To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Friendship

Rewind: 13 ways October delights!

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

(This is a throwback post from 2016 as we look toward how to make October great!)

I think October is my favorite month. I know I have a few that I have grown over time to love, but October is delightful… I’ve listed below some of my reasons why I say that. Take a moment to add yours in the comments! I think it would be fun to share and who knows, you might just get a great idea to refresh your own list.

  1. My No. 1 for sure… the COOLER weather: My dog is relishing in longer walks and gentle breezes. HIKING, and CRUNCHING IN THE LEAVES… INVIGORATING!
  2. The COLORS: The leaves, all manner of pumpkins and vegetables that look like pumpkins to me!
  3. COMMUNITY: It feels like everyone comes out and “GATHERS.” I like that idea of gathering. And with pop-up options like cider mills, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, what better time to hang out with old friends or make new ones!
  4. FOOTBALL! I do in fact love football, from little league, high school, college and the NFL! It’s just plain FUN!
  5. SOUP: My friend Nan always brings me soup. I love that! I also love finding a great butternut squash or pumpkin soup recipe. A bit of crusty bread and it’s the perfect meal, and as an added bonus, it soothes the SOUL!  (I promise my trainer, Amy, that I’ll add some protein in there!)
  6. BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: I love how America has embraced this and over time the rates of SUCCESS if you get an early diagnosis are greatly improved. Research is necessary and this campaign showcases how, if we galvanize the troops, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
  7. HOLIDAY SEASON SNEAKS IN: We get a glimpse but we aren’t fully deluged yet.
  8. HALLOWEEN: To be perfectly honest, until my boys were born I didn’t really embrace Halloween. I mean it’s okay and I loved to fill my pillowcase when I was in 3rd grade, but then it sort of faded. Now that my boys are in college, it’s fading again, but OH HOW FUN IT IS if you have little kids! EMBRACE EVERY MOMENT OF IT! Make fun punch with dry ice, set up a bobbing for apples activity, host a neighborhood pre-trick-or-treating party… It’s a BLAST!
  9. OCTOBER BASEBALL: Last year in particular, but I still LOVE MY BOYS IN BLUE! FOREVER ROYAL!
  10. BONFIRES, S’MORES, ETC.! Being around FIRE IS PRIMAL and screams connectedness. The smell of the smoke… the whole thing is just perfect fun!
  11. BOOTS, SWEATSHIRTS, SWEATERS: If you are a gal, need I say more? If you are a guy, ask your favorite gal! She’ll fill you in!
  12. APPLES! Apple orchards, apple picking, cider, cider donuts, apple crisp, apple pie…         It’s fully AMERICAN and fully AWESOME!
  13. Last but not least… HAYRIDES: YEP, HAYRIDES. I need to find one this year. There isn’t anything more fun to me, than a simple trailer, some HAY, and family, friends and complete strangers! I hope you’ll find one too!

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale!”  – Lauren DeStefano

Worth repeating: What this moment demands

(Photo Creds: Pine Cove Camps)

(This is an insight worth repeating from around this time in 2016.)

Every moment and season of our lives seems to require something different.

This blog is a shout out to not only my son Sam (pictured above), but the thousands of camp counselors at Pine Cove Camps, Kanakuk Camps, Camp Barnabas and the many other great camps that have literally given themselves fully this summer to serve others. In their endless days, with little sleep and millions of calories burned, they encounter moment after moment where they have to ask this question: “What does this moment demand?”

A child that is just flat-out tired today and not into the camp games, one that isn’t feeling well and another that has more energy than Kelly Ledecky. In every situation, these students have learned to adapt, rise and ultimately, to serve well.

I haven’t gotten to talk at a deep level with Sam yet, but my mom intuition tells me that Sam learned more than he could have imagined and he has a new​ ​idea what personal sacrifice and dedication looks like.

As we think through this idea of “What does this moment demand?” I believe we also often are required to​
adapt and rise up.

What are you encountering in your life right now?​ ​This time last year, we talked about hard conversations, and that is certainly an area that requires something different from us.

Some others might include…

A friend that just received a cancer diagnosis. What is required of us as their friend​? ​How do we need to​ ​rise​ to the occasion. How do we need to adapt our life to be there for them and their family?

A child that is struggling in middle school. Do we need to educate ourselves and read everything we can on these struggles? Do we need to take the time to have meaningful conversations with the school leaders​ ​and​ ​teachers involved? How can we best serve that child in​ ​this moment​​?

A local small business that could use some publicity.​ ​Do we even have a role here?​ ​You bet! Social media is a tremendous tool today! Tell your friends​ ​and give them a shout out. What else?

A community struggling with conflict. Where to even start?

We start by​ ​adapting, learning and by rising up to the moment!

Simple Thoughts Sunday – Who is that seeks after God with you?

(Photo Creds: My good ole’ iPhone @ my dear friends Jan and Nan’s 50th birthday celebration in the Dominican Republic!)

Simple Thoughts Sundays are my favorites. As many of you know, I am an avid reader and in the last few weeks I stumbled upon the most brilliant and thought provoking author. I’ve read three of his books in the last 10 days, but one book in particular called ‘A Resilient Life’ falls into one of my top 5 ever. That’s huge.

The author is Gordon MacDonald if you want to look him up. In the book, I marked literally hundreds of passages, but the one that stood out was the idea in this picture.

The chapter, ‘There are Certain People,’ focused on the people that “enable us to be as we have never been before.” That is an awesome truth. He goes on: “The pathway to resilience requires that I fill my personal life with a very special set of relationships. Who makes up your happy few?”

Other questions:

  • Who stretches your mind?
  • Who listens to you and encourages your dreams?
  • Who will protect you? (Have your back as my friend Coretta has reminded me…)
  • Who are those that share your tears?
  • Who rebukes you?
  • Who plays with you?
  • The final question: “who is it that seeks after God with you?” This one, I can’t quit thinking about.

Let me know if this stirs your soul at all.. I’d love to know!

Make it an amazing week!

Be sure to make your friends a priority!

(Photo Creds: My own)

I love the people that God has put in my life. Friends that showed up on the scene at just the right time. Friends that you had no idea at first encounter would be lifesavers. Friends that are there for a season – an important season – who have a life-long impact.

So, here’s the thing I have found: Time is fleeting.

The days go by, our priorities ebb and flow with the demands of the moment and we can end up moving through the year without truly investing in the friends God gave us. It’s “halftime” in 2017 and therefore it’s time to ensure we invest our remaining days just how we want!

In June I had the opportunity to celebrate two very dear friends on a destination trip to the Dominican for what I’ll call a “Marquee birthday celebration.” As you can see, they are twins. These two ladies have been a constant bright light in my life for 15 years now. It is nothing short of amazing to have them around for nearly 1/3 of my life at this point! That’s cool — no, it’s more than cool. (BTW: If you ever get the chance to have some friends from Birmingham, Alabama, RUN TO THEM AND FAST. They are the real deal.)

As you  size up your 2017 so far, I hope you’ll spend some time intentionally planning spending time with those friends that truly make your life what it is today. I believe that we are given just exactly who we need, when we need it and our role is to do our best to nurture and grow those gifts. Your life will be so much richer!

Rewind: What is your pain?

(Rewind: This is a relevant post from 2016. Enjoy!)

I was on a flight back last week from Seattle and had a great conversation with my seat mate. Those of you who know me well may think I would normally “chat it up” with a passenger, but truthfully I am the one to throw on the headphones (even if I don’t have anything on) and try to relax and think and maybe even take a nap! Not really a big fan of plane conversation.

Anyway, I’d been flying all week and this was one of the last legs, and she was really great. We got to talking about how we are currently in the process of selling our home, and I was sharing with her the inspection report and subsequent negotiations. In short, the new owners want to take a bit more out off of the price to deal with some minor issues and that I didn’t really think was fair, but also didn’t want to upset the apple cart so to speak and ruin the deal. Her response was great and WORTH SHARING.

“SO, WHAT IS YOUR PAIN….?”

I didn’t get it right away, but ultimately it was PURE BRILLIANCE. We all have our own pain points. How much pain are we willing to endure…to experience?  It can be emotional or physical dollars as in this case. It can be both of course. I had to think through this with her. In this case, if the deal fell through because I didn’t concede, I would be out perhaps a couple or more months of a mortgage payment, on top of my new payments relating to the move etc. Once I thought of it that way, their ask didn’t seem too much and would quickly add up to the amount they were asking for.  Decision made. Once I realized the amount of what my pain could be, it wasn’t hard.  (Side note: Why in the world had I never thought of this process?)

Some after thoughts I had or other possible scenarios…

What if you have someone at work that is a challenge… What is your pain? What happens if you address it or not?

What if you need to make a big purchase, a new refrigerator, or something expensive… What is your pain if you do or don’t do it now? It may help you to understand if you just can’t tolerate the pain level, you may need to consider other options, perhaps a Craigslist fridge for now….?

What if you have a friend or relative that is about to make a bad decision… What is their pain? Can you help them out by using this as a problem solving mechanism to frame up the real issues they may have based on their choices?

I hope this resonates with some of you all!  I thought it was a tremendous insight and worth the time to think on for a bit… I will be using this now when confronted with a decision.

(Photo Creds:  I’m not sure…It’s been on my “reel” for awhile..)

Be the ripple!

(Photo Creds: givesevendays.org)

Take a moment to watch this awesome video clip!

That video tells the story better than I can, but the bottom line is that a group of super-cool people that are trying to change the world by helping to re-write the story on how we all approach the differences we have and how they are sometimes dealt with. As our world becomes increasingly diverse, it is incumbent upon us take time to learn about other cultures and religions, and create a better understanding!

