2009

Happy New Year! I look forward to all that the Lord has in store for us. . .and ultimately for His glory. And I hope you had a nice Christmas, how cool is it that we get to celebrate Christ's birth all year long?!

I am doing well. Christmas at home was relaxing and reflective. Good to be with family. New Year's was grand - 700+ college students, San Diego, awesome teaching, worship, and action. . .and this is part of my job?! It was in the midst of ringing in the New Year with worship that I realized that there is no other campus I'd rather be at and no other group of students I want to minister to. Thankful for this peace and assurance as I start out a new year with no promise that it will be easy, but really a promise for just the opposite. And yet I'm so hopeful for what God wants to do here and worldwide before He returns. My prayers are with Israel. I'm doing a study through 1 Samuel - learning a lot about Israel and the crazy journey that the Lord has them on. Hard to wrap my mind around, and in light of this I'm just so thankful that He's God and I'm not.

It was quite an amazingly sunny day in Berkeley today - tomorrow will be as well, which has me so excited to go for a run (well, more of a jog :)) at the Berkeley Marina. Great paths and a view of the Golden Gate. . .and you know how much I love being near (and in, but not in this case - don't worry) water! Church today was great today as well. I'm just so thankful for the body of Christ - and particularly the New Church Berkeley family. I love how simple, yet reverent, worshipping the Lord in a small church can be. He is a great provider!

The students don't return to classes until next Tuesday but this week will be full none-the-less. Touching base with supporters, getting organized for the second half of this year and. . .starting my staff application. Yep, I'm joining staff with Campus Crusade for Christ this summer! I'm so thankful for the Lord's leading in my life and the role you've played in supporting me in countless ways to get me to this point. There currently is no other thing I can see myself doing then serving the Lord so that lost students have the opportunity to become Christ-centered laborers for His glory.

Well, how's that for a little update?! :) I want to try to get back into the swing of things again here. . .thanks for being patient with me and I'm praying for our week - that our eyes would be on Him, regardless of what awaits. I'll be back with another update soon!

- Arijaan