Will You Be My Valentine

February 2008. What an exciting month!

Valentines Day is always a fun time. This year I had more fun then ever before. I was privileged to deliver some Valentine greeting cards to some very special people. You would have thought I was the one on the receiving end. Let me tell you a little bit about how it all happened.

I discovered that our local Christian Radio Station was not going to sponsor their usual Valentine Card drive for the year. I called the radio station about it and they agreed that "That's It, I'm Going to Grandma's!" could conduct drive for our area. In only 2 short weeks we collected 244 beautiful homemade Valentine cards for 6 area nursing homes and 2 assisted living facilities!

The exhilaration was running high. It was such a rewarding feeling to do something like that. I couldn't stop smiling and talking on Feb. 14th the day of delivery. You would have thought I was the one receiving the cards.

It was very rewarding to know that we were touching the lives of others who may not be getting any mail at all. At least not "feel-good" mail.

The rest of the month was spent getting the website up and running for "That's It, I'm Going to Grandma's!" This was also an exciting time for me. I had never had a website that I could say was my own and to see how it turned out I was very pleased.

I then had to create my business cards, because my husband and I were going to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico for The Power of Grant Money training. Coach Dixie was a tremendous resource in getting those cards printed.

This was a special time for me because organizers wanted me to sit on a panel in order to share with the audience what I have been doing. Sherry Watson was pleased with what had been accomplished because this project is so grassroots. None of the other people they have worked with had a grassroots organization and she was excited about it. I was terrified of speaking in public as a panelist. Remember, I was living in the "I am just a farm wife" zone. I didn't feel I had the know-how to do any of that.

I don't want to get ahead of myself and spoil the mystery. I'll sign off here so you have to come back tomorrow to see what happened in Albuquerque, NM... ...

Did I say it was an exciting month? Did I mention the excellence of The Power of Grant Money?

Renita Farrall

Are you living your legacy?

Am I Really Doing the Impossible?

"First do what is necessary. Then do what is possible. And all of a sudden you are doing the impossible." ~ St Francis of Assisi

In January of 2008 I felt as if I were doing the impossible! There we were, beginning a new year and I felt like I was full throttle ahead. After sharing with Coach Dixie it seemed like things started moving on the fast track.

Here's how events unfolded:

• By the middle of the month I was going to my first nonprofit meeting to see how they do things.
• Then it was working on the 1023.
• Getting my E.I.N. (Employers Identifation Number).
• Working on the budget, which I thought was another impossible task.
• On January 17th I found myself attending an Executive Luncheon.
• January 29th we had our first Board of Directors meeting with The Leading Grant Expert Sherry Watson and her team. We spent that time approving the Bylaws and getting all questions answered.
• On the 31st I typed up the board meetings and called Church Ministers in the area about our first project of "That's It, I'm Going to Grandma's!"

Renita Farrall

What are you doing to create your Legacy?

The Fall of '07 and the Rise of Grandma?

Email entry for Oct. 15th: I sure feel better about all of this now. I at least feel like we are moving in the right direction and maybe I can do this.

Then I received an email response back from the Leading Grant Expert Sherry Watson saying "That's fantastic! And yes, you not only can do it, you ARE doing it!

Keep up the great work and thanks for keeping me in the loop!

Sherry Watson

“Granting Your Wishes Come True”

After pinning down the name of the organization the mission statement was next in line to work on to start filling out the 501(c)3.

I had sent Coach Brett an email:
Following is a quote that I received in one of my emails today that went along with what I was talking about today also.
"If you are never scared, embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take chances." -Julia Soul
That quote says it all for me since I have been scared through this and afraid that I would be embarrassed if it doesn't work out. And I feel I am definitely taking a chance with our finances.

I am sure you can see from the previous emails what a state of uncertainty I was in at this time.

I was desperately searching for something that would make me some income until I could get That's It, I'm Going to Grandma's! up and running. I came across a website that spoke to me. It was about Jeff Wellman who worked on a dairy farm and how he found a way on the Internet to make money. I decided to see if he could help me and with his guarantee I decided to buy his program. Then after a day or 2 I got buyers' remorse. I felt so guilty that I decided I shouldn't have done it. I called him and he said he would return my money to me but he would like for me to listen to the conference call he would be hosting the next night. I agreed.


I was very distraught by this time. I did get on the call and wasn't going to say anything. But Jeff wouldn't let me just sit and listen he made me talk. Jeff recommended that we join his Mastermind groups that he was putting together. I listened to that call and met a lady by the name of Dixie Brown.

Dixie called me the next day. She asked me some questions and we partnered from there. I have been working with Dixie and learning about the Internet from this phenomenal coach. ever since.

Dixie and Jeff have become some very special people in my life and I am very grateful for each of them, as you will learn with the ongoing posts. Their participation has been a big and positive influence in That's It, I'm Going to Grandma's!

Maybe it's a good thing I was so scared. It drove me to action.

Renita Farrall

Is It Passion or Encouragement that Helps?

Here we are, reporting about Oct. 2007.

On Oct. 1 I sent this email to Coach Brett from the Power of Grant Money: I received a call from the state and "That's It, I'm Going to Grandma's!" is open to use for a name and I have already purchased the .com and .org for that name.

On Oct. 2 Email was sent to me about what to do next: We will need to determine your board of directors so that we can file your Articles of Incorporation with the state.

You are required to have 3 individuals on you board at minimum.

Now my journey is REALLY started! I began searching for my Board of Directors. I was rejected by 2 and 2 more surprised me with "Yes, I think that is needed." I was in total shock and surprise. I thought WOW! This is better then any Multi Level Marketing enterprise. I never got anyone there to say 'yes.' I guess when you have that passion behind you it really does make a difference. My husband said he would be the 3rd member.

