Well, I'm still working on that weight loss thing. Not really counting points this time but working on just being more active. I'm down 11 pounds overall but the folks over at The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans are starting a new challenge today.
It's only 3 weeks long - 21 days - and supposedly that's how long it takes a new habit to stick. So, I for once have a plan and a goal. LOL
Part one - in three weeks, I'd like to lose at least 5 more pounds.
And, part two, I'm renting workout videos from my local library and I am going to commit to doing them at least twice a week. This is in addition to the other more-active things I'm doing.
So, since I would NEVER publish how much I weigh at this point (*blush*), let's just say I wanna be five pounds less from here. LOL
If you're interested in joining us, stop by the Sisterhood and jump on board.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Tuesday Tip Jar
This week's tip is short and sweet.
I've stopped trusting how much soap/detergent portions that manufacturers claim I need to use. LOL Just like the car dealership telling you to come in every 3,000 miles for an oil change (at $20-40 a pop) when your manual from the automaker says every 5,000-7,000 miles (or more)!
I slowly cut back on the "cap-full" measurement of detergent for each laundry load until I reached the tipping point of cleanliness and I'm now saving nearly 1/2 a cap-full per load.
And, I've started cutting my dryer sheets in half. Yes, in half. It's works nearly year 'round - with Michigan dry, static-y winter months as an exception. So, instead of buying a box of 70 count dryer sheets about every 7 weeks, I am now doing it every 3.5 months!
I know it's just pennies but when I'm trying to keep us on a $60-65/week grocery budget, leaving off a $2.79 box of dryer sheets means I have nearly $3 to spend on more produce or one more dinner worth of meat.
For more Tuesday Tip Jar ideas, stop by Blogmommas today!
I've stopped trusting how much soap/detergent portions that manufacturers claim I need to use. LOL Just like the car dealership telling you to come in every 3,000 miles for an oil change (at $20-40 a pop) when your manual from the automaker says every 5,000-7,000 miles (or more)!
I slowly cut back on the "cap-full" measurement of detergent for each laundry load until I reached the tipping point of cleanliness and I'm now saving nearly 1/2 a cap-full per load.
And, I've started cutting my dryer sheets in half. Yes, in half. It's works nearly year 'round - with Michigan dry, static-y winter months as an exception. So, instead of buying a box of 70 count dryer sheets about every 7 weeks, I am now doing it every 3.5 months!
I know it's just pennies but when I'm trying to keep us on a $60-65/week grocery budget, leaving off a $2.79 box of dryer sheets means I have nearly $3 to spend on more produce or one more dinner worth of meat.
For more Tuesday Tip Jar ideas, stop by Blogmommas today!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Divin' In
A thought struck me as I watched Pojke jump joyously into his swim teacher's arms this afternoon...
Am I plunging in lately? Plunging in for the things God has for me?
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! (Romans 4 - The Message)
Am I plunging into His promise, His plan for me? Am I jumping in joyously? No fear - as Pam encourages? *wink*
I'm diving in
I'm going deep
In over my head I wanna be
Caught in the rush
Lost in the flow
In over my head I wanna go
The river's deep
The river's wide
The river's water is alive
So sink or swim
I'm diving in
I'm diving in
(Steven Curtis Chapman - Dive)
Only once in my life have I thrown everything up to Him because I was *that sure* I was heading where He wanted. Left all kind and all levels of security and things I knew to follow a new path that now including DaHubby. It was the scariest but most exhilarating time of my life. I'd had experienced nothing like it before..and nothing really like it since.
There is a supernatural power in this mighty river's flow
It can bring the dead to life, and it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing worth livin' and worth dyin' for, yeah
But we will never know the awesome power of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away into this holy flood
So if you'll take my hand, we'll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let's go..
Anyone wanna hold hands and jump in again with me and see where it takes us?
Am I plunging in lately? Plunging in for the things God has for me?
