Cleaning house

Ok I'm getting serious now...I've decided to part with my blackberry. I love it but I think I'm becoming addicted to it. If I'm not at home or work where I have internet than do I really need it? I just told a friend the other day that when I stopped smoking 3 years ago I told myself I'd never let anything control me again and this does, I look at it all the time no matter who I'm with...it's a BIG want not a need so I'm parting with it to cut expenses and make life simplier! We are also selling 2 other phones. They are US Cellular phones and work great. These are our asking prices but we're open to any reasonable offer.
1) Blackberry Curve in red $100.00
2) Motorola ROKR $50.00
3) Motorola RAZR2 V9 $50.00 OBO

Blackberry


ROKR



RAZR2 V9



I also just listed the DVD player on a few websites and plan to direct everyone here for pictures so I don't have to keep emailing them out :)

They can both watch different movies, each screen has a remote and 2 wireless headsets with 9 in. screens.

We have tested both players. We're asking $100.00 obo.



We also have a twin captians bed with 3 drawers, there is no headboard and a matching 5 drawer chest. Mattress is like new and always was protected. No stains, super clean. $350.00 OBO

We're Opening on Monday

I know I said I'd be back with pictures of the nutritional club days ago and I never showed up. I have been super busy getting things ready for our Grand Opening. Everything is ready to go however I plan to make one last run to Sam's tomorrow to get frozen fruit, glasses, lids and pudding...everywhere I go I grab every pudding flavor I need, it's a great conversation starter when I check out. Never fails every time they say what are you doing with all the pudding so in return I give them a FREE Shake card!

Our sign has been through many drafts and we finally decided on one tonight. The gal who's doing the sign is also doing a wall in the club that says...changing the way you live, one shake at a time and also the decals on the Denali. She does great work!



I'm nervous, scared and excited all at the same time but regardless of those feelings we are opening on Monday, August 3rd and we will be open Monday - Friday 7am - 3pm. Our Weight Loss Challenge will start shortly after our Grand Opening.

So besides being super busy with all this we don't have any other great news. Jamie is still working long days and boys are enjoying the last few weeks of summer vacation. I'm really on the ball this year I already have them registered for school!! yippee for me, usually I have to mail it in because I completely miss registration.

Adoption News...the wait continues and we are almost to 2 months...however I know that God has our daughter in His hands and tonight I want to pray that He watches over her and that she gets the best care possible until the time comes for us to meet her. God is good and He always as a plan...a perfect plan!

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord...

We're moved in

We had a busy day moving our office and supplies into the club today and we got everything moved but we didn't get everything organized. It's really coming together and everyday I get more excited to open. I planned on posting pictures from the day but we left the camara at the club so I will try to post them tomorrow.

We are still waiting on the plumber and my plan is to give him a call on Monday to check on his time frame, if he gets there next week we plan to open the 1st week of Aug. We originally planned to have our Grand Opening Aug 1st which is a Sat but we will not be open on Saturdays so we've decided not to have it on a day we'll be closed. I will know more on this after Monday.

We don't work in the club on Sunday's so we plan to make a run to Sioux Falls tomorrow to pick up a few final items. I was hoping to get to Hobby Lobby but they're not open on Sunday's so I may have to run there during the week, I'm looking for one of those ladder like standing shelves so I can display some products. For anyone that likes Hobby Lobby like I do you can print a 40% off any regular priced item coupon online and you can use one a day Yippeee! We need to get more pudding and extracts and a piece of oak from Menards, I'm going to cut out the Herbalife logo from wood, stain it and put it on the office wall so you see it when you come in the front door. We really wanted a 2nd mixer however the funds were low since we're doing this without credit cards/loans or lines of credit so I sold a KitchenAid Mixer that I had and never used. Thanks Craigslist!! We decided when we started that we would buy everything used to keep our cost done...our goal is to help other people who are interested in owning their own business and be able to to it with a low investment, and we believe in order to teach people how to do that you need to do it 1st.

Jamie and I have grown really close in the past year but God had a plan when you opened our eyes to this oppurtunity...this is "our" business and we are becoming better partners...partners for life. I own that man a huge thanks for putting in hours after work to get this started. When I 1st told him I wanted a store front he was cooking and I was sitting at the island and he turned around and looked at me with a look that said ...you'r nuts! I left it at that partialy because I thought maybe he was right so I prayed about it and I just knew this was the next chapter in our life that God wanted us to take so I said to him again that I wanted a store front and without hesitation he says than let's do it. He's a wonderful man and even thought he wasnt sure about my choice he was willing to support me. I love him and thank God for him every single day.

