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2012-01-12T18:43:00.002-05:00

Grace U At Grace Fellowship, York New Salem, PA

2011-09-18T15:49:00.001-04:00

Grace U

Grace U is designed to aid Christ-followers in three specific areas: Biblical Studies, Life Issues and Leadership Development. This is a list of all the courses currently being offered. Throughout the year course offerings will be announced in the church program, here, on our website and by e-blast (our E Mail distribution list).

We are excited to provide you with these courses and look forward to seeing you take advantage of as many as you can. We believe you will enjoy the variety of teaching methods, the instructors’ knowledge of their subjects, and the opportunity to engage in lively discussion.

Remember at Grace you will find REAL PEOPLE, REAL LIFE and REAL ANSWERS!

Each day is a blessing

2011-09-18T13:56:00.000-04:00

Each day is a blessing from God. Time flies and before we know it, it is already time to leave this world or we are so old and helpless needing others assistance.
The older we get, the more we realize how short our lives are.
Each day is an opportunity we have, to do good deeds and to repent to God for any sins we may have committed. It is a fact that we all would die one day.
If we are wise, we would treat each day as our last and make the most of it, to do the rightful things. -mohlat-

WOW!! Opening Night of Awana

2011-09-01T21:42:00.000-04:00

The first night of the 2011-2012 club year was crazy! We were so excited to see those of you who are Returning and those of you who are New to our club!! We have so many fun things planned for our year.

If you haven't registered yet, you still have time...

Stay tuned for all the cool stuff that we have planned. I'll be posting our monthly calendar on our blog and e-blasting it each month too. Our price list and 2011-2012 year calendar are on the Grace Fellowship website. Just go to www.grace-fellowship.net/awana and look in the top left corner for the AWANA Download Center. Our blog can be accessed from Grace's website too. Just look in the middle at the top for the latest postings!

Welcome again! We can't wait "to reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him"!

Kids Bowl Free All Summer

2011-06-13T19:22:00.000-04:00

Great Fun for the whole family! Check it out below!!

Founded	2008
About	950+ bowling centers in 46 states & Canada are participating in the 3rd Annual Kids Bowl Free program

Mission	The "Kids Bowl Free" is a summer bowling program that is sponsored by select bowling centers across the country.
Products	Kids receive 2 free games of bowling everyday during the summer. There is no cost to participate.

Website	http://www.KidsBowlFree.com

My Review of Secret Hug Nylon Halfpant

2011-04-30T08:48:00.001-04:00

Originally submitted at Freshpair

Super smooth fabric

Full figure style

Signature back seam scoop for perfect fit all day long

Stretch lace waistband and leg trim

Olga’s Christina Secret Hug Nylon Halfpant technical details:

Sides measure 6 inches f...

Best Underwear I've Ever Owned!

By Shandav from Thomasville, PA on 4/30/2011

Waist: Feels true to size

Cons: Don't know of any

Pros: Comfortable, Good Fit, Soft, Breathable, Stay In Place

Best Uses: Everyday, Travel, Sleepwear, Casual

Describe Yourself: Comfort Driven

Was this a gift?: No

Got a pair of Olga underwear as a gift. LOVED them! Had to find more. These are the BEST underwear I have ever had!

(legalese)

Executives are hard to see....

2011-03-15T19:48:00.000-04:00

Their costly time I may not waste
I make appointments nervously
And talk to them in haste.

But any time of night or day
In places suitable or odd
I see and get without delay
An interview with God.

Mark Porter

A Woman Within

2011-02-21T21:57:00.000-05:00

It is so easy to feel both small and insignificant, having no purpose in the overall scheme of things. And yet in God's eyes there are no mistakes and no nonentities. Each life is given at just the right time to do and to be something special and irreplaceable. For you and I are lovingly shaped to be the building blocks from which history is created.

Nourish Your Soul!

2011-02-19T13:08:00.000-05:00

Do you ever feel like life is just a vicious cycle and you are struggling from day to day to keep up? Every time you turn around, laundry, dishes, housecleaning, and taking kids to their sporting events are staring you in the face. It seems like in this day and age people are more stressed out than ever before.

Why is that? Is it possible to change that?

Well, I don’t claim to have all of the answers, but I do think that technology has certainly changed things. We are always available via cell phone, Facebook, or other social media on the Internet. While these are all very useful tools, I do believe we get in the mode where we feel life can’t go on if we pull ourselves away from them for a little while.

There also seems to be competition among young parents today to “keep up with the Joneses”, so to speak. Since they have their kids in 5 different sports or activities, then so should we.And last, but definitely not least, is the daunting task of earning a living to keep food on the table. That can be very challenging in these tough economic times.

While these are all good and necessary things, I believe in keeping balance in all areas of your life. As moms, sisters, wives, etc., one area that we seem to be out of balance in is taking time to nourish our own souls. We tend to take care of everything and everybody but ourselves. That can only go on so long before we become totally burned out. Burnout can lead to depression, anxiety, resentfulness, and many other issues.

So how do we avoid that? I suggest that you take some time every day to nourish your soul. How do you do that? Well nourishing your soul is different for everyone. It could mean, reading a book (that's mine!), having a cup of coffee or tea, taking a well needed nap, going for a walk or hike, or taking a drive to the country or to the mountains!

Whatever it takes for you feel refreshed, DO IT! I cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of yourself. You may only have 10-15 minutes, but that’s better than nothing. Find a friend who will keep you accountable.

I give you permission to do one special thing for yourself every day. (Or at least every week.) And don’t feel guilty about it!

So, What did you do today to nourish your soul?

February Awana Events

2011-02-07T14:26:00.000-05:00

February Events

from Grace Fellowship Awana by Commander Mark

Greetings clubbers, parents, leaders and friends! This month may be cold and snowy, but our hearts are warm with love of Jesus. February started off with our Groundhog Day Night. Clubbers learned about its history, the groundhog and how this all relates to Jesus Christ. February 9th will be our Pizza Reward Night for the Sparks at 7:30 pm. February 16th will be a Regular Night. Our Bible Quizzing teams will be heading to Hope Community Church in Mt. Joy on February 12th. We will have eight T&T teams representing the two Ultimate Adventure and the two Ultimate Challenge handbooks. They have been working hard with our Bible Quizzing coaches, Jim and Theresa Gottshall, Julie Lauer and Elaine Willis and several other T&T leaders. The quizzing will take place from 9 am to 12:30 pm in three testing formats: multiple choice paddle round, written round and the speed round. God bless each clubbers in studying God's Word. Our Spark-a-Rama and T&T Awana Games practices will be held each Sunday afternoon, starting on February 13th from 12:30 to 2 pm in the Great Room. The regional events will be held on March 13th in Elizabethtown. More information will be coming next month. On February 23rd will be celebrating President's Day with our Patriotic Night. Clubbers are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to show their patriotism. Our final event for the month will be our T&T Girls Lock-in held at Grace Fellowship on February 25th/26th. Coming next month is our Awana's Got Talent Night. Auditions will take place on March 2nd. If you are interested in showcasing your talent, please have your parent sign you up at the Kid's Ministry office downstairs. God bless everyone, and let's have a great month.

Bob Parsons 16 Rules for Success in Business and in Life!

2011-02-01T15:52:00.000-05:00

1.	Get and stay out of your comfort zone.
	I believe that not much happens of any significance when we're in our comfort zone. I hear people say, "But I'm concerned about security." My response to that is simple: "Security is for cadavers."
2.	Never give up.
	Almost nothing works the first time it's attempted. Just because what you're doing does not seem to be working, doesn't mean it won't work. It just means that it might not work the way you're doing it. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and you wouldn't have an opportunity.
3.	When you're ready to quit, you're closer than you think.
	There's an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: "The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed."
4.	With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be.
	Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as bad as a cloud of "undefined consequences." My father would tell me early on, when I was struggling and losing my shirt trying to get Parsons Technology going, "Well, Robert, if it doesn't work, they can't eat you."
5.	Focus on what you want to have happen.
	Remember that old saying, "As you think, so shall you be."
6.	Take things a day at a time.
	No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don't look too far into the future, and focus on the present moment. You can get through anything one day at a time.
7.	Always be moving forward.
	Never stop investing. Never stop improving. Never stop doing something new. The moment you stop improving your organization, it starts to die. Make it your goal to be better each and every day, in some small way. Remember the Japanese concept of Kaizen. Small daily improvements eventually result in huge advantages.
8.	Be quick to decide.
	Remember what General George S. Patton said: "A good plan violently executed today is far and away better than a perfect plan tomorrow."
9.	Measure everything of significance.
	I swear this is true. Anything that is measured and watched, improves.
10.	Anything that is not managed will deteriorate.
	If you want to uncover problems you don't know about, take a few moments and look closely at the areas you haven't examined for a while. I guarantee you problems will be there.
11.	Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you're doing.
	When you look at your competitors, remember that everything looks perfect at a distance. Even the planet Earth, if you get far enough into space, looks like a peaceful place.
12.	Never let anybody push you around.
	In our society, with our laws and even playing field, you have just as much right to what you're doing as anyone else, provided that what you're doing is legal.
13.	Never expect life to be fair.
	Life isn't fair. You make your own breaks. You'll be doing good if the only meaning fair has to you, is something that you pay when you get on a bus (I.e., fare).
14.	Solve your own problems.
	You'll find that by coming up with your own solutions, you'll develop a competitive edge. Masura Ibuka, the co-founder of SONY, said it best: "You never succeed in technology, business, or anything by following the others." There's also an old Asian saying that I remind myself of frequently. It goes like this: "A wise man keeps his own counsel."
15.	Don't take yourself too seriously.
	Lighten up. Often, at least half of what we accomplish is due to luck. None of us are in control as much as we like to think we are.
16.	There's always a reason to smile.
	Find it. After all, you're really lucky just to be alive. Life is short. More and more, I agree with my little brother. He always reminds me: "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!"

