This year a couple seniors at our church are preparing to graduate high school! It is so hard for Michael and I to believe that 2 of the 4 are even old enough to be embarking on this considering we have know these two since they were about 9 years old. This 2 wonderful ladies have babysat for us, helped us with our kiddos at church functions, and well been like part of our family at times. So I decided to come up with some fun/funny little survival kits to give them as gifts. One is going to college while the other is going to basic training to become a Marine! I have done a little research and this is what I have come up with....Let me know what you think and of course if you think I have left anything out!
College Survival Kit:
Sm. laundry basket ( dual purpose so it can hold the loot)
hangers
laundry detergent
Air Freshener
Nice coffee mug
instant coffee
pens
pencils
highlighters
sm. personalized photo album
first aide kit
toilet paper
Kleenex
small screw driver kit
Basic Training Survival Kit ( I know she will not be able to take all these items with her when she leaves...but her mom sure can send them later:) )
Pens
Stamps
Paper
Envelopes
Chap stick
Sunscreen
first aide kit
small sewing kit
Kleenex
sm. personalized photo album
baby wipes
permanent markers
flashlight/batteries
Tylenol
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Batch #1 has been delivered
I am so EXCITED to be able to report 150 crayons and coloring books were delivered this weekend. I delivered 75 to my church to be taken to the Upper Sandmountain Parish and then 75 more were delivered to the shelter at the Arab Rec Center. While I will not accompany those delivered to my church I did get to speak to a lady at the Arab shelter who told us what a blessing those would be to the children there. She even confirmed what I had thought which was the children had lost everything and had little or nothing to keep them occupied.
While in Arab on Sunday Michael and I drove to the Ruth community which was hit rather hard. I was in search of children to encounter and actually give books to. On our first pass through the damage we saw no children went to the Fire Department spoke with some people and on our way out I prayed I would be able to see some children. As we drove out I saw several children at a destroyed trailor park. I got out with some coloring books approached the people and asked if I could share those with the children. When the children came around I told them what I had and Michael (who sat in the car with a sleeping Cooper) said their faces just lite up! I was so happy to bring some joy to them in this time of caos. A grandmother asked if she could have one. As we talked she told me where each family that was in the make shift tent had once lived. I couldn't even tell that trailors or homes of any form had once been there. I was heartbroken by the amount of loss in that small community.
It is apparent that the recovery is long from over. And these people need our continued prayer and support. Thank you to each of you who have helped with this project in anyway...I am blessed to know each of you and have you part of this adventure. Also, keep the coloring books coming I am praying to be able to send around 200 with Hewett's Youth on their upcoming mission trip into 2 very affected areas of Pleasent Grove and Tuscaloosa. Also, I would love to get some out to Hacklesburg and Phil Campell that were also devastated.
Many thanks again...You are all working as the hands and feet of God!
While in Arab on Sunday Michael and I drove to the Ruth community which was hit rather hard. I was in search of children to encounter and actually give books to. On our first pass through the damage we saw no children went to the Fire Department spoke with some people and on our way out I prayed I would be able to see some children. As we drove out I saw several children at a destroyed trailor park. I got out with some coloring books approached the people and asked if I could share those with the children. When the children came around I told them what I had and Michael (who sat in the car with a sleeping Cooper) said their faces just lite up! I was so happy to bring some joy to them in this time of caos. A grandmother asked if she could have one. As we talked she told me where each family that was in the make shift tent had once lived. I couldn't even tell that trailors or homes of any form had once been there. I was heartbroken by the amount of loss in that small community.
It is apparent that the recovery is long from over. And these people need our continued prayer and support. Thank you to each of you who have helped with this project in anyway...I am blessed to know each of you and have you part of this adventure. Also, keep the coloring books coming I am praying to be able to send around 200 with Hewett's Youth on their upcoming mission trip into 2 very affected areas of Pleasent Grove and Tuscaloosa. Also, I would love to get some out to Hacklesburg and Phil Campell that were also devastated.
Many thanks again...You are all working as the hands and feet of God!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Crayons for Comfort Update
I am so EXCITED!! I posted my project and a link to my blog on facebook and things really have taken off. I can't believe how kind and generous people are. A local business Sew Irrestiable offered to be a drop off site and then several members of my church have said they would bring crayons and coloring books to church on Sunday. Not to include many friends who have stepped up to help. The first batch has already exceeded it's goal and I hope to be able to send items to both the Upper Sand Mountain Parish via Hewett UMC and I will be delivering some to Arab Rec Center that is functioning as a shelter. I have been praying all afternoon over these crayons and coloring books that the children will see Gods love, mercy and grace through the pages. I hope the bring some much needed comfort to those children who are hurting.
