PASSAGES Risking. Trying. Trusting. Hello Peer Advisory Teachers: Re: Nov 13 Peer Advisory – Selecting Do Hard Things Speakers. Below are the descriptions you can use to help students pick their sessions for Nov. 27. I’d suggest you pull this up on your smart board and use student volunteers to read through this “SCRIPT.” You can print your own copy if needed. There are YouTubevideo clips and pictures included below. Please continue to pray with me for Nov. 27, it’s going to be an exciting Day! Let me know if you have any questions. Layne

General theme: How have the risks, challenges, failures, and difficult things of your life shaped you? How have you experienced God’s presence, His comfort, and His leadership in your life during times of risk, exhilaration and crisis?

Date of Event: November 27 (All Morning) 9 AM: Keynote Address by Alvin Law (Emmanuel Church) 10:10 AM: Breakout Session #1 (Secondary Classrooms) 10:40 AM: Breakout Session #2 (Secondary Classrooms) 11:10 AM: Peer Advisory Debrief (PA Teacher’s room)

Who We’ve Got… Grade 10-12’s only Mike and Daphne Ter Kuile: She saved his life.

Play the first 45 seconds of this video: http://globalnews.ca/video/2228300/calgarian-shares-story-of-saving-herhusbands-life Mike and Daphne will be here to share their story tomorrow. They have both been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder yet continue to work and live productive lives. They have truly overcome some challenges. If you’d like to know more about their story, join their session on Nov. 27. This presentation is for Grade 10-12 Students (only).

Grade 10-12’s ONLY Minh Le: Managing Director at the Louise Dean School The Louise Dean Centre/ School helps teen Mom finish high school and thrive. Minh Le is the Executive Director. (READ THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHT BELOW).

If you select Mrs. Le’s session you’ll see how God brings hope in challenging circumstances.

Grade 10-12 ONLY - Dan Fraser:

Dan is a 17 year veteran with the Calgary Police Service. As a full time officer safety instructor, Dan has trained over one thousand officers in subjects including control tactics, use of force, interpersonal communications and crowd management. His articles have been published in several magazines and journals and he is a contributing author to the book, ‘If I Knew Then: Life Lessons From Cops On The Street.’ Outside of policing Dan is a passionate speaker and mental skills coach. As an adventure racer and Ironman triathlete, Dan has seen great success in harnessing the power of the mind to improve athletic performance. For Dan, opportunity is often disguised as hard work. He’ll relate some of his highs and lows as an infantry soldier, police officer, endurance athlete, adventurer and Father. He’ll describe how Doing Hard Things has opened many doors for him in life. Dan will pass along some life lessons and will show that Courage Comes in Many Forms. His presentation and Q&A is designed for Grade 10-12 Students.

Byron Bradley: Community Engagement Manager, Seed

Byron has worked at the Mustard Seed for 12 years. He’ll share how he has faced his own fears around the issues of homelessness, mental health and addictions. He’s married with a two year old son, Kale. He’s also a die-hard Flames and Blue Jays fan. Byron is very passionate about raising awareness with issues surrounding homelessness, mental health, addictions. His breakout is titled: The Poor Among Us. This video shows some of the challenges of homelessness in Calgary. Byron and others at the Seed are working to help. Play the first 1:01 of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n1oouQd_Ys

James Budd UNANNOUNCED: Play the first 45 seconds-or-so of this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6KoNYH5kWMA As one of our most popular speakers last year, James Budd is back! Ever since James was a young boy, he knew he wanted to be a soldier. This dream only solidified for him as he joined Outward Bound, a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions. When it was time, James joined the Canadian Armed Forces, and served at bases in Petawawa, Ontario as well as Gagetown, New Brunswick. He was also deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Canada’s military commitment in that country. He now serves as a police officer for the Calgary Police Service. James is looking forward to sharing about what he has learned from his experiences as a soldier and a police officer, especially when it comes to two themes: what to do when you want to quit something, and how to handle challenges that may instill fear.

Janelle Bekkering UNANNOUCED, Play this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHjHRE5Yckc

Janelle has experienced things some of us might dream about. She earned a full athletic scholarship to play basketball at Gonzaga University. While playing at Gonzaga, she went on to earn a Civil Engineering degree. After Gonzaga she played professionally in Belgium. Basketball has taught Janelle many lessons about doing hard things in life. Her presentation is titled: Overcoming Adversity.

Jordan Hamilton

Jordan has worked for the United Nations and the World Bank. He has been awarded a Master’s degree in economics, an MBA and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for making a “significant contribution to Canada,”among other awards. Currently Jordan is the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre’s Manager of External Relations. He was the Di employee who gave our grade 9 leadership class the tour of the Drop-In facility a couple of weeks ago. All his experience has taught Jordan a different meaning to Jesus words, cast your net on the other side.” Jordan believes that we need to look at homelessness differently and ask questions like, why are there homeless people? Jordan’s presentation is titled: Cast Your Net on the Other Side and is suitable for students in Grades 9-12.

Kerry Cundal: You may have seen Kerry’s signs in our schoolneighbourhood during the recent Federal election.

Unfortunately for Kerry, she didn’t win this riding. That might make you wonder, what happens to political candidates when they lose an election? How do they do the hard thing and move on with life? Kerry will share her story about the election. She’ll also talk about her current work as a lawyer. She’s working with the Mennonite Central Committee and Catholic Immigration Services providing guidance to those agencies as they try to help Syrian refugees move to Canada. Kerry’s done many hard or challenging things in life and will share parts of her story with us.

Kevin Mark: Quadrapalegic who has overcome many challenges

Kevin suffered a spinal Cord injury while playing hockey when he was 16. He writes: I have lived the past 33 years as a quadrapalegic in a wheelchair but have lead a very full and enjoyable life, achieving and bridging many of my goals in life. I’d like to share with the students how to persevere through difficult times, take chances, and how to maintain a positive attitude. I would show the students through my life how to overcome difficulties and challenges. Kevin has been married for the past 23 years and has a stepson. Please consider joining his session titled, Be Your Best Self.

Marilyn Erho:

On March 1995, I was in a motor vehicle accident. I never thought my life would take such a huge change . I lost my husband in the accident and I sustained a spinal cord injury. I went from living a fully active life, playing sports, and enjoying life to one day waking up and not being able to walk and not knowing what my life was going to look like. I made a choice to turn this situation into something positive. Life is subject to change without notice and everything happens for a reason. When my accident occurred, I was told I would not be able to walk, move my arms, I would require 24/7 care, and I wouldn’t work or drive. Currently, I still cannot walk; but I can move my arms, I have limited care, I work full time and I drive my own vehicle. I set a goal and I never gave up on my dreams. I have learned to appreciate many things that we take for granted. Marilyn has an incredible story. Consider joining her Nov. 27.

Martin Parnell: Athlete and Philanthropist Taken in 2010, this video captures the quest of one of our presenters who is back for a second year! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84GiB_sVxNU Play the first 57 seconds Martin was one of our most popular presenters and had a direct impact on our school community. After his visit, Daniel Hermann, the student who lead our Marit Cup team last year, added Right to Play as a charity we

support. Martin was scheduled to play in the Marit Cup last year. Unfortunately, just before the big game he was taken to hospital where they discovered a blood clot on his brain. Martin will share stories about his recovery over the past year. His presentation is titled, Dealing with obstacles Head on - Beating a Clot-on-the-Brain.

Nicki Rehn:

Talk about Doing hard things! Each year Nicki Rehn competes in a race that she has never finished. In fact, in the over 30 years the race has been going, only fourteen men and zero women have ever finished. Nicki will tell us more about the race and how she has successfully run 330 km across the Italian Alps. Consider joining Nicki’s breakout, it’s titled: Facing Failure Every Time. Some of you might remember Mrs. Rehn, she was a VP at our Elementary School and is now an Educational Consultant training teachers at Ambrose University College.

Richard Abma:

Some would say Mr. Abma has been teaching Social Studies and other subjects our school forever! Some might not know that he’s also a father of five who loves creation and travel. He loves seeing new places and meeting new people. Last year he combined some of these passions and taught in Dubai, UAE. In his own words, “moving to the other side of the world to another culture, another school and all the things associated with such change was overwhelming for a while but it did get better. I would love to share some stories of what my wife and I went through.” His presentation is titled: It’s Hot and Getting Hotter.

