tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126510372024-03-14T00:18:05.245-07:00chanchancheponPassionate pilgrim Shawnee seeking shalom...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.comBlogger1192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-81079171457613574132019-01-01T07:15:00.000-08:002019-01-01T07:15:00.573-08:00Happy New Year And Transitions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9beK_X9hmMcDT9yXNdwp2LNR3teJ4EjSPpG7h1K2rFYa8fv-fS6KbiGlIX3ISq7q-dGJNJLwTaQyZOR6U-1uPXZM94yo7yzyDPOkg185DEWkp4dA9FkArVzvXBUR-SJql3FwR/s1600/IMG_2287.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9beK_X9hmMcDT9yXNdwp2LNR3teJ4EjSPpG7h1K2rFYa8fv-fS6KbiGlIX3ISq7q-dGJNJLwTaQyZOR6U-1uPXZM94yo7yzyDPOkg185DEWkp4dA9FkArVzvXBUR-SJql3FwR/s400/IMG_2287.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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First off, I want to take a moment to wish you a happy new year, and to thank you for your readership of this blog over the years. It has been a true joy sharing some of our adventures, reflections and reviews with you, and we hope to continue to do so. It has been a little over a year since I posted on this blog, and this will likely be my last post to this blog. I am transitioning to blog on a new website called <a href="http://archegoscoaching.com/">ArchegosCoaching.com</a>. My best friend in the whole world, Willie, helped me to get it set up. If you had been subscribed to get updates to this blog, or you just stop by here from time to time to see if I've posted, I hope you will make the move over to check out <a href="http://archegoscoaching.com/">ArchegosCoaching.com</a>.<br />
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Thanks again for reading, and I hope all is well in your world!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-32855190060254279992017-12-27T05:21:00.000-08:002017-12-27T05:29:36.279-08:00Merry Christmas And Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwawZwcNa3J2FMFth16B6E7_wgLeMHseL4siKnES1fECLf_4uGJ3qw8JmNRdvsEANlXq0GO7XoQukFhnOMdOzat_MI8Zvp4CI9sOM2paqgB3hKEVTLwLDIqG2AauYUVqAfKPb2/s1600/IMG_5570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwawZwcNa3J2FMFth16B6E7_wgLeMHseL4siKnES1fECLf_4uGJ3qw8JmNRdvsEANlXq0GO7XoQukFhnOMdOzat_MI8Zvp4CI9sOM2paqgB3hKEVTLwLDIqG2AauYUVqAfKPb2/s320/IMG_5570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“But Mary treasured up all
these things, pondering them in her heart.”~Luke 2:19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Well, 2017 is nearly over,
and it has been quite a whirlwind. Every year, I strive to write some kind of
retrospective on the year. Sometimes it makes an appearance in a Christmas
letter, and other times it ends up being a blog post (which have declined in
frequency in general in 2017—sorry!) to be shared online.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Where to begin? We have been
witness to incredible blessings in 2017. God gave us the incredible joy of
watching our daughter grow and explore this beautiful world. Sylvia’s birth and
growth have definitely shifted our daily rhythms. We explore more, and we try
to savor the little things a bit more than we probably have in the past. It has
been amazing to see this little girl grow and learn and gaze upon the world
with wide-eyed wonder, and fill her little heart with love, goodness, and
discovery. She really brings out the best in everyone she comes in contact
with, and that is a beautiful gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_eOCUI1OeCacziKXEmym4B1tQFyNdZjJe5QN7hpAS9vkOcZBe7lHLyXgqf3G83zzfoQy5MfnIHpBTOW_ERnYGqXTHddaT_JVsk65L4u4A1nNNs49ACRwQ37lMGbrFJ8lnpt9/s1600/IMG_2570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_eOCUI1OeCacziKXEmym4B1tQFyNdZjJe5QN7hpAS9vkOcZBe7lHLyXgqf3G83zzfoQy5MfnIHpBTOW_ERnYGqXTHddaT_JVsk65L4u4A1nNNs49ACRwQ37lMGbrFJ8lnpt9/s320/IMG_2570.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">We were on the move a lot
this year as well. Sylvia now has 26 states under her belt, she has explored
five national parks, and has been on 30 flights. She (and we) have been
diligent to be outside together for an average of an hour a day, and we go on
almost daily walks together. There’s a 3.3 mile loop near our house that has
become our walking/running circuit when we are home, so I guess we are always
ready for a 5K walk/run. ;) I also worked to be more disciplined about taking
vacation this year (I’m terrible at it but improving), and we were able to see
some amazing sights during our travels; including sunrise in Glacier National
Park. Sylvia also dipped her feet in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
during her first year of life too! One of my biggest joys with Sylvia this year
had to be walking into our garden together, picking tomatoes off the vine, and
sitting in our yard and eating them. Often the most joyful moments are the
simple ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI17yM_4VcSafd4wPcF9qjz5DgNQy2-hcc-HgGKjGXnnQAdB3XdJ7Cugnr4zozEWvuF1PEreBk5A5i27k4fakTKsq0TKv5kxbBR_b-g3ctytqG9gWumwZwmd4rOfaGzsBpVdge/s1600/IMG_3047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI17yM_4VcSafd4wPcF9qjz5DgNQy2-hcc-HgGKjGXnnQAdB3XdJ7Cugnr4zozEWvuF1PEreBk5A5i27k4fakTKsq0TKv5kxbBR_b-g3ctytqG9gWumwZwmd4rOfaGzsBpVdge/s320/IMG_3047.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">I finished a one year program
for nonprofit leaders at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government in May, and was
invited back to campus this past fall to contribute to the learning of the
incoming class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also accepted an
invitation to become a member of <a href="https://chanchanchepon.blogspot.com/2017/09/joining-forbes-coaches-council.html">Forbes Coaches Council</a> and have contributed to
a handful of articles online. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In addition, we are
continuing to expand our impact at </span><a href="http://www.nuruinternational.org/" style="font-size: 10pt;">Nuru</a><span style="font-size: 10pt;">. It’s hard to believe it has been 10
years since Jake and I first met up to discuss his idea for addressing extreme
poverty in some of the toughest places on earth, and, thanks to your support, Nuru
is now in three countries and has gone from an idea to an organization
benefitting more than 120,000 people.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TeCLP9zwKVoBTiyqtILNEcf9Zj8T4No255Z1TnXjGCR8uM6o3gNk2WJbleCeHosrExkRhJkbpE9F1k1TkTzzEp-p2xeAcPd4Sv3qjW0CQhGiI8AH88n31hzMwPv5QRb7CVjt/s1600/IMG_2736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TeCLP9zwKVoBTiyqtILNEcf9Zj8T4No255Z1TnXjGCR8uM6o3gNk2WJbleCeHosrExkRhJkbpE9F1k1TkTzzEp-p2xeAcPd4Sv3qjW0CQhGiI8AH88n31hzMwPv5QRb7CVjt/s320/IMG_2736.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Jamie started back to work at
Healthworks in February after her maternity leave. She’s an incredibly gifted
and compassionate aquatic rehabilitation therapist, and it is a delight to see
her serve so many and help people improve their wellbeing as she works with
them in the pool. She has continued serving as a Congressional District Leader
for the <a href="https://www.one.org/us/">ONE Campaign</a> (Bono’s poverty fighting advocacy organization) and during
the ONE Summit this February worlds collided as she introduced the keynote for
the event, Jake Harriman, CEO and Founder of <a href="http://www.nuruinternational.org/">Nuru International</a>! When she’s not
fighting poverty or improving lives at Healthworks, she’s caring so sweetly for
our little girl!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Our hearts have been so full
this year. My mind is flooded with details around memories throughout the year
that I just can’t fit into a short letter. There has been so much goodness we
have been able to savor, so much to be grateful to God for. Our friendship with
you sits at the top of that list. We have been so privileged to have wonderful
people like you in our life; praying for us, encouraging us, laughing with us,
and shaping new memories with us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2XiBaiboGCFM1m-ZGk2kN0jt-iXDKEWSBF9ds6vBFQcjknosZxm9j3Kf67xOFer05qa51AO7DnEwNig5D1GZqjZqoCBxEjmA8sYSNUt0O9E8GS_abOaHNoS54RKg_FGHA6_i/s1600/DSC_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2XiBaiboGCFM1m-ZGk2kN0jt-iXDKEWSBF9ds6vBFQcjknosZxm9j3Kf67xOFer05qa51AO7DnEwNig5D1GZqjZqoCBxEjmA8sYSNUt0O9E8GS_abOaHNoS54RKg_FGHA6_i/s320/DSC_0300.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">My prayer is that 2018 will
find each of us celebrating the little blessings that make appearances in our
lives each day, and that we will grow in our gratitude, our generosity, and our
care for one another. May we each do our part to love well in a world that
could use more love, more grace, and more peace. And, like Mary in the Gospels,
may each of us treasure up the stories and memories we are sharing and
creating, pondering them in our hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Merry Christmas and have a
happy new year!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-19675053444787151672017-11-28T05:59:00.000-08:002017-11-28T05:59:31.930-08:00Generous $15,000 #GivingTuesday Match For Nuru International<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t1fmRNkXPfeZjybtdyVP07BlX93YJBYJtqs9tFa6GUJCmsGB4kXuVeIMtatO7OuBGgPGG-hlFfxBK39ZiBm5OqNaE8TrZiZQHa5MoSHW5dd4XDBbyWwqyEuxzviTAjqoAH6p/s1600/201505_D11_NURU_JakeInField_017-scr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t1fmRNkXPfeZjybtdyVP07BlX93YJBYJtqs9tFa6GUJCmsGB4kXuVeIMtatO7OuBGgPGG-hlFfxBK39ZiBm5OqNaE8TrZiZQHa5MoSHW5dd4XDBbyWwqyEuxzviTAjqoAH6p/s320/201505_D11_NURU_JakeInField_017-scr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's been a while since I posted on this blog, but today is just too important to not post. A generous West Virginian has committed $15,000 to <a href="http://bit.ly/2zWq6xs">match every donation</a> that Nuru International receives today in honor of #GivingTuesday.<br />
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Over the last nine years, our entire team at Nuru has been hard at work developing leaders who have the passion, the drive, and the commitment to making extreme poverty history in their homes and their communities. One of those leaders is the gentleman next to Jake in the photo above, Josephat Marawa. Josephat was one of the first farmers Jake met when we launched Nuru in Kenya in 2008. Josephat was struggling to grow enough food to help his family address hunger and just like any parent, he was longing for his children to have a better future.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/069hNn-Iphc" width="560"></iframe><br />
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I can remember multiple occasions where I had the privilege of being with Josephat in the field and meeting with other farmer households. He is an incredibly soft-spoken and thoughtful individual, and in the years since he first started farming with Nuru, he has grown in both his ability to provide for his family and his ability to serve his community. He is now a field manager for Nuru Kenya's Agriculture Program, and is helping about 500 farmers to improve their livelihoods and to chart a better future for their families.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWP9ttpbajffXQcHiECsCZ4etItrkKGRfs9nzehmOWm0UL0m2kHVDtELyUB1NwVgb0FWLSoHtdHuxXQmHHiNq3fFyPPo8fuOW3rpIF86Rcv1azip2zskquNAVfarjOFDKyFtB/s1600/Josephat+Marawa%252C+Field+Manager+Nuru+Kenya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWP9ttpbajffXQcHiECsCZ4etItrkKGRfs9nzehmOWm0UL0m2kHVDtELyUB1NwVgb0FWLSoHtdHuxXQmHHiNq3fFyPPo8fuOW3rpIF86Rcv1azip2zskquNAVfarjOFDKyFtB/s320/Josephat+Marawa%252C+Field+Manager+Nuru+Kenya.jpg" width="320" /></a>Josephat is one of many leaders that Nuru International has poured into. And you might wonder, why invest in developing leaders? Why not just provide something to meet immediate needs? Well, the answer is simple. As a result of investing in leaders like Josephat, Nuru's Western staff were able to leave Kenya in 2015 and watch from afar as local staff continued to adapt and expand programs to serve their communities. They are helping other leaders grow and expand their reach, and the impact will continue for many years to come!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4tVx947y4SCwlFv7E3myJQzoHYvNr4Qgt0vn2UzgFutYJrMQQ41LCHFPEjPAui_4JF3HPZRN0ziSLA6n9NBzA7lY774kYZ8hJiVVbkU-LSfWHDxwT7QBgbITXfV8QVQozG8c/s1600/Billy+and+Jamie+in+Zefine%252C+Ethiopia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4tVx947y4SCwlFv7E3myJQzoHYvNr4Qgt0vn2UzgFutYJrMQQ41LCHFPEjPAui_4JF3HPZRN0ziSLA6n9NBzA7lY774kYZ8hJiVVbkU-LSfWHDxwT7QBgbITXfV8QVQozG8c/s320/Billy+and+Jamie+in+Zefine%252C+Ethiopia.jpg" width="320" /></a>And it's not just happening in Kenya. In Ethiopia, there are leaders like Tekalign Teferi and Temesgen Berihun, who are training up Nuru Ethiopia staff on the importance of servant leadership, of putting others first, and of helping to build the capacity of those around you. And in the near future, Western staff will be leaving Ethiopia and watching locals continue to serve new communities. And they will do it even better!<br />
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And today, you have an opportunity to invest in these leaders with double the impact. As I mentioned before, a generous West Virginian has committed to match every donation received today, up to $15,000. That means if you give $250, it becomes $500. If you give $50 it becomes $100. If you give $500, it becomes $1,000. None of this work would be possible if it weren't for the generosity of friends like you. <a href="http://bit.ly/2zWq6xs">Will you give</a> toward maximizing this match and helping Nuru serve even more communities in the future? Thanks for all you have done and continue to do to help more and more families lift themselves out of extreme poverty for good!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-58233984759240622652017-09-05T12:19:00.000-07:002017-09-05T14:45:00.348-07:00Joining Forbes Coaches Council<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnwC_oFDQrkayJwCmkloEmbS3w7sC6JCY8vf6tirpAe3FW2XXMDoQmEWJ-bnKMgI_Fk_Gx7wcRmZiLpABNir8RxMpSJvgrub4B2TK-etw-rvkCxlZf9Zn2jqOwcQCtla3qfVg/s1600/250x250+F+-+White+Gradient%25403x-FCC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnwC_oFDQrkayJwCmkloEmbS3w7sC6JCY8vf6tirpAe3FW2XXMDoQmEWJ-bnKMgI_Fk_Gx7wcRmZiLpABNir8RxMpSJvgrub4B2TK-etw-rvkCxlZf9Zn2jqOwcQCtla3qfVg/s320/250x250+F+-+White+Gradient%25403x-FCC.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Earlier this year, I received an invitation from Forbes to join the Forbes Coaches Council. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Forbes Coaches<b> </b>Council
Is an Invitation-Only Community for Leading Business and Career Coaches, and I am now a member!</span></span><br />
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">It is an honor to<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">join other Forbes Coaches Council members, who are hand-selected, to become
part of a curated network of successful peers and get access to a variety of
exclusive benefits and resources, including the opportunity to submit thought
leadership articles and short tips on industry-related topics for publishing on
Forbes.com. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forbes Councils
combines an innovative, high-touch approach to community management perfected
by the team behind Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) with the extensive
resources and global reach of Forbes. As a result, Forbes Council members get
access to the people, benefits and expertise they need to grow their businesses
— and a dedicated member concierge who acts as an extension of their own team,
providing personalized one-on-one support.</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scott Gerber,
founder of Forbes Councils, says, “We are honored to welcome Billy Williams of <a href="http://nuruinternational.org/">Nuru International</a> and <a href="http://archegoscoaching.com/">Archegos LLC</a><b> </b>into the community. Our mission
with Forbes Councils is to curate successful professionals from every industry,
creating a vetted, social capital-driven network that helps every member make
an even greater impact on the business world.”</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">About Forbes Councils</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Forbes partnered
with the founders of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) to launch Forbes
Councils, invitation-only communities for world-class business professionals in
a variety of industries. Members, who are hand-selected by each Council’s
community team, receive personalized introductions to each other based on their
specific needs and gain access to a wide range of business benefits and
services, including best-in-class concierge teams, personalized connections,
peer-to-peer learning, a business services marketplace, and the opportunity to
share thought leadership content on Forbes.com. </i></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i>For more information about Forbes
Coaches<b> </b>Council, visit
https://forbescoachescouncil.com/. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit <span class="Hyperlink0">forbescouncils.com</span><span class="None">.</span></i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-87266539498095903372017-08-24T06:23:00.000-07:002017-08-24T06:23:11.984-07:00Reflection: A Delicate Balance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusnZMp4H-dkm5tL9mVhos0cFUxrW5yvdF0ZXdQVbTzFjlheHG6KTyvwwdoCBsdu0dLWq90uPZ5K0SBrOCQwUrINtXcBXJYPXUDcXb0zg_W3BqXM1J1DEPyprZ3JuvW0w8nOEM/s1600/IMG_3875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusnZMp4H-dkm5tL9mVhos0cFUxrW5yvdF0ZXdQVbTzFjlheHG6KTyvwwdoCBsdu0dLWq90uPZ5K0SBrOCQwUrINtXcBXJYPXUDcXb0zg_W3BqXM1J1DEPyprZ3JuvW0w8nOEM/s320/IMG_3875.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Recently I pulled out my <a href="https://chanchanchepon.blogspot.com/2016/10/review-passion-planner.html">Passion Planner</a> and took a look at some of my goals that I set for the first three months of the year. Each year as the year ends/begins, I like to set a few goals for myself in areas spanning from my own health and wellness to home improvement projects and self-enrichment--things like learning new skills or refining existing skills. As I looked over my list, I realized something happened since the beginning of the year that had shifted some of these goals, that something is a really good thing, it is a desire to savor every moment I have with Jamie and Sylvia.<br />
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Among the many goals I started the year with, some have just had to just get reprioritized for now. I've heard it said that we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in a year, and underestimate what we can accomplish in five. Last year, as we were getting ready for Sylvia's arrival, Jamie and I found ourselves taking on more and more big projects, and not only taking them on, but getting them done. One of my dear friends and personal coach took a look at five of my goals that were launching between September and December of last year and said if I only accomplished one of them it would be huge; I'm grateful that I was able to take on and accomplish all five, but I'm not sure how sustainable that pace is for the long haul.<br />
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This year, I've noticed a natural gravitation toward goals that are focused more on family, health, and wellness, than on next major steps for the house, or new skills, hobbies, or interests being cultivated. And, while I want to continue to grow and expand in skills, during this season, my focus has become more centered on daily habits that build toward long-term goals. This is probably true for every single one of us, but over the last few months, I have become more aware of it than ever. I'm striving to take vacation (something I've historically not been the best at), and I am taking more intentional daily space to get away from connected devices, from social media, and from work, although my friends and the <a href="http://nuruinternational.org/">farmers</a> I have the privilege of serving alongside are never far from my heart and mind. And, while my blogging frequency has dropped pretty significantly this year, I am still taking time for reflection.<br />
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What I've been discovering during this season is that there is a delicate balance as we each learn and grow and make our unique contributions to this world, and that there is a value to building foundations that will secure both the longevity and the depth of these contributions. Part of what has brought this truth into focus for me has been the blessing of having Sylvia join our family. Even more than before, I want to be stronger, healthier, and better at all that I am doing so I can be more readily available to play, to grow, to learn, and to enjoy this beautiful world with her and Jamie. We daily get play-time together, and we make it a point to have at least an hour each day outside. Beyond these daily routines, I've doubled down on fitness and health and made significant cuts to the amount of sugar I consume (I know that my habits have a potential to become Sylvia's), slowly and steadily train toward a fifth <a href="https://give.nuruinternational.org/fundraiser/1027149">Marine Corps Marathon for Nuru</a>, and building an almost daily regimen of bodyweight training and mobility.<br />
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While I could have chosen to focus my efforts toward achieving a litany of goals like the ones I have listed in my Passion Planner (blogging more frequently, working toward a blue belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, paint the house), those goals will still be available next year. What won't be available again next year is Sylvia's first year of life, and witnessing all of the discoveries and developments she is making. I don't think I'll regret waiting a little bit before painting the house. It will still need to be done, but I believe I'm gaining by waiting.<br />
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I believe each of us has a great deal we want to accomplish during our short period of years on this earth for the good of others and for the glory of our Creator. May we each be granted wisdom and discernment to know when to start, how to prioritize, and how to make the most of our limited days on this earth!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-46264805580791441572017-08-22T05:30:00.000-07:002017-08-22T05:30:00.187-07:00Review: Unchained by Noel Jesse Heikkinen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEysPcSd43njkGOieK379zct7Q2pddRvg-TtolxeSbze0FQ1tVTFTIUAJco9b9nk2fBi6rx8cdrrhZ92MZFZ1Fuw9Zz8qLfTVmq5q5KMGudfWyDtZpxfAmi4pjIKEt5BRKJFk/s1600/IMG_3880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEysPcSd43njkGOieK379zct7Q2pddRvg-TtolxeSbze0FQ1tVTFTIUAJco9b9nk2fBi6rx8cdrrhZ92MZFZ1Fuw9Zz8qLfTVmq5q5KMGudfWyDtZpxfAmi4pjIKEt5BRKJFk/s320/IMG_3880.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A couple of weeks ago, I was skimming through my <a href="http://twitter.com/chanchanchepon">Twitter</a> feed, and I noticed somebody writing about a book that Noel Jesse Heikkinen wrote called <i><a href="http://amzn.to/2ieRkbt">Unchained: If Jesus Has Set Us Free, Why Don't We Feel Free</a>. </i>I thought that the title was intriguing, and I have known Noel for several years and I have always been impressed by the thoughtful ways he communicates our common faith. While we have never had any lengthy one on one conversations, I have appreciated his authenticity and his unconventional speaking style. <a href="http://www.davidccook.com/">David C. Cook Publishing</a> sent me this copy and I really wanted to read the book quickly and get a review up. Noel is primary preaching pastor at <a href="https://rivchurch.com/">Riverview Church</a> near Lansing, Michigan, and serves as the board chair for the mission agency I used to work for, <a href="https://reliant.org/">Reliant</a>.<br />
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First off, I'm grateful for the fact that Noel writes in the same style that he speaks. His wit is ever present, and his way of providing a fresh look at faith in practice has been one of the best aspects of this book. The focus of the book is looking at multiple facets of freedom that come from faith in Jesus, and the irony that many who practice the Christian faith are not experiencing this freedom in their daily lives.<br />
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But the book starts a few steps before this freedom to talk about what it is to not be free, and what we have been freed from and for. Noel shares both personal story, examples from pop culture and history, and quite a wide array of scripture to ensure that his points are made. The book walks through what exactly Jesus has freed people from, and also explains some of the ways we exchange our freedom for various forms of slavery. Noel provides counterarguments for some of the popular misunderstandings and errors in thinking that lead people to submit themselves to what amounts to slavery to new activities, slavery to guilt, and slavery to shame (among other forms of slavery). He also differentiates a popular definition of freedom that is very <i>self</i> centered from a definition that opens up the fact that our freedom exists in a place where we have never been, and makes it hard for us to comprehend what it even means.<br />
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Noel unpacks very thoughtfully and thoroughly the challenges experienced by what theologians call our positional and our conditional realities, and he unpacks these not as an academic, but as a fellow sojourner and "recovering hypocrite" who wants to see others set free from guilt and shame so that they can live a more joy-filled life of faith. He doesn't prescribe a list of practices that make this transition possible, because that in itself can become another form of slavery; rather he points out the fact that this freedom is the Christian's reality, whether they feel like it or not.<br />
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As good as the text itself is, I really love the fact that this book has discussion/reflection questions at the end of each chapter. Sometimes, it is really easy to speed through a book, but not take time to consider deeply what one reads. I know that unless I intentionally carve out space to reflect, it is all too easy to be on to the next topic, book, blog, or activity.<br />
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In addition, the afterword of the book was very different from any afterword I've ever read. I won't tell you what it says--you'll have to read it yourself, but the content of the afterword really says something about Noel's faith, and his desire for other people, especially but not only his friends, to experience it and experience it richly.<br />
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Regardless of one's faith perspective, I believe readers will enjoy Noel's writing style, his heavy (but not overwhelming) use of scripture to make his case, as well as his wit and humor as they take time to savor the truths being presented by the text.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-58664161258236538732017-08-21T11:40:00.000-07:002017-08-21T11:40:12.004-07:00Reflection: Squash Blossom 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year marks ten years of keeping a small vegetable garden at the house and of enjoying its produce. But there's something more than the productivity of this truck patch that I have enjoyed over this past decade, and that is the <i>beauty</i> of the growth. Each year I have carved out time (even if it is just a few seconds) in the early morning to savor the beauty of the emergence of the <a href="http://chanchanchepon.blogspot.com/2007/06/squash-blossom.html">squash blossom</a>. My Shawnee ancestors and many other indigenous peoples have also made a practice of enjoying this natural beauty, and even incorporating it into jewelry, beadwork, and quillwork designs. It is also a tasty delicacy that can be enjoyed during the summer as a portent of more food to come from the various plants of this small garden.<br />
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These flowers are a gift that are shared most readily with those who wake up early to see the blossom fully opened. As the day progresses, the blossoms close, and so not everyone gets to witness these plants in their full splendor. Not everyone wakes up early. The squash blossoms do not grow alone, but there are clusters of these flowers along each squash vine, some of the blossoms have squash attached, and others are simply the blooms themselves. And yet, each one contributes to the strength, growth, and development of the plant.<br />
