Reflecting on Africa: The Baobab

In case you missed it, five young men, Dr. Jack Porter, and I went to West Africa not too long ago. I have so much to say about it that I've decided to break the blogs into a series of reflections. Today, I'll begin the saga with a look back.

African lore reports that the baobab tree was once the most beautiful in the world,
bearing delicious fruit. But the baobab grew too proud so God plucked it up, turned
the baobab upside down, and stuck it back in the ground, revealing just the roots
where beauty used to be.

When I was in high school, I was certain I had everything figured out. While I'm sure that's an uncommon experience for teenagers (see: all pop culture, ever), I had it bad. I had been given a gift with words and an inquisitive brain...and developed a HUGE ego. My success didn't help the matter: I was selected over and over for leadership positions and seminars. I got to go to the World Leadership Congress and Boys Nation, where I met President George W. Bush, Senator Barack Obama, and several other dignitaries. With all of this worldly experience, I had long decided that my path was through undergraduate studies to law school to a career in international law. I prepared myself early, following politics and learning what I could from interning or working part-time for law firms. I began to learn French, the commerce and colonial language for much of West Africa. It was my dream to transform (single-handed, of course) the continent from barely-developing countries into an empowered people, protected by strong courts and well-constructed Governments.

I was pretty high on myself, but such a big head lends itself to becoming top-heavy. Through a series of rebellious and frankly stupid decisions, I ruined my academic career and impregnated my girlfriend. It didn't stop with high school, either. A window of grace opened up, providing me with a full scholarship to Henderson State University, where I ended my first semester with a GPA barely above 1.5. So long, law school. So long, Africa. I had been plucked up, turned upside-down, and planted head-first back in the ground.

Finally, under the influence of that same girlfriend (who almost two years ago became my wife) and by the grace of God, I broke down, straightened up, and (with a few more bumps along the road) submitted to following the will of my Savior. Last May my son, my wife, and I welcomed our daughter, Emily, into the world. For those of you doing the math, that's 10 months after we were married, thank you very much. In December I finished my B.A. in Political Science. When we decided that law school was not a practical path for our family to take, it was honestly heartbreaking. How would I make a difference to people without access to the courts? After college, though, I've found my calling helping people through my work as a Funeral Director at Caruth-Hale.

Not too long ago, a friend let me know that the church was looking for young men to go to Africa for 10 days. The trip would be subsidized so that we could afford to go. Isn't it the perfect picture of His grace that, even through so much rebellion, even in a still-imperfect package, he would provide a way for me to go and build a Kingdom in Africa? In so doing, He was building a Kingdom in me.

Be on the lookout for more segments. Next up: "Reflections on Africa: Painting the Cracks"

Coming Soon: The Africa Blog

I absolutely cannot believe we've been home for over a week! As luck would have it I came home to a more-than-full load at work but soon I will post a short series of blogs to tell stories and share thoughts on my recent trip to West Africa. Stay tuned for more!

Relaunch

After over a year out of commission, I've decided to relaunch the blog.

Allow me to wax ridiculously dramatic with a pointless phoenix metaphor.

You didn't miss much, really. Emily just turned a year old, Brodie is three years old now, Kimberly and I are working together at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, and I'm working towards my Funeral Director's License. We've got a little monstrous Jack Russel terrier, too (his name is Marvin).

It was really difficult for me to decide against attending law school. After all, it had been my lifelong dream to be an attorney, advocating for justice and helping to improve government here and around the world. After I graduated from Henderson with a Political Science degree, my father-in-law offered me the opportunity to join the family's funeral firm full-time. Since I had been helping out part-time, I had an idea what this would involve.

I had no idea, however, that I would fall in love with the ministry that can happen in a funeral operation. I know it isn't like this everywhere; some funeral "professionals" give society ample justification to find fault with the industry. But I can honestly say (without a bribe) that my colleagues are genuinely dedicated to doing all that they can do to bring honor and healing to hurting families and to give all the glory to God.

At the end of this week, I'm headed to West Africa to realize a dream of mine-- to use the French skills I've built in school to make a difference on that continent. But what I have come to realize is that I don't have to be building governments in the Third World or see my name in lights or on buildings; I make a difference every day. Through my work as a Funeral Director. Through my efforts with the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation. And, most importantly, through the level of dedication I give to my family.

Hopefully, you'll all be willing to check back once in a while to share with me the thrill present in success and the lessons learned from defeat.

New Feature: Motivational Mondays

Motivational Monday: Morning Glory

     Full disclosure: This is not a blog about how great Monday mornings are. Today, actually, was horrible. Curse you, Ben Franklin, for coming up with the whole time change idea. BUT...once in a while I catch hold of some good-ol'-fashion inspiration and want to share. So this new feature will take the inspiration from the previous week and pitch it your way, neatly packaged as a motivational piece of prose.

