Read the Bible in 4 months!

I'm issuing you a challenge, but don't worry it doesn't mean that I'll sit on the sidelines and just monitor, I'll be doing it right along with you.

It's not scary, well maybe a little but for the right reasons and I think it's one that will bring far more rewards and benefits than if you don't do it.

I saw this over at my friend Jen's blog "Reflections in the Window", and this is what she said:

Today a challenge was made to me on an email group I belong to, the writer challenged us to read through the Bible in 4 months! WOW I thought...at first I said to myself....no way could I do that! But when I read further in the email I realized it was only 12 chapters per day. Four chapters 3 times a day OR Three chapters 4 times a day. That is so reachable. I read easily 12 chapters of other books everyday. WHY can't I do the same in the Bible? There is NO reason why I can't!

And all I can say to that is AMEN!

Let's face it, I'm not going to lie and tell you that I've read the whole Bible, I haven't.

I'm not going to lie and tell you that when I start reading it that I find it absolutely fascinating and can't put it down like a fiction novel, because I don't. It doesn't mean that I don't like the Bible or that I don't enjoy the Lord's word, it means FOR ME, that I have a hard time reading through it because at times there are just way too many things in there that I just don't comprehend.

I can zip through a novel, I can zip through cookbooks, but why can't I do the same with the Bible?

I envy those that can recite by heart all the scriptures in the Bible, that know every single book, who did what, who went where.

Oh I'm not completely oblivious, I have read the Bible before just not in it's entirety and I do know most of the names in there and I do have one or two scriptures that speak to me.

But it's not the same as those who have read it all, who know it like the back of their hands.

I want that!

So I'm taking the challenge, I can still read my novels and my other books, but I can also add the Bible to my reading time, and that's exactly what I'm planning on doing.

I plan to get to December and proudly announce, here on my blog and for anyone that will listen, that yes, I Sandra have finally read through the whole Bible!

Here is the schedule:

September

Genesis - 1 Chronicles 22

October

1 Chronicles 23 - Isaiah 54

November

Isaiah 55 - Galatians 3

December

Galatians 4 - Revelations 22

I'm actually going to change my template to include one or two sidebars so that I can have this recorded and will cross it off as I read. IT will help me stay focused, but it will also show you that it can be done.

Believe me, if I can do it, YOU can do it too.

So what do you say, are you up for the challenge???

Reusing Picture Frames

I have a lot of picture frames, some are being used for wonderful family photos, others I tend to just have laying around with nothing particular in mind.

I decided to look around online and see if I could find something neat to do with these frames, something that would be either free or pretty inexpensive to do and I found just what I was looking for, at Make and Takes.

How about a Wipe Off Weekly Menu Board for your Kitchen????

And while you're at it, a big one for Chores????

I couldn't believe just how easy this project was, I had everything I needed at hand.

Wipe Off Weekly Menu Board

Supplies:

* Picture frame with glass front
* Piece of patterned scrapbook paper to fit in your frame
* Optional: Vinyl cut letters for each day of the week (you could always just hand write them)
* Dry-erase marker

Put your patterned paper inside the frame. Replace the back. That’s pretty much it.

You can see that mine is not exactly perfect, I used supplies I already had on hand and that meant running out of some of the letter stickers, but it still looks great.

I also used red and white paper to match the red theme in my kitchen, the great thing about this is that I can always change it out if I redecorate or even go with themed paper for the holidays.

I used washable markers to write the daily meals on there, when it's time to change, I just wipe those off and write the new ones in. Easy Peasy and the family knows where to go and look instead of asking me "what's for dinner tonight"...."what are we having tomorrow".

I also had a HUGE picture frame that I bought at Goodwill for $1 or less, can't even remember, but I don't even know why I got it, now I'm glad I did.

I used a bunch of scrapbooking paper in green and beige, wrote Chores in a gold metallic pen and called it good.

It was the first thing the kids noticed when they walked in from school.

I'm going to use it for my own housework chores as well as for the kids chores.

I'm thinking my next one will be a To Do List. The possibilities are endless and if you think about it, you can use frames you already have at home or you can get the ones from the dollar store or at your local goodwill.

Have fun!

Happy Homemaker Monday - August 30

Good Morning Ladies, welcome to another edition of the Happy Homemaker Monday, I'm so thrilled to see some familiar participants and also some new ones.

I wanted to take this moment, right before the Meme, to put forth a question to you all....I want to know if there are any ideas you have to add to this meme, any new categories you would like to see added?

If so, then just let me know in the comments section, I want to shake this up a little and maybe add different topics but I'm drawing a complete blank, so help a girl out :)

The weather in my neck of the woods:
The temps have been going up and down lately, actually got down to high 80's the other day and it felt SO good.