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I savor the early morning moments I have each year with the squash blossom as well as the rest of the garden. In a college town, things seem to get moving pretty quickly, and there are many blessings to be found in the stillness and the quiet in the early morning hours. The blessings don't stop as the day moves forward; they just change in their shape and texture. Like the blessing of watching my ten month old daughter enjoy a tomato fresh from the vine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrM5Ddso9GLJpXG_2wivWemCENkekX5qxnk-Uz7RTaNA4k0wvrMxUcPJNFgD7uZ7EW7YHT4TNBocq1PwH11cP-iqVM2ee60OOoRlXzfVXJNlFbrF8bAgbAX-KpVhkynN9nVrs/s1600/20933920_10105626860962579_8011170178147698546_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrM5Ddso9GLJpXG_2wivWemCENkekX5qxnk-Uz7RTaNA4k0wvrMxUcPJNFgD7uZ7EW7YHT4TNBocq1PwH11cP-iqVM2ee60OOoRlXzfVXJNlFbrF8bAgbAX-KpVhkynN9nVrs/s320/20933920_10105626860962579_8011170178147698546_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seeing her enjoy this makes me wonder if that was part of why my dad worked so hard in our gardens growing up. Not only did he get to watch the blessings of growth and development happen after seeds were planted in the garden, but he also had the joy of watching us kids run out to the garden to grab a tomato or a green onion or some other snack after school. There's a blessing that comes from being able to provide for others, especially when we can see that provision savored. It kind of reminds me of this video that <a href="http://nuruinternational.org/">Nuru</a> made a few years ago highlighting the story of one of the farmers in Kenya with whom we worked, Joshua.<br />
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There are many blessings to be discovered and enjoyed as we spend time with the earth, and learn to be better stewards of the small corners where we live. I don't know if you have ever planted a garden or not, but there is a bounty beyond the early and late harvests to be found in working with the soil. Whether or not you plant a garden, may you find time in your day to savor and enjoy the beauty that the Creator has strewn all around us!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-4317703713288419552017-06-06T05:13:00.000-07:002017-06-06T05:13:07.589-07:00Remembering Mom And Celebrating A Legacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been exactly ten years since family and friends were called to say our final goodbyes to my mom as she fought tenaciously for ten months in a battle she finally lost to stage four breast cancer. As I think back to those last few days with her on this earth, there was so much of who she was becoming being manifest to each of us. She was looking forward into eternity and encouraging us with every step as her time in this world was drawing short. A few days after the announcement had come that she had a maximum of six months without treatment and a maximum of 18 months with treatment, she shared with one of her fellow church members during a time of church-wide prayer for their healing, "No matter what happens, we win!" Her attitude was infectiously positive even in the middle of trying circumstances. She always set her sights on what was possible and encouraged others to do the same in every aspect of life. She was the kind of person that people write songs about, and in fact, my best friend in the whole world, Willie, did just that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D3uFMfO8G4dYFE_6FsNB71i-kAs775tzCK-LzuBk_WaBbyrlDcnXjIi5ZEn70vvOkO1IDjNkMXzzDld_7gSAT1PmX-eFp5BUbRikUG1zJbPVacp-M3GI5BOiMGPQ_J1jybYO/s1600/Family+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D3uFMfO8G4dYFE_6FsNB71i-kAs775tzCK-LzuBk_WaBbyrlDcnXjIi5ZEn70vvOkO1IDjNkMXzzDld_7gSAT1PmX-eFp5BUbRikUG1zJbPVacp-M3GI5BOiMGPQ_J1jybYO/s320/Family+Photo.jpg" width="320" /></a>My mom left this world at age 61 after 43 years of marriage, but I can't really bring myself to say that she died. As the philosopher Dallas Willard has said, "We are each unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God's great universe." And as another philosopher and writer C.S. Lewis has said, "You have never met a mere mortal." When my mom left this world to be with Jesus, we mourned her departure, and celebrated the small part of her life we witnessed. And in those few years from then until now, I believe that each of us who knew her has tried to imitate her faith. You see, we can't live our lives in exactly the same way, but we can be imitators of the faith that we witness in those around us and those who have come before us. In some ways, that is one of the most beautiful gifts we can carry, and we can pass on to others who will walk this world long after we have breathed our last.<br />
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So much has happened in these last ten years. Her oldest grandchild graduated from a prestigious institution of higher learning, and her youngest grandchild only recently was born. My dad, my sister, my brother, and myself have each sought to deepen and enrich our own walks of faith, and live as a sign, a foretaste, and an instrument of God's Kingdom come, and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven--to the best of our ability. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzYTfXw2G4Ll9AxZb2x1I2RHpZnEWLna5InUtF6v8a-6mjtQXKd0NFdiYymzHOpNG1NxLWe7U5QAtNbgAJgAaVQbJwxnlzZM62EDVbHiwQMbU_6k-U5BIv8YGWPKJrk6F8C2r/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzYTfXw2G4Ll9AxZb2x1I2RHpZnEWLna5InUtF6v8a-6mjtQXKd0NFdiYymzHOpNG1NxLWe7U5QAtNbgAJgAaVQbJwxnlzZM62EDVbHiwQMbU_6k-U5BIv8YGWPKJrk6F8C2r/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="320" /></a>There have been so many incredible experiences I've had over these last ten years that I wish I could share with my mom. I wish she would have been able to spend more time with Jamie, and celebrate with us on our wedding day. I wish she could have been able to meet Sylvia, and hold her and be one more experienced voice encouraging my wife as she entered into the joys and anxieties that are unique to motherhood. I wish I could have shared just a few of the photos, stories, and adventures I've been privileged to enjoy over these last ten years.<br />
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But its not just the stories from my life that I'd love to share. I wish she could see what a disciplined athlete my sister has become, and how her life has flourished over these last few years as she started running and winning trophies for her exploits on roads and trails. I wish she could have seen Dad heroically come back from a heart attack that would have killed most people. She would have loved to have seen the way he fought back and strengthened his heart, and how he gives so generously of himself to care for each of us kids and for so many others. And I wish she could see what a servant leader my brother has continued to be as well. She would have been so impressed with his recent 90 mile bike ride and the way he has led the carpool van for his work by waking up a little after 4AM every weekday for nearly 20 years to drive 8-10 coworkers over an hour to work.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd2IRftiF9GR-Q9oeo_6tYMURHv49vtUDMiYnXl7djYoMSjW8ou4TQqFxoj61CFRkyAgH4ODeuQMG9WITGpLzLpjx9PADNtBDzb_t5860eGxFuX6C7blLw6RdglpN0OvOGZdj/s1600/Half+Marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd2IRftiF9GR-Q9oeo_6tYMURHv49vtUDMiYnXl7djYoMSjW8ou4TQqFxoj61CFRkyAgH4ODeuQMG9WITGpLzLpjx9PADNtBDzb_t5860eGxFuX6C7blLw6RdglpN0OvOGZdj/s320/Half+Marathon.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Not that she wasn't proud of us before these last ten years, because she definitely was. She was a huge source of encouragement and inspiration for just about every person with whom she crossed paths. Moments of loss, as painful as they are, remind us to walk gently on this earth, and to love others deeply while we can. Seeing my mom in those last hours, unrelenting in her care for each of us as friends and family gathered in prayer, mourning and strange as it may seem, laugher, those images have become seared in my memory and in my own internal compass as I continue to seek to imitate her persevering and unshakeable tenacity and faith. Even until her last breath, she loved deeply, she ran her race strong, and she never wavered in her care for the rest of us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFZ5METFSLAdmP2CkL75QEVh9Wqc85S29raLL18vP04rAQE3rSN1vkatUFBgt9d5DXbSI3OPM_j9pIo8rNhQr-D_LuDGAwkurU3SL5bph9IfCvtH3460MQV-39_HJ6iGV7ebU/s1600/Willie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFZ5METFSLAdmP2CkL75QEVh9Wqc85S29raLL18vP04rAQE3rSN1vkatUFBgt9d5DXbSI3OPM_j9pIo8rNhQr-D_LuDGAwkurU3SL5bph9IfCvtH3460MQV-39_HJ6iGV7ebU/s320/Willie.jpg" width="320" /></a>If you knew my mom, you know what a special lady she was. And if you didn't, I hope you get the privilege of meeting her one day. Mom's have a special relationship with their children, and while each of us continues to live out our life with zeal and determination, I think each one of us kids (and Dad too), has those moments to this day, when all is quiet, and we have at the same time a deep sense of loss, and a deeper sense of appreciation for each moment we have.<br />
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May each of us walk gently on this earth, filled with compassion for others, and with a deep sense of awe for this beautiful place and the wonderful relationships with which the Creator of the universe has blessed each of us. And, may He give each of us space, as we need it, to grieve fully and fearlessly for those, like my mom, who have gone on to be with Jesus before us.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-4857461557083346152017-05-27T07:56:00.000-07:002017-05-27T07:56:21.633-07:00Celebrating Six Amazing Years of #TeamWilliams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEu62kjgWZjlXUQvR6nE1RrsrA8T0NAVpS80WhsOh6Mf_wMSv3Rh2V6jkmAtan1u13vwvK7BqhCjGTH33BHclxWGuhJsSlOkRb-s14aBkGugYQ4ZIYm4vtp4PyONtyp9wCke2/s1600/IMG_0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1500" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEu62kjgWZjlXUQvR6nE1RrsrA8T0NAVpS80WhsOh6Mf_wMSv3Rh2V6jkmAtan1u13vwvK7BqhCjGTH33BHclxWGuhJsSlOkRb-s14aBkGugYQ4ZIYm4vtp4PyONtyp9wCke2/s320/IMG_0222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is a rainy Saturday morning as I sit down to write. Jamie is sleeping in after a long night where sleep was not her friend as
she did what she always does so incredibly well. She gave of herself to serve
others—this time it was for our precious daughter Sylvia. And, right now,
Sylvia is in a Líllé carrier strapped to my chest, sleeping restfully as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie-X_TgP72q5C9tBjzJEMOMdmFhrVowteXLvqbA83GLzb1yiY72gtMvPbwE9BONSSoj8nM57dPcH8O2ThyphenhyphenQoQ_aQHt2hqFY2yisx24WH1ymqmp0aKWZjQKAoHWhVUW7FUA9gl/s1600/Chuck%2527s+Drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie-X_TgP72q5C9tBjzJEMOMdmFhrVowteXLvqbA83GLzb1yiY72gtMvPbwE9BONSSoj8nM57dPcH8O2ThyphenhyphenQoQ_aQHt2hqFY2yisx24WH1ymqmp0aKWZjQKAoHWhVUW7FUA9gl/s320/Chuck%2527s+Drawing.jpg" width="240" /></a>It was a rainy Friday on the day when we made our vows
before Jesus and a small gathering of family, and friends. God gave us so many
incredible gifts that day! First and foremost, He gave us the gift of each
other. I don’t think either of us had any idea of the adventures God had in
store for us as we stood on the shore of Lake Floyd looking at each other with
tears of joy as we began this incredible journey. And, although it was a rainy
Friday when we made these vows, God opened the skies over our outdoor wedding
festivities while it continued raining in communities all around us. What an
incredible gift! What an array of incredible gifts He has carefully placed
along the path we walk together, always following His lead!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaCU8HT3Ht8MboqjK_h7IggrI8ZQpkqaBA7K0qLQldMbbTM59ik1lc-3xmcBWiuUHjzOH0IQZ3fRtghvAJt4Tqrx2Uo1gZQdEptDAensB7GC2ngECiCbxW2V6ovgLn_UvS8-n/s1600/IMG_3095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaCU8HT3Ht8MboqjK_h7IggrI8ZQpkqaBA7K0qLQldMbbTM59ik1lc-3xmcBWiuUHjzOH0IQZ3fRtghvAJt4Tqrx2Uo1gZQdEptDAensB7GC2ngECiCbxW2V6ovgLn_UvS8-n/s320/IMG_3095.jpg" width="320" /></a>Earlier this morning I sat down to read my Bible, and the
story was of Jesus’ first documented miracle. He was celebrating at a wedding
in a place called Cana in an area called Galilee when He turned water into
wine. And it wasn’t just any wine, the master of the feast said it was the best
wine—and it was strange to him, because this best wine was being served last
instead of in the beginning of the celebration. Jesus did his part to enable
the celebration to continue (if he had not intervened, the wedding party would
have run out of wine), and not only did He do his part, but He insured that
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And now as we celebrate the anniversary of our own wedding,
we are so filled with gratitude. Jesus continues to lead us in our celebration,
and as we follow Him we are blessed with so much more than we could have ever
imagined. And this year, we celebrate in simplicity close to home, enjoying our
growing family, and cherishing gifts we have been given that are too many to
count, especially the wonderful gift of each other.</div>
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Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
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My best friend in the whole world, Willie, wrote the song in the video above for
us on our wedding day, and the words ring as true today as they did on that
warm spring evening six years ago amid the flourishing of the Creator’s
beautiful world. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-69985000241013368632017-04-22T07:52:00.000-07:002017-04-22T07:52:49.751-07:00Earth Day 2017<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fX7Hr6fuwd4Yi249IPk6KBL9ksxo8tACpEM901xQfu0PxzobcPXM_GkAz5qWXaiiPiy2uXkfvs_ivjxiKBzKy2ZabtBhbOBuJdaY2-KbOwKeMWVZwbcaOUEsvl-PQSL4yVtA/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fX7Hr6fuwd4Yi249IPk6KBL9ksxo8tACpEM901xQfu0PxzobcPXM_GkAz5qWXaiiPiy2uXkfvs_ivjxiKBzKy2ZabtBhbOBuJdaY2-KbOwKeMWVZwbcaOUEsvl-PQSL4yVtA/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I would say that it all started forty-seven years ago with the first Earth Day celebration, but that kind of short-sighted view of history might miss the bigger picture. It was 47 years ago that people around the world "officially" started setting aside a day to think about and take action with regard to creation care and stewardship, but I feel like that day and those continuing practices have been taking place throughout history with human beings working in relationship with the land, and trusting this relationship, to a degree, to yield a bountiful harvest among other things. I believe this is a remarkably old idea; the Bible's opening chapters tell the story of a man and a woman working in a garden, naming the animals, and being entrusted with the care of creation, so again, it seems that this practice is not new as much as it is one of the most ancient practices of the world.<br />
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Each year Jamie and I try to think about ways we can "lower our footprint," live a little more simply, and do our part to care for the environment. We always have done this with a thoughtful focus not only on our own lives but on those of future generations as well. But now, with the arrival of Sylvia in our life, these steps have a more immediate and tangible inheritance being considered. What kind of world are we stewarding for our daughter's generation, and her grandchildren's grandchildren?<br />
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Here are a few practices we have historically engaged in as well as some new ones for 2017. It is my hope in sharing them, that there may be one or two you would want to start as well.<br />
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<b>1) Consume less energy in the home.</b> This takes various forms in our home, but one of the simplest is that we strive to turn off lights when we are not in the room. We also have devices that operate by remote like our TV plugged into a power strip, so we can turn off the power strips and reduce "phantom charge" as these appliances are constantly using a trickle of electricity any time they are plugged in. We have also converted many of our lights from incandescent to CFL and then to LED bulbs. Doing this is not only good for caring for the environment, but it also saves money.<br />
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<b>2) Walk and spend time outside when possible.</b> You know what else saves money? Walking instead of driving when possible. Thankfully, Jamie and I live in the middle of a town where we can walk just about anywhere we need to go locally. By doing this we are not only saving money on gas, but we also are getting regular exercise. And there's so much cool stuff to see outside!<br />
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<b>3) Buy locally.</b> Since 2013, Jamie and I have been members of a local CSA called <a href="http://www.mountainharvestfarmllc.com/">Mountain Harvest Farm</a>. The farm is run by a former Peace Corps worker (who also happens to be friends with one of my teammates at Nuru), and her husband. Buying locally means that we are supporting local businesses, the food we eat does not have to be shipped hundreds (if not thousands) of miles for us to enjoy, and as funny as it might sound, it tastes better too!<br />
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<b>4) Plant a garden.</b> Since 2007, we've had a little truck patch outside the house where we grow corn, beans, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, collard greens, brussels sprouts, and sundry other foods. Similar to buying local food, growing your own food tastes better. There's nothing quite like being able to pick and eat a tomato right off the plant. Also, as Sylvia grows, spending time in the garden with her will help her develop an understanding of our relationship with the land.<br />
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<b>5) Buy renewable energy certificates.</b> A little over a month ago, thanks to a friend's post on Facebook, we discovered <a href="https://www.arcadiapower.com/billy3964">Arcadia Power</a>. This company allows you to purchase renewable energy certificates. We made the switch to paying our electric bill through Arcadia Power, and have seen very little difference in our monthly bill while we are investing in renewable wind energy. Switching to Arcadia from your current provider only takes about five minutes, and you can either switch to 50% wind power for FREE (you read that correctly), or go to 100% wind energy for typically $5-10 more than your current bill. Intrigued? <a href="https://www.arcadiapower.com/billy3964">Check them out</a>!<br />
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<b>6) Use an electric or reel mower.</b> The year we got married, I bought a high-powered gas mower, and it was plagued with problems over the five years we kept it. Four years ago, we transitioned to a reel mower, and while we love it, our travel frequency made cutting grass (particularly in the spring) a bit more labor and time intensive. My friend Stu told me about his electric mower, and offered to let me borrow it and take it for a test drive. After that experience, we drove to <a href="http://m.homedepot.com/p/EGO-21-in-56-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Battery-Self-Propelled-Mower-LM2102SP/206515944">Home Depot</a> and invested in an E-Go Mower. That mower doesn't need gas, and it cuts better than any mower I've ever used!<br />
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<b>7) Repair or replace heating and cooling units.</b> With the addition of Sylvia to our family, we decided to take a look at replacing our furnace and air conditioner. I called <a href="http://www.groggs.com/">Grogg's Heating and Air Conditioning</a>, and they came to the house and gave us an estimate for replacing/repairing. During the visit we found out that our furnace was nearly 50 years old, and our air conditioner was nearly 30. We also learned about how much units have improved in efficiency over the last 30-50 years and we have invested in replacements from <a href="http://www.groggs.com/">Grogg's</a>. In addition to having more high efficiency units, Jamie and I have also practiced keeping the set temperatures a little higher in the summer and lower in the winter to both save money and reduce energy use.<br />
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These are just a few of the practices we have in place in an effort to practice good stewardship, and I thought I'd share them as an encouragement to you on Earth Day. In my view, stewardship is a daily practice, but days like Earth Day help us each to stop and consider ways we can make improvements. May we each continue in the longstanding tradition of stewardship, and may this Earth Day find you celebrating family and this wonderfully created world in which we live!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-50625859071423252532017-03-08T06:40:00.001-08:002017-03-08T06:40:20.671-08:00Reflection: International Women's Day 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is International Women's Day, and all over the world people are advocating for and celebrating various endeavors aimed at improving the lives of women and girls, and because of that, I was tempted to not write and add to the mix, but then my conscience got the better of me. You see, the world needs every one of us to raise our voices for what is right and just and good for all. As the ancient Hebrew prophet Micah has said, "What is required of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." </div>
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When children do not have the opportunity to receive an education, and specifically 130 million girls, that's an injustice. When a person's place of birth can mean the denial of basic opportunities to have meaningful choices and improve their livelihoods, that's an injustice. When we choose to do nothing when we have the tools and the resources to literally transform lives, that's an injustice. </div>
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Jamie and I have been privileged to be able to travel to Kenya and Ethiopia with <a href="http://www.nuruinternational.org/">Nuru International</a> and witness firsthand the impact that programs are making in the lives of women and girls. Last year on International Women's Day, Jamie was able to meet with Feven Yimer, one of Nuru's Ethiopian staff members who has been leading the design and implementation of Nuru's programs to address education in the southern highlands of Ethiopia. Feven moved from her nation's capital into a remote, rural area of Ethiopia because she was very aware of the opportunities that open up for children and girls in particular when they have access to basic education. In her team's design of programs she has successfully advocated for sex-segregated latrines in the public schools in the communities where Nuru is working. This gesture which may seem small, will open the door for more girls to come to school. Feven and her team have established book banks in local schools as well as in community cooperatives where children can check out books and practice reading and developing literacy in their native tongue, in their national language, and even in English. Feven is one of many champions for justice and incredible women Jamie and I have met in our travels.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40Xl9OLeyjUHLvmdl4S1F8xyGmqzsayzxxCuGJQDpKsAl3QXbf4s6UUo082g0DAVoTddRraImEkNu9Ovd9L9c2DjazElboWpjW5zJ4Du3-cm0c29OCthN5RvM97K59attkVyZ/s1600/DSC_0184+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40Xl9OLeyjUHLvmdl4S1F8xyGmqzsayzxxCuGJQDpKsAl3QXbf4s6UUo082g0DAVoTddRraImEkNu9Ovd9L9c2DjazElboWpjW5zJ4Du3-cm0c29OCthN5RvM97K59attkVyZ/s320/DSC_0184+1.JPG" width="320" /></a>Back in 2012, we had the privilege of meeting Mama Susan in her butcher shop in Mabera, Kenya. Mama Susan was skeptical and distrustful of Nuru when it first launched in her community, but then she witnessed the life change wrought in her neighbors' livelihoods when for the first time they had a surplus of food that <i>they</i> had produced, <i>they</i> had developed savings, and <i>they </i>were sending their children (boys AND girls) to school because they could afford uniform and book fees for the first time. Mama Susan began participating in Nuru's programs, and through the training she received, she not only improved her family's livelihood, but she was able save money to launch her own business, a butcher shop. She is just one of thousands of people whose life has been changed for the better by Nuru's work. </div>
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Last week, Jamie, Sylvia, and myself were able to spend time on Capitol Hill visiting the offices of our elected representatives as part of our efforts with an incredible organization started by Bono called the <a href="https://www.one.org/us/">ONE campaign</a>. Our purpose was very simple. We wanted to encourage our representatives to support legislation to make education more readily available for girls everywhere, AND we wanted to encourage them to not cut federal funding (which makes up less than 1% of our budget) for poverty eradication efforts globally.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNc3D3OR3TWoMzITv89Y5YPJF9Y2xmZw5N5jOCQiuSRdfWOA1SP_EUtkzvl6NPZy81eMk5Dn_wAZB5qe6s5w7ij0ieUaCwSBiheFxdLjoTwgf-SWLZhCiFA1KKqKeV_1Dr7ov/s1600/IMG_2762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNc3D3OR3TWoMzITv89Y5YPJF9Y2xmZw5N5jOCQiuSRdfWOA1SP_EUtkzvl6NPZy81eMk5Dn_wAZB5qe6s5w7ij0ieUaCwSBiheFxdLjoTwgf-SWLZhCiFA1KKqKeV_1Dr7ov/s320/IMG_2762.jpg" width="320" /></a>Speaking of Sylvia, when I think about her in light of International Women's Day, I find myself desiring even more to be an advocate and encouraging others to do the same. Just by the grace of where she was born, she has access to incredible healthcare and education opportunities. I know that family and friends would rally to support us no matter where in the world she was born, because that is part of our shared humanity and part of what I believe it is to be made in the image of our Creator. But if we were born in another place, her education opportunities would be a question mark. If we were born in another place, we might have a significant hike just to arrive at a healthcare facility, and then, we might be disappointed and desperate to find that they had run out of medicine while we were waiting. Because we have access to a variety of healthy foods (some of which we have grown ourselves), Sylvia is able to receive nutritious meals from her mom through exclusively breastfeeding during these critical first six months of her life.<br />
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So today, if you are looking for an action to take in honor of International Women's Day (and even if you aren't), I want to give you three actions you can take. Truthfully, you can take these actions any day, but why not today? As an ancient proverb says, "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed." So here are the three actions.<br />
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1) <a href="https://www.one.org/us/take-action/">Join ONE</a>. Just sign up to become a member, and they will let you know additional steps you can take to be an advocate wherever you are.<br />
2) Record a <a href="https://girlscount.one.org/?source=homepage">#GirlsCount</a> video. Join the count and help create the longest film ever AND advocate for the 130 million girls who do not have access to basic education.<br />
3) <a href="http://www.nuruinternational.org/donate/">Donate</a> to Nuru. Jamie and I have both directly witnessed the impact of financial support to Nuru's work, and we would love to have you join us in supporting this work.<br />
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Whatever you choose to do, Jamie and I thank you in advance, and we look forward to seeing the outcome of our work together to bring meaningful choices to even more of our brothers and sisters around the world. May your own life be enriched by your choice to make a difference!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-48161528670554448592017-02-13T05:56:00.000-08:002017-02-13T05:56:13.882-08:00Reflection: Making Space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every year, Jamie and I spend time together setting goals and reflecting on how we fared on our previous year's goals. In past years, I feel like I have personally been able to get those goals to paper with a moderate degree of speed, but this year, it seems that we both have been carrying our goals and our reflections in our head more than we have been putting them to paper. It has been a time of major transition as we adjust to what it means to be a father and a mother, but we still have our goals, and we are making some headway. I'm sure every parent transitions into this new role in a series of adjustments, and maybe those adjustments become more accurately described as adaptations as life takes on new color and dimension with new life.<br />
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One theme of our goals that has endured as long as we have been together has been the theme of simplicity. One could also call this goal the goal of making space. As I think about it, that's definitely an aspect of simplicity, and one which it seems there is dire need of in our lives. Whether it is making space in our homes or in our habits, all of our "habitations" or places and spaces in which we dwell, are very easily filled.<br />
