I'm a Mazda Miata

Got this from Marcie!

I'm a Mazda Miata!

You like to soak up the sun, but your tastes are down to earth. Everyone thinks you're cute. Life is a winding road, and you like to take the curves in stride. Let other people compete in the rat race - you're just here to enjoy the ride.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Banquet Begets Sermonette

Ok, so I have this bad habit of attending banquets and such and once hearing a great quote I start writing mini devotionals/sermonettes. Now, I don't consider myself a preacher, but the messages I write are great conversation starters.

I attended the Care Net Banquet tonight...CareNet is the opposite of Planned Parenthood. They are ProLife, while at the same time providing counseling and prayer for girls and guys when faced the prospect of an unplanned pregnancy.

One of the speakers gave a quote and was referencing the new movie "300". "300" is about the battle between the Persian army and the Spartans. At the time of the battle the Persian army had about 1 million men (yep, that is a lot), while the elite Spartan group had only 300! I'm thinking that the odds aren't too great here! This elite group of 300 men are the core army that the Persians had to get around before fighting the rest of the army. I'm sure you are thinking that it would be an easy task; however, the Spartans had better shields and lances, and more forward thinking in regards to battle. The amount of Persian men that died before conquering the Spartans is astronomical!

The leader of the Persian army (in the movie) said to the Spartan leader, "We will darken the air with Persian arrows."

The Spartan leader replied, "Then we will fight in the shade."

Here are my mini sermonette notes to ponder on:

The Spartans had an elite company of 300 men. I want to be a part of God's elite army. What steps do I need to take to be a part of this army?

1. Readiness: You need to be ready at a momen'ts notice to go into battle. When He says go, you need to be ready. There is no time to tie up loose ends and such. Jesus did the same when choosing His disciples. Some men wanted to go back and say goodbye to family members and such, God said, "No. Follow me now" (my translation).

2. Faithfulness: Do what He says, when He says and be reliant/dependent upon God and He will bless you for your faithfulness.

3. Eagerness: This eagerness is not an eagerness that pushes to the point of over zealousness that creates pride, and then eventually becomes our downfall. If you show a spirit of not wanting to go and would rather lag behind then what good are you going to be in battle?

4. Frontline Adventurer: Frontline adventurers are those who have a zealousness and passion for the cause. They are banded together in unity for a specific casue and go forth even knowing that death might be the end result.

Elitism is not necessarily a bad thing! When we hear the word elite, we think people that are the best of the best. When we hear the word elitism, we automatically make it a negative connotation and attach bad feelings towards it. Generally elitism are groups made of people who think that they are better than everyone else....the foundation for elitism is generally PRIDE. And we know that pride will get you no where. However, I believe that elitism doesn't have to have negative connotations, and that you can be a part of an elitist group without having pride. How unfortunate that we live in a day and age when we have ranked ourselves above others through the education we have, the jobs we have, our social standing, our political views, and even our religious views.

God has called us ALL to be a part of his army, however, I firmly believe that there is an elite group of men and women who are on the frontlines in front of everyone else. I would call them elitist! I want to be there. I believe that my decision to Go Deep this year is putting me on the front lines. I'm not saying it is easy, or that you are going to walk right through the battle...YOU"RE NOT! You will probably be injured, wounded, and quite possibly left to die....but thank God we serve a GOD who will not forsake us!

He is leading us, He is fighting along side of us, and He is bringing up the rear!

Come On America...VOTE Right!

I thought for sure that America would have done the right thing yesterday and voted Sanjaya off of American Idol. I know that he is from Federal Way, WA...which is just up the road from me, and that I should be rooting for the local boy. But come one, he stinks. I know he only goes on every week, because we the voting population vote to keep him in. Why? Why? Why? And to vote Chris off? Oh, I was so sad. I truly thought Haley would've been the one to go. And ummm, the hair....?????

On another American Idol note, why do they pick such lame artists to sing every week? Gwen Stefani was a good choice, but hello, they are doing Tony Bennett songs next week! Ugh.....

Happy Birthday Chipo!

Happy Birthday my dear friend! You are 26 today!

This is my dear friend Chipo, and her birthday is today! I purchased a calling card and called her in Zimbabwe today! It was so worth it! It has been many, many months since I've talked to her (never called Zimbabwe before). She is doing well....God is pushing her in certain areas, but she is good! We got to know each other pretty well a couple of years ago when we lived at the same house taking care of a man with dementia. We both love corny stuff...I think that is what makes us such great friends!

Chipo, I can't wait for the day that we get to see each other again. I know that you are one of the best friends God has given me, and I appreciate your willingness to be obedient to God....where He is taking you, what He has brought you through, and how He is going to bless you!

I LOVE YOU!!!

New Music

I love music! In fact, I've been downloading tons of music the last few days onto my Ipod! Of course my favorite is country; however, I do listen to other genres. I like current musicians along side the oldies. I also like listening to newbies on the scene. I think that those people who are seriously dedicated to their art are those out there who are unsigned artists trying to get noticed. There is this great site that lets you look through all genres of music to find unsigned artists that are top notch......these men and women come from all over the world, making them World Artists! I checked out the country section and listened to a few bands, and WOW they are good! Yes, you can listen to the band...that is what makes it great! You aren't just reading some bio, but actually listening! There are bands in this section that fall under the country genre along with Christian and rock.....a little variety in their music. If you are looking to find some great new artists from Classical to Rock to Grunge to R&B to Techno...you name it, they probably have it. Be some of the first people to hear these amazing artists before they are signed and famous!

This post sponsored by unsigned.com

Happy Birthday Rodney!

Happy Birthday! Today my friend Holly's husband Rodney is 29! I have to say that he has become a good friend of mine over the last year (they got engaged last Easter and married last September.) I enjoy spending time with both Holly and Rodney whether it is going out for dinner or watching a movie at their house. They are definitely a fun couple to hang out with. Rodney is also a great dad to Carter (who is a total cutie patootie!!).

Happy Birthday!

The Still Small Voice of God

The whispers of God are so faint sometimes that I think that I'm not really hearing Him. However, when my heart starts beating a bit faster and I can thinking about the subject or you just know that you know that you are supposed to do something.....that for me is the still small voice of God.

And it sometimes seems to be the most simplest activity that He wants me to do.....I don't know how it is going to affect me but I do know that I am faithful.

I was at church today and a letter from a gentlemen in our church was up on the board. Now, I know this person but I wouldn't go as far as to say we friends or anything. Along with the letter was his address. My thoughts were, "Good for you, I hope someone writes you back....but it won't be me!" Well, lo and behold God starting speaking and saying, "Yes, Rachel I want you to write this young man." Me God???? Are you sure? I don't even like him. Yes, my daughter I want to speak through you to him. Well, it took a bit of convincing, but I went directly to the store bought a card, wrote him a note of encouragement and mailed it off. He should have it in just a few days.

Is this something that is going to make a big difference in the years to come? I honestly don't know. But I do know that I was faithful, and God wanted him to hear something. I hope that I conveyed what God wanted said.

In all this, I encourage you to stop and listen to the small whisper of God. He doesn't stand on the mountaintop and yell His direction to everyone. He doesn't take out the front page of the newspaper to tell you something. He whispers to you, and you can hear that whisper when you are in direct relationship to Him. Thank you Lord, for your voice talking to me. Thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone today and sending that card. I pray that your hand would be on that envelope as it makes it way to its intended receipent, and that he would know you love him with all your heart.

Money Made

Do you have the opportunity to sit at home (or on your free time at work...shhh, I won't tell!) and make money by simply blogging?

Well, it is that time again for me to tell you how much money Payperpost (PPP) has paid me (Rachel Ann) for simply submitting posts on my blog. Yes, in case you didn't know you can make money (dinero, pesos, moolah, cash, euros, yen...you name the money and its yours!) by blogging! It is fast, it is easy and it definitely makes you money. Blogs that make money, who knew? The nice thing is that the posts aren't generally long and tedious! I can do up to two a day, making between $5 and $10 a post! Those people who have higher Google rankings are making even more per post...up to $500! Can you believe it?! I want to get to that point in my Payperpost money making!

So a little background on me and PPP, I personally having been making money through PPP since October 2006...that is only five months ago! Liek I said above it is easy to do and fun! If you are interested click the link on the sidebar and that will take you to PPP...please a get a referral bonus!

So how much have I made? Just a few bucks? Nope!!!! In the five months I have been blogging for money, I have made....

drumroll please.........

$1,019.62......

and I have $61 waiting to be paid to me in the next 30 days!

That is quite a big chunk of cash for simply writing posts about this and that, here and there! The money has gone towards paying some bills, towards an Ipod, towards my mission's trip, and now it is sitting in my account for when I move to Cali! And speaking of moving to Calfiornia, this something that I can do anywhere at anytime....so I can continue making big bucks once I move to Caifornia. And now that I am going back to school and moving (and consequently having to give up some of my part-time jobs) I will still have the opportunity to make some extra cash on the side.

My next goal mark is $2,000...I have a bit of a way to go, but I will get there very soon!

Reason I LOVE my Bed

I was at my sister Camille's house all last week, and while there I slept in my niece Dajia's bed. Her bed isn't really comfortable...in fact, it is quite uncomfortable. It is pretty hard with not a lot of give to it when you bounce around a bit. And it is way too low to the ground, as they don't have a bedframe as of yet.

So last night I slept in bed for the first time in a week. The first thing that went through my mind this morning is how much I love my bed! Seriously, I'm not joking I thought of various reasons that make my bed special and I thought I'd share them with you (because if you are like me you enjoy YOUR bed just as much as I enjoy mine!):

1. I have memory foam....do I need to say more?

2. I have one soft fuzzy blanket underneath my big fat comforter and it makes me feel like I am sleeping inside a cocoon...nice, safe and comfortable.

3. My bed dips just a bit in the middle (since I am the only person sleeping in it) and makes a nice spot just for me.

4. It is high up off the floor! Weird to like this fact, but I do!

5. I have cotton sheets (not flannel like my sister....which there is nothing wrong with) that make it cold to get into but it is a luxurious feeling I like....I know I'm weird!

So anyhow, that was my thought process this morning.

Have a glorious Sunday worshipping the Lord!

Internet

Part of my starting back up at school requires a good working computer. I have access to a computer at home right now; however, I am needing to buy a new computer. I have pretty much decided to go with a Mac Laptop. One of the things I am looking into now is the laptops wireless capalities for internet usage. I am also looking and getting myself informed as to how wireless works and what it entails and what I need. There is this site that tells me about WiFi, and the products needed(like routers and such!). The site also talks about Voice and IP Communications....or VOIP. This site has a huge product portfolio which is going to help me as I go through all the information. They talk about networks, LAN controllers and other LAN info, adapters, servers and more. Hopefully I will get enough information to make great decisions when it comes to deciding whether to go wireless or not.

VOIP

This is a sponsored post

Saturday Afternoon

So what do you do on a Saturday afternoon with no set plans? Unfortunately, I am a sucker for dumb movies. What am I watching you ask? "Maid in Manhattan" with Jennifer Lopez. Yep, it is pretty much a lame movie. But you know there is something that keeps me from flipping the channel....what is wrong with ME?!?!!

Dumb movies can be fun when you have nothing to do. Thankfully, I have my friend Holly coming up to meet me soon and then we are headed to see if Macys has any good sales going on.

Meeting Mr. Right

When you move somewhere new and unfamiliar, what is the best way to get acquainted with individuals of the opposite sex? Yes, church is a great place; however, it doesn't always work....and you definitely want to meet a Christian friend/partner/etc, etc. There is a new Christian dating site that targets men and women like me who are single and Christian. One nice feature is that you can look by zipcode....nice when moving somewhere new. Yes, I know that it is weird, but it might be a great way to meet Mr. Right (Prince Charming is taken!).