What Color Are You?

2011-01-29T10:45:00.000-05:00

What color are you?

To be honest I am not sure the origin of the below passage, thought it would be fun to share and would love to hear what color you all are. What color of person are you? Dor you fit into one color or are you a combination?

Reds: The Power Wielders

Reds are the power wielders of the world. Power is not good and it is not bad, it just is. It has to do with movement, (remember: moving from A to B). Power sometimes carries a negative connotation but where positive characteristics of Reds are concerned, it drives them to high levels of productivity and efficiency. Reds boldly move forward with logic, vision and determination. These qualities make them natural born leaders, as they make things happen by sheer force of will. From a Red perspective, emotion has little to do with accomplishing a task.
Red Strengths Reds are visionary and seem to have insight into the future. Keeping their eyes on the future averts them from the mundane day-to-day. In dealing with day-to-day circumstances, they make swift decisions and their independent nature doesn’t require someone to hover over them to see them through. Reds can be difficult to work with if they don’t get their way. Their behavior may appear negative in their efforts to get things their way. However, before you jump to conclusions, look past the behavior to what is driving it. It may be an enormous ego problem that causes a complete intolerance of others’ ideas. On the other hand, it is possible they are trying to achieve an important goal within the timeframe previously agreed to by the team.
Red Limitations Just like all the colors, Reds have challenging limitations. Let’s start out by saying they are not subtle. You know exactly where they stand and how they feel about things. Reds are verbal; however, what they say often seems hostile due to their tactless manner. Their insensitivity combined with a marked lack of subtlety causes many to wince at what comes out of their mouths. They can also be very demanding. Red bosses will ask you to work long hours because they do. They expect you to get the job done to make them look good. It doesn’t matter whether you have limitations or not—they expect you to make up for them. This is how they would deal with it. Overall, Reds lack compassion. If they develop the gift of compassion, Reds are hard to beat. When they add this dimension, they are truly very capable people.

Blues: The Do-gooders

Blues are motivated by Intimacy and without their natural talent to insist on quality and to provide service, our world would be a far less pleasant place. Blues want to connect and to be understood and appreciated. If they are not connecting with you, if they are not plugged into humanity, then what’s the point? They believe if you don’t have a sincere connection in life, then there really is no other value. Earning money, having the Mercedes, and being in the windowed office are nice but do not represent a purposeful life to a blue. Blues are very purposeful people who love to serve and give of themselves freely to nurture others' lives. They are loyal friends, employers and employees, and their personal code of ethics is very strong. They expect other people to live honest and committed lives as well. Blues are dependable, thoughtful, and analytical; but they can also be self-righteous, worry-prone, and moody. They hold on and never let go of something/someone once they are committed.
Blue Strengths Blues are very observant and intuitive, noticing quality and detail. With their combined assets, their sense of purpose, and their ease with showing compassion, they become integral parts of every society. In fact, they become an integral part of whatever they commit themselves to doing, whether it be fundraising, raising a family, or running an entire department. Blues sense of commitment can sometimes trap them. They will often stay in a job much longer than will serve their best interest simply because they said they would. They tend to stay because they are loyal and they care about everyone with whom they connect. You can bet Blues will be the ones to refer back to the Color Code materials because they have made a commitment to learn, to become self-aware and to be their best.
Blue Limitations Ruling by the heart can be a double-edged sword for Blues. If you don’t appreciate their gifts, they won’t give at all. This is a constant threat when in a relationship with a Blue. A common statement from Blues is, “My emotions have ruled me all my life.” Their emotions are their Achilles’ heel. They want so badly to be loved and accepted, constantly seeking understanding from others while often refusing to understand and accept themselves.
Blues remember their limitations—or what is wrong with them—more than they remember their strengths. It is inborn. Abraham Lincoln is a good example of possessing a desire to reveal insecurities. He often talked about his flaws and inadequacies as president. Yet he continues to be seen as one of the greatest presidents of our nation. Blues need to remember that the reason they have these limitations is very connected to their gifts. The reason they care so deeply is also the reason they tend to struggle more with depression. Blues must realize that the reason it is so hard for them to break off a relationship or leave a job is tied to their capacity to dedicate themselves so completely and feel so deeply about those commitments.

Whites: The Peacekeepers

Motivated by Peace, Whites will do almost anything to avoid confrontation and to create tranquility. They have a remarkable ability to understand and draw objective conclusions—they are the voice of reason, and this is their gift to us.
Whites truly believe that with patience all things come to those who wait. The problem is that they are sometimes too content with sitting around waiting. They seek contentment more than power, money or, for that matter, more than friends. They are happy having one or two good friends and one or two hobbies. In fact, they tend to have only one hobby at a time. Instead of trying to carry on with two hobbies, they will drop one to take on another. Having two is too much effort. Their only demands from life are the things that make them feel comfortable. That feeling fosters their need to feel good inside.
White Strengths Whites are kind, considerate, patient and accepting. Unlike Blues and Reds, they are not judgmental or critical of others’ actions or behaviors. They simply accept people for who they are: the good, the bad and the ugly. They are tactful, because they don’t want to create confrontation or rock the boat too much. Not rocking the boat is also revealed in Whites through their strength to self-regulate. Controlling their own behavior is a natural strength and this precludes impulsivity. To the rest of us, they offer a clear perspective that is objective and factual. They are excellent listeners, taking what is said sequentially, understanding why it is said, what it is going to take to deal with any problematic situations, and what they can do to help. They simply hear the facts, making no judgments on what is being said. In essence, they are virtually devoid of ego. They are good at constructing thoughts that did not exist before, just from careful listening and taking time to think things through.
White Limitations Whites don’t commonly share what they are seeing, feeling or understanding. When they have a conflict, they won’t show it. Like a duck, they are paddling violently underwater, but on the surface, they appear calm and comfortable.
Whites can be unwilling to set goals. They are generally very content with the way things are. If you try to force them to set goals, they may reply, “I don’t know where I’m going to be in a month. How can I possibly set goals?” Better yet, they will write down the goals to get you off of their back, but have no intention of following through with them. They resist working at someone else’s pace.
Even though Whites seem ambivalent about most things, they can be very self-deprecating. They are very generous when it comes to accepting others’ limitations, but will be disapproving of themselves. On the flip side, they can also become uncomfortable when receiving public praise and fanfare. People with the DCM of Peace tend to operate on a very logical basis like Reds, but move through life using their ability to reason in a milder manner than Reds. They don’t need to dominate like a Red, but will calmly offer a voice of reason that benefits everyone.

Yellows: The Fun Lovers

Yellows are motivated by Fun. Without their natural talents of enthusiasm and optimism, the world would be a boring place for all. They are here to have a great time. Yellows have an innate ability to be happy. They believe it is okay to play and people who don’t understand this have limited minds. They are the people who get up in the morning and sing to the Bon Jovi tune, “Until I’m six feet under, baby I don’t need a bed. Gonna live while I’m alive–—I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Yellows love to enjoy life. They have a mental attitude that allows them to appreciate what they have rather than be miserable over what they don’t . They spend much of their time charming everyone in an entertaining way. Robin Williams is a good example. Can you imagine growing up as his child? What a fun dad. He has that child-like innocence and a hope that inspires the masses.
Yellow Strengths Yellows tend to spend their time around people. They love to be with others. In like manner, people like to take care of and be around Yellows. People feel better about themselves when with Yellows because of their positive energy. They are optimistic and really believe the best is yet to come. Yellows are enthusiastic. They quickly respond to anything that appears fun or a new adventure. However, they are contented with more playful adventure, not the challenging adventure of the Reds. They prefer activities without too much risk or potential for pain. Instead, they prefer activities that involve many people having a good time together. They are persuasive, so don’t be surprised if Yellows haul you off to do something unexpected. You don’t even have to be someone special to them. They may have just met you an hour ago, but now you are invited to their house for dinner that night. They have difficulty sitting through a boring lecture without becoming the entertainer. Their spontaneous nature is always looking for something new to do. They will be the ones looking at the local rag to find new events in town because it is a chance to meet new people.
Yellow Limitations Yellows often lack the commitment necessary to create long-term success for themselves. Yellows always believe the best is going to happen to them, even when their ship is sinking. While other people look at them and think, “How can you be successful? You’re a mess.” Lady Luck tends to smile on them and bail them out, even when they don’t deserve it. They develop friendships with ease but can be very self-centered. For example, they don’t hesitate blowing off plans with someone if a better offer comes along. As a result, they often have many, many friends but only on a superficial level. Their self-centered nature can block them from developing deep, meaningful relationship.

Mark Your Calendar

2011-01-18T22:12:00.000-05:00

January is National Clean Up Your Computer Month

This month is dedicated to the education of computer users with tips for improving their computers, inside and out.

Feb. 8 is Clean Out Your Computer Day

Take some time to check your machine for viruses, organize your files, wipe down your monitor, clear out vents and clean your keyboard and mouse.

Source: gigaom.com

This Just In...

2010-12-27T18:17:00.000-05:00

TRUTH SERUMS - Just because a beauty product has the word organic somewhere on its label doesn't mean it's made with organic ingredients. Strange, right? That's because many companies use private standards (or none at all) when labeling products "organic". Which is why the Organic Consumers Association and Consumers Union filed a petition with the FTC to stop deceptive labeling. For a list of products containing organic ingredients, visit organicconsumers.org.

Source: Women's Health Magazine

6,000

2010-12-06T22:05:00.000-05:00

The Number of excess deaths over the past decade that can be directly attributed to the increased consumption of sugary beverages such as soda and fruit drinks. (Another reason to Quench Your Thirst with H2O!)

