Sayonara, Adios, Au Revoir, Sampai jumpa…for now.

So, Nate thinks it’s funny that I’m going to blog about not blogging. Whateva, brotha!

If you would recall…HERE…I had a lot to do this year. As I have been complaining about for…eh…the last two months… I have a lot to do and the list keeps growing. In addition to the original “list,” I’ve since added being more “frugal aware” and hoping to get some preschool activities down for Ms. Lily in the upcoming weeks and months.

Let us recall “The List” and see how far we have come (Keep in mind, this was supposed to start in December 2009:

1. Simply, start working out at least 5 out of 7 days. No. I’m still as weak and floppy as on December 1, 2009. I’ve worked out about 3 times in 2 months. Today being one of those.
2. Drink more water. Sort of. I have drank more water, but one glass every two or three days doesn’t suffice.
3. Eat less sugar. …right. This one made me LAUGH OUT LOUD!
4. By April 2010, resume training for my second-degree black belt. Still time, but must get with numero uno or Joe Grosso will kick my bumbino! And then I will throw up and feed the cat-titos. 5. Run the CASA 8K on June 12, 2010. Again, see #1 and #4.
6. Spend at least 6 months out of 2010 not pregnant, nursing, and/or both. Not there yet…looking to start this one in April. However, God may have different plans.
7. Spend more time studying scripture. I have done this but see down below.
8. Find a church family. We may be on our way. We have been attending a church for around 2 months and we are currently involved in an inquirers class that should last the next 3 or 4 months. We’ll see.
9. Pray more as a family. We are doing this, but it still needs some work.

10. Spend at least one night a month with my husband without babies. (Not enough, but a start.) I honestly think we may be doing OK on this one.

Now, to why I am going on a hiatus. I have around two slots of time out of my day everyday. One of those time slots is at 5:00 in the morning…which actually makes those times slots one and not two since I have the most comfortable bed in the world at 5AM. I have some pretty big goals that are going to take up the majority of that time. I plan to do a complete reading of the entire Bible over the next 6 months. During this time frame, I thought it would be a good idea to take a break from blogging and complete the reading as well as get myself ready for Tae Kwon Do and the 8K. I believe I may do an update occasionally on this progress but take a break from reading and commenting. I probably will have those days when I just feel like I must write...it's in our blood isn't it?! I feel these other things are a little more important right now. I know since I am in such high demand all the time, you may need to contact me. Find my email on my blogger profile or check me out on Facebook.

I’ll miss reading your blogs. If you have a REALLY good one, one you need some fiery back up on…email me so I can check it out!

Where Can I Serve God?

It wasn’t long ago I was writing about Losing Michelle… And it wasn’t long ago I was Finding Michelle either. I believe I find myself still caught in this battle. The battle is a cultural and spiritual battle. It is the battle of what I have been indoctrinated with against the biblical vision we have for our family. We are fighting this battle as a family against the tide of our society. Luckily, we have been so blessed to find a body of believers to worship with on Sundays. I told you about when I first met them HERE. The godliness in this church is astounding compared to the many, many churches we have visited for the past six years. So with this battle we have been fighting for so many years, God has blessed us with support and guidance and discipleship.

Here I am a mother of two beautiful babies, a wife to a wonderful husband, and a child of God trying to find His ways. Being so blessed, I sometimes find myself so confused. I want to blame the culture. I want to blame feminism. I want to blame someone or something. But it all comes back to me. It comes back to me learning to let go of the world I was taught to love and embrace. It comes back to me learning that only God can satisfy my hunger and thirst for something more. It is God! It is God that I thirst for! It is God that I long to be with!

God wants us to die to self so that we can serve others. We search for ministries in our community…when a woman’s ministry is in her own home. Where I am right now is where God wants me to serve Him. By serving those in my home, I will serve God.

Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Skate Church...Cowboys welcomed!

Just the other day, Nate asked me if I had seen the “Cowboy Church” just off the highway. I was not sure exactly what he was talking about; we often read the church signs posted within every mile here in the south and I had not seen one referring to cowboys. He clarified, “No, it’s The Cowboy Church, cowboys welcomed.” Mmm-Kay. I couldn’t help but recall The Cowboy Church when our local paper featured an article on Skate Church.

I must say this really raises some questions for me. Here in the south, contemporary services have been frowned upon for years by the older generations. At one time, I did not really have a problem with contemporary services. In all honesty, I enjoyed the atmosphere, especially relaxing in my favorite jeans while I listened to a speaker and had refreshments. As time has gone on, I have really noticed how many of these services have trailed away from the true purpose of “church.” The message is being lost and the focus is about drawing the world in by looking like the world. It seems a lot of Christian churches are becoming more in tune with social sciences than biblical teaching.

