Check Out This App!

I’ve found myself over the past month...headphones in ear...latenight

...listening intently and absolutely taken with an entirely new approach to a familiar and age-old book.  Who would have figured a couple of college students could change the way we understand the Word of God? 

     It began with a few college guys in a dorm room one evening about 2 years ago.  Founder and CEO of the Press Bible, Maison Tiradoegas had recently come across an iOS app actually created by Al Gore.  The app was an interactive book that addressed global concerns via video, photography, and interactive info-graphics.  Simultaneously, he had  discovered a website called www.Lynda.com, containing video tutorials for design and technology, which made learning advanced subjects simple and manageable.  As he thumbed through his John McArthur Bible commentary, an idea sparked, “Wouldn’t this be much more appealing as a video of McArthur sharing his perpective?” rather than just words on a page.  Why not an app unlike anything the world has ever seen?

The original project sort of fell apart.  Lack of funds and other challenges, only caused Tiradoegas to delve deeper into his vision.  He was offered his dream job straight out of college but as he focused on the Press Bible, he knew it had to be his only option.  He postponed his wedding and maneuvered through unforeseen challenges.  In fact the project was recreated three times. Consequently, co-founder, Landon Kozeny was playing professional baseball in Santa Fe and left it all to tackle this project. But they both realized this was the pursuit of something extraordinary...something that had the potential to change lives forever.

Observing his kid brother’s navigation and love for the iPad, Tiradoegas and Kozeny, strategically wrote the app for teenagers and adults.  With the nextGen in mind, the content was made signature...original music...unique photography, modern design, and graphics...a partnership with Tyndale publishing for use of the New Living Translation...live video interviews with 14 professors and pastors...and audio narration.

The team’s goal was never to replace anything, but to bring each God-inspired book to life.  The Press Bible allows reader’s access to a free, engaging Bible experience.  Consumers can expect a fresh, compelling way to encounter God’s Word.  This app is an easy beginning place for unbelievers and and a way of furthering how mature believers memorize and interact with Scripture.  Tiradoegas sincerely states, “I love that people will be able to imagine (history) and these stories in (current) time.” 

Tiradoegas is quick to explain that the team has been stunned by the initial success of this project.  Just 9 days following it’s launch on June 21, 2013, the Press Bible had over 2500 downloads and close to 3000 video plays.  The biggest reward: Knowing that this little download might actually move someone to read and react to God’s word.

In 2013, the Barna Group stated, “Nearly half (46%) of adults believe the Bible doesn’t have much impact on American youth.”  Realizing that the Bible isn’t going anywhere, Tiradoegas, Kozeny, and the Other Half (their project team) believe that disrupting this quote, revolutionizing the way this younger generation views the Bible is only a press away.  They maintain that Bible education is the most important thing this generation needs and they plan to do everything in their power to take their take on the Gospel to the world. 

The Press Bible is currently available from the iTunes App Store and for all iOS devices.https://twitter.com/pressbible

Bicycles, Birthdays, and Botox

Summer was legendary.  If our life had a caption, it would scream, “BICYCLE-RIDING UNDERCOVER SUPERHEROES SAVE THE WORLD.”  

Summer delivered us 3 unforgettable lessons...

June taught my tiny people that learning to ride a bicycle is God’s gift to childhood.

In July they were reminded that the world is screaming for somebody to save them...and Batboy and Batgirl were there...ready to conquer the bad guys, discover adventure, and make sure it was all about pure, clean fun.

August was meant for swim lessons, pool parties, the beach...and occasional spy missions.

After 15 years of teaching and another year closer to 40...which I might add was one of the most amazing birthday’s ever thanks to beautiful people that I love...I decided it was time to take a risk myself.  I stopped fighting with what I thought everyone thought I should be doing and what was really in my heart.  I finally listened to that little voice that was attempting to get my attention for the past 5 years and I decided to trust that thing inside me.

I quit my day job.  I’ll always be a teacher...but mostly to those two worldchangers that I kiss goodbye every morning as they make their way into school...for the first time ever, without me.

And I’m giving myself to my passion...my dream...and choosing to live life without regret.  And if you find yourself understanding exactly what I mean, I can tell you I have never been happier.

And well...Botox...hmmmm?  I may have had a conversation with a certain plastic surgeon about removing a skin spot and my curiosity may have inched it’s crazy self into our dialogue.  Uhmmm...just so you know...I am never, ever willingly injecting toxins into my skin and I’m not sure exactly why anyone would...especially at that price.  For now...nightly cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing are my BFF’s and the Omega-3’s and Flaxseed oil are my trusty sidekicks.

And yeah...even though the leaves aren’t changing in Miami...it’s Fall.  So here’s to the hope of apple cider, hay rides, and bonfires...yup...you can take the girl outta Kansas but you can’t take the Kansas out of this girl.

Today Was A Fairytale

I wish I could say it has all been sunshine and daisies.  That would be sort of fantastic.  But in the real world...two imperfect, stubborn people met once upon a time on a blind date.  She was a Kansas girl and he was all city.  But as destiny would run it's course, they were hand-picked by God in a way that only He understood.  Of course my guy is the best choice I’ve ever made but sometimes it it feels like the hardest thing worth fighting for...this...us...a pursuit of the ideal marriage. So 10 years, two kids, and one spotted pup later, here we are living a dream job in the best city, growing a couple of world changers, and connecting with people from all walks of life who happen to be searching for answers and hope. 

