A Time To Save

These days, as it seems that more money is going out than is coming in, I've started a list of ways to keep a little extra cash in your pocket. Steal as many of these ideas as you like and make them your own! Feel free to add to the list if you'd like.

1.) If it's yellow, let it mellow!! If's it's brown, flush it down!

2.) Siphon gas from your neighbor's tank. Never pay at the pump again!!

3.) Take your bagged trash out to the dumpster, empty the contents of the bag, then return your now empty bag to your household trash can for round two! (or three... or four... you get the point)

and

4.) go HERE to print off a coupon for a free bag of chips from Flat Earth. (thanks Nichole!)

Celebrate!!

Did you know that the week of February 11 is "Random Acts of Kindness Week"?

I didn't want anyone to not get the memo. =]

You still have three week days left.

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

Evolution Of The Soul

for the last two semesters I have attended a ladies morning bible study at a church here in town. (many of you reading my blog already know this.) This semester started this past thursday and we were given an introduction to the small groups that were being offered and were able to sign up for which one we wanted to be in. The class that I wanted to be in most had a limit of 17 people and we found out after sign ups that that class was the most requested. So, I didn't think that my odds of getting in that class were very high. I was, however, trusting that God would know what I needed most this semester and would put me in the class that HE wants me in and if I'd gotten put in my second or third choice I would have been more than ok with that.

Fast forward to this morning...

I got an email from the leader of the class that I'd requested as my first choice. Yay! She said that 29 people ended up signing up for that class and they felt that God was telling them something there and couldn't turn anyone away. Awesome! She also mentioned though that they had only pre-ordered 17 books for the class because they hadn't expected such a big class. She said that the books were available at the church's bookstore and listed the hours that the bookstore is open. Well, this particular church happenes to have a Saturday evening service along with two Sunday morning services, and the bookstore is open at 6:15 on Saturday nights. I literally live just around the corner from the church so after dinner tonight I got the kids in the car and headed down to the church building with the intention of going in, getting the book and workbook, and going back home. I had NOT intended to stay for Saturday evening's service. (Just for the sake of the story.... I was wearing jeans that needed to be washed, a ratty t-shirt under a fleece jacket, no make-up, my glasses, and my hair was thrown up in a messy ponytail under a ball cap. Levi was wearing sweat pants and SANDALS!!! Audrey was the only one of us who looked half decent, but she had pizza sauce all over her shirt from dinner.)

Fast forward to 6:15 tonight...

I explain to Levi where we were going and made it clear that we were "ONLY GOING IN TO GET THE BOOK AND GOING RIGHT BACK HOME. WE WERE NOT STAYING." He said he understood me.

Does anyone see where I am heading with this yet??

We get into the church building and at this point it's 6:20 and the parking lot is full. Apparently Saturday evening's service starts at 6:30. Who knew?? So Levi sees all of these kids being checked into the Oh-So-Cool kids program and asks me if we can stay and if he can go to bible class. I knelt down, feeling horrible, and told him that we were going to go to "our church" in the morning and that I hadn't planned on staying at church tonight so, no, we were going home. He got a horribly distraught look on his face and in the sweetest little boy voice possible says to me "pleeeeease mom? Can I go to my class here?" (he LOVES it at this church, by the way.) At this point I'm thinking to myself that you can't say no to a kid begging to go to church! there's something wrong about that. I felt like God was wanting me to stay and my heart was being tugged... but I said ok and we stayed. Who am I to deny God tapping on my shoulder and whispering in my ear "stay Becky, and worship with me tonight."

So I took the kids to their classes and I walked into the auditorium. Head held low to find a spot at the very back where no one would notice me.

and then service started.

Tonight was the last of four series they had been doing called "Evolution Of The Soul." The first week in the series had focused on "seeker to believer." The second week in the series had focused on "believer to disciple." The third week in the series had focused on "receiver to giver." And now tonight they were wrapping it up with "giver to mentor."

In my sporitual journey I have moved from seeker to believer to disciple to receiver to giver.... and tonight I was challenged to take it to the next step of mentor. The pastor gave four reasons why a mature christian might be hesitant to take that next step...

but then he showed us this verse in II Timothy 2:2 that says "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

*points at self*

I'M ONE OF THOSE QUALIFIED MEN HE SPEAKS OF!!!!

I know the truth. I like to think that I'm a mature Christian. So, what keeps me from letting my light shine more than I do??

Good question.



The worship team sang that song tonight. It is called "Let Your Light Shine" by Bethany Dillon. I was so spoken to tonight that I walked out of the auditorium wanting to bawl my eyes out. I thought that while the kids were in their classes still I'd go back into the bookstore and look around peacefully... but had to leave the bookstore before I completely lost it.

Just goes to show that you don't have to be dressed in your Sunday finest to get a word from God. I got mine tonight in jeans and a ratty t-shirt.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for always knowing better than I do. Thank you for putting me in that place at that time tonight to hear what you wanted me to hear. Lord, I pray that you can help me to overcome my own selfishness and fears to be able to shine like the light that YOU have made me to be. Lord, I love you. My Savior and Redeemer.
In Jesus name,
Amen


*edit*
If you are interested you can go HERE to read/hear the first three in the series and check back for updates. Tonight's sermon will be added.

Audrey In Action

I just had to share this picture of Audrey. While we were in Washington, Audrey was wearing this little cowboy hat of her cousin's and Uncle was taking pics. She gave this pose all on her own!!



We joked that it had been like a photo shoot and he'd said "ok, now give me the sexy cowgirl look."

Such a diva!!!!

Following In Mom's Footsteps!

The other day I was reading in my bedroom while Audrey took a nap and Levi played with wooden blocks in the living room . Levi came into my room and told me that he'd built a church out of his blocks and he wanted me to come and see it. I couldn't help but take a picture.

My little architect!!!!! =]

Washington - A Recap In Pics

My sister in law made this slideshow of SOME of the probably close to 500 pics that we took while in visiting them in Washington State.

Thanks Stephanie!!

Enjoy!!

Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop

well guys...
it's that time of the year again!!
time for the Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop!!



I am SOOOO excited. The workshop is ALWAYS a good time!!
This year the dates are March 27-29... and the theme is prayer... which i'm PUMPED about because that is something I struggle with.
Check out the website. On the left hand side there is a link to the schedule so you can see all the seminars being offered that weekend. You can choose to attend as many or as little as you want... and there is childcare!!
Also, there are tons of booths with people selling gifts and books to re-stock your spiritual library... which I always love.
I'm for sure planning on going this year. If any of you want to attend we can make a road trip out of it!! Let me know!!

Oh... I forgot to mention that registration is free! and Sunday morning church with thousands of people attending is always awesome.
Also, Friday or Saturday night there is usually some sort of concert entertainment. Looks like this year the entertainment will be Jeff Walling (AWESOME!) and the Memorial Singers.