Source: American Heart Association

Benjamin Franklin's Thirteen Virtues

2010-11-25T14:26:00.000-05:00

1. TEMPERANCE - Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER - Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION - Resolve to perform what you ought; perform with out fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY - Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY - Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE - Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION - Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. TRANQUILITY - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY - Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Marriage Advice: Secrets To Having A Strong, Passionate & Healthy Union

2010-11-10T21:57:00.000-05:00

Marriage Advice: Secrets To Having A Strong, Passionate & Healthy Union
click the above link for the audio :)

GARLIC

2010-11-01T21:11:00.001-04:00

Ohh, How I Love Garlic!! :)

An herb that may fight off cancer. People who took a daily garlic capsule - equal to eating one clove - showed a reduction in a process that turns nitrates (such as those found in processed meats or contaminated water) into carcinogens in the body.

Source: Analytical Biochemistry

Want to Work From Home BUT Are AFRAID?

2010-10-25T20:46:00.000-04:00

No Worries! Get all details to make an educated decision for you and your family. It may not be for you, but what if it is? I'm looking to partner with others who have a professional background, organizational skills, and the ability to work flexible consistent hours from home. Are you looking for a business where you don't have to sell or stock any of their products? Then we need to talk! Plus, until the end of the month, you have the opportunity to get started in your home business for just $1! No Scams, No Gimmicks! Contact me today for a phone appt. to get all the details. It's okay if you say No, just know what you are saying No to!

Visit My New Favorite Online Store

2010-10-19T21:51:00.000-04:00

Christmas is around the corner and this is a wonderful place to start your Christmas shopping! I'm so excited to give my Gifts this year because I did a lot of shopping here at Faith Mountain Farm. Don't tell anyone, but I had to buy something for me too! My favorite scent... Beach House.... ahhh, my favorite place to be. It's delightful, not only in smell, but how it feels on your skin! Go shopping! You won't be disappointed!

Faith Mountain Farm

YOUR METABOLISM 101

2010-10-19T08:27:00.000-04:00

from Jillian Michaels

Clean Out the Chlorine

There are more than 100,000 chemicals out there, and very few of them have been adequately studied to determine their toxicity or effect on hormonal activity. One endocrine-disrupting chemical, chlorine, is commonly found in laundry bleach, household cleaners, and pool cleaners. It's also found in drinking water and industrial waste, and it's used in everyday products you keep in your kitchen, such as bleached paper towels and coffee filters. We are so used to its presence that we probably don't think about how toxic chlorine is. Truth is, it has the potential to cause respiratory problems (wheezing, coughing, constricted airways), lung pain and collapse, eye and skin irritation, and sore throats.

Until we can find out exactly how damaging chlorine and similar chemicals are, be smart and protect yourself. It's easier than you think to rid your home of chlorine. You can start by making some of the following changes.

Paper products: Dioxins, which are by-products of the bleaching of pulp and paper with chlorine, are not only highly carcinogenic but also estrogenic. Choose paper towels, toilet paper, and napkins that are "processed chlorine-free," or PCF.
Coffee filters: Bleached coffee filters leach chlorine into your coffee and release dioxins with every drip. Choose unbleached or oxygen-bleached filters that use chlorine dioxide, a type of bleach that doesn't created dioxin residues.
Antibacterial soaps (or antibacterial anything!): In addition to the harm such products cause by encouraging antibiotic resistance, the triclosan they contain combines with chlorinated tap water to create the carcinogenic gas chloroform, as well as chlorinated dioxins, highly toxic forms of dioxin. Choose natural dishwashing and hand soaps without chlorine or phosphates.

One last tip: Keep the dishwasher closed during the wash cycle! That "whoosh" of steam releases toxic volatilized chlorine, which is formed by the combination of detergent and tap water.

If you are looking for a better, safer brand of products to use in your home, let me know, I can introduce you to a catalog shopping company that specializes in these types of things. Very reasonably priced too!

Please Help A Worthy Cause!

2010-10-16T21:12:00.002-04:00

"Recession job losses: Worse than first thought"...

2010-10-13T23:24:00.000-04:00

was the headline yesterday in CNNMoney. The article went on to say that the government currently estimates that 2.2 million jobs were lost from April of 2009 through March of this year, a significant portion of the 7.8 million jobs lost since the start of 2008.

Here's the deal. There is a small but growing number of the population that has figured out how to consistently grow their personal economy NO MATTER what is happening with the global economy and regardless of what the top news headlines are.

So what's the secret to curing your own personal economy? Contact me immediately so I can get you all the details. Information is Free, Start up is only $1 until October 20th!

No Tricks, All Treats

2010-10-10T19:56:00.000-04:00

October is an Amazing month to get information on earning an income from home...... especially when the start up fee is only $1!

Don't waste anytime, offer ends October 20!

www.enrichingothers.com

What can you get for $1?

2010-10-01T08:53:00.000-04:00

Not much now-a-days... but from Today (Oct. 1st) through October 20th, You can start your own home business that doesn't require any selling for just $1!!

To get all the details, Contact me and we'll see if we'll be working together! No pressure, just information and then you get to decide!

Talk to you soon!

420

2010-09-27T19:47:00.000-04:00

420 - Number of minutes of moderate-intensity exercise needed per week to maintain a healthy body weight without making any changes to your diet.

Source: The Journal of the American Medical Association

Building Wealth And Keeping It: 10 Step Formula Shows You How

2010-09-22T22:43:00.000-04:00

Posted on September 22 2010.

Do you know how to build wealth and keep it? In this newly published article titled Building Wealth And Keeping It: 10 Step Formula Shows You How, preeminent authority on Relationship Marketing, internationally sought after speaker, best-selling author, success coach, financial expert, Dani Johnson gives you fail proof spiritual keys to building and keeping wealth through a 10 step formula anyone can follow so that you can achieve your financial goals and discover how to build wealth with a game plan for today and for the long haul.

Building Wealth And Keeping It: 10 Step Formula Shows You How

by: Dani Johnson
There is an actual formula for wealth and that I am going to share it with you. It all begins with the Word of the Living God…
Deuteronomy 28:63, “It pleases the Lord to make you prosper.”
Deuteronomy 29:9, “Follow my commandments so that you may prosper in EVERYTHING you do.”
Proverbs 11:25, “A generous man will prosper.”
Proverbs 28:25, “He who trusts in the Lord will prosper.”
Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Job 22:21, “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way, prosperity will come to you.”
Do you know there’s more scriptures supporting wealth and money than there are talking against it?

Here’s "Building Wealth And Keeping It: 10 Step Formula" below:

1. Don’t love money more than you love God. If you worry about money that means money is an idol to you. In Matthew 5 or 6, it says, “Do not worry about what you will eat or what you will wear because your God in Heaven already knows what you need.” The enemy wants you to worry about finances to drive you away from God because he knows that if you actually follow Him, love Him, and serve Him, God will prosper you and make you great!

2. Work with a spirit of excellence as unto Him. In Colossians it says, “Work with all your might unto Him.” God is your boss. God sees your diligence, the extra hours, the motivation, and the heart that you’re pouring into your job and He will bless the fruit of your hands. Money comes from God!

3. KNOW that the money He is blessing you with is for a much bigger purpose than just your stuff!

4. KNOW that it’s God’s money; not yours. Money comes from God. He wants to multiply that money but when you don’t honor Him or you’re stingy with it, He will not bless you with more. He’s not going to give you more so that you wind up destroying your life.
He loves you, but you need to know there’s a difference between spending and investing. Which of these are wise spending and which are foolish spending?

Another pair of black shoes, wise or foolish? Foolish!
Another toy for the garage because it’s on sale? Foolish!
Going into debt to buy a car. Foolish!
Getting special training to expand your career or business so that you can become more efficient and more profitable, wise or foolish? Wise!
Giving to God. Wise!

5. Be generous. God wants to bless you with more but He won’t unless you give. That money in your hand is only a test to see what you’re going to do with it. Can you be trusted with more? As long as my husband and I have been giving 10 percent we have never needed for anything! Even in my worst years financially, we have earned a six figure income. God honors His word.

First time here? Learn more about Dani Johnson and Call To Freedom Int’l and how we can help you succeed in everyday life.

6. Give into the right soil. This is absolutely enormous! When I learned this, my head just about exploded.
In the Bible, it talks about the parable of the sower and the four different types of soil that a farmer will sow into.

The rocky soil. If you sow seed on rocky soil, it sprouts quickly because it does not have a root system. But then it gets scorched by the sun.
The hard soil. If you sow seed on hard soil, the birds of the air come in and steal it away.
The thorny soil. If you sow into this soil, it actually roots but as it pops up, it gets choked out by the worries of life.
Finally, the only soil that you want to plant your seed into: fertile soil. In the fertile ground there is a return of 30, 60 and 100 fold. So how do you know where the ground is fertile? You have to look at the fruit! If you want your money to return back to you 100 fold, you have to sow it into fertile ground.

7. Realize that there is a time of plenty and a preparation for a time of famine. There are those who have figured out and strategically placed themselves because they were faithful during the plenty so they actually build wealth during the famine. That is absolutely scriptural.

Are you in a season of plenty? That season of plenty is not for you to eat all your seed. That season of plenty is for preparation so that you may still prosper when other people are failing all around you financially.
Are you in a season of famine? If you’re in a season of famine and you are prospering where you’re planted and you can be trusted with what you have, you will gain more. That’s how the Financial Kingdom works!

8. You have to prosper where you’re planted. Do you have dreams and visions of where you want to go and what you want to do? Do you get frustrated because it hasn’t happened yet? Your frustration is a plan from the enemy to get your focus on what you don’t have instead of focusing on making yourself prosper right where you are. Joseph in the Bible had a gift to interpret dreams. He used that gift in prison and that’s what got him promoted to the top over night. He prospered where he was planted. Ecclesiasties says, “Whatever your hands can find, do it with all your might.”

9. ASK and ask BIG. God is not a small God. It says that His arms are not short and His ears are not deaf. The Bible clearly says that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has in store for those who love Him. THINK BIGGER than what you’re thinking. Ask for help. The Bible says if you need wisdom, ask for it. If there’s something you don’t know how to do, ASK and He’ll show you.

