Trista Laborn's Blog, page 23

Marine Corps Ball Survival Guide #adrivenwife

This year my husband and I will be going to the 240th Marine Corps Ball. These are one of the schedule times I actually get to dress up and look like a queen…I LOVE IT! So I want to share with you guys a little history on the Marine Corps ball and some basic social survival tips on the event…

At Marine Corps functions, remember that loved ones behavior, manners and attire represent their marine and the USMC. November 10, 1775 is the Marine Corps Birthday. All over the world this date is celebrated with a formal birthday ball. This is attended by marines and their spouses/date only, NO CHILDREN are allowed. This is an important evening filled with tradition and camaraderie.

Before I get started, here are some Survival Kit items to bring with you to the ball:

-Official Form of ID (Just in case)

-Band Aids (For blisters)

-Pain relievers (For headaches, etc.)

-Safety Pins

-Feminine Products (Emergency)

-Breath Mints

This is us last year in 2014…Marine Corps 239th birthday ball!

 

#1- Usually the evening is begun with a cocktail hour.

-Use this time to check the seating chart

-Find your table

-Meet the people whom you will be seated with.

This is not a mandatory portion of the evening, so you can go ahead and take an extra 15 to 20 minutes to put those final touches, in hair and makeup. Once you arrive, this is your opportunity to mingle, meet co-workers and locate where you will be seated. One advantage if you decide to show up early is the picture line may be shorter during this time. The cocktail reception is when pictures are generally being taken and the line can be long.

#2- The ceremony will begin once all are situated properly.

-Marines will stand at attention, so follow the lead of your marine (The narrator will also guide attendees to sit or stand).

-Guests must stand without slouching or leaning to demonstrate proper respect

-It is common courtesy not to have conversations during the ceremony or be on your phone, checking Facebook and conversations before or after, not during. Just turning your ringer to vibrate is not enough when all attention is on the colors and everyone is silent. The ceremony commemorates the history of the Corps and is by far the most formal part of the evening . Every effort should be made to give it the respect and attention it deserves.

This is the 15 minute warning call before the ceremony begins. It serves as a great time to get one last trip to the bathroom and possibly one last drink before you take your seat. ONCE THE BALLROOM DOORS CLOSE, NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED IN!

The main event. While some ceremonies may vary, they generally follow the same scripted events. There will be a narrator who outlines the events as they take place and will give a general description as they happen. During this time you will witness what the Marines pride themselves on, upholding of traditions with events such as call to colors and the cake cutting. You can follow along with the ceremony by following the program provided at your table.

Please note that the ceremony is the center point of the ball and it is imperative that you be attentive and respectful through its entirety.

#3- Commandant of the Marine Corps message and Final remarks:

Following the ceremony there will be a guest speaker. These individuals are typically a higher ranking serviceman who has a great history and a very respectable reputation. Generally this will be a speech, followed by a gift being presented to the speaker.

Immediately following the ceremony, a video message is played from the current commandant of the Marine Coprs. Please Observe the same common courtesies during this portion of the evening as for the ceremony. The official portion of the evening can take a while, a good idea would be to have a snack prior to the ball. If you are expecting, asking for some crackers at the table is a good idea.

#4- Dinner:

Relax and enjoy your multi-course meal while socializing and chatting it up with your other table members. Do not be intimidated by the amount of forks or glasses you may have set in front of you. Relax!

If you have food allergies or will be bringing a guest who does you may contact the respective units ball coordinator to inquire if they have alternatives.

It is also recommended you wait until everyone at the table has been serves their meal before partaking. Be advised most units have a chaplain who says a prayer before the meal is served. Finally it is polite to wait until the highest ranking person at the table starts eating before you do.

#5- Dancing and celebration:

Formal attire is worn to fancier events such as weddings, private dinners or balls. Women must wear floor length gowns as shorter dresses are not acceptable. Formal attire is extremely strict with distinct guidelines and any guest who deviates from them is considered to have poor etiquette.

-When in doubt match your attire to your Marine’s uniform

-Many women opt for the classic little black dress, a simple and appropriate for a party.

-Remember! Your attire will reflect upon your Marine, Dressing in attire too revealing is considered poor taste.

*BONUS*

Conversation:

Be yourself and don’t feel too stressed about conversation. Here are a few key things to remember:

-Avoid controversial issues such as politics, religion and personal issues.

-Show an interest in others

-Listen to others

-Ask questions and make others feel important

-Please… No swearing!

-Avoid gossip AT ALL COSTS!

HAVE FUN!

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P044: Doing Business God’s Way as a Business & Life Coach

 

Rebecca talks about what is needed in the marketplace as Christian Entrepreneur. She Created a space/organization for women Christian Entrepreneurs to really let their hair down, relax and be themselves (professionally).

