"Clean" Home in a Jiffy!

OK, so you get a call that someone from your church is running something over to your house, or that your mother-in-law is dropping by to say 'hi'... You say, "Sure! We'll be here!". You hang up the phone, and you scan your house. 'Oh my goodness... This place is a MESS!'

If your house is like mine, and your life is like mine too, you home isn't really a MESS, but more 'lived in'... In a hurry, my home could probably be all 'cleaned' in 45 minutes - 1 hour. But you have 5-10 minutes.. What do you do???

First, if you have kids, don't be afraid to put them to work... EVER. It is good for a child to learn to help around the house. Don't be afraid to make them do this everyday! I have a chore chart, and have for about a year, for my boys. This has not only been great for my boys to learn not to make such a big mess, but also has been great for me! I don't have to try to do 6 hours work in 2 hours!

Second, realize homes will be lived in! ESPECIALLY when you visit someone else's home! How can you point out the speck in your friend's eye, when you have a PLANK in your own, yet don't see it?

Third, make sure you focus your attention on the worst offenders. These usually are your kitchen sink, your counter tops, your table tops, and your entry area. If these are a mess, the rest of your house can be spotless, but no one would notice! So, if you have only a few minutes, go to it! Stick those dishes in the dishwasher, or at least rinse them and stack them nicely in the sink. Or run a sink full of soapy water to soak those dirty dishes. Clear off those counters and table! Usually mine just gets stacked with things when we come home from somewhere, we drop them on the counter. The A LOT of times, everyone "forgets" about those things! Make each one of the children take THEIR things to their rooms... Make small piles of things that go together. If there are several things that get put away with the coats, make a pile. Make another pile of things that go on your desk or to your office. Then, you make ONE trip to each area, instead of 10. If you still have a minute, make sure they are all wiped down! Stuck on food or spills make a surface look HORRIBLE! Spray a stuck on food area with some cleaner, then let it set. This helps, instead of stressing and scrubbing over a tiny food spot that, when revisited in a few minutes of spraying down, would wipe right up!

If you have a half an hour, one thing that ALWAYS makes my house look TONS better is to pull out the sweeper and go to work! Don't ask me why, but the house always looks SO much better after it has been swept...

Fourth, look in the mirror. Then smile! Take a breath and be happy! Don't worry about things that you can't control... Enjoy your company!

One thing that also helps in keeping a home that you AREN'T embarrassed about, is to either before you go to bed or first thing in the morning, have your house picked up. Then when people "drop by", you won't freak out when you see them in your driveway!

Bubble Planner- Review & Giveaway!

I am a list person. If I don't have a list, I don't have my brain. I am great at thinking ahead and planning, but it all very quickly escapes my brain, then as quickly as it came... it is gone.




Well, the other day, I came across something called the Bubble Planner. The word "planner" always intrigues me, as well as the word "bubble" used with it. =) I read into it and thought it sounded like something I had to try.





Bill, from the Bubble Planner Company graciously sent me a Bubble Planner for Busy Women AND a grocery list.




Now this planner is super simple and easy to use. I thought it would be a little more complex, but it really is very easy! User Friendly! On the inside are pages for goal setting (of all kinds), projects, places to keep track of birthdays, and calendars. There are also the planning bubbles like shown here:

On each open page there are places to make phone calls, computer work, house work and running errands. And in the bubbles you can fill out what you need to do each day. Like mine for today~ calls I had to make were to a campground to change reservations, and to call my aunt. Computer work was to blog about the bubble planner! House work was to do laundry, to start the dehydrator, and to finish putting away things from my trip. Errands- I had nothing for today. And it is that easy! As you do them you could mark them off or whatever. Nothing hard to do, just a written reminder of the things you want to accomplish! I am loving mine so far!

And the grocery list, well, those are ALWAYS nice to have. This one even has reminders at the top, as well as a "don't forget your coupons" reminder! Like it!

One last thing. When I got the Bubble Planner in the mail, Bill, who I have been talking to, wrote a message hoping I liked the planner and after his signature wrote "Pr. 16:3". I instantly went to my Bible to look up Proverbs 16:3. Here is what it says:

Pro 16:3 "Ask the LORD to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out. "

How awesome! What a great company!

Would you like to purchase a planner from Bubble Planners? When you make a purchase of a planner, you can enter the code moms and get a free grocery list (with your planner)! Awesome!

Would you like to WIN a planner??? Well, you have a chance to! Thanks to Bubble Planners, one blessed person will be able to win a Bubble Planner for Busy Women!

Here is what you need to do to enter... please one entry per comment! Available to the US and Canada!

• GO to the Bubble Planner site, and tell me if you see anything else that you would like to have.
• Share with us ~What do you use now to help remember what you have to do each day? Or do you just remember? =)
• Blog about this giveaway (then leave a link)
• Follow me on Twitter.
• Add our button to you web site (then leave your site address)
• Subscribe to this blog.

There you go! 6 chance to win. Enter before July 31st!

Moneysaving & Frugal Question

There are so many people missing out on saving money for their families. So many people spending too much, when they could have used a simple principle to save more money. Or some may not have any idea that they can actually do something else, more frugal, that would keep them from having to spend a lot of money on one thing or another.

So, here's the question. What moneysaving idea or frugal advise has really helped you save the most money?

Now, would you mind either telling us in the comments or linking to your site? And any of you who would love to learn how to save money for your family, check these out! Or if you have questions, ask them in the comments also. What kind of moneysaving idea or frugal advise would you like to see???

Please share your best moneysaving idea or frugal tip:

Baking Day & a Prayer Request!

I had done this before Thanksgiving (I think!), but I have been wanting to get started on this again. Baking Day!

I was first inspired by MoneySavingMom, when she had blogged about having a baking day months ago. I did my own baking day, and definitely was rewarded with easier items to go with my meals.

Well, now she is blogging about another baking day, and that was all the motivation I needed, to do something I have been wanting to do for a week or more now.

So far, I plan to make homemade white bread, waffles, maybe yogurt, maybe some rice (I have read that you can make rice, regular nor instant, ahead of time and freeze it for a quick side dish or addition to a dish), and we will see if I can figure anything else out!

So, come back tomorrow, and I will be having a Baking Day!

A side note: if you all could pray for my 2 youngest, Caden and Koen, I took them to the doctor today and found out that the colds that they just got last week has caused them to get an ear infection. So pray for them to have fast healing! My baby, Koen, is very sad and he doesn't understand why he is hurting! BTW- did you know that Meijer give free amoxocillin out to kids? I thought that was so awesome! Thank you for your prayers!

Calling All Organization Freaks

So, not always am I the best at organization, but I strive to be. I have to try to combat my "hording" tendencies, and make lists, toss things and have schedules!

Well, I found a web site that I can be well challenged by.

http://organizedhome.com/

Yes, Organized Home... ahhh. I like it.

This site not only has some great ideas for organizing your whole home, your kitchen and more. There are "printables". Oh yes...

Ones like this one, that I am going to try to utilize...

I started filling mine out last night, I had to make like 3 copies, but I am working on figuring out exactly what I have. This has actually helped me in figuring out that I only have 1 ketchup in my pantry and next time it comes on sale, I need to get some. Including some other things. But it really seem like it could be a great tool for those who are into Money Saving and stocking up. Knowing what you have in your cupboards will same you time and money. It is also healthier then having to run to the local McD's for some super fatty burgers, if you already have all you need in your own pantry...

Oh, I'm already lovin' this site. Check it out, and get organized this year!

A Challenge

Yes- I am challenging YOU!!!

One of my goals, as a wife & mother, is to model MY life after the Proverbs 31 Woman. And one of the aspects, I have been pushing myself on, is how she works with her hands. I guess I push myself on this one, because I love working with my hands, and I just haven't done it enough in the past.

About 6 or so years ago, I learned how to crochet from my beautiful grandmother, who has since gone home to be with the Lord. She taught me a basic straight crochet technique. I have made blankets, and scarves. Nothing more because I don't know how!!!

So I am going to challenge myself this next month to learn to fine tune my crocheting skills and make something more complicated, OR to learn how to knit. How will I learn how to knit? I will teach myself on the Internet. Or maybe not... It sounds like such a lofty goal, after I have it all typed out and for all to see...

