Women to inspire my 2012

“Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love -- be it song, sermon, or Science--blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.”  Science & Health 234:4

This is one of my favorite thoughts from Mary Baker Eddy’s book Science & Health, with Key to the Scriptures.  It’s a book that I use to help me study the Bible and understand the healing work of Jesus Christ.  I was reminded of this quote recently because a friend of mine commented that she had read a story about women who were role models for 2012 -- it was supposed to be inspirational.  Her comment was that she couldn’t relate to the women on the list, she had nothing in common with them.

As we typed, because this was a Facebook conversation, I thought of Mary and Martha (their story is in the book of Luke) Martha is bustling about the house making dinner, entertaining Jesus and his friends, etc while Mary is just sitting and listening.  Martha, like many of us would be, is disgusted with her sister and finally tells Jesus to tell her to get up and help.  Jesus basically tells her “Martha, Only one thing is really important.  Listening to God’s word and Mary has chosen to listen and that can’t be taken away from her.”

Well I continued think about other Biblical women and realized there were certainly crumbs of inspiration in their stories.  The more I thought About it I realized these women expressed strength, humility, courage, compassion...the list of admirable qualities just went on and on.

I thought about Sarah believing God when he told her she would be a mother, even though the calendar said she was too old.  I thought about the Queen of Sheba, how in her quest for a clearer understanding of God she sought out Solomon. I thought about Hagar fining water in the wilderness.  And the mother of Moses leaving her baby in swamp of all places, trusting his future to God.  Or the widow who obediently gathers every jug she can to pour out a small jug of oil so she can pay her debts.  Each of these women listened and acted when the message came and each one was blessed.  What better inspiration can there be?

On another page of her book Science & Health Mrs. Eddy explains that angels are the ideas that come to us from God she says they are “spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality,” S&H 581:5  If we study these biblical women and their lives we can see how they were led and how their lives benefited from trusting a higher wisdom then their own.  It wasn’t just happenstance that improved or protected them.  It was their conscious choice to be obedient and do what God asked them to, and I still think that is inspiring even 2000 years later.

           

Cooking Class Brochure

Are you looking for a new party idea? A reason to get together with friends? A way to get your kids to eat? Why not try a cooking class. I will pack my things and come to your kitchen.

Crazy Horse Volks March

I have never done a Volks March, but this is one that always makes me want to.  So when I had friends call and say they were going I was eager to tag along.   Anyone who signs up is allowed to walk up onto the monument, which makes this one of the most popular Volks March hikes in the nation.

We started just after noon and managed to fit our walk in between the rain showers.  Our photos are primarily at the check points.  Each check point is manned by a volunteer group who in exchange for checking off completion cards can raise money for their cause by selling refreshments.  The groups were all local youth projects, a Boy Scout troop, the Custer High School Girls Basket Ball team, a spanish class, and I think a rodeo club.  

The walk is easy to follow and well marked, there are a few steep stretches that slowed traffic down, but the view is beautiful and worth the effort. 

Crazy Horse Memorial Link 

Young Professionals Group June Social

See you at Harley!! follow the link to register: 

Young Professionals Group

We Can't Afford To Throw Money

You may not know the name Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, but surely you have heard his often quoted “God is in the details.” When Mies made this statement he was referring to spending time on the finishing of a design. He believed that too much effort was wasted in gaudy embellishments, if one simply did beautiful work it would stand on it’s own.

The other thing you need to know about Mies is, like others of his time, he was responding to the opulence of Victorian Style. A style which added decorative moldings, textures, and patterns where ever possible. Somehow as we face a failing economy and higher gas prices it seems easy to draw a parallel. We want to continue the lifestyle we so love, but we need to reduce the opulence. We can’t afford to throw money at things, we must produce fine work that can stand on it’s own.

That is why it is so important to carefully plan when you are hosting an event. Think about your guests, who are they? What will make them feel most welcome? People already feel stressed and challenged by life, this is not the time to challenge their pallet as well. Hemlines drop during a recession because we feel a little more nervous about being on display, keep this in mind when you plan your event. This is a good time for classic comfort foods, soft chairs, and music they can sing along to. This is a time when a party needs to be a haven, a time to relax and feel safe.

Choose one or two things that are the most important to you and spend your money there. Maybe it’s hiring a photographer, maybe it’s really good wine. By having a narrow focus for your major expenses you choose carefully what you spend your money on. If you feel like you can throw you money with wild abandon, you will. By sitting down before the event and really thinking about the overall mission you will help effectively choose your show pieces.

Think of this like a holiday table, if you have a beautifully prepared turkey that you bring to a table that is covered with flowers, wine glasses, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, carrots, corn, etc., etc. . . the turkey is lost. Just a small slice of meat on a heaping plate. However, if you set it by itself on the mantel suddenly everyone walks into the dining room and admires what you have done. Your party should be the same way. If the goal is to celebrate a new baby, don’t let that be overrun with finding every baby-sized veggie in the produce department. Keep it simple, let everyone hold the baby. Remember why they came, remember your focus, remember the details. Details should finish, not cover the event.

Black Hills Fattire Festival

I may be biased, but the ride that Janet and I lead was the best ride of the weekend. We lead the Kids ride for Ice-Cream. Check out the link below for festival highlights. If you missed this year mark your calendar for next Memorial Day Weekend.

Link:Black Hills Fattire Festival

Young Professionals Group

Rapid City Chamber's
Young Professionals Group
Originally Published in the Rapid City Chambers May 2008 Investment Report written by Marta Olson-Rangitsch

On Friday, April 4th, 2008, YPG Committee Chair, Scott Benson, along with Committee Members; Neil Eichstadt, Bart Miller, and Marta Olson-Rangitsch had the privilege of sitting down with an international group of young business women and men. The group of five included: a Doctor from Tibet, two representatives from the Pakistani Ministry of Finance Office, and word charity representatives from Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The meeting presented a unique opportunity to share ideas about culture, race relations, and the international business community.

The meeting began with Scott Benson welcoming everyone. He explained that the mission of the YPG is to increase community involvement, build strong professional relationships, and provided networking opportunities for its members. Benson went on to state that everyone was eager to share ideas and learn from the world community.

As the conversation developed the similarities began to emerge. Time was spent discussing the difficulties of building unified communities in culturally diverse regions. Our guests realized that South Dakota is not removed from world politics. It became clear that our struggles are universal. We are all looking at changing economies, building strong communities, and planning for future growth.

Everyone left the meeting with a stronger sense of global community, and a renewed commitment to future planning.