I have some of my most favorite people in town - Karen, Wendy and Hilary. We all just finished a scrumptious dinner of stuffed shells that Karen cooked me for my birthday dinner (a couple of days early). Hilary just cut my hair and is cycling her way through some of the MC gang now.
Yesterday, we were deciding what touristy thing we were going to do. I've been to the Coke Plant/Museum, the Aquarium and Stone Mountain a gazillion times, but was willing to take one for the team if they wanted to go there. Instead we hit the Margaret Mitchell House. For those who might be wondering who she was, she wrote Gone with the Wind. While an amazing book and movie, stuff she did behind the scenes were even more incredible. Here's some random cool facts:
1. After the book came out, her servant/friend came down sick. She thought she could cash in on some of her fame and get her treatment at Grady hospital. But because her friend/servant was black, they refused to treat her. So Margaret donated the necessary money to get an emergency clinic set up at the hospital to serve both the blacks and whites.
2. She also paid for 50 black young men to go through med school ... I think there are scholarships in her name yet today.
3. She helped raise 65 million for the Red Cross.
4. She never bought a house or nice new car with all her riches, but chose to live in apartments.
5. She did not enjoy being famous and was incredibly humble, but loved parties.
6. She wrote the book backwards (last chapter first).
7. The "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a da@#" was actually a line her first husband used on her when he left her ... except they added the "frankly."
8. As a young girl, her mom got her into the women's suffrage (right to vote) movement.
9. She tried to keep her book a secret. When a publisher first approached her on it, she denied she was writing one, but eventually gave him it.
10. A great quote, "In a moment of weakness, I wrote a book."
I think the Margaret Mitchell house is one of Atlanta's best kept secrets when it comes to tourist places to visit.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Disciplines
Disciplines ... I am so random that I hate 'em, but I need them ... so here is my commitment
Goal: 3 miles walking/jogging and 3 Bible chapters every day
Acceptable (ie I won't beat myself up if I do at least this): 1 mile walking and 1 chapter 5 out of 7 days.
I'm 3 out of 4 days hitting my goal and having a great time.
Goal: 3 miles walking/jogging and 3 Bible chapters every day
Acceptable (ie I won't beat myself up if I do at least this): 1 mile walking and 1 chapter 5 out of 7 days.
I'm 3 out of 4 days hitting my goal and having a great time.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
722
Went to 722 tonight and it was AMAZING. There were three surprises.
1. Phil Wickham showed up to lead worship. Mike introduced me to his music a couple of months ago and I've loved the guy ever since. Sitting fifth row center stage made it that much more sweeter. Charlie Hall is up next month. I love Atlanta.
2. For the service, Jarrett Stevens interviewed Margaret Feinberg. I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of her ... I know, I know ... where have I been? Looks like she was at Northland last week. She was off the hook. She's written The Organic God and Sacred Echo, among others. I think after I get done with Crazy Love and reread In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, I'll pick one of them up. Next month Dan Kimball is up, author of "They like Jesus but Not the Church".
3. At the end, Jarrett announced that 722 was ending. The reasoning being that they didn't feel like 722 was uniquely providing something that no one else was providing. While they love the service, it felt like it it was just becoming another option. It sounded like September might be the last month, but I'm not sure about that. They are praying and seeking God for what's next.
1. Phil Wickham showed up to lead worship. Mike introduced me to his music a couple of months ago and I've loved the guy ever since. Sitting fifth row center stage made it that much more sweeter. Charlie Hall is up next month. I love Atlanta.
2. For the service, Jarrett Stevens interviewed Margaret Feinberg. I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of her ... I know, I know ... where have I been? Looks like she was at Northland last week. She was off the hook. She's written The Organic God and Sacred Echo, among others. I think after I get done with Crazy Love and reread In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, I'll pick one of them up. Next month Dan Kimball is up, author of "They like Jesus but Not the Church".
3. At the end, Jarrett announced that 722 was ending. The reasoning being that they didn't feel like 722 was uniquely providing something that no one else was providing. While they love the service, it felt like it it was just becoming another option. It sounded like September might be the last month, but I'm not sure about that. They are praying and seeking God for what's next.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Staff Retreat Continued
We're still on the MC/YLC/Oxygen staff retreat...
What I've loved most is the mentoring/coaching Jeanne has done throughout the last couple of days. Here are just a few of the great quotes I've heard.
