Sabbatical – sort of

August 7, 2010

Tomorrow morning we finish our study of The Mission. Right after that, Cheryl and I head to the airport. We are going on vacation – sort of. Actually we are going to celebrate our 4oth anniversary by going on an Alaskan cruise. We have never been on a cruise, but this is something she has always wanted to do. For me, this is going to be a

Streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch!

We set the theme for this year in a single word – grow. So, if everyone is going to grow, that means that as a leader I have to grow. In the last post I was remembering doing some growing at the Ultimate Leadership conference. That was some painful growth. Now, I’m going on a cruise – for me, more growth. What was I THINKING of when I set that theme?

Here’s why this is a stretch for me. I’ve never been on a cruise. Never wanted to go on a cruise. Always feared going on a cruise. To me a cruise sounds like a cage. I don’t like cages … or boxes … or being fenced in … or anything like that. We sit at the same table each night with the same people that we don’t know. Two nights are formal nights and I have to wear a jacket and tie. Can you see my dilemma?

A cruise?? I don’t even do vacations well! I’ve been here long enough that the church now gives me four weeks a year vacation. If I take 10 days that’s a lot. I can be a real jerk about these things. I have a hard time relaxing, a hard time shutting down, a hard time sleeping, stopping, or anything else that might not be full speed ahead. I told you I can be a real jerk. I’m not proud of this. I’m really embarrassed. This is just the way I am. I guess … I need to GROW!!! (Can’t believe we set that as our theme).

Cheryl, on the other hand, for putting up with a jerk for 40 years, dragging her across entire continental areas in a VW van, through civil wars and other assorted stuff, she deserves a medal and a cruise and then some. So, She is very excited to go on this cruise. I am excited, but fearful. Can I handle this? Can I really relax? Can I really enjoy being caged up on a boat ship with 2,000 strangers? See! I even have to learn all this nautical terminology. Good grief!

Dang! Pray for me. This is an introvert’s nightmare.

Now, this means that I will be taking sort of a sabbatical from this blog for the next 10 days or so. I’ll miss you and hope you will miss me – sort of. Maybe I will have Internet connection – I don’t know, never been on a cruise before. Maybe I’ll get so lonely I’ll do a post or two. Maybe I really will have a good time and not do a post. Maybe I’ll have a horrible time and do a post as therapy. If I do a post, I’ll let you know. Check back. Or, I’ll give a status update on Facebook , or a post, or a pass; or I’ll tweet to toot, or … whatever.

Wenda Zimmerman-Nelson

Dear Jeff: I love reading your blog. Congratulations on 40 years. Marriage is hard work, I don’t care what anyone says! I have been forced into retirement and I hate it. But, I want to tell you that I love cruising. You need to understand how it works. I have actually been on cruises where I did not speak to anyone but my husband Randy and some of the staff. I would be in a state of near exhaustion and I did nothing but stand on the deck and enjoy the air and the sea. I loved it. I become like a complete introverted hermit. My job was so high profile, speaking to hundreds of people a week at conferences that I did not want to open my mouth to speak to ANYONE.
I don’t know what Jesus would have done, although I think he did go away to rest.
I hope you relax and really enjoy your moments. It would usually take me about 3 days to “come down” to the relaxed state.
Anyway, I am writing you to help me with a project for Mother’s 90th birthday. It is Sept. 6th. She is not able to have a reception or anything but we are trying to put together a “Card Shower” for her. Is there some way you could help us get the word out? You know, Mother and Betty are the only charter members left! Isn’t that amazing?
Here is her address: Virginia Zimmerman c/o Augustine Landing, 10141 Old Saint Augustine Road, Apt. 325, Jacksonville, Florida 32257-6501.
Thanks in advance for anything you can do that you feel is appropriate. I love looking at the website and reading your blog. The blessings keep going and growing through you at te KCBT. It thrills my soul.
Wenda Sue Zimmerman-Nelson (1 of the 5 PK Brat-Packs)

http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

Hello Wenda Sue!How nice to know you enjoy the blog and web site. Thanks for letting me know about you mother’s birthday. I’ll do my best to get the word out to those who still remember her fondly.

By the way, I loved the cruise! I did pretty much like you said and understand your style completely. No one knew who I was or cared and I loved that! The scenery was incredible. We went with Princess and they did a super job. I think they own just about everything in Alaska now.

