GOALS - what are they?

 

I was listening to something on YouTube about business / goals today, and this was one of the points made.  I think it was one of the Brian Tracy videos, about his work but not by him, it was on some kind of channel about Motivation.

It has been the only thing keeping me going since my children were very young and I was struggling to survive on Welfare.  It was all I could do.

It was, however, strange to hear on a video about Brian Tracy (a compilation of some kind).

Years ago, I requested some materials from him.  Somewhere along the way, I received a CD that I believe I still have.  It became one of the treasures of my life.  The title was, Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.  I listen to it when I feel the need to remind myself of what it shares.

Other books important through my life were:

Acres of Diamonds, by Russell Conwell, I believe.  This is a very short booklet that is so worth your time.  I think you can find copies to print out.  I have given this to many people over my lifetime.  I hope I still have my personal copy.

As A Man Thinketh, by James Allen.  You can find a lot of YouTube videos about this short book.   There are audiobooks on YouTube and in libraries.  I also found an updated version at a Barnes and Noble bookstore, which I sent to one of my sons.  I like the smaller classic edition.

I will have to look for my special collection of these kinds of books.  I have most of my belongings/books in storage boxes because of my downsizing efforts.

I have been slowly collecting notes I have about making goals and the goals I have had over time.  I am going to create a Master List again... or try to.  I have quite a lot of goals, small and large.

In some of the materials I have read or listened to, the idea of deciding on an amount of money has been important.  I have never been able to settle on any kind of amount because of my poverty and knowing there was little I could do without a decent amount of start-up funds.  I am trying to decide on an amount this time.  That will take time.  It will be beyond anything I would ever expect to receive, which is not part of the faith equation.  It could be I handicap my efforts before they begin.  I will have to think about this as I try to decide on a realistic amount to begin developing Working Together.  For my own goals, the amount would be smaller.  :-)

That is the content of my life right now.

I have also considered re-doing a challenge I did many years ago... deciding what I would do with a million dollars (I say tax-free!).  I am wondering what I would say this time.  Would it be enough?  

The government would take a lot of it for taxes and my school loans, so that is why I have to decide if it is really a whole million dollars.  (This is why I only buy lottery tickets when the prizes are very huge... there would be money left over for everything else.)

What would you buy with a million dollars?

I say most regular people will buy a new house, new car, and share with their kids and other loved ones.  After that, it becomes a personal focus... what charities they like, etc.

It's hard to separate money from all the things we want in our lives.

That why GOD tells us the choice is always between GOD and Mammon (money).

Well, that's about it for today.  Talking about the effects money has on us is depressing for me.  It reminds me of all the good things I wanted to do.

Until next time,

Deborah Martin 

Pondering what has to be done first to save America...

 

New design for this election season.

I have been thinking about our nation and all the problems we face.  This happens at the end of every month when I wrap up the current month and start planning for the next one.  All of my income is controlled by the government.  I never really know if I will have my retirement funds or my food benefits.  I live at such a low level I can't get ahead of living needs to protect myself.

For me, the most urgent problem is the DEBT of our country.  It pays for those who have no other options.  It isn't only me. 

I imagine this creates ongoing stress in my body.  I don't know how to evaluate it.  

This repeated danger is why I prep as much as I can.  I don't have enough food to last one month, but I try to figure out how I would survive if there was a real crisis.  I don't have extra funds to cover my cash expenses.  I fear being on the streets again.

This is another reason I am trying to use up my collected supplies from earlier efforts.  Sorting through my belongings to reach the least amount.

There is no warning if banks close, if benefits stop, if the power goes off for a long time, or any other unexpected disaster happens.

As long as the government keeps printing more money, our nation is in greater and greater trouble.  Printing more money makes what we have less valuable and creates the inflation that hurts us all.

Lowering the DEBT is the best thing we can do to help all of us.  What does that mean?

When everyday families have to fix their budgets, it means spending less, doing without, saving more, finding alternatives for the things they need, and more.  Reducing, not increasing the things they spend money on.  No credit.  Prioritizing.  

I think reducing some of the wages in government, not increasing them, would be a good start.  Reducing benefits to what is most essential.  If poor people can survive on the little amounts they do, then others can too. 

Minimum wage for our government legislators and employees might get it raised to a decent level.  

The same medical benefits as the poor might be fair for government legislators and employees.  

It all depends on what you call fair.

This all leads into the idea of socialism, but the cause is different.  We are trying to save our nation for a better future. 

I tried to suggest selling a collectible coin to raise funds ONLY for eliminating the DEBT, shoring up Social Security Retirement Benefits, and saving money for the next disaster, but no one seems to think it will work.  One trillion coins, packaged and numbered, for a minimum price of $50.00 USD, with the better numbers selling at a higher price for the wealthy to purchase.  Selling them before the economy falls is essential.  It doesn't matter after we see bankruptcies.   

It would be an historic event.  

If it works, it will be even more historic.

What do you think is a fair amount for people on government benefits to receive?  It is a small amount for me, but when it is multiplied by millions in need, it becomes a large amount.

The government has decided what is necessary.  We have no say in the process.

Food.

Shelter.  With Kitchen and Bathroom.

Utilities.  Water.  Heat.  Cooling.

Clothes.  Shoes.  Warm coats.

Transportation.  By public transit or personal vehicle.

Furniture.

Household items.

Cooking and Refrigeration.

Education.

Basic medical benefits.  Like eyeglasses.  Hearing aids.  Dental care.  

I think that is about what poor people are allowed to have, or receive from the government if they qualify for it (medical, food).  The government doesn't just give people what they want, or think they need.  You get what the government has decided it will provide.  This is important to remember.  

What happens in countries where socialism is the rule?  I have no idea.  What is it that some in our nation want us to become?  How do they measure BASIC human needs in the countries that already operate by government control?

If our government succeeds in making our nation a socialistic way of life, what will it look like?  The government will control everything and provide what it says we need.  

It's a scary thought.  Freedom is very different than Socialism.  Or Communism.  Or any other form of government.

We are getting less and less free as every year goes by.  It's a very slow change I see... like the frog in the kettle that doesn't know it is being cooked.  The water just gets hotter and hotter and hotter, until the frog dies and becomes a meal.  

It has always been a battle.  I think the idea of socialism is what makes it so desirable for some... it sounds good.  The problems come in the real application of it.  It becomes something different -- people in government get a lot and the regular people are kept poor, under control by what they don't have.  

How can we save our nation?

Who will lead us in the direction of freedom?

How do we get rid of our current DEBT and become financially healthy, strong enough to overcome whatever lies ahead?

We better find an answer soon.  

In Christ, 

Deborah Martin

work2gather.us

When I spend more than I planned to...

I went shopping yesterday.

I had a list.  I had a budget.  Then I "siezed the opportunity" to get things I needed or wanted or that had been on my "list" a long time.  And I had my "treat" meal for lunch.  Now I have to recover my budget.

It was fun!  I hardly ever spend money like that, but it seems to happen every now and then.  I don't really regret doing this, but it does require some recovery efforts.

I am hoping to make some online sales from the money I spent, which makes it an investment in my future.

Right now, though, I am working on my income goals and strategies.  I have my goal statements for the year now.  I am trying to build up my Etsy sales, increase my Patreon supporters, my check some items off my Bucket List.  I need MONEY!!!  I think all of this kind of builds up and then I go shopping with money available to spend.  :-) 

I could have spent more than I did, and that would have been a very serious problem.

Christmas is coming and I need to get some items made to sell in the season.  Every year I try to do this, and every year I seem to fail.  I hope to change that this year.

With my new venture into creating and selling artworks, This year may be different.  I can create lots of items to sell online, especially with some of the new tools and supplies I bought yesterday.