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We each have been granted a gift (among many) from our Creator limited in scope from our birth. That gift is time. We have a limited number of days in a week, and hours in a day, just like we have a limited amount of space in our homes. Without some degree of intentionality and development, our time and our spaces become packed, congested, cluttered, full, and sometimes even suffocating. We can get caught up in checking our <a href="https://twitter.com/chanchanchepon">Twitter</a> feeds, our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chanchanchepon">Facebook</a> streams, and our emails as our mobile devices continue to send us notifications from a wide array of apps and tools. We can gather more and more activity and more and more material goods, and crowd out the space for enjoyment of these activities and goods.<br />
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So what is the solution to the problem of filling our habitations with activity and clutter? I believe the answer lies in simplicity. What do I mean by simplicity? For me, I believe simplicity means exercising my ability to say no to busyness, say no to activity, and say no to holding on to items that could be bringing joy to others, and that have served their purposes in our home and life (books and clothes probably rank highest here). Simplicity also means saying no to distractions. It means refraining from checking email, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chanchanchepon">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/chanchanchepon">Twitter</a>, or other 'news feeds' before or after a certain hour of day. (Jamie just recently made me aware of how I've slid into this habit over the last few months, and I'm grateful for her insight.) It means keeping the TV covered up for the most part, and making watching television into a special occasion or treat.<br />
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As a result of this line of thinking, Jamie and I have (among other things) made a habit of going through clothes and books and giving them away so they can have new life and bring more people joy. Each year, we give away bags of clothes, and the incredible thing is that we have never seemed to run short of something to wear. Each year, we take a hard look at the goods we have been blessed with, express our gratitude for them, and say goodbye to some of them.<br />
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And while this is healthy and good, I'll have to admit, that making space, whether physical or in time, is also challenging. When we looked back on our year last year, there was so much happening. And after a time of incredible busy-ness, at least for me, one of the hardest things to do is to slow down and to make space. Busy-ness becomes the norm, and then it feels weird to have space where something isn't happening whether it is a project moving forward or a new goal to conquer. But, I know that I need that space--we all do. It's probably one of the reasons that God gave humanity the practice, the space, and the commandment of Sabbath.<br />
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May we all create space for enjoyment, for reflection, for simplicity, and slow down on our desire to fill all of our moments with activity and acquisition. May we each slow down for a few moments to enjoy being present to what is happening in us and around us, caring for our souls and our world in the process.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-85627900088760670932017-01-16T18:34:00.001-08:002017-01-16T18:34:36.421-08:00Reflection: Martin Luther King Junior Day 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the last several years, I have tried to take a few moments on Martin Luther King Day to pause and consider the life of Dr. King and his example of service. Each year I also try to share a recorded excerpt of one of his speeches. The one below, is not only a reminder to do our work, whatever our lot in this life, with excellence, but also to become servant leaders, wherever we are.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NlV_ODrEL0k" width="560"></iframe><br />
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As Dr. King says in the last moments of the recording above, "Man has not begun to live until he can rise above his individual concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." As you and I start our 2017, we each have an opportunity to recalibrate and refocus. As a world and as individuals, we are much more aware of the needs of both our local and global neighbors, and we are much more aware of what we might do to rise above our individual concerns to those of humanity. In fact, sometimes it is downright paralyzing because we are so aware. There are so many problems in our world; where does one start? I believe where we start is less important than simply starting. Once we start, we will become more attuned to the hopes and needs of others just by practicing care for our neighbors.<br />
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So today, on MLK Day, may we each start somewhere. And if we have already begun, may we remember Dr. King's life and example and continue. And whatever our lot, may we faithfully live out our calling, so that others will be inspired to live out theirs as well.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-86473516497581044962017-01-13T07:35:00.000-08:002017-01-13T07:35:29.096-08:00Reflection: Remembering Franklin Delanor Lambert, Junior<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I sit down to write this post, I'm a little in shock. My mind is swirling with memories--laughter tears, and long, meaningful conversations that won't happen again on this side of eternity. Last night, I learned that one of my oldest friends, and one I had not seen in person for a very long time, died of a heart attack. He had just recently turned 43 years old.<br />
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Frank was a proud West Virginian and a proud Mountaineer. He had grown up in some of the hill country of West Virginia (Elkins), and had moved to some of the river country (Parkersburg) our senior year of high school. And while we both knew each other then, we really became good friends our freshman year of college at WVU on the basketball courts and in the residence halls.<br />
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Frank had a deep appreciation for music, and probably had the biggest music collection of anyone I have ever known. And he <i>knew</i> the music too--every album--he could tell you about the artist and explain the nuances of the songs. He was a huge fan of all kinds of music from Pearl Jam to Cyprus Hill and just about everything in between. Back in college we would spend hours listening to and talking about the latest albums, and he would be among the first to acquire them at the Discount Den in Morgantown.<br />
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Frank and his sister Angie introduced me to the Forest Festival in Elkins, and because of them, I have been able to introduce it to members of my own family as well. Frank was incredibly generous with his time and was always willing to help out a friend in need. When I was installed as a chief in my tribal community nearly 17 years ago, Frank was among a select few friends from outside my tribe who I was privileged to invite to our land and have him witness that historic moment. Frank was a history major in his undergrad too, and so there was something special about having this friend share in a piece of history.<br />
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I believe it was through Frank that I discovered just how close Pittsburgh was to Morgantown as he would invite a group of friends to travel with him to explore the city. I can remember many drives to Pittsburgh while we were in school. Frank also believed in being well-dressed. In fact, he and a couple of other friends took me on a "fashion emergency" trip (before it was a thing) because my wardrobe and style could "use some work." We definitely had a lot of awesome road trips together.<br />
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And wow, we could spend HOURS on the basketball court. We would play hoops outside til dark, or head to Stansbury Hall (the courts where Jerry West played) and shoot hoops until we got kicked out of the building. In fact, many times we would shoot hoops and then listen to tunes and talk about the games we played--we would even try to come up with creative plays. And actually, there was a time where me, Frank, and my roommate at the time (Andy) got invited to play in a prison by a dude we were playing who happened to be a prison guard at a supermax prison in Pennsylvania. That game was pretty unforgettable--everyone in the prison came out to watch the game with us "outsiders" and we got SMOKED--I think we lost by 30+ points. I have lots of great memories with Frank on the basketball court, and he was a strong athlete.<br />
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Frank was always willing to speak truth to me (and to anyone) whether it might hurt or not. He never did it out of malice, but always to help people be better human beings and better friends. I remember one occasion when I had told him that I was going to come to a cookout he was hosting, and as I was walking there I ran into two other groups of friends at two different times, and ended up not making it to the cookout. He called me out for not honoring my word. At the time it really stung because I really valued keeping my word (and I still do). He told me he knew that I had the intention of being there but that if I commit and I don't follow through it hurts people, and that it wasn't the first time I had done it and that he wasn't the only person I had done it to. He told me that other people understood my intentions were good, but that I was hurting my friends and friendships when I didn't follow through and honor my word. Frank made me, and everyone he met a better person.<br />
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We went through our share of hardships together. One of the foremost burned into my mind happened during 2006 and 2007. Frank's dad and my mom were both diagnosed with cancer. We would see each other at the hospital often as our parents were going through the last stages of their fights with cancer. And as Frank was watching his dad fight hard in a losing battle against cancer, <a href="http://chanchanchepon.blogspot.com/2007/05/frank-and-dena.html">he was also getting ready to marry the love of his life, Dena</a>. I remember going to their wedding in Ohio, and all of the sadness and joy being swirled together. Frank lost his dad, and I lost my mom within days of each other. Loss is always hard, but enduring it as you are starting a new life with someone and adding to your family is a difficult path to walk. Frank always walked the path bravely though, in every area of life.<br />
<br />
Frank was 43 years old. And now his wife, sister, and mom (and many others) are grieving his unexpected death. For my part, I had hoped that we might be able to connect the last time I was in Parkersburg--I was hoping he would be able to meet my daughter and wife. And learning news of his death makes me want to be even more committed to do everything I can to live as long as I can on this earth with Jamie and Sylvia. I know our time of departure from this life is not entirely up to us, but I want to do everything within my power to ensure that my choices are not limiting the quality and quantity of the time I have left.<br />
<br />
May we each savor the moments and memories we have, and as we are able, make new ones to cherish and treasure in this life, and Frank, may you rest in peace my brother.<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-64785952414583213772017-01-03T04:36:00.000-08:002017-01-03T04:36:55.924-08:00Review: The Road by Cormac McCarthy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don’t often pick up fiction books, although when I do I
usually enjoy them. They are much more fast-paced and typically easier to
digest than a textbook, and they give creative perspective. I stumbled upon <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2iDN18J">The Road</a></i>
by <a href="http://www.cormacmccarthy.com/works/the-road/">Cormac McCarthy</a> while reading a blog called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="mailto:http://www.artofmanliness.com/2016/10/31/carry-the-fire/">The Art
of Manliness</a></i>. The blog by Brett McKay has a ton of helpful tips for men
that often are passed from father to son (but not always) like how to tie a
Windsor knot or how to make conversation with others. It’s a great blog by the way,
but that is content for another post. <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
Brett had written a post about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2iDN18J">The Road</a></i>, and said that he has read it
every year as a bit of a tradition. His post inspired me to check out the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I probably should have been more aware of the book long
before Brett’s post though. The book was made into a movie in 2009, and it also
won the Pulitzer Prize in 2006. Reading this book evoked images for me of
something like a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mad Max</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2iZRFu6">Book of Eli</a></i>
post-apocalyptic world. The land was cold, and the people left on earth were
struggling to survive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The story is one of a journey of survival for a father and
son through a wasteland. A journey filled with people who were bent on
evil—robbers, cannibals, and many other unsavory and untrustworthy people. The
father had made it his mission to protect his son and keep them both alive for
as long as he could.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He used a metaphor with his son to emphasize character,
“Carrying the fire.” People who carry the fire, are not cannibals, they are the
good guys. The father and son reminded one another regularly that they were the
good guys as they struggled to survive, and struggled to do the right thing as
they traveled the road. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For me, the book, while a sobering look at love for one’s
family, and the hard choices many people have to face for daily living, was
more of a book about character and love. How will I raise my child to be a
person of good character? What kind of person am I becoming by my own routines?
