1). LEADING THE FIRST EVER #fhbloggers TRIP TO ETHIOPIA JULY 9-16

One of the first new projects I began to work on when I first started with Food for the Hungry a year ago was a blog trip. I feel like everywhere I turn I have a close friend that is a solid blogger. I definitely understand the influence that bloggers with a passion have online, and the amazing thing is that this group that has been assembled for this trip has come together beautifully. It was truly God painting on a blank canvas from the beginning. It has now turned into an amazing piece of art that only our creator could have painted. This trip is going to be a great time for amazing communicators, story tellers, and heart felt believers to share what they see and experience first hand as we take them through the communities of Ethiopia that Food for the Hungry serves. I can’t wait!

2). SERVING NEXT TO SOME OF MY FAVORITE BLOGGERS.
HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF WHO’S GOING ON THE TRIP!

ALECE RONZINO: A New Yorker changed by Africa, Alece is the founder of #OneWord365 and a communications coach for non-profits. She blogs candidly about searching for God in the question marks of life & faith.

Alece is a close personal friend, church mate at Crosspoint Church and one of the most inspiring and community building bloggers that I know. She not only has a way with words, but also has a way with engaging a tribe in conversation. You’ll truly love following Alece’s blog during this trip, as you’ll not only be extremely inspired by the stories she tells, but also by the way that she’ll engage you in conversation and before you know it you’ll be a changed person for the better. I’m also honored to be co-leading this trip with her, as it would not be what it is without her.

ALLI WORTHINGTON: Alli lives outside Nashville with her husband and five young sons. She is the CEO of Picha Global, cofounder of BlissDom Events, and Blissfully Domestic magazine. Alli was also just listed as a Young Influencer of Today by Brad Lomenick of Catalyst.

Now, this gal makes me laugh in person and online more than anyone I know. There’s never a dull moment with Alli, and she’s never missing a smile on her face. She not only has WAY too much on her plate by raising 5 boys, but also running three companies and “somehow” she finds a passion in her heart to help those in need in everything that she does. When you follow Alli on this trip you’ll find the good in EVERYTHING, however she will not hold back from the hurt in the world and how important it is for us all to pitch in and help.  I’m so happy to have Alli on this trip, as she brings a unique view through the window of what we all see in life! Be yourself Alli. I can’t wait to “hear” what you write about what you “see”.

ALYSA BAJENARU: Dietitian, Personal Trainer, Cook, Crafter, Wife, Mom, proud wearer of onion-goggles. New Celiac. Official dietitian of Mamavation & Baby Boot Camp.

Alysa has one of the top nutritional blogs in America, is the personal nutritionist for Mamavation, and has been, for the past few months, the personal nutritionist for BlogHer. Alysa directs her passion to helping other mothers all over the planet provide the proper nutrition to their children. Alysa has always wanted to serve a global cause that was directly connected to food and development. When you follow Alysa on this trip you’ll learn that while the western culture is trying their best to provide the proper nutrition to their children, a mother in the Developing World is just happy to send their child to bed each night with a full belly. We will learn so much from Alysa on this trip and we’re so excited she’s with us!

EMILY LOERKE: A Dallas girl that believes it would be the perfect city if it were only in the mountains, right by the ocean with a downtown ballpark, four real seasons, and a ready supply of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Emily has been on staff at Watermark Community Church for the past seven years, and co-authors a marriage blog called Today’s Letters with her husband, Tim. Emily & Tim’s blog was voted the Best Blog by The Blog Guidebook in 2010.

Oh my gosh, I don’t even know where to start with this gal. I guess I would say, if I had ever had another sister, this would be her. I’ve never had another girl address me as “homie” in my life other than Loerke….yes, I called her Loerke. She’s awesome and you can tell that she and her husband Tim truly LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST! What’s crazy is that Emily and her husband Tim just recently got back from a trip from Uganda with her church. I love their passion for making a difference in the world and can’t wait to hear what amazing stories and new perspectives come from her blog. Thanks Emily for your time and thanks to Tim for letting her come with us. You’re an amazing and inspiring couple!

KRISTEN HOWERTON: A mom of four children within four years via birth and adoption, and has been blogging at Rage Against the Minivan as a coping skill since 2004. She teaches psychology at Vanguard University and lives in Southern California. Kristen’s blog was chosen to the in Babble’s Top 100 in 2011 and was just featured on The Huffington Posts blog recently for Mother’s Day.

