I have no idea what I’m doing with a blog.

I am not a writer or journalist by any stretch of the imagination.  I once had a post that mentioned “angles” (as in triangles) instead of “angels” (as in spiritual being).  I often have misspellings.  And I can’t honestly remember why this seemed like a good idea to start with.

With one silly post almost a year and a half ago this blog started.  At first I was UBER excited about it.  I annoyed all my friends until they subscirbed.  And now I secretly get really embarassed anytime a friend mentiones she read it.

This past Christmas I converted everything to a word press…which was kinda like having my teeth drilled with no anesthetic…only much longer and more annoying.  Word press is great, I just, well, have no idea what I’m doing.  935 Google crawl errors later, I  seriously considered just quietly closing up shop.

Then God confirmed what to do in a way I certainly didn’t expect.

In one week I had two strangers take the time to email me to let me know something they read here made a difference in their life.

If God can use a girl who can’t spell, writes sporadically, and lights up Google’s error logs like a Christmas tree…then my friend He can use you too!

Thank you for taking the time to read, the sweet people that share it with their friends, and your patience as I try to figure out what in the world I am doing

I have no idea what I’m doing

Whitney Houston died!  Crazy right?  She was famous and strong and “larger than life”  She wasn’t supposed to die!!!??

I felt the same with Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and every other big name that has died in recent years.

In the mist of such news I can’t help but be reminded EVERYONE dies.  We don’t like to think about it unless we have to, but it is true!  Presidents, Kings, celebrities, even doctors and surgeons.  We all die.  Encouraging huh?

Don’t worry I have a point.

Jesus said “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:25

Ok thanks Jesus….now what does that mean?

The first part asks, “who wants to save their life?”

I think that is pretty much everyone.  That is why we workout, take vitamins, go to the doctor, and wear seat belts.

So to ALL of us he says, you “will lose it.”  Which means we ALL die.  All of us.  No matter how many vitamins we take, no matter how safe we drive, even if we are a celebrity…we will all “loose our life.”

In fact the only person to rise from the dead or bring others back to life is the one giving us this advice…I think we should listen…just sayin.

“But” (meaning there is good news)

BUT, whoever loses their life for me will find it. 

Losing our life for Jesus means losing our agenda, our to do lists, our status, pride, goals, aspirations, and what most of us would define as “our LIFE.”

Losing OUR plans for HIS.  Throwing our hands up and saying “have your way with me Jesus”  That is TRUE LIFE.

We find LIFE by putting our self aside “dying to our agenda” and living for something bigger than ourselves. 

Why don’t we do this?  Because we don’t know what Jesus has planned and we are far too afraid of leaving our comforts.

Our creator, our maker, KNOWS us.  He knows we want to live forever. That is the way we were made.  We desire life ETERNALY.  But we get so confused thinking that the here and now is what is most important.  So many people get to the end of their life and realize they were chasing the wrong things.

I don’t want to realize too late.

Father may your agenda always trump mine. When you say, “jump” may my only question be “how high?”

I KNOW your agenda is better than mine.  May I open the clinched fist that I have on this life and lay it all at your feet.

I fear a life without you much more than a life lived for you. 

Losing your life

Anyone had the flu this season?  Remember the old fashioned remedy that is chicken soup?  When your grandmothers soup could always make you feel so much better than anything from a can? 

Why is chicken soup better than “Tylenol?” It is because chicken soup has a natural ingredient which feeds, repairs, and calms the mucous lining in the small intestine. This inner lining is the beginning or ending of the nervous system. It is easily pulled away from the intestine through too  many food additives. Chicken soup… heals the nerves, improves digestion, reduces allergies, relaxes and gives strength. Hanna Kroeger- Ageless remedies from mother’s kitchen

Wow!  No wonder chicken soup is often refered to as a cure all when you are sick!  But I don’t think the effect is exactly the same from a can. 

Plus you can use chicken stock instead of bullion! 

Why bother? 

Animal bones are full of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and lots of other good stuff.

Bullion cubes are full of salt, hydrolyzed oils, sugar, and lots of other stuff I can’t pronounce. 

