so a week of not spending any money, what did i learn? several things:
1) that i have self control and that i did it
2) contrary to my belief, i can eat at home (every meal, except the meal i paid for kathryn and gilbert's graduation - monday night)
3) that all of these things on earth are just that, material possessions that i do not need; however, i did not lose my ability to spend, i went to target tonight and oh my, haha
4) God totally provides little surprises... i had a meeting with one of the pastors at my church about leading a lifegroup and he bought me a coffee, i was totally having withdrawls from no caffeine, haha. also, my mother purchased lunch for me yesterday so i wouldn't break the rules:)
kasey did a great job too, she only had to buy stella (her cat) treats during the week as she didn't feel the need to torture her cat:) I did have to go to target and get my two prescriptions, as i didn't have time on sunday to go by and get them and i ran out on wednesday. the good news is, i didn't have to fill up my gas tank this week, so i used gas sparingly; i told kase and em today that not spending money kind of changes your social life too.
all in all, it was a great challenge that made me evaluate how i eat out way too much, buy starbucks way too much, and just spend when i want, i need to make smarter, wiser choices (this will start post my target trip today), hehe.
if you feel like challenging yourself for a week to see if you can do it, i encourage you too.
kasey even sent along some bible verses throughout the week that she felt spoke to her; i'll share them with you.
Jeremiah 10:23-24
23 Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord."
1 Timothy 6:608
6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,7 for we brought nothing into the world, andt we cannot take anything out of the world.8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
"Which commandment is the most important of all?"29 Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'31 The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 12:30-31
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
7 day spending challenge
okay, so my friend kasey and i are going to try a seven day spending challenge starting on monday morning going through sunday night. this may not sound like a lot to most, but for me this will be a challenge. no eating out, except a pre-planned dinner with the kids i used to babysit for to celebrate their graduation, no starbucks (what in this world will i do, probably lose a few pounds), no giving into cravings for dinner, no random trips to target, and absolutely do not step foot in the mall.
here are a few of the things i am going to do:
* eat lots of things out of my pantry
* cook meals all week at home
* use anything that i am running out of sparingly
* go to the grocrey store saturday to make sure i have bread/essentials
* fill up my gas tank on sunday
* already purchased crystal's wedding present (so i don't even have to buy that)
* if i feel the need to go do anything outside of the house, watch a movie at home with friends or go on a walk or go to the pool (ALL FREE)
okay, i'll post next sunday and let you know how it goes:)
oh, and the best part:: every time i feel the need to go buy something or want to eat out, i am going to pray!
here are a few of the things i am going to do:
* eat lots of things out of my pantry
* cook meals all week at home
* use anything that i am running out of sparingly
* go to the grocrey store saturday to make sure i have bread/essentials
* fill up my gas tank on sunday
* already purchased crystal's wedding present (so i don't even have to buy that)
* if i feel the need to go do anything outside of the house, watch a movie at home with friends or go on a walk or go to the pool (ALL FREE)
okay, i'll post next sunday and let you know how it goes:)
oh, and the best part:: every time i feel the need to go buy something or want to eat out, i am going to pray!
my first nascar experience
so last week, christine was able to score us some free tickets to the coca-cola 600!!! kase, em, and i headed to the race, and oh my what an adventure. i am pretty sure kase was the most entertaining one of the three. em was pumped from the minute we found out we got the tickets. we got into a little traffic on the way, passed several parking lots, and i am pretty sure em was irritated at me thinking i had passed by all the lots that we were supposed to park in, but don't worry i somehow stumbled upon FREE parking, score another one for us!!! we found a line for a shuttle that would even take us a little closer to the gate, which was greatly appreciate seeing as it was nearly 100 degrees that afternoon. we met a nice group of people from charleston while in line; i am pretty sure everyone enjoyed the fact that it was our first race.
we got to take coolers into the speedway, so that was a huge relief that we didn't have to spend tons of money on water, as it was so hot that i felt like i needed an iv of water. once we got to our section, we realized it was the nonsmoking section, CAN WE SAY, WAY BLESSED!!! i could not believe it.
