Martina McBride: "CO-Star" to one of my friends! ;)

Just a real quick post (since I am not on FB) to share with y'all a cherished video. Martina McBride (whose voice I absolutely love) is releasing a new video. My good friend, Taira Baughman is in the video, along with her precious family. She is one of the cancer survivors posted in the video. She's the one who was diagnosed on "April 15th / Tax Day".

I love you, beautiful lady! So proud of you and what God is going to do in your life! :)

My new space...

Good morning, friends! I pray this finds you all doing very well this Tuesday morning! :)

Well, I worked from home last Thursday, Friday and yesterday (Monday). I was waiting for my work computer to come in. I got the call yesterday that it had arrived. And I came in today to find my two beautiful monitors perched on my desk, and a box full of supplies from Staples. I had my own bag full of goodies to contribute to the area. As a reminder, here is my desk last week...

I got here at 6am because Dustin is finishing his work schedule on the phones before he starts his new (promoted!) position in 2 weeks. Until then, we come in at 6. There's something wrong about leaving the house when it's still dark. ;) But I will say it was nice having such quiet the first couple hours of the day. :) I had Joyce playing while I set up everything. And I even got prayer time in as I set up. I prayed over my desk and area.

So... here is my new space.Check out the dual monitors. They are identical to my fancy one at home! But they are TWINS! :D I always dreamed of having two monitors!!

And to my LEFT... PHOTOS! :) I have frames: The black one was $2 at Staples. I found the other 2 in a 3-pack in our office last week. (the third is for "Baby" - no room for it here yet! ;)). It took me a minute to realize where they came from. My birth mom gave them to me 2 Christmases ago. I had put it behind something and forgot it. How cool God is to gift me with that now. So special. AND the photos on the "wall" - I used a variety of Relish papers and put photos on them - add some color! :) I have photos of my love, my sweet "kids" and even one of some of the best friends and women I know! :)

To the RIGHT... well, not a lot. Although there will be a large dry erase calendar hanging in that empty wall space once someone hangs it. :)

But I really wanted a colorful frame for my desk. I actually wanted aqua or purple. I walked into Joann's the other night and this frame jumped out at me! It was on sale for $8.99 (from $17). Still... kind of more than I normally spend, but it was just what I was looking for! I got a big surprise at the register - it was marked down to just $3.49!!! :) WOOT! I also raided our supplies closet here (it's amazing - you get to go shopping as much and as often as you like and it's FREE!!!) - I found a desk organizer in the closet identical to the one I have at home (which I love). There was only one and I scooped it up. It may sound silly, but it's things like that which make me feel like God is smiling down on me, you know?! The "little" things that God says "I'll even provide you with the wonderful details!"

It took me so long to learn how to trust God for even the little. If you are reading this and thinking "I can't even pay my bills right now, no less buy a $3.50 frame" - I HAVE BEEN THERE!!! It has been a LONG road to get us moving in the right direction. I was talking to a good friend yesterday who said he is trying not to "hate the wait". I told him I understand that all too well. God has been good to us. Our church and good ministry has taught us well. But, more than anything - the past 7 years have taught us how to live on AND APPRECIATE the little. AND how to be patient to get where you are going. The thing about creative brains is you can so quickly paint the whole picture in your mind. That is a good thing - to have vision. But we often paint it and then WANT IT! RIGHT NOW! And well... if it always worked like that - it would be a disaster! I know that may not seem right, but it's true. 

Joyce Meyer always talks about how if she had not learned how to believe for $5, she wouldn't know how to now believe for the millions it takes for her ministry to run. Think about it - the bigger your dream, the more "on the job training" you will need. I told my friend yesterday about how a couple years ago I tried to pressure the Relish board members in to voting for a software development that would have put the company in more debt. I thought it was the thing that would change it all. I really believed "This is it! If we do this, IT will be our breakthrough. It will be the thing that changes it all!" I thought that several times over the past few years - when a big client promised big things... "This is going to be IT!" Finally (and I do mean FINALLY - after many years) God showed me clearly... HE is the big thing that is going to change it all! HE IS! The point from my Relish story - Praise God for an amazing board - they voted against me. It broke my heart at the time because we couldn't pay our bills and I wanted something to happen. Since then, I have found many flaws in Relish's foundation - from our stock, our pricing to our production. It has been with GRADUAL growth we have been able to learn these lessons. If we would have taken in 20 orders in a week, we would have fallen hard because of all the flaws. NOW - we are sealing and re-shaping and forming an amazing foundation for a house that will built on solid ground - instead of a mansion thrown up in a day. :) 

