Happy Mail

In between the spring cleaning,

I also worked on Happy Mail last week.

I experimented at Valentine's Day by sending a "happy mail" to hubby's work.

It was a success.

It also had all the women at work a "buzzin'"

Poor hubby.

He wasn't said about the contents though.

 ~ a little note for inside the happy mail ~

 We haven't met many of the recipients yet,

but we are praying for them and look forward to meeting them at the end of the semester.

~ a gatorade, soda, or tea bottle filled with candy, juice mix, beef stick, granola bar ~

You can see the slit (look at the "K") where I cut it nearly in half to fill it.

7 "happy mails" headed to NC, FL, AK, and WI.

The slit is taped closed and then covered with the shipping label.

I had to borrow an empty mailbox along with my own.

I would have loved to see the postman's face when she picked up the mail.

And another treat for the locals during midterms.

A little encourage mint ...

I taped the label to the roll of mints,

rolled it up,

and sealed it closed.

When the Tables are Turned

What Fun!

We received Happy Mail today.

I have organized many packages to folks far from home,

but this time, we were on the receiving end.

Happy Mail / Housewarming fun from our church in NC.

Thank you to ALL involved ... and the proper written thanks will be on the way.

There were gluten-free treats,

cleaning products,

notes of love and encouragement,

gift cards,

a WOODWICK CANDLE (in my favorite apple scent),

and wall art (which is much appreciated since we have a lot of walls in the new place).

The encouragement is much appreciated!

50% Reduction!

 On Friday, we had a huge answer to our prayers

(and hopefully yours too).

I was checking Penske rates - and our "all in" across the country was reduced by 50%!

Not only that ... it was the bigger truck which will cut down on last-minute decisions and sales

(and possibly stressed-wife tears).

I booked a truck - for our best guess date to our best guess town.

It can be canceled for free and changed for free - though any changes could incur rate changes as well.

I will continue to check prices ... and we can all continue to pray, 

But we are thankful for a prayer-hearing God and His answers.

My dear friend left her earthly body on Friday night.

We are thankful that she is out of pain and rejoicing in heaven tonight.

Though we are still in the winter fog and grey.

We have also had some breaks in the rain - Happy Day!

Hubby and I were able to run together on Saturday

and then separately today!

What a difference that makes in our health and dispositions.

Hubby has also been helped by having at least 2 weeks to teach.

It is a life-giving activity for him as it is for me.

It is also good to hear feedback of people taking things to heart

and being convicted by God's Word.

This week has little out of the ordinary.

One trip to Eugene with a friend,

but primarily cleaning around the house.

I also get to mail some "happy mail" this week to the winners of the Saran Wrap Game.

And now for this week's menu ...

SUNDAY:  Leftover Winter Vegetable Soup

MONDAY:  Salmon with Fennel and Chickpeas

TUESDAY:  Blackened Chicken Bowl

WEDNESDAY:  Breakfast for Dinner (Quinoa Patties, Eggs, Avocado, Smoothies)

THURSDAY:  Minestrone

FRIDAY:  Fish and French Fry Fix

SATURDAY:  Power Bowls and Leftover Minestrone

Lunches included leftover Chicken Soup, Burritos, Twice Baked Potato and Chili, Homemade Pizza.

Celebrate Early

I love Valentine's Day.

I love the hearts.

I love the sentiments.

I love celebrating love.

Last week, I mailed off the goodie boxes.

Today, I delivered to college mail boxes.

And today, I celebrate with hubby (Wednesday nights are a little rushed).

We started with heart shaped biscuits to go with our eggs for breakfast..

Then some special "happy mail" arrived at work for hubby.

(more on that in a later post)

Tonight,

large chef salads (with some heart shaped ham)

and

tiramisu cream puffs!

We will exchange small gifts

and enjoy each other's company.

Christmas Game of the Year

 If you have been reading for any amount of time,

you know that I usually send a Christmas game to my brothers' families.

They have gone on Photo Scavenger hunts,

played scattegories,

played rock - paper - scissors to choose progressive dinner locations,

they have also had Yankee swap-type activities.

This year, I found a new game idea.

It was the Saran Wrap game.

Basically, I purchased many little treats

and wrapped them into a large Saran Wrap ball.

And then the families took turns unwrapping the treats along with activity cards.

The game is mostly what you make of it,

and from what I saw ... they definitely enhanced the fun of it!

I received good feedback and would definitely put together something like this if I was planning a Sunday School or youth Christmas party ... or an anytime party actually.

In the end, the families were to divide the treats fairly evenly

and I will mail out special happy mail in the new year to the 3 "winners."

Sure am hoping that the internet continues to spark the creativity each year!

