Courageous Edventures: Pursuing the Horizon of Innovation

"We must be courageous. We must be bold." To really make a difference in our world, in our lives, in the lives of others (e.g. students), it's about "embracing the possibility of failure, preparing for potential storms and inevitable rocky shores. It means taking a set of fresh eyes to chart a course around the many challenges, the naysayers."

In a world of insecurities, plenty of reasons to be fearful, and lots of criticizing opinions, sometimes we have to be willing to set sail on our own to find better and more beautiful places. Magiera maps out succinctly and transparently just how teachers (or really, professionals) can go from frustration to innovation.

So often people don't like their situations. But we must be people who do not just complain--be solution finders! And balance that with goal of innovation, newness, betterment with sound judgment about what the goal is and should be: "my goal shouldn't simply be to do something new for the sake of it being new or to get better using these new tools. Rather, my focus should be to solve existing problems with new methodologies--and in the process, to reimagine how teaching and learning could look and feel like."

I've been on a journey to really try to innovate in my classroom for about the two years. It's been a process. It's a good thing I watched Zootopia and connected on a pretty spiritual level with the bunny Judy Hopps and her approach to life-- "Try Everything" -- and her mantra, "Ready to make the world a better place?" I started finding ideas I thought were really cool, tech-forward, stretched my kiddos and decided I'd give things a try no matter if the success was guaranteed or not. I've had several projects or ideas that would be considered fails, but my goal was simply to learn something and help someone.

Magiera's book journeys from a "Gripe Jam," a time to throw out (but also problem-solve) frustrations, developing organizational plans, to overcoming common obstacles, and ideas to innovate. Her ideas can be adjusted to fit classrooms of kindergarteners to seniors. She mentions 20% Time (Yes! My fav!), student-led tech teams, problem-based learning (something I want to do more), Makerspaces, digital portfolios, and how to inspire with Rube Goldberg machines (ARE THESE NOT AMAZING?).

As I read through this book, I realized that in order to truly soak this in, to put Jennie's ideas into action, I need to slow down. Don't rush through her read. Some of the chapters are wonderfully practical--take time to stop for a couple of days, process, write down your own experiences and reflections, and then pick the book back up to continue the journey.

At my core I'm a teacher, a opportunity-door-opener. I can't help it, it's just in the fiber of my being. Many of my colleagues are the same. I challenge you, whether you are a professional educator or a restless soul longing for more, to go on a "Courageous Edventure," setting sail into the unknown, willing to reach out for the horizon despite the fears and obstacles. Because don't you know, life is better when we are moving forward, chasing awesome, and pursuing purpose.

God is Able: Activating Power

Let's talk power. You've got this kind of power:
 
Then you've got this kind of power:
 
And you've got my favorite kind of power:

But what if you never got the car out of the garage? What if you never plugged that computer into the wall? What if that horse never did anything more than stand it its stall? There's power available, but we aren't using it as it should be.

I've often felt like I'm missing something spiritually. Like God's real, and there, and definitely at work, but for some reason I'm always turned the other way or distracted and I miss the "show" of His miracles. They happen in other people's lives, but just not mine. Why can't I see all of these divine interventions? Why doesn't God do supernatural things in my life? Well...perhaps it has nothing to do with God leaving me out, but that I haven't plugged in. I haven't stepped on the gas pedal. I haven't taken that horse out of the barn.

2 Timothy 1:7 says that we are given a "spirit of power." A "mighty strength" (Ephesians 1:19) is in us who believe, the same that raised Jesus from the dead. The moment we believe in Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit resides in us. His power is "working" (Ephesians 3:7) through us. Whoa. It's there. But just not used. And I'll admit, sometimes I don't think to ask Him to power my life.

Priscilla says it this way: "Endowed by God with an enormous amount of power, yet tinkering along at a spiritual snails pace, taking up a lane but not really letting Him take us anywhere. Trading adventure for what feels to us (deceptively) like complete control. As a result, not only do we miss out on feeling the wind of destiny and abundance in our own hair, we also potentially clog up the pipeline of blessing for others coming up behind us. We forfeit opportunities to show our children and those we disciple what happens when His foot is on the accelerator of our lives."