Riley Lindberg:

Lyme disease survivor

Riley Lindberg is 22 years old and building a financial planning business. Three years ago all this seemed impossible! Once an aspiring hockey player, Riley was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. He spent years in his bed unable to move. At times all he could eat was the soup his mother fed him. While in bed one day watching the Tour de France bike race with

his Dad he was visited by one of our students. She saw Riley was getting much joy from watching the Tour De France that she created the painting you see (part of her Senior Project) and bought Riley this Tour de France jersey. The yellow jersey is given to the person leading the Tour at the end of each Day. Riley will share how over five years God used Doctors to heal him of Lyme Disease! Here is Riley’s words: My name is Riley Lindberg, I am 22 years old and Love Life! I was born in Victoria, but moved to Calgary when I was 4. I have played hockey for most of my life and love to ski, bike, hike, and play just about any sport. I am very passionate about people and feel called to make a difference in the world. I believe that by putting God first and striving to love everyone as I love myself, I can be a source of light to others. With a positive attitude and a smile on my face, I hope to encourage, support and care for everyone around me for as long as I live.

Ruth Lewis:

Executive Director at Pioneer Camp

Ruth’s story is familiar to many adults. She writes, “failing some courses in university taught me perseverance and resilience; being in a hard mission field (Quebec) for 30 years; one of my best friends being killed in a car accident; rebuilding Alberta Pioneer Camp; being a single woman in ministry” all contributed to the person she is today! Ruth has also worked with students as a part of Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship for 35 years. She is now the Executive Director at Pioneer Camp. Ruth will share valuable life lessons in a presentation titled, Failing to Succeed.

Shannon Dean: Director, Camp Chestermere

Mr. Dean is no stranger to Calgary Christian, he’s a former VP of our High School. Since leaving CCS he has worked for the Calgary Board of Education and last year accepted a position as the Director of Camp Chestermere. Mr. Dean would say that It’s not always easy to discern or follow God’s call. Teaching in school’s was a career he was good at and had even earned a Master’s for. It wasn’t easy when God asked him to lay that all God to lay that all down and move into full time ministry at Camp Chestermere. He’ll talk with us about how our identity is not what we do but is found in Christ. Consider joining this presentation titled, Following God’s Call.

Stephen Deng: Lost Boy of Sudan UNANNOUNCED: Play the first 48 seconds of this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw8WliTCe3Y

You can hear more of Stephen’s fascinating journey to overcome challenges and meet him face-to-face if you sign up for his session.

Tamara Menzies: CCS Family School Liaison Counselor

While in many ways my life may appear fairly ordinary, that very fact is quite miraculous. Left to my own strength, I would be perpetuating a legacy of dysfunction, pain and illness today. But that is not my story. Our journeys are rarely linear, and are seldom neat and tidy. However, there is undeniable beauty in the chaos, in the mess, because we have a Friend who is always at our side. I would like to share part of my messy journey with interested students of CCS. I would like to share a little bit about the effects an abusive upbringing had on my life, and about the personal repercussions of harbouring bitterness and unforgiveness in my heart. Most importantly, I would like to share how our incredible Healer and Comforter truly led me through my personal wildernesses, bringing me through a process of healing from trauma, forgiving, coming out of depression, and becoming who He created me to be. If this interests you, consider joining Mrs. Menzies for A Beautiful Mess.

Val Lieske:

Actor, Director, Playwright

Val is the artistic director and co-founder of Fire Exit Theatre, a theatre company in Calgary that exists for the purpose of telling compelling stories to generate conversations around faith. Their motto is: Hope. Challenge. Change. Fire Exit is not a “Christian theatre company”, nor is it a “secular theatre company”, because those kinds of categories do not exist for Val and her team of theatrical folks at Fire Exit. Val has also recently partnered with a colleague from Fire Exit to begin a theatre school. The school now finds its home at Ambrose University College. Val will talk about what it is like to start a new venture like Fire Exit—what kind of start-up energy that required, and also what kind of vision, courage, and resilience as well.

Wendy Lowe: VP of Advancement at Ambrose University

After 26 years at the Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre, Wendy moved on to become the Vice-President of Advancement at Ambrose University. Wendy will share stories from her personal life, of some of the amazing people she met while working at the Pregnancy Care Centre and of her transition from a job she loved to a new challenge at the Ambrose University. Wendy is a living example of how God can ask his people to move from one thing they love to find an additional love. Please consider joining Wendy’s sessions on Nov. 27.