Adventure

Taiwan Toastmasters Podcast

In August of 2022 I attended the Toastmasters International Convention in Nashville, TN. While there I met a fascinating lady from Taiwan. Her English name is Ines Wen.

Ines has been very involved with Toastmasters activities in Taiwan for some time! She is part of a team that produces a podcast for Toastmasters called Lets Toast.

She interviewed me for their podcast while we were at the convention. Below is that podcast interview.

District 67 podcast – Let’s Toast

Ines and John

Blackberry Wisdom on Friends

I started a Live Series sharing content from my book Blackberry Wisdom. Each series will include 3 sessions. The first was on friends.

I wanted to share a few thoughts on friends. One aspect I always find interesting and a good conversation starter is on the five types of friends I believe we need in our life.

Adventurer

Artist

Encourager

Fun

Honest

I believe we become the sum of our 5 closest friends, so having a well rounded group of friends makes your life more robust.

Watch each of the sessions here:

Session 1 – Friends: 5 types of friends

Session 2 – Being the friend you want to have

Session 3 – choosing and becoming the best spouse

Blackberry Wisdom eBook Promotion

For those who haven’t had a chance to get my book Blackberry Wisdom – here is an incentive for you. For the next 2 weeks the kindle version will be $0.99!

I am trying to share the message of the book and request ratings on Amazon. If you already have a copy of my book could I ask you to leave a rating at Amazon?

To rate:

  1. Go to the product detail page Blackberry Wisdom. If you’ve placed an order for the item, you can also go to Your Orders.
  2. Click Write a customer review in the Customer Reviews section.
  3. Select a Star Rating. …
  4. (Optional) Add text, photos, or videos and click Submit.

To order my book you can search for Blackberry Wisdom on Amazon or follow this LINK!

Let me also say THANK YOU to those who have bought my book and provided a rating on Amazon! I am truly thankful and appreciate you!

Ready a Luffa Gourd

I love growing different things in my backyard that are both tasty and useful.  Today I am focusing on a useful plant – the luffa gourd.

This summer my luffa plant was so green and had the biggest yellow flowers.  Then they developed into big gourds.
Luffa gourd plant

The gourds have been drying for a couple months, and are now ready to peel and ready for use.  Watch my video for suggested steps in readying a luffa scrub!

Paths

While looking at Proverbs 3:5-6 I was struck by one word – Paths.

Different translations will describe v6 as make paths straight / guide you on the right paths / make straight your paths / direct your paths.  But they all use a plural form of path – paths.  Meaning we take many paths in our lives, and we should think about and listen to God – and he will provide correct paths for us to take.

Christmas – the Shepherds

Did you ever stop to think why shepherds were the people God picked to announce the birth of Jesus?  The humble shepherds were the very ones God used to confirm the Deity of Jesus to Joseph and Mary.

That fact, among others, made the birth of Jesus:

Awesome

Designed

Humble

Special thanks to Bill Benziger for letting me get around his sheep.  I certainly did not get approval from the sheep as you will see.

DTM Achieved!

On Monday, 11 Oct 21 I gave the last required speech to earn my DTM or Distinguished Toastmaster award!  I have now completed 2 Toastmasters pathways and what a journey it has been!

Less than 1% of all Toastmasters ever earn the DTM. Why?  Well because it is hard, it takes time and dedication, and it takes help from others along the way.

I shared in my speech the accomplishments I had in and outside Toastmasters, as well as the lessons I have learned.  I will share a few of the highlights below but the full speech is available in the YouTube video.

  • Leadership Development – 2019
  • Presentation Mastery – 2021
  • Pellissippi Toastmasters Club President 2019-20
  • Pellissippi Toastmasters Club President 2021-22
  • Area 23 director 2020-21
  • Youth Leadership Program for the Emerald Youth Foundation 2021
  • Club Mentor for G3 2021 

Toastmasters has a proven system for developing communication and leadership skills.

Pathways is the Toastmasters education system for developing communication skills, while club and district roles develop leadership skills.

DTM is the AWARD, but experiences along the journey is the REWARD !