25th Anniversary Trip: 5 Days Out

Sunday, September 21

We leave in 5 days. I'm so excited! I'm also trying not to be too excited and not to imagine the trip too much, in case we can't go or have to come home early.

It's crazy. It's like I believe I can make it happen or jinx it, just in how I think. As a kid, I used to hope that Jesus wouldn't come back before I got to ... fill in the blank. It was usually something like going to Disney World the next week. I was old enough to feel guilty and to know how ridiculous that was, but I still hoped to get to Disney. Have I grown so little?

Really? Just how important is this trip in the greater scheme of things? Answer: not very.

And yet, I'm doing everything I can to make it happen. I'm giving my family all the important contact information in case they need to reach us. We bought special trip insurance in case we have to cancel or come home early. I'm making lists at work and trying to make sure no one even notices I'm gone. I'm making lists at home to take everything we might need, pay the bills, feed the birds, water the plants, and try to ensure my mother-in-law doesn't worry herself into the hospital and serious, life-threatening illness.

Is this responsible planning, or obsessive, controlling behavior? It really comes down to my heart and motives. Ugh.

And that's the rub. In this thing, it IS all about me. I know that these things don't determine whether or not we go on our trip. Pretty much all we do now is show up on time at the airport with our passports. Everything else can be finessed.

I can pray that we get to go. I can pray that none of my family or friends gets sick, has surgery, goes to prison, goes missing, or dies. I can pray that my house doesn't burn down. I can pray that ISIS doesn't suddenly attack Paris...or Smyrna.

But what matters, for the Kingdom, in the long run, is what I'm doing every day to glorify God and bring others to Him. This life is a blink of the eye compared to an eternity in the presence of Jesus. If the movie of my life is shown on Judgement day, will I be more often embarrassed or content? At this moment I think the balance is much more on the side of embarrassed. I care way too much about what other people think, my comfort, my pleasure, ease, and experience, and way too little about the eternal perspective.

Lord, I am so grateful for the blessings that make this trip possible. Please help me to see things from Your eyes. Put people in my path that need to hear about You. Give  me the eyes, ears, and heart to hear them and to respond to their needs. I really want to take this trip, but I need to want to serve You more.

Awesome Days at the Leadership Conference

It's been a great few days. I've laughed, cried, spent time with old friends and made new ones, been inspired and challenged, and eaten some great food. We're in Chicago at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit.

Our first outing upon arrival was pizza at Lou Malnotti's, one of my favorite all-time restaurants. Thanks, Chicago, for creating deep dish pizza!

The conference began Thursday morning with Gungor playing "The Earth is Yours." I had tears in my eyes as we sang " Holy, holy, holy, holy, Lord.". It was beautiful.

That was just the beginning. Here are some things I learned over the two-day conference, from some experts on leadership:

   

    Bill Hybels

From Luke 8 - According to the parable of the sower, a certain percentage (75%) of the soil rejected the seed. In order to increase the number of seeds sown on fertile soil, we must sow more seed.

On leadership - a leader's most valuable asset is his energy and his ability to energize others.

One incredibly cool idea he mentioned offhand: set up small groups based on where people sit in church. All those people who never come to Sunday School? Include them in a group based on their section. 

Condoleezza Rice

Every life is worthy. If we just remember this one thing, our interactions with others will change dramatically.

On leadership - An important characteristic of a leader is irrepressible optimism.

(I could have listened to her all day. In fact, I was so busy listening, I didn't take many notes....)

    Jim Collins   

Great Organizations:

1) Have superior performance relative to their mission

2) Make a distinct impact: who would miss them if they were gone?

3) Achieve lasting endurance beyond any one leader. Succession planning is key.

  Craig Groeschel

A message to bridge the generation gap:

To the Older Generation: 

• Don't fear, resent, or judge the younger generation; believe in them.
• Don't delegate tasks, because you create followers. Delegate authority because you create leaders.
• Embrace the season you're in. Authenticity trumps cool every time.

To the Younger Generation:

• The older generation sees you as entitled.
• You typically over-estimate what you can do in the short run, but grossly under-estimate what you can do in a lifetime of faithfulness.
• Honor in public results in influence in private.
• Respect is earned, but honor is given.

    Patrick Lencioni

To create a healthy organization, know why you exist. Sometimes it's not as obvious as you might think. Then, know what you do. Finally, communicate clearly to create alignment.

William Ury

Conflict resolution and negotiation:

One of the greatest powers in negotiation is the power NOT to react.

Figure out what each side needs and work toward the solution that works best for both parties. 

Go into any negotiation knowing the BATNA - the best alternative to negotiated agreement. Know what you will agree to besides your ideal outcome.

Finally - the most powerful idea I heard: make your enemies you friends.

Pranitha Timothy

This is a remarkable young wife and mother from India who risks her life to rescue people from slavery in her home country.  In her youth, she was known in college as CC, short for cold and calculated. Later  diagnosed with a large brain tumor, she was left with no voice at all after surgery. After two years, God restored her voice and she now uses it to His glory. Here are her core beliefs.

1. We are all called to serve by a God who is already at work.
2. This life belongs to God.
3. God is good.

What a great two days, spent with great people, hearing amazing leaders! If you ever get a chance to go to this conference, it's worth the time and money! 

Alaska The Beautiful

Last week we were in Alaska. It was incredibly beautiful!

First we flew to Anchorage and spent some time there. SInce we didn't have anything planned for Sunday, we went on a hike just outside of town. (That's what happens when boys plan the activities!)

The next day, on the way to Seward, we stopped at Potter Marsh Boardwalk.

The next day we hiked up to Exit Glacier.  We hiked a shorter, steeper alternate trial than usual since the trail the guides will take through the summer was still covered in ice. It was beautiful, it was physically taxing, a few times it was terrifying.  But I'm here to tell about it. Here we are at the top!

On Tuesday, we took a wildlife cruise that went all the way to Holgate Glacier.

We saw humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and plain old mountain goats. (That's the description the boat captain gave us when we asked her what type of mountain goats they were).

We saw bald eagles, puffins, and pigeon guillemots. We had Dall's porpoise running ahead of our boat, bow riding.

Somehow the only animal pictures I got were of the sea otters.  They're SO cute!

Here we are in front of the glacier.

On Wednesday, we went fly fishing (out of Cooper Landing in the Kenai River) for sockeye/red salmon. I caught my limit (3) by noon, and sat out the afternoon in the boat rather than in the 39-degree river water.  Hopefully one of my friends got a picture of me on their cell phone since none of us brought our cameras.

Here's our little cabin in Cooper Landing.

Finally, on the day we were leaving, we stopped by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.  We saw some cool animals.

So. Bottom line. If you ever have the chance to go to Alaska, and especially if you can travel with your dearest friends, RUN, don't walk!