So, did I really commit a financial crime?  I don't know.  It depends on what happens now.  Once I get my items done, listed online somewhere, and sold, it may prove to be the best year yet.

I have always lamented that GOD has not provided what I seriously expected Him to provide.  Keeping my efforts within a boundary I can deal with has been the core issue.  There have been so many times GOD could have blessed my finances and efforts to build my income and Working Together's.  At this point, I am not sure what to expect.  

I still have LARGE goals, dreams, hopes... and still wait for GOD to bless my efforts.  

I really wanted to win those BILLION dollar lotteries.  I could have spent it really good.  :-)  I have been waiting all my adult life (mostly) to spend money on Working Together, Christians, and people in great need.  I have a lot of plans that just need money.  (Like everyone else, including every church or ministry.)  I still look to GOD to provide for them somehow.

I guess all we can do is keep going, keep trying, keep praying, keep hoping...  We are GOD's servants and His Plan is all that matters, even if we don't understand it.  

I am sure GOD has reasons for what He does and doesn't do.

Keep your faith in GOD, He will provide what we need to accomplish HIS Will.

In Christ,

Deborah Martin

https://work2gather.us

FAITH FRIDAY :: Preparing for Christian survival.

 I was just sending a reply to AFA about government legislation & LGBT issues...asking what the Christian Community really needs to focus on as Prophecy becomes reality.  It is always on my mind.  

How hard do we fight?  

Where do we put our tithing dollars?  

We have many ministries, including churches and global organizations, and the income we use to donate is getting harder to find.  People all over the world depend on US charity to exist.  Persecution will bring more need and less resources.  How do we prepare for that reality?

I have my thoughts.

This problem is why I started Working Together (WT) many many years ago.  The poverty GOD put into my life showed me the problems that were going to become important in the future.

• One big issue is the fact that non-profit status has become a tool of Satan to silence the church.  -  I like to point out that GOD took care of His church before non-profit status.
• Another big issue is that the government is struggling.  It wants more tax income.  One of the main tax-free groups are non-profits.  I suppose that government rule will reach the day when only church-related groups will be forced into tax-paying status, but until then they will have to eliminate all tax-free options just to include the church.

Many understand that the tithe is the first thing to go away in a financial crisis.  We just don't seem to do what GOD requires of us unless forced somehow.  The tithe is one act of faith that shows us what GOD is capable of doing and shows Him we trust Him to keep His Word.  This action is what provides for the church, for its ministers, for its congregations, for its poor.  I vaguely recall hearing sermons that said the church already doesn't tithe.  What will happen when global crises start happening?

As jobs go away just because we are Christians, what will the church of these unemployed people do to help them?  This won't be a small benevolence check, provided once.  I see the need for permanent systems to be created to meet the growing needs of persecuted people, people who never ask until they are desperate, people who look for GOD's provision in other places, people who struggle with their faith when there isn't anyone to be found who will help them.

We all think the "Body of Christ" is our back-up plan.  We believe GOD will use them to help us.  We look to our church as a final resource.  Unfortunately, none of these prove true when the hard time comes.  

I call it a "bottleneck" problem... and the church office is the bottleneck.  The people in the pews can't access the entire church with their needs because (I think) the staff desire all the resource access for their own programs and plans.  There is no established way for the people in the pews to reach the whole church, they have to go through the staff, and there is generally no mention of those things at regular services.

I have to admit I haven't been able to go to regular services for a number of years... things may have changed, but I doubt it, especially with the lockdowns.

I also know that some Christian crowdfunding platforms have tried to meet the needs of the people of faith.  Faith Launcher, which I tried, died and was sold to another platform, which is trying to act as a church fundraiser.  I don't have any information on how successful they have been.

I know that, in my poverty, benevolence funds had limits from $5 to $25, and programs like the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul had limits for different needs.  In times where persecution involves everyone in the church, the needs will be ongoing.  We are not ready to help each other in those kinds of times.

If everyone is poor, will we be ready to share?

My solutions were multiple but (alas!) I couldn't find the funds to get started.  Over so many years and hard times, different efforts, being too weak to ask or do at different times, being homeless and without the necessary resources to operate, looking for GOD's source, trying to find His Plan for WT.  It's a much bigger problem than anyone realizes.

I think the problem is we think GOD's approval is attached to our abundance.  I suppose that is a natural attitude.  We see the abundance of JOB, but not the faith and provision of the poor and ordinary faithful.  When someone like me asks, especially if I am a stranger, my poverty says to the church that GOD is not blessing me... I must be living in sin.  :-)

My point is that the people who have supported a church for entire lifetimes are expecting that church to help them when they have a need, someday.  I don't think the church will be able to meet those needs.

And that is why we have to change.

We have to prepare... somehow.

In creating a farm for food, we are expecting GOD to do miracles when the time comes and we depend on Him for our survival.

In creating businesses we are preparing jobs for our people.

In building up our Missions, we are creating an emergency process.

In organizing our properties for group needs, we are making places for others to live and work and remain a part of our community.  

No one knows what the future holds, but prophecy tells us the path to the Antichrist will not be good.  We can see our own nation becoming something we don't recognize as good, free, brave, or Christian anymore.

One of the things I use to compare the time it takes to prepare is the growth of a fruit tree ::  It can take ten years before it has the fruit you want to harvest to eat.

How long do we have to prepare?

FAITH :: Thinking about what matters...

This has been a different kind of year.

In starting a PRAYER Journal for my kids and others, I began to see things differently.  I added old friends, and included some famous people I have prayed for over many years, and then decided to add ministries to my list.  I prayed for our nation and the election we faced.

The Internet has become a soft porn space, growing toward hard core porn.  I don't watch much TV anymore, but the ads I see when I'm online tell me it isn't a nice space.  I have tried to find some way to eliminate that problem from my life, my internet, my house, my work, but there isn't one that I can find, yet.  

I have to think it's organized crime hidden behind corporations, or the evidence of no GOD in our public spaces... or both.  This matters to Christians and their families.  I assume its a negative application of algorithms, purposeful, violating opposing opinions.  How it exists is beyond me.  I figure it is prophecy becoming reality.

I have spent a lot of time trying to understand the lives of the wealthy, the famous, the "leaders" of our world.  What does it mean to find happiness for them... real happiness.

I was going to title something I wanted to write about this topic "The Blessings of Being a Nobody."  We don't have to worry about being photographed with "casual clothes" and "bad hair days."  I live in my socks most of the time.  I have taken to wearing a hoody sweatshirt so I can pull the hood up when I go outside with messy hair.  :-)  The pressure reaches us all at some level, I suppose. 

I suppose our popular preachers face the same pressures as the public famous.

Since many years ago I assumed I would become wealthy in order to operate Working Together, but that hasn't happened.  I prayed for so many years about the topic of money and the organization of any ministry I might create.  When GOD did not provide the funds I expected, I searched for answers about the why.  

I don't know why.

I have come to believe that GOD has His own reasons for the issue.

I have felt the wars going on in my life over spiritual matters, I just didn't have the ability to fight against them.  I trusted GOD for each day.

I look at the "images" we admire.  I try to find a matching moment in the Bible.  I wonder who will be the ones that Jesus never knew.  They are people who think they are doing all kinds of good things for GOD, for Jesus, for the faith of others.  But they don't make it into heaven.

Finding REAL people of faith in this world is more of a challenge than I ever thought it would be.

Before the LEFT BEHIND series appeared, the only "rapture" was the one at the end of our world's existence.  The Antichrist was the one to fear.  Now we have a world of Christians who are expecting to get out of standing for their faith, dying for their faith, believing in what others tell them without searching for their own answers in the Bible.  

I don't understand the reasons why some are lifted up and others are not.  

