Guatemala Photo of the Day – Stairway to Heaven

Every day as we walked between our house and German’s house, we passed this staircase etched in the dirt. The stairway was steep, and I’m not sure it went besides up.

Upon first glance, Xenacoj looks nothing like the heaven I envisioned.  Looking again, I undoubtedly saw and experienced glimpses of heaven in Xenacoj. I saw it on the smiles of orphans and widows. I saw it played out in the hearts of those we served. And I saw it in the hearts of our missionary partners.

Guatemala Photo of the Day – On The Way To School

Here’s the road we traveled between our house and German‘s house.

As we head over for our first breakfast, we see a young girl in front of us who is probably on her way to school.  In Xenacoj, the younger kids go to school first in the morning, and the older kids go to the same school in the afternoon.  It’s a way to utilize the school space best, and I think it works out well for the families.

This girl is on her way to school, and we are on our way to a week of learning.

From Fearless To Fearful To Freedom

For example, I used to love climbing trees.  If I could reach the lowest branch, you would find me climbing as high as I could go.  My parents had a giant willow tree in the backyard, and I remember climbing high into the tree as high as I could go.  Things changed on one of the first days of first grade when I fell out of an apple tree at a church picnic.  The fall was not very far, but I managed to land on my wrist.  From this point on, I became more cautious when it came to climbing trees.

I don’t remember fearing failure when I was young.  If I didn’t build the block tower correctly, I could always build it again.  As I went to school, I began to fear getting bad grades.  I feared letting my parents down.  My perfectionism was more driven by a fear of failure than a desire to succeed.

I went from fearless to afraid.

You would think that growing up would take me beyond my fears.  In reality, my fears have only matured.  I am now afraid of other things that are now on my radar as an adult.  I fear for the health of my wife and kids.  I fear for the future and my ability to provide for my family and to retire with enough funds to make it to the end of my life.  I still fear failure at my job, in my parenting, in my faith, and even in my writing.

Fear can paralyze us.

I was absolutely terrified about the prospect of going to Guatemala with my daughter leaving my wife and son behind.  When my friend, Adam Flora, asked me to go to Guatemala with him as a chaperone for our church’s youth group, I was initially convinced I was staying home in the comforts of the familiar.  I was afraid, and I was prepared to miss the adventure of a lifetime if it meant I didn’t have to face my fears.

It took a major leap of faith for me to say yes to Adam.  And the rest is history (if you’ve been reading along).  I traveled to Guatemala, and I fell in love with the people in the small village of Santo Domingo Xenacoj.  This first trip led to two more trips the past two summers with my family.  And it has led to a vision for returning to Xenacoj over and over again for the rest of my life.  Besides this, my initial trip to Guatemala helped me learn to face my fears with more confidence.

I still have fears in my life, but I have learned to move forward in faith and wisdom as I face the various things in my life that scare me to death.  I wouldn’t say I’m fearless, but I can say that my fear has become healthier.

This new perspective has given me freedom to face life with a renewed sense of fearlessness.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  I John 4:18

How has fear impacted your life?  What do you fear?  How have you learned to face your fears?

Guatemala Photo of the Day – A New Day, A New Vantage Point

This picture was taken Monday morning on the hike from out house to German Espana’s house where we ate all our meals.

Walking down the dirt road, I caught this view over the roof of a nearby house. The view captures a small glimpse of the village I love so much. You can see a radio antenna in the distance surrounded by various homes and buildings in the village below. The electric pole just beyond the house is a reminder of the electricity strung throughout the village. The homes don’t use nearly the same amount of electricity that we use here in the United States. And the wiring methods wouldn’t pass most township inspections here.

But there is light.

I reminder of The Light casting His glow of hope on Xenacoj.

As we started our first workday on this trip, this picture reminds me of the new day and new perspective I gained this year by traveling back.

Sometimes we need to get a new vantage point to gain a fresh perspective.

5 Ways To Ignite A Fresh Start In Your Life Starting TODAY

Spring is a time for fresh starts.  Just like the Phillies (and all the other teams that didn’t make the playoffs last year), we can all use a fresh start.

When life gets overwhelming or just plain boring, a fresh start can reignite our passion for moving forward – for living life to the fullest.

