tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47871625644094318832024-03-13T10:13:38.394-05:00Single Mom For God- Thy Maker Is Thine HusbandNahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-63249339688238410622009-02-06T09:02:00.003-06:002009-02-06T10:57:06.051-06:00Frugal Friday- Single Moms and Rapid Refund Loans<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMw8HUorcrZm7cr96QVdC718eAofA9N47uWZcveBS-UNI-DrjGYfRGdBJ4NsWZz76URMkrimqmXO-hEYU6qMK8hgMog12aVeqkxqNh3F7DOnAuRt5TRQMCsGnKjVAJmQqISVvsySJibrG/s1600-h/Frugal-Friday-2-771381-714372-787747-747831.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299729160939098066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMw8HUorcrZm7cr96QVdC718eAofA9N47uWZcveBS-UNI-DrjGYfRGdBJ4NsWZz76URMkrimqmXO-hEYU6qMK8hgMog12aVeqkxqNh3F7DOnAuRt5TRQMCsGnKjVAJmQqISVvsySJibrG/s200/Frugal-Friday-2-771381-714372-787747-747831.png" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wow it is certainly good to be back on this blog! I have been feeling impressed lately to start blogging here because since I have been married there is so many things I see that I can share with single mothers as a hindsight experience or a moment to bridge build and encourage! I plan to start blogging here at least twice a week Lord willing.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have been thinking a lot lately as I have been watching and listening to various tax commercials on TV and the radio, and this enormous push for Rapid Refund Anticipation Loans, and other programs designed to prey on a person's dire financial situations. Single mothers I believe just so happen to be a huge target audience, one because they more than likely are going to qualify for EIC so their refund alone will be fairly substantial, and secondly it's just a time of year that many who are barely surviving financially look forward to. I also believe that the enemy is faithful to snare us with stumbling blocks right before tax time so that we feel the need to make impulsive decisions regarding our money. He keeps us from being a good steward because we think we need help right now or instantaneously.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I personally have never taken out a rapid tax loan, I was going to one year but the costs just seemed too astronomical to me. I finally rested on that I had been waiting all year, and a couple more weeks wouldn't hurt me. You know what, I ended up getting my refund back in about a week and a couple days. The bills held off, and I was able to enjoy all of my hard earned money. The couple hundred dollars I was going to pay someone to loan me money against my money seemed like loan sharking. Eventually I just quit going to tax preparers and start filing online myself using the free versions of online tax software that I received off the IRS website. I personally used Turbo Tax because it was simple, it walked me through step by step and it ran an error check. I have yet to be audited by the IRS and now that I am married I found it even more helpful. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I just wanted to share my thoughts on how I just find it atrocious that single mothers fall victim to this marketing ploy. I mean we single mothers are some of the most resourceful, strong, and smart women out there. ( I say we because I will always be a single mom in heart as being married doesn't erase my past experiences or my love for my fellow single mothers) and every dollar counts. Why pay someone to do something that you can do, and why pay someone to give you something that is rightfully yours. It makes no sense to me either. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I encourage you this tax season that if you haven't done so yet, and or leaning towards applying for a loan against your refund amount pray and consider waiting for another week or so. Ask God to give you the strength and patience to hold out for a few more days. Ask him to give you the wisdom to be a good steward over your tax money as you would your earnings and pay checks. Ask him to give you divine instruction on how to make every dollar count and to resist the urge to fall victim to the "right now" marketing ploy that is targeted to a certain population of individuals who are branded and stereotyped behind closed doors as needy, impatient, desperate and impulsive. You are not that brand. You are strong, resilient and deserve every dime of the money you work so hard for. Now if are in an dire and immediate situation that affects the safety and well being of your children, your home, or your job then I encourage you to do what you need to do, just know that as I stated earlier many times the enemy will throw things our way to make us seem as we need help immediately. It is a trick of the devil. Just think how so many times things start to fall apart the end of December, during January and the beginning of February, during that time when you know you have funds coming. I do believe that if you lean, depend and trust in God he will help you through until you can get your refund back exactly on time, exactly the right amount without having to pay man to loan you what is rightfully yours. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Stay blessed and encouraged! mrs thomas</span></div>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-19593532415121106172008-06-25T16:49:00.001-05:002008-06-25T16:51:44.193-05:00New Spot<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just in case you have been wondering where in the world I have been lately??? Well, I am now posting on my new blog. I plan to post here from time to time, but for time's sake I will be primarily posting on my new blog:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://marrigeafterhisheart.blogspot.com/">A Marriage After His Heart! </a></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pics and video will be posted there. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">See ya at the new spot!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mrs</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">thomas</span></span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-61497105719766986672008-06-18T17:21:00.003-05:002008-06-18T17:25:21.112-05:00Checking In<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hello All,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am not sure if anyone will have the chance to read this message or not, but I wanted to report that all is well with my life as a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">newly</span> wed. It is the most amazing experience I could imagine. I am forever grateful to God for blessing me with such a wonderful husband. The wedding was all that I could imagine and more because God was there with us. And we are finally able to relax on our honeymoon in our quiet, and beautiful smokey <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mountain</span> cabin in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gatlinburg</span> TN. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. I hope to post more sooner when I can come up for air;)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ps</span>: I also have this posted on my new blog </span><a href="http://marrigeafterhisheart.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A Marriage After His Heart</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">mrs</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">thomas</span></span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-26352941682372710202008-06-09T10:49:00.003-05:002008-06-09T11:00:49.767-05:005 Days and Counting<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I can hear the virtual ticking in my ear as I race around finalizing wedding plans this week. I keep getting asked the "are you nervous yet" question, and as of today I'm not so much nervous about the marriage as I am the wedding ceremony. I want this day to be as beautiful as possible as so many people have invested so much in it. I feel truly blessed. I had a total of four bridal showers and I walked away from each one feeling loved and the genuine excitement from all those who have been waiting just as anxiously as I have for this day. I am feeling a level of excitement that is indescribable and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">exhilarating</span>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I may not have much time to blog this week as there are so many final details to be done so keep me in your prayers I will try to post before the end of the week. Have a blessed day!</span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-16999636492031337692008-06-04T10:47:00.002-05:002008-06-04T10:57:52.183-05:00Catching Up and Another Idea Solicitation<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Once again I have been horrible at maintaining my blog. As you can see by my trusty counter to the right there, I only have 10, yes 10 days before my wedding. As you can probably imagine my life is a little hectic and fast paced at this point. Next Wed will be my last day at work for a couple of weeks and I have a ton of stuff to do there before I leave to ensure that the building doesn't collapse in my absence. I also have other last minute bridal stuff to do, and I'm failing pretty miserably at it. Nonetheless, none of this peril moves me. I am still happy, excited, nervous, motivated and looking forward to the end of this process and the beginning of my new life. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Even more excited than I am are my girls. They are over the moon and I am glad that they witnessed this process. I do wish that I could have had them the "right way", but since I didn't we have just made lemonade out of our past lemons, and I must say that it is sweet. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I do have a bit of advice to solicit. I am looking for reception ideas. My reception will be void of the traditional worldly fare, but I plan on making it a fun, energized, and happy Christian affair. Being that my creative juices are drying up right now, do any of you have any ideas of some things that we could do besides eat, drink and be merry.... I have music, we have the toasts, the cake cutting and all of that stuff, but I want something more, especially since we won't have the dancing. I really would like to send a message that gathering <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">together</span> to enjoy Godly fellowship and celebrate a holy union doesn't have to involve drinking and dancing and hooking up. Any insight will be most valuable. Have a blessed day! </span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-69354783924644579922008-05-30T16:21:00.006-05:002008-05-30T16:36:47.009-05:00Makeover Challenge Winner- New Blog Name!!