aperture: Call Me, Maybe? (long overdue update & new blog title!)

A LOT has changed since my last post. A lot I hadn't expected, a lot I hadn't planned.

John Steinbeck once wrote, "A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip, a trip takes us."

Many people have ideas of what they think is the best path, the best route, the most 'successful' path to 'success.' But if you really think about it, Steinbeck was right, no two person's journey are alike. They may have similar milestones (i.e. college, grad school, job, marriage...etc.) and goals, but ultimately its the life you live 'in-between' that defines you, that shapes you, that characterizes your journey...and its in those 'in-betweens' that you really become who you want to be.

I had 'planned' to go back to California and enroll in grad school after returning from my 'brief' trip to Hawaii. The church I was attending back in California offers an internship program which I was 'certain' that God was leading me to. It was the 'perfect' plan for someone who wanted to be a pastor. I could attend seminary, all while interning, serving, and working at a church where I had fallen in love with, with people I had a heart to minister to. So. I. Thought.

Long story short...doors were closed in California, doors opened in Hawaii, and now I'm eligible for kama'aina again, living back in Hawaii and working as a Project Engineer for a local contractor. WHAT?!?

Now that its been about several months since I started my new job, I can sense that I am exactly where I should be and where God wants me to be. Even though engineering may seem very random, I can see habits and skills that I'm 'forced' to develop now (i.e. waking up at 5am) and how beneficial they will be for me in the future when I lead my future church, my future family, with much weightier responsibilities. God knows me so well and knows that most times it takes the circumstances surrounding me to push me into action.

There are many paths to where you may be headed. Don't be discouraged if its 'unconventional,' far from the 'status quo,' or not what you WANT or expected. Just remember to work hard and live well in what you are given TODAY. Many times we focus so much on where we're headed or where we want to go that we miss out on whats right in front of us. Those 'in-between' moments are what will define how we turn out.

For those of you who are believers, you know that God knows you better than yourself and that He holds your future. Trust him by living your best today and leaving tomorrow to Him. I'm not disqualifying he importance of planning, but be OPEN to change, open to some 'de-tours,' and open to God's plan for your life.

I'll leave you with pictures of some people and things I'll miss most about LA...(not ALL inclusive)

BTW, if your in California and want to ever just chat or catch up... don't ever hesitate to CALL ME! MAYBE? (or FaceTime or text or Facebook)...praying for you all.

Aaron.