Changes Ahead

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all doing well and gearing up for a delightful Holiday Season. I wanted to take a moment and inform you of some changes that are going to take place on my blog.   Starting this week I will begin posting My Story and Redemption Road as daily posts. Currently, each of the stories are categorized as pages on the top of the blog. But, after much thought and a few comments I realized this can be confusing at times. So, in an effort to make things a little more user-friendly for future readers, I’m going to make each story a blog post that can be read in order from beginning to end.

I hope this helps.

If you would like to opt out of your subscription in order to avoid daily emails for the next few weeks I totally understand. I’ve been putting this off for a while, but I’m still hearing from new readers on a regular basis and I believe this will help others navigate the blog with ease.  I will also include a few updates along the way and I plan on finishing the Redemption Road series before the end of the year.

I am beyond thankful for the love and support we have received over the last two years.  I remain hopeful that what we went through has helped others find the courage and freedom needed in order to move on from abusive situations.  If you know of someone that may benefit from reading My Story, please feel free to share this information with them so that they may follow along each day as well. 

I’ll see ya here tomorrow…

Much Love,

Jana

Make Living on a Budget FUN!!

I bet you may have read the title to this entry and laughed…maybe even scoffed at the idea of a budget being fun.  I know I have for years.  Budgets are often constricting and provide very little room for shopping, entertainment or shopping.  Wait…did I already mention shopping?

A few months ago I began working hard to find ways to make our money stretch.  I’m a stay at home mom and I knew getting a full-time job was out of the picture. But, I also knew that with some creativity I could figure out ways for us to save money and cushion our income.  Let me just tell you I was shocked at how much we were able to save once I started implementing the use of coupons.  Not only have a I saved money, I have a pantry that is overflowing and enough beauty products to care for Cleopatra.

So…how did I get from saving up pennies for my favorite lip gloss to having an ample stockpile?  And, even more exciting than that…most of it was FREE!

Well, I took lessons from a seasoned couponer.  My friend Lacey spent weeks going over deals and sending me links to websites in order to get me started.  It was an answer to prayer and since starting this journey I have shopped more and spent less than ever before.  And, I have had a BLAST doing so.  It takes work, but for those of you that enjoy finding an unbelievable deal or have no problem with trying a few different name brands here and there…this will be a dream come true for you.

In order to help get you prepared for the new year I have included a few helpful blogs that deal specifically with using coupons.  They also post about amazing online deals and show you how to make the best use of your coupons.  My advice to you would be to pick one category at one store until you get the hang of things.  For instance, I started buying makeup and toiletries first.  We were out of almost everything and plus it was more fun for me to shop for mascara instead of researching who had the best deals on lettuce that week.  Eventually, once I got the hang of things, I began using coupons at the grocery store and even retail shops.  You would be surprised at how many discounts and coupons are available ALL THE TIME!!  For instance, during the month of December Hallmark released  coupon good for $5 off of any $5 purchase.  Well, they had wrapping paper on sale (2 rolls for $5.99)  and I was able to score two rolls of CUTE paper for $.99 + tax.  See, it’s stuff like that…fun stuff that makes it easy to be on a budget and it happens ALL THE TIME!

So, to get you started take a look at these helpful blogs.  You won’t regret inching your way out there once you see how far a dollar can stretch.  Plus, you will get some FABULOUS deals and high-end merchandise for less than you could ever imagine.

Good Luck and let me know how it goes!

Here are some great blogs to check out:

http://hip2save.com/couponnewbie#1

http://thefrugalfind.com/getting-your-finances-in-order-free-online-coupon-class/

http://www.couponingtodisney.com/category/couponing-basics/

 

 

Why I’ve Been Quiet

I’m baaaaaaaaaaack!

Okay…I never really left, I just took a mini-break from social networking for a bit.  It wasn’t planned, I just woke up one day and the thought of sitting in front of the computer made me want to gag.  I guess I was a little tuckered out from the flurry of activity in the blogging world over the last couple of months.  I didn’t realize it until I took one day off and then two and then…11 days passed and I felt so rested.  I needed some time and space.  I needed to gain a fresh persepctive…I needed to grieve…I just needed God to refresh me.  And He did, He always does.  He is so faithful.

