Leadership is influence…

Posted in General with tags , , , on November 24, 2009 by tamodom

Influence

“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be.”
~ Rosalynn Carter

“Into the hands of every individual is given a marvelous power for good or evil—the silent, unconscious, unseen influence of his life.”
~ William George Jordan

“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.”
~ Ken Blanchard

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

These are where I want to STRIVE to be as a “leader.”

 

Time is flying…

Posted in General with tags , , , , , , , on November 23, 2009 by tamodom

So these past couple of weeks have been intense with many activities going on around the campus. I have taken so many pictures just in the last two weeks that I am sure my fingers wish my heart didn’t love doing it! haha! I am going to try to photo-document some highlights.

Volleyball wins three big games in the Buc Dome, had a tough Senior Weekend and went to semi-finals in the BSC Championship!

Women’s Basketball kicks off in the BUC dome…

Football comes to an end…

Spending some time with friends who I won’t be hanging out with much in the next 6 months or so…

Miss CSU 2010, Amy Stender…was fun!

Picture story…

Posted in General with tags , , , , on November 17, 2009 by tamodom

I am copying this from my friend Melissa, but I am modifying it a little bit by choosing from my tagged photos folder.

Here are the rules:

open your first photo folder

scroll down to the 10th picture (if there isn’t a 10th picture, go to the next photo folder)

post that photo & the story behind it on your blog

This photo has a story…

This photo was taken at the FallFest event at CSU in October 2009. In the photo is Tricia Rodl, Amanda Hill, Nichole Diller, Cori Holeman and myself. These girls have become my heart this year as I have been the chaplain. I don’t usually get in the pictures with them nor do I have pictures of them off of the court. The pink ribbon was added by a facebook application in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I love all of the girl and hope they know that.

 

Mentor Meetings…

Posted in General on November 15, 2009 by tamodom

So….

It has been a while since I have talked much about meeting with my mentor. I have to admit that I was in desperate need of meeting with Lynette these past couple of weeks, but I am not so sure I was ready to receive what I’ve been getting from those meetings. haha!

As this time of year typically wears and tears on you physically and emotionally, it has been a battle to stay rooted in God’s promises and His Word. Unlike most valley moments like this one I have been CLINGING to God’s truth and trying to comprehend his LOVE. There have been several things that have been bringing me to a place of frustration…almost to the point that I lose focus on WHAT and WHY I am at CSU. So I began to jot down questions, frustrations and obstacles that had been burdening my heart.

Before I got the chance to meet with Lynette though I went up to the SC Baptist Convention in Columbia to work the CSU Booth. The best part about that trip was that I got to spend about an hour with another mentor of mine, Mrs. Becky, from Anderson University. About a year ago is when she challenged me to write out a job description for Women’s Ministry and Creative Arts which I did and now am currently doing. As soon as I walked up to her she asked how I was doing and I just took a deep breathe and sighed. She immediately invited me to sit down and talk about it with her. The two things that encouraged me the most (of course a lot of things encouraged me…) were her telling me to continue to fix my eyes on Christ…focus on Jesus!, and to make a list of things that I’ve seen God working in and dwell on those.

Then I returned and had a meeting with Lynette. She gently beat me up though. As much as I want to be more like Christ and become the woman of God he has called me to be…I don’t like this part! haha! Its a good thing, but tough all the while. :)

So, here I am working on that list of things that I’ve witnessed God using me to do…the list is coming soon!

Boots On…

Posted in General on November 14, 2009 by tamodom

Check out this little boy in this video.

Senior Gifts…

Posted in General with tags , , , , on November 8, 2009 by tamodom

I have been working on some senior gifts for the Volleyball team. They have Senior Weekend this coming week where they will take on High Point and Liberty. As we battle it out for a good seed in the BSC Tournament. We have to acknowledge two women of God who have been huge assets to the CSU Volleyball Team. As I have been learning and growing together with this team I have gotten attached to all of them.

If I had to say something about each one of the seniors I would say:

Nichole Diller – Talk about someone who has more compassion and tenderness in their heart for people! There is just something contagious in her smile. She might be super tall (compared to me!) but her heart is much wider than that! She loves God and has matured over the years in her faith. Its like the Bible says… to have faith the size of a mustard seed is all it takes to MOVE MOUNTAINS! Not only is she a light on the team, but she is a whiz in the classroom. I know she will go far in life from her knowledge, compassion, and faith!  Nichole – Trust in the Lord ALWAYS and lean not on your own understanding but acknowledge Him! (Prov. 3:5-6)

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Sam Sasan – The first thought that comes to my mind is quiet and meek. Yet this year I have heard more out of Sammie’s mouth than ever! I am thankful that she has been someone that has been consistent, faithful and silent leader. Her actions on the court have lead to her trust off of the court. I believe that she will be an invisible asset throughout her life, but I pray that she does not become discouraged by not always getting the spotlight acknowledgement. I know she is going to be a great wife and mother. I pray that she will always seek wise counsel and will serve the Lord, our God, with all her heart, soul, mind and strength.

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I am so proud of you ladies! :)

Too soon?

Posted in General with tags , , , , , on November 4, 2009 by tamodom

Today was PT’s birthday so I cooked her (as requested) a homemade pumpkin pie. I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin, but it was pretty darn good if I must say so myself. ;-)

Following the dinner party we decided we needed something to do. A couple of ideas were tossed around and we finally came up with decorating our Christmas tree. For some this is a completely foreign and unlawful act, but if you could have only heard the Christmas Spirit!!!

See documentation below:

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New Bff?

