Scripture Sunday : Passover

As we enter into the Passover and Easter holiday I reflect on the meaning of Passover. While I was raised in a Christian home, I have had a fascination with the Jewish Holy Days.  Several year ago I met Joan Lipis the author of Celebrate Jesus a wonderful book that helped open my eyes to Christ in all the High Holy Days of the Jewish faith. As I study my Bible lesson for the week, I came across several verses, however one verse really stood out for me heading into the holiday season.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

I Thessalonians 5:5

and

Rejoice evermore

I Thessalonians 5:16

Jesus is the light of the world and we are children of that wonderful light. Now because of his sacrifice for use we can rejoice for ever in his resurrection.

Menu Monday

As I recover use of my arm and begin retraining the muscles in my shoulder and arm I am continual looking for easy menus. This coming week is our first week back to homeschool co-op following Spring Break so I have a couple extra things on the calendar this week meaning it will be super easy meals this week.
Monday: Annie’s Organic Rising Crust Pizza
Tuesday: Chili Mac
Wednesday: BBQ burgers and tator tots
Thursday: Soup and sandwiches
Friday: black bean chicken burritos
One way to keep Mommy on the mend is to make it easier to fix dinner.

Be sure to check out all the other awesome menus at Menu Plan Monday

Sunday Scripture: March 25th

I am going to start a weekly post title Sunday Scripture , it won’t be totally random,  although it will likely come from our weekly Bible Lesson and I may or may not add my own commentary to go along with it.

Here we go!

He is the Rock, his work is perfect

Deuteronomy 32: 4 a

As I am working toward a full recovery of my shoulder and arm I am focusing on God as my Rock and my focus is becoming clearer. I know that I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me, and I am created in God’s image. I am so grateful for the knowledge that a relationship with Christ has given me.

Wordless Wednesday recycling

 

a preview of an upcoming review.. This made me happy today!

Couponing for Good , the kids need our Help, a Simple Service Project #AllforCFK

Families across the country are struggling to make ends meet and for some it is especially hard. Not everyone qualifies for government assistance for whatever reason. I know from personal experience that it is hard to ask for help when it comes to feeding your kids. I coupon to make ends meet and I have asked for help myself before  and it is hard, but I was blessed not only with the food but with the love and compassion that comes with that box of food. I have also been blessed with the love and understanding while standing in line with other parents. I have met several very dear friends while standing in line to get that little bit of help. 

It was that compassion that led me to join with All You and Collective Bias in their partnership with Champions for Kids to help give back to 1 local food pantry that has helped me in the past.  

Lafayette Community Church Food Bank is a ministry of Lafayette Community Church and offers food boxes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month as well as a bread bank that is open Mondays and Saturdays where the local community can receive assistance making ends meet. 


The boys and I had our shopping done on a Thursday afternoon and had planned on delivering the loaded grocery bags the following Saturday. Well, that Friday morning I fell and dislocated my shoulder so had to put our delivery on hold. 

Thankfully my husband needed to run an errand to the local parts house which happens to be a block away from the Food Bank. Since that was on a Monday and things have been a little tight lately I decided to take advantage of the Bread bank and deliver the groceries for the Food Bank.  It wasn't nearly as much as I had hoped but I know the 2 bags and the toilet paper will go a long way to helping fill the Food Banks shelves. 
The local Food Banks can always use our help to feed local families. This year seems to be a hard one for many families with the price of gas on the rise, the cost of everything has increased. 

Please remember your local food Bank when you are out shopping, it doesn't take lot especially if you see a coupon deal that makes something a great deal or even free, pick up a couple extra and help stock those shelves for those families that are struggling to make ends meet. 
See our full journey including the various coupons we used in our Google+ Album  
Another idea I was inspired by as I shopped, if you have a coupon that you aren't going to use, leave it on the shelf next to the coordinating product for the next person, you never know it may be that small gesture that helps make ends meet for someone. 
A simple service project can really be that simple. 

Coupons can help make ends meet as they do for me  or they can help you share with those that need a little help up and help stock the shelves of your local food pantry. 
Every little bit helps and together we can be Champions for kids.
Follow Champions for Kids on Facebook and Twitter
This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias  

Sunday supper

It has been challenging to cook with only 1 arm, so meals are very simple lately. The boys are happy with chili mac or soup, so we have had lots of soup and easy meals. I have freezer packs of meatballs that have made a perfect addition to 2 cans of minestrone soup for a quick easy dinner.
Another easy meal is a family favorite is chicken with black beans and rice.
Sunday Supper doesn't have to be fancy, it really more important that you spend dinner time together with your family.

Mid week helper

Just thought I would highlight a product this week that has been a huge help.

