Awaken Your Child's Potential

I am excited to announce that the e-book I have been working on is now complete and eager to be read!

I wrote Awaken Your Child's Potential: Discovering the best direction for the future for Student Launch Pad. 

It is written for parents and intended to awaken the potential in your son or daughter and watch their gifts come alive. By helping your child discover their best direction for their future, you can launch them on a path where they can live into the potential you see in them.

Awaken Your Child's Potential is a 30 page e-book that includes exercises for determining your child’s strengths, writing a vision statement, and completing a personal development plan. It will help your child answer the questions of “Who am I? What is my purpose? and How do I get there?”

To download your free copy, visit: http://studentlaunchpad.com/free-e-book.

Putting grace to the test: A crown of love

Last week I discussed how my courage is being put to the test, in an exciting way! This week, I thought I'd give an update on my progress towards the second of my two words for 2013: "grace."  With "courage" taking the scene last week, "grace" is now trying to squeeze its way in through more humbling means. 

I am currently training for a half marathon in April and have really been enjoying the time running with my friends. However, due to a couple bad colds that I've gotten and some other life events, I've been fatigued recently and not able to run. During several training days, my friends were gracious and walked with me. But it's difficult to transfer that grace to myself. I'm doing yoga and pilates instead right now, but my achiever mentality makes it challenging to stop thinking about the increased mileage that I'm getting behind on by not running.

I even just bought new running shoes that I'm eager to use...

But I am recognizing that during this break from training, a bigger question is in the picture: Where is my identity? 

I've been convicted this week that I've been placing some of my identity into being a runner, wanting to succeed. And with other family circumstances that are happening now, I am also making my identity into a "fixer" or problem solver. Instead, my true identity should point to God and His ultimate plan, allowing Him to work out everything according to His good purposes. 

Even my actual name, Stephanie, is in itself an identity. Stephanie means "crowned," and God used this meaning to remind me today that He gives me an identity in Him.

Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits - 

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

and satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103 (above) reminded me that no matter the life circumstances, God crowns me with his love and compassion. Why would I desire to put my hope, trust, or identity in anything else besides this promise?

What is your competitive advantage?

Through Student Launch Pad, I love working with students to help them paint a clearer picture of their future and see more clearly where they want to be heading. This week's blog post at Student Launch Pad is about understanding your competitive advantage. Yet whether you are a student or not, the concept is useful for identifying the areas of your life that you need to direct your focus.

In Jim Collins’ Good to Great, he found that a key factor in an organization going from “good to great” was an understanding of and devotion to the one thing that company does better than anyone else.

It’s important for you as a student to apply this same concept of understanding your competitive advantage. What is it that you excel at, exceed expectations in, or surpass your peers in?

Many students say “yes” to every opportunity, whether it fits into their long-term goals or not. The temptation to over-commit can come from a variety of sources, including the desire to be “well-rounded,” to achieve, or from being known as a “go-to” person who will get things done. However, to college admissions or future employers, “well-rounded” can appear as a lack of focus.

As Greg McKeown writes, “If we don’t design our careers, someone else will.” He suggests that the number one career mistake that people make is not being deliberate enough in discerning what responsibilities to take on. Oftentimes many good opportunities distract us from our one great vision of the future. What are you saying “yes” to that is taking away from your competitive advantage?

What are you saying "yes" to that is distracting you from your vision?
What do you need to say "yes" to in order to move toward your vision?

To finish reading this post, continue onto the Student Launch Pad blog by clicking here.

Putting Courage to the Test

Remember how my two words for 2013 are "grace" and "courage?" Well, courage is already being put to the test.

John and I were recently presented with the unexpected opportunity to travel to Uganda through Winshape International. As we found out more information, it sounded like an incredible trip where we would be working with men and women who have recently started their own businesses. Through classes at a business center, we would coach them one-on-one and in small groups on developing their business plans and growing their companies. We would also be able to visit their businesses and seem them "in action." How exciting!

The only problem is that we would not find out specifics (i.e. exact dates, accommodations, travel plans etc.) until a month and a half before the trip. The planner in me really struggled with dropping everything and going to Africa for 10 days on a month's notice. But through John's and my prayers together and separately we felt very led to go on this trip.

Neither of us has been to Africa before, and Uganda has always been a place we've wanted to go. The work itself also aligns with our passions of developing others and doing "business as mission."