     Last night, Kimberly and I watched a new movie called Morning Glory. If you can ignore some sexual content and language, the movie is superb. Without giving away too many spoilers, here it goes:

     The main character is a news producer working in morning news programming (thus, the title). Her dream job has always been to serve as a producer for The Today Show, but she's had a rough go at it. Apparently her dad was in the business and inspired her, but the issue isn't particularly well-developed in the plot. During her job search, even her mother tells her to give up on her dream of making it big-time and producing for a major program. Anyway, she lands a job producing for a national network who has experienced consistently poor performance. The line she repeats almost ad nauseam is "The show/staff/I just need someone to believe in it/them/me." This motif continues throughout the film until, inevitably, she pulls it off and the show becomes a hit. After navigating impossibly infuriating obstacles, her persistence and energy paid off. The show became a hit.

     Now that's just a synopsis, but the movie really was inspiring to me. Sure, underneath it all there was a love story; the point was to find a balance between work and personal lives which allows for you to develop as a whole person. But the more inspiring part came from that line I said became almost nauseating: "The show/staff/I just need someone to believe in it/them/me." She was right, really. Throughout the show, no one believed in her as a producer. Not even her own mom! What made the difference for this character? 

She started to believe in herself.

     Sometimes, especially with young people, we can feel just like the character in this movie. It's easy to let older, smarter, richer, or wiser people crush a dream with the gravity of "reality". It's easy for us to betray ourselves and admit that our ideas aren't probable. It's easy to give up and accept mediocrity or sell out. The harder thing is to be the bold, confident person who makes a difference. You don't need the backing of a giant corporation or the approval of society. All you need is a good work ethic and a strong belief in yourself. Today, it's about choosing who and what you want to be. A person with passion and vision and direction will go far, but he will never achieve his potential unless he believes himself to be totally prepared and qualified to succeed.

     Ever see those people who seem to be good at whatever they do? Make up your mind to be that person. You can be your greatest motivator or your greatest detractor. Whose side will you be on? Stand up for yourself and decide: "I can do this." Be bold and unafraid.

Family Friday

Fast Times at Ridgemont High The Buck House

     Man! This week flew by! I didn't even realize it was Friday until I realized it was Friday. By the time it got here, I realized I hadn't been a very faithful blogger. But I couldn't let Family Friday slip through the cracks. This week was kind of a big week for us. Nothing serious, just trucking along.

     And now...PICTARS!

     Needed a picture for the church directory and ended up getting some great shots. Here's the highlight reel:

Little Turd hamming it up for the camera.

We'll Be Re-Taking Family Pictures Soon...Don't Want Baby to Feel Left Out!

"Come On, Sickos...We're Trying To Take a Picture Here"

     All together now..."Awwww!" Brodie and I have gotten to spend quite a bit of time together lately, compared to usual. Between working and schooling all the time, it gets really hard to see him or Kimberly. Usually I leave for school before they do, and by the time Kimberly is getting off work I'm headed to the Olive Garden. With any luck, though, it's a temporary ailment. 

     Kimberly and I also are on a bit of a healthy kick. We're not fanatics, but we've stocked the house with healthier snacks and are making healthier decisions about what we eat. Over the past two months I've meandered down from 250 pounds to 235. It's not a huge difference, but it's a difference. Now rather than fluctuating between 248-252, I'm floating around 233-237. So that's a good start. We dug out the P90X, too. Full disclosure: I don't much care for working out. But I'm down for punching an imaginary man in the face.

     A major upcoming decision is starting to really stress me out. I won't apply to law school until January 1st, 2012, but I'm really stressed about how it will come out. Everything is kind of riding on it, and it's a do-or-die decision for us. I've got to prepare to re-take the LSAT, probably this October, and I need a 159. Last time I took it cold, with no prep, and scored a 150, so I'm excited about my prospects. But a less-than-stellar start to my undergraduate career may undermine my chances of getting a fellowship, which would pay for my schooling and provide a stipend. If that doesn't work out, I'd still be eligible for a scholarship. If you're the praying type, hit up the Heavenly Homeboy for me. If you're not...well, go to church, fool! Sheesh,

     In other news, the baby has been really mobile in Kimberly's little tummy. If I lay my big ol' head on the baby bump, she pushes it off. I like that, though. Hopefully she'll do the same thing when little boys start trying to get too close. We're still kind of hung up on a name, though we've got some favorites. But we've agreed not to post anything online until it's on the birth certificate. Side note: Last week Kimberly got a shot in the butt. What a trooper. I'm glad the childbirth part isn't in my job description; the whole thing seems terribly uncomfortable.

     That's it for this week! Off to serve some salad and breadsticks. Hope y'all had a good week and are gonna enjoy this beautiful Arkansas weekend!