The Happy Girl!

She brightens my days!!! Got a kick out of her hair this day!

At the office visiting Daddy!
Yes! That is Tom surfing , he went today and had a blast since the rain brought in some nice waves.....

More than just a hobby

When I first began doing this coupon thing a few months ago, I thought, "what a great way to save money for our family!" And it has been. I have seen our grocery bill go down dramatically...but God has been pricking my heart lately concerning this hobby and I wanted to share it with you.

Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you that I have always been a scrimper and saver. Maybe it is because I grew up with little possessions, maybe I inherited some of it from my parents, who knows? But I have always looked at those who gave freely of their possessions to others in need with a bit of envy. I wished that I could give so easily and hold my possessions with an open hand. Don't get me wrong, I understand that these are God's possessions and I am simply a steward over them during my lifetime but something always held me back. Thus, embarking on this coupon hobby has been an eye-opener for me because it has helped me realize how much fear (and lack of trust in God's provision) I hold inside me. What if I give "X" to someone and need it later? This is my logical brain working. But God doesn't want me to be logical. He wants me to trust Him.

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 — “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ ” [quoting Psalms 112:9]

Acts 4:32, 34-35 — “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

I remember when I was in grad school taking classes, I was struggling to pay the tuition and commuting 1 hour (one way) because I couldn't afford to pay for an apartment in Princeton. A certain sister decided to give generously to me and gave me enough to room with two other girls in an apartment near the school for the whole last semester I was there. What an amazing example of Acts 4 she was to me at that moment!

Now, when I get an item for cheap or free that I don't necessarily need or I already have enough of, I can think, "who needs this item? Who could I give it to?" This is not to pat myself on the back, but rather to share with you that God is working on my heart in this. I can freely admit, this has been an area of weakness for me for most of my life and it has been such a wonderful blessing that God has been using to teach me that I can and should give to others.

Waiting

I love the old song, "the Lord is good, the Lord is good...and blessed is the man, who puts his trust in Him." What a wonderful promise to rest in! These past few months have been ones of waiting. Mostly waiting on things to happen with Tom's job. But we have also been waiting to look at houses to buy until we find out what will happen. It has been hard to be patient and wait. Especially when life seems like it is on hold. Tom is much better at it than I. I have much to learn from him when it comes to this. Although I am happy with my life and where we live, I want to see what will happen, I'm impatient for the change to happen!

But to rest in God's promises is a freeing thing that I must relinquish the desire for control! Scripture encourages us to "trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all of your ways, acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:4,5) God's plan is so much better than mine could ever be!

Thankfully, things have been busy in our home, which keeps my mind off thinking about the "what ifs." Tom returned home from his trip with all kinds of stories of adventures and a promise to take us on his next trip. :) I have been enjoying getting outside and about with Kira. Last week was the first time I took her out to a park and although she can't walk yet, she enjoys being in the baby swing and being outside. We have now been to a park 5 times together and it has been fun for me to start doing things outside the home with her. I also enrolled her in a "mother goose story time" at our local free library. It is specifically for children ages 6-24 months and the woman who runs it not only reads baby books but also sings and has the mothers place their babies in their laps to imitate her while she is singing and acting out the nursery rhymes.

Some more highlights from last week:

Went to visit my sister AMY last week at her place of work, a recreation center. This place was HUGE and I had a great time as always being with my wonderful family. Amy even held Kira in the pool for a little bit which was neat. Unfortunately, she couldn't stay in long b/c her skin is very sensitive to chemicals she started to have a reaction to the chlorine. Mom helped me rinse her off in the shower and she seemed a little better after that.

Have been blessed in addition to all this with the opportunity to rekindle an old friendship recently with a girl my age who has two small children. Had a fun "playdate" with herv on Friday and spent lunch at her house visiting and chatting.

I leave you with one more thought...

Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7a Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: