Saturday, January 31, 2009

Morning Glory

Believe it or not, it’s been so long since I have seen “the morning.” Ever since I have been off-schedule in my sleeping times, I have yet to see early mornings! I’ll sleep in until 5 p.m., and yesterday it was until 8 p.m.! Unbelievable, I know!


The glory of the Lord is so amazing!! I’m overwhelmed with joy, just glancing outside and seeing the sun smiling at me. I told my mom that it feels like Christmas! I’m overly-cheerful and my face almost hurts from smiling. The ever-so blue skies and the sun rays beaming through the windows... ahh, so beautiful! I love the Lord! His creation is simply breath-taking!


Allow me to further indulge for a moment...

Maxwell House Coffee Dark Roast with a hint of Caribou Coffee, blended with Hazelnut Liquid Coffee Creamer—my favorite. Uhhhm. Good morning!!


I was so inspired by various blogs written and compiled by mom’s in the blogging community, while blog-surfing last night! So many insightful entries, cooking instructions and menu’s that have been prepared for their families... I want to be a good caregiver for my future family too, so what a great inspiration; I have total respect for the couponmoms and blogging mommy’s.


I absolutely ADORE baking, so this morning I made some of my favorite muffins: Blueberry Cheesecake! I’m still learning the special trade of cooking, soooo yeah, don’t hold me accountable for that just yet! ;)


Mixed and ready for baking.



In the oven they go! ;)


Piping hot!


Buttered Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins!


Simply delightful.


Baby relaxing with me this morning.


"Whatchu doin' Bit?" ;)


Today has been a very pleasant morning!
Glory to God.

God bless you and your family & Have a great Saturday! ;)


[Listening and singing along to: "Lord You're Everything" by Men of Standard].

Mark 1:14-15.


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Friday, January 30, 2009

5:21 a.m.

So, I'm up.
I'm always up.

I heart blogging, but as I've been able to see from browsing through some of these blogs tonight, is that I'm not like everyone else :-\ ...or should I say, my blog is not like everyone else's blog.


Using the term in a general/non-definitive sense, I don't typically "blog" about everyday happenings, nor do I blog everyday. I don't think it's necessary, unless I feel as though God is leading me to tell His people something. If I do write, I'd rather it be genuine or at least have some depth to it, ya know? For example, Jesus. I like to write about Jesus.


Now that I look at it, it's important for me to differentiate between writing and blogging. For me, "writing" is when I'll write about God and/or the Bible; substantial things. "Blogging" for me, is the daily happenings, of which include my hobbies and/or interests such as couponing, scrapbooking, photography, etc...

...Others I see forcefully constructing information to put within their blogs... they'll post a few "interesting facts" and whateverhaveyous... for what? Sounds like useless garrulousness if you ask me. I don’t want people who come here to read about God, having to sort through all of the extraneous information just to get to the “good stuff,” if you know what I mean. Lord, lead me.

I seize the opportunity of blogging because to me it's like a personal journal. I have several of these, as is... written ones, of course. And throughout my life I have had several online blogs, since I was 14. I love writing; it's what I do.

I don't write to entertain, amuse or to occupy. I write for God and to keep a record of my life for others--the generations to come. And even moreso, the offline/written journals that I have (3.7 to be exact) contain invaluable information obtained from church lectures, seminar videos, personal lessons from God (God does have a voice and He does speak to His children), and Bible study throughout the last three years that the Lord has kept me... ahh, so much love is in those journals!

I'm smiling now because I think about my children being able to one day read those and learn of God's ways; to hear a testimony of how God works in the lives of His people and specifically in the life of their mother. I love the thought of that... it brings me back to the first scripture written in my first journal since giving my life to Christ: Psalm 102:18 (NLT) says “Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD.”

I dream a lot... like, about my children and my future husband. It’s all within the parameters of God’s law, however... no lusting, fantasizing, etc (Lord, keep me in Jesus’ name). God desires us to keep ourselves pure in mind, body and spirit:

Romans 12:1 says “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 6:13 says “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

By “members,” God is referring to your body, whether that be your eyes (Matthew 5:28), lips/tongue (Proverbs 15:4, 17:20), feet (Proverbs 6:18)... everything. Everything is to be kept holy.

