In case you tried to enter the Christmas Card giveaway and couldn't, we had a miscommunication with the site and it is now fixed. I added an extra day just in case you missed out because of this, meaning that the giveaway will now end Midnight November 1 EST. You still can enter to win here.
I'm so sorry if this caused you trouble!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Good Stewardship in the Home, Part 1
This is something that has been on my heart for a while. As wives and mothers, we are sometimes swept away with the minutiae of the home; dishes, diapers, baths, floors, etc... and we forget to be good stewards in what we do. We ask, "Is this a good use of our time?" instead of, "Is this the best use of our time?"
There are many ways we can exemplify good stewardship as Christian women. Matthew 25 is all about preparation and stewardship; first, the story of the wise and foolish virgins. Some who are ready, having bought ahead in preparation for the arrival of the Bridegroom and some that didn't think past the moment and the excitement of the future to actually plan ahead for it. And then the parable of the Talents, where Jesus instructs us to use whatever we are given to invest, looking forward to the time in which we will have to give an answer for what we did with what we were given. Every one has something different that God has given them and expects them to use wisely. For some, God have them money and they will be responsible to God for how and where they spend it. For others it is freedom, and God will expect to have it used for His service and not frittered away.
We as wives and mothers are held responsible for how we and our children spend our time; whether we invest it in kingdom work or whether we squander it on harmful or even "just" silly things.
We are responsible for our resources; making sure our pennies count, to maximize the funds our husbands give us in trust.
We are responsible for using our gifts; hospitality, mercy, teaching. It does not matter whether we have little or much, we need to use it. Invest it. Make sure we are getting a return on what we are putting in.
We need to ask ourselves daily; what am I investing in? And what kind of return can I look for from this? Can I invest in something that will bring me a greater return? Can I increase my return by investing more in this? Our lives must be active. We can not afford to be passive about how we spend our time or our talents.
Today I want to pose some questions to think about. Are we being active participants in life? Are we evaluating our days with the thought of making the most of it, in the light of our Master?
We can not be passive about how we direct our children day in and day out. Because we know that guaranteed, if we don't direct them in the way in which they should go, someone else will. And when God asks us what we did with the children (talents) He gave us, we can't sit back and say, "Well, I was afraid to invest them" or "I invested in the best education and a great church with an on fire Sunday School/Youth Group for them". The buck stops with you. God holds you responsible. And if we are not constantly evaluating how we spend our time, talent and resources, they will be gone before we know it and so will our children.
There are many ways we can exemplify good stewardship as Christian women. Matthew 25 is all about preparation and stewardship; first, the story of the wise and foolish virgins. Some who are ready, having bought ahead in preparation for the arrival of the Bridegroom and some that didn't think past the moment and the excitement of the future to actually plan ahead for it. And then the parable of the Talents, where Jesus instructs us to use whatever we are given to invest, looking forward to the time in which we will have to give an answer for what we did with what we were given. Every one has something different that God has given them and expects them to use wisely. For some, God have them money and they will be responsible to God for how and where they spend it. For others it is freedom, and God will expect to have it used for His service and not frittered away.
We as wives and mothers are held responsible for how we and our children spend our time; whether we invest it in kingdom work or whether we squander it on harmful or even "just" silly things.
We are responsible for our resources; making sure our pennies count, to maximize the funds our husbands give us in trust.
We are responsible for using our gifts; hospitality, mercy, teaching. It does not matter whether we have little or much, we need to use it. Invest it. Make sure we are getting a return on what we are putting in.
We need to ask ourselves daily; what am I investing in? And what kind of return can I look for from this? Can I invest in something that will bring me a greater return? Can I increase my return by investing more in this? Our lives must be active. We can not afford to be passive about how we spend our time or our talents.
Today I want to pose some questions to think about. Are we being active participants in life? Are we evaluating our days with the thought of making the most of it, in the light of our Master?
We can not be passive about how we direct our children day in and day out. Because we know that guaranteed, if we don't direct them in the way in which they should go, someone else will. And when God asks us what we did with the children (talents) He gave us, we can't sit back and say, "Well, I was afraid to invest them" or "I invested in the best education and a great church with an on fire Sunday School/Youth Group for them". The buck stops with you. God holds you responsible. And if we are not constantly evaluating how we spend our time, talent and resources, they will be gone before we know it and so will our children.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
A little here, a little there...
I have been pondering ways to save a little money in the grocery department. I know, I hear you...use coupons. Okay, I do, but I buy natural, organic, bulk, make-from-scratch kind of stuff and these are not normal coupon items. Now I will use them for treats, toiletries and diapers but that is about all I find useful in the coupon world on a regular basis.
Another idea often suggested is that you stock up on items that will last when you find a good deal, but often I find that I have done my shopping for the month when I find such deals, meaning that there is no more budget for such things. And today it hit me: I should set aside an amount each month for just such items. (For those of you who have been doing this for a while, tune me out but if you are like me and this is a new revelation, feel free to read on...)
So say you have a month budget of $500 for your family. And you find you can make it on just $450 each month. Then you can take that extra $50 and save it for the time cans of peas are $.50 or when you find toothpaste for $.75 a tube. Or maybe you decide you'd like to buy a side of beef each year, well then that money will come in handy when you need to pay the butcher.
You may only have $20 space in your budget but don't despair, that $20 a month becomes $240 in a year and once you start stocking up at cheaper prices, you can take the money that you would have spent on those items and add them to your stock up budget! Soon you'll be ahead of the game.
