Have you reached your Potential?

Traditionally we celebrate our Christmas on the 24th, we have dinner together with the family, we open the presents, and we rest on the 25th. This was a very different Christmas for me and my family. As part of Flamingo Road Church, we had 8 Services at Cooper City campus to share the joy of Christmas with about 20,000 people... and after the last service, we decided to do something different. We made about 30 bags with muffins and as family we went to different residential complex to visit the gards who had to work on christmas eve, and we deliver the bags to each gard... we got from an atonished gard with no expression to an crying gard on one... one small gift made the difference, not only to the gards, but also to my family, we had fun, and we had the great opportunity to deliver, more than a muffin, a little of joy and hope.

I'm being playing around with the Social Network Application YoVille at Facebook , and it is really interesting how one million plus people play this game. The game was recently buyed by Zinga Inc and every day there is more and more people who decided to interact only trough a computer. Games are only an example of the future of social interaction for our current and next generations. The question is: What is this related to me? Well, I decided to build inside YoVille, a church... The game is for people to buy stuff and decorate their houses, but will all the stuff they sale there people has been creative enough to do more than decoration, so using the same elements they build a different kind of rooms to chat with others, so I created a Multisite Campus... (With chairs and a large screen) to talk to the YoVillians about our Internet Campus ( http://www.frclive.tv/ ) at Flamingo Road Church ... I'm not sure how is going to end... but at least will be fun. I'll be sharing...

Today I start reading a good Book: Groundswell, a book about winning in a world transformed by social technologies. A well explained web 2.0 that allow the reader to understand how to infiltrate onto the social networks on the Internet with the existing tools and the future of the marketing worldwide. At least, the two first chapters, are keeping me on the book... The authors are Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff. My first question is: How do you write a book with the help of someone else? One of the principles at Flamingo Road Church is collaboration and is about being able to do, really do, team work. Pastor Troy Gramling is always challenging us to don't give up on the first idea we got, even when it sounds awesome or great... and in order to being able to write a "team" book you have to be open minded and able to discard some times what we thing is a great idea, seeking the next level.

Today, my beloved dughter Tania asked me to take her to watch a Movie. I always enjoy watching a movie with my daugther, so I took Dora and the girls to see the requested movie. The title of the Movie, Disaster Movie... Here's what they got right: The name of the movie. Disaster, indeed. I don't remember seen a movie as bad as this one... What I learned from this experience is to read a little about the movie we are going to see... anyway I had the opportunity to have a good time with my daughters and my beloved one.

What do I have to do to reach my potential? Today, my pastor, Troy Gramling shared with us about four things we have to do to continue our potential journey: First thing: Get ready Joshua 1:1-2 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them When opportunity arrives, is too late to be ready. The question is: Am I ready? What we need to get ready? Fist of all, imagine the big picture, dream of it, because you will never go beyond your own dreams. Second, learn, read, discuss, ask... you have to walk out of your comfort zone. Start walking in the direction of your goals and get trained. Training requires always a continuous effort, persistence and discipline. If you are not ready, opportunity will pass far away from you, and may be you will never notice that. Second thing: Be strong a...

Today's society is getting us so focused on ourselves that we think most of the time about situations from only our own perspective. What if we could get some kind of glasses to see others perspective about life, or things they are experiencing? I got this video and I just want to share it with you... Enjoy!

Part of my heritage is Mexican... the history of Mexico and it's culture is represented in the National Anthropological Museum in Chapultepec Park. On the last day visiting my family we decided to immerse ourselves in culture and knowledge, so we all I headed off to the museum. We found great wonders there! An area of particular interest was the museum's "Theory Halls." There we found... THE Evolution Theory . Eager as we all were to learn all we could about this strange theory, we payed very close attention. We learned, that the scientists who support this theory FIRMLY believe that "they" are related to... drumroll please ... the monkeys . These brilliant scientists believe deeply that they have much in common with monkeys and even share a similiar appearance. One has to wonder if these scientists have access to a special mirror which enables them to see something I simply do not. Because when I look in the mirror and see my reflection staring back... i...

