guest blogger on storychange and how it went
um, i hardly know what to say to the following words written by my hub, kirkum. he honors me and humbles me. i'm so thankful for his love, his friendship, and his partnership in this life. i love you, sweets.
The Obvious Leader of Storychange
I have to remove my "husband" hat and speak from an objective business voice in this. I would like to think I will succeed in doing so by offering the following:
I had the privilege of attending Christianne's business plan thesis final presentation today. This is the culmination of an entire year's worth of graduate studies. Thus, she was understandably a little nervous. The presentation is designed to simulate a group of investors looking at her business model in consideration of funding it. Since the faculty who comprise the simulated board of investors are actual business professionals, there is a considerable standard to meet. The pressure is on to perform well on many levels.
I personally saw Christianne wrestle through many restless days and sleepless nights in preparing for this. Not only did she care about making a strong statement with her presentation to finish off her year (this is the last time she has to present in front of faculty before her graduation on August 8th), but she wanted to honor the business concept God has given her.
She did not disappoint.
I went to the presentation to show my support of her and her education. I was expecting to see a star graduate student (who sells herself short most frequently) deliver a pristine and compelling final project. Instead, I witnessed something I hadn't expected.
About 60 seconds into her presentation I saw Christianne transform from a graduate student into a presiding professional figure: the leader of Storychange. She embodied the message with an elegance, passion, and delivery that made it vibrantly clear that this task has been appointed to her. She spoke with clarity, gracious boldness, and an authority that could have easily been delivered in a keynote address to thousands of women.
Women need Storychange. It became apparent that some of the faculty present saw the remarkable potential of this idea. Two actually said that this is an idea that Oprah would be excited about.
There were some questions from the faculty that challenged the concept - as there should be. That is their job . . . to poke holes in a business plan. However, the faculty also offered many suggestions which only reflects their excitement.
I am sure Christianne will receive strong marks for her performance.
However, that is insignificant compared to what I witnessed today: a move of God to reach the hearts of women across this landscape and beyond . . . and a servant-leader that has been anointed and chosen for this task.
Please pray for wisdom and discernment as to when Christianne is to pursue Storychange. It might be in a year, or five years . . . whenever the "kairos" timing is right.
I am exceptionally proud of her and the weight of who she is. Regardless of the future of Storychange, God obviously showed up today through Christianne's preparation and obedience to develop this idea.
Kirk (husband, fan, and business partner)
The Obvious Leader of Storychange
I have to remove my "husband" hat and speak from an objective business voice in this. I would like to think I will succeed in doing so by offering the following:
I had the privilege of attending Christianne's business plan thesis final presentation today. This is the culmination of an entire year's worth of graduate studies. Thus, she was understandably a little nervous. The presentation is designed to simulate a group of investors looking at her business model in consideration of funding it. Since the faculty who comprise the simulated board of investors are actual business professionals, there is a considerable standard to meet. The pressure is on to perform well on many levels.
I personally saw Christianne wrestle through many restless days and sleepless nights in preparing for this. Not only did she care about making a strong statement with her presentation to finish off her year (this is the last time she has to present in front of faculty before her graduation on August 8th), but she wanted to honor the business concept God has given her.
She did not disappoint.
I went to the presentation to show my support of her and her education. I was expecting to see a star graduate student (who sells herself short most frequently) deliver a pristine and compelling final project. Instead, I witnessed something I hadn't expected.
About 60 seconds into her presentation I saw Christianne transform from a graduate student into a presiding professional figure: the leader of Storychange. She embodied the message with an elegance, passion, and delivery that made it vibrantly clear that this task has been appointed to her. She spoke with clarity, gracious boldness, and an authority that could have easily been delivered in a keynote address to thousands of women.
Women need Storychange. It became apparent that some of the faculty present saw the remarkable potential of this idea. Two actually said that this is an idea that Oprah would be excited about.
