Our Simple Journey of Faith, Family and Life

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Cinnamon & Honey

Cinnamon and Honey; Whoever thought?

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot.
What it will do is what some call 'turning to sugar'. In reality,
honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for
a long time it will "crystallize". When this happens loosen the lid,
boil some water and sit the honey container in the hot water, but
turn off the heat and let it liquefy naturally. It is then as good
as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. This
will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Cinnamon and Honey
 Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts
on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and
Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the
countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey
as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases.
Honey can be used without side effects for any kind of diseases.
 Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is
taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even
diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply
it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for
breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves
the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had
an attack, when they do this process daily, they are kept miles
away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process
relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America
and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully
and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose
their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize
the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily (morning and night)
one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small
teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken regularly even chronic
arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the
Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated
their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half
teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within
a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients
were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the
patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis
now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and
one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it.
It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of
Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a
cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol
in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for
arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic
cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the
said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves
complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take
one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder
daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough,
cold, and, clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach
ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root.

 GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is
revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the
stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens
the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral
attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins
and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens
the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight
bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of
honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests
the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains
a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves
the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken
regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons
of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of
boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times
a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.
Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing
the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take
one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three
hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon
powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping
and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done
daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal
parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all
types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:Daily in the morning one half hour before
 breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping,
drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When
taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese
person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow
the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may
eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that
advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully.
Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take
one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder
three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of
honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the
strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and
cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible.
Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon
of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon
powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease,
when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at
about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within
a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon
of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing
in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon
powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember
when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon
sprinkled on it!

 You might want to share this information with a friend,
kinfolks and loved ones. Everyone needs healthy help
information ~ what they do with it is up to them. You
may also want to share this with your email buddies...
They deserve to be healthy too!

Foods In The Bible

Foods in the Bible (arranged alphabetically)

Almonds---Genesis 43:11; Numbers 17:8

Anise---Matthew 23:23

Apples---Song of Solomon 2:5; Joel 1:12

Barley---Ruth 2:23

Barley Bread---2 Kings 4:42

Beans or Pulse, also known as Legumes---2 Samuel 17:28;

Beef---Deuteronomy 14:4

Bitter Herbs (dandelion greens, watercress, arugula, parsley,
cilantro)---Exodus 12:8

Bison (Pygarg)---Deuteronomy 14:5

Bread---Luke 22:19

Butter---Isaiah 7:22

Carob (St. John's Bread)---Matthew3:4; Mark 1:6 (akris: this Greek
word for locusts can apply to either an insect or the top of a tree or
plant.  Many believe this to be St. John's Bread or Carob which
grew wild around the river Jordan .  It is named for John the Baptist).

Cinnamon---Exodus 30:23

Coriander---Exodus 16:31; Numbers 11:7

Corn---Ruth 2:14; I Samuel 17:17

Cheese---I Samuel 17:18

Chicken---Matthew 23:37

Cinnamon---Exodus 30:23; Revelations 18:13

Cucumbers---Numbers 11:5

Cumin or Cummin---Isaiah 28:25

Curds (Cottage and Ricotta Cheese)---Genesis 18:8

Dates---2 Samuel 6:19

Dill---Matthew 23:23

Dried Fruits---Genesis 3:2

Eggs---Job 6:6

Figs---Numbers 13:23; I Samuel 25:18

Fish with Scales (Anchovies, Bass, Cod, Flounder, Haddock, Halibut,
Herring, Mackerel, Orange Roughy, Perch, Pike, Pollack, Salmon,
Sardines, Tilapia, Trout, Tuna, Turbot, Whitefish & Whiting,
among others)--- Deuteronomy 14:9; Leviticus 11:9

Flax Seed---Exodus 9:31

Flour (Whole Meal)---Ezekiel 16:19; Numbers 6:15

Fruits (All)---Genesis 1:29

Garlic---Numbers 11:5

Goat---Deuteronomy 14:4

Grapes---Deuteronomy 24:21

Grape Juice (New Wine)---Zechariah 9:17

Grasshoppers, Crickets & Locusts---Leviticus 11:22

Herbs (Leafy Plants) and Vegetables---Genesis 1:29; Proverbs 15:17

Herbs (Seasonings)---Proverbs 27:25; Matthew 13:32

Honey---Proverbs 24:13; Proverbs 25:16 (warning to use moderation)

Hyssop (Capers)---Psalms 51:7; John 19:29

Lamb & Sheep---Deuteronomy 14:4

Leeks---Numbers 11:5

Lentils---Genesis 25:34

Leaven (Yeast)---Leviticus 23:17; Galatians 5:9

Marjoram(Hyssop)---Exodus 12:22

Meats---Deuteronomy 14; Leviticus 11

Melon---Numbers 11:5

Milk---Isaiah 7:21-22

Millet---Ezekiel 4:9

Mint---Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42

Mulberry---2 Samuel 5:24; 1 Chorinthians 14:14

Mustard Seeds---Mark 4:31; Luke 13:19

Nuts---Song of Solomon 6:11

Olives and Olive Oil---Leviticus 2:4; Deuteronomy 8:8

Onions---Numbers 11:5

Pistachio Nuts---Genesis 43:11

Pomegranates---Numbers 13:23

Poultry including Chicken, Duck, Goose, Pheasant, Pigeons, Quail, Turkey---Deuteronomy 14:11

