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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 i...
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Love letters


What a week it's been!  We are so thankful for all of our friends who have surrounded us with such love and care.  This past Sunday morning it  it hadn't even been 24 hours since Maddie was hit, I was operating on less than 3 hours sleep and got up at the crack of dawn to rehearse, teach, lead the service and more.  Larry was home, caring for Maddie.  Despite all of the re-arranging we did at the last minute, and my husband's absence,  we had an amazing service!  God was totally in the house and did His thing.

  Even if I don't say just how weary or emotionally fried I feel, there are just people who sense that I, and my family can use encouragement.  I am so thankful for sensitive friends like those we have in our life and our amazing church.   On Sunday morning after church, I was presented with a packet of letters that the teen class wrote during the Christian Education hour to us to uplift our family in this time.  They warmed my heart so much and my husband was just delighted when I got home and gave these to him  I thought I would share them with my blog readers as I share my heart here, and these were such a blessing to me.

Pastors, beloved children and amazing dog,
You are our family sent by Christ Himself.  We love you.  We will be your armor bearers, your "at your side" family.  We pray for Maddie and all of you.  Thank you, thank you for every one of you!!!  Pastor Larry, we missed you today. 
Sending hugs,
Candy  (teacher)

Dear Shrodes family,
I hope you [pastors] enjoy your trip to Tennessee.  Dustin, Jordan and Savanna, we all love you.  That is something I really want to say.  Pastor Larry and Deanna, I love your family, your preaching, and all of the services both on Sunday and Wednesday.  I hope Maddie is okay.
Love,
Taylor F. 

Hey guys,
Thank you for being our pastors.I really appreciate you guys.  From Jordan being my best friend to being another family to me, thank you guys for just being "you". 
Eddie 

Pastor Larry,
I love you so much.  You're a very cool leader.  Pastor Deanna, you're very talented and beautiful and I love you.  Jordan, you're my dawg, you're mad sweet and I'll always be here.  Savanna, you're like my other sister and you're super funny.  I love you, muahzzzz!!!  Dustin, you're AWESOME!  Enough said!  LOL  All of you Shrodes mean a lot to our whole family. 
Love you,
Ashley R.

Dear Shrodes Family,
Thank you for being such amazing people.  Thank you for giving your all to this church and to each and every one of us within it.
I love you guys,
Julie L.

Dear Shrodes family,
You guys are awesome and VERY important in my life.  Thank you for everything you guys do.  Hope life goes well for you.  I'm praying for you and Maddie - sure hope she feels better. 
Love,
Ben

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Pastors,
Thank you for accepting me into a church that I can be proud to call my church.  Your Word is great and the people here are AWESOME. 
Sincerely,
Frank D.

Dear Mom and Dad,
Sure do love you guys.  You have a great family - just beautiful kids.  Sorry I wasn't home to stop Maddie from running.  That kind of sucks.  By the way, your daughter is really cute!  Um, bye. 
I love you,
Savanna Rose

Dear Pastors,
You are the BEST PASTORS EVER!
We love you,
Britney G.

Dear Pastors,
I love you guys so much.  This is the only church where I have had a close relationship with my pastors.  This church has really changed my life.  You have made me realize things that I would have never known.  I love you!!!  Everything will be alright.  God is with you. 
Love you,
K.Fox

Dear Shrodes family,
You guys are amazing.  Especially your middle son.  I think he is so sexy, he just makes my heart tingle!   Please tell him that I love him!  Okay, I'm just kidding.  I am your middle son.  :)  But I do love you.  You guys are awesome.  And you mean so much to me.  You supported my decision to go into the Air Force.  I promise that I will always stay safe and I will always be just a phone call away.
I love you,
Jordan

Dear Shrodes,
I love you guys so much and I thank you for continuing to pour into my life.  You guys are awesome.
Love,
Stephen T.

Dear Pastors Larry & Deanna
Thank you so much for always being open and available to listen.  You've always been there when I've needed you!  I've learned and grown so much thanks to the two of you.  "Thank you" really isn't enough, there aren't words to describe how dear you both are to me.  :)
Love,
Cathy T.
Thanks everyone...we love you more than words can say!!!

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