my NEW YEAR 2012 update

With my N-kids (nieces & nephew): Natalie, Tyus, Teresa

For those who may have thought I've fallen off the face of the Earth, this blog letter is to assure you that I am alive and well. My annual New Year letter for 2010 may have been a “no show” and this 2011 letter may be delayed, but there's been good reason. I've been busy with new adventures and a new relationship, and I'll do my best to catch you up on the latest.

First off, the 2010 letter never did get written because I spent the first few weeks of 2011 in Europe, traveling in Italy and Switzerland with Amy, my (yes, it is true) girlfriend. (We are pictured below in Florence.)

Amy and I met while I was finishing up my studies at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley in the spring of 2010. Amy graduated from FST a few years earlier, but attended the Earth Week Celebrations I was overseeing as part of the Green Seminary movement at the school. To say it was love at first sight is probably true – at least for me. Her bringing brownies to our Earth Week potluck didn't hurt either! We went on our first date the day after my graduation in May, and have been seeing each other ever since. We share a common love for nature, a commitment to the environment, and passion for service. We enjoy traveling, used bookstores, and chocolate cake (me, more so than her). We both have a strong connection to our family and the “little people” in our life (though mine are not so little anymore). And while she is not a vegan, I still love her anyway. We began 2011 in Assisi together, and ended the year, beginning 2012 together at a retreat site in Lake County.

With Amy in Burlingame and me still at Redwood Glen, I am often on the road. Though laid off from camp for a year, I re-joined the staff last year, continuing with Guest Services and marketing. I moved from the trailer to Creekside Cabin, and I continue to trek to Berkeley as I continue my life as a student. 

Six weeks after my FST graduation (with family above), I began in the Doctor of Ministry program at the American Baptist Seminary of the West. My area of study is Franciscan Eco-Spirituality with my project being retreat resources to raise ecological consciousness and creation care, based on Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures. With these growing areas of passion and study, I am looking to learn Italian and make a third pilgrimage to Assisi this new year. I have no plans to rush the D.Min however as I look to a 2015 graduation.

With the G-kids (godkids): Kayla, Brandon, Micah & Tomo

With a new relationship, school, work, and of course, time with my “not so little anymore” people (the N-kids and the G-kids), I do keep busy. However, I continue to run 7 miles 3-4 times a week, maintain regular yoga and core conditioning, and still choose a vegan diet (though chocolate is my big exception).

Though still hunting for the “perfect” chocolate cake and loving Italian-style drinking chocolate, my latest chocolate passion is “hot cacao.” This is a hot chocolate made from ground, roasted cacao beans (see left), which are steeped in hot water, strained, and then served with frothed almond (or soy) milk and a bit of sweetener. I found this new way of drinking chocolate at Bean Street Cafe in downtown San Mateo, one of my favorite places to study.

I continue to blog about my chocolate finds and experiences, though I do not post as regularly as I'd like. You can check out the latest at http://cacao-me.blogspot.com/.  And if you are on Facebook, be sure to check out my “europe via chocolate” photo album featuring my chocolate discoveries a year ago.  I hate to admit it but my favorite find was this chocolate waffle sandwich (above left) in Florence.

Other highlights from 2011:

• kitty-sitting for Amy when she traveled (see me and kitty on the right at home)
• getting to know Amy's family and her little people (she has 3 nephews and 3 nieces, all 4 years and younger) on trips to Champagne, IL., Las Vegas, NV., Pordenone, Italy, and Asilomar, CA. 
• the Jay Family reunion in November with cousins coming in from Hawaii and the East Coast 
• starting compost bins 
• opportunities to speak at churches on the topics of eco-spirituality, creation care, and eco-justice.
• 
  participating in "Kenny's Run" to raise funds for hystiocytosis, a rare childhood cancer.  Kenny is now 11 and healthy.  His family, now living in San Ramon, were members of Sunset Ministry in San Francisco when I was pastor.  (The photo of me running on the left was taken by a local news reporter who covered the event which will hopefully continue in 2012.  Interested in running with me?  Give me a call!)
  

Because I never did get a 2011 letter written,
here are some highlights from 2010:

• traveling to New Zealand and Australia, with my mom accompanying her at the Australian tennis open.  (See me above in Frodo's home at Hobbiton in New Zealand.)
• meeting Amy 
• graduating from FST 
• starting my DMin at ABSW 
• being re-hired at Redwood Glen 
• vacation with my parents and sister's family at Brockway Springs in Tahoe
• moving into a larger house at camp 
• being selected to participate in the National Council of Churches Key Leaders Training 
• eating and drinking all sorts of chocolates!

As 2012 gets underway, I hope you and your loved ones are well. Thank you for your friendship and patience in spite my lack of corresponding diligence.  I do hope to keep in better touch, and at least maintain annual updates on thus blog.  To catch up, you can reach me at Redwood Glen, 100 Wright Drive, Loma Mar, CA 94021; email at me.backpacker@gmail.com, or leave a message on my Google voice number at (650) 762-5153.

I'm always ready to grab some chocolate!

my CHRISTMAS 2009 update

Hello Friends and Family,

BELATED MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY 2010!

