Tooting my own horn

As I approach my 1 year mark working here at Meditech (which blows my mind), I was asked by my supervisor to fill out a self-evaluation form. Last time I filled out one of these forms for my quarterly review, my supervisor said I was being too modest and was doing a better job than I had indicated.

So this time around I'm trying to strike a balance between a humble statement of my abilities and "I'm the best employee you've ever had working under you". I understand this exercise is meant to encourage introspection, but nobody likes to toot their own horn. I am confident in my performance and abilities so far, but I dont want to say that I performed much better than my peers because I'm one of the newest ones here.



Last night I was in a discussion about what Jesus meant in Mark 8:35 when he said that "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." This whole topic of servanthood made me think twice about my perspective on my work performance and evaluation. I could go ahead and say "yeah I'm the greatest in my group", but am I really? Do I serve customers and coworkers even when its not noticed by my superiors?

So many times Gods view is a complete 180 degree turn from the world. While I may be expected to sing my own praises for this evaluation, I know that the real sign of leadership can only be measured by how much I serve those around me on a regular basis.

Starting from sratch

What do you do when both of your potential roommates back out on you 2 weeks before you need to be out of your current apartment?

Try not to lash out at friends and family and start over from scratch I suppose....

Never Forget

Today our hearts are heavy with remembrance from September 11, 2001.
May God bring comfort to those who are still healing from this tragedy 7 years later.

Goodbye Summer

Its a sad thing - last one for 2008...
Here's to another great summer Mr. Adams!

My Childhood Hero

In the past few years, my Grandfather (Mom's dad) has been experiencing the effects of congestive heart failure during his late 80's. This condition started out gradually but has progressed to the point that he needs the assistance of oxygen to breathe and must have his legs elevated all the time. Last week we received a call from a cousin who lives near my grandparents saying that his body was beginning to fail and that anyone who wished to say goodbye should come down to visit in the next few weeks (in Daytona Beach, FL). My aunt was able to make the trip but due to situations with our family my Mom has decided to stay in MA for now.

Growing up I always loved the summer when Grandma and Grandpa would come up from Florida and stay with our family for a week or two. We have great video of me running around and bothering Dad and Grandpa while they tried to build the deck, shed, or other type of project. Grandpa has always been my greatest hero as a hardworking man who built his first house by hand and supported his family with 7 kids over the years. He has the softest heart and loves to ask "have you heard?" as he begins to tell the same story he's told you the last 10 times you've seen him. In recent years I remember my dad getting a kick under the table after asking him "so you have any jokes for us Grandpa?", which began an hour long narrative of every joke he had heard. The funniest part was hearing Grandpa "whisper" a dirty joke so loudly to the other elderly friend next to him I could hear it on the other end of the room.

Another memory that I have from years ago was when Grandpa would write me letters and address them to "Master Joseph Doherty". This makes a 6 year old feel pretty special! Recently I have really wanted to write him a letter to encourage him during this difficult time. But what sort of thing can I say? I recalled fond memories I had of them growing up, but I am now stuck trying to find things to say about the future. He is sick and is unable to do the most simple things in life, unlike the Grandpa of my childhood. He may improve in the next few weeks, but the fact is, he will probably not be with us for much longer.

Last night I came across a portion of Philippians that talks about looking at the past, present, and future. I was real happy that God placed that in front of me because it really put into perspective our lives and looking forward to whatever God has for us:

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
~ Philippians 3:8,13-14

I think I'm gonna share that with him to encourage him to look beyond his current situation and even the past great experiences. He has lived such a full life but nothing compares to what God has waiting for him on the other side of this life.