But, I am giving myself a month to at least start. I am a SAHM but I also have a lot of things to do in a day. SO it isn't like I have loads of time to try to fill up with things. I am just like you, overloaded with housework, piles of laundry, a constant thin layer of dust (because of our stove), endless supply of energy from 4 little boys, homework, barn chores, snuggling, breaking up fights, making dinners, on the Worship Team at my church, serving on the Women's Ministry team, 3 blogs and a web site, and just trying to overall make my husband proud and my children grow in life and the Lord. This is not a list of overwhelming tasks, these are the things that the Lord has blessed me with daily. I love to do these things (well, dusting is boarder line...), but I am also choosing to improve myself.

Plus, I also have the "threat" of having arthritis & possibly Alzheimer's, it is in my family tree. Along with who-knows-what-life-is-gonna-bring. The more I work with my hands and keep my mind sharp, the better for me in the long run... Plus, did you know your mind keeps even sharper when you learn brand new things?

So, that's what I'm doin'... fighting Alzheimer's and keeping my mind sharp!

I am also challenging YOU. I challenge you to find something new, something you have always wanted to do, and DO IT! Please leave a comment here if you take my challenge, then keep me updated!

One Week Later...

Ok, I went ahead and made some resolutions this year (HERE), so I thought I should probably review those and see how I was doing.

I have actually had people over about 2 evenings in this last week, and Friday and Sunday we are having family over for a birthday party. So, I guess I can give myself an 'A' for Hospitality, because I am definitely trying to work on this. And it has been so much fun. I love spending that more "quality" time with good friends and family!

I have also had some study time, in my Bible. As far as a "set time" like I would like, I have been failing. And I am going to link this one up to reading my Bible, which, has not been going as well either. I want DAILY reading and studying... And I have not been doing that so far. This is actually my first morning at home with nothing scheduled. The last 5 days, I have had things to get ready for first thing in the morning... Not a good excuse, I know. So, on this one, I am going to give myself a 'D'. Although this morning, a 'D', a nothing planned will give me some good time in the Word!!!

God first, hubby #2, kids #3, others, then me... I have been doing good on this so far... I love my relationship with the Lord. I am blessed that He is so faithful, and listens to me... (You too!) And I have been trying to keep hubby in #2 place. Which is difficult sometimes, to be honest. Hubby and kids run neck-neck sometimes, and I have to let hubby be first! So, for this one I have to say a 'B'. I still have make this a part of my life that comes naturally...

Using my talents... well, I have been. This last week, I have probably spent one day doing stuff that use my talents... And this one will be an easy one for me, I just need to make time for it! So, on this too I will give myself a 'B'. I still want to get items on Etsy, and other projects I would like to do...

Scheduling my day... It has been pretty scheduled so far, because we have had so much planned. I want this to be more in the area of home too. Like today is a dusting and sweeping day. On top of other things to get done in prep for a birthday party tomorrow! This I will say 'C' because I haven't really got to apply it to it's full extent. Today is the day... =)

Eating better... mmmm. Well, right now is horrible. It is "that time" for me, and chocolate is a necessity. But, it is dark chocolate, so that includes antioxidants and is there for REALLY good for me! I went tot he grocery yesterday, and hopefully will will continue on the right track this week... So far, I'd say I get a 'C'. Needs more work.

Take more pictures... Oh, this one has NOT been good. I need to download some pictures and make room on my camera for more.... I will do this today. But for now, I get a 'D' on this. =(

Have a garden... of course winter is no time to plant a garden in Indiana, but I have been planning and getting some ideas from one of my favorite magazines, Countryside. Countryside is a lot of info on being self-sufficient, or being able to live "off-the-grid". Which I never plan on being totally self-sufficient, BUT I would like, in case we ever got into a depression or something, that we could still eat and survive with no major issues. This magazine also gives some great ideas on how to plant your garden, how much to plant, etc. There are loads of great ideas... On this, so far I am going to say 'A'...

Going on more vacations.... I think I will be giving myself an 'A' on this so far also, BECAUSE I have a "vacation fund" where we will be saving money for going on short camping trips, our yearly vacation with hubby's family, maybe a vacation at Spring Break, and a Florida trip in the next year or so???? That is the great thing about saving... if I have money set aside, we don't have to worry about wanting to go camping again but not having money set aside. Hopefully this will continue to work out...

