Crazy Disciple

Things are going great

If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time, you undoubtedly have noticed that when I move, or things change drastically, that this is one of the first areas of my life that gets put aside.  Whether that is good or bad, I don’t really know; but I do know that things here in California are going really well.   I have been here now almost two weeks (it will be two weeks tomorrow) and I have been amazed at the level with which I have been able to just step right into this community.  

Since arriving, I have had the pleasure of taking responsibility for the audio podcasts, which makes so much sense to me as I have followed these podcasts for so long, and it only feels right to be able to give back into that area.   I have also had the fortune of editing a baptism video, using footage from over the years here at Mosaic.  It was so much fun!  (see the final product below)

Baptism video Mosaic - final take from Scott Mocha on Vimeo.

On top of those things, I have had oodles of opportunity to serve in every gathering I have attended, and it has been incredible.   Now the best part of doing all of these things, is that I truly feel like I am already making a difference here at Mosaic.  I feel like my talents are being heavily recognized, and put to good use, and I couldn’t ask for a better scenario in which to serve.   I have made so many like-minded friends and established so many new relationships that I just feel incredibly blessed and honored to engage in this journey every day.   The only limitations I am finding are in the hours that are available each day.  It’s awesome. 

It also looks like I will be using my programming, and software development skills in the coming days, weeks, months and maybe years. Mosaic is right in the middle of the process of implementing an extremely robust Operations Management System, and honestly I couldn’t imagine a project for which I was more uniquely qualified.   Talk about divine intervention!!!!   I am obviously just very happy to be here, and feeling like this is the beginning of a wonderfully amazing journey.   I’ll work harder at keeping you all more informed. 

A+!

My first Sunday at Mosaic

Yesterday was an intense but amazing day; I attended three Mosaic gatherings in three different parts of the city, and had three completely different experiences.  The first gathering was at 9:30 am in Pasadena.  Conveniently, only a few hundred yards from my house… literally.  It was a pretty big group of people whom had come together to start a new series entitled “Concrete: Stuff you can build on.”  For this location, and the two others I attended yesterday, the talks were being lead by Erwin McManus.  Walking up to the facility, it was amazing to see their book store, coffee shop, connect groups, etc. etc. all outside in the sunlight and warm California air.   There was a DJ setup also outside, providing a smooth trip-hop soundtrack to peoples conversations as they stood around exchanging hugs, handshakes and huge smiles.  It was really a nice way to start the day.  And of course, it was really cool to see Erwin speak again.

The second location, for which I had to leave Pasadena early, was in Beverly Hills at Beverly Hills High school.  Somehow Erwin beat me there…  I left Pasadena before him, and arrived in Beverly Hills 10 minutes after him…  I am fairly confident that I took the WRONG way.   None the less, I made it in time to get the full Beverly Hills experience.   This particular gathering meets in the auditorium of the high school, which by the way is ridiculously posh.  These students even have their own private parking garage… a multi-story parking garage… crazy.  Erwin also spoke at this location and I also saw many of the friends I have been getting to know over the last few days.  It seems amongst my circles, that Westside (Beverly Hills) is the most commonly popular.   (shhh… I think I liked Pasadena better.)

After BOTH of those services, and the extensive drive between them, it was time for some lunch in Beverly Hills with some great people.  Nearly replaying our Filipino dinner from Friday night; I joined Neil, Lito, and Stephan for some awesome Thai food in a really great (and not too expensive) restaurant.  We laughed and cut-up quite a bit, it is obvious that there are some deeper friendships forming.  I feel really fortunate to be making such friends. 

FINALLY, last night…  I was able to attend the Mayan.  If you’ve ever heard me talk about Mosaic, then you have probably heard me talk about the Mayan, although I had never been until last night.  The Mayan is a nightclub in downtown LA, it’s the same club where Rockstar INXS was filmed a few years ago.   ‘School of Rock’ filmed its grand finale concert at the Mayan, as well as several artists and bands performing concerts, and having concert DVD’s filmed at the Mayan.  It’s a top-tier nightclub and to be blunt, it is incredible.   What is even MORE incredible though, is that Mosaic has a gathering in this nightclub every Sunday night, and it  is really done WELL.  The ambiance is perfect, with DJ’s playing intro music and creating the atmosphere.  The walls are covered in Aztec and Mayan statues with dramatic lighting reminiscent of a theme park, it’s just the perfect location for a church… lol  Even the main bar of the club is put to use, and becomes the “bookstore” or media table, alongside with connection opportunities, and information.  It was so cool!!!

I could go on and on about the location, the music, the atmosphere, because it really was ALL top notch.  However, the most impressive thing to me was the group that came to experience that night.  They came to experience community, and to maybe experience pieces of faith for the first time.   This is by far the least “churchy” of all the gatherings I attended yesterday (and none of them were really churchy at all) and the design is to create an atmosphere for those who otherwise might not ever go to a church.  I should say that it is working, and working well.   The entire club was packed, people were sitting on stairs, floors, and tables because there just weren't enough chairs for everyone.  The music was incredible, the message was the same as had been preached all day, “What to do with the Bible” but suddenly, that night, it felt more poignant than ever before.  It was never so clear that there were people in that audience who were thinking about those things for the very first time…   and that makes me VERY excited.  

