A college professor once told our class that we need to allow others to give us gifts. “What if,” he asked us “God has asked them to give it, and by refusing their gift you’re not allowing them to be the blessing God has asked them to be? Accept the gift.”
I remember it like it was yesterday. Sitting in class with this professor I learned so much from, who was a mentor for Jeremy and I in so many ways. I learned about God’s love from him, and how important it is to love others and let others love you.
It seems lately, that I’ve been given more than I’ve given. Whether it’s been a gift in response to a need or a gift simply because it’s a gift, I’ve been on the receiving end of the gift.
Many years ago during the Advent season I prayed that I would understand the gift of what it meant that Jesus came as a baby for our benefit. For one month I prayed this prayer. I didn’t “get” the answer I was looking for until Christmas Eve. We spent time with friends that night and were given a gift much greater than anything we could afford, or anything that was even close to matching the gift we gave them. I realized then, this was the answer to my prayer. In Jesus, we are given so much more than we can give, and He expects nothing in return.
Most recently, as we were sitting outside of the trauma unit of a local hospital after Anna’s fall from a horse, we were recipients of the crisis care that normally we are the ones giving. Jeremy as an EMT/Firefighter, and both of us as pastors and parents..neither position offers much in the way of receiving , but mostly about giving.
There is something about our human nature, some sort of deep down pride that tells us we shouldn’t accept from others. That we need to be the givers. That we can make it on our own, or that it’s rude to take from other people. But there’s something greater about God’s nature, dwelling in us, that tells us, as much as I want to be a giver, I equally need to be a receiver. In receiving I’m helping others give, and perhaps that’s the very thing God has called them to do.
What I’ve learned recently? I need to remember to be a gracious receiver. That means not just saying thank you , or writing the note, or physically accepting the gift, but embracing the beauty of the gift as something from God himself through the conduit of another soul.
While I’m never surprised how God provides for us, be it our normal life or the extra somethings that surprise us, there’s a part of me that is still in awe of HOW He provides, and from whom the gift comes.
Let’s learn to accept the gift.
James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
I love a good homemade, heartfelt gift. Whether its from my kids or a loaf of homemade bread from someone’s kitchen. If it’s made with love, I will love it.
This season is a little different for us and homemade gifts aren’t as plentiful as they sometimes are. Not too many homemade gifts will come from our home this year, but we still love and appreciate both giving and receiving them.
A personalized letter for someone is a cute gift for a child’s bedroom or nursery. In the making of this gift for a friend, we used the first initial of the friend’s first name, with her favorite colors and a touch of country by adding burlap.
We bought a plain letter M from a local craft store, and the yarn was purchased with the recipient in mind. On the back of the letter M are brackets for hanging, though this would easily sit on top of a bureau or shelf so brackets wouldn’t be needed.
To make this letter you simply need spray adhesive,plain letter (with or without hanging bracket) and yarn. Add whatever embellishment you like, in our case we had burlap at home and made a flower (layered and sewn together with a knotted yarn center).
Decide what pattern you’d like before beginning to glue the yarn around the letter. Having a practice run before you spray any adhesive is a good idea. This way you’ll have a chance to see how to wrap it so it looks best, and see where the yarn needs to be placed.
To make this letter simply unwind a good length of yarn and spray a portion of the letter. Just spray a section that you’ll be working on. Spraying the entire letter will make it difficult to handle, but also the spray will dry too quickly. When wrapping the yarn, wrap quickly and tightly (you may need a second person to help) before the adhesive dries and hold it until it holds it’s own place. Handle the letter gently so not to mess the yarn.
When the entire letter is wrapped, add whatever embellishments you like and let the whole thing set.
You’ll notice I didn’t wrap the very bottom of the M. We left ours plain, but a simple color of paint would be okay to use. Wrapping that portion will be difficult and would likely not stay well resting on a shelf. If this were to be hung in a way to see the bottom, you’d want to make sure it was covered. We did wrap the top of the M. It was difficult, but worth covering to give it a finished look.
This isn’t a craft that can be made quickly and given away. It needs time to set before packaging. Planning ahead for this will be important.
These would be perfect in a little girls nursery..pinks, yellows, purples. As many colors of yarn and letter there are…the options are endless!
As I was looking through my recipes in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner last week I came across this one for Banana Cranberry Bread. It’s a bread we used to eat when I was a kid but I had forgotten about. Grammie Calden’s Banana Cranberry Bread. I love my cooking heritage and the long line of home cooks who have passed down recipes for generations. You can rarely go wrong cooking recipes that are grandmother-years-old, right?
