Semper Vita

Live Resolutely With Purpose

Continuing the quest to live my life right, doing what's right, living a life that counts.

How am I supposed to live?

Can you believe that it's June 1 today? Summer beckons and the Western Washington weather acquiesces to that fact. We've had sunny and warm days recently. What a welcome reprieve from the rain, snow and cold that defined our fall, winter and spring! But I digress; enough about the weather.

The calendar merely reminds me that time keeps marching on. So, on my quest to live right and make my life count, what's the plan? How am I supposed to do that in the midst of my everyday regular life? I think that in the past I've wanted to get to a place where there's a lull in the activity and time to do something BIG! Well, that's never happened. I've also hoped for unusual energy, motivation or focus to accomplish that significant thing. Didn't work either. (For fellow StrengthsFinder people it should be obvious that I don't have Focus or Achiever as my Strengths. Mine are Arranger, Activator, Woo, Communication and Connectedness.) So, I begin to understand that life happens everyday and to accomplish the big things you keep working steadily on the little things. One day at a time, doing what you can (like saving) it adds up to something that counts.

Intentional daily living to reach the goal

It takes determination to stay focused on what matters regardless of the challenges along the way.

"Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you've got, be resolute, and love without stopping."

1 Corinthians 16: 13, 14, The Message.

If this is my life and I want it to matter, than I have to live my everyday life with my purpose in mind. Instead of being well-organized, disciplined, focused or driven, maybe I need to just show up and do what's next. I've been stopped by distractions, by serious challenges, by relationships that needed attention, by tiredness and who knows what else. And, time keeps marching on. Today, I will keep my eyes on Jesus and do resolutely do the next thing.

Do you have a dream?

Have you found a way to beat the distractions and stuff of life that get in the way of doing what you're meant to do?

Semper Vita at the NW Ministry Conference

We are introducing Semper Vita and presenting a workshop on missional volunteering.

A Semper Vita-based workshop

I am presenting a workshop on Friday morning, March 27, 2009 at the NW Ministry Conference. The title of my workshop? "Missional Volunteering: Let's take the church out of its box."  It will be my third (and final) workshop at this year's conference.

The NW Ministry Conference

What is the NW Ministry Conference? It's an annual conference for pastors, leaders and workers from churches and faith-based organizations. This conference is the premier event for equipping church staffs and ministry organizations. They offer workshops for pastors and leaders, worship and drama, as well as for adult, youth and children's ministries.

Two workshops for women leaders

My first two workshops are pre-conference intensives on Thursday, March 26. One is about the biblical basis for women in church leadership. It's called, "She Serves: What did Jesus really say about women in leadership?" The second is all about leadership, especially as it pertains to women leaders. It's entitled, "She Leads: Women leading in the church and in the community."

Semper Vita presents

Tamara Dull has been working hard to help me get ready. She's the mastermind behind the visual aspects of the three presentations. I couldn't have done this without her. "Thanks Tamara for helping me and Semper Vita look our best."

In addition to the presentations we will also have our official business card with new logo. Thanks to Craig McBreen and Jacqui Lott. "A big thank you to you both!"

What's Going on With the Semper Vita Blog?

Or, why haven't you written for a while?

45 days is a long time

Wow. Has it really been 45 days since we met in this space? It's hard to believe but true. You might be wondering what Semper Vita, the team and I have been up to? Some may even ask, "Are you OK?"

More than OK. We are excellent!

Though this blog has been silent, we've been hard at work. Specifically, we've poured our efforts into two initiatives. What are they?

1. We've been preparing to unveil Semper Vita and the concept of missional volunteering at the Northwest Ministry Conference. This conference is held at Overlake Christian Church, March 26-28, 2009. I will be leading workshops on Thursday and Friday.
2. We've created a sister company to handle the training. More on that Friday!

What else?

We are now ready to focus on moving Semper Vita forward. We are looking for partners both in the church world and in the non-profit realm. We need volunteers. Mostly, we need your ongoing prayer support.