There were some questions from the faculty that challenged the concept - as there should be. That is their job . . . to poke holes in a business plan. However, the faculty also offered many suggestions which only reflects their excitement.
I am sure Christianne will receive strong marks for her performance.
However, that is insignificant compared to what I witnessed today: a move of God to reach the hearts of women across this landscape and beyond . . . and a servant-leader that has been anointed and chosen for this task.
Please pray for wisdom and discernment as to when Christianne is to pursue Storychange. It might be in a year, or five years . . . whenever the "kairos" timing is right.
I am exceptionally proud of her and the weight of who she is. Regardless of the future of Storychange, God obviously showed up today through Christianne's preparation and obedience to develop this idea.
Kirk (husband, fan, and business partner)
posted by christianne at
10:41 PM
17 Comments:
I'm almost wordless after reading that. Christianne, I knew you'd kick ass, but it sounds like you did so much more than that. You gave StoryChange life...how compelling and how beautiful!
Do you get to rest now?
Those are very sweet words and, one can tell, very sincerely written. Though I am very happy and excited to hear that you did well in your presentation, I am even more happy to see first-hand the love and tenderness with which God has blessed your marriage.
I've been thinking of you throughout this day, and I'm so excited to hear this glowing report of how it went. Congratulations on a job well done and on the culmination of all your hard work and tears and excitement and passion and commitment and perseverance and trust. I'm very happy for you tonight!
*sarah: hey, girl. yeah, it's kind of surprising how that happened, the 'giving life' element. storychange has taken on such a true life of its own embodiment in the past two months as i wrote the business plan, but today it felt more real than ever before because it went public.
there's one more big hurdle to jump in the next few days. i'll be writing that mini-book for my final thesis component, which is due tuesday. the weekend, in other words, is quite spoken for. but i've given myself today the freedom to relax, celebrate the accomplishment, and take a huge honkin' nap. :)
by the way, i left you a little surprise in the comment section of my previous post. enjoy!
*rebecca: awww, that is so sweet. i continue to be astounded at the gift God has given us in each other. thank you for seeing that, and for appreciating the true gift of it for me.
oh, and kirk and i watched "the namesake" this week. have you seen it? it's based on a book i may read soon, but the reason i ask is because there's a beautiful scene filmed at the taj mahal about one-third of the way through the movie. totally breathtaking. amazing that you and josh and caleb have been there in real life (with the profile pic to show for it!).
*eclexia: thank you, friend, for both your thoughts today and your happiness for me tonight. i am still a bit dazed at this point, but it's really starting to settle in that a new page of the journey is turning. love to you!
Christianne,
Congratulations! Sounds like you made quite an impact. Kirk's words were so descriptive. I am really excited for you. God is really doing something through you.
Sorry, I've not been around lately. I'm still working through some things. But I'm glad I popped in on such a celebratory note.
woot woot!! hoorah!! when do we start squealing?!
i so loved reading kirk's words here, hearing a different voice about storychange and what he was able to see, not only in your presentation (which, let's face it, was the culmination of so, so much!!) but in all of your heart & soul that was distilled down into the 20 minute presentation.
i'm a bit breathless & in wonder here too thinking of the possibilities ... seeing the need for storychange in the world, knowing how this is something God has entrusted to you. i think of all the times you've been what storychange is all about for you ... sitting with people in the confusing and hurting places of their hearts, and not only discovering the truth of what God has for us in those places, but just being present in those times.
i know is something so close to you & just by reading your dear hub's words, i can sense that you honored God with your presentation & all the time, heart, and energy devoted to it.
well done, christianne (a good & faithful servant).
i celebrate with you now, & look forward to celebrating with you in person in just 3-1/2 weeks!!!!!
dance dance dance!! ;o)
Christianne
you have gone posting crazy. You have gone postal.......okay that was stupid, consider the source. I will read and catch up later just didn't want you to think i am ignoring you. David is dragging me by force out the door for food.