10. Understand that it is okay to fail. There are ups and there are downs. In the down time, don’t worry. Don’t fret. Just know that He loves you and He will prosper you. There are times you’re going to make mistakes and it’s okay! Because His grace far exceeds the heavens. His grace is enormous!
I’ve painted a picture for you of a Financial Kingdom; a Kingdom that spreads far and wide. But the head of that Kingdom is God. Won’t you submit to Him so that He may bless you? So that He will prosper you?
I know this… my husband and I have been blessed since we’ve committed our business to Him! Do you know that the business you’re in is not yours? It’s God’s and it’s for a purpose! He wants to see His people be set free from financial bondage. Are you tired of financial bondage? Do you want to be free from it?
Then commit your ways to Him…

No Negative Thoughts Allowed

2010-09-21T08:29:00.000-04:00

A negative thought came to my mind
He wore a charming smile
And I was sorely tempted
to invite him in a while.

And as I hesitated,
He tapped softly on the door
And whispered through the keyhole
As he'd often done before.

He said, "I'll help you hold your grudge,
I'll help you sing the blues,
It seems like all your folks and friends
have turned their backs on you."
He said, "You've been misunderstood,
Mistreated and maligned.
I'll help you cry your heart out
If you'll let me come inside"

But, I kept my windows fastened
And my doors securely closed,
For I knew I'd be the loser
If I let him take control
For negative thoughts can multiply
And crowd the positives out
And make the mind a cesspool
Of anxiety and doubt.

And so I told the negative thought
I could not let him in.
He went his way, but I am sure
That he'll return again.

But no more will I greet him
With a welcome or a smile
And never will I entertain him
Even for awhile.
I'll fill my mind with positive thoughts
And on the door install
a sign which reads, "DO NOT DISTURB"
when negative comes to call
For tho' he knocks a thousand times
And yet, a thousand more
He cannot dominate my mind if I don't open the door.

Unemployment rate, United States

2010-09-20T09:35:00.001-04:00


	9.6% of the labor force - Not seasonally adjusted - Jun 2010 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Disclaimer

www.google.com/publicdata

Isn't It Time You Started Your Own Business? Don't become one of the statistics above! I can help you get the Free details about a very legit home business! Don't want to sell anything? Awesome! Neither do I! Just ask for all the details!

Ignoring the Link Between Toxins and Cancer

2010-09-16T21:25:00.000-04:00

by Vic Shayne, PhD
Worldwide, more than 7 million people die from cancer every year, and the numbers increase annually. Generally, high-fat diets are blamed for increasing the risk, while plant-based diets, high in fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, and minimally processed starchy foods, are said to help prevent cancer.

And, if we look a little closer, we discover that there are very specific foods and herbs that are powerful "detoxifiers" and thus play a major role in prevention of cancer and other diseases. But even as we attempt to control cancer risk by our food choices, we always have to realize that diet is just one of the lifestyle factors that influence the development of cancer.

With all of the cancer information and disinformation broadcasted continually through the major news media, rarely do we hear a mention of the greatest threat to our health – and the most prevalent cause of cancer: toxins. Toxins (poisons) are ubiquitous in our modern world. Although those cancer researchers and foundations making the news headlines, mostly funded by pharmaceutical corporations and chemical manufacturers, seem to be obsessed with finding a cancer virus or genetic predispositions to the disease, as a society we are not being given the whole truth that toxins cause most cancers.

Independent researchers (e.g., read Cancer-Gate: How to Win the Losing Cancer War, by Samuel Epstein, MD) understand that toxins cause disruptions in cellular function, cellular differentiation, cellular protection, and immune system function. Such poisons also place great stress on the eliminatory system that tries, often in vain, to rid our bodies of a toxic overload; this includes the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, lungs, bowels and skin. Toxins are known to rob our bodies of oxygen and cause free radical damage to cellular structures; they also are cumulative, leading to illness and symptoms now and into the future.

"With all of the cancer information and disinformation broadcasted continually through the major news media, rarely do we hear a mention of the greatest threat to our health – and the most prevalent cause of cancer: toxins."

The natural question is, where do these toxins come from and how do they get into our bodies? The answer is that toxins hail from a wide array of sources, including artificial food ingredients, prescription drugs, topical ointments, household sprays, fumes, automobile and truck exhaust, incinerators, factories, plastic off-gassing, construction materials, carpeting, bug sprays, fluoridated water, hair sprays, fast foods, pesticides, herbicides, chemical spills and dumping, perfumes and more. You can see how, entering our bodies from so many sources, the toxic overload is inevitable unless we make a concerted effort to monitor what we eat and how we live our lives. But if we wander around in a state of paranoia over slanted media reports about bad genes and invisible viruses, we'll never see the real threat right before our eyes.

What Are You Eating?

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recommends that people should eat more plant-based foods and states that as much as 20 percent of lung cancer, 33 percent of breast cancer, and 66 percent of colon cancer could be prevented by appropriate diet choices, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Add this to not smoking and moderate consumption of alcohol, and the AICRF believes that 60 percent to 70 percent of all cancers are preventable.¹ Yet, even with this information, major associations such as cancer and heart institutes, who must ride the political line in an effort not to alienate the chemical industry, fail to tell us that organic foods are safer than nonorganic; that prescription medications can be dangerous; that there are too many chemicals in our lives; and that eating more plant-based foods is vague advice. As a rather alarming and bothersome side note, it is clear to anyone who has researched the cancer-toxin connection that some of the largest companies contributing to cancer rates by manufacturing poisonous chemicals are the same companies that influence and fund scientific research that ends up on the nightly news, producing the drugs to "fight" cancer.

Why Is Cancer Winning the Battle?

Thanks to the power and greed of industry, the public is kept in the dark about many of the causes of cancer. Instead we are fed news reports about genetic connections, viruses and early screenings. Biologically speaking, as human beings, our bodies are not equipped to handle the onslaught (or combinations) of toxic overload that exists in our modern world. Until we realize that synthetic chemicals are causing most cancers, we cannot begin to stem the tide of disease and suffering.

"Most epidemiologists and cancer researchers would agree that the relative contribution from the environment toward cancer risk is about 80-90 percent," said Aaron Blair, PhD, chief of the Occupational Epidemiology Branch in the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. "There is very solid evidence that environmental factors are the major cause of cancer."⁴

References

1. Axmaker L. Eat Right to Prevent Cancer. Vanderbilt Faculty & Staff Wellness Program, Vanderbilt University Web site, November 2005. Click to view it online.

2. Slavin J. Mechanisms for the impact of whole grain foods on cancer risk. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2000;19(90003):300S-307S.

3. Kanofsky DL. The case for organic produce. Daytona Beach News-Journal 2005. www.organicconsumers.org.

4. Environmental Factors the Major Cause of Cancer. Environment News Service, 2004. www.ens-newswire.com.

Other Resources

§ The Diet & Cancer Link. American Institute for Cancer Research, 2000. www.aicr.org.

§ Potter J. Leading Scientist Hails Progress Made To Date in Field of Diet and Cancer Research. Press Release from American Institute for Cancer Research, 2000. www.aicr.org.

§ Mediterranean Diet May Lower Cancer Risk. American Cancer Society, 2000. Click to view it online.

Vic Shayne, PhD, a 1978 graduate of the University of Florida, is a food science researcher and writer. His books include Illness Isn't Caused by a Drug Deficiency!, Man Cannot Live on Vitamins Alone, and Evil Genius in the Garden of Eden (a study on food-borne and environmental toxins and their toll on human health). Dr. Shayne's work stresses the value of whole-food nutrition over vitamins and other isolated supplements. He is a key contributor of the research Web site healthscienceupdate.com.

http://www.nutritionalwellness.com/archives/2006/mar/03_toxins.php

180

2010-09-15T14:55:00.000-04:00

180 - Number of minutes of Exercise a week needed to protect women from bone-density loss!

Source: Study presented at the American Physiological Society's Experimental Biology Conference

Birthday Party Games Lady

2010-09-11T20:33:00.000-04:00

Birthday Party Games Lady

Just purchased a great package for my son's birthday party coming up! Check this sight out and I'll give you feed back after the party on Oct. 2nd!

:)

Power Hours

2010-09-03T08:57:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking about the power of 1 hour. 60 minutes. What can you get done in 1 hour?

No interruptions, no distractions....

1 hour yesterday - 3 loads of laundry, made beds and vacuumed.

1 hour on Friday nights - I can "balance my checkbook" (via Internet banking & Quicken) and pay my bills for the next 2 weeks.

1 hour of walking ~ at a good pace can burn around 400 calories.

One hour of business ~ just getting on the phone and setting appointments can make for an incredible week of enhancing lives. (All from the comfort of our own homes!)

What did you get done today in 1 of your 24 hours?

NFY

2010-08-29T13:58:00.000-04:00

Not Finished Yet!

We need a new button, t-shirt, bumper sticker, or cap that reads...NFY! It stands for Not Finished Yet!

Regardless of the label people put on you (senior, baby-boomer, retired person), regardless of the number of birthdays you've celebrated, you are still here. And as long as you are here, you are not there, and as long as you are not there, it means God still has a purpose for you here.

When Jesus was on the cross, the last thing He said was, "It is finished." After He made that statement He died. When is God's purpose for you on this earth finished? It is finished when you die... until then, you are not finished yet! NFY!

Does the thought of getting older discourage you or make you fearful? Consider these words the Lord spoke to Isaiah: I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. Isaiah 46:4 NLT

By Roy Lessin, DaySpring co-founder and writer.

