"Little" Sins That Can Cost You BIG!

Yesterday, being the 4th and all brought back some memories. I don't have any that reflect on freedom but some that made me reminisce. Yesterday was my husband and my anniversary of our first date. It's special to us to just remember how much fun it was eating pizza and watching the fireworks as we felt butterflies in our stomachs. I honestly don't think he said more than 10 words the whole time during dinner!
  Yesterday, was also the 10 year anniversary of me being pulled over for the last time. I started reflecting on how much money I had saved by being a safe driver because if you know me personally you know I am very frugal! After checking out the web I see here I saved at least $161 for not even going 9 miles over! Even for not wearing your seat belt is $20. I can think of a lot of ways to spend that money or even better, save it!
 There are other "little" sins that creep into our lives that can cost us. While scripture doesn't come right out and say it, I believe gambling is a sin and feel like Hebrews 13:5 backs that up saying, " Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” As does Proverbs 28:22  ^"Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty." People who buy lotto tickets spend an average of $150 each year!
I wonder what other little sins are costing us big in life? Even being discontent in life adds up when we try and keep up with the Jones'...
I can't think of a better verse to leave you with than this: 1 Timothy 6:6 "Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth!"

No Excuses

Honestly, I don't have a reason for being gone from here so much. Life keeps happening and for that I haven't been blogging lately. My laptop died, my KindleFire doesn't type well for blogging, we went on vacation, I've been potty training Little, preping for homeschooling, started selling Paparazzi Jewelry. There are so many things going on lately that I have felt overwhelmed and the idea of blogging was too much. I am hoping to get back into it soon. Hopefully someone has read posts and made them think. Made them want to be closer to Jesus. I know that is what I am striving for everyday.
Here's to making changes in life that only benefit. And no more excuses!

Mia Bella's Gourmet Giveaway

Mia Bella's Gourmet Products have an amazing scent and quality that is hard to find elsewhere. You can smell these candles even before you open the box!

Karma and Luck- Not to the Rescue

Most people would say that I am lucky. I have won lots of games and prizes! I won a $200 food processor that I love and use a lot. I won a $250 gas card last summer, a $900 golf club for Matt, $200 gift card to a awesome kids boutique that I bought Christmas gifts with last year and then lots of little things also. Candy bars are easy wins and so are $5- $20 gift cards to Starbucks and Subway. Sounds pretty lucky to you, huh? But I am not lucky nor is karma on my side. Luck has nothing to do with my winnings. Statical odds and the fact that I enter lots of contest are the two main factors. Matthew 5:45 says, "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Scripture tells us right there that good, even great things happen to very bad people as well as a lot of us know, very terrible things happen to the best people. Karma is not real and honestly if you are waiting on it you have some bitterness in your heart that is going to trap you from growing in the Lord. People all around the world wish people luck and even I say it out of habit but know in your heart, that the only reason things work out is for the glory of the One who made us all. He has a plan and the bad things you might be going through right now will allow you to persevere and allow your true character to be reviled to you. Hope and trust in the Lord and don't allow luck or lottery to become your idol. Let me end with a quote from a man who I know puts his trust in Jesus:
 You’re more likely to be hit by lightning five times and survive than you are to win the lottery. Five times! How many people do you know who have been hit once by lightning and survived, much less five times? -Dave Ramsey

Tropical Traditions Giveaway WINNER

First I want to say a huge THANKS to Tropical Traditions for hosting this giveaway. I now know that giveaways are not something that I will be focusing on my blog since most subscribers do not seem interested in entering. I enjoy product review and would love to do them but the giveaway entries are not what I feel like the company that I do review for would prefer and I personally would like to give them as much support as possible! That said, Congrats Jodi B. our winner! She has been notified by email. Please be sure to check out their specials listed here!
I have lots of blog ideas I am working on now so be watching for my next post to hopefully encourage, challenge and motive you as it does me with my daily walk with Christ!

Tropical Traditions Giveaway!!!

First, I apologise, tomorrow became almost a week. Life got busy and I go lazy! That said, YEA! for a giveaway!!! Tropical Traditions has generously offered to let me try their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. This is what you are going to want to know about if you are starting to embark on a healthier lifestyle for you and your family! I have a few pictures, some recipes and even a video you can watch to find out more about coconut oil. Click here to find out a wide variety of ways to use coconut oil in the kitchen like I'll show you here. I use my for baking/cooking mostly and here a two of my favorite ways:

I took a basic organic chicken I got at a local Amish farm and covered it is coconut oil and my favorite seasoning salt. (Obviously I need to per-fect my photography skills!) I turned on my crock pot for 8 hours on low and had an amazing dinner of protein from my chicken and added fiber from the coconut oil without it feeling greasy! Dinner is great, but dessert is always my favorite so make sure your check out all the amazing recipes they have videos of here and this video here! My newest favorite is Healthier Peanut Butter Balls. You simply must click on this link to find out how to make a mouth watering treat that isn't going to make you feel guilty all week long. Be sure to check out video on Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. 
So now for the fun part for you! You can win your very own quart of  Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil.

New Beginnings

Things have started to change in my heart and in my life. Right now I am looking for direction on where the Lord is leading our life but I know He has BIG plans for my life right now. I am at a time of listening and trying to glean spiritual guidance from His Word. I am not sure where all He is leading and what He is calling our family to do or where go, but I know I am ready. Turning my life over to the Lord is always new, exciting and scary. This adventure so far has lead me to decide to home school Big next year. I am looking at learning aids everyday trying to make sure I make the right choices. My darling husband has been humbled and has committed to stepping up and being the spiritual leader Christ has called him to be. I couldn't be more happy about the few changes already happening. The Lord has really given me some big inspirations about what to write about on here and I pray that as He leads me, it encourages us both!
Tomorrow, I will be writing a fun post with a giveaway that I love so be looking out for the post!!!