Hebrews 12:12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.

Are you mourning, believer, because you are so weak in the divine life: because your faith is so little, your love so feeble? Cheer up, for you have cause for gratitude. Remember that in some things you are equal to the greatest and most full-grown follower of Christ. You are as much bought with blood as he is. You are as much an adopted child of God as any other believer. An infant is as truly a child of its parents as is the full-grown man. You are as completely justified, for your justification is not a thing of degrees: your little faith has made you clean every whit. You have as much right to the precious things of the covenant as the most advanced believers, for your right to covenant mercies lies not in your growth, but in the covenant itself: and your faith in Jesus is not the measure, but the token of your inheritance in him. You are as rich as the richest, if not in enjoyment, yet in real possession. The smallest star that gleams is set in heaven; the faintest ray of light has affinity with the great orb of day. In the family register of glory the small and the great are written with the same pen. 

You are as dear to your Father's heart as the greatest in the family. Jesus is very tender over you.

You are like a bruised reed; and any less tender hand than that of the Chief Musician would tread upon you or throw you away, but he will never break the bruised reed. Instead of being downcast by reason of what you are, you should triumph in Christ. In Christ I am made to sit in heavenly places. Am I poor in faith? Still in Jesus I am heir of all things. 

adapted from the writings of Spurgeon~

 

searching for a country of my own

Election 2012 is almost behind us. I've done my civic duty. Gone are the commercials that threatened to wear out the mute button on our remote. The lawn signs will be out of sight...eventually...hopefully. The great USA is my country of residence albeit temporarily. Thad Cockrell says it well - 

"When I’m asked about this situation, Where it is I’ve been and where I’m bound, I’ve got no home, I’ve got no home but I’ve got a destination"

In The Eye of The Storm ~ Offers of Prayer

In The Eye of The Storm ~ Offers of Prayer 

syndicated columnist-nancy hart

With Hurricane Sandy bearing down, one phrase (or a variation) was offered over and over to those in its path: "Our thoughts and prayers are with you."

Newscasters, politicians, government officials and countless souls on Twitter and Facebook uttered such thoughts. We come across such phrases all the time during tragedies.

Call me a cynic, but this drives me a little crazy.

That's because I doubt that everyone (or even many) saying "You are in my thoughts and prayers" is really getting down on his knees and imploring God to intervene in the matter at hand.

Such a phrase has become more like "God bless you" after a sneeze. But at least there there's some 2,000 years of tradition involved. Evidently, its earliest known use was in the first century. Different legends hold that it was started for various reasons, such as: the soul was thought to be leaving the body; evil spirits were thought to be leaving the body; the heart was thought to be stopping and "God bless you" would help to revive it. Guess what? No one knows for sure why it originated. What we do know is that it's obligatory today and to not recognize someone's sneeze with a "bless you" is considered rude.

Prayer is a little different. Or, I think it should be. I believe that prayer is powerful. Apparently, a lot of people do and that's why folks intuitively want to go beyond "my thoughts are with you." Just offering that to an afflicted person would seem a little silly. Why would you care if I'm thinking about you if I'm not doing something about it?

That's why casually saying "My thoughts and prayers are with you" seems a little insidious to me. There's a sense in which folks who offer what is for many just a platitude are invoking God's name and power, recognizing that it's uniquely meaningful. But they are essentially taking that name in vain when they don't truly and humbly go before God on the other's behalf.

There's only one thing that's worse in this regard, and that's when we Christians look someone squarely in the eye and say, "I am going to be praying for you in this" -- but then don't.

Now that I am guilty of. Most of the time it's because I really meant to -- and then simply forgot, got distracted or whatever. Or offered up a quick "Please, God, bless so-and-so" because I wanted to check my to-do box but then didn't take the time to really intercede for that person or situation.

But all the casual "thoughts and prayers" banter in response to Sandy and other tragedies has got me focused on exactly that. When I say I am going to pray for someone, I need to believe that really means something, and obligates me to humbly go before God for that person or situation. And if I really believe that God is all-powerful and loving, why would I tarry even one moment anyway?

That's my challenge to myself.

To those souls casually offering that their "thoughts and prayers" are with someone, I'd invite them to ask themselves: "Am I willing to implore God to intervene here?" If not, why offer the phrase? What is it that you think about God -- what is it that you intuitively grasp about his power -- that makes you want to utter those words in the first place?

The answers might be interesting.

The bottom line is that, partly in response to Sandy, it's my genuine prayer that anyone talking about prayer would take the power of prayer a lot more seriously.

And, yes, that starts with me.

Upon Further Review

Earlier this year our family was inching its way back into a place of being connected and active in a local expression of "church"...Brenda and I were seated at a table along with Don Reynolds, the Worship Arts Director at Granger Community Church in Elkhart for a class we were all involved with. Don and I knew each other but only casually. So after the class we sat and started doing the "where do you live"? "what did you do before GCC"? etc...questions. Turns out that his father founded Master Craft in Shipshewana, Indiana and Don had worked there prior to coming on staff at GCC. I too had worked in Shipshipshewana for a number of years. As I asked more questions we realized that we had   both been employed in the same small town during the same time period. 

As we talked I asked if he remembered an accident that occurred on State Road 5 directly in front of the Master Craft offices in October of 2001. (Click here for more details.) He responded that yes, he did  in fact remember that incident. I replied that I was the person in that head-on car collision in the early morning hours of Friday, Oct. 12th. For a second, we let that settle in and then with astonishment he said "I prayed for that man and it was you"?! As we embraced and wept, I was filled with deep gratitude for all my friends known and unknown who had prayed diligently for me and for my family during this deeply difficult crisis. 

From that day forward Don and I became fast friends. Now, ironically, we work together on staff at GCC. My day, October 12th was celebrated again this past week and once more I'm reminded that UPON FURTHER REVIEW the experiences of a life given to Jesus for his purposes are simply crazy good! Even when they hurt. Hurt so much it takes our breath away. UPON FURTHER REVIEW we catch a glimpse of the greater purpose. Who but God could have seen our two life paths somehow crossing when we least expected it. 

I'm grateful for life, I'm grateful for family and friends to do life with and I'm grateful that there will be more times that UPON FURTHER REVIEW we may all see the greater purpose of God in our lives. 

The Illusion of Politics - Argumose 3:12-17

From "The Christ Follower's New Clothes - The Illusion of Politics"

...and now, much like a naked emperor, we have in essence rewritten Colossians 3:12-17 to read:
"Since God is most fond of your political party, clothe yourselves with condemnation, accusations, being right at any cost, steadfast positions and intolerance. Point out your enemy's faults and make them pay for their offenses. Remember, this is war, show no mercy.

Above all, clothe yourselves with self-righteousness, because your cause is just. And let the anger of others’ wrongs burn in your heart. For as members of your political party you are called to live in a war paradigm. So remember your enemy’s offenses.

Let the message of your favorite cable news show, in all its fervor, inflame your lives. Teach and incite all your friends with all the dogma it provides. Fill Facebook and Twitter with the clichés of your politics with reckless abandon. And whatever you do or say, make sure you represent your political party and its ideals well, giving thanks to cable news that keeps it all going.”  Argumose 3:12-17

Now, the real deal - Colossians 3:12-17

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

To “clothe ourselves” means this is something you and I must do. It’s action- oriented. It’s a moment-by-moment, day-by-day choice. Notice that mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are not the ways of politics. Nor is making allowance for and forgiving other’s faults. They are the way of Jesus.

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

We must put on love and be people of harmony—togetherness—people of peace. The way of politics is enemies in a war paradigm. The way of Christ is unity in a love paradigm.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Let the message of Jesus fill our lives. Excel at the application of biblical precepts, not political platforms. Live out of a thankful heart, not out of fear of losing political ground. Whatever we say or post on Facebook and Twitter, let it reflect the way of our Savior.
Let all of our words, spoken, tweeted or Facebooked, be worthy of the life that was paid for by the blood of Jesus the Christ. 

"The Christ Follower's New Clothes - The Illusion of Politics"

Dad

My Dad is incredible! He loves Jesus and my Mom, can fix anything and is one of the kindest men I know. Thanks Dad for loving your family and leading by example. Happy Father's Day!

This spring I needed some help with a mailbox fantasy....

Dad helped bring it to life...

measuring and hand filing until...

Finished product. Perfect! 

Happy Mother's Day!...honoring the one that despite our differences and preferences - loves her kids. She gives us plenty of ammunition for laughter and joking at her expense. She is quick to speak her mind and is miserable when she has to hold back and so she usually doesn't. :) Grateful for her good health and keen mind and...her cinnamon rolls.

I love you, Mom.

"You have said so" -Jesus

As I read the "good Friday" scriptures this morning and see again the response of Jesus to his accusers as they question his kingship...

"You have said so"... Was his curious, controlled, measured response.

Then I'm reminded of Peter's response when Jesus asked him... "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah." (Mark 8:29 NIV) and another time when many disciples had left him Jesus also asked the twelve if they intended to leave as well and
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68, 69 NIV)

So today as I contemplate the sacrifice of Jesus I'm compelled to consider again that all important question...

"Who do you say that I am?"

Behavior and Character

This morning as I met with the leadership of our little house cleaning business, I was struck again with the variety of personalities that make up our team and how miraculous it is that we manage to function and excel  without some degree of violence. We have the stoic, the bashful, the quietly confident, the chatter box, the jovial one...no two the same but together a dynamite group. Despite our differences, we do have some things in common though, not the least of which is the knowledge that as we lead people, character matters. That was the topic of some of our discussion around the table this morning and an excerpt from the book Life@Work helped us along...

Behavior and character are related, but they are not the same thing. Behavior is what I do. Character is the person my behavior has made me into. Behavior is just one action. "I behaved badly in that situation." Character is the sum of my behaviors, public and private, arranged consistently across the entire spectrum of my life. Any behavior, duplicated and reduplicated, forms a part of my character.

Repeated patterns of behavior wear a series of grooves that form a portrait of me as a person. The lines of my behavior over time draw a picture of my character. Everything we do, every thought, every choice, is a wave with ripple effects. It is easier to see their immediate effect on others than it is to see their consequence on the rock core of our own character. Yet if you will look at the contours of your life you will clearly see the grooves shaped by the pattern of your past.

Every time we make a decision, we cut a groove. Every time we react to a crisis, we cut a groove. When we hold our tongues and practice self control or when we let them run loose and speak our minds, we are carving our character. When we say yes or no to a reckless temptation, we are signing our names. When you stand up to peer pressure, hold the line on truth, or return kindness for cruelty, you are cutting the pattern of your character. Pastor Steven Furtick said it well, when he stated that, "We need to  "predecide"  (he invented the word :)) what we will do before we get into a situation that requires us to make a decision." Because if we "predecide" and don't waver, the character groove that is carved will be one that will not bring shame. Author Anthony Robbins said, "It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped."

Anniversaries

Anniversaries are remembered for a variety of reasons, I suppose. Some cause us to celebrate, others serve to remind us of a failed business, relationships gone awry, unmet goals and other miseries. We much prefer the latter, more pleasant memories, but if we spend any time in reflection, some of those miseries serve us in ways that we have no way of comprehending at the time they occur. 

In many ways we are never the same again when our paths cross with something traumatic but in the mundane, "normal" events of life; our tendency is to slip back into mediocrity and lean toward missing and not applying the lessons learned.

 And so, it's good to reflect again...Oct. 12, 2001...on my way to work at the Blue Gate in Shipshewana...6:30a...big weekend...Grand Opening...running through my to-do list in my head...oncoming headlights...head-on...lights out and the next time I become cognizant of my surroundings I'm experiencing excruciating pain and breathing like a drowning man but Brenda is there...comfort. love. grace. I find I've been life-flighted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne with a dissected carotid artery, fractured hip, punctured lung, lacerated liver and multiple cuts and abrasions. 

After 13 days in the hospital I was released in time to attend my sister Marla's wedding for which I was incredibly thankful. 