What I've loved most is the mentoring/coaching Jeanne has done throughout the last couple of days. Here are just a few of the great quotes I've heard.
- In the absence of a great dream, pettiness prevails
- When you are busy rowing the boat, you don’t have time to rock it.
- The heaviest burden to carry is none at all.
- The President of the United States has no more hours in his day than we do…same with Jesus.
- The more busy and demanding the season, the more important it is to have rituals. Without the rituals, negative emotional energy gets darker and deeper. Negative energy begets negative energy.
- I have learned on the journey of life that I am far better at times to be a little lonely rather than filling the lonely spaces with the wrong relationships.
- Getting the negative residue (I like that word) off of your life after you end wrong relationships can take awhile.
- Be careful of living your life at a frantic, hectic pace. Speedboats go fast but are shallow on the lake. The minute depth comes, speed goes down.
- Lives lived frantically are easily forgotten.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Mountain Top Experience
Pictures will follow, but right now I am sitting high up outside on the deck of what has to be a million dollar house/cabin overlooking the Smoky Mountains (I think that’s the mountain range). It is absolutely gorgeous. We are having what I call marathon sitting sessions planning Master Commission Atlanta’s 2008-2009 year. They are long, but every second is well worth it. So far, the ten MC and YLC staff have…
1. Reflected on what went right/well last year.
2. Talked about what we could improve upon.
3. Updated the handbook.
4. Talked about roles, responsibilities and expectations since we’ve had some staff changes.
5. Reviewed and discussed the budget.
6. Figured out all the “big rocks” when it comes to events and put them on the annual calendar.
7. Figured out 2nd and 3rd year portfolios (various assignments and roles).
8. Dreamed about and cast vision for the upcoming National Youth Leader’s Conference March 30 – April 1, 2009.
9. Put AC families together.
10. Figured out RA’s for the apartments.
11. Determined the weekly schedule and teaching blocks.
12. Ate four dinners that were to die for. Each team is trying to out do each other and those eating get to reap the rewards.
Last night Jordan lead devo’s and Nick worship. Both did an amazing job. Two of the questions Jordan asked were “How is love best shown to you (kind of like, what is your love language)?” and “What imprint or signature do you want to leave on the hearts of our students?” Words can’t express how “real” we got with each other.
I’m pretty excited about the upcoming year, there is a new level of unity in the team and a strong desire by all to be more than friends, but family.
I’m going to go hang out with Jesus, later my friends. I love you.
1. Reflected on what went right/well last year.
2. Talked about what we could improve upon.
3. Updated the handbook.
4. Talked about roles, responsibilities and expectations since we’ve had some staff changes.
5. Reviewed and discussed the budget.
6. Figured out all the “big rocks” when it comes to events and put them on the annual calendar.
7. Figured out 2nd and 3rd year portfolios (various assignments and roles).
8. Dreamed about and cast vision for the upcoming National Youth Leader’s Conference March 30 – April 1, 2009.
9. Put AC families together.
10. Figured out RA’s for the apartments.
11. Determined the weekly schedule and teaching blocks.
12. Ate four dinners that were to die for. Each team is trying to out do each other and those eating get to reap the rewards.
Last night Jordan lead devo’s and Nick worship. Both did an amazing job. Two of the questions Jordan asked were “How is love best shown to you (kind of like, what is your love language)?” and “What imprint or signature do you want to leave on the hearts of our students?” Words can’t express how “real” we got with each other.
I’m pretty excited about the upcoming year, there is a new level of unity in the team and a strong desire by all to be more than friends, but family.
I’m going to go hang out with Jesus, later my friends. I love you.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Francis Chan
Sweetness...just checked out Francis Chan's video blog and found out he has a new book out called Crazy Love. I sooo love Amazon's One Click.
Great Blog Posts
Being the Director of Operations for Youth Leader's Coach, Executive Director for Cadre, Director of Middle School, Financial Analyst for the Tab, the voice for the Technical Arts and having a few other random responsibilties that would make your head spin (at least it does mine), I like to randomly send the variety of staff I come alongside some of the great blog posts I come across. Normally, I try to give them one or two a month, but came across two amazing ones this week.