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! (Romans 4 - The Message)
Am I plunging into His promise, His plan for me? Am I jumping in joyously? No fear - as Pam encourages? *wink*
I'm diving in
I'm going deep
In over my head I wanna be
Caught in the rush
Lost in the flow
In over my head I wanna go
The river's deep
The river's wide
The river's water is alive
So sink or swim
I'm diving in
I'm diving in
(Steven Curtis Chapman - Dive)
Only once in my life have I thrown everything up to Him because I was *that sure* I was heading where He wanted. Left all kind and all levels of security and things I knew to follow a new path that now including DaHubby. It was the scariest but most exhilarating time of my life. I'd had experienced nothing like it before..and nothing really like it since.
There is a supernatural power in this mighty river's flow
It can bring the dead to life, and it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing worth livin' and worth dyin' for, yeah
But we will never know the awesome power of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away into this holy flood
So if you'll take my hand, we'll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let's go..
Anyone wanna hold hands and jump in again with me and see where it takes us?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
What's the Cost?
Are you a believer? If so, what has it cost you?
Yea, I know all the perks - I've been around one church denomination or another since I can remember. Grew up Catholic. Spent my college and post-college years Lutheran. And, then had a whole new world opened up to me when I married the son of a Pentecostal pastor.
Most folks know the upside of becoming a believer...even if they aren't all entirely true. Your sins will be washed away - true. You'll have new life - true. Your life will never be the same when you follow Christ - true. And, being in God's will is the ONLY place to be - also true.
Then there's the other perks that some believers and nonbelievers alike attribute to Christians.
"Oh, you'll be so happy all the time" - false. You can have peace, contentment, and joy but on-the-surface happy all the time? Not so much. LOL
"Your life will be perfect and trouble-free." Has anyone that believes this ever *really* read the lives of the apostles? LOL No, your life will NOT be trouble/sickness/challenge free but you CAN have the faith and peace and assurance to get you through those things and much more.
But, has your belief in Christ ever cost you anything? Cost you in terms of "take up your cross and follow me" no matter what? Have you had to give *everything* to follow Jesus? Have you been made uncomfortable by having chosen to stand in your faith? Lost friends? Lost job promotions? Lost relationships with family? Lost your job? Know of someone who has lost their life for their faith?
The sermon we heard today was about the cost and challenge of discipleship. There is just no room (and no time) anymore for half-hearted stuff. The things that Jesus asked of the disciples are still things He asks of us. In this day and age, in this generation, in this era, we still need to put God before *everything* else - even our parents, our families, our spouses, and our children.
It's not as radical as it might sound. He gave it all to you - your life, your spouse, your kids, your home, your gifts, your talents, your job, your "stuff", EVERYTHING. So, you have to let it all go and entrust it back to Him for this faith thing to really work. It's the only way to truly be in His will - which is, from my experience as well as dozens of testimonies I have heard, is the only place you'll truly want to be.
So, today it's been running through my head...what's it going to cost me? I've been fortunate that it's cost me very little so far. To my knowledge and as far as I can remember, it has cost me almost nothing. There have been tense conversations and explanations to family. There have been chuckles and rolling eyes from people who knew me before I got back to church. There are people who knew me back-in-the-day and are sincerely shocked to hear that I'm in church and a "holy roller" at that! LOL But, it hasn't cost me anything.
So, I'm also wondering today - is it because I'm not stepping out in faith as I should be? Am I not walking in my faith and walking my walk as I should?
Now, I'm not one to go looking for trouble but I am wondering lately how I "appear" to others - not in the "oh, what will the neighbors think" type of obsession but sincerely wondering how my walk reflects my faith. And, I think lately I'm due some real conviction in this area.
We've met people and just *knew* immediately they were believers without them speaking more than a few sentences. The peace of the Lord is just pouring off of them. But, I don't think that's the impression people get from us at this point. Not a whole lot of the fruit of the Spirit being harvested around here lately. LOL
So, another goal. Another thing to work toward. But, it's gonna cost me. If I need to put things back on track, I'm gonna have to give up something else. If the priorities are shifting, something's gotta go. So, what's it gonna cost me? I'm not sure yet but I'll let you know.
Yea, I know all the perks - I've been around one church denomination or another since I can remember. Grew up Catholic. Spent my college and post-college years Lutheran. And, then had a whole new world opened up to me when I married the son of a Pentecostal pastor.
