I had an orthodontist appointment this morning. One of the assistance asked me if I had plans for the weekend. I told her about our event in Ocalla Florida for Cup Of Time. She quickly came on board stating, "Oh I love this! It is so necessary. People don't know how to talk anymore. Constantly on those phones! II talk about this all the time with my..." She and I continued going back-and-forth on how much relationships suffer because of interferences and distractions. This is why no distractions, no interruptions is one of Cup Of Times nonnegotiable rules! :-)
We bonded together even further on the fact that men tend to think "How was your day?" while passing each other, equates to a meaningful conversation. "Yeah, especially when you answer 'good' and they're just like OK and walk on. I am like what you don't want to know the details?"
We then spoke about how the younger generation barely knows how to make eye contact anymore. She stating; "I say to everyone ok let's get off our phones...leave the phone alone and a short time later, each time, they are back on the phones!"
As I replied, "Isn't it amazing how addictive they are?" And she answered "Yes they are" I realized she was quite young herself and it gave me hope because the number of people of ALL generations that find value in Cup Of Time is growing!
One of the other things she mentioned was people playing electronic games when you are right there with them. And it struck me hard because I have always had difficulty with this, my family playing on their phone while in the company of others. Until the game called SOLITAIRE was specifically mentioned the reason was not quite clear to me! And here it is now:
Playing on ones phone in the presence of others creates a separation even while in the direct PRESENCE of others. Do you see? We are together- separate!
It is equal to before most everyone had their own phones when someone would just flat out ignore you while you were right in the room. Only more subtle because they appear to be working on something. Just plane rude, right? We wouldn't be allowed to do that then. For what reason are we allowing our loved ones to do it now? Because they hold it in their hands? It just doesn't make sense does it?
Solitary is NOT good for socialization. When we are WITH others we are supposed to be WITH them. The outcome is FEELING alone when we are NOT alone. We FEEL like it not only because the attentiveness is gone but because this behavior says people really don't want to spend that TIME together. Wether the opposite is true or not. So you see?
Don't sell your relationships short. Reserve your TIME to remind your loved ones how much they mean to you with Cup Of Time.
Smiles and God bless!
Lisa D.

Yesterday my almost 25 year old son and I shared a Cup Of Time. How do I express adequately what I received from it? Somehow rememicising about it with you all now is causing me to be emotional, to the point of tears. I say "somehow" but actually I know exactly how! Because it was special! He made me feel so special as his mom because HE took TIME to talk to ME alone.

There is a big difference between talking everyday, as we come and go and time zips bu. a big difference between that and RESERVING TIME to talk. Reserving TIME, one on one, with NO interruptions brings communication to a whole new level of love!

I keep seeing his all grown up face smiling as he answered that question: "Do you remember when we used to go to Missouri every year for your birthday?" "Of course I do." he said.

​I keep hearing his grown up voice relive our most special moments. It has given me this movie in my memory that flips from yesterday to years ago. I can actually see and hear him in those moments and this moment, one glimpse at a TIME. Little Kody to big Kody back and forth in my mind and heart. PRICELESS!

Cup Of Timers be sure to Reserve and KEEP the time you have reserved. Parents, don't let your children off the hook- they need it probably more then we do. Talking with us is very good practice for them to talk with their spouses. Wouldn't you like to see the divorce rate go down? Remember Cup Of Time for Anniversaries, Weddings, MOTHERs Day!

My engineer husband and I had one of our very best Cup Of Times this morning! He is starting a new job, in a different part of town. Having one vehicle, not knowing how the traffic will be nor how our schedules will sync we decided to do Cup Of Time to go. We grabbed our husband/wife set and enjoyed our TIME at a local coffee spot.
Having been a Behavioral Health Nurse for over 15 years and a real people person all my life, I understand that most people talk about what we do not want. I also understand what we speak we attract to ourselves. We speak about what don't want and get more of what we don't want. It is called The Secret in the secular world. I know it be God's Natural Law of Attraction. HE spoke everything into existence and formed us from dust in HIS own image. So what we SPEAK has a power of its own by God's design.
Somehow my husband and I, got on the pattern of talking about ... You guessed it! What we don't want! So today we made a list of things we DO want and focused on those! My top desire was to cook with someone. Some people like to cook for others. Well I prefer to cook with others. And to my surprise, my husband said the same!
Here was me: "Well we never do it. How was I supposed to know you like to?" Here was him: " Ya, we just get so busy all the time, it's just easier for me to have you do it alone."
Who knows how long we would have continued missing moments cooking together? Who knows how long I would have had to stuff feeling bad about not having someone to create delicious meals WITH. Had we not taken the TIME with Cup Of Time would we ever have discovered this true desire?
BUSY is a four letter word and it can be more destructive than any other. Love those around you with Cup Of Time today.
​ Smiles and God bless! ~lisa

Hello Cup Of Timers! A good way to spark conversation during your reserved C.O.T spaces is to use these questions: "Do you remember when..." "How we used to..." These questions spark emotions that bring meaning to conversations! Most of us LOVE to relive good times right? So do it in your TIME with that special someone! I know I will be using them with my son. We have our TIME scheduled for this Friday at 11am! I will let you know how it goes! Can't wait to talk to him about...! 😊 And excited to report the results! 🌟💖🌟

Wow! TIME sure does blaze by! I can not believe it has been OVER 2 months since I last filled you all in on the JDMS mission! IN FACT it has been 2 weeks since I started this post! This IS what happens in our relationships- we intend to talk. We start and stop and soon enough...
So where do I begin???? Well...a great place to start any and every conversation is with the TRUTH! GOD is LOVE is TRUTH these 3 are ONE!

The Truth is, it has not been easy AND such a complete blessing to our family! I am moved to tears as I type because it truly has been tough AND rewarding! The kids that are coming show us we are a blessing to them by getting better grades and following the instructions better.
Many come one week and then not the next. Our max has been 30 at one time. Since the first day we have never been under 18. No matter the number God makes the students manageable. Even productive.

In the beginning I asked if anybody would be offended if we prayed as I have said before. Now it is just part of the program. Some of the children even pray out loud leading us. Because of the TIME that we have invested in the children they are learning to trust us. Different ones are beginning to share personal things about their lives. Amazing what the students go through and how a caring ear helps.

​ With four mentors and 18 children on a regular basis I needed reading material in multiples. Our Bible Is something I have in multiples on purpose! Just yesterday several of the children asked if they could read the Bible together. I wish you could have seen there eyes light up as the ability to understand IT grew. Just reading straight from it. They had so many questions as we read. You would have thought they just discovered the neatest newest candy or music beat!

We are ALL entwined in HIS Kingdom. HIS Body is full of LIFE that connects ALL across this great universe in which HE created! I am so completely thankful for this mission! The TIME we are giving is the gift. Time IS priceless! Be sure to set AND keep your Cup Of Time dates! It truly is blazing by! Stay connected with your family as the rhythm of 2016 rushes on!