Learning to excel

I saw this quote on Facebook this morning. I suppose, since I am looking for a new job again, I should start to practice it. ...ugh/sigh.

For the record, I am still employed. I just think it's time to start looking elsewhere. To quote another of the masters, "The thrill is gone."

So, today I took this free course at Udemy.com: Excel Quick Start Tutorial: 36 Minutes to Learn the Basics. It was okay, and I may have learned a thing or two... but I will need some more assistance.

I actually use Microsoft Excel quite a bit already. I know just enough to do what I need to do. I would like to have a better understanding of it.

As for the job... I don't even know what to say. I mean, I really LIKE what I do now (at the Y). I like the sense of ownership I have in the mornings when I open, I like getting the place in order for the members, organizing things, cleaning, doing towels, chatting with people and so forth. I don't like it, though, when my boss arrives and sucks the life out of me. Not that he means to... but he does. I also don't like being a petty part-timer who doesn't get any vacation or benefits (or respect).

It's something I've either got to learn to deal with - which may be more difficult than mastering Excel - or I need to move on. I know there are bosses like this everywhere, so it's nothing personal. It's just a real bummer right now. I've lost my motivation. I don't want to go to work. I don't have any interest in doing anything else. I doubt myself. I have no confidence I will find anything better either... It's just a real cheery time inside my head right now (not).

So... I tried to learn some more about Excel today. I passed the first 3-question test. I failed the second. That's kind of how I'm doing in life right now: I've passed the first part, and seem to be failing the second half of life.

At least I have both my ears... ;)

Where do I see myself

Ugh. I applied to be a part of this leadership training thing through the Y. It's a part-time employee management training program. I don't even know if I will get into it - I'm probably a little older than the type of employee they were hoping for. I'm also not entirely sure I want to do it even if I do get in!

Anyway, I had to submit a cover letter, resume, and a recommendation from my boss. This may sound naive and conceited, but I do have to say... I can look pretty decent on paper. The problems arise when I actually have to speak and act.

For some reason, though, when I submitted my paperwork I started to ponder the old "Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years from now" question. I've been asked it before. I've likely been told how you're supposed to respond to it.

I think I see this question in a different light now than I used to. I don't know that it's better or not, and it's probably not how you're supposed to answer. Yet, if I'm asked that question today, I'd like to answer something like this:

"In 5 (or 10) years I will be almost 62 (or 67) years old. I anticipate life being even more full in my 60's and 70's than it has been to this point. I hope to see myself with another degree or two, having read at least another 5-10 books in each of those years, be volunteering in some capacity among the under-served of the community, and have the faith and curiosity of a child; but most of all, I want to be enjoying daily life with my sweetheart, and be able to listen intently to my grandchildren as they share with me their hopes and dreams and every little detail about their lives.

I believe trying to plan for future employment or achievements is short-sighted. I want to continue to learn and grow and give, so I can prepare for the future as my best self. My hope is that I have not even begun to see what that can fully look like yet.

Of course, realistically, I probably won't do any of those things. But that's the way I would like to see it...

Up the meds and down the interview

I upped my Sertraline (Zoloft) back to the 100 mg it's supposed to be this past weekend. My doctor is okay with me cutting them in half if I'm feeling up to it - which is what I've been doing for quite some time - but I also know enough that sometimes 50 mg just isn't cutting it.

The side effects aren't terrible, but I do notice a slight difference when I take the full dose I should. Supposedly it's still not a very high dosage even at 100 mg, but what do I know.

I'd really like to not have to take anything at all but... such is my lot, I guess. I've been feeling way too down lately, and, even though I don't know that a couple days would make a difference, I do feel somewhat better. So we'll see.

---

In other news, I actually had a job interview today. Sort of. It was for a position I wasn't all that interested in, and with the same company I already work for, so... I suppose I kind of botched it. It was for a cleaning-type position (bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, washing sweat towels, etc.).

I know the guy who interviewed me, and he's like, "So why do you want this job... You're way over qualified." I immediately gave in and said I probably just wasted his time because I wasn't all that sure I even wanted the job and that if there were other viable candidates I should probably remove my name. He said quite a few people had interviewed for it, so that was pretty much the end. Then we just chit-chatted.

It is kind of humorous to read my resume. I can look dang good on paper! :) I think I will probably start looking for something I'm a little more suited to. Whatever that is. At any rate, it felt good to take that small step. So, onward and upward... at least with the meds. :)


ADDED LATER: I actually dropped my sertraline dosage back to 50 mg a couple days after writing this. I didn't think right before the marathon was a good time to be messing with such things. Turns out maybe upping it to 100 wasn't necessary after all. 

Started a new job

I started a new job yesterday. For now, I am a membership enrollment specialist (MES) at the Skyline YMCA. This is the same job daughter Carrie has at a different location, and it's also what Jane started out as (also at a different location). It is a part-time job, and I am scheduled to work the 5-9 am slot several days a week.

This week I work 5-8 am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I also had a 3-hour CPR certification course there today. I trained with Sam (Samantha), and tomorrow Bryce and I will work together - we are both new but he has worked at another Y.

Today I received my keys to the Y as well as the Ash Building. Tomorrow I'm supposed to get my work shirt and name tag.

