Thankfulness and Provision

Sometimes, life gets so busy that it is easy to overlook things that are truly important. When things are busy, I find myself feeling the need to do MORE instead of less. Am I the only one with this problem?? I am not even talking about outside commitments - often, it is just things in the house or forgotten projects that suddenly need to get finished. I do work best under pressure! But, the other problem that I have is forgetting the things that I am truly thankful for and instead, complaining. Last night at prayer, the Lord gently reminded me, though:

"Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Hold firmly the message of life." (Philippians 2:12-16)

He led me staight to that verse and I immediately had to ask forgiveness. Why is it so easy to complain and so hard to be thankful? So, I asked Him to help me learn to be more thankful and to search for opportunities to express it. He brought things to my mind that I think I have read in an e-mail or something before. I can't remember it exactly, but it had things to this effect:

When I have a sink full of dirty dishes, I will not complain, for it means that I have food to eat.

When I have too much laundry, I will be thankful for it means I have clothes to wear.

When the bills come due, I will be thankful that I have electricity, water and a roof over my head.

When my children are underfoot, I will be thankful for the joy they bring to my life.

Well, you get the idea. We can choose to look at anything as a problem or a blessing, but the choice is ours alone. I am going to try my best to learn to find reasons to be thankful for even the troubles in my life. Honestly, the troubles are usually, if not always, the times that I learn the most about myself and that I see God work in ways I would never have imagined. All the hard times that I have been through have molded me into the person I am today - for better or worse! How can I not be thankful for troubles when they are the blueprints for my future?

Here are some things I am thankful for right now:

1. My faith, the Word, my Lord

2. My family

3. An awesome church family

4. Old friends

5. New friends

6. Florida in February, March, April, May, October, November and December

7. Music

8. Books

9. Homecooked food

10. Homeschooling

11. Provision

12. Feeling the presence of God

13. My home

14. Pictures

15. Love

16. Holiness

17. Grace

18. Mercy

19. Truth

20. Love

21. Forgiveness

One last thought. Pastor preached this last Sunday and it is too good and even applicable to not put here. He recounted the passages of scripture when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac - his son and the promised seed. Can you imagine hearing God command you to take your only son (or child, or any of your children for that matter) and sacrifice them to Him? Really think about it. We know the story and we know that God solved the problem, but Abraham didn't know that. He could only trust that God would supply and he even said as much to his son. When Issac asked where the sacrifice was for the offering, Abraham only said that the Lord would provide Himself a sacrifice. You most likely know the story - Abraham lay his son on the altar and prepared to sacrifice him when the Lord stopped him and showed him a ram in the bushes - He truly did provide a sacrifice! The way Pastor said it was amazing - when we are going up one side of the mountain with problems and worries, not knowing where the answer will come from or how God will provide, He is sending His answer up the other side - even though we can't see it, it is there! How thankful I am to know that He takes care of me - not the government or the economy or the leaders of this world, or the banks, etc. He truly is Jehovah Jirah! So, if I feel tempted to complain that I don't see the end to my situation, I will remember that the answer is coming up the other side of my mountain, if only I am ready for it!

Getting Started with CVS

So many of my friends have asked how to "do CVS" after reading about my cereal deals. (You can read them here and here). Not long after I posted those, I got the following e-mail from a blog that I subscribe to that put it so well, that I thought I would put it on here for you to all see and get started. I hope that it is not wrong to do it - I am not trying to take credit for her work, only to help you get started. You should definitely visit her site for lots more deals and ideas! The website is Centsible Sawyer and you can find it here. I have used several sites that are great for e-mailing updates, deals, freebie products, etc. It is worth the extra stuff in your inbox to save some money. Anyway, hope this helps - it is the same type of info that helped me get started!

"I have gotten so many emails lately from people who are wanting to know how to “do CVS.” There is really no better time than this to get started. With the state of the economy who couldn’t use a lower grocery/household bill? So, for all of you who have requested it, here’s a lesson in how to work CVS and the Extra Care Buck program."

First, you will need to get a CVS card. This is just like any other grocery store or drugstore loyalty card. You probably have several already. The cashier scans your card and you get a discount on your groceries. The difference in the CVS card is that you don’t get a discount up front, but you get Extra Care Bucks following a purchase. How do you get a CVS card? The best way is to ask the cashier for one at the store. You’ll fill out a quick form and they’ll give you a card that day. This is the best scenario because you’ll be able to use the card right away.

