Proverbs 31:14- An Enterprising Spirit

Proverbs 31:14 “She is like the merchant’s ship; she brings her merchandise from afar.”

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Elizabeth talks about three different spirits that the Proverbs 31 lady has. The spirit of adventure, of mission, and of satisfaction.

Nothing about this lady sounds boring to me! She shops in the market place for those things that are unique. I am all about that! She also went shopping daily to buy food for their day. Can you image the meals that this lady comes up with? Makes me hungry just thinking about what her food might be like.

Even the mundane things in this ladies life become a creative adventure. One of my friends has been challenging herself to make things for her home out of unique things that she finds. What a fun adventure it has been to see what she creates! She made a light out of nickel wrappers.

I am not always about the good looks of the home. I can keep it looking decent, but am ok with functionional. I love things like pinterest that get me striving for something a little more!

Elizabeth’s How to’s of Beauty

#1- A heart of love- without love, we will not want to do anything

#2- A vision of loveliness- express the beauty that you love in the house around you

#3- God’s assignment to love your family- our job is to bring the beauty into the home

You can find the previous posts here.

Proverbs 31:13- A Fountain of Joy
Proverbs 31:12- A Spring of Goodness

Proverbs 31:11b- An Unfailing Prize

Proverbs 31:11a- A Solid Rock

Proverbs 31:10b- A Sparkling Jewel
Proverbs 31:10a- A Rare Treasure

Goals: Week of June 25th

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This Weeks Goals-

1. Completer week 4 of the couch to 5k program
2. Clean the bathrrom
3. Contact companies about the upcoming school auction
4. Finish 5 headbands
5. Make 1 bib and 1 belt
6. Finish Reading Showdown
7. Coupon class notes

Last Weeks Goals-

1. Clean fridge- man was it gross!
2. Clean freezer
3. Complete 2 days of class and the final paper of the class
4. Coupon class notes
5. Plan youth group activity
6. Make laundry soap- I will hopefully post the recipe that I decided to use soon.
7. Complete week 3 of the couch to 5k program- ended up skipping week 3 and did one day of week 4.

10 Packing Tips for Your Vacation

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Packing. Does that word bring strong emotions to your life? Many times I hear, I don't like to pack or I don't know where to start.

My friend Cindy and I have talked several times about the fact that packing does not overwhelm us. I guess living out of a suitcase for two years will do that to you! I wish I could go back to those days sometimes. I didn't have a whole lot of stuff...and was completely content with that!

Cindy, Sarah, a fellow Encounter member, and I have teamed up to share a few packing tips with you. Sarah has shared some great tips on moving. Cindy has also share some tips for packing for vacation.

Here are some tips that I have come up with.

1.  Pack as you get ready. If you are anything like me, the thing that I worry the most about are my toiletries. Clothes I tend to over pack anyways, but toiletries I can't live without. I start the day before and start piling up the things that I use. If I have used them the day before, then they probably need to go with me. If I have not used them, they can probably stay behind.
2. Take a laundry bag. I always pack a laundry bag, a pillowcase works great, too. That was my dirty laundry stays separate from my clean, and it make unpacking easier when I get back. That all just gets put in the laundry.
3. Pack around your shoes. Shoes tend to take up a lot of room. Pick a key pair of shoes and pack around those.
4. Don't forget the pockets. I used to pack my suitcase and never stick anything in the outside pockets. These make great places to shove shoes, books, or many other items. Don't forget about those pockets!
5. Pack food. Snacks are always great no matter where you are going. They can always make a rough day better!

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If flying:

1. Take an empty water bottle. You can't get through security with a full water bottle, but paying for one past security is expensive! Pack an empty one that you can fill up once you are through.
2. Put a change of clothes in your carry on. I know with the cost of checking bags, most people are trying to just use the carry on. However, if you do decide to check a bag, make sure that you pack a change of clothes in your carry on. My suitcase got lost on my way to Slovakia. I was without for the first week that I was there. I was so glad for that change of clothes that I had in my carry on!
3. Mark your bag. Make sure you put identifying features on your bag so that you have n odoubt that it is yours. Ribbon. Duct tape. Spray Paint. Get creative, but make sure no one else is going to pick up your bag and walk off with it!
4. Pack an extra bag. If you are going somewhere that you might want to buy souvenirs, but don't have extra room in your suitcase, pack an extra bag. Stick this in your suitcase you are taking so that you have extra space if needed on the way back.
5. Save Samples. Those samples that you get in the mail work great for the little liquid bags that you are able to put in your carry on. Also, you can throw them away as you go and not have to lug around a big bottle the whole time. Save those up if you know there is a vacation coming up.
6. Bonus--Leave the bullet key chain at home. The last time I flew, I had my keys on me. They have a bullet key chain on them. Pretty sure my bag got searched! I could tell they were looking for something specific. They let me keep it, but highly suggested that I not bring it the next time. Anything not to have to stop at the security!

Any other suggestions that you have for me? I would love to hear them! Happy travels this summer!

Proverbs 31:13- A Fountain of Joy



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Proverbs 31:13 “ She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.”

Oh, what a conviction! Do I always find joy in the job that I am doing?

Sometimes I am placed in situations where I don't want to have a good attitude.  Never I think back to my camp counselor days when I was told that we show that we truly have the fruit of the spirit not when it is easy to display them, but when we are tempted to display the exact opposite.

