Saturday family games in a tent. :)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
stuff you learn around the Thanksgiving table
Reflections from my Thanksgiving holiday -
Children really do turn into their parents, for better or worse - and sometimes the "for worse" is far worse than the "for better."
Candles give off such a warm, pleasant glow, even when the conversation doesn't.
Newlyweds really are just too "newlywedish" sometimes. (Or maybe the rest of us "old marrieds" forget how to gush over each other and should try a little harder...)
When there's only one child at the table, all the attention is turned to them - for the "cute" and "not-so-cute" things she does.
Too much of a good thing is still too much.
Plastic silverware is still just plastic.
Elbow room can be overrated and unnecessary, sometimes.
Six months later, a missing person is still missed.
Sometimes it's best just to be quiet and shove another piece of bread in the mouth.
Despite imperfections, holidays really are for sharing together.
Children really do turn into their parents, for better or worse - and sometimes the "for worse" is far worse than the "for better."
Candles give off such a warm, pleasant glow, even when the conversation doesn't.
Newlyweds really are just too "newlywedish" sometimes. (Or maybe the rest of us "old marrieds" forget how to gush over each other and should try a little harder...)
When there's only one child at the table, all the attention is turned to them - for the "cute" and "not-so-cute" things she does.
Too much of a good thing is still too much.
Plastic silverware is still just plastic.
Elbow room can be overrated and unnecessary, sometimes.
Six months later, a missing person is still missed.
Sometimes it's best just to be quiet and shove another piece of bread in the mouth.
Despite imperfections, holidays really are for sharing together.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
doings
Taking an idea from Lisa Writes today...
Things I should be doing:
~working (my filing job/from home) - been doing this, just taking a "break"
~mopping the kitchen floor - I got the bathrooms done yesterday!
~folding laundry - 2 loads done, just need to be folded!
~playing w/ Lynn - she's playing so well by herself this morning (why interrupt?!)
Things I am doing instead:
~reading blogs
~eating popcorn & chocolate pieces with my daughter
Things I wish I were doing:
~soaking in a hot tub
~reading a good book, guilt free
Things I am considering doing:
~baking dessert for tomorrow
~working (hey, it's got to get done - 25 more files to go!)
Things I will be doing in the near future/today:
~eating lunch when hubby gets home
~meeting some youth at a coffee shop this afternoon
~looking over recipes for tomorrow/Thanksgiving - I am bringing a dessert and a side dish for the family gathering at my sis-in-law's tomorrow
~calling my sis-in-law to finalize travel plans
What about you?
Things I should be doing:
~working (my filing job/from home) - been doing this, just taking a "break"
~mopping the kitchen floor - I got the bathrooms done yesterday!
~folding laundry - 2 loads done, just need to be folded!
~playing w/ Lynn - she's playing so well by herself this morning (why interrupt?!)
Things I am doing instead:
~reading blogs
~eating popcorn & chocolate pieces with my daughter
Things I wish I were doing:
~soaking in a hot tub
~reading a good book, guilt free
Things I am considering doing:
~baking dessert for tomorrow
~working (hey, it's got to get done - 25 more files to go!)
Things I will be doing in the near future/today:
~eating lunch when hubby gets home
~meeting some youth at a coffee shop this afternoon
~looking over recipes for tomorrow/Thanksgiving - I am bringing a dessert and a side dish for the family gathering at my sis-in-law's tomorrow
~calling my sis-in-law to finalize travel plans
What about you?
Monday, November 24, 2008
send a Christmas wish overseas
The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers and veterans both in the United States and abroad. Holiday Mail for Heroes, which began Tuesday, Veterans Day, is a follow-up to the 2007 effort that resulted in the collection and distribution of more than 600,000 cards to hospitalized servicemembers. This year's program will expand its reach to not only wounded servicemembers but also veterans and their families. The goal is to collect and distribute 1 million pieces of holiday mail.
"As we enter this holiday season-a time to celebrate with family and friends-it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System. "The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform."
Holiday cards should be mailed to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456
All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
For more information, visit www.wramc.amedd.army.mil or www.redcross.org/holidaymail for Holiday Mail for Heroes program guidelines.Walter Reed is not accepting mail addressed to "A Recovering American Soldier."
