Offing so much

Yesterday I was privileged to attend a Celebration of Life for the Pastor of our church. She passed away unexpectedly and our Church world was rocked, but the service that was coordinated by our church members and the staff of the funeral home was absolutely amazing. There was at least 650 people in attendance and the Ministers that spoke about her were simply amazing. To put it in the simple words of MY Pastor "It's going to be ok".

I was asked how the service was and I commented that I have never been to a more amazing celebration of life. It was amazing! She touched so many lives, so many people, and made such a big difference where ever she went. Now you have to understand. My Pastor was only about 5' 5", if that. But she was so much bigger in so many ways. She could fill up a room without even trying, her spirit was so big and her generosity was even bigger. Hospitality was her forte'. As with most women, we are comforters, lovers, and givers. Most of us have that "mom" thing. "Come in and make yourself at home". The first time you walk into my house, I will get what you need. I'll show you where things are, so that the next time you "come home" you can get it for yourself.

Man, life is to short to be worried all the time, to stay angry all the time. Do you know how much energy it takes out of a person to stay that mad? I know, I spent a lot of time being angry at this or that until I finally decided I was to tired to carry on anymore. I finally let it go. I finally sought the refuge in my Lord that I needed and was able to let it go and pray for the well being of that person or the situation. If I can't control it I lay the issue at the feet of my Lord. I can't handle it! But HE can. His shoulders are much more broader then mine, and I found out that I was much happier with my life. I was more content in the things I have and not wanting so much the things I don't need. Life is to short and we are taught that we are supposed to hear the cry of the needy and the call of the sick and distressed. Charity, hospitality and Love! These are the things we are supposed to concentrate on. Stop living above your means and start caring about others instead of yourself! Life is to short!

My Pastor was only in Ministry for 33 years. Do you realize, that is exactly how long Jesus was on this earth? 33 years from birth to his death. I'm already 49, so 33 years is really a short time. I'm living on borrowed time! 33 years. Life is to short my friends, life is to short.  

It's no ones fault it just is

I was on my way home on Thursday afternoon, after dropping off all of my students and I was seriously considering giving up on The Pampered Chef. I asked myself is it really worth it or is it just easier to do as I am told and move on. Well of course its easier to just do as your told and move on! Your not making the hard decisions or putting in the time to be creative to get peoples attention! Of course that would be easy, you dummy!

Working your own business takes passion and a drive that only a few will understand. Having the discipline to go at it everyday, every hour and stay standing straight up with your head held high when someone wants to knock you down because of what you chose to do with your life is real hard. Then there are the times when God speaks very softly to let you know that you are on the right path. Actually I think he yelled it, anyway I didn't quit on Thursday I just sat in my chair, thinking a little below the line (Wisdom of OZ), went to bed and got a decent nights sleep, and got up Friday morning ready to hit it again. I had one important task to do that day and that was to take my husband to the hospital for some minor knee surgery and when we finally got home I was sitting in my chair and my phone rang. It was my oldest daughter and I jumped to answer it, anxious to speak with her to find out if she was doing ok. She was having a ball. The kids were with their other Grandma and their Dad and she was SHOPPING! Oh what a magic thing shopping is. Anyway she asked me if it would be ok if she gave my number to a gentlemen that was looking for some quality kitchen products. He's bought about 5 can openers since his good one broke and they all were terrible. She didn't have any of my business cards on her at the time so I told her sure that would be fine. We hung up. She called back a little while later and explained. This gentlemen and her started up a conversation in the kitchen section of "a store" and he explained his situation with his can opener. She kinda leans in and says "if you want great kitchen products that are of the best quality you need to call Ms. Laura. She will hook you up. I bought a can opener from her last year and it was the best investment I ever made and she has had her own can opener for the last 24 years and it is just now needing to be updated." LOL Could God have spoken any louder to me than right then. I don't think so. I LOVE MY JOB!

Happy Cooking Ya'll

Jesus is always taking care of me

     I made a resolution to do better this year. Not to lose weight, not to sell $10,000 in Pampered Chef products, not to walk 36,500,000 steps in a year, or even to read my Bible everyday. I resolved to do better. So I made a list on my computer. A list of things to do. A task list if you will. Now my computer will not hold me accountable for my actions but it becomes like a game. In my head it becomes a competition and each day I do a little better than yesterday.
     I have found that the best time for me to do my morning prayer is when I am on my school bus. I am alone traveling to my first stop so it is just me and the traffic, yes I pray for the traffic. I do find myself getting distracted sometimes but I can pull my mind back into my important task. I have 20 minutes all to myself. I pray for everything I can wrap my mind around and most of the time I do forget to pray for someone or something. The things that I can't control, I lay at the feet of Jesus and I pray the I can recognize my own laziness and take up my cross and do my part.
     Remember that Jesus will take care of you but He can't do 100% of it. You have to do your part.

