Fun Day of Spending

The last 2 posts of the week are late because hubby has had the past 2 days off from work.  After 2-3 weeks of very long days, he needed some rest.  We spent Thursday at home working on projects and then on Friday we got the itch to go out.  So after lunch we started to drive.  We were headed to the mountains for some relief from the heat and humidity, when hubby suggested a stop at the Discount Grocery Store.  This is basically a store filled with food that was refused by "real" stores because of dents, tears, or "sell by" dates.  I love this store.  Salad dressing for 29 cents,  Triscuits for 50 cents per box.  Hubby found some "Pot of Gold" chocolates for 99 cents yesterday.  Anyway, when we fiished there, we needed to take some things home, so the mountains were OUT!  We headed to Gastonia to go shopping with some birthday money that hubby had been given.  It ends up that we hit a great sale and tax free weekend.  He ended up with a whole new outfit (pants, shirt, tie) and a candle for his wife with the given money.  Then when we checked out, the clerk gave us a coupon that left us with $8 on the gift card.  We still haven't spent that, but what a gift a blessing from the Lord!  Then we hit Subway to finish using a birthday gift card there as we shared a $5 foot long.  Then on to McDonalds to use 2 Free coupons for smoothies or Frappes.  Then onto Sonic for a free Slushie (they also gave us another coupon for a free Rte 44 to use in the future).  There are those who complain about frugal living, and perhaps I slip more than I should, but there are many days when it is rewarding, exciting, and an adventure!

A relief from stress

For many years (OK, probably about 20), I have had an increasing problem with tremors, nerves, and heart disturbances.  Many a friend and family member has asked, "Why are you shaking?" "Are you nervous about something?" Sundays were becoming the worst day with the increased pressure of music responsibilities in two services. What was manageable for many years was becoming incapacitating.  Exercise, diet, removal of caffeine were no longer seeming to help.  Doctor's appointments showed no problems without a barrage of costly tests.  The past year has been a great struggle with more rough days than good days.  I described the problem to hubby as living in "fight or flight" mode almost constantly.  This quite often left me with NO energy to do the things that I needed to do or wanted to do. 

The Lord has been gracious.  While researching a prescription drug that a friend had told me about, I came across something called Magnesium Deficiency.  After reading the description and discovering that it was hard to overdose on the mineral, I decided to try supplementing.  Wow!  What a difference it has made.  I have had 4 weeks of energy and Sundays have been much less debilitating.  I am so amazed that our bodies are so masterfully made that the slightest imbalance can create very poor health.  I am thankful for a God who leads our steps and cares for us.  I am thankful for natural remedies to many health problems. 

Colossians 1:16b-17

all things were created by him, and for him:

And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.

...and is kind; ...

Last week,  we looked at the characteristic of love that we call patience or long suffering.  It is a continual, patient enduring of offense.  Now, lest I get cocky and say that I will endure in silence, but I am doing nothing extra in my home while the offense continues or until the offense is made right; Paul continues to describe charity as kind.  It is going out of my way to do something nice for someone else.  Here is some ACTION!  How will I do this today?  You know that pile of farm dirt that has accumulated at the front door and drives hubby crazy ... I will sweep it up before he gets home!  I can have the clippers ready and the counter cleared when he is ready to give himself a hair cut tonight.  I can plan meals that I know he really likes.  Get the idea?  Do something kind to show your love today!

In addition to looking for ways to show love through kind actions, I am continuing a cross stitch project - I am about 1/3 of the way done.  Must get going ... this one has a deadline!

Unnecessary gods

Psalm 81:10

I am the LORD thy God,

which brought thee out of the land of Egypt:

open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

This psalm was written about the children of Israel, but my God is still the same gracious and giving God today.  He asked His children to listen to Him, to turn from other gods and He would abundantly bless.  How often do you evaluate the "gods" in your life?  Since being married, I have seen the need to give up the god of television and the god of facebook along with the god of unnecessary shopping.  These are not a problem for everyone, but they stole time or money that should have belonged to God.  I have to be careful not to serve the "garden god" or the "home god" or even the "hubby god" or "service god" and cut out the God who gives me these things to enjoy.  I see the blessings of God each day and wonder how much more He wants to give when I give EVERYTHING over to Him.

Fruit Salsa with Ginger Chips

I came across this recipe while looking for healthy recipes for church gatherings.  I so appreciate when others bring dishes that show a concern for my health and my waistline.  Of course, I still have to exhibit the characteristic of moderation or temperance at buffet-style meals, but what a blessing others have been to me, and I hope to be to them by choosing healthy alternatives!  This is also a cool snack during the hot months and the drained pineapple juice can be added to iced tea for a special cooling treat.

Fruit Salsa with Ginger Chips

1 can (20 oz) unsweetened crushed pineapple

1 large mango or 2 medium peaches, peeled and chopped

2 medium kiwifruit, peeled and chopped

1/4 c chopped macadamia nuts

4 1/2 tsp brown sugar

4 1/2 tsp flaked coconut

8 flour tortillas (8 inches)

1 Tbls water

1/4 c sugar

1-2 tsp ground ginger

Drain pineapple, reserving 3 Tbls juice.  In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, mango, kiwi, nuts, brown sugar, coconut, and reserved juice.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

For chips, lightly brush one side of each tortilla with water.  Combine sugar and ginger; sprinkle over the moistened side of tortillas.  Cut each into 6 wedges.  Place in a a single layer on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 400* for5-7 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.  Cool on wire racks.  Serve with salsa.