Sunday, November 23, 2008
winter, winter go away
Lynn declared today that she "wishes it were spring!" And then proceeded to pull up her hood and stomp out to her swingset :) Ahhh... if only a good foot-stomping worked to make the warm weather come (or worked for anything else for that matter). Although I must admit I'm ready for warm weather again as well - and it's not even officially winter yet! :)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
mercy vs. grace
I'm reading Captured by Grace by David Jeremiah and love the examples he gives to explain the difference in the meaning of mercy versus the meaning of grace.
p. 23...
He defines the difference as such: "Mercy is God withholding the punishment we rightfully deserve. Grace is God not only withholding that punishment but offering the most precious of gifts instead."
The examples he gives are as follows:
"Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket.
Mercy runs to forgive the Prodigal Son.
Grace throws a party with every extravagance.
Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by the robbers.
Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.
Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.
Mercy pays the penalty for our sin at the cross.
Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.
Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be an apostle.
Mercy closes the door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.
Mercy withholds what we have earned.
Grace provides blessings we have not earned."
"A moment of grace can change a lifetime. In fact, a moment of grace can change an eternity." (p.25)
p. 23...
He defines the difference as such: "Mercy is God withholding the punishment we rightfully deserve. Grace is God not only withholding that punishment but offering the most precious of gifts instead."
The examples he gives are as follows:
"Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket.
Mercy runs to forgive the Prodigal Son.
Grace throws a party with every extravagance.
Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by the robbers.
Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.
Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.
Mercy pays the penalty for our sin at the cross.
Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.
Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be an apostle.
Mercy closes the door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.
Mercy withholds what we have earned.
Grace provides blessings we have not earned."
"A moment of grace can change a lifetime. In fact, a moment of grace can change an eternity." (p.25)
Friday, November 21, 2008
digging deep
Forgiveness. Do you ever feel like 70 x 7 has gone and passed already? Sometimes the forgiveness I'm required to give just wears me out. I wonder how I can possibly extend mercy - again - when I feel like I've been stomped on more times than the doormat in front of my house.
Fill me Lord and forgive me, as I know the mercy you extend to me comes with no limits. Help me to overflow your mercy and forgiveness to others when my own patience and willpower to extend it is gone.
Micah 7:18
Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
Fill me Lord and forgive me, as I know the mercy you extend to me comes with no limits. Help me to overflow your mercy and forgiveness to others when my own patience and willpower to extend it is gone.
Micah 7:18
Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wordless Wednesday
I saw this on my hike during our time away in the mountains a couple of weeks ago. Cotton! "The fabric of our lives." (Are they still using that slogan?) Anyways, I thought it turned out neat.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
fall do's and don'ts
Just for grins, I put together a little list about fall and some of my "do's and don'ts."
I do like scarves, but I don't like the cold weather that makes it necessary to wear them.
I do like cool whip, but I don't like pumpkin pie.
I do like leaves turning colors, but I don't like it when they fall off.
I do like to open my blinds and feel the sun's warmth, but I don't like it when despite heat and sun, my hands always stay cold in the fall/winter.
I do like heat to keep my house warm, but I don't like how it dries my skin out.
Ok, ok, just to keep it a little more positive, I'll leave out some of the whiney don'ts and just stick to some do's now:
I do like cute, rosy cheeks on my family's faces when coming in from the cold.
I do like snuggling under a blanket on the couch to stay warm.
I do like hearing the wind blow leaves around outside with the blessing of a warm house to live in.
I do like looking at the calendar and seeing holidays coming up where we get to see family.
How about you?
I do like scarves, but I don't like the cold weather that makes it necessary to wear them.
I do like cool whip, but I don't like pumpkin pie.
I do like leaves turning colors, but I don't like it when they fall off.
I do like to open my blinds and feel the sun's warmth, but I don't like it when despite heat and sun, my hands always stay cold in the fall/winter.
I do like heat to keep my house warm, but I don't like how it dries my skin out.
Ok, ok, just to keep it a little more positive, I'll leave out some of the whiney don'ts and just stick to some do's now:
I do like cute, rosy cheeks on my family's faces when coming in from the cold.
I do like snuggling under a blanket on the couch to stay warm.
I do like hearing the wind blow leaves around outside with the blessing of a warm house to live in.
I do like looking at the calendar and seeing holidays coming up where we get to see family.
How about you?
and the reply came
No surprise to God with how I was feeling last night - His reply? My breakfast devotion reading this morning.
"Guilt Guilt Go Away" (From Rise & Shine by Liz Curtis Higgs)
My audiences often ask me if I miss my children when I'm on the road speaking. Absolutely. (Although it is nice to look out on a room full of people who dressed themselves.)