The next thing you will need is a CVS weekly flyer and a CVS monthly booklet. The weekly ad is just like any store circular. It will have all the deals including a couple of items that earn ECBs (or Extra Care Bucks). For example, one of the items in this week’s flyer is the Excedrin 10ct. Vial for $2.49. Under this it says you’ll get $2.49 ECBs – making it “FREE” with a limit of 1. Let’s say you just decided to get this one item. You take it to the checkout. It will ring up $2.49 + tax. You will have to pay the amount. But, then you’ll get a receipt and at the end of the receipt it will say you’ve earned $2.49 ECBs. Don’t loose this receipt! This little “coupon” at the end of your receipt is just that – a coupon! You can cut it off and keep it and use it just like cash on your next transaction. It will take $2.49 off your total.

Transactions:
Okay now that you have your card and your flyers you are ready to decide what to buy and plan your transactions. You can also use this blog to help you. Of course items that are “FREE” after ECBs are going to earn back all your money with little effort. Let’s say this week Gillette deodorant is on sale for $3.99 and you’ll earn $3.99 and the Excedrin is $2.49 and will earn you $2.49 in ECBs. You don’t have any coupons. So your transaction goes like this:

Buy Gillette deodorant $3.99
Buy Excedrin $2.49 Final Total: $6.48

You'll pay $6.48 + tax and at the end of your receipt you'll get 2 ECBs. One will say $3.99 and the other will say $2.49. So, you earned a total of $6.48 in ECBs - your products were "free."

Now, the next step - using manufacturer's coupons with transactions: Let's take the same scenario as above but this time you've brough along a coupon for Excedrin for $2 off and a BOGO (buy one get one free coupon) on the Gillette deodorant. Your transaction will go like this:

Buy (2) Gillette deodorants $3.99 each (total:$7.98)
Buy Excedrin $2.49
Final Total: $10.47
Use $2 coupon for Excedrin
Use BOGO coupon for the two deodorants
Final total after coupons: $4.48
You’ll pay $4.48 out of pocket +tax and at the end of the receipt you will receive an ECB for $2.49 for the Excedrin and another $7.98 for the deodorant (assuming there wasn’t a limit of one). So, you earned a total of $10.47 in ECBs to spend like cash next time – even though you only spent $4.48!

Now let's make it more confusing! =)
Every now and then CVS releases $/$$ coupons. These come in the newspaper, online, and every now and then they’ll print on the end of your receipt or in your email! These coupons are in denominations of $2/$10 (meaning $2 off of a $10 purchase), $3/$15 (meaning $3 off a $15 purchase), and $4/$20 (meaning $4 off of a $20 purchase). These can be used in addition to manufacturer’s coupons. So, let’s take the same transaction as above one more time:

Buy (2) Gillette deodorants $3.99 each (total:$7.98)
Buy Excedrin $2.49
Final Total: $10.47
Use the $2 off of $10 coupon (it is important to use this coupon FIRST while your total is over $10).
Use $2 coupon for Excedrin
Use BOGO coupon for the two deodorants
Final total after coupons: $2.48

You’ll pay $2.48 out of pocket +tax and at the end of the receipt you will receive an ECB for $2.49 for the Excedrin and another $7.98 for the deodorant (assuming there wasn’t a limit of one). So, you earned a total of $10.47 in ECBs to spend like cash next time – even though you only spent $2.48!

The goal in CVS shopping is to pay very little out of pocket and take home products you can use and products that you NEED. So, each week or so you’ll want to use your ECBs to pay for your purchases instead of using your cash.

Let’s say I did the above transaction.
I only spent $2.48 my first week of CVS shopping and I brought home 2 deodorants and a bottle of Excedrin. Not very exciting, but I can use both products or donate them and I have $10.47 to spend the following week. (Note: you can use your ECBs immediately after they print but let’s just say I did one transaction a week to keep it simple). The following week I look at my flyer and determine that toothpaste is $2.99 this week and will earn me $2.99 in ECBs and a pack of Bic razors are $6.99 and will earn me $4 in ECBs. I decide those are things that will earn me the most bucks and they are items I can use. I also have a $1 off coupon for the toothpaste and a $2 coupon for the razors. As you can see I am basically making $1 off the toothpaste and paying only $1 for the razors. I also really need milk this week and would like to try to see if I can pay for it with ECBs to take that off my grocery budget. So my transaction goes like this.

Buy (2) toothpastes $2.99 each ($5.98 total)
Buy razors $6.99
Buy Milk $3.99
Final Price: $16.96
Use $3/$15 CVS coupon
Use (2) $1 off toothpaste coupons
Use $2 razor coupon
Final total after coupons: $9.96 + tax
Then, I use my $7.98 ECB from last week
That means I spend $2.02 cash and I earned another $5.98 ECBs for the toothpaste and $4 ECB for the razors. That is a total of $9.98 in ECBs for next week to spend (plus the $2.48 ECB from the Excedrin the week before I haven’t used yet). So, I took home more products I can use and the milk I needed plus I have MORE money to spend next week!