Quail---Exodus 16:13

Raisins---2 Samuel 16:1

Rye---Isaiah 28:25

Saffron---Song of Solomon 4:14

Salt---Leviticus 2:13; Luke 14:34

Sourdough Bread---Leviticus 23:17; Amos 4:5

Spelt (Fitches)---Ezekiel 4:9

Spices---1 Kings 10:10

Squash (Gourds)---2 Kings 4:39

Sweet Cane (Sucanat or Evaporated Cane Juice)---Isaiah 43:24; Jeremiah 6:20

Unleavened Bread (Tortillas, Flat Bread, Chapatis)---Genesis, 19:3; Exodus 29:2

Venison---Deuteronomy 14:5

Vinegar---Ruth 2:14

Water---Genesis 21:19; John 4:7

Wheat---Ruth 2:23; Psalm 81:16

Wheat bread---Exodus 29:2

Wine---John 2:1-10, 1 Timothy 5:23

Yogurt (Butter of Kine)---Deuteronomy 32:14

~~~~~~~~~~~
Forbidden Foods:
Blood---Leviticus 7:26

Camel---Leviticus 11:4

Catfish---Deuteronomy 14:10

Fat from animals---Leviticus 7:23

Fish without Scales---Leviticus 11:12

Ostrich & Emu---Leviticus 11:13

Pork or Swine---Leviticus 11:7

Rabbit---Leviticus 11:6

Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, clams etc. . . )---Leviticus 11:12

Snail---Leviticus 11:30

Tortise---Leviticus 11:29

God's Health Plan


God's health plan includes eating fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains,
and "small" amount of animal substance such as fish & poultry.

FOODS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE ARE:

1.) meats, "without blood or fat", from animals with divided hooves, or
animals that are cud-chewing, such as beef or veal, goat, lamb, venison,
quail, partridge, game birds, and other poultry
(Gen.9:3; Lev. 7:22; 1:2-3)

2.) fish with scales (Lev. 11:9; Deut. 14:9)

3.) Olive Oil (2 Kings 18:32)

4.) Vegetables such as beans, cucumbers, garlic, leeks, lentils, olives,
and onions (Num. 11:5; Ezek. 4:9)

5.) Fruits such as apples, figs, grapes, melons, pomegranates, raisins,
and wine (Deut. 8:7-9; Song 2:5; John 15: Num. 11:5)

6.) Grains such as barley, millet, spelt, and wheat (Ezek. 4:9)

7.) Dairy products, including butter, cheese, surds, yogurt, eggs, and
the milk of cows, sheep, and goats (Isa. 7:15,22; Prov. 27:27)

8.) Honey, pistachio nuts, and almonds (Gen. 43:11)

9.) Bread (Ezek. 4:9)

10.) Condiments and spices, such as anise, bitter herbs, caraway,
coriander, cumin, mint, mustard, rue, salt, wine vinegar
(Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; Num. 11:7)

These foods have come to be referred to as the Mediterranean diet.
This basic diet of the ancient Hebrews is to the ideal eating plan
for health.

Breakfast- A typical day's meals might include dark bread or cereal, a
piece of fresh fruit, and perhaps yogurt or cheese for Breakfast.

Lunch/Dinner-  would likely include salad, soup, pasta, rice, and the
staple vegetables and fruits, especially tomatoes, onions, and peppers.
A small portion of meat or fish might also be included.

The Mediterranean diet is the healthy way of eating.

The Healing Word

THE HEALING WORD
"He sent forth his word and healed them." (PS.107:20 NIV)

The "HOLY BIBLE" is the "WORD of GOD". Within it's pages are
revealed God's Perfect Will and Plan for mankind, the answers to
life's hardest questions, and instructions on how to be Healed and to
Live in Wholeness and Health.
I Believe the following Scripture passages are Healing Words from
God for anyone suffering from sickness or disease. If you are seeking
Healing for your body, I encourage you to read these verses "aloud
daily". They will build and strengthen your Faith and
form a solid Spiritual foundation for your recovery.

"If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do
what is right in His eyes, (if) you pay attention to His Commands
and keep (all) his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the
diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord , who heals
you." Exodus 15:26 (NIV)

"Worship the Lord your God, and His Blessings will be on your food
and water. I will take away sickness from among you... I will give you
a full life span." (Exodus 23:25-26 NIV)

"The Lord will keep you free from every disease." (Deut. 7:15 NIV)

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and curses. "NOW"
choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may
love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For
the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He
swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Issac and Jacob."
(Deut. 30:19-20 NIV)

"Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to His people Isreal just
as He promised. (Not one word) has failed of (all) the good promises
He gave through His servant Moses." (1 Kings 8:56 NIV)

"If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the Lord, who
is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near
your tent"..."Because he loves Me," says the Lord, "I (the Lord) will
rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will
call upon me, and I will answer him; I wwill be with him in trouble, I
will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and
show him My salvation. (Ps. 91:9-10, 14-16 NIV)

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy
Name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not (all) His benefits.
He forgives (all) my sins and heals (all) my diseases;
He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and
compassion. He satisfies my desires with good things, so that my
youth is renewed like the eagle's". (Ps. 103:1-5 NIV)

"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them
from their distress. He sent forth His Word and Healed them; He
rescued them from the grave:. (PS. 107:19-20 NIV)

"I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done".
(Ps. 118:17 NIV)

"My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do
not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they
are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life".
(Prov. 4:20-23 NIV)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you
with my righteous right hand". (Isa. 41:10 NIV)

"Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we
considered Him stricked by God, smitten by Him and afflicted.
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for
our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed". (Isa. 53:4-5 NIV)

"The Lord said..."I am watching to see that My word is fulfilled."
(Jer. 1:12 NIV)

"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares
the Lord, "because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no
one cares." (Jer 30:17 NIV)

"Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into
spears; Let the weak say, "I am strong". (Joel 3:10 NKJV)

"The Lord will completly destroy the plans that are made against
Him. Trouble will not come a
second time. (Nah.1:9 NCV)

A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, "Lord, if you
are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus reached out His hand and
touched the man. "I am willing," He said. "Be clean!" Immediately he
was cured of his leprosy. (Matt. 8:2-3 NIV)

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were
brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a Word and
Healed (all) the sick. (Matt. 8:16 NIV)

I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about
anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in
heaven. (Matt. 18:18-19 NIV)

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not
doubt... you can say to thismountain, Go throw yourself into the
sea,' and it will be done." (Matt.21:21 NIV)

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, if
anyone says to this mountain,' Go throw yourself into the sea,
and dows not doubt inhis heart but believes that what he says
will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, Whatever
you ask for in prayer, believe that you have recieved it, and it
will be yours." (Mark 11:22-24 NIV)

He said to them, "Go into (ALL) the world and preach the good news
to (ALL) creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,
but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs
will accompany those who believe: In My (Jesus) Name they will
drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick
up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it
will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people,