Read more of Roy's encouraging NFY! devotion on his blog, Meet Me in the Meadow. »

Kick Cancer with K

2010-08-18T22:03:00.000-04:00

Filling your plate with greens may cut your risk of developing non-Hodgkins' lymphoma, a common form of cancer. After studying the diets of 1,600 people, researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that those who ate the most vitamin K-rich foods --such as collard greens and broccoli -- had a 45 percent lower risk of developing the cancer than those who ate the least. Vitamin K is thought to block interleukin-6, a protein made by white blood cells that may trigger the onset of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, says lead study author James Cerhan, M.D.

FACT

2010-08-15T22:24:00.002-04:00

Your risk of heart disease rises 70 percent if you don't brush your teeth at least twice a day.

Source: British Medical Journal

Bob Parsons 16 Rules for Success in Business and Life in General!

2010-08-13T12:26:00.000-04:00

1.	Get and stay out of your comfort zone.
	I believe that not much happens of any significance when we're in our comfort zone. I hear people say, "But I'm concerned about security." My response to that is simple: "Security is for cadavers."
2.	Never give up.
	Almost nothing works the first time it's attempted. Just because what you're doing does not seem to be working, doesn't mean it won't work. It just means that it might not work the way you're doing it. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and you wouldn't have an opportunity.
3.	When you're ready to quit, you're closer than you think.
	There's an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: "The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed."
4.	With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be.
	Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as bad as a cloud of "undefined consequences." My father would tell me early on, when I was struggling and losing my shirt trying to get Parsons Technology going, "Well, Robert, if it doesn't work, they can't eat you."
5.	Focus on what you want to have happen.
	Remember that old saying, "As you think, so shall you be."
6.	Take things a day at a time.
	No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don't look too far into the future, and focus on the present moment. You can get through anything one day at a time.
7.	Always be moving forward.
	Never stop investing. Never stop improving. Never stop doing something new. The moment you stop improving your organization, it starts to die. Make it your goal to be better each and every day, in some small way. Remember the Japanese concept of Kaizen. Small daily improvements eventually result in huge advantages.
8.	Be quick to decide.
	Remember what General George S. Patton said: "A good plan violently executed today is far and away better than a perfect plan tomorrow."
9.	Measure everything of significance.
	I swear this is true. Anything that is measured and watched, improves.
10.	Anything that is not managed will deteriorate.
	If you want to uncover problems you don't know about, take a few moments and look closely at the areas you haven't examined for a while. I guarantee you problems will be there.
11.	Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you're doing.
	When you look at your competitors, remember that everything looks perfect at a distance. Even the planet Earth, if you get far enough into space, looks like a peaceful place.
12.	Never let anybody push you around.
	In our society, with our laws and even playing field, you have just as much right to what you're doing as anyone else, provided that what you're doing is legal.
13.	Never expect life to be fair.
	Life isn't fair. You make your own breaks. You'll be doing good if the only meaning fair has to you, is something that you pay when you get on a bus (I.e., fare).
14.	Solve your own problems.
	You'll find that by coming up with your own solutions, you'll develop a competitive edge. Masura Ibuka, the co-founder of SONY, said it best: "You never succeed in technology, business, or anything by following the others." There's also an old Asian saying that I remind myself of frequently. It goes like this: "A wise man keeps his own counsel."
15.	Don't take yourself too seriously.
	Lighten up. Often, at least half of what we accomplish is due to luck. None of us are in control as much as we like to think we are.
16.	There's always a reason to smile.
	Find it. After all, you're really lucky just to be alive. Life is short. More and more, I agree with my little brother. He always reminds me: "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!"

What does the term "natural flavor" mean?

2010-08-12T21:17:00.000-04:00

For the most part, exactly what you think it does. Natural flavors are extracted from plant, animal, or dairy products and don't contain synthetic preservatives, says Gary Reineccius, Ph.D., a professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota. One example is orange juice: It's squeezed from the fruit and bottled. What you may not know is that chemicals are sometimes mixed with natural flavors in the manufacturing process. Artificial flavors, on the other hand, are totally man-made -- some might be added to cereal, for example, to give it a vanilla taste without using expensive pure vanilla. Bottom line: Natural isn't always "good", and artificial isn't always "bad". Both must meet the same federal safety standards.

July/August 2010 Women's Health Magazine

iPad :-)

2010-08-02T09:31:00.000-04:00

I was going to ask Santa for the Ipad for Christmas - looks like Christmas is going to come early for me this year as I can earn the Ipad as a bonus - just for doing my job. The first thing I am going to download is a new book. I love to read! - I'm so excited to see all that this thing can do :-)

Best part is, I get to help all my partners earn one too .....

Multivitamin 101

2010-07-30T22:03:00.000-04:00

Key facts everyone should know about daily multivitamin/mineral supplements.

It seems like every month a new article is published extolling the virtues of a specific vitamin or mineral or claiming that a vitamin or mineral isn't necessary at all. The contradictory opinions can create a great deal of confusion about health, nutrition and the practice of preventative health care.

While new benefits and new questions will constantly arise as science improves, the basic principles of health have remained unchanged for thousands of years.

When it comes to the nutritional needs of the human body, there are three key facts you can always rely on:

1. Your Body Can't Produce Vitamins and Minerals - TRULY ESSENTIAL NUTRITION - Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that are required for life that are not usually created by the body. You need them to live, and you have to get them from your diet. The most common source is fruits and vegetables, but according to a 2009 report from the Centers for Disease Control, only 14% of U.S. adults and 9.5% of U.S. teens are eating the recommended minimum of two daily servings of fruit and at least three daily servings of vegetables.(1) Sobering facts like these have prompted doctors to recommend that all adults take a multivitamin daily.(2)

2. Timing Is Everything - AMOUNTS DO MATTER - As humans, we are designed to eat several times a day. So it only makes sense that we need to supplement almost as often. Supplementing the diet with the Brand A twice daily helps provide the ideal amounts of vitamins and minerals throughout the day.

This is especially true for vitamins. Because the body cannot store most vitamins, they are only of benefit for a limited time. Taking a vitamin repeatedly helps ensure your body is replenished with a constant supply to maintain optimal health.

3. Skipping Today Can Hurt Tomorrow - PUTTING LONG-TERM BENEFITS AT RISK - Most vitamins and minerals provide more than one benefit to the body. Some maintain critical functions such as regulation your heart, while others maintain a strong immune system and help the body rejuvenate itself.* Your body has an incredible capacity to prioritize these benefits and allocate them, much like doctors prioritize patients in an emergency room.

In your body, vitamins and minerals are utilized first to maintain your critical life functions, and then - and only if there is enough - it will use them for rejuvenation, repair, and other more long-term benefits.* As a result, you probably won't feel a lot of difference if you skip a day or two, or if you don't take the recommended amount of vitamins. But over time, the deficiencies can add up. Many illnesses and diseases, such as osteoporosis, have a direct link to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

(1) "State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009," Centers for Disease Control, Sept. 29, 2009
(2) Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 287, no. 23, 2002, p. 3127-3129

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

SHOPPERS SAY - "I had been a Brand B user for about 10 years. After two weeks of taking Brand A, I started feeling a difference in my energy, especially around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon. I will always take Brand A because I feel that much of a difference and I feel that much better." - Judy, KY
(Article found in Brand A summer 2010 catalog)

If you are ready to start feeling better, healthier and have more energy then you need to contact me so I can tell you about Brand A! I won't try to sell you anything, just get you the details about Brand A and how you can buy them yourself! Oh, and by the way, there is a 90 day money back guarantee with Brand A!

Stop The Gossip

2010-07-28T10:22:00.000-04:00

Have you ever really stopped to think about the words that come out of your mouth? Words are very hurtful. To copy a song lyric, "They can cut like a knife!" I never understood as a child the little diddy, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me." I was either a VERY sensitive child (still am!) or these things just didn't bother other people the way they bothered me or they were just really good at hiding their feelings.

I received the article below from someone very near and dear to me. After reading it, it really made me sit back and think about the words that come out of my mouth. I have always been very careful with my words in the aspect of never calling anyone any kind of name other than their given name or a term of endearment (positive endearment). I remember as a child some names that were "thrown" my way and how hurtful they were. But what about casual conversations? Do we realize how much we "gossip" on a daily basis?

After reading the article, I challenge you to take the challenge! and then pass it on! Imagine what we can do when we are kinder to each other.

Stop the Gossip

    Gossip is one of the most socially acceptable and simultaneously destructive habits that exist today. If it is recognized, it is often simply approved of; but the truth is that it mostly goes unnoticed. The effects of gossip reach far and wide and some of the destruction is often permanent and irreversible. Relationships are often damaged for two very good reasons: 1) gossip and 2) assuming the gossip is true.
    Gossip happens in our own homes, in our newspapers, amongst neighbors, friends and families, throughout our spiritual and religious communities, throughout all forms of news reporting systems, and in our own minds. Gossip must stop if we would like our world to be less toxic. You might be asking yourself what is gossip and how do I distinguish it. First let me say that gossip as I am referring to it goes beyond the dictionary meaning. Try using this description for now: Gossip is any conversation that is about anyone's business other than your own. Now to make this more practical we must first begin by looking at our intention for sharing information or chatting about someone. If you are celebrating someone and joining in their good news then your intention is sweet and harmless - but technically you are still gossiping if we go according to the definition that is listed above.
    It might not be easy to resist the temptation to gossip for many reasons especially if you are mad or upset about something, but that would be one of the most important times to NOT GOSSIP. As you learn to manage your emotions differently, silently and harmlessly, your world begins to slowly change. You will notice that each time you choose to not gossip, you will feel lighter and lighter.

Pay attention to these areas:
·         Gossiping about your family or your children when drama ensues.
·         Being an ear for someone else who is gossiping.
·         Believing the gossip without checking it for truth or accuracy.
·         Believing newspapers and news reports without questioning the source.
·         Gossiping about your own limitations either to someone else or in your own mind.
·         Any place where a group of people are gathered and conversation begins regarding someone who is not present.