TRUTH seems to always be thwarted, hidden, covertly changed, misinterpreted....  What does it mean in our lifetime?  Who do we trust?  Where do we find answers?  With so much technology and the increasing dependence on the Internet, will we really know if what is there is the Truth?

I know what Hollywood does.  I didn't think they would have the same effect in the church, but it seems they do.  We produce our ministries like Hollywood produces a movie, advertisement, freebies to entice us into giving - even when they border on being idolatry. It's really a scary thing when you take the time to think about it.

In my looking more deeply at the lost in our public spaces, there is so much pain.  I don't know what they turn to in their despair.  I have GOD.  I have the deepness of my faith.  I have hope for my tomorrow.  I have faith that there is a purpose to all that happens.  I know the pain of today will help others tomorrow.  I don't see that kind of perspective in the lives of those we see in our news, movies, government, schools, and every other public influence.  How do they cope?  What is the basis for their decisions?  What do they value?

They seem to have more power than those who love GOD, are saved by Jesus Christ, and seek to make the world and the lives of others better.  This is talked about in the Bible, but seeing it in our lives is different.  

The big word is "seem" - like Satan's ongoing battle for supremacy.  Though He doesn't continually make an example of evil activities, GOD has the power to stop them.  My thoughts have led me to believe that the issue of "free will" is the reason.  It suddenly made sense to me when I was writing a statement about Herod.  GOD didn't stop Herod from killing all those innocent babies, but he warned Joseph to flee in order to save the baby Jesus.

GOD's interventions are always as small as they need to be, and work to preserve His Will and/or the lives of important people in the process of faith and history.  Search the Bible and think about how GOD actually moves in our world.  It changes the way you see everything.

So... What matters in our lives?  Faith in the GOD of the Bible.

When we don't have this foundation, life is miserable.  We ache and there is no one to help us.  We look for answers and cannot find them.  We struggle to find meaning in all that exists.  We vainly search for love and truth and hope and happiness.

Those famous people are willing to give up everything in their lives for money, fame, and the lives they are accustomed to.

Their children don't know any different.

How will GOD judge their souls?  I don't know.  

Do they know about Jesus?  I don't know.

They have until they die to find Him.  

We can pray for them, but who will reach them for salvation?

In Christ,

Deborah Martin

FAITH :: Thinking more about the future, making plans for 2021

It's Friday... I'm running late and justifying my post for the start of Sabbath time.  I really haven't quite decided ALL of the boundaries of a Sabbath, so I write letters, write posts, and do things I am wondering about.  No one can just sit and do nothing.  And this is my circumstance right now.  Someday I hope to get better at doing Sabbaths GOD's way... whatever that is.

I finally made my Thanksgiving egg rolls - out of pulsed veggies and thick bean soup I made this week.  I also made bean "dip" out of the other beans I had on hand, for the extra "chips" I made using the last of the wontons.  The egg rolls turned out pretty good.  I fried them as raw bits of veggie, including some rutabaga, and they actually cooked enough.  Add BRAGGS soy sauce and it was a great idea.  I have some frozen now, for later.  :-)

I decided to not go food shopping, so that means using up what I have.  I made soup with a bunch of the frozen veggies I had from earlier shopping... a way to keep it longer and have it available later in the month.  I am trying to see what options I have with my own frozen veggies.  When I buy them in the market, I figure they will last as long as needed.  I don't prep like a commercial business, so I am learning what I can do.

It's time to make the shopping list/s for December.  I have been noticing what went down in quantity and needs to be restocked.  I have been trying to decide how much I need of everything.  I'm hoping to get my back-up pantry to a reasonable place in January, for the 2021 year.  I can't do a whole year yet, but I am trying to get as much ahead as I can.

With CHRISTMAS part of the December to-do, I hope to get as much as I can done the first week of the month.  Mailing, ordering, Christmas cards, decisions about what to give.  I gather all kinds of things and then see what my mailing budget is... sometimes there isn't enough to send what I would like to send, so the choices have to be changed.

I don't get replies from anything these days... online, emails, USPS, etc.  It is a prayer issue for me.  I trust GOD "for the end of this story," so I just do my part and wait to see what happens.  It's a learning experience for my perspectives about GOD... and people. It shows me the problems of internet control. And unsaved people who want to rule the world.  

We assume everything is honest, legitimate, trustworthy, real, private... but, it isn't always the case.  We see how people with no morals put cameras in rentals. The black market grows without our knowledge or permission.  I don't know what that will mean to our future, but we know it isn't going to be good.  Think: It's a Wonderful Life without the good.

America is becoming one of those dark places.

BUT...

This weekend is the end of the month and so many things need to be done yet.  I am still praying about WT and what to do.  I made some decisions about cancelling emails that aren't essential, but I also am going to try a suggestion I found somewhere that says to have a separate email address for all these sign-up options.  That seems pretty wise, and will keep the spam out of the necessary emails.

Monday will have to be the day of decision for me and WT.  :-)  One person can only do so much, especially without the funds to make changes.  I always say that we can only do our best... the rest is in GOD's Hands.

I may see you again on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or...   I need to find a public, Christian, space and this seems to be the best option for me.  It's one of the decisions I am working on.

Patreon.

Etsy.

Twitter.

Faith blog.

That seems to be the focus so far.

WT is meant to hand off to GOD's choice for it.  I just wanted to have more done before that happened.  We can't change the past, only the future.

In Christ,

Deborah Martin

http://work2gather.us

and more...

FAITH :: The power of Money in our lives.

I hate to say it, but I went to bed so tired and fighting off a headache, forgetting it was SATURDAY, and my new posting date for this blog.  So sorry.  I will get the hang of this!  :-)

I have been watching old movies this weekend.

I finally watched a Shirley Temple movie again... Poor Little Rich Girl.  I had no idea it was suppose to be about Barbara Hutton, the Woolworth heiress.  I searched for some info on her as I was linking around and she had the saddest (and richest) life for her day.  The Shirley Temple movie wasn't about that... so I don't know if it was really linked to her. 

Barbara Hutton's mother died when she was 4, and her father abandoned her.  She was passed around and never loved by anyone... throughout her entire life it seems.  She was married at least seven times and died alone in a major hotel where she lived at the end of her life, virtually broke.  One comment made about her was the waste of her money on things that had no meaning, how her life could have been so different if she would have found a passion in some form of community service.

It was such a study in wealth for me.  I really had no idea she existed before the other night.

I am having a hard time thinking of what else to share since I brought up that topic.  Money is the biggest distraction we have from faith in GOD and salvation and values that bring us happiness.

The Bible tells us the biggest choices we have is between GOD and money.

As I have struggled with poverty, I have seen different parts of the battle and why money has such power.  It becomes a tool of Satan in the Christian community as well... in churches, in ministries, in fame, in power, in the hidden pride of what it means as we think it's GOD's approval for our lives.

I created a statement to keep me focused on the right side of this war ::

Money is a weapon or a tool. 

A weapon to hurt, or a tool to help.

It's hard to be without it.

It's a burden when you have too much.

Finding the right place for money in our lives can be the biggest challenge we face.

Well, it's time to finish this.  I will try to do better next Saturday.

In Christ,

Deborah Martin

work2gather.us

and more...

9APR Update - Continuing the #2020Challenge

Monday seems so far away... the days are full, so many little things.  Today is another busy full day, and I am tired.  :-)

I went shopping again later in the day today... some toilet paper was available, but I decided to wait and look for "my brand."  I got most of the other things I needed... except...   I guess I got enough for the current need.  

I do hope there are no people who are suffering in a serious way.  

I use to have to get food at community meal spaces.  And food boxes from those who offered them.  As time went on, the organizations got together to avoid the "scams" of those days.  I am not sure what goes on these days... and I hope I don't have to find out.  I was young then, and my situation is very different now.  I support food organizations as much as I can because I understand the need.