A video recorded 22 years ago, my son was almost one year old... Jose Alejandro, Agosto del 86 from Arturo De la Mora on Vimeo .

Last night was the BIG night, the culmination of several months of preparation, rehearsals, work, reviews and more… from the beginning to the end, the party with an 201 guests attendance was a complete success, my daughter was plenty of happiness… all night she smiled and enjoyed every single minute, from the waltz to the after party, the dinner, the amenity, the music, the lights, the band, the DJ… everything was “perfect”. She started dancing a traditional vienes walts “The Skaters” and after that a beautiful praise song “Thanks”. After that, I got the opportunity to gave a little speech about decision, based on the book of proverbs… I hope she will always think twice before to make a decision, a very special and emotive words from her family also were there… then after all the emotions and tears, the party continued with two contemporary dances, she performed a kind of “tango” (That’s how they called) and to finish her dance a Hip-Hop dance surrounded by her “Chambelanes”. After tha...

Last night, just before the big party for my beloved Tania… I had a last minute running with the sound track for two of the songs, because the levels were distorted, I got a supposed professional company that was in charge of that, I gave them the first four tracks with the waltz, an intro, a praise song and a family waltz, and they were supposed to get the tracks for a couple of contemporary songs… Oh my gosh!, when I checked out the master it was so bad… thanks God, I got with me my Lap top and few blank CD’s and in a run I just got the tracks to be remixed equalized and burned out on a new master CD... Today it looks that is really complicated to get excellence from services providers. Some people don’t care about details… What makes the difference between ordinary and excellence? It is called “details”. I also believe of that difference is part of the “Fast food Live” that we are having… Some times we have to stop and rethink the way we are experiencing life, what are we doing with...

Everything is ready, in just a few hours we will have the big XV Anos Party… Hair dresser is working on Dora, Tania, Sol, Paulina and Sarai… How complicated is for woman to go to a party… they MUST have a new dress, a new hair style, a complete outfit, hours for make up, for hair, for dressing…. I just need to take a shower, a little styling gel, jump in to my old black suit, (It is fourteen years old and I steel fit in), polish my shoes and… Is show time folks!

All I can say today is…. Ouch… I will never eat Chicharron at the streets… no matter how tasty or great it looks…. Ooooouch…. Fever is gone…

During my visit to the Deer’s Park I ate a Delicious “Chicharron con Chile, Limon y Sal”, and after few hours I got a great discovery: My defenses against Mexican viruses are now weak… I start having a deep stomach pain, fever and other disgusting secondary effects, I called my Doctor and after I described the symptoms he just laugh and he told me that I just got the “Tourist Syndrome” also known as the Moctezuma’s Revenge… so he gave me the recommended medication mixed with a good dosage of laughs… Thanks to the Lord it did not happened to me on my Daughter’s party day, so I have a couple of days to recover… Oh my Gosh! I’m feel like crap… Finally after eight years of my departure from Mexico, my body is turning foreign!

During this trip to Mexico, I had the opportunity to visit my childhood park, called “El parque de los venados”. At this place, I expended many hours, from the age of 5 years old to 14. It was about one mile from my house. I took my little ones and shared with them few of the many histories I lived at that park. We went first to see the beautiful fountains, then we discover some painting attraction for kids and they also meet for a first time a mute woman, so I had the opportunity to share with them about the sign language, and why some people need that, also it was a great opportunity to give thanks to God for all the gifts that we have, the ability to talk, to listen, to see, to smell, to walk, gifts that we take for granted but for some people that is unreachable or just an impossible dream… after that we went to the play zone, they had tons of fun and then we went to some traditional attractions like the air rifles and the crystal balls contest... I love to have quality time with m...

