PEP Lake Day

I'm kinda tired - so I'm just going to post a few pictures from our day. Rick and I worked one of the boat docks, helping boats load and unload. Collin manned the swimming area for the little kids. It was a great time! Here are a couple of the men riding seadoos. For several of them, this was the first time in their life they have played on the lake like this! The swimming area Me, at my post on one of the boat docks. Dad, Me, Marcus, and Rick - Marcus is a really cool guy we met. Lunch time - BBQ More lunch time

Looking toward the weekend

It's Friday, and I'm looking forward to our weekend! Tomorrow, we get to help out at "Lake Day" for the PEP class of 2009. These men are being released from Prison this weekend, and have graduated from the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (within the walls) of prison. It's a big weekend in their lives! I'm impressed with the program, and would like to share a little about it. Read this short exerpt about it from the website http://www.prisonentrepreneurship.org/:

Former Wall Street investor Catherine Rohr founded PEP in May of 2004 when she and her husband toured a prison and noticed that executives and inmates had more in common than most would think. They know how to manage others to get things done. Even the most unsophisticated drug dealers inherently understand business concepts such as competition, profitability, risk management and proprietary sales channels. For both executives and inmates, passion is instinctive. Catherine wondered what would happen if inmates who were committed to their own transformation were equipped to start and run legitimate companies. Following an unusual calling, Catherine left behind her New York career and financial stability, moved to Texas with her husband and started a one-of-a-kind “behind bars” business plan competition. Her efforts were geared toward channeling the entrepreneurial passions and influential personalities of the inmates—intentionally recruiting former gang leaders, drug dealers and hustlers. The overwhelming response of 55 inmates and 15 world-class executives to judge the business plans and presentations was the catalyst to launch the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Since inception, PEP has produced staggering results: PEP RESULTS (AS OF JULY 1, 2008)Sorry, don't have 2009 numbers: Total graduates: 370 Recidivism rate: less than 5% (Measured since the program's inception for all participants who graduate PEP's inside program, regardless of their participation in the free world.) Employment rate: more than 97% of graduates are employed within four weeks of release Average number of days to gain employment: 22 Average starting wage: $10.51 per hour Number of businesses started: 43 Executive volunteers: 1,000+ MBA volunteers: 400+ from 22 MBA programs PEP lifetime cost per head: $13K National average annual cost for incarceration: $21K

I'll be sure and post pictures of the event, and share some thoughts after the weekend. These men will be able to invite their families and children to the Lake Day. I'm excited about hanging out with them and being able to help. If you want to read something really, really cool, click here: http://pep.org/media/updateDetails.aspx?updateID=58 It's part of a journal written by one of the men in the PEP program. Awesome stuff! We don't have any other plans for the weekend, except to work around the house. Lots of weeding to do. I'll spare you of the pictures from that event.

How high is high?

The construction of a new cell tower is underway on our property. We've been fascinated with the process, and so I wanted to share a few pictures. The crane they used to hoist up the sections was the biggest I have ever seen.

The tower is 250 feet tall, and graces the back, south ridge of our pasture. I can't WAIT for it to be activated. AT&T has the lease on it, and I'm hoping our service drastically improves.

Those specks on the tower are the 3 men that affix the bolts to each section. Before it was all over, they had climbed really high

The Real Deal?