and they will get well." (Mark 16:15-18 NIV)

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by Grace
and nay be guaranteed to (all) Abraham's offspring- not only to
those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith
of Abraham. He is the father of us (all). As it is written; "I have
made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight
of God, in whom he believed- the God who gives life to
the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against
all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many
nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was
as good as dead- since he was about a hundred years old- and that
Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief
regarding the promise of God, being fully persuaded that God had
power to do what He promised. (Rom. 4:16-21 NIV)

He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might
die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you
(your name) have been healed. (1Peter 2:24 NIV)

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence
before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we
obey His commands and do what pleases Him. (1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask
anything according to HIS WILL, He hears us. And if we know that
He hears us- whatever we ask- we know that we have what we
have asked of Hin. (1 John 5:14-15 NIV)

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may
go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
 (3 John 2 NIV)

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their
testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from
death. (rev. 12:11 NIV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE HEALING WORD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Read the Scriptures verses about Healing. Read them aloud and
listen to what God's voice is saying. If you need healing, read the verses daily.

2. Look up each verse in your favorite modern translation of the
Bible. Sometimes a different version emphasizes the unchanging truth
of God's Word in a different way that is especially meaningful

3. Pick out your five favorite verses. Memorize them and quote them
several times a day.

Ten Commandments for Cancer Survival

The Ten Commandments for Cancer Survival

1.Thou shalt regard the word, "Cancer', as exactly that: a word.
Nothing more, nothing less. For its original meaning has changed mightily over
the years, as have such words as Smallpox, TB, and Polio, all once dreaded
ailments, now non-existent as maladies. And thus,
too, shalt go thy Cancer. The answer shall come to those who shall be
present to hear it. Be present to hear it when it comes.

2. Thou shalt love thy chemotherapy, thy radiation, and thy other
treatments even as thyself, for they are thy friends and champions.
Although they may exact a toll for their endeavors, they are oft most
generous in the favors they bestow.

3. Thou shalt participate fully in thy recovery. Thou shalt learn all
the details of thy ailment, its diagnosis, its prognosis, its treatments,
conventional and alternative. Thou shalt discuss them openly and
candidly with thy oncologist and shalt question all thou do not comprehend.
Then, thou shalt cooperate intelligently, and knowledgeably with thy doctor.

4. Thou shalt regard thy ailment as a temporary detour in thy life and
shalt plan thy future as though this detour had not occurred. Thou shalt
never, at no time, nohow, regard thy temporary ailment as permanent. Thou shalt
set long-term goals for thyself. For thou will verily recover and your believing so will contribute mightily to thy recovery.

5. Thou shalt express thy feelings candidly and openly to thy loved
ones for they, too, are stricken. Thou shalt comfort and reassure them for they,
too, needest comforting and reassurance, even as thou doest.

6. Thou shalt be a comfort to thy fellow-cancerites, providing
knowledge, encouragement, understanding and love. You shalt give them hope where
there may be none, for only in hope lies their salvation. And by doing so,
thou providest comfort for thyself, as well.

7. Thou shalt never relinquish hope, no matter how thou may feelest at
that moment, for thou knowest, in the deep recesses of thy heart, that your
discouragement is but fleeting and that a better day awaits thee,
perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after tomorrow.

8. Thou shalt not regard thy ailment as the sum total of thy life but
as merely a part of it. Fill your life with other diversions, be they
mundane, daring, altruistic, or merely amusing. To fill your life with your
ailment is to surrender to it.

9. Thou shalt maintain, at all times and in all circumstances, thy
sense of humor, for laughter lightens thy heart and hastens thy recovery. This
is not an easy task, sometimes seemingly impossible, but it is a goal well
worth the endeavor.

10. Thou shalt have enduring and unassailable faith, whether thy faith
be in a Supreme Being, in Medical Science, in Thy Future, in Thyself, or in
Whatever. Steadfastly sustain thy faith for it shall sustain thee.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Snickerdoodles

In Memory of my former Sister-in-law "Nancy Friend", who made the BEST Snickerdoodles at Christmas time I've ever enjoyed.. Thanks Nancy...

Outstanding Snickerdoodles!

1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter (not melted)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cream of tartar

*1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (I added this for Thanksgiving time)

Sugar and cinnamon for rolling (1 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon-mix)


Instructions
1.Preheat oven to 300
2.Mix butter, and sugars together.
3.Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
4.In a separate bowl blend flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar.
5.Add to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6.Place batter in refrigerator for 30 mins (this is the MOST important step)
7.Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl for rolling
8.Scoop dough by the Tablespoonfuls and shape into balls-roll in
cinnamon and sugar
9.Place on un-greased cookie sheet
10.Bake for 14-16 mins
Notes
Cookies will be slightly gooey-leave them on the baking sheet
after they are finished in the oven…they will continue to bake.
Then, place on cooling rack.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Cancer

                     Update on how things are progressing...
 
Medicare would NOT accept me... I'm NOT on Social Security, I'm NOT
disabled, I'm NOT blind, I DON'T have a child under 18...PERIOD
The woman all but said we have NO PROGRAMS for people like
you, just go home & die... Rhonda & I left the office in tears.
 
Later that afternoon we went to see my OBGYN... She's the Dr that
did my DNC and gave me the news that the cancer was back only in
my uterous this time... After I told her what happened at the Welfare
office, She was pretty upset that were going through this, and she
made arragments with a Dr. in Little Rock who has agreed to see
me on the 29th and has agreed to take payments for the surgery...
Praise God So we have that to look forward to...[fingers are crossed]
We have said all along that we'll pay for the surgery & treatment if
only they will agree to take payments. Thankfully this Dr is willing
to help us...
 
This is my FREE advice for all of you & your families: If you have
no insurance, or a member of your family has no insurance and your
over 18 ~or~ younger then 65 your in deep trouble. Any job that has
{insurance benifits} is worth grabbing on to... [I don't care if it's
scrubbing toilets] Get hold of and keep your jobs, because insurance
is worth more then a raise especially when things like this pop into
your life un-invited...
 
Why I don't have insurance, because 14 yrs ago I had breast cancer.
We had wonderful insurance that paid 100% of my bill... But when
we moved to Arkansas, they listed me as "high risk" and now we
can't afford the HIGH fee's for insurance.... Legally they can't refuse
me insurance, but they can raise the fee's extremly high which makes
it un-afforadable... with that being said, I'm at God's Mercy,
 