For moms who travel, airport card shops now feature colorful greeting cards to mail to your kids back home. They have warn thoughts inside like, "Can't wait to hug you again" or "Mama misses you s-o-o-o-o much." What they really mean is, "Help! I'm on a guilt trip."
If you ask women what they want more of in their lives, they never shout out, "S ex!" or "Money!" Their response is always the same: "Time!" (I know, I know - if you had more time, you also might have more of the other two.) A working mother in Lansing wrote, "There just isn't enough of me to go around." Yeah, we get that.
No matter what our station in life, there is a guilt message formulated just for us....
Some of us have an internal "guilt table" to determine how badly we should feel:
Falling asleep during the 6pm news... 2
Sending store bought cookies to school... 5
Forgetting to pick up child (first time)... 9
Forgetting to pick up child (second time)... 342
...
"...casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
After spending some time with the Lord, I know I need to ease back a bit on my guilt meter, continue to "cast my care upon Him" and also not put so much pressure on Lynn or myself. The only child/first child inevitably gets more pressure for perfection on them and I do need to stick to our standards of discipline and child-rearing, but I need to not get so crazy about it that I push her into a perfection meltdown. :)
"Guilt Guilt Go Away" (From Rise & Shine by Liz Curtis Higgs)
My audiences often ask me if I miss my children when I'm on the road speaking. Absolutely. (Although it is nice to look out on a room full of people who dressed themselves.)
For moms who travel, airport card shops now feature colorful greeting cards to mail to your kids back home. They have warn thoughts inside like, "Can't wait to hug you again" or "Mama misses you s-o-o-o-o much." What they really mean is, "Help! I'm on a guilt trip."
If you ask women what they want more of in their lives, they never shout out, "S ex!" or "Money!" Their response is always the same: "Time!" (I know, I know - if you had more time, you also might have more of the other two.) A working mother in Lansing wrote, "There just isn't enough of me to go around." Yeah, we get that.
No matter what our station in life, there is a guilt message formulated just for us....
Some of us have an internal "guilt table" to determine how badly we should feel:
Falling asleep during the 6pm news... 2
Sending store bought cookies to school... 5
Forgetting to pick up child (first time)... 9
Forgetting to pick up child (second time)... 342
...
"...casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
After spending some time with the Lord, I know I need to ease back a bit on my guilt meter, continue to "cast my care upon Him" and also not put so much pressure on Lynn or myself. The only child/first child inevitably gets more pressure for perfection on them and I do need to stick to our standards of discipline and child-rearing, but I need to not get so crazy about it that I push her into a perfection meltdown. :)
Monday, November 17, 2008
pressure in raising an "only"
I just get so worn out. I want so badly not to "mess up" raising Lynn that it's exhausting dealing with "the right way" to discipline when behavior issues come up. I'm taking Shepherding a Child's Heart study by Ted Tripp and believe in his core belief that it's not about raising a child that simply behaves well, but that it's the heart that I desire to change and mold and become like Christ. I mean, that's my strive - to reach towards the holiness of Christ. No, I will never ever attain perfection - definitely not! But, by walking in His Word, He can mold me and shape me to be more like Him, like He desires, to be used by Him. I don't want Lynn to grow up behaving like the perfect child, only to turn when she gets older because I'm not there to "make her." I want to raise her that she can one day make decisions on her own that will honor God (& consequently us).
I know there is no perfect, 1-2-3, easy method of child-raising. I know that no one ever gets it right all the time. I know all that in my head, but my heart sooo yearns for her to want to know Christ and let Him be her only guide that my humanness just gets in the way. I feel crushed and disappointed (& angry) in hearing of her behavioral "issue" at school today, but I can't take it personally. That mommy guilt, man, it's a doosey. And I know that for me, that has become more magnified because of losing Nathan. It's like, "She's my only one - we can't screw her up" pressure -- totally self imposed and ridiculous, but hey, I'm being honest, it's there.
Pray for me and my hubby - just for God's wisdom in raising our strong-willed little individual. One with her own personality and character and who is so moldable and still so young. I love her dearly.