Recovery seemed slow and difficult over the next number of months and when our dark days turned darker with the loss of my job, friends and family provided much needed support for which we are forever grateful. 

Recently I heard the statement "God doesn't consult your past to determine your future" which I think is true. The difficulty lies in whether WE will do the consulting and be defined by our experiences or use them for good. Now, a decade later we can look at 2001 as a turning point of sorts for us as a family. I think we love easier; forgive quicker and live better. 

Reflection is good...grateful to Jesus and my loved ones. 

  Our 1990 Acura with the front end folded like an accordion. The first time Brenda saw it after the accident, she said she felt God was showing her that angels were inside holding the dash from coming back into me.

First painful attempt at getting out of bed.

 Much better with Brenda, Cody (10) and Morgan (6) with me.

13 days later at my sister Marla's wedding. I still have that suit...wonder if it looks 10 years old? :)

Mamma Magggie Gobran

This year at the Leadership Summit, Mamma Maggie from Cairo, Egypt spoke to us about the plight of the discarded slum children of Cairo. She spoke with a humble, quiet eloquence that was absolutely riveting. Here are some notes from her talk. Learn more at www.stephensministry.com

• Egypt, as a country has sent the greatest number of martyrs to heaven.
• It's the moment you die to self that you find yourself.
• When one has nothing, God becomes everything.
• Regarding the children her organization serves: We help them have a better life, they help us have more love.

Silence your body to listen to your words; silence your words to listen to your thoughts; silence your thoughts to listen to your heartbeat; silence your heart to listen to your spirit; silence your spirit to listen to the Holy Spirit. In silence you leave many to be with the ONE.

Day 2 / Leadership Summit 2011

Dr. Henry Cloud: The evil, the foolish, the wise

• "This guy" conversation...Wherever you are God has called you to be a steward of a vision.

• Are you going to allow "this guy" to thwart your vision?

• What do I do when the TRUTH comes to me?  Leaders must determine what reality is? What about leaders that are allergic to reality? Realize feedback is not necessarily pleasant.

Three types of people:

•  Wise: truth = change / Confrontation is appreciated / Talk!  The challenge is to make sure they are a match for what you need. Give good feedback. Keep them challenged.

•  Fool: truth = adjust the truth / deny reality / shoot the messenger / respond with anger / deny ownership / hopelessness ensues /   DO NOT CONFRONT A FOOL!  STOP TALKING!  Address the pattern of resultless conversations. Fools do not change when they escape the truth. They only change when they must camp out in the truth.   Limit your exposure, be clear about the consequences, give them a choice and then follow through.

•  Evil: destruction is in their hearts - they want to inflict pain / Reject a divisive person after the second warning

 

John Dickson:  Humilitus

• Humility is common sense
• Humility is beautiful
• Greatness and humility are now one
• Humility is generative. It  is the place of change and growth.
• Humility is persuasive. The person that you know has your best interest in mind is the most persuasive.
• Humility is inspirational. The real power of effective leadership is the ability of a leader to inspire others to greatness.
• When our great leaders are approachable, have time for us and take the time for us we are inspired.

•  Some of the most influential leaders don't have the "keys to the kingdom". (Think mid east changes)

•  We believe good hearted people quicker and to a greater extent. 

Humility is a reflection of the deep structure of reality. At the center of everything is the cross...a symbol of great humility.

Patrick Lencioni: Getting Naked

• Vulnerability seems to be counter culture but is a direct manifestation of humility. Vulnerability is powerful, attractive...be vulnerable whether you get rewarded or not.

 Fears related to vulnerability -

•  The fear of rejection - enter the danger / speak the kind truth / vulnerability doesn't guarantee a pain free experience / people are desperate for someone to tell them the kind truth /

•  The fear of embarrassment - if those around you think you are editing yourself to protect your image they won't trust you / ask dumb questions/celebrate your mistakes / when we acknowledge our humanity we attract people - they want to be around us

•  The fear of feeling inferior - do the dirty work / let those in your charge see you doing the things you ask them to do / Think - Jesus washing his disciples feet / honor your clients work / SERVICE!! 

