December

The 30 day giving challenge went well. I am glad I participated. It is something I think we need to do every month and hope to continue with it. November flew by. My son turned 18 and Thanksgiving came and went so fast. Now it is already December 4. Time flies.

A few things I wanted to pass along:
- check out paperbackswap.com -it is a great way to get books free and a way to unload your unwanted or finished books. I order three last week and received them today.

- check out moneysavingmom.com- great coupons,recipes,giveaways and more. Love it!!

I am excited about December. I love celebrating the birth of my Saviour!!

Week 1-Giving Challenge

This first week has went by fast. Most of my giving was my time to friends and family in need. I have a pile of stuff that is going to the Salvation Army. I also made a donation to Compassion International. More plans include Operation Christmas and food bank donations.

November already:

Once again I have been behind on my blog. Well this month I hope will be different. We are participating in the 30 Day Giving Challenge. We found out about this through kingdomfirstmom.com.



The whole idea as explained by Alyssa(from her pastor)is to:


Spend 30 days with a journal in your hand. Try it for the next 30 days and see if I’m lying. Take a journal and just jot down everything you give. Every time you find yourself being generous, write it down. Every time you feel prompted by God to give something you never would, or why would I buy THAT many cookies… from the Girl Scouts. I don’t know why, God just gave you the prompting to do something special for somebody! Write it down.

And then write down on the other side every time something comes back to you. Every time the cycle gets completed. Do it for 30 days, and you’ll never be the same again. You’ll never look at giving the same way again.


Here are a few ways to do it:

*Adopt a soldier -

*Share your coupons-

*Be a friend of the library - donate items to your local library.

*Do a food drive for your local food pantry.

*Donate your expired coupons to Coupons for Troops -

* Visit a veteran for Veteran's Day.

*Fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child - Our church is participating in this and it is a great way to minister to kids in other countries.

*Make blankets to donate to Project Linus - . Project Linus donates blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized,or needy.

* Visit an old friend. Take them some cookies.

* Collect Box Tops for your local elementary school.

The verse for this month is:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up". Galations 6:9

Time flying by

I am ashamed that I have not put a post up for 2 months. I started a new job so things have been busy. Plus my son, Ben , is a senior in high school so things are busy that way too. I have been wanting to write so many things, but could not put it into words. I really feel like I need to write about being a prudent homemaker and really be more creative about budgeting, food prep, and making a food storage pantry. I have read so many blogs about these subjects and how this makes us better stewards of what God gives us that I am going to do my best to bring these things forward and bring forward things from our daily life.

Everyday Living

So much has happened since my last post I hope I remember everything. We have been busy. Ben has went to a few specialist and we have had some tests and things are looking up. We have found some good doctors and he is feeling much better. Praise God. My dad was hospitalized, but seems to be doing well. Our bible study we started at our house is going well also. We have had a number of family functions and have had a great time. God had truly blessed us and we can't thank Him enough.

I have lots of pictures to follow.



Me playing with sparklers.




Our July 4th Fireworks compliments of my brother Chris.




Ben with his new haircut. Any of you that know Ben can see how different he looks. His hair was down to the middle of his back.




This is the Duck pond at Va Tech. Tracey and I went there for a relaxing time and fed the ducks and squirrels. We also look at a book on living self sufficient.




This is me in front of the New River at McCoy. This is where you can go tubing down the river over the rapids. It was beautiful. I had not seen this place since Ben was about 4 years old.




This is another look at the New River.




This is Ben and my dad on Father's Day.




Here I am trying out golf.




Here is Tracey relaxing and playing a game of golf.




This is a picture of the golf course called the Hill. It is in Blacksburg.




This is my brother and Ben playing the same course. It is great fun and a great time to spend together. Of course it is good exercise.

Saturday

As I type right now, Ben, my son is taking his SAT's at Radford University. He was a little nervous, but I am sure he will do great. It was really cool walking with him on the campus where I went to college many years ago. Go Highlanders!!

On a sad note, today we are attending the funeral of a boy from our church, Kelly, that died from HLH. He was 10. The viewing was hard, but everyone was there to support his family. I thank for my pastor and the people of Good Shepherd Baptist Church.

Later we may go see the new "Land of the Lost" movie. It won't be like the series I grew up on but I am sure it will make us laugh. We could always just rent a Tyler Perry movie because they are sure to make you laugh.