I know there is no perfect, 1-2-3, easy method of child-raising. I know that no one ever gets it right all the time. I know all that in my head, but my heart sooo yearns for her to want to know Christ and let Him be her only guide that my humanness just gets in the way. I feel crushed and disappointed (& angry) in hearing of her behavioral "issue" at school today, but I can't take it personally. That mommy guilt, man, it's a doosey. And I know that for me, that has become more magnified because of losing Nathan. It's like, "She's my only one - we can't screw her up" pressure -- totally self imposed and ridiculous, but hey, I'm being honest, it's there.
Pray for me and my hubby - just for God's wisdom in raising our strong-willed little individual. One with her own personality and character and who is so moldable and still so young. I love her dearly.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
save money, the "no-brainer" way
Ok, here's the no-brainer way to save money: stay at home! Don't go to the store! :) Told you it was a no-brainer. Practical? Welll... not if you absolutely need something (notice I said need, not want), but in all other cases, it has worked for me! I'm one of those gals that likes to just meander around stores, having the flexibility to take my time (& shop without my daughter/hubby) and bring home an extra one or two things that usually fall under the "want" category. An extra food item (usually chocolate) that we don't really need "but it looks really good" or a new dish towel for the kitchen "just because" or a hair bow for Lynn because it's "cute." I don't usually make huge extra purchases, but the little things that aren't really necessary when we're trying to save every penny to pay off debt that add up on the final bill. So, my approach lately has just been to stay home. I don't put myself in those compromising situations and therefore don't spend unnecessarily. So, honestly, I also have been avoiding Walmart like the plague. That's where much of my unnecessary spending gets spent. I can keep myself out of other "fun" stores like Kohls or the mall or even Hallmark and specialty stores, but Walmart's unavoidable for buying food and other health/beauty products. Lately, I've been going to Aldi and then Food Lion, just to keep myself out of Walmart. But, I come to the week in which I have too many Walmart-needs to purchase... toilet paper, laundry detergent, a small notebook, pack of underwear for Lynn, a set of white pillowcases... random things that are most cost-effective to purchase at Walmart. So - wish me luck, I think I'm off to Walmart today (with a specific list, that I will try my hardest to stick to!) Yikes! ;)
prayer 4 our nation's leaders
Thank you to Heather for directing me to this site: The Presidential Prayer Team. I've signed up for the 77 Days of Prayer for our new President and encourage you to as well. Prayer, always, for our nation's leaders is so critical. Their decisions impact not only the lives of USA citizens, but of those around the globe as well.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wordless Wednesday - mtns.
Just got back from a family reunion in the mountains. It was a bit past "peak" but the mountains still amaze me as some of God's most beautiful creation. This was taken hiking around the property - a look down the driveway.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tackle It Tuesday - vacation
Well, I'll have a Tackle it Wednesday tomorrow, as we'll be home from our mountain vacation tonight and I'm sure I'll have loads of laundry! :) Anyways, I look forward to seeing what you tackled, but for now, I'm gonna go back to "tackling" relaxing!
Monday, November 10, 2008
mm..i...lovefudge!
Boy do I love chocolate!! I am chowing down on some homemade fudge today and thought I'd post a recipe for something different. It's a softer type fudge, not the creamy melt in your hand kind, but not the so hard it's gonna break your tooth kind either. ;)
Fantasy Fudge
(makes 3 lbs.)
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. margarine
1 small can (5 oz) evaporated milk
1 pkg. semi sweet chocolate pieces
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine sugar, margarine, & milk in a heavy 2-3 qt. saucepan. Bring to a full, rolling boil.
Continuing boiling for 5 mins. over medium heat - stirring constantly.
Remove from heat & stir in chocolate pieces until melted.
Add marshmallow creme and vanilla. Beat until well blended.
Pour into a 9x13 pan.
Cool at room temperature. Cut into squares.
Fantasy Fudge
(makes 3 lbs.)
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. margarine
1 small can (5 oz) evaporated milk
1 pkg. semi sweet chocolate pieces
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine sugar, margarine, & milk in a heavy 2-3 qt. saucepan. Bring to a full, rolling boil.
Continuing boiling for 5 mins. over medium heat - stirring constantly.
Remove from heat & stir in chocolate pieces until melted.
Add marshmallow creme and vanilla. Beat until well blended.
Pour into a 9x13 pan.
Cool at room temperature. Cut into squares.
Friday, November 7, 2008
mess? who me?