Oct 12 a great email from Coach Brett from the Power of Grant Money: From your message I sense that you are still apprehensive about what you are doing. You continue to feel the way that all individuals who are starting a new organization feel.....uncertainty. It is your passion that moves you forward! Hold on to your passion. You are creating a program that will support children and families as they strive to better themselves.

... Keep moving forward with passion, allow individuals to consider what you have asked...
You can have a list of individuals that may be resources for your project. Board possibilities, volunteers, group leaders, bakers (for cookies at Grandma's).....and develop your initial program to begin to establish structures.

Each time you share you project with others, you are "practicing". You are stiving to be more comfortable talking about you passion, you are sharing your passion with others in the community. You are practicing and you are making connections.
You are moving Forward!!

I have one last email I want to share with you to show you just how supportive my coaches were to me. This will be the last one for this post and then tomorrow's post will be to finish October's events.

Thanks for your emails. I have stayed quiet this week because I have felt the need for you to stay committed to your mission. It's never easy, and certainly there are periods of discomfort in pursuing your goal, but if you are truly committed the "universe" will provide the means for you to get there.

As the beautifully framed picture that I've had on my office wall for many years of a famous, extremely challenging golf hole tells me daily "If you think you can.....or you think you can't....you're right"

My advice is really pretty simple. Recognize that you are on the right path and commit to it. Once you commit the universe rallies to help you. And once you truly commit you don't have the demons confronting you of "I can't", "I'm not sure", "This isn't working today", and the like.....

I'm v-glad that you have had some success lately but...

Recognize Renita, that there will be severe, emotional ups and downs........it's part of everybody's life when they decide to move beyond their comfort zone. The trick is to not really pay any attention to the highs or the lows.......just stay focused on the objective.

Understand that the process is hard........for all of us......but the end result makes it all worthwhile.

You are on the correct path, make your vision a reality, and we are here to help you but realize there is only so much that we can do.....whether you accomplish this (or not)....it's really up to you.

All the best, Gary Nichols

Gary also said something very profound to me and that was that "he has worked with farmers in his area of expertise and the 2 toughest things that anyone can do, in his opinion, is farm and raise kids." I said, "Well I have done both, so if that is true why am I so worked up about doing a not-for-profit business?" That has helped me to keep pushing and moving forward in this.

I hope this post helps you to keep moving forward and know that we all have our ups and downs but there is light on the other side, I think! I am getting closer to it though.

My passion drives me. The encouragement is the fuel that keeps me going.

Renita Farrall

How Can I Create?

Good evening! It was another beautiful day in Nebraskaland.

Aug. 2007, was my first call with the Queen of Grants, who always wears purple. She shared with my husband and me about her program and how we could get our Legacy started. My husband was very apprehensive about this whole thing.

We decided to do it! I was off to the races to get my legacy up and running.

I started out with 3 men coaches. Wow!

The first thing was for me to figure out what it was I wanted to develop, to visualize my dream and see it all the way through. I would take it from start to finish. Then I could add the extras.

As I said in the first post, I was mainly thinking about the unwed parents and children. At that point that was my focus.

My fear was starting to set in BIG TIME! I kept thinking and saying, "I can't do this. I am just a farmer's wife. I have never done anything like this before. How can I do this?" I kept beating myself up for getting myself in such a program, how did I ever think I could do something like this? I thought they were to do the "heavy lifting!" Sure didn't feel like it.

Fear was #1 here. It was my biggest obstacle.

I flew to New Mexico for a training and I was a real basket case by then, because I didn't think I could do this. In fact, I was convinced that there was no way and I would tell them to forget it and give me my money back. On the plane a fine gentleman who managed 8 manufacturing plants in the Midwest sat beside me. As we visited I shared with him what I was doing. He said "Renita, in 3 months you will not believe how far you have come, keep going and you will surprise yourself."

I was still upset. But the people at the training were marvelous. My head coach, Brett, gave me a hug and said "Renita how do we eat an elephant? One bite at a time." Ok got it!

On the 15th of Aug. I wrote in my journal "I am going to do this if it takes my whole being to make it work." I worked on my assignment for the next 2 weeks and got the doors slammed shut in my face. Okay, can't go that direction.

Now what do I do?

Renita Farrall

What is going to be your legacy?

What Will Your Legacy Be?

Have you ever thought about what you would leave as a legacy? Would the legacy be for your family or for all mankind?

What does legacy mean anyway:

Legacy means "1. money or other property left to a person by will; bequest. 2. Something that has been handed down from an ancestor or predecessor. Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind." By Thorndike/Barnhart

I have challenged myself with what mark or legacy I will leave behind.

The thought of a legacy prompted me to start a not-for-profit organization called That's It, I'm Going to Grandma's!." This organization was founded on the principle of giving to others. Reaching out of your comfort zone, extending a hand to others by sharing our individual talents and gifts for the greater good of all.

Ask yourself what difference you can make? What will be your legacy? Do you want to leave money, a book or perhaps challenge yourself to start changing the world around you?

I sat and pondered about it. My first thought was I would like to help both unwed mothers and fathers make a difference in their children's lives. The next step was to develop the strategies to which I could help. Actually, I am using the word I but it should be WE.

While attending a seminar, I shared my thoughts on the legacy I wanted to leave. The presenter recognized the passion in my heart and encouraged me to step up to the plate and be an action taker and make it happen. I visited with the presenter about my thoughts and she saw something in me. It wasn't what I was sharing with her but it was what was in my heart. So she encouraged me to go for it and she said she would work with me and help me make "whatever" happen. She told me "they would do the heavy lifting".

I went for it not knowing what I was getting myself into, so here I am making it happen.

Renita Farrall

What is going to be your legacy?