I Have A Dream!

So, I have somewhat come to the conclusion that I hate dreaming; no I don't mean dream which is defined by having vision or goals of future desires. I am talking about flat out, when you go to sleep at night, the actual dreams you have. I look back to the bible times and see how God spoke to people in dreams and wonder how amazing that was. Then, i look up and ask God, "Why are my dreams so weird and so meaningless... or at least to my own belief." I am the type person who more often than not, has disheartening dreams. Dreams which don't uplift me but just leave me feeling weird or sad. For instance having loved ones get really sick or die, or just crazy dreams of me about to die, and now that I work at a restaurant i have stupid recurring dreams of me forgetting to take care of my tables and them getting really mad. But honestly, I am at the point where I would rather have no dreams at all if God weren't speaking to me through them.

Ok, sorry for the random rant on dreams, but sometimes you have to just let things out. Maybe I have been thinking about it a little more since the new series we are starting at Colossae is on Hearing God's Voice. Chuck is taking us through this series trying to help us understand what it means to discern God's voice and how we can earnestly seek God in all things. My question is, "Where is my burning bush?!?!" Ok, i guess it isn't necessary and now that I think about it and look back even 10 months ago, I had to seek God's voice and try to decide where the Lord was leading me in life. One of the amazing things is, I have found that sometimes You hear God more clearly after you have decided on something. For instance, when I was deciding if I should move to Portland or to Seattle or stay in San Diego, I definitely got a lot of different opinions from different people and even saw the benefits of all of them through my time in prayer and in the bible. I started feeling that I could both best serve the Lord if I moved to portland and have the most room to grow. Yet, making that decision, I never had some beam of light peering from the clouds and the audible voice of God proclaim "Gregory, thou must venture to Portland for it is thine destiny" (yes, i like to imagine God speaking in old english). But I just felt that this would be an opportunity for me to be both outside of my comfort zone and also, truly let God work on some different areas in my life. It was after I made my move, after being here for a while that I truly felt I could hear God's voice revealing His joy in having me hear and understanding that I had made the right decision. So I am definitely excited for us to take a deeper look at understanding God's voice, especially since, if we call Christianity a relationship not a religion, then we best learn how to relate to God.

Picture Break!!!!

So I don't care who you are, if a cute baby picture doesn't make you happy, then i don't know what will! Matthew (my nephew of course) is the cutest kid ever.

Well, I guess I should mention a little bit of how life is going. It is definitely good and I am enjoying having life! Some days I definitely question that matter of why I must work at a restaurant but I continue to come back to the fact that God is using me there and that no other doors have been opened, so there is definitely reason for it. I am enjoying being up in Portland and definitely enjoy my home. I'd be lying if I said that I had an abundance of hugs... I do have somewhat of a hug deficiency, but what can you expect after leaving everyone you are close to behind. (Don't worry, i'm not getting all emotional on you, just stating something I miss). Right now I am just preparing for my first thanksgiving away from family. That will be a change for sure.

California Love

"let me tell ya a little story bout the wild wild west...."

Figured i should quote an excellent Hip Hop song from my generation =). Well I just got back on saturday night from my trip to beautiful Carlsbad, Ca. I got to fly down there for almost a week to spend time with my family and see my amazing nephew! This trip was great and a perfect time to step outside of real life to just have some fun. I'm not going to lie, when I visit Cali, i really have the easy life. The monday I arrived, it was actually raining some and of course, since I am now an Oregonian, I was blamed for bringing said moisture. Though i must say, California could REALLY use some more of it! The rest of the week was in the 80's, while back home in portland we are hitting about a 60 degree high. So, unfortunately i was forced to go back to wearing shorts and people lovingly pointed out the fact that "Greg, you are really white... i mean seriously, go outside for a while." Ok, maybe that is a little more dramatic than what people really say but they definitely aren't shy in bringing up this fact.

So probably the most amazing part of my trip was the time that I got to spend with my nephew and just seeing how much he has grown and how much he is progressing. I was seriously awe struck as this little boy who the last time i saw him, struggle to lay on his belly was now close to walking. Matthew brings so much joy to so many people, it is truly awesome.I figured this would be a good time to incorporate a picture of my nephew. Yes, we are definitely wearing matching Chargers outfits!!!! What better than Matthew all "Charged" up! Something you will notice about this picture, besides the fact that it he is the cutest kid in the world, is how he is pointing directly at the camera. His new thing these days is to point everywhere and have you take him there. This technique rarely works when adults use it but is very effective for this young man. It is pretty much amazing! He is becoming a little boy, no longer a baby.

The rest of the trip was great! It included a full thanksgiving dinner (since I won't be able to make it down for thanksgiving this year). And boy, i will tell you, that was a feast to remember. I don't know if it is the fact that I sometimes have to live off Top Ramon or just that the food was that excellent, but we had a great time. This trip also had a bunch of visits with friends that I haven't seen in a while. It was so nice to be able to have fellowship with these people that have so blessed my life. Overall, this was a great trip and a true blessing for me.

You have to admit, there is something nice about returning home after a trip. Sleeping in your comfortable bed, having everything you need (especially when it comes to musical instruments). Don't forget, going outside and being reminded of the need for a coat. I think right now I am just overjoyed with life. I have so many blessings and have just been able to do so much. There is probably more to say, but I feel i should wait until another time.