Today it was the make up and hair test for Tania… the day is coming really fast, so she was for hours deciding between some hair style and other… and when I mean hours I really mean it. From 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then a dress check to discover that the dress was “a little” long… so let’s go to find some one able to fix the dress, well, cheap, and fast… (I just remember my post about it), so we went to downtown to seek one…

Since Tania came to Mexico, she has been rehearsing for few dances… learning the routine… 5, 6, 7, 8… Step forward… Step back, turn, turn, step, step… and day by day she practice once, twice and many times more… following directions, submitting to the instructor and choreographer. For me it is a great learning for leadership is about practice. The growing is always a learning process and you have to practice once, twice and as many times as needed to continue the process of growing. If you believe you know everything, then you loose the learning and growing opportunity. A good leader has to be first a good follower.

Well, finally Sarai got 7 years old last week, but because I was at Miami, we decided to celebrate on my arrival to Mexico, we just invite close relatives, Dora’s sisters and few friends… it was a lot of fun, a beautiful piñata a large selection of home made cazuelas with Chicharron, Tinga, Chicken, Beef, Beans, and fresh made tortillas… Diet? No way!!!!

I love to fly and to watch trough the window the landscape. When the plane made the approach to Mexico City, I took this picture. The visibility was so low, that it looked like London on a foggy day, but sadly it is just pollution, and it was a “clear” day. I was born in Mexico City, and I remember when I was a child, to watch the horizon and being able to see two beautiful volcanoes, the Popocatepetl and the Iztlazihuatl the called “Ciudad de los Palacios”, also Mexico City was named “The most transparent region”, but today you barely can see the far buildings… Mexico City is a 30,000,000 population city and it was funded on a valley surrounded by mountains, so the pollution remains floating on the air until some summer currents cleans the air from time to time. I love Mexico City, it is a place with an ancient history, tradition, but the most valuable asset is the people… I’m praying for have few Flamingo Road Church campuses here on Mexico city, to partner with Mexicans to reach th...

The clock is always ticking and time goes by... some times looks like our life occurs in a blink, our kids grow, yesterday they were a little kids and then, suddenly they grow... In Mexico we have a tradition that is the "Quince años" celebration. It came from an old practice where the high society families organized a ball in order to introduce on society the girls. With that exposure, a good party and a little bit of good luck, the girls could be engaged and hopefully married. The marriage age was an average of 15-17 years old. With the passing of the years and social revolutions, lower classes took that celebration trying to reproduce the pomp of the high society, with expensive dresses, dancing a traditional waltz, and they included some contemporary dances. Now almost anyone remember the original purpose of that party, and is jus a fun celebration, the marriage age has been raised, and all that traditions keeps is the Waltz Dance, words of the parents, nice dresses, and ...

I was reading a post from Heater Palacios at LeadHership.net about some Jersey she was watching at Peru, and finally she got a Mexican one... this lead me to remember of some of my roots... Mexico is a country full of color, and part of that color comes from the artisan hands of people who have received that heritage from generation to generation. One of the most colorful Mexican crafts is THE JORONGO. The Jorongo is a very large, coat-like weaving with a single slit in it for the head. All artisans are proud of their own work and that is something to think about it. We have some times to look into our own traditions to seek our own values and our family values, no matter where we live or where we born we always have some strong roots to seek and leverage for our future generations....

I found this great photo and I was thinking about the things we experience in our lives, like our force, our strength, our abilities, and there is a stated on the Second Law of Thermodynamic that we are going from new to old, from shiny to rusty, from useful to obsolete and that is a law of the life... but there is also something about moving... seeking and reaching what God has for us. We cannot be laying in our glory, because we will stop our movement and become old, obsolete and rusty, so we have to keep moving and may be, just like this picture, seeking for what is next out of the wheel... with the end of movement of the gears, allowed some plants to grow and become alive... and THAT is not on the second or any law of thermodynamics ... Keep on moving... and if you stop... look around to see what is growing aside yourself!!!