This post sponsored by christianlifestyle.com

The Shoe Box

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe-box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about. For all of these years, he had never thought about he box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe-box and took it to his wife's bedside.She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box.When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents.

"When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

"Honey," he said, "that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?"

"Oh," she said, "That's the money I made from selling the,dolls"

Letter from Chipo

This is an email I received from my good friend Chipo who moved back to Zimbabwe last year. Please take the time to read it and pray as she has requested. God can do amazing things when His people pray!

Hi.I'll make this quick. First, sorry that some of you have not heard from me for years... HERE I AM! I hope you are well.

Second and most important: I am asking you to please help me fast and pray for my country next Wednesday. Why next Wednesday? It's my birthday and I wanted to do something unselfish, meaningful and significant (to me anyway). Zimbabwe is a country in a giant CRAPtastrophe! We need the Lord to do something... ANYTHING. WE have all the makings of a country that should be in a civil war but thank God we are not warring. To be honest, I don't know how much more my people can take.I'll be honest, I've never felt particularly patriotic toward Zim- hell, I didn't wanna come back! But I find my heart aching for this li'l nation. So please, if you can and if you want, stand with me next Wednesday whereever you are.... I hear the Lord answers prayers. He can't ignore a whole bunch of His kids crying out all at once, right?

Thank you Much love and lotsa blessings

Chipo Chikara

I'm goin' DEEP

So you have to LOVE public libraries. Not only do they have BOOKS (go figure), they have free internet. So those of us who have no access all week can simply go to the library!

This was a big week for me in regards to my list of what I am going to do to "GO DEEP".

1. Financially: I wrote a $100 check and started a retirement account!!! It is some type of ROTH IRA or such...I will be paying into it monthly and will have some type of retirement when I actually get to the point of retiring. This was a big step for me, as I have so many other bills that I didn't want to add another "bill" every month. But I know God has been telling me to get with it!

2. Educationally: I submitted an application and paid an application fee for college. Yep, I'm going back to school. No more waiting for another year to get settled! God has been pressing on me to do this, and finally I decided no time like the present! I have to do an assessment test, an intake interview and figure out financial aid...but hopefully by May 1st, I will begin taking online courses. I am going back for my Masters in Social Sciences (history, government, economics) with a teaching certification. If I stay on track, I will be teaching in about 18 months. I then have 6 months after that to finish my thesis (Ugh, that sounds scary)!

I believe totally that God is so going to honor my faithfulness to go deep! These are actually things He has been talking to me about for the past few years, and I haven't done anything to get it done. How can I do the ministry that He has called me to if I can't even do a few small things? Sheesh...that's alright! It is going to be a crazy few (or a lot) months for me!

Sean Willingham

First rounds of the PBR was last night! Wow...those bulls were ornery last night. There were at least 6 or 7 re-rides...where usually only 1 or 2 re-rides are offered in a night!

The guys were awesome...lots of high scores. Everyone's favorite Justin McBride scored an 88.25, which is a GREAT score. However, Sean Willingham--one of my all time favs--came up on Justin and scored a 90.75!!!! Obviously, Sean won the go round last night.

The boys are at it again this afternoon for go-round #2 and the final top 15! I'm rootin' for Sean. Ya know, if you haven't made it to watch PBR before you really should...it is a fascinating and exciting sport! You can watch the PBR every week (including the Tacoma show) on OLN (The Outdoor Life Network).

**Side note....I am working in Seattle all week and staying with my sister who does not have a computer, so I will be gone from all of your lives for the next week. Till we meet again!**

Gold!

