Dear SOAR! Applicants and all the rest of the world that supports SOAR!,
We’ve got a handful of things to share!
First, Brian and I are blown away. We have a total of 247 SOAR! Video Entries/Applications to review—and possibly a couple more that we are having trouble uploading. It is AMAZING!
The last couple days of the SOAR! deadline was totally unexpected. I’m sure you all know this, but we are simply overwhelmed. On Monday night, in those last five hours before the deadline, we had almost 100 new videos submitted. One HUNDRED! If you’ve been watching them as they upload, every single video is genuine and courageous. And we haven’t even finished approving and uploading all of them to the SOAR! website yet. Yes, there is still more to come today!
I know some of you are worried that your video was not approved b/c you still don’t see it. The team has been up until the wee hours several mornings in a row, and we have around 70 more videos to upload. So hang in there. Just so you know, the only reason your video would not be approved is if you were in some way inappropriate. The likelihood of this happening is so slim, but we felt that it was important to review each video, its purpose, and content before we went live with it. So far, everyone has been approved. So breathe easy if you were scared that your missing video was b/c your not approved. Most likely, we haven’t got it up yet.
So I have to be honest with you. Brian and I sat down and talked this through. And we…oh, this is so hard to say because I feel so bad…but we need more time. The panel of judges needs more time, and we need more time. With all the last minute entries, we don’t feel that we can be ready to announce the winners by January 1st. We need to push it out to Friday, January 8th.
We are committed to making time for the holiday with our sweet family. We are also overwhelmed b/c of how unbelievable the response was. But we especially don’t want to rush this important decision. Everyone has done such an AMAZING job with their SOAR! Applications, and we want to review every video without being crazy rushed.
In the midst of all this, you may have noticed a couple new features that were turned on this morning. If you click on the video, a couple things pop up. There is an assigned number to the video (please note: NOT the number in the upper left hand corner—ignore that number b/c it changes with every new video uploaded). There is also a thumbs up feature. And there is a voting and comment feature.
The SOAR! Scholarship is NOT a popularity contest by any means. Breathe easy on that one. We will not pick a winner based on how many votes are given to someone. But we’d like your help. We know that a number of these videos have really moved you, and we’d love to have you star and comment on your favorites.
Until December 31st, you will have the opportunity to vote for your favorite SOAR! videos. Vote for as many as you’d like. Ask all your friends and family to help vote too. We would love to know who you think should win and why.
Why do this? We’ve had a couple close friends talk through a handful of the videos with us, sharing their thoughts, and it’s so great to hear their input. Your input would be wonderful too. But again, it’s not a popularity contest so please don’t stress. Instead, this is an opportunity to let your favorite women know what a great job they did, and let us know. Think "ENCOURAGING” not “COMPETITION”.
Some fun news…
The SOAR! team is also working on a SOARORITY Forum. Yeah! One of the women on the SOAR! website came up with the, SOARORITY term, and even though I was never in a sorority, I love how catchy that is! And I’m sure you’d agree that we seriously need a bigger way to connect with each other. We secured the websites and hope to have a forum up and live! If you’d like to help with the SOARORITY! Forum, shoot me an email!
I also LOVE how some of you are talking about finding ways to meet! We totally need SOAR Sister Groups all over the country. One of the most powerful anchors to building your dream is to have sisters supporting you. If you got SOAR SISTER Groups going, I would totally come visit! We’ve also been sifting through the idea of a SOAR! Conference at some point. Ladies, I’m right there with you! Lots and lots of ideas are in motion!
But first things first. We’ve got a ton of videos to still upload. I have about 25 people coming for dinner Christmas Eve. My mom’s birthday is Christmas Day. And then we want to take some time to review every video and discuss with the judges. Thank you for understanding why we need to push the date back, I know it’s painful. I totally know. We’ve never done this before and are learning as we go. Your constant grace is appreciated.
And I have to say one more thing—I know this post is crazy long, but I HAVE TO SAY THIS! SOAR! Sisters you are all AMAZING! I know the next few days are crazy for all of us. But take the time to pat yourself on the back. Stand proud. Your courage to make a video and submit it is inspiring! Do you know what you did? You took your dream out of your head and spoke it into life! No matter what happens, your life is changed forever! And it’s because you did it! You made your dream worthy of having when you submitted your video.
It is a honor to be a part of your lives. Have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas.
