Generosity

Psalm 112:5

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.

A couple of Sundays ago at church we talked about generosity and God's provision. On the heels of my husband being recently laid off I felt God just talking right to my heart. When our associate pastor shared his heart saying that it doesn't come easy him, with a tinge of guilt I realized it doesn't come easy for me too.

Don't get me wrong I love helping people. I love volunteering to make dinners, babysitting kids, cleaning, visiting etc. However I while volunteering my time and efforts when it comes to actually doing it, I tend to feel overwhelmed. Part of this is time management, I know. But a big part of it is, it really isn't my nature to be generous.

While I may be more generous with my time, my money is another matter. We do not have a lot of disposable income but, we do have indulgences that we could cut back on to give more generously. God is really dealing with me on this. I work in fundraising. I know the blessing it is to give to something you believe in.

I do know that God has already shown us ways we can cut back, and we have. Here is what we have done so far:

• We cut out all movie channels which have resulted in a $100.00 savings
• We went from receiving 3 movies on Netflix to 1 and have unlimited viewings online (We use the online service more than anything as we can stream it in through our xbox!) This cut the amount we paid to Netflix in half.
• We are working on refinancing our home, hoping to get a better interest rate.
• I traded in my leased vehicle to a purchased vehicle bringing down my insurance rate and I am hoping to pay it off fast!
• My husband, being the savings rockstar that he is, is shopping sales for our groceries and planning out our meals. He found the lean cuisines that I take to lunch everyday on sale for $1.87 as opposed to $3.87 at another grocery store. He also found deals on meat, buy one package get another free. Our grocery budget has improved so much!
• We have a gym membership as a family and we dropped our son's membership as he is 12 and runs up and down the street and rides his bike everywhere. Gyms are boring to him and we were not getting our money's worth, this was a $29 savings per month.

I'm sure we will be cutting back more and more as God speaks to us and our family. I may do another update to let you know how things are going. I'm praying about being more generous and trying to act out of my comfort zone with the peace that God will bless it and provide for us.

Wild One

Yesterday Dave was sick so we just hung around the house and watched movies. One of the movies we watched was "Into the Wild" (movie website: http://www.intothewild.com/). This movie is written from a book that follows the journey of a college student looking for adventure and working out issues he had regarding his parents. (You can read the synopsis at the above website)

Watching this movie I was struck by the bravery of this kid. I kept thinking what if you get hurt or what if you get sick. But I also thought about how we view life in one way and rarely do we get to view it differently through different lenses or at different angles. I'm pretty black and white. One of the biggest difficulties I have in life is to see it differently.

This movie has challenged the way I see life and the way I live it. Here are some things I learned:

• Share your life - It may be easier to just to be alone without the complications other people bring, but sharing your life with your family in friends makes this very hard and difficult life more livable. It is better to love others than to be alone!
• Possessions are temporary - We put a lot of our worth and security in the things of this world. Being free to give our "things" away or get rid of the clutter makes us freer.
• God in nature - It says in the Bible that we can be still and know that He is God and also that we can know He is God through his creation. Take time to appreciate nature, to be quiet and to be still.

I always admired those who were able to shed the trappings of this world. To rid themselves of possessions and to live a simple life. I desire that kind of life. I'm praying to simplify things and to see our life and raising our kids in a different way.

A friend of ours Bill Holston wrote a great commentary on simple living:

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kera/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1538320/North.Texas/Commentary.Simple.Gifts

Check it out, it is very moving and inspiring as well.

Simply Yours,

Vanessa

In Honor of My Mom

My mom has suffered with chronic back pain for 3+ years. She has been to doctor after doctor who have told her there wasn't hope of the pain ending and could not give her any reasons for the pain. For those who know her this may come as a surprise. The reason this is probably news to you is because she suffers in silence.

Standing, walking, sitting, laying, picking up things, setting down things, things we take for granted have been obstacles for her. But you wouldn't know this. She doesn't complain, she doesn't sigh, she doesn't cry or get angry. She pours love into her kids and her grandkids and husband. She prays with hope that God still hears her prayers while she still suffers and she never once blames Him. She says things like "there is people who have it worse than me" or "this has made me more compassionate to those who have chronic illness and pain".

I think about how my reaction would be. I'm ashamed that it would be the selfish option of wallowing in pity and anger. There has been times when I said to God "you could take this from her" and "why her, God?". Bitter tears and a heavy heart.

As her daughter I have had the great privilege of watching her persevere. I have been lucky enough to pray for her and claim for her God's promises, that His greater good is at work and that He is in control and loves her still. He has shown us His mighty sovereignty by giving her times of no pain and relief from the medications that she has had to take daily just to survive. We never lost hope. We never claimed that there was no hope and we never accepted condemnation to a life of pain for her.

This week she had a surgery that has replaced two of her "leaky" discs and we are praying with the hope that this is the answer. She is in the hospital right now recovering and I am relived that her mind is free from that worry for the moment.

I wanted to relay to you what a strong, powerfully sweet and kind woman my mom is, but I just can't do it justice. Those who know her know this to be true and those who are close to her know her loyalty and passion for life. There are times when parenting is rough for me, where my patience is gone and life just seems really hard. Then I remember how my mom has been good to us and selfless and kind and it brings me back and past my selfish desires. I think to myself "Will I ever be like her?" I can only hope and pray that I touch upon the greatness that is my mom.

