Are you needing some encouragement to fulfill your dreams and to get your goals and resolutions done this year? That is the theme of Cindy Rushton’s Talk-a-Latte Mommy Club special retreat, Secrets To Ultimate Productivity. The retreat is this Thursday, February 17, and Friday, February 18. You’ll get great workshops, free doorprizes, friendship connections, and lots of fun.

I will be speaking Thursday, February 17, at 3:30 p.m. CST, and would love to see you there!  My topic will be Do The Next Thing. I’ll be sharing about my personal challenging journey, learning this important principle in 2010. Cindy has a line-up of anointed speakers who will be such a blessing to you!  Want to find out more?

From Cindy Rushton’s desk….

Kicked off another big year? OR, just got busy with yet another year, doing the same-old-same-old? Reaching your resolutions or are they collecting dust yet again? Running the race or running in circles? Don’t even want to talk about reaching for your dreams right now?

Finding yourself just a bit….

Busy? Stressed? A bit tired and weary? Life spinning right now? Feeling distracted? Sick of the constant chaos, distractions, and crisis situation? Already had too many days that are totally unproductive? Boy, do I understand! And, you are NOT alone!

Sweet friend, do you know what the numbers are? Have you heard the stats on setting resolutions? Peek at these…

Setting Resolutions…
40-45% of all American adults make one or more resolutions each year.

38% absolutely do not set resolutions.

30% of “resolutioners” have “scaled back” their resolutions.

Now, look at how it goes…
25% will ditch their resolutions within the first week of the year.

An addition 11% or 36% total will drop their resolutions by the end of January.

Only 12% WILL achieve their resolutions with 8% achieve their resolutions every year.

24% (ONE IN FOUR) have never reached their resolutions.

Find yourself in there? If you are like so many others, you began this year wanting something MORE. Maybe you counted down to this year hoping for some changes and wishing that you could get on track toward your dreams. It is NOT TOO LATE! In fact, this is the perfect time for us to pull aside and evaluate what IS getting done, what we want to get done, and how we are going to get what really matters done this year.

We ALL need the accountability.

We ALL need the time of evaluation.

We ALL need that shot of encouragement and inspiration.

And, we ALL need friends to come alongside of us and show us how to get it all done!

Sweet friend, are you where you want to be? Are you getting things done? Well, are you getting the things done that you want to get done? Are you constantly battling the STUFF? Busy all of the time, but are you PRODUCTIVE? Stuck and have no idea how to get moving?

This is the seminar just for you!

Let Cindy and her friends take you by the hand and share her secrets to ULTIMATE productivity. If you have known Cindy for any amount of time, you have probably seen how she amazes everyone who peeks into her life, business, homeschool– well…everything that she does! She brings a new meaning to productivity–ULTIMATE productivity.

Not to mention, you should meet the line-up of friends who are joining her this month for this seminar…

Laura Lee Sparks

Laura Lee Sparks–Wife, mom, Productivity coach, founder and CEO of Legal Marketing Maven and homeschool mom. Laura Lee will be speaking on the topic: Looking at the Big Picture. Maybe you have struggled with getting things done in your busy life. Maybe one day you get things done with the children, but you find yourself totally spent and unable to balance time with your spouse. OR, maybe you are doing an amazing job with your business, but there is nothing left for your husband, your children, much less YOU. You MUST HEAR this session. Laura Lee has a way of gently troubleshooting with us so we can get the big picture. This session is going to set you on fire! Don’t miss it! Until then, get to know Laura Lee at: http://LegalMarketingMaven.com and http://TheSimpleSolution.com.

