I am having a nail-biting, heart-pounding day today!
I believe that someone broke into our house on several occasions within the last several days, months and years! It is so creepy...I am getting goose-bumps thinking about it!!!
Mark has gotten a new job after 8 years of being a Loan Officer...YAHOO, MARK!!!! I am so proud of him and excited for him! BUT....(I can almost hear the screeching tire breaking sound...oh, never mind I think someone almost missed the stop sign outside again!) ANY WAY. Yippee for Mark, Oh CRAP for me! We are now going to have 2 adults working out of our office in our HOUSE!!!!
OK, back to the Burgular...well, I don't know if you can call him/her that exactly. It would almost be a Burgular-in-reverse!!! I think they broke in and went through our desk drawers and LEFT STUFF!!! There is NO way that I could have accumulated this much...uhhh...CRAP!!!
Post-It Notes...Thank you for leaving those, I just don't think you can EVER have enough of those thingys...I guess they could tell that I really needed and would appreciate them when I use them to decorate my computer screen with them...of course I use them by writing my reminders on them first, I mean PLEASE, we can't just waste things! And can you really imagine a computer screen without all of those beautiful colors...just brightens up my day looking at the rainbow. They may have looked at my desk top also and have been able to see my need for such items...I mean THINK ABOUT IT...how in the world did our parents live without them? Ok, I am starting to relax about the Burgular thing...I mean how can you get upset or press charges over something as kind as that?
I looked in my cubby hole in my desk. (That is so awesome that I have something like that to store things I may need later.) Like the 10 calculators I found in there today. Some of them are my kids, I am sure of that...one is a special Real Estate calculator (that's mine), a couple were EXPENSIVE ones for the kids for Math class...I mean look at me, I didn't need a special one and I seem to have turned out fine. Why did we have to buy special ones??? Just because you spend that extra amount does not mean that you are smarter!!! (That's kind of like buying the weight-loss book that NEVER makes you lose weight, I have the receipt, it should work!!!) Ok, back to the calculators...I can't blame that on the Burgulars-in-reverse...I will look in another drawer.
Pens and Markers...how kind to leave them behind! I am starting to feel like this is Christmas! I really can't say how many Pens and Markers are stashed in each drawer and shelf as well as a couple of cups on top of the desk. (I would count all of them but I don't even know how to turn on those expensive calculators!!!) There will be no problem with Mark and I sharing a desk in this office we definitely have enough papers and pens. This Santa Claus-Burgular-in-reverse must really be looking out for us, knowing that we are so far from supply stores, how helpful is that!!!
Of course, there are a couple of things that I held on to. Duplicate check receipts since 2005, you never know when you will have to look back at those things...I could maybe put them with the Check Registers that I have tucked away since 1995. Oh, dear more work ahead for me!!! I will work on that another day! Another day, another chore, another Blog!!!
That second drawer down on my left seems to be the Memories Drawer! I found 5- 35mm canisters filled with film that hasn't even been developed yet! Never mind the fact that I have been using a digital camera for the last 5 years at least. Then there are the white tennis shoe laces...must have been from a time when the boys could wear shoes for longer than 6 months without outgrowing them or having them rot away from the stench!!! Memories! Eye covers for Tanning Booths, oh, the memory of a tan, I haven't used one of them in at least 3 years...you never know I may try that again someday, better leave them...just in case.
Mark is so lucky to be sharing a desk with me, we are fully equipped for a long time to come with our office supplies...now if I could just find a scissors here...
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. It is the LORD CHRIST you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
playing a Caterer
I offered to cater an Open House for a couple colleagues. I can truly say that I loved making the tasty appetizers and setting the trays.
I even was able to use fresh herbs from my tidy little herb garden on my front deck.
Oh, I LOVE to make appetizers and I REALLY love to entertain...I would love to start this as a business. But, I am afraid that it would no longer be fun!
They had a Wine Tasting with the finger foods. The appetizers consisted of Marinated Cherry Tomato-Mozzarella Skewers, Cucumber sandwiches with Taragon butter, Antipasto Platter with Crostini slices and Forgotten Cookies.
