History in the Making

I Needed That...

Had the most incredible, 5-day vacation over Memorial Day weekend. We didn't want to brave a long car trip or flight with three munchkins this time around. But thankfully, we've got Williamsburg within a 45 minute drive, the ocean in our backyard, and a grandmother with a really nice pool. I'm completely rejuvenated for an incredibly busy but exciting month of June. It's too bad my jerk of a boss expects me back in the office first thing tomorrow.* =)

Make it By Monday

The best rate for STORY ends on Monday at midnight EST.

The first StoryUnfolding broadcast airs live on June 14.

Out of the Reach of Babes

10 Years Ago Today

I married Ainsley just a week or so after her college graduation to make her ineligible for any other suitor.

She is the absolute love of my life.

We have children, but I don't even know they're around when Ainsley is in the room.

But she tells me she loves me most when I love them. =)

She reads voraciously. At least a book a week.

She speaks German. Which is pretty much the greatest thing ever to have in a beautiful wife.

Our three boys will one day stand taller than her and gush about her undying love for them.

When Columbine happened while she was in college, she drove across the country to minister to the students. If I hadn't married her, she would've been off to work at an orphanage in NYC. 

She has risked everything with me to live out our dreams. And she constantly reminds me of God's faithfulness. 

She deserves far more than me. But she won't find anyone who can possibly love her more.

Happy anniversary Ainsley.

Kerplunk

Eeeeasy...

Wednesday Morning Run-Down

• Still buzzing from Whiteboard. All of the speakers did an amazing job. And unlike 2008, this proved to be a regional gathering. 80% of attendees came from Virginia. We may be coming to a city near you... very soon.
• I have so many thank-you notes to write, I don't know where to begin. I'm surrounded by amazing friends who helped with WIBO. You can get the DVD [HERE].
• My family is taking off the rest of the week - headed to an undisclosed location for some much needed R&R.
• I'm headed to Charleston, SC, Lititz, PA and Chicago in June. Once June hits, it's 110 mph.
• I'm speaking at my childhood school graduation next week. Such a surreal experience. It was only yesterday when I was wearing thick, fluorescent shoe laces.
• If you grew up in a legalistic church and now spend your time writing satire about it, we get it, we got it. Yaaawn.
• Tomorrow is Ainsley and my 10 year wedding anniversary. We would be in Germany if it weren't for a) baby still up at night, b) school in session, and c) year one of being an entrepreneur. So year 11 here we come.
• Working on the all-new Dream Year website that will feature stories from the 2010 participants and info on how you can be part of 2011's class.
• Pete Wilson so kindly informed me that he bought Church in the Making for his campus pastors and church planting apprentices. So appreciated.
• The best rate for STORY ends this Monday, May 31.
• We had to have our 3-year old Dylan's tooth pulled last week. When he was 2, he fell on his face, and the damage finally caught up with him. Dylan's our non-conformist.

The People of Dream Year

Half of the Dream Year participants came to a reception on the night before Whiteboard here in Va Beach last Thursday night (most of the gals couldn't make it). Had a chance to photograph them and capture their stories on film. Amazing people.

Name: Aaron Van Ruler
Location: Orlando, Florida
Dream: Launch web firm for campus ministries
Factoid: If I were as tall as Aaron, I'd be in the NBA

Name: Benjamin Nockels
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Dream: Place 3500 foster kids in OKC in Christian homes
Factoid: Future governor of Oklahoma

Name: Chris McAlister
Location: Pataskala, Ohio
Dream: Start a wholeness ministry for church leaders
Factoid: Church planter, counselor and professor

Name: David Simon
Location: Washington, DC
Dream: Start business that fuels ministry on Capitol Hill
Factoid: Confidant to dignitaries

Name: James Matthews
Location: India
Dream: Launch global movement called Sacred Revolution
Factoid: VP for global health care company

Name: Janet Oberholtzer
Location: Mohnton, PA
Dream: Write and publish book of personal tragedy
Factoid: Marathon runner in spite of severe wound

Name: Jason Jeong
Location: Duluth, Ga
Dream: Launch an "action tank" called Orphan Epidemic
Factoid: Semi-pro tennis player

Name: Kate Schmidgall
Location: Washington, DC
Dream: Launch a cause-based magazine called Bittersweet
Factoid: Runs a thriving design shop called Bittersweet Creative

Name: Mark Flood
Location: Telford, PA
Dream: Launch a regional, multiplying church
Factoid: Great strategist and thinker

Name: Marty Holman
Location: Holden, MA
Dream: Launch church-based coffeehouse for community
Factoid: Leads a top tier church staff of volunteers