Gerri Helms

Gerri Helms–Wife, mom, grandmother, author, speaker, Life Coach. Gerri will be speaking on the topic: Time: Managing the Unmanageable! I know, you bought that planner and got everything lined up and ready-to-go, but that planner is long-gone and collecting dust. Yes, scheduling always sound wonderful, but just does NOT work for you? Well, this session is going to be an answer to your prayers! In this session, Gerri Helms will take you by the hand and show you how she uses her own Daytimer step by step. She will show you her system for highlighting what is done, evaluating what is left to do (do it or ditch it), estimating how long tasks will really take, and even how to anticipate delays. You will love this session! Gerri always shares practical resources that you can find online. Plus, she always shows us how to use what we have–those free programs collecting dust on our computers. If you have never joined her for a session, you will not want to miss this one because after her workshop, she will take your questions either through our chat room or by phone so she can help you to apply this session. Don’t miss it! And, until then you can get to know her at: http://www.LifeCoachGerri.com (*Don’t miss her amazing blog!) and http://www.TrustGodandBuyBroccoli.com.

Beth Jones

Beth Jones–Wife, mom, grandmother, speaker, author, and homeschool mom. Beth will be speaking on the topic, Do the Next Thing! Are you struggling to get the next “do” on your long to-do list done today? Do you need more clarity in your goals? Are you feeling frustrated and stressed out with all you need to get done – and you can’t quite get there? Is perfectionism holding you back from good relationships or in the success you desire? Well, you have come to the right place! Join Beth Jones, one of our most popular speakers, for her encouraging presentation, Do The Next Thing! In this talk, Beth is sharing some of her challenging journey over the last year, learning this important principle. You’ll be encouraged and inspired! You will love getting to know Beth. She has an amazing website with a blog and AWESOME podcast that you can find at: http://www.BethJones.net.

Susan Scott

Susan Scott–Wife, mom, speaker, author, Life and Leadership Counselor, Certified Personalities Trainer, Leadership Coach, homeschool mom. Susan will be speaking on the topic: 7 Secrets to Spiritual Fitness. Another power-packed session! Join favored speaker, Susan Scott as she shares 7 Steps to Spiritual Fitness which lead us to be fruitful and productive, not just busy. In this session, Susan digs into Colossians 1:9-12. She teaches us how WE can master those 7 steps and become spiritually fit to hear His voice and follow His will for our lives so our days WILL be productive, not just busy. This is going to be a life-changing session that you will not want to miss! OH! When you join us live for this session or grab a ticket, you will receive Susan’s companion eBook on this topic as her special gift. You will LOVE it! And, until then get to know Susan online at: http://SusanScott.org. She has an incredible site full of great articles, freebies, and incredible products that you will LOVE!

Cindy Rushton

And, Cindy Rushton–Wife, mom, grandmother, author, speaker, business coach, and homeschool mom. Cindy will be speaking on several topics during this seminar: Secrets to Ultimate Productivity, Trash, Trinkets or Treasures: Making Time for What Really Matters to You, Stuck? Get UP and Get MOVING, and Make TODAY Count! These sessions are all fresh and new! Cindy has been called the “Queen of Productivity.” Not only does she seem to balance it ALL, but while she does it all, she has been the most prolific writer and speaker that you will find. In her workshops during this seminar, you are going to get a peek into all of her secrets to ultimate productivity that are normally only shared with her business coaching clients. Oh! Don’t think, “But, I don’t have a business….” Remember, Cindy has been CEO of her business without letting that business steal away her time and energy being a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and ministry leader. You are going to LOVE her sessions. Don’t miss even one! Get to Know Cindy online at: http://www.CindyRushton.com, http://www.CindysDesktop.com, http://www.Talk-a-Latte.com, http://www.Families-in-Business.com, http://www.MomtoMomRadioShow.com.

SO, are you ready to learn the secrets to ultimate productivity? Want to learn how to get more done–well, more of the things that really matter done? Well, don’t miss this event!
 
There are three ways to join us for this exciting event! You can find out more information by clicking here.

*********

Beth’s note:  I have FIVE free tickets for this event. Stay tuned for more information soon how you can get one!

Our daughter Heather and her family arrived safely home in Missouri tonight – thanks so much to all of you who prayed!  We chatted on the phone and talked about our mutual desire to move to Florida.  Why?  Here is a postcard they bought as a souvenir, and this pretty much sums it up:

We both love the beach – the beautiful, amazing ocean that God created. Missouri? Tonight and tomorrow the weather forecast predicts freezing rains. ‘Nuf said.

