Looking back at 2009....

This is my post of goals I had for 2009. I'm going to look back at these today and tomorrow I'll share some goals for 2010.

--prayer. I've gone back to a written prayer journal this year. This works well for me. I have written many of your names in my prayers this year and am thankful to see God answer!

--Bible study. I have done some word studies at the beginning of the year and read some study guides as well. One was about the book of John. This is an area I want to change and improve this year.

--budget. We completed FPU in 2009 AND paid off our debt except for the house. :)

--book reading. I did complete 50+ books this year! Two of those were audio books which I found out I enjoyed. I did not read a classic as was on my goal list last year. I did read a book for continuing education credit.

--laugh. I noticed more often times to stop and laugh and not be rushed on to the next thing. This has been great to be intentional about laughing and silly times!

--verse memorization. I did well part of the year on memorizing the verses word for word. Some weeks I didn't memorize the verses of the week, just read over them.

--be earth friendly. I've collected so many reusable bags that I normally don't have to use any plastic when I go grocery shopping. I even remember to take them in!! Caleb always tells the clerk (when he's with me), "we have our own bags." I have found a good use for plastic bags though too....we give them to the food pantry and they use them quickly. We put out our recycle tub on Thursdays too.

--organize/declutter. This continues to be an area I need to work on! We made some progress in getting rid of some stuff but we still have too much.

--get to bed earlier. Another area to work on....sometimes we do good and go to bed at a good time, other nights I talk too much!!

Have a day of blessings!

2009 Books #50 and #51

I finished two more books today so I wanted to add them to my list for 2009. I am already starting on some for 2010. I had one that I was TERRIBLY behind on to review but am caught up with books to review to start off the new year fresh!

I finished two devotional books. One is called Sisterhood of Faith. Each day tells a story about a different woman, both present women and others from history. It was very interesting to read about all the women who have done things to make a difference for God. There were all sorts of stories in here.

Another devotional book I finished is called The One Year Walk with God Devotional. The subtitle says "365 daily Bible readings to transform your mind." I agree with this statement; there were many thought-provoking devotionals in this book. I really like the style of the writings and the thoughts presented. I was excited to get another similar book for Christmas this year as well!

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

We have made it to the end of another year. It's been a year of blessings for us and many seasons of change I've felt like for our family. That was the theme of our Christmas letter this year. Life is full of changes as we read in Ecclesiastes 3. We've experienced life and death, happiness and sadness, rejoicing and mourning, health and sickness. One thing that remains the same is God. He has been with us through the changes, and we are confident He will continue to be with us.


Today I am thankful for:


~ my amazing husband and the ways I've seen him grow in his walk with the Lord this year.


~ my sweet son and how he loves spending time with me.


~ water! We had a water leak this week in a pipe in our yard. Thankfully my husband was able to fix it with the help of his Dad (and of course Caleb was there shoveling dirt too).


~ the school vacation. I've loved having Caleb home with me. I'll miss him next week when he goes back to school.


~ blogging community. I'm thankful for the way we can join together in encouragement, prayer, and support of each other.


I will be posting my goals for the year and looking back on how I did with my goals for 2009. I pray God blesses you in 2010. We are at Women Taking a Stand today for Thankful Thursday if you'd like to join us! Also, see the previous post for a link for a coupon for $1 off cereal.


Have a day of blessings!

What do you eat for breakfast?

We're excited to share some great news for cereal lovers. General Mills announced recently a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children´s diets.

Other cereal benefits:

• Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children´s diets.



• Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child´s diet today.



• More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.



• Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

Right now if you visit here you will find a $1 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals.

Information for this post was provided by General Mills. They provided me with the $1 off coupon as well as mailed me coupons for 4 free boxes of cereal for my family through MyBlogSpark. Thank you! I look forward to redeeming my first coupon when I go grocery shopping next week.

So what do you eat for breakfast? Cereal is a good choice!