"What a travesty it would be to let it--to let Him--just sit there. Untapped and unused. Barely if ever igniting His power, afraid to punch it, to see what it can do. Have we decided our faith is better off just playing it safe on the spiritual back roads, in the slow lane hardly letting it drive us anywhere other than to church on Sunday."

So perhaps it isn't that I've "missed" God's power, I just haven't channeled it. I haven't invited it to be a part of my life. I haven't activated the switch. I'm not expecting it in my little world. Perhaps if I didn't get so caught up in the chaos of life, if I kept my eyes turned to Jesus, I would recognize opportunities to be obedient and unlock that power. So I'm going to expect God to show up, every day, his power at work in my heart and on this road of life.

Thanks, Priscilla, for handing me the power cord, for reminding me turn to Him in my moments of struggle and of praise. This book is beautiful!

God is Able: Perspective

Truly, perspective makes all the difference. Perspective can determine success, attitude, decisions, relationships--so many things ride on back of one's viewpoint.

This book reminds us that in life's uncertainties and challenges, where we place our attention and focus will determine how solid the footing feels. Priscilla meticulously walks us through Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." And while she invites us to name our "It," the thorn in our flesh, we are to adjust our vantage point as we continue forward in our temporal existence.

The time is now. It's now we face our trials, but it's also in this moment that our God is with us. God has and does bridge the gap between us and Him, between our problems and His power.  

I think I need to make the first three words of this verse my mantra: "Now to Him." That's it. That's the perspective adjustment that I need daily to get me from frustrated to fulfilled, from baffled to feeling blessed. It's a turning. Now, to Him. In this moment, Jesus, You. I know this about myself: when I am focused on myself, my whole day gets derailed. I get tired that my kids made a mess of the living room (again); I feel irritated that I have to sweep up dog hair (again); My blood boils because something doesn't go the way I want it at school. Notice what those last statements start with? Me. And that's really what makes challenges seem so big, that's what makes the future seem so daunting, that what makes the world seem like the enemy. 

Priscilla calls out: "Quit staring at your problems!...They're often all we think about...And they'll take all our energy and attention if we let them." 

Therefore, let's take our eyes off the monsters and turn to God. Our God. God is all powerful, all knowing, Creator of galaxies, Author of Life. The roar of busyness dulls when focused on the sweet image of our Savior. Life isn't so scary when you have the ultimate Protector in our vision. Let's see our "difficulties through the lens of God's power and glory. Instead of turning to run [let's turn] into heroes" of our generation.

God is Able: My "It"

I love this woman. Priscilla Shirer. I've had the honor of hearing her speak live, watch War Room (life-altering, by the way), and now, I get to soak in her teachings once again.

And she doesn't mess around. It's straight to the heart, to the Truth, to "It."

She defines "It" as that thing that keeps us up at night. That we wrestle with God about. The thing that we just don't know what to do with, or if God will ever do something about it. And just like that, she calls us to name it.

I thought about that for a little while. What is my "It"? Fears about my kids' health definitely caused me to panic (I can't count how many times I've stood over a crib in the middle of the night). Nightmares about moral struggles of family and friends has surely kept me up at night. Crocodiles definitely could make the list (seriously). Decisions and perspectives about my career are big.

But really, when it comes down to it, I think my greatest fear is that I'll be seen as Not Enough. As a Fake. That people (and God) will realize that I don't always know what I'm talking about, that I'm not as put together as I try to pretend, that I make the same mistakes over and over. That I am Inadequate. And a lot of it is that I can't control everything.

I want to leave a legacy, make a powerful mark on the world, but in my heart, I fear that because I am imperfect and incompetent that I will somehow screw my opportunity up. Mess my kids up. That my coworkers will see right through me and see how incapable I feel. That I'm failing at this life.