Sorry for the long post…  There is really so much to say, and I am even cutting it short.   I’ll undoubtedly write more about the Mayan in the future.  I expect I will be giving a lot of myself there. 

Finally made it to the beach

I don't think that I chose the best beach in LA for my first, but it was the closest. I am sitting here on Santa Monica Beach, listening to the powerful surf come in and go out. Although it isn't the highest rated beach in town, it's not too crowded and it seems like the perfect place to start my inevitable love affair with the Pacific Ocean.

I went out to play in the surf a little and was surprised at how powerful these waves really are. Being amongst them really inspires contemplative moments and big smiles. The only similarities between here and Croatia, my last experience with the sea, is the sun and the salt. The water here is not blue, nor is it clear, nor is it calm... But it holds it's own unique charm and wonder. I haven't yet figured out how to deal with the sand though, it seems to have gotten in everything.

Ironically, there are pigeons even here. I wonder if they followed me from Paris? They seem to handle the sand and it's complexities without difficulty, and certainly haven't forgotten how to beg for food. None the less, they are joining me for the beginning of this new chapter in life, the next chapter... I wonder what we'll call it?

California is strange

It gets hot here, like crazy hot… Pasadena doesn’t have the pleasure of being by the sea, and instead gets to experience the sun in all of its glory without all the fancy wind to cool it off.   It is the hottest weather I have experienced since being back in the states… but interestingly enough, it gets rather cool at night.  Today for example, my car thermometer said that it was 96 degrees outside (35.5 C) but it felt like 104 F (40 C).  Tonight, as the sun has set, the temp is already down to 68 F (20 C).  With low humidity that feels pretty incredible.  I may have to find a way to skip daytime… especially with all of this smug (yuck!)

I also had the chance today to meet another Protégé named Nikki, as well as some people from Mosaic.  It was a real joy to connect with these like-minded people, whose journeys remind me of my own.  After meeting and getting to know Nikki a little bit, Neil and I cooked steaks out on the grill.  It felt like nothing short of a celebration of the next step.   Neil even spiced the steaks up with some hot Thai chilies, oh man it was HOT, but so so good.  For desert, grilled peaches!   Awesome stuff!

A few job scenarios also came my way today, nothing was offered to me of course, but I am starting to get my eyes on a whole new world of opportunity.  The most promising from today is a possible job teaching a six-year-old French expat boy how to speak English and help the family get accustomed to living in the United States.  Can you believe someone would actually pay me to do that?   Oh man, it sounds like something I would probably do for free, but hey…  i need the income.  

So that is it from LA before going to bed tonight.   I started this day not really liking my new city much, but after some great conversations, a good meal, and a taste of hope and possibility, I am going to sleep happy.  Tomorrow is another new day, HOW EXCITING!   

Here’s the new pad, Chez Moi.

I have nearly been in Pasadena for 24 hours and already things are coming together.  Here is a picture of my new place that I am sharing with Neil.  It’s a great little two-bedroom home sitting right in a cozy little neighborhood of Pasadena.  It’s only a few miles from the school, and a few hundred feet from the offices of Mosaic.  It’s perfect.  

Starting this morning, the job hunt goes into full speed.  I have the opportunity to work a bit while going through the Protégé program, up to 25 hours per week, so I am seeking to make those hours count!   Also the opportunities to serve at Mosaic are already showing their faces, and I can see that this will be an intense and life-changing time here in LA.  

The first 24 hours however have already been a remarkable example of how well things are going here.   I have met people and made connections both with the church and with some pretty incredible business leaders in the area.  Also it seems that most everyone here is a transplant of sorts, so they all seem to understand the initial shock of moving to LA.  I am thankful for that, as I believe there is some extra tolerance extended in reaching out to anyone and everyone.  I guess we will see how that all turns out!

It sure is hot here though… ooh la la, il fait TROP chaud.  I guess I will be missing winter pretty badly this year, lol.  Oh well, I didn’t come here for the weather.  :)

Half way there

I am so exhausted.  I drove nearly 800 miles today in almost 11 hours…   WOW.   So that puts me in Gallup, NM.   I completely enjoyed driving through Oklahoma, Texas and most of New Mexico though, it was GORGEOUS.   Thankfully however, I am now sitting in a cheap motel, trying to ignore the smell of stale smoke in my non-smoking room, and ignoring the sounds coming through the walls.   The simple fact of the matter is that I am over half way to LA.  YEAH!!! Tomorrow, there will be another 642 miles to drive, in what is expected to be 9.5 hours.   I am going to try and beat the sunrise, so as to see the beautiful painted desert in the gorgeous morning sun.  Wish me luck!