Here's the one from Ed Young (this was especially pertinent since we cut housekeeping 37 hours per week last week)
Here's the one from Tim Stevens (I've heard "it's not my fault" blame shifting all too often over the last few years. I hate in particular when I hear it come out of my own mouth.)
Here's the one from Ed Young (this was especially pertinent since we cut housekeeping 37 hours per week last week)
Here's the one from Tim Stevens (I've heard "it's not my fault" blame shifting all too often over the last few years. I hate in particular when I hear it come out of my own mouth.)
A Day With Students
This summer has afforded me a little more hang time with students since the "home team" has the ball and MC is on the bench so to speak (actually, just away doing ministry on their home fields across the nation).
Today I spent part of the afternoon with Nephtaly and Martha, incredible students going from 8th into 9th grade. On our way to lunch, Martha talked about how Andrew had taught that cliques hurt our 02 group awhile back. She shared how his teaching came to life when she was on a retreat last weekend with another church and spent the first part of it as an outsider looking in. It's cool to see a teaching take hold, isn't it?
After picking up Nephtaly, we did lunch at Panda Express and talked openly about anything and everything, including race (Nephtaly is Haitian, Martha Mexican and the very white Hungarian/German me), old youth pastors, the difficulties of going from the ghetto to very middle/upper class neighborhoods, etc. Nephtaly has some dreams for the youth ministry I hope to help unleash.
When I got back to the office, Eric and Chris came in and were hanging around in my office. While I know it can be time consuming, I love what it says when a student, especially two guys, feel comfortable enough to come plop down in your office to talk. While some would be irritiated by it, I am grateful. After sharing stories, Eric had a great idea for an event and got the ball rolling to get the info and take it to the team.
What I loved most today were the eyes to see that God gave me. I've been on the sidelines in youth ministry a little bit over the last year just trying to figure out what the heck I was doing in a new city and a new position. It's good to be back in the trenches. Listening to the students' dreams and strategizing a little on how to achieve even the little ones is refreshing. It's amazing what students can accomplish if someone will give them a little time and help them get their feet pointed in the right direction.
Today I spent part of the afternoon with Nephtaly and Martha, incredible students going from 8th into 9th grade. On our way to lunch, Martha talked about how Andrew had taught that cliques hurt our 02 group awhile back. She shared how his teaching came to life when she was on a retreat last weekend with another church and spent the first part of it as an outsider looking in. It's cool to see a teaching take hold, isn't it?
After picking up Nephtaly, we did lunch at Panda Express and talked openly about anything and everything, including race (Nephtaly is Haitian, Martha Mexican and the very white Hungarian/German me), old youth pastors, the difficulties of going from the ghetto to very middle/upper class neighborhoods, etc. Nephtaly has some dreams for the youth ministry I hope to help unleash.
When I got back to the office, Eric and Chris came in and were hanging around in my office. While I know it can be time consuming, I love what it says when a student, especially two guys, feel comfortable enough to come plop down in your office to talk. While some would be irritiated by it, I am grateful. After sharing stories, Eric had a great idea for an event and got the ball rolling to get the info and take it to the team.
What I loved most today were the eyes to see that God gave me. I've been on the sidelines in youth ministry a little bit over the last year just trying to figure out what the heck I was doing in a new city and a new position. It's good to be back in the trenches. Listening to the students' dreams and strategizing a little on how to achieve even the little ones is refreshing. It's amazing what students can accomplish if someone will give them a little time and help them get their feet pointed in the right direction.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Yellow River and a Mother's Prayers
After a really late night of painting, I was up early this morning to go hang out with some middle school kids at Yellow River. Honestly, I don't really want to know why it's called Yellow River. It can't be good.
Good times were had by all, but what I loved most was the coversation about Jesus. Junior Leonidas, one of our high school leaders, is annointed/gifted/not sure what you want to call it, but off-the-hook. Maybe I don't know him well enough yet, but I've never met a high school kid like this one in all my years ... no joke. I attribute his AMAZINGNESS to his parents. There are nine Leonidas kids and they are all incredible. I told his older sister that their mom should write a book. You can produce one great kid, maybe two, with a little love and luck ... but to produce nine means you've got something going on that others need to know about. She began to tell me stories. The one that grabbed my attention is about their mom's prayer life for her kids. The sister laughing talked about the times she would wake up with her head half saturated with annointing oil from her mother's prayers the night before. Evidently their mom frequently prays over them while they sleep. Now maybe that sounds extreme, but if you met these kids, you'd have "buy in" for sure.
