A Year In Review

For the last two years I have used the Life and Business Planner, published by iBloom, Inspiring Women.  It was the one thing I really wanted for Christmas this year so I kind of hope it is under the Christmas tree.  https://ibloom.co/planner/

At the beginning of 2017 I spent quite a bit of time with my planner.  I love the worksheets included in it to help me plan and be purposeful.  I wrote out my priorities for 2017.

• Walking closer and more purposefully with Christ.
• Helping my children grow stronger in their walk.
• Passing on my faith to our grandchildren in a tangible way.
• Bill and I figuring out what this next stage of our lives will look like.
• Listening to God and understanding His will professionally.

My planner also asked me to set personal goals for 2017 in terms of my relationship with God, my spouse, my family, friends, physical health, finances and "Me time."  I think I did well on my priorities, but I missed the mark on my personal goals.  I also made a list of activities just for me and some date night ideas.

I had to design a list of projects for 2017 and then come up with a detailed action plan.  

• Add discussion questions and reprint my book, Grace Without Margins.
• My Castle Is A Classroom finished, edited and printed.
• Right Through the Middle:  On Aging Parents and Loss.  I decided to put together a class and   training video instead of write a book.
• Make training available on line.  https://gwm.digitalchalk.com/dc/learn/grace-without-margins-elements-of-disability-ministry

Three out of the four projects have been completed and the fourth one will be started first thing in 2018.

Some of the highlights of the year from Grace Without Margins, LLC were:

• Attending the Joni and Friends staff and volunteer conference in April.
• Developing a logo and branding for Grace Without Margins, LLC.  http://gracewithoutmargins.com
• Providing training in Colorado throughout the year for churches and schools on disability issues.
• Offering in-service training at a private school in Austin.
• Developing online training.
• Getting the book, Grace Without Margins, expanded and published. https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Without-Margins-Journey-Through/dp/0578106744
• Leading monthly leadership meetings for Joni and Friends.http://www.joniandfriends.org
• Writing blog posts for The Irresistible Church.  http://www.irresistiblechurch.org/wonder/
• Meeting with the director of Love With Actions from Rwanda.  http://www.lovewithactions.org

Next week I look forward to getting some time away to plan for 2018.  It is going to be an exciting year!

I Am From

I am from Jim and Georgia, Walter and Bernice, Woody and Georgia,

From the vastness of Texas to the Rockies of Colorado and back to the hill country of Austin,

From locusts and humidity to fresh mountain streams to bluebonnets in the spring.

I am from oatmeal, bacon grease, Spam, and inexpensive casseroles.

I am from spirituality, politics, and love,

From intense activists struggling to do what’s right.

I am from “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all” to “I Have a Dream.”

I am from farmers, asphalt operators, secretaries, preachers, florists, and civil activists.

I am from The Sound of Music and White Christmas,

From Kick Ball, Hide and Seek, and singing on the front porch,

From David Cassidy, Michael Jackson, James Taylor and Carol King.

I am from legalism to grace, 

From knowing of God to knowing Him.

My life is unfolding against a cast of women staying at home nurturing their children and women loving their children by working to improve the world.

I am from men supporting their families and helping until the chores are done at night.

I am from takes me to where I am.

Deana Boggess

11/29/17

Blog Post: Do You Wonder?

If you haven't already done so, I highly encourage you to join The Irresistible Church on the Joni and Friends website.  They have great blog posts on a variety of topics, as well as great resources.  If you are a pastor, volunteer, parent or are involved in disability ministry/education, you will be encouraged.

Below you will find the blog post Do You Wonder? by Deana Boggess.

http://irresistiblechurch.org/wonder/

We Need Each Other

Maybe you have noticed a theme in the last several blog posts, we need each other!  I love surrounding myself with people that spur me on in ministry, challenge me, and educate me on people and cultures I am unfamiliar with and simply put, help me grow in wisdom.  If I could give the next generation anything, it would be to give them the desire for knowledge and wisdom from people farther down the road.  It is truly a gift.

I have shared about the women and men in Colorado that have encouraged me in ministry.  While I was in Denver, I was also able to spend some time with new friends and acquaintances at our Grace Without Margins training.  I loved the diversity of the group in terms of perspective.  I met with a pastor, a parent, church ministry volunteers, private school teachers, and public school teachers.  The time together was encouraging for me and I hoped it started a new journey for the participants.  We have had the opportunity to speak in Denver five times now.  I hope it is the start of something beautiful...a community of people wanting to welcome and include children and adults with disabilities in their communities.  

We are looking forward to our next visit to Denver.  We will be presenting on Aging Parents and Loss and the acquired disabilities of aging.  As with parenting and ministry, the more education and tools we have, the more prepared we will be.  We look forward to walking through this topic in the spring.