I began an Executive Coaching relationship just a little over a year ago… even though ‘executive’ is found nowhere near the description of any of my roles. But I knew that I had some big dreams. Bigger dreams than anything I was prepared for.
I knew I needed help.
Don came along and has listened, led, guided, and sometimes pushed. What I appreciate most about Don’s craft though, is the way he draws out of me the best and most important ideas, purposes, and priorities.
We’ve come along way in the last year+. Goals involving increasing multiplying movements on the campuses where Destino and Faculty Commons has a presence within our geographic scope and launching on new campuses, our ministry partner development, and The Base Camp Journal have all benefited.
And the best part? We’re not done!
I shared my desire/concern about making the most of this sabbatical with Don last week. I had a good plan, complete with phases, desired outcomes, and specific projects I wanted to complete. Don helped me see that, just like outside of sabbatical, I needed to put specifics on the calendar. And that I need accountability. And while I made progress on last week’s goals, I did not get them done. It’s a work in progress and I’m ok with that.
Sabbatical is giving me flexibility as well as space… and grace. And while the steers are still able to get on the porch and people still can’t order Base Camp Beef, I did get repairs done on a vehicle that will be a big help for our family (that took way longer than expected), and I have made huge progress in my reading.
But more importantly is that I was able to help Ben purchase his first car, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
3 things I’m grateful for from the last week
1. Friends and partners coming along side us on our journey
Don is a great example. And there are many. I can think of Brian, who gently led me kicking and screaming into the world of road biking back in about 2014. I had the thought yesterday that it might be a good idea to train for and ride the Hotter’N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls in August. I know! Crazy! But largely because of Brian, I think there’s a pretty decent chance that I could do it without dying in the process. And Jerry, who took a chance on us to get started with Base Camp Beef. I can’t see the steers outside without thinking of him. Or Joel, who has been a huge help since our move to Base Camp. And of course Paul, who walked me through the construction process. I can’t imagine where we’d be without his local experience and guidance. Everywhere I look, I see the hands of friends. So many. So grateful.
2. Good books
For fun, I’ve been reading Zane Grey’s The Lone Star Ranger. But as I glance up, I see on the shelves many books that have influenced my formation in one way or another.
I see Annabel’s The High Road to Adventure, The Old Man and The Boy by Robert Ruark, the ESV Study Bible, Death in the Long Grass and Last Horizons by Peter Hathaway Capstick, O’Connor’s Lost Classics, and others from the likes of Max Lucado, Owen Wister, Richard A. Wolters, and John R. Erickson, whose Story Craft reads as smoothly as any book I’ve ever read, like warm butter on a hot pancake. By the way, if you aren’t familiar with Erickson’s Hank the Cowdog series, you need to be, whether you are young or old.
My eyes are then drawn to Education of a Wondering Man, a memoir by Louis L’Amour, who dropped out of school in the 10th grade “because school was was interfering with my education.”
From there, my eyes found the first ‘real’ book I ever read, Down the Long Hills, also by L’Amour. I remember it like it was yesterday. Maybe because I was seven years old, just like the Hardy… here’s the description from Goodreads: “Everyone was dead. Indian raiders massacred the entire wagon train. Only seven-year-old Hardy Collins and three-year-old Betty Sue Powell managed to survive. With a knife, a horse, and the survival lessons his father taught him, Hardy must face the challenges of the open prairie. Using ingenuity and common sense, he builds shelters, searches out water, and forages for food. But as he struggles to keep them alive, he realizes that their survival will depend on his ability to go beyond what his father was able to teach him. Hardy bravely presses on, fighting off the temptation to give up, until a howling blizzard and a pack of hungry wolves force him to make decisions that no seven-year-old boy should ever have to make.”
3. A shirt that fits well and just feels right.
A simple thing really.
What I am learning
To abide in Christ. I really want to abide in Christ. The whole vine and branches thing. My inclination is wanting achievement. I want to be really good at something. But really, deep down, more than that, I want acceptance. I want belonging. The kind of achievement, acceptance , and belonging that is only possible when one is abiding. (From Heather Holleman’s Seated with Christ that I referenced in Issue 1 of Gene’s Sabbatical Adventure.
3 goals for this week
1. Practice “abiding” during the Faculty Commons Mid-Year. And make it as easy as possible for Heather.
2. Update the Base Camp Beef Shopify site.
3. Complete first reading of Abba’s Child.
Well, that about does it for this issue of “Gene’s Sabbatical Adventure.” Thanks for reading. This season will be over before we know it. I know I’ll enjoy it. And I hope you will too.