I am ashamed of the actions of parts of our country right now! I'm not sure I understand everything, however as I watched the news this morning, I was disheartened! I'm sorry if you this makes anyone made...that's not my goal...I'm just sharing my thoughts and my heartache. So bear with me...
As far as I understand teachers in parts of this country are on strike because they have been asked to pay a very small amount of money towards their health insurance among other requests. I don't know what else is going on...there may be more...however, with the world so deeply in turmoil, is this really significant?
I'm not saying that theses issues don't need to be resolved but come on! 57 people in Bagdad were massacred yesterday during a Sunni militant hostage takeover, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and most of the Middle East are experiencing extreme unrest, Japan is still suffering from the earthquake and tsunami, Mexican drug cartels are recruiting American teens to deliver drugs, there are starving children scattered throughout the world...Most of the world faces hunger, death, bondage, slavery, fear, war, and heartache on a daily basis!
America is not perfect and we have our problems, I'm certainly not saying they aren't important, I just think that we need to be more thankful that most of us were born in this country, or are able to call the US our home! The problems we face here pale in comparison to the rest of the world! We should be focusing more on them then on ourselves! How many of us pray for other nations EVERY day? Or contribute money towards feeding starving kids? Or even THINK about all the suffering people!
My heart breaks just thinking about being in the position of a mother in another country! To wake up every morning with fear gripping my heart about the safety of my child. Will this be the day that we die of starvation, or die from the enemy's bullets...bombs...grenades...land mines..., will this be the day that my child is kidnapped to become part of the human trafficking ring? Will this be the day my son is recruited into drug trafficking or to become a gun toting 6 year old? Will my daughter be raped, kidnapped, forced to work in extreme conditions, or experience genital mutilation? Will my children even come home from school (if they're lucky enough to go to school)? Will my child suffer all his life after witnessing the bloody massacre of innocent people, of women and children and aged people, day after day after day? How will this affect them!? Will this be the day that my children loose their father...will they loose me? Who will take care of them, who will protect them? Will they end up in an over crowded orphanage and receive no human contact, or will they end up on the street, fending for themselves and being used, abused and eventually killed. Is this the day that my child will be ripped from my arms during a tsunami? or have a building crash down on them during an earthquake? Can my children drink this water, or is this day that they contract a lethal disease just trying to hydrate their bodies! Will my children get a chance to hear about the Saving Grace of God the Father, or will my country ban that too? Will this be the day as we gather in a basement to worship His name, that we are raided, tortured and killed?
I could go on and on and on...if my heart is breaking this much, I can't even imagine how God hurts!
Again, I am not saying that Americans don't suffer and as mothers, we don't worry about our children...I'm just saying that most of us are fortunate enough that it's not a daily fear for our children's lives!
We are blessed beyond measure in this country! Just a thought today....wanted to share something that is heavy on my heart...
Blessings~
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday Night
Good evening everyone! I thought I'd just drop in and let you all know that I am completely uninspired, blogwise! I have nothing to say! Any ideas that you all would be kind enough to share?
Blessings for a cozy evening!
Blessings for a cozy evening!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
An Easy Way to Save
Good Morning everyone! What a beautiful day it's gonna be today! God is so good, isn't He!?
Well, I wanted to share with you an easy, affordable way that we have chosen to save money. We started this plan a few years ago and in that time, we have saved somewhere in the neighborhood of $600.00, possibly more. To some that may not seem like a lot, but for as little work as I do, this is an incredible savings! Also, this is so easy that we never feel a pinch in savings or in spending it! In fact, we never even think about it! It's just something that happens behind the scenes! Okay, I've made you wait long enough!
For explanations sake, I have created a fake check register and I'm going to post a picture of it. I'm hoping that with a visual, I'll be able to explain it better!
Our plan is simply this...We round up debits and round down deposits in our check register! That's it!
When I add a transaction in my check register I also enter the real number first, for reconciliation purposes. When I enter in the last column, that's when I do my rounding.
For instance at Target $4.23 was spent. However, after rounding up, I enter $5.00. Then I just start adding up the savings and keep track under the description in parentheses.
So with the Target transaction, we saved $.77.
Next, the feed store...we spent $25.16. I enter $26.00. Our savings end up being $.84.
Add $.77 plus $.84 and you get $1.61.
Deposit of $112.84. Remember to round DOWN deposits. I enter $112.00, which gives us a savings of $.84.
Add $1.61 plus $.84 and you get $2.45.
Finally at Home Depot, the transaction is for $6.88. I enter $7.00 and that gives us a savings of $.12.
After adding $2.45 plus $.12, we have a savings of $2.57.
In just four transactions, we potentially could have saved $2.57! I think that's pretty good! It's like saving change in a jar without touching all that dirty money! :-)
With our savings, we have been able to give to others in need, go out on a special out-of-budget date, weekend vacations, buy a push lawn mower and purchase a TON of homeschool stuff! The possibilities are endless! For instance, besides what we have already used our savings for, you could make that your "Clothing Budget" for the year, or use it for storage/prep items, keep saving for future use, use it as your gift giving budget, and of course use it as a safety net if payday doesn't come on time or as expected!
What else could you use it for? Does anyone else use this plan to save money? Please share your ideas!
If you have any questions about this plan, let me know and I'd be more than happy to share! I hope that I explained it well enough! :-)
Blessings...
Well, I wanted to share with you an easy, affordable way that we have chosen to save money. We started this plan a few years ago and in that time, we have saved somewhere in the neighborhood of $600.00, possibly more. To some that may not seem like a lot, but for as little work as I do, this is an incredible savings! Also, this is so easy that we never feel a pinch in savings or in spending it! In fact, we never even think about it! It's just something that happens behind the scenes! Okay, I've made you wait long enough!
For explanations sake, I have created a fake check register and I'm going to post a picture of it. I'm hoping that with a visual, I'll be able to explain it better!
Our plan is simply this...We round up debits and round down deposits in our check register! That's it!
When I add a transaction in my check register I also enter the real number first, for reconciliation purposes. When I enter in the last column, that's when I do my rounding.
For instance at Target $4.23 was spent. However, after rounding up, I enter $5.00. Then I just start adding up the savings and keep track under the description in parentheses.
So with the Target transaction, we saved $.77.
Next, the feed store...we spent $25.16. I enter $26.00. Our savings end up being $.84.
Add $.77 plus $.84 and you get $1.61.
Deposit of $112.84. Remember to round DOWN deposits. I enter $112.00, which gives us a savings of $.84.
Add $1.61 plus $.84 and you get $2.45.
Finally at Home Depot, the transaction is for $6.88. I enter $7.00 and that gives us a savings of $.12.
After adding $2.45 plus $.12, we have a savings of $2.57.
In just four transactions, we potentially could have saved $2.57! I think that's pretty good! It's like saving change in a jar without touching all that dirty money! :-)
With our savings, we have been able to give to others in need, go out on a special out-of-budget date, weekend vacations, buy a push lawn mower and purchase a TON of homeschool stuff! The possibilities are endless! For instance, besides what we have already used our savings for, you could make that your "Clothing Budget" for the year, or use it for storage/prep items, keep saving for future use, use it as your gift giving budget, and of course use it as a safety net if payday doesn't come on time or as expected!
