THE BLOG

This blogspot was dedicated to my journey as a Mosaic Intern during the summer of 2006. I encourage you to click on some of the archieved months to see some of things that I was able to experience during my 10-weeks in L.A.

Please feel free to e-mail any questions and inquires you may have. Mosaic is a beautiful place to be apart of. To live in L.A. was a blessing.

"Live to Love and Love to Live"

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

I have been home from my internship for a week now and, well, to be quite up front -- I am pretty much missing everything at this point. It's kind of weird to think that only a handful of days ago I was chilling with people from USC, Mosaic and the Union Rescue Mission just to name a few.

If someone were to hand me a $1,000,000 right now to trade in all my memories and experience from this past summer, there is absolutely no way I would do. I would not exchange my journey for anything in the world. Not a thing. It's great to look back and realize that I had a "full experience" during my 10-week adventure!!

Certainly there are a few singular experience that stick out more than others. The evening with Erwin, Baptism, the Picnic and my first visit to Dodger Stadium just to name a few. It was just the culmination events that made it one of the best, if not the best, experiences of my life.

During my drive back I thought it would be a good idea to list all the specific memories for the 10-weeks ... Well, I had that piece of paper full in like 10 minutes! I was giving such a blessing that I will probably never be able to repay. God really taught me a lot of loving people well and being grateful for what He has provided for me.

I loved L.A. and not just Mosaic. The people there, for the most part, are spiritual but they have no idea who God is. It is such a unique culture that, at least to me, is the most beautiful I have ever been around. Sometimes tough to love but always a blessings to be there.

Trying to live like a Barbarian ...

PICTURES FROM FINAL WEEKEND

The last two days were spent doing one of three things: hanging out, Baptism Party or at the final gathering on Sunday. Just a few pictures from those events ...

MEET ANNIE, DAVE, KYLE

I totally forgot to put the final three interns on the page so here's a brief snapshot ...
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ANNIE

NAME: Annie Braine

SCHOOL: Was at Ferris State, might go to Liberty!

AGE: 21

CLAIM TO FAME: Somedays I felt bad for any because seemingly she was at the tail end of every joke during the internship! Sorry Annie!!

She worked with the Artisians at Mosaic during the summer and did a pretty awesome job at it. Very loyal to making her phone calls and keeping the artisans community informed.

Her Love Language: Physical Touch (for some reason I can't remember her Myers Briggs!)

DAVE

NAME: Dave Gerber

SCHOOL: Recent Graduate of Cedarville College

AGE: 23

CLAIM TO FAME: Still at Mosaic as apart of the Portege' program. Over the next two years he will work with college students while attaining his Masters in Global Leadership.

During the summer internship he worked extensively with college students at Loyola Marymont, FIDM and others schools. He did an amazing job.

Dave is also a solid baseball player as well. A fan of the Minnesota Twins but I didn't really hold that again him - HA!

MYERS-BRIGGS: ISFP

KYLE

NAME: Kyle South

SCHOOL: Manhatten Christian College

AGE: 22

CLAIM TO FAME: Probably the best athlete among the internship group and by far the most competitive person in the group. Pretty much a stud basketball and volleyball player.

Besides the fact that he had probably the most goofy laugh among the group, he worked with the college students in the Southern California area.

I gave him the title of "Lead Chair Guy at Mosaic" because he was ruthless about getting all the chairs set up correctly and quickly.

MYERS-BRIGGS: ISFJ

UNLIKELY HEROS

During my final Sunday at Mosaic they launch a new series called "Unlikely Heroes" based around certain individuals in the Bible. To kick off the series Eric Bryant broke-out this absolutely amazing talk on the life of Joshua ...
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"Don't limit people by their status level or title"
-Eric Bryant

Exodus 24:9-14

- Moses' aide, intern, assistance - Joshua - followed first and used that process to learn how to lead. If you can't be entrusted to follower, you will never be entrusted with followers.

Joshua 4:20-24

- Joshua gave praise instead of trying to recieve it when God blessed him. Joshua stepped into his moment of blessing because he lacked selfish-ness.

Phil. 2:3-11

- Question: If serving isn't beneath Jesus, why should it be beneath us? Are we living our lives trying to lead Jesus around or are we allowing Him to lead us?

THE SETTING SUN

Friday was a some what strange day in Southern California as I woke-up to rain the morning but only a few hours later the sun was brightly shining all around and good times were had at Huntington Beach.

For the first time in roughly 15 years I went swimming in the ocean. I don't know mean just sticking me feet in the water so it only gets ankle deep, I mean I was all out in the waves having an amazing time. Makes me wonder why it took me so long to get back in the ocean.

