LeaderShape - Day Six – Staying In Action

Excerpt from LeaderShape.org website

"On this final day, you'll prepare to return home and face your responsibilities as a LeaderShape graduate who practices the discipline of "leading with integrity." You'll learn what it means to be a part of the nationwide LeaderShape community - a network of mutual encouragement and support. A Learning Community commencement ceremony concludes the week."

What does this day mean for me? I get to see Amy!!!! It's been a WHOLE week and I'm dying to see her. It's the longest we've been apart since our engagement on two continents. We have LOTS of tears and re-entry into reality begins. It's hard for all of us to be in a supportive, encouraging environment for 6 days and then to turn around and face the word. Emails, cell phones, facebook, and a world full of busyness and demands awaits us... how well will we do staying connected to the "I" that we know we've become, to the "I" that we know we need to be becoming?

Time will tell for us all.

We have a commencement ceremony for all. Here's a picture of me speaking to the faculty for the week. They were really wonderful to work with.

I think I most enjoyed sharing with the faculty and all the students about the vision that God has for all of us. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." And 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

LeaderShape - Commencement

The final module for LeaderShape is a commencement ceremony as we all embark on our journey back to the real world. We share a final moment together as a group and the facilitators all have an opportunity to share some final remarks with the participants. I already mentioned that I shared a bit from the Bible (1 Tim 4:12), I wanted to include a few of my other remarks as well.

I was thinking about the 'gifts' that we all bring to any relationship that we form. Throughout the course of the week at LeaderShape - we share a lot of gifts, wishes, thoughts, beliefs, etc. So these are the summary points from the week for me:

"If I had only one more time to speak with y'all, what would I want to share with you?

"I thought the following would sum up our week together nicely.

"My Advice: Be Real -> remember that it's a process, but nursery magic can happen to all of us if we let it.

"My Thoughts: 1 Tim 4:12 -> although you are young, you are powerful!

"My Belief: ik che wi cha sha -> the common man whose time has come. We are all the common man, and your time has come.

"My Question: if not you, who? if not now, when?

"My Gift: you -> no one else is more qualified to be uniquely you. you have to do it.

"My wish: go to the edge:

Go to the Edge, He said
but I'm scared
Go to the Edge, He said
what if I fall?
Go to the Edge, He said
so I did.
And He pushed me.
and I flew.

My wish is that you don't stay on the ground, take the risk. and soar.

LeaderShape - Day Five – Living And Leading With Integrity

Excerpt from LeaderShape.org website

"The concept of "integrity" is a challenging one, but central to LeaderShape's philosophy of lifelong leadership development. You will discuss how core ethical values, thoughtful decisions, and courage all play critical roles in sustaining integrity and fostering trust and respect. During the afternoon, you'll have open time to discuss "burning issues" before you prepare for a creative Family Cluster LeaderShape Revue in the evening."

It's impossible to talk about this topic now-a-days. What is integrity? You have to start with a moral compass to even begin to touch this topic. So we explore our moral compass, what does it mean to be in an ethical dilemma, and what does it mean to have standards that we don't cross. It's a really good day, but very challenging.

LeaderShape - Don't be Late, Don't Forget Your Nametag

If you're late to a session, in a fun loving activity called, "cursive with your butt" participants refresh the other participants how to spell their names.

If you show up late or without your nametag, it's a problem - to encourage timeliness and name-liness participants come to the front of the room and sign their names in cursive with their derrières. It looks like this (sorry).

LeaderShape - Day Four – Bringing Vision To Reality

Excerpt from LeaderShape.org website

"A vision is only a dream unless it results in action. Three key requirements will be discussed (relationships, stretch goals, and action steps) which move a vision forward. In addition, the issue of power will be explored in a dynamic group simulation exercise."

The rubber hits the road today as we work with participants to help them take their BIG dreams of an ideal and transformed future and create concrete goals and plans to bring them into fruition. It's sometimes the toughest day at leadershape, because we encourage them to think SO big that the reality is often daunting.