What else could you use it for? Does anyone else use this plan to save money? Please share your ideas!
If you have any questions about this plan, let me know and I'd be more than happy to share! I hope that I explained it well enough! :-)
Blessings...
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Menu Plan Monday and and Update on My Grocery Budget
What a beautiful day that the Lord has made! It's warm and sunny here today and the birds are filling the air with heavenly melodies! Today I am going to share my meal ideas for the week and also update you on my grocery challenge. I am excited for tomorrow because I am going to share with you one of the biggest ways that the Mister and I save money! But for today~
Sunday ~ Pizza Hut (The Mister just informed me of this!:-)
Monday ~ Open Range Chicken, Baked Brown Rice, Steamed Broccoli and Peaches
Tuesday ~ Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches, and Homemade Rolls (I know, I add this to my plan every week! This week we really are going to eat it!!!)
Wednesday ~ Baby Back Ribs, French Fries, Tossed Salad and Steamed Corn
Thursday ~ Rotisserie Chicken (in my my new Rotisserie!:-), Roasted Herb Pototoes, Steamed Carrots and Pears
Friday ~ Taco Salad, Refried Beans and Apple Slices
Saturday ~ Ham, Pittsburgh Potaotes, Tossed Salad and Mixed Fruit
Breakfast Ideas
Yogurt with Homemade Granola x2
Scrambled Eggs and Homemade Bagels
Cinnamon Toast and Fresh Fruit
Baked Oatmeal
Hard Boiled Eggs and Peanut Butter Toast
Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
Lunch Ideas
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Tortilla Bean Soup
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Carrot and Celery Sticks
Ham Sandwiches on Homemade Bagels
Dinner Leftovers x3
Snack Ideas
Grapes and Triscuits
Yogurt
Homemade Crackers and Cheese x2
Soft Pretzels
Apples and Peanut Butter
Celery Sticks with Peanut Butter
Now, my update on groceries...
This week I only shopped at one store. That;s unusual for me...I'm typically hit between 3 and 5!
My total spending, which included, staples for the pantry, some storage/prep items, food for our meals and even local honey which we desperately needed....
$50.25
I did go over...but I am okay with this! I am still under budget so far for the month by $41.96 and because I saved, due to sales, coupons and bonus savings...
$24.50
After a few weeks of this challenge I am feeling the pinch a little, as we run out of things, which forces me to replace them. But I am not discouraged and it is making me try harder to find sales, coupons and meal plan more carefully! This challenge is truly turning into a learning experience!
Sunday ~ Pizza Hut (The Mister just informed me of this!:-)
Monday ~ Open Range Chicken, Baked Brown Rice, Steamed Broccoli and Peaches
Tuesday ~ Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches, and Homemade Rolls (I know, I add this to my plan every week! This week we really are going to eat it!!!)
Wednesday ~ Baby Back Ribs, French Fries, Tossed Salad and Steamed Corn
Thursday ~ Rotisserie Chicken (in my my new Rotisserie!:-), Roasted Herb Pototoes, Steamed Carrots and Pears
Friday ~ Taco Salad, Refried Beans and Apple Slices
Saturday ~ Ham, Pittsburgh Potaotes, Tossed Salad and Mixed Fruit
Breakfast Ideas
Yogurt with Homemade Granola x2
Scrambled Eggs and Homemade Bagels
Cinnamon Toast and Fresh Fruit
Baked Oatmeal
Hard Boiled Eggs and Peanut Butter Toast
Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
Lunch Ideas
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Tortilla Bean Soup
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Carrot and Celery Sticks
Ham Sandwiches on Homemade Bagels
Dinner Leftovers x3
Snack Ideas
Grapes and Triscuits
Yogurt
Homemade Crackers and Cheese x2
Soft Pretzels
Apples and Peanut Butter
Celery Sticks with Peanut Butter
Now, my update on groceries...
This week I only shopped at one store. That;s unusual for me...I'm typically hit between 3 and 5!
My total spending, which included, staples for the pantry, some storage/prep items, food for our meals and even local honey which we desperately needed....
$50.25
I did go over...but I am okay with this! I am still under budget so far for the month by $41.96 and because I saved, due to sales, coupons and bonus savings...
$24.50
After a few weeks of this challenge I am feeling the pinch a little, as we run out of things, which forces me to replace them. But I am not discouraged and it is making me try harder to find sales, coupons and meal plan more carefully! This challenge is truly turning into a learning experience!
Friday, March 18, 2011
A Very Quick Note...
I'm not sure what happened and when it happened, but it has come to my attention that my comments aren't working! Weird! Well, I think that I have it fixed! So, please come back and leave your comments again, please! I love comments and it saddens me to think that I missed your kind words! Comments make my day!:-)
I hope you all are having a blessed Friday!
Blessings...
I hope you all are having a blessed Friday!
Blessings...
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Spring Cleaning
I've got Spring Cleaning on the brain! I actually think that it is running through my veins right now! It's funny that about this time every year I start to feel claustrophobic in my home. I get antsy, frustrated and my mind is in knots! I have so many thoughts all jumbled up inside and I can't seem to iron them out unless I start to declutter, organize and clean! My poor, dear, sweet husband can't seem to figure me out! He just quietly goes along with my seasonal rants, smiles and prays for the day it's over! Trust me, I'm certainly not mean to him, I'm just confusing. I ask him to do something for me and before he's had a chance to finish, I have changed my mind! I have an extreme case of nesting, with out the baby in my belly part!:-)
I am trying to plan a yard sale...a huge yard sale. I'm talking an entire property sale! I look around my home and spot things that can go! It truly amazes me how we collect "stuff" throughout the year! And what a sad thought it is, that if we have it, we must have spent hard earned money on it...and now it's going out the door!
True, my husband does work out of the home and we are consistently lost under mass boxes of equipment, but it's not just that! It's clothes, and kitchen stuff, and books and knick knacks, and way to much home school stuff! And on top of that, we are remodeling and adding on to the house...which in turn creates construction mess! Anybody who has been in this position knows how bad construction mess can get! Now, I'm certainly not complaining...I love that my husband works from home, and I'm so blessed that he is building on to the house for me! I feel like we just have an OVER abundance! (Just a note...we don't have nearly as much as the typical American family...in my opinion! Just more than I'm comfortable with.)
So I am on the path to a clean, decluttered and organized home! Ahh, I can't wait for the day! So I have to accept the fact that one room in this house must stay cluttered...where else could I store the yard sale stuff? It's hard, but I'm willing to work around it!:-) Yesterday, I went through all of my home school supplies that were scattered through out the house. This stuff was EVERYWHERE! Some in the living room, a bit in the kitchen, a ton in the office, and bits and pieces in just about every other room. I have now boxed up the excess that will be posted on eBay and sold at the yard sale. I then had my very helpful husband bring down a set of shelves from the play room, set it up in the kitchen and organized the remainder of the school stuff on these shelves. We typically do school in the kitchen...so this seemed appropriate until our addition is done. It actually looks really good! (Love you hunny!)
Today I caught up on some light house work, and now I'm waiting for my grandparents from up North to visit! I'm sure we will have a nice day of fellowship!