So far it hasn't been terrible. I've gotten up at 4 am and leave about 4:40. I'm kind of tired, but it's actually somewhat nice to be forced into changing my routine. I've wanted to do that for a while now. Tomorrow may be a chore, though, because we are scheduled to work a concert tonight (at church) and after working tomorrow I have a seminar (also at church) from 9 am to 4 pm. I may be dragging a bit tomorrow night.

All in all, I think I will like the job. Skyline is a smaller Y - there is no pool, gymnasium or childwatch. You also have to be at least 15 years old to be in the building. It is mostly office people who work downtown who use this facility. I rather like that there won't be a lot of activity.

So, that's what I will be doing with some of my time. We will see where this takes me...

Job interview

I had a job interview this morning. I think it went okay. Most of the questions were pretty standard, though I did have to rack my brain on a few. It took about 45-50 minutes.

I felt very comfortable before, during, and after. In fact, I was a little concerned I maybe felt too comfortable. It's odd, but I feel this strange sense of... confidence. Yeah, I know. I mean, I am familiar with the place, and I liked the guy interviewing me, but - and I'm not trying to be arrogant - a part of me honestly thinks I am a perfect fit for this job. It's an odd feeling (in a good way, I guess).

I suppose it's possible I'm being delusional and have overestimated my worth/value. I suppose it could be equally possible I am right where I'm supposed to be. I guess we will see.

The position I applied for is an early morning job, and though I would officially be a 'membership enrollment specialist,' this particular location requires that everyone do a little bit of everything. That's kind of my specialty. We also discussed the idea of 'wellness coaching.' I hadn't even thought of that but... yes! As we discussed it, THAT seems to fit me to a "T."

So, I still need to pass a drug test and background check, as well as have my references pan out (I was surprised they wanted five references). I suppose they actually need to offer me the job too. I am still oddly unruffled. Until then, I will just keep doing what I've been doing.

Prepare instead of plan

I got a call for a job interview yesterday. It's not until Monday, but it's something I'm pretty excited about. As I was driving to a meeting this morning I was thinking about how I might address some potential interview questions. I have no idea if it will come up (I'm not too 'up' on interviewing anymore), but one question I remember from back in the day was, "Where do you see yourself in five/ten years?" 

For me, this requires a two-part answer. First, I don't view this in terms of job title, position, or pay scale. I prefer to PREPARE myself for the future, rather than have a plan in mind. In the spirit of James chapter 4, trying to determine where or what I will be in the future can be a foolish preoccupation - especially at my age. However, preparing yourself for the future will never be out of style. So how do I prepare? 

1. LISTEN
As a follower of Christ, listening is the place I always want to start. What is God trying to say to me? Where is he leading me? How can I serve him in this time and place?

For different people, and at different times in your life, this can look completely different. I believe the decision to leave my last job fits here. As I've thought about it, it wasn't a bad job. Was I a younger man, or at a different point in my life, it would have been great. It WAS a good job for me at the time I took it. I think I reached a point where God was leading me elsewhere. That does not mean it's a bad place to work, but it wasn't a good place for me any longer.

2. LEARN
The second way to prepare for the future is to always be learning. There really is truth to the saying, "You learn something new every day." As long as we're paying attention! Once we stop learning, you might say we begin preparing to die instead.

I have been fortunate to be in a position to continue learning. My wife and I both earned degrees later in life. It keeps our minds fresh and feeds our souls. Of course, learning doesn't have to take place in a classroom. It can be done by reading, asking questions, and a general openness to new ideas and technology. We can learn much simply engaging other folks in conversation!

3. LABOR OF LOVE
Listening and learning lead to the third way to prepare for the future. It would be nice if we only had to do those things we love doing. However, again, as a follower of Christ, I'm not sure that's necessarily being faithful. Doing labors of love means doing that which we believe God has put in our heart to do.

A labor of love might be the hard work of raising a family. It might mean volunteering in an environment outside our comfort zone (but within our calling). Essentially it is living out of who he has made us to be, and leaning into the life situation we currently find ourselves. Work is good for us; working out of who we are is even better. Rather than sucking our soul dry, it FEEDS the soul and prepares us to face whatever God may have in store for us.

So, whether this ends up being an interview question or not, I'm glad my mind went here today. This is how I want to always be preparing myself for the future: listening, learning, and laboring in love.

Peace out, friends; and in.

Coaching: clients, consideration, corners

CLIENTS
I now have another coaching client! Yippee! Yesterday I met with a pastor here in Fort Wayne who is my second client. He was referred to me by my 'other' client, actually. Of course, the problem with both is that I'm still not making any money. But it's a start!

I am counting my first client as Tom (which is true). We started taking turns coaching one another during our initial training session several years ago. We still meet on a weekly basis, but stopped logging hours some time ago. Sure, a lot of the time we're just chatting, but some coaching still takes place.

Yesterday was set up through Tom. He felt a pastor in his cluster could benefit from it, so I met with the guy and we agreed to keep going.