But, oh, Priscilla. You speak it to my soul. Can God handle my failures? Can he salvage my brokenness? Can he handle and fix my "It"?

"Just because God can doesn't mean he will.
But just because He hasn't doesn't mean He won't.
The bottom line is that He is able. And because he is able, and because He is love, our hearts are completely secure in every situation, no matter how desperate or chronic or time sensitive."

"In fact, I'm more and more convinced that when He chooses to perform physical miracles in our lives--when He does what we consider supernatural and extraordinary--His chief intention even then is not to blow our minds, but to cause our hearts to become more inclined toward Him and aligned with His."

And then this:

Ephesians 3:20-21.
Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. 

Capital Gaines: Trusting God

Goodness, I'm so glad I titled the blog as I did! Reading books like I have, am, and will, does such wonders for my heart and soul. Tool-belt, boot-wearing Chip sheds a lot of astute wisdom in this book and warms my soul like a steaming latte on a icy Missouri winter's day, i.e. TODAY (. (Too much simile? Yeah, I thought so too. So let's just say it's awesome.)

Look! My Magnolia mug bought from THE Magnolia Market. 

One element of this book that so clear is that Chip and Jo's trust in God is paramount.

Whether it was the challenges of opening and closing their shop, financial insecurity, getting the call to start Fixer Upper, or the success of their business, they attribute all of their forward progress to God showing up at the right time. They've depended on him and He's blessed them for it.

Chip says "winning and losing isn't an event; it's a mindset." How can a person see failures and obstacles as opportunities, unless they have hope that it will all work out in the end? Or that setbacks are just setbacks, especially when you still have what is most important to you (like faith and family)?

They--Chip and Jo and Magnolia--are self-proclaimed "scrappy," and these "types will do whatever it takes when we're going head-to-head with challenges. When other bail for one reason or another, we're just getting warmed up." You don't fight that hard unless you believe in your soul that battle is making an eternal difference.

They didn't set out to alter the landscape of an entire city, or shape the decor of millions of homes across the country, or be New York Times Bestsellers. But, "small things can have a massive impact." How does one couple reach to the height that they have without a little divine intervention?

God is the God of the impossible. When humans have limitations, God shows up, unlimited. Chip and Jo believe that if they can dream it, God can make it happen. They don't dwell on "what won't work, [so] we've found that nothing is impossible."

"Find something to fight for. Something to live for." Chip's encouraging nature rings true in the last chapter of this book. He challenges readers, all people, no matter their age or stage, to combine "bold bravery with a calling you're passionate about" becoming a "force to be reckoned with." Each of us are given a time on this Earth and I don't think it was to sit and do nothing. Let's leave a legacy! Let's build bridges! Let's dream big! Let's "live a life worthy of being written down" so that future generations not only benefit from our actions and hard work, but from our story as well. 

Chip ends this book with a challenge to write down what inspires you, what you're passionate about. That's a tough one, sometimes hard to define in just the right words. I'm passionate about making the world a better place, more specifically, making people better people. I'm passionate about leaving a mark and being a symbol of goodness in the world. I teach, and I hope that I carry out those things in my profession every single day.

(P.S. They are ending the show. Perhaps forever, perhaps not, but at least for now. I'm sure that's got a lot of people upset. And I probably won't turn on HGTV at all anymore, because theirs was the only show I watched. But I totally get it. They've done it because as Chip says, "It's not that we can't juggle more than two things at a time...We just don't do it well. Something's eventually got to give." Family, Business, and TV Show. One has to go, isn't the choice obvious? They trust God with their family and their future, so while saying goodbye to something seems like a huge step, really, it's just being obedient to the call of God on their lives and prioritizing what really matters.)

