Grape Stomp

Wednesday Night

Too tired to try and write anything deep or profound (as if that ever happens), but just wanted to check in and say tonight was a good night.  High School kickoff featuring Isaac Improv.  They were hilarious.  Great to see and reconnect with our group.  Lots of new faces which was encouraging.  It just registered in my head that tonight was the start of my 9th year of full time student ministry.  Crazy.  As an unrelated aside, I am a dork and I got 4 new books yesterday.  So very exciting.  They'll be posted soon as I need to update the "what I'm reading" section.  Well there you have it, non-essentail ramblings.  Peace.

Trombone Player Wanted

A few weeks ago I stumbled about an author by the name of Marcus Buckingham.  He's probably known for many things, but the stuff I've found particularly interesting is in the area of "playing to our strengths".  Though I can't claim to be an expert on his theories, what I do know is the following:

Where a traditional management/business theory would be to figure out what your weaknesses are and seek to improve them, Buckinham believes that is nonsense.  Rather we should figure out what our strengths are (what gives us the most life) and then spend the majority of our working day playing to them.  He goes on to say that after having spent many years working for the Gallup organization they found that only 17% of people spent 80% of their working week playing to their strengths.  If this is true, then the majority of us are often times focused on things we shouldnt' be wasting our time with (assuming you buy into his theory). 

So it has really got me thinking.  Not that I buy it completely (not yet at least), but it has proved to be a helpful exercise in thinking through where my time is spent and how it should be best spent.  How do I figure out what my greatest strength and subsequently my great contribution is and will be?  To that end, Buckinham contracted the creators of Nooma (if you don't know what this is, you really should) to create 6 short films (12-15 min each which are entitled Trombone Player Wanted) where he guides you through his key ideas and concepts.  Once you complete your viewing you can log on to a site and answer a series of questions to help you sort through this stuff.  Thus far it has been very interesting.

I have no ideas where Buckinham stands in regards to faith in Jesus, but much of what he is advocating seems to echo the "body of Christ" imagery that is written of by Paul.  We are at our best when we recognize what our gifts are and then use them. 

Well that's all for now.  Oh yeah, new pics posted under "August pics" to your right.  Peace.

Free Derek Webb

If you don't already own this album, then this is your lucky day (or at least it will be very soon).  This seems like a very cool idea.  Click the banner ad above to read the "why" behind this move.

Friday Fountain Fun

Chillin at the park.

Home tomorrow

Well it's Friday night and everyone is doing well.  We should be cleared to head out sometime tomorrow morning.  Thanks to all our visitors for helping the time pass quickly here in our little room.  It's been very fun seeing everyone and showing off the latest addition.  Mackinley has been a great joy already.  The greatest thing has been Sydnie's interaction with her.  She is already loving and doting on "Mackie" as she affectionately calls her.  Heather has been amazing in all of this.  She's a great mom and she's really enjoying this time with Mackinley (albeit through some pain).  We are looking forward to settling back into our home tomorrow and figuring out what it's like with another kid in the mix.  Should be fun.  Peace.

Mackinley is here!

Mackinley Kaelyn entered this realm of existence at 7:30 am, weighing in at 7 lbs 11 oz with a length of 21 1/4 inches.  Mom and daughter are doing quite well.  Everyone is healthy and Heather seems to think the second time around was much easier.  I on the other hand had a rather difficult time as I nearly fainted when Heather was stuck with a needle for her IV.  Nothing like drawing attention away from the expectant mother so the nurses can run around and get you juice and candy in hopes that you don't hit the floor.  Dad and Husband of the year award can now be administered.  Other than that I pretty much stood around looking cool in my pastel yellow scrubs.

We appreciate everyone's prayers.  We are settled in to our room at Winnie Palmer hospital--this place is unbelievable.  It's like a hip, urban hotel that delivers babies and has free wifi.  Well we've posted some additional pictures under the photo album section entitled "Mackinley."  More updates forthcoming.  Peace.