Makes me ready to entertain by just thinking about it!
PATIENCE
I am sure I have probably had the word Patience in my Blog a time or two!!! And if I remember correctly, I did say that it wouldn't be the last time that you saw that word associated with my name!!! I didn't lie about that!
I can't believe how long it has been since I have blogged. It just seems like the last couple of months have held more excitement than I care to think about...actually some has been good, but then again...some has NOT!
I did pass my Personal Lines Insurance exam in April! Yahoo!!! That was a major accomplishment for me, I do not test well, nor have I EVER for that matter. The Lord and I had many discussions about that along the way and thankfully, he never forgot about me during that whole time. Obviously not, I passed it on the first try!!!
Now, to answer the question...Yes, I am licensed in Personal Lines of Insurance. No, I am not selling at this time. I had a possible job that was mentioned to me on MANY occasions...unfortunately the day after passing my exam, the brakes were applied and the story was "Whoa...I don't mean to burst your bubble...but, I can't promise a position...etc, crap, crap, crap" After the conversation of, "You would be perfect in that position, I sure hope you are serious, because I have had no opposition what-so-ever (that was strongly emphasized) when I have talked to management about this." That last comment was mentioned the day before taking the exam! Talk about an incredible high and then an aweful low.
There are so many conversations that made me think (and anyone else would have, too) that the only obstacle, was getting my license.
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5. But the Lord is Faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perserverance.
Through this heartache and confusion I have learned more things that I ever thought would be possible. I learned about the wolf in sheeps clothing that seems like they are your closest friend, all the while only nice to you to try to get what they need...and then they will walk right over you to get at it. I learned about the "mature" person that speaks before thinking and can cause a situation more harm than good. I learned about the person that knows something went wrong, but doesn't have the guts to fix the situation, would rather sweep it under the rug and find the easy way out. I learned about the person who always seems to have your back and as soon as you need them, they side with the other party...no matter if the other party was in the wrong or not. Finally, I learned about the person who had and has had my back all along and I never knew it.
There were more valuable Sunday School lessons in that situation than I can ever have time to mention. Up until now (actually not until I started to type this Blog) I hadn't taken the time to really think about the fact that I came out the winner of that situation! If I had received that job, I would be stuck in the middle of a company that I can't respect...how long would I last at a place like that???
My lesson was far more valuable than the paycheck I would receive at the end of the week.
Isaiah 40:31. But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
I can't believe how long it has been since I have blogged. It just seems like the last couple of months have held more excitement than I care to think about...actually some has been good, but then again...some has NOT!
I did pass my Personal Lines Insurance exam in April! Yahoo!!! That was a major accomplishment for me, I do not test well, nor have I EVER for that matter. The Lord and I had many discussions about that along the way and thankfully, he never forgot about me during that whole time. Obviously not, I passed it on the first try!!!
Now, to answer the question...Yes, I am licensed in Personal Lines of Insurance. No, I am not selling at this time. I had a possible job that was mentioned to me on MANY occasions...unfortunately the day after passing my exam, the brakes were applied and the story was "Whoa...I don't mean to burst your bubble...but, I can't promise a position...etc, crap, crap, crap" After the conversation of, "You would be perfect in that position, I sure hope you are serious, because I have had no opposition what-so-ever (that was strongly emphasized) when I have talked to management about this." That last comment was mentioned the day before taking the exam! Talk about an incredible high and then an aweful low.
There are so many conversations that made me think (and anyone else would have, too) that the only obstacle, was getting my license.
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5. But the Lord is Faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perserverance.
Through this heartache and confusion I have learned more things that I ever thought would be possible. I learned about the wolf in sheeps clothing that seems like they are your closest friend, all the while only nice to you to try to get what they need...and then they will walk right over you to get at it. I learned about the "mature" person that speaks before thinking and can cause a situation more harm than good. I learned about the person that knows something went wrong, but doesn't have the guts to fix the situation, would rather sweep it under the rug and find the easy way out. I learned about the person who always seems to have your back and as soon as you need them, they side with the other party...no matter if the other party was in the wrong or not. Finally, I learned about the person who had and has had my back all along and I never knew it.