Maybe for those beautiful moments I will actually STOP for a photo.  This one I attached here was taken just outside of Albuquerque as the sun was setting over the formations…   Gorgeous stuff really, and pay no attention to the pikepass and rearview mirror in the foreground.  Hey, the road was nearly empty.  Haven’t you ever seen someone driving with a giant DSLR camera held up to their eye?  Uhhhh, me either.   

I did get some video of the drive too, and it should be *thrilling* (not) but maybe with some careful editing and the right soundtrack, I can wrap up a 21 hour drive and make it look fun.  I guess we will see after tomorrow.  For now, I am going to SLEEP.   G’Night!

FINALLY FULLER

Oh man, I have been biting my tongue for what seems like forever about this other segment of my upcoming journey to Los Angeles.   As you may remember, or undoubtedly have heard a lot from me, I was accepted into the Protégé program of Mosaic back in July.   This is a program I have been researching and dreaming about for the last two years, and this is an organization I have been learning from for most of my Christian life.  Once you have been accepted into that program however, the next step is to also enroll in a seminary in which to study while going through the program. 

There are two choices of seminaries that work with the protégés, one being Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, and the other is Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco.  BOTH are amazing schools, but my personal preference was to attend Fuller, due to it’s multi-denominational environment.  With it being one of the most recognized and respected seminaries in the country, I knew that being accepted into the school was anything BUT assured.  

The application process was intense, with many essays and thesis to write, alongside with pastoral recommendations, and strict requirements of previous ministry experience.  It took me approximately two weeks to complete the entire application and submit it to the school to be considered for acceptance.   I also was doing these things from Paris, so there were some difficulties in getting all of the little pieces together and to the right places.  Thanks to the internet, and some crafty help from Pastor Mike and my Mom, we got everything submitted just in time.   Then came the waiting game. 

I left Paris two weeks after I submitted my application, and have been waiting with baited breath ever since then to make the announcement on my blog.   I just kept thinking that I would find out ANY DAY if I was actually admitted into the school.  One week went by, then two, three and finally four…   no news.  It was beginning to look like things weren’t going my way.  I started to really stress about the whole scenario, realizing that it was looking like I would actually leave for Los Angeles without knowing if I had actually been admitted into Seminary.

Suddenly, last Wednesday, I came to the realization that God truly had this under control.  Whether I was admitted or not to this seminary, I just had to trust that it was the RIGHT thing, and that whatever way it worked out was the way that it was supposed to work out.  I needed that breath of peace to enter my life about this subject, I was really letting it bother me.   Then last night, Friday night, as I sat and had dinner with J-Riv and Vivi, I got the fated email from Fuller…   I had been accepted!  

SO, as of today, I am officially admitted and accepted into Seminary…  SEMINARY!  Can you believe it?   God only knows where all this goes from here, but until then…   MAN, WHAT A RIDE!

Hanging on for dear life

If you look closely at this picture, you will see a bug who has (by this point) traveled a few miles with me attached to the hood of my car.   He started out facing backwards, and his wings were getting blown around in the wind, but his marvelously adherent feet kept him in place.  As I drove down the street, I remember thinking about how well he was enduring the journey.  Then, as if he was thinking of the aerodynamics and not the intense discomfort of having his wings facing the wrong way, he decided to turn around.   This was all happening at 50mph mind you, and he never fell off.   Once he turned around, this little fellow enjoyed an effortless and beautiful journey through the Oklahoma highways to a new land, a new home, and all it took was him hanging on for dear life.

I hate to be obvious, but you undoubtedly saw the analogy reference coming didn’t you?  The last few weeks of my life back in the states have followed this example to a “T”, and it seems that only about a week ago did I finally get turned around and fall into the slipstream of grace surrounding my present adventure.    Yes, God is here, and Yes, He is in control, but OH MAN…  this is a LOT of wind.  Soon I will be yet again in a new place, a new land, and a new home; and all I really have to do until then is hang on for dear life…    I’m hanging on, oh man, am I hanging on.

So to update you, I am back in Oklahoma for just a few more days before heading out to Los Angeles.   I have been here just long enough to refill my gas tanks, and also get used to being around my family and friends here.  It seems that the level of comfort is only arrived at briefly before it will be time again to leave, and head out to the next leg of this adventure.   I keep thinking that I am getting good at, or perhaps accustomed to leaving, but just as soon as that thought enters my head, the next wave of approaching tears comes.   It’s incredibly hard to be nomadic.  

I used to call this being “homeless.”  Of course this is a different sense of the word than we have come to accept in the world, but it feels real none the less.   I still am living out of suitcases, boxes, and carry-on bags; all the while trying not to unpack TOO MUCH, as I will only have to pack again soon.  My next step however, should be fairly long-tem, assuming it goes well.   I think perhaps I will have the chance to nest a little bit, and maybe actually hang something on a wall again.   That will be an incredible pleasure.   Until then however, I will get to say goodbye AGAIN, and go through that whirlwind of emotion AGAIN…   but hey, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.