(picture originally uploaded to Flickr by me’nthedogs)
For those of you who might not know, the title of this post is also the title of a very funny Monty Python movie… that is if you “get” Monty Python humor. I was going to post the trailer for the movie off of YouTube, but ruled against it 
A little while back, I was headed to the district office for the Central District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (wow, that’s a mouthful!). I had my handy GPS because I have a reputation for taking the scenic route. So, if you ever travel with me then you better have an adventurous spirit and be willing to leave early to get anywhere. Anyway, I had put in the address of the district office. When I got to the road I was supposed to turn on, there was MAJOR construction. I tried following the signs for the detour but ended up in the middle of what seemed like a secret base or something… maybe the Canadian version of Area 51… Needless to say, I got out of there quickly, called the district office and found my way to the office for my meeting.
Life seems to do that to me a lot… OK, GOD seems to do that to me a lot. I am happily going down my path, a path that I know God has me on, and all of a sudden there is a HUGE detour sign. The only thing is that the detour does not lead back to the path I was on… I end up someplace completely different! And that’s what has happened in the lives of the Zonios recently.
Let me go back a year… (cue the flashback sequence music) I was in southern California having attended the Idea Camp. I was on my way to the Pasadena gathering of Mosaic when all of a sudden I had the thought, “I could live in California again.” Immediately, my sub conscience retorted, “Uh, NO I CAN’T!” You see, I grew up in northern CA. When I got married and moved away, both my wife and I said that we really never wanted to live in CA again. That’s just how we felt. Well, ten years later and now I had this random thought that came out of nowhere… OK, maybe it wasn’t nowhere, but I wasn’t all too happy about having the thought.
When I got back to my hotel, I called Erin and told here about the thought. She said something like this, “Um, yeah…” Now, when your wife starts a sentence like that when you’ve told her about a crazy idea you’ve had, then you should immediately stop the conversation and return to your happy life! Well, that’s not what I did… I listened. “Um, yeah… I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. I’ve been having the same thoughts.” GREAT!
Well, it’s been a year of praying, listening, seeking out wisdom and looking for what God might be up to. This past Sunday, we announced to the congregation that we will be finishing up our time at Redwood and moving to Northern California as the end of June. (Don’t worry, I told my senior pastor two weeks previous.)
The obvious question, at least if it was me hearing this news, is, “So, what will you be doing?” In short, we’re still figuring that out. And the answer to your next question: “Yes, we are crazy.”
OK, there IS more to it than that. As we’ve been seeking out God in all of this, one of the things that has come up is my desire to go back to school. The plan is to pursue a Ph.D. in sociology with an emphasis on children, families and religion. With my growing passion in looking at the mutual interaction between culture and children’s ministry, I’ve found that I really need to dive head first into it. Ultimately, it’s my desire to teach at the university level, do research concerning children and families as related to the religious landscape here in North America as well as in other areas of the world. I would also like to enter more into the different conversations happening about what a missional or third way of doing church and christianity looks like.
Now, this move is more than just about me. God has speaking to my wife and children as well about what this move means for them and the story he is writing for our entire family.
In the meantime, we have MANY unknowns. We are definitely taking huge step of faith in doing this. We have to find a place to live (we’re sensing a call to live in the San Francisco East Bay Area), jobs (for both Erin and I not on a pastoral staff), acceptance into school… and that’s just the beginning! We are sad to leave here, excited about what God has for us, and scared out of our minds about the details. It’s an interesting mix of emotions. Please pray for us in the next few months as now we can begin working through the logistics of moving back into the US from Canada and to an area where we have to start from scratch.
I look forward to seeing what God is going to do. I know that it’s going to be a challenging path, but it’s definitely going to be an adventure!
As for this blog, this move really doesn’t change anything. I’ll still be connected into the CM world just from a different vantage point. And I think CM needs people seeing things from as many vantage points as possible.
Here’s to “chasing The Goose!” (You’ll have to read Mark Batterson‘s Wild Goose Chase.)
The thought of Henry becoming more intellectual is scary! Will you still remember us when you’re Dr. Jz?
Posted by jonathan | February 23, 2010, 9:26 pmHa! Well I'll be more of something… not sure if it's intellectual, though
Posted by henryjz | February 24, 2010, 3:18 amYou better hurry up and get that igloo you're living in listed before it melts for the summer. I'd hate to see all your hard work melt…
Posted by Kenny | February 24, 2010, 7:51 amWhat WILL I live in when in CA? It's too warm to build an igloo.