CONSIDERATION
I also had a bit of an epiphany yesterday. I NEED TO START THINKING OF MYSELF AS A COACH. I am currently self-employed, and I do personal coaching. Granted, I don't have many clients, but that's what I do. Sure, I will likely need at least a part-time outside job to supplement my income (or have any income), but it seems the best way to lean into a career in coaching is to start by thinking of myself as a coach. So, from now on, when people ask what I do, I am going to say that I do personal coaching (or clarity coaching).

I like the idea of "personal" or "clarity" coaching because it adds some definition. That is actually what I intend to do - it's on a personal level, and is intended to help my clients achieve clarity in whatever it is they need it for.

CORNERS
I feel like simply changing the way I think has taken me around a corner, so to speak. Most of my days are now spent reading, listening & learning about coaching, starting a business, and I'm still working on getting my dhccoaching.com website going a little better. It's pretty rough at the moment, but I haven't spent much time on it.

So, while the money is not yet flowing in, I feel like there is at least some forward movement. It doesn't hurt that just today I also received a call from a recruiter and a seperate email invition for an interview. I don't believe either will work out, but needless to say it's nice to be wanted for a change. :)

Home again, home again

Well, my road trip didn't take me far. I went home, and came back home again. I suppose that could be quite a ways depending on your viewpoint. In my case, it was Buda and Fort wayne. It was a nice trip, and certainly good to get away by myself for a few days. I should probably do more of that.

THE ANNIVERSARY
The main reason for going back to the home of my birth was to celebrate my parent's 60th wedding anniversary. Jane, Carrie and the kids went back Friday afternoon. I waited until Saturday and drove myself. I arrived Saturday afternoon and we all took my parents to the restaurant of their choice Saturday night. We went to a simple bar and grill in Princeton and much to my fathers chagrin I paid for the meal. I'm not sure he ever really understood what we were doing. Afterward we just went back to my parent's house. They didn't want a lot of fanfare for the anniversary, and we provided that.

CHURCH
Sunday we all went to church (except my dad) where my parents attend and where we did years ago. It is completely different now compared to what it was then. I'm not sure we could be part of this particular group if we still lived there, but it's nice to see the few people we still recognize.

As I sat there during the service it all seemed somewhat surreal. Everything is very proper and mechanical. It was also the day after some horrific racially-charged events in Charlottesville, VA. Not only was there absolutely no mention of it in this all-white congregation, but the prayers in the service were all focused on... the service. That really stood out to me on this day. Like, why would we need to pray that our gathering would go well? And do we not think God can or will act outside of our church services??? I don't know...

ALONE AT THE SILO
Jane, Carrie and the kids headed back to FW after lunch. I took a nap and then later in the afternoon headed out to the Psycho Silo Saloon. It is this incredible biker bar a couple miles outside town. People come from far and wide, and of the hundreds (or maybe thousands) of people there, I only knew a handful. I didn't mind. For some odd reason I feel very comfortable in the middle of a crowd of strangers. Apparently the 'Bartles and James' guys were even there! I saw them several times but had no idea until later it was them.

Anyway, I like looking at the hundreds of motorcycles and old cars, as well as the live music and simply just being in the midst of a place like that. However, at one point the singer in the band made a comment that sort of stopped me in my tracks. They sang old country and rockabilly songs, and he was explaining how their name "Three On A Tree" had to do with a shifter on an old vehicle. Then he stated, "Because if we weren't an all-white band that would be a really awkward name." I was immediately struck by the irony of me standing there all alone in the middle of a redneck midwest, biker bar listening to raucous southern-oriented music with an entirely white crowd. I have to admit, I was momentarily dazed. Why did this seem so normal and yet so strange at the same time? I was left pondering that thought the rest of the evening. I finally did run into a couple couples that I knew but mostly just hung out by myself, drank beer (and ate supper), people-watched, and listened to music staring off into the fields of my former self contemplating life and faith and all manner of Sunday-afternoon stuff.

OUT WITH THE OLD
When I first arrived in Buda I drove past where they'd just torn down part of the school of my youth. It actually didn't look as strange as I thought it might. There is still quite a bit of the school left, so I'm sure someday it will look like it's always been that way.

Another thing being torn from the past is the fence around the property across from my parent's house. We had always taken care of the barn and pasture and my dad housed and raised horses there most of his life. He hasn't had a horse for some time though, but continued to take care of mowing around the inside and outside of the fence, as well as storing a few things in the barn. However, Monday morning we saw some guys show up and begin to tear the fence out. It was quite the to-do as my parents looked out their windows. Finally mom called the lady who owned it and politely inquired. I guess the lady had decided to hire some guys to keep the pastures mowed and one of their stipulations was being able to remove the fence. I/we didn't question her reasoning, but it did seem a simple phone call to the person who'd taken care of the property for decades might have been in order. Anyway, my dad got a little agitated as he watched the hundreds of fence posts being removed that he (and I) had installed by hand; the board fence we'd nailed up and painted; and some of the gates he'd bought and mounted. Dad apparently asked the worker guys if he could have his gates back and they informed the owner. She called my mom and said that even though dad had put them up, they belonged to the property, and she had told the mower guys they could have them as part of their pay. So, that incited a little drama around the house, but all in all it was merely more of the past fading away and will likely soon be forgotten.