I KNOW God's in control, however, sometimes I wish He'd share
His plans with me to relieve some of the stress at my end.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't feel sorry for me. I'd gladly go through the trials if it saves
another from having to go through them..
I'm sharing this "only" in hopes of saving another of going through
ths struggle & stress in their lives.  Watching the pain of your
loved ones who have their hands tied with no way to help is beyond
any way to express... I worry so much for each of them
 
With all the billions of dollars the Cancer Society, Diabetes, MS Society
have raked in over the years, people should not have to stress over the
cost for treatment & cure, ... "I'm Just saying"...

Friday, October 26, 2012

Band of Sisters

Twice Blessed this week. Today I recieved a signed copy of Cathy Gohlke's Band of Sisters book. I'm so excited about reading this book and Blessed that I was choosen to recieve a free copy of this book... Looks like Heavy Reading this weekend.. Oh YES!!!!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Memory Jar

Just recieved a book by Tricia Goyer called the The Memory Jar to read and review for free today... AWESOME, I wanted to read this book and here it came in my mail.. I'm feeling so BLessed this afternoon, many thanks to Tricia Goyer for Blessing me with this wonderful book....

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

You Are Blessed

You Are Blessed


If you own just one Bible ... you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of all the world does not have access to one.



If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.



If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.



If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.



If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.



If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.



If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare, even in the United States.



If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.



If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.



If you prayed yesterday and today ... you are in the minority because you believe God does hear and answer prayers.



If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.



If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God and as your Saviour ... you are blessed as being part of a small minority in the world







Friday, September 14, 2012

Sept.2012 Get Away

Our Sept. 2012 vacation get away was such a Blessing to both of us. Just had to share a tid bit with you.
On Sept. 8th, Ron & I went down to Little Rock to the Childrens Hospital to deliver 3 "HUGH" boxes filled with Baby Blankies. Hats, & Bootie sets, Toddler afghans, Baby Hats, Childrens Hats, Baby Clothes, Dolls, Etc. Everything hand made & delivered with LOVE...
After we left the Childrens Hospital, we went over to the State Capital. I was just in AWWWWW from it's size and we were able to go inside and give ourselves a tour through the Capital... It was Absoutly AWESOME!!!! Never in my life did I figure I would be allowed to do ssomething like this... Even the Supreme Court office was open... What a wonderful place.. We had such a Grand time.. If you ever have an opportunity to do this,. make sure you do, you won't be sorry..
Next we went down to the River Market and walked around. Enjoyed myself BUT, wouldn't go out of my way to do this again...
Next on  Sept. 9th, Ron and I went to Bentenville to the Crystal Bridges.. OUTSTANDING Muesum
and as you can see from the outside around the meuseum, their is several paths/trails and we walked for what I felt was 3-5 miles, in reality it was more like 2 1/2 miles... Beautiful day but boy oh boy did my mussles hurt
                               This is a photo of the Arkansas Traveler. MOST important for everyone interested in coming to this muesum, it's FREE to go through the muesum and walk about the trails... ETC. A Gift from "Wal-Mart" Honestly
Sept 10th, We went to Har-Ber Village in Grove Okla. to Celebrate our 41st Wedding Annivsary. Now Har-Ber Village is a village filled with cabins 100 yrs old all originals donated by families of original owners, etc. filled with belonging from different erra's & times...


Wonderful time,  This is our second visit to Har-Ber Village. We both has so enjoyed walking and remembering when & why things were the way they were back when life was simple
This photo was just on one of the trails around the village.
 This is a photo of the church, Statue of Christ facing the Harbor, Breath taking is how I felt.

" My Beloved Ron"
Our 41st Wedding Annivsary
Har-Ber Village Grove Okla.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Joseph - Area Appreciation Day's

Ron and I are going this afternoon, then going out for dinner after the show.. I'm so excited, I've wanted to go expierence this show for a long time now and Ron got our tickets yesterday for only $15.- each... YIPEEEEEE






Thursday, August 9, 2012

Amazing Prediction By: Paul Harvey in 1965

47 Years Ago....Amazing Prediction

Do you remember the famous ABC radio news commentator Paul Harvey?

Millions of Americans listened to his programs which were broadcast over
1,200 radio stations nationwide.


The following commentary was broadcast 47 years ago.... April 3, 1965. It's
short...less than 3 minutes.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJc8Mzg0C-c&feature=player_embedded









Monday, August 6, 2012

Fruit Flies

Getting rid of fruit flies & nats can be a pain in the neck, especially when you have indoor plants as well as fruit on your counters.

Here is a great "frugal" way to rid yourself of these pesky pests.;

Open jar or container [even a lid from a jar],

2 c. water
2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. vinegar [white or balsamic] I use applecider
2 drops of dish soap

Mix and then leave sitting out in several containers and use as needed

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Drive Through

                                         Food For Thought:


If it's illegal to drink & drive, and it's illegal to have liquor
in your car/truck etc., then why do they have drive thru liquor
stores???

Do they honestly think someone driving up to that window is going
to jump out and say to the driver behind them, wait a minute while
I get out of my car and open the trunk and put my booze inside so
I'm Not breaking the law by having it inside the vechile with me... HUMMN

While I'm on a roll here, Let me tell you, when we moved to Harrison Arkansas
 from Calif. one of the reasons we choose this community was because it was
a "DRY COUNTY".. YES, we had the "special " excuptions of wet business'es
here, but for the most part it was a dry county...I'm not happy about a seeing a liquor
store on every corner around here now...

I'm now wondering when the bars are coming and the topless/bottomless stip clubs are
coming, after all, we all know when you allow one in to pollute your community, the
rest will soon follow

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

ABC'S FOR THE PRAYER WARRIOR

ABC'S FOR THE PRAYER WARRIOR:




The following is a alphabetic list of key points to help you learn how to pray for fellow believers.



A - Anointing - Ask God for the anointing-empowering-filling-directing-maturing of the Holy Spirit so that the person will operate in the Spirit’s power.



B - Boldness - Pray that the person speaks the word of God with boldness, confidence, & articulative cross-cultural effectiveness.



C - Comfort - Ask God for the comfort when one is discouraged, broken-hearted, or stressed out. Trust the Lord for the comfort of the Spirit’s song, strength, & succor.



D - Direction - Ask the Lord that the person will sense God’s specific direction in one’s personal life & ministry activities. Wisdom for discerning the best decision not just the one that is least objectional to everyone concerned.



E. - Encourage - Ask God to send someone to encourage the person & to allow the person to be a blessing to many. Trust the Lord for the renewing of the Joy of the Lord