Here are some ways to ignite a fresh start in your life starting today:

5 Ways To Ignite A Fresh Start In Your Life Starting TODAY

1. Start something new today.  Sometimes the best way to ignite a fresh start is by trying something new and different.  Try a new restaurant.  Wear a new outfit.  Meet someone new today.
2. Change your routine.  It’s easy to get stuck in a rut.  Eat something different for breakfast.  Drive a different way to work.  Do something to alter the pattern you’ve been in lately.  This change will give you a new perspective and a better opportunity for a fresh start.
3. Resist the urge to catch up.  A fresh start doesn’t mean trying to catch up all at one time.  Take it one day at a time.  If you try to catch up in one day, you will become discouraged.
4. Quit something.  Bob Goff quits something every Thursday.  The discipline of quitting things in your life that should be lower on your priority list is a great way to make room for more important things, and it’s a great way to ignite a fresh start in your life.
5. Find a reason to give thanks.  Gratitude is one of the best ways I know to ignite a fresh start.  Take time to observe the things going on around you today.  There has to be something worth appreciating.  When we are thankful, we are more likely to smile, and we are more likely to see the world through a new set of eyes.

What can you start today?  What do you need to change today?  What do you need to quit today?  What do you appreciate today?  Why do you need a fresh start?

Guatemala Photo of the Day – Past, Present, and Future

Sunday evening in Central Park, we ran into Christian. He’s the taller one in the picture.  I met him the first summer I was in Xenacoj.  He was very friendly with our group, and he was the only kid I remember who could speak English.  I didn’t see him the second summer we were there, but we ran into him on the third trip.

In this picture, he’s with Fernando.  We didn’t know it at this point, but Fernando became a cool, young friend during our visit.  We ended up building a house for Fernando and his family.

In this picture, you can tell that Fernando has a friendly personality. He is someone who will move mountains in the future.  I can’t wait to go back and see what Fernando does with his life!

Growth Doesn’t Happen By Accident

I made a decision to shrink my garden this year.  I am just way too busy in this season of my life to keep up with my normally ambitious garden.  This year my garden will be about one-third the size of last year.  I will be using the square-foot gardening method to make the most of the space which now consists of four four-by-eight foot garden beds.  One of the beds is dedicated to asparagus, and a quarter of another bed is dedicated to horseradish.  This means I have approximately eighty square feet of garden space to plant.

Last night, Leanne and I planted two kinds of lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, and kale.  I’ll do another planting in 10 to 14 days.  Around Mother’s Day, I will plant tomatoes, peppers, beans, and a few other vegetables that require warmer temperatures.

I like the work that goes into a productive garden.  And I like the produce that eventually comes as the temperatures get warmer (as long as I keep the deer and groundhogs out of the garden).  Produce will not happen unless I put the effort in to plant the seeds.   A productive garden does not happen by accident.

This is true for many things in life.

My kids will not automatically turn out respectful and well-adjusted unless my wife and I put the work into them planting seeds that point them in the right direction.

My career will not just move in a desired direction unless I put the effort into it and take time to learn the skills and embrace the experience required to take me there.

My faith will not grow unless I take time to feed my soul with God’s Word and unless I plug into other believers who will spur me on to greater heights.

In all areas of our life, growth does not happen without hard work, without planting the right things into our lives, and without stretching ourselves.

How have you experienced growth in your life recently?  What do you attribute to this growth?

Where do you need to grow right now?  What’s stopping you from growing?

Guatemala Photo of the Day – Smiles All Around

While Hannah played Duck, Duck, Goose and Isaac played soccer with the boys, I carried on conversations with other kids in the central park.

These two kids stopped by to talk for a while as I sat on a bench soaking it all in. It’s difficult for me to remember the details of our conversation, but I remember it being fun and refreshing. After putting my limited Spanish aside for nearly a year since our last visit, these kids were just what I needed to re-engage my mind into the language.

We exchanged simple questions and responses. “Como esta?” (How are you?), “Cuantos anos tiene?” (How old are you?), “Que es tu numbre?” (What is your name?) “Donde esta tu casa?” (Where is your house?), and so on. I think these kids were partially smiling because they were happy, but I think they were also smiling because my Spanish was so funny. Regardless, I remember smiling right back at them.

There was something so refreshing about sitting in the middle of Xenacoj in the mountains of Guatemala on a mild summer Sunday evening. It makes me smile just thinking about it!

