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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

Cleaning with the gators...


I'm working my tail off trying to prepare to take a few vacation days off upcoming. That's the way it works - you have to double it up on the front end or the back end but one thing is for sure you can't just not have a week of work, at least the type of work I do.

So this week I'm preparing 6 messages. Seriously.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. I have about 40-50 work initiatives right now besides that in order to be able to take some time off. I've actually knocked out an amazing amount so far and am going along at a good clip. My brain feels like mush right now since I've been writing teachings, and the last thing I want to do is write something that requires any serious brain power right now.

We went to Home Depot last night after work to get some stuff for the weeds that seem to love our yard so much. It's amazing how healthy weeds are and what it takes to kill them.

Larry tried to annihilate some weeds while Jordan cleaned the jacuzzi. While doing that he saw an alligator in the backyard that was about 8 ft. He called us out to look at it. This is not really shocking when you live in Florida. In fact the photo above was apparently taken by a homeowner who had an interesting visitor at the door one day. Glad this has never happened to me this up close, that's for sure! We tried to take a photo of the gator but it was aleady too dark outside.

I cleaned the fridge (one of my least fav jobs but it's gotta be done). Then we ate chili for dinner. Not exactly a summertime food but I was craving it, so it's what we had. I was also able to get a bike ride in tonight for a few miles. It was so awesome to be out there. I haven't been in days because it has been thunderstorming so bad.

I should have "fun Friday' today but honestly my house needs a lot of attention and I'm going to be working on it all day doing stuff in preparation for company to come. I am dreading a day of housework but I'll have to do some things to make it as fun as possible to make the time go by in getting it done. What I normally do to make cleaning more enjoyable is light candles and play music I like or I listen to some of my favorite preachers while I clean and get a few hours of the Word in me while I clean. Many times T.D. Jakes and I clean the house together. :-) At least I got to sleep in before I had to start working.

I'll be back in the next day or two with something really thought provoking. Right now my mind is tired.

Comments

Cassandra said…
I do understand hating housework, especially the kind that takes up a whole day like that. But, its worth it when it puts you back on top of your game. Anyway....you mention "work initiatives" alot....is this like a running list of ministry "to do's"...would like to hear (at a later date) more about how you organize these...
LAURIE said…
Deanna,
I think a wonderful gift from someone in your church for Pastor Appreciation would be to give you a gift of house cleaning. You would love it!!!

Happy vacation and may it be restful -Blessings, Laurie
You're right Laurie, I would love it. It would be my dream. I am often overwhelmed by keeping this house going. Having a gift of a housecleaning is all I asked for for Christmas the past 2 years. I just wanted dh to give me a gift certificate for a complete housecleaning, (from a cleaning company) and forget any other gifts. I could have cared less about what was under the tree because I was so exhausted. I was so desperate for a break at that time as I usually am after haivng done my Christmas open house when we have everyone over and I cook food that takes me about 3 days to accomplish. Anyway, my husband thinks having outside help with the house ridiculous. Do we ever argue? Some often ask us because they see we have a good marriage and they wonder, "do they ever have a point of contention?" Yes. This is one. Just being honest.

I have a different standard for cleaning than he does. For instance, when I clean the bathrooms properly it takes me about an hour. When anyone else in the family cleans them it takes about 10 minutes. Know what I mean?

He doesn't understand paying for things like that. To me, my time is very valuable, and when I come home from work I am very tired already.

My goal one day is to make enough money writing on the side, that I can hire someone to clean my house. I have explained before, I don't think I'm too "good" to clean my house, I am not an uppity person. But it's like this. I want to spend my life with my family, my church, my friends, and writing, not cleaning toilets. Don't get me wrong I do see the value in homemaking and keeping a nice house for your family. But honestly I would rather have someone else do that and spend the time with my family versus cleaning for them. I think most women would.

I am not even kidding you, if I suddenly won a million dollars I don't think my dh would want to spend a dime of it on having somebody clean our house. He would want us to use it to travel or whatever, and would think, "heck, save the money. How hard is it to clean bathrooms...?" I guess it's just a clash of what's important to both of us.

I do hope one day that I get a book deal and if I do, the first thing I'm doing after tithe is getting somebody to clean for me. And hopefully this will be an issue of "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" in my marriage. :-) LOL

oh, p.s.
One reason dh doesn't want anyone cleaning for us is because he's a very private person and doesn't want anyone touching his laundry but me, or being around our stuff. Now, how I get around THAT one? I do not know. But if I ever come into any money one day, well, I'll have to figure out how to get around it. Because if I actually had the finances to not clean, I wouldn't for one more second.

Til' then I'm still doing...the the fridge, the bathrooms...and a bunch of other stuff like the rest like most of you who are reading this right now. ** sigh**

At least I did get to hear an excellent sermon on TV about faith today that really rocked my world. :-) I listened while I was re-potting plants wiping down all my counters.

Just taking a slight break right now to check mail and have an iced tea b/c I've been on my feet for hours...will check back in later and let you know how I'm coming along with operation cleanup.
Anonymous said…
so I'll just be honest here... I HATE cleaning my house- and it's on the bottom of my priority list- I absolutely hate it with a passion!!! When all the others are sitting around talking about needing to go home and clean their house- I'm thinking: NOT!!! In fact, Hubby does all the laundry and the dishes... This isn't ment to be a "Christelle doesn't have her priorities in order" kind of post- nor do I need any scriptures or what have you... It's just a fact, about me... I do have lots of other good traits :O)

On a side note: that gator in the picture is my stereo type image of Florida...SCARY!!!!

I've given you a wonderful tree to plant on your blog, via my blog :o)
I'm with you Christelle. I don't enjoy it either. I hate it. But I enjoy having a clean house so much that I always feel it beckoning me. Everyone else in my house hates housecleaning too only they wouldn't care if they never did it again and lived in a pigstye the rest of their lives. Me on the other hand, if I'm in a mess I get depressed, nervous, etc. I like to have order. So this drives me to clean even though I hate it.

I'm telling you, one day if I ever do "come into some money"...or land a good book deal...

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