My attitude has to be checked every day…if not just about every few minutes J

I am sure that her willing spirit helped her to create things of greater beauty than is she did things with a grudging spirit.

Elizabeth’s How-to’s of beauty

#1 Pray daily- When you realize that the attitude is stinky, as God to help you change it. I hate those days that I am in a bad mood, and I just want to stay in that mood. Forget changing. Watch out!

#2 Recite Scripture

#3 Do your work as unto the Lord

#4 Tackle your tasks- I just worked on making my to do list for the day!

            Energetically

            Creatively

            Joyfully

#5 Look for the benefits

#6 Pause and rest

#7 Watch what you eat- I am curious what you all have found that zaps your energy and what some things are that give you energy?

#8 Value each day- I am only guaranteed the minute that I am living in. How am I using it for the Lord?

You can find the previous posts here.
Proverbs 31:12- A Spring of Goodness

Proverbs 31:11b- An Unfailing Prize

Proverbs 31:11a- A Solid Rock

Proverbs 31:10b- A Sparkling Jewel
Proverbs 31:10a- A Rare Treasure

Goals: Week of June 18th

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VBS is this week! What an exciting time. I am also taking a two day class. And what I am doing on this Monday? Enjoying cool the inside air. Not good :)

This Weeks Goals-

1. Clean fridge
2. Clean freezer- maybe I should get on this one to cool me off!
3. Complete 2 days of class and the final paper of the class
4. Coupon class notes
5. Plan youth group activity
6. Make laundry soap- any of you have a great recipe
7. Complete week 3 of the couch to 5k program

Last Weeks Goals-

1. Coupon class notes
2. Figure out a contacting companies tab
3. Call libraries- hopefully one of these days I will get to talk to them!
4. Run twice

Sunday, June 17th Coupon Preview

Check out the coupons that you will be receiving on Sunday, June 17th.

Free Subscription to Better Homes & Gardens

Fill out a short survey to get your free subscription  to Better Homes & Gardens in the mail. I love getting this magazine free in the mail!

Thanks, MoneySavingMom!

Gevalia Coffee and Coffeemaker Deal

We totally got our coffee and coffeemaker too soon. This is a great deal! The coffee is well worth the price. Go to Gevalia to get yours!

 Make sure that you call and cancel after you get your shipment!

Goals: Week of 6/13

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This week started out with a birthday getaway for my husband. We had a great time! It is now Wednesday, and I am just getting around to posting my goals. I am putting a few things on here that have been on my list for a few weeks now. I will do my best to accomplish these!

This Weeks Goals-

1. Coupon class notes
2. Figure out a contacting companies tab
3. Call libraries
4. Run twice

Last Weeks Goals-

1. Coupon class notes
2. Make and list 2 earring holders on etsy
3. Call 5 schools I have put my app in at- 1 called me last week
4. Clean out closet
5. Figure out a contacting companies tab
6. Call libraries
7. Run twice- I ran once

Proverbs 31:12- A Spring of Goodness

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Proverbs 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

“God’s beautiful wife is intent on lavishing every possible good upon her husband.” This phrase by Elizabeth is challenging. Is it good enough just to do one nice thing a day for our husband? It can't be something that I just check off a list, but it needs to be a mindset that I am always be looking for ways to do good to my husband.

How easy it is not to bring goodness into the life of a husband. This is addressed in Elizabeth’s how-to’s of beauty.

#1 Beware of the enemies of goodness

• A tendency to compare- when tempted to compare try praising him and thanking him

• A growing root of bitterness- she reminds us that bitterness and thankfulness cannot be in our hearts together

• A sagging spiritual condition- this will cause problems in all areas of life

#2 Follow God’s Plan

Hitler took the time to devise his plan. What kind of plan am I taking time to devise? I am devising a plan. Is it my plan to bring good or to bring bad to my husband?

Elizabeth also reminds the single ladies in this chapter, that this woman that was described was what a single man should be looking for. You need to be looking for the good in the people that God has placed in your life.

Can you think of any ladies that did not do their husbands good in the Bible? There are lots. Who sticks out the most to you?

You can find the previous posts here.

Proverbs 31:11b- An Unfailing Prize

Proverbs 31:11a- A Solid Rock

Proverbs 31:10b- A Sparkling Jewel
Proverbs 31:10a- A Rare Treasure

Free Vistaprint Labels

Vistaprint is offering free labels. These are great for addresses, gift tags, labeling thing for camp, invitations, try thinking outside the box. This deal is only good through June 6th. Shipping starts at $3.50.

What will you put on your labels?

Go to Vistaprint to start making your labels and get them shipped directly to your house!

Goals: Week of June 4th

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This Weeks Goals-

1. Coupon class notes
2. Make and list 2 earring holders on etsy
3. Call 5 schools I have put my app in at- 1 called me last week
4. Clean out closet
5. Figure out a contacting companies tab
6. Call libraries
7. Run twice

Last Weeks Goals- I am branching out with 8...might not be good!

1. Coupon class notes
2. Run twice- once will be a 5k, not quite ready for that one!
3. Finish banners and list on etsy
4. Make and list 2 earring holders on etsy
5. Call 6 schools I have put my app in at
6. Pick and dry mint
7. Get things ready to take to Practically Perfect
8. Facebook page for blog

Any of you have any goals that you are putting off that you want to get done this week? I would like to here them!

June Coupons.com Printables

Here are some of the coupons that have been released at coupon.com for this month. Happy Printing!