FUN: Saturday Fun / IKEA

1Timothy 6:17

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

Today for fun my husband and I have planned an outing to visit the IKEA store in our area. We're not purchasing anything (as far as I know), just checking out what they have, prices and the layout for future reference. We'll have their 99 cents bacon & eggs breakfast and check out this 309,000 s.f. store that I've heard so much about. One of our neighbor's homes was outfitted completely in IKEA from floor to ceiling, kitchen to bathrooms when they purchased it so we've seen some of their designs. Afterwards we need to go visit an elderly relative who is in physical therapy rehab in that area of town. We'll probably stop at a yard sale or two on our way home to a house full of boys that our younger son has invited to spend the day with us. Sounds like a fun Saturday to me!

Update: The "fun" part of IKEA was getting lost so many times. My husband and I were cracking up laughing half the time because we couldn't find our way to where we wanted to go OR find our way out without help. :) They really want you to keep you shopping in the store! We bought two plants and escaped.

FINANCES: Yard Sales

Proverbs 16:9

The mind of man plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps

I love a good bargain. I love the thrill of the hunt for things for our family, for gifts (new with tags only) and for eBay resale items. I usually prefer to shop alone at these to sort items my head of what I'm looking for--family items, gifts and/or eBay resale items. It's a great way to stretch your budget dollars and helps me be a good steward of our finances. Here is one of my favorite stories of God's provision for us through a neighborhood yard sale:

I had been praying for a Vita-Mix to make healthy smoothies, add more fiber and veggies to our diet, etc. They retail between $500-$600. I was at a neighborhood yard sale and saw some Juice Plus vitamins for sale. I thought that was the next best thing to a Vita-Mix so I bought a case for $2 (they are quite expensive normally). That same day I was chatting with another neighbor about this and she offered me her Vita-Mix Super 5000 for $150. That's still a lot of money for a kitchen appliance, but I bought it anyway. It had only been used once or twice and even included a cookbook and a dry container for grinding flour, coffee beans, etc. I couldn't believe that she didn't want it anymore. I didn't need both the vitamins and the Vita-Mix so I listed the Juice Plus in my eBay store and sold the case for $100. My practically new Vita-Mix only cost $50. God provided amazingly for a very specific prayer which was so encouraging to us. What are you praying specifically for AND watching to see how He will provide?

FAMIILY & FRIENDS: Newsletters

And now the real Thursday, August 13, 2009...

1Thessalonians 3:12

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

Today is Thursday--the day I publish our church's weekly E-News letter. I started this as a ministry to the women several years ago and have expanded it to include our entire church and friends of our church (former members who have come and gone over the years, generally). What began as a 2-3 page announcements letter has now expanded to 20+ pages of prayer requests, articles by our pastor and elders, the church calendar, missions, announcements, a financial summary and sharing with each other (ads). My purpose, as stated in each newsletter is: to enhance communication and fellowship with our church family and friends...simply stated, it is a way for us all to grow in love for one another.

I work on it a little each day so I'm not overwhelmed, and because I use many of my gifts, it is very enjoyable as well as a blessing to our church. I also send out a photo supplement with pictures that I take myself of church activities and events throughout the week or that others submit to me to be included. Currently we do not have our own church building so we generally see each other only on Sundays. There are meetings and Bible studies during the week but not everyone attends. The E-News is a way for everyone to stay in touch, pray for one another and share items with the rest of the congregation and friends that they might not otherwise get a chance to. I encourage every church to have a method of weekly contact with its members regularly by blogging, newsletters or Facebook (our church does all three). It's easy to get lost in the crowd, even in a relatively smaller church. There is something God-placed, deep in the heart of every person: the longing to know and be known. You were made to “know” others and for others to “know” you.

FAITH: Still Waiting

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Job 24:23

He provides them with security, and they are supported;

And His eyes are on their ways.

Well, we are still waiting on the right tenant for our rental house. The For Rent sign has only been out for two weeks. The last time we needed a tenant, that was all it took. Sometimes God has a different time schedule for variety. :) We had someone see the house twice who absolutely loved it but her husband wanted something larger. My husband was getting discouraged yesterday when I received another phone call from a woman who grew up in that neighborhood and would love to live in the area. She saw it tonight and we are praying that she and her two daughters will be our next tenants. Thankfully we don't have a mortgage on the house and we have savings set aside to cover items, but not indefinitely. We are much more comfortable with the buffer income the rent provides us. We pray we are trusting in the Lord's provision and not our own. Times of testing really show this.

FINANCES: Wholesale Warehouse Clubs

Psalm 118:24

This is the day which the LORD has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

To join a warehouse club or not...that's a big question for families. We have a family of four and doing some of the grocery shopping at Sam's Club has been very beneficial to us particularly since we have an additional freezer. I purchase most of our meats in bulk, dairy products & cheeses, orange juice, and some produce weekly. I add to the shopping list as needed. Since I have a part-time business I am able to join with a business membership of $35 per year rather than the individual cost of $40. The savings on milk alone pays for the membership ($3.40 vs. $2.29/gallon x 52 = $57+). The business membership allows me a second card (my husband) as well as entrance into the club from 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. on weekdays. This time frame gets me in and out of the store very quickly. Sam's Club also has an auto center (car batteries and tires only), a pharmacy, a digital photo center which I use frequently, a deli and bakery, as well as a huge variety of other household items. There are other wholesale clubs--BJ's and Costco-- to name two. I use Sam's because it is literally 2 minutes from my house. Take advantage of one of these clubs if they are nearby.