My 2020Challenge is slowly becoming a better plan.  I didn't know there would be so much to learn.  That is the way things go... we think it's easy, just a simple action, and the best results will be ours.  :-)  That's how life seems to catch us and take us forward... I hope it will be forward!!

The time it takes for everything is really a big learning experience.  The "list" becomes more and more important.  You have to "weed out" the things that really cannot get done.  Each day is a new list and a new priority.

It would be easier with more money, but this is the place I am at, so I have to deal with it.  We can only "start where we are" and keep moving.

I made a chart for the year way back in January... to keep track of the new activity and see how the progress went.  So far, it's a blanket of zeros.  That could be depressing, but I see GOD's Hand in what seems like failure... that is why I keep going.  GOD is doing something, I just don't know what it is... or who is involved.

This next week I am heading into more designs and more listings... the added listings are opportunities for income.  The budget this month is crashed unless I get one of those payments from the government for retired people on Social Security.  Depending on how much that is, I may be able to do more than I currently am able to do.  I don't want to plan any funding, but if I have it in hand I will then work on how to best spend it.  (I have lots of lists to choose from.  :-)

If I can, I also plan to update my Working Together website  (work2gather.us) -- it needs links to all its blogs and social media.  I am also working on how to make PDF links for the information and applications that are associated with each program.  Income is so important for the WT Plan that I am again organizing a list of income options for each program.  Then I will have to decide, again, which one to work on first... and that also depends on finances.

Where to put a link for building an Email List has been part of my decision process for some time.  As I update the WT website I will try to find the best solution for that.

I am currently trying to learn the new process for making ADOBE PDFs to make the links for WT and other projects I'm working on.  If I get a stimulus payment, I may go ahead and use it for the ADOBE subscription and see what I am able to do with it.

I am also thinking I will sign up for the Microsoft Office 365... which is less expensive... with my current budget.   I have been working on the options this past week... finding out where I am in my budget and finances and what I can "squeeze" out of it to pay for the subscription.  :-)   [think :: my piggy bank graphic]

I figure we can only budget the money we have...  I guess that is why I keep waiting for GOD to bless... and wondering why He hasn't.

That reminds me... I discovered a typo in my digital listing for my writing called SERVANTS, so I am doing that over and will relist it, and other things, as I learn the ADOBE PDF process.  I will go ahead and share the text here... because I love it, and because I want you to see it, and because it is a good reminder of where we stand in the process of life with GOD.  When I get it formatted, it will look a lot better and be ready to frame and display on your walls.  I may try to offer pre-framed options for gifting... again, that depends on money.

All these better options were (are) planned for growth activities when I got going.... I am still at the beginning.


Each moment, each day,
the mysteries of God unfold.
They surface in the innocent words
and complex actions
of those who share our lives…

Through our families, our friends,
through strangers and His tender
manipulations of our circumstances,
God speaks to us –
if we are willing to listen.

By the same methods
He uses us to reach out
to a lost, hurting world,
and to fellow saints –
when we are willing to be channels
of His mercy and grace.

In all things it is our choice…
to listen, to obey, to be devoted to,
and used by our Lord.

When we live in constant awareness
of the promptings of the Holy Spirit,
Life becomes an adventure
of enormous proportion,
and we become servants
of the One true God.


SERVANTS
by Deborah Martin
work2gather.us


I hope you like it, too.  I never get tired of reading it... even after all these years.


In Christ,
Deborah Martin
work2gather.us
and more.  :-)

19 MAR - The power of CHOICE

Blogging my way to the future... will that create a history of my life? Somewhere... until it gets deleted.  :-)


I listened to a Focus on the Family radio theatre program (Adventures in Odyssey) on losing a loved one tonight... and cried through most of it.  The theme was how families are a mixture of saved and unsaved.  It is so hard to think of the people we love not making it into heaven.  CHOICE is a very huge freedom that is often abused, at another's expense in so many circumstances... salvation, abortion, euthanasia, government, and whatever you can think of.

CHOICE is our word for GOD's gift of Free Will.

The power of our choices is always on my mind these days... lots of prayers about what it means to us in this age.  How DOES God judge our sins, individual and corporate?  We like to think He is the author of everything bad in our lives, but He is not.  Some just happens, some is caused by us, some by others, some by Satan... If I ever find the answers to my spiritual quest, I will let you know.


I have been working on my big plan for this year as I learn new things.  I have been revising some of my goal pages to find a better way to keep track of everything.  Been reading as many articles as I can handle, depending on the day.

I tried my ADOBE account the other day because I found a password from 2010... imagine, I was signed up for Adobe in 2010.  I still haven't signed up for Illustrator, or the whole suite of their products "in the cloud" -- but I will, eventually.  I can do the tutorials until then.

I may sign up for the Microsoft Office suite first, because it is less expensive. I need to make some of my writings into digital selling options.

It is such a financial commitment I find it hard to make the plunge.  I liked it better when you could just buy the products once and then they were yours.  I hate the "cloud" - a false vision of security in the heavens... it is just a big server somewhere.

Been looking at computers and prices.

I like dedicated machines these days. I am thinking of getting a Chromebook for all the GOOGLE products.  Not yet, but when I can.  Money is always the issue.



I came across some posts by Dave Ramsey about surviving a financial struggle like the COVID-19 virus restrictions.  I shared it with those I could on my social media spaces.  You may want to look for information on how to cut back and rebuild... try daveramsey.com for some ideas.  I love most of his "baby steps" in financial foundations.

Many people live "paycheck to paycheck" even when their income is huge.  I love the way Dave Ramsey puts it ::  It isn't an income problem, it's a spending problem.   I know the Welfare version of life, lots of poverty and homelessness, but I can't imagine having huge incomes and not having money for life.  I guess the problem is some version of PRIDE... wanting to appear better/wealthier than you are... keeping up with the "Jones'"  When Ramsey explains it, he says all the money is committed before it is even received because of debt payments... cars, houses, credit cards... thousands of dollars of credit card payments.

One day I thought about my plan to have a credit card with only a $25 payment.  I realized my interest rate would be that much, so I could only carry a debt of $100 to make a payment to fit my budget.  The whole situation became clear to me.  I would have that $100 debt forever because I would only pay the interest every month.

I may try for a reloadable card now.  :-)



With all my reading and trying to make the best options fit into my life, I am slowly finding a path through this CHALLENGE.  I may post one-topic updates at my PATREON page, and then do a mixture of topics here.  I am still thinking about it, but that is my latest solution.  One topic might be better for everyone... you, me, anyone who finds my page.



I have created a folder to collect notes about what to share.  Nothing in it, yet, but it is right next to my computer space.  It should work great.  I was so busy today I didn't even get time to make a list of topics for this post.  I hope you will stay with me as I transition to better writing.


Let me find a graphic to share for today, and then I will be gone.
Pray that GOD will  "plow the field" for me  (from INDEPENDENCE  DAY) so I can just get going with my dreams.  I need so much, I really hope you will help me.

In Christ,
Deborah Martin

work2gather.us
etsy.com/shop/work2gather
patreon.com/DebsRetirementPlan

Giving Tuesday, 27 November 2018

Giving Tuesday.

I tried to do my giving early this year... so I'm kind of done already.

I hope all your best charities have all they need.

I checked my emails just a bit ago, when I finally turned my computer on, and there were a LOT of giving pleas.

I have read and heard that this end of the year push is "Black Friday" for everyone... business, ministry, etc.  I wonder about my own efforts to provide resources to people in need, myself included, and see the need for changes in how things happen.  What can I do?  I don't know.  I'm still looking for those answers.

I hear that the tithe is hard to find in most churches.  It says something about the priorities of people who claim to be devoted to, and trusting in, the GOD of the Bible.  I tithe.  But I don't always tithe to the church... one church.

