good deal

I don't know about you, but I really love a good deal.
I can't stand paying full-price for things if I know I can get it cheaper elsewhere.
That's why I often browse the listings on craigslist (especially the free section), and am part of our local freecycle group. (PS: Have you heard of Cartwheel by Target? Check it out; I saved over $3 on groceries by using it today!)

This morning I was picking up a homeschool book that had been listed on one of these sites (honestly, I forget which one, because I'm part of several email lists). I pulled up to the address I'd be given. It had one of those storage cubes in the driveway, along with 3 vehicles and countless bikes/trikes/scooters. Their garage was obviously filled with cardboard boxes. I guessed they were in the process of moving. As I was greeted at the front door, two men were carrying a heavy piece of furniture down the stairs. No wonder they were getting rid of some things.

I got the book and asked the mom "So, where are you moving, is it someplace local?"
Her answer: "Macedonia."

What?! Macedonia? I think I've heard of that before, but honestly I'm not even sure where it is.
I asked "Why Macedonia?" and she said they'd been there before on short-term trips and wanted to serve there as full-time missionaries for the next few years.

Wow. Another country... living for God in another country. I can't imagine uprooting my spouse and kids and moving to a place with a different language and culture, with no family on the same continent. That would be weird. That would be daunting... But I guess it wouldn't be impossible.

So many times in my life, I've been reminded by the words in Luke 1:37: "for nothing is impossible with God." In a more modern version, this verse is translated to "God can do anything!”

My mind is so small. How many times a day or a week do we try to limit God?
Why does our scope of influence have to be limited to our particular town or city?
Why do we try so hard to serve people we already know (which is still a great thing to do, don't get me wrong), when it's usually the people we DON'T know and DON'T often associate with who need Jesus' saving grace even more than these?

This week I challenge you (and myself too!) to think of ways to serve outside our comfort zones. It might not be in a different country or state, it might be in the same time zone, or even in your own backyard. But if you quiet yourself and listen to God's still small voice, you might be surprised by where He will ask you to go.

Matthew 28:19-20 says ¹⁹ "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

follow-up appointment

I posted a few weeks ago about how I"ve been feeling generally crummy, tired, no energy, stomachaches, and I'm unable to lose weight no matter what I eat or how much I exercise.  Well, I had more bloodwork done last week, and everything came back... "normal". Even though I'm still anemic. Apparently that's just normal for me and they don't feel like doing anything about it. They only tested my TSH level, not anything else to do with my thyroid, which is obviously acting up again. Mr Medic wants me to switch doctors.

In other news, our final home inspection is tomorrow, so we're really close to officially being Foster Parents! HOORAY!

One of my favorite bloggers is doing a huge Mother's Day giveaway! Anyone can enter, just click here: http://www.holyspiritledhomeschooling.net/2013/05/happy-birth-day-mama-mothers-day-giveaway/

In other news, homeschooling is going exceptionally well this week. I think we're realizing that we're in the home stretch - just two moreweeks to go with our curriculum before we break for the summer!

Tomorrow we'll be touring a local elementary school. I registered H. for 3rd grade there, but now I'm having serious doubts about sending her away to school. If you think of it, can you please pray that Mike and I can have wisdom and discernment about this? It's been weighing heavy on my heart lately.

Terrible, awful stomach cramps. I am afraid to leave the couch.
All I've eaten today is water and oatmeal, so I know it's not from something I ate.
And it's not a certain time of the month, either.

I've been feeling generally crummy for a few weeks, but can't figure out why.
I know my thyroid levels are low again. Waiting on more blood-work later this month. 

On a positive note, I did get in a good 30+ minutes of Bible devotions this morning before the kids woke up. And Hannah is doing all of her schoolwork today without complaining :) Yesterday she was in an awful mood and had a very poor attitude, so I'm glad today is better.

Supporting Shagbark

I am deviating from my normal subjects in order to share a different kind of project with you.

My sister is currently living and working at Shagbark Farm in Missouri (link goes to Shagbark's blog, where there are lots of cute animal pictures and more informative ramblings). Shagbark's mission is to "establish a sustainable, sacred, primitive homestead in northeast Missouri."

To learn more and/or donate, simply go to http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-a-homestead-thrive They have quite a few unique, handmade "prizes" depending on how much you are able to contribute. This is a worthy cause, and all donations will go a long way to helping this small farm be totally self-sustaining and "off-the-grid." Any amount is accepted :) Thanks for considering.

 

And lastly, a short update from Joan Shagbark:

"We’ve still got just under $12,00 to gather to reach our goal to make all these dreams come true. help us make more gardens! tell your herb loving friends and fruit tree loving friends to share the love and offer us some support. anyone who grows any of their own food (or wishes they did) might be willing to share a few words, links, or dollars for our cause. every bit of help counts. thank you, thank you, thank you. you are changing our world."