My Blessed Cottage
TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
July 24, 2008
VERSE:
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of
this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-- Romans 7:24-25
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+7:24-25&translation=kjv
THOUGHT:
Our bodies are mortal and flawed. They are tainted with our
weakness and sin. But, by the grace of God given us in Jesus
Christ, our future does not rest in the dust with our bodies, but
in the power of our perfecting Lord.
PRAYER:
Almighty God, thank you for giving me life beyond the death of
my mortal flesh. Thank you for giving me holiness beyond my
sin-stained flesh. Thank you for delivering me from death and
bringing me into your glory. Now, dear Father, may my words, deeds,
and thoughts reflect your grace and power in all I do today and
each day that follows. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20080724&ver=kjv
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Free Potholder Patterns...TipNut
Here’s a fun freebie download, it’s a set of six different panhol potholders. 
Free Potholder Patterns...TipNut
Some GREAT info!
Sharing the Good News!!!
The newest addition to the Simply Frugal series of books has recently been released; Simply Frugal Electric Skillet Recipes. I have had SO much feedback on this book, there may be a hike in stock of the companies that manufacture electric skillets!!! WAHOO! That is too much fun! I LOVE hearing from all of you. As always, I am offering this at a LOW introductory price!!! You DON'T want to miss out on this BIG savings!
There is a SOOOOO Much many more wonderful deals to tell you about, I am just busting!!!
Ok, In the Hands of a Child is having a FABULOUS sale on their new Olympic 2008 lapbook!
In the Hands of a Child Featured Unit
Now thru August 15, 2008
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Super Members at In the Hands of a Child Receive Super Benefits!
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Everyone Saves at In the Hands of a Child!
Basic Members Save 25% off the regular price!
Special does not apply to prior purchases. Good on eBook, Printed and CD formats.
There's Still MORE to tell you!!!
So Keep Reading!
Look What I just got from Cindy!
She has just introduced a super new set for those who want (or need) real help getting organized for the new school year. She is "pumped" ( isn't she always?) about having it all online right in time to help you get ready for your new school year.
This set is amazing! It includes two bonuses that are normally cost more than the price of the set:
1. Organization 911 Seminar Set (over 24 audio sessions!)
2. Let's Get Organized Seminar Set (Cindy's newest audio set!)
Actually, Cindy told me that she is so excited that she decided to share a sneak peek into some of the goodies included in this set.
Anyway, that brings me to the reason that I am sharing with you...
Cindy just sent me permission to give you a sampler of one of her free gifts that is included on the Download Page. I am so excited to give it to you! It is a audio that she actually sells on her website, but she is giving away as a bonus gift with this set. Here is the link so you can check it out:
Restoring Balance To Completely Overloaded Lives… with Cindy Rushton
Overloaded! Busy! Hurried! Overworked! Stressed! Rushed! Relate?? This is reality for most in our culture today--EVEN homeschooling families! We exceed our limits. We take on WAY TOO MUCH! We write checks that our body and mind cannot cash! Everything (and EVERYONE) suffers. It gets harder and harder to hear God as He whispers direction, encouragement, and wisdom along our path. We miss the best! We wonder why we end our days empty and without meaning or accomplishment. We forget what is most important—or at minimum, put it off for another day. The important seldom screams for attention, but the urgent, often insignificant, constantly screams for MORE and more! We get so busy and distracted doing the urgent and demanding in life that we lose the opportunity to impact the important, that in which we are given to leave a legacy! So, how on earth do we get out of this rat race? How are we to restore balance? If we could restore balance, how could we maintain balance? How could we make life really count for something? In this workshop, Cindy shares what the Lord has taught her He pulled me back from so many GOOD things to restore balance and keep me on the path to leaving a legacy! Join Cindy for a workshop that will change your life as it has changed hers!
Download by Mp3
http://tinyurl.com/quvf2
Isn't that FUN?
You know the saying that a picture captures a thousand words,well...what about a a gift like this??? And, just think...this is only a sampling of Cindy's teaching. You get tons more with this set. Take my word for it, you will WANT this set and access to all of the wonderful resources. Grab your set here today:
http://www.cindysaffiliates.com/go.php?offer=boltbabe&pid=2
I CAN'T wait for this to start. I have my ticket, and I hope to "see" you there!
