Greetings To All,
How in this new year are you? We are doing well; everyone is in good health, thank You, God. After a cold spell during the last half of December we are bearing the rains here in Salem, which I'm sure is easier to handle than the snow that some of you are receiving. For the first time since we've been here the creek went over its bank, and that explains one of the pics below. The foot bridge had the low end washed over. Luckily no buildings were flooded. The base was very quiet over the Christmas break. Now there is a DTS of 16 students that just started. Already, I am performing as the Ropes Course director. It's a bit surreal for me. Never before, in any job, have I been the guy "in charge." The transition is almost complete, and it has been a smooth one. Thank you to you all that lifted us in prayer through this; they were definitely felt. One of the things that I have the privilege of doing already as course director is designing new business cards. One thing that is good to have on them is a slogan. In the past "Teamwork Makes A Dream Work" has been the main slogan for the course. Last year we shifted to "Face Your Challenge". Both are good. But this year we were looking to have more of a biblical influence in the slogan. So,what we came up with is: Consider Others. Isn't that a blend of teamwork principles and Christian emphasis? Consider Others. "How can this problem be solved?" Consider Others. "How can we be more effective as witnesses for Jesus?" Consider Others. "Am I going to accomplish every great thing in my life alone?" Consider Others. To me the concept adds significant value to other people. And it is more than a passing glance, a "courtesy knod" if you will. Am I going to take the time, not to hear some one's entire life story, but listen to their perspective, listen for their heart? Will I add value to others without considering them? No. Is it possible to show Jesus' love in my life without considering other people? Not in truth. Since this will be on our business cards, and probably on the back of our T-Shirts, it will be a constant source of discussion in our interaction with our participants. If you have any insights or comments about this slogan, I would love to hear it. Shifting gears. . . . For this entry I tried uploading the pics first and typing the entry while they were being uploaded. However, that didn't work out as planned. So, I apologize for the weird placement of the pics and for having two different colors of writing (if I don't get that annoyance fixed.) Working with computers is always an adventure for me. But, I persevere. Moving along. . . . Dakota has been learning how to write her letters and is very good at it. She even remembers how to spell a handful of words, too. Desi has been pulling herself up on furniture and has even started to free-stand, which should be a new Olympic sport for the infant age group. Also, her top teeth have started to come in, so she is chewing on everything. I refer to her little play area as Chewyville. Kathy has been attending a MOPS group that a lady from church mentioned to her. She is also coming up with ideas on how to make the Ropes office into a more inviting place. Right now the walls are painted in two different shades of orange with maroon trim. Anyway. . . . Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. If you have any comments or insights into "Consider Others." please let me know. Also, we have gotten a few responses from an email update that I sent out a couple of days ago, for which we are thankful. We would like to do better at keeping you informed of what is happening in our lives. How that looks is us giving you at least one email update each month and keeping this blog current with what our adventure entails. Hopefully we get to hear from you, too. Until next time. . . .
God's Richest Blessings To You,Carson, Kathleen, Dakota, Desislava
