Karen Kingsbury is by far my most favorite Christian fiction author - EVER.
Karen K. is inspiring
Karen K.'s books are thought provoking
Karen K. challenges her readers to be more devoted followers of Christ
No 2 books of Karen K.'s are ever the same
If you don't know who Jesus is when you finish reading one of her books, you're clearly not reading one of her books.
I'm not going to give a spoiler alert because I really want each and every one of you to read Karen's new book, just released, 15 Minutes but I want to share a few of my thoughts as I was reading it.
Karen talks a lot about getting caught up in the fame and the excitement of the 15 minutes. While she is talking about something very specific, I think it can be applied to every single one of us who get caught us in whatever it is that we "worship".
As I was reading this book, I felt EXTREMELY convicted. While my job is nothing glamorous and nothing to write home to mom about, I get caught up in it every single day. I love my job every day. I love the people I work with. I love the work we produce all the time. But it gets the better of me, for sure!
Like Zack, I'm missing precious moments with my family. Like Kelly, I lost my husband to divorce. Like Chandra, I'm very good at what I do, but at what cost? There's always a cost.
I have thought about putting a "cost album" together, so that it truly sinks it. So every day I can look at that and ask myself if it was worth it. You wanna think you're making a difference. You wanna think you are bringing people to Jesus even though "it" costs you so much. I wanna believe it is, but truth be told, I've never had a Zack come across my path.
Reading this book, I read it the slowest I have ever read one of Karen's books. Why? I wasn't sure, until I finished it. I wanted to absorb all that Karen was sharing from her heart. I wanted to sip her book, bit gulp it down. I prayed a lot during the course of reading this book.
It's been hard though. God is "opening" doors like he did with Zack, for me to continue in my career and possible have the "dream" of going overseas for as long as I want. But what will "it" cost me?
What is it that God wants to speak to you about through this book? Read it! I promise you, you will NEVER regret it. The best $9.99 I have ever spent. Truly.
Will also check out Karen's website? Karen does such amazing things through her ministry. She has a section of her website devoted to our military men and women, serving and who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. She also has a ministry called Forever in Fiction. Along with daughter Kelsey, Karen has a new line of greeting cards and gifts through DaySpring. And lastly, but not least, Karen and the Duck Dynasty women will be fellowshipping in Florida at a Beach Resort next year to pray, praise and seek God more fully. Think about joining them if you love Karen and Duck Dynasty. If I'm in country, I know I'll be there.
Thank you Karen! Thank you for giving so much of yourself through your books. You are one of the most inspirational women I have ever met. EVER!
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Monday, 4 November 2013
*****Five Stars*****
I visited a Palm Beach Tan salon today to check out their services and if I might be interested in not looking so much like a "white girl". Living on the East Coast, I have already lost my summer sun-kissed skin.
I visited one not too far from my house and from the minute I walked in the door, I was provided the guy behind the counter's undivided attention.
Now, let me set the stage. I had just come from work after a 10 hour day that started at 0500. I had to swing by my house super quick to pick up my gym shoes so when I was done checking out the tanning salon, I could go straight to the gym. I had no intention of stopping by home before I went to the tanning shop so I was a little bothered I couldn't remember everything I needed before I left the house this morning. And where did I find them? In my closet. IN MY CLOSET! I rarely put my gym shoes in the closet. It was comical but annoying too.
Anyway, I got a personal tour of the tanning shop and each bed was explained to me very professionally. Do you know, they now have a bed that has waves on it so there are no parts (like the shoulder blades) that burn, AND they have shoulder tanning bulbs now? I was so impressed how much technology has come a long and how much these tanning beds have changed in the 15+ years (on and off) that I have frequented these shops.
I digress...from the cleanliness of this establishment, to the welcome I received, to the small talk that was played out between the sales guy and me, I couldn't have asked for a better place to tan...if that IS what I so select to do. Still debating..............:)
I visited one not too far from my house and from the minute I walked in the door, I was provided the guy behind the counter's undivided attention.
