Phriday Photos- Halloween Edition
Every year since our children have come into our lives, we have gone over to C.'s parents' house to carve pumpkins on October 30th. We did that last night. Tonight C.'s parents will come over to our house to go "trick or treating" with the kids. I'm making Taco Soup- the low(er) fat version. The girls are dressing up like clowns. At least that's the plan.
Everyone have a safe and fun evening!
BooMama's Souptacular Crockpotalooza!
Welcome to BooMama's Souptacular Crockpotalooza!
BooMama is sharing crockpot recipes, and I decided to join in on the fun. Go over to her place and get some good ones to make for Halloween dinner! I'm making my Taco Soup for us and my in-laws tomorrow night.
Taco Soup - Regular and Low(er)fat Version
Ingredients:
-14 oz can of kidney beans, undrained
-14 oz can of corn, drained
-14 oz can of creamed corn
-14 oz can of diced tomatoes
-14 oz can of stewed tomatoes
-1 lb of ground beef, browned (or use ground turkey for lower fat)
-1 lb of Velveeta, cut into cubes (or Velveeta made with 2% milk for lower fat)
-1/2 packet of taco seasoning
In crock-pot, dump contents of all cans. Add cooked beef/turkey, cheese, and seasoning. Cook on high for 3 hours or until cheese melts and is warm. You can add half a can of water if it is too thick. Serve with sour cream and tortilla chips or corn bread.
Italian Chicken
Ingredients:
-4 chicken breasts, cut up into bite size pieces
-1/3 cup water
-1 packet of dry Italian seasoning
-1 can cream of chicken soup (sometimes I use cream of mushroom)
-1 block of cream cheese
Cook chicken, water, and seasoning on high for 3 hours. Then add soup and cream cheese and cook for another hour on high. Serve over rice or noodles.
Easy Meatballs
Ingredients:
-1 bag frozen meatballs
-1 jar grape jelly (16 oz.)
-1 jar chili sauce
Use a whisk to stir the jelly with the chili sauce. Then add the meatballs and coat in mixture. Cook in crockpot on low for 2-3 hours. (If you're in a hurry, bake the meatballs first.)
Cranberry Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-16 oz can whole berry cranberry sauce
-1 tsp dry mustard
-1/4 tsp ground cloves
-3 lb pork tenderloin
Cook all ingredients together for 6 hours on low. Great for a nice Valentine's Day dinner at home with your man.
BooMama is sharing crockpot recipes, and I decided to join in on the fun. Go over to her place and get some good ones to make for Halloween dinner! I'm making my Taco Soup for us and my in-laws tomorrow night.
Taco Soup - Regular and Low(er)fat Version
Ingredients:
-14 oz can of kidney beans, undrained
-14 oz can of corn, drained
-14 oz can of creamed corn
-14 oz can of diced tomatoes
-14 oz can of stewed tomatoes
-1 lb of ground beef, browned (or use ground turkey for lower fat)
-1 lb of Velveeta, cut into cubes (or Velveeta made with 2% milk for lower fat)
-1/2 packet of taco seasoning
In crock-pot, dump contents of all cans. Add cooked beef/turkey, cheese, and seasoning. Cook on high for 3 hours or until cheese melts and is warm. You can add half a can of water if it is too thick. Serve with sour cream and tortilla chips or corn bread.
Italian Chicken
Ingredients:
-4 chicken breasts, cut up into bite size pieces
-1/3 cup water
-1 packet of dry Italian seasoning
-1 can cream of chicken soup (sometimes I use cream of mushroom)
-1 block of cream cheese
Cook chicken, water, and seasoning on high for 3 hours. Then add soup and cream cheese and cook for another hour on high. Serve over rice or noodles.
Easy Meatballs
Ingredients:
-1 bag frozen meatballs
-1 jar grape jelly (16 oz.)