I love My HippMAMA Toolbelt and since I dislocated my shoulder and am in recovery mode I need all the extra help I can get. I attached the little pouch to the hand of a shopping cart which freed up my usable arm and made the things I needed easy to get at.
I also connected the same pouch to my shoulder sling, giving  me access and a place for my phone since I don't have a pocket in the skirts/ pants I can wear right now.  It is the little things like my HippMAMA Toolbelt that have made being a Mom now a little easier

Mommies are breakable

On Friday March 2nd, I was working on printing some school work for the boys when I heard Nathan scream. It was the panicked I'm hurt scream, so I immediately got up and went outside to see what the problem was.  He had gotten his hand stuck in the hood of a van that is parked in front of Daddy's shop. I realized what was wrong and began to run, when I heard his pitch change I ran faster afraid he would try and pull his hand out and do serious damage.  As I neared the van I tripped over my own feet and slammed into the van at full speed , the hit the ground , still in motion , I skidded across the gravel.
Nathan was still screaming and now Mommy was too, the pain was crazy. Cameron ran to get Daddy from the shop. He came running and immediately freed Nathan's hand and then came to my side. Cameron got my a pillow and blanket as it was chilly outside so we could take a few moments to assess the situation. 
After about 5 minutes, Mike helped me up and into the house. We tried sitting my on the bed and that didn't work , so we set me up in his recliner with pillows to prop my arm up. 
Since we are students of Christian Science, we began reading and praying to stay focused on God and not on the physical pain. We called Mike's sister who is a practitioner and she gave us some more thoughts to help. After about an hour of working, I was losing my ability to focus as the pain was a strong distraction and we decided to head to the local Hospital. The drive was only about 15 minutes and we continued with our prayers and focus on God as the only cause and creator. 
At the hospital I was admitted to the ER and immediately inundated with questions about how it happened. I told the story through the pain 6 different times as Mike stood faithfully by my side holding my hand to ease the pain , at great pain to him I might add (I can't imagine what was going through his mind as he was standing there listening to the implied tone of the questions). 
I was given a shot to ease the pain and sent the x-ray. Thankfully the x-ray tech was a strong gentlemen who was able to help Mike get me to the machine and then back into bed.
The orthopedic doctor reset my left shoulder while Mike continued to be my strength, constantly at my side. 
Our nurse who had at first seemed distant and cold, warmed up and on several occasions complimented us both for the strength and sincerity of our relationship. 
I am now in recovering mode until I get the ok start Physical Therapy. I am still committed to focusing on God the Great Physician to help me through this, but am grateful for the staff we encountered at Willamette Valley Medical Center and am now seeing that a true Christian Science healing occurred in the minds and hearts of those we worked with at the Hospital, they saw God's love through Mike and my commitment to each other

Isaiah 41:10

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁰Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

New Shows

Contributed by Cameron Hodge

I didn't have cable TV for a long time, so when I finally went to http://www.ExpertSatellite.com/ and got satellite connected, it was a big deal. I had gotten so used to not watching much TV that I was shocked at how interested I was in so many shows. There were so many new things on that I was like a kid in a candy shop. I was still interested in watching reruns of some of my old favorites like Sex and the City and Friends, but the new stuff was so much fun. I know it’s lame, but I got really into Sixteen and Pregnant on MTV. Who would have thought it would be so much fun to watch teenagers struggle with pregnancy and parenthood? I also started watching the Millionaire Matchmaker or Bravo. I can’t place what it is that keeps me interested in that one, but I think it’s how pathetic these millionaires are when it comes to dating. You would think it would be easy for them since they have so much money. All I know is that I am enjoying my satellite TV, and can’t believe I did without it for so long!

First Look Disney's The Lone Ranger

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski comes Disney/Bruckheimer Films' THE LONE RANGER. Tonto (Johnny Depp), a spirit warrior on a personal quest, joins forces in a fight for justice with John Reid (Armie Hammer), a lawman who has become a masked avenger.

THE LONE RANGER will be released in May 2013.

Looks like this could be a fun remake!

Couponing and giving it all for kids #AllYouCFK #cbias

I have written before about couponing, but this time we are putting a twist on it. Couponing for a cause, better yet, couponing for the kids with Champions for kids and allyou magazine.  
I couponing to make ends meet and I know many families struggle to even do that. When the boys and I head about the allyou  Couponing for Good we knew we would love to help. I love to show people how to save money on their groceries and paper goods and I love helping the Champions for Kids program.
We have received help from our local food pantries before and now that I am blogging and receiving an income from that , it is my turn to give back. 
So many families in our local communities are struggling to make ends meet and put a balanced meal on the table for their kids. Each week the boys and I still receive some help from the local food pantry through their bread bank, where families can come in and pick up a loaf of bread and a treat (muffins, cookies, etc). This program is a huge help to my family and many families in the community. Bread is a staple no matter what you are fixing. 
So many times I think people forget about the local food pantries after the holidays, but the need is still there and even greater now that the holidays are passed. 

Couponing for a cause is a great way to help your local community. There are 2 simple ways to help, first you can do what we did, select a stack of coupons and shop for your local charity, or decide that you are going to donate your savings. Donate the money you save couponing to your local charity. For instance, when I went shopping this last time I saved $23.80 using the coupons I had. I could donate the cash to the local charity or shop for them using my coupons. 

Something else to consider, reusable shopping bags. I donated 2 bags of groceries and included the bags so the charity can reuse them or send a package to a family in the bag.  I know of a local food pantry here in town that has each family bring back their bag each month to refill. It saves costs for the food pantry, allowing them to buy more food and not worry about boxes. 
See our full journey including the carious coupons we used in our Google+ Album

Every little bit helps and together we can be Champions for kids.
Follow Champions for Kids on Facebook and Twitter
This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias