It's almost Valentines day, but as usual I'm not really excited. I am however happy. I have a wonderful husband who has helped me develop into the women I hoped I could be with his love and support. We are planning a big business venture, we have a home, and cars these things make me excited and grateful, but Valentines day does not.
He has never once forgotten to get me card, and we always try to do something nice at home together, but honestly I am just not a fan of this forced romance. Celebrating a day with this expectation of it has to be romantic defeats the purpose. I guess for some couples the reminder is needed, and for others it might be a good excuse to do something special. But I enjoy the little surprises better.
There is nothing more romantic than being surprised. And not neccasarily by flowers, jewelry, or candy....though chocolate is always a welcome site, it's more doing something unexpectedly. For instance, often in the spring and summer my husband will pick me wild flowers when we are out walking and put one in my hair. He's never asked to, he just does it, that's romantic. Or I'll come home to find he cleaned up the house! My favorite though is probably the silliest, I love playing in the rain with him, it's not something we do often even in the summer, but something about walking, playing, and kissing in a down pour is terribly romantic to me.
So I guess I don't like Valentines day because its not genuine, did you know they makes cards to tell your significant other that you love them all year round? I did, I've bought them when I knew he was having trouble. Romance to me isn't true when it's expected and when all the value of it is the price tag attached. Love and romance are built on the little shared moments, the unexpected sentiment that lifts our spirit and makes our hearts pound with desire.
1 Corithinians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Sometimes it all adds up
In the moment of the storm or struggle it seems like nothing makes sense, and it's often hard to believe that anyone, including yourself is in control. It can feel like all the cards are stacked against you and that there's no hope, no way out. We all experience these storms and struggles, what I find amazing is how once we come through the other side of it and look back we sometimes find it all added up, it led us to this point of prosper and what seemed like endless pain, suffering, or drudgery was really just stepping stones to something greater.
I've had this happen a few times and it always amazes me how God provides, even if we don't see it at the time. His love is always with us. I have found that even sometimes choices that afterward seemed like mistakes can lead us to where we were meant to be. For example, after high school I got accepted into a good college just about an hour or so from home in a very quaint little Pennsylvania town. I loved the school, and the area, but going would have meant leaving my friends who weren't going to college yet, and the boy I was seeing then. So I stayed and moved in with my friends, instead.
Everyone told me it was mistake from the very start, but I didn't listen. Even when my soul cried out to me that this wasn't right, I ignored it and did what seemed like to me was a good way to start my adult life. In just a few months though I realized it was a bad choice, but I didn't feel as though I had anyway out. I was in the middle of a storm I didn't think I could escape. I could see my life spiraling out of control, but I had no idea how to get out!
Then I met my husband, and he was my voice of reason. He asked me the questions I was too afraid to ask myself, and he helped me take back control of my life and place it back into the hands of the Father. A couple years later we discovered that we both had had plans to move to the same quaint town, but didn't, at the same time. We realized that these events that had seemed disastrous to us before we met had all led up to us meeting. We could both make mental road maps of how everything led to that, and that even if we had decided to move that we may have met there too. It was like God always intended for us to meet, and marry, we were convinced that God brought us together, and I've never doubted it.
This is how I feel about our café too, I can see how everything has led to this point. Why certain things didn't work out, but other things happened instead. It leaves me feeling just as confident about this idea as I was about marrying Nick. I have never doubted or regretted marrying this man because I knew without a doubt this was the man I was always intended for. And this is how I feel about the café, that this is our purpose, we were meant to do this. I don't know why yet, and I don't know how, but I know that this is true. And I know that though I may not be able to see it right now, God will reveal everything when the time is right.
John 10:4
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
I've had this happen a few times and it always amazes me how God provides, even if we don't see it at the time. His love is always with us. I have found that even sometimes choices that afterward seemed like mistakes can lead us to where we were meant to be. For example, after high school I got accepted into a good college just about an hour or so from home in a very quaint little Pennsylvania town. I loved the school, and the area, but going would have meant leaving my friends who weren't going to college yet, and the boy I was seeing then. So I stayed and moved in with my friends, instead.
Everyone told me it was mistake from the very start, but I didn't listen. Even when my soul cried out to me that this wasn't right, I ignored it and did what seemed like to me was a good way to start my adult life. In just a few months though I realized it was a bad choice, but I didn't feel as though I had anyway out. I was in the middle of a storm I didn't think I could escape. I could see my life spiraling out of control, but I had no idea how to get out!