The new format for this year-end, New Year's (what used to be Christmas) update letter has created a bit of delay in getting this link sent and posted. But hopefully with a blog, this format will get easier and accomplish its purpose in letting you know the new things going on in my life, which this year included Tomo (see above with Kayla, Brandon, and Micah) - the godkids' dog - giving me a "god-dog" and making me a godfather again!

2009 has been a good but busy year as I continue at FST (Franciscan School of Theology) in Berkeley, pursuing a second master degree and serving in student leadership to "green" the school in its environmental practices. I am thoroughly enjoying my studies which have focused on creation theology, environmental ethics, and the Franciscan tradition. Though I originally thought I would take an extra year and complete my thesis in 2011, I now plan to finish up my degree this upcoming May 2010. Much encouragement from various venues has me thinking about doctoral studies and returning to pastoral ministry. We'll see how the coming months develop. The priority now however is completing my thesis which focuses on St. Francis' Canticle of Creatures in the iconic imaging of the saint from Assisi.

Speaking of Assisi, through a scholarship from the school, I was blessed this summer with a 12-day pilgrimage to Italy to journey in the spirit of Francis and Clare. It was truly the trip of a lifetime as I was able to walk in the footsteps of Francis and experience the renewing presence of God in the places where the saint prayed - among the trees of the Carceri, on the mountainous cliffs of LaVerna, from the vistas at Greccio. Staying in Assisi for nearly 10 days, we rounded out our time in Rome before heading home. Click here for pics.

Italy was not only a time of spiritual renewal and learning, it was a time of fun as I went on my chocolate cake search. I discovered Panforte al Cioccolate in Assisi and savored my first experience with drinking chocolate in LaVerna, both experiences I recorded on my blogs. Check them out via the links.

In addition to a wonderful time in Italy, I was also able to connect with an old friend in Chicago with whom I traveled to Spain on pilgrimage with Sts. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. Here we are (left) remembering our time in Spain, toasting with tapas and excellent sangria. Though it had been a long time since we talked, it was almost as if no time had passed. I've had a few experiences like that this year via Facebook as I also reconnected with old college friends whom I've not seen in nearly 20 years. It was great catching up with Alex in September and Carol in October as they traveled to the NorCal area for visits.

I did join the Facebook world back in May, with chocolate being a dominant theme in my status updates and photos. This "obsession" with cacao led to a new blog, "my CHOCOLATE life" where I've posted my chocolate reviews and ramblings. Back in November, I was honored to have one of my reviews featured on the homepage of foodbuzz.com, another food blog site I participate in. Yes, chocolate has become a fascination and hobby for me. I even have my family in on the chocolate action (see above) as my mom (grandma) and the nieces (Teresa and Natalie) lick their spoons after helping me make my infamous "That can't be vegan" Chocolate Pie. For more of my spoon-licking chocolate adventures from 2009, check out my Chocolate Photo Album on Flickr.

Along with my chocolate blog, I also have "my VEGAN life" blog which featured a series this year on the Standard American Diet (SAD) and global food trends. And just in case you're wondering, I'm still a live-food vegan in terms of my dietary choices and find that it continues to work for me physically, ethically, and environmentally (though I do enjoy my two vegan exceptions -- Indian food and chocolate cake).

And given my vegan exceptions of chocolate, Indian buffets, and hobby of sampling all things chocolate (with nephew Tyus - left -at Hometown Buffet - which doesn't do chocolate well), I still continue to run regularly. Though I did not enter any races this year, I still get out 3-4 times a week, averaging about 21-30 miles weekly. On the mornings when I'm not running, I have a core strengthening, weight training, yoga routine which I enjoy.

One of the big changes in 2009 was my work transition from Redwood Glen. The outdoor education program which was at the camp during the school year did not renew its contract this academic year due to budget cuts. Unfortunately, staff reductions at Redwood Glen followed and I am now one of the 10% formerly employed workers in our country receiving unemployment. Though I am volunteering and maintaining my residence at Redwood Glen, the best way to reach me via mail is at my parents' place in Hercules as I commute to classes in Berkeley from there during the weekdays. My contact info is in the right column. Email is always best - larry dot jay at mac dot com.

As I look forward to 2010, there will be a changes ahead as I anticipate graduating in May, beginning a DMin program, considering a PhD in environmental theology and ethics, and searching for a new ministry setting. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. And if you hear of any good ministry opportunities that may be a good fit for me, please please let me know.

Yes, decisions, changes, and plain old hard work lie ahead in the coming months, but I am thankful for the encouragement of friends like you, and the support of FST classmates (see above). But before my final semester begins, I have the privilege of accompanying my mom in January on a 2-week cruise around New Zealand, followed by 3-days at the Australian Tennis Open - all expenses paid. Thanks Dad (who didn't want to go!)

With another year wrapping up, I trust that you are well. For those who have been on my mailing list for years, thank you for your cards, photos, and update letters. For those who have found me this year, it's nice renewing friendships again (even if it is just on Facebook!) And if you're not sure how to reach me, my updated contact information will always be found on facebook or this blog site - http://update-me-larry.blogspot.com/. Pretty convenient, huh?

I hope to see more of you this upcoming year. Until then, have a happy and safe 2010. And don't forget to stop and enjoy the chocolate.

Peace,
Larry