So here is your assignment should you choose to accept it:
·         For one month's time STOP ALL GOSSIP. Pay attention to your conversation, seeing first how much you do gossip and then how clear and free you feel after stopping. Take notice of how much the world functions on gossip and begin to notice what the possible effects are and the damage that could follow.
·         Do some journaling so you can track your results.
·         Consider reading either The Four Agreements or The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz.

Affirmation for your support:All of my conversations are loving, creative and harmless and every word I speak is a blessing to the world.

FAITH

2010-07-21T21:49:00.000-04:00

allposters.com/Outside a Rural Home, a Woman Pours Well Water by Willard Culver

Faith is the bucket of power ~

lowered by the rope of prayer ~
into the well of God's abundance.

What we bring up depends upon what we let down.

We have every encouragement to use a big bucket.

~Virginia Whitman

Great Quotes on Prayer

2010-07-10T09:13:00.000-04:00

from Meet Me In The Meadow by Roy

When we depend on man, we get what man can do; when we depend on prayer, we get what God can do. -unknown

Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers. -Sidlow Baxter

If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge, “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!” –J. Hudson Taylor

San Antonio River Walk

2010-07-07T22:33:00.000-04:00

Go Green! Save Green! Make Green!

2010-06-27T09:42:00.002-04:00

I work with a wonderful International Company that has been Delivering Wellness for 25 yrs now. If you've tried working from home in the past and it just didn't work, or maybe you just lately have been thinking about working from home, I invite you to check out this company! I love that I'm not selling anything to anyone! I don't do home parties! In fact, I work straight from home with my kids by my side! We have an Awesome promotion going on until July 20th where you can get started for just $1!! No hidden fees!! Contact me today by going through my website http://www.enrichingothers.com

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-19T22:07:00.000-04:00

A Godly Man

I Love a Godly Man 
A man who has postponed his plans to fly planes and sail to exotic places 
So that his children will have memories of a dad who taught them to fish, swim and change a bicycle tire  

I Love a Godly Man 
A man whose strong hands handle the greasy, dark, and dirty jobs that no one else wants to do
And gently pat a fussy baby to sleep

I Love a Godly Man 
Who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders during the day
And carries small children on them during a game of “Horse” at night  

I Love a Godly Man
A man who understands that real Success is not found in the boardroom 
But in watching his children grow and learn and love  

I Love a Godly Man 
A man whose character is sterling and velvet, whose handshake is better than gold, and whose word stands for honor, integrity and trust.  

I Love a Godly Man 
A man who is creating a spiritual legacy that will affect generations to come 
And who knows that his real treasure is stored up in a better place

I Love a Godly Man
A man who knows that real strength is not found in the gym 
But on his knees  

I Love a Godly Man 
and I am proud that he is my husband and the father of my children.  
To him and all the Godly Men like him:

A Very Happy Father’s Day!

Psalm 112

1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed . 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man sheweth favour , and lendeth : he will guide his affairs with discretion. 6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed , trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established , he shall not be afraid , until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9 He hath dispersed , he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. 10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved ; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away : the desire of the wicked shall perish .

Java, Jammies, and Jesus

2010-06-14T22:27:00.000-04:00

A Message from a Dear Friend:

Today I offer to you (below) 5 days worth of positive, power-packed affirmations based on His word to help you in your journey this week. If you print them out, post them somewhere accessible, and then say them throughout the day, you will feel energy coming into your body, your load will be lightened, and you will get more done with less effort in less time. That's what agreeing with God does!!
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But first --- if you haven't done so already, may I encourage you to get a hold of my new book, "Have I Ever Told You, You're My Favorite! The Importance of Feeling Special" and deepen your understanding of the favor of God FOR YOU personally?

To buy from Amazon, click here!

God desires you to think and feel about yourself as He thinks and feels about you. You will feel so settled, so free, and so excited about living when you become awakened to and then grounded in His favor. It is powerful! We need His favor for our dreams and deepest desires to be fulfilled! I pray God will open your eyes to it in greater and greater measure!

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Now for your Java, Jammies, and Jesus godly affirmations! Remember - to live effective, happy lives we need to first agree with God and appropriate the things He has for us. We can not give away what we have not appropriated. And one highly effective way to help us appropriate is by speaking words which agree with Him daily!
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Monday
I eagerly anticipate the opportunities laying in my path this week. I can leave the past behind, and press forward in newness. His mercies are new every morning! I will call upon the Lord and He will show me great and mighty things which I do not yet know. Because I have been given an abundant life, I have an abundance of time, too. I can and will get done all that I need to today and this week because He is for me, living in me, and working through me. (Jn 10:10, Lam 3:21-23, Jer 33:3)
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Tuesday
The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. I lack no good thing. I live in the reality of the Kingdom of God, which contains all good things. His divine power has given me ALL things for true life and godliness. May I SEE all the abundance that is within me, surrounding me, and laying before me through Him. (Ps 23:1, Ps 34:10, 2 Pet 1:3)
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Wednesday
I have the clarity and wisdom of Jesus to make good decisions, to plot out my course, and to solve difficult problems. I have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:16, Ja 3:17)
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Thursday
I have the super-accelerlated, super-efficient, super-effective Spirit of the Living God living and working in me. It is in Christ I live and move and have my being. I am flooded with His love. (Acts 17:28, Gal 2:20)
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Friday
I am an open portal, receptive to the Spirit of God's thoughts and blessings. I love mercy and truth. I am kind, compassionate and powerful. The Father's love flows richly and unconditionally through me. All my needs are provided for and I am open and ready to receive whatever God has won for me. I am blessed and highly favored, therefore I can bless and show favor to others. (Prov 3: 5-6, Rom 8: 9-11, Eph 1:6)
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No Toxic Zone: Watch CNN's Toxic America Special

2010-06-02T18:07:00.002-04:00

No Toxic Zone: Watch CNN's Toxic America Special: TONIGHT~ If you are still in-doubt about whether toxic chemicals play a part in illness and cancer, I suggest you watch the following programs. Wednesday and Thursday, June 2nd and 3rd, at 8pm EST,CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta will be airing an eye-opening investigativestory: Toxic America. If you care about public and environmental health, it's must-see TV.

Did you know that the government has not evaluated the chemicials in our household products and food since 1976? Think of how drastically food and home cleaners have changed in the last 30 years. They are not regulated.

This is why I shop at a special online wholesale club... better, safer, and more cost-effective products every month.

If you'd like to find out more about how you can shop for better, safer, and more cost-effective products too, visit www.livetotalwellness.com/shandav and request more info!

Assurance in Jesus

2010-05-31T22:08:00.001-04:00

Assurance in Jesus

May Jesus assure you that as you follow Him
you will never meet a fear He cannot conquer,
you will never face an enemy He cannot defeat,
you will never enter a battle He cannot win,
you will never have a need He cannot meet,
you will never face a temptation He cannot overcome,
you will never have a burden He cannot lift,
you will never face a problem He cannot solve,
you will never have a bondage He cannot break,
you will never have a moment when He does not care,
you will never have a time when He is not there.

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 AMP

Devotional by Roy Lessin, to read more and comment, visit his blog Meet Me in the Meadow »

Technology

2010-05-27T22:08:00.001-04:00

WoW! Check this out! The Future....

Plus it's an amazing song! Go ahead, lift your face, raise your hands to heaven and praise Him!

National Small Business Week

2010-05-25T22:31:00.001-04:00

May 23 - 29

Small Business: Driving America's Economy

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of America. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes this special impact made by outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners. In 2010, National Small Business Week will honor the estimated 27.2 million small businesses in America. Small businesses are major contributors to the strength of the American economy. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. They also create 60-80 percent of new jobs in the country. Small businesses drive innovation, create 21st century jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness.

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So, check out the small businesses in your area! Don't forget about your work at home businesses too! You can check mine out at www.enrichingothers.com !

Random Acts of Kindness

2010-05-20T23:33:00.002-04:00

Visit The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, for ideas on how to promote Random Acts of Kindness in your school, community, or personal life. www.actsofkindness.org

Busy! Busy! Busy!

2010-05-19T22:07:00.000-04:00

It's that time of the school year where things seem to be super busy. That's one of the reason's why this is the first night this week that I've blogged.

School will be finished for our school district on June 7th. So luckily, Awana has already finished and PTO is winding down. Unfortunately, there is still "stuff" that needs to be done and be taken care of for the next year. Soccer ended last weekend - YeeHaaa! Swimming will end next week - YeeHaaa! Taekwondo will continue all year - but that's okay! I'm really looking forward to some "catch-up" time.... does that really exist?

I just heard the other day on a talk radio show that "catch-up" time never happens because we continue to fill our time with "stuff". (Another statistic I heard had to do with praying....)but unless we are INTENTIONAL with our time, we won't get the important things done. Sometimes that means putting it on the calendar/ planner/ or appt. book.

I'm one of those people... if it's not in the appt. book, it's not getting done. I'm serious when I tell you that even watering the plants and feeding the fish are in my appt. book. So, I say to you, "Start being Intentional with your time and see not only what you are able to accomplish, but how easier your days will go when you prioritize your time."

P.S. Don't forget to calendar your "ME" time.

Wiped Out!

2010-05-14T23:21:00.000-04:00

Phew, this old body is not used to working out very much. Tonight was week #4 for my new "workout"! I decided to try Taekwondo with the kids! Yep, the kids are now a Yellow belt and I'm just starting out on the White.

My first week did not go as well as I would have hoped. In fact, I never even dreamed that I would have such a hard time. Guaranteed, it's been over 1 1/2 years since I've done any kind of a workout. Luckily, I made it through, even with a near "pass out" after 15 minutes into the session.

After that, I decided I better start eating one of my Access bars (fat burning, energy conversion bars) before each session. It is working like a charm! Plus the fact that I'm actually practicing at home at least 3-4 nights a week.