Now, let me set the stage. I had just come from work after a 10 hour day that started at 0500. I had to swing by my house super quick to pick up my gym shoes so when I was done checking out the tanning salon, I could go straight to the gym. I had no intention of stopping by home before I went to the tanning shop so I was a little bothered I couldn't remember everything I needed before I left the house this morning. And where did I find them? In my closet. IN MY CLOSET! I rarely put my gym shoes in the closet. It was comical but annoying too.
Anyway, I got a personal tour of the tanning shop and each bed was explained to me very professionally. Do you know, they now have a bed that has waves on it so there are no parts (like the shoulder blades) that burn, AND they have shoulder tanning bulbs now? I was so impressed how much technology has come a long and how much these tanning beds have changed in the 15+ years (on and off) that I have frequented these shops.
I digress...from the cleanliness of this establishment, to the welcome I received, to the small talk that was played out between the sales guy and me, I couldn't have asked for a better place to tan...if that IS what I so select to do. Still debating..............:)
Sunday, 3 November 2013
Customer Service
How do we determine customer service? That's truly a hard question.
What will make you go back somewhere even if the product wasn't great?
What will make you NOT go back someplace even if the product was AWESOME?
CUSTOMER SERVICE
I'm gonna review a few places I went this weekend and tell you why I will or won't go back
J GILBERTS - this place is very near my house and they have INCREDIBLE lobster macaroni and cheese. They also have some pretty good happy hour specials. What keeps me going back are the fascinating people I meet there. They are usually all locals to my residential area, which is why I went this evening. My apartment complex was doing a meet and greet happy hour there. I didn't, however, hang out with anyone from my apartment. Instead, I met Frank. All the employees knew Frank by name. I guess you could say he goes there often. I think this is going to be the place I want them to call me by name when I arrive. I'll keep you posted on this one.
Public Bar - after an hour and a half of working out AND another hour of Spin Class, my girlfriend who was in town from overseas wanted to watch the Wisconsin college football game. So...she looked up online who was showing it. While it was an Ohio viewing party, I guess you can say we crashed the party. It was an adorable little place with STEEP stairs (if you are clumsly, don't go to this establishment). Granted they were catering to the college crowd during Saturday game day in November BUT...it took 40 minutes to get our food. We ended ordering drinks at the bar because a waitress never came around to take our order. Clearly we did not look the college groupies, but I still think we deserved good service. I think I would go back because the food was decent and the atmosphere was awesome, but if I get service like that again, I might think twice. Oh...they also have an awesome rooftop seating with tvs too, but they weren't showing the Michigan up there so we opted for inside.
GYMBOREE - My all time favorite store for children's clothing. I know you may be thinking...all time one of the most expensive children's clothing stores, but I beg to differ. While I am a rewards holder for Gymboree, I do not seem to get any promotional stuff in the mail about sales, etc. So, I go in when I need to get something for one of the nieces and nephews or close family friends, but that's it. I have yet to go into Gymboree when thye are NOT having a sale. Today...I found 3 shirts for my nephew for under $5 each. I found an outfit (pants and shirt) for under $15. The thing that makes me coming back (besides the quality of the clothes and the constant sales) is the friendliness of the staff. They are so quick to welcome you into the store and ask if they can help you find something. They are always smiling and always happy to tell you about their current promotions. And if they don't , trust me, you'll find out soon enough!
Jack and Janie - I was really hoping to find some cute kids clothes in the store and to be asked if I needed anything so I could hurry the shopping process along. When I walked into the store, no one greeted me or said Hello. I walked by 3 employees chit chatting in a corner but none of they even said "hey" to me. I didn't feel like I belonged there. I didn't feel like I was welcome. Instead, I felt like I was intruding. After the way I was treated today, it will be a long time before I go back to a Jack and Jannie. Love their stuff but you have to make me feel welcome when I walk in.
That's it for now...this time change thing is really kicking my back.
What will make you go back somewhere even if the product wasn't great?
What will make you NOT go back someplace even if the product was AWESOME?