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Well folks, I planned on making my announcement tomorrow, but I have a ton of last minute wedding stuff to do, and did not want to accidentally not post. So we have a winner for my makeover challenge. It was so hard to decide but we felt like we wanted my new blog name to represent the desires of our marriage and so with out further ado ***drum roll please**** <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SingleMomForGod</span> will officially change names after June 14, 2008 to:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#663366;"><strong><em>A Marriage After His Heart</em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#663366;"><em>submitted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kysha</span>, from Love's School</em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;color:#663366;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;color:#663366;"></span></em></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">This name has so much of a deep meaning, not only do I want a marriage after my husbands heart, but a marriage after God's heart. I believe deeply that as long as we both strive towards this desire, our family desires and everything else naturally will fall into place. There may be some bumps and the journey may prove to be rather adventurous nevertheless I look forward to all it has to offer. I especially look forward to sharing my experiences with you. Thank you to all who participated.</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#663366;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kysha</span>, email me so that I can have Amazon send the gift card to you, and give you more details. </span></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span></em></div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"></div>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-58581834622971473542008-05-29T15:37:00.003-05:002008-05-29T16:04:11.051-05:00That's Not My Reflection Is It?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lately, I have been in a bit of a tizzy. I will admit that I have somewhat evolved into a baby bridezilla. No, not the full fledged fire breathing, demanding, one, but a pure baby sensitive, thin skinned, frustrated, toddler bridezilla. The funny thing is that I had no clue that I was turning into a little baby monster. I would sit and watch that show cracking up thinking man, I'm glad I'm not bossing people around and just being mean. However as truth always has a habit of coming to light I found that I was being a big baby. I was allowing myself to become overly frustrated which makes me uber sensitive, whiny, and withdrawn and I wan't as friendly as I was thinking I was. As hindsight would have it I could have been less frustrated if I had not alienated (unintentionally) some very dear people in my life and baby bridezilla would have never been hatched. But God is always faithful to show us ourselves even when we don't want to look in the mirror, or even if we are semi blinded by our reflection. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Sometimes its hard to see little flaws, even when people are pointing them out to you. Thankfully God has a big old magnifying mirror which shows you all of the little flaws, open pores, and developing blemishes that we mere mortals don't always seem to have a keen eye for. Really, its a blessing to get a reality check from God. Why? Well he really doesn't have to let us know we have spinach in our teeth. He could let us walk around thinking we are just the cutest little Christians all the while we could have a little bugger that is oblivious to us, but obvious to others. That's the kind of friend God is, and I am eternally grateful that he loves me enough to let me know that I "aint" always as cute as I think.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I am also greatful that I humbled myself and allowed myself to see the reflection in the mirror before it was too late. Bridezilla could easily grow into Wifezilla, and God knows that's not who I ever want to be. I thank him for showing me my flaws and giving me an opportunity to die out to those flaws so that I don't take them into my marrige. The truth hurts but I would rather it hurt me now, than for me to hurt my husband later.<br /></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have to dedicate this post to all of my friends that are involved in my wedding somehow. I couldn't be blessed with a better group of friends, of sisters, of family. To have you all be a part of my special day is a Godsend. There could never be enough thank you's to show how grateful I am for what each of you mean to me. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=18&verse=24&version=9&context=verse"><strong><em>Proverbs 18:24</em></strong></a><strong><em> A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><em></em></strong></span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-22981852071047271322008-05-27T17:40:00.002-05:002008-05-27T17:46:10.755-05:00Makeover Challenge Finalists<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have been such a horrible blogger lately. Most of you don't know that I normally blog on my lunch break from work as I don't have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Internet</span> access from home. Work has been very busy lately so I haven't had the change to blog much. But as promised we (me and my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fdh</span>) narrowed down our five favorites. So without <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">further</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ado</span>, here is the list:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MarriedMomForGod</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">A Marriage After His Heart</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Blending with Him</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">For His Glory</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Marvelous In Our Eyes</span></li></ol><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The guest judges will be my two lovely little girls. They are excited about this process and so am I!! I will have the winners announced on Friday!! Thanks for participating. Have a blessed day!</span></p>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-38483788304594660012008-05-15T12:00:00.007-05:002008-05-15T12:35:12.846-05:00Single Mom Make Over Contest<span style="color:#339999;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNjSTPE-Dcf-dXVX0yblEuD4gR9a9mv_EpCdjvTY1BdEZm0BCjIwkBAxa66r2gmKm5p_4j_MweeOiYn6Bt3As7m4uxkg0JJxF6ia2hIRSQdhC-OIAur18nCLKrQgowVvRhNmW6ZOroyvq/s1600-h/amazon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200657982458889570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNjSTPE-Dcf-dXVX0yblEuD4gR9a9mv_EpCdjvTY1BdEZm0BCjIwkBAxa66r2gmKm5p_4j_MweeOiYn6Bt3As7m4uxkg0JJxF6ia2hIRSQdhC-OIAur18nCLKrQgowVvRhNmW6ZOroyvq/s400/amazon.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#336666;"> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am in need of a make-over. Well not me, but my blog is in need of a make-over. Being that in less than a month I will no longer be a single mom, I came to the conclusion that I am going to have to change my blog name. While I still have the desire to encourage single mother's out there, the fact still remains that while I won't be a single mom anymore there is still so much territory to cover in chronicling my transition into my new life. However, after many failed attempts at creativity I have decided (unlike another lady who's running for president,) to bow out gracefully in my attempt to rename my blog. </span><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#336666;">So, I am conducting a contest, give-a-way or whatever you would like to call it for the new name for my blog. The lucky winner will receive a <strong>$20 gift certificate from Amazon.com<span style="font-size:85%;">, <em>( sorry I wish I could afford the $200 one in the picture but alas I can't:)</em></span> </strong>and the opportunity to guest post while I am away on my honeymoon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#336666;">The contest starts today and will end at midnight 05/22/08. My FDH, the girls and I will spend the Memorial Day Weekend choosing our favorites and the 5 finalist will be posted on Memorial Day for a panel of guest judges to choose. I will list the guest judges the same day as the finalist and the winner will be announced on 05/31/08. I will use the new name on 6/14/08, the morning of my wedding. </span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I am listing the rules here:</span><br /></span></div><ol><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#336666;">Once you have read the post, leave a comment with your idea of a new name in the comments section.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#336666;">Contest starts today and will end on 05/22/08. Finalist will be named 05/27/05 and the winner will be named 05/31/08.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#336666;">Please only one entry per person</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#336666;">Gift card will be emailed the same day as the announcement.</span></li></ol><p><span style="color:#336666;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">There have been so many women who have provided invaluable knowledge and points of views on so many touching topics. I (we) feel so blessed to have read so many informative posts and are eagerly awaiting the creative name for my blog.Thank you all in advance for participating and have fun! </span><br /></span></p>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-89323788610025125502008-05-14T14:49:00.005-05:002008-05-14T15:35:39.255-05:00And The Months Go By............<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI68y9HNydHIzFEsLOTpU1bmCDOKpTKP3inJJysr5rt1WiG0od7qFkUJOziGSTggdZpqwiiN2sSqhOgIn0kAvacgA30IlfBbn7Slwq3o8GcX22KNx_Q5Fa9OQaSAeE-ZeBN6OeSNGwqCo/s1600-h/marrige+license.jpg"><span style="color:#663333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200334008780784946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI68y9HNydHIzFEsLOTpU1bmCDOKpTKP3inJJysr5rt1WiG0od7qFkUJOziGSTggdZpqwiiN2sSqhOgIn0kAvacgA30IlfBbn7Slwq3o8GcX22KNx_Q5Fa9OQaSAeE-ZeBN6OeSNGwqCo/s320/marrige+license.