AOW Retreat 2009

I just bounced back from my second retreat of the new year…and it's only the second weekend of the year.

Just nuts.

Some highlights:

• The whole sleeping-bag thing with 7 other guys in our director's office was full of jokes and interesting to say the least.  Ask me if you want details.
   
• Playing dodgeball in a random park in Monrovia.
  
  
• Doing monologue scenes with only 10 minutes prep time, and nearly pulled off my first crying scene.
  
  
• Renting out a yoga studio to try some body worship and dancing moves.  You might see some of that in future skits.
  
  
• Having spontaneous worship in a South Pasadena park…and performing our first gig at a coffeehouse across the street.
  
  
• Going on the mother of all donut runs to "Donut Man" in Glendora.  Everyone felt like a donut after eating one.
  

What are some fun things you did at your last retreat?

Rose Bowl Half Marathon 2008

A nod of thanks to those who have been following and/or cheering me onwards in my training.  It feels more worthwhile when I find we're in this together.

I've come to learn that every race, even if it's the same course, has a story of it's own to tell.  The longer the distance, the more there is to share.  This one is no different and none more unique than other ones I've raced.

So about a week before race day, I developed some sore muscles in my left leg above my ankle.  I had to cut my last couple workouts to give it the rest it needed.  I ran my last few easy runs with little pain, but I wasn't sure how it would hold during showtime.

On that Saturday morning, it didn't really matter.  The minute the gun went off, I found myself surging forward with the crowd.  Some were well stretched, some needed more emptying-time in the bathroom, some were just determined to finish no matter how they felt.

It's always the first couple miles where you're letting out the creaks and tightness in your lower body before you find your rhythm.  That was a good thing because it was the three-mile stretch of Orange Grove Blvd that felt like a treadmill missing an off-switch.  Just road, road, and more road.  When we looped around to the Rose Bowl, I was relieved because the first half of the race was done in good time (~ 46:58).

The trails, hills, and gravity took its toll as we ran higher ground.  My left leg started acting up again.  I felt like I 'm going to pull something on my other leg and then it'll be all over.  But the green change of scenery and knowing that really, most of the race is done, pushed me forwards through the nagging pain.

The support came in good time.  Pasadena Pacers were manning the 10th mile fluid station, and I was greeted by several racers from last year's race!  Their smiles, cheers to press on, and applause became mine to take with me to the end.  And of course, there was AOW on the 12th mile to give that extra boost to the finish line.

Final time:

Going back to the 12th mile station w/ AOW.

On a separate note, it was good to be home for the holidays with the rest of the AOW family:

There's been thoughts in my head about running more races in the future.  Anyone interested?

Summer Rehash

Just when I thought things would actually cool to a legit fall weather, I find out it's going to heat up to the 90s again.  Global warming is funny.

Speaking of high temperatures, I suppose this would be a good time to update about my busy summer.  In between our church's annual youth retreat and a friends' wedding, so many things happened and .  I was gonna try to be make it into a somewhat coherent show-and-tell, but I'm a little all over the place now and so I'll go with it.  Besides, doesn't things like "organization" and "planning" sometimes ruin the fun?  =)

Here it goes:

On NYC: I haven't visited in 13 years so it was nice to see what's new around there.  Times Square, Wall Street, 9/11, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Queens Bridge, Greenwich Village, New York Harbor, Serrendipity III....just to name a few places we checked out.  And I can't forget the several pizza parlors and the world class cheesecake we devoured along the way.  I'm STILL editing / uploading all the pics from the trip, so you can check on my progress here.  Mental note to self: go in the late autumn or spring season for milder weather.  I'm serious.

On AOW Missions:  Sick.  Amazing.  Blessed.  For the first time, our drama ministry did a tour around churches and other different venues in the South Bay to minister through performances and community outreach.  God was everywhere and led us together along the whole way.  You can read my debrief letter here for more of the big and little things He did for us.

On worship leading: I recently had a conversation with a friend about the delicate balance between spiritual leading and good musicianship in musical worship - specifically the latter.

I feel like a good amount of the time, we focus on trying to glorify God so much with the "right" passage, prayers, and songs, that we forget how important it is to skillfully set that mood w/ instruments.  Keeping on top of the tempo.  Staying in key.  I know I'm not the greatest in doing all these things, but I am being faithful with these musical gifts I've received.

During our conversation, my friend's words also showed me how ridiculously EASY it is to approach worship with a critical heart.  People turning their attention to the worship leaders and focusing on their shortcomings.  Are people so stuck in their own bubble of opinions on what they think worship should be like, that they miss the whole point of simply worshiping God?  It's discouraging to see that happen - for people to put all that responsibility solely on the worship leaders and sometimes taking NONE of it themselves, especially being spiritually prepared when they walk through the doors.

But here's the cool part of the whole thing:  it's not really his/her job.  God is still in control; He lets all the good and bad and even the ugly be in some way a praise to Him through the music, even when it's not "perfect" and it doesn't "please" us.

On that note, I'm truly grateful for the encouragements and growth I have received from serving alongside worship leaders this past year.  They are rock stars in my book.


And there you have it. Everything behind my eyes when I look back at these past three months.  Thanks for reading.  This was fun.

AOW Photoshoot 2008

Two weeks ago...after 64+ shots with the group over the Colorado Street Bridge aka. Suicide Bridge with many laughs and poses under the hot 90+ degree sun...

I present to you the cast for Acts of Worship for the 2007-2008 Season

Stay tuned for a BRAND NEW website from this fun, as well as some booking dates to come in the late summer.

Yeah, you heard right - we're going on TOUR!! =D

Easter Sunday 2008

Christ is risen....

...He is risen indeed. =)

Praise God for such a special Easter that was marked with jubilant music, a complementing skit and a unique message that shined new light to this resurrection day. I don't think words can explain well - it's just God's touch for that morning.

Several offered their thanks and compliments, but I'm just happy that the skit tied so well with the sermon and the message clicked with everyone. Mostly, I'm thankful to God for this serving opportunity and pray for our ministry to do an even better job on the next occasion.

"Happiness is fleeting, but JC is 4ever." ~ C.C.

**Used in Creative Chaos**

AOW Retreat

Last weekend, all 12 AOW cast members, along with Marvin and his family, took a retreat up to Big Bear for a nice getaway from the city and life in general. We initially planned out so many tasks to be done for our upcoming season, but God was gracious enough for this to be an actual time of rest, worship, prayer, and just to be. Needless to say, it was a fun and splendid experience.

Highlights of the fun weekend:

• Hanging out together and playing improvisation games to loosen our
  


• Snowball fights all around on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
  


• Drafting together an AOW introduction or "preamble" we would do together as a group when we go on the road to other churches.
  


• Team sketching on challenging sermon topics to flush out ideas for future skits.
  

God is good. =)