Okay V Leaders (that is volunteer leaders, for those of you who are a bit slow on the code language)...here is the official site for us to connect over the next 2 months.  Yes, there is Myspace...Facebook...and cell phones, but this is the coolest and also mandatory place to connect, comment, and grow in relationship. 

One question that Alli and I get all the time from VLeaders is, "Why did you choose me to be a leader?"  In my mind I usually answer, "why are you asking me this question if you are the one who applied?" but I know the source of this questions comes from a place of fear and a bit of insecurity that we have all faced throughout our lives.  Most of you have heard me describe the Vleader position as "one of the most challenging and intense leadership experiences you will ever take on..."

Alli and I don't want to lie to any of you...this is going to be an amazing experience for you but it will be challenging.  It is just short of the feeling you have on your wedding day when your bride is about

to appear at the back of church and you are so excited and yet so scared and the question running through every smart man's mind is..."Why did she pick me?" 

Here is a little photo of J and I on our wedding day. Some of you will get to celebrate our 4 year wedding anniversary with us this summer- June 7!

So knowing that this leadership experience is going to be intense and challenging, lets talk about what it will take to not just SURVIVE.  Honestly, at the end of the day we are pretty happy if each team at least survives out there on the field...

I will never minimize the importance of survival.  I know so incredible people in my life who have survived so much tradegy and pain.  I respect each of these people because each of them chose to go beyond complaing and just surving and they all chose to handle their test with grace and a positive attitude.  Here is a picture of my mom with her sister and brother...my mom is a recent cancer survivor, my aunt survived a brain aneurysm and more,

my uncle survived polio way back in the day when they still did not the best ways to treat it.  They are heroes...Survivors!

So lets dialogue about some leadership skills, tactics, or principles that each of you already lean on to be solid leaders...remember- we believe in you and know that God is going to use you this summer.  We are going to press you hard and train you in every area that you need to be trained in, so in the end you will be ready.  Until that time though, lets start growing together as a team/community and talk a bit about leadership. 

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