But yeah, [day]dreaming is nice. I wonder what my kids will look like. I pray for their godly character... I pray about their upbringing and that they are educated in the ways of God. By educated, I’m praying that the Lord will further equip me and my husband to raise our children in the ways of the Lord, considering my parents didn’t do that with me and my sisters... with that being said, I have high expectations for my children and I know the Lord will lead us in the right direction:

Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

God bless,

Mark 1:14-15.


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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Alma Mater Snow Day... Dude, I missed it!!

LOL, the snow day here in North Carolina a few days ago (Jan. 20th) was amazing. I woke up to a beautiful white lawn and snow tenderly falling from the sky. Lord knows I strongly dislike being cold, to me it's the worst non-spiritual feeling ever. But glory to God I LOVE the snow! Every flake is so intricately and delicately made; simply gorgeous.

I made a video of the snow day at my house that I have on my laptop, but the one below totally trumps my vid! Simply hilarious! My mom just told me that the news had our school up there for the snow day; I hadn't a clue! I wrote on this vid and another that I wish I hadn't graduated in December JUST so I could have experienced this!!!! :( GOOD CLEAN FUN, I love it!!! So, I just got finished surfing YouTube for the vids, check it out...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-m-xcvlFBo


Smiles,

Mark 1:14-15.


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Wisdom: "The End of the World: What Does the Bible Say?"

I would like to begin out by proclaiming that couponing, for me personally, is a hobby. Dictionary.com defines a hobby as "an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation." Since it is a leisurely activity simply pursued for my own interests, versus being a necessity (such as reading the Bible and learning of God's ways), I trust that God will not allow it to become an obsession. He has been pruning some things from my life lately (see post "Tech-cation?") that I reeeeeeeeeeeeally enjoy doing and couponing is one of them, so I wouldn't be surprised if I go without couponing for a while in order to draw nearer to Him. By couponing, I mean being super-active on the couponmom.com forums in addition to clipping, clipping.............. and clipping, and filing, sorting and shopping. Summed up, couponing is a hobby that I enjoy, but if it means excessive time apart from God, I don't want it.

Another tidbit,
I write the majority of my blogging posts in a Word Document before I post it to blogger.com (this website), so the dates may conflict with the verbiage I use (such as the words, "today," "tomorrow," "yesterday," etc). And, blogger.com is in a different time zone than me so the actual times posted below the post is behind by at least 4 hours. (Update 2/1/09--Dates are now correct).

So, onto the post for today... :)

I was signing onto my laptop for like the first time all day, I believe, and as I was waiting for the Internet to load I saw an archived article from 2003 written by BeyondToday.tv in my news feed, titled "The End of the World: What Does the Bible Say?" This article truly blessed my spirit. It was absolutely amazing, all glory goes to God; such a wealth of information and wisdom within this article. God is teaching and I'm so grateful that I'm listening and learning. I pray that the Lord speaks to You through this urgent message as well. This is my prayer. , God bless you.

The link is here, but I will post the entire article as well:
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn44/world.htm

The End of the World: What Does the Bible Say?

For centuries people have read the Bible and concluded that the world will come to an end. But will it? If so, how? What do the Scriptures teach about the end of the world?

by Noel Horner

Nearly two millennia ago the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth asked Him a question that has intrigued people ever since: "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3, King James Version).

People in every generation since have wondered about this. Will the world literally end? If so, how? Why? And when? What does the Bible really say about this crucial and disturbing question?

Religious people aren't the only ones asking these questions. In recent decades people from many walks of life have expressed concern about the possibility of the end of the world as we know it. Politicians, educators and scientists foresee the potential destruction of our world from a number of causes—including nuclear warfare, environmental disaster, planetary pollution, overpopulation, killer diseases and collision with a comet or asteroid.

Potential devastation from the sky

Although some of these possibilities are unlikely, others present a real threat. Based on the increasing number of gigantic impact craters discovered in recent years, scientists believe that a collision between earth and a killer asteroid is inevitable.

What would be the result of such a violent encounter? "An asteroid only a kilometer across would create cosmic havoc by impacting on the earth," writes Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at City College of New York. ". . . The shock wave would flatten much of the United States. If it hit the oceans, the tidal wave it created could be a mile high, enough to flood most coastal cities on earth" (Visions: How Science Will Revolutionize the 21st Century, 1997, p. 317).

In 1908 a meteor or comet exploded over a remote area of Siberia. Though it was relatively small, with an estimated diameter of only about 50 yards, it flattened 1,000 square miles of forest, felling 80 million trees. The energy released by that celestial missile is estimated to be about equal to that of a large hydrogen bomb. The resulting tremors were recorded as far away as London. (To learn how such events might tie in with Bible prophecy, see "Will Civilization End in Global Cataclysm?")

The increasing nuclear threat

Experts generally agree that, of all possible means of destroying humanity, nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat.

And the genie cannot be put back in the bottle. Austrian theologian Ulrich Kortner put it this way: "The nuclear threat . . . constitutes not a temporary, but rather an irrevocable global threat. The actual possibility of an end to all life is now a constituent part of our reality" (The End of the World: A Theological Interpretation, 1995, pp. 229-230, emphasis added).

Some sober scientists go even farther, saying that nuclear annihilation is inevitable. The late Carl Sagan, perhaps the world's best-known scientist before his death in 1996, wrote that "the development of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems will, sooner or later, lead to global disaster" (Cosmos, 1980, p. 328).

With the Cold War ended, the probability of all-out nuclear war between countries has lessened for the time being, but the continuing addition of more nations to the nuclear club ratchets the threat back upward.

If North Korea has successfully developed nuclear weapons—as it has strongly hinted it has done—the nuclear club of nations now totals 10. More than 50,000 nuclear weapons exist in the world, many in dangerously unstable places. No one dares dismiss the idea that terrorist groups, if they can get their hands on nuclear devices, will use them in pursuit of their deadly aims.

Optimistic scientists believe that, thanks to continuing discoveries in science and technology, the nations will realize they must cooperate and work together to develop a unified global civilization. However, admits Dr. Kaku, "in the background always lurks the possibility of a nuclear war, the outbreak of a deadly pandemic, or a collapse of the environment" (p. 19).

Is time running out?

Reagan expressed concern that Armageddon may occur in our generation. His defense secretary, Casper Weinberger, observed: "I believe the world is going to end—by an act of God, I hope—but every day I think time is running out" (quoted by Reginald Stackhouse, The End of the World, 1997, p. viii).

Former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing commented on the state of humanity: "The world is unhappy because it doesn't know where it is going and because it senses that, if it knew, it would discover that it was heading for disaster" (ibid.).

Former U.S. vice president Al Gore speculated on the longevity of the world: "Two world wars, the Holocaust, the invention of nuclear weapons, and now the global environmental crisis have led many of us to wonder if survival . . . is possible" (Earth in the Balance, 1992, p. 366).

Indeed, experts from many fields share the concern that we could see the end of civilization as we know it. These concerns have created an age of anxiety, especially in a world where so little seems certain anymore.

Many others, however, say there is no need to be concerned about the world ending. They point to epidemics of end-time panic that have raged in the past. They list many failed past predictions regarding the end of the world.

Such criticism is justified to a point. Doomsday predictions have abounded for centuries; date-setters have been wrong many times. The problem with most of these prognostications was that, though well intentioned, the specific chronological details were the ideas of men who badly misinterpreted information in Scripture.

Is there a source to which we can go for reliable information? There is! That one reliable source is the Bible—what it really says. Many people today have a vague idea that the Bible says something about the end of the world. Does it? Most certainly!

The end of an age

Although we do not know the time, one thing we know for sure is that the Bible prophesies the end of the world as we know it. But what does that mean?

When Jesus'disciples asked Him about "the end of the world," they weren't talking about "world" in the sense of our physical planet, the earth. The Greek word translated "world" is aion, from which we get the English word eon. The two mean essentially the same thing—an age, an epoch, an era .

Christ's followers well knew the many prophecies of the Old Testament that foretell the coming age of the Messiah. Our present time, the time of human rule on earth under the deceptive sway of Satan (1 John 5:19), is described by the apostle Paul as "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4).

Another Greek word translated "world" in the New Testament is kosmos, which denotes the ordered world around us—that is, not the physical planet we live on but man's society and geopolitical dominion. This is what will end.