Then I met my husband, and he was my voice of reason. He asked me the questions I was too afraid to ask myself, and he helped me take back control of my life and place it back into the hands of the Father. A couple years later we discovered that we both had had plans to move to the same quaint town, but didn't, at the same time. We realized that these events that had seemed disastrous to us before we met had all led up to us meeting. We could both make mental road maps of how everything led to that, and that even if we had decided to move that we may have met there too. It was like God always intended for us to meet, and marry, we were convinced that God brought us together, and I've never doubted it.
This is how I feel about our café too, I can see how everything has led to this point. Why certain things didn't work out, but other things happened instead. It leaves me feeling just as confident about this idea as I was about marrying Nick. I have never doubted or regretted marrying this man because I knew without a doubt this was the man I was always intended for. And this is how I feel about the café, that this is our purpose, we were meant to do this. I don't know why yet, and I don't know how, but I know that this is true. And I know that though I may not be able to see it right now, God will reveal everything when the time is right.
John 10:4
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
From Dreams to Plans
Taking steps to make a dream reality is very thrilling! And very scary! Dreaming is easy, in the dreaming stage it's seems so safe, easy, and practical. Now that we are buying books on running a coffee shop and writing out our menu and ideas for the interior it's becoming more reality than dream. It's very exciting, but I am nervous!
It's not because I think we are going to fail, because I really think we can do it. We have a good idea blending things we have seen done in other coffee shops/cafés, and making it into something new and our own. Plus we both have experience in the food industry, and as I have been self employed before I am aware of the tax situation, and also have some insight on how to do taxes for employees we hire as well. Even my husband said it made sense to him now why he has been stuck in food service for so long, it gives us a good base knowledge to work off of. And the job I work now will give us the steady monthly income we can sure use to help support us while we get the business off the ground.
In many ways it seems like this has all been part of God's plan for our life, which is way I have faith to do it. But it's scary going into the unknown, yes we have a basic knowledge but there is so much more to learn! And the money is the hardest thing, I know if God wants us to do this he'll make away for us, but where do we get the money!
We thought about doing kickstarter.com, but we don't really have anything to give these people in return for their cash. There's the bank, but what do we do for collateral? Will we need a cosigner? What about investors? Who do you ask? Do they have a say in the company too? These are the questions that plague me. Everything else is manageable, everything else is do-able, but this seems to be a mountain that I have no idea how to climb. The best thing I know how to do is to pray, research, and ask questions to people I know. Eventually what we need to do for financing will present itself, and hopefully our business plan will be ready to show off then. It's all going to come together, of that I am sure.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things unseen, in Holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
It's not because I think we are going to fail, because I really think we can do it. We have a good idea blending things we have seen done in other coffee shops/cafés, and making it into something new and our own. Plus we both have experience in the food industry, and as I have been self employed before I am aware of the tax situation, and also have some insight on how to do taxes for employees we hire as well. Even my husband said it made sense to him now why he has been stuck in food service for so long, it gives us a good base knowledge to work off of. And the job I work now will give us the steady monthly income we can sure use to help support us while we get the business off the ground.
In many ways it seems like this has all been part of God's plan for our life, which is way I have faith to do it. But it's scary going into the unknown, yes we have a basic knowledge but there is so much more to learn! And the money is the hardest thing, I know if God wants us to do this he'll make away for us, but where do we get the money!
We thought about doing kickstarter.com, but we don't really have anything to give these people in return for their cash. There's the bank, but what do we do for collateral? Will we need a cosigner? What about investors? Who do you ask? Do they have a say in the company too? These are the questions that plague me. Everything else is manageable, everything else is do-able, but this seems to be a mountain that I have no idea how to climb. The best thing I know how to do is to pray, research, and ask questions to people I know. Eventually what we need to do for financing will present itself, and hopefully our business plan will be ready to show off then. It's all going to come together, of that I am sure.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things unseen, in Holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Pay it Foward
Have you ever seen the movie 'Pay it Foward'? It's an older movie that I haven't seen in a long time to be honest, it's probably around 15 years old or so. The movie had a really beautiful idea in it that has always stuck with me, doing something kind for someone else for nothing in return except asking them to pay it forward, or in other words do something to help someone else. I love this idea of helping people and asking them to do the same for someone else. How wonderful to pass blessings onto one another?
