Hair Donation

On Tuesday of this week, I went and got my hair cut-I got 10 inches cut off-the minimum in order to donate.  It felt so good!  I have a LOT of hair-people are always telling me. So I thought I would share one of the gifts God gave me with someone who needs it.  My hair is now about shoulder length, and I'll be growing it out again; but this will be nice for summer-with all the humidity-my hair gets very heavy. 

So for now, I'm growing it out again, and I'm gonna donate it again when it gets long enough.

The girl had to put my hair into two ponytails-rather than just one-because she couldn't cut through all my hair if it was in just one. 

But I just wanted to share this experience with all of you-because it was so rewarding to me.  And to the little girl who was with her mom-I hope it helped show her that giving back is important.

Celebrating slow-cookers

Have I mentioned lately how much I adore slow-cookers?   So far my favorite use for mine is making applesauce.

However, on Friday when I go grocery shopping, I will be getting ingredients to make either pot roast or pulled pork.  I found a recipe for each.  Haven't tried either one yet-but the look like they should be good recipes.

And the best part, they are slow-cooker recipes! So I get to just throw the ingredients in and let it go!

I will post how things go once the recipe is put to the test.

Long time, no post...

So I know it's been quite some time since my last post (over a month).  But I've been pretty busy with the end of the semester.  However, now that it's over, I will not have to worry about homework and studying for awhile. 

I will be increasing my hours at work-hopefully to full time-for the rest of the summer.  Which means I will be getting more money!  But because I would really like to save some, not be a spending fiend; I used a template in Microsoft Excel to make a budget!  It was surprisingly easy-and even a little fun-basically it was a good feeling to know that I have such a realistic financial plan for the summer.

I get paid over $8 an hour (can't remember exactly at the moment-I'd have to see my check-but I do direct deposit into my checking account) and preferably I'll be getting 40 hours a week.  But since I don't know that I'll be getting the full 40 every single week, and I don't know exactly how much is taken out for taxes; when I put my income into the budget, I calculated $8 an hour and 35 hours per week.  This came to $280 per week, $560 per paycheck, and $1120 per month.  This is just a projected budget at this time, I will adjust it as the summer progresses.

But here are some of the things I've factored in so far for monthly expenses:
Rent: $322
Utilities: about $30-my roommate and I only pay for electricity, which is great-all else is included
Car payment: $80
Fuel: about $60
Supplies/Other: $20-I'm just giving myself a some extra money for any maintenance or such things
Groceries: $80-I have never actually figured how much I spend on groceries-so I just threw out a number
Dining Out: $25-this includes any food while I'm at work. Although I need to bring my lunch more often
Cat stuff: $20 for food and litter
Clothes/Personal: about $60-this is for work clothes too (I go through a fair amount of khaki pants-spilling on them and what not) and shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
Prescriptions: about $25 (actually a little less, but I'm rounding up)
Church offering: $20
Entertainment: $80-10 for DVD's, 30 for movie theater, 20 for sports (namely-baseball games), and 20 for other

Yes, I know this seems like a lot of spending-but since I've never actually made a budget for myself or kept track of how much I spend on certain things-this is truly just an estimate.  Once I get a better idea of how the summer will go, I will (try to remember to) post another-more accurate budget.

I would definitely appreciate tips and advice you may have!

Holy Spirit vs. the spirit of the world

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

As Christians, we are hilarious to the world we live in.  People think we are arrogant and ridiculous-yet unsophisticated in today's world.  But according to John 3:18, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's
one and only Son."  This verse shows that we are not arrogant, we are humble. 

We are humble because apart from God, we are condemned.  On my own, I am nothing.

The world only wants to see Jesus as a way, not the way.

Matthew 7:13, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  Most people in this world are on the wide path.  This is why people call Christians arrogant.

Most people are filled with the spirit of the world, but a few are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ is the Way.  I will not water down my beliefs.

Our only hope is Jesus-the one way.  And he is not hiding, he is open for people to find.

Like a burning building with many doors; but only one way to safety.  God has called me to stand by that door and call to the "blind" and urge them to safety and life.  Is that arrogant?

Jesus Christ is the Way.  This is not what the world wants to hear, but what the world needs to hear.

Prayer without ceasing

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today let's focus on "pray without ceasing".  How can that be?  We breathe without ceasing, and our hearts beat without ceasing.  Our other organs work behind the scenes and we don't consciously tell them to work for us.  Can we learn to pray as naturally as we breathe?

In the morning as we wake up we can talk to our God, "OK Father...I'm awake; I'm feeling a little tired and grumpy this morning but I give this day to You and choose to praise You instead!  I praise You for Your beautiful creation, thanks for a comfortable bed and for the breakfast You have provided.  Guide my steps today and show me Your ways."  Then it is time to listen.  This on-going conversation can become a natural part of our day.

So what if I'm feeling weak in spirit and mind and can't even voice my feelings?

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.   Romans 8:26-27

Continue to pray, focusing on people in your immediate surroundings, your family and your brothers and sisters at Valleybrook needing prayer.

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

As we spend time praying, God has promised to show us exciting things!

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.  Jeremiah 33:3

It will be exciting to change, grow and practice "prayer without ceasing" as it starts to become as natural as breathing.

True Femininity Giveaway!

Hello friends in Christ!

My lovely fellow blogger at True Femininity is hosting another CSN store, giftcard giveaway!  Just in time for spring cleaning!  So hop on over see how to join in!

God Bless!

My future wedding...?

Even though I am far away from this day (I have no current prospects for dating, courtship, or marriage) I still like to think about how I will spend it (I am inspired by my cousin, who is getting married on Saturday-the 5th).  It's one of those things that most little girls dream of for many years.  And I would like to share some of the ideas I have for mine.

I will begin by saying that I love going camping.  My parents started camping before I was born, and I've been going camping with my family every summer since I was born.  We usually go to State Parks, and we started out in tents (this was before I can remember), but then moved to pop-up campers for many years-and now that my parents are "empty nesters" they have upgraded to a pull behind.

I also love autumn, it's my favorite season and time of year.  The colors are beautiful, and I love the cool, crisp weather.  God truly does make a beautiful home for us.

So, with these in mind, I would like to have my wedding in the fall.  Also, at the State Park where my mom works is also where I went to Vacation Bible School-summer camp through my church-they rented out the group camp.  I would like to rent that for my wedding, then there would be cabins for people to stay in, and there's a kitchen in the main building, as well as a giant fireplace inside and a big fire pit outside.

This is what I have that I would really like for my wedding.  I have some ideas about other things that I want, such as I love lilies, so I'd like to have those somehow incorporated. 

These are just some of my current musings.  Since my cousin is getting married on Saturday, I was feeling inspired.