Character

Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece -- by thought, choice, courage, and determination.
- H. Jackson Brown

There is a character assessment that each PEP brother has to go through in order to graduate from the program. When I listened to C. Rohr talk about it, I wondered how many of us would be willing to go through the "torture" and how many of us would pass.

So what does this assessment look like? Well, first they study character traits - what makes good/bad character. Then they are given the opportunity to evaluate each other and they use three words describing each others character. After that is completed and all the feedback is compiled, each individual is approached with the results and ways they can improve.

The same assessment is applied throughout the "semester" and the final one, from what I understand, is the most brutal. Everyone sits in a circle and listens to everyone elses feedback. So if you have great feedback then no sweat. But, can you imagine if your peers say that you are a jerk, a liar, a manipulator, selfish...and until you can address these problems and be willing to change this then you cannot continue??!!

I wonder what would happen if we applied this in our work place, in our church, in our families...DANG GINA!! This is accountability at it's finest - in my opinion. Personally, I think we let a lot of things slide and as a result we are a hurting society.

I wonder, would I pass? I know that my behavior with my younger brother, on the VERY day that I heard the details of these assessments, was embarrassing. I would never EVER let you see that ugly side of me.

It was definitely a heart check for me.

Remember to have a teachable spirit. You're never finished learning...growing...refining your character.

...encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
-Hebrews 3:13

Watch this!!

So, I think that you should take a break from your regularly scheduled tv program tonight and watch this instead.



So, What did you think? Time well spent, eh? Click here to get involved!

Excitement Abounds!!

At church tonight, one of the guys that I met at P.E.P. who is now in the free world was baptized tonight. So I love baptisms, BUT this one in particular I just wanted to jump up and down and WHOOP WHOOP all over the place.

I've recently been thinking about God's love for us. Particularly, 1 John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

And how His love for us changes us. We are LIGHT. Our entire appearance changes. It's definitely true for this guy! It makes me want to sing at the TOP of my lungs!

I LOVE P.E.P. But more than that I love God. He is faithful to finish the work He begins in us.

On another note, the Anderson cousins (my cousins) have been singing with a local rapper - COLCUTZ. I want for you guys to listen to this song...it's good. Sung by my oh so VERY talented cousin Hannah.

Prison Entrepreneurship Program

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert

and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18

I went to P.E.P. on Friday. Every time I go I get another dose of hope. Hope is addicting. (not that I don't have IT...it's just REALLY tangible there.) You should really consider going - it'll change your perspective on prisoners, not to mention your LIFE. And if you say you're a follower of Jesus and that you love your neighbor as yourself - I challenge you to do something that goes against your grain and GO TO PRISON!

These men are thirsty for life change and P.E.P. is there to support them. It is no piece of cake - if they make it into the program it doesn't mean they get to stay. They go through rigorous interviews and character assesments. When they make it in, if they show laziness, pride, flirtiness, a short temper - they are OUT! And they have to do 50 push ups for every cuss word that comes out of their mouth. And this new class has only been there a week and they've already had about 4 exams. Let's see you try it, eh?

Go here and sign up!

Tell them you heard about it from Mimi, a.k.a. TROUBLE.

Watch this video too, Okay? Perfect!

March Madness

Are we already in the third month of the year? Seriously?! WOW!

Well, I ended the month of February with a bang:

I'm so proud that I had the courage to let go! I have trouble letting go...

And then, we had 80's prom, which was an absolute BLAST!
See more pictures here!

So – at the start of every month, I look at my goals to see where I am. Boy, I am behind!!!

• I’m doing alright with reading. One book a month. Not bad. I'll save the list for the end of the year.
• My projects are at a stand still...oops. I should probably get on it. Starting tonight, or something. I'm inspired by her...
• I AM TICKET FREE. Let’s hope it stays this way.
• Weight – up and down. What’s new? Running, although I’m still hating it, makes me feel good in the end.