Ok so another plea...I want to be able to deliver crayons and coloring books to each hit area...In order to do this I will need 100's more books. I am praying God will provide so we can reach as many children as possible. I know He is big enough to do just that.
Thank you everyone for your help so far...Keep them coming!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Crayons for Comfort
As most of you know by now...if you have power that is. A rare tornado outbreak went on in a large portion of our country and it greatly affected Alabama the state in which I reside. Several EF4 and EF5 tornadoes reaped destruction across several communities and a number of them are rather close to our home. TVA the power co-op took a rough hit and a major portion of N. Alabama went with out power for days and many are still without power. The devastation is unreal and the numbers of lose are startling. But as we recover we know God is on His throne and He is in control.
After seeing the devastation via internet and news adn then hearing stories from my 10 year old daughter who went with my dad to aide friends in clean up whose home was destroyed I had been praying for God to show me a way we could be his hands and feet! Jesse and I were thinking about all the little children affected and got to thinking about how if there homes are destroyed then they would have little to comfort them. Children are simple and while a hug and a kiss are wonderful sometimes they need a little get away. So today after receiving an email from my pastor that our church would be collecting items to aide in relief in the "Upper Sand Mountain Parish" I thought we must send a little something for those sweet children who have lost so much. I had been thinking and praying about different ideas for a couple of days and while on the phone with my pastor decided crayons and coloring books along with a note would be a wonderful way to reach children of a wide age span.
So here I go...I was only going to ask the parents of my SPROUTS class that I teach if they would donate coloring books, crayons, and maybe some fruit snacks to package with our notes but then I thought why not go "viral". So if you would like to help out with what I am calling "Crayons for comfort" let me know and we can get your items package them and make sure they are delivered via our church to a distribution center. Our goal 50!
I pray Gods mighty blessings over this "goal" and over anyone touched or receiving any number of packages we might be able to put together.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Menu Making
Often times people ask me how it is that we are able to afford for me to stay at home on Michael's new much smaller income. And one way I try to save tons of money is in the food department. I do this by making menus for the week ahead based off of what is on sale or mostly what meats are on sale or already in my freezer. I have to admit that I have come lazy in the checking sales department but it goes to prove that even you don't check the sales menu making can save tons of money. I normally try to spend less than $100 a week on food only stuff. I have a different budget for cleaning supplies and toiletries. Here is this weeks menu and incase you wonder my total this week was around $88.00 including Easter Candy!
Monday- Taco Salad
Tuesday- Stuffed shells I got this recipe here and decided to leave out the spinach since we don't like spinach
Wednesday- This is my small group week so I had to provide potatoes, butter, bacon and chives for the loaded baked potatoes we are having...YUMMY
Thursday- Pork chops green beans and corn
Friday-Cheeseburger meatloaf, mashed potatoes and pinto beans
I also purchased stuff to make fried potatoes with sausage but we ate at my dad's Sunday and had those leftovers...so that is a meal that can roll over to next week:)
Here are a couple money saving grocery store tips if you don't want to mess with coupons...
Monday- Taco Salad
Tuesday- Stuffed shells I got this recipe here and decided to leave out the spinach since we don't like spinach
Wednesday- This is my small group week so I had to provide potatoes, butter, bacon and chives for the loaded baked potatoes we are having...YUMMY
Thursday- Pork chops green beans and corn
Friday-Cheeseburger meatloaf, mashed potatoes and pinto beans
I also purchased stuff to make fried potatoes with sausage but we ate at my dad's Sunday and had those leftovers...so that is a meal that can roll over to next week:)
Here are a couple money saving grocery store tips if you don't want to mess with coupons...
- I always buy dried beans unless I only need a small amount and then I buy the store brand can.
- I use mostly store brand products. Wal-Mart has a great store brand and it is very good quality.
- I buy 90% of our meat on sale and only when it is on sale...Like I said above I have been a little lazy and not keeping up with it like I use to but I am getting back on the wagon with that:)
- I don't buy tons of pre-packaged snack foods. Most cookies, crackers, chips, ect for the kids school snacks I package myself...unless they happen to be on sale.
- I ONLY buy what we need for that weeks menu and I didn't enclose lunches and snacks on the above menu but of course I buy only what we need for those also.
Those are just a couple of my little tricks...And they really do save us money!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
NO BUNNY!
Ok I know we are not the only Christan family in the US that doesn't do the Easter Bunny...Are we? And why for the first time EVER did I feel like my kids were missing out on something? Ok back "history" for those of you who don't know us...
There was a time when Michael and I didn't see eye to eye on this whole religion thing. Not that he was against it but kind of thought God was out to get him ( that is a post for another day). So I was alone in that boat trying to lead 2 children in the way they should go. Long and short...Michael gets saved and well we sell out for Jesus...He did a wonderful work in us therefore deserving all the glory and credit. So when we decided to change our ways we decided to change up how we did Easter. Not that the bunny had ever been a huge deal but you know. So we decided no over the top baskets, no commercialism and NO BUNNY! Yeap I said it we did it!