we sat down and watched the pre-race festivities which were great, and then the engines started and the race began. good thing kase and i stopped and got us some earplugs or we would have died. i decided i would pull for denny hamlin (#11), em decided she would pull for carl edwards (#99), and kase decided she would pull for kasey khane(#4). it was very hard to keep up with your driver, as they are going soooo fast.
we lasted til lap 300... not bad for such a long race. by the time we got to the car, there were 40 laps to go. kase and i listened all the way home, so heartbreaking what happened to jr. junior nation is no joke.
we got to take coolers into the speedway, so that was a huge relief that we didn't have to spend tons of money on water, as it was so hot that i felt like i needed an iv of water. once we got to our section, we realized it was the nonsmoking section, CAN WE SAY, WAY BLESSED!!! i could not believe it.
we sat down and watched the pre-race festivities which were great, and then the engines started and the race began. good thing kase and i stopped and got us some earplugs or we would have died. i decided i would pull for denny hamlin (#11), em decided she would pull for carl edwards (#99), and kase decided she would pull for kasey khane(#4). it was very hard to keep up with your driver, as they are going soooo fast.
we lasted til lap 300... not bad for such a long race. by the time we got to the car, there were 40 laps to go. kase and i listened all the way home, so heartbreaking what happened to jr. junior nation is no joke.
Friday, May 27, 2011
there is no place like home, maybe?
i don't really have a lot of fears/phobias (you all probably know my biggest one:: someone breaking into my house), but i may add a new one after this week.
so, monday morning i awake to the news that there has been a horrible EF5 tornado that devastated Joplin, MO. obviously, the devastation that i saw in these pictures broke my heart, and i immediately began praying for the people affected by this storm. it became a little more real for me, as i was leaving for Kansas City, MO in just a few hours. i had a face to face meeting with all the other monitors for work in overland park, ks. i thought, i really do not want to go to tornado alley, but i have no choice. as you can imagine, once we arrived, all we heard about was Joplin. It was on every newscast and the threat of more tornadoes was on the way.
fast forward to wednesday, the last day of our meeting. presentations were scheduled to be over at 11am and then we were to be given an exam on the knowledge that we had gained while at the meeting. (really, is this a college class?) around 10:55 am the tornado siren goes off... the monitor who is from the area obviously knew what the sound was, and she said, we need to take cover and head downstairs (we were on the 4th floor). we walk out into the hallway, and all the employees from this office look like they are freaking out (some are even crying). i am thinking, wait, yall are from here, aren't you used to this? I was trying to stay calm, pray, find my cell (to text my mother and friends), and get to the "Safe Zone." we finally get to the first floor and it is total chaos. people are crying and heading to the bathroom, people are trying to call loved ones, and my crazy team leads huddle us up and say, "we really have to have you guys take this exam, as senior management needs to know this meeting was beneficial." i am thinking are they nuts, i am trying to pray, text updates to my mother (who I am pretty sure was beyond freaking out), and not freak out. how am i to focus on this test on heart failure; let's face it, i already have major test anxiety anyway. so, we take the test and we've been down there for about 40 minutes.
at this point, our super shuttle arrives to take us to the airport. i am thinking, i may not know a lot about tornadoes and what not to do, but i do know the car is the worst place you can be. regardless of my thoughts, decisions were made and we piled in. we arrive at the airport only to be delayed for quite a while, but in the end it all worked out.
i was so thankful for God's protection that day. after seeing the destruction in Joplin, you just never know. we did later find out that a tornado did touch down three miles from the Quintiles office building.
