What If I Gave All

Sometimes we are given a glimpse of something very precious.  My Son lost a tooth last night and although he is older and we don't practice the tooth fairy, he still receives a small gift to celebrate.  Last night I didn't have any cash on hand and wasn't prepared for the exiting of the tooth.  

I gave my Son a choice between a gift from Wal-mart on Monday or an IOU.  After he asked what an IOU was, he decided that was the best choice.  I filled out a small slip of paper with every intention of placing it under the pillow when he was asleep, but I forgot.

At Church today we had a speaker from the Gideon's who shared about how God has used the Bibles placed in hotels, hospitals, etc.  There were touching stories after stories and evidence of how God was blessing through this ministry of giving out His Word.  

At the end of the service my Son came to me and asked, "Mom, how much is that IOU?"  I immediately remembered that I did not place it under his pillow and apologized to him.  He said, "Mom, how much is it because I want to give it to the Gideon's."  His IOU was $5.00 and that was exactly the amount needed to purchase one hardbound Bible to be placed in a hospital or hotel.  I quickly wrote out the check and let him give it to the speaker.  He was so happy to do this.

I am reminded about a little boy who gave fish and bread and Andrew brought him to Jesus and Jesus made something wonderful out of his gift.  There is a song called, "What if I Gave All I Had".  It's a powerful reminder of how we each should give.  We can learn much from the genuine faith of a child.

Click below to watch the video and ask God how He would have you to give to His kingdom work.

What if I Gave All I Had

Free Flowers

A person who scrapbook's or makes cards can never get enough embellishments.  We use all sorts of pretties on our handmade items.  I read a tip on punching out the center of the mats you use with pictures.  While making a project I matted over 100 pieces of patterned paper, so I remembered that little tidbit and wanted to give it a try.  

My rectangles measure larger mat 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" and smaller is 2 1/4" x 3 3/4".  These small mats will be incorporated in a secret Christmas project which I'll post later. 

Some time back I picked up some flower punches in 1", 2" & 2 1/2" by Paper Studio.  I found these at Hobby Lobby really really cheap.  ($2-$5)

In the larger mat (which you will be covering) simply place it in the punch in the middle being careful to not get too close to the edges so it won't show once you add your paper to the top and just punch a flower or anything else you might need multiples of. 
I used a 2" punch.

It's so easy and I never really thought about how much of the pretty paper & cardstock
is going to waste and being covered up.

Ladies...this is prime scrapbook real estate. 
Go punch your mats and get some free flowers! 
It feels so great to get something FREE.

100th Post Winner

This and That 100th Post Blog Winner

Thank you Beth for the wonderful prizes. 
They are beautiful treasures!

Visit her blog at: 

http://www.teatotaler-thisandthat.com

Household Tip #4

Kitchen Cabinets

Here's the scene:  you decide you want to bake something special.  You proceed to the kitchen in search of the ingredients you need.  You find almost everything and keep rummaging through the baking supplies, because you know it's in there...somewhere.

Here's a tip that I picked up somewhere that will eliminate the endless searching and frustration in finding supplies in your cabinets.  Small plastic rectangular containers work great to store baking items.  One basket has spices, food coloring and the like.  Another basket has flour, sugar, etc.  You can store your chocolate chips, almond bark and the such in a basket.  When you are ready to bake, just pull out the basket and everything is neatly placed inside.  No more hunting for vanilla flavoring!  Take a peek at how nice the baskets look in the cabinet!

I picked these baskets up at the Dollar Tree for $1.00 and they even have a handle!
Happy Baking!

Verse for the Day

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 4:6-7

Do you ever feel anxious?  Could you use a little peace right now?  Each of us face these feelings most of the time on a daily basis.  Life can throw so many things at us that we must know how to counteract all of the stress.  It has never been God's intention for us to live a frazzled fast pace life where we don't know if we are coming or going.  

God said to not be anxious over anything.  We can let Him know what we need in these situations and accept that He is working in our lives.  When we realize that God is working to bring about good for us then we acknowledge that He is ultimately in control.  Surrendering this control to God gives us peace, because we know we aren't the one who has to fix everything.  We can trust that He knows best and will work all things out for our good and His glory.  Peace...sweet peace that you certainly can't buy and often times we learn the hard way about trusting and living in this peace.

Household Tip #3

Organizing Made Easy

How many of us have had overfilled closets that you wouldn't dare let a guest open for fear they would be buried alive with the spillage that would come tumbling out?  The last time I moved, I saw it as an opportunity to really get organized!  I consulted several organizing books and found some very helpful tips.  Marcia Ramsland is an author to several books and they are very insightful to give easy methods for keeping your house the way you want it.  

One tip I want to share today is how to keep the closets, cabinets, etc. clean and neat.  (I can't remember where I picked this tip up.)  Every time you open a door to get something, look quickly around and see if there is one more thing you can pick up and put it where it goes.  For example:  I go to the closet to get a new purse out...I look and see a plaid shirt that I haven't worn...ever.  This shirt quickly goes in the donate bag/box.  After I change my purse out, I go to the refrigerator to get a drink...I see last week's leftover chili, so I empty the container and place it in dishwasher.  When I cook and reach in for a spice, I organize that shelf or check the expiration date on items. 

When you get in the habit of always cleaning out an item or organizing a shelf, etc. then the days of cleaning out closets are limited.  When I put away my son's clothes in the closet, I look around and immediately pull out items that no longer fit or he needs to try on.  It's a simple concept that really works.  

You may think...I don't have time to do this when I looking for something, but in the long run if you make the time, then you spend less time searching for things that you know are in there somewhere!

Household Tip #2

Organizing Tip:

Place a box near the front door in a closet, etc.  Line the box with a garbage bag.  When you come across clothes that don't fit or you don't want then place them in the box immediately.  This allows your closet to always be cleaned out and you never have the chore of going through it.  This works great for kids clothes too!

As you use things in your kitchen or play games with the kids, etc. you will see items that you never use anymore or just don't want...place them in the box immediately.  Once you get the hang of doing this, you will find that your closets, etc. have in them only the things you use & want.  It's a system that I read about years ago and really works.

Once the box is full, remove the garbage bag, place it in your car immediately so you can take it to your favorite charity when you have time.  Place a new garbage bag in the box.  You will be surprised how often you have a bag to give away.

Memo Holders

More Small Gift Ideas:

I saw this idea to make memo holders quite a while ago.  I believe I found it on http://www.bearcubscraproom.blogspot.com/ but not completely sure; however, I
wanted to give credit, since it wasn't my original idea.

This simple gift idea includes:
Cardboard/chipboard cut at 4" x 5 1/2"- cover front with paper
4x6 index cards cut in half to make 2 - 4x3 cards
Stack several cards and add to memo board with colored binder clips
Add trim & decor

Larger version size:
4 1/2" x 6 1/2" and uses regular index cards

*This is a great way to use scrap paper, left over stickers & ribbon.  I came across the colored binder clips at a dollar store $1 and 100 large index cards at Big Lot's $1.  You use very little of the supplies so you could make lot's of these for stocking stuffers, co-worker gifts, etc.

Whatever You Do

Thought for the Day

Whatever you do...do it with all your heart as if you were doing it for God Himself. 
It would certainly make a difference if we carried this attitude with us every day.

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him."  Colossians 3:17