From the Inside Out

The two ALC co-ed softball teams battled each other tonight for bragging rights, and the “One Life” young married’s group came out to cheer their favorite teams.  Well, some cheered and others heckled gently.  The teams aren’t so good.  They are both winless in the league.  However, the good news is that one team was finally guaranteed a win tonight. 

The ‘Sluggers’ took the early lead in the game against the ‘Ballers’ (what kind of name is that for a church team anyway?).  Although the Ballers put forth a valiant effort in the final inning, the Slugger’s lead carried them through the game.  If I remember correctly, the final score was 16-5.  Yeah, I know…it wasn’t a close game, but it was lots of fun. 

Go ALC! 

I finally decided to download Skype this week.  Skype allows you to call people anytime, anywhere using a simple software application on your computer.  With Skype, you don’t have to worry about long distance fees or monthly subscription charges.  As long as you are calling people who use the Skype application, you can talk, chat and make video calls for absolutely nothing.  

If you want more advanced features (i.e. non-PC calling), you can add them for a low fee.  I’m not interested in those options, so I’m sticking with the free stuff.  

In the future, I’ll be using Skype to make video calls to Gary when I’m traveling.  We were also thinking it might be cool to have his grandmother use Skype.  The family could call her for free, and she could see them on video. Pretty cool, huh? 

If you have family or friends that you call frequently, check it out.  It’s easy, fun, and remarkably reliable.  And did I mention it was free?

Download Skype Now, and Skype me!

According to Robert C. Gallagher, “Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.” 

Sometimes change can be positive and sometimes it can be trying, but without it you cannot grow.  As long as I live, I want to be open to change.  I don’t ever want to stop growing or stop stretching myself.  When people stop growing, they start dying.  

Change doesn’t come without risks.  However, with great risk comes great reward.  Don’t get me wrong.  I am not one that takes change lightly.  In fact, my natural tendency is to play it safe, but there are times when you just have to go for it.  This is one of those times. 

Changes are afoot on on the job front.  These changes could have a significant impact on my role as it stands today.  I can’t say much more publicly, but I think it will be a good thing.   Maybe this is one of the answers for which I’ve been praying…we’ll just have to wait and see.

Most of the time, I enjoy management.  Today was not one of those days.  In fact, the past few days have been challenging.  A situation occurred last week that required me to take over a significant project that should have been managed by one of my direct reports.  I already had too much on my plate.  Now I have even more. 

Luckily, choir practice was cancelled tonight.  I took advantage of the unexpected free time and worked on that project all night.  I finally quit around 10 pm.  Ah, what a long day!

On the bright side, it’s a great learning experience.  It’s also a good opportunity to use some of the techniques I learned in my “effective coaching” course. 

On the down side, I’m disappointed, stressed, and exhausted. 

Hopefully next week will be better.

We blocked the first scenes from Pirates of Patmos tonight.  Whew, that was a challenge!  There are 15 cast members on stage at the same time, pirate attacks, and some complex character interactions.  What was I thinking?

Luckily, we muddled through it tonight, but we still have some kinks to work out.  Thank God for Katrina who volunteered to assist with directing until she goes on maternity leave.  Since I have to be on stage as an actor, there’s no way I could do it without her.

It’s tough to act and direct at the same time.  I don’t know why I keep doing it.  Each time I tell myself that I’m not going to do it again, but acting is so much fun.  It’s what I love to do.  Unfortunately, you can’t have a play without a director, and I haven’t found anyone who wants to be one full-time yet. 

Oh well, I’ll just keep reminding myself that I shouldn’t do it again…maybe it’ll actually sink in next time.