Paul and the other apostles understood that, at the end of this age, man's corrupt civilization will be swept away and a new era will dawn at the return of Christ. Peter described this change as one in which "times of refreshing" will come from God the Father through Jesus, who will return from heaven when "the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3:19-21, New International Version).

This transition from man's misrule—which is, in reality, the unrecognized rule of Satan—to Christ's divine reign in the Kingdom of God was at the heart of the messages of the biblical prophets as well as the gospel Jesus taught. (For more information, request our free booklets The Gospel of the Kingdom and Is There Really a Devil?)

Scripture proclaims that the present age—the civilization and societies we know today—will terminate in a cascade of unimaginable destruction and violence that will climax at the return of Christ. In the New Testament alone, more than 300 verses refer to these events.

Signs of the end time

When Jesus'disciples asked about the end of the age (Matthew 24:3), He responded by listing several warning signs. The first would be massive religious deception, including religious teachers who, while claiming to represent Him, would not follow His teachings but would deceive many through a counterfeit Christianity.

He also said there would be many wars and other conflicts between nations and ethnic groups. He also spoke of famines,massive disease epidemics and earthquakes.

The problem with trying to precisely predict the end from these signs is that these trends and conditions have been with us in varying degrees from the first century until now. This helps explain why end-time fervor has arisen repeatedly for two millennia.

Many believe that man's development of modern weaponry with the ability to annihilate human life is a sure sign of the last days. As for this destructive potential being a sign of the end, Jesus did say that "if that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive" (Matthew 24:22, Revised English Bible, emphasis added throughout).

Our awesome scientific and technological advancements have bequeathed to this and future generations a heritage over which hangs the ultimate sword of Damocles. Indeed, without miraculous intervention from God the human race has no assurance of survival.

However, we should realize the sobering fact that, no matter when the end of the age comes, people will be living at that time who will dispute the possibility of the world ending. Under inspiration of God, the apostle Peter tells us that "scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?'" (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Regardless of when it occurs, there will be people who express disdain even as the very time approaches. No matter how difficult things look, some will assure everyone that man has everything under control. Tragically, such assurances will do nothing but provide a false sense of security, leading people to foolishly continue to trust in human ability rather than in God.

As the end approaches

However long it is until the actual end of the age, one theme the biblical writers emphasized is that it draws nearer every day. Paul warns us that "now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).

And salvation is certainly important to keep in mind as everything falls to pieces around us. The end of the world as we know it, though it includes many catastrophes on a scale never seen in history, is not all bad news for mankind. It includes good news too. God will intervene before it is too late (Matthew 24:21-22). The alternative is not only the destruction of human civilization but the annihilation of the human race itself.

The only wise action for anyone who understands what is coming is to turn to God with repentance and obedience (Acts 3:19). Indeed, "now [God] commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed [i.e., Jesus Christ]" (Acts 17:30-31, NIV).

When Jesus comes in power and glory, He will rebuke the world for its sins. This is part of the message proclaimed from the beginning of the true Christian Church. On the day of the Church's founding, the apostle Peter exhorted his audience, "Be saved from this perverse generation" (Acts 2:40).

This is the message the Church is still commissioned to proclaim. How were the people to be saved? Peter urged them to repent—to turn from their own sinful, selfish ways and to seek God's ways—and to be baptized (Acts 2:38). At His second coming Christ will reward those who do so.

Focus not on timing but preparation

It is not a question of whether the world—man's corrupt civilization—will end. God's Word says it will. Our chief concern should not be when it will end. Jesus said it would be impossible for men to precisely calculate this ahead of time (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44).

Instead, our main focus should be to seek God to be spiritually prepared for the times that are coming. "But keep on the alert at all times," said Jesus, "praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36, New American Standard Bible).

The Bible describes believers as living in a state of expectancy, in a state of tension, between two worlds. We live in the present world, which we know will end, while we look for the world to come with the return of Christ. "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Matthew 24:44, NIV).

We need to seek God in heartfelt repentance and faith, leading to baptism by God's true ministers so we can receive God's Spirit (Acts 2:37-39). Then we are to remain faithfully obedient while awaiting Jesus' return. For "he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13).

Jesus never said the Christian calling would be easy. On the contrary, He said it would be challenging (Matthew 7:13-14). The reward, though, is great, far beyond anything we can imagine. GN



Mark 1:14-15.