It probably didn't help that my mom and I spent most of the day Monday cleaning up their garage a bit. She would like me to get rid of some junk (of which there is much), as well as remove the inside dog kennels that take up a lot of space. My dad doesn't really understand the concept of things wearing out or no longer being useful, so we put a lot of things in my car for me to bring home and dispose of here. Otherwise I spent most of the day straightening and sorting extension cords, pieces of wire, and all sorts of other useless trinkets hanging from the walls and rafters. It does look a little better, but what is really needed is a roll-off dumpster. I think the respectful thing to do is wait until it can be done without my dad being around. I doubt we will have to wait long.

SPACE TO EXPLORE
I really had no timetable for a return from this trip, but I probably did intend to stay longer. I left Tuesday late morning though because it seemed to not be the time or place to find what I was looking for. I'd hoped to do some reading, writing, and research on where to go with my life. I'm not sure how I forgot that my parent's house isn't the best place to do that. It's difficult to find free space there. You know, if you're reading or sitting at the computer, for some reason that must mean you want someone to talk to you (not). So, I didn't accomplish much I had in mind, but it was still a nice, uneventful trip. I got to bed early each night, slept until I was ready to wake, and didn't do anything too stupid.

At one point - while eating supper one night - my mom asked me, "If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?" My mom doesn't usually ask such serious questions, and I really didn't have an answer. I've been thinking about it ever since though. I suppose it's sad, but I really don't know what I like to do. I've kind of started thinking towards a business of my own. Preferably something I can do from home or in a shop by myself. So I've stuck my nose into a little interest at computer-run startups and whatnot. I like to write, research, and work on the computer. Although I also like to work with my hands. Working alone seems to be the constant.

One evening while back in the old homestead I did take a drive through Kewanee, IL. Memories ago I/we had dreamed of planting a church there. I slithered through the streets on this trip with an eye toward self-storage. I know... It is something I have a little knowledge in now. This town of 13,000 doesn't appear to have much to offer - at least not any that looks very inviting. So it was a very prelminary scouting assignment to peruse property and potential in the event this was ever a place we found ourselves again. It is the town where Jane and I got engaged after all. :)

AND NOW...
I suppose I should end this droan and start the day (since it's 3pm). I found myself making mental notes over the past few days, but not feeling any real obligation to post it here. I have a feeling I forgot a few things I intended to explore further, and such is life. For now I need to get on the treadmill, give myself a haircut, and take a nap/meditate.

Peace out; and in...

My first day being unemployed (but not out of work)

Long ago a friend taught me the art of looking at photographs 'in full'. In other words, not merely focusing on the subject, but learning to look at what ELSE is there: the people in the background, books on the shelf, pics on the wall, trinkets sitting about, etc. Those things can say a lot, and make it much more interesting. It might also be a good way to look at life.

Today is my first day of being without a job. That doesn't mean I am without 'work' though. It only means I am no longer collecting a paycheck (or unemployment). There is much more to life, and much to do.

My plans at present: I am setting out on a road trip. In fact, I'm already late. But since no one is keeping score, does it really matter? So I'm taking a trip. I don't know for how long, or how far. I haven't thought that far ahead. My goal is to go slow enough to intentionally see what ELSE is there. And that's really about all I know at this point.

I am not so irresponsible as to think I don't ever need to make money. I'm sure that will come in time. I'm just tired of thinking of it as the main thing - the focus of my life. There are plenty of other things to see and do and exprience, and who knows, maybe one of those will turn into a way to make a living!

The reality is, my wife and I have been blessed to not 'have to' make a lot of money to get by. So it doesn't have to consume us. The question is... what will we be consumed by? What are our real values and passions and where do we see ourselves fitting into His-story?

So, I realize this is all pretty ambiguous if not a tad idealistic, but it's where I'm at on this first day of being unemployed. I may be without a job, but it does not mean I have nothing to do. I suppose I should get to it.

Peace out; and in.

Sunday conversations

I love Sundays. Especially Sunday mornings. Much more so now that we actually know some people and are starting to get a little more involved in things. I had several conversations yesterday but three in particular stood out, and I wanted to make note of them.

LUNCH
Jane and I were greeters yesterday (which we've been doing more and more). There is a sweet older couple that I'm pretty sure we've introduced ourselves to before, but they introduced themselves again yesterday when they arrived. They are always smiling and happy, and the woman is almost always wearing a hat of some sort and a lot of makeup. Anyway, they asked us if we would like to go out for lunch with them after church some Sunday. We agreed and set a date, then they told us that this is a ministry they do. They like to invite new people to the church out for a meal. To date they have done 57 of them. I think that's a pretty neat, and not just a little amazing. It's not really my cup of tea, but I'm glad they do it.

COACHING
After the service was over we were hanging around chit-chatting and someone who runs a grief ministry had heard I do coaching. She asked if it would be okay if she referred people my way (she also knows I will be unemployed after this week). She has actually asked me before, and I'm flattered that she trusts me enough to do so. I'm feeling kind of torn at the moment about my ability to coach people, but it's nice to be thought of nonetheless.

