Urgent Prayer Request...Please!

Tonight I'm asking all my followers and anyone who visits my blog to lift up one of my best friend's family.  Last weekend proved to be full of not-so-good news for them.  Even though they know that the Lord is in control of everything, I know that all prayers sent up for them would be much appreciated.  You can read about the events that have taken place on her blog ~ Consider it All Joy.  Please take a moment to read her post and then say a prayer for them.  I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart!

The Treasure Principle

Where does time fly to?!?  It certainly has flown away from me this winter.  Without motivation and too many kid activities, the makeovers have taken a vacation.  I promise that the change in the weather is starting to bring back the much needed motivation to get back at it.

The little free time I have found has been filled with reading some great books.  I'm addicted to anything regarding Bible prophecy and have finished quite a few new reads dealing with it, as well as revisiting a few favorites.  I find comfort in reading about the end times ~ I know that sounds strange to some, but it gives me a peace to know that everything happening in today's world is in God's hands and plans.  The recent earthquakes in New Zealand and now in Japan should be a wake-up call ~ Jesus' return could be very close at hand.

Not only have I been absorbing prophecy, I've also finished re-reading Randy Alcorn's The Treasure Principle.  It's just a little book (93 pages), but it delivers a big message.  During this last year, God has been working on my heart regarding increasing our giving.  DH and I have both felt God's tug.

My MIL and Step-FIL gave this book to DH for Christmas in 2009.  Although we both read it at that time, and did do a little extra giving, the Principle didn't really take hold.  I could blame it on lots of things ~ too little time, too little resources,  too many other "needs", etc., etc.  The fact is we didn't make it take hold.

As I was cleaning off my bookshelf a few weeks ago, I came across the book again.  So, I decided to re-read it.  Boy, did it hit home this time.  I've been feeling unsettled for quite a few months now and couldn't put my finger on what was bothering me.  I kept thinking it was the winter blues, but it seemed deeper than that.  My heart has just been heavy.  I think the answer was "hiding" in the book all along.

The Treasure Principle is about discovering the secret of joyful giving.  It is an eye-opener about how God wants us to see money and possessions ~ and where we should really be storing up our treasures.  In today's world, it's so easy to get caught up in more, more, more for me, me, me.  When actual, everything belongs to Him.  Nothing we have on this earth is truly ours ~ NOTHING.  Everything, including the money in our wallet, is His.  We shouldn't be in a race to see how much we can hoard for ourselves in our homes or bank accounts instead we should be living by this verse in Matthew ~

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Matthew 6:19-21

I'm a saver ~ kids' toys, kids' clothes, sentimental anything, money, etc..  I have a hard time letting things that are tied to memories go.  My dad drilled it into me to not get rid of things because you never know when you might need them.  Our basement was proof of my problem of not passing things on.  I had totes full of clothes and toys and misc. items that I just might need some day.  They were weighing me down.  They were weigh heavy on my heart ~ but I didn't know it.  Then this little book popped back into my life.  Suddenly it hit me.  These things aren't mine, they all belong to God and it's my job to use them in the best way possible for Him!  I really don't have the right to be storing them in our basement for years and years.  I should be using them and then passing them on to someone else who needs them.

So for the last few weeks, I have been passing God's blessings to me on.  So far I have cleaned out 8 totes of blessings and it feels wonderful.  My heart is filled with a peace I haven't felt in a long time.  I realized that I really had no ownership of these materials ~ it's like they were on loan from God and it's now time to give them back or pass them on.  Before, when I would go through the totes and try to downsize, my heart would ache and I would become emotional thinking about the memory associated with each item.  Now I almost feel excitement when I think about the person who will receive the blessing.  It truly is bringing more joy to me than the items ever did or will!

There are 6 keys to The Treasure Principle ~
1. God owns everything.  I'm His money manager.
2. My heart always goes where I put God's money.
3. Heaven, not earth, is my home.
4. I should live not for the dot but the line.
5. Giving is the only antidote to materialism.
6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

Alcorn spends time explaining each key in a very real, easy to understand way.  It's a "quick" read with a big punch.  I would encourage everyone to read it.

Not only are we passing along these material blessings to other families, we are passing along the Principle to our children as well.  They have gotten into the Principle right along with us.  It's been amazing to see how excited they are to pass along toys, clothes, books, etc. that they have to others that are in need.  

A quote from the book  ~ "The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the universe, and He won't let you outgive Him.  Go ahead and try.  See what happens."  That's not saying that the money will come flowing in by the tidal wave, but that God will bless you beyond your wildest dreams.  This is the one time God says to test him ~
"Test me in this...and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it"  Malachi 3:10

My challenge for you this week is to give more and see what happens.  Trust what God has promised to those that do.

Thrifty Thursday

Spring is definitely in the air today ~ possibly hitting 70 here in Iowa!!!  The snow is just about all melted, much to my delight!  The kids have been spending as much time as possible outside after school which means a lot of wet, wet clothes to wash every day.  I had forgotten how wet this time of year is ~ the yard is mud from one end to the other.  Oh well ~ I spied some green grass today and some of my plants stayed green under all the snow!

I thought that I would make a return to Thrifty Thursday today.  With the warmer weather, I'm feeling more like blogging again.  I didn't think that winter would have affected my desire to post, but it sure did.  The cold temps made it impossible to paint and the pieces that I had ready to prim just sat in the basement in a box.  Maybe I can get to them now!