I don’t have anything crazy or pressing to say in this post.  Just a simple hello, and I hope you are all doing well.  Now that I’m typing, I realize how much I missed all of you!!  Your kind comments and emails always make my day.

Yep. I missed YOU and I will be posting more this weekend.

GIVEAWAY Time!!

I recently received a very interesting book in the mail.  It’s by Mark Buchanan and it came as a total surprise.  I’ve done book reviews for Zondervan this year and it’s been a fun gig.  I choose books that interest me, they send them to me at no cost and then I post a review on my blog.  Easy schmeesy!  But, last month a book arrived that I was not expecting and it has made a huge impact on my heart.  Without sounding all weird…I think God hand-picked this one for me.  He must know my email password.

The book is:

Here is a brief description provided by Zondervan.com:

“Abide in me,” Jesus tells us, “and you will bear much fruit.” Yet too often we forget that fruit needs different seasons in order to grow. We measure our spiritual maturity by how much we do rather than how we are responding to our current spiritual season. In Spiritual Rhythm, Mark Buchanan replaces our spirituality of busyness with a spirituality of abiding. Sometimes we are busy, sometimes still, sometimes pushing with all we’ve got, sometimes waiting. This model of the spiritual life measures and produces growth by asking: Are we living in rhythm with the season we are in? With the lyrical writing for which he is known, Mark invites us to respond to every season of the heart, whether we are flourishing and fruitful, stark and dismal, or cool and windy. In comparing spiritual rhythms to the seasons of the year, he shows us what to expect from each season and how embracing the seasons causes our spiritual lives to prosper. As he draws on the powerful words of Scripture, Mark explores what activities are suitable or necessary in each season—and what activities are useless or even harmful in that season. Throughout the book, Mark weaves together stories of young and old, men and women, families, couples, and individuals who are in or have been through a particular season of the heart. As Mark writes, “I pray that this book meets you in whatever season you’re in, and prepares you for whatever seasons await. I pray that it helps you find your voice, your stride, your rhythm, in season or out. Mostly, I pray that you, with or without my help, find Christ wherever you are. And that, even more, you discover that wherever you are, he’s found you.”

This brilliant book has made me question

“What season am I in?”

In January I knew the Lord asked me to commit to writing a blog for one year.  At first I cringed at the thought and then felt a surge of excitement.  I decided my blog would be a great way to keep my thoughts on life, motherhood and ministry.

So, the journey began.

In May I felt so strongly that I was to begin writing about my experiences in ministry and I started a section on my blog called My Story.  Over the last few months I have openly discussed depression, heartache, marriage problems and health issues.  And without even realizing it…the winter season began to emerge.  I lost friends, mentors and people who I love dearly.  I have been called names, received hate mail and had other people blog about me.  It’s been hard, but more than anything it’s been part of a season.  I’m reminded now, as I’ve always known…seasons are inevitable and seasons will pass.

In the midst of all of this I began feeling physically ill…beyond the normal tiredness of being a mother of a toddler.

I

WAS

EXHAUSTED

Simply running a couple of errands or doing loads of laundry would leave me so tired…I would need to lay down immediately in order to recuperate.  I knew something was wrong when I went to the doctor and before any tests were run, he diagnosed me as hypo-thyroid.  Lab results later confirmed that he was 100% correct.  My body was fighting to stay in the game and at the same time…it was fighting to quit.  My weight fluctuated so quickly, even my fattest of fat clothes ran tight.  And trying to muster the confidence to hold my head high and feel pretty, despite my appearance, proved even more difficult.

And…yet through all of this…I never wanted to admit that I was in a winter season.  To me that signaled defeat or that all of those who opposed my blog could gleefully declare it as the consequences of my writing.  Gross…huh?

What I have realized is that I desire growth and because of that, my winter season is needed.  It is gearing me up for the next harvest.  My winter is not a reflection of my faith…it is a product of my dedication to my faith.

