Blessings #261-285

 

When I first started counting my blessings I would come sit down in front of the computer and try and think of the blessings that God sent me that week.  I would have some that stood out and some that I had to think really hard about.   

I felt so selfish.

God sends us blessings everyday.  Some are obvious and some we really have to look for.  Blessings come in even the hardest times.  We just have to open our eyes and our hearts. 

Last week I started reading Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts" and was quickly realizing what I was doing wrong.  I am not suppose to sit in front of the computer and try and remember.  I am to write it down as soon as it happens.  As soon as I started writing the blessings down immediately, the more my heart was feeling with thankfulness.  I was so caught up with my ownself that I was not taking the time to see what God wanted me to see.
261.  The delivery of our household items.
262.  The maintainance men who have blessed us with the little projects that keep arising.

263.  The inivation to a Sunday lunch.

264.  The conversations of new friends at Sunday lunch.

265.  A free laundromat when the washer is broken.

266.  A fixed washing machine.

267.  An unpacked home.

268. Watching the two blessings bond closer each day.

269. 13 years later and the hubby still makes me laugh. Hard. With tears.

270.  No internet.

271. No cable.

272. No phone.

273.  No distrations.

274. Amish countryside.

275. My college diploma arriving in the mail..

276. New puppy, Samson.

277.  Our backyard.  The openness of a cornfield.

278.  The "Mayberry" town we live in.

279.  Our new church

280.  Hearing the hubby say how much he loves me.

281. The ability to drive home when a situation arises and I am needed.

282. Looking at the artwork my daughter has drawn.  

283. A seperate room for our schoolroom.

284. Praying with my son when he is fearful.

285.  Watching my son overcome his fear after we pray.

I cannot wait to see the blessings God brings us this week.

Books I Read for January 2012

One of my goals this year was to read two books a month. One would think that our cross-country trek I would have finished about five books, but no, I did not even read one book! However, with about two weeks left in January I was able to meet my goal for the month.

The first book I read was Crystal Paine's book The Money Saving Mom's Budget. I was very excited to hear that Crystal wrote a book because all of her money saving tips are now in one place. Her book offered many great ideas about saving money and living frugally. Crystal mentioned tips on how to lower your grocery bill, play the CVS game, and ways to increase your own income. Some of the tips she offered, I knew about or implement in our own household. However, I did learn some new things such as how to play the CVS game. I have heard other bloggers playing this game but I never quite understood it. Unfortunately, we do not have a CVS or Walgreens in our area, but it is definitely something I will try when we move to an area that has these stores. I also learned about simplifying my schedule and my home. I am excited to try some of Crystal's tips from the book. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in saving money!

The second book I read this month was "Good Morning Holy Spirit" but Benny Hinn. This book was given to me by one of my Titus 2 ladies. I'm going to be honest, at first when I saw who wrote it I was like "ugh really." I have never heard Benny Hinn preach or read any of his books, but I believe I had this perception of him because of seeing him on TBN or other Christian channels. I would always think "ok dude," roll my eyes and change the channel. I have never given Benny a chance. So prior to opening the book I said a little prayer asking God to allow me to have an open mind. I started the book back in November, but with everything going on I never finished it. When I started the book I was very intrigued with what Benny had to say and the way he came to Christ. The book talks about the Trinity, explains the Trinity, and explains ways to really take your prayer life to a whole other level. In the book on page 125, Benny discusses that when we pray that we should ask The Spirit to take more of me instead of asking to have more of Him because we surrender to Him not the other way around. At that time I had an "ah ha" moment. I'm a so thankful that my Titus 2 woman gave me this book. I suggest if you would like to take your prayer life even further then try reading "Good Morning, Holy Spirit" by Benny Hinn.

For the month of February I will be reading "Shop Smart, Save More" by Teri Gault, founder of The Grocery Game. Also, I will be finishing "First Things First" by Kurt and Brenda Warner. Wow, I think another goal for 2012 is finishing what I start. I have a number of books I have started but never finished!

What books have you read? What books are you planning on reading?.

So Many Blessings #241-260

 

The blessings continue to pour:

241. Our orders changing from Minnesota to Wisconsin.

242. God shedding His grace upon us as He delivered us from the blizzard in the Canadian Rockies.

243. Arriving safely to our destination in Wisconsin.

244. No flat tires or mechanical problems on our cross-country trek.

245. Our new home.

246. Living without our stuff for awhile. It allows no distractions.

247. Our family time.

248. Being closer to family.

249. Our new town...very Mayberry like.

250. Our neighbors. A Christian homeschooling family with a daughter my daughters age.

251. My husband meeting his newest nephew whom is almost two years old.

252. Watching my nephew meet his uncle for the first time.

253. Surprising my nephews with our arrival.

254. Hearing my niece say that she is excited we are finally home.

255. What we thought was a major mechanical problem with our one vehicle turned out to be a $28 fix.

256. The bakery outlet in our town.

257. The Lending Library on base because of this service we have dishes, microwave, and air mattresses.

258. The opportunity to choose our home.

259. God showing me where I am lacking.

260. God taking a piece of me each day.

In Our New Home Without Our Furniture

This past week we introduced the blessings and of course Manning, to our new home. I am so happy to hear the blessings say how much they love their new rooms and home. I really like the home as well. The new home is much smaller than we are use to, but I have a feeling God is helping me in the area of simplicity. Most of our furniture will not fit on our main floor, so whatever does not fit will make its way to the basement. I believe that those items should then be sold, but these are pieces I would like to keep for when we purchase our first home. If then they do not fit, I will sell them, but until then, the basement is their home.

Our household items are here in town, but unfortunately cannot be delivered until the 6th. Prayerfully a cancellation will occur this week, which then will bump up our delivery date. So as of right now we are enjoying the open space of our home. Thank goodness for the Army Community Serivces! These services have a lending library that allow us to check out dishes, air mattresses, a table with chairs, and a microwave. My brother blessed us with a television that he was not using, so we are able to watch movies by hooking up the Xbox.

The past couple of days have been a real eye-opener for me. We have been out picking up items that we need for our home and I am overwhelmed by prices. Yes prices in Alaska tend to be more expensive, however, we have found some items to be cheaper. I have started my hunt for coupons and discount stores. I saw a bakery outlet and my daughter mentioned we should go in. I at first, was "eh." I just did not feel like going in, but decided "why not?" I am so thankful we did! I was able to pick up four loaves of bread for $1.80! Did I mention that it was 85cents for one loaf and it was BOGO for free? Did I also mention, the bread bought was priced at $2.85 at Wal-Mart? We also walked away with the same brand of hot dog buns for 79 cents each. I was super giddy for our purchase.

After leaving Alaska our pay has decreased tremendously and I need for the family to jump on board this new lifestyle I'm trying to incorporate. The lifestyle of less spending and living simply. My main concern is our finances. So I started a game with the family, which is to see who can find the best deal while we are out. The blessings have found this as a challenge and are eager to find the better deals and are hoping they can beat me. I am happy to say I am in the lead ;)

What do you and your children do when it comes to frugal living?

Enjoying Family And Target Shopping

We have been visiting family since the 12th of January and it has been very refreshing. The hubby has been able to catch up and reconnect with family that he has not seen in over two years. The two blessings are enjoying and loving their time home with family. I, of course, enjoy it also.

We have signed for our new house, picked up our other vehicle, and brought the vehicle we drove cross-country into the shop for some TLC. I have done a little bit, or some, okay, a lot of shopping at Target. Hey, I've been frugal while I've been there, or most of the time.

We are still waiting on our household items to arrive. A winter storm has held up our items, so hopefully early next week we will receive a delivery date!

I do have to say it is quite an adjustment moving back to the lower 48. I have forgotten how fast-paced life is here and all the choices that surround us. Yes, it's nice with all the choices, but somewhat overwhelming.

I'm sure we can handle it!

Awwww Back In The USA

Phew!

We made it back into the United States!

I have been told by a couple people that Alaska is part of the United States. Yes we lived in Alaska and it is part of the United States, but we had to drive through Canada. So I just wanted to clarify ;)

The rest of our travels since the blizzard has been good. A rock has chipped our windshield and broke our fog lights. I would take that instead of the blizzard! We are excited because as I type this we are about 8 hours from family! Hubby has not been home or seen family in over two years!

Thank you all who have prayed for our trip and our safety. God is so good!

Almost Half-Way

Wow!

What a trip!!!

Thank you all for the prayers.  We definitely felt them and they were greatly needed.  We are 1200 miles into our 3,030 mile trek.  Our first day was good, and our second day, well God was with us.  We entered a blizzard in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and literally almost drove off the cliff.  God sent us a semi and lead us out of the storm.  We referred to it as God leading Moses out of Egypt.  Once we get to our final destination of Wisconsin I will write more about the storm and our trip.

Overall, we are loving our trip and have seen much wildlife.  Our count so far is 7 moose, over 50 buffalo, a herd of caribou, a snow hare, and wild horses.  Thankfully the wildlife have been on the side of the road and close enough to take pics but far enough away to be safe.

The best part is seeing God's beauty.

Thank you for the prayers and will post in a few days.

Blessings!