Raise the Standard Overview

Sometimes one opportunity turns into a greater opportunity.  That is just what happened when I spoke at the Kimber Academy in Mesa a few weeks ago (click here to read more about that).  Director Nancy Genys introduced me to a fundraiser for Kimber Academy called the Raise the Standard event; an evening of uplifting speakers, including Glenn Beck, discussing how we can be stronger in our faith, families, education and country. 

I was so impressed with the upcoming event, I offered to help with marketing.  With the assistance of a friend, we made this youtube video. 

I worked through social media to get the word out.  The music on the video is “Miracle”, a song my brother Matt produced with his band Olin on his album Open Book.  The song “Miracle” struck such a cord with Nancy, she asked if Matt would perform at the Raise the Standard event.

Matt was thrilled to do it, but small problem, he lives in Hawaii and is usually doing something like this:

or this

or this.

And now that he's married his sweet bride, life is that much sweeter!

But Matt, in his passion to live life to the fullest and support Raising the Standard didn’t see an ocean as an obstacle, so a few days before the event, he showed up.  I rarely see Matt without his guitar, so here he comes walking into my house guitar in hand ready to sing his heart out.  He must have sang “Miracles” over a thousand times throughout his life, but for the next three days he rehearsed in front of family and friends, strangers, even in the dark with his eyes closed.  Comerica theater was where he was introduced to his amazing choir of the sweetest elementary-aged girls ever; the icing on the cake.

The Raise the Standard event on October 11^th was amazing.  

Here we are with Glenn Kimber, founder of Kimber Academy.

Each speaker was better than the next.  I learned so much about America's constitution, morals in education and how amazing our children are.  What impressed me the most was the accomplishments of young people in the founding of our country.  Many of the youth were leaders in the military, assisted with government tasks, worked the pony express and more.  They were innovative, hard working and dedicated.  The idea is to teach our children strong character traits and morals too.  So much of society has become stuck in adolescence and idle time, when life is full of opportunity to leave our mark for good. 

The next day, Saturday October 12 was a day of work shops at Clearview Cultural Center with Glenn Kimber and others from the night before.  I particularly liked Ted Hayes and his ideas on how to unite our country on racial issues,

Sam Sorbo; a true feminist and her journey to finding God

 and Nicolette Peck, the strictest parent in the world and advocate on teaching self-government in the home. 

It was inspiring to see people passionately share their ideas and beliefs and it left a profound effect on me.  Did anyone else get to go?  It was great to see a few fans from My Dear Trash.

So, today I'm getting ready to run some errands and who found me in the school parking lot waving me down with a huge smile and giant hug?  My sweet brother Matthew sharing more love.

Thanks for the flowers, bro.

My Love for Writing and Raise The Standard Event

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak at the Kimber Academy here in Mesa.  

The private school, in its second year, focuses on God, family and country.  Every week the Kimber Academy has a spirit day, where an inspiring guest comes in to share a message. 

I started by showing the kids this mirror I had just painted and shared how I found it at the thrift store.  

I told them my passion for finding trash and making it beautiful again; how it’s more then just a physical task, it’s spiritual too.  Sometimes we don’ feel like we have much worth, but we are God’s children and He is the Creator who makes us beautiful. 

I spoke on “Seek that which is Divine” and shared the story of how my mom author Sarah Hinze and I wrote The Memory Catcher. 

I highlighted how the only way we were able to write The Memory Catcher is because my mom kept journals throughout her life.  We discussed why God would want us to write at all.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8.  Sometimes I wonder where I’d be if the prophets of old hadn’t taken time to write down what God inspired them to think and feel. 

When experiences happen, like a small miracle or a heart-warming event or a tragedy or something deeply sorrowful, I think writing it down not only helps us to recognize God’s hand in our lives, but it allows us to remember.  Sometimes we have a lesson to learn while other times we rejoice in our blessings.  The very act of writing leaves an imprint in our mind.  It’s therapeutic and allows us to linger in our thoughts, linking more ideas to what we are impressed with.  We can then reflect and share personal witness with others who are struggling or need to feel God’s love in their own lives.  We can heal and reflect.  Writing can be a holy task.

While at the Kimber Academy, I had the opportunity to meet the director Nancy Jones Genys.  She shared with me her vision of the Kimber Academy and the adjoining Clearview Cultural Center.  An event she has coordinated is Raise the Standard.

In celebration of God, family and country, Nancy believes our fundamental beliefs in the constitution of the United States of American will move mountains. Her hope is to improve our educational system and raise children with outstanding moral character.  When Glenn Beck heard about the event, he signed on as well as many other outstanding figures.  See the full list of speakers by clicking here.

I was so inspired by Nancy and most importantly, asked if she ever sleeps.  Seriously, she is a force of nature and passionate about her mission.  I've coordinated events for Earth Day at Arizona State University and Scottsdale Center for the Arts.  I know how difficult it is to start with an idea and watch it grow until it's a full blown event with celebrities, media and a million dollar insurance policy.  It's weeks of no sleep and inspiration when you least expect it.  I'd be standing in line at the grocery store and have an idea for marketing or a press release title.  Nancy's amazing work ethic has inspired me to continue on my path of passion.

Maybe a good way to find that purpose is to sit down with a pen and paper and get writing. That's usually how it starts.  You can order tickets to Raise the Standard event scheduled October 11 and 12, 2013 , by clicking here.