2009 June » PWOC International Blog

Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+P - Done!

Jun 302009

Recently I had a conversation with a hospital administrator about how long it took to conduct a clinic appointment where the provider was required to use the computer network to retrieve/enter patient data. This conversation was followed soon after by an appointment at one of the hospital’s clinics where the provider used the network quite alot to satisfy the requirements of my appointment. It didn’t take long to learn why these appointments are taking longer than necessary, this woman could not type to save her life! Hard to believe, I know! It took FOREVERRRR!

That any educated person employed in 2009 would have absolutely no keyboarding skills is an absolute amazement to me. At this point in history, keyboarding skills seems to me as a necessary life skill…right up there with balancing a checkbook and buying life insurance. That’s not too much to ask, is it?

Sigh…in the absence of unlimited time, there are keyboard shortcuts we can employ to make our digi-time more effiecient so we can turn our attention to more important things like Belgian Dark Chocolate. Here is my quicklist of keyboard shortcuts that you can easily integrate into your workflow. Once you find these are becoming comfortable and automatic, look for more keyboard shortcuts for the programs you use most often and continue to build on what you know. Never stop learning.

Keyboard Shortcut #1 is Learn How to Type! Seriously, if you want to speed up your workflow, learn where the keys are and which finger should press which keys. It works, I promise.

And the rest:

Bold CTRL+B
Copy CTRL+C
Find and replace CTRL+F
Italicize CTRL+I
Open CTRL+O
Paste CTRL+V
Print CTRL+P
Save CTRL+S
Select all CTRL+A
Undo CTRL+Z
*if you use an Apple computer, simply replace the CTRL with CMD (the apple key).

Some of you are asking, “What does CTRL+V mean?” A shortcut is a keyboard operation wherein two or more keys are pressed simultaneously, or at the same time, to invoke a specific action. In this case, you would press both the Control key AND the ‘V’ key at the same time in order to paste something from your virtual clipboard.

Practical application: The Promotion list just published (finally!) and you want to know asap if your hubby’s name is there, but the document is 437 pages long! Quick! Type Ctrl+F and type his name in the search box that appears. Voila & Congrats! Now go shopping, you’re getting a raise.

* Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+P = Select All, Copy, Paste & Print.

Waiting Stinks

Devotions

Jun 292009

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)

Waiting stinks. I don’t like it very much. My life has been full of waiting. I waited for 31 years to find “Mr. Right”. That was a LONG time. Fertility issues made me wait for lots of things like tests, test results, answers, and that ever elusive plus sign on the pregnancy test stick. We have waited for orders from the Army that tell us where we are going next. And I have waited for that email or phone call when my husband was deployed. Everyone waits and it isn’t much fun.

But God has been very faithful to me. There were lots of bumps along the road, but I am truly blessed. My husband turned out to be well worth the wait. He is a man worthy of honor and trust who loves the Lord. God gave us two beautiful sons who are continual blessings. The three guys in my life are physical reminders, spiritual markers, of the times God has answered my prayers beyond all that I could ask or think.

A while back I did a word study on “wait” in the Bible (check out an online Bible search engine). It seemed like waiting was one of the recurring themes in my life. I wanted to see what God had to say about waiting. I was amazed to find that the word “wait” is almost always paired with the word “hope”. What an “aha!” moment. If God, the creator of the universe, is on our side, if we are in a love relationship with Him, then we can have hope while we wait! All my past thoughts about waiting were negative, but all of His are optimistic. God uses the process of waiting to draw us closer to Him and to change us into the likeness of Christ.

May you find hope while you wait. Whether it be waiting for your next assignment, waiting for medical test results, waiting to hear God’s will for your life, waiting for a child who has turned from God to come back, waiting for a loved one to choose God for the first time, waiting for a deployment to be over, please pray while you wait. Meditate on the promises He has given us in His Word, and seek His peace.

Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You. (NASB)

Psalm 130:5-8 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. (NASB)

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (NASB)

Lamentations 3:25-26 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (KJV)

Another day on the road for PWOC

Bits & Pieces

Jun 252009

This has been a busy season for me. My various roles in PWOC have meant a lot of traveling, some by air but most by car. Today is another day on the road as I prepare for the Southeast Region Leadership Weekend at Fort Benning, GA. It will be a blessed time of fellowship and learning.

The beginning of my day, however, suggested something else altogether. As I prepared to take my bags out to the van, I realized that I must have locked my keys in the car the day before. This would not be the first time, of course, so I quickly retrieved my hide-a-key from the secret inside pocket of my purse. Crisis averted. That is until I got out to the car only to find that I had not just left my keys in the car, but in the ignition…in the ‘On’ position…with the satellite radio on…until it drained my battery! ugh.

I must confess, that a dead battery is also nothing new for me. Sad, but true. Therefore, I have my very own set of jumper cables AND I know how to use them! Go Army Wife!