Anyway back to the conversation with Junior... he was talking about a Bible study Corey, our worship leader, had done that marked him. I asked him what Corey had said, partly because I was curious, mostly because I know if we reiterate something, it helps to seal it inside of us. Well, a couple of students were around when he was telling the story and it lead to an incredible conversation and questions about Jesus. Loved, loved, loved it.
Good times were had by all, but what I loved most was the coversation about Jesus. Junior Leonidas, one of our high school leaders, is annointed/gifted/not sure what you want to call it, but off-the-hook. Maybe I don't know him well enough yet, but I've never met a high school kid like this one in all my years ... no joke. I attribute his AMAZINGNESS to his parents. There are nine Leonidas kids and they are all incredible. I told his older sister that their mom should write a book. You can produce one great kid, maybe two, with a little love and luck ... but to produce nine means you've got something going on that others need to know about. She began to tell me stories. The one that grabbed my attention is about their mom's prayer life for her kids. The sister laughing talked about the times she would wake up with her head half saturated with annointing oil from her mother's prayers the night before. Evidently their mom frequently prays over them while they sleep. Now maybe that sounds extreme, but if you met these kids, you'd have "buy in" for sure.
Anyway back to the conversation with Junior... he was talking about a Bible study Corey, our worship leader, had done that marked him. I asked him what Corey had said, partly because I was curious, mostly because I know if we reiterate something, it helps to seal it inside of us. Well, a couple of students were around when he was telling the story and it lead to an incredible conversation and questions about Jesus. Loved, loved, loved it.
Praying for Favor
The last couple days have been a whirlwind...
Thursday we were on a conference call with Cadre Epic and Richard Crisco. He is easily in the top five most Godly people I have ever met. He oozes Jesus like no other person I've ever known.
Thursday night we had a board meeting ... where I am the "voice" for the Tabernacle's financials. Vicky and Sobrina do all the work, I just am the financial interpreter. It's definitely one of the places where I feel the favor of God. One of my 02 kids who has a dad on the board said to me the other day, "my dad says you're really smart." I told him that I wasn't, but just work hard so it looks like I am. I remember Jeanne saying one day that she prays for favor with people ... she must pray for her staff to have that same favor as well. I feel it.
Jordan and I were writing emails back and forth at 4 a.m. He was working on NYLC and the MC retreat and I was working on Cadre and this month's Youth Leader's Coach. It's funny, most wouldn't classify either of us as morning people ... but really, we're just REALLY early morning people. It sounds more noble than night owls, doesn't it?
Today we were on the line with Cadre Litmus and Prestige where Jeanne was talking about conflict resolution. Her wisdom was billiant. I loved a couple of lines in particular ... like "Don't drop a bomb when a sling shot will work" and "We tend to rule overselves with our heart and other people with our head. We really need to reverse it and rule other people with our heart and ourselves with our head."
In between the calls, we held a NYLC meeting and celebrated Jeanne's birthday. Can't say we don't pack our day.
Tonight Cherry, Alisha, Tolu and I painted my new office a cool shade of green and gray ... ok, the grey look more like white than grey, but oh well. I think painting on all those mission trips burnt me out on the whole thing. I will be glad when it's done.
Tomorrow our 02 group is going to the river...should be fun...then more painting and moving stuff into place.
Sunday morning Cherry and I are hitting up either Northpoint or Jentzen Franklin's church. Hopefully afterwards I will be able to knock out this month's Source and YLC. They are AMAZING as usual ... The Three Chairs and Seven Daily Success Rituals.
Monday we are off to the mountains for our week long staff retreat. REALLY looking forward to it ... could use a change of scenery. Somehow before we leave at 9 a.m., I have to get a power of attorney signed, nortorized and sent off so we can seal the deal and close on my dad's house. Should be interesting since I absolutely detest mornings.
Thursday we were on a conference call with Cadre Epic and Richard Crisco. He is easily in the top five most Godly people I have ever met. He oozes Jesus like no other person I've ever known.
Thursday night we had a board meeting ... where I am the "voice" for the Tabernacle's financials. Vicky and Sobrina do all the work, I just am the financial interpreter. It's definitely one of the places where I feel the favor of God. One of my 02 kids who has a dad on the board said to me the other day, "my dad says you're really smart." I told him that I wasn't, but just work hard so it looks like I am. I remember Jeanne saying one day that she prays for favor with people ... she must pray for her staff to have that same favor as well. I feel it.
Jordan and I were writing emails back and forth at 4 a.m. He was working on NYLC and the MC retreat and I was working on Cadre and this month's Youth Leader's Coach. It's funny, most wouldn't classify either of us as morning people ... but really, we're just REALLY early morning people. It sounds more noble than night owls, doesn't it?
Today we were on the line with Cadre Litmus and Prestige where Jeanne was talking about conflict resolution. Her wisdom was billiant. I loved a couple of lines in particular ... like "Don't drop a bomb when a sling shot will work" and "We tend to rule overselves with our heart and other people with our head. We really need to reverse it and rule other people with our heart and ourselves with our head."
In between the calls, we held a NYLC meeting and celebrated Jeanne's birthday. Can't say we don't pack our day.
Tonight Cherry, Alisha, Tolu and I painted my new office a cool shade of green and gray ... ok, the grey look more like white than grey, but oh well. I think painting on all those mission trips burnt me out on the whole thing. I will be glad when it's done.
Tomorrow our 02 group is going to the river...should be fun...then more painting and moving stuff into place.
Sunday morning Cherry and I are hitting up either Northpoint or Jentzen Franklin's church. Hopefully afterwards I will be able to knock out this month's Source and YLC. They are AMAZING as usual ... The Three Chairs and Seven Daily Success Rituals.
Monday we are off to the mountains for our week long staff retreat. REALLY looking forward to it ... could use a change of scenery. Somehow before we leave at 9 a.m., I have to get a power of attorney signed, nortorized and sent off so we can seal the deal and close on my dad's house. Should be interesting since I absolutely detest mornings.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Broken Records and Broken Wrist
The good news...we had record attendance at our 02 Small Group tonight.
The bad news...one of our little guys broke his wrist doing a back flip outside before service.
The other good news...the guy who cut off his toe last month put a shoe on that foot for this first time today. It was officially sown back on and is healing well.
The bad news...one of our little guys broke his wrist doing a back flip outside before service.
The other good news...the guy who cut off his toe last month put a shoe on that foot for this first time today. It was officially sown back on and is healing well.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
A Time To Pray
Spent some time praying tonight, as always there is reason to talk to Jesus.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about Camp Adventure. A boatload of kids are there and, for many, if not all, it will change the trajectory of their very lives. Many will mark there spiritual journey by Camp Adventure July, 2008. I prayed the kids would have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to feel. I prayed for the counselors to have enormous amounts of strength, courage, compassion, wisdom and love.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about Alissa and Nate. I was at their wedding in Pennsylvania this weekend. It was absolutely beautiful. They are newlyweds and in love, just beginning this journey called marriage.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about a friend's home life ... that restoration would occur ... for if it doesn't, a train wreck is inevitable and all will be left scarred ... if not already.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about our week long staff retreat in the mountains just a few short days away. We need His dreams, His heart and His wisdom for the 80, 90 or 100 plus students that we will have an opportunity to breath life into beginning just a few short weeks away. We need a sense of urgency and awareness to be all and do all we can for the cause, for the Kingdom, for the King.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about my dad. The waves of grief are further apart but they still come. While driving, I seem to be hitting the steering wheel a lot less these days, for that I am grateful ... and so is my car.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about those He put in my sphere of influence. I prayed for continued favor. They mean the world to me.
Finally, I talked to Jesus about my great niece Sarah ... that she would grow up strong and a princess warrior for Jesus.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about Camp Adventure. A boatload of kids are there and, for many, if not all, it will change the trajectory of their very lives. Many will mark there spiritual journey by Camp Adventure July, 2008. I prayed the kids would have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to feel. I prayed for the counselors to have enormous amounts of strength, courage, compassion, wisdom and love.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about Alissa and Nate. I was at their wedding in Pennsylvania this weekend. It was absolutely beautiful. They are newlyweds and in love, just beginning this journey called marriage.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about a friend's home life ... that restoration would occur ... for if it doesn't, a train wreck is inevitable and all will be left scarred ... if not already.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about our week long staff retreat in the mountains just a few short days away. We need His dreams, His heart and His wisdom for the 80, 90 or 100 plus students that we will have an opportunity to breath life into beginning just a few short weeks away. We need a sense of urgency and awareness to be all and do all we can for the cause, for the Kingdom, for the King.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about my dad. The waves of grief are further apart but they still come. While driving, I seem to be hitting the steering wheel a lot less these days, for that I am grateful ... and so is my car.