Bab

Going onto a ship is very biblical…great place to cast nets, great place to speak to the multitudes, great place to relax and sleep until someone gets worried about all of the wind then wakes you up, great place to get a start on walking on water, and a great place to show your wife that there is “no mountain high enough and no river wide enough to take you away from her.” Everyone needs to experience getting back to the Garden at least once a year. I am praying that the Lord will protect you so that you can enjoy each other and the beautiful surroundings that He created.Thank you both for being godly examples of a biblical love…for many years to come…
Craig Lunsford

CONGRATULATIONS on 40 years!! Enjoy the cruise.
Barak

Congrats on 40, hope you enjoyed the cruise, my wife and I just went on our first cruise this past Feb. The Port stops were the best, saw some Mayan ruins at Costa Maya, she is trying to get me to do an Alaskan cruise next time, always heard alot of neat things about them.
unixrab

i bet you loved it.
sue

Congrats on the 40th aniversary…. I haven’t seen a post on your blog since you left. This must mean you’re enjoying yourself or you don’t have access to the internet. Hopefully it’s the first of the two options.
pudin

go ahead jeff and step out of you comfort zone. this is a streeeeethc within a controlled and safe environment. so go ahead…experiment a little and see just how much furtheeeerrr you can streeeeetch. enjoy and live life, it is your portion says the “preacher”.
Rodger Brown

Honestly. Dr. Jeff, you’ll get your sea legs in 24-48-hrs or you won’t. I’m a six-year Navy vet, so take my word for it. Also, there is very little movement on such a large ship. I have sailed to Adak, AL twice & the scenery alone is well worth it! I close with a quote from Plato, who once said,”You can discover more about a person in an hour of play, than in a year of conversation.” Go & play, Dr. Jeff, and Happy 40th to you & Cheryl! (She does deserve a medal. Maybe a nice piece of jewelry–hint, hint)
http://laugh2keepfromcrying-weirdisnormal.blogspot.com Toya

Congrats relax enjoy. You know God is watching out for you, so let your hair down *tee hee*. You will be able to add this to the long list of things you’ve accomplished!
rich & tonya hunter

Beloved,

Congrats on the 40th anniversary! Of course we will “watch and pray” the bible way!

Of course you will have a grand time!

Spend each day like Daniel did, morning , noon and night do I pray and bless God!

Relax=

r eality living
e xcitement
l eisure
a ction
x enodochial (hospitable, kindly to strangers)

Love you both very much,
love your watchmen, rich & tonya
(II cor 1:24) Helpers of Joy Ministry
Lee

Be encouraged. I’ve never heard anything bad about an Alaskan cruise, only wow’s and amazing to I want to go again. Take a deep breath, enjoy the whales an Orcas as they breach, the blue glaciers as the ice tumbles into the sea. Enjoy the break from the Missouri heat and humidity. Most of all, enjoy the time with your bride of 40 years! Happy Anniversary!
Donna Kuck

Jeff – I really get where you are coming from. Rick is a workaholic like you. We have a number of friends who have gone on cruises together (in a class situation – in the setting of 2000 fellow passengers who are NOT in the class). You could make a game out of this. Make a goal of meeting 10 NEW people each day. Write their names down. Get them to tell you what they are up to in life, what is important to them. I think by the end of the cruise you will have not only made an impact on dozens of people (cause I know you, Cousin!), but you will have greater insight into the work that you do. Love you both – and wish Rick and I were hanging out with you and Cheryl!

http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

Thanks, Donna! I need that encouragement.

Rebekah

Dad, you rock! It’ll all be good. However, maybe this explains my reluctance to cruise as well. In fact, tonight at dinner the family all voted to do a cruise for our next big family vacation and I hesitantly agreed. We’re too much alike. heh.

http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

I´ll let you know if I survive.

http://roses-rose.blogspot.com Rose Burke

Hang in there, remember, you are doing this for your wife, what she wants for your anniversary. It’ll be OK! Have a good time.
June

Have fun whatever you do. You deserve it. Happy Anniversary!!
Heidi Hiebert

Congrats on celebrating your 40th!!! Awesome!! Aaron & I celebrated our 10th anniversary by taking a Alaskan cruise a couple of years ago. We were in the same boat (no pun intended) as we’d never been on a cruise either & were both a bit apprehensive as well. Met some awesome friends from our evening dinner table that we still keep in touch with. Heck, they even came to visit us last year! Alaska is truly so beautiful & mystic…one can’t help but be awestruck of our almighty creator’s handiwork. Oh, yeah…try to relax & enjoy yourself! (:

Jeff Adams

Sabbatical – sort of