So as I’m well into my 6+ hour drive, I’m contemplating how my life as a believer is different than others and how I allow God’s light to shine through me. The morning’s events prove that we are not immune to the challenges of daily life and as a military spouse, don’t these challenges always happen when our spouse is away?

So what makes a believer different? How does the Light of Jesus shine through me?

It’s how we handle and react to the challenges of daily life that make a difference. Rather than throwing a temper tantrum because my plans were being threatened, I lifted praise to my amazing Provider who always knows what I need. I had the key, which I acquired through another opportunity for praise. I had the cables, which I knew how to use because of yet another opportunity for praise. I had the time because by some miracle (!) I was actually 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

Coincidence? I don’t believe in those. I firmly believe that my Redeemer is surprised by nothing and prepared for everything! Through Him, I can relax and enjoy the Light of His presence and provision.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

Where Our Monday Devotionals come from? Part III

Devotions, Who are we

Jun 252009

Rachel Spinuzzi is an Army wife, currently assigned to Fort Hood, TX with her husband Marc and two boys Sam and Levi. She has been involved in PWOC since 2002. Rachel loves music, photography, birds, drinking coffee, gardening, studying God’s Word, and teaching.

May We Shine Brightly

President's Pen

Jun 242009

My husband, David, and I went for a drive last weekend to see Turkey Point lighthouse in the most northern part of Maryland. After climbing to top of the tiny spiraling stairs, I was able to see my surroundings from a very different vantage point. I thought about how we are to be lights shining with the light of God’s glory in a darkened world.

Matthew 5:16 (The Message) states: “…You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hill-top, on a light stand–shine!”

While standing in the light portion of the lighthouse, I prayed for all of us. May we all shine brightly to draw people to Jesus Christ, who is a light unto our path!

You can contact Brenda Marlin, the PWOC International President, here.

Email Etiquette - Subject line, part II

Tech Tuesday

Jun 232009

Last week, we started talking about using the Subject line when sending emails. Here are a few more rules to consider.

Talk About One Subject per Email Message Only
Help make the world less confusing. Try to talk about one subject per message only. For another subject, start a new email.

Keep Your Subjects Lines Short, but meaningful
Make sure the recipients can read all of your Subject line (40 to 60 characters MAX).

Repeat Important Subject Information in the Body
The Subject line of your email is important, but you shouldn’t rely on it being read or paid attention.

Change a Thread’s Subject When the Topic Changes
Change occurs to an email thread’s topic, and then the email’s Subject should change, too.

Source: About.Com

"EVOO"…useful for more than celebrity cooking shows?

Devotions

Jun 222009

Submitted by Andrea Plotner

“The Lord called you a thriving olive tree, with fruit beautiful in form.” (Jeremiah 11:6a)

If you’ve ever watched celebrity cooking shows, you’ve likely heard the term E.V.O.O. – Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Often, cooks will check the bottle for the words, “organic first cold pressed” which means the oil was made from the first pressing of the olives, and that it is raw, unfiltered, stone crushed, and pure.

Thinking on purity inspires me both in how I live and in how I study God’s word. Like that first cold press, I am to offer God the first and best of my love, my resources, my thoughts, and my time. I am to keep my heart pure, and allow God to refine me. And, as oil fills vessels, I am to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18) and made useful as a torch alights dark places.

Additionally, when I approach God’s word in study and contemplation, I can be alert to any mention of olives and mine the deeper meanings God that may have hidden within the text such as first fruits, purity, Fruit of the Spirit, or the Holy Spirit.

The olive tree itself makes a fascinating subject for Bible study because it must be pruned to grow well; it takes about 30 years to begin producing olives; and, if mature and healthy, can yield thousands of pounds of fruit and oil each year. The trees are abundant here at Ft. Irwin, and are indeed lovely.

Interestingly, the subjects of olives, olive oil, or olive trees are mentioned 80 times in the Bible. These are familiar references: the dove carrying an olive branch back to Noah, olive oil to light the lamp stand in the tabernacle, Jesus on the Mount of Olives, and more. Use an online Bible search engine to further your research.

And the next time you reach for that bottle of E.V.O.O., remember God’s handiwork of purity and purpose.

Used by permission.

It's PCS Season

Bits & Pieces

Jun 182009

It’s PCS Season, or Permanent Change of Station in military-speak. For most of us, regardless of how seasoned we are in this nomadic lifestyle, it can mean packing, crying, and saying goodbye. By mid-summer of any given year, those that are moving to the next assignment have had their worldly possessions boxed, labeled and crammed into large trucks, with either a stateside or an overseas location as the next place they’ll be opened. The farewell dinners have been given at units and chapels, and there have been tears. Even if they are not cried in a public place, there have been tears. At least with me, there are always tears and this hard tugging on my heartstrings. Saying goodbye….probably one of the hardest things to do in this life. Most of the time I just say, “see you later.” Many times that actually happens as assignments again intersect and a second phase of the relationship can continue. With some of our things still in boxes in the garage from four years ago, I’m just glad it’s not our year to move. I mean, to PCS. I think this is a good time to continue to pray, care and share with others about our experiences. Maybe it’s an opportunity to plan, conserve and save our resources. Or this blog just might be the perfect place for me to publish, create and submit my ideas. Regardless, I’m thinking that PCS can be a time to grow personally, corporately, and spiritually. God bless you on your journey. You’ll always have a home with us in PWOC.

