The Nashville Napkin Addendum

In The Nashville Napkin board of director Diane Vazquez with candor admitted she was learning about the dog breeding business. I have good news. Her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is pregnant! Puppies are on the way!!!

Big Mouth Must Wait

As I so gleefully proclaimed several posts ago, I was set to complete the tax exempt paperwork for the ministry. Four days of sickness behind me. That fat library book sitting at the ready by the computer. Federal tax form on the screen, and I couldn't finish it. 

I completed page one without a problem but all the while my mind whirled. I don't think I am ready for this. It requires filing fees of $400 to $850. I need copies of all the original corporate filings with the state which is an additional $20. Money is just one concern. 

I still need a more complete picture on how this thing is to work. I need help with my own thoughts. I do have another book from the library about starting a non-profit. What does God want to accomplish here? Big Mouth must slow down.

Just took the dog out and realized that pride is my problem. I have been like Joseph in Genesis 37 when he went and told his brothers about his dreams. Big Mouth must bow down. 

God is merciful. Thankfully, I don't think any of you will throw me into a cistern and sell me to the Midianites. Maybe you should though. I told you I didn't like this blog. I struggle. How do you walk rightly before your God? I think it requires friends who love and forgive a very fallible blogger and an ever-present, ever-teaching Holy Spirit. I need both.

Humbly I have a new game plan.  I will read that other book on non-profits.  It has knowledge I don't have.  Other than that I am going to wait on the Lord.  This strategy is straight from Psalm 31: 23-24.  "Love the Lord all you saints!  The Lord preserves all the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all who wait on the Lord!"

Big Mouth is waiting.

The Nashville Napkin Inauguration

We begin our first interview with C Square Ministries’ own star, Board of Directors member Diane Vazquez.  Our meeting was held at that trendy spot Starbucks.  As a gold card carrying customer, I was surprised to hear a hint of panic in Diane when we were in line to order.  Scanning the menu she said out loud, “What is it that I get?  What is it that I get?”  She is a rare lady indeed – only been to Starbucks maybe four times in her life. 

So what was in her cup?  The New Vanilla Spice Latte with Vanilla Almond Biscotti.  New to Starbucks maybe, but the coffee revolution has not missed her!  I think she may have some coffee secrets to tell.  Until then, here is what we know about this hometown girl of Donelson, Tennessee, and employee of American Blue Ribbon Holdings.

Q:  As a native of Nashville, what is the biggest change to the city you have seen in your lifetime?

A:  Name only one?  Upward growth.  Nashville had no skyscrapers when I was young.  Now, I know compared to New York they may not be that big, but to us they are big.  There is also the increase in the number of people and ethnic population.  Years ago there were just two ethnics – black and white.  Adding a NFL football team was also a plus.

Q:  What do you want to say about your hometown?

A:  I love Nashville.  I moved away twice and both times came back home.  There were other reasons involved, but both times I missed home.  I think the people of Nashville have a lot going for them. 

My hometown is called Music City, USA, and as a child I remember during the summer all the traffic that flowed into Nashville, especially around Opryland.  I use to complain about it.  My Dad said that these tourists are the bread and butter of Nashville.  I saw the truth in that as an adult.  I have lived off the bread and butter of the tourists in Nashville. 

I see Nashville as a welcoming city.  We have our own traditions and roots, but we are a very opening and welcoming city to others.

Q:  I know your father was “an accountant to the stars.”  Do you have a story you could tell?

A:  Two clients that I knew about were Loretta Lynn and Barbara Mandrell.  If there were others I didn’t hear about them.  He was very impressed with the business sense of Barbara Mandrell and her husband.  We saw her and her husband at Rivergate Mall once, and she was tiny.  My Dad was careful of what he said due to the private nature of finances.

Q:  What principle or lesson is the Holy Spirit teaching you right now in your life?

A:  I think, one, it is not all about me, and two, at the same time I matter to him.

Q:  How did your involvement with C Square Ministries begin?

A:  Well … in a church service in a school gym, someone that I did not really know came up to me.  We will not mention any names.  (She stared directly at me, Deborah.)  She came up to me and asked me to lay hands on her and pray for her reproductive organs, and I did with trembling knees.  A few weeks later you came up to me and said you felt something shift in your body when I prayed.  I was awed.  I had never heard of a response like that where God had used me in the process. 

Fast forward to spring … I asked you about helping me take over an existing bread ministry.  We had both served as substitutes picking up bread from Panera and distributing it to help families.  I was taking it over from a friend and knew I couldn’t do it alone.  In two years that ministry grew from one pick up to three per week.  That was the true coming together with C Square Ministries.

Q:  What is one of the greatest answers to prayer you have seen?

A:  My healing of epilepsy.

Q:  You speak Spanish as a second language.  What advice would you give to an adult on the journey of learning another language?

A:  Talk to people who speak the language.  Learn the phonetics and practice everything you learn.

Q:  Tell me about your adventure into the registered dog breeding business?

A:  I don’t know yet.  (Said with laughter.)  Know your dates for mating.  I missed the last one, therefore, no Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies.

Q:  As a working, homeschooling mother of five and a great cook, you have had some Holy Spirit insight for a cookbook.  Tell me about it.

A:  I felt very inspired by the Lord to help families return to the table.  I have learned over the years a method that works.  I thought putting it on paper and into Moms and Dads hands would be a tool to bring families back together at the supper table for family time.

Q:  What was the last thing you scribbled on a paper napkin?

A:  I just did the other day.  I scribbled some numbers and added them.  I don’t write on paper napkins very often.

Daniel Study Moves

We began Bible study again last night. Four wonderful ladies plus me. Yes, five. That is five!!! This count put us beyond the number of chairs I had and the exercise room would hold.  You know that huge equipment takes up some floor space!

We are meeting in the home of a first-time sojourner with the group. Sitting on new comfy furniture by a glowing electric fireplace, I have never attended a Bible study in such a cozy environment. Thank you, Father. Thank you for her open heart and home.

During our prayer time one Bible student said she was grateful that I had lit a match under her to join that first study. Could I strike one your way? We have room for one more on the new couch.  And, of course, there is still the floor.

Sidebar:

Did you know it is now not acceptable to place two spaces after final punctuation in a sentence?  Learned that ten minutes ago from a reliable source. Just took those nasty little spaces out. Looks strange but who says you can't teach an old journalist a new trick!  That is if a M.A. in Journalism counts to be a journalist.