Anyone have an ideas they want to share about stocking up? I'd love more tips!
Another idea often suggested is that you stock up on items that will last when you find a good deal, but often I find that I have done my shopping for the month when I find such deals, meaning that there is no more budget for such things. And today it hit me: I should set aside an amount each month for just such items. (For those of you who have been doing this for a while, tune me out but if you are like me and this is a new revelation, feel free to read on...)
So say you have a month budget of $500 for your family. And you find you can make it on just $450 each month. Then you can take that extra $50 and save it for the time cans of peas are $.50 or when you find toothpaste for $.75 a tube. Or maybe you decide you'd like to buy a side of beef each year, well then that money will come in handy when you need to pay the butcher.
You may only have $20 space in your budget but don't despair, that $20 a month becomes $240 in a year and once you start stocking up at cheaper prices, you can take the money that you would have spent on those items and add them to your stock up budget! Soon you'll be ahead of the game.
Anyone have an ideas they want to share about stocking up? I'd love more tips!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Portraits of Life
A few weeks ago, I won a contest at Raising Homemakers for a 8x12 print of my choice from Portraits of Life. After much deliberation, I chose the beautiful 
.
Mr. Hoover, the artist behind the photograph, was quick to email me making sure he had the photograph I had selected correct. He shipped it right away and it arrived very promptly, well packaged at my door. The photograph is gorgeous and I can't wait to get it framed, so it can take its new place in my family room.
I would highly recommend you pop on over to Portraits of Life and see all the lovely photographs Mr. Hoover has available.
. Mr. Hoover, the artist behind the photograph, was quick to email me making sure he had the photograph I had selected correct. He shipped it right away and it arrived very promptly, well packaged at my door. The photograph is gorgeous and I can't wait to get it framed, so it can take its new place in my family room.
I would highly recommend you pop on over to Portraits of Life and see all the lovely photographs Mr. Hoover has available.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
A Review and a giveaway!
Blogger and I finally resolved our issues so here, finally, are the details for the giveaway!
Last year, you might remember, I wrote about our Christmas cards from Shutterfly, which were a big hit. This year, not only did they ask me to write about them again, they also gave me 3 sets of 25 cards to give away to my readers!!
This year they have new styles. I am loving this one:
And I adore the simplicity of this one:
Of course they have fun and whimsical styles too:
My favorite addition to their collection this year, are the cards that double as Christmas letters. Some are headline types like this one:
And some are closer to the traditional letters like this:
Visit Shutterfly to check out the entire collection for yourself.
While you are there, check out their selection of Christmas thank you cards. Not only will you have thank you's for your friends and family, but they are personalized with photos of you and your family.
They have a great selection of Photo Gifts: traditional items like mugs, but they also have fun ideas like reusable shopping bags. You can browse all their gift ideas here.
I'd love to hear which card you'd choose!
Now for the giveaway fun!! (I tried to make entering easy, but let me know what you think of the new system when you leave your comment.) The first entry is mandatory, just leave a comment on this post. You can earn additional entries by clicking on the read more link. You can become a follower, subscribe and visit Shutterfly and tell about something you like.
I'll be choosing three winners on November 1, so you'll have plenty of time to enter!!! Make sure to leave me with your email address so I can send you your free code if you win.
Best wishes!!!!
Oh and if you are a blogger, you can register here http://goo.gl/DDw7Q for your chance at 25 free cards!
Last year, you might remember, I wrote about our Christmas cards from Shutterfly, which were a big hit. This year, not only did they ask me to write about them again, they also gave me 3 sets of 25 cards to give away to my readers!!
This year they have new styles. I am loving this one:
And I adore the simplicity of this one:
Of course they have fun and whimsical styles too:
My favorite addition to their collection this year, are the cards that double as Christmas letters. Some are headline types like this one:
And some are closer to the traditional letters like this:
Visit Shutterfly to check out the entire collection for yourself.
While you are there, check out their selection of Christmas thank you cards. Not only will you have thank you's for your friends and family, but they are personalized with photos of you and your family.
They have a great selection of Photo Gifts: traditional items like mugs, but they also have fun ideas like reusable shopping bags. You can browse all their gift ideas here.
I'd love to hear which card you'd choose!
Now for the giveaway fun!! (I tried to make entering easy, but let me know what you think of the new system when you leave your comment.) The first entry is mandatory, just leave a comment on this post. You can earn additional entries by clicking on the read more link. You can become a follower, subscribe and visit Shutterfly and tell about something you like.
I'll be choosing three winners on November 1, so you'll have plenty of time to enter!!! Make sure to leave me with your email address so I can send you your free code if you win.
Best wishes!!!!
Oh and if you are a blogger, you can register here http://goo.gl/DDw7Q for your chance at 25 free cards!
Monday, October 17, 2011
We regret...
I have been trying for the past hour at least to post the review and details of the giveaway as promised...however, Blogger has decided to lose more than half of the post 4 times so I am calling it quits for tonight. I will try again tomorrow, but I wanted y'all to know I didn't forget, I was thwarted.
Good night all! See you on the morrow!
Good night all! See you on the morrow!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Giveaway coming soon...
It might be a rumor or it might be true, but some one says there will be a giveaway coming soon here...
Read Monday to find out... :D
Read Monday to find out... :D
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Remember those in Bonds
Please take a few minutes to watch this video and "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body". Hebrews 13:3
We are all family and they deserve no less.
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church from Christian Freedom International on Vimeo.
We are all family and they deserve no less.
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church from Christian Freedom International on Vimeo.
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