-1 jar chili sauce
Use a whisk to stir the jelly with the chili sauce. Then add the meatballs and coat in mixture. Cook in crockpot on low for 2-3 hours. (If you're in a hurry, bake the meatballs first.)
Cranberry Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-16 oz can whole berry cranberry sauce
-1 tsp dry mustard
-1/4 tsp ground cloves
-3 lb pork tenderloin
Cook all ingredients together for 6 hours on low. Great for a nice Valentine's Day dinner at home with your man.
Wednesday's Word
More Christmas time wisdom from Mary today!
Like we discussed last week, right now, if you have little ones, will be the best time to pare down the holiday extravaganza. My favorite point from last week was the idea that going into debt isn't exactly a way to celebrate and honor Jesus' birth! It's always easier to get bigger than smaller. Don't we all know that?
If you figured out that you have no money this year, do what you feel God is allowing you to do and MOVE ON TO PLANNING for NEXT YEAR. Don't get stuck in the same situation. Make your budget and set aside money monthly. Do it as simply as taking out $20 from the ATM and hiding it in the freezer.
Self-control is a fruit of the spirit. I know I need to pray this holiday season to remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." So, try to avoid that temptation.
Look for ways you can stay out of the stores/catalogs. Stop catalogs from coming to your house. Just call the number on the back and ask to be taken off your mailing list. To stay out of the stores, you can give presents that don't cost money. Some suggestions today were: the good ole coupon book (great for kids to give to parents/grandparents), spending the day together, a hug, a foot rub, a kiss, or written blessings and Bible verses. I'm thinking that the presentation of these kinds of gifts is key. Kids can their gift like a craft.
One craft idea that I thought was really good was from Lori. Each family member (at least the women) makes an ornament on Thanksgiving each year. Another girl, Cary, is making calendars for the in-laws. And remember, food is always a welcome gift!
For those you want to remember at the holidays, but don't have a budget for, try baking cookies together as a family and having the kids deliver them to the neighbors, mail carrier, teachers, bus drivers, or garbage men.
One of my favorite thoughts today was that this holiday offers the perfect opportunity to teach your children how to THANK OTHERS and the GIFT OF GIVING. The lessons they learn at Christmas time will carry over into the rest of the year. Teaching them the right way to say thank you now will effect how they receive and give gifts the rest of their lives. Birthdays, weddings, showers, etc.
TRADITIONS:
-Open one gift at a time(allowing time for a proper thank you, if the giver is present)
-3 gifts from Santa (keeps Jesus in the picture because He got 3 gifts from the Magi)
-On Christmas Eve have a scavenger hunt to find one present to open (my mother-in-law always wrapped pj's for her boys to wear on Christmas morning)
-Set up a nativity on December 1. Don't put baby Jesus in the manger. Each morning, when you wake the children, ask them if they think that baby Jesus came last night. Do this each morning to build anticipation for the 25th when they will find that he was born. Then, before any Santa activities, go to the kitchen and have a birthday cake and party for Jesus' birthday. (LOVE this idea. I know my kids would remember this tradition-having cake in the morning!)
Mary also shared this scripture to help us remember to seek Truth through the Holy Spirit and prayer:
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." (John 16:13)
Helpful at a time of the year when we can get so distracted by all the worldliness that surrounds us. She used this scripture to remind us to, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
This scripture is also meant to remind us not to pass judgement of what others do, but to seek God in what WE do.
Sorry if this seemed all over the place tonight. My eyes are weary and I've got to go work on our Christmas budget/list.
Like we discussed last week, right now, if you have little ones, will be the best time to pare down the holiday extravaganza. My favorite point from last week was the idea that going into debt isn't exactly a way to celebrate and honor Jesus' birth! It's always easier to get bigger than smaller. Don't we all know that?
If you figured out that you have no money this year, do what you feel God is allowing you to do and MOVE ON TO PLANNING for NEXT YEAR. Don't get stuck in the same situation. Make your budget and set aside money monthly. Do it as simply as taking out $20 from the ATM and hiding it in the freezer.
