Another qulaification added to my highly sought after resume

yes, it is finally time to add another qualification to my resume that is in such high demands these days....

I make people
I make milk
I make DIRT!

I started this science project 2 years ago this spring...making organic soil for my garden using compost. It's not much...but if the Lord allows me to steward more land in Delaware...I plan to have quite an impressive compost setup!

Some observations:
EASY EASY EASY
Very good way for me to "think green" - you can compost lots and lots of materials!
Did not stink...this one was my biggest fear! as long as the 80% brown with 20% green ratio is kept...this little baby keeps its digestive odors neutralized!
Did not attract nasty flies or rodents...even though every time I lifted the lid I panicked ever so slightly at the thought of something jumping out at me!
I got the article off the internet from someone who owned an apartment and wanted to compost on their little porch.....I'm totally convinced that ANYONE who has access to sun can do this!

If you can stomach this...

I LOVE listening to sermons as I go about my daily tasks here at home. PArtly because I get lonely and enjoy the "adult" conversation...but also partley because I know it is falling on the ears of my 2 young toddlers who roam about unsuspecting as they play. I have my favs that I like to listen to...but toady I decided to do something alittle different...and I made sure it was during nap time because I had a feeling I would not be encouraged by truth as I listened in.

I was presented with the opportunity to listen to a sermon by a man that I would not normally listen too; However, his "sermon" topic and some chatter I had seen on facebook peeked my interest and I decided to listen in to the sermon. Needless to say, I was unimpressed and indeed a bit cynical as I listened to this man rant about why young men are leaving fundamentalism...and my lasting thought was...no sir, you have it all wrong..."sermons"-more like a soap box- like this are the reason so many young men are leaving (running as fast as they can) away from fundamentalism!

Pastor Dan Sweatt from Berean Baptist Church in Georgia. This session, entitled Young and Restless was recorded at the South Regional Fellowship of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International which met at The Wilds, a Christian camp in Brevard, North Carolina April 6-7 of this year.

I was super duper relieved to see that Dr. Kevin Bauder wrote an essay as a rebuttle against this presentation entitled: Time to Speak Up and if this rebuttle were in audio format I would have gladly played both in the presence of my toddlers.

If you decide to listen in to this session, please promise me that you will do yourself the wonderful favor of reading the essay Dr. Bauer wrote after you listen in...if you can stomach the entire session!

ENJOY (if that is the right word!)

I will be tuned in to see what comes of this as Dr. Bauder gives a wonderful call to action at the conclusion of his essay.

She Speaks

For those of you who enjoy getting free things in the mail... may I introduce you to www.SheSpeaks.com

They don't hassle you or hand out info to other organizations. I have been a member for a while now and have never been bothered by any annoying e-mails or junk mail. I have also never even had the chance to fill out a review or survey...but goodies keep coming! With each free sample, they send you coupons for Free items as well and high dollar coupons to give to friends or keep for yourself!). The last two goodies I got were a coupon for free Crest weekly tooth stuff ($3.69) and a yummy Kashi soft-baked granola bar with a coupon for a free box and 4 additional $2.00 off coupons! Yum Yum I hope you take a second to check it out!

Pandora radio

Maybe most of you have heard of Pandora radio, but for those of you who haven't I would like to introduce you. simply click on www.Pandora.com and begin listening to your favorite music for free! this is a great way to listen to enjoy various artists and genres. Some favorite stations I have created are:
Sovereign Grace Music
Michael Buble
Jim Brickman
Il Divo
...and so on! Enjoy

the "ministry" of the local library?

Did you have to read that title a time or two? Yes indeed...I am dedicating this post to each and every public library represented by my readers.
3 years ago, I began to realize that books and reading were very important. yes, I read books for school all throughout my 18 year scholastic tenure...but apart from the required reading...my appreciation for these "hobbies" was slim to none!
I began by spending my lunch breaks walking through libraries seeing what all was available. Music, movies, law books, music books, craft books, books about personal beauty (hair, nails, make-up), my favorite magazines, self-help books, business books.....etc. I was like a little girl in a candy shop! I began checking out books that taught me how to do things I always thought I "just couldn't do". It was such a fun time!
I began realizing what a budget saver the library was becoming.
My world was drastically changed when I stumbled upon the vast array of audio books and music...
Then I had children and my life changed just a bit! The online library became my best friend as I was now able to search for titles of books from home...and then have them all set aside and waiting for me when I walked into the local establishment!
Yet again, my whole literary world changed one day as I stumbled upon the wonderful world of "request a book not in our catalog"
WAHOOOOO!
I would encourage each of you to explore your online library and begin requesting books that are recommended to you by others!
Even if you purchase the book for yourself...think of the incredible resources you are gaining for the community around you when you request the book for your public library. I can't even tell you how many books I have ordered this way...I want godly resources to pop up when people from my community are searching for books to help them... I am quite proud to share that the Virginia Beach Library system is gaining quite the collection of Christian resources on the topics of Parenting, Time Management, Marriage, Money, Women's issues, Counseling, Children's books and DVD's, Theology, as well as music and audio books!
I am interested in using the Sonlight curriculum with Titus next year...and the first thing I did was start requesting all the books through my library...talk about a major savings!!!!
So, for those of you who have money to buy books....continue to! Someday, my personal library will be added too...but in the mean time, let's remember to use the library to help those around us!
I can't wait to move and do it all over again!!!