What about you? Where do you want to visit, to travel to, to live, to start a new life? What is your dream?

What’s keeping you from it?

It’s important to have not just resolutions for 2011 and the next 10 years, but dreams.  Write them down.  World-traveler Chris Guillebeau, who has visited 140 countries and plans to travel to the rest of the countries in the world, wrote a great post on dreams and life.

God wants to give us our dreams, the desires of our heart. Today think about yours. Hold them up before God, and pray about them. Determine to do what it is that you’d love to do with His help. Then do it!

Blogging soon in Florida and in Africa….   

What's ahead for you in 2011?

Only 15 days until Christmas and 21 days until this year is over!  As 2011 is around the bend, it’s a good time for reflections.  Here’s some challenging questions to look back on 2010 and to anticipate 2011:

• What went well in 2010? What goals and dreams did you achieve? How did you achieve them? Write these things down. Take yourself out and celebrate these victories – buy yourself a pretty new outfit or scarf, a new book, treat yourself to dinner with a friend or to a movie. You did it! Look at how far you’ve come this year!
• What goals did you NOT achieve in 2010?  What were the reasons? What hindered or stopped you? Identify self-limiting beliefs and the roots of those beliefs.
• What grudges are in your heart still? Who do you need to forgive? Forgiveness sets you free.
• What are you afraid of? How is fear interfering with your dreams and goals? How is anger or discouragement interfering?
• What relationship(s) do you need to work on? What is one step you can take today to improve it?
• How did procrastination interfere with your goals in 2010? Re-read the book Eat That Frog.
• What are some funny things your spouse, kids, and friends said and did in 2010? Write them down. Make a scrapbook of photos and quotes to preserve sweet memories.  Burn digital photos on cds or back up digital photos online. Be sure to date them, and add comments to help jog your memory of events later. Consider writing a diary to go along with the pictures.
• What good books did you read and study in 2010? Write down 10 books you will read by the end of 2011. Include books that teach you new things such as Dave Ramsey’s book on finances, More Than Enough,  books that make you laugh such as Becky Freeman’s marriage book Marriage 911, books that inspire you like Alexandra Stoddard’s decorating book Living A Beautiful Life, books that grow your faith such as Beth Moore’s Bible studies, and books that help you just get away from it all like Eat, Pray, Love .
• What lessons did you learn in 2010?  Will you have to pass the test again in 2011 or are you tired of going around this same mountain?
• Is this the life you want?  What needs to change in your life?  How will you get there?
• Where did you travel in 2010? Where do you want to travel in 2011? Write dates on the calendar. Start making plans now. Check the airfare and hotel or bed and breakfast rates. Price tours. Dream!
• What friends did you make in 2010? How have these people enriched your life? What is it about them that you particularly like? Do you still want to be friends with them in 2011?
• What character trait did you work on in 2010?  Are you still working on it? What is something new you can work on in 2011 to improve yourself?
• What do you think 2011 holds for you?
• What big dream is still in your heart?  Do it!  Ask God and He will help you. He is the dream-giver and the dream-fulfiller.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. ” ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Beth Jones

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the second class of a Bible study by Uganda missionary Alma Jones, who I will be interviewing this Friday at 11 a.m. CST (12 p.m. EST) at Talkshoe.  Our group class is going through Kay Arthur’s book  The New Study: How To Study Your Bible. 

Alma had a dream in her heart at 18 years old to be a missionary in Africa, but it was not until she was 72 years old that God commissioned and released her to go.

Now offiically part of the community of House of Friends, Alma has hosted many teams in Uganda.  She is now training African leaders how to study the Bible.  Americans are almost spoiled by having a wide variety of Bible versions to choose from to read, but there are many people in Africa who don’t even own one Bible.  Because they don’t own or know the Bible, sometimes people believe doctrine that is full of errors.  It is important for Christian African leaders to be supplied with and taught the Bible, so they can know and can teach God’s word correctly to their native people.