So tonight..... oh my gosh! I don't think I've EVER run wind sprints in my life and there I was, running to beat the bandit! Not only that, but Mr. Terry worked us so hard tonight! I could barely lift my legs by the end of the hour. And now.... My body is worn out. One of those "good" exhaustions: nothing hurts, you just know that you used everything.

It's a lot of fun! Especially being in the same class w/ the kids. I have such a sense of accomplishment when we are done each week. If this 40 year old body (ok, almost 40 yr old body) can do something crazy like this, then anyone can. I highly recommend checking it out! !"KE-UP"!

TUT.... Notes from the Universe

2010-05-13T22:42:00.000-04:00

Are you familiar with "Notes from the Universe"? I love this daily email that I get! The other day, my message was:

If everyone really knew how much they were loved, Shanda, not only from "above", but by everyone now in their life, there'd be little hearts drawn on everything from wheelbarrows to skyscrapers to jumbo jets.

And I so look forward to that day.

Big heart,
The Universe

P.S. Shanda, everyone loves you.

Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! www.tut.com

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First of all, Can you just imagine such a thing? Are you smiling? or maybe chuckling? I am! But, think about this... think of the huge impact you could make in someone's life by letting them know you care. You could save a life and not even know it, all because you verbally told someone you cared. Love and caring are so important! Especially in a society that has the mentality of "what's in it for me?" and "every man/woman for him/herself". Show you love and care! Express it! Remember how it feels when you receive it! Now go give it!

The Girls' Bill of Rights

2010-05-12T21:51:00.000-04:00

By Jane Balvanz, MSE, RPT

At one time girls were considered “sugar and spice and everything nice.” It was proper they were seen and not heard, ate like a bird, portrayed themselves as unintelligent, and sought to reach the pinnacle of catching a husband.

Times have changed, and there are new unwritten rules. As girls strive to fit in, they worry about doing it all: getting good grades, looking perfect, performing well in extra-curricular activities, and having the right friends. The result is stress laced with insecurity, often resulting in eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Will they ever be enough?

As everyday stressors mount, it’s time to let our girls know they are enough. They do not have to do or be anything to be valued. Their sheer existence is enough. Let’s help them grow to become strong, self-actualized women by guaranteeing them The Girls’ Bill of Rights. They are what girls need to get through relational aggression, solve friendship problems, build self-esteem, and become self-assured.

1. The Right to Love Yourself Unconditionally

To love yourself unconditionally means to love yourself just the way you are. You do not have to do more, have more, or be more. Your size and shape do not matter nor do the clothes you wear, the amount of money your family has, your talents, or how smart you are. Be proud of your culture and your background. All of these things make you unique. There is no guarantee others will love you unconditionally. You will have to love and respect yourself. Through loving yourself, you will be able to give and receive more love.

Do you love your child as she is? She has a unique temperament, personality, strengths, deficits, and ways of being which define her. Do not devalue these gifts by wishing her to be different – especially within her earshot. The girl who is loved unconditionally learns to accept herself and others. When you love a girl unconditionally, you allow her to be herself.

2. The Right to Speak Up

You have the right to express your opinions, thoughts, and feelings.

Do you allow girls to speak up? Everyone has the right to her own opinions and thoughts. Help girls express themselves through the filter of civility rather than censorship. A girl who is allowed to speak up learns to speak her mind rather than swallow her feelings or disregard her thoughts.

3. The Right to Explore Your World

You have the right to be curious, ask questions, explore, get dirty, have fun, and learn.

Do you allow girls to explore? Foster curiosity. A girl who is allowed to satisfy her curiosity learns to make discoveries, decisions, and widen her horizons.

4. The Right to Question Authority

You have the right to wonder if adults are right. No one is right all of the time and this includes adults. It’s OK to speak up and express your opinion when you disagree with an adult. Not all adults will like this, but if you approach them respectfully, you will have a better chance of being heard.

Do you allow girls to question authority? There is rarely one right way to do or think about anything. We all learn from each others’ differences. Children need adult guidance, but listening to kids’ viewpoints enlightens us. A girl who can question authority learns to develop a backbone, think independently, and value herself.

5. The Right to Make Mistakes

You have the right to mess up. No one is perfect; we all make mistakes. That’s how we learn. Don’t get stuck thinking you need to be perfect or you’re stupid if you make mistakes. A wise girl takes a lesson away from each mistake.

Do you allow girls to make their own mistakes? There is an instinct to protect our kids from making big mistakes. They do need our guidance; however, mistakes create opportunities to learn. A girl who is allowed to make mistakes is less inclined toward fear and perfectionism and more inclined toward self-efficacy.

6. The Right to Experience the Natural Consequences of Your Actions

You have the right to know that almost everything you do causes something else to happen. When you practice something, you usually get better at what you are trying to do. If you don’t practice, you don’t improve. If you work on making friends, you will probably get friends. If you treat others unkindly, you may not have any friends.

When was the last time you allowed a girl to experience natural consequences? Sheltering a girl from the world creates fear and dependency. When allowed to experience natural consequences of their actions, girls learn resiliency and responsibility.

7. The Right to Have and Express Your Own Feelings

Your feelings are your own, and no one has the right to tell you not to feel a certain way or to tell you what you’re feeling is wrong. Feelings are feelings. You can’t turn them on or off just because someone tells you to. Your feelings are guides that give you information. They help you know things like when to stop something or when to keep on doing what you’re doing.

Do you ever tell a girl what she should or shouldn’t feel? Denying a girl the opportunity to own and express her feelings creates confusion and self-doubt. Adults unwittingly create this situation with good intentions. We often tell girls not to be sad, mad, or scared to protect them from hurt. A girl who learns to have and express her own feelings learns to become strong and trust her own intuitions.

8. The Right to Make Choices

You have the right to make choices in many areas. Parents or other adults may guide you, and you won’t always get your way. The older you get, the more choices you will have. Especially with friendships, you have the right to choose ones that feel good. You can choose to let go of friendships that make you feel sad or miserable.

Do you allow girls opportunities to make choices? Many choices are already made for them as they enter the world. The hospital provides the pink hat while friends give the “I’m a Princess” tee shirt. Grandparents scour toy stores for “girl toys.” Allow girls early on to make choices unencumbered by the media or others’ definitions of what a girl should be. Let girls follow their natural instincts. A girl who is allowed to make choices learns to value herself as an individual without worrying about what others think.

9. The Right to Be Yourself

You have the right to be exactly who you are and express yourself in ways that say, “This is me!” What you like and dislike makes you who you are. Some girls like to hang out indoors while some like to play soccer outdoors. Some like playing soccer indoors. Whether you are artsy, sporty, geeky, musical, natural, girly, noisy, quiet, or anything else, YOU are YOU! You are a wonder.

Do you allow your girl to be herself? Is it OK with you if she dresses in plaids and stripes together? Will you let her sing songs off key at the top of her lungs? Is she allowed to dig in the dirt, conduct experiments, and engage in what she enjoys? Kids like to be like their parents or other adults they respect. They will try out many ways of being just to see how it fits them. Respect these choices, for it’s through trying out different roles that girls learn who they are.

© 2010 A Way Through, LLC

Female friendship experts Jane Balvanz and Blair Wagner publish A Way Through, LLC’s Guiding Girls ezine. If you’re ready to guide girls in grades K – 8 through painful friendships, get your FREE mini audio workshop and ongoing tips now at www.AWayThrough.com

A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne Creator of The Secret

2010-05-10T22:25:00.001-04:00

Every single day, no matter who you meet in the day - friends, family, work colleagues, strangers - give joy to them. Give a smile or a compliment or kind words or kind actions, but give joy! Do your best to make sure that every single person you meet has a better day because they saw you. This might sound like it is not connected with you and your life, but believe me it is inseparably connected through cosmic law.

As you give joy to every person you meet, you bring joy to YOU. The more you can give joy to others, the more you will bring the joy back to you.

May the joy be with you,
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I really liked reading this today. If more people in the world would follow this plan, just think of the joy that would spread! Although, I don't think this has anything to do with "cosmic law", but about Jesus' Teachings. To keep it real simple... WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do) I believe if you live by that one simple question you will have tremendous Joy!

From Your Mother on Mother's Day!

2010-05-07T23:10:00.000-04:00

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a mother, I will tell them:

I loved you enough to ask you where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself even though we could afford to buy one for you.

I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep.

I loved you enough to make you take a Milky Way back to the drugstore (with a bite out of it) and tell the clerk, "I stole this yesterday and want to pay for it."

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes.

I love you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.

I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won something too.

Author Unknown

Had to borrow this from another blog!

2010-05-05T22:35:00.003-04:00

So far today, God, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost my temper. Haven't been grumpy, nasty, or selfish. I'm really glad of that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed; and from then on, I'm probably going to need a lot of help.

Is that not sooo true? I am so Thankful that HE loves me anyway and is my rock when I need to lean on Him or in some cases need to sit down.

Found this too~ check it out!

A Nice Gesture Gone Bad... :(

2010-05-05T14:41:00.002-04:00

Every year our PTO has a Staff Appreciation Luncheon for ALL Staff members of the Elementary School during Teacher Appreciation Week. So this year, The PTO (me included) decided we'd make it a week of celebration. We thought long and hard about how we could make this fun for everyone but not a costly thing. So last week, we sent home letters with every student explaining what they needed to do this week.

Monday - Wear your teacher's favorite sport team, color, or sport T-shirt. Example: if your teacher likes Penn State, you could wear something Penn State, Blue and White, or just something Football related.

Tuesday - Wear your teacher's favorite cartoon / book character or animal shirt, or the color of the character / animal is fine too. Example: Mr. Henry's favorite character is Barney, so you could wear purple to show your appreciation.

Wednesday - Bring an encouraging sticker for your teacher and place it on the poster outside your teacher's door. Example: Great Job, Excellent, A+, etc.