How has your first week in the New Year been going? I hope your goals for this year have been going well!

Beyond Moneysaving

If you have kept up on my blog at all, you know I like to save money!!!

I found something that goes a little beyond moneysaving. I recently went through all of my coupons (and there are A LOT), and had to throw out a lot of coupons because they expired on December 31, 2008.

And I had heard about a program where you can mail the expired coupons to Military families. But didn't know any details.

Now, I have found the details.

If you send your expired coupons to Military families, they can use these coupons for up to 6 months beyond their expiration, on their military base. And there is a huge list of families who would like coupons! Go HERE to see the list, and the addresses to send them to.

I encourage you, send your expired coupons to these families!!!

New Years Resolutions

I have not made any New Year's Resolutions for a long time. They seemed like a waste of time, and I never really worked toward anything on the list anyways.

I remember how silly my lists used to be, like when I was young, like Elementary or middle school. Get more muscles (I was a bean pole). Get a boyfriend (boys don't look twice at bean poles). Clean my room (that may have happened once, but then there was a mysterious explosion...). You know, all very silly stuff that had no purpose.

But today, and for the last several days, I have debated on making a list for myself. A list with purpose. A list of things that would serve an eternal purpose.

So, I think I am going to make one. And you can hold me accountable. Because these should be THAT important. I encourage you to make a list also.

Here is mine:

1. Read my Bible daily. I am hit and miss on this. As a general rule, I have set a goal of reading 2 chapters, each time I read. Sometimes this is a lot, sometimes it isn't as much. And on subjects that really catch my attention, I read a lot more. I am going to set this goal for myself, once again. Read at least 2 chapters everyday.
2. Set aside a time to spend time in the word. This goes along with my first one, but since my husband has changed hours (about 2 months ago!), I have been bad about setting that time aside. I am going to try to do this in the morning, after the boys are off to school. I can pop in a movie for Caden, and Koen will most likely still be sleeping. So I need to use that short time wisely!
3. Be more hospitable! I have a home that is set-up great for entertaining, but our time is another story. We just aren't used to the weekends my husband has off now, and haven't had many people over. Well, we are starting out well, I suppose. We (last minute) invited people over for New Year's Eve. I would like to keep this up all year round. At least 2 times a month, have people over.
4. Use my talents to make a better wife and mother. I always look to the Proverbs 31 woman, and how the model of her life compares to mine. She worked with her hands (vs. 13, 17 -19, 22, 24). I have the ability and the tools to make things with my hands. I made robes for my kids for Christmas. I also made "oatmeal" pants for them (flannel pajama pants). These 2 things they were THRILLED with. It also makes a very nice gift, without spending as much money as it looks like you have spent. I am also looking into using Etsy more. If you've never browsed Etsy, HERE is my site. I made several things for Christmas for people that I think I would like to put on my site, and try to make a little income for my family. God has given me a talent for a reason! I need to use it!
5. God first. Husband second. Children third. Others fourth. Then myself. I need to always analyze what I am doing and do a little check to make sure I am not doing it for selfish reasons. I also have to admit, I don't check to make sure God is first in all daily decisions that I make. It may sound silly to some, but before housework or make lunch, I don't check to make sure this is the path that God wants me on at that time. And I want to be doing what He wants me to be doing! I need to check the list in THAT order!
6. Make a schedule for my day. I am a scheduler. I thrive on a schedule. I need to make sure my days are mapped out for me, so I know what needs done, and things don't get put off to the last minute, or I don't forget something important! (Which happens more then I would like to admit!) I like to have laundry on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and then the other days- no laundry! I like to sweep the house once a week, and then be done. I like (or don't LIKE) to dust the house once a week, and then don't worry about it! If I have it all mapped out, then I know I don't have to worry about sweeping my house until Thursday. I love having a schedule!
7. Eating better! Of course this one made it on. It makes it on EVERYONE'S list, right. But, I do have 4 little boys that need to know the importance of nutrition. They need to have good foods that will keep them from getting sick. This winter, we have fallen into the junk food pit, and I am trying to climb out! I tend to skip the fruit and veggie aisle, because everything this time of year is expensive, but the money that I save on other groceries, should be spent on the good food for my family. Especially coming into the flu season. I recently bought my family oranges. I knew my husband like them, but was pleasantly surprised to find my boys wanting to eat them too. Especially since they found out that oranges contain vitamin C, which will help fight off colds and sickness. They were excited about that. That is why my son, Deklyn, eats broccoli now. I told him green veggies are very good for him, and help with your thinking. He wants to eat the broccoli first!
8. Take more pictures. I would love to have a video camera right now, especially with a baby, BUT I don't. =( So I want to make sure I photograph EVERYTHING. I don't want to miss any specially moments in my boys growing up. And I want picture for my boys and their families in the future!
9. Have a garden. This is a little ways off, since there is snow on the ground and it is not yet the first of January. But I want to make sure that is a priority this year. My boys LOVE the produce and I love eating a free meal! A stir-fry from the garden is delicious and it can also be free! I loved sitting outside this summer enjoying the weather and eating food that we grew. Plus, it is on it way to being organic! And all of the scraps go to our animals, which find that to be a real treat! I really need to get serious about this! Maybe I will start planning now...
10. Go on more vacations. No we are not rich by any means, but camping does not take much money, and that is what we like to do. We need to take that time out as a family and just enjoy each other. A year and a half ago, we didn't do much for getting out end enjoying each other. We worked. And the boys weren't happy. WE weren't happy. Last year we got out more, but this year, We plan on being out even more.