 

Erwin McManus: Chasing Daylight

• Ecclesiastes 1 -There is nothing new under the sun . Believing this has created an apathy that has plagued the church to this day. 

•  Isaiah 43 ...behold I am doing a new thing. When you step into the presence of the creator of the universe everything becomes new...he reminds us that we can't put this new wine into these old wineskins.

•  Evil men do not wait for permission to create the future but unfortunately good people sit idly by waiting on God to create the perfect future.

•  Don't wait for someone else to create the better future when we have the character and heart of God in us

•  We need to become the cultivators of human talent.
• Most of us die painfully tragically ordinary.
• The church needs to be the nurturer of the human spirit. 
• What would happen if the world would looks at us as the epicenter of creativity?
• We at our best are not in the slightest bit intimidating to God.
• We need to reclaim the truth telling power of the gospel.
• Whoever tells the best story will shape the culture.
• Its not that hard to bring people to Jesus when you tell a story that places them in the same story as God.

Tell the truth from our podiums and churches and we will not have the capacity to hold all those that will come our way.

Day 1 / Leadership Summit 2011

Day 1 of my annual-can't-miss Leadership event was exceptional as usual.  Bill Hybels opened the day and Steven Furtick closed it out. Both of these men have influenced my life Bill for the past number of years and Steven more recently. Incredibly blessed to have opportunities like this. Following are some of my notes:

Bill Hybels: Have you had your leadership bell rung lately?

• When leaders stop learning they should just stop leading. 
• When a leader gets better everyone wins. 
• Our success is directly tied to our ability to attract and retain fantastic people.
• Are you naming and facing problems that exist in your organization? Courageously address the issues!
• How long do you tolerate:
• Bad attitudes (Willow Creek gives it 30 days)
• Under performer (Willow Creek gives this 3 months)
• Great people in our organizations are discouraged by challenging people
• Leaders must understand that their role is to move the organization from here to there.
• Challenged to make the next 5 years my best years. 

Les Schlesinger: Action trumps everything

Vision casting must follow creating discontent with what is.

Believe in the future by creating it first.

Failure doesn't mean game over, it simply means step forward with what you have.

Make reality your friend.

Bring other people along. Be flexible with what you want and how to get it.

Dr. Brenda Salter-McNeil:

Sometimes it takes a catalytic event to take us from where we are to where we need to be.

Steven Furtick: Audacious Faith

2 Kings 3:9-20 - Dig some ditches! You can position yourself for success but only God can provide the rain! Let it rain!!

Life can beat the audacity right out of you.

We struggle with insecurity because we compare our "behind the scenes" with others highlight reels.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

The Hunt for the Easter Egg

...perhaps this is the way it is every year and I simply have been oblivious to the obvious. Do I think there is something inherently wrong with an Easter egg hunt? No, of course not. When the kids were younger that's something we always did. If the weather permitted, we would hide them in the bushes and grass around the house and join the kid's in their quest to find them all. To add to the challenge there was candy hidden with the eggs to provide some additional incentive, as if they needed any.

No, it's not the little egg hunt at your house that's got me thinking...what sticks in my craw is the 25,000 eggs or the 30,000 eggs that churches are advertising that they're hiding and that kids should show up and find. Maybe this is the latest "get 'em in the door fad" but to me it sort of feels like an attempt at color-washing (pun intended) the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The bloody gore that indeed is Jesus hanging on the cross is far less palatable than a holy week filled with rabbits and chicks and eggs.


This blog is entitled ...from my perspective and there you have it, my perspective. Maybe I just need a nap.

So How Does One Build Trust? stephen covey

1. Listen well. If you think I'm important enough to listen to me when I talk, then I'm going to think more highly of you.

2. Make and keep promises. Twenty-somethings have been let down by their parents' generation and are cynical. Counter that cycle by doing what you say you'll do.

3.Clarify expectations. It may not be anything more than poor communication that has you failing to trust someone else. Go the extra mile and explain in detail what you really hope will happen.

4. Kindnesses and courtesies. When was the last time you sent someone a nice thank you note? Do that and you say to them, "You are significant." In return, they will trust you more.