There were more valuable Sunday School lessons in that situation than I can ever have time to mention. Up until now (actually not until I started to type this Blog) I hadn't taken the time to really think about the fact that I came out the winner of that situation! If I had received that job, I would be stuck in the middle of a company that I can't respect...how long would I last at a place like that???
My lesson was far more valuable than the paycheck I would receive at the end of the week.
Isaiah 40:31. But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
to being an Encourager.
Oh my goodness...this Blog's vision was about one thing and my mind is now in over-drive over the word Encouragement and it may go in MANY different directions!!!
There were four of us in the car on Tuesday. I do not know how the conversation started...but, one of my dear friends that I work with looked at me and said you have the greatest lips. Another lovely coworker said, "when I first started at the office that was one of the first things I noticed about you". I have heard this MANY times over my adult life, but you wouldn't believe what I heard when I was a child!
Obviously I GREW into my lips, as a child they must have seemed larger...thankfully for me, they didn't interfere with anything in my life...but, to a couple of other children they must have been a large distraction! I was teased by a couple of boys in elementary school, that would taunt me about it and call me "Nigger Lips" I hate that term, I even hate that word!!! Anyone that knows me knows that I don't use that word, but that IS what I was called!
Imagine my relief in my 20s when full lips were thought of as attractive. Who decided this? Why did they wait until I was 20? Why did I all of the sudden feel better about my lips because SOMEONE decided that they were more attractive?
There are so many things that come to mind about this WHOLE thing. Think about how ONE person can make us think low about something or someone. Think about how strong someone's opinion can be to our own opinions and sometimes our beliefs. Think about how ONE comment, Good or Bad can be to the person we tell it to...there is not ONE of us that has not said the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person and created a different opinion or belief in that person's mind. All of us have done this.
Do we boost their confidence by words of ENCOURAGEMENT? Or do we tear them down with negative thoughts, words and actions?
We create this in our personal lives when we talk to people about someone else. We want to tell someone what that other someone has done to us and how they hurt us...we want others to know. We want people to rally around us, to feel that someone is OUR friend, and that they are on OUR side. I have done this MANY times...I have been so frustrated and hurt and I feel I deserve to tell my friend about this. Hold it...I don't deserve to do this, it is WRONG! I am creating in someone else's mind a negative thought about another person...there is no way that I can justify this. I may have had a negative experience with that person and they may have hurt me deeply, but I can not be responsible for destroying what could be a beautiful and safe friendship between two other people!
We all have negative days, we wake up grumpy...or we had something happen to us personally that has made us grumpy...or maybe we are going through a depression...or financial difficulty...the point is NONE of us knows what another person is going through on any given day. What someone said that was hurtful to me on Monday may not have been said to me on Tuesday, by that same person. What was said hurtful to me on Monday may not have seemed as hurtful to me on Tuesday. AND we all need to remember (especially me!)... I can't judge someone for something that they say or do to me, I need to forgive that person...if I take the time to think about it, more than likely I have done the same thing to another person at one time or another. I need to forgive and I need to turn the other cheek.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV
The other direction that my thoughts ran on this Blog was....that one little comment about my lips, what if that was the ONLY positive comment that someone heard for the day, or a month or even in a year...what if that is the ONE comment that they want to hold onto, it may seem silly to one person that someone would notice that about another person, but....I held onto the negative one as a kid....
I have my bags packed, I am anxious to being on my journey to being an Encourager.
There were four of us in the car on Tuesday. I do not know how the conversation started...but, one of my dear friends that I work with looked at me and said you have the greatest lips. Another lovely coworker said, "when I first started at the office that was one of the first things I noticed about you". I have heard this MANY times over my adult life, but you wouldn't believe what I heard when I was a child!