Alma also is helping Abba House develop a children’s teaching program.

Alma is here in the U.S. until December 31, 2010, when she will return to Entebbe, Uganda to continue her missions work there. 

I’d love to have you join me and Alma for her interview this coming Friday. She is a loving, very unselfish woman of God with a lot of wisdom, and she is HILARIOUS! You will love her!  You can listen here.

Veggie Tales – Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato

How has your week been?  I have been reading lately, when I’ve been able to have a few spare moments before bedtime, and one great book that I just finished is Me, Myself, and Bob by Phil Vischer, founder of Big Idea Productions (the man who started Veggie Tales). My sweet friend Kimberly Ehlers told me about the book, and as I finally read the last 3 chapters, tears poured down my face.  As I shared with a few family members and friends this week, this book has just demolished me.

In Me, Myself, and Bob, Phil shares the story of the big dream that began in his heart when he was just a young man, to become the “Christian” Walt Disney, to build a new media empire for God – teaching children funny, touching stories using the talking, colorful vegetables (Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and other characters) and using the truth of God’s word…unapologetically including God and His word. Phil wanted to change the world with his big idea.

As Big Idea Productions grew bigger, so did its budget – and its enormous debt.  Veggie Tales sold more than six million Veggie Tales videos in 1998. Between 1996 and 1998, its revenue grew by 3, 300 percent – from $1.3 million to $44 million. Between 1996 to 1998, their marketing department grew from 1 person to 30 people. Big Ideas had grown from an original staff of two creative, enthused college guys to 315 people.

Yet by the time Big Ideas produced its first feature film, Jonah-A Veggie Tales movie, Big Ideas was in serious financial trouble. The company eventually went bankrupt and was auctioned to Classic Media, at $19.6 million in 2003. 

Phil wrote on pages 227-228:

“…I entered adulthood (1) absolutely committed to spending my life to doing things for Christ, and (2) determined  not to be a “parked car.”  I had to get going. I had to get busy. But busy with what?…Eventually, I found a place where my storytelling gifts seemed to line up with a need that was tugging at my heart – a need to express God’s word through popular media. And that would be my work for Christ.”

“That issue resolved, I got busy. I built, and built, and built. Even when I wasn’t building, I was thinking about building, dreaming up the things I would build next. And in the midst of it all, God showed up, blessing my efforts. Great! I thought. Look at all the good I’m doing! But I was just getting started…And so, I got busier. …”

“…And then, in the midst of my great goodness, everything started to go wrong…Good thing I was the good guy, I thought, because the good guy never falls off the cliff. Except that I did. My dream and I fell all the way to bankruptcy court, where a gaggle of lawyers picked through the wreckage, packed up all the good parts, and mailed them to Franklin, Tennessee, leaving me alone, with nothing. Nothing but my old Big Idea office chair, my thoughts, and the God who had watched me bounce down the stairs without raising a finger.”

Nothing left but him and God. Ultimately it’s where we all end up.  

Phil also quotes an old family friend, pastor Richard Porter:  “If God gives you a dream, and the dream comes to life and God shows up in it, and then the dream dies, it may be that God wants to see what is more important to you – the dream or God.”

What matters more to you – God or your big dream?

Phil also shared from  Henry Blackaby, author of the devotional study Experiencing God, who wrote a book studying the life of Samuel.

“If you start something and it does not seem to go well, consider carefully that God, on purpose, may not be authenticating what you told the people because it did not come from Him, but from your own head.” (p. 239)

This is where I couldn’t stop crying. The thought that I may have been doing many things over the last year (such as writing, speaking, blogging, podcasting, creating information products, writing a bi-monthly ezine, forming relationships through social media), the possibility that these things may not have come from God, but came from myself, was devastating. Only God knows if this is true and that is what I am praying about this week, for clarity and wisdom.

I don’t want to do anything that God doesn’t authenticate or authorize. I don’t want to be like Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu, offering unauthorized fire (Leviticus 10: 1), or to be like the foolish man who built his house on the sand, instead of the Rock of Christ, and when the rain, wind, and floods came, it collapsed and was destroyed. (Matthew 7: 24-29)  Anything apart from Jesus will not bear fruit and won’t last.

