Coupon Seekers

If you came to my blog to begin or enhance your coupon journey, start with these tips:
• Not a member of Swagbucks? Scroll to the bottom of my blog and sign up! Earn points for searches you would do on the internet anyway and more!
• Print your coupons here! Click the “Print Coupons HERE!” tab. Make sure to come back at the beginning of each month when the coupons are new again! Remember: it takes a few weeks to get going and the goal is always to SAVE more than you SPEND.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Black Friday Shopping

If you're like me and LOVE a good deal, you're probably preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

Check out http://bfads.net/ for the best price deals, ad scans and buying guides - all available BEFORE the sale ads hit the newstands!!

ChristinaLynn }i{

DivineDealDiva: Bath & Body Works FREE Signature Collection item

Don't miss out on this FREE item from Bath & Body Works!!

DivineDealDiva: Bath & Body Works FREE Signature Collection item: So excited about this coupon. Time to stock up on my hubby's body spray for Christmas!! Click HERE to print a coupon valid for a FREE i...

ChristinaLynn }i{

Friday, November 18, 2011

When You're Having A Bad Day...

...bookmark this post and come back to it.

One child's appointment, although it went well, left me with four follow-up items.  The baby's been fussing all day, in between short naps.  The twins have been wrestling and goofing off the entire afternoon, to the point that they're hurting one another and getting their feelings hurt too.  I have an appointment in a week that requires not just one, but two babysitters and I just found out one of them will not be available and I'll have to re-schedule my appointment.  The baby's appointment in a few days was just re-scheduled for the third time due to scheduling conflicts at the office.  Poor little guy fell asleep in the highchair and when I picked him up to take him to bed, his little foot hit my cup and spilled my perfectly sweetened raspberry tea all over the floor of the breakfast nook.  One of the twins spilled chocolate milk all over the kitchen floor simply because the trash was too full.  The wind blew half of our recyclables all over the neighborhood today.  This, in the middle of school issues for pretty much every kid but the baby.  In addition to the normal daily duties, I'm trying to get some "work" done.  You know, that stuff I do besides being a housewife and mommy.

But, the REAL thing to remember is that all of this occurred the very day after I heard a powerful message about having peace in any circumstance.  I guess I should have expected it.  A full-on attack to test me.  A test I did not pass.  I lost my patience.  I was snippy.  I raised my voice.

Today's Promise says, "Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name."  There wasn't much rejoicing going on here today.  I wasn't righteous and I didn't praise his holy name.  The only song that came to mind was an old one - I can only remember two lines:  "Make the world go away.  Get it off of my shoulders."

Now, I'm off to renew my mind with a new song.  I'm sure I don't remember all of the words to this one either.  Maybe someone can fill in the missing pieces.

"Oh, rejoice in the Lord.  He makes no mistakes.  
For He knows the end of each path that I take.  
For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold!"

ChristinaLynn }i{

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Create In Me

Since you've come to this blog, you have probably figured out by now that I enjoy writing.  You may also have come to the realization that I don't spend nearly enough time writing.

I lead a busy life.  I find that my family and my physical body crave structure, discipline and schedules to be prosperous, but my mind and soul crave spontaneity, creativity and diversity to not just live, but to thrive.  Lately, thriving has taken a back seat to simply surviving.

There are times when I must force myself to take a step back and re-evaluate my goals and priorities and weed out things that are keeping me busy that are just not that important.  Usually this process begins with me feeling overwhelmed, having missed some deadlines - whether "real" or self-imposed, and frustrated, feeling like life is just too difficult and so tired of racing the salmon to the top of the stream.

http://www.christart.com/Christian Clip Art
I also often come to the place where I know that some of the things I am passionate about, I am constantly being pulled away from.  I know this pull all too well and I know where it comes from.  I know that Jeremiah 29:11 says:  "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  Anything else is not from God.

There have been so many things that God has placed on my heart to share with you over these past few weeks that may now be lost forever.  To stop.  Listen.  Acknowledge and accept.  Then obey His will right away is of the utmost importance.  The inspiration of the Spirit is not a switch that I can turn on and off when it is convenient for me.  The frailty of the moment soon passes and the opportunity to change a life that should have been touched by my obedience may never come again.

God uses the things that I am passionate about to reach others and also to change me to be more like Him.  These passions are my spiritual gifts that were determined by God to prosper me, not to harm me, in every situation, in this generation as He saves me to the uttermost.  Not just once from the depths of hell, but daily He saves me from a life apart from God.  As Expositor's Commentary says, "...complete deliverance, no matter what the need..."

Praise God for the uttermost! 

Lord, Thank You for saving me to the uttermost as only You can!  Help me to obey Your will by acting on the passions that the Spirit ignites.  Don't let a moment pass that can be used to further Your kingdom in my life and the lives of others here on earth and for eternity.  Create in me a clean heart and a new life in You!

ChristinaLynn }i{