Just a thought -
"Part of our mess is not knowing we are a mess."
by Mark McMinn, Why Sin Matters: The Surprising Relationship Between our Sin and God's Grace
We think we have it all together. We compare ourselves to the next person, thinking I'm no worse then they are, but in reality we're a mess! A complete, unholy mess that can only be cleaned up by the saving grace of the One and Only Holy God.
I would also change the quote above to "Part of our mess is not admitting we are a mess."
by Mrs. H, Mess, Who Me? blog post :)
Why is it so hard for us to admit when we're wrong? Why is it so hard to be real and transparent enough to show others we don't have it all together? Stained Glass Masquerade by Casting Crowns is a great song that touches upon this. And I'll admit, I'm one that sometimes finds it easier to say, "Hi there. Yeah, I'm doing great. Thanks! See ya later." Problem is too, it's a small percentage of people that are actually willing to even take the time to listen to you if you're brave enough to admit that you don't have it all together. After our tragedy with losing Nathan, I've had so many that have been willing to stop and listen and to that, I've been extremely grateful. I feel like I am better at expressing my feelings now, so when I'm feeling low (or any emotion), if someone is genuinely asking I do try to share my real thoughts and feelings.
On the reverse, I'm trying to be better at reaching out to others and making the time to listen as well. I feel like I'm at a point right now, with my daughter at school during the day, that I can take a few extra minutes to call or visit someone that's had a hardship or that I haven't seen in awhile. It's easy to sit in my own safe "bubble" and focus on my own feelings, but that's not what God calls us to do. I think one of the reasons He puts tragedies, joys, sorrows, mysteries in our lives so that we can learn to lean on Him then share that with others.
So, I ask you - What are you gonna do with your mess? Deny it, forget it, or admit it, ask for forgiveness and move forward with what the Lord would have you to do today?
If you haven't heard Casting Crowns song, check it out and listen. Be real. Help others to be real.
"Part of our mess is not knowing we are a mess."
by Mark McMinn, Why Sin Matters: The Surprising Relationship Between our Sin and God's Grace
We think we have it all together. We compare ourselves to the next person, thinking I'm no worse then they are, but in reality we're a mess! A complete, unholy mess that can only be cleaned up by the saving grace of the One and Only Holy God.
I would also change the quote above to "Part of our mess is not admitting we are a mess."
by Mrs. H, Mess, Who Me? blog post :)
Why is it so hard for us to admit when we're wrong? Why is it so hard to be real and transparent enough to show others we don't have it all together? Stained Glass Masquerade by Casting Crowns is a great song that touches upon this. And I'll admit, I'm one that sometimes finds it easier to say, "Hi there. Yeah, I'm doing great. Thanks! See ya later." Problem is too, it's a small percentage of people that are actually willing to even take the time to listen to you if you're brave enough to admit that you don't have it all together. After our tragedy with losing Nathan, I've had so many that have been willing to stop and listen and to that, I've been extremely grateful. I feel like I am better at expressing my feelings now, so when I'm feeling low (or any emotion), if someone is genuinely asking I do try to share my real thoughts and feelings.
On the reverse, I'm trying to be better at reaching out to others and making the time to listen as well. I feel like I'm at a point right now, with my daughter at school during the day, that I can take a few extra minutes to call or visit someone that's had a hardship or that I haven't seen in awhile. It's easy to sit in my own safe "bubble" and focus on my own feelings, but that's not what God calls us to do. I think one of the reasons He puts tragedies, joys, sorrows, mysteries in our lives so that we can learn to lean on Him then share that with others.
So, I ask you - What are you gonna do with your mess? Deny it, forget it, or admit it, ask for forgiveness and move forward with what the Lord would have you to do today?
If you haven't heard Casting Crowns song, check it out and listen. Be real. Help others to be real.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
bluegrass rhythm and our spiritual life
"Remember: clap on the chuck not the boom" (David Crowder, speaking about the "boom-chuck rhythm" of bluegrass music)
from Be Lifted [Live] by David Crowder Band, Robbie Seay & Shane And Shane (from David Crowder's B Collision cd)
I wish I knew how to insert an mp3 to a post because this makes me laugh each time I listen to it - their little dialog at the end of the song instructing their concert fans on which beat to clap. If only the differences in right and wrong was so black & white. Hm. Wait - it is!