Self-control is a fruit of the spirit. I know I need to pray this holiday season to remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." So, try to avoid that temptation.
Look for ways you can stay out of the stores/catalogs. Stop catalogs from coming to your house. Just call the number on the back and ask to be taken off your mailing list. To stay out of the stores, you can give presents that don't cost money. Some suggestions today were: the good ole coupon book (great for kids to give to parents/grandparents), spending the day together, a hug, a foot rub, a kiss, or written blessings and Bible verses. I'm thinking that the presentation of these kinds of gifts is key. Kids can their gift like a craft.
One craft idea that I thought was really good was from Lori. Each family member (at least the women) makes an ornament on Thanksgiving each year. Another girl, Cary, is making calendars for the in-laws. And remember, food is always a welcome gift!
For those you want to remember at the holidays, but don't have a budget for, try baking cookies together as a family and having the kids deliver them to the neighbors, mail carrier, teachers, bus drivers, or garbage men.
One of my favorite thoughts today was that this holiday offers the perfect opportunity to teach your children how to THANK OTHERS and the GIFT OF GIVING. The lessons they learn at Christmas time will carry over into the rest of the year. Teaching them the right way to say thank you now will effect how they receive and give gifts the rest of their lives. Birthdays, weddings, showers, etc.
TRADITIONS:
-Open one gift at a time(allowing time for a proper thank you, if the giver is present)
-3 gifts from Santa (keeps Jesus in the picture because He got 3 gifts from the Magi)
-On Christmas Eve have a scavenger hunt to find one present to open (my mother-in-law always wrapped pj's for her boys to wear on Christmas morning)
-Set up a nativity on December 1. Don't put baby Jesus in the manger. Each morning, when you wake the children, ask them if they think that baby Jesus came last night. Do this each morning to build anticipation for the 25th when they will find that he was born. Then, before any Santa activities, go to the kitchen and have a birthday cake and party for Jesus' birthday. (LOVE this idea. I know my kids would remember this tradition-having cake in the morning!)
Mary also shared this scripture to help us remember to seek Truth through the Holy Spirit and prayer:
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." (John 16:13)
Helpful at a time of the year when we can get so distracted by all the worldliness that surrounds us. She used this scripture to remind us to, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
This scripture is also meant to remind us not to pass judgement of what others do, but to seek God in what WE do.
Sorry if this seemed all over the place tonight. My eyes are weary and I've got to go work on our Christmas budget/list.
Isn't she clumsy?
I am clumsy.
Today I hit my head on the corner of a wall, people.
I'm thinking, "Why???? Why, God, do I have to be soooooo clumsy?"
I mean, I stood there steaming about the fact that I hit me head. Every time I goof, I say, "Man, why am I so stinking clumsy?" Today, I looked at myself in the mirror while I was asking this question and I started to laugh. Why so funny? I just thought, "What if I hit my head/drop something/spill on my shirt, pants, dress/trip every time I'm not going the way God wants me to go?"
For real. I was thinking, God just pulls the carpet out from under me to make me trip to get me to stop my train of thought. God just drips a few greasy stains onto my shirt to change my direction. To humble me. To get through to me.
Really? That's what came to me today. I'm just saying.
Then I remembered how perfect everything is going to be in heaven. I saw on TV recently a woman who had a stroke and lost all her memory. From start to stroke, she had NO RECOLLECTION of who she was. The funny part was she thought it was extremely freeing. She had to relearn how to walk, talk and feed herself, but she also lost all her emotional baggage. All that junk we carry around with us. Wow! What a perspective.
When I saw her speak about this, it made me think that that's how it might be in heaven. We're lightened by a lack of memory of our former lives. Right now we are cleansed and forgiven, but in heaven it won't weigh on us. Wow!
I am relieved that when I get to heaven, I will no longer suffer this infirmity.
This begs the question: Would Jim Carrey be as funny up in heaven???
Today I hit my head on the corner of a wall, people.
I'm thinking, "Why???? Why, God, do I have to be soooooo clumsy?"
I mean, I stood there steaming about the fact that I hit me head. Every time I goof, I say, "Man, why am I so stinking clumsy?" Today, I looked at myself in the mirror while I was asking this question and I started to laugh. Why so funny? I just thought, "What if I hit my head/drop something/spill on my shirt, pants, dress/trip every time I'm not going the way God wants me to go?"
For real. I was thinking, God just pulls the carpet out from under me to make me trip to get me to stop my train of thought. God just drips a few greasy stains onto my shirt to change my direction. To humble me. To get through to me.
Really? That's what came to me today. I'm just saying.
Then I remembered how perfect everything is going to be in heaven. I saw on TV recently a woman who had a stroke and lost all her memory. From start to stroke, she had NO RECOLLECTION of who she was. The funny part was she thought it was extremely freeing. She had to relearn how to walk, talk and feed herself, but she also lost all her emotional baggage. All that junk we carry around with us. Wow! What a perspective.
When I saw her speak about this, it made me think that that's how it might be in heaven. We're lightened by a lack of memory of our former lives. Right now we are cleansed and forgiven, but in heaven it won't weigh on us. Wow!
I am relieved that when I get to heaven, I will no longer suffer this infirmity.
This begs the question: Would Jim Carrey be as funny up in heaven???
Mother, I Have to go POTTY!
You may know (or not) that I am NOT Phillips Phamily Mama at home. I am MOTHER. A.E. has pretty much transformed me into a 50's housewife. I only have Disney to blame: Peter Pan and Bambi, to be exact. Every once in a while, it's Mommy, but more and more, I'm MOTHER. She does sound proper, even if it's in the context of, "Mother, maybe one more Little Bear/I just tooted/I want more!"
H.J., on the other end of the spectrum, is all about "MOMMY!" In her world, Mommy has a couple of different meanings:
1. "Mommy"- Hey, I need your attention.
2. "MoMEEEEEE!"- Oh, I haven't seen you in a while.
3. "MoMEEEEEE! MoMEEEEEE! MoMEEEEEE! MoMEEEEEE!"- I want something.
This option can be directed to anyone and is not limited to me.
On the potty subject, A.E. is becoming increasingly aware of her bodily functions. She has gone three times today IN THE POTTY. No ACCIDENTS, yet...
(UPDATE: Six pee-pees in the potty, one accident during naptime, and zero poopies.)
Last week, I may have mentioned (or not) that there is nothing worse than a tantrum in a bathtub full of water. Yesterday, I found out what IS worse.
A tantrum whilst peeing on the potty. Five minutes before departure for church. Yuck and even more yuck on how I reacted.
Do you ever get sick and tired of dealing with the same sin in your life like I do? I get so frustrated with myself for continuing to make THE SAME MISTAKES over and over. I pray through the situation. I am patient through the situation. Okay, I'm making a change and then, ONE MORE LITTLE THING sets me back to the sinful self. Yuck.
So this afternoon, I wanted a little more insight into my sin "problem" or "relapse" if you will. I found several scriptures from Romans that helped me feel better about myself.
I won't be perfect; however, I am dead to sin.
"By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:2)
I am born into a sinful nature; man is sinful, but Christ is my remedy.
"Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:20)
As long as I call on my own will to keep from sinning, I will not succeed. But if I call on God's will, His grace will be present and increase.
"The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more." (Romans 5:20)
The easy answer always seems to be, "Grow closer to God and your path will be straight." Why isn't it easy? Why is it so hard? Because we so often rely on ourselves and even trick ourselves into thinking, "I've given that to God" when in reality, we are still clinging to that which grips us. My sin keeps getting in the way of my growing closer to Him.
Every once in a while, though, I am in the midst of dealing with a challenging situation and I can take a step back and just laugh. Sometimes I have to laugh with my hands over my mouth like tonight when A.E. threw a tantrum because I ate a piece of food off of her plate. She was under the table. Kicking legs. Slobber everywhere. Yes, I have a child who slobbers in a tantrum-like state. She kept on saying, "Just spit it out!"
"I'm sorry honey, I swallowed it already."
"BUT it was my perfect food!"
Crazy to hear from the child who won't eat. She would rather sit on the potty now than eat. Thankfully, we moved on. Unfortunately, the crazy dog jumped up on the table and ate the rest of the food on her plate. NO JOKE. I thought he might suffer A.E.'s wrath and she might cry, kick and slobber on him, but crisis averted.
Thank you to the Popcorn Ball from our party favor bag. Yesterday, we went to a birthday for sweet Shepherd who accompanied us to the Farmer's Market last week. Fun was had by all and the Popcorn Ball saved the day until...
The crazy dog ate it, too.
That poor sinner...
H.J., on the other end of the spectrum, is all about "MOMMY!" In her world, Mommy has a couple of different meanings:
1. "Mommy"- Hey, I need your attention.
2. "MoMEEEEEE!"- Oh, I haven't seen you in a while.
3. "MoMEEEEEE! MoMEEEEEE! MoMEEEEEE! MoMEEEEEE!"- I want something.
This option can be directed to anyone and is not limited to me.
On the potty subject, A.E. is becoming increasingly aware of her bodily functions. She has gone three times today IN THE POTTY. No ACCIDENTS, yet...
(UPDATE: Six pee-pees in the potty, one accident during naptime, and zero poopies.)
Last week, I may have mentioned (or not) that there is nothing worse than a tantrum in a bathtub full of water. Yesterday, I found out what IS worse.
A tantrum whilst peeing on the potty. Five minutes before departure for church. Yuck and even more yuck on how I reacted.
Do you ever get sick and tired of dealing with the same sin in your life like I do? I get so frustrated with myself for continuing to make THE SAME MISTAKES over and over. I pray through the situation. I am patient through the situation. Okay, I'm making a change and then, ONE MORE LITTLE THING sets me back to the sinful self. Yuck.
So this afternoon, I wanted a little more insight into my sin "problem" or "relapse" if you will. I found several scriptures from Romans that helped me feel better about myself.
I won't be perfect; however, I am dead to sin.
"By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:2)
I am born into a sinful nature; man is sinful, but Christ is my remedy.
"Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:20)
As long as I call on my own will to keep from sinning, I will not succeed. But if I call on God's will, His grace will be present and increase.
"The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more." (Romans 5:20)
The easy answer always seems to be, "Grow closer to God and your path will be straight." Why isn't it easy? Why is it so hard? Because we so often rely on ourselves and even trick ourselves into thinking, "I've given that to God" when in reality, we are still clinging to that which grips us. My sin keeps getting in the way of my growing closer to Him.
Every once in a while, though, I am in the midst of dealing with a challenging situation and I can take a step back and just laugh. Sometimes I have to laugh with my hands over my mouth like tonight when A.E. threw a tantrum because I ate a piece of food off of her plate. She was under the table. Kicking legs. Slobber everywhere. Yes, I have a child who slobbers in a tantrum-like state. She kept on saying, "Just spit it out!"
"I'm sorry honey, I swallowed it already."
"BUT it was my perfect food!"
Crazy to hear from the child who won't eat. She would rather sit on the potty now than eat. Thankfully, we moved on. Unfortunately, the crazy dog jumped up on the table and ate the rest of the food on her plate. NO JOKE. I thought he might suffer A.E.'s wrath and she might cry, kick and slobber on him, but crisis averted.
Thank you to the Popcorn Ball from our party favor bag. Yesterday, we went to a birthday for sweet Shepherd who accompanied us to the Farmer's Market last week. Fun was had by all and the Popcorn Ball saved the day until...
The crazy dog ate it, too.
That poor sinner...
Location, Location, Location
The Farmer's Market is south of the city on 75. It's about 1 and 1/2 miles outside the perimeter. The exit says "Forest Park/ Farmer's Market." They'll have Christmas trees and a wide variety of poinsettas after Thanksgiving. Also, if you have any landscaping needs, the pansies are GORGEOUS! I also plan to go back for their wide selection of outdoor and indoor trees.
Phriday Photos
These are the pictures Stacy took on our trip yesterday to the Farmer's Market. Also, I just had to include some pictures of our holiday decorations...
Happy Early Halloween!
Happy Early Halloween!
Holy Mums!
Today was a blustery day. And we were out in it.
A.E. began her day at MMO, while H.J. and I went with a friend and her sweet son, Shepherd to the Farmer's Market. Today's goal was: mums and nuts. Stacy is getting ready for Shepherd's 1st Birthday Party, and I'm sure you'll be able to check out all her crafty and delicious ideas HERE next week. She even has a SNEAK PEEK of the day's fun up already.
Anyway, she wanted three mums, and I wanted one. We went in search of a buy-3-get-1-free deal, but we just found HUGE mums that would cost $20 at Publix for $8 each. Good deal.
I also found my nuts I've been wanting. I wanted walnuts and brazil nuts IN THE SHELL for a little decoration project I've been thinking about in my book of dreams. It's really just a 3-ring binder, but I DO have page protectors. Leftovers from my days as a high school teacher.
Stacy, Shepherd, H.J. and I ate a fabulous lunch at Five Guys. Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum.
POTTY UPDATE: A.E. did two pee-pees and one poopie in the potty yesterday. She earned the Sleeping Beauty doll she has been coveting on those daRn commercials. See below:
The dress lights up if you push the trinket on her necklace or if you slide any of the three fairies, Flora, Fauna, or Merriweather onto Aurora's hand. Each fairy turns her dress a different color. I find it odd that she actually has three/four names: Aurora-her birth name- which means "Dawn", Briar Rose- her secret identity whilst hidden in the woods with the three fairies-, and Sleeping Beauty- the title of the story. Hard to explain to a three-year-old.
Tomorrow I hope to show you the beautiful pictures Stacy took on our trip to the Farmer's Market. A-HEM. Phriday Photos. A-HEM. (Did you hear that, Stacy?) H.J. and Shep made quite a few print-worthy shots!
A.E. began her day at MMO, while H.J. and I went with a friend and her sweet son, Shepherd to the Farmer's Market. Today's goal was: mums and nuts. Stacy is getting ready for Shepherd's 1st Birthday Party, and I'm sure you'll be able to check out all her crafty and delicious ideas HERE next week. She even has a SNEAK PEEK of the day's fun up already.
Anyway, she wanted three mums, and I wanted one. We went in search of a buy-3-get-1-free deal, but we just found HUGE mums that would cost $20 at Publix for $8 each. Good deal.
I also found my nuts I've been wanting.
Stacy, Shepherd, H.J. and I ate a fabulous lunch at Five Guys. Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum.
POTTY UPDATE: A.E. did two pee-pees and one poopie in the potty yesterday. She earned the Sleeping Beauty doll she has been coveting on those daRn commercials. See below:
The dress lights up if you push the trinket on her necklace or if you slide any of the three fairies, Flora, Fauna, or Merriweather onto Aurora's hand. Each fairy turns her dress a different color. I find it odd that she actually has three/four names: Aurora-her birth name- which means "Dawn", Briar Rose- her secret identity whilst hidden in the woods with the three fairies-, and Sleeping Beauty- the title of the story. Hard to explain to a three-year-old.
Tomorrow I hope to show you the beautiful pictures Stacy took on our trip to the Farmer's Market. A-HEM. Phriday Photos. A-HEM. (Did you hear that, Stacy?) H.J. and Shep made quite a few print-worthy shots!
Wednesday's Word
It's Christmas time! It's Christmas time! Hooray!!!!
Mary Tabb got us all excited about creating a budget for our family's Christmas this year. When I say excited, I mean, I was excited. If you feel the same way I do, I'm at a point in our family's life where traditions are being passed down, created and remembered by our little angels. I feel like right now will be the easiest time to set parameters in the way of how and why we celebrate Christmas.
Mary began our lesson today by giving us some biblical background-always a good place to start!-on how to stay in line with our budgets and why God wants us to do so. First of all, going in debt is NOT a way to honor the birth of Jesus Christ! Too often, we let the world dictate how we celebrate His birth. The world is screaming at us, BUY, BUY, BUY. I have already been bombarded with commercials for the BEST toys and the BEST DVDs and the BEST dolls. I have been bombarded with catalogs showing me and my daughters what they HAVE to have for the world to be a peaceful place! And it's still October, folks.
The Bible tells us how to honor God. In Proverbs 3:9-10, God tells us that we are to honor him with our firstfruits and in return he will bless us until our barns are overflowing. Too often we are robbing God of what is rightfully his:
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
EEEEEWWWWW. Do you want a blessing or a curse? I don't know about you, but I'll take the former!
It's here that we are told to actually TEST GOD! So many families stretch themselves at this time of year and spend the ENTIRE next year struggling to pay for all the things they HAD to have to celebrate Jesus' birth. And what fun little thing comes along with the fun of debt? STRESS. And stress just don't do a family good. What do the relationships look like in a family who is stressed? Is dad happy when he comes home? Is mom able to give herself to her kids like she could if she were not so worried about the bills? A stressed-out Daddy makes a kid stress out and a stressed-out kid makes a Mama stress out!
When we take on debt in this world, we are essentially doing these things:
1. We're putting God second, or third, or even further down the list.
2. We're putting that person we owe money to before God.
3. We're limiting our ability to serve the Lord because we are serving someone else. (Proverbs 22:7-9)
Wow. That last one struck a chord in me because I've never thought about what twists and turns God may throw at our family. If we are tied down because of debt, what possibilities might we have to say no to? If we are called to the ministry by going on a global mission, if we are called to seminary, if we are called to change careers, will we be ready for God's calling? Will we be ready to say, "YES, God, I'm ready and excited to serve You, not this world and certainly not a credit card company."
Another slant: Are we serving leftovers to God? Are you giving Him the FIRSTFRUITS?For if we are giving our leftovers to God, then our blessings in return will be less. Remember the curse and the blessing?
Then good ole Matthew tells us,
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
So the world says, "Get" while the Bible says, "Give." It stands to argue that it is in our best interest to take care of others. We can't take our treasures with us, so we ought to invest in our eternal futures.
Now, the magi did bring gifts to Jesus, a King on Earth. Giving presents is good. Santa is fun. We had a fun time discussing that one. Are you lying to your children? Will they be forever scarred when they learn he's not real? The Answer: Pray. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to what is right for your family.
I had to leave early today, so I missed the actual budget-planning part of today's lesson. However, I think I've gotten in the right frame of mind to get started on our family's budget. Have you started to make YOUR list?
I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. We'll be discussing making meaningful traditions for your family that are Christ-centered. Getting in the spirit already! Who knew?
Mary Tabb got us all excited about creating a budget for our family's Christmas this year. When I say excited, I mean, I was excited. If you feel the same way I do, I'm at a point in our family's life where traditions are being passed down, created and remembered by our little angels. I feel like right now will be the easiest time to set parameters in the way of how and why we celebrate Christmas.
Mary began our lesson today by giving us some biblical background-always a good place to start!-on how to stay in line with our budgets and why God wants us to do so. First of all, going in debt is NOT a way to honor the birth of Jesus Christ! Too often, we let the world dictate how we celebrate His birth. The world is screaming at us, BUY, BUY, BUY. I have already been bombarded with commercials for the BEST toys and the BEST DVDs and the BEST dolls. I have been bombarded with catalogs showing me and my daughters what they HAVE to have for the world to be a peaceful place! And it's still October, folks.
The Bible tells us how to honor God. In Proverbs 3:9-10, God tells us that we are to honor him with our firstfruits and in return he will bless us until our barns are overflowing. Too often we are robbing God of what is rightfully his:
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
EEEEEWWWWW. Do you want a blessing or a curse? I don't know about you, but I'll take the former!
It's here that we are told to actually TEST GOD! So many families stretch themselves at this time of year and spend the ENTIRE next year struggling to pay for all the things they HAD to have to celebrate Jesus' birth. And what fun little thing comes along with the fun of debt? STRESS. And stress just don't do a family good. What do the relationships look like in a family who is stressed? Is dad happy when he comes home? Is mom able to give herself to her kids like she could if she were not so worried about the bills? A stressed-out Daddy makes a kid stress out and a stressed-out kid makes a Mama stress out!
When we take on debt in this world, we are essentially doing these things:
1. We're putting God second, or third, or even further down the list.
2. We're putting that person we owe money to before God.
3. We're limiting our ability to serve the Lord because we are serving someone else. (Proverbs 22:7-9)
Wow. That last one struck a chord in me because I've never thought about what twists and turns God may throw at our family. If we are tied down because of debt, what possibilities might we have to say no to? If we are called to the ministry by going on a global mission, if we are called to seminary, if we are called to change careers, will we be ready for God's calling? Will we be ready to say, "YES, God, I'm ready and excited to serve You, not this world and certainly not a credit card company."
Another slant: Are we serving leftovers to God? Are you giving Him the FIRSTFRUITS?For if we are giving our leftovers to God, then our blessings in return will be less. Remember the curse and the blessing?
Then good ole Matthew tells us,
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
So the world says, "Get" while the Bible says, "Give." It stands to argue that it is in our best interest to take care of others. We can't take our treasures with us, so we ought to invest in our eternal futures.
Now, the magi did bring gifts to Jesus, a King on Earth. Giving presents is good. Santa is fun. We had a fun time discussing that one. Are you lying to your children? Will they be forever scarred when they learn he's not real? The Answer: Pray. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to what is right for your family.
I had to leave early today, so I missed the actual budget-planning part of today's lesson. However, I think I've gotten in the right frame of mind to get started on our family's budget. Have you started to make YOUR list?
I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. We'll be discussing making meaningful traditions for your family that are Christ-centered. Getting in the spirit already! Who knew?
Proof That My Husband IS As Funny As Will Ferrell
Warning: Picture Overload!
Sisters Working Together
A.E. In Search Of The Perfect Cinderella Pumpkin
One Of My Current Favorite Pics
Gone, Sleeping Beauty
A.E.'s new training panties-she does not always wear them correctly
Grandpa Jones' Pumpkin Patch
Collosal Pumpkins
Sisters Working Together
Papa Pulls Our Pumpkins
A.E.'s Perfectly Round Find
H.J.'s Helping
A.E. In Search Of The Perfect Cinderella Pumpkin
Chasing Through The Corn Rows
An H.J.-size Pumpkin
The Pig Hill Of Fame
Col. Poole Himself Greets H.J.
The Pigmobile
Col. Poole Entertains- you can see the life-size cutout of him on the left side of the photo wearing the same suit!
The "Angry" Pig, As A.E. Called It
One Of My Current Favorite Pics
Getting Painted
Following Directions Well
Checking Out The Finished Princess
A.E. Trying To Keep H.J. Away From The Deer
Daddy Tries to Fit
The Girls Ready To Ride The Train
Nana Fit In The Train
Clogging Ladies-?????????????
Camels For Your Riding Pleasure
Camel Taking a Rest
Up Close with Camel
Going
Going
Gone, Sleeping Beauty
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