In this podcast interview we share tips on what does it look like when God calls you into the marketplace, The difference between God sometimes showing you the whole picture and other times not showing you the whole picture.

You will also hear my daughter in the background, playing and watching her favorite show, please bear with me on the sound quality as well. This new podcast adventure I want to be consistent on the content I share and continuing with motivating women in the marketplace to do what God has called them to do.

Tips on stepping out on faith, even when you are scared!

The biggest take away is… TRUST God NO MATTER WHAT!

Rebecca has created an organization, through the Holy Spirit, called: Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network. CWEN is a community for Christian Women Entrepreneurs to build relationships, support, encourage, brainstorm ideas, share resources and pray for each other. A place for Christian Women Entrepreneurs to network, support, encourage, brainstorm ideas, share resources and pray for each other. This organization offer classes and workshops, evening mixers, retreats and conferences.

We pray this will be a place of inspiration, encouragement and blessings for everyone.

In this group be encouraged to post:

Prayer requests

Praise reports

Words of encouragement

Areas you want help or input from others

Christian events or resources

I was even able to speak and share my book: S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the Christian Entrepreneurs.

 

 

Click Here. If you would like to be part of the private group on Facebook

Rebecca Garcia Coaching on Facebook

Website

More information about the retreat.

 

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Success as a Money Making Mom

A few years ago, I was watching a TV show, where a woman was a fashion writer for a magazine and she was sharing the story of what it was like getting started in her business, she began to explain that she was living in a small, one bedroom apartment in New York City and was beginning her career as a writer. She said that times were so hard that when she was hungry, she would literally buy a fashion magazine than food because she felt it feed her better.

WOW! To have so much passion to the point where that “career choice” feeds you, more than food, to continue to press through during hard times?! That’s AMAZING to me! Mainly because I can resonate with that…

About 5 to 6 years ago I was able to start a Bath & Body company called: Silk Spa Creations, where I hand-made natural hair and body products. About 3 years ago, my husband, being a Marine in the Military, got orders to CA, we were in SC. When we arrived in CA, I began to work the business and was VERY “successful”, to where I was able to get my products in spas, stores and other locations but the success I was feeling with this business wasn’t making my family happy, my husband began to tell me, He felt like I didn’t love him, my children weren’t doing good in school and my whole household was in chaos.

I stepped back and really began to ask God (Praying), what is going on? Lord, you called me to be an entrepreneur, why is all of this happening? He shown me that, as I was running my business, He wasn’t in the picture. Slowly He began to teach me the true meaning of success (Which is what I’m experiencing now) and how to do business His way. I came across the scripture John 17:4– “I have glorified you on earth my completing down to the last detail, what you assigned me to do.” This scripture has been my mission statement for my life and business. My goal and my definition of success is truly following after God and the purpose and plans He has for me.

The success I’m experiencing now, is not just with money, but with intentional time with my husband and children, which is TRUE fulfillment. I cultivate that more than my business, because of that:

I was able to make and save money to go on regular date nights with my husband.
Make some changes on my blog.
My family and I were able to go to Los Angeles and San Francisco Debt FREE!
Ultimately, I experience peace in building a new business God has put in my heart right now, I’m no longer so driven to the point my family is hurting, in this new season, I’m writing books and speaking about my testimony and giving God the glory and still very capable of being a Money Saving Mom, truly helping and blessing my family.

Right now, even though I was able to build my Bath & Body business, currently, God has that on hold and in the mean time, He has me speaking and sharing in my area of CA, about my New book: S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the Christian Entrepreneur.

In Crystal Paine’s Brand New Book: Money Making Mom, (How every woman can earn more and make a difference). She gives real life examples to encourage and challenge you to:

Expand your thinking to consider multiple money-making ideas
Dream Big and set long-term financial goals
Forge an intentional path with clear priorities
Nurture your unique skills, talents, passions and knowledge
Conquer the saboteurs of insecurity, fear, lack of time and naysayers
Shift your perspective to live more generously for others
…and so much more!

In this book, Crystal shares that success in not all about money, but success is family and putting money in its right perspective. I LOVE that she gives her testimony about the struggles she has gone through in building her business and the strength it took to get to where she is now. This book encourages me, letting me know that I’m not alone in this Journey, that others are in the trenches as well, when it comes to their business. This book is for you mom, Whether your goal is to help support your family, pay down debt, or build a bigger cushion to help those who may be without, Money Making Mom is filled with inspiration and “Out-of-the-box” ideas to guide the next steps along your entrepreneurial journey.

Where are you in your journey as a money-making mom?

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P043: Doing Business God’s way in Social Media

She gives such a BEAUTIFUL description of how God woos us into knowing more about Him

Her testimony of how she began her business

She also describes how she does business God’s way in Social Media.