CUSTOMER SERVICE
I'm gonna review a few places I went this weekend and tell you why I will or won't go back
J GILBERTS - this place is very near my house and they have INCREDIBLE lobster macaroni and cheese. They also have some pretty good happy hour specials. What keeps me going back are the fascinating people I meet there. They are usually all locals to my residential area, which is why I went this evening. My apartment complex was doing a meet and greet happy hour there. I didn't, however, hang out with anyone from my apartment. Instead, I met Frank. All the employees knew Frank by name. I guess you could say he goes there often. I think this is going to be the place I want them to call me by name when I arrive. I'll keep you posted on this one.
Public Bar - after an hour and a half of working out AND another hour of Spin Class, my girlfriend who was in town from overseas wanted to watch the Wisconsin college football game. So...she looked up online who was showing it. While it was an Ohio viewing party, I guess you can say we crashed the party. It was an adorable little place with STEEP stairs (if you are clumsly, don't go to this establishment). Granted they were catering to the college crowd during Saturday game day in November BUT...it took 40 minutes to get our food. We ended ordering drinks at the bar because a waitress never came around to take our order. Clearly we did not look the college groupies, but I still think we deserved good service. I think I would go back because the food was decent and the atmosphere was awesome, but if I get service like that again, I might think twice. Oh...they also have an awesome rooftop seating with tvs too, but they weren't showing the Michigan up there so we opted for inside.
GYMBOREE - My all time favorite store for children's clothing. I know you may be thinking...all time one of the most expensive children's clothing stores, but I beg to differ. While I am a rewards holder for Gymboree, I do not seem to get any promotional stuff in the mail about sales, etc. So, I go in when I need to get something for one of the nieces and nephews or close family friends, but that's it. I have yet to go into Gymboree when thye are NOT having a sale. Today...I found 3 shirts for my nephew for under $5 each. I found an outfit (pants and shirt) for under $15. The thing that makes me coming back (besides the quality of the clothes and the constant sales) is the friendliness of the staff. They are so quick to welcome you into the store and ask if they can help you find something. They are always smiling and always happy to tell you about their current promotions. And if they don't , trust me, you'll find out soon enough!
Jack and Janie - I was really hoping to find some cute kids clothes in the store and to be asked if I needed anything so I could hurry the shopping process along. When I walked into the store, no one greeted me or said Hello. I walked by 3 employees chit chatting in a corner but none of they even said "hey" to me. I didn't feel like I belonged there. I didn't feel like I was welcome. Instead, I felt like I was intruding. After the way I was treated today, it will be a long time before I go back to a Jack and Jannie. Love their stuff but you have to make me feel welcome when I walk in.
That's it for now...this time change thing is really kicking my back.
Monday, 28 October 2013
Secret Shopper
I was one of the tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands that were effected by the government shutdown. So...I had to get creative. Anyone who knows me knows I can't sit idle to save my life. Really...I don't think I could even if it saved my life. I have wwwwwaaaaaayyyyyyy to much energy.
So the first 3 days I sat at home....I sat, and I sat, and I sat. I had to do something. I started searching the web. What better invention every existed? The world wide web. You know you can search ANYTHING!
I had to find a way to make some quick cash. I knew I could babysit (I'm practically a professional babysitter). I registered for some childcare websites. Then my sister mentioned secret shoppers. She had told me about it for apartment shops but I wanted more than that.
Over my time as a secret shopper, I will share with you some of my experiences, and what I liked and didn't like and WHY! Why is the all important questions. Customer service is huge and I think many places are struggling to find good employees who understand what good, no GREAT, customer service is.
Join me on this journey. It's been a fun ride so far and I look forward to what all is to come.
And just in case you're wondering. I was off for 3 days because I was not essential, but then magically I was essential and worked the rest of the furlough. But even still, I think good came out of it because now, I can make a little extra cash and doing something with my down time.
As I always said with my peeps overseas "we gotta find the silver lining". Secret Shopper was mine during the government shutdown.
So the first 3 days I sat at home....I sat, and I sat, and I sat. I had to do something. I started searching the web. What better invention every existed? The world wide web. You know you can search ANYTHING!
