Frugal Tip - Grocery Shopping

I've had this great idea on saving money at the grocery store that I haven't shared with very many people. Our local grocery store has BOGO sales on a weekly basis. Most bigger chain stores have these types of sales.

Grab a friend or family member and shop only the BOGO sales. Plan your meals around them for the week. When you are done shopping, split the food down the middle and the bill. In the long run, it will save you quite a bit of money and your not stuck with unnecessary amounts of food.

Another tip...if you're struggling with the finances and need to cut grocery costs to get by, check out www.angelfoodministries.com and purchase their $30 deal. $65 worth of food for $30!

Hello, 2009!

I am so thankful to be able to begin yet another year. As I reflect on how 2008 went, I think about some of the things that I've learned throughout the year. The one thing that stands out the most is the importance of my faith and being involved in church and ministry that affects people outside of the church.

I can honestly say that I have never found a church that was perfect. I've heard it said and I agree that if you find a perfect church, stay away from it! Humans are imperfect, thus we can expect a church to be imperfect. There have been a few disappointments that I've faced this past year with both churches that I attended while in Louisiana and then while back home. At the time of disappointment, I had this "me" mentality where it was all about how I felt and what the church did for me. Worship was all about me and how it made me feel. Then I came across this video and was convicted. Worship is not about what we get out of it. God didn't put us here on earth to make us feel good every time we sang worship songs. We were put here to worship HIM! Like the video mentions, if they play songs we like, "it was a good worship time," but if they don't, "what happened with worship today?"

I am thankful to be part of the body of Christ, and grateful to be part of a church. Did you know that the church is mentioned 28 times between Matthew and Romans? Now it wasn't always church as a building, but church as in the body of Christ. I've been struggling with thinking I can make it on my own and teach myself through studying my Bible, but how many times did I pick up my Bible this past week? 0 times. I had the intention but just got too busy. That's another thing that gets in the way between me and God...busyness.

I want to spend more time alone with God in studying my Bible, but I also want to be more involved in the church. How can I share the talents and giftings God gave me with others in a way that will glorify Him? After all, He gave me those talents and gifts...and I whole-heartedly believe He gave me them for the purpose of me using them for Him.

Just some random ramblings...and desires for my life right now.

Baby It's Cold Outside...

Yeah, snow! I was so excited to look out the window and see the big flakes beginning to accumulate on the neighbors' roofs. This is my first snow that I've seen since last December when we came home to IL for a quick visit and to get Rusty. I remember when my friend's son was throwing snow up in the air in front of our house and then all of a sudden it began to snow as his snow was falling to the ground. I told him that he made it snow and he was pretty excited.

I'm thankful to be back in a place where we have four seasons but wish I could still enjoy snow from the comfort of 80 degree weather. :)