Mackenzie and I entered the blogosphere (that's right--I know the lingo; I'm not proud of it, though) when we first moved to Seattle three years ago. I maintained a photo blog (which is still up and running although not as frequently updated) that allowed friends and family in the Midwest to keep tabs on our adventures in the Pacific Northwest.
About a year ago, Mackenzie decided we needed an actual blog, as well. I was reluctant, mainly because I wasn't interested in posting longer, potentially more personal, entries. Plus, I wasn't convinced that people actually read blogs or that they were a helpful tool to stay connected with people. Also, I noticed her struggle to keep the blog updated.
A few months ago, I started writing articles for the Mars Hill Church (from here on referred to as MHC) West Seattle Campus Blog. That experience has served many purposes. First and foremost, it has given me an opportunity to serve God and the community in a small, humble fashion. Second, it has motivated me to do more writing in my life, rather than simply trying (desperately, at times) to teach others how to write. Third--and this is the point of my intro--it has sparked an interest in exploring the available technological tools of today, rather than resisting their influence (I've been exploring things like facebook, goodreads.com, podcasts, and other potential time-wasters that I hope to use in a positive, beneficial way).
The past six months have clearly been a season of predominantly positive change and growth in more ways than I can comment on in one sitting. God has been using our involvement with Mars Hill Church to change our perspectives and lifestyles in many ways. I hope to explore several of them on this blog because of the accountability a blog creates to keep material fresh. Recognizing that this coming school year is going to be packed full of adventures (I'm leading a community group at church and continuing to write for the blog, we're both going through the National Boards process, I'm creating the curriculum for a creative writing class, and I'm committed to at least one more year of coaching football and basketball--I'm sure I left something out) I pray that God would help me use this medium to make sense of all that Mackenzie and I encounter and share that process with others who are interested.
