Network Marketing Mastermind Event Part II

This morning I heard from two amazing speakers, Randy Gage and Orrin Woodward.  Both men have created a legacy of wealth for themselves and their families through network marketing, and they are passionate about empowering you and I to do the same.  I love this concluding quote from Orrin, "You are created in the image of God, so you have greatness in you.  All you need is the courage to let it out!"

As I sat in the seminar this morning listening to the life changing words from these men, Ryan and the kids went swimming!  They were in the pool having a great time together, celebrating Josyan's 4th birthday with the things he loves best--staying in a hotel and swimming in the pool!  :-)

I am so blessed that I am able to bring my family along on events like these--I don't have to worry about childcare because Ryan is here--and not only is he here, but he is having an amazing time with the kids.  And while they are having fun, I'm being inspired to help millions of women with the message that freedom is possible through network marketing!  You can stay home with your kids--you can be a family that plays together.  The dream is real--you just have to believe it!

Mastermind Event

I just finished up my first afternoon/evening at the Mastermind Event in Houston.  I am already a little overwhelmed with all the great information that I've received in just the three sessions I attended today! 

I don't know about you, but I often tend to look down on myself...You know that little voice inside that says, "you're not good enough!  You'll never be successful!"  Well, I was hearing that today.  I was walking behind one guy who was talking about his $500,000 a MONTH paycheck --after two years of work.  WOW!  I can't even imagine what I would do with that kind of cash (which is maybe why I don't have it yet, but I'll talk about that in another post sometime). 

We all tend to have those moments of doubt, those whispers in our minds and hearts that say we can't.  But my Bible says that "All things are possible through Christ who gives me strength."  It says that I am "above and beneath, the head and not the tail."  It says that God has a plan for my life, and that I am "beautifully and wonderfully made."  The greatest thing...it says all this about you, too!

This is taking time to PLAY!

I know that God has put in my heart to do this business--to share with moms everywhere that they CAN stay home with their kids.  Network marketing offers amazing opportunities for women to have their own successful business with low start up costs and free training.  And, best of all, a business that can be run from home.  I am blessed to be able to offer moms the ability to make a difference in the world and to create financial freedom--and to be home with their children!

After all, part of the reason that little voice tries to make me feel worthless is that it knows that I will use my success to help others and to advance the Kingdom of Heaven.  I hope that you won't let that voice keep you from your dreams, either.  Use the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God and vanquish that voice by saying OUT LOUD all the things that God says you are.  After all, He created you.  And, as the stranger says in A Snoodle's Tale, I can hear God saying to me and to you, "And lastly your wings. You know what they're for. But not just to fly (daughter), I want you to soar!"  

Just another Monday..

Do you remember the Manic Monday song?  "Just another manic Monday...wish it were Sunday...that's my fun day!"  I used to love singing that song along with the radio on Monday mornings, and I was just thinking how apt the song is today.  ;-) Sundays are our fun days...going to church, then out to lunch, then to the library.  It's always a fun day of family time. 

Josyan asks Ryan every morning, "Do you have to go to work today, Daddy?"  When Ryan says, "Not today."  Josyan says, "Yay!  Daddy Fun Day!"  ;-)  And it certainly is fun to spend the day as a family, even when I still have to work.  

And then comes Monday.  Even though Mondays for me no longer mean driving 90 miles to work, they still seem a little sad, especially when the sky is overcast.  (Of course, that could just be the clouds!)  On days like these, I just want to bake some chocolate chip cookies and curl up with a book or watch a movie with my kiddos.  But, alas, we have schoolwork and work work and house work.  lol

And just when I'm starting to feel a little down...I remember that I have a Plan.  A plan that will make every day a Daddy Fun Day.  Of course, the kids will still have school work, but Ryan & I will no longer have work work, and I will hire someone to do my house work. (hurray!!!) I am pursuing my dreams of financial freedom and making a difference in the world--and I'm doing that from my home.  How great is that?!

Connect with Me!

I just sent out an e-mail inviting folks to connect to me via social media--Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In, as well as my blog.  I thought I'd let you all in on the fun!  Every connection = a chance to win the wonderful book by Kody Bateman, Promptings.  Just connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Linked In or follow my blog (if you're not already), and you'll be entered to win.  Send me an e-mail letting me know how you're following me & I will draw a winner next Tuesday.  :-)

Our Experiment

Wednesday evening, Ryan turned to me and said, "I want to try an experiment."  My first thought was, "uh-oh!"  I was a little wary as he described what he wanted to do. 

"For one week, let's just tell the kids 'yes' to everything they ask."  Like that movie, Yes Man.  Items costing money would be carefully considered, but for the most part everything they ask, we have to say yes. 

The idea came to Ryan as he thought about something that happened on Tuesday.  Tristan had asked him to play "army dudes."  He didn't really want to play, so he said, 'no,' and then went to watch TV.  He got to thinking about how lame that was and how often we say 'no' just because it's inconvenient for us.  We're missing out on so much!

So yesterday was the first day of the experiment.  Josyan asked for hot cocoa for a snack.  That's his favorite thing in the world, but I ALWAYS say no!  So, we had hot cocoa.  Then, Tristan asked to go to the park.  So we went to the park and had a picnic.  On the way there, we passed an estate sale, and, of course, Megan spotted the toy section.  So, we went to the estate sale, where I allowed the kids to each buy a movie (they were $1 each). That afternoon, they watched two movies--Angels in the Outfield and the Tigger Movie. 

Today, Megan got to watch her movie, The Parent Trap, before starting Latin.  Tristan asked me to play catch, so we threw a football around for awhile (he's pretty good!).  Then Josyan asked me to play cars.  While pushing two cars back and forth (mine was Lightning McQueen!), I noticed that Lightning McQueen's sponsor is a "medicated ointment for the rear end."  LOL 

Later on, we played catch again, and the boys got to come with me to Handy Andy to get lemonade for dinner.  Really, my kids don't ask for a whole lot, but so far, what has happened is I've been able to spend some fun moments playing with my kiddos.  I'm looking forward to seeing what our experiment brings tomorrow!  ;-)

What's Your Why?

The other night, I read a new book called Stay the Course: Lessons Learned on my SendOutCards Journey, by Adam Packard (you can buy the book at the link above or send it to yourself in a card through SendOutCards if you have an account).  I bought the book while I was at the SendOutCards 2010 Convention last weekend.  Adam is a leader in SendOutCards, but also a person who always took the time to say 'hello.'  I admire him because of his ability to lead and because of his ability to make even those just getting started feel like part of the family, and I was excited to be able to support him by buying his book AND to get some great tips on building my business (of course!).

One of the first chapters in the book is about finding your 'why.'  Your 'why' is your big dream--your passion, your purpose, your reason for doing whatever it is that you're doing.  Knowing your 'why' will help you get through anything in your life.  As I read through the 'whys' of several of the SendOutCards leaders I know and admire, I found myself teary-eyed.   (These are just the bare bones--you'll have to get the book yourself to read the stories behind these whys!)

Listen to this:

"I'm building a successful SendOutCards business so that when I'm not here, my family will be financially secure."  David Frey

"I wanted to be home!  I wanted to be with my family!  I wanted to sit down at night with a home-cooked meal and ask my wife and kids face to face how their days had been."  Demarr Zimmerman

"My why is having the time and money to experience Grandma's Ami (Miami) with all of my grandkids."  Dave & Lori Smith

All of these statements are based on a deep, heart-felt need for MORE out of life--more than just running the ratrace and getting a paycheck week after week.  More time with family, more relationships, more freedom, more time to be.

My why?  My why is bigger than me sometimes.  It swells up in my heart until I can't stand it.  My why is to know that I know that my family is taken care of--no matter what.  To know that we'll never have another penny of debt.  To be able to help my family with whatever they need.  To be able to do good around the world. 

At Convention, David Frey showed us a picture of the school he is building in South America.  Up until that point, I had forgotten a childhood dream of mine--to build an orphanage.  Those of you who know me well know that I have always had a heart for adoption.  I don't know where that came from--from Jo's Boys (Louisa May Alcott), perhaps?  But along the way, I 'realized' that I could never build an orphanage and that dream slipped away.  Well, thanks to David's awesome photo--it's back.  That is a huge part of my why--a piece that I didn't even realize was there.  How amazing it is going to feel to be able to call up our good friends Tim & Kathy Mclean (Foundation Stone Ministries) and say, "hey, we're building you an orphanage--where can we send the check?"

Regardless of whether your goals are financial or health-related or spiritual, knowing your why will help you to reach them.  Dig deep.  Dream big.  Go out and do the good things that God created you to do.  Remember--"All things are possible through Christ who gives you strength!" 

PS  If you'd like to learn more about SendOutCards, go to www.sendoutcards.com/worryfree.

Stuffed Peppers

Well, I have no pictures today, but I do have a yummy recipe for you--that every single one  of my kids liked!  :-)  I am by no means a gourmet cook or a kitchen diva, but I do love cooking (especially baking), and it's always fun to share a successful experiment! 

I bought some green bell peppers at the farmer's market a few weeks ago, and Megan has been begging me to make stuffed peppers.  She didn't know what they were, but she loves peppers.

So tonight, I browned some ground beef, putting in some garlic salt & pepper & diced green onions for a little flavor.  I put 1/2 of that in the freezer for another dinner.  I cooked up about 1/2 cup of white basmati rice (SO GOOD!  It smells like popcorn as you cook it, and just has a really yummy, buttery flavor) and added that to the hamburger that was left.  Then I mixed in about 4 oz of shredded cheddar. 

I cut off the tops of the four green peppers I had left and two tomatoes that I had in the fridge, scooped out the insides, stuffed with the hamburger mixture, placed them in a pan (with sides), and cooked them in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes.  Super easy, and they were SO good!  Tristan didn't eat his pepper, but he's my pickiest eater and he ate every bite of the stuffing.   Ryan loved it because it seemed just a tad 'fancier' than what I normally make, Megan loved it because she got to eat a whole pepper, and the boys just liked the rice.  Josyan even said, "That smells really good, Mom!"  :-)  Next time, I'll make a double batch.  ;-)