I'm not sure if I will get to anything else today...depends on how long they are here. Although I sure do have a ton more to Spring Clean.
Closets, cupboards, bins, shelves, bedrooms, toy boxes, front porch, storage, office, front and back yards, and of course keeping up with the construction, schooling, training of my Arrow, daily cleaning, cooking, laundry, book keeping (for the business), visiting with company...and it goes on and on and on. Still no complaints, just making a list...and asking God for the strength I need to accomplish these tasks, and also thanking Him for His blessings in my life! Without those blessings, I wouldn't have these tasks to accomplish!
What do you have planned for Spring Cleaning?
Blessings....
I am trying to plan a yard sale...a huge yard sale. I'm talking an entire property sale! I look around my home and spot things that can go! It truly amazes me how we collect "stuff" throughout the year! And what a sad thought it is, that if we have it, we must have spent hard earned money on it...and now it's going out the door!
True, my husband does work out of the home and we are consistently lost under mass boxes of equipment, but it's not just that! It's clothes, and kitchen stuff, and books and knick knacks, and way to much home school stuff! And on top of that, we are remodeling and adding on to the house...which in turn creates construction mess! Anybody who has been in this position knows how bad construction mess can get! Now, I'm certainly not complaining...I love that my husband works from home, and I'm so blessed that he is building on to the house for me! I feel like we just have an OVER abundance! (Just a note...we don't have nearly as much as the typical American family...in my opinion! Just more than I'm comfortable with.)
So I am on the path to a clean, decluttered and organized home! Ahh, I can't wait for the day! So I have to accept the fact that one room in this house must stay cluttered...where else could I store the yard sale stuff? It's hard, but I'm willing to work around it!:-) Yesterday, I went through all of my home school supplies that were scattered through out the house. This stuff was EVERYWHERE! Some in the living room, a bit in the kitchen, a ton in the office, and bits and pieces in just about every other room. I have now boxed up the excess that will be posted on eBay and sold at the yard sale. I then had my very helpful husband bring down a set of shelves from the play room, set it up in the kitchen and organized the remainder of the school stuff on these shelves. We typically do school in the kitchen...so this seemed appropriate until our addition is done. It actually looks really good! (Love you hunny!)
Today I caught up on some light house work, and now I'm waiting for my grandparents from up North to visit! I'm sure we will have a nice day of fellowship!
I'm not sure if I will get to anything else today...depends on how long they are here. Although I sure do have a ton more to Spring Clean.
Closets, cupboards, bins, shelves, bedrooms, toy boxes, front porch, storage, office, front and back yards, and of course keeping up with the construction, schooling, training of my Arrow, daily cleaning, cooking, laundry, book keeping (for the business), visiting with company...and it goes on and on and on. Still no complaints, just making a list...and asking God for the strength I need to accomplish these tasks, and also thanking Him for His blessings in my life! Without those blessings, I wouldn't have these tasks to accomplish!
What do you have planned for Spring Cleaning?
Blessings....
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
What a Sweet Day
I had such a sweet day with a sweet friend today! We went to a very packed-to-rim homeschool store! I'm telling you...this place is amazingly, full to capacity...I'm talkin' busting at the seams! But so much fun! We poured and poured over the used books. Shelves and shelves and shelves of surprise treasures, tucked away between books, manuals, games, and manipulatives. I am totally serious when I tell you that we spent 6.5 hours in that store! (and loved every minute of it!) We had great conversation surrounded by books that are so special in our lives!
Homeschooling is so incredible and the joy I have knowing that I still have the right to school Arrow at home is definitely not taken for granted! And God was so good to me today (He always is of course). I went in search of very specific items, and came out of that store with almost everything on that list, plus a few things that I have wanted for quite some time and totally forgot about!
I am excited because I have made some decisions about school for next year. The subjects that we will be studying and specific books we will use. Since next year will be Arrow's first serious year, we aren't overloading him. But I think that what we have chosen is very appropriate yet a little challenging for him.
Yay! for Homeschooling and Yay! for sweet fellowship!
On another note...I love fortune cookies! Not the fortunes but the actually cookie. Yum! I do however like to read the fortunes because they are so lame and so cheesy! I always get a good giggle! I've always wondered who writes the fortunes. Do they have a row of employees typing up sayings? How many of the same fortune is distributed? The fortunes are never spiritual on any level and most often are written at a very humanistic point of view...but I was amazed a few days ago! I cracked open one of those "sweet golden beauties" and pulled the fortune out and this is what it said..."God can heal a broken heart, but He has to have all of the pieces!" I was amazed! I have never read a fortune that eluded to God in any way, and here I was staring at that strip of paper and it's message clearly pointed to God's kindness and mercy! Whoever wrote that fortune...I'd just like to say.."Keep up the good work and Glory be to God!" I hope that fortune went out in a million cookies!
Anyway, I just wanted to share that story because it has made me smile for two days straight!
I hope today has been a blessing to you all and remember to keep Him in your sights all week long!
Blessings...
Homeschooling is so incredible and the joy I have knowing that I still have the right to school Arrow at home is definitely not taken for granted! And God was so good to me today (He always is of course). I went in search of very specific items, and came out of that store with almost everything on that list, plus a few things that I have wanted for quite some time and totally forgot about!
I am excited because I have made some decisions about school for next year. The subjects that we will be studying and specific books we will use. Since next year will be Arrow's first serious year, we aren't overloading him. But I think that what we have chosen is very appropriate yet a little challenging for him.
Yay! for Homeschooling and Yay! for sweet fellowship!
On another note...I love fortune cookies! Not the fortunes but the actually cookie. Yum! I do however like to read the fortunes because they are so lame and so cheesy! I always get a good giggle! I've always wondered who writes the fortunes. Do they have a row of employees typing up sayings? How many of the same fortune is distributed? The fortunes are never spiritual on any level and most often are written at a very humanistic point of view...but I was amazed a few days ago! I cracked open one of those "sweet golden beauties" and pulled the fortune out and this is what it said..."God can heal a broken heart, but He has to have all of the pieces!" I was amazed! I have never read a fortune that eluded to God in any way, and here I was staring at that strip of paper and it's message clearly pointed to God's kindness and mercy! Whoever wrote that fortune...I'd just like to say.."Keep up the good work and Glory be to God!" I hope that fortune went out in a million cookies!
Anyway, I just wanted to share that story because it has made me smile for two days straight!
I hope today has been a blessing to you all and remember to keep Him in your sights all week long!
Blessings...
Monday, March 14, 2011
Menu Plan Monday and and Update on My Grocery Budget
I hope everyone had a restful and very blessed Sunday! The Mister and I actually had quite a bit to do this afternoon, so we kept unusually (for a Sunday) busy. And this time change...whew...it has thrown me for a loop. You'd think that a one hour change wouldn't make much of a difference but it does! So here I sit at 12:32 am on Monday morning, with my Beloved eating reheated macaroni and cheese across from me and I thought...Aha! Now's the perfect time to post my meal plan for this week! So here goes...With some repeats from last week...
