It’s that time of year again when all of my organized things are ending. One thing that I love during the year is BSF, Bible Study Fellowship. I have been in BSF for four years now. So far I have studied Matthew, Moses, John and Isaiah. The problem is when BSF ends and I’m left to study my Bible completely unguided.

Why is it that the Bible is so scary? What is it that keeps you from diving in and learning?

For me, sometimes I know right where to go, some times I’m lead on a journey….but other times I’m dry. Where do you go when you don’t know where to go???

This is my second time to read The Modern Girls Guide To Bible Study by Jen Hatmaker.  This book motivates me to develop a more intimate relationship with God through my own study. If you are looking for a book that teaches you how to study the Bible on your own, I highly recommend this book. Resources, cross references, how to find Bible history. It’s perfect to reread as I’m going into the summer. This time I’m doing the “study” in the back on my own, last time I only read the book.

With chapter titles like “I’m Less Intimidated Reading Shape Magazine” and “Nail, Diet Pills, and other things that don’t work” how can you NOT love it? Jen mixes humor and a passion for the Bible so nicely. She’s relatable. A girl like me…..yet not at all like me as she’s a Pastors kid and a Pastors wife….but a messy mom of three kids who still finds the time to be passionate about the Lord and admit her kids may watch too much TV.

Anyway, I just thought I’d pass it along, in case anyone out there is wondering how to start being effective in their Bible study journey.

The more I study the Bible, the more amazed I am at how similar we still live. I mean, clearly chariots have been replaced by cars, we have power, etc, but the overall nature of man is the same.

When studying Moses, you see time and time again the unbelief of the Israelites. I in particular always remember those that stored up the manna from Heaven. In Exodus 16, the Lord provides the wandering Israelites with food. He tells them to only collect what they need for the day, no more. But some, in verse 20, kept manna overnight. In the morning it was filled with maggots and stinky. Those that kept their manna showed unbelief that the Lord would provide again the next day. And that is just a small example in all of Moses’ time — hello, wandering 40 years because they didn’t believe. God brought them out of Egypt and still they had a hard time. How much more do we struggle with this unbelief?

Now, studying Isaiah, looking at the sins of Judah. They are all things we still deal with today. In chapter 5 alon God condemns 6 sins 1) exploiting others 2) drunkeness 3) pride in their sin 4) confusing good and evil 5) conceited 6) perverting justice. How many of these six things do we see in todays society? Um, how about ALL? The one that gets me the most is the pride some people take in their sin. Another verse called it “parading” their sin. How true is that? People are no longer ashamed of things any more. Now they openly discuss their problems almost with a sense of pride, have TV shows, and write books all centered around sin that they still aren’t giving up.

This whole history repeating “theme” was really getting to me when I started thinking how many times I’ve thought, “I can’t relate to the Bible.” Or when I hear others (well, I know I said it in my teens) say that the Bible is old fashioned. This whole book contains stories and people who haven’t fallen victim to the same sins and temptations that I face. Sure, they didn’t have the TV or internet flaunting things in front of them, but their society was very elaborate as well…..prostitutes were everywhere, drinking, adultery, murder, idol worship….just as much today as it was in the Bible. ANd you know what, we STILL haven’t gotten our act together. And I’m not just talking about the lost, what about us as believers??

So why do we think we are any different? Why do we think the Bible is “old” (well, besides the fact that it really is)? Most importantly, why can’t we just see that God wants to best for us and all He asks is that we obey and surrender? Why is it so hard to do? Why is it so hard to do even when we’ve seen in the Bible the results of disobedience and unbelief? I’ve actually read things in the Bible and thought, “gosh, if they only could see what he has in store” — Why can’t **I** take that same thought and apply it to me?

aaaaaaand……back to my study……guess i just needed a good rant.

Honestly, I’m as bad at grammar as I am spelling, but luckily most programs correct spelling.

So, I’m publicly bookmarking THIS SITE!

Okay, I’m not really “off” to the races.   

I live 5 miles from Texas Motor Speedway. TMS hosts two, yes, TWO, NASCAR races a year. That means twice a year race fans from all over descend upon my town andtake over. I’m not kidding in the slightest about take over…this is how race week goes for me.

* STORES: Normally the week before, you notice race paraphernalia in your grocery stores. Let me clarify, my local Wal-Mart has an entire section dedicated to race t-shirts, flags, etc…I don’t even really know what is in there I usually just walk right past it. Also my WM has racecars as decoration. I know this as SB shows them to me every.sticking.time I show there. Wal-Mart, naturally, decks out. Big huge banners saying “welcome race fans,” racks upon racks of race t-shirts and onsies…yes, onsies. Today, I almost bought a pink Dale, Jr race onsie just for fun. Also, the center aisles (you know between the food stuff and the clothes are stocked FULL of beer, soda, and chips. On race week even my really nice Tom Thumb starts putting out race stuff in the entryway. And Albertson’s has a tent set up out front so you can purchase all your NASCAR gear without having to enter the store. By Friday, you just avoid the stores. Period. They are packed. Even gas stations are full….Esp. the diesel lanes. I mean, you have to REALLY be needing something to get me to go to the store (WM especially). (Or you have to be super cheap – which I am – which is why I went to WM today jut to buy pine sol and Advil)

* SIGNS: Suddenly all down the highway and in front of every shopping center there are signs. “Last stop for 7-11″ “Race Fans Welcome.” “Bagged Ice 99cents” “Hot Fresh Donuts” etc..