Tonight I talked to Jesus about those He put in my sphere of influence. I prayed for continued favor. They mean the world to me.
Finally, I talked to Jesus about my great niece Sarah ... that she would grow up strong and a princess warrior for Jesus.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Going Once ... Going Twice ... Sold
Good news ... my dad's house is sold ... even greater news ... it will close within two weeks.
Bad news ... it went too cheap ... even worse news ... what in the world will I do with my junk in less than two weeks. SNAP!
Bad news ... it went too cheap ... even worse news ... what in the world will I do with my junk in less than two weeks. SNAP!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Bugaboo Creek Steak House ... Good Times
Today we celebrated Vicky's birthday (a little late since I was in Dallas last week) at Bugaboo Creek's Steak House ... great food, great company ... two thumbs up. The dead heads of bison, moose, deer and whatnot made it a hunter's dream. The fact that the bison talked was a definitely a bonus.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Alex in Ecuador Drinking Chonta Chicha
Alex left MC Atlanta to do missions work all around the globe. He is currently working in Ecuador. We got this email from him late last night ... I love emails that make you laugh out loud.
Listen... Interesting story today.... I learned that the Shuar Indians are somehow direct descendants of Jesus... They can walk on water... well, maybe not on water... but on mud for sure... We hiked up to a waterfall today.... and it was QUITE THE HIKE!!! A couple of hours of hiking... in the mudd.... and I put two d´s on there... because it was quite intense! There was a pregnant lady... and two old women carrying their babies on their backs in a sling that were guiding us... Listen, if I had my baby on my back... he would have died at least five deaths!!! But not them... They weren't even dirty!!! Me on the other hand... I have never fallen so much! It's like I lost all sense of balance.... They took us to a few waterfalls up on this mountain... where they live and walk every day!!! And we were told that it would take around 20 minutes... Let´s try about two and a half hours...
But the waterfalls were beautiful... I got some great pictures.... and then they decided that rather than hiking back up the muddy hill that I practically SLID down instead of walked down.. they decided that we would blaze a new trail!!! Right through the heart of the jungle... Luckily I had this guy behind me... about 17 that was holding me up and picking ants off of my feet and legs... This was QUITE the sight to see!!! There were about three men in the front with machetes and a rifle... I figured they were going to get us deep in the middle of nowhere, strip us butt naked and then cut our heads off... but I think that we were far too entertaining for them to mess with us... Let me just say... it is quite humbling to be far outdone by a pregnant lady... and two ladies carrying babies... (by the way... BOTH of which were nursing the whole time!!!) but we eventually made it out.... and I am alive... But let me just say that I feel EVERY BIT OF 32 YEARS OLD TONIGHT!!!) My whole body hurts... And nothing quite works like it should!!! I may have to come back to the states on a stretcher... lol...
As we were walking back, one of the ladies asked... Why the heck did you want to come to these waterfalls when there is one only a 20 minute walk from the car... That's right... someone got confused and thought that we wanted the intense trail... All I had to eat was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... and by the time I got to the car, I was ready to PUKE... But guess what was waiting for me... That´s right... a big hearty gourd of Chonta Chicha... and I mean this stuff was thick... and stringy... and warm.... (in case you don't know... Chicha is a drink where the women chew up a vegetable - this time Chonta... and spit it into a vat and then let it sit for a few days... and WAH LAH... a beautiful drink) I had one sip of that and KNEW that it was not going to stay down... so i smiled, wiped the slime from my lips and politely handed the gourd back to the wee little Indian...
So that was my day... Exciting, I know... Don't be jealous!!! :)
But I say all that to say that it was worth it all! It was truly a great day...
Love ya'll!!!