Leadershape - Start with Yourself, a primer on how to change the world

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the Crypts of Westminister Abbey:

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But it, too, seems immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realized: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and who knows, I may have even changed the world.

_______________

We can all change the world, we just have to start with ourselves... let's do it.

LeaderShape - Day Three – Challenging What Is, Looking To What Could Be

Excerpt from LeaderShape.org website

"Creating a powerful vision is one of the most important aspects of leadership! During this exciting day, you'll begin work developing your own vision for the future which defines a bold change for your community, group, cause, or organization back home.

The evening will conclude with a Guest Leader Forum and Reception. This is your opportunity to interact with significant leaders in business, education, and many different professions. Using an informal question-and-answer format, these individuals will share their insights and experiences related to the challenges of "leading with integrity.""

There are so many highlights on Day 3, that I don't know where to begin. I'll share three highpoints for me.

#1 The video the Power Of One I truly believe that within each of us lies the capability and capacity to change the world. We need more Martin Luther King, Jr's, more Mother Theresa's, and more Gandhi's to challenge us to transform our future.

#2 The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams excerpt with the participants in the hopes that it touches that part of all of us that knows we are loved, we are powerful beyond measure. We need to but tap into the love that is there for all of us (especially through God) and enact the changes that the world needs from us. We are each of us created to be a purpose for the betterment of others and the world... we need to be loved and to love in return.

#3 The Guest Leader Panel. It is so valuable for all of us to see leadership in practice in the real world. And to see leaders who are visionary, risk takers, and people of integrity is far too rare of an opportunity for all of us in our world today.

(this is a photo of a number of us 'dancing'. I think this pose is called Superman).

LeaderShape - Day Two – The Value Of One, The Power Of All

Excerpt from LeaderShape.org website

"You'll begin the second day in an experiential team-building activity. By working your way through a series of initiatives and discussions, you'll discover how relationships, trust, and problem solving can be enhanced in a supportive group setting.

Next you'll add another dimension to your self-awareness by completing a behavioral style inventory. From that information, you'll have an opportunity to set several personal goals for the week and share those with members of your Family Cluster. You'll also participate in exercises which explore the concept of "inclusive leadership" and how to create communities which value respect, openness, and diverse opinions."

Today begins the work in earnest of looking deep within ourselves to see what we're passionate about. What makes us who we are. What is the future picture of the world that I would like to see. Can I have an impact that will improve the world.


We really began to open up to each other in a very painful and honest way this evening. Especially as we explored difficult questions about inclusion like, "I witnessed an act of oppression or discrimination when..." and "I participated in an act of oppression or discrimination when..."

LeaderShape - Day One – Building Community

Excerpt from LeaderShape.org website

"You'll begin to explore what leadership means and discuss its core components. You'll meet the other participants in the "Learning Community," and you'll also join 8-12 other young adults in a group called the "Family Cluster." As your primary reference group, the Family Cluster will offer you feedback, support, and help you develop and refine your vision for the future."

What a high energy day! The faculty was pumped up and excited to meet the participants for our 6 day long intensive leadership program. As an extrovert, I know that I'm so energetic and pumped full of adrenaline that I must scare people.

The highlight of this day is often sharing the meaning of reflection as it relates to being a leader. Taking time for self-reflection and to just think in our busy world is really critical. I also love the definition of a leader that I learned from Caroline Fiskus, "ik che wi cha sha."

It's Lakota Indian and means "the common man whose time has come." The thought here is that we are all leaders in training. We are all teachers and learners. We are (or should) be in the process of discovering who we are and who we can be. Shape ourselves into the person that only we can be to be prepared for that time when we are needed.

LeaderShape - Training Day (part 2)

I'm really excited about the week that is about to come. I've just spend the day and part of the evening with the faculty for Towson LeaderShape. They are incredible individuals with life stories that inspire and tug the heart. I'm excited to work together with them for the next week.

Deb, my co-Lead for the week (see photo), has a daughter who woke up feeling ill this morning. So we were faced with our first LeaderShape dilemma. Deb had to take her to the urgent care clinic which meant that I'd be conducting faculty training solo for the day.

All went well and the missionary motto, "flexibility is my friend and expectation is my enemy" once again came into play in a major way in my life.

The training went off without a hitch and we headed off to a dinner of sushi... I ate not only california rolls, spicy tuna rolls, and monster rolls, but raw salmon, raw tuna, and raw yellowtail. The latter is like butter - so delicious.

LeaderShape - Training Day

I'm about to leave my hotel room and meet the faculty for the LeaderShape Institute. I'm really looking forward to this week talking about purpose, passion, individual strengths and differences and integrity.

Today Deb (my co-Lead) and I will be working with the faculty to give them an overview of the curriculum. It'll also start off the week of TOO much good food - most likely anyway.

If you're interested in more info about LeaderShape, check out their website.

I had an awesome surprise in my hotel room thing morning... the shampoo and soap are mint scented! One of my favorites. It's really nice in the morning, because it's such an energizing scent.

bad blogger...

I must be a bit too busy - I'm a bad blogger right now.

Be patient and I'll soon have Christmas posts and the trip to Florida online... you can look forward to hearing about LeaderShape really soon too!

Reunion

The Lord's many blessings pour down upon us! Amy and I were able to drive to Indiana to pick up a VERY special package. Helen! Helen was Amy's teammate for 7 months when Amy was working in Kenya at the CMF clinic in Ewaso Ngiro. Helen is home for a month or so while the situation in Nairobi calms down following the elections in December. It was an emotional reunion for both of them. We had a marvelous time together. We ate our way through Ann Arbor (we had Vietnamese, Bubble tea, Cracker Barrel, Macaroni Grill, and OUTBACK!) It was really a highlight of the year for us already to host Helen and help her to transition into her time in the States.i

Expanding my Culniary Horizons

Amy & I safely made it home! Our flights were ALL on time and we had only a one hour layover in Atlanta. It was incredible, everything went off without a hitch!

We're pretty tired from all the excitement, but it was worth every moment!

We got home and Amy thought it would be fun to try some new food - so we launched into some Vietnamese cuisine... it was really quite delicious. We had Pho (a traditional beef soup) and then we had Goi Rolls (lettuce, shrimp, rice noodles all wrapped up in rice paper). I think the highlight for me was this really tasty peanut butter sauce.

Really anything with peanut butter makes me happy.

Good ol' fashioned Disney fun

Amy and I had fun with these shots:Finally a cup of Coffee with enough caffeine.

Disney Bride and Groom (we saw more than a few of them)

Epcot Center

Around the World in less than a day! Epcot is a great park and educational too.

We started off with the SOARING exhibit at the Land and saw the hydroponics gardens (look at the Micky shaped pumpkin!

Then it was off to Mexico. You'll see dad showing off here.

Amy and I battled a troll in Norway.

The day wouldn't be complete without a Bit-Of-Britain and a red phone booth in England.

And we wrapped up our evening with French Pastries before the fireworks show!

Relaxing in the Rain

Today was a great day. We just spent the whole day relaxing with mom & dad at the park where they have their camper. We relaxed, ate, did a bit of laundry and just passed the day talking. We toured around a little bit in the car and had a marvelous pork dinner! The picture above is mom & dad in their new camper! It's killing them that they don't actually take possession of it until April!

Beaches are Romantic Places

I'm not sure much text is required for this post. Tarpon Springs, Florida. The subjects are Amy and myself, mom and dad.

Grandpa's Birthday!

Today we celebrated Grandpa's birthday (a few days early!) We went to a really great shrimp place (nothing like fresh seafood!) and we gifted him with a new stereo that can play his XM radio. Dad and I spent a few minutes (well, more than a few) getting everything hooked up - but in the long run, after a bit of furniture moving, we got everything working.

Florida!

We're in Florida and LOVIN IT!


This is the image that greeted us when we arrived! Mom & Dad (and Snow White)

Tomorrow we'll be with Grandpa and Jean and go to Tarpon Springs and see the Sponge Docks. Then it'll be off to Epcot Center at Walt Disney World!

