Author: Chet

One of my bolted on beliefs is around feeling life. I believe in feeling life. I believe we are designed to feel, think, and act if we are to live well, CORE centered and OPUS focused lives. On days like today, I rather wish to change this belief. You see, today, I am depleted. Baby … Continue reading Feel life…

Today is our last day with baby boy. We came to give Andrew and Ek a bit of a break. My God have we been the ones leaving filled to overflowing. Don’t know I’ve ever felt more of God’s presence and the preciousness of life. The heat was nearly unbearable yesterday. So, what did we … Continue reading Baby boy believes…

The Germans are a standoffish, stereotypical bunch. Walking the streets of Berlin for a handful of days has confirmed this finding. They are also warm and welcoming, once you open ‘em up a bit. Andrew told me not to make eye contact with them on the streets (they don’t like it), and don’t engage them … Continue reading Dinner with Danes…

During the Six Day War fought in 1967 something quite strange became the norm for the Israeli Armed Forces. The Israeli officers suffered more casualties than the enlisted ranks. Why? Because Israel teaches one primary leadership principle and it's a good one. "Follow me." Remember, BTL aspires to teach similarly. We believe in three principles … Continue reading Israel, Jesus, and John…

Early start to today. It’s a big one for Miss as it’s kinda a big birthday. Lots of celebrating with her, Andrew, Emma Kate, and Baby A. I took Andrew’s bike out at 5:30 this morning (btw, it had been light for over an hour by then) and got lost in Berlin. Thank God for … Continue reading Andrew, Emma Kate, and Aedán…

Andrew’s shop. I thought of you, Poquito, with the rich smell of freshly cut wood. His work. Amazing. He builds beautiful things. His welding station. Welding apprentice? Stain going down. The star attraction! One leg in the west. One in the east. Andrew’s shop is in what’s known as “dead mans land.” The area in … Continue reading A good day’s work…

Stanley Milgram was right and maybe wrong. Following WWII he was asked to study the German people and discover if there was something wrong with them (psychologically). Our government wanted to better understand how the holocaust happened. Talk about a lack of humility on our part, huh… Today, crossing this intersection in the heart of … Continue reading Jaywalk…

Yesterday, during practice ONE with nine freshmen grapplers, we did what we always do in BTL team practice one. We read Day 1 in BBTL. We wrote our thinking. We talked, BTL style. The only weird thing about this practice was a national network was there filming it. Seems Grappy has assembled an epic class … Continue reading A big IF…