All my love,
Me Ra
Me Ra – we all certainly understand! Take all the time you need. This movement is that important!!
Please let me know if there’s anything that I can do to help with the forum in any way.
xoxo
Me Ra…. You are the greatest and I am so proud of all you have done for the Soar! Scholarship. The forum is great and I am very much excited to be apart of the Soarority! Great job and have a great Holiday with your family!
Me Ra – I second what Chrissie says. You, Brian and the panel have a huge task ahead of you and you need time to truly consider each application. I can’t watch more than a handful at a time and wondered how you planned to accomplish this in the midst of the crazy season. Thanks for all you’re doing!
I am actually really glad you have pushed the back the date you’ll announce the winner. As hard as it was going to be to wait to see the winners, I was also praying you were able to enjoy the holidays. You guys need to be able to enjoy your family without this weighing you down.
Love you very much!!!
MeRa,
I’m sure I am speaking for all of us when I say I (we) can’t begin to THANK YOU how much
time and effort you guys have already put into this, not to mention what will go into it after the winners are announced. Exhale and take time to be you!
Pushing back the deadline actually makes me very happy, because you are acting upon your true heart – and how awesome is that for all of us to witness, especially when you will be so many women’s mentor.
And I know all of us will appreciate you guys (and the panel) to take their time and really consider everyone’s story.
Merry Christmas!
Anita
Take your time MeRa! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I was actually surprised to see the original date was Jan. 1st! I was wondering how you were going to review everything, especially during the holidays! I’m glad you are taking more time to think it through!
I’m so glad for the bump in the selection date! It means that your dream has turned out better then you had imagined! Giving yourself this extra time not only allows you some time to breath and be with your family, but for me it means I don’t have to stress about how to check the website every two seconds while driving home from visiting family:) I was plotting who I could call on New Years Day to go online and give me updates! This has been AMAZING! Thanks
It’s going to be a lot of work! I’m halfway surprised you’re not pushing it back a whole month. Enjoy the season with your family:-)
~~~~~~Merry Christmas~~~~~~
Yay! I’m glad you like SOARority and that it will be taking off as well =) I was always quite anti-sorority (lol) but it just sounded so cute I couldn’t resist. I totally want to help with that forum.
Question: I personally really value the beautiful community of women growing here (SOARers!) and it seems as though the voting is a factor that many were not anticipating…especially if it directly or indirectly plays a role in the judging decisions. If the voting is meant for encouragement, how do we keep it from becoming a popularity contest that can turn discouraging quickly for those who do not have as large of a support system as others?
=) Thank you guys for all that you’re doing, honestly. I support Soar!
I am so excited for you. 247 is amazing. I was hoping you would post the total number of entries, even though they aren’t all uploaded yet. I knew that this was going to be big. The first thing I thought of when I read this post was Ephesians 3:20 which says, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, tho Him be the glory…!”
Don’t worry about changing the date. Its just one more way God is using you as an example. It would be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind, but you have chosen what is more important. MeRa, whenever I tell people about you, I tell them that you are my favorite photographer. Of course they always ask why, and I always tell them, that although you have amazing work, its because of WHO you are and WHAT you stand for. There is A LOT of amazing work out there, but not many MeRas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Like the others I can not blame you for pushing back the announcement of the winners and I am glad you are taking your time to truely pick who needs this scholarship the most. And I love how much soar is growing and can not wait to see what developes from all these amazing women! 🙂 happy holidays everyone. I really hope everyone has a warm family to be thankful for and lots of joy.
Merry Christmas Me Ra! And Happy Birthday to your mother on Christmas Day. That’s my mother’s birthday too!! Enjoy.
Thank you so much for ALL OF THIS! It has been a completely unexpected, yet needed, blessing in my life! Taking more time to decide just shows us how committed to each of us you really are!
Have an AMAZING Christmas with your family!
xoxo
btw: The first time I read the word “SOARority” I thought I would fall out of my chair! I avoided sororities like the plague in school, but now I am PROUD to be a part of this one!
Your family comes first….hands down. Have a blessed holiday Me Ra!
Yay! How incredible that so many chose to take a leap and SOAR!! I am so excited for everyone and so thrilled to hear your plans to develop ideas like the Soarority forum, SoarSister groups and even a conference!! Yay!!