I Am NOT Done Yet!
I will be working on transitioning this site over to the NEW Journey to Simplicity in the next few months. SOOOO, go on over and book mark the site, TODAY!
If you love the daily tips, ideas, recipes, & information I post about on my blog, then be sure to sign up for the Journey to Simplicity E-zine. This E-zine is monthly, so it won't clog up your inbox, BUT the information is SO rich, you WON'T want to miss it. The bst part, IT"S FREEEEEEEE! We NEVER spam!
Remember you can only sign up for it at the NEW Journey to Simplicity!
If you are looking for some inspiration and encouragement on your journey to Godly Womanhood, sign up for Simple Journey Ministries monthly e-zine, Her Simple Walk E-zine. AS always, it's once per month, so no clogging up of your Inbox and we NEVER spam!
It's FREEEEE! So sign up today!
Ok, it’s super late and it’s time for me to hit the hay. Tomorrow, I will post the last few days worth of posts, so You haven’t Missed a Thing!
These are my thoughts.
Todays Quote...Our Nation needs to heed this quote
"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."George Washington (1732-1799), the first U.S. President
Fears must be set aside- its my job
It is difficult to mention job “troubles” and then be vague in what they are.To say it is complicated is an understatement. I do not feel at liberty to share all that is happening as it feels like gossiping and whining.
Allow me to say this- I am concerned for my job because of some changes that are working on being implemented. There are people in the church that would like to see my job become a volunteer position- they simply do not believe I should be paid for what I do. Currently the church can fund a part-time youth leader but that may not always be the case.
One particular change that could very well be implemented is that I would no longer have only my pastor over me as my “boss” but that due to the title change (the board changed my title from youth pastor to youth director due to the fact that I do not have the college degree to back up the “pastor” part) I would become directly answerable to the Sunday School Superintendent.
Who happens to be the in-law currently “yanking my chain”.
Mr. Steady and I have discussed this and neither one of us believes it would be a good thing for me to continue in my job if that particular matter was indeed implemented.
I do not believe that I have shared the financials of it all. I am not normally comfortable with just spouting out numbers that money-wise affect my life but I believe it may bring clarity.
I am paid $200 a week for 20 hours of work. It is often a rarity that I work only 20 hours. It is a running joke with other paid youth workers that part time youth workers are “part-time paid, part-time volunteer and full-time ministry”. My benefits are a small mileage reimbursement (there are stipulations on this also), 1 week’s vacation per year and 1 paid Sunday off per quarter.
The church gets a lot of work out of me for a small amount. I am quite aware that a person with a college degree would ask/demand a lot more but I have never been comfortable “taking money” from the church and this small amount has suited our needs. The church has never been able to afford me a raise, at one point I had to take a salary cut to $150/week when money was tight and at another time I lost my mileage reimbursement when money was tight.
I have always viewed it as a mutually advantageous arrangement. I make money to help my family and do 80% of my work right from home and the church gets a part-time paid youth worker (might I add that I saved them money right away when I signed on because I didn’t need their small health benefits package?).
We currently have what I call The Little Red Hen Syndrome at our church. This means we have plenty of people that come up with ideas or think the ideas we want to implement are great but there is little to no follow through. We are scraping the bottom of the barrel for volunteers. Currently our Sunday School board worked hard for months to put together a kick-off fest for our VBS- when the sign up sheets went out and such- 1 person signed up to help (the event was subsequently canceled). We had to make the announcement last week that there will be no children’s church for the remainder of the summer due to the fact that no one will sign up to do it (we do have people signed up for the fall though) not even when our children’s director stated that you didn’t have to sign up for a whole month- she was just asking you to try it for one Sunday. [I would like to interject here that two young ladies in my youth group, both student leaders- quickly filled in last week for children’s church after the announcement was made at the beginning of service- and did a marvelous job too!]
I have parents that volunteer and help fill in the gaps in youth ministry but other than Mr. Steady I don’t have regular help. I have to beg for someone to fill in for me when I cannot be there. It hasn’t always been this way- I use to have a wonderful group of volunteers- 6 people! But for various reasons they all needed to step down and no one else cared to step in.