So, that is all I can think of right now. But, those 10 things are going to take a lot of effort.

Are you making any resolutions? What are they?

Her Value

This study is taken from Elizabeth George's Book, "Beautiful in God's Eyes". I suggest that you purchase this book! Her books really challenge you as a woman!

This is an in depth study on the Proverbs 31 Woman. We have already discussed "Her Character". To catch-up on our study, please go HERE.

"Her price is much higher than jewels" Proverbs 31:10

A jewel is something invaluable, it's something very rare. The King's mother was trying to get across to him what a treasure a woman is, who truly counts God as number 1! Being a jewel to her husband means that "she brought the love, the color, the joy, the life and energy into the home." We are to supply the beauty in our homes, for our husband, for our children. We need to paint a pretty picture, even if times aren't so great. EG says, "Just as gems increase in value as time passes, we who are God's beautiful women- His jewels- should, too. " So, here are somethings that we should work on to help make those people's life around us, better:

• Grow in practical skills- like homemaking (ability cook, clean etc... and then USE the skill, put it to practice!), money management (we need to at least know how-to do these items, if not take care of these), time management (Begin planning & scheduling your day. And then Follow The Plan!).


• Grow in Emotional Stability- Master your tolerance (or endurance. We need to gain control of our emotions. In times of emotional strain, we need to pull from our strength in Jesus Christ (phil.4:13) and pray through things! He will be our strength!), Master your Temper (We could go so many ways on this one. Look to your Bible for these verses- Prov. 14:30, Prov 19:2, Prov. 19:11, Prov. 25:28. Start making a list of undesirable traits that you want to get rid of!), Master your Tongue (James 3:10, Prov. 12:18. We need to : Prov 10:19, Prov. 15:28, Prov. 16:21, 24 & Prov. 31:26. Speak thoughtfully, with a soft tongue!)

As a woman, I have to be completely honest. As women, we do tend to let our emotions run most of what we do. We get WAY too emotional. We tend to "freak out" if things don't happen as planned. Or if someone is being SUPER SLOW in the grocery line, or if someone cuts us off while we are driving... And then, do we try to do everything we can at home? Do we clean, do we cook, do we make our homes outwardly beautiful, warm & full of love? Is our home a place where our families can come home to rest, and enjoy each other? Do we try hard enough? I can say I try hard, but can I try harder?

I hope this is challenging you as much as it's challenging me... and I know we are being challenged in different ways! Like we said at the beginning of today, a jewel becomes more priceless as time goes by. Let's make ourselves more priceless also.