Alex
Listen... Interesting story today.... I learned that the Shuar Indians are somehow direct descendants of Jesus... They can walk on water... well, maybe not on water... but on mud for sure... We hiked up to a waterfall today.... and it was QUITE THE HIKE!!! A couple of hours of hiking... in the mudd.... and I put two d´s on there... because it was quite intense! There was a pregnant lady... and two old women carrying their babies on their backs in a sling that were guiding us... Listen, if I had my baby on my back... he would have died at least five deaths!!! But not them... They weren't even dirty!!! Me on the other hand... I have never fallen so much! It's like I lost all sense of balance.... They took us to a few waterfalls up on this mountain... where they live and walk every day!!! And we were told that it would take around 20 minutes... Let´s try about two and a half hours...
But the waterfalls were beautiful... I got some great pictures.... and then they decided that rather than hiking back up the muddy hill that I practically SLID down instead of walked down.. they decided that we would blaze a new trail!!! Right through the heart of the jungle... Luckily I had this guy behind me... about 17 that was holding me up and picking ants off of my feet and legs... This was QUITE the sight to see!!! There were about three men in the front with machetes and a rifle... I figured they were going to get us deep in the middle of nowhere, strip us butt naked and then cut our heads off... but I think that we were far too entertaining for them to mess with us... Let me just say... it is quite humbling to be far outdone by a pregnant lady... and two ladies carrying babies... (by the way... BOTH of which were nursing the whole time!!!) but we eventually made it out.... and I am alive... But let me just say that I feel EVERY BIT OF 32 YEARS OLD TONIGHT!!!) My whole body hurts... And nothing quite works like it should!!! I may have to come back to the states on a stretcher... lol...
As we were walking back, one of the ladies asked... Why the heck did you want to come to these waterfalls when there is one only a 20 minute walk from the car... That's right... someone got confused and thought that we wanted the intense trail... All I had to eat was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... and by the time I got to the car, I was ready to PUKE... But guess what was waiting for me... That´s right... a big hearty gourd of Chonta Chicha... and I mean this stuff was thick... and stringy... and warm.... (in case you don't know... Chicha is a drink where the women chew up a vegetable - this time Chonta... and spit it into a vat and then let it sit for a few days... and WAH LAH... a beautiful drink) I had one sip of that and KNEW that it was not going to stay down... so i smiled, wiped the slime from my lips and politely handed the gourd back to the wee little Indian...
So that was my day... Exciting, I know... Don't be jealous!!! :)
But I say all that to say that it was worth it all! It was truly a great day...
Love ya'll!!!
Alex
Monday, June 30, 2008
Dad's House
My sister called and told me we got an offer on my dad's house today. Pray that it goes through! Then, pray that I figure out what to do with all the junk I'm storing in the garage (small stuff considering my brother and sister have had to maintain the house the last seven months). Then, pray it can close without me coming home to Indiana to sign paperwork. It has the potential to close within three weeks.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
NYLC 09 - The Deals Have Been Sealed
We are back from our whirlwind trip to Dallas. Here's the stuff the team accomplished...
- Toured both the facility and area. Cedar Hills (just on the boarder of Dallas) is becoming a booming suburb. The outdoor mall areas that will be complete by then are absolutely gorgeous.
- Met with the facility and administration of Trinity and checked on a gazillion details
- Met with the audio/video/lightening guy, Jeff, to figure out exactly what equipment we have to work with
- Ate lunch with their student ministries and MC staff. Great people.
- Double checked the seat count in the auditorium
- Checked the site line from every corner of the auditorium
- Counted every possible parking space
- Took the dimensions of the stage
- Measured the gym and counted the outlets for the vendors
- Got the maps and dimensions of every room available in the main sactuary, childrens building, school and student center - besides the general session, we have six super sessions and 45 breakout session, so we need every room and every chair
- Met with countless sals reps for hotels and set up hotel contracts with a number of them
- Met with some local restaurants
- Stopped at the visitor's info center to establish connection and get free stuff
- Shot footage and pictures of the church and Dallas for promo video
- Established connections with two of the primary audio/media/lighting rental companies
All that and...
Celebrated Alisha's birthday at some Mexican restaurant downtown that was let's say "interesting"
I had the most horrible headache the first night, comparable only to the one I had in the early 90's after the first day of the CPA exam
Got up at 5 a.m. to take Jeanne to the DFW airport to catch a flight to New Mexico. Dallas has to be one of worst airports in all of America to navigate the first time through. We needed to pick up a rental car after we dropped Jeanne off and it took us a half hour to find the place. We followed the signs and kept ending up in the return area. We asked the AVIS person how to get where we needed to go and her words were "Go straight and ignore the 'Do Not Enter' sign and it will take you to the lower lever." Go figure. The good news is that once in the airport it's relatively simple and the flight took off on time.