So, I get home on Wednesday night and think about how thankful I am to be back in NC where I cannot be affected by tornadoes; however, last night on my way home I get a call from my mother and brother telling me that there is a tornado on the way to my house, no seriously, the meterologists were saying, the tornadic activity, swirling winds, etc are heading to mt. holly-huntersville rd and paw creek, well if someone could put a bullseye on my house, that would be it, literally. i literally have no ever been that scared, as the whole time i am driving they are giving me minute by minute updates. i am pretty sure i was driving right into the path of the storm; cereal boxes, tree limbs, and sideways rain were blocking my view. my car started swaying back and forth and i was terrified. my brother told me to get out of the car and get in a ditch, but i was determined that i was going to outrun a tornado, am i stupid. i finally get to my townhouse, literally i think i pulled into my front yard, and the wind was blowing so hard that i could barely get myself into my house. i run in and get in the hall closet and hold on with all my strength. my mom and i prayed while i was in the closet. i had peace, but i was scared at the same time. ten minutes later, the warning passed and once again, God protected me:) Seriously, PRAISE THE LORD.
what a crazy week of storms, bad weather, and tornado warnings... i am so thankful for His love and protection... also for my mother and brother who were looking out for me. also, i want to throw out there how thankful i am for aaron, jenn's husband, calling me five times while i was in the closet and checking on me.. thanks!
now, here's to a fun memorial day and NO MORE tornado warnings, please:)
so, monday morning i awake to the news that there has been a horrible EF5 tornado that devastated Joplin, MO. obviously, the devastation that i saw in these pictures broke my heart, and i immediately began praying for the people affected by this storm. it became a little more real for me, as i was leaving for Kansas City, MO in just a few hours. i had a face to face meeting with all the other monitors for work in overland park, ks. i thought, i really do not want to go to tornado alley, but i have no choice. as you can imagine, once we arrived, all we heard about was Joplin. It was on every newscast and the threat of more tornadoes was on the way.
fast forward to wednesday, the last day of our meeting. presentations were scheduled to be over at 11am and then we were to be given an exam on the knowledge that we had gained while at the meeting. (really, is this a college class?) around 10:55 am the tornado siren goes off... the monitor who is from the area obviously knew what the sound was, and she said, we need to take cover and head downstairs (we were on the 4th floor). we walk out into the hallway, and all the employees from this office look like they are freaking out (some are even crying). i am thinking, wait, yall are from here, aren't you used to this? I was trying to stay calm, pray, find my cell (to text my mother and friends), and get to the "Safe Zone." we finally get to the first floor and it is total chaos. people are crying and heading to the bathroom, people are trying to call loved ones, and my crazy team leads huddle us up and say, "we really have to have you guys take this exam, as senior management needs to know this meeting was beneficial." i am thinking are they nuts, i am trying to pray, text updates to my mother (who I am pretty sure was beyond freaking out), and not freak out. how am i to focus on this test on heart failure; let's face it, i already have major test anxiety anyway. so, we take the test and we've been down there for about 40 minutes.
at this point, our super shuttle arrives to take us to the airport. i am thinking, i may not know a lot about tornadoes and what not to do, but i do know the car is the worst place you can be. regardless of my thoughts, decisions were made and we piled in. we arrive at the airport only to be delayed for quite a while, but in the end it all worked out.
i was so thankful for God's protection that day. after seeing the destruction in Joplin, you just never know. we did later find out that a tornado did touch down three miles from the Quintiles office building.
So, I get home on Wednesday night and think about how thankful I am to be back in NC where I cannot be affected by tornadoes; however, last night on my way home I get a call from my mother and brother telling me that there is a tornado on the way to my house, no seriously, the meterologists were saying, the tornadic activity, swirling winds, etc are heading to mt. holly-huntersville rd and paw creek, well if someone could put a bullseye on my house, that would be it, literally. i literally have no ever been that scared, as the whole time i am driving they are giving me minute by minute updates. i am pretty sure i was driving right into the path of the storm; cereal boxes, tree limbs, and sideways rain were blocking my view. my car started swaying back and forth and i was terrified. my brother told me to get out of the car and get in a ditch, but i was determined that i was going to outrun a tornado, am i stupid. i finally get to my townhouse, literally i think i pulled into my front yard, and the wind was blowing so hard that i could barely get myself into my house. i run in and get in the hall closet and hold on with all my strength. my mom and i prayed while i was in the closet. i had peace, but i was scared at the same time. ten minutes later, the warning passed and once again, God protected me:) Seriously, PRAISE THE LORD.