How am I making the most of the limited time I have on this earth to care for
others?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I recommend <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2iDN18J">The Road</a></i>, but I don’t think I’ll make it
an annual reading. It is a dark and gripping story of a world that has largely
lost its way and lost hope, but through the love of this father and son, a cold
and unrelenting post-apocalyptic world seems like cannot hinder the power of
virtue to shine forth through the darkness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Whatever the darkness that may encompass our own lives, may
we ever be mindful that faith, hope, and love abide, and even more so, may we,
as we are able, seek to push back the darkness and live as ambassadors of hope.
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-78291929131690204772017-01-02T04:24:00.003-08:002017-01-02T04:24:49.350-08:00Reflection: You've Made Some Goals, Now What? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YJ-ger3nAyM-KhEFNbaFBXmxgXMlPMavxtjWpxRvjS-0qE9TWQZqAs4dvGK-6mhfKi-6cEj-WrM76CAZsE_EHX29S2JS0TmTgZbQpKGV0Sj455HuMLBqIY7cHvpXBbGXXRtv/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YJ-ger3nAyM-KhEFNbaFBXmxgXMlPMavxtjWpxRvjS-0qE9TWQZqAs4dvGK-6mhfKi-6cEj-WrM76CAZsE_EHX29S2JS0TmTgZbQpKGV0Sj455HuMLBqIY7cHvpXBbGXXRtv/s320/IMG_2051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sometimes the hardest part of goals is coming up with them.--actually taking five minutes and writing down what you want to accomplish. But then, once you've made a list of goals, or maybe just set one goal, the appeal of <a href="http://chanchanchepon.blogspot.com/2017/01/happy-new-year-2017.html">waiting til tomorrow</a> slips in. All of the reasons not to pursue the goal start calling out to you.<br />
<br />
"I'm too busy."<br />
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"There's no time."<br />
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"I'm tired."<br />
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"What if I fail?"<br />
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"I'm making soup"~because as an old friend once told me, that's about as good as any other excuse. ;)<br />
<br />
I'm sure you can come up with a few additional ones too. And maybe, some of these reasons are correct. More than likely they are just excuses meant to distract you. Set an intention in your mind and your heart that you will not be knocked off course by excuses--you can do this!<br />
<br />
If these reasons are not excuses, and they have some merit, then it means you might need to think through your goal a little more, and make sure you have something tangible--if your goal is too ambiguous, then it is harder to know if you are making progress. Also make sure it is realistic--working on a project for 25 hours a day is not a realistic or possible goal, right?<br />
<br />
Here's something I've learned through the years that has helped me set and achieve goals more effectively--making SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. So how do we make SMART goals? For instance, how could a person love their spouse better or get in shape? We know that there are people who run marathons multiple times per year--are they just naturally able to go out and run 26.2 miles (rarely, but I guess it's possible). So how does one do it? I would say it is kind of like eating an elephant (not that I believe in killing or eating elephants), you do it one bite at a time.<br />
<br />
So let's think about a goal like "I want to be more healthy." That's a little ambiguous. How could we make that a little SMARTer?<br />
<br />
Here's one idea. "I will walk for at 30 minutes per day, three days per week."<br />
<br />
Will this goal make me more healthy? Yes.<br />
<br />
Is it specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely? More than likely, yes.<br />
<br />
May we each set and achieve goals that will help us enjoy life more, love others better, and savor the wonder of each new day! May God speed you toward realizing your goals!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-73244260008230803772017-01-01T13:32:00.000-08:002017-01-01T13:32:36.767-08:00Happy New Year 2017!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkxmpOA5X2_6D_PA93CBlfPA57C9eCB4Z7W1q6arlkJyMFsjygn03rdUX0M95_yrF4r0o3zwd1SX5fVKtkgaeKBxbcYej_KQwQGdDuGPP5FAm-ZoJNSJZD4u7Q8ZxKy5r8iYT/s1600/IMG_2388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkxmpOA5X2_6D_PA93CBlfPA57C9eCB4Z7W1q6arlkJyMFsjygn03rdUX0M95_yrF4r0o3zwd1SX5fVKtkgaeKBxbcYej_KQwQGdDuGPP5FAm-ZoJNSJZD4u7Q8ZxKy5r8iYT/s320/IMG_2388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to 2017! You made it! It is a new year! I'm not one for wishing away the past or anything like that--I think every day and every year has some pretty amazing stuff, and some really difficult times--that's just a part of life in this world.</div>
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Now's not the time for lamenting about how much the past year stunk or how awesome it was though. Now's the time for embracing the moment and moving forward--resolving to be a better version of yourself. </div>
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Some people debate about their resolutions or their disbelief in resolutions, but personally, I've always felt like New Year's Day gives us an opportunity for new beginnings and fresh starts. If you use a planner, this is a point during which most of the pages are blank. There is a world of possibility out there. Truth be told, there's always a world of possibility out there, but sometimes having that mindset allows us to procrastinate our lives away, waiting for the perfect time to plan and "get organized" or start a diet or workout regimen. In fact, did you know what the number one day is for launching new diets and workouts and similar activities? If you said New Year's Day, you would be wrong. The number one day for starting to pursue a new goal is tomorrow...</div>
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Let that sink in for a minute. It is soooooo easy to wait for tomorrow to start doing the things you want to do. Tomorrow always seems like it will be a better day than today.</div>
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"I'll wake up early tomorrow, my bed is too comfortable right now." </div>
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"I'll start exercising tomorrow; I'm feeling kind of tired today." </div>
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"I'll eat better tomorrow; I'd hate for that dessert to go to waste." </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I'll write that blog post tomorrow, I'm just too busy right now."</div>
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<br /></div>
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"I'll set goals tomorrow, I've gotta watch some tv."</div>
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And so we let tomorrow tempt us to squander today's opportunity. </div>
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Don't do it! </div>
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Soon, the sun will set on the first day of the year. Resolution or no resolution, what are the goals you want to start moving toward in 2017? What's one of them? Make a conscious decision right now, that you will at least take a step toward one of your goals before you let your head hit that pillow tonight.</div>
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Maybe you haven't really given it a lot of thought. What do you want to set for a goal in 2017? Maybe that's your starting point. Before going to sleep, take a few minutes (not more than 5), and dream about what you want to really want accomplish this week, month, and year. Write it down. Put it on your mirror, and start moving toward it. </div>
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I'll be doing the same. I've got some goals that are always there, top of mind--those are the one's I'm starting to take action toward today. But then, I've found there are always goals and hopes that are hanging out just below the surface that percolate when I make a little time to mentally focus on them.</div>
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May today be a new beginning for focus, for hope, and for moving toward some incredible goals that will allow you to bring your absolute best into each day--not only for your own benefit, but for the benefit of others.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-50984922882793436772016-12-27T05:30:00.000-08:002016-12-27T05:30:45.585-08:00Review: essentialism by Greg McKeown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last summer, our friend Naomi recommended the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2fxWKbn">essentialism:
The Disiciplined Pursuit of Less</a></i> by Greg McKeown to myself and Jamie in
the middle of a period where we were looking at ways to simplify and streamline
our life. The book has a simple and compelling cover showing just exactly what
happens to our bodies, minds, hearts, and lives when we choose to fill our life
with nonessential things. The book is a quick read, and super helpful for
anyone who is looking to get back to basics, and build from a solid foundation<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The book is a fun read, and the way the book is set up helps
to think through simplifying from the highest priority. Each chapter not only
lays out an example of someone who is focused on essentials as well as someone
focused on non-essentials, but also gives a path to get to what’s really
important.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If each of us is honest, we spend a significant amount of
our time and energy focused on things that are urgent, but not necessarily
important. We give up our sleep for getting a few more emails out, or we give
up on our exercise so we can surf the internet or watch tv. It’s like our
thinking has gotten completely backward. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) on the rise, and a strong
illusion that we can “do all the things” we find ourselves wanting to include
more and more habits, skills, responsibilities, and tasks in our lives. As two
people who have historically tried to figure out how to say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yes </i>to just about every opportunity,
Jamie and I have really benefitted from this book’s encouragement to say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no</i> to things that are less important,
and to determine what is of prime importance. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2fxWKbn">The book</a> offers some
great tools and reminders to each of us with regard to keeping our life simple,
and rather than trying to determine how to add activities to our already busy
lives, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2fxWKbn">essentialism</a>
</i>by Greg McKeon<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>encourages us to
take stock and take away some of the flurry of busyness, to subtract things and
say no to what is not essential. May we each live more simple and fulfilling
lives and bring our very best selves to this world for the good of those around
us, and for the good of those whose time has not yet come.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-80433459591834039972016-12-20T05:30:00.000-08:002016-12-20T05:30:03.900-08:00Review: Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In by Louis Zamperini and David Rensin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrivrUYfBYQL6WeHz2Y6VyO0qyUlnu53Pad_6-qCLES7ZExliGDyltZ5394AoaA7dc1-KNIpysM1W-ynJRzszcoRSbMa_vN-sIVFyyCP5KV2eSfadY5mqgDmEVkrWJOtZSAt2U/s1600/IMG_2195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrivrUYfBYQL6WeHz2Y6VyO0qyUlnu53Pad_6-qCLES7ZExliGDyltZ5394AoaA7dc1-KNIpysM1W-ynJRzszcoRSbMa_vN-sIVFyyCP5KV2eSfadY5mqgDmEVkrWJOtZSAt2U/s320/IMG_2195.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two years ago, Jamie and I went to see the movie <a href="http://chanchanchepon.blogspot.com/2015/03/review-and-reflection-unbroken.html">Unbroken</a>
that told the story of WWII veteran Louis Zamperini and his amazing story of
resilience in the face of terrible hardship. He spent more than a month
floating and staying alive on a flotation raft when his plane went down and
then spent over two years in POW camps in Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I recently acquired a copy of a book he wrote filled with
life lessons from this former Olympic distance runner and hero. Zamperini died
in 2014, but I believe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2eMiq3i">Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In: Lessons From An
Extraordinary Life</a> </i>will be a strong part of carrying his legacy forward
and providing us with an opportunity to learn from his incredible experiences. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What I loved most about the book was its readability.
Zamperini was a war hero, an Olympian, and a child of an immigrant family. With
97 years under his belt at the time the book was published, he could have
filled libraries with his accrued life wisdom. Instead, he kept it short and
simple. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While the book covers the entirety of his life there were a
few statements he made amid stories that really stuck with me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the opening of the book there’s a quote from Louis, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘People tell me, “You’re such an optimist.”
Am I an optimist? An optimist says the glass is half full. A pessimist says the
glass is half empty. A survivalist is practical. He says, “Call it what you
want, but just fill the glass.” I believe in filling the glass.’</i> I have to
agree. Let’s keep our focus on filling the glass—and that will keep our
attitude in line. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He also states, “You don’t have to go it alone.” Too often, we think that we
are supposed to be figuring out this whole world all by ourselves, and rising
above challenges with only our own mettle. I personally believe that we are
given community so we can do amazing things together. When you are feeling alone,
remember that there’s always someone out there who cares. No matter what. “Hope
provides the power of the soul to endure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You have to learn to
adapt. You can’t give up…You have to use unrelenting determination and exercise
a positive attitude…We can’t all be champions, but we can give whatever is in
us to give. </i>What a reminder—give whatever is in you to give. When we hold
back what is in us, we miss out on what could be our unique contribution to
create a better world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“No matter how old you are, don’t stop challenging yourself
with new experiences.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Zamperini teaches each of us that persistence, perseverance,
and an unwillingness to accept defeat when things look all but hopeless, will
carry us through incredibly difficult situations—for him, they carried him
through surviving on a raft for 47 days among other exploits. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The last line of the book says, “I’m a thankful citizen of
America who just wants to be remembered for his charitable heart.” This is his
statement after enduring two years in a POW camp, after surviving 47 days on a
raft after a plane crash, and after missing the Olympics to serve; he responds
with gratitude for America, and a desire to be remembered for being charitable.