Something that saddens my heart is to see adult & teen Americans stating that there are no absolute rights and wrongs. "By a 3-to-1 margin (64% vs. 22%) adults said truth is always relative to the person and their situation. The perspective was even more lopsided among teenagers, 83% of whom said moral truth depends on the circumstances, and only 6% of whom said moral truth is absolute." (from The Barna Group, 2002). This study was done a mere six months after 9/11! I fear that the stats aren't much better today. "What works for you might not work for me, but that's ok" is the prevailing attitude. Yikes.
The truth is there is an absolute truth. It can be found in the Scriptures. I do believe there can be some gray issues, but regardless, His Word contains the absolute rights and wrongs. Whether I personally learn them, follow them, or believe in them makes no difference in their existence!
from Be Lifted [Live] by David Crowder Band, Robbie Seay & Shane And Shane (from David Crowder's B Collision cd)
I wish I knew how to insert an mp3 to a post because this makes me laugh each time I listen to it - their little dialog at the end of the song instructing their concert fans on which beat to clap. If only the differences in right and wrong was so black & white. Hm. Wait - it is!
Something that saddens my heart is to see adult & teen Americans stating that there are no absolute rights and wrongs. "By a 3-to-1 margin (64% vs. 22%) adults said truth is always relative to the person and their situation. The perspective was even more lopsided among teenagers, 83% of whom said moral truth depends on the circumstances, and only 6% of whom said moral truth is absolute." (from The Barna Group, 2002). This study was done a mere six months after 9/11! I fear that the stats aren't much better today. "What works for you might not work for me, but that's ok" is the prevailing attitude. Yikes.
The truth is there is an absolute truth. It can be found in the Scriptures. I do believe there can be some gray issues, but regardless, His Word contains the absolute rights and wrongs. Whether I personally learn them, follow them, or believe in them makes no difference in their existence!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wordless Wednesday - fog
Morning fog puts such a neat look on things, although it doesn't make it any easier to wake up! :)Tuesday, November 4, 2008
no matter the outcome
A little reminder & an encouraging word for this election day, from God, via Beth Moore...
The Living Proof Ministries blog: Psalm 118:24
p.s. If you haven't already, please go vote.
The Living Proof Ministries blog: Psalm 118:24
p.s. If you haven't already, please go vote.
Tackle It Tuesday
Disclaimer: I don't like (hot) coffee.
My tackle it for the week was to try McDonald's new iced coffee. I had a coupon to receive one free, so no money was involved in this venture (the pic shows the rest of my coupons, should I decide to go back for another). It is simply coffee, grit and all, over ice with some whip cream on top to make it look good. :) So, the first gritty sip for me was not pleasant. Like I said, I'm not a big coffee drinker, however I love DQ's Moolattes and Starbucks' Frappucinos. I was hoping maybe this would be something of the sort... nah. But, it wasn't promised to be, so I'm not downing McD's advertising of the product. So, what I did was come home, dump the drink in my blender, add some milk to it and wa-la, a creamier tasting variety of the original. It just needed a little more whip cream on top, but I don't have any at home. The verdict is, though, that it is no substitute for my favorites!
I know, tough tackle, but someone had to do it. I couldn't just let that coupon go to waste. Maybe I'll give the rest of the coupons to my husband, who does actually like coffee. :)
My tackle it for the week was to try McDonald's new iced coffee. I had a coupon to receive one free, so no money was involved in this venture (the pic shows the rest of my coupons, should I decide to go back for another). It is simply coffee, grit and all, over ice with some whip cream on top to make it look good. :) So, the first gritty sip for me was not pleasant. Like I said, I'm not a big coffee drinker, however I love DQ's Moolattes and Starbucks' Frappucinos. I was hoping maybe this would be something of the sort... nah. But, it wasn't promised to be, so I'm not downing McD's advertising of the product. So, what I did was come home, dump the drink in my blender, add some milk to it and wa-la, a creamier tasting variety of the original. It just needed a little more whip cream on top, but I don't have any at home. The verdict is, though, that it is no substitute for my favorites!