This is where most fairy tales end. The prince and princess marry and ride off into the sunset to begin their new life together as husband and wife, a life full of promise, romance, and above all, love. (Check out Shreck, Sleeping beauty, Snow White and others...) But no one has ever told us how this is supposed to happen, or why it succeeds if it does. How a marriage can be a fairy tale come true, and how to "happily ever after" happens? That is only the beginning... Today, I went to the Pete and Julie's wedding... awesome... a dream come true... great service, great sermon by Pastor Garland, a lot of wishes, toasts, music, joy, party and fun... but... that is not and Happy Ending... is just a great beginning. The Best Man said few words, but the most wise words he mentioned was... "I hope you keep Christ as the center of your marriage, if you do that, I'll warranty you a happily ever after life" That's a true that we have to keep in mind not just at th...

I took my five beloved ones to the Airport today... Dora and the girls, tried to document nine bags... but... American Airlines has now a rule of 50 pounds maximum weight for each piece... and guess what, she had on average 68-70 pounds per luggage piece... so I got a plastic bag and we start pulling some unnecessary things out of the bags until they reached the right weight… when we finished to document the clerk suggested us to document… The plastic bag! So I went to the wrappers and they made a beautiful blue plastic bag (with handle included) for 9 bucks, we documented it and we finally got 10 documented pieces (I’m not doing any mention of the 2 on hand pieces they had) and everyone was happy. On unexpected circumstances our temper raises very fast, but even with the hot blood flooding our veins is our decision to let our temper out or to have a deep breath, smile and keep on our goal. I had maaaaany reasons to lost my temper today, but the choice I made help my family to get on t...

I have so many things to think, that I cannot think one.... :)

My father's day started early on the morning with my little ones jumping on my bed, exited to give the gifts they selected for me on the father's day. The great part of it is all of my daughters made their own card. No purchased cards... all hand made and with a great content. They put a lot of time on it. Sol with Dora to get materials to build a special gift, and she did it. This is it... Later, I had the opportunity to share Father's day with the Colson family at home. Dora prepared a great Ceviche, Tania made delicious cookies, Sarai and Sol helped Dora to cook... Pani was cleaning and we expend together a great day. . We finished at Muvico with Indiana Jones... the latest one... it was so interesting that my older daughters walked out to another auditorium to watch another movie. It was what we call in Mexico a good "Churro", with a Story developed (supossedly) at Peru, with a mixture between Mayan pyramids (Nothing related with the Incan Culture) and a floo...

Last weekend I was able to experience the Flamingo Road Church Internet Campus with my sisters, my son and his mother. Pastor Troy used an example of a half glass of water. Was it half empty or was it half full? How do we see it? How do I see it? Well, I just got into the conversation with my son about my trip on a car without air conditioned. To be at a car with air conditioned, is mandatory for a city like Merida… he asked me how I was able to support the high temperature without air… so I used some part of my pastor’s teaching to illustrate my decision to rent a car with no air. I made a decision: I decided to enjoy the experience. When I drove from Cancun to Merida I was able to perceive the forest aroma… and because had no radio, I was able also to experience a good thinking time. Troy mentioned that Joy, is a DECISION, my other choice was to complain about the heat… the lack of music, but my choice was to be positive, to have joy. We always have different opportunities to enjo...

My son's Grad picture! I present you to the Lic. Jose Alejandro de la Mora

My son concluded his carreer and he is celebrating tonight... I'm so happy because of him. I travel to be at the Grad tonight and Yesterday we got a great talk about why is he doing things now... We had a really deep conversation about life, love, healt and other topics... On my last visit I shared with him the importance to have a healty life and I encouraged him to go to the Gym every day, and yesterday he told me that on the beggining he did it because I told him to do it... or to don't get me upset... now the history is different... he does it because he want to do it... from an inner motivation, he knows that excersice is good for him... now he is ready to launch in to the life adventure... with his own motivations, dreams and life... All I can said is... Thanks God!

