Sowing Seeds

You do not always know why things happen. In 2009 our home and entire community were destroyed in a FEMA disaster. Everything was gone - except our hope and joy.

As you know, Olivia started Save the Earth Projects when she was 10 years old as a way to give back to the world. It was born because she saw so many people come to our aid during that dark time in September 2009 and she wanted to create a movement for good.

S.T.E.P. is only successful when people come together and live more responsibly locally, raise awareness of issues nationally, and when we are all able to give back globally.

You are likely aware that Olivia collected ~20k pair of shoes over the past 3 years for her Leave a GOOD Footprint Campaign.

What you may not know is...

When Vincent was 10 - he wanted his own project. So he created S.TE.P. Up to the Plate - community gardens. The idea is to teach kids to eat better foods, to reduce emissions, to reduce the chemicals we put in our bodies, to address childhood obesity, to get kids outside and to donate crops to people in local communities who hunger. 

Well - thanks to the John Maxwell Team and specifically master gardener Emily - Olivia and Vincent received a donation of over 100 navy bean and black eyed pea plants.

Now the kids will not only be able to fill bellies with good food, but will be able to fill minds with good intentions. Grow where you're planted, tend to the garden of your life, prune wisely to increase your health inside and out, multiply your efforts, and give away the fruits of your labor.

You've heard the saying "you reap what you sow". Sow wisely.

This past week I participated in my 4th International Certification Conference as a mentorship member of the John Maxwell Team.

Dr. Maxwell was just named the top leadership expert in the world for the 7th year in a row (click here for more info on who he is, how to get involved, and how to reach me for more info)

Dr. Maxwell closed the conference talking about Ephesians 3:19-20. We are thankful to know of even a small glimpse of Christ's love for us - it's greater than any of us can comprehend. Our prayer is that He continue to fill us with all He has for us - because He can do much, much more than we can even imagine.

In the midst of a few thousand people from over 100 countries, I had an opportunity to speak to a group about the difference in living our lives as buckets - or as pipes. God wants to provide far more to us - but buckets can only hold so much. Buckets store, pipes transport. Buckets contain, pipes are meant for movement - for connection to other pipes - for bringing things further and more easily than they could in a solitary bucket.

John reinforced my message by challenging us. Do you want far less? Or far more. Try to do things alone? Do things with God. Do things for selfish intent? Or to add value to people.

Lord - thank you for a love that never fails, never gives up, and provides far more than we can imagine or deserve. May you allow us continue to grow as pipes and connectors for your glory. Amen. #jmt #jmtdna#stepuptotheplate #STEP #imc2016#SaveTheEarthProjects #healthyliving#intentionalliving

For more information on S.T.E.P. you can visit our website or facebook page. We would love to see YOUR gardens! You can also always also donate your shoes!