In a lot of ways I felt like a kid who just hit his first home run in little league. It was just a blast to interact with everyone in the ocean for about 90 minutes.

The last weekend here is going to be quite interesting. I have enjoyed this journey / adventure / experience so much more than even I anticipated. I can not truly describe how bittersweet it is to be leaving. I am going to miss everything that is going on here so much. More than I can even describe. However, I can not wait to see what God has for the next chapter of my life.

I will update more once I return to the midwest. Enjoy the Pacific Coast ...

FINAL VENTURE TO SKID ROW

So after 10 weeks of visits to the Union Rescue Mission to clean toilets, serve meals and help out with various events I had to say "so long" to one of my favorite places during my time in L.A.

The people that I have met during my time there have shown me so much about so many different things. More specifically, I will always have a fond memory of Victor (pictured). This guy's story about being addicated to a variety of things and being able to get help and live a life that is God honoring is so freakin' inspiring.

The full-time kitchen staff was a fun bunch of people. It was such an "experience" each time I stepped into that place to serve a meal. I will miss them greatly.

I also will never, ever forget the first time I served there the first Saturday in June when cleaning out the public toilets in the back alleyway of the mission. Talk about being faithful in the small things!

Each and everytime I went down there, the emotions that ran through my body were countless to remember. Feelings of sadness, hope, love, grace and optimism just to name a few. Did I make any impact on anyones life down there? I may never know. However, I do know that they have made an impact on mine!

FULLER VISIT

I think I might be holding on as tightly as possible to this area. Recent evidence of this comes from my visit to Fuller Theological Seminary. Maybe I just need an "excuse" to move out here on a more permanent basis.

Prior to coming here I had absolutely no intentions of even stepping on the campus of the school let a lone actually sitting down and talking with an admission counselor about the application process, classes, cost, etc., etc. However, there I was at 11 a.m. on Thursday morning talking about the possibilities of going to school there.

Since I have a year left of my Masters Degree in Ministry at Bethel to complete, I figured it wouldn't hurt to see what Fuller has to offer. So it turns out that I could actually transfer many of my credits into Fuller's program if I wanted to go for another Masters Degree.

After all that Masters Degree talk we started talking about Fullers Ph.D program -- Hello!?? Earth to Stephen ... What are you doing? I have yet to finish one Masters Degree let a lone actually even thinking about Doctoral work! I can barely spell the word "Theology" without looking it up!

Shoot who knows; maybe I will end up back in Southern California. At least I have a place to further educate myself.

Still holding on ....

ONE LAST SMALL GROUP

Our final small group proved to be the longest one of the 10 weeks. We all got a little keep sake from one another without it costing us anything. One by one were asked to describe each person with a word or phrase that best describes their character in Christ. Dana then wrote that on the white board beneath this really cool quote ... here's the quote and my word:

"God utters me like a word containing a partial thought of Himself. A word will never be to comprehend the voice that utters it. But, if I am true to the concept God utters in me, if I am true to the thought in Him I was meant to embody, I shall be full of His actuality and find Him everywhere in myself, and find myself nowhere. I shall be lost in."

- Thomas Merton

GOOD BYE TO "THINK TANK"

Quite possibly one of my favorite things to do week-in and week-out during my summer has been attending Think Tank each Tuesday evening on the campus of USC.

The wide array of questions was great each time. Some serious, some not so serious but either way it was really cool to watch people get totally engaged in one another lives.

Plus, Rosie (one of my favorite people in Southern California) made homemade cookies that were most excellent!! Because, after all, cookies are my favorite food.

Got Questions, Get Answers at Think Tank! (Ok, sounds corny but it was a great time each and every Tueday evening!!)

LUNCH FOR THE OFFICE

So what do you get when you put four guys and girl in a kitchen with three hours to cook food for roughly 35 people? Pretty much madness occurs!

It was a great thought. As a gift to the paid staff at Mosaic, let's cook up some chicken and steak fajitas for their lunch after their weekly office meeting. Fortunately for all the interns the cooking turned out to be a success.

We cooked up about 15 pounds of chicken and 10 pounds of steak along with massive amounts of rice and beans for Monday's lunch. Chopping onions and peppers and oh yeah, we also made up our own guacamole dip!

After slaving over a oven for about 2 1/2 hours everything was complete and the meal must have cooked well because we recieved no complaits from any of the office staff!

RUN TO ROSES

All summer long I told myself that I would run to the Rose Bowl from William Carey University. Since I am quickly running out of time to accomplish that feat, this morning I ran the 4.5 mile route one-way in about 30 minutes. Gotta tell you, it feels pretty good. I ran a little bit on the way back and probably ended up running about six of the nine total miles.

My legs are sore!! ... However it worth it!