F - Family - Pray that the person will guide one’s family in the way of the Lord’s will



G - Glory to God - Pray that the person will live each day to glorify God



H - Humility - Ask that the person will develop a sense of humility & reject pride.



I - Insight - Ask the the person will see people & things from God’s perspective.



J - Joy - Pray that the person will be full of joy of the Lord in all situations.



K - Knowledge - Pray that the person will desire knowledge of God’s word & apply it consistently. Trust in the Lord for wisdom, ideas, & insights into all problem areas.



L - Love - Ask the the person will labor from Godly motives, not to please other people or live hampered by a fear of men



M - Motivation - Pray that the person will be a vessel of God’s love to others



N - Needs - Pray that the person will realize that in Christ all needs will be met according to His riches in glory. Trust that the Lord will provide in all areas of life.



O - Open doors - Pray that the person will recognize opportunities to share the gospel.



P - Prayer partners - Ask God to provide prayer partners who will intercede on a regular basis for this person. Trust God for a community of believers in each domain.



Q - Quiet Time - Pray that nothing will keep the person’s life so he or she will experience personal renewal & maturity in all dimensions of life.



R - Revival - Ask God to work in the person’s life so they may experience personal revival in all things. Trust the Lord to help the person spend quality time in devotions



S - Servanthood - Pray that the person will do one’s work with a servant spirit as Christ came not to be serve but to serve. Trust for an attitude to serve God before men



T - Thankful heart - Ask God to give the person a thankful heart, even in difficult situations. Pray that one would see the positive even in negative situations.



U- Unsaved - Pray that the unsaved will develop a hunger & thirst for Jesus Christ in their lives and that the Lord will use certain people to bring many to Christ and see that many new churches are planted in unreached areas



V - Victory - Pray that the person will know victory in spiritual warfare



W - Weariness - Pray that the person will not get bogged down in having too much to do and will remember the promises of God for strength, courage, & help in trouble.



X - X-Ray vision - Ask God that the person will have a discerning mind into the heart felt needs of people & be able to deal with root cause problems rather than superficial symptoms. Pray for an ability to analyze without being critical or judgmental.



Y - Yieldedness - Pray that the person will be completely yielded to Christ & willing to die to self and take up their crosses, pains, & disappointments daily surrendered completely to Him in everyway, loving Him with all their being.



Z - Zeal - Pray the person will have a renewed zeal to share the gospel. Grace to you & gratitude.



Sunday, June 24, 2012

Abundant Blessings

 I wish for you moments today when God's grace and beauty is evident to you, tenderly moving your heart toward Him--in the delicate loveliness of a rose, in the smiles of your children and grandchildren, and in His powerful and inspiring Word. Blessings abundant!...

~  Borrowed from: Beverly Lewis.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Monday, June 4, 2012

God's Coffee

God's Coffee


A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:

"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee!

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."


Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.







Thursday, May 31, 2012

Your Angel

                                                  Your Angel

Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God: "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God replied, "Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

"But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy."

"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy."

"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?"

"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

"Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?"

"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

"Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly:

"Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

"Your angel's name is of no importance, but you will call your angel this: Mommy."











Monday, May 28, 2012

God Bless Our Troups

OH GOD OF MERCY, PLEASE PROTECT ALL OF OUR MILITARY MIND, BODY & SOUL~ PLEASE GUARD & GUIDE THEM IN ALL THAT THEY DO & LIFT UP THEIR FAMILIES & BRING THEY HOME , WHOLE SAFE & ALIVE, IN JESUS AMAZING NAME ~ WE PRAY! AMEN!!!!

50 Way's to live within your means

1 - Get An Education

Education earns the number one position because it is truly the most

important thing you can do. I don't just mean attending college or a trade

school, but learning skills that will help you save around the house.

Take a night school class at your local high school or community college

and learn budgeting, computer skills, cooking, car maintenance, or anything

that will help you to become more efficient and frugal in your home. Take

advantage of online tutorials, books and friends who may be able to help you

learn anything from tax preparation to plumbing to cutting hair.

The more skills you have and the more you know, the more you save. Begin

now by making a list of all the things you have paid people to do over the last

year. Make another list of skills your friends and family possess. Make a

third list of the skills you could teach someone else.





2 - Don't Spend Your Change

When we were first engaged, we began saving our change each night in a

jar. At the end of the month, I would take the change to the store and buy

spices, pantry basics and cleaning supplies. When we were married and moved

into our first apartment, the cupboards were stocked by pocket change. We

could never have afforded as poor college students to purchase these basics all

at once.

You will be amazed how much money you have at the end of the month with

such little effort. You will also be amazed that you don't miss the money. We

saved as much as $40.00 a month. If you have older children, have them

participate too and put the money aside for a special item for the family or

for a family vacation.





3 - Pay with Cash

Everything except your home or education should be paid for with cash

whenever possible. Cash means currency, your ATM card, or your checkbook. It

takes discipline, but it can work with a plan and teamwork. You will save

thousands in interest charges.





4 - Purchase Used Cars Instead of New

Driving a new car is a great thrill, but may be foolish for many of us.

Unless you are in a high tax bracket and your accountant says that leasing or

buying new vehicles offers you essential deductions, you will be better off to

purchase a good, low mileage used car, and save the difference that others pay

in depreciation.

There are many websites dedicated to helping consumers choose a good used

car. Plan to have a mechanic check out the car if you are buying it from an

individual or unfamiliar dealer. Retired fleet or rental cars can be a good

buy, because usually they are still under warranty and have been well

maintained. Auctions are a possibility, but it will pay to do your homework

before buying a car there because auctions are not for the novice, or the

impulsive, or the undisciplined.

If you purchase from a private party, get a copy of the car's service

record and do an online search on the car's VIN number (there are services that

provide a detailed car history) to make sure you know if it was a lemon or a

salvaged car.

Fifty years ago, a car was considered fully used up when it rolled a

hundred thousand miles on the odometer. Today, many finely engineered cars are

traded off or sold by their first owners within a year or two of being new, and

can be bought for two-thirds their original value. With 80% of their useful

life left in them, a late model used car allows you to buy a better quality car

