Back to the Office

Well after nearly a month of traveling about it has been good and challenging to be back in the office. Having Aaron there makes it much more bearable...how did I do this alone for 20 years??? Plenty to follow up on from the leadership meetings, our first Partners Dinner, local CS activity.

Today I had lunch with the father of one of our local groms who attends our meetings. He has come along to a number of men's events in our church now and shown much interest. He said over a chicken foccacia, "I have watched your life and the guys at CS and have been impressed how you have conducted yourselves. I have never met Christians like you guys before. I have been reading my Surfers Bible and am investigating all of this...yeah, I would love to do the Christianity Explained course next week!"

This makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it? Be praying for my mate. And for yours all over the world just the same. That's my friend standing on the rocks ready to jump!

Raglan Boy's Trip

What has 20 feet, 18 surfboards, a jetski, 2 rental cars, and a whole lot of testosterone? BD and his merry men. 50 seems to be the birthday that just keeps on giving. My birthday gift, apart from a fun party Gill organised, was to go away with some mates for 6 days.

We surfed, ate, talked, prayed, laughed, traveled and basically got to escape a whole lot of life's responsibilities for a few days. I am so thankful for people who remind me that I am not alone in what I do or who I am. From painters to bankers we all got along fine and a great reminder that Jesus holds us all together.

So often men come together and the bar is lowered. This time the bar was lifted as we urged one another to be better men for our families and friends.

Bermagui Family Fun

After being away from the kids, we were keen to have a few days together during school holidays, so off to Bermagui, South NSW at Gill's parent's place. Taylor brought a couple of friends and I became photographer for their upcoming 'Balance' clothing line. Be prepared!

I am amazed at their energy and creativity. Hard juggling work and play but was able to keep on top of emails each morning. What a beautiful country we live in and this is my second home having come down here now for 26 years. So quiet. Calvin the wonder dog comes alive here!

Florida Meetings

The magnificent 7 of our International Leadership Team plus 4 Board members were hosted by CSUS at their national base in St Augustine, Florida. We talked, debated, prayed, laughed, challenged about our core strategies and what we felt was God's leading for our future. There was also surfing (well the Canadian visitors loved it), eating, cruising St Augustine streets and the odd BB gun abuse (Jon Mak and Steve Bailey stand condemned!).

I am so encouraged by both the quality of our leadership as well as the openness of conversation. It was great to have CSUS director Dean Plumlee sit on on all the meetings and give some US perspectives.

We had 3 days of strategic planning followed up by 3 days of leadership training by our Pacific RC Alan Vink.

All agreed that Alan's input was really good and we had special guests from Snowboarders and Skiiers for Christ, Bruce Nelson and Josh Stock, the National Leaders of Canada and USA. God is doing much all over the world but such a long way to go in reaching the world surfing community!

Stuck in LAX!

The staff tavel deal is really good...until there aren't any seats! Gill reluctantly left me at the check-in as I was told it was unlikely I would get on. I have heard that before, and waited expectantly...only to be told 'no way'. After traveling together for 10 days she had to go home alone.

I returned 24 hours later to be told the same! No seats. I looked around at 62 other stranded staff, it was not looking good. At least I wasn't a family holidaying at Disneyland with 3 kids in tow, complete with Mickey Mouse ears, being dragged into the airport at midnight hoping to get on...and waiting 3 days!

Thanks Wagner from CS South Bay for picking me up, taking me to church and then to the airport for day 3 and I got on! So glad to come home.