I decided to make this bread for Thanksgiving dinner, and it was just as good as I remembered it to be. I made mine with All Purpose Gluten Free Flour and it was just as good as when baked with regular all purpose flour. We always serve these “fancy breads” with softened cream cheese. It pairs so well with a Turkey dinner. Or dessert.
Or breakfast.
Or dessert’s dessert.
Or a stick of cream cheese.
However you eat this, if you like cranberry sauce and bananas and bread I’m guessing you’ll like this.
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup white sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 cup mashed banana
1 cup cubed Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce
optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts
To Do:
Mix Together dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Set aside.
In a separate bowl cream together: shortening, sugar.
Remove jellied cranberry sauce from can and cut into small cubes. You will need one cup of cubed sauce.
Add beaten eggs one at a time and continue mixing.
Add dry ingredients. Blend well.
Add mashed bananas and mix.
Fold in cup of cubed cranberry sauce.
Add mixture to a greased bread pan (8×4 pan).
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 55 minutes or until inserted knife comes out clean.
Cool on a cooling rack before cutting.
Serve warm or cold, with cream cheese, butter or just plain old plain.
*This bread will freeze well.
The only picture I have of this bread is blurry. Wrong setting on the camera and I didn’t take time to notice until now….but you get the idea…banana bread with hunks of cranberry sauce. What isn’t there to love?
I seriously don’t know how November went by so fast. I feel like I was just planning our October Trunk or Treat event and boom-we’re looking at the end of November. In an odd turn of events, most of my Christmas shopping was done in October. This year shopping feels like just a check of the list to get done, so the fact that it was done in October leaves me to just shop for my girls, which will be tons of fun.
They told me life would go faster once the kids became teenagers.
I didn’t believe them.
But they were right.
This month started out strong, then took a turn on us, meaning our plans didn’t exactly happen the way we planned but in the midst of the broken parts of November, the blessed parts of November never fail to amaze me.
Anna had a riding accident last week-falling from a horse and landing on her head. It’s no one’s fault, horses are horses with a will and a mind of their own. She’s ridden this horse before, it just happened. We spent last Monday night in the ER of one hospital and then were transported to the Trauma Unit in another, bigger hospital. Two broken places in her back and a neck brace for 4-6 weeks (but she reminded me last night, it’s down to 3-5 weeks!). While it’s painful and requires a change in our daily routine for a few weeks, and school was put on hold for a week, we are thankful it wasn’t more severe of an accident.
All in all November has been good. Intense but good.
We started another No Spend Month, which you can read about here, and was successful for a couple of weeks until Anna’s accident
While I haven’t talked about it much, my dad was diagnosed with Stage Four Liver Cancer about 8 months ago. He started a Go Fund Me Page to help with expenses and folks responded, to which we are grateful. Cancer is expensive.
I’m wanting to add a daily devotional to the blog. More to come.
I was reminded again how important community is, how having a tribe can make life that much better, regardless of the day.
We have been blessed in some tangible ways by that community.
We are generally on the giving end of emergencies, between pastoring and Jeremy’s role as an EMT/firefighter in the community. This month we have been on the receiving end of that same care from the same EMT’s and hospital chaplains he works with. It’s humbling.
We seriously didn’t know until mid week last week that Thanksgiving was this week. Every time I went to the grocery store I kept wondering why they had so much Thanksgiving type food out. I haven’t had a chance to even shop yet, but yesterday I took out applesauce, corn, pumpkin and zuchinni from the freezer to thaw for Thursday. That’s the extent of our Thanksgiving preparedness.
We’ve had some really cool ministry moments this month. Too many to write, honestly.
Those aren’t a lot of words, but all month I’ve been reminded of how God provides and is concerned with our comings and goings. For that,the words I’ve written and so much more I am thankful.
Homemade Popcorn is a quick, easy snack and around here Kaitlyn is the resident popcorn maker. Why homemade? I’m calling it homemade rather than microwave or already popped and bought in a bag from the store.
This bag of Jolly Time Popcorn costs less than $2 at our local grocery store and depending on how much you eat, a bag of kernels like this should last quite a while-a few months anyway. If you’re family eats a lot of popcorn it might not last that long, but considering the cost per batch of popcorn, it’s definitely cost effect.
Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, chocolate drizzle, caramel drizzle…any of those are great additions for popcorn eating! One batch of this popcorn takes about 15 minutes to make, but it’s yummy addition to family movie night!
Ready? It’s easy peasy.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil (or any cooking oil)
salt to taste
To Do:
First, find a large soup pot. Trust me. You’ll appreciate having the extra popping space. Place it on a medium heat burner.