Remember that one of my "Go Deep" goals this year is to go deep with my finances? Well, couldn't a person invest in gold as a financial security investment? Think about it? People have been using gold for financial business for centuries....you have the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans...they all used gold in the old days. Heck in King Solomon's time there was so much gold and precious jewels that it was simply a common commodity. Flash forward to "current" times and the gold rushes that happened here in the USA! Everyone loves gold! Unlike paper money, which can lose its value (especially as so many countries are going to the Euro--but that's another story!), gold keeps a solid value as you hold onto it. If you are interested in investing with gold, Monex Deposit Company can deliver it to you (or rather to your safe deposit box at the bank)! So as you are thinking of going deep with finances...or just want to have a little fun diversifying your assets, check into investing in gold!

This post sponsored by monex.com

Look What I Did!!!

This is for Susana....here is my Shadow Box that I told you about on the phone! So for the rest of you...I am a member of Two Peas (a scrapbook site), and from the Scrapbook Convention I was at last week we had challenges that we needed to do. One of the challenges was to take the pizza box that our stuff came in and alter it!

So I made a "Best Friends" shadow box. I cut out the window panes, and then glued them inside so it would be more three dimensional...although you don't get the full effect on here!

GO DEEP!

Puyallup Foursquare Church's word of the year for 2007 is "GO DEEP" (the above is the picture being used year round with our current series). It is a great word for the year and has made me evaluate a few areas of my life that I need to go deep in. I am going to briefly share with you and as they progress throughout the year, I will give you updates:

Rachel's GO DEEP list for 2007:

1. Go Deep with Finances. I am starting next week by investing $100 into a retirement fund and adding $30 a month to it! This sounds simple, but I haven't had a lot of money, and honestly a lot of motivation to do this. I'm not getting younger, and I haven't been working jobs that add to a retirement fund so this is going to be GOOD for me!

2. Go Deep with Education. I am looking at online programs to get either a post-bachelor's degree or a Masters Degree....both which would include a teacher's certification. I found a school today that really looks good.....Western Governors University. I am going to pursue this and hope to be back in school by the summer.

3. Go Deep with the Past. This sounds weird I know. But God has been whispering to me to find my birth parents (yes, I am adopted for those of you who didn't know). In no way am I looking for new parents.... I LOVE the ones I have. But I think God wants to finalize sewing up some past hurts and such. And yes, I am curious.

4. Go Deep with Relationships. I have come to a point in life where I realize that some relationships are more important than others. Don't take me wrong....I love all my friends. But you can only invest a 100% of yourself into a few people.....if I try to invest 100% to 20-40 people they are not truly getting 100%. I have some great close friends who I can call on for anything and I treasure those. I also am investing more into the lives of those who I will be working with more closely in CA.

5. Go Deep in Ministry. This one is obvious. California hear I come.

6. Go Deep in Faith. A wonderful lady at church, Natalie, was telling me that she saw me as the bold one going forth on the journey with Abraham. And I completely feel like I am on the journey that God was leading Abraham on. I am moving out in faith to places unseen......knowing that HE will be with me day after day. Natalie....thank you for all your encouraging words everytime we talk! You make me feel like I can accomplish anything.

7. Go Deep in New Adventures Creatively. Something that I have been wanting to do for a long time is submit some of my scrapbook layouts and altered projects so that I can either get published or become part of a design team for a scrapbook company. There is a great company, Rusty Pickle, who is searching for new design team members this June, and I want to do it! It is times like this though when the ideas aren't coming!

I'm sure I have other Go Deep things for the year, but that is the start!

You may not go to Puyallup Foursquare church, but everyone goes deep somehow. What are you going to GO DEEP in this year?

Big News at PPP

So the guys and gals over at PPP (Payperpost for you non-money making bloggers out there) are up to something to increase site traffic. Hmmm...I wonder what it could be? They are actually asking us bloggers to come up with some ideas and possibly start some rumors....although I have to admit I don't like to spread rumors (start them possibly, not spread!)

So the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of office rumors is that someone is either getting married or having a baby (Sometimes both :0 ). But since I don't know the PPP staff very well, I can't really tell you if that is a possibility or not. But who knows maybe we will be hearing wedding bells in the future.

I'm thinking that it probably has to do more with the actually "work" end of things over at PPP. My guess is that they are probaly buying another small company to um.., take underneath their wings and see it raise to its fullest potential (that sounds better than buying out and overtaking companies!).