What does W.I.L.D. Training have to do with VBS?

Bits & Pieces

Jun 162009

This year I became a PWOC Trainer for the first time and have had a blast meeting women in our local installations and getting to know them on a personal level. The curriculum is so incredibly well written that the trainer has little to do but keep time when the ladies get so involved in the discussion that time becomes irrelevant. In fact, I use my iPhone’s alarm clock feature and found that PWOC women do not respond to the harp! I had to choose the more annoying digital sound that works much better. No kidding.

So what does WILD training have to do with VBS? WILD training reminds us that we are individually and beautifully made by God for His purpose. Eph. 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV) The commentary in the Life Application Bible adds this, “...If God considers us his works of art, we dare not treat ourselves or others with disrespect or as inferior work.” Powerful words. WILD training reminds us that we can have freedom in being simply who we are, and not who we are NOT.

There are certain tasks in PWOC that when mentioned, you know right away who’s name gets attached. The opposite is true, as well, and let me just say that my name is never the one called out for watchcare! Having said that, volunteering for Vacation Bible School has always ranked right up there at the, well, bottom of my list! I’d rather pick up trash along the highway. Sad, but true.

Okay, so this year I have a new lease on life and permission to be the computer geek that I am so when the volunteer call went out for VBS, I stepped forward. Did you know that VBS has administrative duties, as well? In fact, today I used Mail Merge to create and print the Certificates of Appreciation for all of the other volunteers that were running in from the rain with 200+ kids. I stayed dry, of course, eating excess snack bags of pretzels, mini marshmallows, raisins and skittles. Too much of that, by the way, can make you sick. Dry, but sick.

Tomorrow will be Day Three of Fort Bragg’s VBS and I’m excited to be involved. There’s plenty to keep me busy doing my ‘geek’ thing and no one has asked me to lead a round of This Little Light of Mine. God is Good!

Email Etiquette - Subject line, Part I

Tech Tuesday

Jun 162009

Have you ever considered the purpose of the Subject Line?

If you’ve ever put question or meeting or hello in the Subject line, you’ve probably never really thought about it. There are three reasons to begin using the Subject Line more thoughtfully:

Avoid going to JUNK Mail
Make searching through email easier for the recipient
It’s just good manners

Avoid going to JUNK Mail: Vague and misspelled Subject Lines are a hallmark for SPAM so it’s very common for email filters to mistaken real messages as spam and block delivery. If your message is important, take the extra 20 seconds to say so in the Subject Line.

Make searching emails easier for the recipient: Many users have discovered the benefits of using email handlers to manage their multiple inboxes. These applications make searching through lots of messages easier in that you can search by the various fields of a message like To, From, Subject, etc. I receive upwards of fifty emails each day. Many of these messages can be discarded right away but among them will be top priority messages that require immediate action. I will often rely on the Subject Line to prioritize what gets read first as opposed to what can wait.

Once an email has been read and acted upon, however, it just falls further and further down the list of messages until it’s no longer visible on the screen. What happens when I get a question regarding one of those earlier messages? For instance, our regional board members submit a Friday report each week to keep everyone informed of the week’s activities. The Subject Line for these updates is usually, “PWOC/SE Friday Report – Financial Secretary.” If I want to remind myself of the status of an outstanding Purchase Order, I simply search the Subject field for the above words. Voila! My inbox of hundreds is quickly reduced to ten or less making my search infinitely easier.

Not only does this search process simplify the recipients workflow, it also eliminates the probability of generating a new email asking a question that has already been answered and that’s just good manners!

Food for Thought:

Don’t stop at PWOC, particularly if you are a board member or are addressing a board member. Many leaders serve on more than one board and board members get a surprisingly high number of PWOC related messages. Follow through and be specific. (ie. PWOC/NE Regional Board Meeting Reminder)
Don’t stop at meeting. Specify not only the organization having the meeting but whether it is a reminder, cancellation or meeting related question.
Avoid important or urgent. Again, don’t look like SPAM!
Incorrect spelling sends a message and it’s NOT the one you intend! Pay attention.

Older Entries

PWOC International Blog

Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+P - Done!

Waiting Stinks

Another day on the road for PWOC

Where Our Monday Devotionals come from? Part III

May We Shine Brightly

Email Etiquette - Subject line, part II

"EVOO"…useful for more than celebrity cooking shows?

It's PCS Season

What does W.I.L.D. Training have to do with VBS?

Email Etiquette - Subject line, Part I

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