Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Wed, Feb 20, 2013
Each year, The Rescue Mission holds quarterly graduation ceremonies to honor clients that have completed the requirements for the New Life Program. These ceremonies are a time of reflection and celebration, as each graduate shares their own story of overcoming challenges ranging from homelessness, to domestic abuse, drug addiction, or other difficult circumstances, and ultimately achieving a new life of stability, hope, and joy.
On December 10th, 2012, at our most recent graduation ceremony, eight men stood on the stage and told their stories of struggle, hope, and triumph over difficult circumstances. Each graduate shared a unique and moving story, including Casey, who shared his testimony of what brought him to the Mission, and how the New Life Program changed his life. Here is an excerpt from his story:
“I was released for prison March 14th, 2012 and. . . . entered the New Life Program. The first few weeks, though, I doubted if I could do it, or if this was what I wanted after all. By God’s grace, and His grace alone, I am able to stand here today. A son of God, a changed man. A god-fearing man, a praying man. A husband that loves his wife, a father that loves his children. A man that, thanks to God’s grace, has earned the respect and trust back of his family. A man that God has delivered from drugs, and now I’m 20 months clean and sober.”
Congratulations to Casey, and all the New Life Program graduates. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of the staff, volunteers, and donors who make the New Life Program possible.
To learn about upcoming graduation ceremonies, visit the Graduation page of our new website.
To read client stories, including Casey’s full testimony, visit the Client Stories Page.
View a video celebrating the December 10th, 2012 graduation ceremony, on our Youtube Channel.
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Wed, Nov 28, 2012
There are probably dozens of definitions for maturity, and what makes someone "fully developed" but I know for sure what it's not: perfection.
As long as you are living you will be needing to make course corrections, humans are easily distracted, discouraged, and turned around. Yet growth is possible and here are a few things I think make someone spiritually mature:
Ability to calm yourself, and cheer yourself: We all need the ability to know when we are down, why we are down, and what we might do about it. It sounds easy, but so many times it's hard to know why you are down. So it is with encouraging yourself. What are healthy ways to cheer yourself up? Exercise, laughter, work, are all good ways to do so.
Ability to get yourself back on track: Spiritually mature people get off track just as often as others, but they get themselves back on track regularly, daily, and sometimes moment by moment. When you grasp the depth of this idea, it will change your life and will help you stop kicking yourself all day long.
Ability to manage your day without supervision: Some people are grown, but without someone telling them how to make their day productive, they'd be all over the place. Why does this matter? Because productivity in a meaningful task gives your life purpose and direction. If you cannot schedule your life, independent from the opinion of others, then you're not mature yet-keep growing.
What are some other things that make someone spiritually mature? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
-David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Mon, Mar 05, 2012
It happens to everyone, you wake one day to realize your schedule, obligations, and to do list is full of things you have no business doing, you're not excited about, and aren't in alignment with your values. How does this happen?
It sometimes happens because we lack the social discpline to tell others "No". It truly is a social discipline. When approached by others and put on the spot, we often are afraid, timid, or to embarrassed to say no. What would they think? Will they perceive me as rejecting them?
Here's a few easy tips for getting control of your life and schedule:
1. Know your priorities. Some years ago some friends and I went to see author Steven Covey speak on the Seven Habits, which was a best seller at the time. After his speech we had a chance to talk with him and we invited him to dinner. I'll never forget his graceful response. He simply said, "I'd love to do that, but each night I have an appointment to call my wife and children at 9am and I wouldn't want to miss that. I hope you'll forgive me. Thank you so much for the invitation." Without exception, everyone in the group that night went away more impressed with Steven Covey. He knew his priorities, and with that as his guide, he more easily made decisions and could control his own schedule.
2. Connect with people. Sometimes saying "no" is easier when you don't turn people down cold, but offer a follow up opportunity to get together, but on more agreeable terms. Most of the time, a request to join a board, or take part in some event or committee isn't life or death, so people can accept a decline. But for those that don't like letting people down, following up a decline with an offer to have lunch or coffee, to connect on a personal level without a big time commitment, is a great alternative.
