Dreaming about a Business

  Now that I've been praying that this particular liquor store will close, I have been dreaming about what could be a business that would be more appropriate in its place.  

I am not prepared to start my own business, but I can dream.  This year I will be 62.  It is time to start thinking about retiring, but that is not what I want to do.  Just think of all the over 65 people that have just gotten started in life with their ideas that they have just been thinking about for years.  

My idea is a store where you can get answers.  A place where customers can find a staff that can find how to do the crafts that they are interested in learning:  heirloom sewing, smocking, machine embroidery, home decor projects, and quilting are just a few of these ideas.  The staff needs to be able to use their computers to find what the customers are looking for and get more ideas.   It needs to be a place where these projects can be displayed and sold.  

In our area we don't have much to offer in shopping for material, sewing products, quilting, or heirloom supplies.  We must drive more than hour to find fabric shops.  We need a place that can give lessons, ideas, and share projects with others.  I would like the store to be an enjoyable ever changing experience.

One side of the store needs to be prepared for a drive-through coffee shop.  Inside a variety of teas can be available with tea cups and sets.  

One part of the store can be set up for vinyl wall art and custom lettering.  I'd like to see a line of sewing machines and attachments available too.  I'd also like to have a long-arm quilting machine set up with a quilt going all the time.

Keep in mind I am dreaming and realize it.  I can see it in my mind.  I can see the products and equipment in the store with the projects displayed.  

Our son, Joseph Consford, told me to get a platform.  He said to read Michael Hyatt's book, Platform.  There is much to get done before I can even do much more than dream, pray, and work on the platform.  

Lets Start At Home

How can a liquor store stay in business in this neighborhood?  

Within a three block circle of the liquor store that I mentioned in my last post are six churches.  Our church, Central Baptist Church, is located on the same block as the liquor store.

 Just up the street is the First Baptist Church.  Right across the street from the First Baptist is the First Christian Church.   

Not only are these two churches beautiful, but they do have a regular attending congregation.  In Center, Texas almost every individual will tell you they attend church regularly.  

Just one block over is the First Methodist Church.  It is another beautiful and popular church in our community.  

Our old church building was purchased by a Spanish work in our area.  They have a growing congregation.  It is located just two blocks away from the liquor store.  


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The newest ministry just two blocks from the liquor store is The Open Door Worship Center.  

Our little country town has a population of just over 5,000 people.  We have over 65 churches inside town or just outside the city limits.  

Can you imagine what would happen if the church going people in our community stopped buying liquor?  Why, I think our grocery stores would even give up selling it.  

We might see revival!

We might not be able to fix everything in our country, but we can look in our own backyards and start asking our Lord to heal our land.

If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways:  then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.  11 Chronicles 7:14

 

Good vs evil on the same block

  I have been thinking about starting a new store in our area.  It all started when The Lord laid a thought on my heart about seven weeks ago.  

On the way to church each time we pass a liquor store on the corner of the block our church is located.  I started praying that this store would close.  It just doesn't seem reasonable to have the power of God on one end of the block and the power of satan on the other end.  I am not praying for the building to burn down or that the owners would suffer.  I am praying that they will be saved.  

Each time we would pass I would contine to pray for God's will.  I have asked others in our church to pray too.  Some have told me to just look the other direction instead of at that store.  Others have said they would pray, but with that same non committal attitude.  Years ago church's power in prayer was evident.  I am convinced the power is still there.  God's word still promises that if we pray, He answers.  

My husband teaches a short class on Sunday evening with the boys of church.  He challenged them to tell him of prayers that they have seen answered.  They couldn't think of any.  They were even were open enough to say they really didn't need to pray because their parents gave them everything they wanted.  Now, that should give us all a pause for thought.  Are our children actually seeing God working in their lives?

We have a beautiful church property on 14 acres.  God has been so good to us.

On the very tip of the pie shaped block is the liquor store.  To tell people where our church is we tell them to turn at the liquor store.  

What would you do with this property if it belonged to you?  Now that is where my dreaming has gone wild!  

New equipment for Work

  Buster's mini escavator was worn out.  So, he tried to see if he could trade his in for a new one.  Guess what?  Bobcat said yes!  Today they delivered the new  Bobcat.

 

   

   

      

This Bobcat has two buckets.  Buster is learning how to change them out.  

Buster has already dug a hole this evening and has a job lined up for a ditch in the morning and too leaks in the afternoon.  

The Lord is good to supply the tools he needs to do his work.   Daily He loadedeth us with benefits.

Almost complete!

  Buster has done an excellent job!  The new addition to our main bathroom is almost finished.  Today we are varnishing the walls, ceiling, and floor.  We will go pick up the shower door, towel rack, and perhaps curtain rods.  It will be ready for use.  After our company we will reprint the rest of the bathroom.  We have old wall paper that needs a little updating.  The closet in the room needs to be taken out to make more floor space.  

I have looked and looked at pictures in magazines.  I do have an idea what style I would like to have.  The results will end up being a touch of what I have in mind, a little of what we have on hand, and then a little of what Buster has in mind.  The result will be a unique style that will fit us perfectly!

   

  

Our project update

  We only have about 7 more days to get this project finished, but it looks like we are on schedule to get it done.  Buster did work hard last night and earlier today.  

  

      

The wood floor is in and so is the beaded board up for the ceiling.  This afternoon we did go get the faucet for the shower and the light fixture.  More pictures to come!

So exciting!

Buster's bad back

  My husband is the kind of man that is just like my dad.  He can do anything he sets his mind to do.  He could probably do anything, but there are many things he just hasn't gotten interested in yet.  Our daughters wanted to grow up and marry someone just like him.  It took them awhile to find their man, but they found men that can do anything they set their mind to do. 

Buster seemed a little bored I guess, so he joined the Volunteer Fire Department.  Bad back and all!  He has enjoyed each meeting and each fire call.  He can crawl into bed so tired that he thought he would never be able to go to sleep, and the fire alarm goes off!  Up he jumps and off he goes like a young man that hasn't faced back surgery, knee surgery, and all the other pains he faces.  He will feel pretty good for a few days too.  

Last weekend the fire deptment had a demonstration at the Sassafras festival.  We did get to see that.  We could park right by it so even Nannie went to watch.  Buster's job was to operate the pump.  

    

You can tell who Buster is, he is wearing black.  He does have a fire suit like the other guys.  He wears a fire pager on his hip all the time.  Now he has one of the older fire trucks parked here at the house.  He has been fixing it up in his spare time.  It neede new lights on top and serviced.  He has smoothed out a few dents and polished it up too.  I will get a few pictures of it soon.