Kristen’s passion to make a difference blows my mind. Not only was she quick to say yes to the trip, but she has adopted two boys from Haiti in addition to the two girls that she and her husband already have.  Kristen is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a freelance writer, and a musical theater geek.  She is also the managing editor of ShePosts, an online news magazine for women in social media, as well as the editor of Mama Manifesto, a collaborative parenting blog. On top of that she finds the time to devote herself to going on a trip with us to Ethiopia to impact others for the better. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kristen!

DAVID MOLNAR (PHOTOGRAPHER): David is a music & advertising photographer based out of Nashville, with clients like Dolby, Sony, EMI, March of Dimes & Atlantic Records. Because of his deep faith in living out love like Jesus, David uses his photography to aid in philanthropic work to wipeout hunger, disease, and extreme poverty.

David  and his wife Tammy are great friends of mine and great friends to many others! David is always a “man about town”, with photos in People, USA TODAY and Real Simple Magazine, yet he still finds time in his crazy photog travel schedule to support what we’re doing on this trip. You’ll be seeing his daily trip photos on every blogger’s pages throughout the trip. I can’t wait to see what stories he captures throughout this experience. Thanks David for coming along with us!

3). HUNDREDS OF KIDS FROM ETHIOPIA TO BE SPONSORED

How can you get involved and help?

Sponsor a child by clicking the banner below or even take it a step further after sponsoring. Copy the HTML code below and paste in your blog or facebook page and share this experience with your friends.

[COPY & PAST THIS CODE BELOW ON YOUR BLOG OR FACEBOOK]

<a href=”https://www.fh.org/give/sponsor?checkoutcode=EO03WGZM3&promocode=EO03WGZM3″><img src=”http://www.fh.org/images/fhbloggers/300×350.jpg” alt=”fhbloggers-Ethiopia” width=”300″ height=”350″></a>

Thanks so much and I hope that you’ll follow this trip and keep a solid dialogue with us throughout. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and what is going on in your heart as you read the stories and experience that we’re talking about that we’re seeing.

If you’re on twitter or instagram be sure and follow the #fhbloggers hashtag or to connect with each blogger, you can find them at our trip landing page www.fhbloggers.org or stories at #fhbloggers

I bet you’re guessing what the heck that title means. Well…it’s simple. My dad…

My dad taught my brother and I how to be boys – how to fish – hunt, so forth and so on. However, today is not about that. It’s all about Mom, so here we go!!!

This will be short and sweet. Without my mom I would still be a dirty kid that smells, has bad manners, doesn’t clean his room, never opens doors for ladies, still has a duck tail, leaves his shoes in the living room, says shut up (inside joke), doesn’t brush his teeth at night, drinks out of the milk carton (but that was mostly Bryan), shreds the back fence by hitting golf balls out of the back yard, and of course I would not have a clue how to treat a lady. Thanks to you Mom, I think I’ve done pretty good!

I appreciate you so much! Without you I wouldn’t have landed the amazing wife that I have today. Thanks so much for being such a great influence on my brother and me. You’re an amazing mother and I wouldn’t trade ya for anything!

Love ya,

Your Son

TELL ME JUST ONE THING POSITIVE ABOUT YOUR MOM IN A COMMENT BELOW

Thanks to my friend Emily Loerke (Today’s Letters), I was turned on to this ridiculous video done by Mark Morgan! It made my wife and I sit in silence for a moment, only to think of how we complain and take so many things for granted. I just had to have this video on my blog, so here ya go! SHARE this post, or just the video as much as you like!

Wow, I didn’t think that anything could top last weekend when I was back in my home State of Oklahoma. However, this weekend has turned into a strong contender for sure. I was actually available to cash in on a phone call I received from my friend David Molnar, to be his partner on an intense sand volleyball game. It’s been years since I’ve played, and I’m already paying for it with pain, but it was a BLAST and got the weekend off to a great start!

Also, we as a family were all able to get out of the city and get out in the country. We spent some time at my friend’s ranch pond fishing, kayaking, canoeing and taking in some sun. I even got a fishing pole in Lindsay’s hands, and believe it or not she actually tried to catch a fish. She even took off on a leisurely stroll around the pond in the Kayak on her own. Then at the end of the day we booked it over to the town’s ice cream / burger joint and topped this hot and action packed day off with a killer burger and refreshing ice cream and headed home. What a great day and I just love when we can get out like this AS A FAMILY. It was such an amazing time and it’s days and memories like this today that we’ll never forget, sunburns – sore muscle or not! ha ha!

