FLUENT — free as the sky

This entry reads more like an update than other entries. As you will see, as I travel around the world, I am eager to continue to write and capture what God is showing me and highlighting to me. I invite you to continue to join in the journey this year.

I feel it in my bones. I feel it in the air.

After seasons of death, deconstruction, and a newfound desire, a season of definitive launching is upon us. I cannot and will not define what “launching” looks like this new season. That is beyond my territory and not even important. The river flows with all surprises and adventures. For now, I am merely happy to be in the river. . .

We have our biggest and longest trip in front of us to start the Year of the Rabbit, my 60th year. Just to bore you with big markers and brief descriptions of each leg:

Jan 17 thru Jan 31: The Philippines. Center Quest Asia School of Spiritual Direction is launching its inaugural cohort. Grace has a significant role in serving as a mentor as well as an instructor of two modules. CQ Asia starts its opening residency during the last week of January.

Jan 31 thru March 31: Malaysia and SE Asia. We will be in Kuala Lumpur as our base and plan to travel in and out of SE Asia, visiting other families and ministries. There is a family in KL that we have been tracking very closely for many years. They will be our hosts while Grace and I will “work” as digital nomads performing several services including Grace’s role in CQ Asia SSD.

March 31 thru June 29: Korea. I was told by my publisher that my translated book in Korean would be out in April. The title has not been decided but it has much to do with “pilgrim spirituality.“ That would be the main reason for our swing to Korea this time along with other responsibilities: conferences, ministry of hospitality, coaching, speaking, etc. Additionally, I am hoping to be involved with events related to my book release: book concerts, the launching of book clubs, etc. I am eager to meet with people on the ground who would be attracted to my book’s content.

Easily, the most memorable event during the holidays was our family gathering in San Diego. All our adult children including Elizabeth who flew in from Minnesota, Jeremiah (Hannah’s husband), Gloria (Michael’s fiancée), Mina (Brad’s girlfriend), and my favorite nieces, Lauren and Kristian as well as Lauren’s boyfriend, Daniel, were all together for a couple of days. Really too short but so sweet and heartwarming. They surprised me with an early 60th birthday bash. We shared stories, played games, snapped some annual family photos (thanks to Jeremiah), and feasted on Oscar’s seafood tacos, Taco Especial, and Octopus Taco. My daughters and my wife collected heartfelt and deeply moving words of encouragement for my 60th and put together both a 30-minute video and some 14 pages of printed texts. My heart was full, and I could not digest all the kind and grace-filled words heaped on me and I will most definitely need to go back to relisten and reread to fully appreciate what people have so magnanimously shared. Buoyed by the gathering and the words of encouragement, I will continue to be me and will let the river take me where it wills.