Makes 12 servings.  1/4 c salsa and 4 chips equals 190 calories.  (Whole wheat tortillas would be even better)

Hubby also encouraged me to make the "chips" with cinnamon, or with a variety of spices (garlic powder, basil, oregano, Parmesan, ...) just for a snack.  Have some FUN!

Busy Week

It is hard to believe that it is Friday already.  Since last Friday, hubby has worked 72 hours, so it has been a busy week.  It was nice to spend the day with a friend on Tuesday to help to pass the long day while hubby worked.  I also started a big sewing project on Wednesday.  It is going well, but it definitely makes a mess.  I try to have the mess cleaned up before hubby reappears!  I am headed out this afternoon to get just a little more fabric - the pattern needed a little "tweaking," but I did not realize it until I had the pieces cut out.  I am not sure how long the crazy silage cutting hours will last, but am definitely looking forward to being back to a school schedule when I can see hubby more! 

The summer, so far, has provided a time to continue to learn and grow - Christ's school does not have to end for summer vacation.  There continues to be cleansing and stretching and expanding of our faith, if we allow Him to work. 

I hope to get a lot more done on my sewing project this weekend -- maybe there will be pictures soon :)  Also looking forward to our Day of rest and time with fellow believers on Sunday. 

Have a great weekend!

God is good all the time ... All the time, God is good

I am thankful for two things today!  The first is a silly thing, I suppose, but I want to appreciate the simple things.  Around the 4th of July, watermelons were on sale.  Hubby and I both LOVE a good watermelon and it is such a part of Summer.  Hubby and I bought one and enjoyed it immensely. We planned to get another one before the sale ended, but the week got away from us. Since then prices have been back to normal and we have left the watermelons in the store.  I understand why they are priced as they are after trying to protect them from cut worm and squash bugs and I figured we had enjoyed our watermelon for the season.  On Sunday, we had one of our dear friends over for lunch ... he brought us a watermelon as a hostess gift.  Then on Monday, hubby came home with another watermelon.  It seems that the farmer that they were cutting silage for gave each of the workers a homegrown watermelon ... WooHoo!  God provides are needs and some of our wants.

We have also been praising God for consistent work on the farm.  In early June, we wondered if Chris would need to find more work due to a lack of tasks on the farm.  He has had a full week every week except one and this week He has already had 52 hours in only 4 days of work.  The dry weather has been hard on my garden but it has been a blessing for work.  Often corn is not cut here until the end of August and early September and hubby misses out on the extra hours because he is back in school.  This year they are cutting early.  Praise the Lord for His faithful provision.

Longsuffering

I Corinthians 13:4a

Charity suffereth long,...

So have you thought much about true love this week in your home?  Have you tried to have a selfless love?  In the definition of charity, one of the traits of this amazing love is longsuffering.  Hubby analyzed this word last week in Sunday School.  It is the act of enduring offenses repeatedly for an unmeasured time.  I have talked to wives who have lost this aspect of love.  Instead of enduring offenses, they want to recount offenses.  It is my job to endure.  What do you need to endure?  Is it the dirty clothes that don't make it to the laundry hamper or laundry room?  Is it dirty boots through the nice clean kitchen?  Is it a pile of paperwork that never seems to disappear?  Maybe it is a habit that you find annoying?  The point is that true love will continue to move the dirty laundry, rescrub the kitchen floor, work around the pile of papers and look past the annoying habit.  By the way, don't you like when your hubby is longsuffering towards you.  I am glad that hubby doesn't throw me overboard for ironing "summer creases" into his clothes - you some are here and "summer" there.  I am glad he is patient when the clothes are quite folded to military specs.  I am glad that he is patient when dinner is burned, dried out, or just plain BAD! 

In addition to working on the trait of longsuffering.  I plan to sew today.  I cut out a formal dress (a skirt and two tops) on Monday and hope to get the skirt sewn today.  I also have started a blanket for a baby gift and need to start a wedding cross-stitch very shortly. 

Have good day!

Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth:

but God is the strength of my heart,

and my portion for ever.

***

Rest in Him today.

He only can uphold you.

Homemade Gatorade

Ingredients for Gatorade

Well, testing has been underway for about 3 weeks, and I think that I can endorse this recipe.  About 3 weeks ago, hubby came home and said that he would need to buy some Gatorade because he would be working with concrete in the direct sun for a full day.  AAHH! says the wife.  A days worth of Gatorade would cost about 1 hour of work at the farm, if not more.  So, I got busy googling and came across a recipe for homemade Gatorade.  I personally think the concoction (even the real stuff) tastes nasty, but it has been tested by two farm hands working 10+ hours in high 90's heat and passed with flying colors.  The packets can be purchased for anywhere from 7 - 20 cents and the NoSalt is an initial investment, but will go A LONG way.  I figure 3 bottles of Gatorade for less than 20 cents is a good deal!

Homemade Gatorade

1 pkg unsweetened koolaid

1/2 c sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp salt substitute (No Salt)

2 qts water

The salt and salt substitute are added to give it the electrolytes that a sports drink typically has.  Hubby has tried lemon-lime, grape, orange, kiwi watermelon, and fruit punch.  So far, the orange is the favorite.