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What To Do First to Make a Profit

The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat  ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're  not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director.  Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year.  God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started inve
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Today's fun Friday


This morning Teeby and I lingered in bed for a little while (best thing about a Friday morning, especially when Savanna wakes up on her own...) and then we got up and went to Brandon Mall with Dustin to do a little Christmas shopping. I love the Brandon Mall. I hope Larry will still want to go there even after the mall is finished and open, here by our house. It's coming, by the way-- a HUGE one -- in 2008. It's going to have EVERYTHING you can possibly think of. But going to Brandon to go Christmas shopping has been our tradition now for 5 years.

After shopping we came home and I started getting things rolling for an event I'm having here tomorrow at the house. I am hosting my life coaching group here at home for a Christmas luncheon and our meeting. I can't wait! I will tell you all about it tomorrow (don't want to ruin it for any of my life coachers who are reading tonight) but I have been cooking some specialties today and cleaning, and getting both dining tables set with the china, and putting out centerpieces and all those things I find so glorious!!! It's going to be perfecto...do you hear me? PERFECTO, my friends!!! Martha, Paula, and Rachel would be so proud!! (that's Stewart, Deen and Ray, if you didn't figure it out...) (GRIN)

While I did all of this prep work, Larry took Savanna out Christmas shopping tonight while I did all that. They had fun on a little Daddy/daughter date. The boys were at "Friday night live" at the church. By the time Larry got home I was getting rather tired from being on my feet so much. I drew a bath, lit the candles around my big tub, made myself a cup of "Kenya" tea and got in . I sat in there surrounded by the smell of "moonlight path" and just prayed a while and thanked God for all I have. I am so thankful. Yes friends, I'm still living in a "new normal." I'm reminded everyday about Africa. I now say simple things like, "thank you God, for this toilet..." (SMILE)

Today I got an email from Barb Kuert, and also Kevin & Miriam Smith (also missionaries to Kenya). Maybe that's why I'm feeling even more of a "pang" in missing it there. My heart is very heavy today for Barb and I have been in prayer for her. Nothing "devastating" is wrong, she just has a lot on her with some projects she's in the midst of and I understand the pressure she's under. At the same time, realize it's intense spiritual warfare there...

Larry and Savanna are still wrapping presents right now. They came home and started in on the wrapping projects which couldn't make me happier. I hate to wrap. I get out of it whenever I can.

Today I was putting stuff away in my kitchen from the party I had the other night (yes, I'm still putting things back...it was so involved) and realize I need to sort through and get rid of some stuff. It's time for a serious re-sorting, purging, re-organization. I don't like doing that kind of stuff but it's gotta be done. Maybe the week between Christmas and New Year, if I'm up to it. Usually that is my "re-grouping week" to get ready for the new year.

Today I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "what do I want for Christmas?" There are a few things I want such as the book Mosaic by Amy Grant (I'm a huge fan of Amy's), an executive lap desk (that's desk, not dance...ha ha), a new pair of sneakers (mine were basically ruined in the slums in Kenya) but really there's nothing right now that super excites me except going back to Africa. I would trade everything just to go back and forego any Christmas present I have coming. Really Christmas in the commercial sense pales in comparison...

I'm excited for my kids...

But for me...

I just want to go back.

Today I had "faces" coming at me in my mind all day -- Mama Harriet, Mama Joshua, Mama Esther... the Mathare Big Boys (who I just e-mailed yesterday!) Man, I miss them all! There is no distance in prayer and today I prayed for all of them.

Merry Christmas my dear African friends...I hope you know my heart is with you.

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