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Here's What's New  
While I didn’t quite get all the books read in June that I hoped to, I DID get in more reading than I had in April and May, so that’s progress! 10 Books I Read in June I’m also reading through the Bible using the plan in my Blessing Journal and reading one devotional from Jesus Today every day. 
3 Books I Read Aloud to My Kids 
My Top 3 Favorites The Nesting Place – Confession time: I’ve never nailed anything on a wall on any house I’ve ever lived in (friends & family have taken pity on me and done it for me), but this book moved me at a deep level. I want to stop making excuses that “I’m not a decorator” — borne out of my own insecurity and concern over what people will think or that I’ll do it all wrong. Instead, I just want to be free to experiment, take risks, and try new things — not only when it comes to our home decor, but in all areas of my life. It’s time to say goodbye to performance, perfectionism, and people-pleasing… And to start living with braveness and boldness. 
Love Idol – I highly, highly recommend this book if you find yourself (like me) having perfectionistic, people-pleasing tendencies. It’s well-written and engaging, but more than that, the message is powerful, freeing, life-changing! Rhinestone Jesus — The title of this book alone was enough to challenge me. But the contents were even more convicting. I don’t want to “play it safe”. I want to step outside my comfort zone, even though it’s uncomfortable and hard. I only have one life to live. I want to live it to its fullest. Reading Kristen’s story in the pages of this book stirred me, moved me, and challenged me to not be complacent, comfortable, or content with mediocrity. Runner Up: Carry On, Warrior — If you didn’t get to yet, be sure to read the post this book inspired: I’m Done With Being a People-Pleaser. What books did you read in June? What were your favorites? Any books that you’d highly recommend for me?
Are you a blogger or a business owner who would love some insider tips, secrets, and encouragement for skyrocketing your success? You MUST check out the Platform Conference. I went to this conference last year hoping I'd pick up some new ideas and inspiration for how to continue growing my platform. Instead, I left the conference with a completely new plan of action and approach for my business. The speakers and attendees were not only inspiring, but they challenged me to think far outside of my current business strategy. I only wish I had learned this information sooner! It has transformed the way I think and the way I approach business and blogging. Without a doubt, I can say that the money I spent to attend the Platform Conference was truly the best money I've ever spent on any conference in my life. Yes, it's that good! 
I’m honored to be speaking at the Platform Conference this year, along with an incredible line-up of other amazing speakers. I cannot wait to sit and soak up wisdom from them and be re-energized and re-inspired as a business owner and blogger. The Platform Conference will be held November 9-11, 2014, at the beautiful Broadmoor Resort and Spa in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This event is for anyone and everyone who has something to say, share, or sell. This includes public speakers, authors, bloggers, business owners, entrepreneurs, sales people, pastors, nonprofit leaders, and more. Save $200 When You Register By August 1, 2014 If you register by August 1, 2014, you’ll get the Early Bird Rate — which is $100 off the regular price. Plus, if you use coupon code CRYSTAL, you’ll get an additional $100 off. The coupon code CRYSTAL is valid up until conference registration is closed, but the Early Bird Rate ends August 1, 2014. Do yourself a favor and go sign up for the Platform Conference. I'd LOVE to meet you there! Sign Up for a FREE Group Mastermind With Me & My Husband As a special bonus, if you sign up using my coupon code, my husband and I would like to invite you to an exclusive FREE one-hour Group Mastermind we’ll be hosting on-site. This will be an opportunity to get to meet with us and pick our brains with any business or blogging questions (or even life questions) you have. It will be fun and informal — a time for us to get to know you and encourage you in your business endeavors. To be invited to this exclusive Mastermind with Jesse and me, just sign up for the Platform Conference using coupon code CRYSTAL at checkout. Then, forward your registration confirmation email to registration @ moneysavingmom.com and we’ll be in touch with further details on when and where the Mastermind will be held. We hope to see you there! 