Here’s how it works:

1. Buy your chicken with the bone in (it is cheaper that way anyway)
2. Prepare the meat as you normally would
3. When nothing is left except “scraps” Place the scraps in a pot and cover with water.
   For every 2-3 quarts water add 1/4 vinegar (which helps draw out the nutrients)
   Or the “imperfect” way is add enough water to cover everything and a splash of vinegar. 
4. Add a few slices of onion and carrot, spices, whatever suits your fancy.
5. Bring to a boil for about a half an hour then turn off and let cool.  Skim off any excess that rises to top. 

After it cools, pour your stock into the colander (making sure you have a large bowl UNDER the colander to catch the yummy stock). And there you have your stock!  

It can be used right away to make your own HEALING chicken soup or veggie soup! 

If you would like to use for bullion, pour them into ice cube trays, freeze, then place in a large freezer bag for later use.  I use 3-4 cubes in my vegetables, rice etc.  

How does it taste?

YUM!!  MUCH more flavorful than bullion and I feel so good that I am adding nutrients to our food instead of chemicals and unnecessary ingredients.  This is our favorite dish when anyone is feeling under the weather too.

What do you think?  Do you use stock in your home?

Part of the Green Resource at Sorta Crunchy, the Greenbacks girl, Life renewed, and a Delightful home

How to make HEALING chicken stock

Who says you have to pay full price?

Goodwill, yard sales and have become my favorite places.  Not only do I score super exciting stuff for very little cash, I also get to support neighbors and charities like goodwill!  So what kind of bargains can you get at a yard sale and or second hand?  Well, welcome to my happy home as I share some pictures of some of my favorite second hand finds!

First, my all time favorite yard sale find.  A ceiling fan!  Who knew right?

I snagged this guy for $40 about 4 years ago.  It is still for sale today at Lowe’s for $250.

My next favorite is a recent find, the irobot automatic vacuum.  I was a little skeptical buying someone else’s used vacuum but I am sooo glad I did.  It was a snap to clean up good as new.  Now I use this bad boy at least twice a week.  Not only can I vacuum the floors AND play outside with my kids at the same time, it also gets under the bed and furniture where this imperfect person rarely never vacuums.  It works great too!

Oh and P.S.  I got it for $10, it retails for $180.

Once I learned about all the randomness in microwave popcorn I have been popping mine the good old fashion way, on the stove.  It has officially turned me into a popcorn snob now that I realize it TASTE SO MUCH BETTER!!  Popping corn is much easier with a whirley pop (got it at good will for $4 retails for $30)

Another favorite find is my kitchen island.  It is the perfect fit and color for our kitchen and I LOVE the added counter space!  (the baby on the bottom was a bonus…just kidding)

Now onto the backyard shall we? Everything you see here including swing set, sandbox, wheelbarrow, playhouse, and slide were all FREE.  Thank you hand me downs!

While we are in the backyard, may I show you my favorite garden piece?

I knew the owner of a local garden center.  He needed advertising help (my specialty) and I was in love with this gazebo he had on display.  We worked it out a trade and I am so glad we did!  I have enjoyed this gazebo for a few years now!

I could go on and on about my favorite pair of jeans, flip flops, the desk I am typing on, pretty much every toy my girls have ever had (besides those from grandparents) and much more!

What was one of your all time favorites bargains?

A tour of our home’s thrifty finds

Somebody once told me that in ancient Chinese art, the great artists almost always included a deliberate flaw in their work. It made it human, and authentic.

This got me thinking I wonder if God, in his craftsmanship, included “flaws” in each of his creations.  I certainly don’t think he made any mistakes but I think He knew what he was doing when he made us perfectly “imperfect.” 

Let’s think for a minuite, If perfect was attainable then who has it?  When interviewd nearly every supermodel and celebrity will tell you they have  flaws.  Professional makeup artist and expensive computer programs have us comparing ourselves to unrealstic expectations anyway! 

This poem says it, well, perfectly!: 

I made her…She is different, she is unique. With love i formed her in her mothers womb. I fashioned her with great joy. I remember with great pleasure the day I created her. (Psalm 139)

I love her smile. I love her ways. I love to hear her laugh. I love the silly things she says and does. She brings me great pleasure. This is how I made her. (Psalm 139)
I made her pretty, not beautiful, because I know her heart and how she would be vain. I want her to search out her heart and learn that it’s ME in her that makes her beautiful, and it would be Me in her that draws friends to her. (1 Peter)

I made her in such a way that she would need me. A little more lonesome than she would like to be only because I need her to lean and depend on Me. I know her heart and I know if I had not made her like this she would go her own chosen way and forget Me- Her own creator. (Psalm 63)