Bottom line…

My Winter season is okay.  It is part of the process and thankfully…My Winter season will pass.

So, with all of this being said…I want this book to rock someones elses world.  Mr. Buchanan and Zondervan did not send this to me with the requirement of a book review or blog post…this is all my doing.

I want to send one of my readers this book.

The same one that I read and highlighted.  I know that may be weird and if it is…you don’t have to participate.  But, I have signed my name on the front cover page and next to it…I put the season that I am in.  And I would really like to send this to you!

Once you are done reading it…I ask that you sign it too and put your season next to your name and then pass this book along to someone else who may benefit from it.   And then, if you feel comfortable doing so, you can ask them to do the same.

To make things even better, my blogging friend Angela gave me a copy of her churches latest worship CD to giveaway as well. So, you will get two prizes from one post.  YAY…I think I may even enter this one. Is that legal?

Okay, now to the details of the drawing.  You can enter as many times as you want by leaving comments on this post.  Simply leave your name in the comments section and tell me your favorite season of the year.  I’m talking actual seasons here.  I love spring time…fresh flowers, cut grass and a nice breeze blowing the curtains in the window.  Entries will be excepted until midnight Sept. 30th and the drawing will take place on October 1st.  I will announce the winner that day.  I can hardly wait!!

Let the games begin.

Made From Scratch

I have a new blogging BFF!!  Her name is Mary Kathryn Tyson and she has allowed me to do my very first guest post…EVER!!  I love her for that.  :)

So, head on over to her blog Beauty for Ashes and check out my guest post:

Made From Scratch

To go to her blog click here.

Home Sweet Home

This week we were able to visit Barry’s parents and introduce our little boy to the great state of Iowa.  It has been such a refreshing week.  The weather has been beautiful and the company has been terrific!  We have enjoyed mornings with the windows open, dinners on the porch and lot’s of love and laughs.  We have treasured each and every moment together.  No matter how old we get, it’s always nice to be home.  There is so much comfort in grandma’s kisses and grandpa’s hugs.  We are blessed beyond measure and we cannot thank God enough for the gift of family!

New Blog Look

Okay, I’m still trying to find a blog “theme” that I like. There are not very many to choose from on WordPress, so I’m giving this one a shot. It seems to be more user-friendly. I’m sure I’ll change it around again in a couple of months.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Holiday weekend!

Steering Through Chaos – Book Review

As a student at Oak Cliff Assembly of God in the 1990′s I had the incredible privilege of having Scott Wilson as my youth pastor.  I can remember being so excited when I was accepted onto the youth leadership team.  Even then it was evident that Scott had the ability to develop leaders and equip them for the ministry.  Back then we had to go through a six-week training manual before we could become a part of the team.  The final step was leading someone to the Lord.  I spent weeks hoping that I would have the chance to pray with someone.  Finally, and I can’t emphasize that word enough, I convinced a little boy that I babysat to say the sinners prayer with me.  Afterwards he told me he had already prayed that before. 

I was so desperate to attend Scott’s leadership meetings I counted it anyways. 

What I love about Steering Through Chaos is the way in which Scott writes.  I felt connected to his stories and examples.  His honesty was refreshing and revitalizing.  As I read I was inspired when he tackled the tough subject of church growth.  Although, we can’t always look at numbers as our judge, they do play an important role in understanding what barriers we may be facing in our growth.  We have probably all experienced or seen churches that are thriving and growing while others remain stagnant and unmoved by the needs of those around them.  Scott dives deep into these topics and shares personal stories of his successes and failures during his 20+ years of ministry.  I don’t know about you…but it’s hard to talk about the rough patches.  Yet, Scott does it with integrity and ease.  He makes you feel as though you are not alone.  And that you too can navigate your way to a church bursting with vision and growth without sacrificing your family and staff along the way.

Steering Through Chaos is a vital read for pastors and leaders.  Whether you are a senior pastor or a seminary student you will be refreshed as you read Scott’s incredible journey.  With practical tips and discussion questions for you and your staff this book delivers more than just information…it aides you in preparing for incredible growth!