5. Be loyal to those not present. Talk behind my back and , if I find out, my trust will go down. Conversely, if you refrain from gossip and critical talk, you honor others.

6. Apologize. When you take the blame for something and apologize, my respect for you will increase. Apologies show that you've got your ego in check, that defensiveness doesn't control you.

7. Forgive. People make interpersonal mistakes all the time. How do you trust someone who doesn't forgive others when they make a mistake? To err is human, to forgive is divine.

8. Be honest. When someone is more known for their tap dancing than their honesty, you don't know where you stand or what version of the truth you'll get. Be a straight shooter and people will trust you more.

9. Show appreciation. Who doesn't like to be thanked? It boosts your sense of significance and you know that you've got value in another person's eyes.

10. Give and receive feedback. Giving feedback involves taking a risk. You could be wrong or your perceptions could be rejected. But feedback is something we all need. Give it well and you've given a gift, one that can build trust.

A Beautiful Mess

When Christian believers gather in churches, everything that can go wrong sooner or later does. Outsiders, on observing this, conclude that there is nothing to the religion business except, perhaps, business - and dishonest business at that. Insiders see it differently. Just as a hospital collects the sick under one roof and labels them as such, the church collect sinners. Many of the people outside the hospital are every bit as sick as the ones inside, but their illnesses are either undiagnosed or disguised. It's similar with sinners outside the church.

So Christian churches are not, as a rule, model communities of good behavior. They are, rather, places where human misbehavior is brought out in the open, faced and dealt with. ~ Eugene Peterson

BOOST Retreat / The Gift of Crisis - Jay and Beth Shetler

James 1:12-14

Times of crisis cause us to look deep, to evaluate the why's and how's of our life. It gives us opportunity to clarify mission, purpose and values.

What low priority area of life or business is stealing your time and energy?

A crisis tends to reveal our self-doubts, personality weaknesses and fears. If we would act without fear in this crisis, what would we do differently?

Isaiah 62:2

Crisis gives opportunity for genuine community. It is on the path of suffering that we learn best how to love and understand others who are suffering.

From my (Gene) experience, times of crisis grow us into persons that more closely resemble Jesus. And frankly, when we are able to see in "hindsight" what crisis has brought about, the good that has been created because of it...crisis when it comes again, while no more welcome than before; after all we don't seek pain and suffering, becomes a point of growth and expectation. 


JESUS IS THE BLESSED REDEEMER!

BOOST - a christian business retreat

Maintaining Trust - Terry Shue

-As our culture shifts and changes TRUST seems to be diminishing at a rapid pace. 

-Trustworthiness gives us a distinct advantage over our competition. 

"The ability to establish, extend and restore trust with all stakeholders - customers, business partners, investors, and co-workers-is the key leadership competency of the new global economy." Steve R. Covey

self Trust: Trust begins with me. If we are ever going to impact the community around us Trust must begin with us.  

four core credibilities Trust is built upon:
Integrity: Congruence, Humility, Courage. Who taught you about integrity without actually using the word?
Intent: Genuine concern for others
Capabilities: talents attitudes skill knowledge style
Track Record

NOTHING is as profitable as a high level of trust. 

Stick It Out!

From Hebrews 10...Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse-some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.

Old Pictures - New Memories

Kaitlyn

Morgan, Courtney and Zach

Dennis and Cody

Lamar, Marla and Me at Lamar and Crystal's wedding

Do you ever wonder? What's the point of all these pictures? This afternoon Brenda retrieved a box of old photos from storage to begin the arduous task of sorting what must be thousands of pictures and placing them in albums. For anyone just starting out...trust me when I tell you that now would be a good time to place photos in an album, digital or otherwise. Better than waiting till you have boxes and boxes. Lots of fun spending the afternoon laughing and recalling with fond memories the people we've met and how we and our families have changed in the past 20 years. Without these pictures we would be left to what our memories can recall but with them we have many otherwise forgotten details. So if you're tempted, don't stop taking pictures. There are no regrets of having too many, just in not having enough.