Capital Gaines: Marriage

Marriage is a fascinating creature. Each has it's own personality beyond the two it joins together. Some are fiery, some peaceful, some rambunctious, some tumultuous, and a million other adjectives. Mine: STEADY. I'm an introverted, consistent home-body who is married to a gracious, compassionate, intelligent, and genuinely fabulous (and occasionally spontaneous) husband. We don't do audacious things, but approach life pretty thoughtfully, focusing on the few things we find valuable. Chip and Jo are self-confessed opposites, so her calculated and cautious approach and his go-get-'em spontaneity seem to balance one another out successfully. I guess you could say, their marriage is planned adventurousness. But in both our cases, it works for us.

Chip and Joanna are honest about what makes their marriage work. Respectful and loving. Regular date-nights.  And "slack in the rope to make mistakes." But probably most importantly, they let God lead them, both as individuals and as a couple:

"...we both walk in authority in the areas of our natural God-given strengths, and that seems to be what makes working together so seamless in our case. As we've learned to harness these opposing characteristics and shore up each other's weaknesses, we've managed to make this working-together thing look pretty easy." 

They trust each other's judgment. They know who they are. They support each other completely, because, "Who wouldn't want to spend all of their time with someone who loves them for who they are and believes the very best about them, who encourages them to fight for their dreams and is the first one to jump in and fight by their side?"

"Life can be tough, and the world can be cruel and relentless. So far as I can see, the point of marriage is to have a partner, a friend for the long journey ahead."

I can't imagine doing life without my husband. I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't have him. He gives me confidence to wake up each day and tackle life's challenges. He encourages me to be the absolute BEST version of myself, while forgiving me for my shortcomings. (As I read their books, I really want Austin and I to be another Chip and Joanna.) The reality is, we can't be, but we can be our own version of an example of a healthy, vibrant, God-driven marriage in a world filled with turmoil and selfishness.

Capital Gaines: Purpose and Fear

It is rare to pick up a book and within moments of cracking the cover feel welcomed through and through by the author's invitation to the journey.

Of course, if you've ever watched Chip and Joanna Gaines for more than about 3.5 seconds, you already know that's the kind of people they are. But I'm a bit biased. I've watched every episode of Fixer Upper, visited Magnolia Market in Waco, bought a Magnolia hat, AND got tweeted at by Chip. I'm unashamedly enamored by this incredible couple who have built their lives through struggles, faith, and love. And now, God has given them an enormous platform to share their their perspective on life. What an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact! (See, I told you I'm obsessed.) 

Last fall, I read The Magnolia Story, their jointly-written tale of their lives. They share experiences from the times they were kids and the foundations of their families, to the early days of their relationship, to their highs and lows in business. Truly, they have worked their way from the ground up, living modestly--sometimes meagerly--but always striving to do the right thing and listen to the voice of God. One of my favorite meme's says, "In a world of Kardashians, be a Joanna." Will do. 

Chip's book, Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff, fully details why he is who he is. He's a full-steam ahead entrepreneur, eternal optimist, and seasoned trial-overcomer. While he may have had help from a team writing this book, it's still very much Chip: "You were uniquely created for a purpose...It's big, and it's important, and there's no one else anywhere on the planet who can fulfill it. So quit jacking around and go get after it." Chip isn't going on this journey alone. He wants each of us to reach our full potential; so get your muck boots and ball cap on and let's get going!

(The start of this book is SO MUCH like Raising an Original, but I suppose that both being Christ-following, big-family Texans might do that to you.) 

So far, here's what I've found very powerful: Mistakes and hardships happen to everyone. It's how we respond that makes all the difference. 

"I believe each life lesson and every opportunity is a building block on which future experiences are built...Every ounce of energy you invest in pursuing your goals will help you grow toward God's plan for you...even if you end up somewhere you hadn't counted on."

Maybe Austin planned on living life in Ash Grove, MO. But I certainly did not. And yet, here I am. One decision after another led me to this spot--as a teacher, entrepreneur, church nursery volunteer-- so dedicated to making a big difference in this small town. I used to be afraid of challenges, risks, and mistakes, but over the past few years, God has given me the confidence, not only in his purpose for my life, but in my God-given abilities to try new things, overcome obstacles, and take on roles that I didn't feel equipped for. But we don't make it very far without a few scary steps. As Chip says, "because we're not afraid to fail, fear has lost its power over us." 