The Need To Be Understood

The desire to be understood transcends all cultures and religions...It's a core need. Creating a common language to facilitate this understanding promotes community. Do you feel understood?

HT: Jill D for the inspiration.

Spend Less, Give More, Invest Yourself

Less stuff, more love, good deeds for a better Christmas.

As I'm pondering Christmas gifts and searching online for some last minute gifts, I saw this video from Advent Conspiracy. (Check out my recent post about their work and partnership with Living Water International.)

Imagine that in the US we spend $450 billion - with a "b" - each Christmas. That's a lot of money! Guess how much it would take to solve all the clean water problems in the world. Ready? According to the video $10 billion. Um, yeah. What are we doing? If we all spent 2.5 cents less on Christmas and gave it to purchase clean water we'd have it covered.

Semper Vita exists to help people find ways to show more love, do good deeds and partner with others to make a difference locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Join us as we encourage each other to give less stuff and more love this Christmas.

Gifts And Changed Lives

Last week I wrote about birthdays. Gifts are part of birthdays. The most celebrated birthday of all, you know Jesus' birthday a.k.a. Christmas, is just around the corner. For most of us, gifts are part of Christmas too. Unfortunately, for some Christmas is only about gifts. This consumer focus had some tragic results recently as a WalMart worker lost his life on Black Friday.How can we celebrate the season and not lose the meaning?

I’m planning to do much less for Christmas. (Sorry to those friends who are reading this blog post. Christmas will be sparse.) I’d feel much better if Christmas giving could benefit people in need. Wouldn't you? I know that one of my friends tried this a while back. One year she gave her friends a card saying that instead of a gift she’d donated to a good cause in their name: such as a goat for people in Africa, blankets for the homeless, etc. She’d donated the amount she would have given in a gift. Her friends were less than appreciative. That’s one of the challenges, isn’t it? Many people want to do good but they want gifts too. What if we could give gifts to our friends and make a difference in the world at the same time?

Create Epic Change

You can purchase unique holiday cards and gifts while benefiting people in Tanzania through an organization called Epic Change. Their mission is to "help hopeful people in need share their stories to acquire resources that will improve lives." Epic Change seeks to raise funds for a locally-run primary school that serves hundreds of children in Tanzania. The gifts they sell are beautifully designed and feature artwork of the children. Their current project is the expansion of a primary school. Gifts include such things as candles, greeting cards, Holiday cards and stationary. Each gift sold allows the purchase of a brick for a new classroom. 1000 bricks are needed.

In their own words:

• "Each gift we sell incorporates the personal story of someone whose life will be directly impacted by your purchase. In addition, by sharing their stories, artwork and photos, our local partners directly inspire and collaborate in the design of each product."
• "Every purchase you make at Epic Change represents an investment in the eduction and future of children who have the potential to change the world."

HT: Guy Kawasaki

Ten Thousand Villages - stores that make a difference

Another fabulous organization has various stores around the country and an online store. The Ten Thousand Villages stores sell unique items made by craftspeople around the world. You can find jewelry, home decor and gifts at these stores. Much of the merchandise will remind you of nationally known import stores but sold at a fraction of the price. How can they do it? Ten Thousand Villages is mostly staffed by volunteers. They pay for shipping and warehousing but labor is donated so that more of the proceeds goes to the artisans. Ten Thousand Villages pay artisans living wages.

They work with over 130 artisan groups in more than 38 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade organizations. They build long-term relationships with the artisans that are based on mutual understanding and respect. Trade enables artisans to earn fair wages resulting in the opportunity for a better quality of life.

HT: Janet Kroeker

As we continue getting ready for Christmas, let's buy gifts that make a difference to more than just the recipient.

Goodbye Larry

...we'll miss you

Meeting Larry

I only knew Larry a short time, just 5 weeks. The first time we met he sat up in his hospital bed at the VA in Seattle. His daughter and wife were there. I came to pray with Larry and encourage him. You see, Larry was dying of cancer. He elected not to get treatment.

