I know that positivity is one of my strengths—a superpower, even. And part of my positivity is that I tend towards superlatives: thinking that EVERYTHING IS JUST THE BEST, you know?
But I can say with certainty that over my spring break this year I had the best professional development opportunity I have ever experienced. It was exactly what I needed, and exceeded my expectations in every way.
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you probably have seen my posts about “Mondays with Mouw.” A group of ten colleagues from across the faculty at Dordt have been meeting together throughout this academic year to read and discuss books written by Dr. Richard Mow, President Emeritus of Fuller Theological Seminary. We met one Monday evening each month—hence, “Mondays with Mouw”—to grapple with ideas about Christian scholarship, living in a pluralistic culture, and how to embody what Dr. Mouw names convicted civility. It was a rich, reflective experience every time we met up.
But…
The best part of all: we applied for a grant to actually go and visit with Rich in California over our Spring Break. We got the grant. So we booked our travel. And OH, what a phenomenal experience!
Certainly meeting up with Rich was fantastic—the main point of the whole trip, after all. But being able to stay together with friends in a big house in the hills, enjoy great food, and play tourist around Pasadena, Downtown LA, and Malibu? Well it was just what I needed. We hiked, visited a bookstore (academics, amirite?), lingered in a cathedral, walked on the beach, and talked and talked and talked and talked. We laughed, cried, reflected, joked, imagined, dared, dreamed, and shared life together. Even the van rides in our 15-passenger van in the Los Angeles traffic were incredible times of community, discussing both things that really matter, and things that might seem trivial—developing relationships through it all.
I’m still thinking about all we did and learned, and I suspect all ten of us are probably still processing the trip in our own ways. (On that note, my friend and colleague, Justin Bailey, shared his take on our adventures in his most recent newsletter too, and if you found my story interesting, I would recommend you read his too!) I’m glad that our Mondays with Mouw group will get together for (at least) one more formal meeting to talk about our take-aways from our experience.
On our last evening there, we spent time sitting in a circle in the living room of our AirBnB, sharing our reflections. I told my friends that I realized just how much I needed this kind of trip, in a heart-soul-mind-strength kind of way; every part of me was refreshed, renewed, and reinvigorated by this experience. I hope and pray that you all have this kind of opportunity at some point in your career. It truly was the best professional development I’ve ever experienced.
Dave’s Faves
Here are three things I’m absolutely loving right now that I hope you might love too…
Dave’s Fave #1: Masters of the Air
My wife and I are always on the look out for shows that we will both enjoy, and we find historical dramas—particularly WWII stories—always seem to hit the mark. Our latest go-to show has been Apple’s Masters of the Air. Based on true events, this limited series tells the story of the 100th Bomber Group in the 8th Air Force during WWII, and the incredible things that happened to these daring pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and gunners as they took their B-17s into enemy territory. Full of action and drama—both in the air, and on the ground—we really enjoyed this one! It’s a war story, so let the viewer beware; I’d say this one is not for the kids. There were quite a few scenes where I found myself holding my breath out of sheer terror! If you ever watched Band of Brothers, this show has a similar feel, just set in bombers rather than the muddy infantry. I highly recommend it.
Dave’s Fave #2: Hello Fresh
Say what you will about meal kit companies, but we have been really enjoying Hello Fresh lately. Everything comes perfectly portioned, the recipes are easy enough to follow (and teach you some pretty great cooking skills too), and the results are absolutely delicious. It isn’t the cheapest food option, but getting a couple meals a week this way both increases the variety of delicious things we are having for supper, lets us feel a little fancy…and reduces the mental load of trying to decide what to make for supper.
Dave’s Fave #3: U2’s The Joshua Tree
One of my friends once said, “If you are a middle-aged white man who grew up in an Evangelical-adjacent Christian subculture, of course ‘Joshua Tree’ is your favorite album of all time.” (He was not wrong…for me at least?) I don’t think there is a bad song on this album, and it is always a go-to for me if I don’t know what else to listen to. So if you haven’t heard it in a while, and particularly if you’ve never given it a listen, I encourage you to try out The Joshua Tree today.
The Last Word!
Spring is a season of hope! A friend recently shared a lovely poem by Wendell Berry that is, I think, perfect reflection fodder as we see seasons change. I share it with you as what I hope is a good word of encouragement for you in the joys and challenges that come your way.
A Purification
by Wendell Berry
At the start of spring I open a trenchin the ground. I put into it
the winter’s accumulation of paper,
pages I do not want to read
again, useless words, fragments,
errors. And I put into it
the contents of the outhouse:
light of the sun, growth of the ground,
finished with one of their journeys.
To the sky, to the wind, then,
and to the faithful trees, I confess
my sins: that I have not been happy
enough, considering my good luck;
have listened to too much noise;
have been inattentive to wonders;
have lusted after praise.
And then upon the gathered refuse
of mind and body, I close the trench,
folding shut again the dark,
the deathless earth. Beneath that seal
the old escapes into the new.