than you could afford to buy new. Treat it kindly, and it will take care of you

and your budget for many years.





5 - Put Down As Much As You Can

When you are purchase a large ticket item like a car or home with borrowed

money, put down the largest deposit you can afford. Don't be swayed by the

sales person or real estate agent who reminds you that you only need to put

$xxx down and you can take the rest of your cash and use it on something else.

You will pay hundreds or thousands of dollars more over the life of your loan

in interest charges when you make a small or no down payment.





6 - Eliminate Extra Charges

Examine your insurance policy, retirement funds, bank accounts, and so on,

and eliminate any extras you do not need. You may be paying for benefits and

services you will never need or use.





7 - Determine the Real Cost of Purchases

If cable, for example, is $30 per month, think $360 per year. What could

you do with $360 What about the newspaper If you read it, by all means keep

it, but if you don't, consider buying only the weekend edition.





8 - Look for Matching Funds

Take advantage of matching funds through your employer, if this is

offered. This not only applies to retirement accounts but large employers may

also provide matching funds for continuing education. Be sure to ask.





9 - Take Advantage of Scholarships

Investigate scholarship opportunities for yourself or your child. Make sure

you file a FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) form. This can be

obtained from any high school counseling office. This form must be completed

for all financial aid and almost all scholarships.

Ask your high school for a list of organizations that offer scholarships to

graduating seniors. Some will also provide scholarships to those returning to

school after a lengthy absence. Check on the internet for other opportunities,

but never pay for a list. Go to a good bookstore where you can find a book

with a list of national scholarships.

Use these same strategies to find scholarships for your children. Begin

the hunt during their sophomore year in high school as there are many

scholarships available to high school juniors, and too often, the list of

applicants is very short because other parents and students are not as

proactive as you are.





10 - Use Your Deductible

Take the highest deductible possible when having taxes deducted from your

paycheck if you normally receive a refund. Consult your tax advisor on how to

do this.





11 - Buy Savings Bonds

If you have young children or grandchildren, buy them savings bonds. They

are relatively inexpensive to purchase and are better than a saving account

because they are tax free when cashed in to be used for post-high school

education.





12 - Cancel Private Mortgage Insurance

Once you owe less than 80% of your home's value your lender no longer

requires mortgage insurance. Keep a close eye on when you reach this level and

cancel the insurance. Usually it is a poor value.





13 - Shop the Sales

I never pay full price for anything. Be patient. Everything goes on sale

eventually. There are times of the year when certain items are always on

sale. Everyone knows eggs are cheapest the week before Easter. Storage boxes

are on sale in January, when everyone is cleaning up from the holidays. Summer

clothes are on sale about two weeks into the summer season. Keep a journal of

the sales at your local stores and see what their pattern is. Don't be afraid

to ask when an item will go on sale. See Meridian article The Self Reliant

Shopper





14 - Make Friends Where You Shop

If you have a favorite store, develop a friendship with a clerk and ask him

to let you know when items are being marked down or there is a sale scheduled.

Some stores have a regular day of the week when they mark down items.





15 - Purchase Gifts Year Round

Take advantage of end-of-season sales and purchase items for Christmas in

July. I recently purchased workout clothes for 70% off. They are appropriate

to wear year round and will be appreciated Christmas morning but they cost me

much less than if I had waited to purchase them in November. The same is true

of home decor items, linens, photo albums, and year round clothing such as

belts and jeans.

Other added advantages of this approach are that you will spread out your

purchases, thus preserving your budget and allowing you to avoid all the

hassles of the crowds in November. Consider doing this for weddings, shower

gifts, birthdays, anniversaries, and baby gifts.





16 - Shop after a Holiday

If you won't be seeing family or friends until after a holiday such as

Christmas, purchase last minute gifts after the holiday. For example, you

could make up a food gift basket with candies wrapped in Holiday wrapping,

pasta shaped like Christmas trees and an ornament or two, all for 50% to 75%

off.





17 - Re-Gift

OK, so Miss Manners may say this is over the line. I am not suggesting that

you give someone a gift you rejected. On occasion, you will receive duplicate

gifts at a shower or for a special occasion that can't be returned. If you

have a new, unused item that you love, but don't need, I see no problem with re-

gifting it to someone who needs or who will really appreciate it.





18 - Make Your Gifts

The only limit to what you can accomplish is the limit of your

imagination. I made dress-up costumes for my grandchildren last Christmas from

remnants of fabrics I had around the house and a couple of old curtains. One

of the curtains was given to me by a friend who discovered what I was doing.

The grandchildren loved the costumes, and we had lots of fun watching them

dress up and play.

Think about giving your favorite dessert, a dinner, home made rolls, a

sketch, a poem, a personalized gift basket - the list goes on and on.





19 - Pool Your Gift Money

Think group gift. Whether it be for a wedding, shower, or for a family

member's birthday, why not pool your money and get a nicer and often more

needed gift than you could afford on your own.





20 - Make Wrapping Paper

It is crazy that we spend so much on greeting cards and gift-wrap as we do.

Make your own! For gift-wrap, you can purchase rolls of newsprint at paper

stores and decorate it using stickers, stencils, stamps, or just splatter

paint. Kids will think it's great fun. The same is true of bags. Purchase

plain white bags and decorate.

For a real country look, purchase a roll of brown paper in the paint

section of your home improvement store. Tie the gift with a gingham bow or

even twine, add a homemade card and you are done. This is even cheaper than

buying it at the dollar store.





21 - Make Gift Cards

Find a local paper supply store that sells blank cards. They will also

have cards ready to print that are designed for thank you notes. These are the

perfect size for gift enclosures. A box of 100 cards will usually cost less

than $10.00. The same number of gift enclosures would cost $35.00 or more.





22 - Utilized Your No More Than a Dollar Store

There are so many of these stores now. You can get really great buys on

everything from gifts to cleaning supplies. This is a great resource when

planning a party or compiling gift baskets. It is also a great place to take

children to pick out gifts for friends, grandparents or others or even to shop

for a reward for themselves.

You will need to check these stores often, because their inventory varies.

Don't forget to ask the clerks if they know when an item you are searching for

may be scheduled to arrive.





23 - Reinvent an Item

Think of a new use for an item you already have. You could turn a basket

upside-down and use it as a plant stand. Clean and paint your picnic table and

bring it inside to use as a kitchen table. We have an old Arts & Craft style

glass door mounted against the wall as a dramatic headboard. What can you

invent





24 - Plant Fruit Trees

You can pick these up from nurseries who supply farmers with their orchard

trees, for much less than at retail. Most trees will not bear fruit for four or

five years, so plant now as an investment in the future. The fruit you harvest