Well, I don’t have any big deep thought on this blog post as I normally do. I just wanted to share our weekend with you and hope that you’re able to get out this summer and make some memories of your own. Have a great weekend and stay inspired! Enjoy the pics below!

You know those weekends that you just know will always be burned into your memory forever? Well I just had one of those types of weekends. Of course any chance I get to go back to my home State of Oklahoma, with my brother especially, it’s usually a very memorable one. However, this past weekend will definitely go down in the books for sure, and here’s why.

About 12 weeks ago my brother Bryan received an offer from our friends at Box Talent in OKC to sing the National Anthem before the race, and then play the post concert at the 12th Annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in our home town of Oklahoma City. He asked me to go play it with him since it was back home. I said I would if he would run the half marathon portion of the race with me. HE SAID YES!!! I couldn’t believe it. I myself knew that it would be great to get him out of the studio and off the tour bus a bit and on the road running. I know what running and cycling has done for my overall outlook on life as well as health and wellness, and I knew what it could do the same for him. He began to run and run and caught the bug, so to say. So we ran this 13.1 mile course in our home city and never stopped and looked back, except to see all of the other 27,000 runners around us. We talked about so many memories as we ran the streets of our old stomping grounds. It was a perfect day for a run. Overcast and misty weather. Just a perfect overall day for a run and we felt strong all the way through the run. At mile 11 Bryan looked at me and said, “this way surpasses anything that I thought I could ever accomplish and will go down as one of the greatest days of my life!” WOW … that comment alone made the whole adventure and strenuous training worth it! Once we crossed the finish line, greeted by our gleaming proud mother, we rushed to the hotel to clean up for an inspiring concert under the survivor tree on the grounds of the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. This was the only tree that survived the blast of April 19, 1995 and it was just gorgeous! What a memorable and humbling time for us to play under this tree, and after such an already inspiring run in honor of so many lost and those who lost loved ones in this horrible tragedy.

After the conclusion of the show, we preceded to head to our family’s lake house, at Lake Texoma, for a normal laid back time on the water. However, this time with a unique element. We were honored to have our new friend, photographer and journalist for Sea Ray Living Magazine, Jamie Elvidge, shooting a piece on my brother & our family and what Sea Ray Boats has meant to our family over the years. This is an elite magazine created for Sea Ray Boat owners & fans, one of the premiere boats out there, and might I say our families favorite brand of boats. I actually learned how to ski behind a 28′ Sea Ray Cruiser when I was 12 years old. Not ideal, and I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone as I’m sure we burned a few hundred dollars just trying to get me on top of the water that day. What memories we have there. Thanks Sea Ray!

It was so much fun going to do the things that we love to do when heading back to the lake such as; hitting the Island Bar Restaurant & Marina at Lowe’s Highport, hitting the lake’s coves, anchoring the boat while playing guitars & chilling with our favorite drink in hand.  Of course, to those that know us best, throwing a line in the water (translation for the city folk: fishing) was included in this adventure as well. It was so amazing & inspiring to go back throughout the years with Jamie, reminding ourselves of the amazing memories we’ve had with family in this place. Jeff, Leigh, Bryan, Gary & Mom…..thank you all for so many fond memories over the years.

Of course I can’t forget our visit with our amazing grandmother, who just got out of recovery for hip surgery, and our cool cousins ever, down in Southwest Oklahoma. The wheat fields were thriving, and the smell of cattle and the wind of the Oklahoma plains were a kind welcome home. Maw Maw is doing amazing and is such an inspiration to so many. We loved getting out in the country to see everyone and to visit good ol’ Comanche Springs Ranch (where the jack rabbits are plenty) -wink wink- There’s nothing like getting back home!

Overall this weekend was so special and just added memories to an already full book of great times with family and friends. I love making memories with loved ones and I never want to stop living life and experiencing adventure with those closest to me. I hope that you would continue to do the same. Life’s too short to stay inside! Get out and live, but not on your own. Lock hands with those that love you, and make memories that you’ll never forget. Oh, and take lots of pictures

WHAT ARE THOSE THE PLACES THAT YOU’VE MADE THE MOST MEMORIES WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON A CONSISTENT BASIS?