Have a day of blessings!

A song for you!

On Saturday I saw this great song at another blog, Mocha with Linda. I wanted to share it with you today. It has such a great message! I have had the tune in my head after listening to it a couple of times. It's called "The Day After Christmas" by Matthew West. Here are the lyrics.

I hope it encourages you as the Christmas season is over and we are at the end of another year.

You can listen to the youtube clip below or go to the link on Matthew West's Myspace page to hear it too.

Myspace


Have a day of blessings!

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #52

We made it to the last week of 2009! Thank you to those who have participated. I started off the first few months memorizing these verses word for word. I have not kept this up all year long, some I just read over multiple times or said in my head a few times in the week. There are so many good verses in Proverbs and I've enjoyed learning these verses.

This week's verse is Proverbs 31:8--

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

Here are some prayer requests for this week--

~ Denise and her husband Eddie. These two really need our prayers. You can read updates on Denise's blog.

May God bless you today and all week! I appreciate you.

I am not sure what I will do for 2010 yet. Any ideas you'd like to share of what you are doing to memorize scripture?


Have a day of blessings!

2009 Book #49: When Moms Pray Together by Fern Nichols

There is power in prayer. I've known this, but to read the stories of this book amazed me and touched my heart.

When Moms Pray Together by Fern Nichols is a collection of 25 stories written by moms who have seen God answers to their prayers for their children. Prayers for healing, growth, protection, prodigals to come home, and many others. These stories show how God answered prayers and in the process changed the hearts of the praying moms.

Moms in Touch is a group of moms who pray for their children and their schools. You can find out if there is a group in your area at the MIT website.

I'm so glad to have read this book. It blessed my life and I recommend it to you.
Thank you to Tyndale Blog Network for providing this book to review.

Have a day of blessings!

2009 Book #48: The Church of facebook by Jesse Rice

The Church of facebook by Jesse Rice is the latest book I've finished reading.

In case you haven't noticed, Facebook is extremely popular right now. What started as a social network for college students has turned into a "community" for all ages. This book explores the aspects of Facebook that has made it so popular in such a short amount of time.

The author takes what I found to be an interesting approach with this topic. He does not speak against Facebook. He includes many historical examples as well as psychological studies and applies these situations and lessons learned from them to the Facebook phenomenon.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was different from many books I read in its focus and style. I learned some new information by reading it.

We need to consider the ramifications of participating in online communities. Are we being our true selves or pretending to be something we aren't? Are we being intentional in our interactions and relationships? Some times we need to stop and consider how we are spending our time online. This book has caused me to think about my online relationships in a new way and the relevance of them to my life.

Thank you to David C Cook for providing this copy for review.

Have a day of blessings!

Merry Christmas to you!

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10, 11

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Today we are at Women Taking a Stand for Thankful Thursday. I hope you're enjoying the holiday season!

I'm so thankful for this wonderful season. It is a fun time of year for me and my family. This year I've been reminded though that it isn't necessarily a happy, merry time for everyone, especially those who are missing a loved one. I wrote about this yesterday in my article for Laced With Grace. As you may remember my husband's Mammaw passed away in March of this year. Christmas Eve is her birthday as well as my mother-in-law's. Also I'm remembering our friends whose four year old son died this year. There are many others facing their first Christmas without someone special. Don't forget to acknowledge those who have lost loved ones in 2009 as they are hurting during the holidays.

Today I'm thankful for...
~ my husband having vacation time to take off work this week. I enjoy having him with us, and we were able to go to my cousin's graduation and stay a few days at my Mom's house.

~ my sweet boy and the fun we have together during the holidays. I'm so glad we will have next week together and get to have "Mommy & Caleb" days at home together. I'm going to plan it so we can just be home and enjoy it for a few days instead of running errands or being gone.

~ the REASON for the season.

~ pictures and Christmas cards in the mail.

~ seeing family members.