That is the goal with CVS shopping – to keep “rolling” (using ECBs from last week this week) your ECBs over and “growing” (making more ECBs this week then you had the last). Some weeks are bad, you may roll your ECBs and lose a few. Other weeks are worse, you “blow” your ECBs. But, no worries, you can always do better next week. Don’t give up over one bad week!

Just remember: when you get to the check out you’ll need to follow these steps:
Present your card to the cashier so she/he can scan it.
The cashier will scan all your stuff.
Present an $/$$ CVS coupons
Present any manufacturer’s coupons
Pay with ECBs*
Pay the remaining balance with cash

*You will NOT get change on your ECBs. If your total is $8.23 and you have an ECB for $9 the cashier can scan it but you won’t get the $0.77 back. You could throw in a candy bar or something and make sure to use it all up. Otherwise you’ll be throwing away “money.”

Let me know if you still need more help or info!

Senior Quizzing Tournament + Chocolate = Happiness!

Holly and MaKenna and their teammate Amber Barnhill had their second tournament today in Palm Bay. Mark, Caleb and I were able to go with them - Yay!!! I love watching and being a part of Bible Quizzing. How is it, though, that sitting at a tournament all day can make you so sleepy?? I am really having a hard time staying awake to catch up on my blog!

Anyway, we got up early today and drove there to start quizzing at 9. I got to see some friends that I don't get to see as much anymore because they have moved up to seniors from juniors with their kids. It was fun to catch up with them. I also helped judge and that was great - but seniors is sooooooo different than juniors! Give me the little guys any day!

Ok, Ok, so the girls quizzed very well today. Their 2 other teammates have been sick and were not able to go this time, so it was just these 3 today. I am happy to say that all of the girls buzzed in and answered at least 2 questions correct each! And, at the end of the day, their team placed 2nd in the state! On top of all that excitement, Holly was the 2nd highest scorer of the day and received a silver medal. I am so proud of all 3 of these girls for commiting God's Word to their hearts and minds. They are dedicated, disciplined and true exaples of what Godly young girls should be like. I am thankful, too, for their coaches who commit their time to work with them each week - Darrick, Shanna, Denell, Christina and Natalie. Go Apopka!!

Being silly (after a loooonnngggg day of quizzing) with their 2nd place trophy)!

True beauty - inside and out: (MaKenna, Amber and Holly)

Holly with her silver medal -WOOT WOOT!!!

About to quiz - Amber, Holly and MaKenna with coaches Shanna and Darrick:

Next weekend will be a junior trip to Tampa. So much fun!

Oh, are you wondering where the chocolate comes in? Well, here is a freebie little extra nugget for you all. I read this recipe the other day and decided to try it. You take a devil's food cake mix and mix it with one can of libby's pure pumpkin. Do NOT add anything else - NOTHING! It will be thick. Mix well and then put into muffin tins - either greased or lined with muffin papers. Bake at 400 for about 15-20 minutes and they will come out like brownies! So yummy and much more nutritious than brownies! We added cool whip and strawberries and boy oh boy was that good! I may go make one right now! Here is what it looked like when MaKenna made hers last night:

Yummy!

Universal and IOA

Monday, we decided to take a field trip to Universal and use the last of the tickets we had that a friend recently gave us. I LOVE free theme parks days! We left quite early and were the first to ride Jimmy Neutron, where we reminisced about being there with Tammy and Bryan last year. such fun times!

Caleb and I waiting. He is on his tippy toes to be taller than me - it doesn't take much!

Kaley, MaKenna and Holly waiting in line:

Such a beautiful, sunny Florida day:

Silly girls try on sunglasses in the I Love Lucy Museum and then ask to be photographed!

We ate lunch at "Mel's Diner" - jukebox and all - meal courtesy of the same friend. What a blessing!

OK, last before I end the post - We walked into a bookstore in Seuss land and there was a little bird flying around the inside of the store. It was obviously trying to get out and couldn't find the way. He even bonked into a window. I felt so bad for it. Finally, it landed near the door but seemed confused. I went over to kind of help it out the door and it just stood there and looked at me. I knelt down to shoo it out and it stood there still. Finally, it let me reach out and pet it!! It was the cutest little thing and I was just amazed!

This picture shows my finger just after the bird flew away. Unfortunately, the camera was too slow and the bird finally flew away before the flash. Take the last picture and superimpose the bird in where my middle finger is, and you will get the same effect!