Obviously I GREW into my lips, as a child they must have seemed larger...thankfully for me, they didn't interfere with anything in my life...but, to a couple of other children they must have been a large distraction! I was teased by a couple of boys in elementary school, that would taunt me about it and call me "Nigger Lips" I hate that term, I even hate that word!!! Anyone that knows me knows that I don't use that word, but that IS what I was called!
Imagine my relief in my 20s when full lips were thought of as attractive. Who decided this? Why did they wait until I was 20? Why did I all of the sudden feel better about my lips because SOMEONE decided that they were more attractive?
There are so many things that come to mind about this WHOLE thing. Think about how ONE person can make us think low about something or someone. Think about how strong someone's opinion can be to our own opinions and sometimes our beliefs. Think about how ONE comment, Good or Bad can be to the person we tell it to...there is not ONE of us that has not said the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person and created a different opinion or belief in that person's mind. All of us have done this.
Do we boost their confidence by words of ENCOURAGEMENT? Or do we tear them down with negative thoughts, words and actions?
We create this in our personal lives when we talk to people about someone else. We want to tell someone what that other someone has done to us and how they hurt us...we want others to know. We want people to rally around us, to feel that someone is OUR friend, and that they are on OUR side. I have done this MANY times...I have been so frustrated and hurt and I feel I deserve to tell my friend about this. Hold it...I don't deserve to do this, it is WRONG! I am creating in someone else's mind a negative thought about another person...there is no way that I can justify this. I may have had a negative experience with that person and they may have hurt me deeply, but I can not be responsible for destroying what could be a beautiful and safe friendship between two other people!
We all have negative days, we wake up grumpy...or we had something happen to us personally that has made us grumpy...or maybe we are going through a depression...or financial difficulty...the point is NONE of us knows what another person is going through on any given day. What someone said that was hurtful to me on Monday may not have been said to me on Tuesday, by that same person. What was said hurtful to me on Monday may not have seemed as hurtful to me on Tuesday. AND we all need to remember (especially me!)... I can't judge someone for something that they say or do to me, I need to forgive that person...if I take the time to think about it, more than likely I have done the same thing to another person at one time or another. I need to forgive and I need to turn the other cheek.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV
The other direction that my thoughts ran on this Blog was....that one little comment about my lips, what if that was the ONLY positive comment that someone heard for the day, or a month or even in a year...what if that is the ONE comment that they want to hold onto, it may seem silly to one person that someone would notice that about another person, but....I held onto the negative one as a kid....
I have my bags packed, I am anxious to being on my journey to being an Encourager.
Friday, February 13, 2009
being a Loyal Friend.
I was reading through this book I have called The Handbook of Bible Application. The boys and Mark got it for me for Mother's Day one year when all the kids were very small. I use it to find a topic that I am struggling with or to find a topic that I should access in the Bible.
Today I was looking up Fruits of the Spirit...yes, I know I should just know where to go in the Bible, but I also like what this book has to say along with the Bible. I was going to do a topic on one of the Fruits for this Blog when I looked on my left side and it was on Friendship and specifically loyalty in friendship. If that wasn't a nudge I can't imagine what was.
A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 TLB
It goes on to describe that real friendship involves face to face honesty. This week I needed to meet with a friend face to face and because of sickness I was not able to. I would have given anything to be able to be in her presence and talk through some struggles that we have recently gone through. But, it wasn't to happen. I pray that when I am better we can pick up where we left off and continue on as we were before. You see, I love this friend with all my heart and would never want anything to come between our friendship.
The book goes on to explain that the greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty (and loyalty is described as "loving at all times")-being available in times of distress or personal struggles. I so want to be that kind of friend and I am finally realizing that I need to pray to be this type of person, in all of my friendships. I want to be there to cry with as well as laugh. I want to be the person that is called in times of need.
So many times we get frustrated with people because of what we think they did or didn't do right. Instead of walking away, we need to step back from it and think about the times that we have done something to someone else. How many times have we been in the shoes of the person that hurt us? How many times have we hurt others, either from not thinking about what we are saying or by just not being there for them? How many times have we let slip, words said during a conversation with a dear friend, to someone else and then regretted it fiercely? I know I have done all of these things at one time or another.
