janiemehaffey

What's Your Creative Financial Plan?

I'm caught up on post-vacation email-palooza and have had an incredibly fun week diving into some Fishhook projects. I have a lot to capture from vacation -- no Internet while we were there. Meant we couldn't blog, but also meant we could just veg. Didn't realize how much I needed that.

Anyway, I had this quick thought today and wanted to get it in writing ...

When I started working for the American Diabetes Association 14 years ago, I became very aware that the way someone with diabetes eats is the way all of us should eat all the time ... low carbs, high proteins, fruits and vegetables.

Last night Matt and I were walking Jeter and talking about the economy. It got me to thinking that in these times when funds are tight and expenses are high, all of us are being forced to live the way we ought to live in any time, including those of abundance.

I read this quote today from Winston Churchill:

"We have no money therefore we must think."

Tight times provoke creative minds. Matt and I are thinking of all kinds of ways to cut costs and increase income by selling things on Ebay, etc. Even though we've been through Crown Ministry classes and are well on our way to freedom from debt, this new economy is forcing us to think even more creatively and strategically.

I'm sure you guys have been provoked to do the same. What are some fresh approaches you guys are coming up with?

Glad I'm Not Indispensable

I'm running around with my hair on fire preparing for vacation with Matt next week. He has the opportunity to preach two Sundays in Orlando, so we're sandwiching some time with Mickey in between.

As I prepared all of my action items for the next two Sundays, I realized how unnecessary I've become for Sunday's Celebration Services ... and that makes me happy. I met with my dear friend Arie this week to go over all the "to-do's" for Hospitality, Information Table, etc. There were no surprises for her because she so "owns" this ministry that she could have put the list together herself. I'm excited to return and slip in as a "worker bee" and let Arie continue to grow as a leader in this area.

Then of course I dumped all the miscellaneous "to-do's" on Bob. He was pleased to know we're taking the cat with us so he won't have to deal with her while we're away.

Although I'm taking no "work" with me whatsoever, I will be taking the laptop and blogging a bit. I have a lot of fun happenings to catch up on in this e-diary, plus being at Disney always sparks my desire to write.

"M-I-C ... see you real soon!"

Don't Expect the Best Towels at Our House

Over the past few weeks, I've been in full nesting mode. We've lived here a year and now that we know our routines and what rooms we use the most, I'm wanting to make our home more of a sanctuary.

So I asked Matt what I could do to make our home feel more comfortable and peaceful for him. After saying he really hadn't thought about it, the lightbulb lit over his head and he said, "I know. Every time I fold the laundry and there's those great big soft oversized bath towels, I get a little jealous that the guests get to use those and I just get the regular size ones."

Ouch. Instant conversation in my head: "Janie, you dummy. Of all people, you as a communications major should know that what you do communicates far more than what you say. You always say that Matt is more important than any other person and here you go throwing him the second-rate towels."

Needless-to-say, for the past week Matt has thoroughly enjoyed the oversized bath towels that greet him each morning.

Now, if you ever come to visit, please know that we will go out of our way to make your accommodations comfortable. But don't expect to have the best bath towels in the house. Those are reserved for the gentleman on the extended stay in the Master Suite.

Kids Win!

I'm on my way to order our new license plate. You guys have been such a great help ... thanks for offering your insights into this decision.

Very soon, Orangina will be donning her new "Invest in Children" plate, beautifully complementing her sunset orange color while also supporting Juvenile Crime Prevention and Early Intervention.

A few clarifications:

-Kristy: We are indeed organ donors and promise to use other outlets to banner that cause!

-Jenina, Jake and Jose: I know you guys miss us, but we are indeed South Floridians now. So we must begin showing our allegiences to the home teams. The Dolphins plate was option #2 for us, but we thought preventing Juvenile Crime could potentially help both causes in raising up football players with strong character.

-Stan: Thanks for passing along the opinions of our current political leaders. If you seek out Condoleezza's vote, let us know. I'm still holding out for her as Commander in Chief!

Your Church Is Missing. Does the City Care?

A blog I read regularly just pointed me to a timely article in Outreach Magazine about relationships between churches and their communities.

The article quotes a Jacksonville minister who asks: "Would the community weep if your church were to pull out of the city? Would anybody notice if you left?"

Through We Love SoFlo, The Pursuit is mobilizing the church to seek out ways to show love ... individually and serving together. We've already teamed up with the city of Pembroke Pines to help their special events department present quality events to families (Francie, on the far right, is the city's Special Event Director. We heart her big time!) And next month we'll collect school supplies for families working with Family Central.

The Pursuit is still a baby, but my earnest prayer as she grows up is that someday she would be indispensable to South Florida.

Meanwhile, with all the congregations we partner with through Fishhook, the newest question in my arsenal of discovery will now be "Would the community weep if your church were to pull out of the city?"

What about your church? Would it be missed?

Sometimes It Just Takes a Girl

Matt is my best friend on earth ... the best friend I have ever had in my entire life. He's the most calming voice when my brain goes all crazy talkie (and even when I talk in my sleep, which is apparently happening a lot more lately).

That said, a girl needs her girls to keep her head completely screwed on.

Today refreshed me:

I lunched at Dolphin Mall with Ali and Klara and
Klara's mom, who is visiting from Guatemala. Between black beans and plantains, our conversation was seasoned with heavy burdens and silly fluff. But all of it lifted my spirit. Ali and Klara are my balcony people. They keep me looking up.

I dined at Chilis with Erin and two gals in ministry at West Pines Community Church. Erin is my kindred spirit in ministry. Our hearts are burdened with impacting people for Jesus in this area. Melissa and Rebekah are right there with us. They encouraged us and validated the unique nature of SoFlo ministry.

Oh ... and Matt's Picks

Now that we're a one car family, I need to remember that Matt has to drive the Beetle too. It's very sweet that he keeps the orange and purple Gerbera daisies in the flower holder when he drives it.

That said, here are his options of license plates to throw in the mix. Feel free to compare to those below and share your feedback.

Help Us Pick Our Plates!

Now that we've settled on which car we're keeping and have worked out the insurance issues (insuring the Beetle is twice as much in SoFlo as Indy … yikes!), we're ready to get our official Florida License Plate.
The challenge is deciding which one to get. Specialty plates are quite the thing here and I'm all about it. But when making our selection, there are two very important factors we're considering:

1) What cause do we want to support?

2) What color of plate best corresponds with the sunset orange color of the Beetle?

(OK, maybe I'm the only one in the family taking the second question into consideration.)

So, based on this criteria, I've narrowed our choices to a few. See them below and weigh in with your thoughts.

a. Support Parenting through The Gathering.

b. Support Organ Donation

c. Support the Florida Association of Food Banks (Evan - this one will be your favorite for sure!)

d. Support Juvenile Crime Prevention and Early intervention:

PS PLEASE COMMENT! I know there are readers of this blog who I don't hear from. I want your vote too!

A Bouquet of Newly Sharpened Pencils

I love shopping for school supplies ... the smell of a new box of crayons (pronounced "crowns" since I'm from Kentucky), protractors and "D" shaped rulers I doubt I ever used, a Trapper Keeper with all its organizational possibilities.

That's why I'm fired up about an upcoming We Love SoFlo service project ... buying and collecting school supplies for Broward County kids in need. This summer we'll have two ways to help: 1. Provide uniforms, backpacks and supplies for kids in specific families AND 2. We'll set up outside Wal-Mart one weekend and encourage people to buy a few extra items while doing their shopping and leave them at the We Love SoFlo table on their way out. Hundreds of families are in need. Make plans now to help!

"I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." Joe Fox, Fox Books

Stuff Christians Like

Outside of my man's blog and a few other friends' and boss's blogs, the "Stuff Christians Like" blog has become a daily read for me. This guy is a riot!

I've been waiting for the perfect post to link to in order to introduce you to this guy. Today it came ...a tribute to the very song for which my blog is named.

Let's hear it for the 4 Natasha Bedingfield fans out there ... 2 of whom read this blog.