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#663333;"> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have been out of blog world lately on a little medical hiatus. I am happy to report that the surgery went well and I am now tattoo free!!!! Thank the Lord this ordeal is now closed and I can move on with my new life a burden lighter. </span></span><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663333;">Time has seemed to have flown by so fast. I began my courtship in January and today marks the 1 month countdown to my wedding. I can't even begin to imagine where time has gone, all I know is that I have 30 days until I marry the man God personally created for me. While I have been caught up in a whirlwind of emotions, nothing epitomized the realness of this process than the day we went in to get our marriage license. This little piece of paper evoked a flood of emotions between the both of us. It finally set in for me that this is real, and in 30 days I won't be a single mom any longer. I will be a wife, a mother, a help meet, and a follower to the leader of my home. I have no regrets, no anxieties, no desire to reclaim the independence that I have so been ready to depart from. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#663333;">I loved Terry's </span><a href="http://terrysoapbox.blogspot.com/2008/05/independence-curse.html"><strong><span style="color:#660000;">post</span></strong></a><span style="color:#663333;"> on the need and biblical requirement of interdependence in a marriage. There have been many people who have asked me if I were going to hyphenate my last name and I so gladly reply NO!! I will be my father's daughter until June 14, on that date and thereafter I will be my husbands wife. There is no way I can obey scripture </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=19&verse=5&version=31&context=verse"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Matthew 19:5</strong></span></a><span style="color:#663333;"> ('For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'") if I still hold on to my father's name and try to join it with my husband as if he is a mere simple hyphenated addition to my father's legacy. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#663333;"></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#663333;">When I get married I have to leave that legacy and join with my husband to create a new one. This poses no problem or threat in fact it's a beautiful and scared requirement that I have prayed to long to fulfill. How can I honor my husband if I am not willing to accept his last name. While it is the norm for a huge majority of women in the professional world, or just the world per say to be Mrs. Such-And Such, I am glad that I no longer identify with this majority. Please remember to keep me in your prayers as the months and Lord willing years continue to go by.... </span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663333;">Be Blessed and Stay encouraged</span></div>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-58612280701670932822008-05-11T16:24:00.002-05:002008-05-11T16:26:42.528-05:00HAPPY MOTHER'S DAYHAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE LOVING MOTHERS OUT THERE. TODAY IS YOUR DAY! REST, RELAX, AND ENJOY TODAY TO THE FULLEST!A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-46839353658382527312008-05-05T17:18:00.006-05:002008-05-05T17:38:38.915-05:00Last Nail In The Coffin<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last month I wrote a post about tattoos and the after effects in which you can read </span><a href="http://singlegodlymom.blogspot.com/2008/03/tattoos-painful-after-effects.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>.</strong> During my wild and rebellious hey day I stupidly got the stupidest tattoo ever imaginable. Now I am saved, engaged to be married in a little over a month, and I have the blessed opportunity to drive the final nail in the coffin that contains my sinful reminders that I don't want to take into my marriage. While even though he knows about this ugly little thorn in my side, I am not sure I want him to have to see my sin plastered all on my body for the rest of our lives so tomorrow, I am going to have my ugly little stupid tattoo surgically removed. Yep, I am going on the chopping block to have them give me a shot of local anesthetics, cut that tattoo off my top layer of skin and sew me back up. Sounds kinda gross, but for me it's a victory. I finally get the chance to get rid of the visual reminder of my sin graffiti.Yes, I know he will accept me the way I am, but this is one of those things that just needs to be buried. No funeral, no memorial, nothing but a plain casket and buried deep into the ground. I ask that you pray for me that this minor procedure will be just what it is: minor. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The more I type, the more I think about all of those sinful little skeletons that are dying to come out of the closet and rob us of our spiritual self esteem. Such is the case with me , and every time I look in the mirror I feel a overwhelming sense of shame and embarrassment. This my friends should not be. When I repented of my sins, they were cast as far as the east is from the west (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=103&verse=12&version=9&context=verse">Psalm 103:12</a>), so then why can't I accept that and allow him to cast the guilt and shame from those sins with them. We have to strive( especially as women) to allow those past guilty and shameful trash bags be tossed along with our sins because in essence they only rob us of the true joy and beauty that is associated with salvation. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Have a blessed week and keep me in your prayers. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">smfg</span></span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-42359326586728151832008-05-02T16:53:00.004-05:002008-05-02T17:19:22.838-05:00Weather: Science or Scripture??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4IVk1gJ2SQjaV1PU5UkS6FTeI53NQTI7DO4em9-pB08hWcWWTQL5Y6oASYGrK1pnhNRVOLYHH7MxpIJvJIWurIGqbJrBMWKjJe9sGxRlYux-GOJKGf9I-eBKAc2QqAzmqud3dlfUuVtk/s1600-h/tornado.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195908190809830162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4IVk1gJ2SQjaV1PU5UkS6FTeI53NQTI7DO4em9-pB08hWcWWTQL5Y6oASYGrK1pnhNRVOLYHH7MxpIJvJIWurIGqbJrBMWKjJe9sGxRlYux-GOJKGf9I-eBKAc2QqAzmqud3dlfUuVtk/s320/tornado.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><em>Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.(KJV)</em></strong></span> <div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>pictures taken from fox16news.com</em></span><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It seems like lately my poor little state has had so many tornado's. We had one this morning that claimed the lives of seven( thus far). Many have lost their homes and businesses and are just left completely devastated. Some communities haven't recovered from the major twister we had earlier last month. You can read about that one and see the pictures <a href="http://singlegodlymom.blogspot.com/2008/04/100th-post.html"><strong>here</strong> </a>and <a href="http://singlegodlymom.blogspot.com/2008/04/weather-update.html"><strong>here</strong></a>. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">This is just a constant reminder to me of God's awesome and unexpected power. In the bible, the whirlwind is referenced 27 times. Of the 27 times it's referenced in Scripture, only twice is it not associated with God's fury. I sometimes ask myself if the recent and frequent acts of nature due to God's fury? Is there a message hidden in the whirlwinds, floods, earthquakes, tsunami's and wildfires? If indeed he is trying to send a message, are we getting it? Or are we so caught up in trying to disassociate the weather with it's prominent relevance in Scripture and associate it more with science?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Many seem to get angry when you associate weather with God but I can't help but to wonder in awe about the spiritual correlation. I'm not saying that God is punishing us with weather, but it's something about man, we just tend to forget to acknowledge his power and we tend to lean more towards scientific explanation. Just something to ponder the old noggin as I try to seek God more than I do the local weather man. And to think we had a low percent chance of rain just a few days ago and a killer tornado once again when we least expected it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Also if you get a chance, check out my bloggy buddy <a href="http://familyrevised.blogspot.com/"><strong>Terry's Virtual Baby Shower</strong> </a>over at Brenda's Place at the <a href="http://familyrevised.blogspot.com/"><strong>Family Revised</strong></a>. It's a treat and a wonderful way to start the weekend!</span></div></div>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-255090416642461092008-04-30T14:34:00.003-05:002008-04-30T15:08:58.767-05:00More Advice Solicitation<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Okay, I have a need for more advice. I don't know if it's because I am getting married,or because everyone around me seems to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">preganated</span></span> ( as my friend calls it) but I have the baby itch...... I will admit, I know nothing at all about planning for a baby as I didn't plan to have either one of mine. And I don't really know how I feel about the topic of birth control. I know I don't believe in contraceptives of any kind, but I don't know how I feel about natural method, AND right not that's not what I am soliciting. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FDH</span></span> wants a nice size family ( an old testament family as he so jokingly calls it) and of course I do to. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My dilemma that with my girls I worked so much that I missed out on so many milestones. I had great support from my parents, but honestly they raised my babies and not me. I was that mother that had to send them to daycare at 3 months and one at 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wks</span></span>, because I had to work and sometimes my work included traveling and or living away from my children ( military). My oldest was born the summer of my last semester of undergrad so I was able to stay with her a little longer, but then once the semester started I had to go away, and my littlest, well I took off so much due to complications, that I didn't have much leave time and I had to leave her at 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wks</span></span>. Shortly after she was born, I was called to active duty and had to leave them both for almost a year, that's not to mention how many other times I have had to leave them due to a demanding job. But that is the reality for many single women. You HAVE to work, sometimes you have to make a trade and its not easy. It's not easy when your baby looks to your parents when they are hurting, or sick, just plain old would rather be with them than you. It's not that they don't love you, they just aren't used to your 100% of time and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nurturing</span>. I could go on and on, but I wont. It's too painful, and it's the past.