2012 Leadership Summit I was selected to coordinate the 2012 Chairman's Leadership Summit - a leadership training session for Caterpillar's top 400 folks. I am, no doubt, a more confident woman post this event. Surely the thrill of sitting at right hand to the Caterpillar chairman impacted me. But more than that, I’m reminded that I have the capacity to lead a team to deliver one spectacular event. Check out this photo of me with Zac Brown Band. . .even if you don't like country, this is way cool!
Conferences and Retreats Beyond coordinating the Caterpillar Summit, I had the opportunity to participate in multiple conferences and retreats: Church retreat facilitated by Dr. Larry Crabb, Willow Creek Leadership Summit with Jeff, Society of Women Engineers National Conference for Caterpillar and a Family Life Marriage Retreat with Jeff. I’m such a nerd that loves to learn and enjoyed every minute of these events. I deepened many friendships through these conferences. Further, I’m a better employee, a better wife and a more faithful daughter of God.
Mexico Mission Trip This was no ordinary mission work trip. Jeff and I traveled with family and new friends by bus to Magdelena de Kino (yes, by bus!). We stayed with Jeff’s sister Joan and her husband Bill and their family in Mexico. Bill and Joan lead an orphanage, school and church in Mexico. I enjoyed getting to know Jeff’s family better. I enjoyed squeezing and kissing on cute Mexican kids. Most of all, I enjoyed witnessing a very close example of what it means to pick up and start anew in a new land with a new calling.
Smart Step-Mom I was asked to join a Step Mom support group this year. I struggle finding words that describe what this group has meant to me. Here are just a few: Amazing women, embracing my role in all circumstances, intentional prayer for the kids, support when I think I’m going crazy.
Family Vacation Our family of 6 packed into a mini-van for a week. It doesn’t matter much what we did, where we went or what we ate. The point is, we did it together for seven days. It surely wasn’t always peaceful and it wasn’t always fun. However, it was altogether always a family vacation that I will always remember as a turning point for me as a step-mom.
Running Group I somehow invited myself to a running group with women on Saturday Mornings. These ladies are great motivation to get me running again on a regular basis. I grew quite lazy as a runner after marriage. Thanks to this group, I’m in better shape physically and socially in 2012. More importantly, I’m in better shape spiritually.
Grad School Both Lauren & Jordan have applied to graduate school this year. Lauren will pursue Library Sciences and Jordan will go on to med school. It has been a sweet process to read the application essays, discuss the schools they selected and simply be a part of their lives during a hopeful time of change and transition. Such fun to dream about where they will be in 2013!
Adopt-a-Block Jeff and I have served at AAB and Richwoods since we just started dating. Much of that time I have been fraught with frustrations with this ministry and the low participation, the little change in the lives serving and those served. But I kept going, teeth gritting, and heart heavy. And then 2012 was different! New volunteers, new energy, new ideas. My heart was broken and I have newfound hope and enthusiasm. I believe that more time is needed for me to fully learn and understand what God is intending to teach me through this ministry. But this I know deep in my heart: Both I and AAB are on the brink of something big.
Planning for Tanzania Jeff and I will travel to Tanzania in January. I don’t know what to expect. I read the itinerary, I look at the map, I search what I can online and I still don’t really know what to expect. What will Tanzania look like? (surely not like the tourist pictures online). What will Tanzania taste like? (Like I know anything about Tanzanian food!?) What will Tanzania feel like? (Besides being hot, I don’t really know where I will stay, what I should wear, who’s hands I will hold) And most vague of all, what will Tanzania do to me? I am accompanying my husband on this mission trip to seek opportunities for the future. (And what does that mean? Whose future? Mine? Holy Kamoly!) I’m not in control and of course, that doesn’t feel all too good. I’m trusting God as it is really my only option. I have grown in my faith and ability to not be in control. Even if the trip teaches me nothing and reveals to me not one moment of inspiration, it has already been a journey!
Knees Jeff is my spiritual leader and has been in that role since our 2nd or 3rd date when he challenged me to read the bible every day. I did, for awhile. I’m starting to pick up daily reading of the Bible again for the umpteenth time in my life and I’m sure it will be beneficial. I ebb and flow in how I practice spiritual disciplines . . . which I suppose by default is undisciplined. But sometime in 2012, Jeff brought me to my knees to pray with him before work. We have been praying on our knees ever since. We miss a day now and again, but not many. These are sweet moments that I treasure. This will surely become part of who we are as we pause and strive to truly humble ourselves.