Thursday - Do a good deed for your teacher day! Example: Open the door, pass out papers, clean up something, etc. at the very least, be on your best behavior.

Friday - Bring your teacher a homemade card. A Thank You!

Ok, sounds simple enough right? Well, first of all, it's really sad to see how few parents are involved in their children's lives. The participation level at the younger ages was so low I can't even guess at a percentage. Very disheartening! But that's not the "Gone Bad" part.

So today is Wednesday! Yesterday morning another PTO member ran the posters over to my house. She and her Mom were up till midnight the night before using a "cricket" machine (punches out the individual letters & shapes) and gluing them onto the posters. Last night, my kids and I went back to the school and hung up all the posters outside the teachers rooms and even put a sticker on each one to "start them out". Now, I noticed that not all the posters were the same. I didn't think anything about it. No big deal, right?? Well, I'll get back to that because guess what? It was a big deal. Anyway, So this morning, my kids took extra stickers in for their classmates and then I came in around 10am w/ more stickers and went around to all the classrooms giving out more incase there were kids who forgot or had parents who weren't very helpful.

I get to the office to find out that there were 2 "comments" made first thing this morning:

1. Why do some of the posters say "Thanks" and others don't? Hmm, I don't know, I didn't make them. ~ Well, someone didn't feel as appreciated because theirs didn't say Thanks like some of the others.

2. Why didn't the Learning Support / Reading Support / "Specials" Teachers get one? Hmm, Well, we were only targeting "Homeroom Teachers". So, now we have another problem since we blatantly omitted "certain" teachers.

Uggghhh, Can we not win? Nothing like this 'little celebration week' has ever been done before! We thought it would be fun for the kids to show their appreciation for their teachers. Am I not seeing the situation clearly?

This day made me want to throw up my hands and say never again. Run through the school tearing down all the posters. Instead, I personally went around to those "omitted" teachers and apologized. We did not mean to offend anyone. We were just targeting 'homeroom' teachers.

Will we attempt something like this again in the future? I don't know. We have definitely learned a lesson from it. (or at least, I have!) So, I'm looking for my bright spot in this situation..... The Kids! They did have fun putting stickers on their Teacher's posters!

Gifts

2010-05-03T22:52:00.000-04:00

From The Secret Daily Teachings
Look for the gifts in everything, especially when you are facing what appears to be a negative situation. Everything that we attract causes us to grow, which means that ultimately everything is for our own good.

Adjusting to a new path and a new direction will require new qualities and strengths, and these qualities are always exactly what we need to acquire in order to accomplish the great things ahead in our life.

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This was in my email box today and I just had a chance to read it and reflect on it. Our society today reflects so much on the bad and the negative. Sometimes it's hard to remember that there is good in Everything. It may not be see-able on the surface. We might have to dig pretty darn deep, but it's there. Waiting to shine that ray of light/of hope on the situation.

I'd like to clarify something here because I have been accused of "wearing Rose Colored Glasses" in the past. It's not a matter of overlooking the bad or blocking it or even being ignorant of it, it's simply understanding that there is a process and in that process is the good. So, get your gloves & your shovel and only if you absolutely have to, Start Digging!

Here's hoping that you're able to see more and more good each day rather than have to shovel!

A Must See

2010-04-30T08:54:00.000-04:00

Just saw this video a friend sent me. It's amazing and a MUST SEE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=WUQYJ77qa50

Check it out and enjoy! (And Listen.... Really Listen!)

Migraines

2010-04-29T23:35:00.000-04:00

Did you know that "migraine" does not mean headache?

Neither did I, until my husband had an appt. with a Brain Surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in MD. Well, it seems that migraine actually means overload of the senses. In particular, the tasting / food sensor and there are a million - okay, I'm exaggerating - food "triggers". Now what that might mean for most people (me included), when you've eaten too many of these "triggers" then the headache will occur. And since there are other factors involved: tired, energetic, blood sugar, smells, noises, the environment, stress, etc., you really have no idea what will be the proverbial "Straw that broke the camels back".

Now in the case of my husband, it's not headaches that I'm talking about but Vertigo. Yep! Yuck! This last episode had him feeling like he was on the Tea Cups ride at the Fair for 7 days straight and couldn't get off!

So, where was I going with all of this? I had already known about some of these food "triggers" because of my past, but we are finding out that there are so many more possibilities. I'm thinking, "What do I cook????" So, good old Amazon.com, I searched for cookbooks for migraine sufferers. And, I actually bought 5 (or 6... can't remember now how many) all but 1 was less than $1.00 per book - one was even $.01. How cool was that? I've gotten 2 so far. The first one is very interesting and looks Gooood! The second one doesn't look too good and will probably be 'yard sale'd' after I copy a small handfull of recipes.

But anyway, if you suffer from headaches, vertigo, sinus issues, back pain, etc. I suggest you read, Dr. Buchholz's Heal Your Headache, The 1-2-3 Program for taking charge of your pain. Very interesting and worth the read. We borrowed our copy from the library!

Good luck! Here's to a future without headaches and vertigo! WooHoo!

Awana

2010-04-28T22:53:00.000-04:00

Are you familiar with Awana? I love the Awana program! Awana is a bible based program where kids learn to know, love, and serve Christ.

I'm the Secretary for our club. We have approx. 247 kids and approx. 109 leaders. And tonight, I'm exhausted, sad, and excited.... It was our last club night for this school year (sad part)! We will have our Ceremony for our little ones (2yrs through Preschool) on Friday night and then our Ceremony for our K-6 group (exhausting part) Sunday night. And then.... a little break (exciting part!) until next school year.

I encourage you to find an Awana program near you and enroll your kids and even consider helping out! Being a Leader is awesome and there is no prep time involved - just love the kids and help them w/ verses and play games. Of course there are other positions and your local club will be able to fill you in on what they need.

Fundraiser for a dear friend

2010-04-27T09:08:00.000-04:00

Jennifer’s Army of Angels, will be participating in the three day walk for the cure along with many others participating in the Susan G. Koman3-Day for the Cure. Here are some personal notes from Jennifer Wealer: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR?px=1581539&fr;_id=1469&pg;=personal

Coralee is a personal friend of min and of Jennifer and her portion of fundraising is coming from love and a web of people stretching across at least two countries. Coralee’s fundraiser will continue through the entire month of April ‘2010 and can be found here: http://mindywilson.scentsy.us

When you purchase Scentsy wickless candles through site only each purchase will devote funds toward Jennifer’s Army of Angels and the cure of breast cancer. You may use the party link or you may purchase as you would normally and send a note to me at mwilson@blackfoot.net then mention you have participated in the fundraiser with your name used to purchase.

Coralee had the opportunity to visit with Jennifer prior to beginning our fundraiser to give us a glimpse of what she has experienced and why this fundraiser is so important to her. (Remember that Jennifer is raising funds through the Susan G. Koman 3-Day for the Cure and Coralee is hosting a fundraiser via my Scentsy products. All in support of the breast cancer cure.

Between Coralee and Jennifer Wealer a personal snip-it without editing:

When were you diagnosed? July '06 & Dec '08 how old were you? 30/32

Tell us about your family. I am married to my husband of 11 years, Joel. And we have 3 beautiful babies--7 yr old Jackie, 5 yr old Josie Mae, 2 yr old Jamison.

Did you find the lump in a self-exam? What advice would you give about self exams and Mammograms. My lump, both times, were found by self exam. I believe that self exams are crucial bc we know our own bodies better than anyone else. I think we have to be in control of our care of our bodies as well. When we feel like something is not right, we have the right to care to assure ourselves it's nothing.

Did you have family history? no

How did you feel when you found out? complete shock. at the time of my first diagnosis i was in complete shock--i had a 3 yr old & 18 mo old at home. i just wanted all the info i could get my hands on to make it go away asap. the recurrence made me angry, but also exausted bc i knew what it took to fight the first time and wasn't sure i could do it again.

Why do you walk? my girls...i NEVER want to be on the other side with my girls. i don't wish the pain & struggle on anyone, but especially my babies. i have had 7 surgeries--3 required a week in the hospital each--and i still have at least 1 more surgery to go. i don't want ANYONE to experience that pain. i want to find a cure--i want to take the pain option away from all women!

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Wow, I'd say that says a lot. From a mother's perspective, what would you do?

So, what can I say about Scentsy to get some of you to participate in the fundraiser? If you haven’t yet tried and you already love candles, you’ll love them. Scentsy wickless candles are safe around kids and pets, there is no open flame to knock over or forget to blow out. The scented wax is warmed from the heat a low wattage bulb- releasing the scent minutes after turning on your warmer. There are over eighty scents to choose from and numerous styles of warmer to fit a multitude of décor.

I have enjoyed Scentsy in my home for four years and began selling Scentsy as a way to save for college for my children, and it’s working! I’m completely addicted and cannot say enough about the products. However, this month earnings will be sent to Jennifer’s Army of Angles. If you have any questions about Scentsy please ask! My Email: mwilson@blackfoot.net If you have desires of joining Scentsy please send me a note or click ‘join’ at the bottom of my website: http://mindywilson.scentsy.us

~from Coralee

Like My Picture?

2010-04-27T08:54:00.000-04:00

So, do you like the picture I used at the top of my Blog? I took it while we were in Florida last November. We went out to Cedar Key that day... and of course it decided to rain, but we had fun walking along the water and the kids enjoyed the jungle gym right on the beach. Anyway, this flower/vine was growing on the beach. I thought it was so beautiful and look what an awesome picture it made. Well, that's the story behind my picture!

Attitude

2010-04-26T21:07:00.001-04:00

Attitude

There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
Looked in the mirror,
And noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today."
So she did And She Had A Wonderful Day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror
And saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"H-M-M," she said,
"I think I'll part my hair down the middle today."
So she did And She Had A Grand Day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said,
"today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did And She Had A Fun, Fun Day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEA!" she exclaimed,
"I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything.