BACK IN THE SCHOOL GROOVE

GETTING ROOTED

 

This past week we launched our first Bruin Varsity Life (BVL) meeting of the school year.  Just over 50 student-athletes gathered for this time of fellowship.  We offered food and even managed to bring in a professional DJ to help set the atmosphere for the evening.  In addition, Andrew, one of our BVL leaders, shared a short introductory message centered around our theme for the school year.  As a BVL leadership team, we chose to go with a one word theme,"Rooted", which comes out of Colossians 2:6-7.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Our plan this year is to teach through 3 of Apostle Paul's letters starting with the book of Colossians this quarter.  Our hope is to see students develop a deeper love for God as they understand His Word better.  As part of the BVL teaching team, I will have the opportunity to speak 2 times over these next couple of months. We are excited to see how the Lord uses this time in the lives of the student-athletes this year.

Our BVL Kickoff Mtg. (9/27)

 WOMEN'S SOCCER MINISTRY

Women's soccer is in season, which means we have the opportunity to serve the team, once again, with pregame chapels.  We really do enjoy serving these young ladies and have seen some new faces attending this year regularly.  Usually there are between 5-8 girls showing up for this time. Our time is a wonderful mixture of looking at God's Word, sharing funny stories from our lives (sometimes laughing until it hurts), and encouraging one another with prayer.  Jenny even gets to connect with some of the players one-on-one away from chapel, giving her the chance to get to know them on a deeper and more personal level.  The team is off to a great start with a 9-2 record and we are excited to see how they compete down the home stretch of this season.

 FOOTBALL MINISTRY

One Sunday morning during training camp, an optional chapel service was scheduled for the guys. That morning, the Lord brought 10 guys out who I had the privilege of encouraging from God's Word.  While I would have loved to have seen more guys show up, I was still extremely grateful for the ones who did make it out.

The majority of these guys are now showing up for a Wednesday evening bible study, which I started several weeks ago with the help of Markus, a recent transfer on the team.  Markus has a deep desire to make an eternal difference during his time at UCLA and has been very instrumental in getting his teammates involved in this gathering.  It's been exciting to see 5-8 guys showing up to this study every week as the word slowly spreads.  Please pray for the Lord to continue giving shape to this time.

Training Camp chapel on (8/15).

 Pregame chapel service w/ guest speaker, Dr. Sam Kojoglanian on (10/1).

MARRIAGE MATTERS


I'm happy to be continuing my quest towards my Master's degree in Pastoral Care & Counseling at Talbot School of Theology.  This semester I am enrolled in a Marriage Counseling class.  Having had a few opportunities to be involved with counseling couples over the past few years, I find myself eager to get even more equipped for future opportunities, not only with pre-engaged/engaged couples, but married couples in general.

Celebrating with the new married couple. (9/4)

This past summer, Jenny and I provided premarital counseling to Jack & Jackie Clamon.  It was fun to sit with them over the course of a 3 month period, to pass along, not only some biblical perspective regarding marriage, but some of our own experiences as a couple too.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to attend their wedding last month, but we got to see them before they left Los Angeles to begin their new life together in Atlanta, Georgia.

 FAMILY MATTERS

 Now a month into this new school year, the kids are enjoying both their classes and classmates. Jaylen is the only freshman on her varsity volleyball team and has bonded extremely well with her teammates both on and off of the court.  Her team is currently 16-1 headed into this final stretch of the regular season.  Thus far, we've been amazed to see her balance the demands of her academic life with her athletic commitments.  

 As for Kory, he has adjusted extraordinarily well in his new school.  The school does a remarkable job of acclimating new students and so much of the anxiety he felt prior to the school year starting is now gone.  He's made new friends and simply loves his new learning environment.  In addition, he has decided to play on the 6th grade flag football team, so he's now enjoying some after school fun.

 

Jaylen enjoying her back-to-school Mani/Pedicure. (8/18)

One of the perks of being in middle school. (8/29)