* PUBLICITY: Okay, this is where I kinda start getting bothered by the race. Everywhere you go there is a display of a racecar and TONS of fans. Case in point, Thursday I sent EP to the store (Tom Thumb, I’m not cruel enough to send him to Wal-Mart). It took forever. He came home saying they were showing a car and there was a line across the building of fans. It was still there an hour later when I left to tan. Yesterday, same parking lot the AMP/National Guard car was parked in the same lot attracting MORE fans. Repeat scenario at Wal-Mart and Home Depot. I get it, but I get annoyed at the traffic.

* TRAFFIC: It starts on Monday. You start seeing all of the RVs at intersections. It’s kinda exciting to see the big semis roll into town…even for a non-race fan. I’ll never forget a year ago I was at a major intersection and four (2 per race team) passed, I got goose bumps. The rest of the week is just heavier traffic. Race day/days isn’t too bad. For one, you just have to work the system. Take your back roads, know when the race starts and stops, etc. My poor SIL lives less than a mile from the race. Now THAT is no fun. Oh, and you’ll never ever see more RVs and pickup trucks.

* FANS: Well, this is where race week gets interesting. Race fans are a whole different breed of people. Seriously. I’m not knockin’ on race fans, but you gotta admit, they are different (just like when we used to attend bodybuilding show – different culture). Take today for example, I was al Wal-Mart (because I am that cheap) and I’m trying to get past a homeless (no really) looking man. I say, “Excuse me.” His response, “It’s okay I saw your bright lights.” UHHH???? Ooookay. EP later explained that he was not talking about female anatomy but that you flash your brights to get around someone…wheew. Or yesterday when I was at Home Depot and a guy in t-shirt with cut off sleeves, mardi gras beads and a CUP OF BEER passes me….really?? Is that legal?? (By the way he bought a ladder, which I found funny). People have flags hanging off their cars and shoe polish supporting their drivers… even saw a guy selling his ticket on his car. And, man, these people are loyal. I was parked today next to fans from Nebraska!

Hello. Yeah, I realize it’s been kinda quiet around these parts. I’m busy yall. I never thought I could be so busy staying at home, but I am. Bible study, Preschool, Church, MOPS, playdates, gym, errands, cooking, cleaning, budgeting, bill paying….seriously, I never imagined it would take so much time. I thought, “oh, when I stay home I’ll have so much time to do _________.” Not even close. I feel like I never have everything done. And having EP gone doesn’t make it much easier. But, I’m a routine girl, so things seems to flow well, maybe a bit crazy at times…but there is routine.

Days go like this:

6 am PC up/Quiet time

7 am Starlet bottle / SB Snack / TV

8 am Try to get everyone dressed and fed

9 am Daily activity (school/MOPS/Bible study) if home Starlets nap

12 ish lunch errands

2:30pm Pick-up from school/Starlet nap

5 pm GYM

6:20 pm dinner

6:45 pm bath

7 pm Starlet bed

8 pm SB Bed

8-11 PC TIME!!

And I used to think I could do everything during nap, but SB isn’t napping at all any more and wouldn’t you know as soon as I start anything Starlet wakes up. Besides, I have to do stuff with SB during Starlets nap for “special time.” And when he calls it special time, no matter what I *need* to be doing it immediately falls to the wayside and I have special time.

As you can see, blogging is just one of those things that isn’t always a priority. What is? Well, quiet time, for starters. Ever since the fast earlier this year, this time of my day is essential! (Like coffee and oatmeal).

Running EPs business is a huge chunk too. Budgeting, planning, tax paying. I never realized how hard running a business is. I think the hard thing for me is planning. Actually, it isn’t hard for me at all, but i spend a ton of time doing. In fact, EP says I spend way too much time making spreadsheets he’ll never understand. But, they make ME feel better. ((whole other blog coming on that subject).

Today I started couponing again….scary, very very scary.If you’ve known me over 4 years you remember my coupon phase in 2006. In that time I got more free stuff LEAGALLY than I ever thought possible. I donated so much to the food bank that year it was insane. I couldn’t be stopped. If there was a deal, I was going to go get it. I got enough 100% free feminine products to last me until SB is 9 (yes, i sat down and calculated it – including adding time for a second baby and nursing – clearly i USED to have too much time on my hands –or I’m just a math geek). I think the difference this time is I’m far pickier about what I’m eating/buying/using. I’m not going to run to CVS just to get free makeup when I don’t even use that makeup. (I’m telling yall, its a true high). Granted, I donated 80% of what I got last time, and I will get it if its somewhere I’m already going, but I don’t have time to run all over again.