Obvious to anyone who met him, Larry was a kind and funny man. He had a warm smile, twinkling eyes, and an encouraging word for anyone. The nurses, doctors and other hospital personnel discovered his warmth and humor quickly even though he had difficulty speaking due to a tracheotomy. He always said "thank you" and never complained. He shook their hands, wanted to know their names and their stories, and shared his stories.

A Kind Soul

His daughter described him as the "kindest soul" she had ever met. His wife always said, “Anyone who spent any time with Larry loved him.”  He was the kind of person who liked to strike up a conversation with anyone, and was the first to lend a helping hand.

Like everyone else, I loved Larry right away. I promised him and his family that I would visit him once a week. He seemed to appreciate it. The hospital chaplain also visited regularly so that coming weekly seemed the right interval for everyone.

Getting Ready

Our talks were mostly about Jesus, heaven and the transition from this life to the next. Larry needed reassurance. He looked forward to going home but did not relish the process necessary to get there. On September 8, 2008, Larry left this earth and went to heaven. 

Goodbye Larry. I wish I'd known you before you became ill. We'll miss you.

Coyote or Turtle: Which One Are You?

Unfortunately inconvenience beats comfort when helping someone in need.

As I am writing this post I am listening to a pack of howling coyotes. They responded instantly when they heard the sirens of passing emergency vehicles. They noticed the high-pitched urgent sounds and jumped in immediately. Are you a coyote?

Now you might think I'm asking if you are an ambulance chaser, nosy about someone else's tragedy. That's not my question.

What I am asking is, do you notice when people around you are sounding the alarm alerting you to an emergency in their lives? So many people are struggling with real needs - families dealing with a financial crisis due to the economy; parents understanding their troubled teens; single moms trying to manage the demands of home, kids and work; laid off workers applying for fewer jobs...The list goes on. Are you a coyote - someone who notices and jumps in?

Or are you a turtle? The turtle is animal that can't hear and retreats into its shell at the signs of danger. Many of us prefer that approach to the inconvenience of opening our ears so that we can hear the sirens that are blaring around us. Often, I find myself responding like a turtle, it's more comfortable. However, I need to learn to listen like a coyote but then go beyond just howling. I want to listen and then respond to the alarms so that I can help my neighbor.

It's all quiet again-I wonder if the coyotes left to help out...

Semper Vita Coming To You Live!

Welcome to the official Semper Vita website. We’re so glad you’re here. If you're reading this in an email or feed reader, we invite you to click on over and check out the new site - www.sempervita.org.

Many of you have been hearing about Semper Vita for awhile - actually since October 2006 - so you'll probably understand how excited we are about this next phase in the Semper Vita journey. This is our first true website announcing the immanent reality of our dream: to help people experience life through service in community.

Henriet's Blog

If you were looking for Henriet’s blog at www.sempervita.org, you're in the right place. Henriet's original blog has been moved to www.sempervita.org/henriet.

Sempervita.org began as the domain address for Henriet's personal blog designed to be the harbinger for this new site. On her blog, Henriet discussed the concepts that undergird the essence of Semper Vita—volunteering to benefit the community, connecting with others for greater impact, and issues relating to faith, love and living on purpose. All the online and offline discussions from the blog has resulted in much action. This new site is just the beginning and is the next big step in making the dream of Semper Vita a reality.

The New Semper Vita Website

On this new site, you’ll find information about Semper Vita's Vision and Mission. You’ll also find out who is behind this organization on the Leadership Team page.

Of course, you’ll want to read all about the services we’ll be providing for individuals, churches and non-profit organizations. Check out these pages: A New Way to Volunteer, Get Connected and Experience the Training Difference.

Have more questions? Hopefully, we’ve answered them on the FAQ page. Needless to say, you can always Contact Us and send us additional questions, comments or just “atta boys.”

For those who are ready to jump in and help in some way, read the Partner with Us or Donate Now pages. We're not going to be shy here: We need partners, we need people to help make this happen, and we need your donations.

Thanks for taking the time to visit the site. Be sure to sign up for the latest updates by email or by feed reader. Join us and help make Semper Vita a reality so that everyone can experience life through service in community.