Sunday ~ Pizza from my favorite pizza place in town :-)
Monday ~ Ham, Pittsburgh Potatoes (mmmmm!), and Grilled Asparagus
Tuesday ~ Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tossed Salad and Garlic Bread
Wednesday ~ Grilled Chicken Salad (Pennsylvania Style!...french fries on top!) with homemade Breadsticks
Thursday ~ Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Pears
Friday ~ Homemade Chicken Strips, Homemade French Fries and Corn
Saturday ~ Barbeque Venison Sandwiches, Pasta Salad and Potato Chips
I also made a list of breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas to keep me inspired...If I don't write things down...I just can't seem to remember anything and what I end up preparing for my family is quite boring!
I'll share them with you...maybe they will inspire you too!
Breakfast ideas...
Baked Oatmeal x2
Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
Egg Sandwiches
Pancakes and a breakfast meat
Fruit and Yogurt
Peanut Butter Toast and Hard Boiled Eggs
Lunch ideas...
Leftovers x2
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches with Raw Veggies
Tortilla Bean Soup
Turkey Hot Dogs and Chips
Macaroni and Cheese and Fruit
Snack Ideas...
Popcorn
Pudding
Homemade Crackers and Cheese
Fruit
String Cheese
Yogurt
Soft Pretzel
There...now I am officially inspired to get creative with my meals...Are you?
Also I went grocery shopping for the week and I am pretty impressed with myself...I purchased all necessary items for this weeks meals, a few toiletries, some snack-y type foods and even some extra storage/prep foods...My grand total for the week came in at...
$44.99 ~ UNDER BUDGET...This is cause for a celebration dance!
But it gets better...Because of sales, coupons and a freebie promotion I saved a grand total of....
$30.18 ~ Wow! That's a great savings! One more celebration dance! If you are in the mood...take a minute and dance with me...ready...go...Whew!
This savings inspires me to try even harder next week!
I would love to know what your week has in store for you? What are you doing to Glorify God this week? Any prayer requests? Comments are truly welcome and thoroughly enjoyed! So please share :-)
Blessings and I hope you all are sleeping right now! I should be :-)
Sunday ~ Pizza from my favorite pizza place in town :-)
Monday ~ Ham, Pittsburgh Potatoes (mmmmm!), and Grilled Asparagus
Tuesday ~ Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tossed Salad and Garlic Bread
Wednesday ~ Grilled Chicken Salad (Pennsylvania Style!...french fries on top!) with homemade Breadsticks
Thursday ~ Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Pears
Friday ~ Homemade Chicken Strips, Homemade French Fries and Corn
Saturday ~ Barbeque Venison Sandwiches, Pasta Salad and Potato Chips
I also made a list of breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas to keep me inspired...If I don't write things down...I just can't seem to remember anything and what I end up preparing for my family is quite boring!
I'll share them with you...maybe they will inspire you too!
Breakfast ideas...
Baked Oatmeal x2
Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
Egg Sandwiches
Pancakes and a breakfast meat
Fruit and Yogurt
Peanut Butter Toast and Hard Boiled Eggs
Lunch ideas...
Leftovers x2
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches with Raw Veggies
Tortilla Bean Soup
Turkey Hot Dogs and Chips
Macaroni and Cheese and Fruit
Snack Ideas...
Popcorn
Pudding
Homemade Crackers and Cheese
Fruit
String Cheese
Yogurt
Soft Pretzel
There...now I am officially inspired to get creative with my meals...Are you?
Also I went grocery shopping for the week and I am pretty impressed with myself...I purchased all necessary items for this weeks meals, a few toiletries, some snack-y type foods and even some extra storage/prep foods...My grand total for the week came in at...
$44.99 ~ UNDER BUDGET...This is cause for a celebration dance!
But it gets better...Because of sales, coupons and a freebie promotion I saved a grand total of....
$30.18 ~ Wow! That's a great savings! One more celebration dance! If you are in the mood...take a minute and dance with me...ready...go...Whew!
This savings inspires me to try even harder next week!
I would love to know what your week has in store for you? What are you doing to Glorify God this week? Any prayer requests? Comments are truly welcome and thoroughly enjoyed! So please share :-)
Blessings and I hope you all are sleeping right now! I should be :-)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Just a quick note...
Good afternoon! I just wanted to stop in to share a few little things....
First...Please continue to pray for everyone that is affected by the disasters in Japan. What a sad time this is!
My heart continues to go out to these families!
Second...I made homemade bagels today for the first time! Oh - my - goodness! They are delicious! I found the recipe on one of my very favorite blogs. Go check it out! www.homejoys.blogspot.com
She has some amazing recipes and she inspires me almost daily! I would highly suggest trying these. I probably won't ever buy bagels again because these were so easy and so delicious. Definitely a keeper!
Last but not least...Beth Handler made her buckeye balls today and I helped a little. They are so easy, so good, and yes...they are so fattening! But delicious if you take a few bites here and there. ;-)
Here's a quick recipe...
A jar of your favorite peanut butter
Some powdered sugar
Melted chocolate.
Yep, that's it...no measurements here!
First, empty peanut butter into mixing bowl and add enough powdered sugar so that you can easy handle the peanut butter without it sticking to your hands. Add a little at a time so you don't over do it. (for one large jar of peanut butter, you will use about 1/2 bag of powdered sugar) After you have a large peanut butter dough ball, just start rolling bite sized balls and set them on waxed paper. Once the balls are all rolled, melt the chocolate. Once the chocolate is melted, start dipping the peanut butter balls one at a time. Place back on wax paper. Continue until they are all covered. Let harden...and you have a delicious (and dangerous :-) treat!
Get creative if you have extra time or ingredients. You could drizzle white chocolate on them, or top them with sprinkles or colored sugar. Maybe roll them in crushed peanuts...the possibilities are endless!
Do you have any other ideas? Please share you thoughts!:-)
And they make a great gift or party favor for special people! The Mister LOVES them, and Beth always makes them for him for Christmas! Now that I know how to make them...I'll be able to do it!
Have a very blessed weekend! We are off to build a super special Jungle Gym for Arrow!
Blessings....
First...Please continue to pray for everyone that is affected by the disasters in Japan. What a sad time this is!
My heart continues to go out to these families!
Second...I made homemade bagels today for the first time! Oh - my - goodness! They are delicious! I found the recipe on one of my very favorite blogs. Go check it out! www.homejoys.blogspot.com
She has some amazing recipes and she inspires me almost daily! I would highly suggest trying these. I probably won't ever buy bagels again because these were so easy and so delicious. Definitely a keeper!
Last but not least...Beth Handler made her buckeye balls today and I helped a little. They are so easy, so good, and yes...they are so fattening! But delicious if you take a few bites here and there. ;-)
Here's a quick recipe...
A jar of your favorite peanut butter
Some powdered sugar
Melted chocolate.
Yep, that's it...no measurements here!
First, empty peanut butter into mixing bowl and add enough powdered sugar so that you can easy handle the peanut butter without it sticking to your hands. Add a little at a time so you don't over do it. (for one large jar of peanut butter, you will use about 1/2 bag of powdered sugar) After you have a large peanut butter dough ball, just start rolling bite sized balls and set them on waxed paper. Once the balls are all rolled, melt the chocolate. Once the chocolate is melted, start dipping the peanut butter balls one at a time. Place back on wax paper. Continue until they are all covered. Let harden...and you have a delicious (and dangerous :-) treat!
