Blog Posts

Time to Evaluate Your lifeFocus?

As I considered the month’s final blog post, I recalled lifeFocus, a book that I picked up while at FamilyLife’s “Weekend to Remember” with Jennifer in 2005.  The book’s subtitle is “Achieving a Life of Purpose & Influence.”  The author, Jerry Foster, wrote this in my book, “Enjoy your personal journey of influence (Romans 12:1-2).”  That’s my fifth leadership tip – “Enjoy the Journey.”

Interestingly, I had forgotten that I posted a summary of this book before the school year started!  So, I obviously needed the reminder…

My last post focused on my 90 year-old grandmother, Mano.  Foster encourages his readers to imagine this scenario:  see yourself in your nineties…in your ideal setting.  What do you hope you could say about the life you have experienced?  What would you like to see on the bottom line of your experience portfolio as your life draws to a close?

You can’t change your past, but you can change your future.  You can commit to and take steps toward acquiring true personal wealth. Achieving great success is usually a process that takes years of putting in time, working hard, climbing the ladder, and earning our stripes. We must enjoy every step of the journey instead of always focusing on the prizes at the end.

Click here to learn more.

Mano’s ABC’s of Perseverance

Mano (4-2015)

This weekend, Cody and I visited my Dad’s 90 year-old mom, Margarete Pyle (pictured above here with Cody, me, Katy, Tanner, and Dad last April). I’m told that when we were growing up, my brother differentiated our grandmothers by “one who has hair in the back”, so when I tried to say, “Margarete” and it came out “Mano”, that name stuck!

Mano has lived in her current nursing home for a year and a half. Throughout that time, they’ve taken good care of her. But two weeks ago, one of the nurses dropped her…which led to several days in ICU with a slight break in her lower neck. I can’t imagine her pain…  Today, she’s back in the nursing home and was very talkative and positive. In fact, you can’t be around Mano long without being encouraged or smiling. Many of her caregivers appreciate her sweet spirit.

Earlier this week, she was diagnosed with pneumonia, and they were discussing hospice care…but Mano continues to fight and persevere.

I like the promise of James 1:12, which says, “Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, for when she has stood the test she will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

Click here for Mano’s ABC’s of Perseverance.