Every Day Is a Reason for Giving – and Giving Is the Key to Living!

Pam’s Page 21 – “Finances”

Truly the richest part of building a “Home-Based” Business is the awesome relationships you develop. Relationships based on loving and “Serving” one another.

It’s about standing on the scripture, “He (she) which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

I've been blessed to be around a lot of great "servant type" women! Many have developed into awesome leaders in our business!

They know that the greatest Leader is the greatest Servant:
1) They have developed as Leaders because they began to place the welfare of others first.
2) To serve their Team, their Customer, their family and friends with unconditional love. To serve someone even when they don’t deserve it or didn’t earn it. Learning to serve and love someone even when they don’t live up to our expectations.

I love this Helen Rice Poem –
“Every Day Is a Reason for Giving – and Giving Is the Key to Living!”So let us give “ourselves” away
Not just today but every day….
And remember a kind and thoughtful deed
Or a hand outstretched in time of need
Is the rarest of gifts, for it is a part
Not of the purse but a loving heart-
And she who gives of herself will find
True joy of heart and peace of mind.

As it relates to Business – we all should remember that people won’t sell out to a business, they sell out to people. Our relationships will grow stronger if our heart is set on loving and serving the people God has placed in our life! Yes, even the un-likable ones (tee-hee)!

>>>TAKING ACTION>>>“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)
Choose at least one action you can take to serve someone this week, someone totally undeserving!
Write it down, commit to it, and start today!

Sandy Teig shares a Mommy’s heart as her children return to school.

Pam’s Page 21 – “Family Life”

Today’s post was written by my dear friend and business partner, Sandy Teig.

Topic: Does it ever get easier?

We’ve heard and seen the warnings for a couple of weeks, now...the crickets chirping, the cicadas buzzing in the late afternoon, the morning dew highlighting the spider webs in the rural ditches and the cotton from the majestic cottonwoods fills the air like snow when a light breeze passes by. The seasons are changing. As one begins to rest, the other awakens.

The animals sense it too. The field mice are beginning to search for a better place to spend the winter and the Canadian Geese will soon give the order to their young goslings that it is time to pack up and head south.

We sense the change in the air, too, don’t we? No matter how hard we ignore the signs, we must deal with the reality that our summer vacation is coming to an end and our precious children are wanted back in school. Here in the Midwest, we follow the rhythm of the school year set in place by our great great grandparents – much of the Spring and all of the Summer was a time for the children to be at home tending the crops and livestock. For the older boys, even Fall was a time to be at home helping with the harvest, not a time to be in school. The children would walk or ride their horse one or two miles to the one room school house. They would take their own books to school – often a book handed down by an elder sibling. They would take their own lunch. Chores had to be done before they left for school and at night after they returned home.

How different are things in 2008? This morning, my children had to pick up their rooms and feed the cats and their fish before they got on a big yellow bus with a capacity of 50+ that picked them up at the end of our driveway and carried them two miles into town to a fairly new building that must have over 50 rooms in it. They will rent books that are the property of the state and eat a hot balanced lunch that is prepared by a paid staff of qualified cooks. My bank account will automatically send money to their lunch account to pay for their meals. I can go to a school website and check up on their grades and contact their teachers any time of the day. If my child stays home sick and I forget to call the school, the school will call me within 30 minutes of the beginning of the day to check up on my child. When my kids get off the bus, it is snack time, play time and of course, there is always homework. (Pictured below - Mandy and Nick Teig)

A little different scenario for my great grandmother who would send her precious children off on a two mile hike – before dawn – in all weather conditions – hoping that her children would arrive to school safely and on time. Then, there was the two mile hike back home through tall prairie grasses and all the creatures that lived there. It would be a whole day before she would know if her children were coming back home safe to her. No texting on cell phones just to check in with the kids. Just faith!Think, for a moment, about those mommies in the early1900’s who were sending their child off to college. We’ve seen it in the movies...the son has one suitcase and he and his parents are waiting at the train station. The father says something profound like, “Do us proud, son” and the mother just cries and won’t stop hugging her son. They send him off on a journey hundreds of miles away to find his own living quarters, classes, books and food.

I was in Ames, Iowa just yesterday – home of Iowa State University. The scene at Target was a little different. Parents and kids with big shopping carts full of school supplies and food for the dorm room - just waiting for the clerk to bring up a new futon bed from the supply room in back. By the time parents get back home that evening from setting up the new loft, unloading all of the goodies and decorating the new room, chances are good that they will have already communicated once or twice with their precious child before the days end.

Although the scenes change dramatically from the 1800’s to the 1900’s to 2008, common threads connect the generations. What threads do you see? Mommies have been sending their children off to school for generations. Are their common fears? Challenges? Celebrations? We welcome your thoughts.

To all you mommies out there who are sending your children off to school, we join you in your joy and suffering. The first day of college can be as unnerving as the first day of preschool when it is your child and your heart being tugged. We join you in celebrating the memories we all made this summer and we look forward to the adventures coming our way on the cool crisp air of autumn.

My daily prayer: Thank you, Lord, for commanding your angels to guard my children in all their ways. (Psalm 91:11)
Thank You-

Sandy Teig

Clear Lake, Iowa - "Class of 1973"

Pam’s Page 22 – “Friendship”

Have you attended all of your High School Class Reunions? I attended my 5th but chose to skip all others for the last 30 years!

My reasoning was - "My life has moved on and I have a family to raise, a business to run plus a life already rich in relationships!"
God had a different plan for my 35th Reunion! He used one special classmate to beg and bug me enough……that I knew it was time to go back. This dear classmate would want to remain anonymous so I will refer to her as Jane Doe, alias Jane Briggeman. Sorry Jane (tee-hee)! Jane Doe is pictures on my right, wearing glasses! However, like I said, “Jane would want to remain anonymous (tee-hee)!”

Anyway, thanks to Jane’s prodding……..I just had an awesome time at our 35th Class Reunion in Clear Lake, Iowa! It was wonderful to reconnect with so many precious friends and celebrate so many fun memories. My High School years were such a blast and a very busy time because I wanted to be involved in everything(tee-hee)! Are YOU surprised? Not!

I know I’ve changed a lot since High School and my Jiggle Diaries always refers to my physical changes. However my greatest change is my passion for the Lord. I am not a theologian, psychologist, or have a doctorate of any kind. I am a simple, often silly woman, who has fallen madly in love with Jesus.

So as I hugged my classmate’s goodbye Saturday night I asked myself, “Did they see the love of Jesus shining in me tonight?”

Convicting Song Lyrics, “Do They See Jesus In Me”

by Joy Williams
Is the face that I see in the mirror

the one I want others to see

Do I show in the way that I walk in my life

The love that You've given to me

My heart's desire is to be like You

In all that I do, all I am

Do they see Jesus In Me

Do they recognize Your face

Do I communicate Your love, and Your grace

Do I reflect who You are

In the way I choose to be

Do they see Jesus In Me!

It's amazing that you'd ever use me

But use me the way You will

Help me to hold out a heart of

compassionate grace

A heart that You're spirit fills

May I show forgiveness and mercy

The same way You've shown it to me!

Now I want to show all the world who You are

The reason I live and breathe

So You'll be the One that they see

When they see me!

To my many Great Friends from “The Class of 1973” – God Bless you all, I can't wait for our 40th!!!!!!

Our Baby Grandson has arrived! Yipeeeeeee!

Pam's Page 20 - "Family Life"

Hello sweet girlfriends-
Our family is soooooooooo excited that our daughter Sheri has given birth again, this time adding a son to the family tree.
Levi James Prescott was born this Wednesday August 13th, 2008 at 6:02 pm and weight was 8 lbs ~ 5 oz, 21 inches long. What a precious gift from God!

Please click here to visit Sheri's Blog and view more pictures and details – Purely His by Sheri Prescott

Fitness Coach, Accountability & Great New Friends!

Pam’s Page 21- “Friendship”

Getting fit and losing weight can actually be a lot of FUN! Especially if you find a Health & Fitness Team like the fun one I joined seven weeks ago (20 lbs ago)!!!!!!

Health & Fitness Coach Alana is pictured (below) holding the bathroom scale and her fruits and vegetables!

My accountability to these great new friends (three others not pictured) has inspired me to stay consistent with exercise and focus on eating healthy. They’ve helped me re-discover the skinny voice in my head!

My old self wanted to keep M&M's near by in case of an emotional emergency (tee-hee).

But the skinny voice says, "Just eat a piece of fruit or a food bar."

My old self wanted soda in massive quantities.

But the skinny voice makes me drink water. Oh but for a complete thrill she'll let me put a lemon on the side.

My old self would choose a salad every now and then but felt like I was going to die of starvation.

But my skinny voice says, "These greens are so tasty, pretty too (tee-hee)!"

My old self loved fried things, especially McDonalds French Fries….yummmy!
But my skinny voice says, "Tsst, tsst--- I'll enjoy baked foods and look good in a swim suit instead (tee-hee)!"

We are self-confident in His confidence!

Pam’s Page 20 – “Finances”

Yesterday was another awesome “girlfriend” day! I had priceless moments with some of my business partners. Rickee Ewing had a special Customer Appreciation Day in her home. It was fun times with Rickee, Jan, Brianne and Diane.

The house became flooded with Customers, too many to keep up with! It was an exciting evening for all of us!

I was so blessed watching my girlfriends show “true boldness” as they worked with each Customer. Confidence breeds confidence like iron sharpens iron and we all encouraged each other to do more! It was incredible!
On my drive home I thought about how very confident and yet humble these four friends are. How their confidence is really a fruit (result) of their putting God and others first. We are what we are due to His grace and mercy. Knowing we are here on this earth to serve and touch lives with His love. We are self-confident in His confidence!

I’M REMINDED OF A JOYCE MEYERS QUOTE-“Take each compliment that you receive as a rose and at the end of the day take the entire bouquet and offer it back to God, knowing that it came from him!”

>>>TAKING ACTION>>>
“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)
I challenge us all to start building a bigger bouquet. Daily say, “I feel fear, but I choose boldness!”
Write it down, commit to it, and start today!

A day of “Pampering” my Mother!

Pam’s Page 19 – “Family Life"

Hello sweet blogging girlfriends-
Wow, today was such a memory maker for Mom and I….a special fun girls day!

We started out with a morning at our Health Club Pool. Fun in the pool, laying in the sun and melting into the Hot Tub. Yummy!!!!!

Then we had a special lunch and headed to a Spa for the afternoon. It was a lot of firsts for my Mom - Deluxe Pedicure, Massages, and even cute flowers painted on her toes!

The first that stood out at the end of the day – was her waxed eye brows! She felt like a “new” lady and she acted like a giddy teenager every time she looked in the mirror (tee-hee)!

Thank you Lord for such a wonderful Mother! Thank you Lord for such a blessed day!

My Jiggle Diaries

Pam’s Page 20 – “Friendship”
Hello.

My name is Pamela Sue Riley and much to my dismay I have to exercise to stop certain parts of my body from jiggling.
1) The waving arms………
2) The extra around my tummy….
3) The entire area between my knees and my waist…….

If you don't know what I’m talking about……..this “Jiggle Diary” post is NOT for you!
For the most part I am enjoying concurring the “jiggles”, loosing weight and getting fit. I love attending different exercise classes each week and making fitness a fun adventure.

Even though I am not an exercise die hard……I’ve attended many Swim Classes, Pilate Classes and Treadmill Team Workouts! Oh how I wish my bloggy friends lived in the same town as me. Think of all the fun we could have doing these crazy classes together!

NO PAIN – NO GAIN, REALLY?? Three days ago I tried a NEW exercise class called “Soul Grooves”.

Our Health Club promotional flyer said:
"Leave your inhibitions at the door as you free your spirit and experience the joy of being alive! You will be able to express yourself and feel empowered through an easy to follow journey of various forms of dance and rhythmic movement. This class will invigorate your body while refining balance and posture. Let go of self judgment and expectations…just DANCE!"

I really left MY inhibitions at the door…..like the flyer said and had a blast.

However the flyer SHOULD have included a WARNING - -

“These dance moves will be of belly dance format and your butte will need to jiggle for the entire 60 minutes! First timers should allow THREE DAYS for pelvic pain recovery! To ease your pain - avoid stairs, sitting in chairs and any flirtatious activities with your husband for at least THREE DAYS. Then the pain should subside and you will be able to resuming normal activity!” *Of course if you attend both the Monday and Thursday Classes……you will NEVER recover! Be prepared for pain every day of your life! So buy a one level house, remove all chairs and never flirt with your husband.OK, maybe I’m a little whinny about this pain I’m in(tee-hee)! Did I get your sympathy yet?

Exercise Daily - Walk with the Lord: This exercise offers only benefits, no pain! Yipeeeeeeeeeee!