Get creative if you have extra time or ingredients. You could drizzle white chocolate on them, or top them with sprinkles or colored sugar. Maybe roll them in crushed peanuts...the possibilities are endless!
Do you have any other ideas? Please share you thoughts!:-)
And they make a great gift or party favor for special people! The Mister LOVES them, and Beth always makes them for him for Christmas! Now that I know how to make them...I'll be able to do it!
Have a very blessed weekend! We are off to build a super special Jungle Gym for Arrow!
Blessings....
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday Evening...
I'm sitting here in my dad's house on this lovely Thursday evening and trying to decide what to blog about! I'm having writer's block! So I asked around for ideas and here is the only one I got...and it's a pretty good one!
One of my step-sister's is here for visit from up North and it has been a pleasure having her here! We'll call her Beth Handler... (she made up that alias by the way :-) She's a college student majoring in Communications, although I think she should be majoring in Culinary Arts! She has an amazing ability for creating such delicious desserts! In fact, she isn't leaving here without making the Mister a batch of her world famous Buckeye Balls! What a pleasure it is having her as a step sister! On Saturday her older sister is coming for a visit! She'll be here for a week also! We'll call her Monkey...as per request of her mother!:-) She is also a college student, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. It truly is a pleasure having them as part of the family. They are both kind, generous, and very sweet, and incredibly fun to laugh with!
Talking a little about sitting in my dad's house brings me to another subject I wanted to talk about. I live really close to my dad. I mean...really close. In fact, we live under the same roof! One way that we have chosen to save money, and prepare for an economic downturn is to share expenses. I know that some people would NEVER choose to do this, and I used to understand. It's hard living with other people, and in our society...at some point in history...decided that children needed to move away from their parents and establish their own lives. Now, I do agree that we need to live our own lives, but I don't think it takes moving away to accomplish this.
Let me explain...
We bought a beautiful modest home and we share it! We have converted the garage and the downstairs master suite into another home. My dad and his wife live there, and have there own entrance, kitchen, living room...everything. And because of this we not only share the home but we share expenses. We split all of the bills! Now that's a great way to cut back on expenses! I really have nothing bad to say about our arrangements! We have grandparents close at hand for Arrow, I have a very kind "neighbor lady" whom I can borrow a cup of sugar from, we have company close at hand to laugh with, share a meal, talk seriously with, and enjoy! And we have a door between our homes that closes when we need our privacy and family time! And I can't stress how much of a blessing it is sharing expenses....I know, I know...I keep repeating that! But it's so important to why this setup works for us! I'm sure it wouldn't work out so well, if our lifestyles were different, but they aren't. We are all Christians striving to live a godly life. Doing the best we can and worshiping the One True God of Heaven! We go to different churches, but we still love the same YHWH! Being able to "co-habitat" is nothing short of a God Miracle, in a time were independence-at-all-costs is stressed so heavily! This works, and I credit it all to God! What a blessing He has given us!
The Bible tells us that when we marry we are to leave and cleave! Trust me...I have! I rely solely on my husband's leading (and of course God's leading....that goes without saying!) I am emotionally, physically and psychologically my husband's other half! Although we technically live with my dad, we, my husband and I, lead our own lives! We may share expenses and some really good times, but we live as if we were totally alone! All in all, this works for us and we are able to save money in the process! If anyone has any questions about this setup, please feel free to ask! Also, I would love to hear about ways you save money and may be preparing for an economic downturn...which I believe is almost inevitable.
Blessings on this beautiful Thursday evening...
One of my step-sister's is here for visit from up North and it has been a pleasure having her here! We'll call her Beth Handler... (she made up that alias by the way :-) She's a college student majoring in Communications, although I think she should be majoring in Culinary Arts! She has an amazing ability for creating such delicious desserts! In fact, she isn't leaving here without making the Mister a batch of her world famous Buckeye Balls! What a pleasure it is having her as a step sister! On Saturday her older sister is coming for a visit! She'll be here for a week also! We'll call her Monkey...as per request of her mother!:-) She is also a college student, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. It truly is a pleasure having them as part of the family. They are both kind, generous, and very sweet, and incredibly fun to laugh with!
Talking a little about sitting in my dad's house brings me to another subject I wanted to talk about. I live really close to my dad. I mean...really close. In fact, we live under the same roof! One way that we have chosen to save money, and prepare for an economic downturn is to share expenses. I know that some people would NEVER choose to do this, and I used to understand. It's hard living with other people, and in our society...at some point in history...decided that children needed to move away from their parents and establish their own lives. Now, I do agree that we need to live our own lives, but I don't think it takes moving away to accomplish this.
Let me explain...
We bought a beautiful modest home and we share it! We have converted the garage and the downstairs master suite into another home. My dad and his wife live there, and have there own entrance, kitchen, living room...everything. And because of this we not only share the home but we share expenses. We split all of the bills! Now that's a great way to cut back on expenses! I really have nothing bad to say about our arrangements! We have grandparents close at hand for Arrow, I have a very kind "neighbor lady" whom I can borrow a cup of sugar from, we have company close at hand to laugh with, share a meal, talk seriously with, and enjoy! And we have a door between our homes that closes when we need our privacy and family time! And I can't stress how much of a blessing it is sharing expenses....I know, I know...I keep repeating that! But it's so important to why this setup works for us! I'm sure it wouldn't work out so well, if our lifestyles were different, but they aren't. We are all Christians striving to live a godly life. Doing the best we can and worshiping the One True God of Heaven! We go to different churches, but we still love the same YHWH! Being able to "co-habitat" is nothing short of a God Miracle, in a time were independence-at-all-costs is stressed so heavily! This works, and I credit it all to God! What a blessing He has given us!
The Bible tells us that when we marry we are to leave and cleave! Trust me...I have! I rely solely on my husband's leading (and of course God's leading....that goes without saying!) I am emotionally, physically and psychologically my husband's other half! Although we technically live with my dad, we, my husband and I, lead our own lives! We may share expenses and some really good times, but we live as if we were totally alone! All in all, this works for us and we are able to save money in the process! If anyone has any questions about this setup, please feel free to ask! Also, I would love to hear about ways you save money and may be preparing for an economic downturn...which I believe is almost inevitable.
Blessings on this beautiful Thursday evening...
Monday, March 7, 2011
A New Budget and a New Challenge
Well, my husband and I sat down a few weeks ago and discussed our non-existent grocery budget. We are not huge spenders and I typically go to the store with a list after completing a meal plan, but extras always seem to sneak in the cart! :-) We are trying to trim our spending in all categories and as we came to this one, the Mister suggested that we try something new. A challenge of sorts. He asked me to try to spend no more than $200.00 monthly on groceries. There is typically three of us for 2 sometimes 3 meals a day, unless we have company or if the Mister is working late. For some, this may not seem difficult. I am not sure what other families spend, so I would love for you all to share with me what your budgets are on average. The Mister has set a goal of $200.00 a month, but I am shooting more in the range of $175.00 a month. Now, we do have a well stocked pantry and chest freezer, so the first few months may not be difficult. After that, I'm not sure. Any suggestions on how to save on groceries, other than couponing (I'm trying to get into this. It just seems like more of a hassle than it's worth. Trying to change my mindset though)? I plan on putting $50.00 away every week even if we don't need groceries, so when we need to get some, the money is there waiting for me.
