rob's requirements

one last self-centered blog for awhile-

a lot of you guys know that earlier this year, my family and I went through a pretty big change: after working at the same place and doing the same job for 16 years, I started working at a new place and doing different jobs. during that transition I started thinking about my non-negotiables- in my mind I could only work in certain environments, doing certain jobs and with certain resources. and then I discovered that I wasn't going to write my own plans- and then I discovered a new list of non-negotiables. I learned what I really need as opposed to what I thought I needed. and I learned that when these things go away that I need to find them again or things will be a little (or a lot)  "off" in my life. here are some things that I have discovered that I need these days:

1. my family
if I don't get to see them and talk with them and feel connected to them, I'm all out of whack. I don't ever want to do a job that keeps me from them for extended amounts of time. there are people who are away from their families for long stretches of time- and I ache for them. I have some friends who have lost their family or their family members- and I can't imagine what that does to them. through this transition, I think I'm actually able to be around my family even more- and I'm grateful for that. 

2. solitude
everyone knows that I'm super-introverted- but its not that I'm shy- its that I'm at my best when I'm quiet and able to connect with my thoughts and in prayer. my new role allows me to drive a bit, and has flexibility where I can gather my thoughts and talk things through with God. when I get too busy, my time with God, my journal, and my bible-memory are the first things to get squeezed out. I'm pretty busy, but I'm still finding time for being quiet. 

3. students
I'v been working with kids since the early 90's. I didn't realize what a big part of my life that they were until they were gone. I left a student role and began working with children- there are some transferrable concepts, but it wasn't the same. a friend asked me to fill in for him at his student ministry and it lifted my spirit like crazy. I could barely sleep the night before I spoke for his group. I woke up extra early because I was filled with energy. thankfully, I'm working with students again and its slow going, but I am so grateful for the opportunity.

4. creativity
I've always been creative- in the past, I used creativity in my messages to students, but when I changed roles, my creative outlet went away. I started creating dioramas for my plant and I was energized when I had a new outlet for creativity. I discovered that if I don't have a work-outlet for creativity, that I need to create one for myself. there is something about it that feeds my heart, that energizes me and pushes me forward.

5. organization
when my environment gets cluttered and messy, I stop thinking straight. Over the last year, I have found myself working in my dining room, in coffee shops and bookstores. it frustrated me to not have a spot for files, supplies and notes. I learned that if my work-environment isn't organized, then its up to me to work extra-hard to get organized. thankfully- I'm in a spot that is quiet, organized and clean.

6. nature
I had the opportunity to work in a city that had no nature in it. no hills, no trees, no trails. I would have taken the job if I had to, but I'm glad that I didn't have to. my walks on my trails, under the canopy of trees, and along streams nourish my soul.

7. margin
I hate being rushed. I hate being too busy to listen or to help. I hate being too busy to get in a good night's sleep or to exercise. so many people in my community are commuting hours and hours every day.  they have to-do lists that will never get done- I'm grateful that right now, I'm not in that boat. I have a long to-do list, but its important to me to get it done as efficiently as possible so that I can have margin to do the things that are important to me. 

8. a difference
recently a mom sent me a photo of her kid's room- it had letter that I had written him pasted to the walls. she said, "you're the only one who says encouraging words to him. he gets discouraged every day at school." I clearly remember thinking to myself, "I'm making a difference in someone's life! how long has it been since I was able to make a difference?!" that note energized me so much and gave me a longing to help more and more people. 

9. friends
the hardest thing about my transition is that there are so many friends that I don't see much anymore. but there are several that have been intentional about staying connected- and when I see them it is so life-giving. it doesn't make sense that I'm introverted on one-hand and crave friendships on another, but it makes sense to me. though this transition, I have gained many, many new friends that are wonderful additions to my life. God has blessed me with incredible friends- and seeing them gives me so much joy. I have learned that moving across the country would be so traumatic for me; and I'm grateful that God made a way that I didn't have to. 

who knows? maybe I'll go through another big transition and discover that these things weren't as important to me as I thought. until then, I'm grateful that these things are in my life and I plan on enjoying them as long as I'm able. 

God is love.
-rev-rob

chatty-rob

the word that is often used to describe me is quiet. I don't say much. 

but just like anyone, certain topics can really get me chatting- like so much that I notice and I get a little self-conscious about how chatty I'm being- 

here are 10 of the topics that I have recently noticed have got me going on and on- (I have to limit it, because this might be another topic that makes me chatty).

1. organization-

last december, right before I was about to fall asleep, my wife said, "I want to get a desk calendar for my dad for Christmas."

"what kind?" I asked. 
"I don't know" she said.
"moleskine? daily or weekly? monthly? 5x7? 3x5? do you want a section for notes? you can't just start a conversation about calendars and expect me to fall asleep!"

I'm a little too passionate about calendars- and to-do lists- and notepads- and time management- and decluttering.

2. local history-
I can barely ride in the car with my friends without turning into a tour guide. sometimes my friends talk about going hiking a almaden quicksilver park- and I have to restrain myself from talking about mercury, and the gold rush, and the natives, and the miners, and the towns that were originally in that area. and then there is los gatos: if you walk around los gatos with me, you are bound to hear some fun-facts. fun for me at least!

3. otters.

If you know me, you know that I can talk at length about otters- their fur, their impact on the environment, their habits, etc. I can clearly remember several conversation over the last year or two where I was very aware of how long I was talking about otters, and how even though I was aware of it, I couldn't stop.

4. dad-life.

Do yourself a favor: don't ask me a good place to take your kid on a saturday in the bay area. you won't hear the end of it. I love hanging out with my kid and discovering fun places to visit that are made especially for kids- and the bay area is loaded with awesome places to go.

5. star wars

its embarrassing how excited I get to talk about star wars with anyone who will listen!

6. U2

most people know a few U2 songs- not me. I know them all. I have all of their albums- I've seen them dozens of times in all kinds of venues. I love to chat with a U2 fan- when I go to the show, its like being a foreigner and finally coming home to my native country- and everyone there talks like me and has the same experiences as me.

7. youth ministry

I love to hear youth ministry stories- I love to share them. I love to talk with youth workers. I love youth ministry ideas. I love writing youth ministry messages- I love all of it and time flies fast when I'm talking about it.

8. disneyland

I love news about disneyland- and the history of it- I love spending time there. I love the music and the rides and the food. I love the posters and the nostalgia. who doesn't love talking about disneyland?!

9. miniatures

the other day I was at church and my friend said, "rob- my son has a california missions project- where can I get some miniatures and supplies?" and I could feel that she had just opened pandora's box. I tried my best to keep my inner geek in and give her some basic advice. I now have my new blog robsplant.blogspot.com that has some pictures of my miniatures. I love seeing other enthusiasts create things. I just love makers and creatives and their work.

10. everything else

raiders of the lost ark.
 alias (the TV show with jennifer garner).
dr. seuss.
mister rogers.
bible memory.
mary poppins.
california missions.
vasona park.
spider-man.
winnie the pooh.
gold rush.
curse of oak island.
forged in fire (the tv show about making knives).
malibu grill.
dremel tools.
the SF giants.
the golden state warriors.
and blogging!

so many things to geek out on! what about you?

God is love. 
-rev-rob