can be eaten, preserved, frozen, or sold at a farmers market or from a card

table on your front lawn. Citrus fruits can be eaten fresh, squeezed for juice

or the juice can be frozen in ice cube trays and then stored in freezer bags

for use later.

If you live in a warm climate plant citrus trees for winter harvest, and

fruit and nut trees for summer and fall harvests. Be sure to plant the fruits

your family likes. Grapefruit trees will be of little use if your family does

not like grapefruit.

Be sure to check at the nursery, because some trees need two varieties

planted together in order to pollinate. Peek over the fence and see what trees

the neighbors have, or talk to them about planting some that will pollinate

with your trees. The biggest mistake most people make is to plant too many

trees of the same variety.





25 - Plant a Garden

Like the fruit from your trees, you can preserve or freeze your garden

harvest as well as eating it fresh. You can also earn extra money to

supplement your grocery budget. Everyone loves fresh vegetables, and in many

areas, they are difficult to find. During World War II many families dug up

their yards to plant victory gardens to feed themselves and their neighbors.

If you don't have a yard you can plant many vegetables in pots and planter

boxes placed around a front door or on a balcony. Many good books can give you

directions and help you learn the tricks.





26 - Make Your Own Mulch

Composting will improve the yields you get from your vegetable gardens and

fruit trees. It will also save you money on fertilizers, and make your

flowering plants even more beautiful. There are many online sources with

details on how to make compost from leaves, yard clippings, kitchen scraps and

such.





27 - Glean

If you cannot plant your own trees or gardens, keep your eyes open for

orchards or fields that are being harvested. Often farmers will allow you to

glean the fruits and vegetables that are left after the commercial harvest is

over. Ask permission; they will usually say, Yes, go ahead. Also, keep your

eyes open for neighbors who have trees that have fruit going unpicked. Many

times you can pick the fruit for them in exchange for half the fruit. This is

not only good for you but can be a huge help to people who are elderly or

handicapped, or just too busy, and cannot do this for themselves.





28 - Trade Garden Stock

Divide plants and trade with friends. It is really amazing how often

friends need to thin their garden plants or houseplants. Learn how to root

cuttings or divide root balls and trade with friends. Soon you will be

operating your own little nursery.





29 - Barter

Make a list of the skills and talents that you would be willing to share

with others in exchange for talents you don't have. You may be a great baker

and can make holiday pies and breads in exchange for haircuts for your

family.

Do you know a family who has children your children enjoy playing with

Rotate babysitting on Friday nights. Can you tutor math or teach piano lessons

in exchange for auto repairs Sit down and brainstorm all the skills you and

your family have to share. When you have finished, start a second list of all

the people you know who have skills you need. You may be surprised how willing

others are to trade with you, thus saving money for both of you.





30 - Dumpster Dive

Got your attention with this one, didn't I OK, so I'm not suggesting you

hang out behind the supermarket or a popular restaurant, but look for locations

where someone is discarding things that may have value, but are no longer

needed. I have seen beautifully appointed retail cabinets, perfectly good

stuff, literally ripped out and hauled away.

Watch for contractors who are remodeling and have torn out moldings,

cabinets, fences, doors, or fireplaces. All these salvage items are

potentially useful to someone - maybe even to you and your project. Our

basement was finished with new carpet that was literally free - a friend who

lays carpet pulled it from a new home where the buyer wanted a different color,

and it only cost us the price of our friend's time to lay it down.

Another friend found two French doors being discarded. She took them home,

attached a piano hinge, applied paint and fabric, and made a divider to hide

her treadmill when it wasn't being used. It looks like a designer item.





31 - Salvage Scrap at Construction Sites

This is an especially good resource when a large development is being

built. They will always have a pile of scraps they are going to haul to the

dump. The more you take the less they have to discard. Talk to the foreman or

contractor. With luck, you can find great scrap lumber for making small

shelves, step stools, doll cradles, window boxes or anything else that requires

shorter pieces. If nothing else, it provides kindling to heat your home or for

camping.





32 - Use Coupons

This is a tried but true method of saving money on food, cleaning supplies,

medications and merchandise. There are many sources of coupons including your

local newspaper, magazines, box tops and the internet. Save coupons only for

items you actually use. You may form a co-op with other families and share

coupons for items they may be in need of but for which you have no use. A good

example of this would be diapers. Not every family need them, but when you do

they are an enormous expense. I know of one Relief Society where they share

coupons by passing around a basket with coupons that are not going to be used

by the donor and others can take what they can use.





33 - Rebates

Rebates are available on many large ticket purchases, and require the

discipline to fill out paperwork, make copies of receipts, and mail them off

before the expiration date. Establish the discipline to fill them out and mail

them within 24 hours of a big purchase, or risk seeing your savings evaporate

with your good intentions. We're talking real money here.





34 - Sign Up For Mailing Lists

Many of your local and chain retail stores have mailing lists. Most use

these lists to mail circulars on store specials and discount coupons. Many of

these are not available to the public, and you need to be on the mailing list

to take advantage of the savings. We have a local furniture store that holds

midnight madness sales twice a year. They have great savings at these events,

but you must have the invitation they have mailed you to get in the door.





35 - Take Your Lunch to Work

This is so much healthier and can save you hundreds of dollars over a

year's time. You don't need to tale peanut butter and jelly, although you

could. Create your own lunch by starting with a plastic container and adding

leftovers or a salad or nachos, a variety of cheeses meats and crackers; the

possibilities are endless and taste so much better than the same old sandwich

from the neighborhood deli - or worse yet, fast food. If you save just $2.00 a

day times how many days, that's mucho dinero in a year! Save it and eat

healthy!





36 - Send Lunch to School

When I was a kid, the school cafeteria served a hot meal, but the kids with

lunch boxes had better food. It's still true. It is much more healthy for your

child to take a lunch than to purchase one, and also much less expensive. There

are many fun ideas for lunches as simple as using cookie cutters to make fun

sandwiches, to making your own lunchables.

I have been teaching After School Recreation classes for the past three

years - teaching latchkey kids to cook. I have discovered the kids will eat

lots of things they thought they never would, if they are presented correctly.

Their favorites are wraps. Simply pack a tortilla and ingredients in a sandwich

bag. Think salad in a tortilla and pack shredded carrots, lettuce, tomatoes,

cheese, meat, pickles, olives and of course some kind of dressing. Let them

assemble it at school and they will be the envy of their friends. This is great

for kids in high school and college as well.





37 - Drink Water

Make it a practice to drink water instead of juice or milk, at least one

