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...
Our living room Christmas tree (which is the main one) is a compilation of memories over the years – everything means something and is either from someone special in our family, friends or members of the church family over the years, or the children have made it. Everything ornament has a story behind it and when I look at each one, I think of a special person.
I take the oversight of wrapping them carefully at the end of the season, preserving the memories for the coming years. Every year there is a repair or restoration of at least one or two that has to be done. Last year I blogged about a saga that brought about the breaking of Jordan's "baby's first Christmas" ornament. I fixed it last year but it was weak this year and had to be restored yet again. So, I just finished it this week. And, it's ready to hang back on the tree. What follows are some favorites that are on the "family memory tree."
I take the oversight of wrapping them carefully at the end of the season, preserving the memories for the coming years. Every year there is a repair or restoration of at least one or two that has to be done. Last year I blogged about a saga that brought about the breaking of Jordan's "baby's first Christmas" ornament. I fixed it last year but it was weak this year and had to be restored yet again. So, I just finished it this week. And, it's ready to hang back on the tree. What follows are some favorites that are on the "family memory tree."
After restoring Jordan's ornament again...
Dustin's first Christmas...
Homemade ornament of the boys when Jordan was three and Dustin was four.
Savanna ~ five years old, with Santa.
Dustin at three years old, Jordan at two. I made this ornament myself. The one at left is from my sister Shari. She lived in Anchorage, AK for several years and I visited her there.
The boys made these ornaments when they were little. They are some of my most precious ones, and I work hard to keep them preserved. Keep in mind most of these are 18-20 years old.
Dustin made this when he was little. It's also a favorite.
At left is a scroll about equality of men and women that my friend Pastor Andrea gave me. At right is a monkey that my friend Sue Flint gave me. She knows I love monkeys, as evidenced by our trip to Africa together when I would stop for monkeys, go crazy when seeing monkeys, etc. I just love 'em!
This year we will add some more homemade ornaments, adding things that serve as family memories, and receiving more ornaments from friends/family that we treasure. 
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