Archive for June, 2010
Happy Canada Day!
I know I am a day early, but I won’t be on the internet tomorrow. Enjoy:
Local Hamilton Network, TrueCity, & Cultivate
A few friends and I are forming a local network here in Hamilton for those interested in creating new forms of church in this area… not just church planters, but others as well. We are mostly folks who are involved in TrueCity in some way or another and want to encourage church planting in collaboration. Today was our first get-together at The Freeway. It went really well I thought. Nice to hang out with other folks who are kicking at some of the same things. We are meeting again on Tuesday, July 27 at 10am at The Freeway, and then on Monday, August 16th at 5:00pm for a BBQ at my place – families too. I will try to post more information about these events and dates beyond the summer in due time.
I am actively trying to catalyze church planting throughout Southern Ontario and beyond through Cultivate Network as well. It is pretty bare bones right now (except for the learning party we have hosted twice a year since 2005), but there will be a lot more action over there as the summer develops. I’ll try to keep you posted about that too.
If you are are interested in checking out our local Hamilton network, or want help starting a similar network in your town, or if you want to know more about Cultivate Network and some of the other things shaping up there, drop me a line: pernellgoodyear@gmail.com
Mid-Life Crisis
“Clear your mind…” It’s kind of a weird phrase really. I, for one, have no idea how to do that. My mind is in overdrive in recent days… so are my emotions. So much is happening inside me and all around me, and I literally can’t process it all. I am feeling exhausted just from thinking through things. I have been trying to get to the bottom of what I am supposed to be doing, while at the same time trying to process what I have been through for the last decade or so, and still trying desperately to be present in the moment with those with whom I share my life on a daily basis.
I am scared and also excited as I think about what the future holds for my family in this adventure we are currently on.
Is this mid-life crisis? Am I caught in the middle of a much-debated Western societal phenomenon because of my age and phase in life? Is that why I am having such a difficult time thinking clearly about who I am, and at the same time feeling depressed about what I lack, how I don’t measure up, and how I have wasted so much time in my life not being the person I should be and want to be?
I am not sure if I even buy the notion that mid-life crisis is legit. But here are some facts:
- I am in the mid-life phase. It pains me to even articulate that. I have always hated birthdays… although I know the alternative to getting older isn’t great.
- I am feeling vulnerable to depressed thoughts of how my life hasn’t measured up. My accomplishments and relationships are not as deep as I would like. Maybe I am hard on myself. Maybe not.
- My family (including me) are in transition, and not just in terms of my career either. There are several things happening which are transitory in nature that we are journeying through.
- There is a big part of me that simply wants to buy a motorcycle, hit the road with my buddies, and let what’s left of my hair blow in the breeze. A road trip sounds perfect… but maybe I’ll rent “Wild Hogs” and try to get it out of my system.
Then there’s Margie. My poor wife. She has been amazing through this process I am in. Very patient and strong. But I think she is hitting her breaking point in terms of the unknown of our future. We simply need to get to the bottom of what we’re supposed to do starting in the Fall.
I guess I should do some more thinking…
Crohn’s or Diabetes?
Today someone asked me which condition limits my day-to-day life more, Crohn’s or Diabetes? Well, my Diabetes is so minor that my answer is definitely Crohn’s. It is a poopy disease to have… literally. Now you know.
One Crazy Month
June has been insane… Here’s a taste of what’s been going on in Pernell-Land:
I got in a car accident. I was stopped on Main Street in Hamilton for construction on June 8th and a Ford F250 slammed into the back of my car and pushed me into the minivan in front of me. My Ford Escape was undrivable, so it was at the garage. I just got it back yesterday. Total damage was $7,500.00. Luckily my insurance covered it and got me a rental car while mine was in the shop. In the collision I sprained my wrist and got some good aches and pains in my neck and shoulders and back… although I had no idea I was injured until 10 or 15 minutes later. I seem to be OK for the most part now though.
June 10th was Lucas’ birthday – I can’t believe he’s 10 years old. Since Margie and I got married, we have lived in three different cities and one of our children was born in each of them. Lucas is our Calgary baby. He is a rock star. He writes his own songs, plays guitar, and rocks out to music in his room or in the car (we like it loud). For his birthday, we bought him a “strat” electric guitar and amp (he had a crappy acoustic guitar that he plays constantly). You should hear him play this thing… volume cranked, overdrive on full tilt, rocking out in his room, saying “thank you, thank you” at the end of every song even when he is alone. So funny. I love being around Lucas. He is the most rough and tumble of our three kids, but he is also the most cuddly. He is tough, but very sensitive. He loves his friends and is very loyal. He is absolutely hilarious. What a great kid. I am so lucky to have a son like Lucas. I don’t deserve it. He is an incredible balance of his mother and his father and his own unique person as well. Mostly, I am impressed with how much he reflects his real Father. Lucas is generous, kind, loving, and unselfish. He constantly looks for those who are overlooked and then looks for ways to help.
June 11th was Samantha’s birthday – she is now 12. Our first-born. Our Barrie baby. This girl is amazing: smart, funny, responsible, sensitive, strong, creative, and beautiful. She’s got it all. Wise beyond her years… and she probably acts more like Jesus than anyone I know. We got her tickets to see the American Idol summer tour on July 5th. She was so excited. She loves American Idol. Sam has taught me so much about life. I was only 25 years old when we had her, and in a lot of ways I was still growing up. Having her helped. I literally could not ask for a better daughter. She is incredible!
Interviews, Interviews, Interviews! I have been applying and interviewing in various organizations for a while now. I am getting closer to determining exactly what’s next for us and where, but I can’t let the cat out of the bag quite yet.
House hunting. We have been getting our house ready to put on the market and looking around for what might be available as well. Not seriously looking yet, but looking none the less.
I got a new bike. I decided to buy a Trek 6000 mountain bike. I absolutely love it. I got it less than two weeks ago and I have already ridden about 300 km’s on it. Biking is one of my favourite activities to do in the warmer months. Great exercise and great sightseeing… I have seen parts of this gorgeous city we live in that I would have otherwise missed.
Needless to say there has been lots going on. Sorry I haven’t posted much on the ol’ blog. Hopefully things will get more interesting around here soon.
Lessons I Am Learning
- Some organizations (and people in leadership in them) are absolutely terrible at communication. Terrible.
- When you apply for an employment position you should only promise what you can actually deliver. In other words, just do what you say you’re going to do. When you are interviewing potential employees for your organization – same goes for you.
- What I consider strengths in my skill-set and what I think makes my resume strong, may actually be hindrances and deterrents in some organizations. Interesting.
- Crohn’s disease is way worse during times of anxiety and stress. Way worse.
- Phoniness really annoys me.
- I have some amazing neighbours and friends, and a great support network.
- All three of my kids have faith in Jesus a lot more than I do.
- Vacations are good. I need my vacation really bad this year.