How wonderful would our country and our world be if more of us had this kind of
attitude and resolve! May we each endeavor toward this kind of response when
adversity hits. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-12402817555544262822016-12-13T09:38:00.000-08:002016-12-13T09:38:01.790-08:00Review: The Way Of The SEAL by Mark Divine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf24KasAhwPzmqLtcFkEaMx7eVyGsLs0d7rqyPlPUwW3xuJnoEnXOxCRIFmXSuptwaspna68wYuNC0qT95DpM6EBT4_ZjvRfVF7FuAthrXr8HVKdYMqXaxlkiqpSU7xOMhdSaM/s1600/IMG_2197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf24KasAhwPzmqLtcFkEaMx7eVyGsLs0d7rqyPlPUwW3xuJnoEnXOxCRIFmXSuptwaspna68wYuNC0qT95DpM6EBT4_ZjvRfVF7FuAthrXr8HVKdYMqXaxlkiqpSU7xOMhdSaM/s320/IMG_2197.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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Shortly after reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2edvDpX">Unbeatable Mind</a></i> by Mark Divine, I picked
up a copy of another book he wrote around the same time called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2fJdb9H">The Way of
the SEAL</a></i> by the same author. The appeal of some of the tools in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2edvDpX">Unbeatable
Mind</a> </i>made me curious about his second offering. While the books were
not marketed as a series, there were some great tools and skills to be gleaned
from both. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The author, Mark Divine, attributes his lessons to his SEAL
training as well as martial arts training and discipline, but the wisdom he shares
is not isolated to special operations or martial arts communities. The book is
full of acronyms and mnemonic devices meant to help drive home lessons and
tools, and with any book like this one, there’s nothing necessarily new about
the offering except the way the author has put it together, and his personal
stories to illustrate concepts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And those stories, concepts, and strategies are incredibly
helpful for anyone looking to live their life with greater productivity and
purpose. One of the great tools in the book is a series of questions meant to
assess your starting point to be able to know how much daylight there is
between who you are and who you want to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another great tool the book offers is examples of
battle/weekly rhythms for moving forward. Over the last twelve months between
personal fitness, leadership coach training and certification, taking class at
Harvard, moving Nuru International’s mission forward, and striving to be a
better husband and father, I have needed to develop a battle rhythm out of
necessity. <a href="http://amzn.to/2fJdb9H">Mark’s book</a>, among others, was
incredibly helpful in thinking about and developing of that rhythm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Looking for a solid book to help you map out a plan to move
forward and take the next steps in your personal development, check out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2fJdb9H">The Way Of
The SEAL</a>.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-33667534833663596232016-12-06T09:41:00.000-08:002016-12-06T09:41:03.929-08:00Review: Unbeatable Mind by Mark Divine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ppKjQ8RSKrx_wQhgHmMoOi1r6aGGpBHJq-MT4YIdoIp2zvzFkT1eI7BMWCe2B7Ndei4fEQhAe8QsSb5xLz8VJNQsOOlXNvdGvylxHKvDLA7Pf8lOpWq_ciG629skZ9bQDmYf/s1600/IMG_2196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ppKjQ8RSKrx_wQhgHmMoOi1r6aGGpBHJq-MT4YIdoIp2zvzFkT1eI7BMWCe2B7Ndei4fEQhAe8QsSb5xLz8VJNQsOOlXNvdGvylxHKvDLA7Pf8lOpWq_ciG629skZ9bQDmYf/s320/IMG_2196.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About a year ago, I started reading a book by a former Navy
SEAL, Mark Divine, called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2edvDpX">Unbeatable Mind</a></i>. The appeal of the book
for me was it’s focus on developing mental toughness. I had just finished my
third Marine Corps Marathon, and I really wanted to improve my mental game for
running. There were two or three points during the race where I felt myself
wanting to let up a little bit because they were mentally challenging, and,
when I feel that desire to let up, I strive to find ways that I can push
through and forge ahead. I also had been seeing a lot of talk about the term
resilience, and the thought of developing resilience was also appealing to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that in mind, I picked up the book. The book reads like
a manual filled with tools to cultivate a better life and a better mindset for
oneself as well as for other people in one’s life (family, coworkers,
community, etc.). I really enjoyed the book, and felt like the author did a
decent job of blending personal experiences and his own story of discovering
calling with tools and techniques that are easily remembered and readily
applicable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though I read the book in 2015, one specific tool stuck
with me over the last year, and with Jamie’s pregnancy well on its way, I had
Jamie begin practicing and reading about the same tool—it was found in the
chapter on mental toughness. In fact, while the entire book is solid, I found
that chapter to be the best. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tool/technique was called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">box breathing</i>, and I’ve found myself practicing it as I drive and
walk, and even as I start and end my day. When I’m feeling a little
overwhelmed, I pull box breathing off the shelf and practice it. And when Jamie
saw that I was writing this review, she told me that the practices in the
second chapter of the book really helped her during labor. In fact, although my
wife is already an incredible warrior, I would say that her focus on breathing
during labor really changed the whole experience for her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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The book was a fast read and I believe I might run through
the whole thing again to see what other gems may surface for application. If
you are looking for a book with practical tools to help improve mental
toughness, I highly recommend <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2edvDpX">Unbeatable Mind</a></i> by Mark Divine. There are
a number of books being authored by veterans who are sharing their lessons
learned with a broader audience, and I found this book to be chock-full of
solid tools that are ready for application, if you are ready to step into the
arena and live more purposefully.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-60345011738342203782016-11-29T09:43:00.002-08:002016-11-29T09:43:46.910-08:00Cultivate Hope With Nuru International On #GivingTuesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pKqHkevJhEUe5S0XyeBddzUKoMtc0vxGsX05FQ_k7WDZpce9K-WsJLAsZxx_v6FNGtS2pnl1HywbpNZ6QoFUPySkQH01aoTuxQwAMx91CWiPhzLbgYz6UC9vXf6VUaYe5PIK/s1600/DSC_0220+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pKqHkevJhEUe5S0XyeBddzUKoMtc0vxGsX05FQ_k7WDZpce9K-WsJLAsZxx_v6FNGtS2pnl1HywbpNZ6QoFUPySkQH01aoTuxQwAMx91CWiPhzLbgYz6UC9vXf6VUaYe5PIK/s320/DSC_0220+2.jpg" width="314" /></span></a></div>
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<div class="gmail-p1" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span class="gmail-s1"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; orphans: auto; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year <a href="http://bit.ly/2gBLKvb">Nur</a>u is working to raise $300,000 to expand its efforts to 1,500 new households in the southern highlands of Ethiopia. <b>And today, on #GivingTuesday, a generous donor from West Virginia has stepped forward to match every donation received up to $15,000 today.</b> Will you <a href="http://bit.ly/2gBLKvb">make a donation</a> to help maximize this match and help Nuru serve even more families in 2017? Every bit helps!</span></span></span></div>
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<div class="gmail-p1" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span class="gmail-s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since the summer of 2007, I have had the incredible honor of working together with a few of my friends from my undergraduate days, namely John Hancox, Jake Harriman, Andy Cogar, and Trey Dunham to make our own unique contributions to a massive global problem. The problem is global extreme poverty. And, while the problem by itself is huge, the very fact of its existence leads to the proliferation and thriving of an array of other problems including global instability, violent extremism, child soldiers, slavery, and human trafficking just to name a few. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN1Rl02C_SJhNuWZQoiaKYXVEcz9LJwteuU0LZ7V_nNcB0ofXssLyqABOt0NVX1pBl4yqZTg7-6MyUaWMS-YO78Tvaug2IMJcWhkE3US5vkN_sCKQF3639wJHA0hywbvBFOC0/s1600/D12_NURU_NuruDay_359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN1Rl02C_SJhNuWZQoiaKYXVEcz9LJwteuU0LZ7V_nNcB0ofXssLyqABOt0NVX1pBl4yqZTg7-6MyUaWMS-YO78Tvaug2IMJcWhkE3US5vkN_sCKQF3639wJHA0hywbvBFOC0/s320/D12_NURU_NuruDay_359.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="gmail-s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in 2007, we had no idea what might be in store in the years ahead, but we had a plan, a ton of passion, and a number of really smart and committed leaders contributing their skills to building an organization that could make a tangible impact in the lives of others. As we launched Nuru International in September 2008, a number of our friends had thrown their lot in with us and committed time and money to helping spread the word about the issue, and Nuru's unique contribution to the problem. In a matter of months, Nuru had grown from an idea to an actual organization that was serving approximately 2,500 people in southwestern Kenya. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And as of this year, that number has grown to more than 100,000 people. That's more than 100,000 lives changed for the better because people like me and you stepped into the arena and chose to do something rather than stand by idly as our global neighbors suffered. And we are just getting started. In 2015, our western staff left Kenya for good, and local leaders are continuing to adapt and improve their efforts to address extreme poverty in their country. They are cultivating hope in areas of the world that are all too often forgotten by most.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUjWOZdrtulrhp2SVpUGNYcY8TYTZ3zspvQLBkSp1TTQK9_-cbPsesnOPgizVaymB5pno8uD8qks42JtQSFECveyJeeKI8CS3-78KUtyT-M2-VWjyOximrqFlzg5EqFOUxGpB/s1600/IMG_0369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUjWOZdrtulrhp2SVpUGNYcY8TYTZ3zspvQLBkSp1TTQK9_-cbPsesnOPgizVaymB5pno8uD8qks42JtQSFECveyJeeKI8CS3-78KUtyT-M2-VWjyOximrqFlzg5EqFOUxGpB/s320/IMG_0369.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyQxKR6ntx9JtL4yyHGphg1LV4ihigSdFoQXQWvVTeUdZ_BRVzPyBAGalQVyaY8U2_5v7Mky_a-9WbFE7_1kUqT5960Le8Sb-WGkKzi2bQ9UK3HJ9-QzC1PzY5XvVKNdXYcG8/s1600/IMG_0615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyQxKR6ntx9JtL4yyHGphg1LV4ihigSdFoQXQWvVTeUdZ_BRVzPyBAGalQVyaY8U2_5v7Mky_a-9WbFE7_1kUqT5960Le8Sb-WGkKzi2bQ9UK3HJ9-QzC1PzY5XvVKNdXYcG8/s320/IMG_0615.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier this year, I had the honor of traveling with Jamie to visit our second country project in Ethiopia. The area where Nuru works is high up in the mountains of southern Ethiopia, and it is about a 2.5 hour drive from the nearest city to the area. Together, Jamie and I listened to stories from farmers and their families about the transformation that had taken place for them since Nuru's arrival. They talked about increases in crop yields and being able to feed their families. They talked about improving their savings and their health, and they talked about things I didn't think about with regard to programs. They talked about how their marriages were healthier because they were not frustrated by conversations about money or frequent discussions about children being sick. Their marriages were healthier because they were developing skills to improve their livelihoods. There are so many aspects of our lives and our relationships that improve when people have the ability to make meaningful choices for their future! As we walked along and talked with these families, we also witnessed how Nuru had equipped these families to be able to cope with one of the worst droughts in Ethiopia to occur in many years.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPBOtmaS5TQoy7P9-P3Deb-ErgLUw66Cb3KNTjlCrBCoMhXY7FTF2tkeQJRCLUVVx9Ex1PQfz85kotKEZYsYlC3Ma8tR522oaiTp5j4qanL0qLtIkrf4r4G3Vd7zZz6PsHPlT/s1600/thumb_IMG_5858_1024+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPBOtmaS5TQoy7P9-P3Deb-ErgLUw66Cb3KNTjlCrBCoMhXY7FTF2tkeQJRCLUVVx9Ex1PQfz85kotKEZYsYlC3Ma8tR522oaiTp5j4qanL0qLtIkrf4r4G3Vd7zZz6PsHPlT/s320/thumb_IMG_5858_1024+2.jpg" width="281" /></span></a><span id="docs-internal-guid-78cee94f-b120-8373-ffe6-7766d9d71be9"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Farming is risky business, and farmers are inherently risk takers; it’s always been that way.</b></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <i>All over the world, our food supply relies on farmers taking risks. </i>All over the world, parents want a better life for their children than the one they had. Amarech Sama was among the first individuals to enroll in Nuru's programs in Meteka Mele Ethiopia in 2014. Her community was deeply affected by the drought, but because of Nuru, she and her family are thriving. In fact, Amarech just gave birth to a baby boy, and has not only improved her own financial literacy, but she is participating in programs to learn to better care for her newborn in Nuru's healthcare training programs (and teaching others) ways to better care for their infants as well! Please watch and share this video to learn more about Amarech and <a href="http://bit.ly/2gBLKvb">the work of Nuru</a> in Kenya and Ethiopia as well. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This holiday season, you can help change the lives of thousands of our global neighbors, and cultivate hope in the southern mountains of Ethiopia and beyond. Will you share this post and make a gift to support women like Amarech Sama and <a href="http://bit.ly/2gBLKvb">move Nuru's mission</a> forward today?</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-80453838498833943922016-11-22T05:00:00.000-08:002016-11-22T05:00:10.186-08:00Review: The ONE Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_xUB4q5nH6USmZSFJaPJEWMNcPqJMF9Y8vEHmGWGow3dOWwUIwPAJd74svOTTxJF1c3f1h_TFIrgYx7VhZv0LGWy3nTjnpsCwehW63AOxnkPJP4wt5xKn-dvCMvNHIOpTpLZ/s1600/IMG_2194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_xUB4q5nH6USmZSFJaPJEWMNcPqJMF9Y8vEHmGWGow3dOWwUIwPAJd74svOTTxJF1c3f1h_TFIrgYx7VhZv0LGWy3nTjnpsCwehW63AOxnkPJP4wt5xKn-dvCMvNHIOpTpLZ/s320/IMG_2194.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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While I was passing through an airport, I saw a book with an
intriguingly simple cover, and it just stood out so much I had to take a look.