After church on Sunday, we stopped by a local grocery store and picked up a few things that were on sale. We didn't need any of them, but put them in our stock.
I spent $12.80 and saved $4.63 with store sales and a freebie promotion. This bill also included $6 allergy medicine for Arrow. If it wasn't for the medicine our weekly grocery bill would have been only $7.00!
I am so excited about this challenge and I know that I can make a huge difference in our spending and in turn, make a huge difference in our eating habits! Less spending money = Less junk foods! Pray for me in this endeavor and I challenge you to take on the challenge of a trimmed grocery budget! Let me know if you are going to join in! I'll keep you updated on my progress and I'd love to hear about to progress!
Blessings...
After church on Sunday, we stopped by a local grocery store and picked up a few things that were on sale. We didn't need any of them, but put them in our stock.
I spent $12.80 and saved $4.63 with store sales and a freebie promotion. This bill also included $6 allergy medicine for Arrow. If it wasn't for the medicine our weekly grocery bill would have been only $7.00!
I am so excited about this challenge and I know that I can make a huge difference in our spending and in turn, make a huge difference in our eating habits! Less spending money = Less junk foods! Pray for me in this endeavor and I challenge you to take on the challenge of a trimmed grocery budget! Let me know if you are going to join in! I'll keep you updated on my progress and I'd love to hear about to progress!
Blessings...
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Menu Plan Monday
Good afternoon! I hope everyone is having a very blessed Sunday! After church today, the Mister and I went out to lunch alone. What a treat! Now I am lying in bed with a terrible sinus headache! I don't know how much longer I can handle these allergies! Ugh! Does anyone have any suggestions? Preferably something along the line of natural healing...I just need something!
It has been a week since starting my new and improved daily task scheduler! It has been working out so well. I am very impressed and very excited to continue on with it! I'm able to accomplish everything that needs done with a ton of time to spare.
Anyway, I'm going to get to the point here and share my meal plan, and then shut my achy eyes!
Sunday ~ Leftovers
Monday ~ Chicken Alfredo Calzones with Parmesan noodles and mixed fruit
Tuesday ~ Open Range Chicken, Baked Brown Rice, and Tossed Salad
Wednesday ~ Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
Thursday ~ Spaghetti and Meatballs, Garlic Bread and Tossed Salad
Friday ~ Barbecued Beef on Baked Potatoes, Corn and Apple Slices
Saturday ~ Venison Wedgies, Homemade French Fries and Macaroni and Cheese and Peaches
I hope you all have a great Sunday evening!
Blessings...
It has been a week since starting my new and improved daily task scheduler! It has been working out so well. I am very impressed and very excited to continue on with it! I'm able to accomplish everything that needs done with a ton of time to spare.
Anyway, I'm going to get to the point here and share my meal plan, and then shut my achy eyes!
Sunday ~ Leftovers
Monday ~ Chicken Alfredo Calzones with Parmesan noodles and mixed fruit
Tuesday ~ Open Range Chicken, Baked Brown Rice, and Tossed Salad
Wednesday ~ Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
Thursday ~ Spaghetti and Meatballs, Garlic Bread and Tossed Salad
Friday ~ Barbecued Beef on Baked Potatoes, Corn and Apple Slices
Saturday ~ Venison Wedgies, Homemade French Fries and Macaroni and Cheese and Peaches
I hope you all have a great Sunday evening!
Blessings...
Friday, March 4, 2011
Our Crumbling Society...
I know that I just posted, but I stumbled on this article tonight and I am heart sick! I would love to hear what you think about it! I know that our world is crashing down around us, but I didn't think it was THIS bad...yet!
There are so many women in this world, myself included, who would give ANYTHING to be a parent! (Whether it's the first time or a desire for more children...as in my case)
My mother heart just breaks for these children!
Dear God,
Please have mercy on these kids and be a constant reminder of True Love!
In Jesus Name
Amen
There are so many women in this world, myself included, who would give ANYTHING to be a parent! (Whether it's the first time or a desire for more children...as in my case)
My mother heart just breaks for these children!
Dear God,
Please have mercy on these kids and be a constant reminder of True Love!
In Jesus Name
Amen
My thoughts on Modesty
~Just a note...this is a long post...it will take a few minutes to read...I'm sorry in advance! :-) ~
I hear alot of talk about modesty...what modesty is...what's modest and what's not...etc...
I'm sure you all know what I mean! It's a hot topic in the blog circles I "run" in! So I thought that I'd add my two cents ~ I hope they are worth something to someone! :-)
Disclaimer ~ these are my PERSONAL convictions and I am not sharing this, trying to convince anyone that my ways are the right ways! I'm just sharing because, well..I just want to! So please don't take offense to anything I might say! Remember...these are my PERSONAL convictions!
I am a skirt wearer! There...I said it...some of you understand and some of you may not and that's okay. Just thought I'd get it out there right from the start. I haven't always worn skirts. In fact I'm sure there were times in my life that I didn't even own a skirt! I've been a skirt wearer for 2 years and 4 months! In November 2008 after moving down south, I was getting settled into my new home and life when God spoke to me! I tell you, His voice was so clear! I have no doubt that it was Him and not my own thoughts! He asked me to do something that most women would rather die than do...He asked me to....dun dun dun (sing songy:-) wear skirts only! Did I hear Him right? Did He really just ask ME to change my whole wardrobe and wear only skirts!? No pants!? Yep, He did! And I really surprised myself! I didn't even argue! I followed His request! Slowly I started acquiring long skirts at thrift stores, wearing them and totally enjoying it! I reveled in the fact that I looked different than most of the world! I loved that I was treated with more respect out in public (and that really does happen...for any of you skeptics!:-) I savored being in God's will! Not everyone was as excited as I was. Most of my family (not including the Mister) thought that I was off my rocker and definitely did not understand! I also have been on the receiving end of some not very nice words from other people...but that didn't matter! God asked...I followed! Wearing long skirts took me into a new world of complete modesty. My tastes changed concerning my tops, shoes, hair and makeup! My skirts got longer, the collars of my tops got higher and my my sleeves got a little longer, my shoes got lower, my makeup became lighter and my hair got longer! The first year was a learning and growing experience that I will never forget! Some things have stuck, some have not...but I'm getting sidetracked!
A year later...I was struggling a little bit with HAVING to wear skirts only. My heart was in turmoil! The world looked so enticing! I figured that I could wear pants and still be modest, but I wanted to follow God! I truly struggled...and then one day...a year (almost to the day) after being asked to wear skirts only, God spoke to me again! He told me that I didn't have to wear skirts anymore...that it was my choice. I WAS FREE...so I thought! I took my freedom and ran with it! I bought new pants and wore them! And pretended I was enjoying it! The only thing that I truly enjoyed was that my family and some of my friends thought that I had found my marbles! :-) But I was miserable inside! I didn't feel freedom...I felt like I was in bondage to the world. I had figured it out! I was not enjoying obeying God before because I HAD too! That did not please Him! So I think that He released me to ease my suffering and hoped by doing that, that I would choose to wear skirts...on my own...He didn't want to force me any longer...He wanted me to exercise my free will. And I did! It took a few short months feeling incredibly masculine sporting my new found "freedom" in jeans, and I was slowly easing back into wearing skirts.
