Today is the Start of a Journey

Some of you might remember that I posted a few weeks ago about a group forming over at Mom's Toolbox to read the Bible in 90 days.  While you can certainly use any Bible, I found that in The Bible in 90 Days version it works out to be just 12 pages per day. 

I love my current Bible dearly, but it is a study Bible full of neat footnotes and reference materials, but all  that information makes it a bit "thick" and therefore a little intimidating to think of reading it through in 90 days.

So anyway... today is Day 1 and I have finished the reading assignment.  I'm so encouraged and happy to be part of a group of nearly 400 women reading God's Word.

It is not too late to join in.  (And please don't feel that you need any specific Bible to do it)...just hop over to Mom's Toolbox and get all the details.

Join us on this amazing journey through God's Word.

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path"

- Psalm 119:105

Thought for the Day

Daily Prayer:

So far today, God,

I've done all right ...

I haven't gossipped.

I haven't been grumpy, nasty or selfish.

I'm really glad of that,

but in a few minutes, God

I'm going to get out of bed.

From now on, I'm probably going to need a lot of help!

(thank you, Debbie Alsdorf @ Design4Living)

The Bible in 90 Days - Join in on the Group!

Did you know that by reading just 12 pages a day, you can read the entire Bible in 90 Days?

I don't know how I stumbled upon this blog the other day (I certainly wasn't looking for a Bible reading group) but I found Mom's Toolbox.  Amy over at Mom's Toolbox is a host for "The Bible in 90 Days" reading groups.  She has done this herself several times and has found it to be life-changing. She now blogs about the experience and encourges others on their journey.

If you have never read the Bible (cover-to-cover) it is truly a life changing experience.  It gives you a completely new perspective.

A new reading group is now forming and begins July 5th.  If you are interested in learning more, head over to Mom's Toolbox.  You can join other Mom's as they embark on this journey to encourage each other. 

Amy posts daily insights from the reading and hosts weekly Twitter meetings for the group.  Prayerfully consider joining others in the awesome journey.

I cannot seem to remember the exact verse, but I think it was Christian author D.L. Moody that said - "I study the Bible when I'm preparing to speak to others, but when I read the Bible God speaks to me"

If you decide to join the group, please come back and leave a comment here letting us know that you are embarking on this journey.

**Please note, you are not required to have the "90 days Bible" in order to do this.  You can also just print out the reading guide and use your own Bible.**

Tuesday Morning - Thought for the Day

We interrupt the couponing for a few minutes to bring you a Tuesday Morning Thought of the Day.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,  plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

--Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever stopped to reflect on how God places us in situations for a reason?  It is how we choose to respond to these situations that is important in our spiritual growth. We can choose to mumble, groan and complain or we can simply choose to say:

 "Lord, Be Glorified"

Sometimes we pray for the situation or circumstance to change, but we have to realize that if we are still in it, then God is not through yet. He wants to be totally glorified in every aspect of our life. So when faced with trials and tribulations let us turn back to Him and give Him the glory. We are so truly blessed, and we don't have to look far to realize that there are so many with much greater burdens than our own.

So, if you are in the middle of a challenging situation, open God's word and reflect on the scripture.  Pray for His guidance and for His will to be complete in you. 

Here's a great song to encourage you.  "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller.

--A big "thank you" to my friend Lacey for allowing God to use you and share this message that I'm sure so many people are needing today!!

Memorial Day

I just wanted to wish everyone a great Memorial Day.  Please take a minute and reflect on the sacrifices that have been made so that we might enjoy the freedom we have today.  It is because others made the ultimate sacrifice that we are "One Nation, Under God".

Thank you to all those that serve (or have served) in our Armed Forces.  We appreciate you.

One way that you can "Be a Blessing" to our military families that serve overseas is to collect your expired coupons at the end of each month and send them to:

Kristi Seigrist

Family Services Coordinator

48 FSS/FSFR

Unit 5200, Box 105

APO, AE 09461

 

I've learned that most overseas military commissary stores will accept coupons for up to 6 months after the expiration date. It doesn't matter if they are clipped or printed, the military families will be glad to receive them, and Kristi is the one that coordinates the effort to get them distributed.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! 

I hope that you have had a wonderful day.  I have enjoyed an awesome day with my precious family. 

If you are like me, however, there are days when you feel totally invisible.  My friend Christi sent this video to me a while back,  and it has so touched my life.  I can't tell you the number of times I'm reminded of the wisdom contained in it.  If you have a few minutes -- watch it.  If you're short on time, bookmark it for later.

Being a mother is a holy privilege, and even when we think that the little things (and the huge things) are going unnoticed, God is watching and is pleased by our efforts.  We are "building cathedrals"  -- (You'll understand when you watch.)

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

--Proverbs 22:6

National Day of Prayer

Today (Thursday, May 6th) is the National Day of Prayer.

I encourage you today to set aside some time to spend in prayer.

 

Thank God for your blessings, Praise Him for who He is and

Seek to know Him more.

Have a blessed Day!!!

