Biggest fan

Today was the girls dance recital. We had a blast. There is a lot of work that goes into a 2 minute routine. 

We sit for hours to watch our little darlings perform. This afternoon when Hannah was done, we told her Rae was next and she lit up with excitement. Hannah is Raegans biggest fan and vice versa. 

I love seeing these girls cheer each other on. When Rae took the stage, Hannah was yelling her name to show support. When the dance was over, Hannah asked if she could give Rae the flowers. That made my heart melt. 

Hannah knew how good it felt to receive flowers after the performance and she wanted to bring that joy to her sister. (Of course we let Hannah give Rae the flowers with the disclaimer that daddy bought them - just kidding, chill out). 

My point: we all need someone cheering us on. No matter what we are doing or attempting, it makes us feel a lot better if we have someone believing in us and making sure we know it. 

Who do you believe in & how do you show it. Who believes in you & how do they show it?

PACE

Tonight at C3s leadership meeting we revealed a model called PACE. 

PACE is an acronym for:  

Prayer 

Accountability

Confession

Encouragement

We want to try our best to make sure people have a few others they get together with on a regular basis and PACE. 

This isn't something we are going to be able to create, but we can create environments for this to naturally happen. We will make every environment an opportunity to meet others and introduce people to others. 

If we can help everyone find 3 or so friends, they will stick around long enough to allow God to do something in their life. 

My point: everyone grows at their own PACE. Everyone does life at their own PACE. If we allow someone to hold us accountable by asking us the tough questions and then be brutally honest enough to answer without fear - imagine what could happen. Then if the other person was encouraging u by reminding u who u are and helping u replace lies with Truth then finishing up by praying - WOW. That is a formula for spiritual growth. 

PACE will result in better relationships with ur family, spouse, kids, coworkers & friends. It will help u grow and make better decisions. 

We are very excited about this. We know it may be difficult to implement but we know it'll be worth it. 

Who are u doing PACE with???

UP

This week we got UP fitness bands. Since wearing them for 3 days we are now able to see how many steps we take, how much deep sleep, light sleep and even how long it takes for us to fall asleep. 

It is very cool but the reason it helps make better / healthier choices is because we are now accountable and we get immediate feedback. Deni can see what I have done and I can see what she has done. 

It even allows u to be on teams for an additional challenge if u want that. A lot of times we make unwise or unhealthy choices because we think it won't hurt, no one will know or I will make it right later. With his little bracelet, we get instant feedback. 

This thing will even remind u (by a light vibration) that u have been sitting for 15 - 30 mins. If we are in the car or if I am at my desk checking emails, I am gently nudged to get up and move around. 

My point: we all like instant feedback. We like to see "likes" or comments on our posts, we like to see the number go down on the scale, we like to get a laugh at a joke - whatever feedback or affirmation looks like to u, we like it immediately. 

What if we were this intentional with our spiritual lives - c'mon somebody!!!

Starting point

About every 6 weeks I am totally re-energized. 

No matter how frustrated I get, how bad things go, how things get misperceived, how many people say they will do something then don't - none of that matters because every 6 weeks I am reminded why I do what I do. 

In an environment called "starting point",  Konan and I present the story of how we started, where we are now and where we feel like God is leading C3. 

I get fired up every time I hear our pastor tell the story of "what if..."  

What if there was a place people genuinely felt welcome. What if people wanted to take off the masks. What if they trusted us enough to invite their friends. What if they believed Gods promises. What if they truly wanted a personal relationship with Jesus. What if they loved other people. What if they lived with a different focus other than themselves or more money. What if...

C3 gets to meet amazing people every week. We are blessed with guests and a lot of those guests attend starting point to hear "the story". 

My point: getting to hear the reason we started this journey about 7 years ago keeps everything in perspective. Keeping that focus helps minimize the challenges of life.

If ur getting frustrated or burnt out, revisit the reason u started. What was your starting point???

Trophy

Some people work hard regardless. Some work harder if there is a cash prize and some are good with a trophy. 

I think the trophy is a little overrated. Not because I don't have any but because the ones I do have are in places that no one can see or would even care to see. 

Trophies seem to be like golf or fishing stories. No matter how awesome they are to you, no one else really seems to care. Even if they act like they care, they definitely don't carry the excitement you do. 

My point: The value of a trophy is in ur accomplishment. No one can ever take away what you achieved. No one will be as excited as you but you didn't earn it for anyone but yourself. I like looking at trophies to remember the accomplishment. 

I don't necessarily need a visual reminder but when looking at them, it forces you to relive the experience. Celebrate it again or learn from it and allow it to drive u to be better. 

If everyone gets a trophy, it loses its value - just sayin...

FYI this is the C3 softball trophy from a few years ago. C3 couldn't wait to get it and now can't wait to earn another one. I guess this one is feeling all alone in the electrical closet of the church. 

Just love em

We are transitioning a lot of amazing people to help in C3 kids. We spent some time writing job descriptions, talking about priorities, how to run more efficiently, making sure the training process is efficient and lookin at our communication. Not to say all that is not important but when it comes right down to it, the best thing we can do to have a lasting impact on these amazing kids - is simply love em. 

Our children's volunteers are the heroes of Sunday morning. Without them, no one would be able to pay attention in the adult service. Every person who makes a decision to change for the better is able to so so because the children are being kept safe and taught biblical principals in an age appropriate environment. If all our children were in the adult service, it would be crazy and impossible to control them let alone pay attention. 

My point: I talk to a lot of people who don't feel "qualified" to work in kids ministry but if all u can do is love em, that's enuf. 

When these kids are grown they probably won't remember all the creative ways we communicated but without a doubt they will remember the ways we communicate love. 

If all u can do is show love - that's enuf. 

Biking

Got up early to go for a 25 mile bike ride while it was sprinkling. After that the family went for a  bike ride in the sunshine. 

It was a great day. I love getting out and riding but the coolest part of my morning ride was who I got to ride with. I am getting to know a neighbor who lives down the street. Riding was a great way to spend about an and a half talking and getting to know each other better. 

The family bike ride was beneficial for many reasons. The whole family was together, we were doing something as a family, it was physical activity instead of sitting in front of a tv and it made memories. 

My point: it really doesn't matter what ur doing, what matters is enjoying the journey. Make intentional efforts to have conversations. Invite people u don't know well and use it as an opportunity to get to know them better. 

I want people to be able to trust me and spending time together really helps allow that to happen.