{"id":5660,"date":"2020-01-15T12:00:39","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T18:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/?p=5660"},"modified":"2025-05-03T22:55:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T22:55:20","slug":"week-16-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/2020\/01\/15\/week-16-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 16"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t\n

Week\nin Review<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday, December 30, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today we started class with a\ngood prayer from our brother Kalan W., which led to a lot of good energy being\npassed around afterward. We are getting closer to graduation, so everybody\nseems to becoming more and more anxious. We took our last Crime and Punishment <\/em>test today, and we also watched our last\nAmerican history videos. We ended up finishing the rest of our Integrity Selling <\/em>presentations and even\ntested on a little bit of the material we went over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that, they handed out a\nbook called Treasure Principle<\/em>,and we were told that we had to write a\n500 word essay on what we got out of the book. We also received a book entitled\nBe on Your Best Business Behavior. <\/em>Everybody\nseemed happy to get this book, because past graduates told us that we get to\ntake an etiquette class and practice the proper way to eat food and act in a\nprofessional environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We then had some graduates\nshare some encouraging words about what happens after we graduate, and how we\nreally have more work to do with the brothers that start the business phase of\nthe program. The last thing we had on the agenda is Art History, which we only\nhad a few videos left. We then celebrated a brother\u2019s birthday before we prayed\nout for the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cade\nS. (a.k.a. \u201cRice Crispy Treat\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, December 31, 2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today began with a bit of joy.\nEveryone was laughing, drinking coffee, being playful and actually sharing the\nholiday spirit. Was it because of the New Year fast approaching, or because all\nof the accomplishments we have made as brothers? It\u2019s hard to say \u2013 things are\nlooking better for us on all levels of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our time in class hit us\nharder than a lifetime of struggles as we prayed in to start class. We\u2019ve been\nredefining what loyalty and love really means. To call ourselves \u201cmen\u201d used to\nbe a challenge in itself. We are breaking free from the enslavement of old\nhabits, looking for excuses and asking for a handout. Our new minds and spirits\nspeak with volume now, expressing what we believe, what we expect from one\nmother and what we can do for our families. So many times, we have fallen short\nand broken promises, but we have God, and He never lets us down or refuses to\nforgive us from sins we have committed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our emcee Kwentin R. boogied\ndown the runway to some new music that we had never heard. Claps snaps and more\nsmiles appeared on our brothers\u2019 faces as he came down the aisle. How can\npeople have such a positive effect on others like that? Well, your personality\nand character, when aligned, will show the principles and values you possess. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As class began to close,\nKwentin R. asked a few people about our New Year\u2019s resolutions. We all had\nsomething in common, and that was to be better men and make a difference in\nsomeone\u2019s life. To our heavenly Father, all glory, honor and praise goes to\nyou. Nothing will bond us to this world forever. God, we ask for grace and\nmercy, as well as a righteousness to be reckoned with. Keep us humble as we\nprogress toward illumination. Also, bless those who need you to help them see\nfurther. In Jesus\u2019 name, Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael\nW. (a.k.a. \u201cElmo\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, January 1, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today we watched a movie\ncalled King Arthur<\/em>. The main\ncharacter in the movie was tested to the extreme but endured the challenge. He\nhad to prove himself worthy throughout these tasks. This man denied the throne,\neven though it was his birthright to rise in power and win the hearts of his\npeople. He overthrew his power-hungry uncle, who abused his power and position.\nWe watched Arthur become a selfless servant-leader by putting his own needs and\ndesires aside for the greater good of his people. He had a sword of great power,\nand he used it in his battle against another unrighteous king. We watched this man,\nwho had been belittled by all, use his strength and will to overcome obstacles and\nrise to power. No matter what happened, he was always humble through this\njourney. We all felt like we could relate to this average man, a simple\ncommoner, defying the odds. He was a true underdog, counted out but who still\ntriumphed in the end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We really enjoyed this movie,\nand it inspired us to step up to the plate to do more and be more. We watched knights\ngather at the round table, and only the most valiant knights could be seated by\nsuch a marvelous king. We really related to this, because this is how we all\nfeel being a part of this organization. They sat at the table, but we live\nbetween the wings and see a mighty king indeed, He who created all things: God.\nWe embrace a similar journey called life after our release, and our round table\nat which we will be seated will be the PEP table that only a select few will be\nworthy to sit at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were able to watch a very\nentertaining movie together and set new goals for this New Year. We walk by\nfaith and not by sight, always wanting to do what is right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kalan\nW. (a.k.a. \u201cLittle Sweet\u201d)<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, January 2, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\nis the day that the Lord has made. Giving all praise, honor and glory to the\nheavenly Father for everything we have to be grateful for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\nmade it another year and had a blast learning about and growing through the 10\nDriving Values. We have a great vision for 2020 and know it will be a great\nyear for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\nin the PEP room, Phase One was in class while the men in Phase Two were in the\ndorms working hard on their business plan pitches. The Business Plan Competition\nis right around the corner!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase\nOne is working on character development and the Authentic Manhood<\/em> program. It takes a deep look into manhood and\nbrings a biblical view to examine what being an authentic man is all about.\nDuring the morning session, volunteers Jim H. and Scott H. blessed us with\nvaluable insight and encouragement. In the afternoon session, we had Bruce T. volunteer\nhis valuable time to be with us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After\nwatching the Authentic Manhood<\/em> video,\nwe had small group discussions. We talked about two views of manhood taken from\nthe Bible with brothers Adan M. and Jesus A. taking different roles. We learned\nthat Adan M.\u2019s character fell into passivity, while Jesus A.\u2019s character rejected\npassivity. The principle for today\u2019s class was that real men reject social and\nspiritual passivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then\nwe had a PEP brother, Richard F., speak on the importance of integrity to the Phase\nOne class. Integrity is one of the 10 Driving Values and is very important to creating\na productive life. Speak the truth and gain the trust of the ones you love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank\nyou, family and friends, for all that you do for us; we really appreciate\neverything you all do for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nathan\nW. (a.k.a. \u201cCarrot Top\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expressions                                                                                     \n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you decide to start meditating, take\nyour time and be gentle with yourself. This is your moment to enjoy getting\ncentered and improving your life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With\nmany of us having over-committed schedules, to-do lists that are pages long,\nand days that feel like they have lasted 72 hours, stress is inevitable. There\nare times where our responsibilities overwhelm us to a point that stress takes\nover, and it can lead to health ailments that we don\u2019t notice or feel. As time\ngoes on, we realize we have issues that could have been prevented if we had taken\nsome time out to indulge in some self-care, or even just stopped to regroup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In PEP,\nsometimes the work can be overwhelming. That is why it is important to use some\ntools to help us stay centered. A regular practice of relaxation, such as watching\na movie or reading the Bible, can help in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies\nhave shown that reading improves concentration, focus, self-awareness and brain\nfunction. It is also known to reduce anxiety, stress and depression. These are\njust a few of the many benefits that reading offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nregular practice of reading or relaxation can improve your life. Just like any\nhabit, it takes time consistency to get results. Just small steps toward reading\nand relaxation have given me big benefits. Life can be extended a lot longer\nwith relaxation and a little bit of your time. This is why I love this quote so\nmuch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keitron W. (a.k.a. \u201cBarber from Coming to\nAmerica\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Week in Review Monday, December 30, 2019 Today we started class with a good prayer from our brother Kalan W., which led to a lot of good energy being passed around afterward. We are getting closer to graduation, so everybody seems to becoming more and more anxious. We took our last Crime and Punishment test […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5660\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}