Running Update

My Running Hope campaign has raised $215 so far.  How exciting!  That's over 40% to my goal of $500.  I have about 4 weeks left.  If you are able and would like to assist families in the adoption process, go here.  Thanks to all of you who have already contributed and to those of you who are considering it.

Tonight Rachel and I were scheduled to run 9 miles.  It ended up being about 8.5, but after running nearly 2 hours (a little slower than usual), we were at our limit.  It really felt good though - in a painful, I can barely move kind of way.  We were supposed to run 9 last week, but with the Photo Exhibit, an evaluation by my principal, and Catalyst, I just was mentally worn out.  We ended up running 6 and walking the last 2.  Tonight I was much better prepared for our long run after having a normal, uneventful week.  We still have about 5 weeks before the race though, so we're happy with where we are.  Next week, our week-long Fall Break I might add, we are running Cades Cove - 11 miles.  Last time I counted deer to keep my mind occupied.  I'll keep you waiting on pins and needles to find out how many deer I count this time!

Tomorrow I'll return with more Catalyst recaps.  Yes, there is still more to share!

Catalyst 08 - Jim Collins

One of the most interesting things about the speakers at Catalyst is that they aren't necessarily speaking from a religious perspective. Jim Collins studies "enduring great companies -- how they grow, how they attain superior performance, and how good companies can become great companies." I'm not sure if Collins would claim to be a Christian or not, but he often referred to the audience as "you" and seemed to think of himself as "other." I love that the Catalyst leaders look outside the Christian world to find speakers who will stretch us and even make us uncomfortable. Here are some of the highlights from his talk:

• In order to become great, you must create a culture of discipline. This is especially true in a classroom full of teenagers!
• The great fall by overreaching. Overreaching is the undisciplined pursuit of more.
• Don't compromise the quality of the "people on the bus" (a metaphor for the people in your church, business, etc.) just for growth.
• The defining characteristic of the great Fortune 500 CEO's is humility.
• It is dangerous when a church/business becomes dependent on a powerful personality. The true test of greatness is whether or not it can go on without you.
• A To-Do List without an equal Stop-Doing List is undisciplined. This is brilliant. I love it, but I'm having trouble implementing it!
• If you have more than three, you have no priorities.
• Good intentions are no excuse for incompetence.
• Work is infinite, time is finite.
• Build a personal Board of Directors. Seek their advice, and ask them questions.
• Be interested, not interesting.
• Schedule white days on your calendar. Turn off the gadgets and think.
• Get young people in your face. Ummm, I think I've got this one down!
• Pay your mentors back by mentoring others.
• Greatness is a consequence of choice and discipline - not circumstance.

I think I should laminate these and post them around my house and classroom. Hope you find some of these useful.

Catalyst - Andy Stanley

Last Thursday and Friday I attended Catalyst, a church leadership conference in Atlanta.  This was my second time attending, and I hope I can make it an annual trip.  We heard from some insightful, motivating speakers and participated in some intense worship sets.  It is amazing how much they are able to pack into these short two days.  I will recap the highlights from several of the speakers over the next few days.

As we entered, we were welcomed by all of these signs.  They made sure to cover everyone from golfers and runners to loud talkers and twitterers.

There were some powerful people in attendance, but I'm afraid ol' G.W. wasn't one of them.

Andy Stanley:

• Leaders must have moral authority (i.e. practice what you preach).  
• Make your family the number one priority.  If they even feel neglected, it is your fault.  Don't prioritize the role nobody can play (i.e. husband, wife, father, mother) for the role many can play (i.e. your role in the church).  I would imagine this was pretty liberating for most to hear; it sure was for me.  I can't remember ever hearing anything like this before, but it makes so much sense. 
• In terms of your finances - give, save, live on the rest.  Could it be any simpler?  So many people get hung up on the fact that the New Testament doesn't say a tithe is exactly 10% of your income, but Stanley suggested that the least we can do is give God back a tenth of what he has given us.  He demonstrated this with ten $1 bills.  One for God, one for the future, and eight for me.  Seems like the deal really works in our favor!

Tomorrow: Jim Collins, author of Built to Last and Good to Great

A Full Heart

It seems like once a week is about all I have been posting lately, but it is not for a lack of topics. Life is full, and most importantly, my heart is full. Here is what has been going on.

• I went to Atlanta with 9 other people from church last Wednesday through Friday to attend the Catalyst Conference. This was my second time and again, it did not disappoint.  Not surprisingly, God showed up in a big way.  I have so much to share about these packed two days, so I will save that for another post. I am still trying to digest it all. For a sneak peak though, we saw Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Franklin Graham, Jeff Foxworthy, and one of my favorite singers, Steve Fee.    One of the major highlights of the conference was this Kenyan Childrens' Choir.

The spunk, energy, and love in these kids was evident from across the arena.

