About Me

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Damascus, Oregon, United States
I absolutely love anything that plugs in! My iPhone may just be an extension of my body. Networking, business, Christ, serving the community, husbandry, fatherhood, friends, and my amazing family are all that keep me ticking!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Mole

Now I come from a long line of green-thumbed men.  Hard labor, or any labor for that matter has never been something that I could bring myself to do with an eager disposition.  This summer I've been empowered to show the other men in my family that it's not just my mouth I can run, but my lawn mower is a force to be reckoned with as well!

Through a careful process of weed-and-feed, the perfect amount of water, 16-16-16 fertilizer, and the guidance of the yard master (dad), I have reached darn near the perfect shade of deep green grass in our yard.  I did this in less than three weeks to boot!  Then I spent the next few days tweeting, talking, and sending pictures of my perfect lawn to those I know.

Today I went to mow my oh-so perfect, dark green, lushness and an ugly little talpidae had something else in mind.  Yes, I have my first mole.  Moles are typically subterranean mammals who don't need much fresh air at all.  Apparently this pint-sized demon got turned around and poked his head out of my perfect yard twice...then another three times!  So for all to see, I am exposing my imperfect yard in hopes that a great amount of sympathy may dress my wounds.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Matthew 5:37

If you've had the opportunity of knowing me for the past five years, you know that I approach the task at hand with the utmost perfection.  If you knew me prior to this, you may expect just the opposite as I spent the first part of my life cutting corners, getting out of responsibilities, and looking out for myself only. 

Now, where this change is typically a gradual process for most, mine came first in the form of opportunity.  The shifting moment was on my first day at a company called TeleSmart Networks.  President Mark Bilton-Smith walked into my office, set a laptop and a Blackberry in front of me, and simply stated, "I've got to leave for a meeting, go sell."  Trial by fire!

With the next five years came an incredible ride, an incredible test.  From the largest RFP that TeleSmart had been awarded, to a corporate acquisition, to starting anew, it has all instilled in me a valuable lesson.  I could either own up to my new-found success, or tap dance around responsibility and watch it fall as most opportunities I'd faced.  I chose the former and allowed this value pour out into everything I take on.  The lesson is to let my yes be yes, and my no be no.

From my father, I believe I learned this lesson.  He has never instructed me to, yet has always personified it without compromise.  From my mother, I've learned to know when to loosen my grip on this practice and offer grace to those who may not hold dear such standards.  And from my wife I am humbled by her patience with me as I further progress through this life skill.

As you follow my blogging endeavors, all three of you, know that my aim is to carry this lesson, value, and God-breathed scripture through all that I do and say.

-Andy