I can’t express how excited I am to share this following message from my older brother Bryan and to share what I am about to experience with him. A few months back he received an offer to come and sing the National Anthem and perform the post show at the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in our home town of Oklahoma City. I had the opportunity to run the Half Marathon here in Nashville, and thought to myself, “how in the world could I get him to run the half while we were in OKC?” So I worked my magic and sweet talked him into it. He not only is now having a blast running 20-25 miles per week during his training, but is also now raising awareness and honoring those who lost their lives or lost loved ones in the OKC Bombing back in 1995, but is also raising money for those who live in major poverty through Food for the Hungry as he runs. I love seeing this, as it says so much about my best friend’s (brother) character and heart to live beyond himself. I can’t wait to cross the finish line this Sunday in our home State of Oklahoma and for such good causes.  See his post that was sent out to his fans and friends and go support his run, as this is not a typical thing for him to do!

MESSAGE FROM BRYAN WHITE!

BIG NEWS :: If you remember, over 18 years ago, a bomb struck the Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. The blast claimed 168 lives, including 19 children under the age of 6, and injured more than 680 people. It would remain the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks.The blast destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a sixteen-block radius, destroyed or burned 86 cars, and shattered glass in 258 nearby buildings. With this being my home state, you can believe this was heavy on my heart and still is. I’m honored to have been able to assist in aid, along with your support, in aid for the families effected by this devastation.

I’M DOING WHAT??? :: Well now I’ve been asked to participate in the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon by not only singing the National Anthem before the race of over 12,000, providing the post race concert entertainment, AND NOW…..DRUM ROLL PLEASE…..I’m also running in the race. Yes folks, I’ll be running my first half marathon with my little brother Daniel. Not only will be running to get in better shape for my family so they can have their daddy around a bit longer, but each runner in this race runs as a tribute to the victims, family members and survivors of the bombing, Oklahoma City hosts the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. We run to give to the Memorial. We run to involve the community, the nation, and perhaps the world in the continuing process of coping with the tragedy of the past. We run as a step toward a better future.

ANOTHER REASON TO RUN :: Not only am I running to raise awareness in honoring those impacted by the OKC Bombing, but I now bring a cause to you that I’m deeply inspired by. I am running for the “least of these”. There are children all over the world that will go without food tonight when we have plenty. Children that have to walk all day to get water for their family, and we have dozens of water sources in our homes at an arms reach. I run for these children. You may not be able to run a marathon or you may be too busy to travel overseas to help these in need, but you can make a huge difference in the lives of these children of the 3rd world by sponsoring one of them TODAY. For $32 a month you can help fund an entire community that your child lives in, and you will also have the opportunity to write your child and inspire hope and life into this child. This is real my friends. Here I’ve posted a photo of me and … the sweet little girl that my family and I have been sponsoring for over 5 years. Also posted is a picture of my brother’s sponsor child Nifadson and his two boys. They’ve been sponsoring Nifadson for over a year now.

Would you partner with me by sponsoring a child or making a donation through Food for the Hungry, as I run this half marathon. I’m doing this for the least of these …. would you please do the same and click here to JOIN TEAM BRYAN WHITE?

——————————-

Pretty cool huh? I’m so honored to get to run along side of my big brother, and with as much travel as I’ve had lately I haven’t been able to train as much as I’d like. Therefore I’m pretty sure Bryan’s going to be dragging me along. Who would have thought, huh? I LOVE IT! It’s going to be a great weekend that will go down in the books for sure.

SUPPORT HIS RUN [HERE] or SUPPORT THE OKC MEMORIAL [HERE] or just go follow him or twitter or facebook and cheer him on!

I just love that this children’s book, Put Me In The Zoo by Robert Lopshire, is the inspiration behind this blog post. Half way through reading this book tonight to my youngest son, it hit me at how much this book comes to play into so many people’s lives. This interesting and ginormous creature that looks a bit like a cross between a bear and a panther, has some pretty unique but quirky talents and wants more than anything to be showcased at the local Zoo. Because he is not like all of the other animals that everyone else is used to seeing at a zoo, he is kicked out. This creature is so confident and passionate about his talents, that he just keeps going on and on about how if the zoo folks could just see what he could do, they would accept him. So as he begins to so show his unique talents of turning various colors showcased in polka dots to two little kids that just sit back in awe and wonder. Watching and enjoying the show. Even though he has a captive audience, the creature of many colors continues to pout and complain about how if the zoo could only see what I could do, as the little kids interrupt by saying NO NO NO NO….the zoo is not the place for you, it’s THE CIRCUS.

