Farewell, Michigan

Living simply lesson #1: I have too much stuff. Somehow, I knew it before packing, but as I emptied out the closets and cupboards of the old 1034 mancave after five years of accumulating, it seemed the rooms filled up faster than the storage spaces emptied. Was this some kind of crazy twist on the fish and loaves account in Matthew? How could I have so much stuff that my team of five dapper lads could barely squeeze it all into a pickup truck and my car?

Packing felt awful. Having to scrounge and dumpster dive for empty cardboard boxes. Thrice. Missing out on some last drops of quality time with friends because I had to pack.

On the other hand, it felt wonderful to leave all of my furniture behind, give a box full of plates to a friend, and take a pile of things to my church to donate. Feeling bad to squirrel away, feeling good to give away. Things look so much different in the Kingdom.

I packed up and shipped out just over a week ago now. Leaving was hard. I was already pulling out of the parking lot when I realized that day would hold my last Sunday worship at Ann Arbor First and the last time I would see my many cherished Michigan friends in a long time. The door had shut on my apartment of five years by the time I realized it would likely be the last time I would walk through it. Driving down Route 23, I realized it could be the last time I would make that five hour drive (not that I'll miss the Ohio Turnpike too much). Michigan, it's been real!

Behind, I leave the whips and chains/Before me spreads sweet Freedom's plains/Farewell, farewell

Psalm 118

Ok, ok. The Lord hath made all the Daves, true. But this Dave was made by the Lord, hand-crafted to enjoy life abundant and to strive for a future with hope. Whether you're a Dave or not, you were made by God with a purpose too! With a name inspired by a t-shirt and and the 118th Psalm, and brought to you by the internet and technology, welcome to my web log.

Right now, I'm starting this blog as I also start a new chapter of my life: becoming a US-2 Young Adult Missionary through the United Methodist Church. I recently returned from training and was commissioned as a missionary on August 12. I am looking forward to beginning my service at the General Board of Church and Society in Washington, DC in just a few short weeks!

Prayer requests:

• God's continued presence and provision as I transition from Michigan to Pennsylvania, and then to DC, and that my fellow Young Adult Missionaries would also enjoy God's movements as they transition.
• An open heart and mind for learning about social issues, and a soft heart and tongue for times when I may disagree.
• Opportunities to discern vocationally during this time of service - will I connect my engineering with my faith, or do something altogether new?