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Saturday, January 24, 2009

"He That Overcometh"

Written: 1/23/09

Posted: 1/24/09


Hey guys. I went to Wal-Mart on the other side of town today after one of my apartment mystery shops. I was there looking for the cheap Air Wick Express Warmers and refills that I couldn't find at my regular Wal-Mart yesterday. I paid $.68 for those two items total, and I did a second transaction with the same two items.

Anywho,

While in there looking for those items, I was gonna get some cereal for cheap and more BIC razors for $.94 with my Q's. The cereal cost more than my regular Wal-Mart and the razors they had was a 10 pk priced the same as the 14 pk that I got at my regular Wal-Mart :eek:

Since those items were higher at this particular Wal-Mart, this got me thinking. So, I did some light investigating.

(These prices are guesstimates, give or take a few cents).


My Regular Wal-Mart
Tide Totalcare = $7.84 (not a good price, btw)
BIC Razors Silky Touch = $2.94 for a 14 pk
Cheap box of name-brand cereal = $1.98

The Other Wal-Mart
Tide Totalcare = $8.84
BIC Razors Silky Touch = $2.94 for a 10 pk
Cheap box of name-brand cereal = $2.26

These were just a few of the items where the prices were cranked up, so imagine how much more these people are paying for all their groceries/other necessities... I was pretty shocked and then got to thinking about it some more and realized it was because of the community in which the Wal-Mart was located. It was in an under-privileged neighborhood and it really did sadden me how the people who live in a low-income area, shop at their local Wal-Mart in hopes of saving money by not going to a regular grocery store... when in actuality, Wal-Mart is pimping them for their money!!! Food Lion even had the Tide Totalcare on sale today for $5.99, and that Food Lion I went to was in the SAME parking lot as that very Wal-Mart....... I'm shaking my head over here.

.....................such an experience I had today while being in that particular Wal-Mart and observing the various customers shuffling about... the thoughts I pondered... it's really sad; the feeling that someone out there isn't making it as well as others AND the idea that Wal-Mart really is engaging in such trifling and inhumane, yes INHUMANE practices... I'm just so grateful unto God for the little things, ya know? If you've never experienced poverty, Lord knows you're blessed and it's time to say "Thank You, Jesus;" and say it again a few more times! And if you have experienced it or are experiencing it now, keep right on praising God through your continued devotion to Him. I just pray that the Lord harkens unto the voice of those in lesser privileged circumstances; I know He will... He hears our cry [Read Psalm 138; thank You Holy Spirit and glory to Your name oh God].

.....................I didn't know about what Wal-Mart was doing until now. And, hurts to think about it, even. Not to mention, it's even worse that these customers probably haven't a clue about what's going on... makes you give the world a second, third and fourth look, I'll say.

The feeling that I felt within me when I had that “ah-ha!” epiphany-like moment of “wow, are they really doing that?” wasn’t just an “Oh, I’m sad”-type-of-sadness, it was a somber/solemn, deep-within-my-soul-type-of-sadness. Like, I could feel it... I could literally feel the emotion of sadness within me, over this situation—yeah I know, typing the feeling out surely isn’t the same as experiencing it, huh... don't worry, you don't want to experience it because it's an oppressive spirit [read further...]


It wasn’t a fun feeling by any means... after I had gotten home, when there were tears, sobbing and snot, you know it’s something serious. LOL. Ok, <~~~ there I was being facetious, but I really did have a meltdown and later found comfort in the peace of God through listening to my favorite Gospel tunes.


There are all kinds of spirits out there, good and bad ones. And we as Christians must be able to correctly identify each one for what it truly is. Good = Holy Spirit. Bad = Demonic spirit [See Ephesians 6:10-20]. But, yeah... you get my drift on the whole Wal-Mart thing that God showed me, right? Looking back again, in my spirit it did feel like a demonic presence was at that Wal-Mart, all jokes aside... and I called him out too; I called him a liar, because that’s what he is:


When I was browsing through the Air Wick Warmers and refills, they kept popping off of the shelves. Like, I would put ‘em in their spot, but they’d keep falling on the floor. This was when I was trying to calculate my final price before I got to the checkout lane... I called the devil a liar because I knew he was trying to convince me that the deal I found wouldn’t work. But it did. Lo and behold, went to checkout as stated earlier, and it worked. Both transactions. Glory to God. [Ephesians 6:12, 14 says “12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,...].”