All About Worship asked if I’d shared their part-time work-at-home position with you all since I know some of you are looking for at-home work opportunities. Here are details on the position taken from their blog post: Are you tech AND social media savvy? Are you self-motivated and super organized? Do you have a passion for worship? Are you looking for a part-time, work-at-home job that’s not only flexible, but rewarding? Do you want to be a part of an organization that impacts worship leaders/teams worldwide and is focused on advancing the Kingdom of God? If you answered “yes” to ALL of these questions, you may be just who we’re looking for! JOB TITLE: to be determined REPORTS TO: Wisdom Moon (Founder of All About Worship) PURPOSE: Supports the organization’s objectives by managing the day-to-day operations with minimal supervision. You will work from home (aka telecommute) with periodic in-person (if in Nashville area) and/or skype meetings with supervisor. This position will require about 2-4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Work hours are flexible, but require at least some availability during regular business hours. RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Be a part of creating & implementing fresh new ways to influence more worship leaders/teams worldwide
- Plan, schedule, and coordinate articles and music reviews with contributors
- Proofread, edit, and publish articles and reviews
- Write (minimal) content for the site
- Complete some basic, simple graphic design
- Manage multiple social media accounts: curate relevant content, schedule posts, respond to comments, engage with the audience
- Promptly respond to email inquiries
- Maintain relationships with current advertisers and actively develop new relationships
- Invoice advertisers and follow-up
- and other duties as assigned
SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS: - Thorough understanding of worship ministry and the needs of worship leaders/teams
- Familiar with current worship music and resources
- Strong follow-through and follow-up
- Amazing people skills
- Very tech-savvy
- Basic graphic design
- Great with grammar, spelling, and writing
- Previous experience with using a CMS (Content Management System) preferred
- Proficient in the use of social media as an organization, including but not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest, and Google+
- Basic understanding of how digital advertising and invoicing works
- Type at least 30 WPM
COMPENSATION: Salary to be commensurate with experience and responsibilities (base pay + commission). This is a part-time, telecommuting contractor position. APPLY: To be considered for this opening, email your resume and any supporting portfolio or works to office[at]allaboutworship.com
I’m so honored to be guest posting over on 100 Days of Real Food today. If you are interested in how to afford real food on a budget, be sure to click over and read my post. Also? If you’re interested in making the switch to more real foods, I highly recommend following the blog, 100 Days of Real Food. It’s packed with all sorts of great inspiration, ideas, and recipes for eating fewer processed foods (or eliminating them completely!)  
Jesse and I spent time really discussing what my focuses should be for 2014 and we nailed down four areas that are my priorities for this year: - Marriage: to continue to invest time and energy to strengthen and nurture our marriage and make it one of the greatest priorities
- Mothering: to continue to invest in our children with the goal of teaching them character, life skills, and raising them to be responsible adults
- Myself: to make my health a priority and to invest in my personal growth as a Christian, business owner, writer, speaker, and leader
- MoneySavingMom.com: to invest time into blogging — not just overseeing the business and my team, but making writing content pieces one of my top blogging priorities
Having these specific areas determined at the beginning of the year is really helping me to prioritize and giving me much clearer direction on when, where, and what to say no to this year. Here's my progress on my 12 goals for 2014: Marriage Goals 1. Read 6 marriage books. (I've finished three marriage books so far.)
2. Write 50 love notes to Jesse. (I've written 22 love notes so far.) Mothering Goals 3. Read 40 books aloud to the kids. (We've finished eight books so far — I’m really hoping to catch up on this goal over the summer since we’re quite behind!)
4. Finish memorizing Romans 1 together. (We've been working on this!)
5. Go through a cooking course with the kids. Personal Goals 6. Read through the Bible. (I'm mostly on track with this.)
7. Memorize Romans 2. (I started this this week.)
8. Run a 5K race and go through P90X again. (We’re currently looking into races for this Fall and hoping to sign up for a couple.)
9. Read 150 books/ebooks. (I've read 50 books so far this year.) Blogging Goals 10. Write 150 substantive content pieces for the blog. (I've written 100 substantive content pieces so far this year — woot!)
11. Write 50 DIY/Recipe posts for the blog. (I've written 25 DIY/Recipe posts so far.)
12. Blog about/participate in the 12 Months to a Healthier You Challenge (I finished June's challenge.) Did you set goals for 2014 yet? If you've posted an update on how you're doing on your goals for 2014, I'd love for you to share your link in the comments. Or, if you don't have a blog, feel free to just leave a comment with an update on how you're doing on your goals. Let's encourage one another to live lives of intention and purpose! If you're brand-new to goal-setting, be sure to read my post on How to Change Your Life By Setting Goals. | | |
