Day 12

1. Had another good night's sleep. Seems like on a sleep roll here but guess what? Check out yesterday's last entry, think it could be that? ;)

2. Got good news about my friends' once rocky friendship. These guys used to serve under me and they were like oil and water. I've spoken to them individually about their personal differences and how it could affect the group their leading. I'm glad that towards the end of the year they decided to each be flexible and more understanding of one another and that all they're there for is to serve the people entrusted to them. After yesterday's talk I got a text from one of them on how good its getting for their group and for each other. I got the whole "I'm rooting for my partner" vibe and I think the storm is calming between them. I know that they put God and their members ahead of their personal preferences and peculiarities and that faith is being rewarded now-- you can feel it in the way they speak and the way their messages sound, I'm very happy for them and just to be able to see this happening.

3. Payday! Quite self-explanatory but YIPEE! just the same :)

4. Got recognized (and awarded) for being a good Christian. I'm getting recognized as one of those who embody the christian ideal we are encouraging. Its a nice award and quite flattering but truth be told, all I did was act on what God wanted me to do. He wanted me to put in more time for Him so I did. He wanted me to drop bad habits so ok, I did. He wanted me to love others more, so I made an effort. I really believe I was not doing anything special, I was just doing more of the things He wants me to do. And ever since I made those choices life has just gotten better for me. I always tell myself, "There is no one who has followed God's call or sought His will and acted upon it and has not been joyful in the end." Its not the end and already I am joyful. The award is not the the public recognition, it is that I know I am glorifying the Lord more today than I was yesterday. And since then my life has been blessed.

5. Held my afternoon meetings at a scenic place out of town. Today I had an afternoon meeting away from the city and in this garden-type place that looks like it came out of a children's story book. The abundance of plants and flowers and the cold january wind blowing made you forget you needed to hit your sales quotas to be happy because you could be happy right there in the middle of the place. It was so calm and leisurely that you would consider living out your remaining years in that place just reading a book or watching the plants sway in the breeze. Even if I didn't get the whole "A Walk in the Clouds meets Under the Tuscan Sun" lifestyle I was happy to have lunch there and know that a place like that exists a drive away from the city.

6. Amy got promoted! I found out that the person who reported directly to me in my last job got promoted! And to add to that, the product she re-launched last year hit its sales targets and continues to do very well. This person is one of the quicker learners I've coached and she has this rare curiosity to learn more and more things everyday. I've never seen someone so thirsty for knowledge! She has great potential and she's a great team player. I'm so happy that she's coming home with a bigger paycheck next payday!

7. Realized another thing about my love life concerns. This may be true for you guys too so here goes. I think I've been asking too much for what I think I want for myself. I think I've been dictating too much to God who I think is best for me. I also think I haven't been praying to Him enough about the right person for me and seeking His will in this aspect in my life, instead I just wait for that person to fall from the sky. Today I stopped asking for someone who "fits the bill" of my standards rather I asked Him for someone who I can raise a good Christian family with. Someone who will make me a better christian and together we will be better servants for Him through our family. Today I asked Him to show me the things I need to work on to deserve that person He has prepared for me. I'm throwing out all the worldly standards and I'm trusting Him on this one. Like I said in #4, "There is no one who has followed God's call or sought His will and acted upon it and has not been joyful in the end."