3. Be proactive. By being "proactive" doesn't mean running away when you see people walking across the lobby at Rotary to ask you to join a committee, it means deciding in your own mind how your life, time, and energy will be spent. Most people live without any internal structure to their life. They have obligations set externally: Getting to school, work, and church. But other than the start times of those events, they live without a plan. Get proactive about making sure your schedule is built around the values, people and causes that are important to you.
What are some of the ways you've found useful to taking control of your life and schedule? Let me know I'd love your feedback.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Tue, Dec 20, 2011
Is when you are blessing others
Is when you are communicating love
Is when you are sharing what little you have
Is when you never miss an opportunity to be grateful
Is when you are surrounded by loving people
Is when you are at peace with what you have
Is when you are filled with contentment
Is there more? add a few to this list...
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Wed, Dec 14, 2011
"As a painter, I will never amount to anything.
I am absolutely sure of it. "
Vincent Van Gogh
When you're down,
remember that often we don't have the best perspective
on the impact of our work,
life and friendship.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Fri, Dec 09, 2011
At some point this month, you may run out of money for gifts, but your Christmas list still has names on it. I know that feeling, and it doesn't feel good.
However, unless you are dealing with little children (or adults that act like one), giving a gift that you created yourself will be more meaningful than anything you could buy.
I credit my wife Kate with teaching me this. She has a creative spirit and loves to make gifts and create something really unique that her friends love. Whether it's a handmade card, a floral arrangement or a piece of art, there are many things you can do to show you care without breaking the bank.
Don't accept pressure to be the big spender when you can't afford it. Create something from things you have, with that someone special in mind, that will show you love and appreciate them. Often, it's just creating fun experiences together. Whatever it is, the most important thing is that your gift comes from the heart.
What are some creative, fun ways to give homemade gifts? If you have any ideas to share, please do.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Mon, Dec 05, 2011
Who you are is more than the just the words you say or write, it's also the attitudes, moods, and perspectives that are conveyed.
The other day I told a friend to send a silly text to his wife. When she received the text she responded, "Is David sending this? That sounds like David"
Was it just the words on the screen? No, it's that we all project who we are, what we believe, in what we say.
Whether on Facebook, Twitter, in a letter, speech or facial expression, we are sending people messages, but what messages are we sending?
For many, if you follow Facebook or twitter, the message seems to be, "I'm afraid", "I'm easily offended", "I'm a victim", "I like mocking people", "I love mocking politicians", and so on.
Is this new? Not in the least. But what is new is that we have the ability to create a personalized commentary on the world at large, a ticker of observations in real-time. For many people, that ticker is increasingly negative, pessimistic, snarky and depressing.
Be aware of the messages you send and communicate, and feel free to edit the negative messages people want to send you. I know I do.
What are you doing to send positive, reinforcing, life-giving messages to others?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Mon, Nov 21, 2011
You've got few precious days & hours before Thanksgiving. You could wait until Thursday to enjoy Thanksgiving, or you could start right now. Why wait?!?!
Here is a short list of things you could do before Thanksgiving to make this week great:
1. Plan a blessing for your Thursday dinner guests. Chances are that you will be sitting around the table with people you know well, but do they know what/why/how much you appreciate them? Why not write some small notes to each person you are expecting to see this week with a simple statement: I'm thankful for you because....
2. Make a list of things for which you are thankful . Every year you're stumped when it comes time to say something you are thankful for. Make a list today of things, big and small, that you should and do appreciate.
3. Do three nice things between Thursday and Monday. Is it possible that Thanksgiving weekend could be more than just a turkey coma? How about doing one thing each day for someone else. Could you visit a sick friend? Could you make a long-overdue phone call? Could you serve others? Could you invite a friend over for a meal? Could you meet an old friend for coffee?
4. Back to the future. Write some notes to people who have helped you along the way, someone you have lost track of over the years and would be blessed to hear from you.