Recently I have been thinking a lot about this idea. My husband and I don't have a lot, in fact what we make is still considered poverty level in the US, but we are doing so much better than we used too! I am reminded of this every time we go grocery shopping and I actually have to move stuff around in my cabinets, something we never had to do before because we only ever had enough to go week to week. And I felt blessed then! Now we have more, and though we are still not even lower middle class I want to give back. I want to pay it forward to someone else, to many someone else's if God grants me the opportunity!
This idea of paying it forward is also part of our business plan, if we are able to secure the financing for our business we plan to use the first 10% of profit each quarter to bless according to God's will, whether it be through donations to charity, church, or helping someone we know in need. We have struggled, and we have gone without, now that things are starting to change in our lives we plan on giving back.
I don't know who all is reading this, and I don't know what your situation is, I don't know if you believe in God, and at this moment that's not the point. What I am doing however, is asking that if you are reading this please consider 'paying it forward'. Wouldn't this world be a much better place to live in if we all started to do kind things for one another simply to be kind? It all starts with one act of kindness. It doesn't have to be something big, it can be as simple as buying a cup of coffee for someone who looks cold, or giving up your seat on the bus to someone who needs it more. Do an act of kindness and maybe change someone's heart.
2 Samuel 2:6
May The Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I to will show you the same favor because you have done this.
Recently I have been thinking a lot about this idea. My husband and I don't have a lot, in fact what we make is still considered poverty level in the US, but we are doing so much better than we used too! I am reminded of this every time we go grocery shopping and I actually have to move stuff around in my cabinets, something we never had to do before because we only ever had enough to go week to week. And I felt blessed then! Now we have more, and though we are still not even lower middle class I want to give back. I want to pay it forward to someone else, to many someone else's if God grants me the opportunity!
This idea of paying it forward is also part of our business plan, if we are able to secure the financing for our business we plan to use the first 10% of profit each quarter to bless according to God's will, whether it be through donations to charity, church, or helping someone we know in need. We have struggled, and we have gone without, now that things are starting to change in our lives we plan on giving back.
I don't know who all is reading this, and I don't know what your situation is, I don't know if you believe in God, and at this moment that's not the point. What I am doing however, is asking that if you are reading this please consider 'paying it forward'. Wouldn't this world be a much better place to live in if we all started to do kind things for one another simply to be kind? It all starts with one act of kindness. It doesn't have to be something big, it can be as simple as buying a cup of coffee for someone who looks cold, or giving up your seat on the bus to someone who needs it more. Do an act of kindness and maybe change someone's heart.
2 Samuel 2:6
May The Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I to will show you the same favor because you have done this.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Constant Thoughts
I have constant thoughts of success, I believe these kinds of constant thoughts that persist are from God. I believe that these kinds of thoughts are His way of calling you to your destiny. And I believe this in part from hearing many pastors say as much, and in part because I know that when I am working towards success I feel a peace in my spirit. When I am not working towards it and decide to give up and settle I'm miserable.
To me success doesn't neccasarily mean being rich, it means being able to provide my family with a good life that is stable and comfortable. It means being able to give back to my family and help them as so many are struggling. It means being able to give generously to the poor and to the church. I want to help people, and I try to now, but I wish I had the means to help more. Someday I believe God will give me the opportunity! This is part of my constant thoughts, part of my dream, and my calling.
I never knew until recently how I would reach this level of success, but I believe without doubting that the cafe will be how it's achieved. I spend about an hour or two everyday researching it, how to get funding, how to write a business plan, steps to opening a business, and all the legalities of it. I am constantly thinking about the where, the hours, the staff, the menu, the decor, and the how.
I know Nick and I have a small amount of our own, but how to get the rest? $20,000 would be a good start, but $50,000 would probably get us to where we need to be to start. And with $50,000 I could quit my job too and work full time at the cafe, but as it looks now we may need my income to help support us as we get started. It would be nice if the bank would lend us the money, or we had investors. I trust that God will show us which way to go, I know somehow, someway it'll all get figured out. For now I need to take these constant thoughts and remind myself one step at a time. I need to trust that when the time is right the money or the know how of how to get it will be there.