Have an amazing Sunday!

He did it again...

Dear Lord Jesus, what have I done to deserve all you've given to me? I am so thankful God never needs to be paid back...if that was the case I'm in too deep! We're besides ourselves over here, we've been notified that we were approved for our 1st grant and it was more than we ever expected. When W. from our agency called to congratulate me I'm not sure which one of us was more excited.

God is opening doors one by one and we owe a very heartfelt thank you to the Lord and Katelyn's Fund. Thanks for making our dream of taking a child from an orphanage who has nothing and give them the love of a family and show them what a wonderful Savior we have.

Again Thank you for your gracious gift, words can't express how much we appreciate it!

Another days work

Before I tell you what we got accomplished at our nutritional club I have to share something cool I read on a sign today. It said...God will never require more than He can provide. Now that is super cool and the greatest thing is...it's true!

We're so close to opening the doors of New Life Nutrition and I'm more excited than ever. After Jamie got off work tonight we went to Sibley (30 miles away) to pick up a fridge I found on a local classified website, not craigslist this time. You have to be careful with craigslist, sometimes they sell things and if you don't go claim it that night they might sell it to someone else and sometimes they tell you it's still for sale and to come look at it but they never reply with their address...hummmm. Anyway I actually thought I found a fridge last Friday and that deal fell through which turned out to be a good deal for us because this one is newer/cleaner/nicer and cheaper. We got back with the fridge and still had a good part of the night left so I cleaned the fridge with my favorite...bleach, Jamie nailed the trim on that I stained and varnished and than he textured the wall in the spots he repaired so I can paint tomorrow. Mom was over but we still haven't decided on color so I guess I'm left to figure it out alone. If I get the office and the dining area painted tomorrow hopefully the carpet cleaner can squeeze us in so we can start moving things in this weekend than all we will be waiting on is the plumber.

Our website is up and running.... www.newlifenutrition-ia.com





I don't have any great news on our adoption like we got "the call" or anything but I have to share this exciting news. We have Delta Dental so I called customer service the other day and after being transferred 100 different times I finally got to a gal named Cindy who I had to leave a message for so I told her about our adoption and that we were looking for things to take along to the orphanage and was wondering if they would be interested in donating toothbrushes. After I didn't get a return call I told myself I was crazy and they weren't going to call back...I was wrong! Cindy called today and was more than happy to supply us with toothbrushes for the orphanage. See what I mean....God is moving all around us, every single day we just need to acknowledge the door He's opening and move through it. That completely boosted my confidence so I've now emailed Aqua Fresh for toothpaste, heck what's the worst that can happen...They could say No but than I'll keep asking until I find someone who will. I'm also interested in diapers and formula (not liquid) so if you work in a place that offers any items like this please check with someone in charge and see if they would be willing to donate to the orphanages and we'll pay for extra baggage if we have to to get them there.


Remember to thank God for all the gifts in your life and most important remember the reason He gives you life....to serve Him!

Love Jill

Silly me

I've been busy posting pictures to Facebook of our nutritional club and the thought never crossed my mind that I also need to post the pictures to my blog cuz not all of you are on Facebook. I tell you, I think I have too many things going on or maybe it's that technology is taking over my life. haha

We have been busy getting our nutritional club ready. Jamie and I have been working on it at night, we promised ourselves when we started that we wouldn't work past 9pm during the week, 5pm on Sat and no Sundays no matter how far behind we got. At 1st I thought oh man how are we ever going to get everything done on this kind of time schedule, well it's happening and God is making it happen. We keep our priorities in line and He takes care of us!

When we started we hoped to open Aug 1st but after we figured out everything we needed to do we changed it to Aug 15th. Since than we got into the building 10 days early, plumbers worked us in right away and everything, I mean everything feel into place so we are back to Aug 1st. We are hoping to have friends and family over some night before our Grand Opening to experiment with shakes and try new flavors. I will keep you updated through the next week and if your local make sure you ask me how to get a free 16oz smoothie!

We believe this opportunity couldn't of come at a better time for a lot of reasons. I prayed months for God to show me the plans He had for my life and my career and He did, He has blessed me and my family beyond words.