what a crazy week of storms, bad weather, and tornado warnings... i am so thankful for His love and protection... also for my mother and brother who were looking out for me. also, i want to throw out there how thankful i am for aaron, jenn's husband, calling me five times while i was in the closet and checking on me.. thanks!
now, here's to a fun memorial day and NO MORE tornado warnings, please:)
Monday, May 2, 2011
Guilty as charged!!!
so, i get this little nugget or devotion the other day and read it this morning. can i just say that i am totally guilty of this. praying that i will be patient and remember that God is trying to teach me, build my character, and that He loves me:) I hope you enjoy this devotion as well. The truth is every time another one of my friends goes on a date, gets married, or has a child, I need to read this devotion. I know that my God hasn't forgotten me, and I will be completely fine if I do not get married. There is more to life than finding a husband. God has a calling for my life, and I pray that I will continue to seek His will, and that I will not lose sight of the most important thing which is to grow closer to my personal Savior.
Answer Envy
Karen Ehman
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Do you ever envy God's answers to someone else's prayers?
I remember almost choking on the words, "I am so happy for you!" in response to the breaking news that friends of ours from North Carolina had sold their house after it had been on the market for twenty days.
To them it had been a long twenty days. Houses were normally snatched up quickly in their area. In our shaky Michigan economy, however, it takes a bit longer. In fact, on the day she announced that her home now had a "sold" sign in the front yard, we turned another page on our calendar — marking how long our house had been for sale. Not twenty days, but twenty months to be exact.
Although I was genuinely thrilled for my friend, I was also a tad green with jealousy.
I call this answer envy. It is that "poor me" mentality that creeps into my heart when God answers someone else's prayers more quickly than mine. Or when He responds to them with a "yes" but His answer seems to be a "no" for me, or at least a "not right now."
I've had my fair share of answer envy outbreaks over the years, at all stages of life.
As a child, I was envious of the kids who came from two-parent homes while I resided in a family torn apart by divorce. No matter how hard I folded my little hands and prayed to God, my daddy didn't come back to us.
In high school, it was other girls' good looks, cute clothes or even cuter boyfriends that I longed for. Instead, I was granted average looks and wore department store blue-light-special fashions. And, as sports editor of our school paper, although I was every guy's pal, I was usually nobody's gal.
In college, I envied those whose prayers for a knight in shining armor, complete with sparkly diamond ring, were answered while I remained single. Once married, I struggled with miscarriage and dashed dreams of motherhood. So, for five long years, I slapped a smile on my face to mask my broken heart and attended yet another pale pink or baby blue church shower.
Over the years I have discovered that the cure for answer envy is not always easy because I must play an active role in my own healing.
What I need is a shift in perspective. When I "call to God" as encouraged in today's key verse, I must trust that He will keep His word. He will tell me "great and unsearchable things" that I do not know. Sometimes those things are the answers to my request. However, do you know what those great and unsearchable things more often are? They are the reasons He seems not to be answering my original request!
So, instead of only begging God to "sell my house" or "take away my pain" or "fix my kid," I need also to ask myself some questions. Questions like, "What is my Creator trying to teach me that I might never learn if He were to suddenly pluck me out of this situation?" Or, "What character qualities is He trying to grow in me? Patience, trust, compassion, contentment?"
Not available in quick microwave form, the cure for answer envy must be cultivated moment by moment.
We must believe that God will answer. He will clearly say "yes," "no," or "not right now." He is able, ready and willing to answer our prayers — here is the catch — as He sees fit and to grow us to be more like His Son in the process.
It took two years until our "for sale" sign was finally replaced with a "sold" banner. It was a long stay in God's waiting room. However, I now know this to be true: I must not merely seek the answer to my prayer. Instead, I must seek a deeper relationship with the answer Giver.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect plans... Your perfect timing... and the perfect way Your development happens in my times of waiting. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Answer Envy
Karen Ehman
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Do you ever envy God's answers to someone else's prayers?
I remember almost choking on the words, "I am so happy for you!" in response to the breaking news that friends of ours from North Carolina had sold their house after it had been on the market for twenty days.
To them it had been a long twenty days. Houses were normally snatched up quickly in their area. In our shaky Michigan economy, however, it takes a bit longer. In fact, on the day she announced that her home now had a "sold" sign in the front yard, we turned another page on our calendar — marking how long our house had been for sale. Not twenty days, but twenty months to be exact.
Although I was genuinely thrilled for my friend, I was also a tad green with jealousy.
I call this answer envy. It is that "poor me" mentality that creeps into my heart when God answers someone else's prayers more quickly than mine. Or when He responds to them with a "yes" but His answer seems to be a "no" for me, or at least a "not right now."
I've had my fair share of answer envy outbreaks over the years, at all stages of life.
As a child, I was envious of the kids who came from two-parent homes while I resided in a family torn apart by divorce. No matter how hard I folded my little hands and prayed to God, my daddy didn't come back to us.
In high school, it was other girls' good looks, cute clothes or even cuter boyfriends that I longed for. Instead, I was granted average looks and wore department store blue-light-special fashions. And, as sports editor of our school paper, although I was every guy's pal, I was usually nobody's gal.
In college, I envied those whose prayers for a knight in shining armor, complete with sparkly diamond ring, were answered while I remained single. Once married, I struggled with miscarriage and dashed dreams of motherhood. So, for five long years, I slapped a smile on my face to mask my broken heart and attended yet another pale pink or baby blue church shower.
Over the years I have discovered that the cure for answer envy is not always easy because I must play an active role in my own healing.
What I need is a shift in perspective. When I "call to God" as encouraged in today's key verse, I must trust that He will keep His word. He will tell me "great and unsearchable things" that I do not know. Sometimes those things are the answers to my request. However, do you know what those great and unsearchable things more often are? They are the reasons He seems not to be answering my original request!
So, instead of only begging God to "sell my house" or "take away my pain" or "fix my kid," I need also to ask myself some questions. Questions like, "What is my Creator trying to teach me that I might never learn if He were to suddenly pluck me out of this situation?" Or, "What character qualities is He trying to grow in me? Patience, trust, compassion, contentment?"
Not available in quick microwave form, the cure for answer envy must be cultivated moment by moment.
We must believe that God will answer. He will clearly say "yes," "no," or "not right now." He is able, ready and willing to answer our prayers — here is the catch — as He sees fit and to grow us to be more like His Son in the process.
It took two years until our "for sale" sign was finally replaced with a "sold" banner. It was a long stay in God's waiting room. However, I now know this to be true: I must not merely seek the answer to my prayer. Instead, I must seek a deeper relationship with the answer Giver.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect plans... Your perfect timing... and the perfect way Your development happens in my times of waiting. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
is my best friend really getting married
so the other night after i got home from her couple's shower, i think i had a moment, haha. i was like, wait, is she really getting married. you see, we've prayed about this, cried about boys, dreamed about our future husbands, and have done a lot of crazy things over the years. i am so unbelievably happy for my best friend that sometimes i don't even know what to do. when crystal started dating dusty, i knew he was going to be the one. he immediately started breaking down her walls. you see, crystal was always the one that said, "i may not get married. it scares me." but with dusty it was always different. she trusted him and had totally let her guard down.
when i returned home, i thought we've come a long way from those late night love dedications to our lame high school boyfriends on kiss 95.1 or throwing random food or articles in people's yard that we were irritated at for whatever they may have done or not done (they will remain nameless).... not going to lie though, it provided a fun time (nicole always joined in on those adventures).
i am so glad that God has provided crystal with her future husband and blessed the two of them. crystal was diligent in praying for dusty in the beginning of their relationship (we all did) and he was saved two Easter's ago. how awesome that she was the catalyst that brought him to Christ. i know that their life together is going to be wonderful, as he has a heart of gold and she loves unconditionally. i know that they will face difficult times ahead; however, i know that they will rely on their faith and seek Godly counsel. i can't wait to see how the story unfolds. wishing them a lifetime of happiness, as they deserve it. one thing is for sure, lots of laughter will be going on as they are two of the most fun people i know. i laugh constantly when i am around them.
i absolutely CANNOT wait to be a bridesmaid on June 11, 2011. crystal is going to be one of the most beautiful brides i have ever seen.
but first take a look at the pics from their couple's shower this past weekend:: we enjoyed some wings (cooked by nicole), corn on the cob (grilled by nicole), chicken nuggets (baked and fried), tator tots (fried by aaron and dusty), cupcakes (made by me and lindsey), we played cornhole, played some wedding games, they opened all of gifts, mostly gift cards, and we played all the cute babies that were in attendance:)
when i returned home, i thought we've come a long way from those late night love dedications to our lame high school boyfriends on kiss 95.1 or throwing random food or articles in people's yard that we were irritated at for whatever they may have done or not done (they will remain nameless).... not going to lie though, it provided a fun time (nicole always joined in on those adventures).
i am so glad that God has provided crystal with her future husband and blessed the two of them. crystal was diligent in praying for dusty in the beginning of their relationship (we all did) and he was saved two Easter's ago. how awesome that she was the catalyst that brought him to Christ. i know that their life together is going to be wonderful, as he has a heart of gold and she loves unconditionally. i know that they will face difficult times ahead; however, i know that they will rely on their faith and seek Godly counsel. i can't wait to see how the story unfolds. wishing them a lifetime of happiness, as they deserve it. one thing is for sure, lots of laughter will be going on as they are two of the most fun people i know. i laugh constantly when i am around them.
i absolutely CANNOT wait to be a bridesmaid on June 11, 2011. crystal is going to be one of the most beautiful brides i have ever seen.
but first take a look at the pics from their couple's shower this past weekend:: we enjoyed some wings (cooked by nicole), corn on the cob (grilled by nicole), chicken nuggets (baked and fried), tator tots (fried by aaron and dusty), cupcakes (made by me and lindsey), we played cornhole, played some wedding games, they opened all of gifts, mostly gift cards, and we played all the cute babies that were in attendance:)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
let the cooking continue:)
so, i've been a little slack on updating my blog with what all new foods i've been learning to cook, but in february, crystal and lindsey came up and we cooked a delicious quesadilla casserole with some guacamole. according to my friend jillian, i am cheating, because my friends are helping me, but regardless, i am learning to cook new things, haha. in march, we cooked a roast in the crockpot, sweet potatoes, and a broccoli side dish, it was yummy. dusty, crystal's fiance, called the roast "juicy butt." i am pretty sure i won't call it that, but regardless, it was really good. a few days after linds, crys, and i cooked, i was out of town with my friend casey and we both learned to cook veggie lasagna. i was a little nervous about all the items mixed together (because we all know that i have issues with mixing foods); however, it was seriously absolutely delicious.
check out the pics below:
seriously, if you like mexican dishes, let me know, because this casserole is absolutely one that i even ate leftovers (it has black beans, corn, rotel, and lots of cheese and tortilla shells)
this roast was very tender and had orange peels in the crokpot with it, i'd have to get the full recipe from crystal, but it is worth it too)
oh my, such a treat this one: full of zucchini, onions, broccoli, four cheese spaghetii sauce, heavy cream, and a little cream of mushroom:) oh and mozzerella cheese, loved it, and you must make this.
check out the pics below:
seriously, if you like mexican dishes, let me know, because this casserole is absolutely one that i even ate leftovers (it has black beans, corn, rotel, and lots of cheese and tortilla shells)
this roast was very tender and had orange peels in the crokpot with it, i'd have to get the full recipe from crystal, but it is worth it too)
oh my, such a treat this one: full of zucchini, onions, broccoli, four cheese spaghetii sauce, heavy cream, and a little cream of mushroom:) oh and mozzerella cheese, loved it, and you must make this.
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