THE CLEANER
The third conversation, which was actually the first one I had Sunday, was with a gentleman in the same Bible Study as me. It was just me, the pastor, and this guy yesterday. We somewhat know each other, but not well. So I asked where he worked. He said he was in retail for a long time and finally got burned out, so now he works for a cleaning company. He said it's kind of nice to not have to deal with people anymore and just keep to himself and work at his own pace. I have to admit, when he said that, it sounded really appealing to me. I'm not sure I want to work nights and weekends (when most office cleaning would be done), but I would probably save myself and a lot of other people a lot of headaches if I didn't have to work with anyone.

------

So, as I start off my last week of working at my present job, I was thinking about these conversations. I must confess, I'm feeling pretty small right now. I seem to be losing my nerve. I'm beginning to question myself again and have lost my confidence. I've also had a couple panic attacks lately. I hate those. The thought of being without a job - or actually it's more the thought of trying to find another - seems quite daunting and has me a bundle of nerves. I'm sure it will pass, but I don't like this.

Anyway, I have a feeling this is going to be a long week. I'd much rather just do my thing and not have to deal with anything or anyone (mostly myself). I'm sure I will survive, but I will be glad to be past this stage. I think.

2016 remembered

Well I suppose now that we're into the second week of January I should probably pull together a review of the past year. It was an 'interesting' year. There were plenty of good things, but I'd put myself in the category of people drained by the election process. Who knows what next year will hold.

2016 saw us change churches for the first time since I quit pastoring. We also left the small group at the old church, but started meeting with Tom and Kim for weekly Bible Study, and serving in a mission group at the new church.

Physically I did my usual downward slide as the winter months approached. I went through a phase of drinking waaaay too much earlier in the year and through summer, and I drank harder than I probably have ever before. Fortunately I am out of that and I feel pretty good now - both physically and mentally/emotionally.

I'm reading less now than at the start of the year, and also doing less personal introspection. I think it's good for me to just live for awhile. I'm feeling pretty relaxed right now.

So, here are some of the highlights gleaned from my monthly posts through last year:

JANUARY

• I guess I did set down some "goals" - or, rather "rhythms" - I wanted to practice through the year. I did finish reading through the Bible (again), and Jane and I are still praying together on a nightly basis. I stuck with exercise and eating right for awhile, and I still eat pretty good, but I have been a real slug when it comes to exercise lately. I haven't done much of anything since October, and it shows.
• I left the weekly pastor's breakfast I'd been attending for 16 years. I still meet with Tom once a week, so I haven't felt too out of touch.
• I updated our home computer (laptop) to Windows 10.
• Anna turned 5. 
• I was reading (and blogging) Michael Frost's 'Jesus the Fool: The Mission of the Unconventional Christ.'

FEBRUARY

• Denver beat Carolina in the Super Bowl. We watched the commercials at Mike's.
• We did our first Candida Cleanse, and I lost 8 lbs. in 7 days.
• I shaved off my beard of 1 1/2 years growth.
• Jane made a trip to Buda.
• We got a new dishwasher.
• Jane once again had a birthday on the 27th.
• I was reading (and blogging) Jen Hatmaker's ' 'Interrupted: When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity.'

MARCH

• I read John Steinbeck's classic 'East of Eden' in 2 weeks.
• Jane, Carrie and I ran the Fort Wayne Firefighters 5-Kilt/Get Green Fest 5k.
• We bought a new TV for the basement: a 48" Insignia HDTV with built in Roku.
• I made up a schedule of races/runs for the year.  
• Jane started working at the Central Branch YMCA as an enrollment specialist. This was after quitting her job at the bank in Dec. 2015.
• My parents came for Easter and we went to Tom's church.
• Isaac took a trip to NYC for school.
• I wrote this post on the foundational elements of a church (was looking for this the other day).
• I started reading Michael Frost's 'Surprise the World! The Five Habits of Highly Missional People.'

APRIL

• I made my first children's picnic table out of pallets (the yellow one we still have).
• I bought a sawzall.
• I continued reading (and blogging) Michael Frost's 'Surprise the World! The Five Habits of Highly Missional People.' 
• I attended probably my last Midwest Region Conference Convention. It was held in Muncie, IN, and Jane was there with me.
• I mowed the lawn for the first time on the 17th, and that is also when we decided to hire out our fertilization/care to Spring-Green.
• We saw the Dave Rawlings Machine, with Gillian Welch, in Bloomington, IN (our first trip there).
• Caleb turned 2 years old.
• I started reading Eugene Peterson's 'Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading.'

MAY

• I bought a new Skil circular saw.
• We got water in our basement for the first time since we'd lived there. It was a brief nightmare but it resulted in having the basement redone on insurance money.
• We started church shopping again.
• Isaac visited for several days. 
• Jane and I celebrated our 33rd year of marriage.
• Anna graduated from preschool.
• I took my annual coaching class in Findlay, OH: MCS 508 class: The Coach Approach to Evangelism & Discipleship. It was taught by Brian Miller.
• I continued reading (and blogging) Eugene Peterson's 'Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading.'

