DO instead of BUY

This is my goal over the next few weeks, to shop at home first. www.cindysporch.com suggests 3 rules when you need to buy something.

1. DO instead of BUY. look for what can you do that is FREE instead of actually paying to do something.

2. shop at home first. the whole idea is to use what you already have at home first, or substitute, or borrow from a friend if it is a 1x need. dig into your basement, attic, storage containers, closets, drawers, etc. and see if you can find what you need that way. This actually can be a lot of FUN! esp. when you discover things that you forgot you had, lol, or you get really creative ;-) In fact, it pays to check anytime you put something on the list. I thought that i needed to buy more disinfectant spray this weekend, and when i looked on the other side of my cabinet, lo and behold, i already have one! glad i checked. i even found a few toothbrushes, and a tube of toothpaste i forgot i had. Cindy's Porch is doing a Fall Decorating Challenge. So i am going to try to decorate my house for autumn by digging around and seeing what i can rearrange and use that looks "fallish"

3. Procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate. this is one time that is is OKAY to procrastinate! this one is for me, hehe. supposedly, if you wait as long as you can to purchase an item, you'll either discover that you don't need it, or that you can find a better deal, or that you can substitute it with something else.

Happy shopping at home!

ACTS prayer

great blog on the ACTS way of praying

http://myderbe.wordpress.com/2007/06/28/the-acts-prayer-formula/

5 days post surgery

I am now 5 days post-surgery, and doing well. dr. W ended up doing a lapriscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, and he removed my uterus and cervix. When he went in with the scope, he found what he believed to be a grapefruit-sized degenerating fibroid. so he felt he could safely do surgery without doing a big 'ole abdominal incision. boy was i ever surprised, because he had been pretty certain he would have to open me up.

I am enjoying the quietness of the day, being able to chill out on the couch and crochet (I made a bible cover yesterday), read my Bible, journal, and also enjoy a little time with my mom. it had been 4.5 years since she was last here. We both have the same sense of humor (oh, you didn't know i had one, did ya?!) and so there are times where i'm telling her "stop! please stop!" cause i am howling from her stories.

Part of me is eager to be on the mend. I like to stay busy, and am fairly independent. It's humbling to need help. Part of me doesn't want the restfulness to end. It's been restful for my soul to have this time.

One thing that i've definitely come out of this experience is recognizing how much i need community, and need my brothers and sisters in Christ. whether it has been a card, a phone call, a meal, an email, a ride for my kids, or a visit, I have been blessed in so many ways by the fellowship that has surrounded me and my family during this season. We left ministry 3 years ago, and I think that I got to the point where I didn't want community at that time. I had been burnt in some ways that took time to heal from. And I've been awakened to the pain and suffering and hurt that is in the lives of so very many. My own pain and suffering opened my eyes to the needs of those around me. I don't want to go back to being an island. Lord, help me to find the way in which I can make a difference in those around me, and be your comforting and loving hands and feet in this community.