Second, add 2 tbsp of olive oil (any cooking oil will do)
Then add a few kernels of unpopped popcorn.
Cover the pot and wait. The kernels will begin popping in a couple of minutes-once they are heated.
When they have popped your pan is ready for the rest of the kernels.
Fifth, add 1/2 cup unpopped corn kernels to the pot. Replace the cover and let it do it’s magic. You’ll want to shake the pot gently to make sure the kernels don’t get stuck in one spot in the bottom of the pot.
In the meantime, melt 4 tbsp real butter on low. Once it’s melted, keep it warm until the kernels have all popped.
You will know when the popcorn is finished when the popping slows down. Listen well, until there are just a few popping sounds left. Lift the lid slowly–the kernels will pop their way out of the pot if you don’t-and make sure the majority of kernels are popped.
Pour the hot corn into a serving bowl, pour the warm butter over the corn, and add salt to your taste. Give it a good stir and you’re ready for movie watching!
Remember in my post the other day, when I shared 10 Reasons to have a No Spend Season? I mentioned in there, that there are many things we can and should say no to, but sometimes we need to let wisdom speak louder than our no. This is one of those times.
I haven’t shared via this blog, but my dad was diagnosed with incurable Stage 4 Liver Cancer a few months ago. It’s been taxing for him and my mom. He has chosen a natural healing treatment and so far he’s doing well and feeling well. We are trusting both God and the process, walking each day with faith. However, when push comes to shove, treatment is still treatment whether it’s natural or medical, and it costs money. Along with the regular day in and day out bills of life, expenses are just adding up and becoming burdensome. God has been faithful in providing, but I think sometimes he also asks the community that is the world to give because it’s the human thing to do.
From my Dad: “In April of 2010, I was rushed to the hospital in early morning hours where we found I had a large cancerous tumor in my stomach that broke open and started bleeding. I lost 80 percent of my blood before the surgeon was able to operate to remove the tumor. For 5 days the medical world did not know whether or not I was going to live. I had a second surgery 5 months later to remove more of the cancer affected area which resulted in the total loss of 60 percent of my stomach. In 2013 the internal stitching in my stomach tore and I lost 70 percent of my blood before a surgeon could repair it. That was the second time I should have died but did not. These three issues with this cancer cost me $120,000, some of which are still outstanding. This past March my oncologist informed me that the cancer had traveled to my liver and I now have an incurable stage 4 liver cancer condition about which my Dr. has said nothing can be done. I have had to start a cancer recovery program using all natural foods, supplements, and herbs. Because insurances will not cover these very expensive items I have had to choose to buy them at the expense of other things that are necessary for normal life or go without. I do not know how to cover all I have before me unless I get some help from those who are willing to contribute.”
My parents have worked hard, but right now they just need some extra finances and are asking for some help through Go Fund Me.
If you are able, would you donate? Even $5.00. I know every penny of it will be used in a worthy manner. In advance, our family thanks you for helping.
It’s No Spend November so what to do, what to do? We’re listing 100 things you can do for FREE or at the very least super inexpensive. Have additional ideas? Let us know!
Finish those books you’ve started
Pull out some old cookbooks and see what recipes you can find and try
Take some free online courses
Discover a new State Park
Pinterest Party! Invitees bring a craft to work on or a dish to share.
Purge your house of unwanted items
Rake those leaves and jump in!
At home movie night with “homemade” popcorn
Give some old furniture a fresh look with a new coat of paint
Finish an unfinished project
Host a neighborhood potluck
Start a journal
Host a Friendsgiving
Collect and deliver used (but in good condition) blankets and jackets to shelters
Reorganize the kitchen drawers
Take a morning walk-there’s nothing like fresh morning air to remember you’re alive
Sip a hot drink, taking a long time to sit and enjoy
Give the house a good cleaning
At Home Game night!
Attend a free community event
Visit a new library
Make cookies and deliver to the local emergency service staff
Play dates!
Take your family on a fall scavenger hunt
Make an overdue phone call
Get the finances in order
Begin working on homemade Christmas gifts
Freshen the curtains and household linens
Refresh the garage shelves
Give the yard a cleaning before the winter months
Join a local choir
Paint a picture
Have a silly family photo shoot
Karaoke!
Check out local universities for free concerts
Visit the state museum, often these will be free or discounted prices
At least once per year our family takes on a No Spend season. Often it’s in January or February, but that’s not set in stone. This year it’s now-November. After a very full, fun summer and fall November just seemed like a perfect time to refocus, slow down a bit and gather ourselves together.