Lord- We come to you again today, and pray that we would be beautiful to you! That is our hearts desire. We want to be a priceless jewel! We want our families to reap the harvest of what we have sewn. And we want all of the glory and honor to go to You, God. We love you, please let all we say and all we do today on forth, bring people to You. Help us not to be discouraged about these words we've read today, but help it bring encouragement and a challenge to our lives, to better serve our families, or friends, our church, but most importantly, YOU. Again, we love You, Lord. Help us to do these things in Your name. ~Amen

Fruits of My Prep Day

OK, so I am a human, right? Not really a question... more of a statement, in case you hadn't figured it out. So, I had my big plans. And I did pretty well. Although, I think my oven has an attitude??? It has happened on about 4 different occasions... I am making something on the stove or in the oven. Something I have made many, many times. Then it happens. There is the burning smell, and sometimes even the smoke detector. This is not due to human error. I mean there have been plenty of human error situations, but these are not the times. I put my first batch of muffins in yesterday, for the right temp, if the time says bake for 15-20 minute, I always have to bake it for the 15, 20 would be too long. So I followed all the instructions. And the about 9 minutes left on the timer, I smelled burning. Bummer. I opened the oven to golden brown muffins. I pulled them out and looked at the bottoms. BU. MMER. Blackness. So I salvaged what I could, and thankfully the ingredients are not very expensive, so I quickly made another double batch. Oh yeah, first, I turned off the oven then turned it back on again. Then... SWEET MUFFINS. Literally. Sweet Muffins are what they are called. So I didn't get AS MUCH accomplished as I wanted, but I'm a roll with the punches kind of gal, and I think everything worked pretty well!

Here are the fruits (and breads) of my Prep Day:

Frozen bananas from Monday, 4 doz. sweet muffins, some crock pot applesauce (some already frozen) and some granola ( I mixed it with Cheerios, because on it's own it is SO FILLING!). This should be good for 2 weeks or so! Well, I am going to make more applesauce, but I am very happy!

Healthy Eating

A few weeks ago, I wrote an entry talking about the high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, and also in yogurts that we are feeding our kids. It's no wonder our children have so many autoimmune diseases, younger and younger!

Well, I came across some homemade food recipes, that I am definitely going to be trying. These will help not only cut some of the bad sugars, but also be healthier all around.

The first one I am going to try is this recipe for Crockpot Yogurt! It comes from a Year of Crockpotting.

8 C. (half gallon) pasteurized milk, suggested whole milk but not necessary
1/2 C. store bought nature live/active culture plain yogurt
- frozen or fresh fruit, if desired
- thick bath towel
- pkg. of unflavored gelatin (if desired, it helps thicken it more)

Directions:
This takes a while. Make your yogurt on a weekend day when you are home to monitor.

Plug in your crockpot and turn to low. Add an entire half gallon of milk. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours.

Unplug your crockpot. Leave the cover on, and let it sit for 3 hours.

When 3 hours have passed, scoop out 2 cups of the warmish milk and put it in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of store-bought live/active culture yogurt. (If you are choosing to use the gelatin, you would add that now, whisking it in the mixture.) Then dump the bowl contents back into the crockpot. Stir to combine. Put the lid back on your crockpot. Keep it unplugged, and wrap a heavy bath towel all the way around the crock for insulation. Go to bed, or let it sit for 8 hours.

In the morning, the yogurt will have thickened---without the gelatin, it's not as thick as store-bought yogurt, but has the consistency of low-fat plain yogurt. Blend in batches with your favorite fruit. When you blend in the fruit, bubbles will form and might bother you. They aren't a big deal, and will settle eventually. Chill in a plastic container(s) in the refrigerator. Your fresh yogurt will last 7-10 days. Save 1/2 cup as a starter to make a new batch.

I will be trying this one next week, after I go grocery shopping! Another healthy recipe I will be trying next week also is this Granola Recipe.

6 C. Old Fashioned Oats
3 C. Whole Wheat Flour
1 Tbsp. Salt
1 C. Olive oil
1/2 C. Water
1 C. honey
- Can also add nuts, cinnamon and vanilla

Place on baking sheet & cook for 50 minutes at 250 degrees, turning mixture 4 times during the baking process. Cool and add dried fruit if desired. Keep in zip lock bags.

