EPISODE 4: Seasons Change

Angie Fadely (the Vice President of Operations for Mercy Ships International) recently interviewed me. She learned that I had recently retired. Being the intelligent, insightful, and helpful person that she is, she recommended I read the book, FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, by Arthur Brooks. Since reading is one of the true pleasures of my life, I immediately devoured it.

Wow. It really grabbed my attention.

The essence of the book is that one of the inevitable consequences of aging is that our ability to create and innovate (like our physical abilities) diminish as we get older. And though slow at first, this loss speeds up quite a bit as we move to retirement age. Brooks explains that this is a normal, natural, and biological truth that we should all recognize and learn to adapt to. That the happiest people do not fight this – but rather pivot into a new mode – one that improves as we age. Mentoring others.

As I mentioned in episode one, I spent thirty-five years as a municipal law enforcement officer. It was an amazing profession and it provided me opportunities that I would not have experienced otherwise. I stood a few feet from President Clinton and years later actually met President Bush (junior). I travelled to Scotland with other US police chiefs to write the guiding principles for changing our use of force policies in the United States. I won three EMMY awards. I investigated murder and was one of the Denver Homicide Detectives at the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. It was quite a ride.

But unlike many in our society, I did not identify as a police officer. It was what I did, not who I was. And by 2024 I was ready to move on to a new chapter. And I can honestly tell you I haven’t missed it or even thought about it at all. I truly enjoy quiet mornings when I can read or paint. I love getting up when I feel like it and forgetting my phone at home. The point is, I had no “purpose hole” in my ego needing to be filled.

But God laughed as he gently told me that he hadn’t prepared me to sit idle. I am still relatively young and am in good heath. I am trained and able to help. And so – that is the call I am answering. Luckily, Marci feels the same call (which she will detail in her own post) and so we are heading to Africa.

Marci shared the story of how we got from being retired on July 1, to hearing God’s call to serve the poorest people in Africa with Mercy Ships in episode 2. I just want to set the table for the behind the scenes view of moving from the season of summer to fall. It may not appear normal – but it absolutely feels right!

When I tell people about our new mission, I am often surprised at the longing I see in their eyes. Many of them immediately say, “I would love to do that!” And I believe them. I have long believed that part of the malaise (to use recently departed President Carter’s term) of America is the focus on self. That so many are searching for “more” (whatever that is). More money, more things, more power, more followers, more likes, more attention, more girls, more food, more experiences. There is no end.

But people seem to have the ability to imagine themselves working on a hospital ship in Africa. And they like what they see.

So we will be blogging during this season. The first few are to better understand us and how we got here. But generally, we will be sharing our daily thoughts and experiences. And just maybe, you won’t have to imagine yourself in Africa, you will be inspired to JOIN US!

January 17, 2025 / Twin Falls, ID / 19:22 MST