About every 4-6 weeks, a group from our church visits a local nursing home. We lead the residents with songs, share a devotional, and offer Communion. Last year I wrote about my experiences here: http://anotherbeautifulbrownday.blogspot.com/2008/08/gimme-some-old-time-religion.html Now that I’ve been several times, I’m over the awkwardness of “what to do” when I get there. That has opened up some freedom for me to jump right in: Walking down the hallway, poking my head in the rooms, looking for those that are willing and able to join us. On today’s trip, Rick joined me. I am very pleased he was able to come and that he wanted to experience this with me. Because I can only do so much in describing my emotions of each visit. I say “my emotions” because that is my focus of contemplation after this most recent visit. My goodness, I knew it would happen. Why would today be any different? EVERY time I visit Mabank Nursing Home, I lose control of my emotions. My stoic resolve cracks and my eyes fill quickly with tears threatening to brim over. There is just something about these gentle souls marching into the twilight of their lives belting out “When We All Get to Heaven.” There’s the little man who struggles to steady his shaking hand as he allows a helping hand to guide the juice cup to his lips. And the sweet lady who holds the songbook, never looking at the words, but singing with her eyes closed. She knows all the words, having probably sung them her whole life. There is a fading generation in there. People who served their country valiantly in a war long ago. Women who worked their knuckles bare washing clothes before washing machines were common-place. People who raised their children the old fashioned way to be honest, hardworking citizens who know right from wrong And sometimes, those children live a long ways away. Or simply aren’t able to stop by very often. Maybe it’s too hard for them to see Mom or Dad like this. Or maybe, they don’t have children. Today I met a woman who didn’t want to leave her room and join us “just in case” her family called. Because to miss a call from family would be devastating. That’s all she has, and she clings to the hope that they will remember her. Rick and I left with her still in her room waiting, as we silently prayed that her phone would ring. Then there is Mr. Templin. Sweet Mr. Templin visits his wife at the nursing home every day. Margaret doesn’t remember much from days gone by so he’ll sit and talk about the daily things. She still has her wit though… When Mr. Templin asked her if she had heard anything he had said over the last hour, she replied “Yes, but you talk too much!” Margaret wasn’t able to join us for worship & Communion today. She was sleeping. But Mr. Templin was there, just like he always is. And his presence today touched me deeply. His genteel spirit, loving nature and undying devotion for his wife took my breath away. Actually, it almost knocked me to the floor. The wife he married (65 years ago this coming January 6) isn’t the same anymore. Her body is failing, and yet his firm resolve and dedication for daily visits continue, day in and day out. I wonder how hard it is for dear Mr. Templin. He seems so strong, but does he ever feel alone? Scared? Sad? God willing, they will celebrate their 89th birthdays in September together. I know he’ll be there, probably with a small gift for her, and most assuredly with a gentle kiss as he brushes her hair back. Oh, here I go again… getting emotional. Aside from all of this, I’ve been struggling with finding “my calling” of service, as it relates to my church and the community I live in. Rick and I have given a couple of years to the youth program, serving as small group leaders. This year, for a variety of reasons, we decided not continue with that role. And yet, I still don’t exactly know what I want to do instead. I wonder… if one’s natural strengths and gifts show up in the things we do “good,” or in the things we feel “passionate” about, could this be mine? Spending time with those that are rounding the last turn in the great racetrack of life? I certainly enjoy serving them, although my experience is limited. My professional life is spent with the families left behind. Not exactly the same. Many, many times in dealing with the family left behind, I feel a sense of having missed out of something, of knowing their loved one. At the risk of being too transparent here with my readers…I’ve been praying for an “ah-ha” moment, a convicting feeling that is greater than…what I’m cooking for dinner. Or where our next vacation is. Or how to maximize profit while minimizing expenses. Could this be it? Something real. Serving others. Getting over myself. So I’ll throw this blog out there. No apologies for the intimate nature. Because this is me, at 7:47 pm on a Sunday evening.

Return to routine?