JUNE

• Son Isaac turned 28.
• Jane and I spent a week in Myrtle Beach for vacation. We drove. I read two John Steinbeck books: 'The Pearl,' and 'The Moon Is Down.'
• Daughter Carrie turned 31.
• We stopped attending our small group at Grace.
• We decided on C2G as our new church home.
• Jane and I ran the Ribfest 5k.
• Drew's grandpa died.
• Tom and I closed the 'Elevate Coach' account.
• This is apparently when I stopped blogging about books I was reading.

JULY

• Jane and I ran the Runners On Parade 5k.
• We went to Sheffield's 'Music on Main' and Jane, Carrie and I ran the 5k that morning. We also went to the Silo and Brothers, as well as visiting family.
• Isaac and Ricci visited.
• We started serving with the team of people at our church who make and serve food to the homeless and under-served at the library. 
• I found out I was being sued for something at work that I didn't have anything to do with (and it's still going on).

 AUGUST

• We bought a 2nd twin bed for $150 (new).
• Allison and Greg came for a visit.
• Drew Carrie went to Atlanta for the weekend to see Isaac and Ricci. We kept the kids.
• ANNA STARTED KINDERGARTEN.
• Jane started working full-time at the YMCA, as Records & Receipts Specialist at the Metro office.

 SEPTEMBER

• I bought a new pair of running shoes. Another pair of Adidas.
• Bennett started preschool.
• I attended my first "Grandparents Day," at Anna's school.
• Jane, Carrie and Anna met my mom in Bloomington, IL for the weekend.

OCTOBER

• I ran my 4th half-marathon. Jane did her 3rd.
• Bennett turned 4.
• My parents came for Bennett's birthday.
• Jane and I ran the River City Rat Race 10k.
• We got a new garbage disposal unit.

NOVEMBER

• I had my 54th birthday.
• We spent the weekend in Atlanta with Isaac & Ricci.

DECEMBER

• We saw Joe Bonamassa at the Embassy
• Drew Carrie went to Florida for the weekend and we kept the kids.
• Bennett's first Christmas program at preschool.
• Isaac, Ricci and the 2 dogs spent some time with us up until Christmas Day.
• Anna participated in the Christmas Eve service at St. Pauls.
• Drew Carrie and kids went to my parents on Christmas Day. We did not.

Jane starts a new job

The wife started her new job today and is once again a full-time member of the workforce. She is now employed as the Records & Receipts Specialist for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne. She will work out of the Metro Office downtown.

I'm sure she will miss the public interaction of working at a branch, but full-time jobs at the Y are not too plentiful, and this sounds like a pretty good one. I imagine with will consist of a lot of data entry, but won't have near the headaches or responsibility of the bank job she had.

So, here's to hoping it works out well.

The pharmacuetical farce

When Jane quit her job it meant that we also lost our insurance. For the time being we could still be eligible to use the COBRA thing (however that works) in case something catastrophic happened, but otherwise we are on our own until she finds another job or we bite the bullet and get insurance on our own.

We have had a prescription card for a long time, and it's amazing how nice that is. I had to fill a couple prescriptions the other day - because I wasn't smart enough to think to do it before she quit - and I about fell over dead from sticker shock.

My blood pressure medicine is quite reasonable. I can get Lisinopril for like $4/mo at Walmart. However, we both have used Nasonex nasal spray for years. We used to get it through mail order for $45 for a 3-month supply (which actually lasted more like 6 months), but lately it had went to $25/mo. Well, I went to fill it the other day and the pharmacist told me that without insurance is was TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!! For one measly little teeny tiny bottle!!!!

Needless to say, I did not purchase it. We can figure something else out. In fact, the girl working at the pharmacy said she didn't even bother filling it because she knew what my reaction was going to be.

So... who is screwing who? I mean, are the pharmaceutical companies screwing the insurance companies by charging outrageous prices on prescription drugs? Or are the insurance companies screwing - whoever - by charging outrageous prices for whatever it is they provide? Geez, I don't know. But when you see and hear how wealthy some of these people are... well... it just makes you wonder if a little more oversight isn't needed.

I don't know that big government is necessarily the answer; but corporate greed isn't very good for anyone either (other than the 1%ers). However you want to slice it, it seems like a freaking farce of some kind to me.

So if you see me sneezing and wheezing and hacking away... it's because I can't afford my medicine. And I don't even know who to blame it on.

Career advice (again)

This is a post I first put up on May 5, 2011. I thought this a timely time to repost it (especially for a certain someone looking for a new job). So below is what I wrote then:

I just finished reading William Bridges book Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change (3rd Edition)...

 The basic premise is - we live in a changing world... and change is not what causes us problems (there's nothing we can do about change anyway); but it's the transitions to change that cause us stress and affect our lives. So, while we can't stop change, we CAN learn to better navigate the transitions.

...At the end of the book he has an appendix he calls, 'Career Advice for Employees of Organizations in Transition.' While it's true that almost ALL organizations are in transition of some sort - even just the job-market itself is in transition - I thought this stuff was good for everybody. He calls it his "Five JobShift Steps," and this is a very brief overview, which is described in much more detail in his book Creating You & Co.: How to Think Like the CEO of Your Career.

