As I have previously mentioned, one way I am maintaining my overall physical and emotional health during this deployment is to reconnect to my love of basketball officiating (I have not actively officiated since joining the military).
I am mainly doing games in the Terre Haute area, but I have had a couple of games in Northeast IN as well.
What a blessing to officiate two young outstanding Central Noble players recently. I am sure it was a bit confusing to see their Pastor in referee clothes!!
Our lives are more interconnected than we can ever imagine.
Look after each other and hold out the best in each situation.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Saturday, November 23, 2019
"Falling Upward"
In between reading and studying for Air War College, I am reading "Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr. This is the first book I have read of his and he is fast becoming one of my newest favorite authors.
This little book packs a powerful punch to those of us that should being thinking more intentionally about the 2nd half of life.
The premise of the book is that the 1st half of life is the "container" (his word) that gives shape and foundation to the 2nd half of life that should be the most impact-ful part of our lives.
Wow...no slacking off just because I am getting old! What a challenge to think about the lasting impact the 2nd half of my life should/could/must have.
It reminds me of my favorite track analogy..."positive split" is when your last lap is the fastest lapy you run.
Jesus saved the best for last with the whole death and resurrection thing...will they say Kent saved (and did!) his best act of living, serving, giving in the 2nd half of his life?
What about you?
This little book packs a powerful punch to those of us that should being thinking more intentionally about the 2nd half of life.
The premise of the book is that the 1st half of life is the "container" (his word) that gives shape and foundation to the 2nd half of life that should be the most impact-ful part of our lives.
Wow...no slacking off just because I am getting old! What a challenge to think about the lasting impact the 2nd half of my life should/could/must have.
It reminds me of my favorite track analogy..."positive split" is when your last lap is the fastest lapy you run.
Jesus saved the best for last with the whole death and resurrection thing...will they say Kent saved (and did!) his best act of living, serving, giving in the 2nd half of his life?
What about you?
DV
We are actively getting ready for some big time Distinguished Visitors to the 181st (I don't think I can technically say who they are at this point). Lots of protocol goes into hosting folks like these. They are worthy of all the respect we can give them.
I am amazed at the detail plans that come with this visit. Every minutes to scheduled. Every movement scripted. I am not sure I could handle being in that kind of prison!
In the midst of all the extra effort that goes into something like this, I have to keep telling myself something my Mother-in-law always said, "it is nice to be nice."
So regardless of the hassle this visit is causing, I will choose to look for the good and bring my best self to that day.
I commit to:
I am amazed at the detail plans that come with this visit. Every minutes to scheduled. Every movement scripted. I am not sure I could handle being in that kind of prison!
In the midst of all the extra effort that goes into something like this, I have to keep telling myself something my Mother-in-law always said, "it is nice to be nice."
So regardless of the hassle this visit is causing, I will choose to look for the good and bring my best self to that day.
I commit to:
- Appreciate them taking the time to come visit us
- Ask lots of questions of them so that I can learn to do my job better
- Listen deeply to what they say and allow their perspective to shape my reality
- Get my picture with some/all of them
Just in time for Thanksgiving...let us all commit to welcome all visitors with grace and understanding AND let us redouble our efforts in being good hosts!
Windows
As I have previous stated, I spend a lot of my day in a "SCIF"...basically it is a large room with lots of computers and absolutely no windows. It is amazing how easy it is for me to lose contact with the world literally a few feet away just because I can't see out any windows. I forget what kind of weather is out there. I am shocked when I walk outside and see the sun, when I don't remember the sun shining when I went in.
Warning!!!!! This might turn into a sermon...
How often, even with windows, do we not see the world around us? We are blinded by perceptions, hurt feels and rehearsing the same old crap.
How often do we look through windows "dimly" (St. Paul's line) but think we have crystal clear vision? We see what we want to see and that is Truth (capital "T"), but it is really not.
How often do we complain about not having any windows to look at the wider world and are satisfied just sitting in the dark, instead of getting off our keisters?
We have walked in a great darkness enough, let us come to the Light of Christ.
Let us honestly confront our blinded-ness.
Let us honestly confront our own certainty.
Let us honestly confront our own choices that keep us locked in our own darkness.
Let us open a new window of reality and let the resurrecting power of Christ bring new light to our darkness.
Warning!!!!! This might turn into a sermon...
How often, even with windows, do we not see the world around us? We are blinded by perceptions, hurt feels and rehearsing the same old crap.
How often do we look through windows "dimly" (St. Paul's line) but think we have crystal clear vision? We see what we want to see and that is Truth (capital "T"), but it is really not.
How often do we complain about not having any windows to look at the wider world and are satisfied just sitting in the dark, instead of getting off our keisters?
We have walked in a great darkness enough, let us come to the Light of Christ.
Let us honestly confront our blinded-ness.
Let us honestly confront our own certainty.
Let us honestly confront our own choices that keep us locked in our own darkness.
Let us open a new window of reality and let the resurrecting power of Christ bring new light to our darkness.
Monday, November 18, 2019
Basketball
I love basketball! I love being from THE home of basketball...KANSAS!!! Dr. Naismith (inventor of Basketball) is buried in Lawrence, KS for a reason. Fun fact...Dr. Naismith was also a National Guard Chaplain, but that is probably a different post.
As I have said elsewhere, I have gotten back into basketball officiating as a way to stay active and relieve stress this winter. I have done a few games already and I have realized how much I have missed being on the court.
The last official game I worked was Feb., 2007. But just like riding a bike it has all come back to me. As a bonus, I get to see parts of Indiana I have never seen. Have you ever heard of Switz City, IN? I have and I have worked a girl's varsity game there!