5. Determine to bless, not be blessed, this year. Are you expecting that grumpy family member to make you feel good this year? Not going to happen. How about you making a plan to bless them? This may be tough, depending on how difficult they are, but it can be done pretty simply. Just find small ways to pay attention. If you ask questions, look directly at people, listen to their stories, and show an interest, you will be a blessing to that difficult person. Trust me, if they really are difficult, most people have turned them off, and your care will be noticed.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Tue, Nov 15, 2011
Life is so much more fun when you enjoy the people you are surrounded by. It brings laughter, learning, expands horizons, and off-sets strengths and weaknesses.
Yet so many people have the attitude that they must endure others, not enjoy them.
Here's a few simple ideas to help you enjoy others:
1. Stop trying to fix everyone. No pressure to feel the need to make everyone see things your way or do it the way you do it. Just Let it be.
2. Look for the humor. It's easy to find fault, how about trying to find the fun, the good, the eccentric in others and enjoy it?
3. Drop embarrassment. Often we don't enjoy different people because we feel embarrassed for them. That is just foolishness, everyone stands on their own and there's no need for you to try to carry someone else's emotions. Let them be a quirky as they want to be and deal with the fallout.
4. Learn. You can learn from just about anyone, even if it's from their mistakes and quirks. Just be a student and try to learn all you can so that you can be a more loving, caring, interesting version of yourself.
All you can control is you, so just enjoy the ride.
What are the barriers to enjoying others? What keep us in judgement mode instead of accepting?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Mon, Nov 14, 2011
Today my family is honoring the life of my grandmother, Frances Glassy, who died last week at 98 1/2 years of age after a great, long life. Going through the process of grieving, (even though we are so grateful for her peaceful passing and her reuniting in heaven), has reminded me of the importance of journaling and writing as a part of the healing process.
For many years I've respected people who were able, in times of national crisis and personal difficultly to write a great eulogy, or give a comforting speech. There have been some great eulogies, here is a link to a few. With that in mind I wrote a eulogy for my grandmother which I am reading today at the funeral. But it's not the giving of the speech that brings the healing, it's the journaling of the feelings that begins the process. It was a cathartic experience.
What difficulty are you going through? Often it's hard to identity, let alone deal with your emotions. I encourage you to journal, write them out and try to make sense of it all that way. I've found it very helpful.
David Curry
Bonus:
For those that are interested. Here is the eulogy I wrote for my grandmother. i took several hours, and it's quite personal, but it gives you an idea of how someone might journal their emotions and thoughts to help them cope with difficulty.
Eulogy for Frances May Glassy
Today we gather to honor and remember the long life of a truly great woman.
Greatest shouldn't be understood as fame. She certainly wasn't known to many people outside of her group of family and friends. Nor should greatness only be understood as power, a classical understanding, Frances couldn't be described as politically influential, by any means. Nor did she have outstanding financial resources that would somehow put her in the category of greatness.
Frances was great because she developed a significant list of personal qualities that make someone fit to be called great. Qualities that everyone of us here would love to have. She was loving, loyal, kind, fun, disciplined, giving, caring, thoughtful, responsible, a selfless person. Frances was a great listener - was more interested in trying to care for others, than to be care for herself. She experienced difficulty, pain and disappointment in her life, but she didn't dwell on it or live in that territory for too long. She had a great set of priorities. Putting people first, taking care of your own and your responsibilities, and then having a good time. Frances May Glassy was a great woman.
Born to Franz and Velma Hanson in Lisbon, North Dakota on May 4th, 1913. Frances and her soon-to-be-seven siblings, lived and grew up on a farm in Gwinner, North Dakota. On a cold day in the Northwest, maybe an inch or two of snow, she could be coaxed into telling stories of some truly freezing winters on the farm. She would also on occasion tell stories of cooking and baking with her mother on the farm. And looking after her brothers as they got into mischief. She loved her brothers and sisters very much and always looked forward to passing the time with them.