Prayer

Please pray for the family of Kelly Ryan who lost his battle with HLH this morning. He is youngster in our church who we have been praying for. He was 10. Our pastor said it best, he was healed, but not the way we were praying for. He is in heaven thought with Jesus so there is no more sickness for him. Pray that his family finds comfort in this time.

Updating

Boy I am really behind on my blog. We have been going about 90 miles an hour around here. Ben is finishing up his 11th grade year in a few days. He is still having issues with the head injury he sustained last fall. We are seeing another specialist in June since the neurologist left the country for a non-profit job. Ben is planning to attend Younglife's summer camp at Lake Champion in New York in July. It looks great. Please pray that we get a better routine with the doctor we are going to be seeing.

Tracey and I have been busy getting rid of junk and cleaning the house up inside and out. We just finished shampooing half the house and cleaning out the basement. We are starting a bible study in our home tomorrow!! We are excited!!

We are both working right now with me just working part time. There have been lots of layoffs where Tracey works and we hope and pray that it doesn't reach him.

We have been having lots of wonderful friends join us a church. I am really glad to see you girls!!

Thankful Thursdays

I am thankful for the Bible.

I am thankful for my son and husband.

I am thankful for christian tv stations.

I am thankful for everyday.

I am thankful for payday!!

What are you thankful for?

Tuesday Already

The week is going by fast already. I guess Friday will be here soon!! Tracey and I have been working on a bible study we plan to start in our home soon. It is about Proverbs and living life wisely. We are excited since we have never hosted one before. Please be in prayer for us.

Menu Monday

Here is the menu for the week:

Breakfast
english muffins with cheese and bacon
orange cranberry muffins, tea
pancakes, sausage, tea
waffles, bacon, tea
eggs, ham, toast

Dinner
Chicken and Stir fried rice, mac and cheese, fried potatoes
Cheese burger mac and cheese, homemade bread
homemade chicken noodle soup
bbq pork, corn, green beans
baked spaghetti, garlic bread

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there, especially my mom. I won't put her picture up because she would kill me. My mom is the most wonderful mom in the world. She is loving, generous, kind, and she does not care what other people think. I definitely got that from her. She has done so much for our whole family and today we thank you mom.

We just got back from church and WOW what a service. I am amazed by all I am learning or didn't know until we decided to find another church. Every week our family is blessed by God's Word.

Later this evening we are having a family cookout and time of fellowship.

A Little Late

Well I missed Menu Monday this week. Our family has all been sick and I am actually heading to the doctor in an hour. It has been rough, but I have been able to listen to a few shows on TV and some on the computer and have learned alot. I caught Kirk Cameron's show on TBN called The Way of the Master and WOW what an impact that show has made. It shows you how to get out and spread the gospel and what a testimony he has. I am going to put a link up to the website. Check it out and see what you think.

Anyway here is my menu plans for the week:

Breakfast
waffles and strawberries
english muffins and bacon
toaster strudel and scrambled eggs
french toast and bacon
biscuit and gravy
omlettes and bacon

Dinner
Beef and Broccoli with fried rice
tacos with beef, ice cream
hotdogs and onion rings
pork chops, mac and cheese, green beans
chicken, mashed potatoes, corn

of course lunches are eaten at school or work and my husband and I pack our own wiht leftovers or sandwiches.

Sickness

Well a week or so back I had a virus that was bad on the throat and lymph nodes. We had a birthday party here last Sunday with the whole family. Since then, my husband, has been sick with it since Wed. and he is on his annual fishing trip with his brothers and has been sick the whole time. He sounds awful. My mom has it too and she says the worst is the sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. My throat started bothering me again yesterday, and now Ben has it too. I had a big blog planned for today, but I am going to disinfect and take care of everyone.

Friday

First and foremost I want to say happy birthday to my husband, Tracey. He is fishing today, so I hope he catches the big one. It is off to work this morning. We have a big meeting first thing. Some people have already been let go, so I am praying no one else will lose their job. This evening our church is having a special potluck meal and service for a missionary from Africa. I have a real heart for Africa, Darfur, the Invisible Children, etc, so I am looking forward to it. I am also working on a solar oven project. I will let you know how it goes and do a post on solar heating. Food wise, I only plan on getting bread and milk this weekend and still use what we have in the pantry.

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I would like to dedicate a post to things I am thankful for. Please share what you think and what you are thankful for.