I wanted to use my blog this week as a platform to showcase the great events that are being held starting April 18 in Kansas City. The events are listed here. The events promise to provide us with a fresh perspective and help us ignite how we can MAKE A RIPPLE in our communities. If you aren’t local, take some time to review their website and the events. The great leaders behind GIVESEVENDAYS are often out in many communities across our country. If your community hasn’t rallied around this and you believe it’s important, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the right folks to make it happen.

I hope your schedule will allow you to attend one or more of the events. If you are free Monday, April 24th, the week culminates with an evening walk that is a fabulous show of community unity! This year it will be held at Union Station, which is one of KC’s true historic landmarks and a beautiful place to celebrate.
I look forward to seeing some of you there! I know you will be inspired.

(partial repost from April 2016)

You are a badass

(Photo Creds: Ashley Jost)

First off, apologies for the strong terminology in the post, but honestly it was needed. You see, I have some friends, as I’m sure you do to, that have been through nothing short of what most can’t imagine. (I have other choice words for that…)

This post is for them, to remind them – and you – that we were MADE FOR GREATNESS. It’s true however that sometimes we have to pull ourselves up and out, and be a BADASS in order to endure with grace.

For my friend who lost her husband and has demonstrated that through great pain that you can STILL be bold and brave despite being introverted.

For my friend who lost a daughter and is literally fighting tooth and nail to come out with grace.

The journey isn’t always as calm as it seems for others, but FIGHTING IS WORTH IT! Showing up EVERY DAY and knowing that you were MADE TO BE GREAT and that you can OVERCOME… They are proving that, day by day…

There are so many stories caused by death, divorce, loss of health, loss of careers and confusing relationships… We all have our own battles.

TODAY, REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE A BAD ASS and the STORY IS YOURS TO MAKE GREAT… OWN THAT, and SHOW UP STRONG. We are ALL CHEERING FOR EACH OTHER!

The Language of Rain

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Rain. Rain can be…

Generous

Giving

Replenishing…

And at the same time….

Painful

Desperate

Overwhelming….

I wonder if the language of rain helps us understand how we can wrap our heads around serving better. The picture painted in Ann Voskamp’s the Broken Way, is on point: “The abundant life doesn’t have a bucket list, as much as it has an empty bucket – the giveness of pouring out.” I for sure feel like my “bucket” is full when I am pouring out versus being poured upon.

Our lives certainly experience all matter of “rain,” both the refreshing kind and the drenching kind. Today, let’s focus on the filling/refreshing of others who are being flooded with life right now. I think it’s interesting that if you decide that you are going to be more aware of those in need, that you start to see need around every corner it seems. Honestly, I dare you to actually do this, because it shifts and shapes your own perspective. Your fellow co-worker, an extended family member struggling and sharing on Facebook, perhaps someone much closer. We need rain and we need each other to fill those buckets with encouragement and service.

Let’s go out today with the goal to REFRESH.

Are we acting like circus elephants?

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I really like CUTE elephants… the childhood imagination type. The ones on the red and white striped ball at the circus, complete with an environment of cotton candy and spinners in hand.

This picture was alarming to me. I wanted it to be cute, but the topic isn’t cute.

I just wrapped up a book by JJ Virgin, ‘The Miracle Mindset.’ She’s best known for diet related books, but this one is different and shares her path with a 16 year old son who nearly died in a tragic accident. It’s a short, inspiring read that gives you another example of how humans are able to overcome in the midst of great pain and enormous hurdles.

In the book, JJ references how we often have beliefs of what we can handle and as a result our lives our limited. I think this is so true. She likened it to the circus elephant who learns while being shackled and in the end truly believe she is not able to get out, staying place by “force of habit.”

What are your limiting beliefs? Do you really think you can only be successful in the job you are in today? That you will get a certain health issue because everyone in your family has by age 60? That you are bound to a path that you aren’t thriving in?

It’s worth your attention. I’m pondering this and would love to hear your thoughts.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Be A WAR HORSE

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I had a meeting with my financial planner on Thursday.

We were talking about his small group and the “best advice/counsel” he had been given. He has an older and wiser gentleman in his group (Joe is younger than me… so that older and wiser could have easily been someone my age) that shared the true meaning of the word “meek.”

In the Bible, there is a call to be “meek.” “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 KJV) “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” (Titus 3:2)

This can be confusing to many of us, especially our men, who are called to be brave warriors, while they’re also called to be “meek.”

In today’s society we consider meek to mean “weak.” The truth is that being “meek” is the opposite. It is strength under pressure. Joe shared with me that his mentor/friend thought of meekness as the Greek synonym, PRAUS, (a much stronger sounding word) and also gave a vision of a WAR HORSE…The ultimate picture of strength under pressure.

I love this. I want a shirt or tattoo, or something to imprint this idea for my boys especially, but also for me. As we go out into the world this week, I know that we all need to be more “WAR HORSE.” Strong, resilient, brave…

Thank you Joe for sharing this… I know it will resonate with this group of awesome blog followers! Have an amazing week my friends.