I am so grateful to have found your website and learned so much from you and your family. Your generosity and realness inspire me so much. I am grateful that you make choices like putting your family first, I think we as a society need to do a lot more of that. The delay doesn’t bother me and your reasoning is sound. Plus it gives us more time to connect with each other! 🙂
Good luck to all the entrants. Happy Birthday to your mum! Happy holidays!!
Shawna said it perfectly – family first! Many wishes to you and all of your loved ones for a warm and wonderful holiday! xoxo
Me Ra, I am so glad that you are taking more time for yourselves this holiday and pushing the date back. I am also so happy to hear that there are SOAR opportunities outside of what those 3 lucky women will be able to experience.
I decided not to make a video because there are simply too many conflicts for me this year – the biggest of which is that when the SOAR women are headed to San Francisco, I will be giving birth to a BABY. I am also still working full time and between two children under 3, working 40+ hours a week, and trying to get my own wedding & portrait business going… I don’t know that I’d be able to give the kind of committment to SOAR that it deserves in return.
Having a forum, having sisters to talk to, having SOAR assignments and inspiration and a closer look at those GREAT partners this year will be phenomenal for my business without winning the cameras, the trips, the conferencing. Your dream and vision has already touched so many people, and it will continue to impact FAR more than the three women you guys choose this January.
Thank you for your continued committment to us. I know that much of my success stems from googling “taking newborn pictures” 2 years ago and winding up on your blog and all of the encouragement and knowledge you have given me since then. You’ve already given me the confidence to go for this dream of starting my own business. Following the SOAR ladies along in 2010 is going to be just as impactful for me, I know it!
Love to you and Brian and the kids and ROSIE!! You don’t mention your sweet doggie often enough. 🙂 I hope there are plans for an advanced workshop in 2010. I can’t wait to see the SOAR forum. Hopefully your partners see what a massive thing they have joined in on here and can offer more and more opportunities for the women who are following you.
♥
merry christmas you two! love you guys!
Me Ra,
Initially shocked and appalled at having to wait another week, I am now glad for the example you are setting for women: family first. That’s the only way to truly succeed. I will remember this.
hugs,
elise
I think we all agree that family has to come first. This, I’m sure, has been a huge undertaking but especially so during the holidays. Please do enjoy some time with your family and may you have the happiest of holidays.
Me Ra,
I love the idea of a forum, and I want in with the help. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I am in this for the LONG HAUL!
Please take the time that you and the judges need for yourselves. I don’t think there is a one of us that would fault you for it.
*besides – gives me more time to enjoy all the videos. Lets all work hard to keep the inspiration up !!!
The SOAR! Scholarship has really taken off (pun intended) and I’ve watched many of the videos – which is a great way to spend the holidays, IMHO.
I love that you’ve asked the growing SOAR community to express their faves and comments; this way even those who didn’t submit (this time) can still participate.
One message is clear: SOAR Sisters are becoming a force of nature.
Go Get Em.
jeff
Me Ra,
You are such a great example to all of us. I have to admit that it just might kill me to wait another week! But, I am glad you are doing it. I was wondering how in the world you were going to be able to enjoy the holidays with all of this going on. Thank you for having the courage to make this decision.
I would love to be a part of setting up this forum. Please let me know what I can do to help.
Merry Christmas!
Billie
247?
A-MAZE-ING!
And all those people coming for dinner?
Whew!
I am getting tired just thinking about it. Blessings to you, me dear. You are changing the world!
Yes, Kari is correct the one word describes both of you…Amazing!
Happy Holiday’s to your family.
We totally understand…whats a few more days anyways. Holidays are holidays need to spend with family. Have a great one!
Hi! Merry Christmas to you guys.
I know that you have been busy with all the SOAR applications but I was wondering whatever happened to the two other photo contests?
Me Ra & Brian,
I just wanted to thank you both and the judges for all you are doing. The other night I was watching some of the videos and listening to these women and their dreams and I really sat here and cried. I was overwhelmed at how many of these wonderful SOAR sisters want the same dream as I do. I can’t imagine the tasks ahead of you guys. For you to do all this for us and to offer so much, well, if you have to take until February 8th, that’s how it has to be. All good things come to those who wait, right?
You have a beautiful family that you need to celebrate with and there is no need to apologize for that. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Happy Birthday to your mom too! We celebrated our daughter’s today, she turned 5!
Thanks again and many blessings.
Oh, BTW, I was thinking that maybe you should just start your own online school. Hmmmm…..