It is so easy to get wrapped in what is going on in our world and country right now. We heard on TV the other night (on Huckabee I believe) to not let the health care bill or anything else cause you to forget the true meaning of the season.

Merry Christmas to you from me!

Have a day of blessings!

Laced With Grace--Seeing "Benjamin"

Lately I keep seeing “Benjamin” everywhere it seems. As I walk through stores I notice displays of personalized holiday items. It’s a habit for me to stop and look even if I won’t buy the items because I want to see if they have my name (from experience I know they more than likely do not).

Today I have an article at Laced With Grace. Please visit me there today to read the rest of my thoughts on "Seeing 'Benjamin.'" Thank you!

Have a day of blessings!

A day of remembering

On December 22, 2005, my special grandfather, Peepaw, left this life. I wrote about the full day previously at this post.

He'd been sick for some time. On the time of his death he was in the hospital. We had gone to take him a few Christmas decorations for his room. Caleb was a little guy then and helped to decorate a small tree. That night he passed away. I remember so many things about that day, how he tried to eat some chocolate cake and he popped a whole cherry tomato in his mouth from his salad, how I turned around to look at him and mouth I love you one more time before we left the room.

I think about Peepaw and wonder what he would think of certain situations or what he would say. I miss his phone calls so much and his hugs.

It makes my heart happy when Caleb will talk about him or mention something he did or said that we've told Caleb about through the years.

Today we will go to the cemetery and give Peepaw a little Christmas tree like we did on December 22, 2005. This has become our tradition for this day.

We all miss you today and everyday, Peepaw!

Have a day of blessings!

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #51

We are now to the week we celebrate Christmas. We've been looking forward to this week!

Here is the verse for this week. It is Proverbs 30:5:

"Every word of God is flawless, he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

Please let me know if you have any prayer requests. Also please join me in saying a prayer for these this week:

~ those missing a loved one this holiday season. Many I know are going through their first Christmas without a family member and this is a very hard time.

~ college graduates. My cousin graduated on Saturday so I'm praying for her and other college graduates as they move on to another phase of their lives now.

~ holiday travelers.

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! I'm glad you could stop by today as we join together in giving thanks. Today we are at Women Taking a Stand. Thank you to Laurie for hosting today.

I have so many things for which I'm thankful! I love to join in giving thanks with so many others. This is a busy time of year but we can't be too busy in our daily lives to stop and give thanks.

This week I am thankful for...
~ lunch dates with my hubby. We have both found that we look forward to our lunch together once a week.

~ good health for my son. He is feeling better this week. He has been talking so much and acting normal. I am so thankful. The other morning he gave me a long list of what he wanted for breakfast. He ate what I fixed him and I knew he was feeling better!

~ Christmas decorations. I love all the festive decorations I see on houses, businesses, and even blogs!

~ Christmas music. I have so many favorite Christmas songs. I enjoy hearing old favorites as well as new ones play on the radio.

~ my sweet cousin. She is graduating from college this weekend and I'm so proud of her. She has amazing grades and finished in 3 1/2 years. She will continue her education for her master's degree next. I love you, Chel!!

Hope you are having a wonderful day! Remember to stop in your busy schedule and enjoy the season!

Have a day of blessings!

Walgreens special!

This week Walgreens has an 8 x 10 collage print for 99 cents. It is very easy to make a collage and would make a great gift also. I know many of you out in blog land take many pictures! You can choose a color for your backgrounds, with or without text, and up to 20 pictures.

Log in at the Walgreens site. Create an account if you don't have one already. Then click on the photo tab to upload your pictures. I've found it easiest for me to find all my pictures I want to use first and put them into one file all together on my computer. Then when it's time to upload I can easily see which ones I want to use. Sometimes it pops up and asks me if I want to create a collage. If it doesn't you can choose collages under the "Gifts" tab on the photo page. It will give you a few options and then put the collage together for you. You can edit it, shuffle the pictures, and change the text if you like.

