So 2007 is just about over. It's been quite a year. Getting settled in Pasadena, riding the Gold Line to work, and sharing that commute with Una for much of the year were really nice. Attending OSCON 2007 in Portland and travelling with Una to San Francisco and Big Sur were also neat.
<!-- SUMMARY_END -->
On the down side, there was a lot of drama at work this year, and my Mom has been sick since November, which has been hard on everyone. The doctors have said all along that it's treatable, and we've seen some improvements, but we've also had some setbacks that make the process really hard, especially for my folks. We'd really appreciate your prayers, good vibes, well wishes, etc.
On the up side again, Una and I have really enjoyed settling in at Pasadena Mennonite Church. Everyone there is really cool, and it feels like home. First Baptist is a great place - it was really the perfect place for me to be when I came back from Japan, and it's where I met Una. But folks at PMC are concerned for more of the same things we are and I feel like we can learn a lot and contribute a lot there. That's not to say it's perfect - having 50% Fuller seminary students and profs is neat but has also lead to us getting the middle of some "intense fellowship" over obscure theological stuff. But in the end we've grown through the experience and learned a lot.
Una and I are helping to lead worship at PMC too, and we've enjoyed it. It's challenging to work with a new format - PMC is more liturgical and less praise-chorus-y than First Baptist, so it forces us to try some new things, and many of our old tricks don't work. But we feel like there's a lot of depth to the worship at PMC, and we're grateful for the chance to serve there.
We're tying up a few loose ends tonight, and plan to try to see at least a little of the Rose Parade tomorrow morning. Una will also be sending out the New Years email that she's been working hard on. Those of you on The List know who you are. :)
Happy New Year!