PS just finished reading Hebrews - I really love ch 11, 12 and 13!

Improvisational Workouts

Amy and I are training for the mini marathon (13.1 miles) in Indianapolis on May 3. We started the training on Sunday this week and every day is laid out for us to have something to do in order to be prepared for the mini. Even the rest days are chosen for you.

So - we were supposed to have a cross training day and lift weights or something, and I wasn't feeling very well and I didn't want to go to the gym. So we created a make-shift at home weight system...

Have you ever lifted weights by just increasing the repetitions with a lighter weight? I'm telling you that you can be sore by lifting cans of peas and corn.

That's right - we used canned vegetables. I think it was incredible insight when Amy thought to use canned goods.

Podcasting - work related

So I was asked to put together a podcast for a panel discussion that happened last semester. I was editing the audio to make it sound better and so that the file would be about 1/2 the size it currently was.

And there was this pesky white noise that I couldn't get out of the audio. I turned the volume way up, looks at wavelength amplitude - kept searching and couldn't see a thing... but I could hear it.

It was awful...

Then, I stopped listening to the audio file to grab a print out. I came back and there was still white noise.

It was the bubbles in my pop can.

Sometimes when we seek the problem we need to take all environmental factors into consideration!

Pouring Rain

It's pouring buckets! It's January 7th! It was 65 degrees today in Ann Arbor! There's a potential flood warning because of the expected water and the snow melt together. Whoa.

Shaving Tip!

So I don't think I've ever posted a blog like this before, but I'd like to share a really amazing tip with you all. (especially the guys).

Amy and I were at Walmart on Friday and I picked up a little bottle called, "Shave Secret." I tried it out on Saturday - I hadn't shaved in 2 days. I had a new razor blade, and nothing super fancy (Gillette Sensor Excel (only 2 blades)).

Smoothest shave EVER. No cuts, no nicks, no burning, amazing.

I wanted to share. I believe in the close shave, but the burning, red irritation isn't my favorite part.

in one 24 hour period...

We drove home from Indianapolis
We shoveled the driveway
We went back to work/ school
We ripped up carpet in the great room, small bedroom, staircase & hallway

--- we're tired. But the carpet is being installed as I type. I'll post pictures soon.

I've been ranked

for those that know about the facebook trend sweeping the universe - I'm on facebook and I mostly use it for work and staying connected with friends and former students at Michigan and from Turning Point (the youth group at church).

I've been ranked by the peeps and here's how I've come out:

17th better hair (are you kidding - I'm balding!)
20th more creative
22nd prettier eyes (I used to be 18th)
24th funnier
27th a better profile picture
39th rather be trapped on a desert island with
52nd better taste in music

Back at work.

Sometimes life is really funny and ironic.

Yesterday on the drive back to Ann Arbor from Indianapolis, I was in a melancholy funk. I didn't really know why I was down - just heading home from a great break, beautiful wife by my side, wonderful family, a calling and mission in life, great job, food, shelter....

... my soul must have just known what was coming... (I'm just building dramatic effect here).

So I came in to work early this morning - with no keys. So I couldn't get in the office. So I went down to the information center to work behind the desk for a while - noticed that the plasma screen computer is missing - it was stolen over break.

I'll deal with that in a bit.

Got an email from someone about a work matter that we've been waiting to hear back for a couple of months and they said, "no" - all signs had been aiming toward "yes."

I'll deal with that too.

I finally realized that our office manager wasn't going to be in until Monday and that she wouldn't be letting me in to my office. So I had to find another way in.

Got in.

Couldn't remember my password.

Remembered it.

Welcome to 2008. I'm going to turn around as the day goes on - I always do.

I forgot my USB drive too - my files are somewhere at home and I'm at work.

LOL - I like the irony.

Coming Home!

1) over the next day or so, I'll be updating the blog with our adventures over the Christmas Break in Washington state. check back frequently!