The Soul of Modesty

Recently, Lorie Newcomer sent this sermon my way. I listened to it and was so encouraged ...especially since working with teenagers can leave one truly questioning the outworking of modesty in the local body. How has the gospel impacted our modesty...that is the question. Yet, so often I hear...do you think this it too tight?? Do you think this is too low?? Do you think this is...
I often find my first thought is...Who cares what YOU think...grow up a little spiritually and search the motives of your heart.
Yet, the scriptures implore believers to use gentleness and humility to address delicate issues of the heart.
Therefore, my second thought/word of advice is usually...If you really want to challenge yourself, pray through your wardrobe first before getting any second opinions. Let the Spirit truly open your heart and mind to embrace how important our attire is. I know that may sound a little "spiritualized"...but it has helped me focus so much more on the "main issue at hand"...my personal walk with Christ.

Readers, I encourage each of you to listen to this sermon sometime when you are surfing facebook or the blogging world. Allow this sermon aid in directing our thoughts as we endeavor to be women of Faith.

C.J. Mahaney (one of my favs) The Soul of Modesty

summary below taken from www.sermonaudio.com

The dangers of immodesty and indiscretion are prevalent in today's society.
It's tempting for women to want to give in to the world's pressure and
wear what is fashionable and available. But modesty
deals more with the heart than the body.

In a Sunday message primarily directed toward women,
C.J. Mahaney speaks from Scripture on the
attitude, appearance, and allegiance of the modest woman.

Resource alert!

click the book for more info

I feel as though I have let several of my women friends down by not mentioning this resource sooner! I must explain that I assumed this book was one of those classics that everyone had already digested...and I was just slow in joining the "in" group of readers!
I do find it quite humorous hat God has cultivated such a desire in me for reading seeing as how I have hated it since I was a wee tot! My mother can attest to this fact...but God has changed my heart and it seems that these days my time is so short...but my passion to learn is so deep and pressing!
All this to say that this book is one that I read in 2005 and I have failed to mention it until now. Here is a little paragraph I found that explains the intent and message of the book:

Laying a foundation of sound doctrine, Carolyn Mahaney (wife of pastor and author C.J. Mahaney) teaches women the specifics of practical living that glorifies God. She joyfully explores home as a place to minister, to enjoy, and to manage, plus helps women cultivate their roles as wives, mothers, and mentors. Her personal anecdotes and illustrations from the lives of others add warmth and humor to this book.

May I implore each of you to become owners of this book IMMEDIATELY! it is short yet so convicting and encouraging. Several of my friends have been reading it recently and it has truly sparked some wonderful theological discussions about Titus 2 and what we as gospel-centered women should be consuming ourselves with.
For those of you older women who are willing to obey scripture and "train the young women", but are nervous about how to go about it or what to say...I challenge you to pick up a copy of this book and begin praying through how you can actively obey the commands of scripture and train the younger women to deny self and passionately fulfill the ministry God has so graciously ordained for them!

"...So that in EVEYTHING, they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." (Titus 2:10b)

The Simple Dollar

I ran across this great article on how to trim down costs in areas that you must spend money (ie. electricity, water, clothes, automotive, etc.). I am asked this question by many people frequently...so this article is on here to help start you quest to trim out the "fat" in your budget. I will give a testimony that I saw a drop in our electric bill after unplugging everything in our house and only plugging things in as I needed them. Just make sure you have a few old school battery powered clocks to hang on your walls! (note: I did not unplug the stove or microwave, but I turned off the circuit breaker to the stove after I finished using it and I turned the display on my microwave off so neither appliance was using Phantom energy.Here is a pic just to keep the family happy with me...this was taken this month

NEXT

Anyone ever been to the NEXT conference? Anyone interested in going? It is something of interest to me since I am reading Carolyn McCulley's book Radical Womanhood and she will be presenting to the women at this conference. Not to mention it is in Baltimore, MD which is near my parents house in Alexandria, VA. (Lodging and child care:)
Mark went to the T4G conference last year and God used that to greatly transform so many areas for both of us...which causes me to rejoice at the potential this conference has for us. The other speakers would be such a joy to hear and probably a great encouragement/exhortation to my Soul. just thought I would put it out there to see if anyone has input.