We don't do the bunny. We make all the focus of that time of year be on Jesus and what He did for us. Yes before you flood my inbox we do baskets SMALL candy and some sort of devotional, book or you know the sorts. Like this year Duece is receiving a Bible, Jesse a worship cd and well Cooper is getting Color Wonder from crayola since he is way too young for a Bible and we have enough devotions and story books for his age group to start a toddler library. And our take on the egg thing is that when we decide to take up our cross and follow Jesus we become a new life. The egg for us is a symbol of the new creation we are in Him.
I digress...
We have always been happy with that choice. But for some reason as Cooper brought home coloring pages of sweet bunnies from his preschool and talked of Peter Cottontail I couldn't help but wonder...Are they missing out on something? Or have I actually done a good thing by focusing on the real reason we celebrate which is of course the empty tomb!
All my concern was put to rest as my sweet 2 year old crawled in my lap and told me that " Jesus hung high on a cross, got blood ( I think he means bled), and died." I asked him why Jesus did this and his answer was "He loves Cooker ( this is how he says his own name) and so I can go to heaven with Nonnie and Daddys Pawpaw!" Ok case closed...Jesus loves me, I love Jesus, and so do my kids!
Sunday is coming!
There was a time when Michael and I didn't see eye to eye on this whole religion thing. Not that he was against it but kind of thought God was out to get him ( that is a post for another day). So I was alone in that boat trying to lead 2 children in the way they should go. Long and short...Michael gets saved and well we sell out for Jesus...He did a wonderful work in us therefore deserving all the glory and credit. So when we decided to change our ways we decided to change up how we did Easter. Not that the bunny had ever been a huge deal but you know. So we decided no over the top baskets, no commercialism and NO BUNNY! Yeap I said it we did it!
We don't do the bunny. We make all the focus of that time of year be on Jesus and what He did for us. Yes before you flood my inbox we do baskets SMALL candy and some sort of devotional, book or you know the sorts. Like this year Duece is receiving a Bible, Jesse a worship cd and well Cooper is getting Color Wonder from crayola since he is way too young for a Bible and we have enough devotions and story books for his age group to start a toddler library. And our take on the egg thing is that when we decide to take up our cross and follow Jesus we become a new life. The egg for us is a symbol of the new creation we are in Him.
I digress...
We have always been happy with that choice. But for some reason as Cooper brought home coloring pages of sweet bunnies from his preschool and talked of Peter Cottontail I couldn't help but wonder...Are they missing out on something? Or have I actually done a good thing by focusing on the real reason we celebrate which is of course the empty tomb!
All my concern was put to rest as my sweet 2 year old crawled in my lap and told me that " Jesus hung high on a cross, got blood ( I think he means bled), and died." I asked him why Jesus did this and his answer was "He loves Cooker ( this is how he says his own name) and so I can go to heaven with Nonnie and Daddys Pawpaw!" Ok case closed...Jesus loves me, I love Jesus, and so do my kids!
Sunday is coming!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday
The death of Jesus as it is told in the book of Matthew:
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ""Eloi, Eloi," "lama" "sabachthani?""--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
I shared yesterday that Resurrection Sunday is my favorite religious holiday. I thought I might need to explain myself...The acts that took place over Holy Week were terrible and the very thoughts of them make me want to cringe. But the self-less love showed by Jesus was immeasurable and what He did for us to this very day amazes me. Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus is my favorite holiday because it causes us to pause and realize what was REALLY done for us. I can't believe my King huge dying on a cross for me before He knew me to save me! I promise that is the ultimate love! As we observe Good Friday I almost want to hold my breath until Sunday when we all celebrate the empty tomb and our Risen Savior. But He rose ( the miracle of all miracles) as followers we should realize every day is worthy of celebration just for that reason...Because "We sing for the glory of a risen KING!"
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ""Eloi, Eloi," "lama" "sabachthani?""--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
I shared yesterday that Resurrection Sunday is my favorite religious holiday. I thought I might need to explain myself...The acts that took place over Holy Week were terrible and the very thoughts of them make me want to cringe. But the self-less love showed by Jesus was immeasurable and what He did for us to this very day amazes me. Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus is my favorite holiday because it causes us to pause and realize what was REALLY done for us. I can't believe my King huge dying on a cross for me before He knew me to save me! I promise that is the ultimate love! As we observe Good Friday I almost want to hold my breath until Sunday when we all celebrate the empty tomb and our Risen Savior. But He rose ( the miracle of all miracles) as followers we should realize every day is worthy of celebration just for that reason...Because "We sing for the glory of a risen KING!"
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