Take a quick moment and ponder where either yourself or others you know might have experienced a similar situation in their lives where you felt that you needed to be in one place, but you were really created for another.

- we all have talents
- we all think we know where they are best needed or better yet wanted
- we fight and fight to be in a place to use our talents & just continue to be defeated and uninspired
- we fight adversities that want us out & they usually win
- we talk and talk and never read into what is being told to us from those around us (the children)
- we have no where else to go, we listen and low and behold WE FIND THAT WE’RE REALLY MADE FOR THE CIRCUS!

Are you fighting to find your place, your people, your home? Stay true and confident in who you are as a creative and colorful being. Also, ask and then listen to those that know you best and you just might find it!

DOES THIS RESONATE WITH YOU? IF SO, HOW AND HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR CIRCUS?

“One word can change everything. One word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live or what you want to achieve by the end of 2012. One word that you can focus on every day, all year long. It will take hard work, and will require intentionality and commitment. But if you let it, your word will shape you and your year. It will guide your decisions and help you grow.”

So my friend Alece (@GritandGlory), the creator of ONEWORD365, has me thinking. She has me thinking about one stinking word and it’s driving me CRAZY, in a good way! Choosing this has been a lot tougher than I could have ever imagined. However, I think I’ve landed on ONE WORD for 2012.

                                   CONTENTMENT

Now this is a word that I’ve struggled with for such a long time. However, I’ve often mistaken this word for “stagnant” or “dormant” and sometimes even “inactive”. As I researched this word recently, I’ve discovered that this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Being satisfied can bring a peace to your soul, and even to your day. Being content means to me that I’ve recognized that I am where I’m meant to be. Of course in the past I’ve always felt that being “content” meant that this could stifle your creativity, and water down your ambition. Well, there’s nothing wrong with looking ahead and planning for the future. Being ambitious and continuously dreaming and creating, but at the same time being satisfied in the prominent foundation of where you’re planted. Basically, making the main thing the main thing.

My ONE WORD 365 for 2012 is “CONTENTMENT”

WHAT’S YOUR ONEWORD365 FOR 2012?

This past week I posted a picture via instagram of a steak that has become quite famous in my household. Due to the face that I had such an overwhelming response, the weekend coming up, and that I promised a few friends that I would post the recipe of the steak rub that I make, here it is!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup – Pure Cane Sugar
1/2 cup – Kosher Salt
1/4 cup – Fine Ground Pepper
1/4 cup – Crush Red Pepper (judge depending on how much heat you like)
1/4 cup – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 Rib Eye Steaks

What to do:
Grab a mixing bowl and put all of your ingredients in and stir together as you add in the oil. This makes a paste or glaze that you’ll then add a thin layer to both sides of your steak. Then proceed to grill the steak however you like. Enjoy!

For those that know me and what I write about on my blog, know that I don’t talk about religion very often on here. Nor do I share my views too terribly often on this topic. I choose to live out my faith as best I can and share what I’ve learned from my life experiences and choices, good or bad.

However, my friend Emory Colvin is a part of the Elephant Room marketing team, and she asked if I would share with you an opportunity to hear some of most influential pastors of the church of our time throw down on some pretty tough topics, and it just so happens to be simulcast LIVE in Nashville at my home church of Crosspoint! Check out the video below and find out what this thing is all about and how you can grab a ticket to listen or engage at this event. I think this is a great event, cause all of us know that when it comes to religion, there’s always an “ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM”

Your Ringside Seat Awaits.
This coming January 25th, live from Chicago and simulcast to 70+ cities throughout North America, is the return of The Elephant Room. Featuring blunt, unscripted conversations between seven influential pastors, audience members will be treated to some of the most pressing issues facing Christianity today. Issues including: the non-negotiables of Christianity, the future of denominations, pastor w/ moral issues, the oversimplification/complication of doctrine, the racial division of churches, and more.

Moderated by James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel and Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church, the event is billed as “the conversations you never thought you’d hear.” Included in this years lineup:

Wayne Cordeiro
Mark Driscoll
Steven Furtick
Jack Graham
T.D. Jakes
Crawford Loritts
James MacDonald

Find out more at www.TheElephantRoom.com.

Cross Point Church
4301 Charlotte Ave.
Nashville, TN 37209
www.TheElephantRoom.com/Nashville

Promo Codes:

ER10DOJAN12 Receives $10 off the price ($89)

WHAT ARE YOUR INITIAL THOUGHTS ON THIS EVENT?