After tonight and everything that I felt within me about this situation, I’m considering whether or not I should shop at Wal-Mart again... [See Romans 14]. Overall, I really think I need to re-evaluate my spending habits there though. I don’t want too many of my dollars going to support a company with foul price-increase practices, who deliberately target unsuspecting and innocent consumers. Right now, I don’t feel convicted not to shop there anymore, only because it was an evil spirit up in there and it wasn’t God's voice; it was an evil spirit surrounding that place. But, I will pray about it, Lord willing and I thank God for the peace He restored unto me tonight after spending time singing praises unto Him. I love You, Lord. Keep me and protect me, Lord God. Lead and guide me all the days of my life ever so faithfully all the while putting on the whole armour of God [See Ephesians 6:10-20]. This is my prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.


Selah,

["He That Overcometh" - See the Book of Revelation].

Mark 1:14-15



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Friday, January 23, 2009

Wally World Late Night.

GREAT savings at Wally World tonight!! It was fun. I didn't even plan on getting the Lysol Neutra-Airs but they were only $1 with my Q's so I had to, hehe... plus, this is my first pair :D

Wal-Mart
1/22/09


2 Lysol Neutra-Air Starter Kits $6 - 2 $5 MFR Q's = $2 total or $1 each!!

2 Glade Aerosols $.86 - $1/2 MFR Q = $.72 total or $.36 each!

BIC Silky Touch Razors (14 ct) $2.94 - $2 MFR Q = $.94

Revlon Emery Boards $1.96 - $1 MFR = $.96


$5.88 oop

$14 savings [in coupons!!]



Yaahhoooooo!! ;)

I went back out the next day for an apartment mystery shop and stopped at a Wal-Mart in the area to check to see if they had my Air Wick warmers, and they did! This is what I got:



Wal-Mart
1/23/09

(I did two transactions. One of each item on an order).

2 Air Wick Xpress Warmer $2.87 each - 2 $3.00 IPQ's and 2 $2.87 MFR Q's (FREE Warmer wyb one refill) = $6 profit!!!!

2 Air Wick Refills $3.27 each

Total = $6.54 - $6 Profit = $0.54 + $0.82 tax = $1.36 oop

$1.36 oop
$10.92 savings!!!



We cleaned up, huh?! :D



Mark 1:14-15.


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Thursday, January 22, 2009

And it is so!

So, I've been taking surveys online for extra cash for a few months now and I cashed in on my first check like last week and it arrived in the mail today!! $20 and YEAH I was excited. I'm smiling now, hehe! ...someone is probably thinking, "$20???" lol, I'm grateful because in every way no matter how big or "small," the Lord provides.

I actually ENJOY taking the surveys, not because of the money necessarily (yet, that is a perk), but moreso because I'm a media studies nerd/graduate and it's my thing! Giving opinions on new products is fun, fun, fun so why not get paid for it-- besides, I'm usually already surfing the web when I get survey offers from Opinion Outpost; so it's fun and convenient ;)

Anywho, I told myself that I really wanted to get out to church this week because I need to be in the presence of God and surrounded by the saints of God. The Lord had put it on my heart and I knew I probably didn't have enough gas to make it to church because it's a 30 minute ride! ...I knew He would provide, I just wasn't sure how... and, this $20 check sure does cover the price and then some! lol, God is awesome and I'm looking forward to heading to the sanctuary this Sunday, Lord willing.

Thanks for reading & God bless,

Mark 1:14-15.


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Tech-cation?

LOL, this is hilarious. The day I decide to set up my brand new blog, Tyra Banks has a show about Internet-obsessed people called “The Internet Has Taken Over My Life.” It’s super hilarious because I can relate... well on a lesser scale anyway. It’s funny while I’m watching it, but when I think about it more, it really isn’t as funny because I would neglect my other activities and responsibilities. At the time I was a student, so that made it even harder to focus on daily tasks. It’s kind of comforting to know that I wasn’t the only person having the same issue with Facebook; yet it’s also sad because other young adults have struggled with their Internet obsession as well... but, thank God for JESUS!