This is when it helps to stop and think before reacting or jumping to conclusions. It is that other word from the Fruits of the Spirit: Patience. I struggle with Patience almost as much as I struggle with Contentment! I have a lack of Patience with myself as well as others and situations. But, I am continually realizing IF Iwould have had Patience and took the time to wait and think, situations would have turned out so differently and I would see that the things that I have imagined rarely come true.
I have been so blessed to have many friends that forgive me when I do wrong to them and I truly pray that I will always stop and forgive and love them, too!
So, I have started a new thought when I am hurt...I say to myself and outloud...I am sure I have done this same thing to someone else at one time or another. And then I forgive and pray that I will be forgiven as well.
Because you can't have Love or Loyalty without forgiveness.
Today I was looking up Fruits of the Spirit...yes, I know I should just know where to go in the Bible, but I also like what this book has to say along with the Bible. I was going to do a topic on one of the Fruits for this Blog when I looked on my left side and it was on Friendship and specifically loyalty in friendship. If that wasn't a nudge I can't imagine what was.
A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 TLB
It goes on to describe that real friendship involves face to face honesty. This week I needed to meet with a friend face to face and because of sickness I was not able to. I would have given anything to be able to be in her presence and talk through some struggles that we have recently gone through. But, it wasn't to happen. I pray that when I am better we can pick up where we left off and continue on as we were before. You see, I love this friend with all my heart and would never want anything to come between our friendship.
The book goes on to explain that the greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty (and loyalty is described as "loving at all times")-being available in times of distress or personal struggles. I so want to be that kind of friend and I am finally realizing that I need to pray to be this type of person, in all of my friendships. I want to be there to cry with as well as laugh. I want to be the person that is called in times of need.
So many times we get frustrated with people because of what we think they did or didn't do right. Instead of walking away, we need to step back from it and think about the times that we have done something to someone else. How many times have we been in the shoes of the person that hurt us? How many times have we hurt others, either from not thinking about what we are saying or by just not being there for them? How many times have we let slip, words said during a conversation with a dear friend, to someone else and then regretted it fiercely? I know I have done all of these things at one time or another.
This is when it helps to stop and think before reacting or jumping to conclusions. It is that other word from the Fruits of the Spirit: Patience. I struggle with Patience almost as much as I struggle with Contentment! I have a lack of Patience with myself as well as others and situations. But, I am continually realizing IF Iwould have had Patience and took the time to wait and think, situations would have turned out so differently and I would see that the things that I have imagined rarely come true.
I have been so blessed to have many friends that forgive me when I do wrong to them and I truly pray that I will always stop and forgive and love them, too!
So, I have started a new thought when I am hurt...I say to myself and outloud...I am sure I have done this same thing to someone else at one time or another. And then I forgive and pray that I will be forgiven as well.
Because you can't have Love or Loyalty without forgiveness.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Contentment
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Phillippians 4:12 NIV
If you get to the point of "following" this blog, I will bet you will see this TITLE on many of my Blogs!!! I think I fall into the temptation of discontent on MANY occasions!!!
I sometimes wonder if I have Adult ADHD? I can't seem to stay focused on anything long and I always seem to crave change, although I know if I could have change all of the time I probably wouldn't like it! It is easy to say I want to move to a different state and start over when I know that my husband isn't the type to do that. It is easy to dream and be safe at the same time!
I know that the real true answer to it is to be patient and rest on the Lord's word to be steadfast in prayer...I know all of those things...but, I seem to fall short on that and still seem to have too many moments at thinking my WANTS are important. No, they are not my NEEDS, so they are NOT important. I fall into the "it's not fair" and "selfish" category too many times!
I think too often I look at other people and think, how can they have such a cushy life...why does God grant them the lifestyle that is so much better than I have? I am slowly learning (never too late to teach an OLD DOG new tricks) that what you see on the outside is very rarely what it is like on the inside. I am truly learning this. It is just taking longer to teach myself not to fall into the old habit of envy.