Posted in General on October 30, 2009 by tamodom

I know she probably thinks I am some psycho, but I really enjoyed learning and being encouraged by Tara Leigh yesterday at lunch and Elevate. Her words, smiles and thoughts completely engaged that exciting world of the unknown! I know at lunch I took some of the girls with me and they agreed that the time spent together was so edifying! I hope that she will return to CSU soon. I know I will be fighting to bring her back in any way possible.

I want to be like her when I grow up! :-)

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Hero Day

Posted in General on October 29, 2009 by tamodom

I take this time to share someone who is my real life hero! Leslie has been the very essence of a warrior as she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer

She has been using her circumstances that she has been becoming content with to speak the LOVE, JOY and HOPE to so many. She has been writing a blog (http://warriorswearpink.blogspot.com) I promise that her words will touch your heart in ways you didn’t think a woman with Breast Cancer would. Even in the rawness and struggle for a good day, she shares her faith in a light ROAR! I have no doubt that she is going to impact thousands of people as she steps up to the plate to speak about awareness of cancer AND the eternal hope that can be embraced through going in to the battle as a painted-up PINK WARRIOR!

Even in the midst of the evil disease that causes her physical body to fail, her temple where the Holy Spirit dwells will never fail her! This is why she is my HERO!

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Seeing things in Hindsight

Posted in General with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 28, 2009 by tamodom

It has been a long while since I have really sat down and written a blog. Tonight I am taking the time to spit out some of the things that have been going on in the past couple of weeks for you guys, and after this I plan on writing a letter to my little Compassion child, Jhonatan!

THE HEART OF THE MATTER…

Lately, I have been extremely busy with so much happening at work that I have some what pushed everything else to the side. Nope, that is not right nor is it fair to my family or friends who have to suffer from my lack of concern. (If you are one of those people, please forgive me!) I just have to let all of the girls out there that I love you and I really do want to know you and serve you and love you! Some times in this journey of learning more about ministry I feel like I am missing the BIG PICTURE! The big picture is that God is good, just, compassionate, and unconditional!  I have been reading more in the Bible, Forgotten God (F. Chan) and 50 Reasons Jesus Came to Die (J.Piper). They have been knocking me down and punching me in the face with the fact that I don’t know nearly enough about the goodness of the Lord or HIS Word. I have been missing the big picture. Tonight, I was talking to my mentor about how I have been staying overwhelmed and feeling completely ineffective. As always, she knows just the right things to say in such a GOD timing way, if that makes sense. During those weak moments I am most vulnerable to the devil creeping in and taking captive my thoughts and actions. Luckily, God has been merciful towards me and used my self-righteous and lazy efforts to reach out further than I could ever imagine. Definitely a humbling experience, but I am thankful for it! (Maybe not now in this moment, but I know I am going to be!) I’ve been missing the big picture. Are you?

HOMECOMING…

Last week at CSU we had all of the Homecoming festivities. I had a blast hanging out with students and supporting the different clubs and groups. Some of the highlights…

  • Lauren beat out everyone in the Hot Wings Eating Contest in the CAF with 35 wings in a six minute time span!
  • FallFest turned out to be a great evening of fellowship and music. The Elevate band did an excellent job leading. The Pep Rally went over very well and the bonfire was OUTSTANDING (thanks to REZ LIFE)!
  • Friday night after the Movie Night there was a RAVE in Quad 3. At first, I was thinking this was going to be a bust but then when I showed up and had a little bit of encouragement I jumped right in the middle. Eventually, I made my way in with some water bottles to cool everyone off. :)
  • Saturday was so encouraging because I had people telling me that they felt like they went to a real school with all of the people, excitement, and activities. Bucky made his appearance! Katie Tull (WBB) won Homecoming Queen.

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DIG FOR THE CURE:

Tuesday night the Women’s Volleyball team head a fundraiser and night dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. Just stating the facts… The Lady Bucs WHOOPED up on Coastal! The crowd was AMAZING! There was PINK everywhere! A.Hill got back on her A game and Nichole and Sam’s seniority shined during that match! (More pics can be seen on Facebook.)

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TIM ELMORE:

Today we had some awesome time with Tim Elmore, CEO of Growing Leaders, come speak at our Convocation. He talked about how at some point in your life you have to make a conscience decision to move from the passenger seat to the driver seat. He used an example from 2 Samuel 11 when David slept with Bathsheba. He went from being a driver in the first part of his life to being a passenger. Tim shared 4 ways you know you’re slipping from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat: (1) drift from the discipline we demand of others, (2) Believing others owe us whatever use we can make of them, (3)Attempting fix things up rather than make things right, and (4) Refusing to accept that we could be blindly out of God’s will.

The other thing that really stood out to me was he shared one of the Habitudes with the Student Leaders called Big Rocks First. This principle is that you put in the big rocks in your life first then fill in around those. The big rocks are the things in your life that are HIGH priority. He said, “the issue is not scheduling priorities but rather prioritizing your schedule.”

Then he challenged us to take a self-examination of why we felt like people followed us. Here is a list that I would challenge you to use as a tool to self-examine yourself too!  He said figure out how YOU do it and do it THAT way!

  1. insight and knowledge
  2. relationships
  3. sacrifice
  4. character
  5. abilities
  6. passion
  7. humility

TLC:

I have been so excited about Tara Leigh Cobble ever since I discovered her through Twitter a year ago. I have been following her and even told Clark a while back that I wish I just thought like her half the time! We ended up booking her to come to CSU and I got her book, Here’s to Hindsight. Mind you, I read this book in one day while sitting in the airport. I could not put it down because I was amazed that she was dealing with the same heart issues that I was and am struggling with! Anywho – She came to CSU today and I became an even greater fan! I will def. post some pics from lunch tomorrow and Elevate! :)  Follow her on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/taraleighcobble)