Because I love her, I have seen her broken heart… and the tears she has cried alone. I have cried with her and had a broken heart too. (Psalm 56)
Many times she has stumbled and fallen alone, only because she would not hold my hand. Many lessons she has learned the hard way because she wouldn’t listen to my voice. (Isaiah 62)

So many times I have set back and sadly watched her go her way alone, only to watch her return to my arms, sad and broken. Now she is Mine again. I made her and then I bought her because I love her. I have to reshape and remold her… to renew her for what I have planned. It has not been easy for her or for Me. (Jeremiah 29)

I want her to conform too my image… this high goal I have set for her because I love Her.

God knew what he was doing when he made us.  So before you criticize that face you see in the mirror, remember you are perfectly created my friend!  Every beautiful part of you, even the flaws, all for His glory.  Walk in confidence today knowing you are the handywork of an almighty God! 

To all the imperfect ladies

I used to hear preachers talk about “getting uncomfortable” and to be honest I didn’t like it.  Why wouldn’t God want me to be comfortable?  I like being comfortable.  I like predictability, I like stability, and I like warm fuzzy socks.

I am in this weird place I don’t know how to describe.  I read books like, Kisses from Katie where a 19 year old girl left EVERYTHING she knew to be comfortable and lives in Uganda.  She is now 22 and mother to 13 once orphaned little girls.  I hear stories of friends who just last week returned from Honduras where they saw countless houses made of magazines, and scrap wood with no electricity and plumbing.

I see pictures like this:

I read radical too and that probably didn’t help.

It cost $20 a quarter to send a Ugandan child to school (including their meals).  Yet that cost is 4 times the cost of their electricity or plumbing which many of them can’t afford anyway.  Lack of education just continues the cycle of poverty.

We can spend more than $20 going out to eat for ONE meal!

It just makes me, well, uncomfortable ya know?

I love nice things as much as the next girl.  I don’t think smart phones are sinful, and I love our home.

But I just can’t help but see things differently.  It is uncomfortable.  It would be much easier to ignore.  I don’t see poverty around me everyday.  I don’t personally know any starving children.

And I think that’s the problem.

I have heard it said it is not that we don’t care about the poor, it is that we don’t know them.  Just this glimpse from books and stories from missionaries makes me WANT to know them more.

But it’s messy helping the poor.  They need soo much, some need more than you can give, some are looking for handouts, and some are dirty.  It isn’t always safe, some have disease and some are unkind.

But God doesn’t just ask us to help if we have nothing else to do, He commands it…of all of us.

As Katie Davis said, “I am not afraid of disease or death, I am much more afraid of being comfortable.”

I guess I am seeing through all of this that comfortable isn’t such a great thing after all.  A restless hunger to do more to the least of these isn’t comfortable.  From the small amount I have experienced helping, it is pretty messy and time consuming too. But it is so much better than staying comfortable.

Part of me wants to sleep on the floor and skip meals out of guilt, but I know that solves nothing. 

Lord, break my heart until it moves my hands and feet.  Open my eyes to see your love for ALL people.  May I worry less about being comfortable and more about being used by the King of the universe to do great things. 

I can’t change the world, but I can start with one.  Making a difference for ONE person…can change that person’s world.

This is a little…uncomfortable

Today is a guest post from Cecila.  She is a missionary in Haiti and is an amazing writer.  She is sharing her post today about feeling “imperfect” and it is BEAUTIFUL!  I hope you enjojoy!

It must be lovely to be a mannequin; to be perfect in every way and to never have to struggle with emotions.

Sometimes it’s typical to think that missionaries have this “all together”, “picture perfect”, “I’m-working-for-God”, “queue the angelic music” kind of life.

Contrary to popular belief, we experience;
doubt,
fear,
loneliness
and anger.

There are times, when we feel so alone, the lizard on the wall seems to be our only companion. We look at the little creature, and in all of our loneliness, we talk to it (don’t worry, this doesn’t happen a lot). We get pissed to the point where we yell at the coconuts hanging on the tree for not falling (or falling). We get tired of having to communicate in a language other than our own. We look at the fellow to which we are trying to explain something and start to blab in English (yeah, it’s kind of awkward).

We have days when we ask ourselves why are we in a third world country – where showers are cold and bathrooms are scarce. Why are we in a country whose currency can be counted in two ways (gourdes and Haitian dollars) and the electricity is never consistent; in a place where everything takes two times longer and is usually done backwards. We ask ourselves these questions and sometimes feel a tad bit clueless and somewhat confused. These feelings and emotions aren’t something that disappear as one mounts on a plane to enter the mission field, in search for the will of God. We have no halo, we carry no wings.

We are humans (in a foreign country), trying to conquer the mass of arrows and darts life throws at us. We are humans who have experienced the Grace of God on our lives. This Grace, so intense, so pure, so precious that we can’t help but share it with others. And we seek to spread it. This is why we do what we do. Far from perfection and still learning to deal with our vast array of emotions we look to hold the orphan, shelter the parent-less and teach those who would otherwise never get an education.We give of the Grace that was so freely offered to us.

Oh! To be a perfect little mannequin would indeed be ideal, but then I would never have the ability to receive this wonderful Grace and participate in his perfect purpose.

Thank you Cecilia!  You are wise beyond your years!  Please feel free to check out her personal blog or her families blog and see what a cool difference they are making in Haiti.

Mannequins make great models

If you have ever seen a plane flying over head you might notice from a distance it looks beautiful.  Strong, steady, and powerful.  The plane looks light as air as it floats among the clouds.  However if you have ever actually been a passenger on a plane it isn’t always as smooth and steady as it appears from afar.  There is turbulence, the clouds are not as soft as they look, and if you have ever gone through a storm….let me just say lots of talking to Jesus going on in that situation.

The point is from afar many people seem to be smooth, steady, and put together.  Their marriage is perfect, their kids never misbehave, they have complete control of their finances, and they are extremely talented and good at everything you are not.  But inside that persons life there is “turbulence.”  I guarantee they have struggles no matter who they are.

WE ALL HAVE JUNK.  The reason I started this blog is because everywhere I go I couldn’t help notice this is such a common thread in all of our lives.  We are ALWAYS comparing ourselves!  I’ll say it again WE ALL HAVE JUNK but isn’t that what makes us who we are?

The friends I love the most are the ones who are “imperfect.” They are honest about where they struggle and don’t try to hide their flaws.

A dear friend told me the other day, “if someone you know appears to be perfect….they are miserable”  And she knew!  For years she had tried with all her might to have a spotless house, make everything from scratch and look good while doing it.  She was exhausted, and frustrated.

I secretly compared myself to her and wondered how she did it all.

When she came clean about it there was such relief in both of our ends.

“You mean you are not perfect?”  You mean I can stop pretending to be perfect?”

Oh what a wonderful moment that was!  Why don’t we do that sooner?

We all have junk

There are plenty of things we HAVE to pay for but here is a quick list of everyday items that you should NOT have to pay for.  Enjoy saving some money!

Cleaning Supplies you DON’T need to pay for:

1. A cleaner for every surface of your home: A solution of equal parts vinegar and water plus a splash of lemon juice is the perfect all purpose, all natural, and all frugal cleaning solution.  Perfect for an empty bottle of your old cleaning solution or a purchased spray bottle.  Bonus: vinegar is an awesome disinfectant! 
   A damp rag is all you need to dust and baking soda sprinkled in the toilet is a perfect toilet bowl cleaner! 
2. Laundry detergent: I make my laundry detergent using soap nuts. Complete recipe here.  As if it wasn’t simple enough I found an even easier already made SUPER concentrated version of the same thing here. It is affordable, all natural, and very easy! 

Health and Beauty products you DON’T need to pay for:

1. Face wash, toner, AND moisturizer: Face wash is full of random yucky unidentified chemicals, yet it leaves your face with nothing good.  Taking away all the oil  from your face leaves it needing moisturizer and a few hours later your face has to produce more oil to make up for what has been lost.  Ask any chemist and they will tell you oil cleans oil.  Yes I am talking about washing your face with oil.  I have done it for two years now and have no acne to speak of!  Only soft skin and less expense!  All the details here.   
2. Shampoo and conditioner:
   Same rules apply to your hair as they do your face although i don’t advice washing your hair with oil.  I wash my hair with a shampoo bar. Affordable, chemical free, and it give my lifeless hair volume!  I dab coconut oil on my fingers and apply it to the ends after they have dried. Also worthy of note is the “poo free method” it didn’t work for me but many people swear by it and it doesn’t get any cheaper than that! 
3. Hair products: Now that I clean my hair with natural products it is so weightless!  I no longer need mouse, gel, hairspray etc!
4. Mouthwash: a solution of half peroxide half water is actually better than most commercial mouthwashes (says my dentist.)