That Candace girl sounds just like me (except the checking-Facebook-at-church bit). It’s funny how I’m typing this up as I’m watching it. I actually had to disable my Facebook account in 2007 because I was so addicted... that was my little vacation, or tech-cation as Tyra calls it, from Facebook. I remember in my early walk with God, He was pruning me and purging things from my life and Facebook was one of the things He cut out. I remember being without Facebook for at least six months or more. It was exciting, if you can believe that. Like, I didn’t even miss it. I was able to spend quiet one-on-one intimate time with God and that was an era in my life I will never forget.


God spoke to me oftentimes while I was on my “fast” from Facebook. Missing God is a very distinct feeling that I don’t enjoy having. And, because I didn’t have that particular distraction in my life, His voice was much clearer. I remember Him waking me up in the middle of the night with people on my heart who I knew I needed to pray for... glory to God is all I can say... He's awesome and He speaks to His children. Thank You, Jesus.


After being without Facebook for a while, I got back on for like another semester during school without God’s permission; Lord forgive me... and now I’ve been off of Facebook since Thanksgiving 2008 [around about the same time I joined couponmom.com; which is fascinating enough in itself :)], so I’ve been off for two months... and I have my joy back. I thank God for His mercy. The change (leaving Facebook) was for a reason and I'm seeing the fruits of it in my walk with Him. Thank You, Jesus. Lord, help me to not set up idols. I thank You for convicting me and prompting me to tear them down; anything that may seemingly take precedence over You as Lord of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. This is my prayer.



Mark 1:14-15.

Update/Praise Report: The Lord granted me the spiritual and heavenly gift of speaking in tongues, as granted by the Holy Ghost, in February of this year for obeying God in casting down my idols. How glorious is our God? Thank You Jesus.


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We Did It, Lord! :D


Yep. That's me... well, a little over one month ago anyhoo. I GRADUATED!!!! Ecstatic, I was, can't you tell? Grateful for having completed four and one half long years of college at two universities, we're outta here! Up, up and away we drift into the land of adulthood. Wow, it's been such a pleasant journey, God leading me and all.

I'm smiling just typing this because at times I cannot even fathom the thought and reality of me no longer being in school! From pre-school to college, we're in school our entire lives... ahh, how exhilarating to be FREE from the cares of school-related whatnots: homework, group projects, presentations, 8 o'clock classes, library study sessions... no more! Oh the freedom.

As excited as I am to have completed the college requirements for graduation, I genuinely have strong aspirations to attend Divinity School/Christian College to obtain my Master's... in what subject you may ask? Well, I gotta ask God about that one.

As Lord of my life, He leads me and I just gotta sit back and allow Him to take the reins! I thank God for being with me throughout my college days. From having transferred from one school while studying there for two years, to getting accepted ever-so graciously into the second school after the second attempt (very humbling experience, might I add), having switched my major from Journalism to Criminal Justice to Business Administration, then back to my initial passion: Journalism/Communication, I was able to obtain my very-anticipated Bachelor's of Science degree in Communication with a concentration in Media Studies and a double major in Religious Studies; after four and one half years of college curricula studies.

I'm very joyful about my degree and the path the Lord led me down in deciding what type of career I'd like to pursue. Taking classes in religion was an amazing experience. Studying the Bible as Literature, World Religions, The Old and New Testament, Tibetan Religion & Culture, in addition to my religious studies seminars and countless other great courses all within a classroom-setting, was such an enhancement to my cluster of knowledge. Having such a refreshing and abundant experience throughout my religious studies career at school, truly has me giddy to obtain further credentials while studying at a Biblical University.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying life as a recent college grad... coveted leisurely time,
lounging and sleeping in, delving into the wonderful world of casual, yet resourceful books... building my ever-so slight beginner library. *sigh* There's nothing like reading books of your choosing and actually having the time to!

What's that book by Dr. Suess? Hm... Oh the places you'll go! Yeah, that's how I'm feeling right about now... floating on cloud 9, smiling and daydreaming; envisioning the plan that the Lord Jesus has for my post-college life and the life of my (future) family and the generations to come... I thank You Lord and I'm ever-so grateful for Your blessings.


Mark 1:14-15.


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