Raising an Original

Raising an Original by Julie Lyles Carr was a profound and fun read! Her witty style and large family make for entertaining tales that stretched my perspectives.

Austin and I read it over Christmas break, as we were neck deep in corralling our munchkins, 24/7, trying to keep some semblance of order and routine.

She begins her writing by weaving together some beautiful humans from history, metaphors, and scripture:

"...curious threads run through all of us, strands of personality and possibility and purpose that are present from the very inception of our lives. Some of us grab hold of those threads and wave together a lace of life that reflects what we are meant to be."

"We (parents) are tasked with taking threads of life in our children and helping shape them as a dwelling for the Spirit of God."

"We are all, each of us, an original. The Divine Lacemaker gathers His similar threads for life and weaves them anew for every human brought to existence. And when He makes us parents, He invites us to participate in that miraculous process..." 

The thought that we are to join God on the journey of raising our unique offsprings makes the task feel less daunting. Realizing that we were given this child, at this time in history, with this one-of-a-kind personality and purpose, makes parenting each child a fascinating honor. I've always been one to sort of get this, but Carr's book emphasizes this point even more, and for the two weeks we were home with the boys, my eyes were trained more carefully on watching them approach life.

One thing that she does not ignore is our role or perceived role as a parent. Don't expect your kids to do what you did. Don't live vicariously through them. Don't expect them to shoulder our burdens. There's a few chapters in here where Carr basically sits you down, leans in, and in a stern (but loving) voice says, "Listen here. Parenting is hard. But it's not about you. So throw that all out. Get on board with God's design. Period." I love it. Don't beat around the bush with me. Serious soul-searching. And it instigated powerful discussions about our expectations for our boys, whether they are healthy or not.

She uses  the DiSC personality assessment as a tool for observing and coaching our children's unique personalities.Through reading her book, we discovered (it was pretty obvious) that our oldest is a "Director" (Dominance) personality. While our youngest hasn't quite hit two yet and is a little young for the test, we are fairly certain he is the "Inspirer" (Influencer). This means he has all the feelings, all the time, with abundance. So as we played DinoTrux and Paw Patrol for the millionth time, I stopped fighting against Eli's directives and encouraged Ezra's excitement. Those threads are meant to be woven carefully, pulled in the same direction as the child, so to speak, rather than fighting in a battle of tug-o-war. The DiSC assessment was also reflective because Austin and I looked at our own personalities, and realized we essentially have one of each type in our home, making for a raucous, vibrant, and sometimes challenging home.

Carr's book is so tender, so authentic, so practical, so challenging--all the things that parenting entails. Her love for her family and her reader spills off the pages and is such an encouragement. We can successfully and gracefully equip our children in God's purpose for their lives with tenderness and intentionality.

A New Season: 2018

Welcome back! 

I'm so excited to be blogging again! We've been in the season called babies-diapers-toddlers-messy-craziness, and this year, Austin and I want to be focused and intentional with our time.

Taking time to READ is important to our spiritual and emotional health. So, what better way to use a school 20Time opportunity to read and blog. Hopefully, I'll be able to read many books that breathe life to our souls and encouragement to our hearts.

The LOVE OF MY LIFE:

Our ADORABLE Munchkins:

Recently, I've been reading a fun and fascinating literary cocktail: Star Wars Aftermath series (Wendig), The Magnolia Story (Gaines), Raising an Original (Carr), and I Am Malala (Yousafzai). It's been a perfect blend of far reaching galaxies and challenging realities. I'd recommend ALL of them. (Here's a link to my reflections on Malala's story.)

I hope to start this year with a short reflection on Carr's text as it provided a focused lens for raising our children with their God-given purpose as the focus. It was beautiful.

Thank you for taking this journey with me and I hope you find a morsel of encouragement as we read our way through 2018!