March Update

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week  (you all can attest to this one)

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February. 

(this is really helping me)
Read through the Bible in the year. (On track)

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.  (failed)

(considering printing these out and taking them on my walks)

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).
(nothing this month)

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily. 

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)
(Added 17 in February (short by one) for a total of 73 lessons)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.
(Read 2 whole and 2 half - finished book on the home and started a new one, read one on Charles Dickens, 1 on Eleanor of Aquitaine)

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.
(on schedule to have text done by end of may)

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.  (at least 1 per week - easier in nicer weather)

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day. (Improvement seen)

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.  (sent out happy mail and almost daily notes during midterms)

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).
(4 for the month)

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.  (got in 3 - 2 groups of students and one family)

Find a place of ministry.
(still focusing on encouragement for others)

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.  (it is still organized as we speak!)

Some Change

Multiple Meanings Ahead

It seems like there is change occurring all around us each day.

New rules, new policies, new stats ...

Right now America is going through a change shortage.

The signs in the store requiring exact change or credit and debit only are odd.

I am still earning some change daily.

If you have been reading long, you know that I love my Fitbit.

They should hire me to be an Ambassador for them.

I love the accountability and the challenge it gives me.

It has helped me to learn about my health and fitness.

Did you know that it tells me when I am getting sick?

Yes, my resting heart rate will skyrocket (at least 5 beats per minute)  a day or so before I go down.

The Fitbit also earns me money!

There is a website that lets you earn money for tracking your steps, your weight, your food, your water.

Whether you use a Fitbit, a Garmin, myfitnesspal, mapmyrun...

you just link it and earn points.

I earn about 500 points a week,

and after I earn 10,000 points,

they deposit $10 into my Paypal account.

Since we have two trackers in the house,

it is a fun little surprise every couple of months.

We have used the Achievement website for over 3 years with no problems.

If you are interested (and comfortable with the sharing of this type of information) and sign up using one of the links below, both of us get 100 points.

http://tinyurl.com/yxquyjfl

http://tinyurl.com/us4whla

And while we are on the topic,

hubby and I updated our trackers earlier in the year.

We have two trackers that are still perfectly usable and with multiple bands for each.

Check them out ... the Alta HR and the Charge HR

If you are interested, just comment or get in touch with me by text or email if you know me personally.

We would be happy to mail them off!

We will send them individually

but would be happy if they helped a couple or a family to challenge each other😀

**UPDATE**
the trackers have been claimed!

Still Working on Things!

Well, I am back from a Wednesday shopping trip.  Not a lot to get today, but RiteAid was "giving away" a lot of cold, flu, sore throat, allergy supplies.  I spent $32 and plan to get $31 back!  If I had not left my $5 off coupon, I could have made $4 just by going!  I also found some flower bulbs 1/2 price at Wally-world and look forward to some early Spring color around the trailer (if I can decide where to plant them).  I got some tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, anemones, and dad is bringing me some crocus bulbs from NY in a few weeks.

What other woman's work am I up to ... I am happy to report that the first draft of hubby's research paper is now turned in, so I have a few weeks off from editing and formatting.  Now I am on to skirt and night gown making for a niece in NY, finishing a blanket that I started crocheting in WA, and making Possibles Bags for a few old-time hunters that I know.  I guess the sewing machine will be busy for a little while. 

As I sit down to type, I can see how God continues to work in my life.  Recently, I was challenged about giving to God and others - even when things look tight.  As a family, we "tested" God and He has again proven faithful.  A check came in the mail at the end of that month for some of my piano students.  I didn't require payment, but God used their grandmother anyway!  Our God is AWESOME!

I am still working on those meek and quiet spirit robbers with some successes and many more failures.  Sometimes I battle the physical body which does not always have the energy that I think it should have.  Recently, it has been changes in MY schedule.  I am still learning that my time is not my own, it should all be for the Lord.  Unexpected school assignments, changes in visitation plans, no car when I think that I need to run somewhere ... why should these upset me?

In the process of submitting my time to Him, He has also blessed.  Hubby got to come home early yesterday because the class hour was talking about dating - his teacher told him to go home and keep dating his wife.  Plenty of oohs and aahs from the Freshman around him.  We got to take a run together before lunch and then before bed last night we had some pumpkin cheesecake and a cup of coffee!  Ah!  Peaceful moments...  Hubby also came home from work on Saturday early because there was nothing more to do.  He finished his schoolwork and we used a giftcard from his birthday and a coupon from the paper for a "Free" meal at Olive Garden.  Oh, and on the way home we picked up an kiddie cone at Chik-fil-A with a free coupon!  What a date night!

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.