Good Morning,
Today is starting off rather well considering how I have been feeling during the last week. Pain has been almost more than I could bare. Cold weather and snow have made movement nearly unbearable. Still I tried to keep my chin up, and do what I could.
I was reminded today from an email I received from a dear sweet lady friend of mine named Mrs. Pat, why I should not whine about things. Even in my worst pain I am in a far better state than so many others. My precious Lord has blessed me so, and I ought to be more mind full of that, and not whine about such trivial things. Even pain is nothing for me, compared to what others have to endure. Another dear friend of mine Mrs. Lynne, has terrible back pain, yet suffers terribly on a daily basis. Movements limited, sitting and or standing can't be done for long periods of time, & she is currently unable to do many of the things that she used to. I have seen her nearly unable to hardly get up out of a chair with out terrible pain shooting thru her. Yet she pushes forward as best she can with Gods help and Grace, and with a smile in place. She is such a blessing to me. She has more strength and courage than I feel she is even aware of. So, I ought to be more grateful, & less whiny, as the email reminded me. So thanks to my friend who sent it to me, and Thank you Lord for being more wonderful than I deserve.
I am still on a journey to find ( or decide if it's the Lords will for me)to get an "at home job" to earn a little more money, but only if this is the Lords will for me. I more and more think that God has truly called me (and given me the gifts and talents I would need )to be a full time, at home, wife and mother in every way. My hubby says that I have been able to save a lot of money with even the simplest things that I do. I have now gone to making my own homemade bread (& before you even ask, YES, you really can save money buy making it your self) although is does require a bit of physical effort (I do it on days when the pain is not so great). I have a list of even the simplest things that we use daily, that sometimes can really eat up the grocery budget. Here is a list of some of the things that I make at home now:
-katsup, maple pancake syrup, apple butter(in the crock pot), Alfredo sauce, enchilada sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing powder for dips or dressing, hamburger helper type dinner mixes (several varieties),various spice mixtures, brown sugar, instant beef or chicken powdered gravy mixes, chocolate syrup (for choc milk or for ice cream), various liquid & powdered coffee creamers, honey butter (like you find in restaurants), instant cappuccino mix, instant Russian tea, instant hot cocoa, lavender lemonade tea, bread, laundry detergent, fabric softener for the washing machine, dishwasher detergent, fabreeze, window cleaner, antibacterial kitchen & bathroom cleaner, drain cleaner, swiffer mop liquid (for refilling the bottle), bleaching grout cleaner for the shower, and so many more.
Should you want to try to make something homemade here is a easy one:
Homemade Ketchup
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup sugar
¼ cup vinegar
¼ tspn salt
¼ onion powder
mix these next two ingredients together, separately from the rest then add to the during the last 5 Min's of boiling.
2 tblspn corn starch
¼ cup h20 (water )
Blend well and bring to a full rolling boil. Then simmer (UNCOVERED) 10 min on med-low. Then add remaining corn starch and h2o (previously mixed together) cook for 10 min’s longer or till thickened.
Allow to cool completely and pour into an old ketchup bottle that has been washed and dried.
This might not be quit as thick as one of the famous brands, but it’s pretty close, and delicious.
This only costs a few pennies to make, compared to how expensive to other famous brands
You know, as I have been listing these things, silly as it may seem, I realize that this is one of the things God has given me that I do best. I have always known that I/we should be good stewards of what the Lord has given to us, and maybe for me anyway it's not about getting more $ as much as maybe it's about just stretching and using wisely the money that He has already given us.
This is I guess why this blog may seem silly to others, yet it is so very helpful to me. To write (type-haha) my thoughts, prayers, daily happenings, pictures etc, down in one place. The older I get, the less I talk about, or reveal about myself to others. Partly out of self preservation and fear of rejection,ridicule or pain from other. It's often funny how God uses little things to help us, teach us, encourage us, etc. I guess it is true, as a preacher was ministering last night about "words", they are important, yet we should not use them carelessly. We should be careful with our words. For me, this blog is a way for my words to help me, my family, & I pray maybe some one else along the way. I am not sure if my journey to become a "Proverbs 31" woman will ever be finished, or how the Lord will continue to mold me, & use me, but I know this blog and other various things on the internet are being used by My Lord to help me long that path. When I started this blog I said that I have also been on a journey to find more of the Lords peace in my life. I can say that with each passing day, I do realize & feel more of his peace. I know that this is also gained by spending more time with Christ alone in prayer and in His word. I am so thankful for these times with Him and His peace that He is daily giving me more of.
Love & Prayers,
Ronda,
Have a Peachy Keen Day & try to make something from scratch/homemade. It is truely rewarding.Pin It