Most folks know the upside of becoming a believer...even if they aren't all entirely true. Your sins will be washed away - true. You'll have new life - true. Your life will never be the same when you follow Christ - true. And, being in God's will is the ONLY place to be - also true.
Then there's the other perks that some believers and nonbelievers alike attribute to Christians.
"Oh, you'll be so happy all the time" - false. You can have peace, contentment, and joy but on-the-surface happy all the time? Not so much. LOL
"Your life will be perfect and trouble-free." Has anyone that believes this ever *really* read the lives of the apostles? LOL No, your life will NOT be trouble/sickness/challenge free but you CAN have the faith and peace and assurance to get you through those things and much more.
But, has your belief in Christ ever cost you anything? Cost you in terms of "take up your cross and follow me" no matter what? Have you had to give *everything* to follow Jesus? Have you been made uncomfortable by having chosen to stand in your faith? Lost friends? Lost job promotions? Lost relationships with family? Lost your job? Know of someone who has lost their life for their faith?
The sermon we heard today was about the cost and challenge of discipleship. There is just no room (and no time) anymore for half-hearted stuff. The things that Jesus asked of the disciples are still things He asks of us. In this day and age, in this generation, in this era, we still need to put God before *everything* else - even our parents, our families, our spouses, and our children.
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has [enough] to finish [it -- ] lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see [it] begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
It's not as radical as it might sound. He gave it all to you - your life, your spouse, your kids, your home, your gifts, your talents, your job, your "stuff", EVERYTHING. So, you have to let it all go and entrust it back to Him for this faith thing to really work. It's the only way to truly be in His will - which is, from my experience as well as dozens of testimonies I have heard, is the only place you'll truly want to be.
So, today it's been running through my head...what's it going to cost me? I've been fortunate that it's cost me very little so far. To my knowledge and as far as I can remember, it has cost me almost nothing. There have been tense conversations and explanations to family. There have been chuckles and rolling eyes from people who knew me before I got back to church. There are people who knew me back-in-the-day and are sincerely shocked to hear that I'm in church and a "holy roller" at that! LOL But, it hasn't cost me anything.
So, I'm also wondering today - is it because I'm not stepping out in faith as I should be? Am I not walking in my faith and walking my walk as I should?
Now, I'm not one to go looking for trouble but I am wondering lately how I "appear" to others - not in the "oh, what will the neighbors think" type of obsession but sincerely wondering how my walk reflects my faith. And, I think lately I'm due some real conviction in this area.
We've met people and just *knew* immediately they were believers without them speaking more than a few sentences. The peace of the Lord is just pouring off of them. But, I don't think that's the impression people get from us at this point. Not a whole lot of the fruit of the Spirit being harvested around here lately. LOL
So, another goal. Another thing to work toward. But, it's gonna cost me. If I need to put things back on track, I'm gonna have to give up something else. If the priorities are shifting, something's gotta go. So, what's it gonna cost me? I'm not sure yet but I'll let you know.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
What Has God Got In Store?
DaHubby often teasingly corrects me or the Vikings when we wish him or someone else "good luck!" He's says "no such thing as good luck." I know what he means - if God's in control of everything (and He IS) then there is no such thing as good or bad luck.
We also don't really believe in "coincidence" either. Again, if God is in control (and He IS) then there really isn't any coincidence.
Then, there's the family that we've now run into twice in 8 days. Before last Friday, we had never met them. When DaHubby and I went our for a date night last Friday, we talked about the family with five kids apparently all under 10 years old and how well behaved their kids were as we watched a community concert performance.
Then, today after lunchtime, we impulsively decided to jump in the minivan and go on a short road trip to South Bend. There's a relatively inexpensive kids' museum that we wanted to try. The weather was beautiful for a drive but was supposed to turn rainy before too long so we stopped by the ATM and off we went.
Later, we had spent 2 hours at the museum and then an hour playing at and wandering through one of the South Bend malls. By then we were all ready for some dinner. DaHubby and I picked Chick-Fil-A. And, who ends up sitting at the table right next to us? The same family from last Friday!
"Dad" is an engineer - like DaHubby. "Mom" is a former teacher who is homeschooling her crew - like my original plan with Flicka. She is from the east side of the state - like me. And, they attend a church - like ours - about 10 minutes from the house. As we chatted through dinner, it was like we'd known them forever.
Obviously, not believing in good luck or coincidence, this could only be from God. What are the odds that one family from our town with such similar background, training, and beliefs picked the EXACT day, the EXACT time, and the EXACT restaurant as we did in a town 45 minutes away from our homes?
As they left, I gave the mom my contact information and told her I'd love to talk to her about homeschooling, particularly since she's apparently the president of our local homeschooling group! LOL
I can't wait to see what else God has in store!
We also don't really believe in "coincidence" either. Again, if God is in control (and He IS) then there really isn't any coincidence.
Then, there's the family that we've now run into twice in 8 days. Before last Friday, we had never met them. When DaHubby and I went our for a date night last Friday, we talked about the family with five kids apparently all under 10 years old and how well behaved their kids were as we watched a community concert performance.
Then, today after lunchtime, we impulsively decided to jump in the minivan and go on a short road trip to South Bend. There's a relatively inexpensive kids' museum that we wanted to try. The weather was beautiful for a drive but was supposed to turn rainy before too long so we stopped by the ATM and off we went.
Later, we had spent 2 hours at the museum and then an hour playing at and wandering through one of the South Bend malls. By then we were all ready for some dinner. DaHubby and I picked Chick-Fil-A. And, who ends up sitting at the table right next to us? The same family from last Friday!
"Dad" is an engineer - like DaHubby. "Mom" is a former teacher who is homeschooling her crew - like my original plan with Flicka. She is from the east side of the state - like me. And, they attend a church - like ours - about 10 minutes from the house. As we chatted through dinner, it was like we'd known them forever.
Obviously, not believing in good luck or coincidence, this could only be from God. What are the odds that one family from our town with such similar background, training, and beliefs picked the EXACT day, the EXACT time, and the EXACT restaurant as we did in a town 45 minutes away from our homes?
As they left, I gave the mom my contact information and told her I'd love to talk to her about homeschooling, particularly since she's apparently the president of our local homeschooling group! LOL
I can't wait to see what else God has in store!
Friday, July 31, 2009
My August Self-Challenge
My blogging life has been nearly nonexistent recently. April, May June, and (as of today) July have been averaging a post every 2-3 days down from my year-ago average of at least one a day. Now, I could blame it on Facebook...or Twitter...the summer season distraction...or some other excuse.
To be honest, I just haven't had much to say mainly because I have been strictly in "survival mode" around here while DaHubby starts the second and final year of his degree program. I've spent each waking moment keeping up and hanging on and have had very little time to myself for contemplation and/or development of ideas/thought.
Now, I am looking at the end of summer and the beginning of kindergarten for Flicka in 5 1/2 weeks. I stink at change and this one has had me panicked for most of 2009.
But, I miss it. I miss feeling creative. I miss writing. And, I feel like I let blogging go too easily without thinking about how much I enjoy it. And, now that I have Facebook to keep my family and friends more up-to-date, I can get back to writing posts about deeper than the everyday things.
I ran across the National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) challenge a while back. At the time, it didn't seem like a big deal. One post per day for one month? So what?! But, now it seems like a long, steep trail. But, I'm taking it for the month of August. One step per day for 31 days which will hopefully get me back in the writing mode.
Anyone up for a hike?
To be honest, I just haven't had much to say mainly because I have been strictly in "survival mode" around here while DaHubby starts the second and final year of his degree program. I've spent each waking moment keeping up and hanging on and have had very little time to myself for contemplation and/or development of ideas/thought.
Now, I am looking at the end of summer and the beginning of kindergarten for Flicka in 5 1/2 weeks. I stink at change and this one has had me panicked for most of 2009.
But, I miss it. I miss feeling creative. I miss writing. And, I feel like I let blogging go too easily without thinking about how much I enjoy it. And, now that I have Facebook to keep my family and friends more up-to-date, I can get back to writing posts about deeper than the everyday things.
I ran across the National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) challenge a while back. At the time, it didn't seem like a big deal. One post per day for one month? So what?! But, now it seems like a long, steep trail. But, I'm taking it for the month of August. One step per day for 31 days which will hopefully get me back in the writing mode.
Anyone up for a hike?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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