As soon as we committed to going on the trip (so far it is only us two and a trip leader), God began confirming our decision. For instance, we contacted Compassion International to try to arrange a visit with the child that we sponsor in Uganda through their organization. Even though they typically need 8 weeks to arrange this visit, they got back to us the next day and have already arranged for Ronald to meet us in Kampala - a six+ hour journey from his hometown. I cannot wait to spend a day getting to know Ronald and hearing about his family. We've already written several letters back and forth to each other too.

There are still a lot of preparations to do in a month (I still need to get a lot of shots, I really dislike packing, and I have never been on such a long plane ride!). And if anyone has recommendations on what is appropriate to wear, or suggestions on what a 15 year-old boy would want as gifts (I am putting together a backpack for Ronald), let me know! Yet I am at peace with everything and so excited for our trip, and I attribute this to the courage that God is building up in me.

As we prepare to leave in about a month, I would love prayers for our trip and that we would be able to speak truth and encouragement into the business men and women that we will be meeting with. I cannot wait to see what relationships develop from our time in Uganda.

Travel Journal 4: Tahoe Adventures

2013 is off to a busy and exciting start! I am working with four schools in the Atlanta area, taking students through the Student Launch Pad program, and I spent a few days last week in Orlando, meeting with schools and individuals interested in the program.

That being said, I have not written as frequently so far this year, and I am behind on cataloging my travels. So here is a quick recap of the wonderful time that John and I had in Tahoe with his parents and sisters.

After New Years Eve in D.C., I flew into Atlanta on News Year Day where John met me at the airport with my second suitcase. We then flew to meet his family in Tahoe for a ski trip.

I had never skied before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The first day, after getting fitted for skis/boots (I had to learn how to even put everything on!), I headed to my ski lesson. Our instructor started us on the "Magic Carpet" but by the end of the class, I could get on the ski lift and navigate down the "Big Easy" aka Bunny Slope. (Navigate does not mean without falling!)

Before ski school... right before taking this picture, I started sliding backwards down an incline and wiped out. Guess you should wait to take pictures until after the lesson!

The rest of the afternoon, John practiced with me on the green slopes, but I was very scared that first day. I was not good at controlling my speed or direction - hence I fell a lot and woke up the next morning very sore!

John and I before going down a Green

The second day, my mother-in-law Lisa taught me how to turn and use "pizza" to slow down. I followed behind her on the green slopes and started feeling a lot more comfortable. It also helped that my father-in-law Steve would follow behind to pick up my skis when I fell! As I practiced on the greens, John adventured down blacks with his sisters.

Tahoe itself is absolutely beautiful, and I was able to enjoy even more of the scenery by the third and fourth days when I went on the blue slopes. On the third day I was feeling a lot more confident and loved one particular blue run that we did through the woods.

First Blue! SO pretty!

The run through the woods- you can see the lake in the background

Since I had accomplished a blue run all the way down to our condo without falling, John thought I could handle more challenging blues on our last day. The views were incredible, but some of the runs were very steep. On one I could not slow down and flew down the slope yelling "I can't stop!" before wiping out with John and his parents watching from above. But if that was my worst fall then I'm still proud of the progress I made throughout the week!

Last day, before going down our final three blue runs

Aside from the fun times we had skiing during the day, we also went out to two very nice dinners. The first was at a restaurant called Christy Hill, which was on Lake Tahoe. (Side note: This was also my first time in California!) We had an early dinner, so we saw the amazing sunset over the lake. The food was also delicious! The other wonderful dinner that we went to was at the Ritz to celebrate Lisa's birthday, which was also wonderful!

Beautiful sunset over Lake Tahoe

Sisters!

All trying to squeeze in the photo without falling on the ice!

John and me before dinner at Christy Hill

We had such a wonderful trip, and I absolutely loved skiing. I definitely want to go again! It was also such a special time to be with the family, play board games in the evening, make dinner together, and listen to Emma and Amy sing and play guitar. I am so very thankful for my amazing in-laws!

Who's Telling Your Story?

Last year I heard about bloggers who chose one word to focus on for the New Year. I liked this idea, but I didn't want to arbitrarily select a word.

Yet have you ever had those moments where the same point or thought keeps being emphasized? Through conversations with friends, an article you read, a scene you remember from a movie, or other daily interactions, the same theme continues to move to the forefront of your mind. I personally believe this is often God nudging us to listen.