I use to attend more than one church at the same time... trying to be involved in different places and denominations.  Sometimes I was checking them out to find out what they were like.  Other times I just liked the church.  I would share my tithe among them the best I could.

Now, Working Together has taken over my tithe.  I don't have much to share, but I pray through every month and decision.  If the commitment to tithe is real, GOD is going to bring it back to me in other ways.

It is hard to explain how GOD provides... we don't really know what will happen, it just does.

GOD appears in ways we don't expect, in places we never expect them, and changes how we believe.

I am always so glad I have faith in my GOD... I don't know what life would have been if I didn't.  It was hard, is hard, and may be harder before I die... but being alive without GOD is even worse... I don't know how anyone survives without faith in something that is beyond human comprehension.

It isn't easy to trust GOD.  I think a lot of people think it is simple.  I suppose it is easier when things go well.  I guess faith doesn't really happen until we are out of control of the circumstances.  When we can't "make" things happen the way we want them to happen.

I don't know why this trend of thought is happening now, but it might be because I shared some thoughts about need and the church with someone a bit ago.

I guess all those email make me wonder where faith is in the process.

I remember hearing the story of a college that was in dire need of a certain amount of money and the people at the top of the structure were praying about the need.  The statement is shared that they wanted GOD to sell some of the cattle He owned and provide for their financial need.  So, as Christian stories go, a cattleman appeared and brought a check with him.  :-)

Personally, I have to wonder about these stories.  As a writer I can see how they work too conveniently.  As a Christian, I love them.  They bring hope and some level of possibility that GOD will provide for your need.

What I do know is that the Bible says GOD has the power to change things.  I often think of the Bible saying that GOD can increase the yield in one field while another will be barren.  This goes with the stories of feeding thousands of people with a few fish and loaves of bread.  And with miraculous healings.  Somehow, the GOD that created everything has the ability to intervene in the natural order of the things He created.  Like stopping the night while Moses prayed and the Israelites fought a fierce battle for their future.

GOD makes things whole... healing lepers, issues of blood, crippled bodies.  He can stop the womb of whole kingdoms when it matters.  Somehow GOD controls the things we think can't be controlled.  Even the minds of men (kings, leaders, judges...).  And I don't think any of this is done by violating the free will He gave Men.  Well, I may have to think more about the womb issues.

I find myself amazed by what GOD does in the midst of our lives, through our sufferings, as we grow in knowledge and awareness of His involvement in our world at so many different levels... faith, prophecy, judgment....

Money is a pivot point in every life... in our hearts... in what we truly believe in.  We cannot serve GOD and serve the god of money at the same time.  We have to choose.  What we choose leads us to different paths to our destinies... in life and in death and in eternity.


I hope to meet the most important people in my life in heaven one day.

Until next time,
In Christ,

Deborah Martin

work2gather.us
Working Together Inc
Building for the End Times

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I pray that you will find your worth in GOD's plan for your life. Amen.

Tuesday, 30 October 2018

I am working on my goal review for 2018 and my planning for 2019 now...trying to find new ways to stretch my budget is always a big deal.  :-)  We need money for everything we want to achieve, pretty much... for something...  -- I guess deciding to have family meals together would mean a change in time budgets, so that might not be attached to money, but it could be if work is involved in the decision.   For me, it is always about space to do things and the equipment I need to get things done.  This is why I am always trying new ways to organize my small space.  :-)

It has been raining here, and will be raining steadily for some days, but I may have a small breather today to get some raking done.  I am moving the leaves across the big yard here to the spaces under the trees.  That will help.  I also checked on one of the berry vine spaces and it is already getting too large and wild!  I need to trim it back a little.  This is my first effort to create a "regrowth" plan for next year.  I will be watching how the patch grows and figuring out how to CONTAIN it!!!

My envelopes for my NOVEMBER letters are ready and I only have three more to do for this month.  I hope to do at least two of them when I am done with this... or by the time I need to get them into the mailbox.

I am working on my shipping issues and finding a solution that might work for my situation.  I think I have one... but not sure.

I discovered a movie about someone in New York (I think it was) who baked cakes to pay her mortgage and taxes and not lose her house.  From the YouTube dates, it may have happened back in 2008 or 2009, but I also saw some videos from 2014 (I think), and news reports captured in YouTube format.  The movie is called "Apple Mortgage Cake" because she made cakes to get the money to pay her debts and save her home of 20 years.  I tried to find a free access version of the film, but Pure Flix (.com) was the closest I got... so, now, I have to decide about signing up for it.

The trailer for the movie shows her being forced by government regulations to cease making her cakes in her home.  From what I could tell, so far, she was able to access an approved kitchen somewhere in her community.  Media attention spread the word of her situation and she received lots of orders and made more money than she needed immediately, so she used that to start a full-time business around the cakes.  I am wanting to see the details of the movie... which I never viewed when it was happening... so many years ago.

Selling has always been my financial goal for Working Together's needs because I could never qualify for traditional funding.  I haven't been able to create that yet, but I am always glad to see others succeed at it.  It is really one of the only options the poor have.  Crowdfunding is also a new opportunity for people like me, but it has problems associated with it as well.  I have always hoped to create more options for people through WT because of these hardships for the poor... and membership is the best format for that kind of a program.

I am still thinking about a lot of issues that are related to Christian needs as the world get worse... and the statement I shared in the last blog post  (about people becoming a reflection of their five closest friends) about the importance of schools, neighborhoods, and friends.  News stories that I do hear always become a part of that process.  Election years are always a problem for the process because it is hard to define "good" and "evil" in one person or party or goal.  Bias is called marketing or advertisement or opinion... and truth is so hard to find.  We never really get the truth anymore, and there is so little time to search for it.

Along my path I discovered that the enemies of Christianity used our commitments to eliminate our participation... by scheduling meetings and events at the time we are usually occupied with things of faith.  This was a real "awakening" for me about the unseen battles we face... "covert" attacks is another way of thinking about it.  Nothing you can say is done purposely, but those who are more strategic and committed to their cause against all things attached to GOD, and Bible, and Christianity, created these ways of eliminating participation in important decisions.

If you really understand what the Bible says, you also understand that the world will deteriorate over time, we just don't think of how that will happen.

The Black versus White issues are also focused on the oppressions of the Whites, but we don't really see the anger and hostility and actions of the oppressed...  I have been reminded of some of these things by watching  Remember the Titans  again, but they are also seen in the actions of the gay community toward anything godly.  We just don't hear about them in the media like we hear about the "approved view."  

One example I have notices in music is the "token" white member in an otherwise black band... which is the opposite of the historical view of one black person included in an otherwise white group.  Government can force participation, but it can't create the right heart about anything.  GOD, the real GOD of the Bible, teaches the right heart about those issues we suffer through... and men have changed what He teaches to suit their own needs.

We never really see our own bias/prejudice because we have to approve of our own actions.

Human nature is a big problem... and we are always growing and changing and looking for the approval of our "peers" -- those five closest friends that create us.


I need to get my day started... I may be back... I am trying to find my best path to achieve my goals and I don't know what that will look like yet.  :-)   I love these end-of-the-year reviews... they really make me think about past and present and future.

Until next time,
In Christ,

Deborah Martin

work2gather.us
Working Together Inc
Building for the End Times

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May we all be able to discover what is really true, and to become better people because of it.  Amen.

Tuesday, 25 September 2018

I have been exploring online again... after a day of house things and making some fudge.  :-)  It was the easiest thing to get done, so I made it first.  I am freezing most of it... trying not to eat it all!