Raquel gives tips on: How businesses can start with being authentic on social media

– Self Dump (write down who are you, your passions, victories & loses)

– Start Creating Content (Being yourself is part of your story)

– Be Consistent (Trying out different social media outlets)

Here is a little bit about her book: “{Redefining Success}

What is success to you?

How do you know you’ve arrived at it?

Did you shape that version of success or did someone else?

Ladies, here is your permission to embrace and live out “Your” meaning of success.

These 13 candid stories will inspire you and motivate you to pursue or keep living your definition of success.

This is your life, your story, and your success to pursue!”

Now available on Amazon : http://bit.ly/BuyRedefiningSuccess

To Contact Raquel you can check out her:

Website: http://www.rmrsocialmedia.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RMR.Social.M...

Instagram: https://instagram.com/raquelmramirez/

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Love is Messy. #Hope4MH

“Love is Messy.” ~ Amy Hilliker is the statement that was shared, when she gave her Journey of her late brother Matthew and testimony on mental illness and concluded that Love is Messy. When she shared that it resonated with me on so many levels. Love is indeed messy, Battling with a person suffering with mental illness is taking the good, the bad, the ugly AND messy!

I attend the Gathering on Mental Illness conference I felt that throughout the conference. An atmosphere of a safe space to be yourself, whatever that looked like, a space to know that we will love and support you through this journey and model what christ love looks like. Rick and Kay warren model that throughout this whole conference. I can tell from EVERY single staff member at Saddleback Church to the speakers and the people who attend, it was so beautiful to see and be apart of that experience.

At the conference I was BLOWN AWAY by the stories each speaker shared. TO be in an atmosphere of hearing such painful and broken stories to then hear God take those broken pieces mending them together to form a beautiful tapestry of ministries that now blesses nations of people, has left my heart FULL and completely overwhelmed.

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview the speakers, such as Jamie Tworkowski, Founder of “To write love on her arms” Meredith Andrews singer and Music Artist. It was an AMAZING experience to hear the speaker’s support, love and caring support to kill the stigma of Mental Illness.

Sharing the pain, of what you’ve gone through or currently going through is not easy, it makes you vulnerable, puts you out there to be judged and “made fun of” but when I think about what God has brought me through, that’s where the hope comes in and lets me know that God is with me, I’m not alone in this, when you step out into the deep you find out that you are not alone, there are others going through painful experiences as well.

I share my pain and the testament of what God has brought me through with my marriage and family in my new book: S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the Christian Entrepreneur, Achieving success in every area of your life. I share the pain of my husband telling me that he feels that I don’t love him, right after that, I get a call that my daughter is failing the 4th grade, my son was being bullied in school because of his hearing aids, my household was in chaos.

It was in chaos because I was so FOCUSED in my business that I had tunnel vision and was only giving the bare minimum to my family, and they were falling apart before my eyes.

After God has brought me out of that dark period of my life, I felt God telling me to share my testimony in not only a book but tell women my story and as I was sharing my story in the marketplace, I have found SO MANY WOMEN hurting themselves, suffering from depression, Anxiety, their health in bad shape, not knowing how to take care of themselves, STILL OPERATING in business… It BLEW MY MIND!!!!

When I got the invitation to go to a private luncheon with Kay Warren to help spread the word on Mental Illness… I was ON BOARD! To join along side Rick & Kay Warren to KILL the social STIGMA of what Mental Illness can bring, I am all for it.

When I speak and share my story I let the audience know that God LOVES them too much to let you work until you are stressed out to the bone, doing business DOES NOT have to be that way.

I have partnered with an organization here in San Diego called the: Christian Women Entrepreneurs Networking group in creating an environment where they can be themselves, we pray for each of these women and their businesses and share with them the word of God on doing business God’s way, that God cares about them and wants them to successed in business more than they do.

COMMUNITY was the key word (In addition to the word of God) that is needed to help those that are suffering with mental illness in silence that they don’t have to suffer ANYMORE but there’s a community of faith-based people wanting to help along the way and that is what we do in the CWEN organization.

I LOVE that Rick and Kay Warren does this, by putting together in this conference and a starter kit that can help anyone get started in their community. They created a kit called the Hope for Mental Health Starter Kit to help those start a ministry at their church to help equip the leaders in the church to help those that are suffering. Instead of not doing nothing, Rick and Kay Warren wanted to do something to help and equip the faith-based community to do all they can do for those suffering in silence to not have to hide but love on them.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be apart of something so powerful and literally seeing changes being made, God is so good and faithful, even in the midst of darkness there’s HOPE…

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

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P042: Doing Business God’s Way as a Business Consultant

Cielo is a wife, mother and Entrepreneur…

She talks about the discontent she has felt working in corporate America

Shares how and why she surrendered her business to God

The desires she had to do and want more out of life

*Side Note: You will hear my daughter in the background making her grand entrance.