Things that make me happy:
Family


Book I'm reading:
Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harries


What's on my TV today:
Eureka Season 1 - Hubby and I are enjoying this show immensely
The Pillars of the Earth - will watch the new episode on Netflix


On the menu for dinner:
Meat lover's Lasagna, Salad


On my To Do List:
Sweep and Mop
Bathrooms
Change Bed Linens


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
I have two recipes that need to be posted on my food blog. If you like Chourizo I have these wonderful Chourizo Bread loaves that are super easy to make and delicious.

In the craft basket:

Granny Stripe Crochet Blanket.

Looking forward to this week:
Cooler temperatures, though I really wish we could be heading into fall already.


Tips and Tricks:

“If you dampen the inside of the dustpan under the faucet before picking up the pile of dust and dirt, the dust sticks to the pan. No sneezing!”

~1962 Heloise’s Housekeeping Hints

My favorite blog post this week:
I actually went through and read as many as I could, though I'm starting to lose the battle again from being sick and not online as much LOL I don't have a favorite, sorry.


Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
Mousy Brown's House - such a cute blog, I'm enjoying going back and reading all the entries.


No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days:
Not really a lesson learned but more of a reminder that having fun with your family doesn't have to be at an expensive place or anything elaborate, something as simple as exercising can mean fun for everyone.


On my mind:
My children, my family and God.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:9-10

Exercise doesn't have to boring!

We all want to feel better about ourselves and to lead healthy lives, but honestly, who likes exercising?

I can tell you that personally, I would rather sit on the couch with a good book or a good movie than to go out and get all sweaty and achy, even if I know the benefits it will bring me.

One thing I've learned over the years is that exercise does not have to be boring, especially when the whole family gets involved.

It doesn't have to be anything extreme, but merely walking every night around the neighborhood, or playing a game of tag with the kids.

One things we like doing as a family, is going to the Track on base, Curt and I will jog/walk and the kids will either jog along with us at their own pace, or they will ride their scooters.

The good thing about our track on base is that it has a playground for the kids too, so when the kids get tired they can just go play while you continue on.

The time you spend with your family is precious, and it should be enjoyed to the fullest, whether you're just hanging out at home or working together, or exercising.

It doesn't hurt that we're also supporting this wonderful man, who just like many others has to work hard everyday at staying fit. He has his military PT test coming up any day now and with the new standards and regulations, the guys are finding it harder and harder to pass.



So please keep him in your prayers. It's hard to think that a man who has devoted his life and given 19 years to the Air Force, could pretty much lose it all if he fails the PT test.

I find it ridiculous, but what do I know, I'm just a military wife!

Sipping the day away......

because it's a Saturday, and Saturday's are the brought to you by the same people who bring you porch swings, big glasses of Iced Tea and Family time.

I'm feeling so much better, thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. I think these summer colds are worse than the winter ones, but on the other hand, I seem to get over these faster so it's all good.

I've been taking it easy, relaxing, resting, keeping hydrated and consuming loads of vitamin C and liquids and broths. I'm well on the way to recovery, minus a nagging cough but that's ok.

One of my favorite summer time beverages is Iced Tea, or Sweet Tea as it's known in the South.

It doesn't last very long in this house, matter of fact I always feel like I'm refilling the pitcher or jar.

Which brings me to this question.......have you ever made Sun Tea? It's definitely a southern favorite, though admittedly I've never been to the south but I'm a huge fan of all things Southern.

Because I have an it's delicious, though there has been some controversy about how safe it is to drink because of the water and so forth. I always make it with filtered water and honestly, it doesn't last long enough to worry about it going bad.

I may as well make use of the hot temps here in Arizona.

It's super easy to make so here's a quick recipe if you want to try it for yourself.

Sun Tea

4-6 tea bags



Put 4 to 6 tea bags into a clean 2 quart glass container. Fill with water and cap. Place outside where the sunlight can strike the container for about 3 to 4 hours. Move the container if necessary to keep it in the sun. When the tea has reached its desired strength, remove from sun and put it in the refrigerator. You may or may not want to remove the tea bags at this point. (I always remove mine)

The tea will probably taste more mellow than what you are used to from using boiling water. The slow seeping has a way of bringing out a slightly different flavor from the tea. Also, because you didn't use boiling water, you should refrigerate the tea and drink it up pretty quickly - a day or two. It will not keep as well as iced tea made from boiling water.

You can add in some mint leaves or I usually add in lemon, orange or lime slices.


Mmmmmm! Enjoy!