Constant, persistent thoughts drive me. They give me hope. And remind me I have destiny, purpose, and a God who will not allow me to settle for less than He has intended for me.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and father your work produced by faith, your labor produced by love, and your endurance proved by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To me success doesn't neccasarily mean being rich, it means being able to provide my family with a good life that is stable and comfortable. It means being able to give back to my family and help them as so many are struggling. It means being able to give generously to the poor and to the church. I want to help people, and I try to now, but I wish I had the means to help more. Someday I believe God will give me the opportunity! This is part of my constant thoughts, part of my dream, and my calling.
I never knew until recently how I would reach this level of success, but I believe without doubting that the cafe will be how it's achieved. I spend about an hour or two everyday researching it, how to get funding, how to write a business plan, steps to opening a business, and all the legalities of it. I am constantly thinking about the where, the hours, the staff, the menu, the decor, and the how.
I know Nick and I have a small amount of our own, but how to get the rest? $20,000 would be a good start, but $50,000 would probably get us to where we need to be to start. And with $50,000 I could quit my job too and work full time at the cafe, but as it looks now we may need my income to help support us as we get started. It would be nice if the bank would lend us the money, or we had investors. I trust that God will show us which way to go, I know somehow, someway it'll all get figured out. For now I need to take these constant thoughts and remind myself one step at a time. I need to trust that when the time is right the money or the know how of how to get it will be there.
Constant, persistent thoughts drive me. They give me hope. And remind me I have destiny, purpose, and a God who will not allow me to settle for less than He has intended for me.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and father your work produced by faith, your labor produced by love, and your endurance proved by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday, February 3, 2014
So much to think about!!
Working towards opening a business is pretty thought consuming. I can hardly think of anything else. My mind is racing with all the stuff we need to figure out. This is something completely out of both our elements, something we've never done before. But something I feel we will do well at once we figure it all out. It's going to take time and hard work to even get the money to open the cafe, but it'll be worth it.
We've been talking a lot about what we want to do about profits, and how we want to give back. It's important to us that we give 10% of the profit to the church and charity. We believe that the first 10% is God's money and meant to help others. So even before we open our doors we know that not everything we make will we keep. This is important to us. We have struggled, and are doing okay now. We want to give back. I sincerely hope that this cafe will give us the opportunity to do so.
There are many aspects of the business we are still working out and trying to put together. Employees is one such thing, will I keep my nanny job for stabile income or quit and work full-time at the cafe? Will we get investors or a bank loan? What about hiring family? How much to lease a store and how much room will we need? How much will equipment cost be and what will our monthly expense budget be like?
I guess it's one step at a time. We need to look at one thing at a time, answer that question then move on. We need to work at a steady pace and keep focused. It's a new adventure, something scary and wonderful at the same time. It'll be a dream come true if we can do it, and I'm sure we can! I've heard it said that God won't put a dream in your heart without giving you everything you need to acheive it. He came through for all my dreams so far, so I'm not doubting Him now! I just need to remind myself to move at a steady pace, don't let every question bombard my mind and overwhelm me. Just look at one thing at a time, slow and steady wins the race!
Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow saying, "if God will be with me and watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the Lord will be my God, and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
We've been talking a lot about what we want to do about profits, and how we want to give back. It's important to us that we give 10% of the profit to the church and charity. We believe that the first 10% is God's money and meant to help others. So even before we open our doors we know that not everything we make will we keep. This is important to us. We have struggled, and are doing okay now. We want to give back. I sincerely hope that this cafe will give us the opportunity to do so.
There are many aspects of the business we are still working out and trying to put together. Employees is one such thing, will I keep my nanny job for stabile income or quit and work full-time at the cafe? Will we get investors or a bank loan? What about hiring family? How much to lease a store and how much room will we need? How much will equipment cost be and what will our monthly expense budget be like?
I guess it's one step at a time. We need to look at one thing at a time, answer that question then move on. We need to work at a steady pace and keep focused. It's a new adventure, something scary and wonderful at the same time. It'll be a dream come true if we can do it, and I'm sure we can! I've heard it said that God won't put a dream in your heart without giving you everything you need to acheive it. He came through for all my dreams so far, so I'm not doubting Him now! I just need to remind myself to move at a steady pace, don't let every question bombard my mind and overwhelm me. Just look at one thing at a time, slow and steady wins the race!
Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow saying, "if God will be with me and watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the Lord will be my God, and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Busy mind keeping me awake
I hate when I can't sleep, but most times I know the cause. I can never sleep when I feel like there is a project I should be working on. I just can't slow my mind down enough to relax and stay asleep. This was last night. I'm so focused on this project I have a hard time thinking about anything and I am now having a hard time sleeping too.
I have a few tricks though I'm going to employ to get the rest I need before getting up before dawn and going to work. I'm going to watch an ASMR video tonight before bed, I know I will asleep then. But if I end up having trouble staying asleep, which was the other part of my sleeping dilemma, then I'll have to take a sleeping pill or drink some sleepy time tea the next night before bed.
I hate drugging myself for sleep! Honestly, I hate most medications. The thought of using all these poteintly dangerous chemicals that are supposedly safe makes me nervous. I don't trust humans much, especially big pharma, but I do trust God. I admit I usually do end up taking one sleeping pill if I go for 3 days or more without good sleep, but really I'd prefer using natural remedies.
I would totally love to meet someone or find a shoppe that I was comfortable going to where I could talk to and get advice from someone knowledgable in the natural medicines. My mother in law is good for that, but she doesn't live near by anymore. And it's really not my mother's thing.
I guess if I have to break down what's actually happening in my life and what has been happening for a long time, I am steadily shifting away from mainstream beliefs. I am becoming a person who believes fully in the power of prayer, natural medicines, and miraclous healings. I am believing more and more in how our minds, and souls can heal our bodies by willing it so and with prayer. I believe in these things, but I don't endorse not seeking medical treatment when it's necessary. If you cut off your finger, don't pray that it will magically grow back, get your butt to the emergency room! God gave us doctors for a reason!
See, it's not that I don't trust doctors. I just don't trust the pharmicuatal industry, I feel like a lot of what they give us is really poison. Sure it 'cures' one thing but how many other problems does it cause? I just don't trust it, give me something God made over that of man any day. Him I trust. Him I know wants to help me. Him I know loves me, and He has made promises to care for me, I just have to put my faith and love in Him.
I guess my not sleeping rant turned into an anti-prescription drug rant. But that happens when you're sleepy. I'm going to try to nap some now before Nick gets up and we are ready to get stuff done. God bless all who have read this!
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
I have a few tricks though I'm going to employ to get the rest I need before getting up before dawn and going to work. I'm going to watch an ASMR video tonight before bed, I know I will asleep then. But if I end up having trouble staying asleep, which was the other part of my sleeping dilemma, then I'll have to take a sleeping pill or drink some sleepy time tea the next night before bed.
I hate drugging myself for sleep! Honestly, I hate most medications. The thought of using all these poteintly dangerous chemicals that are supposedly safe makes me nervous. I don't trust humans much, especially big pharma, but I do trust God. I admit I usually do end up taking one sleeping pill if I go for 3 days or more without good sleep, but really I'd prefer using natural remedies.
I would totally love to meet someone or find a shoppe that I was comfortable going to where I could talk to and get advice from someone knowledgable in the natural medicines. My mother in law is good for that, but she doesn't live near by anymore. And it's really not my mother's thing.
I guess if I have to break down what's actually happening in my life and what has been happening for a long time, I am steadily shifting away from mainstream beliefs. I am becoming a person who believes fully in the power of prayer, natural medicines, and miraclous healings. I am believing more and more in how our minds, and souls can heal our bodies by willing it so and with prayer. I believe in these things, but I don't endorse not seeking medical treatment when it's necessary. If you cut off your finger, don't pray that it will magically grow back, get your butt to the emergency room! God gave us doctors for a reason!
See, it's not that I don't trust doctors. I just don't trust the pharmicuatal industry, I feel like a lot of what they give us is really poison. Sure it 'cures' one thing but how many other problems does it cause? I just don't trust it, give me something God made over that of man any day. Him I trust. Him I know wants to help me. Him I know loves me, and He has made promises to care for me, I just have to put my faith and love in Him.
I guess my not sleeping rant turned into an anti-prescription drug rant. But that happens when you're sleepy. I'm going to try to nap some now before Nick gets up and we are ready to get stuff done. God bless all who have read this!
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
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