Please keep praying for her recovery. Believe with me in God's healing in her life. She deserves to live as the princess to the King that she is. We love you mom "Nana". You are truly the best!

This is the verse we claimed for her as she is entering into a new stage in her life:

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Maddyism - (Adult Rating)

We all need just plain silly things to read sometimes, so here is something Maddy said yesterday that cracked me up!

Maddy was playing with her little sister Zoe in the back seat of the car. Maddy says "Hey you are playing with my coochie" and I'm like "What did you say?" she replies, "I told Zoe she is playing with my coochie, you know my toy...the worm" relief washes over me and I say "Ok well, lets call it something else this isn't an appropriate name"

What a week! (And it isn't even over yet!)

(Little Charlie)

This week Charlie headed to sleep-away camp with our preteen youth group. I believe this is last year to go. While at camp he turned 12. This was our first birthday apart from him. We were super sad, but thankful he was with a group of people who loved him. He comes home tomorrow (July 10th) and I am so happy! Our life is not meant to be without him. I am aware that college is only 6 little years away but I try not to think about it.

Also this week, Maddy started a little day camp with our city's parks and recreation. She had a rough start. She really has to test the person in charge first before she shows how sweet and fun she can be. Poor thing spent Monday and Tuesday grounded. Wednesday was another story, she was 100% better. Once she realized we were on the teacher's side and that she had to obey the rules, things got better. We are trying to teach her that it takes more effort to behave badly then to actually do right. Praying has helped too, I give God the credit for wisdom.

Side Note: You are probably wondering what the story is with the blog header. One day Maddy said to me "Mom, I have been praying for a DS and some games" (while we don't really encourage praying for items, I thought it was neat that she would tell God the desires of her heart) so I said "That is great Maddy, maybe God will help you will get them someday" to which she replied "Mom, I didn't mean God I meant SANTA!!" I got a good chuckle from that and said "Sweetie we don't pray to Santa." I am thinking we may have to come clean on that. Also, that is Zoe's first taste of cake, yummy yummy!

As far as mommy news is concerned I signed up to become a turbo kickboxing instructor this week. I take the course and the test July 25th. I will blog about my experience. I'm sure it will be humorous. Anyways, I figure I might as well get paid for being at the gym everyday right?!

I also enrolled in college this week! I'm super excited! I never went. Partly because I was a mess in high school and also academics have not come easy to me due to the fact I have two major learning differences (ADDHD and Dyslexia). I have to take a placement test since test scores from 1995 are not valid anymore, where does time go?! Me and Dave will take turns pursuing a degree. I have not decided what mine will be, but I am thinking social work or business. I still have to work full time but I am hoping to take some course work online.

Let me think, anything else exciting going on?....Is that not enough? My goodness God is so good to make life so interesting and fun! I am so glad to have good friends and a great family to share it with! We are blessed.

Eat This...NOT THAT!

Yesterday I left my home to embark a new way of shopping. I left at 9:00 pm and did not get hone until midnight. Two hours of grocery shopping. You are probably wondering why it took so long...

You may not know but Dave (my hot hubby) has lost over 40 lbs and I have lost 30. We did this with a mix of exercise and the South Beach Diet. So, now that we are used to eating small meals and watching not only calories but what we eat we have moved on to a new system.

We are using the Eat This Not That books, written by David Zinczenko (http://eatthis.menshealth.com/). So far we have bought The Supermarket Survival Guide and The No Diet Weight Loss Solution. We plan on buying the one for kids next. We purchased these at Target but can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com as well.

These books are great, they do exactly what I love. They do the work of looking at labels and giving clear direction. In the books they have vibrant pictures of products so that they are easily found at the store or a restaurant and are separated by easy to find sections and categories. Such as, the frozen foods are separated by meatless, chicken and beef. While these are easy to look at and find products if you are not used to shopping this way it does take some time, I anticipate it getting easier as I learn what we can and can not eat.

The other feature I like about these books is that David Zinczenko give you the reasons why certain foods are eat worthy and why others are not. Also, there are lists of the perfect pantry, the perfect freezer and the perfect fridge. These give a clear view of what a healthy kitchen looks like and it just makes it so easy.

The only draw back I found was some products are found only at "specialty" grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Central Market and Sprouts. There were 2 things on my list I couldn't buy at Walmart. That is pretty good!

You also maybe thinking that this a way more expensive way to eat. Really, I spent less than I normally do. The reason being is that when you a less fatty, less carb intensive diet and you generally eat less you need less. Self control is key here and listening to your body. I also have the kids on an eating schedule if we are home. They eat like we do, 6-7 small meals a day. I do not allow them to eat out of boredom or thirst. I make sure they stay hydrated and eat only because they need fuel.

I hope you give these books a try if you are interested in discussing them post a comment. Also, if you do use them let me know some fun tips!

The Bad Tooth Fairy

Our tooth fairy must be very very busy. She really isn't very good at her job. She forgets to collect teeth. She misplaces treats and money. She puts teeth in a drawer in mom's desk in plain view. She offers no explanation for her actions.

She tries to make it right by leaving treats on the kitchen table and money in mom's purse but it just isn't the same. I wonder how we can get a new one. Maybe, if we ask Dad he would have some ideas. Maddy is really at her wits end with this tooth fairy we have been given.

Maddy lost a tooth today and I'm hoping the tooth fairy remembers to do her job.