Faithful Abandon!

An opportunity arose last week which I absolutely didn't have the funds for, although I knew I should do it.  "I can't afford that," was my instant response.  My heart told me different, though. So Monday morning I prayed about it and then opened my quiet time Bible study and the words that jumped out at me were "Why do you say 'I can't afford this or that when your Heavenly Father has all the riches of the world at your disposal?" Wow - that really spoke to me!  Oh me of little faith! So I said "Yes, I'll do it" and I've set up some fund-raising and am excitedly waiting the opportunity!  What a fun chance to watch God work!
       I know that in general I have to be sensible in my expenses and frugal with my budget, but there are times when I can throw all caution to the wind and let my awesome God shower me with blessings.  What a sense of excitement and freedom when I abandon myself to His will!

Resolutions? Nope - it's More of a To-Do List!

     I have taken on the task of being princess of my castle.
     I usually work at my writing job quite a few hours per week but I've realized we are drowning in clutter and disorganization and perhaps for a short while my time would be better spent bailing us out.   So I've made a check-list of things I want to do to help my family. (These are NOT New Year Resolutions. Been there, done that.)

         1) De-clutter the house.  This is harder than you might think. I've found I have an emotional attachment to certain "things" and that makes it difficult to part with them. But... I gave eight garbage bags of clothes to charity and transformed one of my closets into a new work space. What do you think?
         2) Make a meal plan.  I used to do this, coupled with a weekly grocery list.  I've re-started by making a meal plan for the month of January and actually put together several meals and froze them.  I feel AWESOME about that!
          3) Get our finances in order.  We've always worked off of a budget, but I'm thinking of getting one of those fancy computer programs that tracks your every dollar.  ( I have to be diligent about entering all my expenses.  Am I expecting too much from myself?)  What programs do you like best?
          Empowered by the King of Kings, and a whole lot of prayer (will you pray for me 'cause I need it!) , I strive to be a more organized and calmer woman by the end of the year!
     

Ramblings and Updates

Just a bunch of rambling....
     First off, after clearing eight garbage bags of clothes out of my closet, my friend and I were finally ready to convert my one closet into my home work space!  I'll put photos on my Facebook page.  Check it out!  I am so excited about it!!
       This isn't really on topic either (for this month's theme) but I posted about a month ago that I was inviting some neighbor's over for a Bible Study.  We met and it was awesome!  We had a great time and I think it's going to be fun making some new friends.  We are a mix - some strong Christians, some just curious, and a self-proclaimed agnostic, so it should prove to be a great ground for discussion.  Plus, it's fun to get together with my neighbors, who I would otherwise not see!
         On to other topics, I am thinking ahead for December's Princess challenge, Respecting the King. What a great way to remember the true meaning of the season.  I'm going to focus on ways to put Jesus back into Christmas in my own life.  I'll keep you posted. What are some of your ideas?

Update on the Bible Study

I handed out fliers for the neighborhood Bible study and have had several positive responses!  How exciting!  It took me an hour and a half just to get around to half the houses because people wanted to talk.  I’m already getting to know my neighbors!  This is turning out to be fun, so far, and now that I know people are actually coming it gives me incentive to clean the house.  LOL!!! 

Moving Mountains (or Philistines)

My devotional this morning mentioned Shamgar, a man who struck down 600 Philistines with an ox-goad (which is a pointy stick used for herding slow-moving animals).  SIX HUNDRED Philistines taken down by one man with a stick!  (Judges 3:31)

            That got me to thinking about how much we can do if we dedicate our work to God.  Which puts me in mind of another story I heard in church one Sunday from my pastor.

            A woman was praying to move a mountain that she could see from her back yard.  (I don't remember why she wanted it moved, but that's not the point of the story.) 

            "You can't move an entire mountain just by praying," people told her.  

            "No, but God can," she replied.

            So for years this woman steadfastly prayed for that mountain to be moved.  One day, a large construction crew arrived at the foot of the mountain with a lot of dynamite.  They drove around to the nearby residents and announced that they were going to blast away the mountain to put in a new road!

            I love that story.  I guess it doesn't matter if we only have a simple stick, or have to wait for a construction crew.  What matters is that there is power in prayer, and God is listening!  If there's a job we need to do, or want done, if we dedicate it to God, anything is possible.