Me Ra-
Like Robin I’m also a little relieved that you are pushing back the announcement of the winners. Now I feel like I will be better able to give all my attention and energy to my family over the holidays and I’ll think about Soar! again after the new year.
Are we going to be able to share photos on the SOARority forum, or do you envision that we will post links to flickr or the like? Like I wrote to you via email I would love to be a part of a SOARority 52 project- sharing one photo a week for a year. Thank you for first inspiring us and now connecting us. This holiday I am grateful for you.
Happy Christmas!
jeff…you are the man! thank you for your support of mera and brian and all the SOAR ladies.
Hi Me Ra,
Obviously you’ve been incredibly busy! Just wondering what ever happened to the two latest photo contests? The winners were supposed to be announced before Christmas. Maybe it fell to the wayside with everything else you have going on. Merry Christmas to you & your family!
Me Ra, you and Brian and your big hearts are such a gift. It’s amazing how you’re helping empower so many women/budding photographers. Thank you for all you do to inspire the rest of us! Happy holidays to you and yours. xo
I am a little confused on how to comment on an individual video, or is that possible? It seems that the comments are confusing as to which video they are about. I am trying to enjoy my family time also this week as I follow the Soar Sisters.
Merry Christmas to your family from ours!
Thank you so much for your understanding and amazing patience ladies! You are all so wonderful!
We just got back from delivering presents to a family we adopted. Oh my goodness, four children and there were no presents under the tree until we arrived. But their little faces were so bright and sweet. Christmas was in that unexpected moment today. Brian and I feel like we were given such a gift in being able to be a part of their life this holiday.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that you are blessed with a gift from the most unexpected of places. You are all so beautiful and worthy. It’s a honor to be a part of your lives.
Love you all,
Me Ra (and Brian)
Me Ra,
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🙂 You and Brian must be crazy busy with the videos and applications, but please take time to enjoy Christmas and the holidays with your family!!
Merry Christmas!!
Me Ra, I have to echo the comments of all of these wonderful ladies so far. As one of the remaining 20 video entries yet to be uploaded its nice to know that you will be taking time not only with your family but with the judging process. As one that has been on the judging end of an online application experience during the holidays, I truly understand the time it takes. I commend you for putting your family first!
I hope your Christmas was wonderful!
I’m very much looking forward to the few remaining videos and ‘meeting’ the remaining women with the desire to SOAR.
Kristy Lee
Another whole week to wait! The horror! How shall we survive?! Just kidding. Take all the time you need so you and your family (and your helpers) can enjoy the holidays.
And by the way, from one Christmas baby to another, tell your mom happy birthday for me. Please share with her my top ten list I created and posted to my Facebook status. I hope she enjoys it!
Top Ten Reasons Why a Christmas Birthday Rocks:
1. Never had to go to school on my birthday.
2. Never have to go to work on my birthday—and not burn a vacation day!
3. People always make a big deal out of it, as if I planned it that way.
4. I never get sick of hearing, “Oh, you’re a Christmas baby!” when I give my birth date to someone.
5. Twice the presents as a kid. (No, I didn’t get slighted. I was the baby in the family.)
6. I (usually) get away without having the “Happy Birthday” song sung to me.
7. I get to pick from two days to get my free meal from the Tidewater.
8. The house is always decorated with a beautiful tree and lights, and wonderful food smells fill the air.
9. For some strange reason, I never meet other Christmas babies.
10. Hello? It’s Jesus’ birthday, which makes me special.
The One Negative about Having a Christmas Birthday:
1. I’m sick of people saying, “That must suck.” It’s all in your attitude people. And again, if I share Jesus’ birthday, I MUST be special!
Me Ra, I really appreciate this post. You are so encouraging. I have watched so many of the videos and feel so inadequate for even applying, but it never hurts to start someplace. Becoming a professional photographer really is my dream. I hope you’ll be able to gather the same sponsership and offer this SOAR! scholarship in years to come.
Good luck reviewing all the entries. There are some amazing women out there who really deserve this break. I have been so inspired by each video entry I’ve watched.
Me Ra, I would LOVE to help out with the SOARORITY forum, let me now how I can help!!
Can’t wait! Tomorrow’s the big day!! 🙂
If tenable, as you glean knowledge, would you brainpower updating your blog with more information? It is hellishly beneficial for me.