I want to coupon.  Really I do!  I take it in spells where I do fabulously, then I fall off the bandwagon and get lazy!  It’s times like that, when I’m clearing out my coupon stash and throwing aw ay my coupons that I just want to smack myself for not being a better money-saver!

But my guilt was somewhat alleviated when I learned about a great program that my friend, April and her husband, Morgan, have started – Troupons!  Turns out that overseas military personnel can use expired coupons for up to six months past the expiration date!   What a great use of my doomed-for-the-trashcan coupons!

I asked April to share with me how this works, so here’s the scoop:

“We started Troupons last August because I am a part of a coupon group on Facebook. Prior to this, and after many months of feeling bad about throwing away perfectly good expired coupons, I started to inquire about what we could do with them. That is when I found that the DEPLOYED military troops and families can use these coupons up to SIX months past expiration date. This was music to my ears. So I started the page so that if any of these troops were in need of these coupons, they could email me with their contact info, and we would send them coupons.
Well, within a few weeks we had more families than I could send my own coupons to so I opened it up to the public so that they could help as well!

How we operate:

We are a two man team, my husband and I. My husband, who is an Air Force Reservist, collects the emails from the troops. We compile a list of over 150 families that we personally send coupons to. We have boxes at several local interest points that collect coupons for the troops. After sorting through the coupons we disperse them, as fairly as possible, to all the families. This we do as often as we can.
We also provide a program that we warmly call the “Adoption” program. This is where families around the U.S. collect their own coupons and we provide them with a name and an address of an overseas military family that has requested coupons. This gives the family in the states a wonderful opportunity to give back to the troops and, at the same time, boosts the morale of the family that will receive these coupons. It is a win/win for everyone! (We do ask that money never exchange hands.)  The family in the states would cover all costs of sending the coupons to the troops.

The postage to send to the troops is the EXACT same as sending within the U.S. because it is considered U.S. territory and is sent by U.S. carriers.

The coupons MUST be no more than SIX months past expiration date and must say MANU or MANUFACTURER on them. The commissaries on base will not honor coupons from our local grocery stores like Food Lion, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, etc. They will only accept the manufacturer’s coupons. The manufacturers of these coupons have made a deal with DECA (the commissaries on the military base) that the OVERSEAS bases can use these coupons up to six months past expiration. The overseas commissaries will get the full reimbursement for these coupons.

According to the military members that have contacted us, the commissaries are very expensive overseas due to the cost to ship the goods there. And going to the local markets that are not on base can be even pricier.

The newspapers do not ship overseas so the inserts within them do not ship either. The only way for the military to get these inserts/coupons is to receive them from the kind hearts of the families in the states. Which is where Troupons comes in. We do the best we can to get as many coupons to the troops as possible. This helps their wallets AND their morale.

With all that said, we are very proud to run Troupons. My husband was wounded in Afghanistan and has received a Silver Star medal for his bravery and a Purple Heart medal for his sacrifice. We are major supporters of all the sacrifices made by military servicemen and women and their families.”

What a fabulous ministry to our overseas military!  I am excited to go through my coupons and sign up!  If you have any questions you can contact April at Troupons via their Facebook Troupons (Troops Coupons) page.

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Hey guys!

We have news!!

or, to say it another way!

Yep, we are thrilled to report that we are expecting another blessing! We are thankful for this new gift – knowing that it is God who gives “every good gift” (James 1:17)! And this is indeed a good gift!

BTW – I wish I could say that these were my original ideas, but alas, I have seen them done before….but I just LOVED it and HAD to do it for a Facebook announcement! Good thing I have a photographer friend!

Again, did I mention we were excited??

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Sixteen Bibles. That doesn’t count the one I keep in my car, my Kindle edition, the two apps I have on my iPhone, the myriad editions my pastor-husband has at the office or the children’s picture Bibles.

It DOES include comparative versions, daily reading Bibles, women’s Bibles, student Bibles, topical Bibles, devotional Bibles and even a Spanish Bible AND a Greek/Hebrew Bible!

Do I read Hebrew? Nope. Greek? Nope.

Do I even KNOW anyone who reads Hebrew or Greek? Nope.

If you were to stack your bibles would it be just the same? Mine was about three foot tall…..how tall would your stack be?

What if we had none? Not like one per household…..but none. What if all we knew of God was told to us by missionaries and through word-of-mouth?

American Bible illiteracy and ignorance is shameful because it is by choice and by neglect. This is not the case throughout the world. Consider the Vidunda people in Africa. According to the OneVerse website, “Although 60 percent are Christian, Vidunda people still fear witchcraft and practice animistic rituals.” They have NOT.ONE.VERSE in their own language with which to fight this deception and spiritual confusion!!

So as a blogging partner to OneVerse, today we are writing in hopes of bringing awareness of Bible poverty to our readers and their families. Please reflect on the effect that God’s Word has had on your life, on your family’s lives….how the truth of Scripture has set us all free and given us a new destiny and legacy! That’s a PRICELESS gift!

For a moment – could you run over to the OneVerse website and learn more? Click below for details!!

So why don’t you join us in raising awareness? Take a picture of your Bible stack and link it up in the comments section below – or on our Facebook page!

May God do great things among His people for HIS renown to be made known to the nations!

Isn’t it funny how, you can be scooting along nicely, then something happens and BAM!  Your world is rocked!  Just as you feel slightly collected and at peace with that situation, then BAM! Something else happens – and the “heat is turned up” so-to-speak….

Well, it’s been one of those days for me.

Really it’s an opportunity to praise God that in the midst of BLESSING He is the Giver of all good things – and in DIFFICULTY that He is sovereign, omnipotent – fully aware of exactly what we are dealing with, and not caught off guard.