I have caught myself from time to time thinking "I only have one life" just like 'Jane' over there and I have this life and she got that one! Oh, Lord....when I get past the poor me stage I imagine the LORD sitting up there looking down on me with his head in his hands and shaking his head back and forth thinking...she just isn't getting it! I give her all the material and she just doesn't retain it! Yah, Lord...it's ME, I know, it's NOT you!
I need to be content...I have a WARM and cozy house. It doesn't leak and it is warm and filled with the people that I LOVE! The outside needs siding...but, just like that marriage or lifestyle that seems so pretty on the outide....it's not what it seems. Take away that old siding and it is nice inside. Warm and pretty, comfortable and cozy. The type that you want to entertain in and everyone can just come in and snuggle up and chat for hours!
My Mother-In-Law has always said it is not the HOUSE that is a HOME it's what is inside (the love of family). I love my Mother-In-Law. We are blessed we got the HOME!
I have a marriage that is happy, maybe not alway so exciting...but, from my friends that have had exciting marriages...they usually didn't last...divorce reared it's ugly head. We got ROCK SOLID, neither one of us is going anywhere...we may wish from time to time...but, we chose this...we committed!
Yes, I need to be content...I am married, I have someone to come home to that knows me more than ANYONE on Earth, someone who doesn't judge me when I am my heaviest or my grumpiest! Someone who listens to me and I can have intelligent conversation with as well as stupid. Someone who shares in the fact that WE have three healthy boys, something that I can't share with one other person on Earth! We are able to cloth our family, feed our family, keep them warm...why wouldn't I be content???
All I NEED is the LORD and my FAMILY, that's contentment!
If you get to the point of "following" this blog, I will bet you will see this TITLE on many of my Blogs!!! I think I fall into the temptation of discontent on MANY occasions!!!
I sometimes wonder if I have Adult ADHD? I can't seem to stay focused on anything long and I always seem to crave change, although I know if I could have change all of the time I probably wouldn't like it! It is easy to say I want to move to a different state and start over when I know that my husband isn't the type to do that. It is easy to dream and be safe at the same time!
I know that the real true answer to it is to be patient and rest on the Lord's word to be steadfast in prayer...I know all of those things...but, I seem to fall short on that and still seem to have too many moments at thinking my WANTS are important. No, they are not my NEEDS, so they are NOT important. I fall into the "it's not fair" and "selfish" category too many times!
I think too often I look at other people and think, how can they have such a cushy life...why does God grant them the lifestyle that is so much better than I have? I am slowly learning (never too late to teach an OLD DOG new tricks) that what you see on the outside is very rarely what it is like on the inside. I am truly learning this. It is just taking longer to teach myself not to fall into the old habit of envy.
I have caught myself from time to time thinking "I only have one life" just like 'Jane' over there and I have this life and she got that one! Oh, Lord....when I get past the poor me stage I imagine the LORD sitting up there looking down on me with his head in his hands and shaking his head back and forth thinking...she just isn't getting it! I give her all the material and she just doesn't retain it! Yah, Lord...it's ME, I know, it's NOT you!
I need to be content...I have a WARM and cozy house. It doesn't leak and it is warm and filled with the people that I LOVE! The outside needs siding...but, just like that marriage or lifestyle that seems so pretty on the outide....it's not what it seems. Take away that old siding and it is nice inside. Warm and pretty, comfortable and cozy. The type that you want to entertain in and everyone can just come in and snuggle up and chat for hours!
My Mother-In-Law has always said it is not the HOUSE that is a HOME it's what is inside (the love of family). I love my Mother-In-Law. We are blessed we got the HOME!
I have a marriage that is happy, maybe not alway so exciting...but, from my friends that have had exciting marriages...they usually didn't last...divorce reared it's ugly head. We got ROCK SOLID, neither one of us is going anywhere...we may wish from time to time...but, we chose this...we committed!
