Be Careful What You Ask For, You Just Might Get It!

The past four weeks have been crazy busy. We rolled out our new line of Laser Cut Kits hoping folks would like them and that we would sell a few to keep the heat on and by a few groceries. As a Christian family, we covered our plans with prayer before we launched this effort. Sometimes you hear nothing from Heaven, sometimes he opens the flood gates which is what happened this time around.

What I want to share with you hear is about handling situations like these. I’m so proud of the way my family–team all pitched in to make it happen. Yes, we were late getting some of the orders out, and yes some customers were a little impatient. All of the orders were eventually shipped, most were even shipped correctly. It has been a long while since our work days ended at 4 and 5 am. We had to pull together as a team, taking shifts working around the clock; some slept while others worked to make use of all 24 hours in every day 7 days each week to get the work done. I was reminded of our nation’s farmers at harvest time running the combines 20 hours a day to gather the crops.

Every member of our team put in over 100 hours for the last three weeks. Obstacles? You bet. One of my domains expired without notice right in the middle of this. It turns out that they had the wrong email address for notification that payment was due. I was without email for 4 days until it got resolved and the supporting website was off–line. Our internet connection was very intermittent due to heavy rains here in the Atlanta area. My materials supplier didn’t have the correct inventory in stock so extra work was needed to prepare products. One of my main machines locked up unexpectedly providing a heart–stopping scare momentarily until I figured out how to get it back into operation.

When it counted, every member of our team hunkered down and pulled together to get the job done professionally so that we could be proud of our work and the services we provide to folks who are counting on us for a Merry Christmas for their families. All I can say is a huge thank you to the team and to all of our very patient customers. At least for the moment, things are somewhat back to normal as evidenced by this newsletter. When it is all said and done, all you have are your friends and family. Because, wherever you go, there you are.

Here is my inspiration for this message:

Ecclesiastes 4: 9–12

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.