Working out. This is a priority. It makes me feel good, as much as I dislike it. Physically and mentally. Working out is just good. Its taken some time to figure it out and yes, my daughter is eating dinner at the gym 70% of the time, but, until I have back up (aka, a husband at home) it will do.

Okay, off to finish a few other blogs I’ve already started.

I am so blessed to have an awesome Church. I’ve had many “struck down” moments in my church.   Anyway, today was one of those days where I was so struck that it’s all I’ve thought about all day. We’ve recently been blessed with a new leader in our worship team (and I’ve been blessed with a new sushi loving friend), Meagan. Today, she had friend, J, and his wife visiting our church. J and M blessed us with a special song that left me weak in my knees.

How He Loves : David Crowder Band (click that link to hear the song & see lyrics!)

I came straight home and downloaded the song and its been running through my head all day. Yall, how beautiful is our Savior’s love for us??

Becoming a parent completely changed my personal relationship with the Lord. I could never quite grasp the “fathers love” concept until I had my own child. Well, I understood it, but it didn’t resonate quite like it does today. I would never be able to turn from my child. I am always forgiving of their (well, currently just SBs) wrongs. I correct them out of love. I will always love them….always……how much more does the Lord do this for me!!

And, how do I treat my heavenly Father in return? How many times has he forgiven me and I continue to fall? How many times do I neglect talking to him intimately? How many time do I really not feel like going to fellowship in house?? How much worse do we treat our heavenly Father?? How would that hurt me if my dear babies who I love so much treated me that way??

Brings me to tears. We so take for granted the relationship that the Lord has given us. Especially in this season of our dear Saviors birth we should be reminded of WHY he came ….BECAUSE HE LOVES US!!!!

I actively participated in Black Friday one year.  It was the year I was in super coupon mode…you know, the year I accumulated enough free tampons to last until my first born hits 2nd grade?  Oh, you don’t know that story?? Hum, maybe I’ll blog on that someday. (Side-note:  is it weird I have a running log on my computer and iPhone on new blog ideas??)  Anyway, I sat down with my ads, circled everything I liked made my action plan based on store openings and went for it. It was great, exhilarating shopping at 5 am, scoring deals, coming home with LOADS of gifts!

I haven’t done it since.  Just wasn’t much I wanted enough the last three years to make me want to do it.  This year, I tried like heck to find a newspaper.  EP went to three stores, my cousin went to two–I just wanted a paper!!  (And, all the while my dad had one in the office that I found at 5 pm TODAY!) So, all I had to go on today were the ads I had seen on blackfriday.info. I had no intentions of shopping.  NONE!

So, we get up this morning, cuddle in bed with my babies and then it hit me…BLACK FRIDAY!!  There were a few things I had been eyeing at Old Navy, so I looked online and almost ALL of my cart was removed and then I noticed it was almost all on sale. 50% off all of it!  I knew I had to go. I didn’t want to go but it was calling me.

I arrive at Old Navy and the first thing I notice is the line. O – M – WORD!  Every checker open and at least 15 people in each line.  So I start my search and as I find things it starts building…you know, that feeling, you’re saving money, you’re getting the rush, you’re finding more and more deals…. BAM!  Walk out of the store with two, yes TWO, overflowing bags of clothes.  2 outfits for Starlet, 4 shirts for Stunt Boy, 2 workout pants for me, 2 shirts for me, sweatsuit for MIL, and 2 random performance fleece shirts just because they were so cheap!  So….$200 of stuff for $117.  All stuff we needed so no biggie, right?

Well, since i was in the area, why not stop on by Carters.  $20 and two cute things Starlet.  Then, Ulta….I’m telling you I couldn’t be stopped!!!  The good thing about Ulta was that I bought stuff off a Christmas gift card from last year — so just a little out of pocket.

Spent the rest of the morning enjoying a last lunch out before our out-of-towners leave in the morning.  But then I was hit AGAIN!!  Our Harmony remote, which we love, recently stopped working.  Well, the “off” “guide” and “menu” buttons stopped working. After six years, I’m so sad to see it go. It’s so hard to find a good universal remote!!! Mom & Dad’s harmony remote has been on the fritz as well.  The thing about Mom and Dad’s remote is when it has problems I get calls since I hooked it up.  K, my brother, is a genius and offered to hook up the new one if I got it.  He leaves a 6 am in the morning….so guess where I was this afternoon??  Best Buy. On Black Friday.  And not even the closest one to my house. I had to go 30 min away!  Bingo – remotes purchased…$100 off each!

As I was driving home, I passed a Target…had to stop.  Two games for SB, Pjs for Starlet.  Hobby Lobby:  wrapping paper and bows.

Seriously, people, I could.not.be.stopped!!  Even though everything purchased was on sale (everything I bought today was at LEAST 50% off), everything purchased was needed, I have to say, I have a little of buyers remorse.  I think it was more of that can’t be stopped feeling.

Maybe next year I’ll be prepared.