The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director. Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year. God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...
Today I was privileged to be in attendance at an absolutely amazing tea for senior pastor's wives, (thank you, Marsha!) that was held at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota. As the host from the Ritz welcomed us he said, "and today we are especially blessed to have with us as our special guest, Mr. John Harney, founder and owner of Harney & Sons teas". Everybody politely clapped but I was about to scream like I was at a Doobie Brothers concert. Seriously. I don't think these ladies realized how amazing an honor this was! This man is responsible for my favorite tea EVER and to me he is a celebrity. So, I said to my friend Joy, "Do you think it's completely dorky that I'm going to and ask for him to get a picture with me?" She says, "Absolutely not! I think it's awesome! Give me your cell phone..." (It was all I had with me.) So I said, "Hello Mr. Harney, my name is Deanna Shrodes and I really hope you don't think this is utterly ridiculous by I would be so honored if you would take a picture with me! You produce my favorite tea EVER, Paris Tea!" His face lit up with a smile and he said, "Oh my, you have just said the magic words!!!" He hopped up, ran over to a briefcase that was across the way and grabbed samples of Paris tea. I told him, "this is not only my favorite brand of tea, but my friend Kathryn's as well! We are huge fans." He said, "Here, take a sample for her too!" I said, "You do realize we will not drink these, Mr. Harney. We will save them as something treasured because they came from you." He seemed so delighted by that. He took a photo with me and hugged me.
Meanwhile Kathy Powell was sharing with me that Mr. Harney actually presents teas for the Queen of England! Can you believe that??!!
This was so amazing today. After the Ritz served us high tea, Mr. Harney came up and shared a few special things with us about tea such as the four types of tea, how to make a perfect cup of tea, and the health benefits of tea. He had no idea he was going to be there and we didn't know he would be there either -- this was a total spontaneous "God thing" and how awesome!!!!
After we took the picture all my friends said, "Okay, we know you are itching to blog about this, right?"
Abso-FREAKIN-lutely!!!
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Abso-freakin-lutely!