Son Damon is beginning his second semester at The King's College in New York City. We are so proud of him and his pursuit of an excellent education. He has made an incredible adjustment, with the Lord's help, to life in NYC. What a contrast to Friday Harbor life. He is part of the children's worship team at Mosaic church in NYC and loving it. The Lord has gifted Damon with a passion for worship and is using his voice and guitar to spread His love. Here are a few comments from Damon, taken from a recent email, regarding the protests during the Republican Convention. Damon's apartment is in the heart of mid-town Manhattan. The news media does not always give us an accurate picture as you will read.
"The demonstrators that were here did not sustain any sort of political debate tactics. Rather they were just angry and vicious towards anyone who did not share their similar views. Yesterday, during the after the presidents speech I returned to Herald Towers to visit Lindsey. On the way between 37th street and 34th Street, there as a large mass of police vehicles. I was curious so I counted them. 20 motorcycle bikes, 10 large police vans (which looked like a vehicle to detain the arrested) 14 police cars, and over 10 more police vans that were used to transport the police officers. I would guess there to be, between 37th and 34th street, over 200 police officers. That does not even include the riot police!! Once I reached, 35th street protesters had already started to make their absurd proclaims. As the busses pulled out of 34th street (which is most likely filled with people that were at the convention), the demonstrators began to curse, chant, holler and scream. Mainly telling the busses to "Go Home," and sending them with a symbol, which brought their middle finger into play. Posters, signs, t-shirts, hats, bandanas, pants, all had remarks referring to major issues like abortion, gay marriage, and the Iraq war. Many of their remarks were not persuasive at all. Most of them were hate remarks referring to the president. Some did not even refer to him at all. Some were aimed at Christians."
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Monday, September 13, 2004
Summer Spiritual Growth and Stretching
Monique and I were blessed to spend Sept. 11 with daughter Erin in Vancouver, B.C.. We attended the Southwestern Company's awards ceremony for the students who worked in summer book sales. As we watched the program, led almost entirely by college students, we couldn't help but be thankful for the Lord's faithfulness in helping Erin persevere through a most challenging summer on the book field.
Erin experienced so many ups and downs selling in the neighborhoods of Newington, CT. She met people face to face in real life and learned invaluable lessons about relationships and being an encourager. She was blessed to receive encouragement from customers as well, sometimes in her darkest moments of discouragement.
All in all the life lessons Erin brought home are priceless. She will apply them this year at Trinity Western in her role as a dorm R.A. We are so proud of Erin and she is an inspiration for everyone in the Woodward family.
Erin experienced so many ups and downs selling in the neighborhoods of Newington, CT. She met people face to face in real life and learned invaluable lessons about relationships and being an encourager. She was blessed to receive encouragement from customers as well, sometimes in her darkest moments of discouragement.
All in all the life lessons Erin brought home are priceless. She will apply them this year at Trinity Western in her role as a dorm R.A. We are so proud of Erin and she is an inspiration for everyone in the Woodward family.
School news and more
Carly update:
We are waiting for a call back from the Children's hospital and the doctors. She will have an appt. to get an MRI and also to see a specialist for her seizures. She has been bouncing around here like nothing has ever happened, praise God, and she hasn't had any other problems in the last two weeks.
Monique started home school today with the girls. Yahoo! I was blessed to take a little time between phone calls to join in by leading recess time in the living room. It was a rainy day recess this morning so we had some balloon fun. It was a great first day of school. Schedules, schedules, good for the whole family.
We are waiting for a call back from the Children's hospital and the doctors. She will have an appt. to get an MRI and also to see a specialist for her seizures. She has been bouncing around here like nothing has ever happened, praise God, and she hasn't had any other problems in the last two weeks.
Monique started home school today with the girls. Yahoo! I was blessed to take a little time between phone calls to join in by leading recess time in the living room. It was a rainy day recess this morning so we had some balloon fun. It was a great first day of school. Schedules, schedules, good for the whole family.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Coaching and LifeBuilders
As the fall sport season is on the immediate horizon, I find myself reflecting on coaching as it relates to what Monique and I are doing as LifeBuilders staff. There are many parallels. In walking by the football field, soccer field, volleyball court and tennis courts here in Friday Harbor I see dedicated leaders (coaches) building individual team members through instruction in the fundamentals of the sport.
Players who are eager to learn and put the skills into practice will be rewarded with playing time in most cases. Coaches offer encouragement to spur on the individuals growth and maturity. Ultimately the team benefits, as all the position players form a unified team.
Coaching involves leadership. As Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil says, " A head coach has a lot of responsibility, but your number one responsibility is to help your players become what they have the ability to be. I'm a firm believer in team chemistry. I see myself as a relationship leader."
In discipling and marriage mentoring, Monique and I will be "relationship leaders." We will be begin our sessions with the fundamentals of our faith. Our passion is to help people discover who they are in Christ, becoming the men and women God intends them to be. As life challenges come up, our desire is to be encouragers for we will stride towards the goal line together.
We believe in Holy Spirit "chemistry" if you will, as by the Spirit's power men and women are molded for His purpose in life. In the LifeBuilders discipleship process, we "the coaches" experience growth too as God knits hearts together in relationship. It is a win/win outcome for all of us!
Players who are eager to learn and put the skills into practice will be rewarded with playing time in most cases. Coaches offer encouragement to spur on the individuals growth and maturity. Ultimately the team benefits, as all the position players form a unified team.
Coaching involves leadership. As Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil says, " A head coach has a lot of responsibility, but your number one responsibility is to help your players become what they have the ability to be. I'm a firm believer in team chemistry. I see myself as a relationship leader."
In discipling and marriage mentoring, Monique and I will be "relationship leaders." We will be begin our sessions with the fundamentals of our faith. Our passion is to help people discover who they are in Christ, becoming the men and women God intends them to be. As life challenges come up, our desire is to be encouragers for we will stride towards the goal line together.
We believe in Holy Spirit "chemistry" if you will, as by the Spirit's power men and women are molded for His purpose in life. In the LifeBuilders discipleship process, we "the coaches" experience growth too as God knits hearts together in relationship. It is a win/win outcome for all of us!
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