But honestly, I really think someone over at PPP is throwing the towel into the presidential nomination ring. I mean, come on we have actors wanting to be president. Why not a regular joe looking out for the interest of the people! Hmmm.....it does sound a little far-fetched, doesn't it? I guess we will just have to wait a few weeks and find out what exactly they have up their sleeves. You know that it will be interesting no matter what it happens to be.

I've had quite a few people ask me if "everything" is ok! I guess my rambling a few posts back made some people concerned for my well being (or maybe my sanity!) :)

I hope I made it clear that I was simply working through some things at church, and that I am ok! Yep, I'm good to go. What was the issue? Our MC director Shannon and Liz are leaving for San Diego much earlier than was anticipated. I was simply working through some emotions over the whole thing. If you have ever worked in a church, paid or volunteer, you understand that it isn't always smelling roses.

His leaving is not a problem. He is leaving on good terms with our church, and they fully support him and his family moving and starting their own church. There was just some undercurrents I was working through. But I am staying on with MC until graduation in June. I will finish substitute teaching through the school year, ending in June. Then I will probably spend the Fourth of July with my family and then I am moving South.

How am I going to move? Where am I going to move? What am I going to do once I move?

UM......I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA!!!!!!

I have no money! I have no job! I am no place to live (and in fact haven't had to pay rent for years)!

But let me tell you a secret! Shhh....come a little closer....GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING!!! HE has it under control. He told me to go, and I am going!

If you are at all interested in supporting me as a missionary for 12--18 months, and you feel God is leading you that direction....please let me know. I truly feel as I am on the move just like Abraham and Sarah were on the move when God told them to head out. This is also my first time that I feel as if what I am doing is actually missionary work here on the homefront.

Our church won't even be starting until Easter 2008. What will we be doing before then? Shannon will be teaching foundational beliefs of the new church, and casting vision. He is also taking his core team on a few church "field trips" to observe other churches.

Am I nervous? You betcha! But that's ok...my God is bigger than the butterflies in my stomach!

Thanks to those who have stopped me with encouraging words, you mean more to me than I can ever express!

Blogging for Money

Due to my recent time in SE Asia, I have not been able to blog for money over at Payperpost. Consequently, my Google home page score has dropped and I am not eligible for as money post opportunities at Payperpost. You ask, "Rachel, what are you talking about?"

Well first of all, you can make money by simply blogging! Yep, earn anywhere from $5 to $500 for a single post. You can find a link to Payperpost on my sidebar....this will take you where you need to go to get started!

However, here's the catch....and it is good for most (bad for those who are just starting out, but it DOES get better). Payperpost has a new segmentation system that awards the higher paying opps to those who have better google page ranking, better alexis ranking, and a few other requirements. Those who have blogs that are ranked mega high, like a 7 with Google, are being offered $100, $150, $500, and even a $1000 for certain posts. On one hand it is kind of sad, because I had a ranking of 3 before I left for Asia, and now it is back down to 0; however, it gives me great goal setting to get my scores higher! And once your scores get higher, and you can get the higher paying opps then you are making more money...because PPP doesn't charge as much of a service fee as others do! Come on, it's a win win situation. You blog...you make money!!!

Mission Trip Pictures

I promised I would show some pictures of our trip, and here a few...I will post more later.

This first one is of our group praying on the steps of the government buildings in Singapore. Every year we have gone there we have spent time walking the city and praying for the five gates into a country: religion, finances, education, media, and government. The government in Singapore right now is that of a benevolent king while it is run by a prime minister (I believe I got that right!). But of course, they need Christians in high ranking government positions.



This very large buddha statue is at Bright Hill Temple in Singapore. This is a temple that we visit every year, and supposedly this section of the temple represents the holiest of holy places for the buddhists. Usually we get kicked out of this section; however, we didn't and so we took the opportunity to pray for those that come through here!