meal a day. Water is much better for you and will cut calories as well as save

money





38 - Order Water

When you eat out, order water instead of soft drinks. You could purchase a

whole liter of soda, enough for the whole family, for the price of one drink

ordered at a restaurant. If you eliminate ordering just one drink a week, you

could save over $50.00 a year. Sodas are where fast food restaurants make their

profit, not food. If you currently order a soft drink every day, you could save

$300.00 a year.





39 - Keep a Food Stash in the Car

Have you ever had the kids say, I'm so... hungry, as you pick them up

from school You still have errands to run and soccer practice, so you find a

drive-thru and buy snacks.

Don't do it. Get a small cooler and stock it with snacks. Choose items

that won't melt, and the next time the kiddies complain, tell then to check the

snacks. If you know you will be gone from home for a longer period, add an ice

pack to the chest and add drinks and fresh fruit or cheese sticks and you are

ready to go. If you spend just $3.00 a week buying fast food snacks, you could

save more than $100.00 a year by making your own.





40 - Recycle Water Bottles

Wash your used water bottles and rinse them well. Fill them with water

about half full and freeze them. As you head out the door, fill the bottle the

rest of the way with fresh water and you will have a cold drink that will last

a few hours. When you have leftover juice or lemonade, fill an empty water

bottle and freeze or refrigerate it. Use these in lunches as a cheaper

alternative to bottled drinks.

This also works well for milk. I do chocolate milk for long trips; it's

more nutritious than sweetened juices and still fun. You may have heard rumors

that reusing water bottles is dangerous. This is one of those urban legends,

which grew out of a master's thesis that was not subjected to peer review or

scientific study. It has been refuted by the bottled water industry.





41 - Eat at Home

It is so much cheaper to eat at home instead of eating out. If you love

hamburgers, get a good recipe for gourmet hamburgers, invest in a small grill

and cook them at home. You will be amazed at how much your family loves them,

and they can all have them exactly the way they want them.

If you think you are too busy to cook, try making some meals ahead and

freezing them. If you think you can't cook, get a basic cookbook, or check one

out of the library and start practicing. If you eat out less and save $15.00

per week, you can save $780.00 a year!





42 - Eat Out for Lunch, Not Dinner

If there is a special occasion and you want to celebrate, then do your

restaurant dining at lunch time. Lunch menus often include most of the same

meal choices as the dinner menus, but at a smaller price. This is an

especially good tip for vacations. Eat your large meal at lunchtime and have

sandwiches or pizza for dinner.





43 - Learn How to Properly Store Foods

There are many items that can be purchased in season or grown in your

garden that can be canned for future use. If you have never canned, ask around

and find someone who can teach you. They will probably know someone whose

family has grown who will be happy to share their extra canning jars.

Vegetables, some fruits, nuts, even eggs and milk can be safely frozen. There

are many good books that will teach you to preserve and store food.





44 - Freeze Meals

Compile a number of recipes that will freeze well. These are great for the

nights you are too tired to cook or have other problems arise during the day.

It will help you avoid the temptation to run to the restaurant or for fast

food. Take a Saturday or weeknight evening and spend a few hours making

casseroles or other main dishes to freeze.

Purchase several ovenmicrowave-proof glass casserole dishes and use

these. This will save lots of money over buying disposable ones. Make sure

they are the same size and they will stack well in your freezer. Be sure to

cover the food with plastic wrap before you cover with foil and then remove the

plastic wrap before cooking. Label each dish on the foil with the cooking

directions. This can be lots of fun to do as a family and it will teach your

children or grandchildren culinary skills





45 - Take Food

Whether you are planning a road trip to Grandma's or a trip to Disneyland,

plan to take food with you. When our children were young, we would take food

for two meals a day with us when we vacationed. This was the only time I

purchased sugary cereals. We would eat fruit and cereal in the hotel room for

breakfast and have cheese and crackers or sandwiches for another meal. Allow

for one treat a day to be purchased at the beach or theme park and it won't

seem like a sacrifice to eat meals out of the cooler.





46 - Buy in Bulk

If you feel you can't use 12 rolls of paper towels, find a friend who can

share the items with you. If you purchase large packages of cereals or

ingredients like flour, divide it into plastic containers with lids. Be

careful and compare the price per ounce, because large quantity items are not

always the best buys. Meat, for example, is usually not a bargain at a

warehouse type store. There are many catalogs and other sources to purchase

party supplies, paper goods and even linens in bulk. Ask friends, and check

online for sources.





47 - Get Your Food Storage

Purchase extra canned fruits, vegetables, sauces, soups, and other

nonperishables when you shop each week. Don't forget to purchase cleaning

supplies, toiletries, and other non-food items you buy on a regular basis. As

your pantry gets more and more full of items you routinely use, you will begin

to save 25%-50% on your grocery budget. Once you have a supply you need only

buy items when they go on sale.

If you do this on a regular basis, you will always be feeding your family

and handling household needs at last year's prices. To begin the process, try

placing your change at the end of every day in a special jar. At the end of

the week purchase items that will store well and are on sale, with that money.

Do this in addition to your normal purchasing and do not use your storage

items, but continue buying as though they were not there. Don't forget your

pets; their food and supplies go on sale, too.





48 - Stretch Your Food

When buying frosted corn flakes, mix them with a box of unfrosted corn

flakes to reduce the sugar as well as the price. Do the same thing with

chocolate milk by adding half white milk; stretch orange juice by combining

with less expensive lemonade.





49 - Shop at the Farmers' Market

Farmers' markets are a great place to purchase fresh fruits and

vegetables. The best time to go is late in the day. Often when booths are

closing you can make deals, especially if you are buying large quantities, so

take orders from the neighbors or plan to can or freeze the extras.





50 - Buy Store Brands

If you are in doubt about the quality of a store brand, buy just one and

try it. Most store brands are packaged by the major food companies and are of

good to high quality. Some of the store brands are actually better than the

name brands. But if you really hate the store brand, by all means buy what you

love. Spoiling yourself on a few little luxuries is the spice of life, and the

reward for being frugal - isn't it





A Friend is God's way of showing us we don't have to walk alone.



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Teach Your Children



Teach the children to pray. 

 I do think parents should
teach their children to pray.

Proverbs 34:11

Come,
my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear
of the LORD.

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate
your children; instead, bring them up in the training
and instruction of the Lord.


Psalm 78:4

We will not
hide them from their children; we will tell the next
generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his
power, and the wonders he has done.


 Proverbs 22:6


Train a child in the way he should go, and when he
is old he will not turn from it. It seems as if God
would want the little children to pray.