Good morning brother Orrin! I pray you are well; abiding and abounding in His grace, love, and mercy! Still abuzz from my first Team "leadership" event, (Sacramento, CA; 12-01-07). Chris, Terri, and the whole crew did an awesome job and I'm excited, (as well as the rest of us who have made "the jump"), to learn more and impliment what we learn. I asked Chris to tell you the Apprentice says "hello." After the event we adjourned to a restaurant to break bread and fellowship. My upline gave me a copy of "The Team Builder's Textbook" and it has been hard to put down. I want to engage this as a newbie and absorb the system and re-educate my thinking with this culture, deleting the "stuff" from the previous. I don't know it all and will not pretend to nor "sell" people making them think I do. I want truth and want to give people truth (John 14:6). "“You may fill your heads with knowledge or skillfully train your hands, but unless it is based upon high, upright character, upon a true heart, it will amount to nothing. You will be no better than the most ignorant.” Yes character is destiny and character is an inside job!"" Orrin Woodward, quote from B.T. Washington. One of the biggest draws for me to this Team is your stand for Christ and the fact that you are not afraid to speak the name of Jesus and make Him know through your referrences to the bible as well as the teachings from the events. I know there will be those who will make decisions for Christ through association with this culture; this environment. Oh how I pray for thousands upon thousands to understand what Jesus has done and that it is a free gift from God to us His plan for salvation! In addition to that I appreciate the character building, discipleship and mentoring that is critical for the season we are in. The vision the Lord has laid on your heart(s) is huge and through His might and power, as He pours in to you, (et al), many lives will be impacted. (Glory!) As you stated, "Yes character is destiny and character is an inside job!," thank you for the stand you are taking and making for the lives of many. We need your prayers as you need ours. I pray for that upright character and that true heart that will prevail and as people see we care they will come...as people see what is available, they will come...for they will not care how much we know until they know how much we care! Thanks for caring Orrin! :) One of the points, (of many), Chris made, was that the INDIVIDUAL matters! I love that! What can God do through ONE individual! I so appreciate how you all incorporate history and the lessons that are there for us to learn from and be inspired by. He shared the one about Ben Franklin. I thanked Chris for that for, like most, we just know about a balding, fat, old man, with a kite and a key. I pray the Lords hedge about you, Laurie, your children/home, the Team, et al. He is the One who preserves us all. "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalms 127:1 NKJV) May the Lord continue to build this Team for His Kingdom...for His glory! May He continue to use you and Chris and the Team to impact lives and disciple/mentor the sheep of this fold. Take care and God bless!, The Apprentice