Things that didn’t make the original list that I’m happy about is:

• I’m journaling more.
• I’m definitely spending more time with people which has been GREAT…I just need to get some balance I think. I'm an introvert in the sense that I get energy from being alone...so balance is needed.
• I'm memorizing scripture!

This month is exciting because:

1. I get to see Peanut Preston Paget for the VERY FIRST TIME!
2. I get to go to the Prison Entrepreneurship Program Class XI Kickoff with my friend Jeannie!
3. I’m going to meet my BFF Jennifer in Dallas!
4. And my friend Jessica has her housewarming party which will be exciting to celebrate!
5. BRACKETS – need I say more? Thanks Beyer for introducing me to basketball fun!

Put a Little P.E.P. in your Step!

http://www.pep.org/

There a quotation from a Russian Poet, Boris Pasternak, that I read earlier this week and got me on a roll to finally writing this post.

“It is not revolutions and upheavals that clear the road to new and better days,
but someone’s soul inspired and ablaze.”

I would never have imagined that I would in a million years that I'd go through a “tunnel of love” and do the chicken dance with a room full of prisoners. I would have never in a million years believed that these tough guys would be willing to be a little vulnerable…but have no doubt that it is TRUE!

First, let me begin with a little background info:
Catherine Rohr was about my age when she was rollin’ in the dough on a street called WALL aka Wall Street. Well, she always thought of prisoners as beasts of the human population that deserved to be there and shouldn’t get back into society. UNTIL, she came to this Texas prison and realized that there is an untapped potential with these guys. These men are already entrepreneurs and amazing leaders. She saw what no one else saw and ran with it – These men need for someone to believe in them…that they are intelligent, gentlemen, and capable of making a positive impact in their communities. So…one small step of obedience after another…She left Wall Street, cleared out her bank account and 401K with penalties, moved to Texas, and started what is now (and has been for about 4 years) the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Talk about an inspired soul!! Want to read more about her? Go here.

So why did I go?
Well, for one, I’ve always wanted to get involved with Prisons (not as a prisoner)…but I was always too young. And then I was too busy. And then I heard about P.E.P. and I thought it’s now or never! (I use that phrase a lot…not in this post…but in my life. The light bulb just went off.)

And two – there’s a LADIES’ NIGHT at the prison! Ha! I think they’ve renamed it to Etiquette night.

Now the STORY:
After going through the normal security check at the entrance of the prison, I walked with 5 other women (eventually 37 of us there) to the P.E.P room (which is inviting and not what you would expect in prison). Little did we know that the P.E.P students were anxiously waiting for us with a human tunnel for us to walk through…YES…a human tunnel called the TUNNEL OF LOVE! We chit chatted a bit…they introduced themselves in a way that it’s only fair you go and see…and then we got to business. We did the chicken dance. Yes. The chicken dance.

The purpose of the visit was to help these guys with their etiquette. So we made our way to a cafeteria type room where we had dinner. They had to work on helping the ladies’ with their seats, shaking hands in a courteous manner, setting their place correctly, using the right hands for cutting into the meat, cutting enough for one bite, explain what they’d do if they had to leave their seat….you get the picture. They got points for whatever they got right. Some of these guys were visibly nervous. Not so much by the dinner, but by the company. The guy who got the most points got a prize….so cute. They really were trying to WIN this...Title of: Mr. Etiquette, a folder and a pencil with a grip for his P.E.P. homework. It was A LOT OF FUN! I learned a lot more than I already knew.

You know…they are the most dedicated individuals I’ve seen in a long time – okay, okay – I’m not saying you’re not…but imagine these guys. They are basically taking an MBA course in a 4 month period! Can you imagine!? If they show any kind of disrespect, too good for his own britches-ness (aka: pride), and kind of squirmyness or laziness they are out of there! Not everyone who gets in stays…

Class X - Tiny Tender Ten Graduate tomorrow. I've convinced a friend to come with me...I think I'll have to call more people when I'm on the high of just coming out of Prison! It's truly amazing...it causes a ripple effect!