Favorite Things--May

I've been meaning to do this for a while but never got around to it! The idea is simple, just a few of my current favorite things :) The only thing better thant loving something is sharing it so others can love it, too!

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#1 Printables :: they are wonderful! My roomie Kristin introduced me to them. She found this one at Kind Over Matter (an amazing blog!!). The concept is simple--something (could be a card, a note, or in this case, something to hang on a bulliten board) that is FREE and all you have to do is print it out :) I also made some Mother's Day Cards with printables this year. I spiced them up a litte by hot gluing buttons on them. I love cards, but now that i have found printables i can have cards that are precious AND save lots of $ ! It's easy, start by going to google and searching "printables blog."

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#2 My Preserve Toothbrush :: made from recycled yogurt cups! It even comes with s package that you can send it back in so it can be re-recylced (<- that was fun to type). The best part? It's a dang good toothbrush!!! Found at Target.

#3 Coupons:: My mammaw taught me many lessons before she passed and a good bargain was near the top. She was a great steward of what she'd been given and even took the time to cut coupons out for each person in my family weekly. Each stack was personalized to the products or places we liked :) I miss those stacks and miss her even more, but lately the Bailey in me is really coming out. Kristin introduced me to Krazy Coupon Lady and my sister to Southern Savers. Both are great sites to find printable coupons. Also, Borders and A.C. Moore are great to sign up for rewards. I get a 50% off one item email nearly every week. This can really save on an expensive book or art project :) Also, CVS extra bucks is totally worth signing up for! Finally, check out this twitter page, every day something free!!! Remember: a key to food or tolietries coupons/deals is often buying in advance. For instance, if CVS has buy one get one on shampoo, go ahead and get it, you know you'll need it eventually :)

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#4 Cucumbers, tomatos and balsamic vinegar:: will sent me to the farmer's market to get salad stuff but...there was no lettuce. We improvised with this little trio and it was so delicious. Be sure to add salt and pepper too! Healthy, refreshing, delicious, and easy to buy aaaand help support your local famrers:)

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#5 This I Believe:: Now that i have NPR's "This I Believe" on podcast i can't stop listening! I've always loved this program but never had access to it so easily. For those of you unfamilar with it, listeners write essays on something they believe, a core value, moral or mantra if you will. They read their essay and it's typically only about 5 minutes. These essays can be quite emotional or maybe light hearted, regardless though, there is always a beautiful message. They really are pint-sized jewels; short enough for my attention span but packed with truth. Check them out :)

...i think i'm going to try to do one of these for each month! i know, i know...try to contain your excitement :P :P

Goal.

One of my goals for the next 40 some days before I leave for Swaziland is to live intentionally in the present. To participate and not anticipate.... Of course I'll still set aside an ample amount of time to daydream--just not excessive ;)

[photo thanks to postsecret ]

Farewell, 2009--Small things.

A year has passed. flown by. sailed by...ok I'm out of synonyms. But seriously...as I get older, the years become such a blur! Which is fitting, I suppose, since God says this life is just a vapor. And he doesn't kid around! :)

And when I look back at this blur, it's hard to recall all the lessons I've learned, in fact..impossible. And even more impossible to type most of them out--it would take too long! But I am a huge advocate of self reflection. Looking within ourselves, meditating on what we are doing, what we are thinking, what our motives are, etc. So I have done this a little bit today, and although it's hard to sum up a year in a single idea, this is my frail little attempt :P

Zechariah 4:10 says this "who has despised the day of small things?"

This verse isn't' necessarily one you memorize in AWANA or see on a bumper sticker, but as I read it over and over, I just loved it. The verse is a reply to those who were disappointed that the new temple wouldn't match the previous one in size and splendor.

Small things.

In 2009, I started to take more notice of the small things. How much they affect my life, others, and of course how God has always, and continues to use small things..here we go!

:: A simple decision--to show up. So much of my year was transformed by showing up. It started last Jan. when I showed up to the MLK celebration. I met Gena. She's now one of my best friends and I forget what life was like before she was around. Then, after hearing so much about the riverfront and hanging out with some homeless folks, I finally showed up. It, too, has changed my life. And then when I really was supposed to be studying by most people's standards, but I decided to show up to the latest Invisible Children screening...wow.. I could go on, but really..it's incredible the things that happen when you show up.

:: A phone call-- I had no idea what Nuru international was. I didn't even know who Rebecca Cummings was yet, but she knew I "organized stuff and loved africa" so told Nuru to call me to be the Marshall rep for BH20. The next thing I know, Be Hope to Her is more than an idea. It's a beautiful group of people taking initiative to do something amazing and then accomplishing it, building a well in Kuria, Kenya.

:: A dollar-- That represented so much more.

:: A hug -- one that says goodbye, one that says hello, one that says I've missed, or maybe the best kind, one that says, I'm with you. I had a lot of those kinds of hugs this year, especially in Swaziland. I hugged people I had just met, but I meant it and so did they... Genuine affection. Simple act, yet much deeper than that.

:: Running water-- when the water was off in Swazi, we had to walk and get it like the rest of the community. Pump it, carry it, and then savor it. There's no fancy metaphor with this one, it just made me more appreciative...period :)

:: A stack of coupons -- something I received each Sunday from my Mammaw before she passed away in September. Not just carelessly cut out, but from specific stores and restaurants I loved. Tedious work, but she did it with joy, because she loved me. It was a small way to show big love, and now I save the final stack of coupons I received 2 days before her stroke on my desk to never forget.

...Never forget Mammaw, but also never forget that concept. The power in simple things, that is. God used a staff, a penny, and a stone to change the world. Maybe God works through you with a kind word, maybe a hug, maybe you show up, or maybe you cut coupons, but whatever you do, do it with love and watch.. :)

p.s. JJ Heller- The Little Things