I know, tough tackle, but someone had to do it. I couldn't just let that coupon go to waste. Maybe I'll give the rest of the coupons to my husband, who does actually like coffee. :)
Monday, November 3, 2008
camera strap covers, gotta protect the neck
Check these out! Shey's Etsy store displays her sewing talent but The Vintage Pearl (another amazing crafter - in jewelry) is hosting a contest. Hurry and sign up. I'm getting five extra entries just for blogging about it, so you'd better get moving. :)
living for Jesus in school
I'm so encouraged this morning. I lead a small group of eighth grade girls on Sunday nights. They amaze me. Hopefully they're frightening Satan. These girls have decided they want to live for the Lord at their schools and are sharing praises about how God has opened doors to give them opportunities to share Christ with their classmates. One girl is in conversation about evolution vs. creation with a classmate (and, thank you God for your timing: a guest speaker we just had in to talk about Wicca brought with him The Evolution Handbook, which several of our students bought. My student has since come back and said that she's been able to pull things out to help her support creation while chatting with her friend). Another of my girls has been able to bring up "What do you believe?" at her lunch table full of people. This opened the door for some interesting discussion. In fact, it was great, I received a text message from her at noontime saying, "I'm talking about God at lunch again today!" The night before we had just been praying for the Lord to bring up opportunities for her, as she felt it was hard to know how to bring Him up. A third student was able to do a book report in front of the class on a Christian teen fiction book that talked about the rapture. So, she was able to share in front of a non-believing teacher and class of students, her beliefs on the Lord & His return one day!! In the beginning of the year, this student was down about what team of teachers she had at school, but God has already used her as a witness to her teachers this year. She's now thanking Him for being where she is.
It brings me to thankful tears. I love to see their "fire" for God. Our tag-line for our youth ministry is "Reflecting God's Love to Our World" - seeing some of our kids doing just that makes me want to jump up and shout!
It brings me to thankful tears. I love to see their "fire" for God. Our tag-line for our youth ministry is "Reflecting God's Love to Our World" - seeing some of our kids doing just that makes me want to jump up and shout!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
melting debt
Debt snowball... nah, I'm not talking about the debt that piles up in the winter, but rather Dave Ramsey's term for how to pay off debt. Well, we went through Financial Peace U. and have not been the most faithful. However, we have now buckled down and want to start with the debt snowball principal. I've created our list of debts and we're making our way down... ok, well, starting at the top anyways. We are doing better about sticking to a budget, as there's not much flex there anyways, but over the years all we had been doing for the extras was sticking it on credit card, not much but enough to pile up each month as it was still beyond our reach to pay off monthly. Well, now we've created a snowball of debt and need to tackle it using the same principle - the reverse way!
The only extra money (above bill-paying & grocery budget) we have towards cutting debt is what I'm making. There's a teeny bit extra on his check, but it goes towards the "unaviodables" like his weekly staff lunch out and gas for the car. So, while I guess that should make me feel good as I'm (hopefully) going to noticebly see the debt shave away, it just seems so overwhelming and that I feel like I'm only making such tiny tiny baby steps towards a huge overwhelming goal. It makes me frustrated b/c hubby likes to tinker on our third car (er, frustration right there) and likes to go road bike riding (a pasttime I definitely support). Well, inevitably there's expenses for those that "pop up." Hm. Not in the budget, I say, and they need to stay out of the budget if we're truly dedicated. I stay at home now, working from home (an amazing God-thing job that just kinda fell into my lap - about 20 hrs/wk), and I feel like I have cut out sooo much extras. I don't even go out to stores anymore (big step for me) so that I'm not tempted to buy this or that/"extras." Yikes, sorry, I'm venting a bit & going off course, but all that to say, it is really a mind-set and a HUGE committment to the dedication of paying off debt. Anyone have any success stories of encouragement to share?
The only extra money (above bill-paying & grocery budget) we have towards cutting debt is what I'm making. There's a teeny bit extra on his check, but it goes towards the "unaviodables" like his weekly staff lunch out and gas for the car. So, while I guess that should make me feel good as I'm (hopefully) going to noticebly see the debt shave away, it just seems so overwhelming and that I feel like I'm only making such tiny tiny baby steps towards a huge overwhelming goal. It makes me frustrated b/c hubby likes to tinker on our third car (er, frustration right there) and likes to go road bike riding (a pasttime I definitely support). Well, inevitably there's expenses for those that "pop up." Hm. Not in the budget, I say, and they need to stay out of the budget if we're truly dedicated. I stay at home now, working from home (an amazing God-thing job that just kinda fell into my lap - about 20 hrs/wk), and I feel like I have cut out sooo much extras. I don't even go out to stores anymore (big step for me) so that I'm not tempted to buy this or that/"extras." Yikes, sorry, I'm venting a bit & going off course, but all that to say, it is really a mind-set and a HUGE committment to the dedication of paying off debt. Anyone have any success stories of encouragement to share?
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