To Connect with Cielo check out her:

Website: http://cielocloud.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cielo.cloud

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P041: Doing Business God’s Way: as an Author

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In this episode I share a lot about when God calls you into being en entrepreneur. Lashawn is a Follower of Christ, Wife, Mother, Intercessor, Author & C.E.O. of Divine Purpose Publishing company and a ministry her and her husband has been called into and the faith that it takes to step out she share is AMAZING!

In this interview, it sounds more like 2 friends on the phone catching up and sharing what God is doing in each others businesses and in our lives. We share our faith, our struggles, I cry but so much is shared that you would gain so much from.

You can learn more about Lashawn and her Book Publishing company here.

I also mention that her publishing company, help publish my book S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the Christian Entrepreneur!

More about Lashawn and her Ministry here.

To learn more about The Ministry her and her husband is doing now is here.

The Dobbs Fusion

You can learn more about her on Facebook

Last Thing: This wasn’t talked about in the interview but Lashawn has a phone ministry as well called: Noonday Prayer

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Hope for Mental Health #Hope4MH

The Gathering on Mental Health and the Church

 

50% of adults will develop depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, or some other mental illness in their lifetime. This staggering reality can feel daunting, but there is HOPE…

HOPE says that you are not defined by your illness. HOPE says your life has a purpose even when you don’t feel it. HOPE says you are not alone.

Nearly 20% or 1 in 5 veterans reported symptoms of PTSD or major depression. The study also reports that approximately one half of them sought treatment reported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness But…

HOPE says you are needed!

About 2 weeks ago I was invited by Kay Warren to a beautiful private luncheon. Where Kay openly shared about her loss but wanted to offer hope to those who might be suffering. I LOVED Kay’s opens and willingness to help spread the word about Mental Illness and break the stigma of it as well. It runs rapid in the military, almost like its normal. Kay has put together a conference to help with churches, families, friends, etc. To help provide resources for those suffering, offering them hope.

I even had the opportunity to meet RICK WARREN author of A Purpose Driven Life!!!!

Kay and Rick Warren want to not only share their story but provide help and resources to the those suffering with mental illness. Let’s be part of breaking the silence and stigma by joining Kay and Rick Warren on October 7–9, 2015 for Saddleback Church’s Gathering on Mental Health and The Church. These three days are packed with practical help and hope for individuals affected by mental illness, their loved ones, church leaders, and mental health professionals. It’s time to step up together and create a pathway to HOPE. It’s time to offer a place of refuge, love, and compassion for those who need it most. It’s time to acknowledge the facts and embrace the millions of people suffering from mental illness everyday.

Kay & Rick would like to invite you as part of the Purpose Driven Wives community, Join us for this hope-filled event, use the PROMO CODE: “Hope4Families” This promo code gives a discount to the conference, October 8-9, but NOT the pre-conference, October 7th. This promo code discounts our community by $30, making the price $109.

***Veterans or Active duty military are invited to attend FREE of CHARGE!!!***

The Gathering on Mental Health & The Church Conference

October 7 – 9, 2015

Saddleback Church Lake Forest

www.Hope4MH.com

#Hope4MH

 

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

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P040: Doing Business God’s Way as a Photographer

This series: Doing Business God’s way, is a series for those that are looking for How-To tips, motivation, ecouragement and laughter, in your particular business. I want to give tips to help you along the way and actually SHOW what it looks like to do business God’s way in YOUR particular business.

In today episode I am interviewing Kiki Price a Photographer at Kandid Kouture Photography. She shares AMAZING tips on what it looks like to Doing Business God’s way, Starting a photography business and even doing business as a mom and wife.

Get a good camera (Type of Camera: 3Ti)
Know Yourself
Start off doing FREE photo shots (Connect with those who want to take FREE photos)
Shoot everyday
Get materials (ie: Phototography Magazine)
Take FREE classes
Connect with the right people
Think outside the box as a photographer

Connect with Kiki:

Facebook

Website

Blog

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P039: Doing Business God’s way Series

I’m starting a series of what it looks like to do business God’s way. I’m SUPER Excited! I started this podcast to showcase what it looks like to do business God’s way as a wife (Military Spouse), Mother (SAHM), Author and everything in between (Sound familiar?!), to help encourage you, laugh and provide you with resources to take your business to the next level.

The purpose of the podcast is founded on 1 peter 2:9– “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

To showcase, what it looks like to do business God’s way, by giving tools, encouragement, the word of God, real authenticity and testimonies of building a business God’s way.

This is a very exciting project, because I LOVE the idea of sharing great information to everyone looking to know a better way of doing business instead of having to hustle and grind, there is a better way.

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