Yummy!!!! I can't wait to try these! The cost of making that is going to be around $2-3., I think. You can get a 6 cup container of oats for around $1 on sale. And the rest of the ingredients are very minimal. I get my honey from my uncle who raises bees. He is probably as close to organic as you can get, without saying you are organic. If anyone is interested, I can get you his information. I got a 2 lb. refillable jar for $5. If you take it back to be refilled, it will cost you $4.50. Mmmmm.....

I am also going to try to make one day a "Baking Day" like is shown here. I think that will save me lots of time, when I don't have lots of time!

What do YOU think?

Is there Enough Evidence Against You?

I have a sign in my house that says, "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?". This was given to us by my mom-in-law, many years ago. It's scary and motivating at the same time.



I was reminded of the sign again the other night when I was reading through Daniel. I got to Daniel 6. And starting in verse 4 it says, " Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God." Then these presidents and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, "O King Darius, live forever! All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked." Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. "



So Daniel was a man without fault. He followed the rules and laws of the land. Just like we are supposed to do. We are to be law abiding people. If the speed limit sign says 55, that is what it means! I have known professing believers who raced in their cars on a highway, speeds that would have got them thrown in jail if caught. And how funny this was to them! I say, how disrespectful! They are CHRISTIANS, and what kind of witness are they being if they cannot follow rules that are set for safety on the roads? Can we as Christians just make our OWN rules? NO! Jesus even followed the laws of the land.



The only time that we should not follow one of the laws of the land is if it is in opposition to what GOD wants from us. Like here in Daniel. They had to make a signed law against what Daniel was doing because there was no other way they were going to a able to get rid of him. And Daniel was not going to stop talking to God.



I have been driving and seen people with Jesus Fish and Christian bumper stickers, driving fast of weaving in and out of traffic. I have seen people who "claim" to be people of Christ, provoking anger in others by NOT following rules that are set for everyone!



So, I ask you, please be a good witness to God's good name. Follow the laws and rules. Do not just do something because you can get away with it. Don't think that it won't matter. It does, because to the One who can see it, it matters big time.



Back to my sign. So there might be enough evidence to convict you against the laws of the land, but is there enough evidence to convict you against being a Christian? Someday those may coincide. But right now, is there enough evidence? Do we pray as much as we should? Are we in constant communion with Jesus? Do we live every minute of our day, shining the light of God? Lets build that evidence against ourselves for being Christ lovers, not law breakers. Both of which will point to the cross.

Cheap Date

Yeah, I can be a cheap date. Although, hubby and I do not go out enough. Last week, we did make it out 2 nights! But that's definitely is NOT the norm.

And when we go out, what do we talk about? The kids! What did we used to talk about before we were married? I honestly cannot tell you!

But in today's entry, I am going to try to encourage you all to get out there, and be a CHEAP DATE! With money these days, being so, umm, crazy (???), we all need to think of ways to conserve what we have. And still get alone time with your husbands.

These ideas are not all my own, I have seen suggestions on various blogs and maybe I'll make up some, you just never know.

*** One thing Hubby and I did do back in the day, was go to bookstores like Barnes & Noble or Borders and just look at the books and hang out. Well, right now until the end of October, you can get a coupon for a free Cappuccino to Barnes & Nobles. Go here.

***Send the kids to grandma's and just go out on a "dessert date". Paying for a dessert and a coffee is a lot cheaper than paying for a whole dinner, times 2.

*** But if you want to go out to dinner with your man, I would suggest contacting your favorite restaurants and getting on the e-mail lists. They will often send you coupons for dollars off of dinners or lunches. I did this recently for my birthday. I read the Lonestar Steakhouse has a program where they gave you a free dinner for your birthday. It was true! They gave me $15 off of a dinner. They have since then sent me a coupon for a free appetizer, and some lunch specials. Also, try going through this site to find out how you can get a free taco at Taco Bell on October 28th!

*** Go for a walk without the kids. I know this is a little difficult sometimes, but it is so refreshing! Spend NO money, get some exercise and reconnect that day with your husband. Where I live, my husband has some trails for the boys to walk and play on, but I can put the baby in bed (even take the monitor, if I want), leave the kids in the house playing Legos or with a movie... And we get a walk by ourselves!

