it requires a lot to be the kind of person that encourages, and loves, and is gracious, both at work and at home. i know that that is the kind of person that I want to be though, and I know its what my wife and my friends and co-workers need.

I'm so proud of Jenny for fighting through tough shit at work. Talk about emotional ups-and-downs, catty women, unprofessional workers, and amazingly disgusting conversations, life-styles etc... to have to face that every day, and maintain your emotional poise? Thats legit. Work sucks, I'll make no bones about it. Finding the perfect job is certainly do-able, but it is difficult and might not be the first one you take. But there's something to say about sticking with it, and honestly I've been so impressed that Jenny has fought through a cluster-ton of anxiety, unfair treatment, long hours, weekend hours, etc. Bravo.

There is tons of stuff I want to say. I don't know how well other places might do it, but I do know that Watermark's model for community is just right on. I honestly have not met a leader (member-leader, and staff-leader) that has not been able to communicate clearly, to answer questions succinctly and with wisdom, and encourage, edify, and speak with the perfect amount of humility and authority. Where was this earlier in my journey? Was I not prepared to hear good leadership speak? I think that might have been the case in college to an extent - Phillip Bethancourt was (is) one of those godly, stand-up, wise, honest incredible men who wanted to bring students and peers (I was both-ish), up to the next level in their relationship with the Lord. But sheesh. I definitely think it was a combination of me not being ready or wanting to hear it, and there not being a good amount of it within the churches/organizations I was connected with. I see the model that we believe in here at Watermark, and I think "hm, I don't know if I want my family to grow in any other situation". Yes, its that good. No, I'm not being dramatic.

From Mumford & Sons' The Cave Its empty in the valley of your heart the sun it rises slowly as you walk away from all the fears and faults you've left behind the harvest left no fruit for you to eat I wonder often what people love about being comfortable. Can people imagine what it would be like to live far away from comforts? Listening to good music that talks about bravery, and challenge, and 'different' things is almost satisfactory. But not really.