I hit Goodwill after Valentine's Day this week and found a few treasures.  Next year's decorating will be a bit more than it was this year!  Here's what I snagged ~

I actually had purchased the hugs & kisses wall words before Valentine's Day with the intention of applying it to a tile.  However, with all the kids' activities and a few snow days, I never accomplished it.  Everything else I picked up for a mere $3.50!  I think that they will be great additions to what I have.

DH shocked me with a new Willow Tree for Valentine's Day.  I wasn't expecting anything as he had surprised me with gorgeous diamond earrings for Christmas (as well as every special holiday/day in 2011).  I still have it displayed with my Valentine's Day Scentsy warmer ~

Here's a different view of the Scentsy warmer ~

It seems that a lot of us have been busy thrifting again ~ everyone must have spring fever!  It's been fun to see what everyone's been finding.  What's been your favorite treasure lately?

Finally ~ A Goodwill Goodie Finish Friday!

FINALLY ~ a finished makeover!  This winter has just zapped all my motivation to do ANY makeovers.  With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I pulled out my decorations and discovered just how few I have.  I had planned to cover the heart with a rusty star, but decided that this box is a perfect Valentine's fit.

Here's the before ~

And the Result ~

Here it is displayed on the mantle ~

I still haven't decided if I want to keep it black or put a coat of red or burgundy over it.  The black makes whatever I sit on it really pop, so for now it's staying black.  This is really all I have for Valentine's Day decorations.  Perhaps I will start keeping an eye open for a few "heart" items at Goodwill that need a good "updating" ~ LOL!

How about all of you?  Do you decorate lots for Valentine's Day?  

Let the Lord guide me

For the last few months DH and I have been struggling with our Middle School Sunday School class that we teach.  This year's group of kids has been frustrating most of the time and we have been seriously contemplating "retiring" as teachers.  They just wouldn't stay focused and the level of disrespect continued to escalate.  Many, many prayers have been sent up about what to do.

The planned, store-bought lessons that we had used the last 5 years weren't cutting it anymore.  I had tried planning our own lessons digging into the books of the Bible one by one.  We were becoming more and more frustrated and the kids were becoming more and more out-of-control.  For the month of December, we always take a break and watch a movie as part of their Christmas present from us.  This year we picked Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  It was a good breather for all of us I think.  Even though we had watched it 2 years ago, the kids stayed interested and paid attention.  Maybe it's because we hinted that there may be questions dealing with the movie in the Bible trivia that we always play at the end of the Sunday School hour :)  That is the only time that everyone pays attention and contributes to class!  Perhaps it's because the winners always leave class with candy!

Last week was the first week back to regular class.  All week I had tried to prepare something as a lesson, but I just wasn't feeling that anything I came up with was going to work.  So I went with nothing, and I mean nothing prepared.  I was actually quite calm about it ~ no panic feeling about what were we going to do with 15 middle schoolers for an hour with nothing planned.  I had decided to turn it over to the Lord.  I would let Him show us what to do with these unruly middle schoolers.

I sat down, took out my Bible, and said nothing.  The questions started to fly ~ "What are we doing?"  "Are we going back to those boring lessons again?"  "Do we have to do anything?"  "Can't we just sit and talk?"

Out of my mouth can the answer ~ "We are going to split into 2 teams and play a game."  The kids went wild!  They couldn't believe that we were just going to play a game the whole hour.  So into 2 teams they split without any arguing or hassles.  I questioned them about the Gospels, had them find verses, threw in the occasional Narnia question ~ the hour flew by.  We even received a few thank yous for the candy as they left the room.  DH and I looked at each other ~ we couldn't believe how much info we pumped out to them and how much they sucked in!

So yesterday I did the same thing  ~ let the Lord guide me.  The same answer came again.  This time the questions dealt with salvation, verses about salvation, the Lamb's Book of Life ~ which lead to a terrific discussion about whether or not a person can lose their salvation.  The kids were so focused and involved ~ even the ones that are so shy we can't even get them to say hello to us.  We were overwhelmed when class ended. 

We are feeling better about continuing on as teachers.  We still feel that strong pull to be leaders for this age group in our church.  This is a critical time in these kids' lives.  They need strong Christians to show an interest in them ~ some that are willing to listen to their questions and help them find the answers.  Even though, we thought that we were seeking the Lord's guidance about how to handle the class, it took total surrender of it to Him.  DH and I feel like the kids are getting so much more out of class ~ we are enjoying it again.

It's just another reminder of how we need to totally surrender everything to the Lord.  I cannot be in control of things ~ He needs to be.  I need to seek what He wants from me, need to be quiet and listen for His voice in my life.  I can't wait to see what He has in store for next week ~ I think that the kids are excited as well.

Oh Me, Oh My!

Where has the time gone?!?  I can't believe that it is so far into January already and I haven't posted any makeovers yet!  Never fear ~ they are on their way!  With the holidays, get togethers, kids on Christmas break, I just haven't had time to finish any.  They are sitting here, looking at me just waiting.  I'll give you a sneak peek of what the weeks ahead will reveal ~

(You might recognize this one!)

Please hang in there with me ~  I enjoy having all of you as followers and appreciate all your input!  I promise, makeovers are on their way!

O Holy Night

On that holy night so long ago, God sent His only Son so that each of us may have eternal life ~
may each of us celebrate that new birth tonight!

Merry Christmas!

"Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11