The fact that He is not caught off guard, even though I may be, is quite comforting.  “Quite comforting” actually doesn’t do it justice….it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE to me that He knows, cares and has it all worked out for my good.  (Romans 8:28)

I’m not just talking tragedies here – any kind of shock to our carefully laid plans can send us flying.  (Or at least it does me!)I just finished an phenomenal book, The Praying Life by Paul Miller and it was an incredible read, and I have to say, it helped prepare me for a day like today!

Because even though the first “punch in the gut” was good, the second wasn’t so much. But remembering that God knows, cares, and expects me to come to Him with my concerns, leaves me in peace in the midst of a challenge.  (I hate to call anything a “trial” – short of like, death or cancer….it just feels melodramatic for the things that I face…..perhaps that’s a wrong outlook…)

Anyway, this is rambling, but sometimes you just want to get your feelings out there, ya know?  And part of abiding in Christ is relying on His strength and trusting in His goodness even when things don’t look the way we’d like for them too.  This is a good lesson for ME!  AND something that I need to model for my Little One!

Wish me luck, friends!

Hey guys!  Looking for some sweet treats to make with the kiddos before Valentine’s Day?  Or even some goodies to share at parties this weekend at church or at school?  I’m sharing two of our family favorite chocolate recipes over at Life for Dessert!

If you haven’t visited Logan before – she’s lots of fun and I enjoy her take on things!  Her blog is an encouragement to me, and I know it will be to you as well!

Just to further whet your appetite, here are a couple of pics of what we are making….just in case you had ANY doubt as to whether you should go visit it not!

Oreo Balls

Wonton Kisses

Now RUN over to Life for Dessert – you can’t keep dessert waiting!

Today I am so excited to be able to share a project over at The Marathon Mom!  This lady is amazing to me – seven children (eighth almost here) and a sweet spirit that shines through on her blog!

Here’s what we are making:

Come over HERE and join us to see the whole tutorial!!

There’s no end to the ideas you can get from Pinterest!

I saw something on Pinterest a while back, where they used frames as serving dishes – so I thought I would modify it and fix a need that I happen to have!  (I’ve lost the Pin….ARGH!!  That’s why I am not sharing in.  Boo!)

I’m not a perfume connoisseur, but I do have a few bottles I alternate wearing regularly, so I like to keep whatever the scent of the week is available.  Available meant, before this week, sitting alone and naked on my dresser.  But NOW, available means perched upon a dainty little rosebud tray!

See!

Oh, but it didn’t start out so pretty….a sad tale of a bereft frame, wasting away in an attic…..until….

I SAVED it and purchased it at an estate sale for $1.50!  Woo hoo for good deals!  She had like, twelve of them, but I only bought two…..I’m slapping myself now!

Here’s the “original”:

Then I painted it with some spray paint I had on hand – Krylon Satin in Caramel Latte.  I didn’t even bother to sand!

Found some scrapbook paper I had on hand (huge pack from Wal-Mart was $5.00)….

Cut it out to size….

Lathered it down with Modge Podge on the back and front and stuck the decorative paper on top.  (Remember to use a plastic scraper to push out the air bubbles….it WILL look lumpy at first, but I promise that it will be okay when it dries!  Don’t throw three pages out like I did before you realize this! HAH!)

Assemble, and voila!

Isn’t it pretty!  And cheap!  And helpful!  And a good gift!  And customizable based upon your décor!!

Have fun!

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Well, here we are on the last day of the first month of the year!  How are those resolutions coming?  Lost five pounds?  Organized the garage?  More importantly, what about the spiritual goals -  the stuff that really matters!  Have you been successful, or like most of us, are you struggling?

If you are struggling – know that you are NOT alone!  The struggle isn’t the problem – it’s the giving up that we must avoid!!

To aid you in a renewed vigor to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly, myself, along with sixteen other bloggy friends have gathered some tips and thoughts about what works for us.  So today, we are just here as one Sister-in-Christ speaking to another Sister-in-Christ, hoping to offer some encouragement and challenge to you!  Run!  Do not faint!  Keep on keeping on!

“let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” ~ Galatians 6:9 ~

So, without further ado!

——————————————————————————————————————————-

Q: How do you keep your relationship with Christ fresh?  How do you stay faithful?  What spurs you on towards godliness?

A:

H. Rae from An Original Belle says:

“I walk with Jesus daily by snatching moments to speak with Him aloud or silently, keeping Him ever close in my heart and our relationship- yes, friendship- burning brightly by frequently raking the coals of love.  “Speak to Him thou, for He hears, and Spirit with Spirit can meet– Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.” –Tennyson”

Mary from The Encouraging Home says:

“When life is overwhelming and you don’t think you can go another step, God will carry you…when things don’t make sense, He sees the whole picture and has a perfect plan. Focus on being thankful for your blessings, instead of your circumstances and trials…keep a journal so you can go to it to remind you of His love for you. ( Ann Voskamp and her blog, A Holy Experience is an inspiration and encouragement to me.)”

Katie from Brighton Park says:

“God is in the details. He is in the laundry room… He is in the kitchen…He is present in our cleaning and caring for our families. He is in every laugh and smile and baby sigh. He is ever present. Every day. Each scene of our lives. In every detail.”

Heather from Raising Mighty Arrows says:

“Learning to affirm your husband will cause your relationship to flourish like never before.  When you decide to support your husband in all his efforts and endeavors, you leave little room for the enemy to get his foot in the door of your relationship.”

Amy from Amy’s Finer Things says:

” The best way I’ve found to connect with Jesus is to “pray as I go”.  Simply to be in constant, continual conversation with him as I go about the responsibilities of my day.”

Rhoda from Southern Hospitality says:

“We all face trials and difficulties in life and what and who we put our HOPE in will determine the outcome. I wait for the Lord my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope.  Psalms 130:5″