She was a North Dakota girl, from Swedish parents, and it showed all her life. Yet the majority of her life was lived here in Tacoma, where she moved with her parents in 1937. She had a series of jobs as a housekeeper and nanny for some wealthy families in North Tacoma. She did this sort of work until she met Frank Glassy at a dance. She feel in love and married Frank and they started a family.
Her daughters, Barbara and Sharon, were her pride and joy. They formed a strong unit through tough times, with husband Frank passing away when the girls were still young and in school. Sharon and Barbara remained her greatest accomplishment and biggest source of pride. She would always comment to me about my mother, Barbara. How hard she worked, what a great mom she was to us kids and how she always kept us clean. Cleanliness was a big measure of success to Frances in regards to motherhood.
She was equally proud of Sharon, for all that she accomplished and the way in which she was able to work her way up to such responsible positions at the City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma. Frances would often comment about what a blessing Sharon was and how grateful she was for the manner in which Sharon cared for her, and everyone else.
Comments were all you would get from Frances, because among her many qualities talkative wasn't one of them. But, her comments were alway right on. And you come to treasure them.
Frances worked hard all her life. She had many families whose home she faithfully cleaned. She faithfully stayed in contact with many of those families after she retired. Think of all she accomplished - it is pretty significant. She raised a family, largely by herself. Paid for her house and property, and managed her apartments on 38th street. She worked every weekday, waking up early and taking the bus to and from work. My brothers and sister will remember waiting for Grandma to get off the bus so we could go into her house to be with her.
I often wonder if some of her good health in later life wasn't due to the fact that she walked everywhere. She would walk to the store for groceries, walk to the bus stop. She walked.
She had a tremendous influence on her grandchildren. Rare was the weekend when there was not a grandchild asleep on her living room floor, in front of the tv. Many of us count some of the best nights of our life as those cuddled in a sleeping bag in her home. She cared about our jobs, families, and the every day going's on. Dean and I would make a point to call her from wherever we happened to be and fill her in on the details of our trips. Becky was her companion and friend and they spoke nearly every day. Stuart and his family were important to her and she loved to see him out at the camp. She loved Steven, and his family. At church, she faithfully slept through all of Dean's sermons.
Her great grandchildren all loved and cared for her, and she for them. Although her later years were obviously less active (she once commented to me that she missed being able to babysit), still her great grandchildren grew to know and appreciate her.
Food was her language to show her love and she spoke that language fluently. And she was so gifted at baking and cooking that every member of our family has a favorite dish, cookie, or baked good. Some of us have dozens of favorites. Every food was comfort food when she made it. She took time to serve what you liked, presented in a way that somehow made it taste better.
Francis May Glassy passed away on November 5th, 2011, alone for a few moments - napping while watching a cooking show. There is a theory in psychology, among those who study grief and dying, that some elderly people pass away when they are by themselves, alone, because in their spirit they don't want to burden their loved ones with watching them pass. That certainly sounds like Frances. She was alone for a bit, Sharon was outside doing yard work, Becky had just visited earlier in the day, Barbara had called and talked that morning. She was loved. She sat down and nodded off and didn't wake up.
Those closest to her - those in this room - didn't want her to go. We've shed tears over her passing.
But let's review this for just a moment: She lived in her own home until she passed. She was overwhelmingly loved. Frances was relatively healthy until the day she died and didn't spend a day in nursing home or hospital. She did use a walker...for just two days. On the day she passed away there wasn't one person who she was at odds with. Her faith and understanding of Jesus grew in the last years of her life and she went home to be with her savior after a long, life. 98 1/2 years.
So we will miss her. But what about that would you change? Nothing. There's nothing you would change, except...how about 99 years? How about 100? How about one more day?
During her life she saw a lot of change. There were no cell phones, or personal computers in 1913. Her home didn't even have indoor plumbing. Yet the last book she read was on a kindle. And she occasionally watched the church service streaming over the internet.
So many things changed during her lifetime. Yet the things she left behind were timeless. She was a loving, caring, giving person. And we loved her very much. She truly was a GREAT person, by every meaningful measure, and she will be missed. Amen
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org