I'm so excited about going to Mexico in 29 days! 4 of us from our church and 2 from a PCA in Knoxville are going to work in an orphanage -doing light construction and VBS and will also spend a day at the drop-in daycenter for homeless children.
In preparing, we had to get a passport ($210 expedited), immunizations, a list of personal supplies, and pay just under $1200 for the trip. I'm looking to the Lord to provide much of my trip fee, and wanted to share how the Lord is stretching our money to buy supplies.
First, I needed 2 one-piece bathing suits. Mine are tankinis and are not appropriate for the MTW requirements. I found 2 brand new suits on Lands End overstocks; one for $12.99, the other for $24.99.
We were told to bring our own twin bedding, to use and then donate to the kids. While visiting my neighbor's yard sale on Saturday, I found the cutest Sesame Street bedding. I went to buy it and told her what for and she let me have it.
I also needed to get 100% cotton khaki pants for the construction work. We were encouraged to pack clothes that we could leave behind. I got 4 pairs of name brand khakis, 3 pairs of name brand shorts and 2 tanks at the Bargain Mart for $32. I had never been there before, but will go back!
Today, I needed to go grocery shopping. We had not been in a WHILE!!!! I filled the cart to overflowing for $175 at Aldi - it would have cost close to $250 at Walmart.
Our finances would never work out on paper. We are so thankful that He multiplies our resources as He did the fish and the loaves!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..."
The neighbors have all come out. This morning many came out for a neighborhood yard sale. Followed by a swim at one neighbor's pool (are we crazy?). And by 2:45 the kids were conked out and came to our house for snacks and a show.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
How much would you pay to worship?
This morning, on the way to church, an object seemed to be kicked up under the body of our car. We did not worry too much about it, as the car continued to drive fine. Adam dropped the kids and I off at church and, as is his ritual, went to McDonalds for a quiet breakfast alone.
He ate his breakfast and went to the van to return to church in time for Worship, only to find that the tire had a huge, unfixable gash and was completely deflated. He was unable to find the spare tire and planned to call a tow truck.
Deacon Wayne graciously drove to McDonalds and found the spare and helped him out. Adam proceeded to Walmart where they replaced the tire (which was only 9 months old)... to the tune of $80.
Adam did make it to church during the last hymn.
On the way home, I was confronted with this thought: If we had known that our 7 mile drive to church would cost $80, would we have stayed home?
Contrasted with the thought of those in other parts of the world, who are prepared to risk death in order to worship Christ. And many pay that price of risking their lives any chance they can corporately Worship Him.
It makes me think!
He ate his breakfast and went to the van to return to church in time for Worship, only to find that the tire had a huge, unfixable gash and was completely deflated. He was unable to find the spare tire and planned to call a tow truck.
Deacon Wayne graciously drove to McDonalds and found the spare and helped him out. Adam proceeded to Walmart where they replaced the tire (which was only 9 months old)... to the tune of $80.
Adam did make it to church during the last hymn.
On the way home, I was confronted with this thought: If we had known that our 7 mile drive to church would cost $80, would we have stayed home?
Contrasted with the thought of those in other parts of the world, who are prepared to risk death in order to worship Christ. And many pay that price of risking their lives any chance they can corporately Worship Him.
It makes me think!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Getting Older....
The other night Hannah walked in as I was watching "Dancing With the Stars". Leeza Gibbons was stiffly "dancing" across the stage. Hannah said, "Momma, I love her costume", I made a comment on how I wouldn't wear it. Hannah said, "Mom, she's much younger than you"... Younger than me!!!! She turned 50 last week.
Time to face facts, I'm starting to age! I don't want to get too carried away, after all, I am only 32! But in the past few months, my aging has definitely accelerated. Things that I wasn't expecting until much later have begun.
For instance, I can't make it through an 45 min. EFX workout with out a tinkle-break. I exercise for 10 minutes. Run to the restroom. ... and then can workout the last 35 minutes. Until recently, I could hold it all day if need be. Information you really wanted to know, huh?
Then, there are the 2am wake-ups. I go to bed freezing. Wearing pajamas, socks, and under sheet, quilt and down comforter. At 2am, I wake up, tear off my socks, pj pants, and throw the blankets off. Sometimes, I move to the couch so that warm bodies will not emit heat near me.
I have also always had a clear complexion.... until now. I am starting to develop sun spots on my face. They are like small, faint freckles so far.... but this is definitly a new develpment!
And don't even get me started about the gray hairs!
I still think that women are in their prime (lookswise) in their 30's. I'll enjoy these last few years and hope that the Lord will develop in me that beauty within that will take over as my youthfulness fades!
I'd rather have that inward beauty and the maturity and perspective anyways!
Time to face facts, I'm starting to age! I don't want to get too carried away, after all, I am only 32! But in the past few months, my aging has definitely accelerated. Things that I wasn't expecting until much later have begun.
For instance, I can't make it through an 45 min. EFX workout with out a tinkle-break. I exercise for 10 minutes. Run to the restroom. ... and then can workout the last 35 minutes. Until recently, I could hold it all day if need be. Information you really wanted to know, huh?
Then, there are the 2am wake-ups. I go to bed freezing. Wearing pajamas, socks, and under sheet, quilt and down comforter. At 2am, I wake up, tear off my socks, pj pants, and throw the blankets off. Sometimes, I move to the couch so that warm bodies will not emit heat near me.
I have also always had a clear complexion.... until now. I am starting to develop sun spots on my face. They are like small, faint freckles so far.... but this is definitly a new develpment!
And don't even get me started about the gray hairs!
I still think that women are in their prime (lookswise) in their 30's. I'll enjoy these last few years and hope that the Lord will develop in me that beauty within that will take over as my youthfulness fades!
I'd rather have that inward beauty and the maturity and perspective anyways!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Happy Easter!
So Hannah learned the truth about the Easter Bunny, Santa and the Tooth Fairy today. We explained that we did let them receive fun treats from these guys, but the focus of these holidays has always been on Jesus. That He is What we are celebrating. She seemed ok, but didn't quite follow that logic for the Tooth Fairy.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Mike
I've read some of your blog entries on Mike Howard, and would be remiss not to say anything. I agree with all of the wonderful things that people have said about him, and will miss hearing him say at the Childrens Ministry Meetings : "I think that is a wonderful idea!" He was such an encourager!
Two Things have struck me this past week:
1. From Proverbs 31: "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land" (this is because he has full confidence in his wife as she capably takes care of many matters, freeing him to do the things that he has been called to do.) Mike held a very important job in our county - county engineer and in our church - elder. He would tell of all Robin's capablities. He told me that she was like a Martha Stewart. She gardened and cooked and fixed up houses,etc, etc. He had the right priorities 1 The Lord, 2. His wife - whom he was confident in, and 3. His children, etc. etc. etc.
2. Many from our elected and appointed county government were in the midst of our church body to celebrate Mike's homegoing. A couple hundred of our county officials heard the Gospel that day and were confronted with a decision: to live for Christ and share in His inheritance, or to live for themselves and be separated from Christ for eternity. I think that Mike would be very excited to know that because of his death, the Gospel was proclaimed to these people!!!!!
Two Things have struck me this past week:
1. From Proverbs 31: "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land" (this is because he has full confidence in his wife as she capably takes care of many matters, freeing him to do the things that he has been called to do.) Mike held a very important job in our county - county engineer and in our church - elder. He would tell of all Robin's capablities. He told me that she was like a Martha Stewart. She gardened and cooked and fixed up houses,etc, etc. He had the right priorities 1 The Lord, 2. His wife - whom he was confident in, and 3. His children, etc. etc. etc.
2. Many from our elected and appointed county government were in the midst of our church body to celebrate Mike's homegoing. A couple hundred of our county officials heard the Gospel that day and were confronted with a decision: to live for Christ and share in His inheritance, or to live for themselves and be separated from Christ for eternity. I think that Mike would be very excited to know that because of his death, the Gospel was proclaimed to these people!!!!!
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