And caramels are on the list, too!  :-)  My diet is going to be hopeless!  haha, not really.  I will WIN this calorie battle!  I am getting better and better at it.  :-)

Tomorrow I need to try a bread recipe.  I am out of all those things that are bread options... no bread, no tortillas, no crackers... only pasta... and that gets old.  :-)  I have access to a regular oven, but I am trying to figure out what I can make in my small toaster oven.  I have some black olives and a little grated parmesan cheese left, so some kind of pizza is on my mind.  I think I have a recipe that might work for my small amount needs.  Pizza dough can be frozen, but I haven't gotten to that point yet... maybe tomorrow.

Today I tried to make mashed cauliflower with my frozen bits, but it didn't cook the way I expected it to... next time I will try to make it like you make regular mashed potatoes.  I added some couscous to absorb the extra milk I had in it, and I had added diced onions when I was cooking the processed bits.  It was good, but not what I expected.  I need to learn more about spices, and the flavors I have never tried.

One video at YouTube really inspired me.  It was a bento lunches video with great healthy and simple recipes... I want to try them!!!  I will try to make a link... but if I can't, the name of the channel was Mind Over Munch.  She is still on Facebook, but her Patreon link was kind of destitute.  She has some cookbooks mentioned in the video I watched.  I have to explore her efforts more.

To see her Patreon page I had to sign up myself.  :-)   I have been thinking of trying a Patreon funding option for some time, but I am not sure it is the right option for me.  I think crowdfunding is a better fit for me, IF I can find the Christian community.  I may do Patreon for my personal writing and crafting activities, and crowdfunding for Working Together.  I printed some of the intro pages and will be exploring them.

I guess I have created my own online crisis... I signed up for a bunch of new videos at the places I have been checking out.  I am also checking on CHRISTMAS craft ideas, some I have wanted to do for years.  As I explore I am looking at the way other people do these things... videos, podcasts, photos, audio, etc.  It helps me to think of what I might be able to do in my situation... what supplies I need, how much money I need, equipment and workspaces, and lots of praying for GOD's help.

I have two wreath forms that I have been wanting to make live wreaths with for a few years... each year I haven't found the right trees to cull. And I need to learn more about attaching the branches to the metal form.  I have been watching a lady that does a lot of wreath things recently... learning bows... and trying to decide how to get my wreaths done.  I may send one as a gift... so I need to get that figured out SOON!  :-)  Plastic may have to be my main design feature...  I am not sure.  I have more to learn, especially about how long live branches can last.

I was doing some clearing off of my crafting table-to-be today... My supplies are ready to use for some projects... I just have to find the space to get them done.  So, I am working on that.  I am hoping to create something I would like to wear/use... things I would give as gifts... things good enough to sell... and to be able to ship them.

I discovered tonight that I can create snow globe decorations out of polymer clays... I hadn't realized that was possible, so I need to get busy with that goal.  I love snow globes.  I had one that had a beautiful nativity scene in it... but it went away.  I hope to find one nativity scene for my Christmas decorations... I just haven't found one that is a forever one for me.  Snow globes are not just about Christmas, so I can try to make scenes for other memories.  I am really happy that I can create some unique pieces.  I need to find the best size jars with great lids for snow globes... and then try to make some prototypes.  :-)   Who knows, they may become one of my regular products!

Well, that is where my focus is right now.  Yardwork has not been done since last week... my goodness!  It's not going anywhere...

Until next time,
In Christ,

Deborah Martin

work2gather.us
Working Together Inc
Building for the End Times

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May our lives become what we want them to be, if our goals are good, and honest, and full of love and caring for others.
May our country find a way to be what the ideals it represents to the world have always reflected.
May the Body of Christ become a reality.
May our world find a way to exist with all its different belief systems.
May we see others as equals, as neighbors, as people who might make our lives better... before we see them as enemies, with fear, or less then ourselves.

May GOD provide for those who love Him, myself included.
Amen.

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

I made it through another day!  :-)

It was hot for most of the midday, but I wandered out to the huge blackberry bush... overgrowing the fence area it is in.  Last summer I really cut it back, and this year it really grew back!  I am beginning to figure out blackberry vines though.  I think the flowers need to be waist high... maybe a nice little fence to keep them from the ground.  It was a mess last summer... the berries get heavy as they get ripe so the branch they are on falls slowly to the lowest regions it can... on the ground for a lot.  It is a waste of good food, and I bet there are lots of seeds just waiting to grow in that area.

That was most of my yardwork for the day... about killed me.  I had to take a nap.  Earlier I moved a few branches and other debris, and that didn't help.  I needed to rest after that, too.  I am thinking about an hour of yard work some time during the days... spread out, maybe.  Or only attempting it two days a week... I'll have to see what happens.

Monday I received my Senior Farm Checks.  I got six "checks" worth $4 each from USDA to use at Farmer's Markets through the end of November (this year)… previously they expired at the end of October.  Many Farmer's Markets are staying open year-round now...  and the end of November would include Thanksgiving meals.  I always debate whether to save them, spend a little at a time, or just get the whole thing spent on one visit.  Now that it is harder to get to a Farmer's Market, for me, I will probably spend all my saved Market money at once.

I have only received them since living with my son and his wife.  I think three summers.  I would have to do too much searching for an exact amount.  When I arrived, I only had food stamps, then my Social Security Retirement payments started.  I don't know who else qualifies, by income, but mine is pretty low, so this is a great benefit for me.  I love Farmer's Markets, and organic produce, but it is very expensive for my budget.  This helps me to be able to buy food there.  I look for the best bargains.  :-)

I am sure the future will get better... I hope so.  There are problems I can't overcome yet, but I do my best.  I have just kept trying my whole life.  I don't know what GOD is doing when my efforts don't seem to be blessed, but I know that He is the One that governs my life so I trust the details to Him.  In heaven, later on, I suppose I will find out.

I know I have talked about this before, but we never really know the hidden details of our lives, how they affect the ongoing process of GOD's Plan.  When  you read the Bible, there are always difficult passages that don't fit the "Happy Christian" mantra we often see in our churches today.  People who were important to the times they lived in sometimes suffered greatly, but still were doing GOD's Will for that time.

I know my purpose is important... I just don't know how GOD will bring it into this world.

I realized today that I need to start getting ready for the Christmas selling season, and for the December MEMBERSHIP Drive for Working Together.  I still need to figure out monthly payments and how to structure the benefits for that payment option.  I see more lists in my future... but I am getting better with my daily notebook strategy.  There is HOPE in my efforts!  :-)

I shared some posts at Twitter today on our ideas of basic survival needs.  One of the things I shared is a note I made from some source... I can't remember where I found it and forgot to write it down.  This impacted me in my contemplating of our world and survival... the general idea is that ::

Without air you will only last 3 minutes.
Without water you will only last 3 days.
Without food you will only last 30 days.

These statements are generally true, even though I know there have been some people revived from cold water drownings after more than 3 minutes... etc.  I think there are variables for the water and the food statements related to the individual person.  The idea is clear... there are limits to our humanity, and some things are a necessity.

In one post I asked what "BASIC survival needs" are... and listed a bunch for starting the thought process...  in another post I mentioned the effects of pollution and pesticides on our survival resources, asking what we will do when there is nothing left.

The motivation for creating Working Together was understanding the loss of basic life needs... through poverty, through homelessness, through the effort to survive.  I guess I wondered what other people think BASIC needs are.  You are welcome to respond to this query as well... here, or at Twitter.  Depending on the amount of profit we can create through various programs, the sale of products, and other sources, the level of supplies for BASIC need resources will vary.  As a member focus, I hope that will grow into all that we will need for any area of the world and any difficulty.

Well... time to get going.  I started on my June letters and now have everything I need to send them, so I am busy working to get that list checked off.  Five down, only 21+ more to go!  :-)

Until next time,
In Christ,

Deborah Martin
work2gather.us

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May the GOD of all find your heart and bless your life with something that matters to you.
May our country find peace, strength, wisdom, and mercy in the eyes of GOD.
May we discover there is more that this life, commit our days to GOD, and make the world better.
May life have meaning for each person.
May our joy be in the goodness we share with others.
May we discover the blessings of Truth, and stand for what is right for all of us.
In the holy and blessed Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

I happened on the Food Network today... for the latter part of Chopped Junior, then stayed for a Chopped Redemption program.  I have been checking on the kids that cook on these shows to see what they do... it is really a strange thing to see a young person so into chef-related activities.  I think I was enjoying the lazy days of childhood in my life at their ages.  Some seem to be so focused on being a chef already.  I am amazed.

Today there was a young boy who was recovering from leukemia and treatments.  He had gained a lot of weight in the process.  I didn't see the beginning of the program so I don't know what details I missed.  The kids are so serious about the competition, and the results of a loss.  I suppose there is a link to the whole child-star issues... beauty pageants, child actors, etc.  I don't really know.

Today, I watched  how they took their secret ingredients and made things... food I wouldn't even know about.  The same thing happens for the adults, which are often seasoned chefs already, but looking for an award... and cash.  The kids get $10K if they win, the adults got more (I think... but not sure.), and one commercial said the champion cook-off is worth $50K if you win.  I might try for something to get that kind of money, but I don't think I have any one skill that I could use to compete with.  (I have thought about this in the past, and wondered what I could do if I was competitive.)

I think I am more... I really don't know what I am more of...  I better think about that and see if I can get funding for something with skills I don't know I have.

I have always wanted to just ignore all the flack and start the changes I felt needed... maybe that is the way I look for answers that will work.  Not being competitive changes things...   I loved that part of my life where competitive and cooperative were being discussed... finding solutions cooperatively was heralded at the time as being more productive.  I just want to win the big lottery prize and get it done myself.  What does that mean in this world... I guess it means I'm a "loser."   :-)

I noticed today that the underdog theme is big on TV competitions.  The worse your story, the better the TV likes you...  the boy battling leukemia won... so did the previously homeless man.  When I was younger I tried out for one or more of the game shows.  Some were based on skill tests, others were just audience members of the day being chosen to play the game.  People who bring drama with them are always picked... they help fill the attention spans of people watching... that was my evaluation.  Later, somewhere, I discovered that there was a "formula" for the contestants being chosen... large groups attending usually had ONE person picked (at least), military members were chosen, the wildest and most excited got picked (for drama value), and I can't remember what else was on the list.  It changed my view of the game process.


We are all the product of our life experience... the things that happened to me left a perspective in my mind that would never go away... and would never be there otherwise, if I hadn't had that experience.  The young man who battled leukemia had to stay at home a lot, or in the hospital maybe, but he said that watching Chopped Junior helped him get through his medical ordeals... and pointed his life in a food/restaurant direction.  Poverty propelled me into the need to see changes... somehow, somewhere... and led to creating Working Together.  We are all motivated by our lives... good and bad.

I guess my thoughts are filled with questions and realizations today.  I don't know how to apply all these little pieces of reality to my life right now.  I am trying to work it out.  This "journaling" I am doing is letting you into the process.

I will have to go do some more thinking right now.  Life is at a juncture for me, and I am not sure if I have the ability to choose the direction it is taking.  I want to.  Or, if LIFE takes me on it's own idea of an adventure, I need to be ready for that, too.

Until next time,
In Christ,

Deborah Martin
work2gather.us
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May GOD help us to see our destiny, and show us how to deal with our own paths.  Amen.

It's MONDAY! 16 April 2018

Where do I start... this is really a challenge when I sit to write these posts.  I wonder what matters.

I haven't received my new (refurbished) computer tower yet, so all those questions are still passing through my mind... over and over and over and over again...  I keep wondering if I will need until Christmas to get it to operate!  :-)

I saw an exercycle on a Habitat ReStore post today... no mention of the price.  I wondered if it worked. 

There were some great videos on YouTube to watch... I'm looking for one thing and find a bunch of other topics.  I am finding it so amazing how different each presenter is. 

I found a guy sharing how to screen print t-shirts and he explained it so good... pretty much, anyway.  His name was ....something... Carmichael.  I think the video was from 2012, or something in the past like that.  He showed how to do the emulsion the best I have seen so far.  Now I want to get some of the real stuff and try it out.  He actually used sheer curtan material for his screen.  That will be interesting to try. 

I found the most amazing t-shirt artist that works with little cones of color and fancy lettering shapes.  I was so very glad to see that one... I never would have thought it was even possible.  I save the video to my account, but don't recall her name.  I can still see it in my mind... I can't wait to try that!

What else did I like... well, I think I want the BROTHER Scan-n-cut 2 for my crafting space... and one of the die cutting machines I have seen.  They will really help me create my original designs.  Julie Fei Fan Balzar was acting as the spokesperson for them, demonstrating a lot of the different details of owning and using them.  She is the hostess of MAKE IT ARTSY, a program I found on OPB here in Portland.  I try to watch it when I can.  That is where I saw the PROXXON hobby machines for woodworking.

Got the little bag sealer finally. It has NO ENGLISH on the package :-) so I had to figure out the right size of batteries and how to make them fit.  It wasn't too hard, but I did think it funny.  We get so spoiled.  I often wonder how hard it is for people who don't speak english here... and how terrible it would be for me in another country.

Once I did get the batteries in the right way, it was like instant HOT!  I will try it out on a bag soon.  Maybe this will be my answer to portion control!   (Not likely.  haha)   I will say I was truly amazed at how quickly two small AA batteries got that sealing metal hot.  I think I might be tempted to buy another set.   Maybe another brand to see the differences.

Now that I have a bunch of my food making supplies, I may get to making some of the items I hope to sell in time.  I need to work out a record system to know what products I get and where I get them... so I can order more of the items I like.  :-)

I continue to pray for GOD's mercies on my finances, so I can move my dreams along a bit faster, feel more secure, and get the space I need to function... and all the equipment that is required.   PRAY for me.

That's about all for now.
Until next time,
In Christ,

Deborah Martin
work2gather.us

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May the GOD of all send just a little bit of the universe my way.  Thanks.  Amen.  :-)

PS - I guessed on some of the links above (OPB and BROTHER)...   :-)

Wednesday, 25 October 2017

Another computer gremlin day... I will try to remember what I had already written...  but, remember, nothing is exactly the same as the first time.  We have to deal with these things, whether we like it or not.

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Today was my day out for shopping... long day!  tiring day!  glad it is over day!  :-)  I went because it was the sale day at the Salvation Army, but I got a lot of other things in there, too.  My November budget started today, too.  I did pretty good! 

I found Bill Bennett's "The Book of Virtues" at the thrift store today.  I grabbed it up and will read it as my next book.  It was published in the early 1990's and I heard only good things about it.  I am happy to be reading it now.  I hope to be a better person by the time I finish it.

It is a huge book, with ten chapters on ten virtues.  The first chapter starts at page 19, the end of the main part of the book is at 819.  Here are the ten virtues, in the order the author presents them...  Self-Discipline, Compassion, Responsibility, Friendship, Work, Courage, Perseverance, Honesty, Loyalty, and Faith.  I am wondering if the order is important, and why.  I will probably browse through it  in the days ahead... just to check out his writing style... maybe read the Introduction.

This is a great find for me... I am very happy.  :-)

You may be happy to know I actually looked for some clothes.  I need jeans the worst so I went to that rack first.  I grabbed a pair in the size I think I am, in a S-T-R-E-T-C-H jean  (haha), and bought it after trying it on.  Only $2.50 on the sale day... my kind of price!

I found a wonderful vase, ceramic, lovely colors.  I would share a photo but I haven't found the photo process yet.  I may post it at Facebook... maybe.  I don't know how important it might be to anyone but me.  :-)  I am happy.