We laughed a lot. What a great team.
Friday, June 27, 2008
NYLC 09
I'm posting from the Hilton Gardens somewhere in or near Dallas. We scoped out Trinity church today. What an amazing facility. What amazing hosts! When we were choosing a facility (actually in an affluent suburb call Cedar Hills) we knew we wanted three things ...
1. We wanted to be in or near Dallas
2. To have the conference in a church if at all possible
3. The seating capacity needed to be near or over 3,000
Trinity's seating capacity is only around 2,500. While we had another facility lined up over the 3,000 mark, we opted for Trinity. Why? Because of the size of their heart. They want us there ... big, big time and you can feel it. Here's some examples:
1. They are shutting down their Christian school for three days so we can use the entire facility (brand new less than a year old sanctuary, children's building (old sanctuary), school with full gym and original sanctuary (youth building)). I'm sure they will make it line up with some normal spring break in order to make it all happen.
2. Matt, their Master's Commission director, spent the entire afternoon with us making sure we got the tour to beat all tours.
3. Their facilities people are off the hook. They copied floor plans, parking layouts ... you name it. You can tell they are "for" the Kingdom and not "for" making sure things never get messed up (by never getting touched). Big deal. If you don't have facilities on your side, you are not in for a good time.
4. Countless other little things.
It reminds me how VALUABLE it is not only with conference locations, but in life ... TO BE WANTED! Lord, help me be intentional about helping people to feel that as well!
Anyway, besides the Trinity staff, the other amazing notice of my day was our staff. Jordan, Sterling, Jay, Alisha and I joined up with Jeanne today. She was speaking in Dallas at Christ for the Nations and is then heading to New Mexico to speak a gazillion times over the next couple of days. As we were all flying, driving, talking and doing lunch. I couldn't help but stop for the moment and take notice of the "feel" of our team. Words can't adequately express that moment for me. It was a deep sense of love and we are "for" each other. Those words are cheap to say, but are loaded with meaning when done right and well and translated into actions, attitudes, words and deeds. I'm excited for NYLC 09, before it felt like it was in some foggy place a long way off, but now we're rolling.
1. We wanted to be in or near Dallas
2. To have the conference in a church if at all possible
3. The seating capacity needed to be near or over 3,000
Trinity's seating capacity is only around 2,500. While we had another facility lined up over the 3,000 mark, we opted for Trinity. Why? Because of the size of their heart. They want us there ... big, big time and you can feel it. Here's some examples:
1. They are shutting down their Christian school for three days so we can use the entire facility (brand new less than a year old sanctuary, children's building (old sanctuary), school with full gym and original sanctuary (youth building)). I'm sure they will make it line up with some normal spring break in order to make it all happen.
2. Matt, their Master's Commission director, spent the entire afternoon with us making sure we got the tour to beat all tours.
3. Their facilities people are off the hook. They copied floor plans, parking layouts ... you name it. You can tell they are "for" the Kingdom and not "for" making sure things never get messed up (by never getting touched). Big deal. If you don't have facilities on your side, you are not in for a good time.
4. Countless other little things.
It reminds me how VALUABLE it is not only with conference locations, but in life ... TO BE WANTED! Lord, help me be intentional about helping people to feel that as well!
Anyway, besides the Trinity staff, the other amazing notice of my day was our staff. Jordan, Sterling, Jay, Alisha and I joined up with Jeanne today. She was speaking in Dallas at Christ for the Nations and is then heading to New Mexico to speak a gazillion times over the next couple of days. As we were all flying, driving, talking and doing lunch. I couldn't help but stop for the moment and take notice of the "feel" of our team. Words can't adequately express that moment for me. It was a deep sense of love and we are "for" each other. Those words are cheap to say, but are loaded with meaning when done right and well and translated into actions, attitudes, words and deeds. I'm excited for NYLC 09, before it felt like it was in some foggy place a long way off, but now we're rolling.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
March 30 - April 1 NYLC 2009 Dallas, TX
Leaving on a jet plane ... at 5 a.m. tomorrow. We're spending three days scoping out Dallas, the home of Jeanne's National Youth Leader's Conference 2009 (March 30 - April 1)
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