FREE $10 Gift Card when you donate to Salvation Army

Here's a great opportunity to give back and get get a treat too.  Salvation Army is offering a $10 gift card to Izod, Bass or Van Heusen stores when you donate gently used clothing, furniture and other household goods at their collection centers.

Check here for all the details.

Thank you, CommonSenseWithMoney.

FREE $5 Kroger Card and Help Global Outreach

What an awesome opportnity to give back!! 

If you have a Kroger (or Kroger owned store near you) click here to request for FREE $5 Kroger Card from Global Outreach Ministries.  When you reload your card with any amount and use it to pay for gas or groceries at Kroger, they will donate 4% of your purchase to Global Outreach Ministries.  What an awesome deal.  It literally doesn't cost you anything to give to a great charity.

Thank you, MoneySavingMom.

Proverbs31.org

Take a moment today to spend a few minutes recharging your spiritual batteries.  I have just added a button to the right hand sidebar of the blog that will take you directly to Proverbs31.org.  This is wonderful website that posts an encouraging and uplifting devotional each day.  It's a wonderful way to start your day or take a much needed moment with the Savior. 

Help for Haiti

Let's pause for a moment this morning and pray for the victims of the terrible earthquake in Haiti.  My heart is breaking as I watch the news reports and see all the affects of the aftermath of the situation. 

I learned this morning that one of the news stations had broadcast a picture of Haitian girls sitting in a circle and singing praises to the Lord.  What an incredible testimony of faith in the midst of such tragedy.

If you would like to contribute to the relief efforts, I'm sure they can first and foremost use all of our prayers.  If you would like to make a financial contribution, I know there are lots of wonderful organizations that will be accepting those.  I learned at church last night about Mission Flights International.  They are a Christian mission continually running relief and aid flights to Haiti.  If you are interested, you can check out their website here. This link will take you to their Haiti relief update page.

The Pink Coupon Cafe is joining with many bloggers to provide relief.  For each person that links to this post with your Haiti relief efforts post, we will donate .50 cents to Missionary Flight International (up to $100).

Thank you!!

Giving Back this Christmas Season

With all the flurry surrounding the Christmas season, be sure to pause to be a blessing to someone else today. Wouldn't it be incredible to do just a little something good each and every day this month.

*Hand a coupon to the person behind you at the grocery store.

*Give your extra deals (toiletries, etc) to a shelter or other charity. We find free or nearly free items weekly. Let's share them!!

*Pay for the person's order behind you at McDonald's.

*Gather your magazines, devotional books, etc. and take them to the nursing home. Sit and chat for a few minutes.

*Do something every day to remind your children why we celebrate the Christmas season.

There are so many needs locally and around the globe. By helping others, we can share in the blessing of Christ's birth. And by doing so, we leave a legacy of giving for our children to follow.

Be sure to check out Coupon Geek's post here on other ways you can give.

Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child

At our house this week, we are busy filling our shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child. We have boxes to fill for both church and school collection points, so we've been busy collecting our goodies. I'm so excited to involve our 5 year old daughter in this project. I think it's so vital to teach her the importance of giving.

Clair at Mummy Deals, has a video post here with some great tips on packing your shoe boxes. She was able to give 45 boxes for just $45.

If you'd like to pack a shoebox, just visit the Samaritan's Purse website here for all the details. It is a wonderful organization that does so much good for so many.

Monday Morning Moment of Reflection

Isn't it amazing how when God is trying to tell us something that it seems to be placed in front of us over and over and over. I love these moments when I know that He is trying to send me a message.

This month our church has been focusing on stewardship in preparation for our commitment for giving for next year. All you have to do is mention the word "stewardship" or "giving" and you can almost feel the tension in the air.... People just start squirming....and I admit it....I do too!!

Since I started this website and began sharing my efforts to save for our family, I have really been made more aware of where our money goes. And this of course leads me back to where it all comes from -- from God.

When God asks us to "tithe" and give back to Him, He's not asking for anything that He has not already provided. When I truly realized this, it was almost like a light came on for me ... It all belongs to HIM. What a joy and a privilege it is to give back.

We don't have to worry about meeting our budget and then -- if anything is left --give it back to God....We can joyfully give to God FIRST and then watch in awe and Thanksgiving as our needs are met!!

In church this month, we have been singing a chorus that has really touched my heart. I even heard Sarah (our 5 yr old) singing it around the house this week, and it just brought tears of joy to my eyes. We so want to teach her to place her value in things of God and not of this world.

Here's how it goes:


"Whatever I have or have not;
whatever I am or am not,
I can make it through anything now,
in the One who makes me who I am"

October - Be A Blessing

October has arrived and it's time to clean out our expired coupons and make room for all the new ones that we'll add over the next few days and weeks.

Instead of throwing those old ones away, let's "Be a Blessing" to someone else who can use them. I've learned that most military commissary stores will accept coupons for up to 6 months after the expiration date. It doesn't matter if they are clipped or printed, the military families will be glad to receive them.

Expired coupons can be sent to overseas military families at:

Kristi Seigrist
Family Services Coordinator
48 FSS/FSFR
Unit 5200, Box 105
APO, AE 09461