These are some school children in Bangkok getting ready to participate in a Chinese New Year Parade. We saw them when we were at a temple praying. Buddhism starts teaching their children from a very young age about the religion, as it is a very familial type of religion.


This is a view of Bangkok on the river, from our tour boats. It is very much a big city but as you can tell from this last picture there are many areas of poverty and neglect.

Yes, these are houses that we saw on the river and people do live in them. Sometimes if the river floods, they get flooded. Some of the houses seemed like they were going to crumble any minute. God is definitely needed in this country.

I will put more pictures up as the weeks go on, as I am getting my pictures developed and some more pictures from some of my team.

Coupons Again!

I have been talking with my friend Holly about coupons and how they can be used wisely, and therefore, cut down on your financial outpouring to various stores here and there. And let's be honest....everyone's goal is to spend less money (unless of course, you are Bill Gates...then hey, spend away)!!! So why don't you head on over to Coupon Chief and see what is going to help your family out the best! One of the things that I am on the lookout for right now is a nice digital camera. I don't have a lot of money to spend on this, but I still want some kind of quality...so I am looking through the coupon chief site and I'm sure that I am going to find something. Whether it is from Overstock.com, Target or BestBuy. Tell me what you are looking for and what coupon you are going to use.

This post sponsored by couponchief.com

MIA

***After writing this post, I realized that I might ramble here and there, but I am simply trying to get thoughts out of my convulted mind so that they become clearer to me.***

Yes, I've been MIA for almost two weeks. I'm sorry friends and family. I've been working, I've been sleeping (and I can't claim jet lag anymore!), and I've been catching up since being back from Asia.

And honestly, I've been working through some things....things that are personal between me and God. Things that affect the way I'm doing my church activities right now. Nothing terrible. But I haven't been the happiest camper or the most receptive person to the external things going on right now. I'm sorry for being so general, but when the timing is right, I will let you know!

In all of what is going on in my life I am still having conversations with God about moving....how, when, why, where, how (that question comes up quite often!), with what money, what am I going to do once in Cali? So many questions, and not a lot of answers. Maybe I need to shut up and actually listen to the voice of God answering me. I'm probably so busy jabbering away that I don't hear God trying to get a word in edgewise. I'm sorry Lord! Give me ears to hear and a heart to comprehend.

I don't want to become that person that doesn't move forward because I don't have all the information (at least what I feel is all the info). But I truly believe God called me, and I want to be faithful to His calling. I have so many people telling me that they don't think I should move, that I want to scream and tear my hair out. I have a few faithful friends that tell me to ignore them and pay attention to only ONE! Good advice, hard, but good.

I guess I've never felt more uncertain about a period in my life such as now. Is it ok to feel uncertain when God calls you? I mean, I am going...but I'm uncertain as to what it looks like and how it is going to work. The last few days I've even been feeling sick...but that could just be the flu going 'round! I'm not looking for confirmation from friends and family. I'm not even looking for your yea or nay...I'm simply trying to be a woman of God....

...who goes when she is called....
....who answers when she is called.....
....who doesn't hesitate....
....who doesn't shrug off her calling....
....who feels as if she is finally seeing her life purpose coming into play.....

questions, questions, questions.....

God doesn't say you can't ask! In fact, He says, "Ask and you shall receive!" Lord, I'm asking for clarity in my life. I'm asking that You be the leader in this journey. I'm asking that this is of You and not of me. I'm asking that You create in me the true woman of God that You have created. I'm asking that You use me to do Your will!

Florida

I'm ready to be back in sunny weather. After having spent 17 days in 90+ weather, I am freezing cold right now in WA! Oh, but I know that the weather in Florida is glorious. And the beaches are oh so inviting. I briefly stopped in Florida last summer when I went on my cruise, but I have to tell you that simply sitting on the beach is fantastic. And the beaches to chose from...so many!! So hey, how bout a vacation to Florida....or better yet....how 'bout buying property in Florida. Then you can visit and enjoy the sun and sand whenever you want! http://www.floridaventure.co.uk/

This post sponsored by floridaventure.co.uk