The coupon code is COLLAGE99. Enter this at the end before you submit your order. I believe this coupon is valid this week only.

Have a day of blessings!

Marriage Monday: He Speaks (a little bit late!)

Want this button?

I missed this month's "Marriage Monday" with a theme of "He Speaks." We were asked to talk to our husbands about Christmas and let him share his thoughts. I tried to type as my hubby talked the last Monday he was off as we were driving to pick up a Christmas gift. I really appreciated his thoughts and wanted to post them now, even though I'm late! I typed what he said and then he edited and added to it. Please read it! He has a wonderful message, and I'm so glad he shared.

Here it is:

With the commercialization of Christmas it's too easy to get caught in a trap. The retailers play the Christmas music throughout the stores, the newspaper swells even thicker on Sundays to hold the larger than usual ads and even the day after Thanksgiving becomes "Black Friday." STOP and think for a moment: what are we celebrating for? Are we truly doing these things because we are trying to celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord and Savior, or have we fallen into a trap with all these "tricks" from marketers. Not to say that marketing is bad, but as soon as the calendar turned from October 31 to November 1, Christmas trees popped up in many stores and gone were the ghosts and goblins. From the beginning of November it builds from there. It's easy to let ourselves be caught into what the retailers think Christmas is all about--to them it's the time of year that they catch up on their sales. Many retailers operate in the red all year and then Christmas comes to fill in the gap. What is the meaning of Christmas, or what has the meaning of Christmas really turned into?

To give an example I'm going to switch holidays from Christmas to Easter. I grew up in a Christian home, but the meaning of Easter was never fully explained to me. In fact it wasn't until I was in college that I fully understood what Easter was about, that is, the resurrection of Christ. How or why I grew up not connecting the dots on Easter is still a mystery to me. I thought it was a day when we dressed up for church, had a surprise visit from some strange creature the Easter Bunny, and hunted eggs with my cousins on Sunday afternoon. Why? This Christmas would you ask yourself what am I doing this for? Do my kids know why we are celebrating Christmas?

My wife grew up in a home that didn't participate in the santa claus thing. She still had gifts on Christmas morning, but they were from Mom and Dad. I thought this was strange the first time I heard it, but then I heard the why and it made sense to me. We have so many made up characters we are taught about as children such as the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny and santa claus. My mother-in-law said that she never told her daughter to believe in santa claus because he isn't real and someday what if her daughter grew up, finds out that santa isn't real, and begins to question whether God existed. It was too hard for her to bear the thought of her daughter losing her faith in God because of a silly game we as Americans play at Christmas.

We have our traditions, and while family traditions are nice many times we don't know why we do them. For instance, every year we put a dead evergreen tree in our house( and I'm allergic to trees). Why? Even the Israelites were given traditions because of what they'd been through coming out of Egypt. The tradition of the Passover was instituted so that they wouldn't forget how God delivered them from such a terrible time in their history. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses writes that they needed to tell their children why they are doing these things so that the traditions will be kept alive and reverent. The oral history of events was necessary to preserve the tradition. This Christmas my family is trying hard to make it a day of celebration and family. I challenge you to talk to your family about the traditions and why you celebrate Christmas. Make sure everyone understands because if we don't take the time to explain the season then we just have another meaningless holiday.

When God created the world He knew that man would be free to make choices, and I believe he designed a way out for man that involved sending His Son. God gave man a place on a beautiful earth and said enjoy. Man and woman sinned and well the rest is history. But He didn't leave them there. He provided a way out. He gave humanity His one and only Son as Savior to the world. What's amazing to me is that God walked with man, man sinned and was separated from God. Then God sent his son Jesus not only to bridge the gap but to walk with man again. He was born of a virgin in a manger because there was no place else to stay. The King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Son of God began His brief walk on this earth in a manger. That isn't exactly how Hollywood would write the story is it? But that's what God did. The point of the story is that God gave. As Dave Ramsey says "He's a Giver," and being His children we should follow his lead. I encourage you this Christmas to stop and focus on the true meaning behind the Christmas story and to give in a way that shows God's love to the world.

jp

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Well there isn't anything more I can say (except maybe you need to write more often honey! You should have your own blog!.....Actually I'm considering an idea to do with him next year...) Have a day of blessings!

