While I'm Waiting

This is a great song and a wonderful reminder that we should remain steadfast while we wait upon the Lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-M7oGrOa2I

In Christ Alone

This is one of my all time favorite songs. Here's a link with Natalie Grant singing it and I posted the lyrics below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA9WbEn-Nj8&feature=related


In Christ Alone lyrics

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

My thoughts on being prepared in season and out of season...

II Timothy 2:4 Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season..."


Okay, many of us know that this verse deals with Paul writing Timothy and giving him instructions to be ready/prepared to share the gospel during any season of life Timothy is in.

I'm not one to twist Scripture so please understand that I'm not saying that this verse means anything different than what God intended for it to say.

HOWEVER...I find it to be a really cool thing when I read a verse and then starting thinking about other things in my life that I could apply it to...I believe that when that happens it is the Holy Spririt teaching me something new...that's what I'm going to ramble about today.

I've cooked 2 1/2 dozen pancakes, 30 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and 30 Banana Bread muffins today. I have a bunch of other things on my list to get baked too. I try to keep a little bit of a stockpile of food in my freezer and pantry. For the most part I do this to help myself out when I need something quick to make or for those lazy days that I don't feel like cooking. It not only saves me time, but money too because I'm not as tempted to run out and get fast food.

The pancakes and muffins are going to be froze so that my parents will have access to them while I'm in Cincinnati. I never even thought of this verse meaning that I, as a wife & mother, need to prepare things for my home! I'm usually "in season" around here, but there are times in life that we are all "out of season." Going to a hospital in Cincinnati for 5 days is not a part of my usual agenda and is definitely an "out of season" time of life. I was trying to think of other times in our lives that are "out of season." Having an illness, having a baby, going to out of town meetings, etc.
I think that baking or cooking meals and snacks ahead of time is a wonderful way to let our family know that we love them and are thinking about them....in my case it's helpful to my parents too since they'll be watching the kids for me.

So, what do you do to help your family or yourself out for those "out of season" times? Please leave me a comment sharing your ideas.

Incase you're wondering these are the other things I plan to bake & freeze over the next few days...

French Toast
Zuccini Bread Muffins
Blueberry Muffins
Pizza Crust
Maybe a casserole or two!

Help for Haiti

Update: Thanks to all of you that participated in our fundraiser. This was really fun to do and was definitely a new experience and challenge to us. After adding what we saved in groceries along with the comments you left on this blog we raised a total of $75.00 to donate to Extend Global for the express purpose of providing the physical and spiritual needs of those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Thanks again!

~Brian and Heather

We've all seen it on the news and web by now. Haiti has been so devastated by this earthquake and most of us will never know or be able to comprehend the turmoil that they are going through during this time. What will we do?
1. Praying is something we can do. Our God is powerful and mighty and shows Himself to people when we call on His name.
2. Do you feel that praying isn't enough? Do you want to do more? We can also GIVE. I went grocery shopping yesterday and saved 62% on my groceries. I've decided to donate that saved amount to Extend Global (see below).
3. Do you want to do more but don't have many resources? Some of us have very limited resources and don't feel that even the smallest monetary donation would amount to much. I just read a quote from another blogger, Crystal, that said, "Even if it seems like it's a drop in the bucket, remember that a bucket of water is made up of that--drops!"
So, this brings me to my subject. In cooperation with other fellow couponing bloggers across the country we're teaming up to help Haiti. It's simple and it doesn't have to cost you one penny! Visit http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ to find out just how this is done. All it will cost you is a bit of your time!
Here's my offer to you... Leave me a comment telling me what you're doing to help. Be creative. For every comment I get I'll donate another $1 to Extend Global. I do have a limit of $200. So, tell your friends, family, facebook it...whatever it takes!
***This deal ends at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

***Extend Global is an evangelical mission agency committed to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Primarily, they do this by sending short-term teams to meet those needs. You can visit their website at http://www.extendglobal.org/
Thanks for helping meet the needs of people in Haiti!

Dillons 01/14/2010

(click on image to zoom in)

I had a great trip to Dillons yesterday. I got 54 items, spent $35.64 and saved $57.97. That's a 62% savings. My bill was $93. 61 before coupons. The picture above is everything that I got except for 3 pkgs. of Old ElPaso Taco Season that I already put away and 2 bottles of International Delight Creamer that I gave to my sister. Note: the kids needed milk and already drank some by the time I took a picture!

Happy New Year!!!

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Author Unknown

Take twelve whole months,
Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate, and jealousy,
Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or
thirty-one different parts,
but don’t make up the whole batch at once.
Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

Mix well into each day one part of faith,
one part of patience, one part of courage,
and one part of work.

Add to each day one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.

Blend with one part prayer,
one part meditation, and one good deed.

Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupful of good humor.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.

Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness, unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.

You’re bound to have a happy new year.

Christmas Questions & Answers

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I like both but I like wrapped gifts the best!

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial~ I would sneeze a lot with a real tree and my son's asthma would go bonkers!

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually the week after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually the week after Christmas. I really don't like the tree up too long. I never have. I don't like clutter and sometimes feel like the tree is cluttering my livingroom.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Nope!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A play organ when I was about 9 years old and my Cabbage Patch doll when I was 11 years old.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My inlaws.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My children.

9. Do You have a nativity scene?
Yes...after all, isn't that what Christmas is about?!

10.Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. I prefer getting a "real" card too!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I think I'll opt out of commenting on this one : )

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Honestly...I don't have a favorite..not much of a movie person.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Sometime in the summer.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My mom's cheese ball, fudge and Christmas cookies!

16. Lights on the tree?
Absolutely!

17.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
All our family lives here so we don't have to travel.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Contrary to my children's wishes every year to cheat and open gifts early~
It is always Christmas morning!
I am a "It has to be the day~ Girl."