We had a fun, long, exhausting day and will probably not go back for a long time - I am kind of over theme parks! Give me mountains, streams and fields any day over a theme park!

A Quote to Live By

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."

I LOVE that!

God's Love

Today, all over the country, people tend to spend lots of time thinking about hearts, flowers and true love. I got to thinking about the meaning of love the other day and how love is not based on a feeling. Love is a choice. Jesus showed the true meaning of love when he chose to hang on the cross and die for us. It did not feel good and He did not want to hurt, but He chose to do that for us - for Love. It made me realize that Valentine's Day really has a lot to do with Easter. Without Easter, we would not even know the meaning of Love. Love took on flesh and was nailed to a tree, for ME.

We made sure to let each other know how much we love each other around here today, but I hope that my kids and husband do not need a holiday to show them that I love them. I hope that my love for them shows through every day in everything that I do. My love for them is based on choice - just like Jesus' love for me. I don't just love them when they listen and do everything that I ask them to do or when they show their love for me or buy me things. I love them at all times, even when they are unlovable! How much more does Jesus love us?

So, what did you do for Valentine's Day? We spent the day here at home. I made the kids heart shaped pancakes this morning and we made a special dinner tonight - Parmesan broiled tilapia, corn pudding and green beans. For dessert, we made red velvet cupcakes. That was the extent of our day! Just being together truly is enough! I am thankful that we choose to love each other everyday.

7 days makes one "weak"

We have had some interesting days here at the DeVore home. Nothing major or upsetting, just interesting. Here are some highlights for your viewing pleasure!

*Holly is babysitting Madilyn, Jeff and Cara's 18 month old cutie from church. Sometimes Holly goes there and sometimes Madilyn comes here. Last week, she came here and we had a blast! Wow, it is so much fun having a little one around again - but you really do forget how much (extra?, different?) work they are to have around! Everyone loved having her here and getting to play with her - what a sweetie! Here are some pics:

Playing ball:

Too cute:

Pretending to sleep (we taught her to snore!) with MaKenna:

Playing on the fort out back:

Peekaboo!

*My "baby" brother, J, stopped over last week to show us the floor plan of his first apartment on his own - yep, he is moving out! My mom is trying to be brave, and she is happy for him, but sad at the same time. I am excited for him. He went on a 5 mile walk with us and we had a nice afternoon together enjoying some beautiful Fl. sunshine.

*Monday, we had a great science lesson. We are discussing compounds, mixtures, etc. and got to have a spontaneous object lesson in the midst of it. We learned that, by itself, if oxygen is added to fire, it makes the fire bigger. However, add two hydrogen to the one oxygen and you get water, which will put out a fire. It hit me - it is like us trying to face something without Jesus - we are the oxygen alone and start the fire and then cause it to get bigger. But, if we join with Jesus, He enables us to do what we cannot do alone and the fires of our lives are put out. I know, I am a little weird. The kids say that I am no fun to watch a Disney movie with either, cause I can make it spiritual. But why not learn lessons from everything?? Like water in a desert... (right Beth?)

*Tuesday, we decided that it was such a beautiful Florida day, that we needed a picnic. So, we made some sandwiches, packed a basket with chips, apples, lemonade and some goodies and headed for the "grassy knoll" beside our house. Hey, I can call it what I like, this is my blog! We put out a tablecloth on the ground and ate our lunch. We were in sunny, breezy 75 degree weather in the middle of February - no complaints here. That night was quiz practice, which went very well. We have a great group of kids this year who are memorizing God's word, they are worshippers in church and are going to be great for Jesus all their lives. I know that Jesus can use energy like they have!

The announcement on the white board:

Sitting on the "grassy knoll" =)

Beauty defined:

*Wednesday, we delivered Meals on Wheels to some wonderful people and then had kid's Connection that night. I love those kids! We were informed that near the end of service, pastor wanted us to bring the kids and file into the sanctuary, that he had something important that he wanted everyone to hear. So, at the appointed time, and after much prayer and instruction to the kids, we did as requested. I am so proud of them for following directions and sitting quietly while pastor shared with us news about our new Family and Fine Arts Center. It is an exciting time for our church, but it also comes with great responsibility.

*Thursday night is Ladies Prayer. Need I say more. I love Thursday nights and am constantly inspired by the ladies in that group. I am so blessed.

*Friday, today, we got to go see my brother's apartment. He and another brother came over for dinner and then off to the empty apartment. He has no furniture yet (the wagon before the cart?), but what he has will be moved in tomorrow. He is just so thrilled to be on his own and he has an adorable apartment.

