Communication. Team work. Leadership.

Those words seem to be the epitome of my college career. Whether it was through organizations, classes, or even social activities, I have learned what these mean, or did I? I proudly told the rest of the Sigma Sigma Lambda crew aka Student Success Leaders (SSL) to come up with other words or other things they could say besides team work and communication when we participated in the ropes course this past summer. I laughed; they laughed; especially when they were told not to use those words by BJ and Terry. lol

Maybe it is because I am getting older or maybe it is karma, but I am starting to believe communication and team work is not a means to an end. There is more to it than just those words. These two words contain more meaning than most probably do in fact. I am an agricultural communications major. I am scared to admit this, but we are often told 'you are a communications major, and you don't know how to communicate.' Hmmm.... Or, the statement that really hit me like a brick--Question: 'what can we do to make this better?'---Answer: 'Communicate.' OK, it was basically something like that lol. All I could think about was, 'what?!?' All of a sudden there seemed to be much more to it than just a simple word. Communications is about sending and receiving messages. In my opinion, more than just talking and more than just listening. Communication is about trust, respect, honesty, etc. However, these words do not seem to come up much.

Leadership. I could devote a whole blog to this topic. It is also my minor! I find it very interesting, and I enjoy learning more about the topic. However, once again this semester I have been challenged with what I thought leadership was. Here is my answer. Leadership should not be defined as someone who is extroverted and is seen as the 'leader'. Leaders come in all varieties! Some may be introverted. Sometimes those are the best leaders. Also, with successful leadership comes active followers. It is not realistic to expect everyone to be 'leaders' as that does not work. I use quotes around 'leader' because this is the way I view other people's opinions on what a 'leader' should be. They should be the most outgoing person, with the most outrageous ideas, making other people notice...Hmmm...yes, some people can and should lead like this, but it is not the only way. I also believe in situational leadership. For example, I may not be very outspoken in a class, but that does not make me any less of a leader. Because for example, I am very outspoken in others. And, when you force others to be outspoken, it isn't authentic...that defeats everything in my opinion. So then what did we accomplish? Something to ponder.

Thank you, Dad.

The older I get, the more I realize how much my parents are actually pretty smart. Here is one example. My dad has been in education for as long as I can remember. He has a passion for students and helping them to learn and believe they too can do things with their life. He was always very involved with Student Council. I had the privilege of serving on Student Council all 4 years of high school. My senior year, however, something happened that I didn't realize was so cool until probably just a few days ago.

The National Guard wanted to create opportunities to recruit at different schools. They were asking what they could do to get involved. At this same time, our basketball coach was taking a group of kids to the National Summer Special Olympics games or something like that, but it was a big deal. This coach was their head coach and he knew it was going to cost money. Student Council was determined to find a way to help them out. When the National Guard arrived, we quickly thought of something and acted. What better way to support a basketball team than by playing basketball! We arranged a group of students and faculty and they played against the National Guard. Tickets were sold and we held a raffle for a TV.

Oilton is a small town. Yes, small towns do come together and support goals such as this, but that night there were also little league games going on so several people couldn't attend. Everyone had a great time and we were able to present Coach Madison with a check for approximately $800. You might not think that is a lot, but I still think that was pretty good for us!

You see my dad allowed us to dream as big as we want. He allowed us to do what we want. He let us have input. But, he helped, guided, and encouraged us along the way. Why did I just realize how great of a teacher my dad was until a couple of days ago? With the way some things are going, I feel like I had more of a chance in high school to be responsible, to be trusted, and to dream. It doesn't always go like that, but right now I am just trying to jump some of those hurdles. Thank you, Dad for believing and trusting in me and the rest of the Student Council for allowing us to do something we were passionate about.

The Enemy

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Wow! So it has been a really long time since my last post. I have contemplated of what my next thing to write would be, and I still may use some of those ideas, but this verse was placed on my heart today. How many times do we get caught up in the negative things of the world? You know what I am talking about...the things that just bring us down; the things that can make a day go from great to please just let me finish this day, God. Not so much have I been having of those please get me from here to there type of experiences, but more a long the lines of I am tired of things and people destroying my happiness. Of course, I have definitely added on to that by telling myself negative things. In a few short months, everything that I have known will be wiped away from me. I am most definitely a planner and not knowing what my next step will be makes me nervous. God keeps giving me strength, and I thank Him so much for that. Other things in my life have changed or will change, and I will have to find a way to cope with that as well.

We read a book this summer for SSL summer reading :) called "How Full is Your Bucket." It took no time at all to read this simple book, but the application part is pretty straightforward. You fill others 'buckets' with words of encouragement or things that make them truly happy. They are supposed to reciprocate, but the whole act of giving makes it totally worth not receiving anything back. As the saying goes, "it is better to give than to receive." When we deplete others 'buckets' it makes it hard for that person to truly accomplish anything because they have nothing to draw from. However, the really hard part is when the people you surround yourself with don't buy into this. That sometimes becomes the enemy. I can't destroy this enemy, but my God can. Thank you, God, for allowing me to realize this.