Way to Go. God is in the midst and you are in the labor pains... soon enough it will come forth from the protected womb of your spirit and then you can make it grow.
Way to go...now take a long hot bath, relax, maybe talk kirk into a good massage...rest my talented friend, rest in deed.
*nate: so good to see you here again. i, for one, have missed you, friend.
*kirsten: oh yeah, let the squealing commence. :) i confess it's still not fully sunken in that that portion of my journey is over and i'm moving into a season of something new. maybe this is because i still have several days of work between here and the finish line (the mini-book). but i'm almost there! and then i will hardly know what to do with myself. :)
your reflections on hearing kirk's voice here made me smile. it reminded me of the time you spent here getting to know him and being a part of our world for a few days. and i have to say, i'm totally over the moon at the prospect of doing the same in your world very, very soon! i'll be dancing around with ya, girl. love you.
*poet: going postal . . . that's a new one. :) i have to tell you, it makes me happy to think about you working with david. having spoken to you on the phone a number of times when you've been there with him, i know what your voice sounds like when you interact with him. girl, it sounds so tender and kind and loving and accepting. you have a gift for the work you do with him, tammy. it blesses my heart to behold it. just thought i'd tell you that in case you didn't know. it's good to have people reflect what they see in us sometimes, you know?
by the way, i'm putting in a vote that you write a post about your upcoming new venture. pretty please??
*gyrovague: hey there, friend! what a treat that you stopped by, given all you're facing these days. thank you for your sweetness. my thoughts and prayers are with you and amy these days.
Wow! I guess i need to address this to you both. This is a powerful post. It is wonderful to see the way that both of you stand behind one another and uplift each other. I am proud of you Christianne, you are going to be a powerhouse, no doubt.
I think God anoints us to accomplish the things that we are passionate about. That statement is a little different than saying God anoints us to use us according to His purpose, that is very true, but I think for me it maybe the wording. That almost makes us sound like a toilet bowl cleaner, or a can of Lysol. (something used)
I think it is all a little deeper than that, and i think that Kirk described you and your vision so authentically and eloquently. You are so much more than a disinfectant spray to God. That is why i believe He molds something perfect out of the beauty He has already deposited in us.
SO, i said all of that to say you and your kirk are beautiful souls. My standing ovation to you both!
okay, maybe i will blog about all of that. But what if i fail? Then my balloon will be deflated before the public. (like that public thing has ever stopped me before)!
Wahoo!
I can't wait to hear more about Storychange!
awh twu wuv.
I know he's biased, but I believe every word Kirk said. You rocked girl! woot! woot! yes!
Eloquent.
*poet: i get your meaning exactly, and i totally agree. it is the same thing as using us according to his purposes, but he took great care in depositing particular things in each of us that he wants to use for those purposes. he cares about what he created in us, and he cares about what we -- us and him -- then do together.
i liked your metaphor of the disinfectant spray as something used. totally vivid and made your meaning crystal clear.
you know what, tammy? if you "fail," it's going to be okay. remember your encouragement to me about the house idea and the not-moving to california? you said you will go to california with me and you will follow me back to florida if necessary. you will be with me wherever i go, in other words. well, guess what. the same is true for you. so there. :)
*heather: yep, i knew you would, girl. :)
*di: awww, princess bride! great flick. and thank you for your vote of confidence!
*l.l.: i know! that man has a way with words.
Hugest, most gigantic, gargantuan, BIG congratulations! Your dear hubby put it perfectly! Way to go, girl!
thanks, joelle! i love what he said. totally blessed and humbled me.
aaaahhh...what a Sweetie...and then you think 'how lucky am I to have this man in my life!?"
It is beautiful...and true... and now Sweet Christianne, now you can talk about your (God's) ideas with your smile up in the air...being proud of your hard work and the way God is using you!
I'm so proud of you! too!!!! xx
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