Oh what a joy it is to wear a skirt every day! I do own a few pairs of pants, but they primarily reside tucked away in the corner of my closet. I feel so free and so feminine in a skirt! Skirts are so much more comfortable than pants...especially around the waist! And in the summer, they are hands down, so much cooler than pants and even shorts! Air circulates so much easier! Trust me...I've done this for 2 summers in deep south heat! And no matter what some people say...you CAN do anything in a skirt...except maybe ride an upside down roller coaster:-)! I'll prove it in another post soon ~ doing anything...not riding a coaster!
So after sharing the gist of my skirt wearing testimony, I'll share what my modesty guidelines are for myself and my someday daughters...God willing!
I will not wear skirts that fall above my knees. In fact I prefer skirts that are mid-calf or longer. I will not wear shirts that reveal any cleavage. If I have a low cut shirt, I double up with a ribbed sleeveless shirt underneath. I will wear sleeveless shirts around the house in the summer, and a few may pass my modesty test for public wear. Only in extreme heat circumstances and depending on where we are going. I steer clear of super clingy tops, but I do wear lightly fitted ones. My husband likes them and I like pleasing him. I am not fond of clothes that make me look as if I am wearing a sack! My reasoning is this...God made a woman's shape very beautiful and very distinct from a man's shape. Although I don't want to reveal too much and I certainly don't want other men lusting after me, I want everyone to know, just by a glance that I AM a woman. I don't believe that we should ugly up ourselves in the name of modesty. I don't believe that is what God has in mind for us at all! And I want my husband to continue to be attracted to me! I do wear colors and patterns. God created beauty all around us and colors make up so much of that! My hair is styled so that no one could confuse me with a man and my make up is worn to look very natural...to enhance my features (and cover blemishes) not to cover up my God given face. I don't wear a lot of jewelry (that's just a personal preference.) I don't give a fig about the current fashions. Those are the world's standards and I may be living in the world, but I am not of the world. I allow no one (other than God and Mister) to dictate what I wear and what is "in." The goal I always keep in mind is this...I want to look like and be treated like a woman. I want to look different than the world, yet still be approachable. I want the unsaved to question what makes me different and have the courage to ask. I want to look soft, feminine and graceful, but still carry an air of a strong and motivated woman. I want my modest apparel to be a part of my Kingdom work! But most importantly by dressing femininely and modestly, I want my heart to show. I want people to look at me and see Jesus shining through! I want my apparel to remind me that I am a woman of God and I may be the only Bible someone will read! My clothes are a reminder that I must always be on my best behavior so as not to smear my character thus possibly turning people away from God and Christianity. I want people to be able to look past my skirt and see a woman devoted to God! But the most important reason is to keep my heart in check! When I look down and see my skirt floating around my ankles, it's much harder to use harsh words with my loved ones, or to complain about anything!
I like Psalm 19:14 ~ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.
My skirt is a good physical reminder for my mouth and my heart to stay in line with His Word!
I believe that I am in His will for my life by wearing skirts and other modest apparel and that pleases me and I know that pleases Him!
I could go on and on and on...I just hope that I didn't babble on too much and that my thoughts are coherent enough for you to follow. My mind was going a mile a minute! Anyway, I just thought I'd share what was on my heart and remember...these are MY convictions and I NEVER look down on another woman for the way she may dress. I also understand that to some, my standards of modesty aren't rigid enough and that's okay...again...these are my standards between God, me and my husband!
I hope you all have a great night and I pray that I didn't bore you! Stay tuned for proof that you can do anything in a skirt!:-)
Blessings
I hear alot of talk about modesty...what modesty is...what's modest and what's not...etc...
I'm sure you all know what I mean! It's a hot topic in the blog circles I "run" in! So I thought that I'd add my two cents ~ I hope they are worth something to someone! :-)
Disclaimer ~ these are my PERSONAL convictions and I am not sharing this, trying to convince anyone that my ways are the right ways! I'm just sharing because, well..I just want to! So please don't take offense to anything I might say! Remember...these are my PERSONAL convictions!
I am a skirt wearer! There...I said it...some of you understand and some of you may not and that's okay. Just thought I'd get it out there right from the start. I haven't always worn skirts. In fact I'm sure there were times in my life that I didn't even own a skirt! I've been a skirt wearer for 2 years and 4 months! In November 2008 after moving down south, I was getting settled into my new home and life when God spoke to me! I tell you, His voice was so clear! I have no doubt that it was Him and not my own thoughts! He asked me to do something that most women would rather die than do...He asked me to....dun dun dun (sing songy:-) wear skirts only! Did I hear Him right? Did He really just ask ME to change my whole wardrobe and wear only skirts!? No pants!? Yep, He did! And I really surprised myself! I didn't even argue! I followed His request! Slowly I started acquiring long skirts at thrift stores, wearing them and totally enjoying it! I reveled in the fact that I looked different than most of the world! I loved that I was treated with more respect out in public (and that really does happen...for any of you skeptics!:-) I savored being in God's will! Not everyone was as excited as I was. Most of my family (not including the Mister) thought that I was off my rocker and definitely did not understand! I also have been on the receiving end of some not very nice words from other people...but that didn't matter! God asked...I followed! Wearing long skirts took me into a new world of complete modesty. My tastes changed concerning my tops, shoes, hair and makeup! My skirts got longer, the collars of my tops got higher and my my sleeves got a little longer, my shoes got lower, my makeup became lighter and my hair got longer! The first year was a learning and growing experience that I will never forget! Some things have stuck, some have not...but I'm getting sidetracked!
A year later...I was struggling a little bit with HAVING to wear skirts only. My heart was in turmoil! The world looked so enticing! I figured that I could wear pants and still be modest, but I wanted to follow God! I truly struggled...and then one day...a year (almost to the day) after being asked to wear skirts only, God spoke to me again! He told me that I didn't have to wear skirts anymore...that it was my choice. I WAS FREE...so I thought! I took my freedom and ran with it! I bought new pants and wore them! And pretended I was enjoying it! The only thing that I truly enjoyed was that my family and some of my friends thought that I had found my marbles! :-) But I was miserable inside! I didn't feel freedom...I felt like I was in bondage to the world. I had figured it out! I was not enjoying obeying God before because I HAD too! That did not please Him! So I think that He released me to ease my suffering and hoped by doing that, that I would choose to wear skirts...on my own...He didn't want to force me any longer...He wanted me to exercise my free will. And I did! It took a few short months feeling incredibly masculine sporting my new found "freedom" in jeans, and I was slowly easing back into wearing skirts.