FAMILY & FRIENDS: Weekly Menus

Psalm 145:15

The eyes of all look to You,

And You give them their food in due time.

Well here it is Monday afternoon. Do you know what your family will be eating this week? I generally sit down on Mondays and look through the freezer and frig and plan the week's menus. This has helped me SO much in not overspending, having nutritious foods and avoiding the panic hour of 5:00-6:00 p.m. wondering what to prepare. I keep a calendar in the kitchen with what everyone is doing so I know who will be here for supper. In addition to that I have a calendar on our computer with what I make for supper to watch that I'm not making the same things over and over (except for absolute favorites).

Breakfast foods are always on hand--waffles, cereals, fruit, yogurt, eggs, grits. My husband takes his lunch at least 3x a week so I plan for that as well. He likes the Healthy Choice frozen meals (which I stock up on when they are on sale) to manage his portions rather than pack leftovers. My other son and I eat smaller portions so there's usually something already made in the refrigerator for us for lunch. I'm getting used to cooking for three rather than four so there aren't so many leftovers, but if there are and it's something that freezes well, I store it away for a later lunch, quick supper, send home with my other son when he visits, or take a meal to someone who needs one. We have an upright freezer in our laundry room. Here are my menus for this week:

• Monday--steak (left from cookout), mashed potatoes, green beans
• Tuesday--taco salad
• Wednesday--chicken & vegetable soup, blueberry muffins
• Thursday--black beans & yellow rice, broccoli
• Friday--stir fry over rice
• Saturday--dinner out
• Friday--leftovers or pizza

Take 20 minutes or so to look through your pantry, freezer and refrigerator and plan your meals for the entire week. It really is a daily timesaver and stress reducer which we all need.

FAITH: All One, Yet Unique

Romans 12:4-8

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:

if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving;

or he who teaches, in his teaching;

or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality;

he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Today in your church look around and see how many different gifts are represented. Every Christian has something to offer Christ and His church, working together as one. Have a blessed Sunday.

FUN: Saturday Strengths Quest Seminar

Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,

Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

Proverbs 9: 9

Some people may not think that learning is a lot of fun--it is one of my strengths in the Strengths Quest format that my son's umbrella school has begun. The author of the book Jenifer Fox is speaking all day at a seminar which I will be attending. I'm excited to attend since both of my sons and I took the tests and I want to learn how to help each of us develop, encourage and blossom in the areas where we are a "natural". Should be challenging and fun.

For an excellent article on a related book along this topic, Go Put Your Strengths to Work,
go to THIS LINK.




While my younger son is at a birthday party, my husband and older son are going shark fishing at New Smyrna tonight. That's their type of Saturday fun. :)

FINANCES: Bed Bath and Beyond

...Who then is the faithful and sensible steward...?

Luke 12:42

Bed, Bath and Beyond is a national department store chain that sells just about everything you would need to decorate or update your home. Its inventory is pretty extensive including small appliances, china, toiletries and bedding. You have probably received lots of their coupons in the mail or in your newspaper. If you have one of these stores close to you, don't throw these coupons away. Our local store which is about 2 minutes from my house, accepts even EXPIRED coupons and you can use up to 5 coupons at one time, even on CLEARANCE SALE items. Most of their coupons are for 20% off, some for $5 off purchase over $15 and some are $10 off $30 purchase. Often they'll help you figure out which is the best coupon to use for your purchase. I keep them handy on my desk in a ziplock bag in case I have to run in for a wedding ] bridal shower gifts, Christmas presents, or something that we need around the house as well. Another bonus about this store--if you purchase a gift, they will wrap it for free. When I give a gift to a bride, I also package a dozen of these coupons in a white lace doily as part of the wedding present, particularly if I have given a gift card. It is always appreciated.

FAMILY & FRIENDS: Baby Shower Ideas

James 5:16

...The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Tonight I am co-hosting a small couples baby shower for some special friends in our church. This couple had a baby a couple of years ago who died at age 7 months, then a subsequent miscarriage. Tonight's shower is specifically a Baby Shower of Prayer. Whenever I'm involved with a shower I like to make prayer cards for the baby and the couple. Long after the baby clothes are outgrown, diapers used up or items stained or broken, prayer is a lifelong gift that really does keep on giving. 


I print out at least a dozen prayer verses evenly on cardstock and cut them in similar-sized rectangles. I have done this many times so I tend to use the same template, occasionally adding another prayer as the Lord brings it to mind. I've gone through passages of Scripture and personalized a Bible verse as a starting point for each prayer. The cards are distributed to the guests and each prays the verse sometimes with an additional topic of their choice. I change the pronouns in each verse so that the child's name or the parents' names are in each prayer. 


Afterwards, the person who prayed from that prayer card, signs the back of the card and returns it to me. I have pre-punched small holes in a corner of each card to string them together with blue or pink ribbon. Then I put them in a small box for the family along with a note to the child to read when he is older telling him what was prayed for him even when in his mother's womb. An example from my prayer cards for tonight:

Psalm 119:9-11

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.

We pray that ____ would seek you with all his heart.

Do not let him wander from Your commandments.

Help him to treasure Your word in his heart,that he may not sin against You.

This prayer time personalized for the baby to be born is a very tender time at baby showers and usually much appreciated by the parents. I love doing it especially at large showers where the focus usually shifts to the gifts received or the friends who are attending. Try it at your next baby shower.


NOTE:  You could also adapt this idea for a bridal shower.  I have not done that yet, but it would be relatively easy to do with a Bible software or a good  Christian marriage book as your reference.