Jordan Spieth, The Masters, Camping, and Track – Reflections From A Father, Son, and Grandson

Yesterday, Jordan Spieth became the second youngest player ever to win the coveted green jacket by winning The Masters in August, GA.  Due to a busy weekend camping with Isaac and helping out at Hannah’s track meet, I didn’t have an opportunity to keep up with the golf tournament until the very last few holes.  I always enjoy watching moments like these.  I love hearing the stories of athletes and their families.  And I enjoy seeing how the athletes respond to their victories (and defeats).

(Coincidentally, Jordan Spieth went to the same high school in Dallas, TX that my youngest brother attended.)

Many of his competitors praised Jordan for his play over the four-day tournament, and they commented on the great things to come for this 21-year-old.  The commentators were very gracious in describing the journey Spieth has taken to get to this moment.  When he finished up the final short putt on the final hole, he leaned over to reflect on the moment.  He hugged his caddy and shook hands with Justin Rose.  Then he handed his putter over to his caddy and headed to a small section of spectators standing at the edge of the green.  The spectators included his mom, dad, brother, girlfriend, and his grandpa.  For a brief moment, Jordan and his grandfather embraced.  His grandpa had some words for Jordan.  I wish I could capture them for the blog, but it was clear he was expressing his pride and perhaps passing down some wisdom to his young grandson.

Above all else, this is the moment I’ll remember about this year’s Masters tournament.  To me, it brought similar emotions that well up inside me every time I see the end of Field of Dreams when Kevin Costner’s character shares a moment with his dad.

Life has spread my family apart.  I live in eastern Pennsylvania.  My parents and youngest brother live in Dallas, TX.  My middle brother and his family live in Milwaukee, WI.  My only living grandfather lives in Minneapolis, MN.  And the rest of my family lives anywhere from a five-hour drive away to a long plane ride to Guam where my cousin is stationed in the Navy.

I have learned to accept these conditions.  And yet, there is something inside me that longs for the embrace of my dad or my grandpa when I experience life’s victories and defeats.  I will never win The Masters, but I want to experience in person the pride and wisdom of my parents and grandfather when I publish my first book, when I celebrate a big promotion, or when I experience one of life’s many milestones.

As I look back on this weekend, it was an opportunity for me to do this with my own kids.  On Friday night, I jumped in the car right after work with Isaac to go camping with him and his scout troop at a local scout reservation.  On Saturday morning, I woke up early to head back to our high school to help out with Hannah’s track meet.  I had the privilege of celebrating her best mile time ever and observe her interaction with a very interested college coach and recruiter.  I headed back to the scout reservation for dinner and a night of camping with Isaac.  There are not always long conversations exchanged during these types of events, but I was so thankful to observe and to celebrate the victories and milestones of my children.

I’m learning again and again that our time of parenting only seems to accelerate as time goes along.  Hannah is finishing up her junior year in high school and is looking forward to college, and Isaac is right behind her as he finishes up his freshman year in high school.  I want to make the most of these moments and opportunities.  I want to rejoice and pass along wisdom when my kids experience a victory, and I want to be there when they experience defeat and need a shoulder to lean on.  And I want to be there for years to come.  Will this happen?  I don’t know.  I know God has big plans in store for both my kids, and I believe He still has big plans in store for Leanne and me as we move onto the next stage of our married lives.  May we listen to God’s direction and be open to his promptings in the days, weeks, and years to come.

Congrats Jordan Spieth on your victory, and thank you for sharing the moments with your family and with the world!

What moments have you celebrated with your family?

Guatemala Photo of the Day – Game On

After the teams are selected, the game begins. It’s serious and fun at the same time. Isaac hasn’t played soccer for several years, but he fits in despite his towering size. He quickly learns what soccer is really like. These Guatemalan boys can really bring it.

This is the first of many instances on our trip when I just watched and was inspired by Isaac’s adaptability and sincere care for the people of Xenacoj. He really loved conversing with the other kids. And he often came to meal time or down time with questions and comments.

Many people have asked me why a short-term missions trip like this is necessary. I have many responses. One response is this: our kids saw a much different part of the world. They experienced a small part of how most kids live in the world. And it was different than their comfortable lives here in America. They were transformed by this trip differently than going to the shore for a week or just hanging around home.

Can you get this experience in the United States?

Perhaps.

But I would argue it’s much different outside our borders, and we all need our eyes opened to the world outside our comfort zone. Going to Guatemala was an opportunity to get in the game on a whole different level.