It's hard to see those lessons until you are past them. But I PROMISE YOU - God has great things - GREAT things in store for YOU! HE is the one thing that is going to change it all for you!!! In the meantime, don't quit!!! Speak those scriptures every day. Get up, get dressed, act sharp - BE the picture of success that God has called you to be! Paint the part of the picture you have control over. But allow God to invoke wisdom that we do not yet have. Allow him to impart on us our job training. Allow Him to prep us for the dreams we have. Allow HIM to BE THE CHANGE!!!

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

First day of school... :)

I've seen so many people posting photos of their kiddos on their first day of school. My hubby (resembling that of a proud parent) had to take a photo of me yesterday on my first day in corporate America. His confidence in me propelled me out of the house and in to that first big day.

As you might know, I have decided to take a 30 day hiatus from Facebook so that I can focus on this transition period. So... this is my way of catching you up! :)

1. I got dressed up! Thanks to everyone who has given me gift cards over the past year! I was saving them for losing weight, but I'm glad I hadn't lost it yet, because they sure did come in handy this past weekend! :)
2. I met a lot of people. I need a flow chart... seriously. Because a lot of people don't work in the Nashville (franklin) office. And so it was confusing what Sherry in New Jersey does versus Diane who sits across from me. A majority of the marketing team is out of office, because my company is just transitioning it's headquarters to here from New Jersey.
3. I did a lot of walking... in less-than-comfortable high heels. My boss's office is on the other end of the floor (while the CEO is just a yell from me... yikes! ;)) So I walked back and forth to my boss's (Tom) office a lot. And walked the building touring it. And walked to lunch... Lots of walking. My feet hurt last night. :)
4. I heard lots of language I do not understand. It's the medical world and I am not familiar. Praise God so many people I'm so close to ARE familiar with this world. Makes me feel better knowing that it just takes time to understand it all. So many acronyms were thrown out. It's like people are speaking a secret language. Seriously, yesterday I really thought it sounded like an NFL quarterback reading plays to his team. If you have never heard this, you should check it out. (perhaps on an episode of John Gruden's QB camp) Anywho, hopefully I'll learn the language quickly! :)
5. I had a great lunch with a very handsome man! :) My hubby! :) It was so fun spending more time with him yesterday. It's like when we worked together without the stress of working together. ;) We get the fun drivetime together. He is a morning person and I am not. So his sweet, cheeriness helps me choose joy. And I saw him on lunch and one break. I got to see his cubicle and he got to see mine. It was sweet. I know it seems strange that we don't get sick of each other.... but we don't. And we won't (in Jesus' Name haha) We aren't perfect, but we have learned how to adjust to each other by now. (we ran our business out of our home together for 18 months, so this is better...

So now that you know what I did DO, here is what I did NOT DO... graphic design. :) haha My computer systems have not arrived so I am working on my home laptop (netbook) just to have email access (not powerful enough to run graphics programs). I am pleased to say that they ordered everything on my "wish list"! Without question. Pretty exciting! It is all expected to be here Wednesday and hopefully put in by Thursday! I also have high hopes for decorating my little space. But, in the meantime, my desk is a little bare...

I also talked to several people who had been with the company during the acquisition (they were with the former company that my company bought). They have given our new CEO much praise and said it's a great environment with exciting things on the horizon. They said I'm coming in at a wonderful time. So - I am excited at what God has in store! Just need a computer! :)

SIDE NOTES: When I got home last night, I worked on both my businesses and then proceeded with one very important task on my to-do list: I finally purchased our cruise tickets!!! WOO-HOO!!! In 4 weeks, I'll be on a beach in Mexico!! Hot guy by my side, sand in my toes!!! WOOT! :) 

All of this (and my whole blog) is a HUGE praise to God for all His faithfulness! If you knew where we've been the past several years, you can truly appreciate the things that are happening for us now. 

I'll be in touch again soon with more personal encouragement on your financial journey!! Thank you all so much for your love, support and prayers during this time of transition! Love you all so much!!!