I also found two new eating plates to replace the ones I got last time because they developed cracks in them somewhere along the way.  I moved them to my crafting activities.  $1.25 for both.  Nice pattern, Corelle, medium size.

I grabbed up a great throw I found there, nice holiday shades in a plaidish pattern.  It is very warm.  I tried it out watching TV tonight.  I am not sure what will happen to it when I wash it, but it looks sturdy enough... and it is an extra blanket for me right now.  If I ever get a couch again, it will look great.  $3.50 with the 50% discount.

I didn't get much today, but it was over $10... book, pants, vase, plates, blanket... and then my reluctant purchase of an unpriced metal pan lid... with a regular price of $1.88!!!!!  I paid 94 cents.  It didn't fit the pan I hoped it would fit, but it will get used.  I suppose the discount price is OK, but I wouldn't buy it for the full price... it wasn't that great a lid.  There was another one for less and some for more.  No continuity in pricing.  It's my main complaint with every thrift store... they think they have gold, and everyone wants to pay more.  The competition is that a lot of stuff can be found NEW for cheaper.  My fun is in the search for treasures that matter to me, things I need, things I want, a little at a time.

That is my thrift store saga...

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I also took care of November bills, some food that wouldn't spoil while I was shopping, and crafting supplies to try out.  I am always happy to get things I really like. 

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Christmas is in the mail.  I got my letters from INC and Fast Company magazines, owned by the same company.  :-)  Their very cheap holiday option gets me almost every year.  Only $5 to send someone a gift subscription.  I like both magazines in different ways.  I think they help to see what is coming into the business world.  I also have Entrepreneur.  I don't think I will keep my subscriptions because of my time issues and budget, but I am trying to decide if anyone would be good for getting them as gifts for 2018.

Lots of holiday giving appeals have been in the mail already.  I made my list, so that's what I can do for this year.  If God blesses 2018, I can do more next year.

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I happened to see the last hour of the Humane Society's Hero Dog Awards.  I saw the commercials, but forgot to mark it down.  I didn't realize they had programs like that.

Facebook is filled with animal posts.  One of the two stories I was able to see was about an emaciated abused dog that survived and became a Therapy Dog... how they do it, I have no idea!  I cried at what the dog suffered, how badly it looked.  I don't understand why people do these things.

Life is important.  Animals are important.  Babies are important.  Old people are important.  Disabled people are important. We are all important.  We have to find a way to be better than what we have become.

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Today was a necessary day for me.  Not easy, but it had to be done.  Now I am more than ready to go to sleep.

See you tomorrow, GOD willing.
In Christ,
Deborah Martin

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May we all become better tomorrow than we are today.
May our world not overcome our hearts with the great needs there are.
May we find a place of peace in what we can do.
May we trust more in GOD to provide through us.
May we begin to see that GOD moves things around to accomplish His Will, and sometimes it is our stuff that He needs to use.
May life be good, and our hearts be filled with love, and our dreams be good for everyone.
May we count our blessings every day so we don't think our lives are worse than they are.
May we all have a wonderful holiday season, and be ready for 2018.
Amen.

Thursday, 5 October 2017

Another week is nearing an end...

I hear more about Christmas when I watch TV.  So many people and businesses are depending on the giving season to survive.  I think it was someone on NBR that said businesses are expecting a better year than last year.  I don't know if they ever say it is going to be a bad year.  

The rumor of tax reform is said to have made the stock market go up, but the value of the dollar is barely over 90 cents...
How do these things work like that?

Businesses are struggling to find qualified employees, but one woman quit her job to go into a home health aide position.

Billions of dollars have been authorized for hurricane relief, and more is expected to be needed. This is just the second installment payment, in billions.  The fires here in the western part of the country have already cost nearly 600 million... which seems so paltry in comparison...  but you don't rebuild a forest the way you rebuild a house.  It takes a LOT of years to grow a new tree, and ecosystem, and tourism, and beautiful scenery, and recreation income....  In the poor country we are responsible for helping, I think it was Puerto Rico, they have less than 10% of their electicity restored, with the number expected to reach 25% in a month... millions of people suffering there.  We just don't realize how expensive disasters are.  Without flexibility in our budget, they can kill our economy... our money system, I suppose I should say.  That is why the debt has to be reduced.  We don't have a financial cushion to take us through the unexpected.  Think about poor people who have no one to help them, who rely on charity, who have no options... that is what happens when you don't have a financial cushion.  I have been there... but I couldn't print my own money.

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A fun thing happened today when I discovered my son ordered the containers from 21-day-fix!  The little handout that comes with them is really wonderful.  It has food suggestions for each color.  I really had problems with the Healthy Fats container foods.

At only $8 through Amazon Prime, I asked them to order me a set for myself!  I have wanted to buy them for ages and ages and ages... I can do $8.  I had guessed the container amounts per size from exploring them online at many sites.  It's the colors that really make it work.  I found substitute containers to do my portions, but I can see they are just not the same as having the original colors.  :-)  I loved them!  I can't wait to get my own.

The issue of ordering gifts online came up when I asked to have them shipped to me, with my own email for the ebook that comes with it.  I've been trying to deal with this myself, for a long time.  You end up making separate orders for each person... so you can do a ship-to change.  The problem is even worse for digital sales.  I have this problem at Etsy, too.  If you plan to give a digital item to someone, there needs to be a way they can contact the source for replacement issues... especially if something goes wrong in the process.  I want to have my gift registered.  If I buy two copies, do I get one copy with permission to share, or do I need two copies registered to the people they are intended for?  My son ordered two sets, each with a digital ebook, but only received one file copy of the ebook... so does he have a right to copy and share?  How does all that get transferred?  There has to be an email for each file...two copies... but how to register ownership... that is the question.

Again, if I would have had the funds, I would have figured this out long ago...

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I hate to report that I ate FIVE  (5) caramels today!!!   I just couldn't stop.  Messed up my healthy food quest for sure, but it tasted so wonderful.  :-)   I LOVE CARAMELS... soft caramels.  Once I figure out the best way to make them, I will be selling them at Etsy... watch for it!

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I read through some materials online about neighborhood preparedness for disasters and really liked it.  I sent for copies of the materials, and read some of them online.  I learned some good things.  I hope to include them in my efforts to prepare for the unexpected.  You really don't understand how poverty restricts your ability to do things like that.  I saved water in old milk jugs, which was really important.  But food is not really an option... I guess it would depend on what time of the month the disaster happened... you might have food or might not.  These recent efforts have been the first time I could get ahead like this.  So I hope the disaster I might face doesn't take them away.

Are you ready for the things you see on TV news to happen to you? 

I'm from California, the Los Angeles area, so I know about earthquakes.  I never suffered complete destruction from one, but the fact that you never know when something like that will happen has never left me.  I suppose that is why saving water has always been a priority for me, especially when I was with children.  Here in Oregon they are expecting the BIG ONE to happen, too.  The fault line goes all the way up the west coast, to Alaska I believe.  If we make it through the main event, maybe we will be able to survive until things get better.

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I was reading about how to put photos into the blogs.  I will have to try it after I figure out how the instructions work at my blog site.  Maybe by next week I can share photos of some of the things I want to talk about.

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Guess that is about all for now.  I may start adding posts whenever something needs to be shared, but I haven't decided on that one yet.  I would be too attached to the process... that changes the dynamics of this effort, and I have other things to get done.  It may evolve as I get older.

Until next time...
In Christ,
Deborah Martin

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May GOD watch over us and lead us in His Truth to the best that we can be.
May our hearts be worthy of His Love, and our lives express the goodness of our hearts.
May we all find peace and joy, love and forgiveness, time and meaning in our lives.
Amen.