Women of Isaiah 3

I have just started back in my Precept Bible study on Isaiah. We are just on chapter 3 but we have already learned so much.

I was humbled when we got into chapter 3 and I saw myself there. Israel is living in great sin again and they have forsaken the Lord, turned their backs on Him and rebelled in speech and action.

Then in chapter 3 verse 16 it turns to the daughters of Zion (Israel). They are proud and walk with their heads held high, wearing headbands, anklets, ornaments, dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, sashes, perfume, finger rings, nose
rings, outer tunics, undergarments, cloaks, money purses, and hand mirrors. God is going to afflict their scalps and take away the beauty of these things.

What hit me at my age is worrying so much about wrinkles and grey hair.

But in chapter 1:18 God says to them "Come, let us reason together."
He is willing to help us work on our issues and that is why prayer and reading His word is so important.

I am glad I found these verses because it has opened my eyes about some of the things I do and their importance.

Buy Wisely

Check this out! What a great idea.

Go to newdream.org/walletbuddy.pdf
There you will find a print out for two credit card covers
with a little poem titled:

"Buy Wisely"
"Do I need this & do I need it now? Was it made sustainably?
Were the workers who made it treated well?
Does it have too much packaging? Is it worth the money?"

Credit cards are so common now but a good idea is to carry a
budgeted amount of cash for the day and stop spending when
it is gone.

The Majesty of the Lord

Wonderful insight from Isaiah 2:

Let us walk in the light of the Lord
that He may teach us concerning His ways.
Exalt the Lord and do not
worship the work of thy hand.
Stop regarding man for why should he be esteemed?

Focus on the splendor of the majesty of the Lord.

Island Giveway

It is hard to believe that two weeks of January have passed. I finally put up all the Christmas decorations. Hobby Lobby has 90% off on what they have left and I bought about $1.50 worth to add to an arrangement next year. A very nice local store here has 75% off. They had some lovely wreaths around $25 but I don't really need one. They really are pretty.

It is hard to get going with the gloom of winter. We have had some sunny days but the next few days will be really cold.

Check out womansday.com/giveways for a whole list of good things that you can sign up to win.
The vacations caught my attention and there were several including some specials to DisneyWorld. Trips include Dominican Republic, San Diego, Poconos, and the Turks and Caicos.
Someone has to win!

Savings Tip

Here is a great idea that I heard on a news show today:

Try to go one day a week without spending any money. Let the husband take a lunch to work and the children take lunch to school but don't buy anything on that day.

If that is easy to do try for two days a week without buying anything.
The savings can add up and it may be easier to do than you think.

Activities for the children

Here are some websites to use with the children for education and fun.

kidsdigreed.com helps learn about archaeology and history by a variety of activities about the Reed Farm in Virginia.
funschool.com has a large selection of games and activities
familyplay.com directs you to others sites from games, crafts, toys, etc.
kids.gov has a large selection of links to sites by subject

Fitness-Nutrition Game

During the Christmas season I came across a game that combines fitness with nutrition - "Healthy Hurdles."
It would be great for home schooling but beneficial for any child 6 yrs. and up.
Players exercise while they try to collect food from each food group and create balanced meals.
It has 50 different exercises and two levels of play for 2-6 players.
$21.95 from LearningResources.com

Grocery Saving Ideas

We are truly a country of waste.
Here are a few simple ideas for saving on food spending. It can add up before you know it.

Try to eat at home as much as possible. If that is a problem start by eating at home one more time a week than you do now.
You can cut the cost of the meal in half or maybe more. Multiply that by 52 weeks and that can be a nice savings.
Try to eat at home more than you eat out.

We also tend to let a lot of food spoil so don't buy more than you will use. Keep your refrigerator up to date and put the things with the shorter shelf life to the front. Plan for the week based on what you need to use in the refrigerator before you go to the store.
Wrap cheeses in foil after it is opened because the plastic causes mold to form quicker.

To revive limp lettuce remove the core, cover the lettuce in a bowl of cold water with the juice of 1/2 lemon and refrigerate for 1 hour. I haven't tried this but it comes from "The Complete Idiot's Guide to 20-Minute Meals."

Don't throw out hardened brown sugar. Just put a slice of apple in with it and seal it in an airtight container until it softens.

Have one vegetarian meal a week or cut back slightly on your serving size of meat and add more vegetables and there will be some saving that way also.

Cut back on the use of individual sized servings as juice cups or fruit cups. It is much more economical to but a larger size and divide it into reusable individual containers at home.

Strawberry Bread

Quick and easy comfort food for a cold winter day.

Strawberry Bread
1 10oz package of frozen strawberries
2 eggs
5/8 cup of cooking oil
1 & 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup of sugar
1 & 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 cups of nuts (optional)

Thaw & puree strawberries,
Add eggs and oil.
In separate bowl combine:
flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, soda, & nuts
Add egg mixture to dry mixture and stir just enough to blend.
Use a 9 x 5 loaf pan; bake 350 degrees for 1 hour

Contentment

The picture of contentment from my former faithful friend.

Happy New Year!

The last six weeks or so have been a very stressful time. It seems that things are pulling from all side and I can barely get the necessities accomplished. I feel so alone.

In 2 Corinthian 12 we are told to be content in all things and that is a constant goal of mine. Sometimes we make choices that we think will made life better and it may make it worse.

I think the mental stress is what is so hard.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow no matter what the circumstance.

Thanks for letting me vent. I plan to have more ideas and hints this week.