it has been too long since i have heard a peep from my peeps!  you girls still around?  you can't tell me you are too busy -- it is SUMMER!  hehe...  okay, i know you are all working hard, so it's okay.

been mostly working on support raising and playing with jack.  the two don't mix super well, so it just depends on the given moment what i'm doing :)  i'm being challenged to trust God more with the support thing but also to work together with dennis.  we need to be more strategic with how we spend our time on support raising - feels like we've been spinning our wheels!  we have 4 weeks left of support raising before we leave for National Staff Conference (tim keller, lacrae, etc... good times) and then a little time between that and school starting.  mostly though we need to set ourselves up for the longterm and figure out how to support raise (well) while on campus.  also i've got some projects i need to get done this summer before school starts (mostly small groups & discipleship framework we are developing).

but the other day, i realized i haven't been fun lately.  maybe even since we moved to michigan (moreso since becoming a campus director).  sure, i've had my moments (of course, you all have been there for many of them!... pcb anyone?!) but that's just it -- when i am freed up to be with people, i am a LOT more fun.  but during the year, i feel so much responsibility and juggling everything on my plate, that relationships is the first thing to go. (unfortunately).  so i'm out to figure out how to be fun again - i need to rediscover iAmy (i decided everything is more fun with an i in front of it...way to go Apple!)  i want to be relationally driven again.  i want to be available to people in the margins of life -- I NEED MARGIN!  ha!  so part of it is figuring out how to shed some things i'm responsible for, so i don't constantly feel the need to "get things done." and part of it is figuring out how to let go even when there IS still stuff that needs to be done.  i'm not so good at the "time off" thing.  but i need to figure it out... if i don't, my friendships will continue to suffer, my ministry will and even my relationship with jack will.  plus i just want to be fun :)  it's way more fun to be fun... hehe...

well, speaking of fun, i love fantasy baseball.  i know most of you can't relate and that's okay.  it can be one of my many ecentricities (sp?).  but i love baseball.  when i feed jack, i watch "baseball tonight" - both episodes, every day (i record them).  today we watched the sox game (with the inlaws who are in town) and now as i type, i'm listening to the "subway series" (the two LA teams playing each other) b/c i have a few of the pitchers on my fantasy baseball team.  i'm currently tied for 2nd in our leage --- AHEAD OF DENNIS!  hehe....

what's jack up to? (i know you are curious)  CRAWLING, SITTING and he has his two bottom teeth!  so fun.  he's also eating veggies and cereal every day - this week is the week of pureed carrots!  mmmm.  next up?  squash.  eww.  i won't be trying that (in fact, i never try it... but dennis does!  he says the carrots are good!) 

last thing - our softball team got cancelled.  no, you didn't read that wrong.  i didn't say our softball game, i said our softball team.  apparently one of the players (who is the church's pastor... we play for our friends' church) observed our team had a bad reputation for bad sportsmanship.  so "effective immediately" our team is no longer.  it's very sad b/c dennis and i love to play, plus it was fun to get to know these people.  but we did notice a negative tone across the board, so i can't say i disagree with the pastor.  interestingly enough, it was noted that since we joined the team, we had been a calming force on the team - whatever that means!

now y'all know in order to post, you don't HAVE to write as much as i did!  but a lil update would be nice   okay, peace out.

so glad to hear i wasn't alone in my wonderings about walking on the ceiling!!!  (missy where are you??  thanks for commenting.... email me at amy@broncocru.com if you read this!)  :) 

sitting around with a bunch of staff on a saturday night, blogging, facebooking, stat-tracking....

i quote kim trouten "we're like one big old married couple"

true dat

So, I took the Strengths Finder 2.0 today.  (You have to buy the book by Tom Rath to get a code to take the test).  Below are my 'Top 5.'  I definitely agree with Achiever, Harmony & Communication.  I can see Developer.  I'm still out to lunch on Woo.  I would have guessed instead that I would have Competition as a Top 5 and also Input, Maximizer, Relator or Significance.  But Tom Rath says it's these...