Name: Matt Bortmess
Location: Rochester, IL
Dream: Launch graphic design agency for ministries
Factoid: FrontPorchCreative.org

Name: Paul Stewart
Location: Des Moines, IA
Dream: Launch church-based cultural center in Des Moines
Factoid: www.paulstewart.typepad.com

Name: Ryan Nelson
Location: Olathe, KS
Dream: Launch multiplying, groups based 33 Church
Factoid: Killer crooner

Name: Sam DuRegger
Location: Pella, IA
Dream: Write and publish his first book
Factoid: Former member of the LifeChurch digerati team

UPDATE: The Dream Year site has launched: www.dreamyear.net

Blankenship on WIBO

The legendary Blankenship was sitting in the audience at WIBO. He had designed the branding. Then he hand-sketched notes from the presenters. And Ainsley and I get to have lunch with him and Mandy tomorrow. Love this guy's work.

Whiteboard DVD

If you missed Whiteboard or just want to relive it... the 2010 DVD can be purchased HERE for $59. We're editing it now - shipping in August. Great twitpic by Stephen Brewster

Dream Year Outtakes

On Thursday night before Whiteboard, we held a reception for Dream Year participants & friends at the Westin Hotel. It was like a family reunion. Unbelievable time together.

We held a tongue-in-cheeks awards ceremony and told each person's story. Andi Grant shot some photos, and here were some of the crazy outtakes. =) I'll introduce the participants who came over the next few weeks...

Saying No For Others Is Not Your Job

Here’s an important lesson: never say no for other people. That’s their job. In the pursuit of a goal, everyone has a job. Your job is to dream audaciously, act courageously, and make the ask. Their job is to say yes or no. And this is their job and their job alone. Keep reading...

Monday Morning Run-Down

• This Friday is Whiteboard. Your prayers are appreciated.
• We are known by what we pontificate... or by what we produce. The winds have been shifting for me over the past last year. Blogging is taking less of a priority.
• For everything I produce, there's a year of backroom conversations that made it possible. Today is a huge backroom day for me. The fruit won't be seen for a year.
• My son Wyatt has bad allergies to wheat, dairy, soy, gluten, corn, you name it. We finally found a pizza parlor that serves gluten and dairy free pizza alongside its regular offerings. The joy I saw in my son's face almost made me cry. First time in 6 years he could eat pizza without getting a rash and his eyes swelling up.
• My apologies to those with worse problems that that. =)
• I'm currently engaged in a system whereby another book will result. 750 words a week. It will take me one solid year to produce a 60,000 word book. I'm half-way there. This book will define the next 10 years of my life.
• Registrations are pouring in every day for STORY, and I've only been blogging about it. I couldn't be more excited about this year's experience. 5,000 stacks of promo cards are hitting mailboxes this month. It's about to get serious for those few hundred remaining seats.
• This is one great post.
• I only have to meet 3-4 iconic church leaders before all of my heroes of the faith will have been de-pedestaled. As they should be. If you idolize a prominent church leader, it's because you've never worked for them.
• LifeChurch wanted me to tell you about The Porn Event.
• This is one amazing photog/cinematog -rapher.
• I'm excited to meet my Dream Year class this Thursday at a special reception in Virginia Beach. I've never met most of them in person. But they're all dear friends by now. 
• If you lost your job in ministry due to the economy and don't know what to do, I'd like to help. In Dream Year we talk extensively about how to monetize your skills. E-mail me if you're open to having me walk you through this over a phone call or two.

Church in the Making Photo Wall

I'm still getting twitpics from Church in the Making readers. The wall is growing. I love it. Thanks much for the support.

Boys of Summer

My cowboys: Wyatt (6), Cody (10 mos), and Dylan (3)

The Sixth Year, The Sixth Photo

Every year on May 15th, I post a photo of my first-born son Wyatt. He was born six years ago today. He's lived in four houses in six years and survived the most intense periods of life for both Ainsley and me... coming out of it wiser than his years. He's a leader, a guardian, and a friend to everyone. I pray the same blessing over him every night, asking God to use him in ways that I could never even dream.

Final Card in the STORY Series

The final card in the STORY series.

Whiteboard Screens

by Blankenship

Four Minute Film Fest

STORY will host a "four minute film fest" during the event. Willing contestants will conspire & film during lunch and the evening. Film editors will be provided. Our esteemed presenters will choose finalists. Audience will pick the winner via text polling in the final session. A great spoil to the winner.

Card #6 in the STORY Series

Click to enlarge

Photobooth Style

Inspired by Chad Riley at the Uganda Ball... photobooth style... for my Dream Year participant reception at the Westin Hotel the night before Whiteboard here in Virginia Beach.