Posted by henryjz | February 24, 2010, 2:17 pmHenry – I'm in your corner. You are on my regular list of people to pray for and I'm asking God to make His direction known for all the things you guys are still in the process of figuring out. I'm glad you shared this experience with everyone and I'm proud to know someone who has the faith to step out and trust God in this way. It's inspiring.
Posted by Matt Guevara | February 24, 2010, 1:15 amThanks Matt. That means a lot. We are looking forward to see what God has in store for us. We may crash, but at least it'll be a spectacular crash
Posted by henryjz | February 24, 2010, 1:55 amWhat an amazing journey God is calling you and your family! I have no doubt- from the first time I met you in CA at Rock Harbor, that you had a high calling (and yes, I know-in truth we all have a high calling-). Our prayers are with you, your wife and your adorable children as you transition. I look forward to continue to read your posts through this experience and learn from your perspective.
Posted by Patti Kirkland | February 24, 2010, 12:42 pmThanks Patti. Your prayers and encouragement are greatly apprecitated.
Posted by henryjz | February 24, 2010, 2:17 pmCongratulation!! How exciting for you and your family!! Like Mark Batterson says, "The scariest experiences make the best stories!" You will certainly have stories to tell of God's provision when all this becomes "…remember when…"
I'll be praying for His clear direction and provision! And, based on what I know of San Francisco, which is very little other than stereotypes from movies, all the roads run downhill, so if you get lost, you just coast to the bottom and start over from there, right? So it should be a good move in all aspects of life!! LOL! Many blessings as you follow Him!
Posted by Barbara Graves | February 24, 2010, 4:19 pmThanks Barbara. Luckily I grew up near SF. The only problem is they have so many one way streets!
Posted by henryjz | February 24, 2010, 6:23 pmproud of you and the journey you are on! look forward to seeing all that is ahead!
Posted by amy dolan | February 24, 2010, 4:24 pmThanks Amy. I've appreciated your encouragement and feedback on this journey.
Posted by henryjz | February 24, 2010, 6:24 pmI am extremely excited for you Henry! You can NEVER learn enough!!!! I would love to return to school – who knows, maybe one day! I will be praying for your entire family! I know God will bless you as you follow Him! Please keep us posted on your life!
Posted by Theresa Haskins | March 1, 2010, 4:43 pmThanks Theresa
Posted by henryjz | March 2, 2010, 12:18 amMy friend -
congrats on the new adventure, the direction (or lack-there-of), the fun, the worry and the God moment!
One good thing is that you'll be back in the States – I don't know what that means, but hey, I'm in the States and it's going pretty good!
I look forward to reading more as you journey down this unpredictable path!
Posted by @jamie_doyle | March 3, 2010, 5:04 pmThanks Jamie. We should get together sometime and chat!
Posted by Henry Zonio | March 26, 2010, 1:49 amHey Man -
Glad to see you are moving back to the states! I will be praying for you and your family! Crazy times ahead for the Zonio's!
Posted by Kevin Ganiere | March 24, 2010, 9:29 pmThanks Kevin. How are you all doing?
Posted by henryjz | March 25, 2010, 3:45 pmOne of my favorite songs is called "For Such A Time As This" by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it! : ) My favorite line: "Sometimes the thrill of soaring has to begin with the fear of falling."
Posted by Rachel Fenske | March 25, 2010, 10:38 pmThat's a good line. Thanks sis-in-law!
Posted by Henry Zonio | March 26, 2010, 1:50 amWOW Henry! Sounds like an adventure indeed. Wishing you all the best… but what will your kids do without SNOW in the winter?!??
Posted by Kerry | March 26, 2010, 7:50 pmWe'll be able to drive to the snow
Posted by henryjz | March 31, 2010, 1:40 amWhen God talks we need to listen. After reading your blog, it is so easy to see God leading you up a new path in life. After I wrestled with Him on a few occassions, I know who won so why even try to fight what He wants in our lives.. When God opens the door a person has go through it so there will be no regrets later. I will miss you and your family and know God is with you no matter where you are. We all will see each other again one day. And if you do miss the snow you can always come for a winter visit
Posted by Diane Moore | April 14, 2010, 12:16 amThank you Diane. Your encouragement means a lot. It continues to be a privilege to serve alongside you and partner with you as you provide love to the children in your home. And you can come visit us, too, if you need some sunshine
Posted by henryjz | April 18, 2010, 1:27 pmIts interesting to read this. I am going through nearly the same thing after 20 years of children's ministry. God is up to something. I can just feel it.
Posted by janie | June 20, 2010, 8:20 amIt’s pretty surreal to be going through this. Just trusting God along the way.
Posted by henryjz | June 21, 2010, 9:36 am