So as you can see, the title of this journal is "Jtravels" at least for now. That's my nickname "J" plus something I try to do fairly often and greatly enjoy...

Not much traveling lately, at least since a big trip to California in Nov. of 2001 to Shelby's wedding but I am traveling in other ways.

How does a person travel without leaving a specific physical location? By exploring parts of their life in new ways -- this journal will discuss that type of traveling.

My big exploration for Thursday was stepping into a leadership role at Genesis, the church I attend in Royal Oak. I will be helping out as the administrative head of our monthly Outreach efforts in the community for a pilot program from March - June.

In the year I have been attending Genesis, I have become involved very slowly -- due partly to my schedule at the beginning and also a desire to just enjoy my time and learn for awhile before becoming active.

As I said, I will be the administrative person, while a wonderful and enthusiastic woman named Mary Ellen will be my partner, the "Visionary" for the project. We will both coordinate 3-4 service projects each month, with additional leaders for each event. The idea is to not have anyone overly burdened.

Projects include working with children on Saturday mornings in downtown Detroit, cooking meals for people at a shelter in Royal Oak, doing repairs for the home of a single mother in Detroit, and possibly spending time with a blind woman.

God's hand moved me into this role. Of that, I am certain.

So...that means I'll be staying around the area for awhile. (more on that later)

That's it for now, off to dinner with Chris and Brian, then to play some pool.