Let’s go back to Skate Church. I have absolutely no problem with skaters. I wish I could do it myself. But how do you build a ministry around skating? On the website, I see a pretty fair message on a daily devotional and the About Us tab makes a lot of sense. The building the kids use for skating belongs to the church and there is a pro shop inside for the skaters to get parts if needed. I am really trying to be open-minded, but I can’t help but think of Jesus in the synagogue being so angry. “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:13) When we are in a time of fellowship with other believers that we call “church,” shouldn’t we be worshipping? Shouldn’t these young boys and girls be spending the two hours in God’s Word instead of skating for an hour and a half and having a “short message” presented? How are we teaching our young people to live godly lives and to make God part of your day all day?

I am completely for reaching out and missions, but I don’t believe Jesus changed the synagogues or His message to reach those in the world. His sheep knew then and still know His voice. I have never been to Skate Church so I can’t make a pointed judgment. I just don’t understand why we have to tell cowboys their welcome to come to church and why church has to be changed to fit your desires. Missions to me are more about going into the world to find His sheep and pull them out, not make our place of worship like the world.

In all honesty, shouldn’t we all be spending a little less time skating, (or blogging or watching TV or whatever) and a little more time in God’s Word and praying?

Frugal Part 2...

I am not sure whether this is meant to be humorous or to just show my progress. Either way…it’s kind of funny. I decided to share some savings with you that I was quite proud of! There was a 3-day sale going on so I decided to take advantage with some coupons I had this week. See what I got below! I’m so excited! I paid $.78 for each box of Cheerios and they’re really big boxes! So with all the goods down below…I paid $7.74. The total price before sales and coupons…$16.28. That’s around 48% savings! This was just a short trip…remember in Frugal Shmugal my “two-time a month grocery trip”? Well, this wasn’t one of those weeks but I couldn’t pass up a good deal on a few of our staples.

Now to the humor…below is a picture from Mom4Him. Jessica was so gracious to help me out with some drug store questions I had a few weeks ago. In this specific picture, Jessica saved 69% on her groceries paying a total of $66.75! I find humor in this because it’s like I’m really, really, REALLY taking baby steps! Of course, Jessica completed 6 transactions to get all of this and really does some work to get these deals. (And her store provides some pretty awesome catalinas! You can see her total grocery trip summary HERE.) You have to see it...it's like magic.


Honestly…how funny is my little picture up there compared to this!

Private Prayer

Tell me…where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon.” (Song of Solomon 1:70)

“Where doest thou feed thy flock? In thy house? Then I will go, if I may find thee there. In private prayer? Then I will pray without ceasing. In the Word? Then I will read diligently. In thine ordinances? Then I will walk in them with all my heart. Tell me where you feed, for wherever you stand as the Shepherd, there will I lie down as a sheep; for none but you can supply my need. I cannot be satisfied apart from you. My soul hungers and thirsts for the refreshing of your presence…Satan tells me I am unworthy; but I always was unworthy, and yet you have long loved me; and, therefore, my unworthiness cannot be a barrier to my having fellowship with you now…It is true I am weak in faith, and prone to fall, but my very feebleness is the reason why I should always be where you feed your flock, that I may be strengthened, and preserved in safety beside still waters….Jesus beckons me to come. If He withdrew himself a little, it is but to make me prize His presence more. Now that I am grieved and distressed at being away from Him, he will lead me yet again to that sheltered nook where the lambs of His fold are sheltered from the burning sun.”

I am reluctant to add to the great words of Charles H. Spurgeon. This is a small piece from a devotional entitled “Private Prayer.” I found myself able to relate to these words so much; so much I think I could just leave it as it is. Sometimes I find myself so hungry for Him but yet unable to find the food I need.

My walk goes in phases. At times I find myself so craving His Word and His presence I pour over the Word with every waking moment. I read through His Word and everything comes so naturally. And then there are times like the present, when it seems as if He is so far away. And really, Spurgeon says it best… “If He withdrew himself a little, it is but to make me prize His presence more. Now that I am grieved and distressed at being away from Him, he will lead me yet again to that sheltered nook where the lambs of His fold are sheltered from the burning sun.”

Hate speech?

I am completely flipping out here. The following paragraph was attempted to be posted on Facebook and was blocked as abusive content. Call me a paranoid Christian, but do we have something to worry about here?