Starting a No Spend Season isn’t easy, if you’re not used to a more simple lifestyle. The first time we took on a No Spend Season it was hard, only because we needed to break habits of spending extra on un-needed things, but it was a good lesson in seeing how much we really do have, even on days when it doesn’t feel like it. It forced us out of a cycle of spending on things that, in the big picture, really don’t matter.
A No Spend Season years ago started us on a path to a more simple lifestyle, a refocusing on our priorities. We began to see what we WANTED to spend our money on, rather than the things we WERE spending our money on.
For us, money expenditures comes to down priorities. What is important to us? Are we spending a little too much here, but not there? Do we simply WANT to boost our savings a little more? I’m not a financial expert by anymeans, but we have learned to LOVE living simply and intentionally. We’ve made some wonderful memories because we chose to make making memories a priority.
Spending less, means having more, which means giving more. We have received some amazing gifts. God has used his church to bless us in some really incredible ways, both materially and non-materially. Non-material gifts build a foundation, and are the most important “things” in life. Material gifts have never failed to come at the wrong time. I’m constantly amazed how God provides for us.
What does a No Spend Season look like?
Depsite it’s title, a No Spend Season doesn’t mean we spend NOTHING, nor do we become prisoners in our homes. That would be irresponsible. It does mean we don’t spend extra. It means we stay home more, we spend more time communing with others. It means we tighten down the budget and find where we are spending those dollars that we don’t necessarily need to spend, being more mindful of where we DO spend our money. It means we say no to things that don’t matter-we focus on what we actually need to spend, like groceries, gas for the car, birthday gifts for the kids. However, can we cut the grocery budget a little-get back to basics? Can we cut back on the number of trips we take in the car? Can we stop going to the movies for a month? (yes..the answer to that one is yes). Can we choose to not eat out for one month? We spend what we must spend, but cut out the expenditures we truly don’t need to spend.
A No Spend Season isn’t meant to be a kill-joy, it’s meant to remind us of what we really have.
Can there be exceptions?
Yes! I believe there must be freedom for exceptions in order for the discipline to be effective. This month is Thanksgiving-many of us will travel or host family for Thanksgiving dinner. There are few things more worthy of spending money on than celebrating the bounty and our loved ones. Other exceptions? Emergencies, family time/making memories, celebrations, birthdays, when wisdom tells us to say yes instead of no. Does one of your babies need a treat and some mom or dad time? Take them. Take them. Take them. Do you need a long awaited date night with your spouse for the sake of your marriage? Do it with no regrets. Life and family is too important to insist on saying no, when wisdom says we should say yes.
That being said, here are some reasons you should have a No Spend Season.
10 Reasons you should have a No Spend Season
It forces us to slow down, to live a bit more simple of a life. In a fast paced world, slowing down heals our bodies and souls. We weren’t created for such busyness, for life to be occupied by electronics, phones, noise. A No Spend Season keeps the simple things in sight. Go for a walk, drink tea, invite a friend over, play a board game.
It saves money. Whether that money goes into a savings account, toward a special purchase or paying down some debt, we each have our own reason for having a No Spend Season financially, but save money it does!
It reminds us that much of the world’s people live on very little. Let’s be honest, choosing to experience a No Spend Season is a first world issue. According to Pew Global 56% of the world’s population lives on $2-$10 per day. This fact reminds us how fortunate we are, here in a first world country, and how much we really do have. Always a good, yet sobering reminder that perhaps we take things for granted-a no spend season forces us see what we have and appreciate it.
It helps us practice discipline-financial, decision making, delayed gratification.
It gives us a restart-a chance to look over our budget, to stop and refocus, remind ourselves of our priorities.
It gives us opportunities to stay home-gathering with our own families, or spending intentional time with friends.
Gives us built in time to spend on hobbies-if we aren’t spending extra, we find that time and money to spend on things that fill us.
We have a chance to be good stewards of what we have-eating, using, fixing, appreciating those things we already own.
We have a chance to learn about our community-maybe we can hit the library a bit more often, or walk and take note of the architecture around us, find a local university and take advantage of free performances.
If you’re a believer in God as provider, a No Spend Season, whether it’s a month, a season, or a lifestyle, trusting God with everything we have allows Him to bless us in some extraordinary ways. It also allows us to see His hand in everything.
(found on Pinterest)
We’d love to hear some ways you spend your No Spend time, or some ways you’ve learned to refocus your money…I’d give a gift card for the most creative one, but you know, that would be spending money, so …… 😉
Happy No Spend Season! Let us know if you’re on board with us for the month of November!
Gatherings 