Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Daily encouragement

God is so faithful & brings encouragement just when you need it! Enjoy & choose to have a great day!!!

 February 22, 2011
Why I Do What I Do
T. Suzanne Eller

"Again he said, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.'"

John 20:21 (NLT)


Devotion:
Two sisters stood at the front of the church. Both were marked by a hard life. The younger sister sat down beside me. She had become a believer the year before. Just a few weeks earlier, she and a woman in the church had rescued her older sister from domestic violence and drug addiction.

"Can I pray with you?" I asked.

The older sister knelt on the floor, pressed her forehead between my knees and wrapped her arms around my legs. Her need was so tangible, her hunger so great. As she held tight to my legs, I felt her tears bleeding through the fabric of my pants. I was suddenly overwhelmed as God's presence flooded that moment and that space, and I felt His love for His broken, sweet daughter.

I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her and prayed, but it wasn't the words that mattered. It was God showing me all over again the truth: He transforms lives. He loves. He came to heal the broken-hearted and to place their feet on a new path.

Later that night I thought about that moment again, and I thanked God that I get to do what I do.

Sometimes the details of ministry life can take center stage. Whether you teach Sunday school, or work with youth, or are a pastor's wife, or lead worship, or anything you feel God has called you to do, sometimes people are difficult, or even discouraging. Sometimes you feel like a failure, even though you prepared and prayed for this.

No matter the challenge, it's nothing compared to what the early Christians experienced. I can only imagine the highs and lows these faithful people felt. But they kept their focus on the one thing that they got to do -- carry the Good News to those who were seeking truth. Perhaps they saw the fruit of their labor, but it's more likely that they didn't.

Transformation doesn't happen overnight. So while they were tossing seeds of hope here and there, it's likely that they experienced imperfect people, human nature, and obstacles, just like us.

In John 21, we find Peter, a guy pretty discouraged by ministry. He was enthusiastic in the beginning. But when he hit hard times in ministry, he almost forgot why he was doing what he was doing, and he ran in the other direction. But in verses 15-17 we see Jesus reminding Peter of the beauty of serving others. "Feed my sheep," He said three times. Peter rediscovered his mission. He went on to become a rock in the church.

Are you discouraged by the details, by people, by the mountains that keep popping up when it seems you just prayed them away the week before?

If so, today I pray that He will remind you all over again of why you do what you do. I pray He shifts your attention to those, like the beautiful young woman once abused and broken, whose lives are in the process of change.

You see, there will be many who "do what they do" who will come alongside the hurting woman. Sunday school teachers, pastors, women's ministry leaders, soup kitchen cooks, Christian friends—people just like you—and in the end they all will have written the Gospel on her heart.

Dear Lord, reignite my passion for ministry. Let me glimpse Your burden for those I come in contact with, and let me rediscover all over again why I love serving You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Prayer needs

If you have any prayer needs feel free to post then here & I'll make sure I pray for you! Just remember God is in the business of answering prayer! :). If you want me to pray for you & don't want it to be public just send me a message!

Monday, February 21, 2011

New Email Address

As busy as I'm getting I decided I better create an email address just for the couponing stuff rather than using my personal email for everything.  So with that said you are more than welcome to email me anytime at:

couponingworkshops@yahoo.com

Feel free to email your "couponing stories" as well...I'll repost them to encourage others.  I love to hear how people are saving tons of money whether it's something you learned at one of my workshops or something you learned somewhere else!!!

A full list of my workshops are found on the right hand column & if I'm not coming to your town I'd be more than willing to schedule one.

Happy Couponing!!!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Coupon inserts in Sunday paper (2/20)

There will be one insert in this Sunday's paper.
Here's the breakdown:

2-20 RedPlum Coupon Preview
Sunday coupon preview
Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!

(x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes
RedPlum Coupon Insert

Save $0.60/1 Bertolli any Pasta Sauce (3/20)
Save $1/1 Air Wick Scented Oil twin refill pack or (2) single refills (4/3)
FREE Air Wick any warmer wyb air wick scented oil refill fragrance (4/3)
Save $3/1 Air Wick Freshmatic Compact Odor Detect starter kit (4/3)
Save $1/1 Air Wick Candle (4/3)
Save $2/1 Dial Nutriskin lotion, any (3/12)
Save $1/2 Hefty Onezip any packages (5/31)
Save $0.50/2 Pop Secret any products (4/3)
Save $1/2 Purina Beggin’ any packages, any size/variety (5/20)
Save $1/1 Sprayaway glass cleaner DND (4/10)
Save $1/2 Uncle Ben’s pouches of Ready Rice (4/17)
BOGO Whiskas any tray, any flavor up to $0.69 (4/16)
Save $1.50/1 Whiskas any dry food for cats (4/16)
McDonald’s FREE Fruit & Maple Oatmeal wyb a medium Beverage (3/27)
McDonald’s FREE Fruit & Maple Oatmeal (3/27)
McDonald’s FREE med. Fries & FREE medium soft drink or tea wyb any Angus 1/3 Pounder (3/27)

Redplum Coupon Inserts, Sunday Coupon Inserts

$5 for $10 Worth of food from RJ's Family Restaurant

If you are coming to my Couponing Workshop this Saturday in Camdenton at RJ's then this is a pretty good deal!!!

$5 for $10 Worth of food from RJ's Family Restaurant

Here's the event info:


Time
Saturday, February 19 · 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Location
RJs Family Restaurant
US Hwy 54
Camdenton, MO

Created By

More Info
The cost is only $10 per person (first come first serve)! BUT we encourage you to order something off the menu since RJs is letting us use their facility at no charge.

You can pre-pay using Paypal & the email address is robertsonteresa@yahoo.com or contact me if you want to mail a check. Or pay at the door but again...space is limited & it's first come first serve.

For more info call or text me, Teresa, at 573-836-2133.

Prayer

Please pray for my back. I fell on the ice last week & it's been bugging me a lot. This am I can barely move. I have two workshops this weekend so this really needs to stop'z.

Thank you,
Teresa

Daily Encouragement

February 17, 2011 
Room for Cream
Marybeth Whalen
 
"The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Shall I leave room for cream?" the smiling barista asks me as I place my coffee order.
 
I smile back at her and nod, anticipating receiving my cup full of dark liquid so I can carry it over to the doctoring station and customize it with a generous splash of cream and two sweeteners.
 
As I wait in line to create my comfort in a cup, I ponder the barista's question. I think about the idea of leaving room for cream—not just in my cup, but in my life. I always leave room for cream in my coffee, but I can't honestly say I always leave room for cream in my life.
 
Cream sweetens and lightens and richens. How do I leave room in my life for the things that sweeten and lighten and richen? As I pour and stir, my thoughts drift to the last week. I've done the have-to's: laundry, carpool, dishes, exercise. But it's harder to think of those little extras that fill my cup to the brim... sweet, white, rich extras.
 
Sweet: Time with friends just laughing and enjoying each other. Turning on a favorite song and dancing in the kitchen. Listening to my children when they talk. Taking the extra time to hear their hearts. Putting fun things I look forward to on the calendar. Turning the pages of a novel just for the joy of experiencing a great story. Pushing pause on my life so I can rest and recharge.
 
Light: Time in God's Word, which the Bible says is a light for our path in life. Journaling what He's telling me and what I'm learning about life. Time to pour my worries and anxieties out to Him, then leave them at His feet. Time to press into Him so I can hear His voice above all the others in this loud, busy world. Stepping out of the rat race and worshiping Him with abandon lightens my load.
 
Rich: Giving of myself through my time and talent. Tithing regularly to my church. Finding people who need a meal, a donation, a word of encouragement and then making the effort to actually give it to them and not just think it's a good idea. Surrendering myself to God's will instead of holding fast to my own.
 
All of these are things that bring me great joy, that help me reach that place of abundance I believe Jesus wanted us to live in now. Abundance, I am finding, does not come from merely wanting it. It comes from intentionally reaching for it—a result that requires action. It requires leaving room in my life for these things—not packing my life so full of have-to's that the cup is already full.
 
When that happens, I can try to add the cream but it will only spill over, wasted. It starts when I leave room from the beginning or take a moment to pour out what is already too full. With a little thought and a little effort I can learn to hear Jesus ask me, "Did you leave room for cream?"
 
And I can smile back at Him and say, "You better believe I did!"
 
Dear Lord, I want to live the life of abundance You called me to—a life that is sweet and white and rich. Help me remember that I have to leave room in my life for abundance or it will always elude me. Help me to seek You first and let You show me how to leave room for cream. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
 
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
 
Visit Marybeth's blog
 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

What's cooking???

I'm going to start doing a menu & the cost breakdown. Feel free to post yummy budget saving recipes on here as well.


Feb 16th
Grilled chicken breasts with Teriyaki Pineapple Merinade
2 lbs. Grilled chicken breasts $2.32 (on sale at Woods a few weeks ago for $4.48 (3 lbs) had $1.00 coupon-making chicken breads $1.16/lb.
1/4 bottle Merinade $0.50 (not on sale but so good)
1/2can pineapple chunk $0.50 (on sale at Gerbe's for $1)
Instant mashed potatoes FREE (on sale at Wal-mart for $1 & had $1.00 off coupon)
1 can Libb's peas $0.49 (on sale last week at Gerbe's)

Dinner tonight
$3.81

March 19th coupon workshop

I've had a lot of response to the Jefferson City area & doing workshops. Who's ready for a coupon workshop on Saturday, March 19th around 2 or 3pm?

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Walgreens Deals

Clean & Clear Facial Cleanser $4.49  B1G1 50% offUse 2 $2.00/1 – Clean and Clear Product (Printable)
Final Price=$1.37 each

Skintimate Shave Gel 7 oz  $2.49$1.00/1 Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave, any from SS 1/16
$1.00/2 Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gels, any excluding 2.75 oz. cans from SS 1/16
Pay:  $1.49 & Receive $1 Register Reward
Final Price= $0.49 (after $1 Register Reward)

Stock up on these items while they're on sale to save you money later!

Hello

Hello.  My name is Teresa Robertson.  I LOVE to coupon!  It's the biggest thrill to go to the store & save 70% and more!  Couponing can become VERY addictive!  I started couponing about 3 years ago.  I had a friend who went to a Dave Ramsey course & she decided to save money by couponing.  I thought that was an interesting idea so I started learning as much as I could about coupons & saving money!  I was amazed after a few times at the store how much money I could save.  It wasn't to long until  I was hooked!!  If you would like to learn how to save money follow me here on my blog!  Also you can attend a coupon workshop to learn tips to save money (even without coupons!)   If you're interested contact me at facebook.com/coupon101 

Talk to you soon!
Teresa Robertson