Strengths Discovery Guide
AMY LESKOWSKI

Your Top 5 Themes
Achiever
Harmony
Developer
Woo
Communication

ACHIEVER
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights: What makes you stand out? 
Chances are good that you approach your work-related or academic assignments with a great deal of intensity. You are known for putting in long hours and working hard. Because of your strengths, you use your mental and physical energy for hours when the situation demands such effort. You generally persevere and push yourself to keep working on assignments until you finish them. You refuse to quit until you reach your goal. By nature, you typically expend a lot of mental energy to produce precise and thoroughly documented facts or data. Various processes, issues, opportunities, proposals, historic records, questions, or solutions occupy your thoughts for extended periods of time. Instinctively, you might spend considerable time examining the details underpinning an idea. Rather than rush through your research, perhaps you stick with it until you are convinced everything makes sense.
HARMONY
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don’t enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights: What makes you stand out?
By nature, you occasionally infuse a spirit of friendliness into your work or study groups. Your personal warmth and congenial disposition may cause others to be a bit kinder or more generous.
Some people find it is easier to collaborate with their teammates or classmates if you are involved. In your absence, however, they might notice a difference in people's willingness to cooperate.
Instinctively, you may be good-natured and even-tempered in your dealings with individuals. Perhaps your friendly disposition causes people to feel comfortable in your presence. You might accept the differences and commonalities you find between yourself and others. It’s very likely that you are happy to do exactly what is assigned to you, as long as you sense that you are not being asked to carry more than your fair share of the workload. Checking those tasks off your list brings you much pleasure, and helps you get along with others who notice your close attention to the work required of you. Because of your strengths, you generally put forth extra effort to be the best or to finish first. You certainly concentrate on using your skills, knowledge, talents, and physical traits. You also rely on people with special expertise. Their suggestions probably give you a distinct advantage over your opponents.

DEVELOPER
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from these
improvements.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights: What makes you stand out?
Instinctively, you may have quick and ready insights into the moods and emotions of specific individuals. This awareness might enhance your effectiveness as a trainer, guide, or instructor.
Perhaps your sensitivity allows you to help certain people express what they are thinking or feeling.  It’s very likely that you sometimes have quick and ready insights into what individuals are sensing.  Perhaps your instincts allow you to ask questions in the right way. In your dealings with people, you might know the best time to speak, listen, advise, or praise. Because of your strengths, you might cheer people up by telling jokes or funny stories. Maybe your comedic flair or your clever wit evokes laughter. Sometimes, you can make others smile in spite of their trials and tribulations. By nature, you place more importance on the purpose and value of what you do than on the monetary rewards that accompany success.

WOO
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with
another person.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights: What makes you stand out?
Driven by your talents, you sometimes enjoy socializing. Maybe you are stimulated by the company of particular individuals. Interestingly, you might be just as comfortable spending time alone thinking through things. By nature, you may tend to be friendly, cheerful, and talkative. This partially explains why you ask questions or give compliments. Perhaps you are fascinated with each person's unique talents. Instinctively, you might be a magnet for fun. Occasionally, you personify the phrase "the life of the party" -- that is, you can make situations enjoyable, exciting, and interesting. Perhaps you exude energy and enthusiasm. You may welcome opportunities to create merriment. Perhaps people look forward to being with you or attending your social gatherings. Because of your strengths, you gravitate to situations where you will be in the company of others. You are much less inclined to be solitary or a loner.

COMMUNICATION
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights: What makes you stand out?
It’s very likely that you sometimes enjoy verbalizing your thoughts. You may want certain individuals to acknowledge your ideas and honor your feelings. Perhaps gaining and maintaining specific
people's attention pleases you. Chances are good that you may have little difficulty finding the right words to express your ideas on specific topics. Perhaps you are comfortable talking about ways to make certain people or things better. Because of your strengths, you occasionally demonstrate an ease with language. Sometimes, you effortlessly verbalize your thoughts. You might delight in the opportunity to share your insights. Maybe you derive exceptional pleasure from actively participating in conversations as long as group members propose ideas, seek solutions, or debate issues. Driven by your talents, you might express your ideas and feelings so others take notice. To some degree, you delight in leading conversations, telling stories, making presentations, debating, or discussing.  Perhaps the verbal give-and-take between human beings is something you value or do well.