2) We arrived home this evening to an amazing sight. Yes, over a foot of snow! In our driveway... So - we shoveled. And shoveled. And shoveled. And decided to shovel only the half that we needed to get the car in.

Then we unpacked all of our gear from Christmas.

Then we moved furniture. (we're getting carpet on Friday)

Then we went shopping. (no food in the house!)

Then we ate some pizza.

Then we took down the Christmas decorations. (and watched Gilmore Girls)

Then we went up to bed.

--- we were so rested from the break --- now we're tired again. :(

Being Real

One of my favorite stories of all time is the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. I think that this excerpt below is the crux of the story and that we should all take it's lesson to heart. What does it mean to be real? Do I have the strength and courage that it takes to be loved so fiercely that my hair and whiskers might fall off? If I allow myself to be so loved, what would I be able to attempt to change myself or the world? How could I make an impact that makes our world a better place?

EXCERPT - Velveteen Rabbit

The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

The Rabbit sighed. He thought it would be a long time before this magic called Real happened to him. He longed to become Real, to know what it felt like; and yet the idea of growing shabby and losing his eyes and whiskers was rather sad. He wished that he could become it without these uncomfortable things happening to him.

The year in Review

This is a gift I was given by Angie, dear dear friend of my lovely bride.

I share it with you to reflect on your year.

Year in Review

• What is the current condition of my heart?
• What am I, at my root layer, feeling, sensing, fearing, hoping?
• Am I worshipping more completely as a lifestyle than last year? Or two years ago?
• Marriage: Is there increased intimacy with my spouse – have we grown closer together, or added layers of scar tissue? Have I loved accurately? How have I love accurately?
• How is the Enemy nipping at my heels? / What has he lured me with? / What do I want to be set free from?
• What did this past Advent & Christmas season teach me about the nature of God/ others/ myself?
• How did God/ Jesus/ Spirit reveal their presence to me throughout the year? Draw or describe or list or create a poem of these encounters.
• What practices/ disciplines are currently nourishing my soul…moving me toward Kingdom action? Have I retreated well? …[Retreat means little when action is detached.]
• 3 Films – The ones that impacted my core/ challenged my identity or simply caused me to laugh: Characters I related with/ to & Why?
• Music that STIRRED (live shows/ top 3-5 discs/ songs/ lyrics) my blood or caused my toes to tap.
• Recall some of the elements that make me (us) come ALIVE??? “The glory of God is man fully Alive”
• List the areas/ experiences/ activities/ people that have poured Life into me and vice verse
• Timothy Relationships: Am I mentoring young Timothy’s who are in turn mentoring others?
• Am I investing into David-Jonathon/ ‘Philios’ relationships as if it were “ministry life insurance”?
• The specific items or times that sparked something inside me and others…
• ReDefinE ministry/ Church/ Kingdom after the experiences of this season.
• Most interesting individual(s) I met this year and why
• 3-5 books that Inspired/ Equipped/ Intrigued/ Humored
• My favorite sporting moment was…
• 2/3 Salt & Light Moments that marked this past year:
• Is my (our) lifestyle and ministry increasingly impacting the “least of these’? Have I loved accurately?
• Can I (we) share a recent story of someone walking into a faith pilgrimage with Christ?
• 1 or 2 areas where I just dropped the ball:
• Now think: Practical Implications for both of these areas (What can I do now to serve the community around me more accurately?)
• In a phrase or two, what was last years statement (what was this year’s most apparent life lesson/ principle)?
• Favorite Group Moments/ Community Encounter(s)
• What God given dream(s) am I nurturing?
• Try to recall the Highlights/ Lowlights of each month
• My most painful/ sorrowful moments were when… My most joyous occasions were when…
• What was I consumed with this past year? / What dominated my time?
• What does a more holistic schedule look like practically speaking?
• Where am I wasting time? / Where am I wasting other people’s time?
• Conclusions/ Realizations/ Implications based on reviews
• Assess strengths/ weaknesses/ where support needs to come from
• List just a few GOALS & action steps for the next year