Remember Memorial Day Blessings

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that weshall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, supportany friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the successof liberty." -John F. Kennedy

Memorial Day is the time to remember those who have fought for our liberty as a nation. As Americans, we have a proud legacy of, and give high value to, freedom.

As women in business in America, we have every opportunity available to us. As Christians, we have every promise, opportunity and freedom in the Lord. What are we doing with this abundant freedom?

God has a good work that He prepared in advance for you to do. Your work in the Lord (yes, that includes what you do Monday through Saturday as well) has eternal significance. That being said, learn from yesterday, cherish today and seize your tomorrow. Embrace your God-given freedom to the fullest!

Sistergirl Devotions Book Review

There aren't many who are speaking to the business women of faith right now. I can think of just a handful of people that I know of, and I was thrilled to find one more recently. Her name is Carol M. Mackey, and she is the author of a book called "Sistergirl Devotions - Keeping Jesus in the Mix on the Job."

Now, I know that devotionals are supposed to be read one section per day, but...These bite-sized pearls of wisdom from Carol are so good! It was too hard to read just one - sort of like potato chips!

I appreciate her writing style, which is both practical and filled with spiritual wisdom at the same time. Each devotional topic has a "Power Move" as she calls it, which drives home the main point while giving steps on how to make it happen. She also includes a "My Confession" statement at the end, which is similar to what an affirmation would be. It is a statement of intention, such as "I will seek God's direction for my life as I work toward the vision He's given me," found on page 129.

Next month, Carol M. Mackey will be our guest on KBWomen Radio! She will share information about herself, her book and what it's like to be a Christian woman in business and an author. You can find out more about our Monday morning KBWomen Radio shows at this link: www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio. We are a part of the CWA Radio Network.

Pick up a copy of "Sistergirl Devotions" and feed your soul and spirit each day as you take your faith into the world of business. I love hearing the stories of what God is doing, and has done, in someone else's life. It gives me hope, insight and inspiration. Thank you Carol!

Posted by Krista Dunk, www.KBWomen.com

Business Networking Chapters

Today is the day! A dream is becoming reality...a dream for our organization, and a dream for Christian business women across the country. So what am I talking about?

KBWomen Chapters are launching in several cities later today!
Renton, WA
Mt. Vernon, WA
Olympia, WA
Omaha, NE

Would you like to join us later today? If you live near one of the cities listed above, click on your city to get full details. Be sure to pre-register to attend here: www.kbwomen.com/chapter-registration.htm. When you pre-register, the cost is just $5. Pay at-the-door is $10.

Why should you come?

• Dedicated networking time
• Monthly business skill learning topic
• Opportunity to introduce yourself & business to the group
• Encouragement & fun!

Our monthly learning topic this month is "Getting Help to Eliminate Skill Gaps," which is sure to get some great discussion going! It includes a handout.

We look forward to meeting you! Blessings,
Krista

P.S. No KBWomen Chapter in your area? Learn more about becoming a Chapter Leader HERE.

What Season is Your Business In?

I don't know about you, but here in the Pacific Northwest, it seems like Springtime already. Unseasonably warm weather has been hanging around for weeks, and my Italian prune tree has decided to send out its' leaves this week. Later this month, it's also my birthday, which makes me another year older and closer to new seasons of life. Not to mention that with all that's happening with KBWomen right now, it feels like a season of tending tender plants after the seeding time is done.

Can you relate? What season are you, or is your business, in? Imagine this scene in your mind:

You are a farmer with 10 acres of farmland. Your house is on the first acre, near the road, then behind that, is 9 acres of garden. Right now, the garden needs much preparation; weeds, rocks, grass, sticks, and vines have taken over. After weeks of removing the old gunk and turning the soil with some new fertilizer, you look out from your porch and see the rich, dark soil ready for seeds. Seeding takes time, and you have to have a sound plan to ensure a good harvest.

You push seed after seed into the ground, carefully aligning each row. Finally, seeding is complete. You take your position in the rocking chair on the porch and wait. Much effort and work is done, for now. Although there is zero evidence that anything is happening, you have hope for your harvest. Each day you water, and wait. Water and wait.

A couple weeks later, you wake up, go out to the porch and see signs of life. Small, green shoots have come up sporadically. It's very exciting! About a week after that, you survey the field to see that it is completely covered in fresh, green plants bursting up everywhere. Something big is on the way. Are you ready?

As we know through the Bible, our life in the spiritual realm matches this natural process. That goes the same for our businesses as well. I'd like to share some commentary that goes along with the story above. Here goes:

• Too many times, we try to plant something new before we prepare our soil. Get rid of the old gunk (bad habits, negative actions and emotions, unhealthy relationships, etc.) and turn the soil (renew our minds) and add fertilizer (new wisdom) first.
• Leaving a cleaned-up field idle invites the weeds to grow again. Quickly replace the gunk with intentionally planted seeds.
• Have a plan when planting, otherwise your harvest will be a jumbled up mishmash. Probably not what you'd enjoy.
• Waiting takes great faith. Don't walk away from your field prematurely.
• Signs of life is the evidence of things hoped for, but not time for slacking off.
• Seeing a huge, coming harvest can be intimidating. Plan ahead for an overflow of blessing so that you are ready to receive it.
• Good stewardship in small things qualifies you for more. Increase your capacity.
• We can all use a little (or a lot) of help during this process from wise mentors and those willing to co-labor with us! As one of my mentors says, life is a team sport.

Be intentional about what is happening in your fields - relationship fields, business fields, spiritual fields, physical fields. Plant, tend and harvest with purpose!