So far, so good! I hope you all had a great week, too. Anyone have plans for Valentine's Day?

Blessed

Tonight, I am thankful, amazed and overwhelmed with the fact that I am able to stay home with my children! After listening to an awesome message at church, I want to remember Lot's wife and not look back at the things we are "giving up" so that I can be home with them. I don't want to want the things of the world more than I want to be an influence on them. I feel so incredibly blessed to be where I am - even though there are a lot of things we do without, things we don't need anyway, I would do it all again in a heartbeat! If you are a stay at home mom, take heart! Don't be swayed by what the world says you should have or what you are missing out on. Those "liberated" women are the ones in bondage! They are slaves to jobs and schedules that take them away from their families. Anyway, it will be worth it all in the big picture. Like the song and the verse say - what does it profit to gain the whole world and lose your soul? (Or your children for that matter.) If you have to work, I pray that you don't let it get in the way of your family and that you always put your family ahead of your job. In the end, you won't wish you had worked more hours, but you may wish you had spent more time with your family!

Saving More $$$

Well, I told you in my last post that I was going to try to go back for more cereal this week. I went to a differnt CVS looking for Frosted Mini Wheats and was thankful to see they were fully stocked. So, once again, I got 6 boxes for $1.88 each, used 3 coupons for $1.50/2, then used my last few CVS bucks that expired that day and ended up paying $.79 out of pocket for the 6 boxes of cereal! So, we now have lots of kelloggs - anyone want a bowl???!!!

Saving $$$

Well, life is getting back to normal around here now that I am feeling better. School is back to regular days and life is full and busy and happy. It is hard to believe that the school year is half over already! Holly is almost done with her first year of high school - WOW! I remember that time of my life so clearly and it is hard to believe that I have a child that age! I am not old enough.

Anyway, this post is supposed to be about saving $$$, so I will continue! I have not been to CVS or Walgreens for a week and a half or so, due to busy-ness and sickness, but yesterday, I was back. Here is why you need to participate in the greatness of these deals. I bought 6 boxes of Kelloggs cereal, 4 glade candles, a bag of cough drops, a bottle of children's chewable aspirin and a bottle of dish detergent and I spent $3.44!!!! Here is how it works. On the cereal, I had 3 $1.50/2 coupons, 2 coupons for a free glade candle (if you ever have a problem with a glade candle, let their customer service know - they take care of their customers!) and a coupon for the cough drops free (thanks to my CVS card and the little machine by the front door!). Then, I had CVS Extra bucks money that covered the rest, down to the $3.44! I am going to get more cereal today! Their cereal is on sale this week only for $1.88 a box. Take off the $1.50 coupon on 2 boxes and it is like getting them for $1.13 a box! And yes, they are full size boxes of kinds that you would want to eat!

An important note for those of you who have been doing CVS for a while. They used to always take expired CVS only coupons - including extra bucks. Well, since I haven't been, some of mine (larger amounts) had expired and I was told that last night. She knows me from going in there and went ahead and took them, but be careful from now on to use them before they expire! I almost cried when I thought I couldn't use them - it was $10 worth of "money!!"

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I also got back another $7 in CVS bucks for the next trip! Happy shopping!

Sacrifice

I read this quote the other day that ministered to me so much:

"The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray." Samuel Chadwick

Then, today our pastor preached an awesome message about worship and sacrifice. When we cease to sacrifice to the one true God, we can be overtaken by our adversary. As long as I am sacrificing, Satan can not usurp God's place in my life. There is no room for him as long as God is in control, in the center of my life.

So, in addition to prayer, Satan fears our commited, continual sacrifice to God. Sacrifice can be: praise, worship, giving, thanksgiving, service, prayer, etc. We can not give or do too much for Him!

Many people today have measured devotion time and calculated commitment. They fit God in when they have time and with no sacrifice involved. How can we forget that it is not about us? We are not here to please ourselves - we are here to worship Him who created us! I want to pray more, and more fervently, give more, serve more, praise more, worship more, commit more - than ever before. There is no cost too great! He deserves everything that I have.

Pastor also reminded us that the most powerful weapon we have against anything that comes against us is the sacrifice of praise. God has always met man at places of sacrifice and provided for them there:

*Abraham lay Isaac on the altar and God provided a ram.

*The widow of Zarapeth offered Elijah the last food that she had and God supplied food to last through the famine.

*A lad offered his small lunch and God fed a multitude.

So many examples throughout both testaments of God providing for people in their need when they offered a sacrifice to the Lord. I will choose to sacrifice my all for the one who gave His life for me. Even if it hurts... Even if I don't understand... I will give it all to Him!