      So after a decade, two of my favorite girls and I decided there had to be a something special...an occasion that none of us could ever forget..and it had to be hush hush from my guy until exactly the right moment.  And we did it...we managed to create a fairytale. 
     The stunned look on my guy’s face spoke a million emotions. At a gorgeous February sunset, we stood husband and wife surrounded by a sand and rose petal heart our friends had built...Dania beach...ocean’s edge... an intimate party of our closest family and friends...looking intently into those aqua eyes that made falling in love an easy choice.  
     Our fairytale included a new and improved set of vows, ring exchange, a grecian-goddess-styled wedding dress, and a second honeymoon. He hadn’t expected any of this, but in that moment when I met him at the altar again...it was all perfection.  Nothing and nobody could doubt that what we had is the stuff storybooks are made of. 
     Communion...letters expressing our deepest heartfelt thoughts (yes, it was Valentine’s weekend and he had actually agreed to this willingly)...mixing of unity sand with our two precious minis...our little man holding a starfish with the rings...our tiny princess dropping petals along the way...a remembering of what it was like to be young and full of love...an embracing of everything we had built over the last decade and an expectancy of the possibilities awaiting us...a celebration of life at it’s best...with all of those who believed in us.  
     The sunset on camera, sealing the evening with the kind of kiss that only married people can share, dancing over karaoke at the local crab shack...all fireworks and floating lanterns.  Marriage is difficult. Marriage is work. But it is the magical nights, the embrace of a best friend, and the happily ever afters that make the most enchanted fairytales.  

(Photo credit-Cami Prieto.)

Do It Like Disney

“Whatever you do, do it well.  Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.”

Disney believed it.  He lived it.  And it’s how it all began.  A kingdom...a dream...a bit of magic...and now a multi-billion dollar empire.

My two tiny people, my guy, and I recently lived a perfectly magical Disney weekend.  It was a 3-day intermission of life at its most fantastic...sparkling with exquisite moments that I wished would never end.

I was crying like a schoolgirl at Pluto and Tinkerbell and Mary Poppins high-fiving my lovies and dancing in the streets just inches from their adoring faces and wide-eyed belief.

Chocolate and caramel covered Minnie apples, a singing quartet offering their own mix of “Happy Birthday” to my blonde headed baby, ridiculously yummy mouse-shaped cookies and giant mocha sundaes were ours for the taking.

The customer service may as well been hand crafted for “Stocker...party of four...please”.

Shop assistants decorated birthday pins, cut stickers to size, traded broken toys, smiled marvelous smiles, and directed us to all our most favorite and loved characters.  The rules were simple: only magic...only fun...only happiness.

At around two o’clock...the Beasts castle came to life and he charmed  Beauty into a fairytale romance.

Peter Pan lifted and soared us over tiny, shimmering houses, Captain Hook’s villainous crew, and even Neverland.

Mickey and Minnie and Donald and Goofy hugged us, autographed notebooks...which may as well have been signed in gold...as my 5 and 7-year old adored them and paused for pics at Chef Mickey.

No wonder, everything about this place made me feel like a kid again.

Everything I loved...all wrapped up into one historic weekend that etched itself right into our hearts.

Clearly, we can understand why Cinderella’s castle hosts over 15 million guests every year.  Visitors cannot get enough of the magic of this mouse.  

When Disney purchased this 28,000 acres back in 1964, he had a vision of a place where families could enjoy one-of-a-kind entertainment and a vacation getaway that would “look like nothing else in the world.”  He hoped that it would be an experience that would be a “source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”  

Disney displayed pure genius in his creation of a magic-filled kingdom.  Bringing happiness and excitement and imagination to the world were his dreams.  He breathed such excellence, that it is reported that trash cans were made available in the park no less than 30 feet from a guest at any given point.  Never a piece of trash in sight.  Every single detail clearly thought through. 

A story is told of a certain maid, Helen, who was employed in housekeeping  at Disney World’s Contemporary Resort.  As she was cleaning, she found several stuffed characters lying around the room.  She lined them up on the bed, tucked them in, and left a note for guests, “I know you had a busy day!  The characters were tired so I tucked them in for you.”  It is this sort of creative magic that keeps the dream alive to every visiting family.  This is the sort of “going the extra mile” thing that would have made Walt proud.

What if we did it like Disney?  What if we began to put that dose of charm  and special in everything we did...when we...really lost that last 30 pounds...clocked in...raised our tiny people...served at church...trained for that half marathon...changed the way we eat or think or live.  What if we truly “did it like Disney?”...capturing imagination and giggles and fun everyday.  

Let’s live our lives remembering, “Laughter is timeless.  Imagination has no age.  And dreams are forever.” (Walt Disney)  Certainly, that’s the magic Disney was hoping we would discover and that we would take with us every time we come to play at Mickey’s kingdom again...and again...and again.