I still believe this is happening so fast because God is about ready to reveal a precious gift to us. Russia is slow on referrals until about mid to late Aug. so by than we'll have almost a month under our belts, we have a gal who's interested in helping out in the club and we'll be ready to continue our journey to Smolensk. That's God!

A Orphan's Prayer

I am waiting…somewhere far, far away…on the other side of the world.
I may not know who you are or what you look like.
But somehow, deep in my heart, I know you are out there.
That one day you will come and find me.

It's a long journey, and it takes a lot of time.
I wish it could be easier.
But I know that the ones who come for me will not count the cost.
They will only see the joy of finding me.

For now I abide in the fields of the fatherless.
Day by day wondering, "Why was I born here and not somewhere else?"
Asking, "Why couldn't my life have been different?"
It is so lonely…

Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of other children,
I know that something is missing.
I know in my heart I need a place to call home.

My arms long to be wrapped in a father's embrace…
I long to be saved by a mother's love.
Gazing out the orphanage window, I offer a prayer of hope,
"Oh God, please help them come quickly."

Even as I lay in the darkness each night somehow I feel assured.
That no matter how lost I appear I am not alone.
Holy hands guard my steps; sacred fingers wipe my tears…
Touching my lonely heart.

The one who made me,
The God who knew me before I was born,
Hears me every time I call.
He whispers His promises in my ear.
I listen with hope to His voice.

But what I worry about most is that no one wants to look for me.
The fields are vast, and there are so many scattered all over the earth.
I wonder how one little child, so lost, can be found.
Yet He calms my heart and assures me that He will find you.
That He will make sure you hear His voice clearly.
He has promised me that He will make a way through the fields.
That He will personally cut a path, and lead you right to my orphanage door.

My prayer is…
When He speaks, please don't forget to listen.
When He calls, don't be too afraid to go.
For I am waiting…somewhere far, far away.

A few things for sale

I was listing some things on ebay and craigslist today and I thought I'd offer these items to you before I list them. If anyone is interested let me know otherwise I'm going to list them. I've been making some decent extra money from ebay and craigslist so now I'm on a mission to find things of value we don't use :0)

1) Portable DVD players. They can watch both watch different movies, each screen has a remote and 2 wireless headsets and 9 in. screens.

I know they work because Jamie and I were just sitting in the vehicle watching Elf...that's the movie that was left in them hehe. We're asking $100.00 obo.




2) Pro Form 530x Treadmill. It's probably 6 yrs old but used mostly to set things on! It got used the most right after the new year....you know New Years resolutions just never stayed committed. It inclines, has 10 speeds, calculates heart rate and calories burned, folds up for easy storage. Asking 300.00 obo.....ipod not included HaHa!



I would be willing to ship the DVD set.

One step closer...finger prints for I600A complete

Wanna come play?

I feel I am exceptionally blessed to have a hubby like I do and our boys and future children are blessed to have such a wonderful dad. In my opinion not too many men would leave early on a Sat. morning to go 70 miles to tear down a play set, bring it home and set it back up but mine did. He's such a trooper and he very seldom complains! It's been a long time since we had little children things around our home and I'll admit it we're both having a lot of fun with it. The people we got the play set from where gifts from God....they also gave us a potty step and a like new very nice car seat. It's so fun to watch as God puts such wonderful people in our lives.

The guys had fun and I know at least 2 of them actually went down the slide and now that it's set up in our backyard I'm shocked at how much our boys use it. Yesterday Jamie was napping and I heard Tristan ask Austin if he wanted to go outside so I looked out the window and sure enough they we're sitting in the fort talking :) They made me so proud. I joined them with the Sunday paper and the bench that I thought was a waste actually is going to be really handy. My mom came over last night and we both sat on it while the boys swung.











We have our appt at USCIS for finger printing tomorrow and since Jamie will be taking 1/2 day off we're also going to pick up a few items for our Nutritional Club. The plumbers started today and are waiting for the sinks...I ordered them from ebay because the plumber's price for sinks almost knocked me off my chair. I've been busy on craigslist trying to find a refrigerator and microwave. We trying to get all used low cost items to get us started, we want to be duplicatible for our down line and buying the nicest most expensive is not duplicatable for most average people. We want people to believe they could also live the dream of owning their own business while changing the health of people all around them. We would love to help others open their own Nutritional Clubs as well so if your dream is to work for yourself with no more lay offs I'm more than willing to help.