He suggest we need to learn to think of ourselves not so much as "workers" but more as "free agents."  
The Five JobShift Steps are:

Step 1:
You start by finding out what resources you bring to anyone who needs some help. I urge you to think of those resources as being made up of four parts:

• What you really want - because your Desires lead to powerful motivation. Wanting something a lot makes you work hard, and hard work is something that people need today.
• Consider your Abilities. What are you good at?
• What is your Temperament? What kind of activity are you naturally most suited to?
• What are your Assets? What special knowledge or skill or experience, what contacts or qualifications (a certificate, a degree?), do you happen to have?

Together, Desires, Abilities, Temperament, and Assets represent the DATA that you bring to the table. They are your resources.

Step 2:
Then you have to survey and understand the "market" you are trying to serve: Who are the customers? What are they after? What are the problems these customers are trying to solve? What are the specifications for the desired products or services? You are going to have to learn something about the customers you are proposing to serve. It's take a little work, but all the better! That way you won't have so many people competing with you.

Step 3:
Next, you combine your DATA and the unmet needs you find in the market. This combination - call it "what-I-have-that-you-need" - is your "product." Your product is a solution to a particular customer problem, a way of getting a result that the customer can't presently get but that he or she wants to get. You are no longer an employee doing a job. You are more like an independent worker (who just happens to be an "employee" too) who is selling a product. Many times you'll find that the customer would be willing to pay more for your product than the company was paying you as a wage. Good deal! If you keep finding that to be true, you may have to reconsider your employee status.

Step 4:
If you start to see yourself as "selling a product" rather than "doing a job," you are in business for yourself, no matter whether you work inside the company or outside it. What business are you in - not your company's business but YOURS? You don't know? Well, don't feel too bad. Most of your fellow workers don't know either, so when you figure out the answer you'll have a head start on them.

Step 5:
If you are in business, you are a micro-company - even if you are technically an employee. Stop thinking about your career. Start thinking about your business's strategic plan. Where is "You & Co." headed? What resources does it need? How can it market its services, whether inside your employer or outside?

The Five JobShift Steps will shift your mindset from that of an employee who does a job to that of an independent worker who provides a customer with what he or she needs. You say you that doesn't fit your needs because you want to remain an employee? Fine. What do companies need today? Workers who will deliver the best possible service or product to their customer - that's what. And this is the way to deliver the best.

This isn't really a church-related entry, but I think this is good stuff for anyone who works any job (or wants to get a job). Anyway, take it for what it's worth. Just sharing. I hope William doesn't mind me posting this. I would HIGHLY recommend reading the Managing Transitions book, and it looks like this other one would be good too.

Personal coaching

So... lately I've been thinking about the possibility of looking further into this coaching thing. I recently received my Certificate in Christian Leadership Coaching through Coach Approach Ministries, and it seems like a bit of a waste to not put it to some kind of use. Of course, if you know me, you know that I immediately started to question whether I could do such a thing, or why anyone would ask ME for coaching - let alone pay me for it! So... I've just been thinking about it.

One consideration would be my past and present online presence. Ooof... have you read some of the things I've written online??? Good God! Who is this guy (me)? So I might need to clean some things up around here; probably start a whole new blog; maybe even get rid of this one entirely; and... you know, I'd have to be a lot more serious about stuff I publish. I think I 'could' do it... the question is... do I WANT to? Although, I guess the other side is... But this is who I am, and that's how some people like me to be. So... I dunno.

I was also thinking about how I would advertise myself. Yes, I would be doing this as a job - not a form of discipleship (ok, Bill?). So I wondered, what do I have to offer people; why would anyone be interested in coming to me for coaching? Well, I do have a wide and varied background in a lot of areas (factory work, music, sports, professional), I have a BA in Religious Studies from Findlay U., a Diploma in Pastoral Ministry from Winebrenner Seminary, I spent 14 years as a Sr. Pastor doing actual church work, and then there's the certificate I just received. It doesn't look too awful bad on paper does it?

However, I'm still not sure how I would advertise or what I would call myself (notice I am going to great lengths to keep from using the word 'market'!). Would I coach only church leaders? Would it be only for Christians? Would it be ministry-specific? Could I be more like a life coach? ...I don't know.

I don't know enough about life-coaching to know if I could go that route, but I don't know that I would be comfortable limiting it to just church leaders. So that's why I'm wondering about just saying: Dan Horwedel, Personal Coach. Eh... that sounds weird, but really, maybe it's better to not limit it in any way.

I like what my teacher/friend Brian has done with his Coaching Clarity site. I would like to do something similar, and would undoubtedly steal as much from him as I could, but I am also quite different from Brian. He is much smarter than I am, but we also have different niches, and I wouldn't necessarily be interested in training others to coach. My interests are different.

I have also been considering the Renovare Institute. It's a 2-year school of Christian Spiritual Formation. That is a definite area of interest for me (spiritual formation). I believe it would not only better me as a coach, but I am just personally interested for my own growth. I know it's online, but I don't know yet about costs and time-commitments and whatnot. It's a possibility.

So, there you have it. I'm not at the point of quitting my day job. In fact, it's probably something I would always do in addition to my day job. I just feel like there's something more I could/should be doing. We'll see.

What is a christian coach

As promised yesterday, today I will follow up with a post attempting to explain what "Christian Coaching" is exactly. The term "coaching" can mean a lot of different things to different people, so hopefully this will give someone a basic idea of what I'm talking about.