1. I am thankful for my Lord Jesus and what He did when HE went to the cross and rose
again.

2. I am thankful for my son, husband, parents and siblings. Family is so important.

3. I am thankful for Good Shepherd Baptist Church. I am glad God led us to you.

4. I am thankful for my job.

5. I am thankful for my friends!!

Great Tuesday!!

A very busy day for the family. We had work and school. I had an interview!!! My brother brought over pizza!!! We worked in the garden. They shot some hoops. I registered for classes. Lots of stuff going on and it is great.

Menu Monday

This is my first Menu Monday post. I have been writing it weekly in a small recipe book. I am really excited!!! I won't have lunch posts since we are at different locations for that meal.

Breakfasts:
toaster strudel, strawberries, hot tea
pancakes, sausage, juice
scrambled eggs with cheese and ham, cheese toast, tea
blueberry muffins, bacon, grapes, tea
biscuits and gravy, tea

Dinners:
spaghetti, carrots, garlic toast
pork stir fry, brown rice, corn
chicken noodle soup, cheese sandwich-all homemade
Ben and mom out to eat
english muffin pepperoni pizzas, salad, fruit

Well that is it for the first one. I did not go grocery shopping this weekend, so we are using what we have in the pantry. I want to see how long we can go with going to the grub store and see how much money we save by not over buying. Like Dave Ramsey says, "Live like no one else so you can live like no one else."

Surprise

What a beautiful Sunday!!! Church was awesome. The sun is shining and it is a great day to be alive! We have been studying on the power of a friend and what kind of friend we are the past few Sundays. It makes you look at current and past friendships and see the mistakes or blessings that cam e from them. Anyway I hope to start tomorrow with Menu Monday and start posting good advice on everyday things we women do and take care of.

Day of Service-Martin luther King Jr Day

Today in honor of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, it is being called a day of service. So what are you doing for your community today? If each person does one thing just think about the change we can bring to our community and nation!!

January

This week has been a very cold week in VA. We would love to see some snow though. Ben finished up his semester and is not taking exams so he has a few days off this next week. Tracey's company has laid everyone off for the next week, so he plans on doing some small home improvements. I will be heading to work. There is so much going on the next week, I am sure we will all be exhausted by Friday. But with the weather and the uncertain times at Tracey's job we were able to get plenty of comfort at church this morning. It was "Sanctity of Life" Sunday at our church and we had some ladies speak on the Caring Pregnancy Center and what they do and the pastor spoke about the sanctity of life. If I can find the video he used I will post it. Praise God for pastor's speaking about the issues!

Back to Basics

Today Ben started back to school after Christmas break and Tracey headed back to work. I know they both would have like to stay home, but they had to get back to basics. Myself, I had the day off. It was great because I got all the housework done and can spend my day off tomorrow lounging around. Ben said school was just school today. I know he isn't happy because he has an SOL in Alg.2 tomorrow. Not fun. Tracey said today they announced at his job that 25 more people are to be laid off Friday. They just laid off 40 some and in a few weeks they have to take a week off without pay. Time seem to be rough at the job places , but we aren't going to worry.

Yesterday at church we looked at Hebrews 10:19-25 and the pastor gave us
'God Given Goals for 2009'
1. Let us Seek the Lord
2. Let us Stand firm in the profession of our hope
3. Let us Stimulate one another to love and good works.

These are some great goals that our family is striving for. I thank God for His Word.

Getting in shape for the new year

Over the last few months we have been attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University at Main Street Baptist Church. We finished the class in December. It was awesome!! We learned so much and met a lot of nice people. Now we make a home budget each month at the beginning the month and spend every dollar on paper. We start with the the things we need first like food, shelter, electricity, etc and then add the loan payments. It is a great concept and I thank God for Dave Ramsey and is willingness to show us hot to live like no one else so we can live like no one else. I don't know how many of you know about his program but it is well worth it. He uses scripture to show you how to live and give. As the bible says: "the borrower is slave to the lender" We want to shake free the bonds of financial slavery. As far as January we have made our budget and can't wait to see how we do. We are looking for that time when we can be the 'giver' that God wants us to be.

Happy New Year-2009

I would like to wish all my family and friends a happy New Year!!! It is hard to believe it is January. We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for us this year. We have already started the year off grocery shopping and using lots of coupons!! We also are getting rid of all the excess things we have accumulated and donating it to the Salvation Army. Of course now we are exhausted and are waiting to watch VT take on UC.