Financial Scriptures: Words to stand on!

Hey friends! Well, it's been a whirlwind of a week preparing for the new job. I have received several messages from many of you requesting the financial scriptures. I plan on going through my favorites and what they mean to me and how I stood on them and how they have come to reality in our lives (not just thru this new job, but in many areas!)

I also want to talk to you about FEAR, as I believe that fear is the greatest defeater any of us will ever know. If you stand on these scriptures, you have to make sure it's in faith and not in fear. Don't feel condemned by that (that can lead to a downhill spiral). When I started standing on these for finances and on the healing scriptures for my health - it was often in fear. Most of my life was controlled by fear. It's truly the Devil's greatest weapon - and it's all smoke & mirrors. Here is a great story Joyce Meyer shares (in my own words)

There was a village where children played freely. There was a mountain nearby and the children told ghost stories of the monster on top of the mountain. Some children attempted to climb the mountain, but as they climbed, they would hear this roar coming from above. One by one, they would turn around and come back down as quick as they could. Then one day, a boy looked up and said "I will get to the top!" He and his friends started out. As they climbed higher, the roars got louder. One by one, every boy turned around except for the one. He trembled as he took each step, nearing the top. When he finally reached the top, he saw a small animal about a foot off the ground, about 5 lbs, cute & furry. The boy was shocked "Are YOU what was making all that noise?!" The animal opened it's mouth and only a squeak came out. That's what fear is! It's an idea, a roar from a defeated enemy! It's his last hope to keep us from our destiny!!! Climb that mountain and no matter what happens, KEEP CLIMBING! You may tremble, but keep going - knowing it is never as bad as your mind tells you. KEEP CLIMBING!! You have an over comer inside of you!!! And if you feel fear, it's okay - DO IT AFRAID!!! And then the fear will fade! I will talk more about this in future posts, but for now...

Here are the financial scriptures you can start standing on TODAY! I encourage you to quote them and MEDITATE on them. Quote them several times, close your eyes and say them, absorbing each word. Eventually, you will memorize them - not just in your mind, but in your heart! And THAT is when things will begin to change! I also encourage you to do this EVERY day!!! Challenge yourself, make it a priority!!! If it's a priority to have a breakthrough, work on it! Be sure to quote the passage as well - that is what gives us power - quoting where the promises are in the Bible.

***ALSO, KEY*** Replace generic "your", "their" words with "My" Make the promise FOR YOU. For example, in #10, I say "And my God shall supply all MY need..." This makes it personal promises just for YOU! Of course, all the verses ARE for you, but it helps build the faith in your heart. :)

I will be back soon to blog about specific scriptures! Love you guys! I pray the last one (#22) over you!!! ENDURE!!!

1. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. - 3 John 2
2. I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. - Psalm 37:25
3. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. - Psalm 34:10
4. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. - Psalm 23:1
5. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
   ³ “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.
   ⁴ “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
   ⁵ “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
   ⁶ “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
   ⁷ “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
   ⁸ “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you..- Deuteronomy 28:2-8 
6. And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. ¹² The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. ¹³ And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. - Deuteronomy 28:11-13
7. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. - Luke 6:38
8. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven, And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. ¹¹ “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; ¹² And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts. - Malachi 3:10-12
9. “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. - Matthew 6:31-33
10. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:19
11. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. - Joshua 1:8
12. Thus saith the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD your God which teaches you to profit, and leads you by the way you should go. - Isaiah 48:17
13. And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. - Deuteronomy 8:18
14. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. - Proverbs 3:5-10
15. Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed. - 1 Chronicles 22:13
16. ¹ Blessed is the man
             Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
             Nor stands in the path of sinners,
             Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
     ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
             And in His law he meditates day and night.
     ³ He shall be like a tree
             Planted by the rivers of water,
             That brings forth its fruit in its season,
             Whose leaf also shall not wither;
             And whatever he does shall prosper. - Psalm 1:1-3
17. Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. - Proverbs 16:3
18. Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
    ⁴ By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. - Proverbs 24:3-4
19. If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity,
    And their years in pleasures. - Job 36:11
20. Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. - Colossians 4:1
21. not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; - Romans 12:11
22. ³⁵ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: - Hebrews 10:35-36