We still have a goal of having our Grand Opening Aug 15th if not before. We are actually way ahead of schedule because we weren't suppose to get into our place before July 15th. A friend called today and she said maybe things are moving fast so we can get open and running because God has our children ready. God is so smart!

I Pray You Enough...

Do you ever read something for the 1st time and it's good but it just don't "sink in" or "hit home" and then later you read it again and it's like Ahhhh I get it. That's what happened to me....I got this through email from my Aunt Carol yesterday and when I read it I was like yep that's really good and on with life I went, today I got the same email from my one and only sister Gina so I read it again and something different came from it for me. It was a greater appreciation for the people I have in my life that I love and that love me but more than that it's prayer and I think that's why it sorts kinda me different to day. I've been struggling the last week trying to find the balance, from working full time from home to starting a Nutritional Club away from home to family time to daily life and prayer. Sad to say the last yet most important one is the one that seems to get more and more neglected....prayer! I know I need my alone time with God and right now I'm not getting that so please pray me enough time to spend at least 15 - 20 mins in prayer everyday and I will pray you enough.

******************************************************************************

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough.'

The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.'

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'

'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

They say, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.

To all my friends and loved ones,
I PRAY YOU ENOUGH.......

3 Part Post

It feels like forever since I posted and so much has happened so this will be long. I'm going to cover updates on Family, Business, and Adoption. Family first...We decided to spent the 4th of July weeeknd by my sister and her family in MO. This was kinda 2 part because we left on Thursday morning since Jamie got Friday off, spent the night at my sisters and early Friday morning Jamie and I headed to Topeka KS to train in a Nutritional Club. The boys spent the day with Gina and her 2 kids. On Saturday Gina, Ava (Gina's daughter) and I hung out at home in the morning and then headed out to do some shopping. The guys all went fishing. We got called once to come pick up the 2 youngest but then the fish started biting so they decided to stay. Saturday night we grilled out and did fireworks, I think the adults had more fun with this than the kids. Ok I have to tell you....I proved to myself that I can still flip upside down on monkey bars! haha Jamie said it didnt look very graceful and the kids laughed. He got a picture half way through but if I posted that I'd never be able to show my face again. Sunday we got up for church, had brunch at Hy Vee and headed home. I loved the table and chairs that Heather had in her club so we stopped at Nebraska Furniture Mart on the way home it pick 2 up. Jamie thinks we should plan the 4th of July at the Spiller's every year. Little surprise for you sissy I forgot to tell you that! haha I was just looking thru the pics and I forgot about the go cart. That was a blast. It was an awesome weekend and here's the proof.

This is by far NOT my best picture but who cares we we're having so much fun! My sister and the kids doing fireworks. I think my sister was actually making sure no one took her snakes. You know those little black thingy you light up and they grow...she loves them hehe

We were able to get in the building tonight where we will be opening our Nutritional Club. We got cabinets set and the counter top is setting on the front counter however Jamie is going to cut the counter top and raise some of it. The table against the wall is only there to give us an idea of space because the fridge will be there. After the cabinets are screwed together and to the floor we also have to get the plumber in there to hook up sinks and drains. Jamie is going to tile the floor in our work space to be in code with the health dept because it needs to be hard surface. We weren't going to paint but after everything is moved out it could use a fresh coat. iwireless was previously there and they had a lot of stuff hanging on the walls. Our outside sign is being made. Everything is moving along great...better than planned...our original plan was to start setting cabinets July 15th. We planned to open August 1st but mid August is looking closer. I took this month off to get our Club running. I love the freedom, for almost 2 yrs I worked 13+ hour days with only Sunday off. I'm doing things around the house I've neglected, getting things lined up at the Club and spending time with family.



Adoption....Big News...we're waiting! We are so busy right now the wait don't even bother us and to be honest we're hoping to get the Club opened and running so that when we leave for Russia someone can run it and we won't have to close. I talked to W. today and she said the summer months are slow and picks back up around Sept. I told her that was good, gives us time and she said well we never know about that referrals still come in. God knows what He's doing so whatever happens is done by His will and will work out!

Awhile back I posted that we thought we found a swing set we wanted, that ended up not working but we bought another one. We are moving it home this Sat and I will post pictures of the process. My super duper friend Becky emailed me this picture when I told her we bought one that we needed to move. She knows me pretty well, if this was the only option I probably would try it!

1 full week of fundraising = 3 nights = $553.00 ~ God is moving!!