There is nothing like adversity to focus the mind - and nothing like respectful prayer to pull the random overwhelming thoughts into some kind of perspective.
Yesterday I struggled to comprehend it all, which I suppose is just part of the understanding process.
Things have not changed, and why should they, but there have been signs, recognisable indications that He is listening and has a much greater plan than one i should whittle over.

Our administrator rang this morning (for the first time ever) with news that he has found another job.
Mr Vicar will be pleased, and that means we can start to plan a brighter and more congenial environment in the church office.

The bank have acknowledged that I could take out a loan of sufficient money to clear the bills and part the clouds while we chase up the outstanding debtors.

The 'crisis' has really drawn my attention to a more mature, professional and clinical attitude to the company, in which I have absolute faith for the future. Turnover has risen in August to its highest since April - though it still remains 25% below the required level.
I've been looking tonight at our retailing in the New Forest in the light of Paul's review of our methods and he's absolutely right. Seems the model we took over in 2004/5 is now no longer the best way forward, and it seems so obvious it is embarrassing. Instead of looking at ways (and setting targets - D take note!!) of finding new stockists for our products, we need to target those we already have and convince them to sell more and have deliveries maybe three or four times a year instead of every two or three weeks.
In admin/account management time alone this could save as much as 75% of the cost in invoicing, postage, data recording etc for each shop! That quickly adds up to a lot of money. It would have obvious advantages too in terms of mileage and time for distribution.

Beware the manager who has time to think...

All about 'growing up really'. We are always equipped to deal with our problems if only we are not scared and running from them. There is strength in adversity f course and immaturity in arrogance.

The more I consider the situation we face at work, the more obvious it seems that now is the time to stick to the plan, to focus on strategies for dealing with these challenges and to believe in what we have achieved. The end of the partnership is nigh, and I know that it is the right thing to do. There is only one person in the office that doesn't share the vision and commitment to the business, only one person in the office with whom ALL the staff have problems, and only one person lacking faith and conviction...

But, but, how to achieve the desired result?

Intech today, courtesy of Hampshire's Top Attractions. Disappointing. Great ideas, and fun for the kids with the hands on science theme, but just too much. They flit from set to set and don't spend time exploring and learning anything in particular. It's very crowded and very noisy - too much stimulation and a serious case of information overload. The cafe is inadequate and understaffed, and needs to be somehow shut off from the cacophony of all the experimentation going on around.
Sadly, I also felt let down by the Planetarium. Opened this spring, and I think the largest of its kind in Britain (??) its little more than a 3D DVD screen. We sat transfixed throughout the half hour presentation but I was disappointed with a) the American-ness of the corny voiceover, the pixellated closeups, the cheap 'insets' with arrows pointing at the relevant bits to which the commentary referred, and the terrible, cheesy JMJ soundtrack throughout. And the talking. Why do people have to talk? and text? and wave at the planets as they drift past?
It would have been much more inspiring to have experienced it in silence, without the music, and to have been taken through the film much more slowly. There was no time at all just to wonder at the stars, to explore the constellations etc...

Not many attractions have left us with that 'I wouldn't go back there in a hurry' feeling, but this one strangely did. Sahme really - the marketing manager Andy is such a nice man.
Perhaps there's something in that...?