• The Stooksbury's had us over to watch the UT game and play baggo. 

Quite the picture perfect family!

I just couldn't resist with the sun shining right above her head!  So angelic.

I don't know when this one changed from a toddler to a little girl, but it sure happened fast.  

A not-so-angelic moment for the Reed girls.  Getting a little direction from Momma.

Jason made the baggo stands himself---and Andrew has a new project for his Honey-Do List!

• Today we had Andrew's entire family over.  Including my family, this totaled 16 adults and 7 children under the age of 6.  Obviously this was too many people for our condo, so Mom and Dad graciously allowed us to invade their home.  This was a going-away party for Andrew's cousin, Katie, and her family.  They are leaving in two weeks to serve as missionaries in Mexico for three years.  Their willingness to leave everything to follow Christ humbles me.  Hopefully they will keep us updated on their blog, Mercer Family News, which you can link to on the left.

My sisters-in-law Morgan and Melissa, cousin Katie, (all mothers of babies under 6 months old) and me.

The Lonas family.

The McAffry family.

• I had my first semi-professional photo shoot today.  I have never done maternity shots, so I was a little nervous.  The couple was wonderful, though, and I think it went well.  If anybody out there needs some pictures taken, now is a great time with the beautiful fall colors.  I charge $75 for a session.  You can see this entire session here.

I love the rings in this picture.

We took the photos at Oakes Farm.  So many great backdrops, and they let us use their property complete free.  No admission charge or anything.  I will definitely patronize them in the future.

So, the sky wasn't quite this blue.  I used a little editing for this one.

I love the pure joy in this photo.  She was laughing at some kids nearby.

I'm just a sucker for the holding-hands-and-walking-through-a-field-photo.

Such sweet parents-to-be.

Up next: highlights from Catalyst 08!

Photography Exhibit

What a night!  My Sophomore Honors English classes presented their photo projects tonight in our school library, and the event was well attended by parents and many of the "higher-ups" at Knox County.  Not only did all four of our principals come, but also Ed Hedgepeth (director of Secondary Education) and the new superintendent Dr. McIntyre stopped by.  Before my head starts getting too big, though, I must mention they were already in our building for a meeting about the school calendar.  Nonetheless, it was really great to show off the talents of these great students.

In case you are wondering why we study photography in an English class, it all started as we analyzed the Migrant Mother series, the famous photos from the Great Depression, after reading The Grapes of Wrath.  We talked a little about some photography techniques, then they had to go out into the community to take photos based on a theme.  Next, they presented a PowerPoint to the class and tonight was the culmination of the project as they presented their feature photo to their parents.  They were in charge of everything tonight: the invitations, programs, refreshments, music, signs, speaking.  Their parents were definitely impressed.  Here is a video of their feature photos.  The winner was the third photo titled "Facing Fear."

Catching Up

I haven't downloaded pictures lately, so I have been a little behind in my blogging.  I'll fast-forward through the past few weeks.  

Rachel and I sponsor the Beta Club at school, and these are some photos of our induction ceremony.  

I love working in the same building with one of my best friends.  I couldn't do much of what I do without her...running, Beta Club, staying sane...

The poor inductees have to recite a pledge that I don't even understand.  All I remember is that one line says something about the "master of might."  Are you kidding?

For Homecoming week, each homeroom decorated their door around the theme "Mash the Mavericks."  Can you guess which is mine?  The halls looked awesome and really promoted school spirit that week.  My favorite was Senior Hall.  They did a black-out of the entire hall.  So intimidating!

We celebrated several family birthdays including Matt's 23rd.

  

What a cool cuff you have there Matt!  Your favorite sister has such good taste!  (These cuffs would make great Christmas presents.  Check them out here.)

Andrew and I went camping this weekend at Cove Lake.  Some people wonder why we pack up all that gear just to sleep outside in 40 degree weather and get dirty.  It's not really that I like being cold all night or feeling grimy all day, but it forces me to relax and not to cram thirty things in one day.  It was a much needed and appreciated break.

Andrew has a bit of an obsession with campfires.  Our site looked like this all day - even when it was 80 degrees.  I caught our neighbors giving us a few strange looks.

If he wasn't poking around in the fire, he was watching football.

I guess this doesn't really classify as roughing it.

Milly was such a good sport.  Pun intended.

This week promises to be full of excitement as well, so stay tuned.

Thanks to those of you who are considering or have already contributed to my Running Hope fundraiser.  My goal is to raise $500 in the next seven weeks before the Oak Ridge half-marathon.  I am confident that we can do it!  

Running Hope

I thought about waiting to post this so I could come up with a few eloquent words to express how excited I am about this opportunity, but I just can't wait. Suffice it to say this: God is good. He speaks to me. He moves me.

I need your help. Go here to check it out.