Yes, I need to be content...I am married, I have someone to come home to that knows me more than ANYONE on Earth, someone who doesn't judge me when I am my heaviest or my grumpiest! Someone who listens to me and I can have intelligent conversation with as well as stupid. Someone who shares in the fact that WE have three healthy boys, something that I can't share with one other person on Earth! We are able to cloth our family, feed our family, keep them warm...why wouldn't I be content???
All I NEED is the LORD and my FAMILY, that's contentment!
Monday, January 26, 2009
becoming an Insurance Agent...
I decided that I really needed to have an occupation in addition to my Real Estate Career. I have thought about this for about 6 months (while working as an Assistant along with being a Licensed Realtor). As you have probably heard the Real Estate market is slow, I don't think that we have seen the problems that have been affecting other parts of the US, but it is slow in our area.
As a Realtor, a slow market doesn't only mean as slow or low paycheck. It means NO paycheck when houses aren't selling and you continue to have costs involved with your business. We have DUES that are paid to our local Board and the National Association of REALTORS dues as well as the Iowa Association of REALTORS. We have a yearly fee that we have to pay to have our SUPRA key to be able to access keys to unlock listings. We have large marketing fees to pay advertising for our listings and to find new buyers. Of course there is always the various costs involved in continuing to run your business and work with clients...vehicle fuel and upkeep...office equipment and supplies...it is never ending and very worrisome when you aren't seeing the benefits of all of the hours put into this career.
So, now you know why I need to think of another income. I have been in Real Estate for 5 years as of October of 2008. I knew that what ever I did I really want it to work with Real Estate. If I work a 8-5 hour job every day I am not going to be interested in going out at night to show property, I am going to want to be home with my kids. Although, that can still happen with these two careers, the likely-hood of some flexibility may be there.
I chose Insurance. It just seems like the logical fit with my Real Estate license. My goal is to be hired with a company that carries both (hopefully Lincoln Savings Bank-because of their affilitation with Century 21) and will understand my need to run to a showing during a work day. At this point the most important thing for me to do is to pass the test!
Retaining information and passing exams has always been hard for me, I am truly hoping that this will be one of those times that it isn't so difficult. I want to bad to contribute to the family finances right now.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
As a Realtor, a slow market doesn't only mean as slow or low paycheck. It means NO paycheck when houses aren't selling and you continue to have costs involved with your business. We have DUES that are paid to our local Board and the National Association of REALTORS dues as well as the Iowa Association of REALTORS. We have a yearly fee that we have to pay to have our SUPRA key to be able to access keys to unlock listings. We have large marketing fees to pay advertising for our listings and to find new buyers. Of course there is always the various costs involved in continuing to run your business and work with clients...vehicle fuel and upkeep...office equipment and supplies...it is never ending and very worrisome when you aren't seeing the benefits of all of the hours put into this career.
So, now you know why I need to think of another income. I have been in Real Estate for 5 years as of October of 2008. I knew that what ever I did I really want it to work with Real Estate. If I work a 8-5 hour job every day I am not going to be interested in going out at night to show property, I am going to want to be home with my kids. Although, that can still happen with these two careers, the likely-hood of some flexibility may be there.
I chose Insurance. It just seems like the logical fit with my Real Estate license. My goal is to be hired with a company that carries both (hopefully Lincoln Savings Bank-because of their affilitation with Century 21) and will understand my need to run to a showing during a work day. At this point the most important thing for me to do is to pass the test!
Retaining information and passing exams has always been hard for me, I am truly hoping that this will be one of those times that it isn't so difficult. I want to bad to contribute to the family finances right now.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A journey to....ME
Who am I? What am I? Where am I?
A journey to find out a little more about myself.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. Psalms 139:16 NIV
Who am I...I was told recently that I need to BRAND myself...I need to decide who I am and what it is that makes me stand out. Oh, dear...
I have been trying unsuccessfully for the last two weeks to try to find those answers out!
The beginning. I was raised in Central Iowa in a working class family of 4. My Mom and Dad raised my brother and myself up on a modest little acreage with a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home. My childhood was actually really pleasant. We didn't have a lot of money to go around, but, I would never have thought we didn't have enough.
