Hello Interwebs! Once again, I have let to much time lapse since I have posted on my blog. Apparently, blog writing actually takes some inspiration. Anyway, let me catch you all up to speed.

Recent History:

July 9th 2009 – I begin to seriously question whether or not I am supposed to go to Italy to start a Master’s Commission. Many things weighed into this, but in short the romance of working a ministry job in Europe wore off and I realized my short comings in regard to such an endeavor.

July 17th 2009 – I met Melody at work while on Tour in Seward Alaska. This meeting prompted a friendship, which in a months time would turn into a romance. We are currently dating and enjoying the friendship God has given us.

September 21st 2009 – My last day of work in Alsaka for the 2009 year. We celebrated by going on a backpacking trip, 40 miles through the Kenai Peninsula.

October 3rd, 2009 – I returned to Washington State after a road trip with Melody and other friends from Alaska.

October 12th, 2009 - I met with God while digging holes at my parents new house. I was digging out a foundation for a shed we were building. It wasn’t like God showed up out of the clouds, and in a manner similar to that of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, He said, “Jaaaaaacob! Go to Italy!”… it was more like in that moment of pouring out my heart God cleared all the busy-ness away and I remembered clearly the call that God had originally placed on my heart to go to Italy, back in October 2007. Despite the overwhelming reality of that conclusion, a wave of relief settled over me, for I knew which direction I was going. I am glad that I waited to return from Alaska before I decided to make a decision whether or not I would abandon my plans for Italy.

November 3rd, 2009 – I had decided previously that I wanted to make Washington State my home for missions work, and thus needed to find an Assemblies of God connection since it is with the Assemblies of God that I seek to do missions work.  On Nov 3rd I met with Pastor Tyson of Harbor Life Church in Gig Harbor, and started a friendship which is proving to be invaluable. My relationship with Tyson and Harbor Life, I believe, will be the connection I need to make Washington State my home.  I currently attend Harbor life aprox. 2 times a month, and spend the other 2 sundays at Mosaic in Everett, WA.

January 21st, 2010 – I finally completed and turned in my application for Missionary Associate with the Assemblies of God. This has been a long time coming, and brought much excitement. I also began working on my application for credentials with Gospel Crusade Ministerial Fellowship.

This, in brief, will catch anyone who is curious and hasn’t talked to me, up to speed. I am currently working on my application process with the Assemblies of God, and living at my parents’ house on Anderson Island, WA. I spend as much time as possible communing with my family, taking advantage of the time that I am given with them. As far as ministry goes, Pastor Matt of Mosaic has given me the honor of preaching at his church on two different occasions. Both sermons in audio mp3 format are available for download by following the below links:
11/08/09 Colossians 1:15-23 (Christ is Sovereign)
01/10/10 Colossians 3:17-4:1 (House Hold Roles)

I plan on attending the Master’s Commission Europe Conference in Amsterdam, March 3rd-6th, and am excited about meeting other Master’s Commissions from europe there. After the conference I will be going to Padova, Italy for approx. 2 weeks to visit the church.

Finally, I wanted to let anyone who reads this in on my current mindset: my resolve to follow the Lord as far as I can has been renewed. I do not set my sights on ministering in Italy, I set my sights on honoring Him and knocking on the doors He has provided for me in this phase of my journey. To undertake ALL is overwhelming… I shall leave that up to Him. Meanwhile, I will seek to be obedient in whatever He asks of me.

Cheers!

jacob