I wrote a post earlier about people being in different parts of their lives. I still very much believe this. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand where the other person is coming from, but quite possibly I have found a solution...pray. I think I have said that one before too. We are never going to live in that perfect world, but bringing peace within yourself is a big step towards that goal. When we are living in Christ's Will, you cannot falter because He is helping you right along the way.

So take that enemy. This is my senior year. I can not let you have the victory. I love 1 Corinthians 13. Here is a part that keeps making more and more sense to me. "It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." God is love. Sorry if this blog went in several directions. I just felt like I really needed to share this. Blogging definitely makes me lose my focus on a topic lol.

The rant

Ok, so I just need to rant a little bit and I will be alright. I have started to realize this affects most every aspect of my life...I am 21 years old. I do not need to be treated like I am still in high school. No, I can't do it all by myself and I need guidance, but I don't need to be told what to do.

For example, this workshop we are doing. Don't get me wrong, I am still excited about doing it, but there is a ton more work to it than there should be. I do not think the presenters need to be in meeting after meeting of how to do a workshop or over the material they are presenting. I assure you they know what they are talking about. I assure you they know the difference between teaching to high school students and college students. We are going to school for this. If we do not know something, we know how to ask questions, but we should already know the answer. This should be fun and they have made it a bother. We are helping you out. You asked us to do this workshop for a reason.

Scared to mention this area of life in fear of being hated upon. But, if you read this, you probably know. This is where I believe that a senior in college shouldn't be doing the same things a freshman does. Thanks Karolyn for pointing that one out. Meaning I shouldn't have to participate in a ropes course to promote team building. That is what I did all through high school and now all through college. If this is the only way teams can be built, we are in trouble. More I could say about this, but probably shouldn't lol.

Like I said, I know I can't do it all by myself. However, I don't really like when people tell me exactly how to do something when they have given us control. And, I don't like it when we set deadlines for a reason and then they completely shatter. Deadlines have a purpose. I can only do so much.

"How He Loves"

The David Crowder Band keeps producing hits. Their newest single, "How He Loves," is another great one. I thought I would share the lyrics.

David Crowder Band--How He Loves

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realise just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And oh, how He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us all

He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves
Yeah, He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean
we’re all sinking

So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about, the way

He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves
Yeah, He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

To hear this song, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0XTJA3FBkE
To visit their site, visit http://www.davidcrowderband.com/

Oh, Michael

The King of Pop has died and will be laid to rest today. I'm sure you have heard. MJ had some decent music and some pretty cool dance moves, but do you think he should be receiving so much media attention? He died over a week ago. OK, I know I am going to be scrutinized for believing such things, but it is kinda ridiculous in my opinion. I am sad that he died. I am always sad when someone has died. But, this guy scares me. I mean I don't even know what color of skin he has and he molested young boys. Why do we look up to him? I mean the rest of the world. And the video footage of him practicing for his tour just days before he died scares me. I don't know what it is, it just scares me lol. Within the past couple of weeks, we have watched Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and Billy Mays die. They didn't draw this much attention. This was a silly rant, but I guess that is why I blog. RIP MJ and get off my television!

West Texas

Fields of grass is all you can see for miles. You can barely see the structures where memories were made. That tiny ghost town leaves a warning on an abandoned building, "Leave Now, Leave Now." The creeks and riverbeds have all run dry. However, the spirit of a small West Texas town of Lefors still lives on.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend my dad's high school reunion with him. When the mailer arrived several months ago, I practically begged my dad to go. Ok, it wasn't that bad, but I wanted to see who, what, when, where, and why my dad talked so much about this place. I guess that is my communications instinct and my love of history. A few days ago, my dad told me that none of his friends were bringing their wives. That means there would be no women. But, this is why I love my dad. He didn't even care and still wanted me to go with him. I have to admit I was a little nervous about this, but it wasn't bad.

On the way to the hotel, my dad took me around Lefors and several places where he grew up. When we arrived at the hotel, I was excited to see my uncle and finally meet some of these guys my dad talks about. When I met them, I knew it was going to be ok. They surprised me by giving me a hug...a little Texas hospitality perhaps? They shared stories, which were hilarious. Probably not if I had been their mother back then :) That night we went to a friend of theirs in Lefors. Sitting on the front porch, telling stories. When you are on the front porch, all is well with the world.

The next morning, we took the "scenic" route to Lefors. Bowers City, where my dad first went to school, and was a small community about 10 miles or so from Lefors, now only has a narrow road and a few abandoned buildings. We finally made it to the high school. It seemed like everyone knew everyone. My dad was quick to say, "This is my daughter, Megan." And, if he forgot and was talking, either my uncle or one of their friends introduced me. You could tell they were close and would do anything for one of those guys.

Most of the people were really nice and enjoyable to talk to. However, there were a couple...One couldn't get it through his head that just because I take writing classes doesn't make me a writer. You know the kind that writes books and children's books. And the other. I better be careful here because he is a friend of my dads and uncles. But, he sit by me the night before and kept talking to me and my uncle and didn't remember me the next day. Seriously? I know beer was involved, but really?

It was a great day. my dad has some pretty good friends. It is good to see a small town produce such good people. It is good to see people who did something upon graduation. Maybe they went into banking, legislature, or education. Yup, I saw it all here. Yet, they will never forget the place where it all started. Plus, we got quite a fireworks display on our way back :)