So we conquered In & Out Burgers, but we were only half done. Next stop was the Oregon coast which mean by Mapquests estimates 7 hours. Oh man, somehow 7 turned into 10 + hours. I think as a crow flies it would take less time, but unfortunately we weren’t flying. So to clam the monotony of the ever snaking, looping, turning highway 101 we busted out the seminal road trip activity: the sing along. These kids iPods are filled with music, I was surprised with. Not explicit stuff - 70’s and 80’s rock! I kid you not. Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ became the our theme song. And we needed it because the 101 never ends.

The one new band I was introduced to was Dragonforce. They are amazing in an amazingly cheesy 80’s butt rock way. Picture all of the hair band and slap every music cliche’ and you’ve got Dragonforce. It’s so bad it’s good.

To listen to our top 5 singalong songs go here:

http://stuartdelony.muxtape.com/

Any “best of” road trip songs we should add for our next trip?

[Continued from here...]

We woke up early, around 4 am and were on our way by close to 5. There was a lot of driving to be done and I was surprised how quickly the kids mobilized. We hit the first place that brewed coffee and were off.

Destination: In & Out burgers in Redding, CA

Our youth slept most of the morning and I learned something very interesting about Oregon. You can’t pump your own gas in the state of Oregon. It’s illegal. Does it make sense? Nope. It’s just a 100 year old law that keeps on going.

About mid-morning, Oregon turned into California and we were able to experience the town of Weed, CA. The kids were amused for obvious reasons.

From Weed, we kept driving. And something that started that morning would play a considerable role later on into that day… 80’s butt rock was discovered. But more of that later.

Nearing the noon hour, we rolled into the town of Redding. A few exits later and we could see the sign. “In and Out Burger” read above the trees. We were finally there. The kids rushed out and we all waited in line for our “Double Double” burgers (two patties and two layers of cheese). The food was really good. I mean really good. Most of their stuff is fresh and I ate, “hands down” the best fries I’ve ever had. It was so worth it. If the trip ended there, I would have been satisfied; but it was far from over…

[continued from...]

One thing I learned from this road trip…. UTZ Pub Chip Mix from Costco is like heroin. So addictive. And so flatulent when you have a van full of boys (and a few girls). Flatulence is the key ingredient to any good youth activity. UTZ is all around tasty.

Here’s what happens when the UTZ speaks back…

[to be continued...]

[continued from...]

Our first destination on our trip was Albany, Oregon where one of my best friends is a youth pastor. We were going to use Joel’s church as a place to spend the night. Joel and I have some history together. We both worked on staff at a church where I’d describe our experience there as enjoyable as taking a shower in a prison. When put in difficult situations, you bond quickly. Spending time with Joel was quite a blast from the past.

It’s been fascinating lately, how the Lord has been bringing up memories of the past for me to remember. During an quiet time, I was reading though some old journals of mine and was astonished at how far the Lord has taken me. Perspective is an amazing thing. Here is a journal entry I wrote while I was still with this certain church (aka prison) working with Joel (months before I left).

Today I stand at the crossroads, actually I’ve stood here before. I’ve been standing here, but just didn’t know it. There has been a rock placed in my path and I have been waiting on the Lord to either 1) remove it or 2) move me. And he has chosen to remove me.

I come to this conclusion with peace and of sound mind. The Lord has given me a torch to run with and I must run. I just need a place where this is possible. This church is not my home or even a fertile garden to plant seeds. I am meant to sow elsewhere. Lord show me which earth to till.

I know these things about myself:

• God calls you to a region and not a location - I’m am not mean to be here [at this church]
• I have a desire to create and lead - I need to be in a position to do that
• I need to come before Him [the Lord] daily and follow Him with a passion - My life depends on it.
• I have a passion to reach the lost - I need time and resources to do accomplish it
• I am a passionate being - I need to be in a position to drive forward after the Lord
• I need my family - I need a job that respects that.

I look back, years later to see what the Lord has done. He has fulfilled the desires of my heart and answered my prayers. Spending time down in Albany with Joel reminded me to this. God is faithful and good. He led me in faith out into the unknown. I now look at myself and the youth I’m able to minister to and know I’m where I am supposed to be. It’s an amazing feeling to know that I’m right where God wants me to be.

[to be continued...]

The trip was an absolute blast. For having 8 people in tight quarters for 3 days of driving, we had no friction and no drama. How does that happen with youth? I have no idea. Needless to say… God is good (and thank you for your prayers).

We started off by rounding up the group early in the morning on Sunday and headed down to church at Overlake Christian Church. I had heard some good buzz about their Illuminate Service and figured that the kids may enjoy a bit of the supposedly, experiential, emergent type service. We got down there and had a good time, but it wasn’t what I expected. It was a pretty fluffy, showy experience of a service. It was slick, big church with more hair gel and candles. Joel Osteen would be proud. But I was a good boy, I kept my mouth shut, and just observed the service and the kids. I wanted for them to be free to experience whatever.

Afterwards, I kept quiet and let the kids express their opinions of the service. I heard things like, “it seemed like the people were there for a show and not for God” and “I really felt they were worshiping the music and the lights and not the Lord.” I was blown away. I love our group of kids, they crave authenticity and accept nothing less. God has really done an interesting work in these students lives. With such a great start, it was only beginning…

[to be continued]