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Needless to say, I don't desire to do this again. EVER again. So I am soliciting advice for all those women who left the workforce to come home. I know I want to come home, and we are praying for the right time, but how did you do it? I would love to hear the stories and the encouragement. And being that we had such an explosive post going around last week about the values of being a keeper at home, especially within my race I would love to sop up all the teaching I can. </span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-16215453738754068522008-04-28T15:15:00.008-05:002008-04-28T16:03:15.697-05:00Breaking The Tradition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMS3qs9f2DgZsuHXyQOgJL3_vvhwUZ5CTvaLgUxxAcYfW_9VzkMZHTj43ee0LZE8Km_txBUxoQqmp8t9rQjx76IckOimlz025RSxxqgDIQx8CCEgu6g-TFBQEjiSC2J1QP8GwFjKm65K4/s1600-h/mark,+mala,+n+kids+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194401108260500210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMS3qs9f2DgZsuHXyQOgJL3_vvhwUZ5CTvaLgUxxAcYfW_9VzkMZHTj43ee0LZE8Km_txBUxoQqmp8t9rQjx76IckOimlz025RSxxqgDIQx8CCEgu6g-TFBQEjiSC2J1QP8GwFjKm65K4/s320/mark,+mala,+n+kids+018.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">nee nee & mommy at her honor roll ceremony earlier this month!</span></em><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yesterday, my eight year old daughter Nee -Nee Pooh said the coolest thing to me. We were sitting at dinner and she was talking about what she wants to be when she grows up. She said, and I quote </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Nee Nee:</strong> " Mommy, I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Can I go to any college I want" </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Me:</strong> " Sure "</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Nee Nee:</strong> "I still don't know what I want to be, someone wants me to be a doctor, and I sometimes want to be a teacher, I just don't really know!" </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Me:</strong> " Well, maybe you should start praying for God to show you what he wants you to be when you grow up, that may help."</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Nee Nee:</strong> I think God just wants me to be a wife.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Me:</strong> *sniff, sniff* Yep, I believe that what he wants you to be too.... That's the best job!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I wont bore you with the entire conversation, but my little girl is showing interest in being a wife and homemaker and she has already called her grandparents to inquire how she should word her future wedding invitations. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">A couple of years ago, I did and would still be trying to map her life out; honors classes, career planning by 10th grade, high school education with honors, then on to the top colleges for undergrad/graduate school. I would have probably start shoving the "anything a man can do, you can do better mentality down her throat", and I will admit, that I used to preach blatant independence in my house. None of my daughters would ever be totally dependent on a man,but God saw differently and Praise </span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">the Lord that he did! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It's a blessing to see that all the hot button posts last week were not in vain! I didn't know she read them, or listened to me talk to my FDH about our hot topic discussions, but I thank God for giving me a more clear direction to pray about and work on with my daughter. She will be turning 9 this summer , so I only have a little time left to teach her the things I didn't know but am learning through biblical knowledge and practical experiences through myself and others. I especially thank him for speaking through her, its always easier to teach someone who has a willing heart. Stay Blessed and Encouraged-smfg</span></div>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-80855770991023620522008-04-25T13:47:00.005-05:002008-04-25T14:28:56.331-05:0050 Days<span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I wanted to take a break from my latest hot topic issue and use my blog today and send a message to my FDH. We have only 50 days before our wedding. Sometimes, time seems to fly by and we wonder where did the days go, and sometimes it seems to move at a snails pace and we wonder when will this day come to be, but looking back at my life, I wouldn't trade these 50 days for anything this world has to offer. All the wedding ceremony hooplah aside, how I feel below is all that matters right now. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In 50 days my life will change for the better. I will have a different calling for my life, a calling that can only make me a better woman for God and my family.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I met you a mere 987 days ago. Sometimes 50 days seems like an eternity, but looking back a the 987 days since, 50 days seems minuscule. 