MOM: My Mom stayed at home full-time until my brother and I were in High School. She was there every day when we got off the bus, she baked and cooked, cleaned and did laundry, she sewed, knitted and crocheted (and for anyone reading this who has a family you know that there are many more things on a daily chore list than that!). She kept everything in tip top shape while Dad worked. My Dad was a Truck Driver who was gone all day until mid evening. I don't know how Mom did it without Microwaves and such but, we would eat at supper time and she would always keep Dad's food warm and waiting for him when he got home. When I was in High School the only thing that I wanted to do was to graduate and become a stay-at-home Mom. How could I not? I had been raised watching complete devotion and an incredible work ethic from my Mom. I wanted to try to be half as good as that.
That is what I am a MOM, although I haven't been as successful in the devoted part (I have many moments of selfishness!) and I have always felt that this BRAND fits me and I like it!
WIFE: My husband and I have been married since 1990 and to tell you the truth I have always wanted to be a wife! I never had grand ideas of being a single career-woman! That sounded so lonely and cold to me. I met my husband when I was 17 years old and knew that I wanted to marry that man! We didn't marry until I was 20 but, I knew I would want to be married to him for the rest of my life. I enjoy being a wife...although, we have had our problems from time to time, we still try to make it work. This BRAND also fits me and I like it!
I know in the CAREER world these BRANDS will not help me, no one wants to think of you being a MOM and WIFE when you need to be taking care of their own needs! Although, in my eyes I would rather have a dedicated MOM and WIFE looking out for me. Think about it...who else would have as much: devotion, faithfulness, compassion, selflessness, trust, kindness and patience. Who else would look out for you more than a MOM and WIFE?
For some reason these BRANDS are not going to work for my career so I will keep searching on my journey....
ANGIE
A journey to find out a little more about myself.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. Psalms 139:16 NIV
Who am I...I was told recently that I need to BRAND myself...I need to decide who I am and what it is that makes me stand out. Oh, dear...
I have been trying unsuccessfully for the last two weeks to try to find those answers out!
The beginning. I was raised in Central Iowa in a working class family of 4. My Mom and Dad raised my brother and myself up on a modest little acreage with a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home. My childhood was actually really pleasant. We didn't have a lot of money to go around, but, I would never have thought we didn't have enough.
MOM: My Mom stayed at home full-time until my brother and I were in High School. She was there every day when we got off the bus, she baked and cooked, cleaned and did laundry, she sewed, knitted and crocheted (and for anyone reading this who has a family you know that there are many more things on a daily chore list than that!). She kept everything in tip top shape while Dad worked. My Dad was a Truck Driver who was gone all day until mid evening. I don't know how Mom did it without Microwaves and such but, we would eat at supper time and she would always keep Dad's food warm and waiting for him when he got home. When I was in High School the only thing that I wanted to do was to graduate and become a stay-at-home Mom. How could I not? I had been raised watching complete devotion and an incredible work ethic from my Mom. I wanted to try to be half as good as that.
That is what I am a MOM, although I haven't been as successful in the devoted part (I have many moments of selfishness!) and I have always felt that this BRAND fits me and I like it!
WIFE: My husband and I have been married since 1990 and to tell you the truth I have always wanted to be a wife! I never had grand ideas of being a single career-woman! That sounded so lonely and cold to me. I met my husband when I was 17 years old and knew that I wanted to marry that man! We didn't marry until I was 20 but, I knew I would want to be married to him for the rest of my life. I enjoy being a wife...although, we have had our problems from time to time, we still try to make it work. This BRAND also fits me and I like it!
I know in the CAREER world these BRANDS will not help me, no one wants to think of you being a MOM and WIFE when you need to be taking care of their own needs! Although, in my eyes I would rather have a dedicated MOM and WIFE looking out for me. Think about it...who else would have as much: devotion, faithfulness, compassion, selflessness, trust, kindness and patience. Who else would look out for you more than a MOM and WIFE?
For some reason these BRANDS are not going to work for my career so I will keep searching on my journey....
ANGIE
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