Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Shovels May Be Required

It's that time of year where I will plant properly, the spring bulbs I want to see blooming in the spring. I don't normally hold gardening talents that label me with a "green thumb award" from the local county fair, so I need to read and learn all I can, to make sure I'm preparing purposefully for the beauty I want to see ahead.  I know it's important for me to space out these bulbs out for growth, to plant before a frost arrives and to be aware of the health of the soil I plant in.  It's also important that I have the right tools to help me in the growing.

The same is true with growing leaders.  At Freedom House  & Freedom House Kids, growing leaders is a big deal!  It's a passion like none other! Just as I want the bulbs to provide beauty in the next season,  leaders must be purposefully prepared & ready for the next season God has in store! 

Over the last few months, our FHkids leadership teams have been digging deep!
  1. They have navigated the tools together - digging into several great teaching resources (tools). 
  2. They have invested together - cultivating mentoring time (soil) with the leaders.  
  3. They have provided safety together - offering a safe environment (atmosphere) for current leaders and growing leaders to "dig deep".     
All of these things have to work together to bring the beauty in the next season.     

The courage that these leaders have given, is breathtaking.  They have been brave, faithful  and passionate to pursue God's best for their lives.   Digging deep has often required them to step into areas that they didn't know were still "rocky" in the underbrush.  Digging deep has required them to be vulnerable,  many trusting for the first time after "harsh, cold seasons" had come and gone.

The beauty of watching a new confidence and passion in their leadership that may have been buried, pushed aside, forgotten - for long cold seasons, finally pushing thru the barriers - is astoundingly beautiful!  Just like the multicolored rows of tulips that will line my front porch in the spring!

Chris and I are so proud of these leaders!  What fun it has been to learn along with them!  What a sight to see!   We love having this awesome view of watching God at work!



A few have asked ... "What are your top recommended books?".  There are so many fabulous resources to share, but here are a few of the non-negotiables that The Haas' hold close. 




Grab yourself a copy,  grab the shovel and dig in!

A Time To Twirl!

The last 48 hours have changed me.  Capturing the undivided, uninterrupted moments with my girl have shifted something in me.  I may not be able explain it adequately, but taking the time to "BE" with her has created a new passion in me I didn't expect to discover!


What began as a restful, quiet, but let's pack it all in - "Haas Girls Getaway", ended with so much more!
  

As I was sitting on the shoreline, watching my girl twirl fearlessly in the Atlantic sand, my heart was mesmerized!   She danced, she jumped, she twirled, she laughed, she chased, she smiled.   I watched her from a new view.  A view that displayed her courageous spirit.  Regardless of what was around her, she came to play!  Regardless of the chilled temperature of the Atlantic shore - she came to twirl in the sand and soak her toes in the fresh waves!  Regardless of what others were doing or not doing around her - she came to laugh and BE her!


It got me thinking ...


I admire her courage.  I admire her strength.  I admire her faith.  I admire her laughs.  I admire her twirl!


How often have I limited or discredited a moment?   Moment's bring memorials or regret.  Moment's lead to days,  then years.  Moment's define us.   I knew in that moment,  that I could not let it pass me by.   Moment's with my husband and children are some of the most intimate times that God will use to help bring a new definition or gentle reminder into my life.  It could be a new perspective,  an attitude that needs to be shifted or a defined place to trust God with complete courage to what He has created me to be and to do. 


The last 48 hours helped rediscover something in me.  I left with a renewed passion to be me - more of what God has asked of me.  I will laugh hysterically - frequently and more purposefully.  I will twirl without fear - making room for more celebrations & inviting others to enjoy the dance with me.   I will step in to this season with all that I am, with everything that God has purposed - regardless of what I see, hear of feel ...  or how cold/frigid the temps might be or the scare of jelly fish nearby!  


In Ecclesiastes 3, it says, there is a time and season for everything!  This is the Haas' time to dance!

If you see me twirling nearby - be sure to come and join me!



Twirl for a moment!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

"What Are You Planting?" ... Growing Leaders At Freedom House Kids!

A lot of fabulous new things have been growing inside of the Haas' view over the last few months!    We can't wait to share all God has been doing from this view!   

We've been asked frequently of the details of why we have began a new focus of developing new leaders and how it all got started!  Many have wanted to sit and "dig in" to our experience of what it's been like to grow new leaders with Freedom House Kids and with our team at Freedom House! 

We are excited to share that over the next few weeks, we are going to share a few of our "lessons learned" in our adventure!  We'll share a few of the challenges, the celebrations, a few of our "misses" and the practical tools and wisdom we were able to apply.  It's truly been an honor to walk thru the last 5 months with this core team of new leaders and be able to watch God deposit and grow such vast promises in each of them!

Stay tuned for more coming this week as we share a few of the FHkids team organizational ideas' we've navigated, leadership resources that we have dove deep in to learn and apply ... and more!

We look forward to hearing of how you are growing leaders around you as well!

Dig deep!  Plant well!   Enjoy the Harvest! 







Tuesday, October 1, 2013

What Are You Reading?

I've been on a reading frenzy lately, seeking and finding some great resources for families!

Here are a few of my favorite new finds and resources that have impacted my life and my family!

Here ya go!


  • The Sacred Echo - Margaret Fienberg
  • A Young Man After God's Own Heart - Jim George
  • Jesus Calling For Kids - Sarah Young

Over the last two months I've been watching with a front row view God's fresh Word affect me and my family.   Let me remind you ... Leaders are readers!

What are you reading that has impacted you?