The book is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2eDhxN7">The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth
About Extraordinary Results</a></i> by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan. When I saw
it I had to stop for a minute and open it up. As I skimmed it quickly in the
airport, I thought, “this book is very captivating to me.” I decided I might
grab a copy in the near future and give it a read.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m intrigued by books and activities that cultivate
self-mastery, productivity, and ways that we can develop ourselves and others,
and this book was just so unique in its delivery, I had to check it out. To
start, the book is printed with black, white, red, and grey ink. Sections of
the book make it look like someone has already read it and circled, underlined,
starred, or marked sections where key points are being made. For me, it made
reading the book more interesting because it was like I had someone else’s (the
author’s) notes to refer to as I read the book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The main premise of <a href="http://amzn.to/2eDhxN7">the
book</a> is that we are not made to multi-task, and that we become most
productive when we focus on ONE thing at a time. And, when it comes to goal
setting, we find greater productivity toward those goals as we break the goals
into smaller steps. For instance, if I have a goal of running a marathon in a
year (which I do), what is the one thing I need to do in the next month to move
toward that goal, and then, what is the one thing I need to do in the next week
to achieve my monthly goal, and what is the one thing I need to do today to
meet my weekly goal. It sounds really simple, and it is, but here’s the trick.
While it is simple, it is not easy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is not easy to stay focused on the ONE thing whatever it
is, while you are being distracted from every possible angle with other things,
things that may or may not be important, but regardless of their importance,
they are not as important as the ONE thing. The book’s mantra about ONE thing
helps thin out a long list of goals, and to prioritize ONE thing at a time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Looking for a book to help simplify and streamline your
life? Check out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2eDhxN7">The ONE Thing</a></i> by Gary Keller and use it
to decide what your ONE thing is for each area of your own personal development
, business development, spiritual development or whatever area you are
determined to grow in. And as you do, I pray you are able to filter out
distracting voices so that you can focus on the ONE thing that will bring you
toward your most fulfilled and fulfilling life!<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-25917402836860663442016-11-21T11:03:00.000-08:002016-11-21T11:03:01.888-08:00Reflection: Marine Corps Marathon 2016<br />
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After two full and amazing days sharing <a href="http://nuruinternational.org/">Nuru’s story</a> with
folks at the expo, I had the privilege of lining up with about 30,000 other
runners from around the world to run my fourth <a href="http://marinemarathon.com/">Marine Corps Marathon</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This time was really different for me. I had not trained as
diligently as I had in previous years, and I had a couple of injuries during
the summer. Not only that, but this was the first time I ran the Marine Corps
Marathon without Jamie there with me. She was of course busy caring for Sylvia,
so I thought this year I would be running for all three of us. This was my
first Marine Corps Marathon as a father too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghA9D42hBcZ-oiH6N7m851nsKyMQNBvPtPSoyhYRJTE5Zpy8jfVbW9mDo5hA4ZP8r2yNZzJ5VVS6BH_CVrg1IAWmend0G4PIy9ckVMnNzoYwhW1NqKR2goz9UY8UA6hyphenhyphenVzR1xo/s1600/IMG_2160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghA9D42hBcZ-oiH6N7m851nsKyMQNBvPtPSoyhYRJTE5Zpy8jfVbW9mDo5hA4ZP8r2yNZzJ5VVS6BH_CVrg1IAWmend0G4PIy9ckVMnNzoYwhW1NqKR2goz9UY8UA6hyphenhyphenVzR1xo/s320/IMG_2160.jpg" width="320" /></a>Thankfully I was at least able to start the race with my
good friend JR Pittman. He decided to run for Nuru with me this year, and we
had a great run during the first half of the race, and then my lack of training
at longer distances began to catch up with me. I made it about eighteen miles
before I started cramping up, and I think that was about the same time the sun
came out, and the temperature began to shoot upward a little more quickly. Even
with the heat, the fatigue, and the cramping, I am so glad I persevered through
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlDMqp6t1JEMVA8DjG6MwPKwCL2k9IvZNft-_VJVnrWs1opgdRL7MbaoN44okLzSrmW0dfrthgtuut1MfxQNloyuNEBYFGrfsQ5VzHJw8Klapn0SOkyDfbygkABzuV-gA1lED/s1600/IMG_2162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlDMqp6t1JEMVA8DjG6MwPKwCL2k9IvZNft-_VJVnrWs1opgdRL7MbaoN44okLzSrmW0dfrthgtuut1MfxQNloyuNEBYFGrfsQ5VzHJw8Klapn0SOkyDfbygkABzuV-gA1lED/s320/IMG_2162.jpg" width="320" /></a>When I think about all of the runners who have joined me in
running to help Nuru fight extreme poverty, I get a little emotional. Thirty
thousand people run this race each year, and I’ve been so grateful that
slightly under 100 of them have run with Team Nuru. And, I think about all that
each one of us gets out of the deal. Not only are we helping others half way
around the world, but we are also making ourselves better in the process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A lesson I learned from my first Marine Corps Marathon in
2013 was that the training and the race provide a great tool for exercising
self-discipline, long-term planning, and working toward a larger goal. I’ve
been able to translate those same attributes into many other areas of my life,
and I can’t help but think that they will help me be a better father and a
better husband too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I crossed the finish line, I took a few seconds to
express my gratitude for finishing the race. I also took a few seconds to pose
for a starjump in honor of Jamie since she wasn’t there with me this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUOscXxTKcygfhIktpQbWl4HhJBoDcrlre-7weZPHGv5RXCNvIkPhMW5wwlIXAhbgYBQ05A9wRlgddkUZlVQDbSqw3mc1rKOVK7gFalhOAiaUAEPHqVpysqlzTgJtivVPHIlO/s1600/IMG_2163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUOscXxTKcygfhIktpQbWl4HhJBoDcrlre-7weZPHGv5RXCNvIkPhMW5wwlIXAhbgYBQ05A9wRlgddkUZlVQDbSqw3mc1rKOVK7gFalhOAiaUAEPHqVpysqlzTgJtivVPHIlO/s320/IMG_2163.jpg" width="240" /></a>As the miles began to add up, I remember two distinct voices
in the crowd (other than the ones offering hot dogs, beverages, and gummy
bears). There was a little girl around mile 17 and a little boy around mile 22.
They were probably each around six years of age. The little girl yelled out as
I went by, “Keep going, you can do it!” and the little boy yelled, “Don’t ever
give up, keep going!” And for some reason, amid all of the various cheers and
shouts, the words of these two children yelling with all they could muster made
their way into my heart, and my eyes teared a little. Their words of
encouragement are what we all need to remember, no matter what the challenge is
we are going through. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There is at least One Voice out there that believes the
absolute best for each of us, and if we are attentive we can single it out
above all of the noise. And, as we apply discipline to our lives and accomplish
challenging goals, we become more and more attuned to that voice. May we each
keep running and keep our ears tuned in for that Voice. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12651037.post-27207113444676889952016-11-17T05:30:00.000-08:002016-11-17T05:30:00.731-08:00Our First Road Trip With Sylvia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTg59EzoarNFCh62ZK0SzA_B2BFM4pRMoxj_N5Sp4RPZLhgln-GwW8PUUBz6CpnuNXgUbscJP-WtZ8N5Tj80ze2uGO-WU9hJ1C2FNjgL5vBxIocEwmpWL7NAukW_BzBwe7qda/s1600/IMG_2141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTg59EzoarNFCh62ZK0SzA_B2BFM4pRMoxj_N5Sp4RPZLhgln-GwW8PUUBz6CpnuNXgUbscJP-WtZ8N5Tj80ze2uGO-WU9hJ1C2FNjgL5vBxIocEwmpWL7NAukW_BzBwe7qda/s320/IMG_2141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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After an incredibly action-packed first few days, Jamie,
Sylvia, and myself loaded up into the Nuru van for our first road trip! As a
result of the generous support of a Nuru donor, we were headed to Washington DC
to set up a booth for the 41<sup>st</sup> <a href="http://marinemarathon.com/">Marine Corps Marathon</a> Expo. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoUADknWCaYcPMltfmIIUKkstAm8QuM5r9YezKpXYVQFw_mUZVX_02GqMw3tZQcD3-W9aNh8qH_UUCqrD_zMVjLmiqk3rh5EK1bGaEoAUnbjutfaYgSjVggwDLuGqA7s8gxq5/s1600/IMG_7817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoUADknWCaYcPMltfmIIUKkstAm8QuM5r9YezKpXYVQFw_mUZVX_02GqMw3tZQcD3-W9aNh8qH_UUCqrD_zMVjLmiqk3rh5EK1bGaEoAUnbjutfaYgSjVggwDLuGqA7s8gxq5/s320/IMG_7817.jpg" width="320" /></a>Thanks to some guidance given by one of the nurses at <a href="http://www.mongeneral.com/main/birth-center.aspx">Mon General</a>, we
were able to get Sylvia situated pretty quickly in the vehicle. And as we
pulled out of the driveway, we quickly made a discovery. It appears Sylvia
really enjoys the open road. She rested peacefully as we introduced her to
Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. (To be fair, she had been to these
places before, but this was her first time outside the womb). <o:p></o:p></div>
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As we pulled into the convention center at <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasgn-gaylord-national-resort-and-convention-center/">National
Harbor</a> a light rain that had persisted through the day began to lift. Jamie
and Sylvia made their way out for a walk, and I began unloading banners,
tshirts, and other cool <a href="https://www.blogger.com/nuruinternational.org">Nuru International</a>
signage so we could make our presence known for the first time at the Expo.
This year marked our fourth year having a team run for Nuru, and since Nuru’s
CEO was a Force Recon Marine, it only made sense to have representation at the
Expo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByB33D5TvDxprOPBrbaPZ1sHrD83Pl1Ie2mQnIez6RHYchRszsBKUwdojQWIg0AhrBaJRY-tcQCku_NB8dbsR8cXC5tDFjqVqsmtyksaGrJ9opVH-kzp4rxUvqT5aFsTyzCA2/s1600/IMG_2155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByB33D5TvDxprOPBrbaPZ1sHrD83Pl1Ie2mQnIez6RHYchRszsBKUwdojQWIg0AhrBaJRY-tcQCku_NB8dbsR8cXC5tDFjqVqsmtyksaGrJ9opVH-kzp4rxUvqT5aFsTyzCA2/s320/IMG_2155.jpg" width="320" /></a>The setup went fairly quick and we were able to get settled
in with some good friends in the area, and we had an incredible team of
volunteers join us at the booth including current USNA MIDN, and one of Jake’s
old roommates from USNA as well as folks who have been part of Nuru from our earliest
efforts! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sylvia and Jamie came down to do some quality inspection of
the booth, and after their approval, I knew we were prepared for the opening of
the expo. It is incredible that we get to do so much of this stuff together,
and I’m in awe of this young lady’s ability to travel so quickly. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04343692757093128772noreply@blogger.com0