General Items you DON’t need to pay for:

1. Books Remember the library?  Good news…it still exists!  You can place a hold for your books online and it will be there waiting for you at the front desk.  If you have a kindle make sure you check the amazon kindle site and check it often. There are always free books.
2. Basic Computer Software when you are buying a computer they want lots of extra cash for basic software (word-processing etc.)  Open Office is a free site where you can download all of that stuff for FREE
3. Bottled water I think most people know by now that bottled water is nothing fancier than tap water. It is between 240 and 10,000 times more expensive than tap water and horribly bad for the environment (yes even if you recycle them).  If you are still stuck on bottled water read this
4. Your credit report.  www.annualcreditreport.com, the only truly free place to see all three of your credit reports for free once a year.
5. Shipping:  This doesn’t work every time but before you complete your online purchase check  www.freeshipping.org.
6. DVD Rentals You can rent DVDs from RedBox locations for $1 a night and better yet, if you use one of the coupon codes from www.insideredbox.com you can get it FREE. Most libraries now have free DVD rental as well.
7. Cell Phone – Most major carriers will give you a free phone, even a free smart phone, with a 2 year contract.
8. Basic Tax Preparation – If your taxes are not overly complicated, then you should probably be preparing your own tax return using one of the many free online services. It’s now common for e-filing to be free as well with many services. You won’t even need a stamp!
9. Tupperware: Why not reuse that old spagetti jar? 

 Part of the Green Resource at Sorta Crunchy, the Greenbacks girl, Life renewed, and a Delightful home

 Have other suggestions?  I would love to hear your comments!

15 Things you should NOT pay for

The Barna Group, a respected Christian survey organization, recently asked young people to identify which perceptions they most strongly associate with Christianity. The three most commonly agreed-upon were: anti-homosexual, judgmental, and hypocritical.

Westboro Baptist church has made headlines with their “God hates fags” philosophy where they protest soldiers funerals.  Also making headlines are abortion clinics being bombed & protests for nearly everything under the sun.

At almost every event with a large crowd you can find “the megaphone man” yelling about hell and eternal damnation. 

All in the name of Jesus?? 

If this is the Christianity the world sees than no wonder many people are not interested. 

My dear friend Katelyn posted this awesome quote:

I have decided to stop letting political and religious organizations represent me on the issues. I have decided to represent myself, and in so doing I hope to accurately represent Christ.

-Mike Foster “Unchristain”

Dear friends, Forgive us. Forgive us for the embarrassing things we have done in the name of Jesus.

We are imperfect people for sure.  Our attempts to model Jesus are clumsy at best.  He calls us, imperfect and broken, to transform us so we are no longer the same.  We just don’t always leave the old us behind. 

Please don’t reject Christ because of Christians.  We are still trying to wrap our head around the God of the universe wanting to make disciples out of us. 

Despite our misrepresentation, Jesus was a pretty amazing guy. 

He was the preacher of all preachers yet you could find him dining with some of the worst “sinners” of his day.  Mark 2:15

He was the King of all the universe yet he was born to regular people in a palace no wait, a manger.  Luke 2:7

He deserved servants and crowns, yet he washed his disciples feet. John 13 1-17

He is the only one that was or ever will be worthy of all the fame and fortune of the world, yet he was a servant. Mark 9:35

He spoke love into the people no one loved. John 4

He would touch those no one else would touch. Mark 1:40-45

He did nothing wrong, but he never tried to defend himself. John 18:28-38

He could have had a thousand Angels come to take his place on the cross, but he took mine instead.   John 19:28-30

 I want to invite you to consider that maybe the televangelists and street preachers are wrong — and that God really is love. Maybe the fruits of the Spirit really are beautiful things like peace, patience, kindness, joy, love, goodness, and not the ugly things that have come to characterize religion.

-Shane Claiborne

The Jesus I know is turning the world upside down with his love.  The less I get in the way the better he can “advertise” through me. 

Have you ever witnessed a not so great “advertisment” for Jesus?

-Katie

Jesus needs a better advertising campaign