As a result of this book, I have taken some time this week to pray and seek God on His will, His purposes, His vision for my life. I am still thinking things through, asking for Him to speak to me clearly. My dear sister Maria said God may have used this book as a warning to me about future success – to not let my dreams become an idol.

 Yes, there are dreams in my heart, big, big dreams!  I don’t want to live a medicore, boring life and want to do great things for God!   I believe God is the one who put those dreams there in my heart, because He’s a big God and has big plans for His glory.     The Bible says nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)  God is the Dream-Giver and the Dream-Fulfiller.

But I never want my dreams to mean more to me than God does. I only want to please Him and do His will, not my own. (Luke 22: 42) While I desire to do great things for God in this lifetime and to make an eternal, significant mark on the timeline of history, influencing and impacting others’ lives, most of all what I want is an intimate relationship with God. For every part of my life to glorify Jesus Christ.

As Phil writes on page 251, “The impact God has planned for us doesn’t occur when we’re pursuing impact. It occurs when we’re pursuing God.” 

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.”  (Psalm 42: 1)

I encourage you today, pursue God, not the dream. Because He alone satisfies. And when we pursue God, then He will make sure the dreams that HE has for us come true. Even beyond our wildest expectations! (1 Corinthians 2: 9)

***What are your thoughts on all this? I invite you to comment below.

Do you have big dreams in your heart or a prayer that isn’t answered yet? Do you feel stuck, like you’re in between places, not quite where you want to be yet? Do you want to go to the next level, give birth to those dreams?  Join Beth Jones today as she shares about feeling “stuck” from their car breaking down on the side of the road and from an ebook written by a nurse-midwife on the transition phase of labor – the most difficult, painful stage before the baby is born. You will be encouraged to just hang on, great things are on the horizon for you!

“Good plans shape good decisions. That’s why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true.” ~ Anonymous

How are you enjoying 2010 so far? I’ve been really busy! But I don’t want to be JUST busy – I want to be fruitful for God’s kingdom, bringing glory to Him! 

This week I went out and bought some “supplies” for the new year. I feel like I am in school again – a new wall calendar, a 3-ring notebook, some sheet protectors, and a new Franklin Covey Dayplanner that is smaller than my previous one, so I can carry it wherever I go now!  It has everything I need…..monthly and yearly calendar, important addresses, tabs to record to-do lists, shopping,  menus, personal and family information, notes….what my coach Cindy amusingly calls “my brain in a binder.”    

The wall calendar I bought is a TinkerBell one, and it shows a different picture of her each month, with a cute expression written on it. This month’s motto is “Let the sparkles fly!”  I really like that, don’t you?

Ready to sparkle and shine in 2010?  Just think about all the good things that happened in 2009 – and I believe 2010 is going to be even better for all of us! 

Speaking of good things……..for those of you who have been keeping up with my blogs on , my friends Pat and Kim Weber, you know that they are home now from China with their adopted baby girl Hadassah. Pictured above are Pat’s and Kim’s three children, with their new “Sissy.”  Isn’t she just precious?  The kids are really enjoying her.  What an unforgettable Christmas miracle for that family! And I love how Kim is dressing Megan and Hadassah like twins.   

From Kim, (she said it was fine to post what she wrote), here is the latest update:  “I just uploaded some new pictures to an album called Hadassah at home (on Shutterfly). I can’t believe we’ve been home a week already. Hadassah was amazing on the way home and slept 7 hours of the 11 hour flight, as well as on the other 2 flights. We are so thankful to God and so glad to be home. She has been adjusting well and bonding with everyone. She is such a happy, delightful little girl. We had a few rough nights with her getting used to the time difference, but she is sleeping well now and eating like crazy. She loves American food. Hope you enjoy the pictures!  Love and Blessings, Kim”

Yes, our God is GOOD!

Megan and Hadassah on trampoline at Pat’s and Kim’s house (Florida)