2009 Book #47: Take Two by Karen Kingsbury

After I listened to Take One, I saw the second book in the "Above the Line" series was available at our library. I checked it out, but it was due before I had time to finish listening to all of the CD's. I turned it back in and then put a "hold" on it so I would be next in line to check it out. I was excited to be able to finish listening to another great book by Karen Kingsbury.

In Take Two filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison have seen the completion of the independent film they struggled to produce. Now they are moving on to their next project, which they see as an amazing opportunity--turning an award-winning book into a movie. This project puts a strain on Chase's marriage. His wife is depressed while her husband is away and she tries to keep the house and take care of their girls. Keith's daughter, Andi, is moving further away from God as she tries to experience things of the world.

This is another excellent book from Karen Kingsbury with many lessons to be gained by the reader. A big part of this book is the depression faced by Chase's wife. I think this is a real problem that is too often ignored or not addressed. I was glad to see it in this book. I would recommend this book!

Have a day of blessings!

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #50

The verse for this week is: Proverbs 28:13

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them find mercy."

Do you have any prayer requests to share this week? Let's remember the following people in prayer:

~ those missing loved ones during this holiday season.

~ complete healing for Caleb's tummy. (He's been throwing up in the night. The doctor believes it is due to allergies.)

~ Michelle.

~ Denise.

Have a day of blessings!

2009 Book #46: Not So Fast by Ann Kroeker

I am so glad I read the book Not So Fast Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families by Ann Kroker. This is a timely book with a much needed message for our current society. I finished it over Thanksgiving, just haven't finished my review of it till now!

From the publisher (David C Cook):
We're raising our kids in a high-speed, high-pressured, 24/7 world. Pushing children to get ahead, we cram everything possible into our days to maximize their chance at success. We're overloaded, overextended, overcommitted, and over-caffeinated. And we're paying a price: Our relationships are anemic; our health, in jeopardy. Half-awake and half-hearted, we can't sustain this pace. But how can we possibly downshift without missing out?


My thoughts:
Ann Kroeker is right on, and I couldn't agree more with what she shared in this book. We all need to slow down. She shares her own experiences of life at a slower pace as well as the lives of other families who have made the choice to live at a slower pace. Our mentality has become such that we feel we have to constantly be connected, our kids have to be in every sport or activity possible, and we have to live with the newest gadgets, biggest houses, and fastest cars. What are all of the activities and fast-paced living really getting us though? This is a book that makes you stop and consider how you are spending your time and what values you are passing on to your children. I highly recommend you read this book.

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! This month we are at Women Taking a Stand, I hope you will join us in giving thanks today.

Today I'm thankful for...

~ my sweet, loving husband. He has known I've had a hundred things I've been working on the past few days. He has been very helpful to me, and I'm so appreciative of all he does.

~ all the things I learn from my sweet son. As we were sitting in the car, waiting till the right time to leave for school, he started talking about the leaves on the trees. We noticed the different trees in the neighborhood and how some of them didn't have any leaves left and some hadn't lost any leaves as the wind was blowing wildly. I love how he shows me little things like this and causes me to pay attention to the little things.

~ Christmas secrets. I love this time of year!

~ being able to volunteer at Caleb's school. It was so fun to make the ornaments with the kids!

~ warm pajamas and fuzzy socks!

I hope you are having a blessed week. Things are busy here, but I'm thankful God has continued to give me His peace and joy.

Have a day of blessings!

Hearts at Home Christmas specials!

Everyone loves a good sale, Right? We'll let me tell you about a great one:

It’s a Hearts at Home
Black Friday after Black Friday Sale Dec. 7-11

Did you sleep in on Black Friday? Did you drag yourself out of bed, but still miss out on some awesome deals because you were standing in line too long at one store? Do you still have shopping to do, but dread the crowds, traffic, and cost? Let Hearts at Home help!

Their Black Friday sale has been extended to the week of December 7-11. Shop in the convenience of your own home and receive an unprecedented 25% off all of Hearts books and merchandise. They have great gifts for everyone in your family.

Find gifts for friends, teachers, bible study leaders, bus drivers, and everyone else on your list. You may even find something for yourself. This is a great time to stock up on all those Hearts at Home books you’ve been wanting to read.

Let your family know how much you would love a Hearts at Home gift certificate so you can use it for your Hearts at Home conference registration and/or Mom’s Night Out tickets.

Go to Heartshoppe.com, choose your gifts, and enter code “HEARTGIFT” upon checkout. You will receive 25% off your total purchase (before tax and shipping).

I also want to fill you in on a couple of other great opportunities!

Be sure to check out Jill Savage's blog this month (she is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home). She is doing one giveaway A DAY through Christmas.

And, if you stop by the Hearts at Home blog December 8 - 11, you will have an opportunity to win a Heart's at Home prayer journal. The prayer journal is a brand new resource from Hearts at Home.

Merry Christmas from Hearts at Home!

Have a day of blessings!

Proverbs & Prayers Week #49

We are nearing the end of 2009. Here is the verse for this week. It isProverbs 27:9--

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel."

Do you have any prayer requests this week? Let me know if you do, I'd be happy to pray for you.

~ White family---the 37 year old husband died this week after a battle with cancer. He leaves a wife and three young children.

~ continued prayers for Debbie's sister and her vision.

~ praises for Rachel's successful brain surgery.

~ those missing family members as the holidays approach.

Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate you! I don't know how much I'll be posting or visiting this week due to another busy week ahead. Hope it is a great week for you!

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday:

Is it really already time for Thankful Thursday again? Was Thanksgiving only a week ago! This week has been a busy flurry of activity for us. I feel so very thankful though. Things have been busy and I knew in the days leading up to this week that it would be like this. I was thinking about it as I wrote my devotional for Laced with Grace for last week and that has stayed in my head and heart in the past few days. God is so good! I just feel so thankful today that He is faithful and is hearing and answering my prayers. I've been praying for His help and that I won't feel stressed. Things aren't getting done that I would have liked to have gotten done or that I would have done on a more "normal" week....for example, I have a "Marriage Monday" post in draft mode, I haven't finished my Christmas letter, I need to make some calls, and I have some gifts left to buy. I made a list over the weekend and have been able to mark off several things from the list each day. I have had a happy heart and made fun memories with my husband and son. I feel daily that He has given me joy and calmness in the situations I have faced. It has been such a blessing.

I am thankful for...

~ my husband and I have been married now for eight and a half years as of Dec. 2. :)


~ having fun with my son as we "raced" Daddy to the truck, made up a story as we were going home, and pretended to be characters from a book.

~ getting to live my dream of being a stay-at-home Mom and doing things at Caleb's school.

~ "low tire" light in my car. It came on today which was an unexpected happening for my day. But it had a nail in the tire and was very low on air so I'm glad the little light warned me.

~ going to the library.

I am having a book giveaway for Karen Kingsbury's book Miracles. I will choose FIVE winners so you have a good chance of winning! See the previous post to enter or click here.

What are you thankful for this week? Whatever you are doing, don't forget to take a minute to stop and be thankful! Thankful Thursday is at Women Taking a Stand today. I'm publishing this before I know the theme because I'm not sure I'll get it done if I wait till tomorrow...another full day ahead but I know God will help me through.

Have a day of blessings!