For me, this past Sunday at church the two words "grace" and "courage" continued to resonate in my mind.

I've been reading through the Soul Detox devotional with the She Reads Truth community. The questions that this study forces you to confront (in conjunction with Scripture) have been so thought-provoking, such as "What are some of the causes of toxic thoughts in your life?" and "Why is it easier to think toxic thoughts than it is to focus our minds on the truth?" and "What types of words do you tend to speak most - toxic or life-giving?"

I began meditating on the words that I not only speak to others but what I tell myself. Are toxic thoughts affecting my inner narrative?

And then yesterday on the way to work, I listened to Michael Hyatt's podcast, "Change Your Story, Change Your Life." He discussed this same topic, saying: "Inside your head and mine, there is a narrator. He or she is constantly telling us stories. These stories shape how we perceive reality." These stories can determine how we act because we start to believe what we tell ourselves, for better or for worse.

And then a friend in my book club sent her daily tip for the "Best You Ever," an email blurb she sends each day. Yesterday's tip was to remember "that the language you use can have a profound impact on whether you will manifest a positive or negative outcome for yourself. Think of the words you use as setting your intentions."

Again, I thought to my two words.

Grace: Give myself grace. By telling myself that I have so much to do with starting my company that I cannot possibly get everything done, I won't. By telling myself that I have to do everything perfectly in order to build up a good brand for my company, I will make myself anxious. Instead, I need to accept grace and remember that my identity is not in what I do. I believe that my identity is in Christ. His grace covers me. By recognizing this blessing I can change my inner voice. I am re-writing my inner narrative to focus on the joy of doing what I love and on the opportunity to speak into students' lives.

Courage:  By accepting grace, I am able to let God's strength work through me. I have a new confidence and assurance. "He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me... For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12). Giving myself grace doesn't mean that I give myself permission to slack off. Instead, I have a new courage to approach my work with a joyful boldness. 

So I ask you a question from Soul Detox, "How different is your life when you focus your thoughts on what is true and good rather than on toxic thoughts?"

Soup, Salad, and Seconds

I've been promising creative recipes with veggies, so here you go!

The first is another delicious salad, inspired by this Kickin' Kale Salad recipe.

Kale Salad

Ingredients:
Serves 2 
2-3 cups torn kale leaves
2 roasted red peppers, chopped
1/4 red onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 can cannellini or garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2-3 Tbsp. capers (or you can use green olives, cut in half)
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Olive oil, enough to coat salad when tossed
Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

Preparation:
Mix it all together! Kale actually tastes better when it sits for a little bit with the olive oil and lemon, so don't be afraid to toss the salad a half hour or so before serving.

A delicious addition to this meal is a wintery soup, like roasted cauliflower soup. This recipe was inspired by this recipe from Cooking Light.

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Ingredients

Serves 4

1 head of cauliflower florets

2 tsp. olive oil

Dash of salt

4 slices of bacon

1 Tbsp. olive oil

3/4 cup chopped yellow onion

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups unsalted chicken broth

1 cup water

1/2 cup almond milk (or half-and-half)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

3 Tbsp. sliced almonds

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Toss cauliflower with olive oil and salt. Arrange in single layer in jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 40 minutes or until tender and browned. Stir once after 30 minutes.
2. While cauliflower cooks, cook bacon in grill pan. Remove from heat and crumble once bacon is cooked through.
3. Heat olive oil in a pot. Add onion and garlic, saute 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cauliflower, stock, and water to pot. Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. 
4. Remove from heat, stir in milk. 
5. Blend mixture with immersion blender - a new Christmas gift that I've loved using!
6. Top with almonds and parsley. 

This soup is so creamy, you wouldn't guess that it's made from a vegetable! 

We have the soup and salad from this post's title, but where's the seconds? 

Round II: Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Soup

As another option, you can make the cauliflower soup into potato soup. I had leftovers from the cauliflower soup that I froze. A week or so later, I added quartered Yukon gold potatoes, chicken stock, onion, thyme, a bay leaf, salt and garlic to a Dutch oven. I let it simmer for 35 minutes then added in the cauliflower soup. I let it simmer another 10 or so minutes. Top with bacon crumbles, cheese, and green onions if desired. Voila... Delicious new soup!