To begin with, it is important to distinguish that coaching is not therapy, counseling, advice-giving, or mental health care. It is for people who are basically well-adjusted, emotionally healthy and functioning effectively in life.

Ultimately, coaching at its most basic level, is a vehicle to get someone from where they ARE to where they want to BE (or go). Coaching is designed to help a person address a change they would like to make. This might include, but is not limited to, areas of career development, relationship enhancement, spiritual growth, lifestyle management, life balance, decision-making, moving through a transition in life, or the achievement of short-term or long-term goals. It is an ongoing, confidential relationship that may involve brainstorming, written assignments, education, goal-setting, plans of action, accountability, lifestyle examination, and lots and lots and lots of questions.

As far as a "Christian" coach... that simply means the person doing the coaching is upfront about the fact that they are a follower of Jesus Christ and their values and character will be in line with those of Christ (well, you know, pretty much).

What I really like about this coaching model is that it is NOT about telling someone what to do, but through the coaching process you are actually helping the person discover their own answers. So, as a coach, I don't need to have any answers myself, I simply need to learn how to listen well, ask the right questions, and offer insights to help the client learn what they may or may not already know.

Hopefully that helps explain coaching a little more. If not... well, you can always google it.

[I originally forgot to credit Brian Miller with much of the content of paragraphs 2 & 3]

Mentor coaching

Last Wednesday I started the next phase on my journey toward obtaining a Certificate in Christian Leadership Coaching. This is through Coach Approach Ministries and the International Coach Federation. The requirements for becoming a licensed  ICF coach include:

• CAM 101 – Intro to Christian Coaching (6 hours of self-paced online learning)
• CAM 501 – Foundations of Christian Coaching (2 days in person or 16 hours online over 8 weeks)
• CAM 502 – Establishing a Dynamic Coaching Relationship (2 days in person or 16 hours online over 8 weeks)
• 10 hours with a qualified ICF-credentialed mentor coach or completion of the Portfolio Prep Package
•  Certification Fee of $375 (reduced to $75 if you’ve completed the PPP process with CAM)

I have taken classes 501 and 502, but actually skipped the 101 class, so following my 10 hours of mentor coaching (which I am doing now) I can take an online course 'Mastering the Core Competencies' for $99 in its place.

This 10 hours of mentor coaching will take place through online and phone conferencing with 7 other students, the course instructor, and then 3 more hours of one-on-one coaching with 3 certified coaches - all over the next 8 weeks. The weekly conference calls are on Wednesdays from 4-5pm EDT. The emphasis of this class is on practicing and implementing the ICF's 11 Core Competencies. They are:

A. Setting the Foundation
1. Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards
2. Establishing the Coaching Agreement
B. Co-creating the Relationship
3. Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client
4. Coaching Presence
C. Communicating Effectively 
5. Active Listening
6. Powerful Questioning
7. Direct Communication
D. Facilitating Learning and Results
8. Creating Awareness
9. Designing Actions
10. Planning and Goal Setting
11. Managing Progress and Accountability 

Personally, I am still undecided as to what I will do with this certification (should I achieve it). I am still having a hard time wrapping my mind around charging people money for me to coach them, but... I can also see the value in it (for the person in need of coaching). Sometimes we all need someone to help us walk through - or think through - something. Plus it's something I can kinda sorta do. So... we will see.

Tomorrow I will [probably] post: What Exactly Is Christian Coaching?

Isaac to emory

I hope it's okay that I go ahead and make the announcement... but it sounds as though son Isaac has accepted a full ride to study at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. We are very proud and excited!

He and Ricci took a scheduled visit to Vanderbilt earlier this week. He said it was nice - and Nashville would have been a nice place to live - but they drove from there straight to Atlanta so Isaac could show Ricci around the Emory campus and the city. This has always been his first choice among grad schools, they gave him the best deal, and I think maybe they both kind of fell in love with it. So yesterday he signed on the dotted line.

They are now looking for housing - hopefully beginning mid to late summer - and a teaching job for Ricci. She speaks both English and Spanish (having majored in both at Anderson University and living in Spain for two summers).

I'm sure there will be many adjustments, but I think this will be a really fun and exciting time for them. Proud papa (and mama).

Job posting

I hadn't seen this before I applied, but this is the actual job posting for the current position I hold. I have to say, I never really would have thought of myself like this... But now it seems to describe me fairly well, I think. I dunno. It is what it is. Here is the posting:

FACILITY MANAGER NEEDED

Fort Wayne Storage is looking for an outgoing individual with office or property management experience. Qualities needed for this job include paying attention to detail, dependability, and a strong work ethic. This facility manager must possess basic computer skills, good customer service and communication skills, and the ability to problem-solve!

Job Information
- 40 hrs/wk with some Saturdays
- Hourly rate plus bonus opportunities
- Friendly, team-oriented work environment
- Phone & walk-in sales
- Wide range of responsibilities... office work, sales, mopping, therapist, babysitter, etc.

If you are highly motivated, take pride in your work, and want to work for the best storage company in Fort Wayne, please send your resume to ___________________.