I had to find a way to make some quick cash. I knew I could babysit (I'm practically a professional babysitter). I registered for some childcare websites. Then my sister mentioned secret shoppers. She had told me about it for apartment shops but I wanted more than that.
Over my time as a secret shopper, I will share with you some of my experiences, and what I liked and didn't like and WHY! Why is the all important questions. Customer service is huge and I think many places are struggling to find good employees who understand what good, no GREAT, customer service is.
Join me on this journey. It's been a fun ride so far and I look forward to what all is to come.
And just in case you're wondering. I was off for 3 days because I was not essential, but then magically I was essential and worked the rest of the furlough. But even still, I think good came out of it because now, I can make a little extra cash and doing something with my down time.
As I always said with my peeps overseas "we gotta find the silver lining". Secret Shopper was mine during the government shutdown.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
"Surely I Am With You Always"
What an amazing promise today!
The fire alarm went off this morning in Kim's officer and there was nobody else there. Just to be careful, Kim went outside, coffee in hand, and enjoyed the crispness of the morning air.
K, who will be 3 in December, talks to Jesus when she wakes up in the middle of the night. They talk about K being a princess (hehe) and playing dolls together and whatever else pops into her mind at 3 in the morning.
There were cupcakes this evening when my family gathered to honor Grace. K told her momma that she was saving Grace a cupcake for when her and Jesus come home.
Oh...the faith of a child. But a stark reminder...HE is always with us.
We may be too busy to recognize it, but He's there.
We may be too self-absorbed in our own self, but He's still there.
We may be having too much fun doing our own thing, but He will always be there.
Just look around. Just stop. Just listen. Just feel. FEEL!
HE is with you ALWAYS!
The fire alarm went off this morning in Kim's officer and there was nobody else there. Just to be careful, Kim went outside, coffee in hand, and enjoyed the crispness of the morning air.
K, who will be 3 in December, talks to Jesus when she wakes up in the middle of the night. They talk about K being a princess (hehe) and playing dolls together and whatever else pops into her mind at 3 in the morning.
There were cupcakes this evening when my family gathered to honor Grace. K told her momma that she was saving Grace a cupcake for when her and Jesus come home.
Oh...the faith of a child. But a stark reminder...HE is always with us.
We may be too busy to recognize it, but He's there.
We may be too self-absorbed in our own self, but He's still there.
We may be having too much fun doing our own thing, but He will always be there.
Just look around. Just stop. Just listen. Just feel. FEEL!
HE is with you ALWAYS!
Monday, 14 October 2013
Hardest Week of my Year (Every Year)
15 October 2013 a few parallels to 15 October 2009
well, maybe one, the Dodgers are in the National League Playoffs. (Yes, I grew up in San Diego but my ENTIRE family has always been Dodger fans).
But the differences are much more real
I am home and have been for the last 10 months. The longest I have been stateside in 9 years.
I am all alone in a strange city. Yes, I know it well, but it still feels like a foreign land.
I may not get paid (yup, I'm a Federal employee) at the end of the month.
I'm single with no prospects in sight...talk about lonely.
Grace Debbie Shedd has now been in heaven for 4 years and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of her.
15 October of every year starts the longest week of my life.
15 October 2009 - my sister lost her first daughter to this horrible disease http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/trisomy-13
17 October - my ex-husband was born
19 October - This year would have been my 11 year marriage anniversary
Before heading to bed tonight, I opened Jesus Calling by Sarah Young today and the devotion said this:
"Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely - even thank Me for them - is one of the highest forms of praise".
"When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems".
"Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness".
I have always been so busy, working, every year since we lost Grace and since my marriage ended almost 6 years ago. But this year, I don't have anything. Not really even a job (unless by some miracle the government reopens). So I have to face this week head on. I can't hide behind anything. I won't be too busy to acknowledge the heartache that I'm feeling,
My emotions are gonna be raw this week, they're gonna be more real than probably they ever have been, and I know that God is going to refine me, make me stronger...and continue the process to make me more like Him.
If you think about it this week...will you pray for me?
And will you please pray for my sister Kim? She is by far the strongest woman I have ever met but I know she would covet your prayers tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)