We are back from Austin - and from finishing out a crazy busy week! I sincerely hope we are about to establish some sort of routine now. I think that many of us are ready for change at the end of the summer - ready for the kids to go back to school, ready for a change in the weather, ready for the schedule to, well, become a schedule again. Summer is great, but I really am itching for Fall... I was thinking about change recently, and was struck by how perfect the change in seasons is. By the time I get tired of one season, the other is just around the corner. Of course, living in Texas, we say "if you don't like the weather, just stick around a bit." That saying doesn't really seem to be true during the looonnggg, hot days of summer. It seems there is no end to the baking heat. So when I let the dog out this morning for her morning routine, I smiled at the pleasant morning weather. Dare I say it was cool? Well, it was certainly cool in comparison to other mornings. Ok, here are some pictures of Austin: The obligatory shot of the Capital at night. I had to take about 15 pictures before one finally turned out, and it's still a little fuzzy. But you know, the Capital really is an amazingly beautiful building. I wanted to break out in song and dance singing "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You..." But thought that may be a little wierd. Back at the hotel room, Rick is reviewing some of his class material. Yep, this proves that we really DID go to the conference. Or is that just a guide to the local restaurants??? And my favorite part of the trip was the LBJ Library and Museum. I had to do a little coaxing to get Rick to go, and it helped that we arrived at 4:15... and it closed at 5:00. But it was an amazing place. The archives took up four floors, and the museum several other floors. Here is a replica of the Oval Office during LBJ's term. I loved all the seafoam green... A trip anywhere wouldn't be complete without a tour through the local cemetery. This one was on the side of the interstate, just adjacent to the LBJ Library and UT Austin. It was really interesting. Many, many graves dating to the 1800's. We enjoyed exploring this place. And this is just a cool tree on the campus of UT. Ok... Next picture is TacoDeli! A friend of mine recommended we check it out. By far, the best taco's I've ever had. If you are in Austin, you simply have to go. http://www.tacodeli.com/ Thanks, Debra, for the tip! Oh, wow... I didn't know we had a Bistro in Austin. So that's what Craig and Carolyn did when there were living there! I hope I get a cut of the profit! Below... drumroll please! The infamous Explosive Wings at Casino el Camino on 6th St. Rick and I are proud of our tolerance for spice. I think our mother's put hot-sauce in our bottles. So with that inate gusto-driven spicy tolerance, we chowed down on these bad boys... and ended up crying like a baby. By far, these were hottest things I've ever experienced. Note to self: Never, ever try and take out contacts within 24 hours of touching Explosive Wings. Have someone else take them out, or just wait it out. It rained cats and dogs on Wednesday in downtown Austin. They REALLY need the rain, and it started to pour when we were inside Opal Devine's (another fantastik eatery.) It was really fun watching the crowd get so excited over a downpour. Everyone pulled their chairs outside and sat under the covered porch to revel in the excitement. We were needing to get on the road soon, and the picture below is traffic trying to get out of Austin. Rainstorm + Rush Hour = not good.

I've seen it all!

Snuggie for dogs!
C'mon people....are you really going to buy a Snuggie for your dog?

Temple

Coming into Temple on way to Austin
Reminds me of my skydiving days around 1994-5 when I would drive to
Temple on the weekends.
Eat, breathe, live skydiving!

Update on the babies

I checked on the birdies this afternoon, and all four eggs have now hatched! If you click on the picture, it will open up larger. They are too cute! We are looking forward to spending the evening celebrating Mom's birthday. Longtime family friends are arriving and Craig is coming down from Dallas. The evening looks very promising with a boat ride to the Marina, followed by an evening cruise around Lake Athens... thanks to Uncle Lee!

Sad and happy

There is so much going on in the world that is disturbing... like the shooting at the healthclub yesterday. Can you believe that the man kept a blog online detailing exactly what he was going to do? I read the entire blog from an ABC news link. It was positively disturbing, and I wish I had not read it now. I am saddened that he felt so lonely, and that he felt he only had one option... how many people out there are just as lonely as him? I'm thanking God for the gift of friends and family and relationships in my life. So in an effort to get those disturbing images from my mind, I thought I'd share some happy pictures that make me smile. Pearson at his 3rd birthday party blowing out candles. He is such a sweetie! Pearson is the son of our good friends Mitch and Stacy. Day 1 of this baby Mockingbird's life. He obviously thought I was his momma. He was wrong. Reminded me of the book "Are You My Mother?" from childhood.... anyone remember that book? Trying on a ridiculous pair of sunglasses that promised HD vision... like I said, ridiculous! They did, however, have a magical power that made Rick dance around like the little 6-flags guy on commercials. I can hear him now... "More flags, more fun.... six flags!"