Oh what a joy it is to wear a skirt every day! I do own a few pairs of pants, but they primarily reside tucked away in the corner of my closet. I feel so free and so feminine in a skirt! Skirts are so much more comfortable than pants...especially around the waist! And in the summer, they are hands down, so much cooler than pants and even shorts! Air circulates so much easier! Trust me...I've done this for 2 summers in deep south heat! And no matter what some people say...you CAN do anything in a skirt...except maybe ride an upside down roller coaster:-)! I'll prove it in another post soon ~ doing anything...not riding a coaster!
So after sharing the gist of my skirt wearing testimony, I'll share what my modesty guidelines are for myself and my someday daughters...God willing!
I will not wear skirts that fall above my knees. In fact I prefer skirts that are mid-calf or longer. I will not wear shirts that reveal any cleavage. If I have a low cut shirt, I double up with a ribbed sleeveless shirt underneath. I will wear sleeveless shirts around the house in the summer, and a few may pass my modesty test for public wear. Only in extreme heat circumstances and depending on where we are going. I steer clear of super clingy tops, but I do wear lightly fitted ones. My husband likes them and I like pleasing him. I am not fond of clothes that make me look as if I am wearing a sack! My reasoning is this...God made a woman's shape very beautiful and very distinct from a man's shape. Although I don't want to reveal too much and I certainly don't want other men lusting after me, I want everyone to know, just by a glance that I AM a woman. I don't believe that we should ugly up ourselves in the name of modesty. I don't believe that is what God has in mind for us at all! And I want my husband to continue to be attracted to me! I do wear colors and patterns. God created beauty all around us and colors make up so much of that! My hair is styled so that no one could confuse me with a man and my make up is worn to look very natural...to enhance my features (and cover blemishes) not to cover up my God given face. I don't wear a lot of jewelry (that's just a personal preference.) I don't give a fig about the current fashions. Those are the world's standards and I may be living in the world, but I am not of the world. I allow no one (other than God and Mister) to dictate what I wear and what is "in." The goal I always keep in mind is this...I want to look like and be treated like a woman. I want to look different than the world, yet still be approachable. I want the unsaved to question what makes me different and have the courage to ask. I want to look soft, feminine and graceful, but still carry an air of a strong and motivated woman. I want my modest apparel to be a part of my Kingdom work! But most importantly by dressing femininely and modestly, I want my heart to show. I want people to look at me and see Jesus shining through! I want my apparel to remind me that I am a woman of God and I may be the only Bible someone will read! My clothes are a reminder that I must always be on my best behavior so as not to smear my character thus possibly turning people away from God and Christianity. I want people to be able to look past my skirt and see a woman devoted to God! But the most important reason is to keep my heart in check! When I look down and see my skirt floating around my ankles, it's much harder to use harsh words with my loved ones, or to complain about anything!
I like Psalm 19:14 ~ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.
My skirt is a good physical reminder for my mouth and my heart to stay in line with His Word!
I believe that I am in His will for my life by wearing skirts and other modest apparel and that pleases me and I know that pleases Him!
I could go on and on and on...I just hope that I didn't babble on too much and that my thoughts are coherent enough for you to follow. My mind was going a mile a minute! Anyway, I just thought I'd share what was on my heart and remember...these are MY convictions and I NEVER look down on another woman for the way she may dress. I also understand that to some, my standards of modesty aren't rigid enough and that's okay...again...these are my standards between God, me and my husband!
I hope you all have a great night and I pray that I didn't bore you! Stay tuned for proof that you can do anything in a skirt!:-)
Blessings
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Confusion versus Peace
Last week we had a DirecTV guy come to the house to check to see if we had any signal strength at all for the satellite...or so I thought! I was under the impression that he was coming and going up on the roof. Oh how wrong was I! He needed access to the entire house, because he was here to install! What!? I had no idea...so...because I had no idea, my house was...shall we say...un-presentable! Ugh. I was so embarrassed that a stranger had to come into my house, walk around it and see the mess we had be living in! What must have he thought of me!
Okay, for anyone who doesn't know me, I like a clean house, I like organization and I like peace. However, winter brings a sense of "yuck" to the house. I have a real hard time getting motivated and staying energized. So my house suffers and I believe that my relationships even suffer a little bit. (I'm praying about this!:-)
As I was thinking about how embarrassed I was, it occurred to me that the tv guy could have been anyone! What if someone came to the house needing to be ministered to with food, a warm bed, love of a friend, or the Love of Jesus. How awful would they feel to come into a house of confusion. What if Jesus came to my door? What would He think of the mess? My Father has blessed me with a beautiful home and a beautiful family, and I haven't even been thankful enough to keep peace and order in it! I yearn for a peaceful home. A place that people want to be, a place that my family can relax and a place that screams YHWH from every corner in every room. I want people to feel the presence of the Most High the minute they walk in to this home! I don't want their senses to be clouded with disorganization!
I can accept that my family LIVES here and, and yes it won't be spotless and magazine worthy, and I am okay with that! I just want it to be a place of comfort and peacefulness. I don't want to be embarrassed the next time someone drops in for a visit!
So I sat down and spent a few hours scheduling and reorganizing my days. I have tried several different methods in the past, with no success...so I am trying another one and praying through it. Praying that I can stick with it, with JOY! I am also praying that He guides me in my decisions, that the most important things get done first and that He gives me the strength and the energy I need to accomplish everything that needs done. My schedule consists of everything that needs attention through the week, with blank spaces to fill in extras. The days may include, cleaning a specific room, bathing the dog, school days, blogging days, and a whole host of other little things that get overlooked! If any of you feel led, please pray for me as I try to make this "plan" work for me and my family!
May my home become a peaceful haven for a weary soul...
Blessings!
Okay, for anyone who doesn't know me, I like a clean house, I like organization and I like peace. However, winter brings a sense of "yuck" to the house. I have a real hard time getting motivated and staying energized. So my house suffers and I believe that my relationships even suffer a little bit. (I'm praying about this!:-)
As I was thinking about how embarrassed I was, it occurred to me that the tv guy could have been anyone! What if someone came to the house needing to be ministered to with food, a warm bed, love of a friend, or the Love of Jesus. How awful would they feel to come into a house of confusion. What if Jesus came to my door? What would He think of the mess? My Father has blessed me with a beautiful home and a beautiful family, and I haven't even been thankful enough to keep peace and order in it! I yearn for a peaceful home. A place that people want to be, a place that my family can relax and a place that screams YHWH from every corner in every room. I want people to feel the presence of the Most High the minute they walk in to this home! I don't want their senses to be clouded with disorganization!
I can accept that my family LIVES here and, and yes it won't be spotless and magazine worthy, and I am okay with that! I just want it to be a place of comfort and peacefulness. I don't want to be embarrassed the next time someone drops in for a visit!
So I sat down and spent a few hours scheduling and reorganizing my days. I have tried several different methods in the past, with no success...so I am trying another one and praying through it. Praying that I can stick with it, with JOY! I am also praying that He guides me in my decisions, that the most important things get done first and that He gives me the strength and the energy I need to accomplish everything that needs done. My schedule consists of everything that needs attention through the week, with blank spaces to fill in extras. The days may include, cleaning a specific room, bathing the dog, school days, blogging days, and a whole host of other little things that get overlooked! If any of you feel led, please pray for me as I try to make this "plan" work for me and my family!
May my home become a peaceful haven for a weary soul...
Blessings!
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