"Now for my response. I'm a bit more theological than scientific. My original reply was not specific to the post on evolution but the blog as well as the First Presbytarian Website. Anyone can call themself a Christian, but the message that Christ gave through the gospel and His sacrifice is what historical Christianity was about. Historical Christianity has been lost because of folks like this saying they are Christian but denying the biblical principles and the very core of Christianity itself. The word Christian has obviously lost its meaning. Biblically speaking there is one gospel, one truth, and one way...to deny that is to deny Christianity. This group seems to me to be a Unitarian church that has not gone through with a name change. Their beliefs are closer to paganism than Christianity by far."

This conversation is in response to this site and the church's website.

http://www.shuckandjive.org/

Frugal Shmugal

Hello out there-ther-ther-ere! Ok…that is my best attempt at an echo. That is my best attempt to say I feel like I have been missing. Well, actually “Hello out there” would mean everyone else is missing? Wouldn’t it? Oh well… I can’t figure out if I haven’t had much to write about or if I’ve been so busy reading your blogs I can’t find time to write my own. I do have a lot going on so I should have a lot to write about…but where is the time. I feel like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland and I’m not really sure what I’m late for…. I’m always here for the very merry unbirthdays we have on a weekly basis. So why does it seem I am in a frantic state and not sharing with my bloggy friends? What have I been doing?

Besides reading your blogs and besides finding innumerable cobwebs and dust bunnies that can’t seem to quit yelling at me and besides taking care of a wee toddler and an ever moving infant, I’ve been frugal-ling. That’s my term…don’t steal it. I set out on a venture to learn how to buy $200 worth of groceries for $50. Did I succeed? Huh! Hardly. Did I have an aneurysm over it? Definitely. Did my husband suggest Xanax? A few times.

Apparently there is a system. The system is very easy to understand from the safety of your own home. It’s really simple. However, throw in the wee toddler, the ever moving infant, and a husband that decided to tag along on an hour long lunch break and "simple" turns into frantic aneurysm. This whole Walgreens and CVS (excuse me) shiznit is for the birds. In the best perky smiling voice I have, “Spend $15 on Aveeno or Clean and Clear products and earn $5 of Register Rewards.” Combine that with your $2 off Walgreens coupon found in the drug store coloring book in the back and your “$1 off when you purchase 2” manufacture coupon and you can get 2 bottles of face wash for FREE! Right. But don’t forget the $15 of Aveeno and Clean and Clear stuff you just purchased that it might take you a YEAR to use AND the fact that you don’t get to use those $5 RR in this purchase. SO, go back and do another transaction and buy more crap you don’t need so you can get it for free, but be sure to pick up something small so you can use your manufacturer coupon and your RR because you have to have the same number of items as coupons and you can’t use your RRs on the same thing you purchased because it won’t produce more RRs and you want to keep them RRs rolling! OK?! CVS does the same thing with ECBs, also known as Extra Care Bucks and it is a much easier system. Still, I don’t need anything found in the drug stores that I can’t get for cheaper at Wal-Mart with a little less stress.

Now, here is the deal. The drug store biz does work for some. I follow a few blogs that seriously get gallons of milk, boxes of cereal, and all sorts of toiletries for free. But dang…my brain just does not work that way or maybe I just don’t can’t take the time to do it.

But I did want to save my family some money because I think we need to be better stewards of our money. (Note: I’m a Dave Ramsey follower without Gazelle Intensity.) So, how did I do it?

First, I moved four of the money saving blogs I found to a completely NEW blogger account. These women are so on top of good deals and finds, I couldn’t find my regular, real blog reading list. I was so busy making sure I didn’t miss a deal I had to start popping deals… I mean pills. See what I’m sayin’? So, I moved the money making/saving ladies over to another place that I could only visit once or twice a week. Second, I went back to my twice a month shopping routine from the weekly “catch a sale” shopping trip. Third, I did subscribe to the local Sunday paper for ads and coupons. (Which has been delivered to somewhere 30 miles away to the wrong address…thanks Times News! There goes another pill deal!) Also, I am doing online coupons. Fourth, with those ads I’m doing comparison shopping at Wal-Mart and utilizing the best sales with coupons at Food City. Also, where I can bear to not be brand loyal, I’m buying Great Value brand products. Fifth, and I believe most importantly, I’m doing Meal Planning.

And the results are… $33 in savings at Food City, a free Gallon of Milk, and tons of savings at Wal-Mart beyond the regular savings you can find there.

Now, I cannot say I have completely layed down the drug store temptation. However, I believe I have been able to set things aside for a bit and take the process a little bit slower. If you want a chuckle, picture me with a binder of sorted and labeled coupons and sales papers cruising through the store. I also created my own price comparison document with everything we use listed on it that I keep on hand. Didn’t Nate say something before about me not being able to do something casually?