SEATTLE (Pre-Tour):
-Lots of quality time with our people and favorite places
-Had a send-off party and stayed with Chris & Rebecca Renzelman (our apprenticeship hosts, and "Seattle Parents"!) for the final week
PORTLAND (BridgeTown Inc & The Mentoring Project*):
-Conversation with Marshall Snider (Founder of BridgeTown Inc, and our host) is always a positive catalyst to think, move forward, and do great things!
-Considered along with Jim Pringle (National Cities Director, The Mentoring Project) on how The Mentoring Project could come alongside what we're looking to do
-Reminded to "Just Do It" as we toured the Nike Campus
SAN FRANCISCO (Battery Spencer):
-Although it was extremely windy, we made it up to Battery Spencer were we had an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge
-SF got us thinking about branding, delivery, history, and preservation
VENTURA (Big Sur and the PCH):
-Ventura itself was included on the tour, simply as a place to stay the night after driving down the California coast along the Pacific Coastal Highway
-Big Sur National Park is a convergence of beauty- what elements of your life come together to form something amazing?
LOS ANGELES (Stoked Mentoring):
-Spoke with Kathryn James-Jolly (Program Coordinator, STOKED Los Angeles) about their programs, target audience, and overall goal
-Learned about the art and process of creating: got to see Hollywood Blvd, 311's "The Hive" studio, Beverly Hills, and the hospital where "Grey's Anatomy" is filmed!
COSTA MESA (National Network of Youth Ministries & Mika Community Development Corporation):
-Lots of encouragement and making memories with our hosts Mike & Kristi DeVito (SW Regional Director, National Network of Youth Ministries), as we understood more of their SoCal life and ministry
-Special opportunity with Christine Brooks Nolf (Executive Director & Co-Founder of Mika CDC) to tour neighborhoods, hear stories, grasp empowerment, envision sustainable change, and gain practical tips
ANAHEIM (Disney California Adventure):
-Experienced the magic first-hand as we strolled Buena Vista Street, cruised into Cars Land, and witnessed the World of Color show on Paradise Pier!
-The unmatchable power of creativity and imagination took us to new heights
LAS VEGAS (The Strip):
-The continual reinvention and sheer amazement of Vegas reminds us to never stop progressing
-Were refreshed while staying at the MGM Grand and hanging poolside for hours
SANTA FE (The Grand Canyon):
-Some things have to be seen to be appreciated, and being there during sunset let us see it in a changing light... invite people to experience transformation
-To see God in it all breeds meaning to the experience
COLORADO SPRINGS (Focus on the Family):
-During our time visiting Focus on the Family we were stirred by all the work and resources they put out in hopes of "helping families thrive"
-The US Olympic Training Center inspired us to gather greatness
-Garden of the gods taught us about treasuring something so much, that in the end you freely give it away so it can be experienced by as many as possible
DENVER (Red Rocks Amphitheater):
-The innovation that took place in the 1940's to dream up Red Rocks Amphitheater is staggering- how can we create a unique space within something that is already naturally occurring?
-Spending time in downtown Denver showed us how bringing in elements of playful art can add a lot to the common bond a city shares
OMAHA (The Hive Lounge):
-Our stop in Omaha worked out perfectly as Jake Gardner (Owner of The Hive Lounge) showed us around and told his story about how his love for music and his city is transforming the neighborhood through positive business
DAVENPORT (Clark-side Family):
-In Iowa we took time to slow down and "just be" with family, and there's never a bad time for that (although our exhaustion after two weeks on the road began hitting us)...
TWIN CITIES (End of Tour)
-We have been delighted to see many of our friends and family since returning, and in it have had the opportunity to share about our life in Seattle
-Following our return, we hosted "Reflections in the Journey"- it was a night where we used our experience in Seattle as a framework for an open dialogue about everyone's life (passion/growth/community)
-Josh returned to working for Life Time Fitness, and Shelley has been doing lots of planning for her full summer teaching schedule at the Eagan Art House (and already subbed a day for an elementary art room)
-We are moving forward on the vision for future things to come, in peace and through simple steps of obedience
Overall we learned the reality that all of life really is a classroom- we found extreme value in every destination, conversation and location. Thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity through your love, encouragement, support, and prayers.