It is a common dilemma for many small churches. I do not believe I am the be all and end all of youth ministry but it is hard to look at our church and honestly see someone step up to take charge of this ministry as a volunteer, should I have to step down. I know that God can do it if that is His plan but the logical side of me looks at all those kids in my group, knowing their various needs, and ponders “what will happen?”
It is of extreme and utmost importance that I remain in God’s will through all this. It is a continual matter of prayer. I continue to feel God saying to me “Be still. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. I will lead you.” And so I do. Things like this shake me and make me feel like I should run out right now and secure some other job and yet- there is God whispering, “Be still. Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and watch Me rescue you.”
And so it becomes a leap of faith. A leap of faith that I don’t move- that I stand firm and don’t chuck it all for a job as a waitress that I’m sure would be a whole lot less stressful.
And with that said- I rec’d an email from my Momma today that simply said, “Proverbs 29:25”. I looked it up.
To fear anyone will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
The Simple Woman's Daybook
View from our street taken by my middle son
Um- Hmm I love these muffins
Since the oven AND kitchen were already flaming hot with supper baking, I decided to whip up tomorrow’s breakfast tonight rather than heat the oven up again tomorrow morning.
I love the following recipe but hardly ever make it due to the fact that I don’t keep maraschino cherries on hand. Also due to the fact that those cherries aren’t cheap. But I was doing a pantry inventory and found these shoved way back on a shelf with a price tag of 99 cents. Wha-hoo!
Cherry Chip Muffins
1.5 cup flour
½ cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 egg
½ cup milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 jar maraschino cherries (reserve juice- chop cherries)
¾ cup chocolate chips
1 cup powdered sugar
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; set aside. In another bowl, whisk egg, milk and oil. Add dry and wet ingredients together. Drain cherries, reserve 2 Tbsp juice for glaze. Chop cherries and fold into batter with chocolate chips. Drop into muffin cups. Bake at 375 degrees for 13 minutes.
Glaze: combine powdered sugar and cherry juice to make glaze and drizzle over top of muffins.
Cost breakdown: 12 cents for flour, 8 cents for sugar, figuring 3 cents for baking powder and salt, 8 cents for egg, 9 cents for milk, 5 cents for oil, 99 cents for cherries (reg. $2.19), 37 cents for chocolate chips and I bought the powdered sugar so long ago I don’t have a clue- lets say 5 cents.
Total Cost: $1.86 for 1.5 dozen muffins [that's 10 cents/muffin]
Now- these would cost $3.06 purchasing the cherries for regular price. [I like to keep breakfast cost under $2.]
Also I probably could squeeze 2 doz. muffins out of this recipe if I didn’t fill the muffin cups up so high.
Perhaps I should try making these as mini muffins. Course, I don’t own a mini muffin tin . . . . . best to stick with what I’ve been doing.
Job concerns and no wiggle room
Yes, I am struggling in my job. I am a part-time paid youth worker.
Why am I struggling- because I’m no longer sure this is where God wants me to be, doing what he wants me to do. I have been praying about this mightily for quite awhile. There are things taking place in our church that could in a sense cost me my job.
I love my job. I love the kids in my youth group- even the Extra Grace Required kids. Really. It’s the church politics that are causing me anguish.
And I mean anguish.
Piled on top of it all is the fact that the biggest source of anguish- the biggest muckster in the muck of it all happens to be an in-law.
Yes, family.
It is very scary.
I need my job.
Mr. Steady and I have a plan of how to pay back our debt and that includes me working for the next 2.5 years. Mr. Steady feels led by God to go the route he is taking us and 2.5 years is a short as it’s gonna get.
And we feel strongly called to homeschool.
My job is perfect in the fact that it is flexible hours and I mostly work from home during the week. I can do youth ministry work and teach and keep home all in one big lump.
It works for us.
And yet the anguish is unnerving. Speaking of nerves- they are often frayed when dealing with certain people in the church.
I say it again-
I need my job.
It is very scary.
