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Things have been so very busy these last few weeks that i haven't had much time to share any updates with you.  

Last week I flew to Houston on Sunday afternoon, and worked on my 30 page paper until 5 A.M. Monday morning.  I slept for a couple hours, and got up at 7 in order to speak at the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education during their 2010 Fall Teacher Education Conference.   Before my presentation, I had the privilege of meeting several Teacher Educators who had the most pleasant personalities!  No, seriously, these people were outstanding. They serve all over the state of Texas training teachers to be the best teachers they can be, and it was so obvious that they loved their jobs.

I love speaking to audiences like that.  I don't have to motivate them. I don't have to work to get their attention. They are there with an attitude to learn and it shows.  Those audiences have a way of pulling things out of me.  There is a hunger in them that takes me to new, more powerful, levels.  I was in my zone, sharing from a heart filled with love and a soul generated by grace.  I loved them; they loved me.  It looks like I will be spending a lot of time in Texas in the days ahead, as we have already received several invitations to visit colleges, universities, school districts, churches, and to speak at other conferences.  I look forward to that.

After I was done speaking, I caught a flight back to Chicago, and headed straight to the library so I could finish my 30 page paper that was due by midnight.  I submitted it at 12 A.M.!  

Tuesday morning I went to class from 8-11, I studied until 4 and then headed to the airport to catch a flight to San Antonio because I was scheduled to speak at the University of the Incarnate Word on Wednesday.  The following morning, I woke up, and visited my great parents' home on 409 Hays St, a place I remember visiting when I was 2 years old.  My middle name is Valentin, which was my great grandfather's first name.  He was the only pastor in our family, and I believe that he somehow passed something down to me...

After taking a trip down memory lane, I headed to the University to prepare for my presentation to the student body. I spoke, and many of them were gracious enough to wait in line for over an hour to speak with me...I did not get out of there until 4 P.M.  

The Chair of Monday's Consortium and the Dean of the University's School of Education sent a note on our Facebook page:  "Thank you so much for your presentations in Houston and in San Antonio. So many teacher educators and students were inspired and touched by your message. Your presentations triggered discussions at the conference and across our campus. Your visits were truly a blessing to all of us."  I really enjoyed Texas!  Great people, wonderful food, and amazing memories.

I rushed to the airport to catch my 5:14 flight.  I boarded the flight, and as we taxied toward the runway, the pilot noticed that one of our wings was leaking.  Not good!  The flight was canceled....I did not get home until 5 or 6 P.M. thursday night!  

Friday morning, we woke up, took Manuel to the circus for his 3rd birthday, and then drove to Indianapolis to get ready for my presentation at Pike Township's Parent Empowerment Seminar.  

Saturday morning, I spoke to students about shaking off mediocrity and working hard to achieve their dreams, and then I spoke to parents about things they need to know and do to help their children make the most of their lives.  Many parents told me that they only came in hopes that their kids would be motivated, and ended up being motivated themselves.  They said that my message spoke to them in a very personal and powerful way.  I was invited back. 

The Superintendent just sent me a note:  "Dear Manuel, Once again, you gave an outstanding presentation. Your passion for motivating others is spiritual and rewarding.  In today's society, we need more people like you who truly care about saving a lost generation and restoring hope in the midst of despair."  

We drove home Saturday afternoon, and I just crashed. 

5 cities in 5 days!

Finally, this week I have studied from 7:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M., reading, writing papers, etc...and have had class from 1:30-6 P.M. every day. To say that this is a very busy season of life is one of the biggest understatements ever.  But, I can honestly say that I am being stretched, and being strengthened, and enjoying the journey.  I am thankful for my wife, my children, my family, and my friends. God is good.

Being a PhD student, a Professional Speaker, a Parent, and a Husband are no joke!  However, each one informs the others, enabling me to speak to parents, speak to intellectuals, and everyone else.  I love being able to help people get perspective about life, and pushing them to make decisions to change the quality of their lives.

Until next time, thanks for your love and support!

May your days be rich with grace, peace, joy, and love.

Thursday I spoke at Jarman Middle School, Del City High School to students about how they can make practical changes in their lives to achieve their dreams.  Afterwards, several students who heard me speak last year school approached me to tell me personal stories about how I have helped them.  A young lady told me that I saved her life. She said had been planning to ditch school the day I was scheduled to speak, but because she heard I was coming, she decided stay and see what I had to say.  The guy with whom she was supposed to ditch school was shot and killed that very day.  She just cried in my arms, and wanted to thank me.

Another young lady had been sexually molested by a parent, and had been depressed and suicidal.  After hearing me speak about her power to keep living through the tears and the pain of life, she said that she was going to use her experience to help other victims of molestation and abuse.

Then, a young man, with several tattoos decorating his arms and knuckles, with the stench of gang life on him, came to me with tears in his eyes, telling me that my story has inspired him to change his life.

I also spoke at a mental health facility to adolescents who have endured some of the most horrendous things ever visited upon a young person.  It's hard to even mention, without shedding a tear, some of the pain and heartbreak that they shared with me.  They are so strong!  I finished speaking at about 2:30, but  I didn't get out of there until after 4 P.M., because each one of those beautiful young people waited in line to speak with me, one by one, to share with me how my life and message inspires them and gives them hope.  The tears flowed, healing was taking place, and hope was being resurrected in them.

Then Friday, I spoke to about 400 teachers about their power to create a thirst for education in their students.  I also encouraged them to become students of their students, to become incarnational in the lives of young people, studying the culture, language, values, and worldviews of young people in order to make their lesson plans more relevant.  One teacher said that I was the most inspiring speaker she has ever heard in her 38 years in education. 

Then I rushed to the airport so I could get back to Chicago to be with my lovely wife, my two little men, and my little angel.  My body's tired, my voice is too.  But my heart is full because I know that I left everything on the field- I gave my all in Oklahoma- and I know that hearts were softened, eyes were opened, and lives were really changed.  

Today, Saturday, I'm sitting in a study carrell, hitting the books, writing papers, and sharpening the saw.  

Until next time! Thanks for the love and support!

  

"Call me- Good News!" was the text my wife sent me while I was speaking to some wonderful people in Phoenix, Arizona.  

I didn't know what to think- "Did her water break and is she at the hospital giving birth to our baby girl? Did I get booked to speak at another great event? What is it?" I called her as soon as I could.  She read the following words to me over the phone:

"Dear Manuel:  The Doctor of Philosophy Admissions Committee has reviewed your application and we are pleased to offer you admission to the Doctor of Philosophy program in Intercultural Studies..."

I just sat there with the phone to my ear in silence.

I began thinking about my past- my father has been in prison for most of my life; my cocaine-addicted, alcoholic step-father physically abused my mother for much of my childhood; I lived in twenty-six places by the time I was sixteen (not counting the homeless shelters, swanky motels, and cramped cars that we occasionally called home); I missed 60-90 days of school every year from the fourth to the ninth grade;  I earned a 0.6 G.P.A the first semester of my freshman year in high school; my best friend was killed, and I was a high school drop-out.

Now, this August, I'm about to begin working toward earning my PhD, the highest degree one can earn! Although it is going to be A LOT of work juggling my busy speaking schedule with my studies and my young family, earning this PhD will serve as the ultimate reminder that it doesn't matter where you're from, but where you're going; that your future does not have to equal your past; that you can become the husband you never saw, the father you never had, and the first doctor in your family.  

If you can SEE it, you can BE it!  Dream big!