Rocking Your World

Rocking Your World

If you have never thought about using these products you really should think again. Rockcroks are the most versatile cooking vassals The Pampered Chef has ever come out with. They go on the stove, in the oven, under the broiler, in the microwave, on the grill, and they are dishwasher safe! Holy Cow! You can start and finish your meal in ONE pot. That saves you time cooking and cleaning! Not only that but The Pampered Chef up the game again when they introduced the slow cooker stand!  Holy Cow again! Prepare your meal in the morning and put it on the stand and come home to the most delicious meals. You see that big round flat stone in the back there? Put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes, yes the freezer, gather your ingredients and make your very own ice cream treat! The most AMAZING thing ever! Let's Rockcrok this out and plan a party and you could get any of these for 60% off AND when your party qualifies you could get another one for FREE! AAAHHH! February is the BEST!

This is from the Heart

Pampered Chef is so much more then just spoons and kitchen products. We offer a companion. We have the most complete customer service program in the business and we are in the business of making those deep and lasting connection with people. You are not just a client or a customer, we do not see dollar signs every time we speak to you, we are genuinely concerned about your wellbeing and your family. The Independent Consultant has gotten a bad reputation over the years as hard sellers. Pushy people that you want to avoid as soon as you see who it is on the caller ID. At The Pampered Chef we are not about the sale. We are about our people, our friends. Even as consultants we are told we are not alone in this. We are a family and we have several "family members" that are more than willing to get down in the dirt and help each other. We are here to help each other and YOU! We are here to enrich your lives, one meal and one memory at a time. We are here to help you have that family time, quality time, and be more complete and fulfilled in your life. We are dedicated to you as a person first and foremost.

To God all the Credit

I am so tired today. I have done my daily devotional, morning prayer, fed my dogs, took my meds, worked my business, logged my food intake on my Fitbit app, drank, and drinking water, had the largest salad I have ever made, it was so good, and, at the least, did one productive thing at home. I guess its because I have been looking at my computer all day. I have been trying to work my business and my eyes need a break. The problem is when I put down the computer I usually pick up the tablet or a book, and it's to late in the day to take a nap. lol.

Anyway, I am sure that we will be returning to school tomorrow because we have had lots and lots of sunshine today and we did get up to 36 degrees today. The sunshine has been so beautiful today. Since moving our sitting area up into the living room, and it has so much more light that comes into it, I feel so much better. My emotions are higher than they were. My den is such a dungeon.

Praising God for this day and for the things he has given me, I am truly blessed. To him I give all the credit.

Amen,

Laura

I don't have school today, I'm a bus driver, so I had the opportunity to read my devotional this morning before I started anything else. I would have time in the morning if I would just get out of bed when the first alarm goes off. Yes I have more than one alarm. What a shame that is. As I was reading today I was reminded that God has little assignments for us each day. You know those things that need to be done in your life that keep nagging at you to get it done? I have several of those. If God gives you little assignments and you don't do them how is he going to trust you with the bigger assignments? This is the question I have to address with my business. My business is a big part of my life and if I want it to be successful, through my Lord, then I need to show God that He can trust me to get all the small things done and He will bless me with the one I really want.
I further read, yes I was a couple of days behind, that our stress is brought on by not doing what is asked of us, by procrastinating, and by thinking that we can do it all alone. When we are asked to do something and we don't do it, it weigh's on our minds and be berate ourselves, which makes us sad or depressed, which makes us feel unworthy, and so on. STOP that. It is a vicious cycle and we need to get out of that. When you feel yourself slipping into that cycle, STOP what you are doing, ask for forgiveness and get done. You will feel so much better. When we take on a task and we think, "I got this", I can tell you you're wrong. You need to pray constantly about each task, no matter how small, and thank God for assigning it to you and do it with love and gratefulness in your heart. With God all things are possible.
Live Blessed my friends and show God you love Him daily.


Laura