BUT
I am not exhausting myself with tension and worry.
At least not this time.
I’ve placed it in the Lord’s hands.
I’ve asked Him for clarity about my job.
And God knows our financial situation better than we do.
He knows and He cares.
He has never not provided for us- no not ever.
He has continually made a way for us.
Yes, I budget is tight- it has no wiggle room. Period.
And I am apprehensive but at the same time I know that God will make a way- which is, in and of itself, exciting really.
We are so close to the end- of being financially stable. Of being debt-free except for our mortgage.
So close.
I know God is with us.
Monday Daybook entry #5
The Simple Woman’s Daybook
FOR TODAY~ July 21st
Outside my Window... I see Mr. Steady working on repairing the garage roof, the kids “frolicking” in the yard and my oldest sitting in a patio chair with her nose buried in a book.
I am thinking... that I wish there was another way to earn money for the family and stay home at the same time.
I am thankful for... my job and the income it provides our family.
From the kitchen... French toast w/blueberries and powdered sugar for breakfast, chicken nuggets and cheese crackers for the kiddos’ lunch, leftover BBQ chicken and half a potato for me. Supper is Ballard Biscuits and we got some special flavored ice cream (on sale) for dessert.
I am creating... inserts for the church bulletin using photo shop.
I am going... to get a lot of youth ministry related paperwork done today, plus a load of laundry and squeeze in a trip to the library and post office.
I am wearing... A royal blue shirt with a fish with a big cheesy grin and the words “God is good” and drab olive capris. My feet are bare and my toes are caramel ice (according to the nail polish bottle).
I am reading... A Return to Sunday Dinner by Russell Cronkhite and the latest Midwest Living magazine.
I am hoping... to let go of the strain of the last few weeks and be at peace about my job.
I am hearing... a bird chirping, Mr. Steady hammering and the kiddos chattering.
Around the house... Mr. Conductor left a stream of Legos along the floor, I need to clean off the dining room table and tidy up my desk.
One of my favorite things... walking barefoot on a carpet of thick cool grass.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... some work for our upcoming VBS, helping set up for the family reunion, a ball game, taking my youth group bowling, 15% discount day at the local teacher store and the end of summer reading at the library- means turning in books and “cashing in” points.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I call this Mr. Steady’s hillbilly watering system. Thank goodness he doesn’t continually leave this buckets sitting on my patio! 14 Buckets full of free water (remember we’re townies and pay, pay, pay for that stuff!). BTW- Mr. Steady dumped 3 inches of water out of the rain gauge on Sunday.
Menu from my townie farmhouse
Notes: From the Garden: we’ve got lettuce. More raspberries fresh picked from my parent’s farm. A few cucumbers from my brother (ours aren’t doing much of anything!).
Monday
B: French toast
L: chicken nuggets, cheese crackers
D: Ballard Biscuits
Dessert: ice cream
Daily Cost: $9.17
Tuesday – Ball Game Nite
B: Chocolate cherry muffins
L: Bologna burgers, chips & dip
D: Sloppy Joes, pickle spears, chips
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $8.74
Wednesday – Family Fun Day
B: choice: cereal/yogurt and toast
L: Picnic: sandwiches, chips, cheese chunks, cookies
D: Hamburger hoagies, chips
Dessert: ice cream sandwiches
Daily Cost: $12.49
Thursday
B: blueberries in cream, toast
L: Octopus hotdogs on a bed of seaweed pasta
D: Country Fried steak, baked potatoes, biscuits
Dessert: raspberry cobbler
Daily Cost: $9.25
Friday
B: French Toast (we’ve got lots of eggs & bread!)
L: Nachos
D: pizza (w/family)
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $7.76
Saturday – Family
B: Daddy Cook (egg, bacon, toast etc.)
L: Family
D: Leftover Smorgasbord
Daily Cost: $7.75
Sunday
B: Cocoa Wheats, toast
L: Niece’s birthday party
D: Leftover Smorgasbord
Daily Cost: $1.25
Weekly Total: $56.41
~~ Don’t forget to check out the yummy menu ideas every Monday over at The Organizing Junkie’s blog. You just might find your next favorite family recipe!
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