I traveled today to Cancun; tomorrow I'll be driving to Merida, about 200 miles from Cancun to meet my son for his graduation. I like to be early at the airport because I don't like surprises... and guess what... I left my passport at home... so I had time to go back home and get it... when I got back to Ft. Lauderdale International Airport the airline was really packed... I just prayed to be on the plane... because I was, not late... but near to the flight closing time... There was people upset arguing and I start praying for them... I made some jokes, smiled... and as the bible said... the soft answer relax the anger... I don't know why, but one of the airline's employees asked me where I was traveling. I said Cancun, and she moved me to the front of the counter... and I checked in almost immediately... having enough time to go trough security (enhanced security level today) and to relax for almost 20 minutes at the gate... God... is great...

I recently got an email of a friend of mine who, on a very polite way corrected me some misspelling I had on my previous post from Holliwood to Hollywood... and that helped me. After editing the post, I was thinking… people is afraid to tell you when you are wrong… is afraid of… why? Because our pride… is hard to accept when we do something wrong further than that… it is even tough when some one else came to us and tell us we are off beam… often our first reaction is: Denial… I’m ok; you are wrong… and that is an internal fight with our pride until we recognize our mistake. Real friends tell you when you are wrong… because they care about you. There is a text on the Bible that enlightens this topic… Matthew 18 1-4 (NVI) : “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will n...

Today we went to Hollywood beach to have an awesome sunday: To witness the public commitment of near of 300 people who take the step of being baptized... One sweet story, was a family who flew from Chicago, Ill to Florida, just to get baptized. They have been attending the Internet Campus at Flamingo Road Church... Here a couple of today's pictures:

All right Blogville, today I started a whole new blog that will be all about to have a live streaming video/audio experience. What is technically required? How to set it up? and more interesting nerdy gears... I named it http://www.livegears.net/ and I'll be having fun posting on how to create a Live Campus on the Internet using the current technology available... I'll be sharing my goals and the opportunity behind every new challenge for the new projects I'm involved in. So, take a peek and if you are not a nerd, I'll do my best to help you to understand the geek issues related with the magic's behind the scenes!

Memorial day was a perfect opportunity to have some family time at the Beach, so I planned a trip to the Cays, depart @ 6:00 a.m., drive, have fun, and so for... but... everyone wanted to sleep a little more... so my older princess were awake almost at noon... so instead of the Cays we went to Las Olas and anyway we had a great family time... a little time at the beach, a little time walking, a little time having fun a nice dinner, even our brand new dog Missy had fun with us… Even we started the day late, we did not waste the morning. At this point, for them the Idea of a nice rest day is to wake up late and avoid any complex activity, but I believe we can change that. One of the values we live at Flamingo and we are learning as family is: Potential. Is this the best I can do? Going early to the Gym is one way to reach our physical potential, help us to create endorphins, to be on better shape and weight... so I Dora and I went to the YMCA to sign in as family and during Summer time ...

Today I went to visit my insurance agent... look at the picture... no comments! LOL... :)

Last Night we had a small Group Meeting for Couples at my house. This is the third week on a row we are doing that. We meet and we are following a series called the I-Marriage, and on a very effective way is touching some fundamentals on marriage today. Based on Dreams, Ilusions and expectations, how it turns from a "And they lived happy for ever" in to a nightmare relation. We are broadcasting this meeting from our Internet Campus every wednesday at 8:00 p.m. eastern standard time.

Yesterday I went to Expolit, I paid at the parking lot, I parked on a regular spot, and walked in to the expo. By noon, when I was looking for my car, it was not there, and there was a lot of News Vans, with antennas and broadcasting equipement, so on the next few minutes, I learned that my car was towed. I called the towing company and they brought back my car for a modical fee of $ 101.00, and when I asked the driver why my car was towed, he explained me that McKain was there for a conference or some like that, so security had to remove cars in "logistical" positions... I paid and I went back to the complex to complain. I was upset, but on a calmed way I exposed my situation, and after a short discussion, they gave me a reimbursment for 200.00 and an apology... weird day. If you want to be heard, first you have to talk!

Well... few weeks ago , the I-pastor Brian Vasil launched a campaing about different Heredes impersonations... until some one else find another "Look a Like"... Arnold found this picture , and I just put it together... so your votes... who looks like who? Here is some of the Graphic History

Today, while I was driving, I start listening to the anointing sound of beep... beep... beep... and the light on my car’s odometer blinking as a reminder to fasten my seat belt... so I completed the task and the sound stopped and the ligh was off, then I start thinking about my daughters, the two little ones, no questions, as soon as they are on their chairs, they pull the seat belt and some times they remind me or their mom about the belt. The two teens, I have to remind them, they complain, but they finally attach the seat belt. Me, some times I forgot, and the sound and light remind me to put it on… and that’s the way we act in front of God instructions for life… What is the purpose of a seat belt? Is also called safety belt and is designed to secure the occupant of the car against a harmful movement that may result from a collision or a sudden stop. The question is: Why do I have to wear it all the time? Because an accident is something unexpected, and no one knows when is going to...

Today I had the funniest car wash I ever had. The church youth ministry organized a drive thru car wash for only 5 buck. As soon as you drove in, a complete army of happy kids having fun, start rinsing, soaking and cleaning your car… faster than any other drive thru and with a great enthusiasm… just check the picture! If you missed it… you missed it !

Well, it has been a long time since my last post, but here I am updating my blog... there have been a lot of things happening... Meetings, projects, friends leaving... so... I have many things to write about... but something that really is moving my world around is... a new family member... Let me introduce you to Missy... a Siberian Husky bissextile dog... yes... believe it or not, Missy was born on 2-29-08, that means her next birthday will be... in 2-29-12! That's odd... so next year we will have to discuss when to celebrate it... if on the 28th of February or the 1st of March... anyway will be a great celebration... with confetti, balloons and treats included! Well, long story short… My daughters were asking for a dog for almost three years, since we had Bruno, (A noble Boxer Dog) that we had to gave when we moved to our current apartment… finally, after several discussions about it, commitments and resources, we went to a Pet store to search for it… Tania made about a thousand...

Last night, Troy Gramling, my pastor launched the first on line staff meeting. Here on campus there were only few volunteers helping with cameras, the tech team and the Internet Campus team. Everyone else was at home, or Starbucks or anywhere else watching on their computers. Troy is sharing the vision of being able to do ministry without boundaries, and using technology. There was an attendance of 237 staff people who watched or at least listened the meeting. One of the last minute challenges was to have those with no computer, or computer problems connected, so we decided to use a conference system where people was able to dial a number and merge into the meeting. We got the service, but we needed what is called a “Phone Patch” to connect the audio to the phone line, and it was too late to order one of those pieces, so I made a “Tape-Phone Patch” and it worked fine, as you can see on the picture. Creativity is triggered by need, don’t you think so? Have you ever solved anything compl...

Last Sunday, before we get back from Orlando, we went to the City Walk at Universal to have lunch and we took the boat ride to the Hard Rock Hotel. The hotel is beautiful and you can feel a good leadership managing the hotel, since you arrive. Smiling faces welcoming you, consistently all over the place, but what was greater we found a little Ice Cream store and I took all of my girls to get a sweet dessert. You know how difficult is to have six woman making choices about what they want… but the associates working there where patient enough to handle the classic “mmm… no… better this… oh, no instead of that…” several times. Long story short, the service was awesome, even when we finished and the little one asked for water, they brought us water for every one… they treated us just like if we were the owners of the place… for a big check of $16.05 (Tax included’) from 7 people. Sure, my daughters and my beloved one walked out with great smiles and great satisfaction… customer service al...