Krista Dunk, www.KBWomen.com

Starting a Business?

According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, more Americans are "living paycheck to paycheck. The number of Americans living paycheck to paycheck is on the rise, with 61 percent reporting they are just eking by."

The CareerBuilder survey they are quoting also noted that 33% of those surveyed, "report that they don't put any money aside into their savings each month, up from 25 percent in 2008, while 30 percent set aside $100 or less each month for savings, and 16 percent save less than $50, according to CareerBuilder.This survey polled 4,478 U.S. workers between May 22 and June 10."

What does that mean for Christian women in business? That means we have an opportunity.
Here's how I see it:
1. We have the opportunity to solve problems
2. People are hungry for hope and answers
3. Desperation can lead to decisions for positive change
4. Through faith, we can boldly enlarge our territory, and inspire others

Although we ourselves as Christians have times of trouble, strain, challenges, and failures, we are not forsaken. Our Provider knows what we need, and is causing all things to work together for our good. We can offer hope to others. We can learn and model Godly principles for finances, work ethic and discipline to others who may be struggling during this time. Let's get wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Let's put that to use in our lives, businesses and careers. Let's display or "shine" a light of hope during dark days.

LOVE is at the core of God. Is it at the core of us? Ultimately, it is love that people respond to.

• Do we have love for others? Can we consider what others need from us? Are we willing to develop our gifts, skills and talents to impact the world around us?
• Do we have love for ourselves? Enough love to take care of, and develop ourselves?
• Do we love God, therefore obeying His ways? Releasing control to Him and trusting His will?

All good questions to ask ourselves! Let's reclaim some territory!

"I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or God's seed begging for bread" -Psalm 37:25

www.KBWomen.com

Twitter Class & KBWomen Radio

Hello Readers,
We're getting ready for our Twitter Class this evening in Olympia, WA. It will be a great time of learning some social media skills for all the twitter-wanna be's! It will also be an opportunity for Christian business women to network while learning some new skills. If you'd like to follow us on Twitter, you can do so here - www.twitter.com/kbwomen.

Also this week, we have KBWomen Radio this Thursday morning at 9:30am PST. It's not our usual show, in that we have no special guest to interview this week. Tammy and I are going to be divulging some upcoming events and special things that are happening with the Koinonia Business Women's organization. So, if you are a Christian woman in business...tune in. You can listen to the 'live' show or the archived recording here: www.blogtalkradio.com/kbwomen. We'll have the live chat feature on, in case you'd like to ask questions!

Blessings to you all,
Krista

Tacoma Business Workshop - May 19th

Hello!
Just a quick update to remind Christian business owners in the Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, Puyallup, Kent, WA areas about Koinonia Business Women's "Savvy Business Strategies" workshop May 19th! Join us in Downtown Tacoma for an evening of food, fun, learning, networking, and getting new ideas to propel your business forward.

Here are the 3 topics of discussion:
1. Hone your business' elevator pitch
2. Using social media for business purposes
3. Creating an effective web presence

Register & get more info now: www.KBWomen.com/workshop.htm

Blessings!

KBWomen Radio Welcomes Jill Hart of CWAHM.com

Join us this Thursday, April 16th, at 9:30am PST for a special KBWomen Radio show with guest Jill Hart! Jill is the CEO/boss lady at http://www.cwahm.com/ and has become one of our good friends!

If you are a work-at-home mom...you will appreciate hearing Jill's words of wisdom from a Christian perspective. We'll ask her juicy questions like, "Give us some of your funniest WAHM moments", and "What have you heard God speaking to you lately?"

This light-hearted, informative interview will uplift and inspire you to do a good work for God, no matter what your obstacles are right now.

Listen 'live' online or listen to the archived show after recording at: www.blogtalkradio.com/KBWomen!

http://www.kbwomen.com/

National Women's History Month

March is National Women's History Month! We just heard some interesting statistics about women in business in our country. Did you know that 10.1 million business "firms" are owned by women? Also, 1 in 5 firms with revenues over $1 million dollars are owned by women? These statistics are from the Center for Women's Business Research.

This tells me that women are a huge, driving force for business in the US! At Koinonia Business Women, our members are women business owners, but also women in various kinds of professional careers. Although these ladies in professional careers aren't owners themselves, they still serve to boost the businesses they work for and the business world as a whole.

If you would like to join a community of other Christian women in business, you can start out by receiving our *BLING* e-zine! Just in case you're wondering what an "e-zine" is... E-zine is short for electronic magazine. We send our e-zine out twice a month via e-mail. We know you get lots of e-mail (so do we). Thankfully, *BLING* is a refreshing, fun and inspiring item that arrives in your inbox!! To view archived *BLING* e-zines, go to www.KBWomen.com/e-zine.htm.

To sign up now, simply enter your e-mail address in the "email address" box here:

Our next edition comes out approx. March 24th. Have a blessed day!

http://www.kbwomen.com/

God's Rifining Fire

Welcome!

Have you ever dared to pray a prayer like this? "God, send me through your refining fire and strip away anything in my life, heart, thoughts, activities, relationships, unforgiveness, $ spending, or anything else that isn't part of your plan for me. Whatever needs to be removed, whatever is blocking my spiritual progress, anything encumbering, all of my bad attitudes, etc., please help it fall off of me. Refine me."

That is a serious prayer - one that God would want each of us to pray. That prayer is applicable to us for our businesses and goals too. There is a new contemporary Christian song that says "Make me aware". God will make us aware of things that need to go, step by step. It's our job to release them and renew our minds!