Hamilton ATF

I am currently lying on my bunk as the bus heads back to Texas. Not even fifteen minutes ago I was looking at a red vehicle driving off into the distance. My parents. I am reminded of something Donald Miller says in his Author’s Note in Through Painted Deserts. Something about having to leave home in order to appreciate it. When you live on campus with hundreds of people, four roommates, always being surrounded with people. You learn to appreciate home real fast. Especially if you had your own room before coming. You also appreciate your parents a lot more. I have been blessed with amazing parents and I don’t know what I would do without them. I have also been blessed with a great church. When I went this morning I realized how much of a family we all are. Everybody knows everybody. If you don’t know someone you just introduce yourself. You connect with each other. You laugh and learn with each other. It was good to see them again.

Now about ATF. One of the best experiences of my life. I was Doug’s assistant for the event. I tried to wear my All Access pass and radio with humbleness but I must admit pride still overcame me at times. Funny, how your “status” and accessories define you to so many people. I feel privileged and honored that Doug trusted me enough to be at his right side during this event. When I saw my name in the credits airing live on GodTV I was so proud of myself and my accomplishments. It was so much fun to see how the event I’ve been going to for several years looks like backstage. I felt so blessed to get the opportunity to go in the production truck as often as I wanted to and observe how a live tv broadcast works. To be able to walk to the side of the stage and watch the bands play and the speakers speak. One of my favourite moments was during the TFK set. I was taking photos and the crowd was going absolutely insane. So they had everybody on crew holding the crowd back and I was just having a ballin’ time. Another one of my favourite things about the trip was the bus moments. Not only because I got to catch up on much needed sleep, but it was so great to spend time with everyone in CCM. And watch some episodes of one of my favourite tv shows.

So I was blessed with the opportunity to spend Thursday night and last night (Saturday) at home. We had been sleeping on the bus, which was not that bad. I think I could live on a bus. But it was really nice to go home and see my parents, and my cat. It felt wonderful to sit in front of the fireplace with my parents, sipping tea, having soup and one of my favourite meals.

You probably realize that I have been writing this blog over the course of several days, considering I started this in Canada and am finishing this in a small, dark edit bay where no one knows of my existence. We had team meeting the other day, where we debriefed the trip. What went well, what could have been better. To be honest I don’t remember much but I remember Doug telling everybody a few things about me. That he puts me up with the other top PAs (assistants) he’s had. He said that not once he had to look for me and that I was always there at the right time without interfering. He says that takes real skill. I don’t remember what else he said but I remember how I couldn’t hide my smile when he said it. It’s okay to be proud of yourself. Since being here I at times haven’t felt like I was doing as good as some of the others. So to hear that Doug is proud of me makes me feel like I am adequate enough. That I do have some potential. So that’s a little bit about Hamilton. When I got back I got put to work immediately. Transcribing. Thirty minute piece. Six individuals. If I can tell you something. Transcribing is like slow suicide. It makes you go insane. BUT it teaches you perseverance. And that is a good thing. If you are faithful with the little things (it’s still important, you just don’t get as much recognition for what you do) then you will be trusted with the big things. People will notice. Anyways, I’m going to eat lunch now. Peace.

Character Building

Yesterday we found out what we are doing in Hamilton! I am Doug's PA. Doug is the director/founder of CCM and a PA is production assistant. Basically I will be helping him and doing whatever he needs me too. I am so excited! I love CCM!

Last night was my graduation. I was not there because I am here. My AP Anna had embarrassed me all day by telling everyone in CCM and then after room meeting last night she was being all secretive and in the hall and she asked me to come out and when I came out everyone in my core was there. I totally didn't know what was going on. They made me put a hat on and walk down the hallway to graduation music and then Anna gave me a certificate and gave a speech and then I got hugs. I thought it was pretty special. I have the best core.

I have been filled with so much joy these past few days. God keeps revealing things to me and building my character. It's been soooo good. I love learning. I asked God to help me grow in discipline and I came here and that's definitely what I've been growing in. Just making that choice to run two miles or to get up early to spend time with God. Learning not to give in to your own desires and being lazy. If you want to change the world....to make a difference...sleeping in every morning, taking naps after work, going on the internet to check your facebook, twitter, email, blog every 30 minutes isn't going to get you there. Yes, I was initially doing some of those things but I noticed a lack of process and I remember being at home being so sick of wasting my life. Feeling like I wasn't making a difference. You must make that decision every day, sometimes a few times a day, that you will not allow yourself to fall into that pit of apathy and slumber. Wake up! The other day I noticed that a friend's facebook status said that they needed to undergo a serious change in priorities but they weren't sure how to do it. And I wrote below. The key is to just do it. You can tell yourself over and over again how dissatisfied you are with yourself and you want to do something but there comes a time where you just need to do something instead of talking about it. Yes, this was a lesson I learned and am still learning.

This sounds like something I would write in my other blog... In case you haven't checked it out. www.ihavezeal.wordpress.com

Night.

So the Packers lost. Dang. But there's still November 1. Rodgers will hopefully get his act together by then. I was just really embarrassed by the number of sacks yesterday. Downright embarrassed.
I've realized how much I love being at CCM. Especially after "after hours." You should know that after hours does not really exist at CCM as there are people working at all hours of the night. Oh, I totally have to do a shout out to Heather. She worked two 100+ hour weeks in a row. She is a machine. But really, a lot of people at CCM have worked a crazy amount of hours in the past several weeks. I know there's more than just Heather who have worked a 100+ hour week. Wow. But like I was saying. I just love being here. Right now there's only a few people in the building. Someone ordered pizza and they gave me a slice. It was the best pizza I have EVER had. Now I'm sitting her writing a blog. And another one for my new blog. Check it out. www.ihavezeal.blogspot.com The place of my thoughts. I like the vibe here. I feel good. I ran two miles in 21 minutes on Monday. I'm really proud of myself. Before I got here I hadn't run for years. Last week I went for a run at night and I saw a wild boar and you know how they say right before you die your life flashes before you eyes. Something like that happened and then the boar ran into the grass and I ran my little heart out and away from the boar.
In two weeks on this day I will be on a bus headed for Hamilton. I have been getting SO excited. I will hopefully be able to sleep at home for a night. I can't wait to see my baby (aka my cat). And sleep in my waterbed...hmmmmmm...pure satisfaction right there. Anyways, I'm going to work on my other blog now. I hope you have a good night.
God be with you.

It's the Weekend!

Well I can't say I've been up to too much these past few days.
This week my job has been QCing. QC stands for Quality Control. Basically I have to watch everything that has been made, which in this case has been for ATF, and make sure it works and that there is nothing wrong with it. ATF starts in Amherst, Massachusetts tonight. We'd appreciate it if you would pray for everyone involved with that. Tonight I'm playing flag football, I'm excited. Ready to kick some butt. Speaking of football, who else is super excited about the Packers vs. Vikings game? I can hardly contain myself. According to Facebook 81% of the people believe that the Vikings will win. The pleasure will be mine when we kick some Viking butt. Anyways, after a bunch of us are gonna relax and watch a movie...hopefully. Tomorrow I am going to learn how to change a tire. That will be fun (a bit of sarcasm there). At the end of this month I'll be coming to Hamilton! I'm excited to see my parents, my cat, and some friends! It will be awesome!
Anyways, I gotta get to supper. Will continue later.
Have a great weekend!