*** Rent a movie and put the kids to bed early! Go here and on Mondays and Wednesdays she puts a code on her site for a free RedBox movie. You may have seen these before and ignored them. My Friend, DO NOT IGNORE THE REDBOX! These have movies for $1. everyday! Current movies too! Take the code off of the site and go to the nearest RedBox location (ours is in Kroger (Scott's) in Angola). They just need your credit or debit card information.

*** How about just pawn the kids off on some unsuspecting aunt, and have a date night at home? Eating at home can be cheaper then eating out. So make a nice dinner at home, light some candles, enjoy the quiet of your own home... Ahhh...

Hopefully this will give you all some ideas and encourage you to reconnect with your husbands. We all need to do this, often. Very often. Do you have any other cheap date ideas? Feel free to post them here! Now stop reading blogs... and go make yourself a cheap date!

Giving of Your Gifts

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a person who likes to "make things". I draw, I sew, I can do "crafty things". I really would like to use my talents to bless other people. I actually NEED to do this more!

So, I would like to ask you and maybe challenge you: What are you good at? Cooking, Baking, Crafting, Sewing, Knitting.... And then secondly, how have you used those "gifts" that God has given you, to bless others? And the challenge for the next several days, GO DO IT! Make something and give it today! Who do you think could be blessed by your gift today? Pray that God reveals that person or people to you, and GIVE, GIVE, GIVE!!!

Please, if you would, Leave a comment here and tell me what your gift/ talent is... I love to hear what people's gifts are!

Thank you!

Forming New Habits

I have recently started a new way of grocery shopping, where I have saved approximately $150.+ each week in groceries. If you would like to see how I do this-go here to find out how & how to put that into action! This is my sis-in-laws blog so it is local! Basically I use sales in combination with coupons and I get a lot of things very cheap, if not free!

My point here is that one of my many goals is to have a weekly meal planning list! Why waste my time, you ask? Well, I have been wanting to, just so I can be more prepared so when the chaos of after school comes, I won't be overwhelmed and under prepared! Secondly, I can use the items I have in stock, in my cupboards and my freezer to feed my family- thus, saving money (another thing God calls us women to do, being good stewards of our finances!). But, God also says we need to provide food for our household.

Pro 31:14-15 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and a share to her young women.

The Proverbs 31 women brought her food from afar. That means she had to plan, she had to make lists. In her day, you couldn't just run to the store, you had to go to the streets, the markets, maybe even the docks when the ships came in, to get some deals on food! There were no coupons, no super centers, & no Internet. If she went shopping, and then forgot something, she would just have to make due without. But, we do have these conveniences, you say. Which do you think would save the most money... running to the store every time you needed hamburger, or flour? Or would it be better to be prepared, have a menu set ahead of time with things you already have in your cupboards or form a shopping list on Monday for the things you will need for the following weeks menu. OK- you already know what my vote is!

So the point of all of this- I am going to start trying to prepare a weekly menu. Like I will prepare the following weeks menu before I go shopping in the current week. So I know that if I have forgotten something, I can switch that meal with a meal that I do have all of the ingredients for.

If you would also like to do this, I have found some sources here. I think pretty much you can go one of two ways with meal planning: weekly planning or monthly planning. This lady here does weekly planning. There is also the monthly option here, which might give you a little more wiggle room.

I am going to continue to read up on this subject, write down all of our favorite recipes (it's going to be changing a bit now that the weather is getting a little cooler), and then start hashing out a plan, to start hopefully next Monday.

Do you meal plan? Maybe you can form a new habit too, and start meal planning for your household!

Forming New Habits

Did you notice someone missing at church this week? Have you talked to someone who was really down about something in their life? Was there someone in your life who recently was blessed by the Lord?

Why don't we make it a new habit to send a small letter of encouragement or a congratulations to someone who may need it this week. I recently bought a box of blank cards. Each week I have tried to find a few people who could use encouragement and I send them a card! I love getting cards. Wouldn't a card in the mail be a huge blessing during a struggle in your life? What about a baptism? Send them a card. Didn't see them at church? Find out they have a family member sick? Rough patch at work? Bless someone with encouraging words.

Act 15:30-32 Then indeed they being let go, they came to Antioch. And gathering the multitude, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced at the comfort.
And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, exhorted the brothers with many words and confirmed them.