23-year-old Laura Kaeppeler – Miss Wisconsin – was crowned the 2012 Miss America. As a daughter of a convicted felon Laura had many challenges in her personal life.

When she was eighteen years old and graduating from high school her father started an 18-month jail sentence in federal prison for mail fraud.

Don’t Put Limits On Your Dreams

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.” Robert Fritz

New Year Old Problems

She looked like a model.  She walked like a model; but the look at her eyes was different.

I felt sad when I looked in her eyes. They looked empty.  Dark and vacant, they “felt” empty.  Worse still she felt worthless; like the empty packaging of unwrapped presents.

She felt like trash.  She lived trashy.

Filled with beauty and potential.  When she was born her family had such high hopes. We wanted so much more for her than she was now facing.

What happened?  Where did she go wrong?

I almost never remember my dreams. Yesterday I wrote to my friend Anastasiya, “I wish I had pleasant dreams”. This morning, just before I woke up, I was dreaming of hanging out with musician Dave Matthews after a show.

While there are several reasons not to like Dave Matthews’ music, but I still love most of his songs.  I and Paul Thyren, a friend and fantastic co-worker of mine, love the Dave Matthews Band.   One of our favorites is “Two Step.”  Listening to the extended jam that often accompanies Two Step played live brings me peace in a surreal, mellow, “I’m just glad to be here” kind of way.

I didn’t start playing chess until I was in my thirties.  I’m not very good, but I do enjoy playing. 

Well, I enjoy playing people  have a chance to win against.  While I love my friends Eric Swendsrud and Jeff Prentiss I’m intimidated playing them in chess.

Jeff and Eric patiently play while I try to outwit them.  Masterfully they wait until just the right time to turn things in their favor; every time.

I’ve never beaten them.

Some people suggest that God seems to play an unbeatable divine chess game with us.

Growing up I loved to play games.  As good as I was playing hide and seek, I was not very good at playing the game Clue. 1

You remember Miss Scarlet?  I seemed to never guess the solution first. Did the clues point to Colonel Mustard? Mrs. Peacock? Or, Professor Plum?  Who committed the crime?  Where?  How?

It was all a mystery to me. 

Sometimes I’d guess the right person in the wrong place.  Or, I’d suspect the wrong person when I thought I had it all figured out.  Too often I’d rush to judgment hoping to solve the mystery.

Hide and seek was always one of my favorite games.  Small and skinny I fit in small places.  Somewhat reckless I hod where others wouldn’t. I was almost never found.

Sometimes it seems like God plays hide and seek with us.

Sometimes God seems so elusive.  God seems to come close, but then, so quickly, God seems farther away.  Farther away, and hard to find.

And, sometimes I feel so spiritually alive, but then, so quickly, it all seems to fade.

Have you ever experienced that?

Fortunately, we’re not alone.  Abraham, Moses and David come to mind immediately.  We’re not alone. 1

This week I’m examining the theme of freedom and the words of William Wallace from the movie Braveheart.

Scotland

I admire people who have courage to do what’s right. William Wallace believed that the people deserved leaders who served the interests of the people.  And he was brave enough to speak up.

Wallace challenged the Scottish nobility that they should pursue freedom for the common Scots, but they were more interested in their own safety, privilege and wealth, than the welfare of the people.

Have you ever thought that after doing something wrong — if you just keep it a secret — that no one would ever find out?

I’ve done it; many times.

My parents were in town a couple of weeks ago with my nephew and niece. While we were talking we started sharing scar stories. I was last to share. I have many scars. I was trying to decide which scar had the most memorable or entertaining story.

Amy, my wife, spoke up, “Scott tell about…” and a secret was out.

Six Words of wisdom for worriers:

Worry about nothing – pray about everything. 1

I’ve spent the week on the Wolf River rafting with TreeHouse.  It’s a fun river and a great time to connect with people especially during the lazy drifting times on the river.

The rapids and the waterfalls are wonderful opportunities for teamwork, developing communication skills, and decision making.

This picture of me in Sullivan Falls might look scary — and it’s a bit unnerving — was a time I had to think clearly so that I could reach the shore safely.

A couple years ago Lisa Stordahl finagled tickets for Christian Olsen, Dede Rogers and me to attend a great concert.  That night we heard some awesome music by Third Day, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and Switchfoot.

One of my favorite moments of the concert had nothing to do with the music.  While walking through the crowd Jon Foreman, the lead singer for Switchfoot walked up to Christian Olsen.  Jon reached out and shook Christian’s hand.  They embraced.  A handshake.  It made my night.