggled with this topic and yet in this quick conversation, I was amazed by the simple equation given to me.

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There are many things in the world to be fearful of. As a husband, a father, and a leader, I try to be fearless whenever possible. I love to fly, I enjoy public speaking, and I enjoy being in places others think are dangerous. There are a few things that scare me, though. I am afraid of heights. I have tried many times to conquer it (even sky diving) and endured the scorn of those around me, but the fear remains. I really do not like small rodents, like mice or rats or voles. Mandy thinks this is a fear, and she is probably right. Then there are the fears of the intangible. There is a fear for the safety of my children. There is one fear, though, that I have that has the potential to be the most damaging.

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