As I wake this morning to my three little girls sneaking into my room I can not help but to stop and think what a difference Orrin Woodwards leadership and teaching has made in my life. You see, both my wife and I come from divorced homes. Homes where the conflict between parents seemed to always take center stage and the kids had to fend for ourselves. We had to watch over each other, make meals and generally care for ourselves. I remember my mom trying to make it work, multiple jobs, trying to hold our life together. In the little time she had, she always seemed to fit in “date night” with each of the 5 of us individually! My dad would work long hours, by the time he would return home he was to exhausted or maybe even discouraged by life to do anything with us.
Many years later, now starting my own family, one evening we get a call to look at a business (now) call LIFE. Little did I know the profound effect it would have on my life. You see, when all you see around you is wrong, how do you find right? A crooked line only knows it is crooked when placed next to a straight line! How would I even know how to be a good dad, and the impact it has on my kids?
We began to pursue LIFE with the intent of making money, but the true blessing was what we have become in the process. One of the 8fs of LIFE is Family. I began to get information on how to be a dad, how to raise 3 girls (please pray for me, they are beautifull just like their mother). I began to realize buy reading the books from the LIFE subscriptions and listening to the audio recordings, that being a dad was more than a title or position, it was a calling. I began to study and everyday I try to apply what I learn and get better. The way I raise my daughter will echo in eternaty. They will choose husbands based on my example and love I show to them and their mom. They will raise their children by my example and influence others around them to do the same.
I have been able to learn from the many great fathers on the LIFE Team, such as Orrin Woodward and the rest of the policy council men. They are providing not only valuble information for you to fullfull your calling as a dad, but a pricless example to follow. Probably the biggest blessing personally is having my dad and I start over the last couple of years and build a new relationship, because we are both in the Team and learning and growing.
As I look around me I see men of courage stepping up and doing the tough things necessary to be the Dad they were meant to be, for that I am very proud to be with you in this fight. We will make a difference to many, because a few of you decided to stand and be the example.
God bless,
This is a wonderful article. I hope, too, that the example set will be a windfall victory in the families and relationships of those who choose to subscribe and apply what they learn in LIFE. Not only that, but there are so many we each touch that may not be a part of LIFE, but their mere connection to those who are and their behavior influences them to think and behave differently. I can only imagine the carnage in the lives of those around me that would have occured had this information and group of people not made its way into my life. Thanks for the part that your family has and continue to play in that process. Between you and Steve Leurquin, I have watched friendship and encouragement change the perspective of my husband so much, and I am thinking it very unlikely that we would have ever found that without our connection to Team. Thanks for your post and sharing so that we each can envision and develop a purpose-driven story like yours for ourselves.
Love it thanks for the posting. I am in your organization waaaayyyyyyyyyy down here looking up. I admire what you have gone thru. I know it’s tough. I have 6 kids barely making it but I have hope and I dream. The 95%er in me tries to distract me but it also reminds me of where i don’t want to be. I love my wife and kids and i get sad when i realise where i have led my family so far. 95%er life is very distracting and robs you of your dreams and hopes. I am very fortunate to be part of Team and soon LIFE it has given me a way out and hopes of a better future. My kids are thankful for what I’m doing they see the changes in their dad and it makes us all happy. My marriage is better as well. I’m even working on my relationship with my mom. i get down at times, i’m only human but then i do one of many things, read a book, listen to cds, read my bible or attend the opens even if i didn’t contact anyone. I love your teachings. Keep up the progress i will be pulling on your coat tail some day. I enjoyed your speech at Ohio major i was there to see you get P.C!!!!
Thank you,
Jesse H.
Awesome Dan thanks for sharing your story!! It is amazing to hear your story and to just sit and think how many people can share their similar childhood stories … More importantly that there are still a few Great Men out there who want to change this culture and make a difference. Thank you for your Leadership and example. 🙂
Well said Danno! I thank God for your courage to break the cycle of despair in your family. God is using your life as an example of His power and ability to restore, heal and grow our lives. You truly are the “Bannister effect” for many. Keep running, with endurance, your race in life and I look forward to being their with you at the finish line. Love ya!
Matt
Thanks Matt, we are on a mission to impact as many as possible. Keep up the great work, you are making a difference!
Dan,
As I read your article (and wipe away my streaming tears), I am thanking God with every part of my being for Team and for the many leaders within it. I am so very proud of you and Lisa and the parents you are. I see prayers – prayed over the years being answered through Team every day. In your life, your sibling’s lives, in my life and in the lives of so many other families that might have been destine to repeat the dysfunctional patterns from their pasts – if not for the Team. How dare we not be courageous and reach out to others. The materials and mentorship Team/Life offers is God inspired and has the power to change lives. I love you so much Dan, you are an amazing husband, father, son, uncle, leader and friend. Mom
On our way to 1million