There are many things I cannot control when I walk out onto the court: fan behavior, coaching antics and player attitudes come to mind.
The amount of what I can't control has not stopped me from taking control of what I can control. Some of the things I have committed to control this season are:
As I have said elsewhere, I have gotten back into basketball officiating as a way to stay active and relieve stress this winter. I have done a few games already and I have realized how much I have missed being on the court.
The last official game I worked was Feb., 2007. But just like riding a bike it has all come back to me. As a bonus, I get to see parts of Indiana I have never seen. Have you ever heard of Switz City, IN? I have and I have worked a girl's varsity game there!
There are many things I cannot control when I walk out onto the court: fan behavior, coaching antics and player attitudes come to mind.
The amount of what I can't control has not stopped me from taking control of what I can control. Some of the things I have committed to control this season are:
- No other official is going to out hustle me
- No other official, coach, player or fan is going to know the rules better than me
- No other official is going to be in better shape than me
- No one on the court with me is going to have more fun than me (life is too short not to enjoy the things I elect to do!)
Some of these things are still in a work in process (I have realized I need to spend more time in the rule books)...but these are the things I can totally control and I refuse to not take ownership of those things.
What about you? What do you intentionally control in situations where you don't have a lot control?
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Veterans Day
Veterans Day came early for me. I spent part of last Sunday visiting Veterans in a local Terre Haute nursing home. This event was put on by the Junior Enlisted Council (a group of the lowest 3 enlisted ranks that work on building leadership skills and organizing community engagement events).
As I knelt at the side of several Veterans listening to their stories, I realized that I have inherited a treasured legacy that flows through warriors such as them. I was inspired by stories of sacrifice and courage.
This was the first time as a Veteran myself I did anything like this. I realized there is power in the simple act of really listening to the stories of others.
I don't know how you plan on marking Veterans Day tomorrow...may I suggest you find a Veteran (or two or three) and ask her/him to tell you part of their story?
Chances are you will be blest beyond measure and the Veteran's life will probably be changed as well.
As I knelt at the side of several Veterans listening to their stories, I realized that I have inherited a treasured legacy that flows through warriors such as them. I was inspired by stories of sacrifice and courage.
This was the first time as a Veteran myself I did anything like this. I realized there is power in the simple act of really listening to the stories of others.
I don't know how you plan on marking Veterans Day tomorrow...may I suggest you find a Veteran (or two or three) and ask her/him to tell you part of their story?
Chances are you will be blest beyond measure and the Veteran's life will probably be changed as well.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Month recap
I am past the one month mark of this 12 month journey, so what follows are some reflections so far:
- I am very honored to wear the uniform and consider it an outstanding privilege to put it on everyday
- Seeing the worst of humanity drives me to do what I can to bring out the best in people
- Self-care is very important
- Prayers from home are a taproot of Faith that bring my life nourishment beyond measure
- I am still living into my new rank (I have to look down at my uniform from time to time to remind me that I am the "Colonel" people around me are talking about!!)
- I work with some amazingly smart people that are dedicated to what they do
- I miss the rhythm of Church life
- Getting to the gym first thing in the morning pays incredible dividends the rest of the day
The journey continues...stay tuned!
For All the Saints
The first Sunday of November is one of my favorite Sundays...All Saints Sunday. A time to remember and rejoice for all the Saints that have gone on before us but have not forgotten us. They cheer us on from the Eternal stadium and empower us by their example to bring our best selves to each day.
It was a very busy drill weekend this past weekend, so it is just now that I am reflecting on the Saints I am mindful of right now.
I am grateful for:
Thomas Merton--Catholic Theologian/Monk that stretches my understanding of God
Rev. Charles M. Curtis--my first mentor in the Faith who saw in me Kingdom potential
Shirley Jean Lundy--my mother
Tom Richardson--Boy Scout leader who gave me another example of what it means to be a "man"
Ben and Betsy Gates--the best in-laws I could ever hope for
Grandparents--whose "second opinion" on life (my parents being the first opinion) offered a depth to my life that I didn't realize in the moment
Who will remember me on All Saints Sunday and for what reason?
It was a very busy drill weekend this past weekend, so it is just now that I am reflecting on the Saints I am mindful of right now.
I am grateful for:
Thomas Merton--Catholic Theologian/Monk that stretches my understanding of God
Rev. Charles M. Curtis--my first mentor in the Faith who saw in me Kingdom potential
Shirley Jean Lundy--my mother
Tom Richardson--Boy Scout leader who gave me another example of what it means to be a "man"
Ben and Betsy Gates--the best in-laws I could ever hope for
Grandparents--whose "second opinion" on life (my parents being the first opinion) offered a depth to my life that I didn't realize in the moment
Who will remember me on All Saints Sunday and for what reason?
On the court!
One way I am trying to stay healthy while I am in Terre Haute is to do some basketball officiating. I love the sport and I have missed officiating (I was a Men's College basketball official for 10 years before joining the ANG).
I have connected with an area assigner for Middle School and High School games. The season began last week with a 6th and 7th grade boys double header! The coaches coached, the players played and there was a very nice sized crowd!
It was a wonderful experience and made me realize how much I had missed the court. My last official game I worked was February, 2007 and it all came back to me like riding a bike!
I have connected with an area assigner for Middle School and High School games. The season began last week with a 6th and 7th grade boys double header! The coaches coached, the players played and there was a very nice sized crowd!
It was a wonderful experience and made me realize how much I had missed the court. My last official game I worked was February, 2007 and it all came back to me like riding a bike!
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