happy mothers day.
I love ya, ma!
( i just discovered my mom reads this site )
Author: Erik
a humbling moment Every quarter in the internship, they hand out about 25 “Carpe Diem” awards to interns who are recognized for excellence and performance in the internship. Carpe Diem is latin (i think) for ‘Sieze the Day’. The awards normally happen on Tuesday every quarter right after chapel is over and then they call every winner up to receive their award. However, on this particular Tuesday, they called my name. They went over my achievements, etc… After every department went through and named their award winners, the CFO of the ministry got up and started to announce some awards in his department. Then they announced a ‘special award’ winner (of course not giving the name). They mentioned that they havent given this award in a couple years and that they were resurrecting it back into existance to be given every year. This award is known as the “Raging Bear” award. He went over what this special recognition was all about and then started to list of the characteristics of the individual. Once he started to go over my accomplishments, I didn’t know what to say. They called me up and shook my hand and kept going about how valued I am, etc… Here are some pictures of the awards: Carpe Diem Award: Raging Bear Award: And here is the text that they sent out to the entire ministry (via email):
RagingBear
Definition: An Intern who consistently exceeds expectations in all aspects of their ministry placement, including yielding results that are truly exceptional.
Congratulations to Erik Herrera for receiving the Raging Bear award!
Erik Herrera has redefined the role of an intern in the Honor Academy Mobilization department, and has made incredible progress in bringing customer focused excellence into the marketing area.
Some of his works include: the creation of “First Impressions”, a brand new sub-department of HA Marketing, who’s sole aim is improving quality of all customer service initiatives, the complete re-definition, design, and layout of the new Intern Handbook, the design of the new HA campus map through lengthy interface with outsourced vendors, customer interface for HA marketing with Teen Mania Canada, primary lead on quality improvement from the customer’s perspective for HA campus visit weekends, and a refining of almost every official form used by the Honor Academy today.
Erik Herrera goes beyond the ordinary in every project he puts his mind to and has become a very trusted partner of the Honor Academy marketing director. A highly valued resource for Teen Mania.
Father, help me to be intrusted with this and to make it evident of the true source of the credit: yourself. Father, I realize that without you, I am nothing. The true reward is not a Carpe Diem or a “raging bear” but the fact the reward of finishing the work you have called me to and receiving the prize when I walk into heaven. I pray with everything I am, that my work will not just be pleasing, but will be more than you would have expected, and that I can continue to tackle myself and die to it in the process.. I love You Father. Every time someone sends me a note of encouragement, let that be reminded that it is You in me, not myself.
what a beautiful day.
Father, thank you for today… for the love you have shown me and for the man you are continuing to make me. I am nothing without you… help me to be more of your vessel every day.
Today has been very relaxing. Very enjoyable. No wonder the Lord put a seventh day in the line-up. I don’t know what the total has come to, but I think I put a total of 80 hours of work in last week in order to compensate for a significant buisness decision I recently made to significantly cut on expenses. With the current fraud case that occured in July of last year, I have had to fork a total of $1500 in fees to the bank with little compensation and mercy. Oh, how the Lord made His face known during this time. With that much out, I’ve been in debt at the Honor Academy at precisely $1500 and at the risk of being sent home on a fundraising trip. Glory to the Lord, and with significant hours of work this entire month, I’ve been able to find a way to cut monthly expenses by 14% and make things run even smoother.
The Lord has really hit me hard with having to scope what a life with Him is like despite financial pressure. Now, it doesnt matter what my financial statement looks like, despite it not being my fault, my freedom rests in Him.
Glory. It’s abosultley amazing, really. How even though this month has been a very challenging one, that I have seen more growth and revelation than any month previous. I was telling my sister over the phone this morning that it’s one thing to have change happen in your life, but when it happens so quickly that you notice it yourself, it becomes amazing and beautiful. It no longer has anything to do with buisness or the internship or anything else for that matter. All of that just becomes a blur and irrelevant… but my relationship with the Lord… wow, i can’t even begin to go off on that.
Speaking of my sister, Idania… she has really been on my heart lately. Nothing really grabbed me as the day she phoned me in tears by the post office and just poured a portion of her heart to me. I have made it a point to not be biased in her decision to come to the Honor Academy and even have encouraged friends close to her to be the same way… I don’t want her to feel that just because Erik came, that she must follow in my footsteps. By all means, no! …But when she phoned me, it was as if the Lord just whispered to me “encourage her.” It was at that moment that everything else didn’t matter and that for that window of time, that small moment, her and I just shared hands in eternity and ministered to each other as Christ would have ministered to us. I’ll be honest, it struck me hard of the lack of encouragement she was receiving from those closest to her in the family, but I knew the Lord had put me at the desk at just the right moment to get that phone call.
Thank you, Father, for doing just what we think is impossible.
Today was a day of rest. I am so thankful. I was able to reflect on the past week (by the way, all the work is done) and just truly rest. I finished a book last night, A Tale of Three Kings and finishing another probably by the end of tonight. I napped for a few hours, spoke with some friends, had a friend play with my car (parked and in the OFF position), but it was so nice of a day. I dont think the Lord could have planned a better day of rest. I look forward to the coming week and whatever (good or bad) that may be in store for me this week. Because, as I’ve said time and time before, it doesn’t matter what I go through, nothing happens in my life unless it’s been pre-filtered through Him and I’m excited to see what happens next.
I heard of a bumper sticker say the following:
National Atheist’s Day
April 1st
Today was a plesant one. I worked, and toward the end of the day realized that I had the day off (go figure). In any case, after work I napped, had a bite to eat and went to Wal-Mart with some friends. Afterwards, here I am at the computer installing something that I had to purchase and buying time by figuring out this Xanga site. Not too bad, although I think it’s an excellent way for individuals to post and share about their days. I don’t personally like writing here, but think it’s facinating to read other’s posts and catch up on their day.
It was kind of humorous because the only two people with Xanga sites that I know of and just read some of their posts, just phoned me just moments ago and played an April Fools Joke on me. Definatley worth the call, because my sister is always a beautiful light of joy and to hear from Ashley (our friend) at the same time, was also quite plesant. In any case, I just thought I’d make a post and say hello. If I keep this going, great, but I did post some links on the left of places that I can often be found.
To whomever reads this… may the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ just flow over you and shine this very moment. Always sieze the day whenever opportunity arises. Time is so short to do otherwise.