987 days I have had the blessed opportunity to watch you grow into the man that God was shaping you to be now, a life time is what I will have to watch the finished product take its form. Watching the potter is an awesome thing, being half of the clay is even better. When the enemy tries to over throw us with how far away our day seems to be, we can remind him of the 987 days that God carried us through to bring us to these 50 days and counting ....... Always, your FDW</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have a Blessed weekend!</span></span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-22295728230284550252008-04-24T13:28:00.006-05:002008-04-24T17:30:27.673-05:00Who Then Will Teach Us?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was pondering a lot last night about the course of dialogue between myself, <a href="http://terrysoapbox.blogspot.com/"><strong>Terry</strong></a> and <a href="http://old-fashionedmusings.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-i-dont-talk-about-race-on-this-blog.html">Mrs. Henderson </a>yesterday. Between the three of us we had some pretty explosive point of views on the lack of African American keepers of the home. While it certainly was not my intent to sound so radical, I will be the first to say, I am the different one of the bunch. I work outside the home. Working for me is a necessity because I am one of the single parent statistics. Do I like working? NO, would I love to stay at home and be the mother God has called me to be? Absolutely! When I get married am I praying for God to open doors for me to say <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hasta</span>' La Vista' to corporate America? You better believe I am. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I believe with all my heart that we are all apart of God's kingdom, and we are all one race. However, the reality is that the society that we live in doesn't identify solely to the human race, we are different races, colors, cultures, ethnicity's and so forth. While I love all people regardless of any of the fore mentioned, I have to come to grips that God made me to fit in the African American box, it's who and what I relate to. I live with it every day and I have to accept that is what and who I am. I couldn't tell you what it's like to live the life of any other ethnicity but my own. So therefore I am passionate about the causes that affect my race. I am passionate about the causes that affect all people, but am I wrong for being passionate about the causes that affect the box that society labels me???</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">As we were driving to bible study last night, I asked my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FDH</span> if my post yesterday seemed a little radical? " A little" he replied. Good, I thought to myself. Sometimes it takes a little ruffling of feathers to get the truth out. This is one of those elephant's in the room that doesn't get addressed in our culture. Its a fact that if you are an educated, professional, young African American woman who opens her mouth to dare say, " I want to come out of the workforce and be a stay at home mom" I promise you will get more looks of amazement than you will get agreement. Being a keeper of the home is just not something that is widely taught in our culture. I guess my question is, who's responsibility is it to teach our women that it's not a negative stigma to stay at home and raise a family? Who will teach the God given responsibility? Is it the church's responsibility? Is it the community of Christian women who are following God's standard according to his word? Or should it be an individual experience, if your want it you have to get it for yourself? Who will stand against the often stated notion that the bible "wasn't written for this day and age? " Do we honestly think that God meant for his commandment for women to take care of their families only last during certain centuries? Are we to assume that the Prov 31 woman was only a example that had a 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> century expiration date? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have heard from so many women that this simply isn't being taught in the church. Could it be because the more income a family has, the more tithes will be paid to the church? Or could it be a taboo sermon that will quickly get the pastor voted out? Could it be because no one is teaching the men that keepers at home doesn't equate laziness, and that you still have to treat your wife as Christ does the church? Or could it be that no one is pointing out how important we need our mamma's to be home to give hugs, kisses, advice, time, conversation and so much more? Who is exposing the invaluable worth in that? </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have so many questions and </span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have so much more that I would love to elaborate on, but unfortunately my lunch break is over and I must return back to work . If you get a chance check out the remainder of the dialogue over at <a href="http://terrysoapbox.blogspot.com/"><strong>Terry's place</strong></a><strong>. </strong></span></p>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-1529898775892397772008-04-23T11:47:00.014-05:002008-04-23T14:41:25.554-05:00Who's to Blame?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've been MIA the past couple of days ( no time to blog) and am back with a whole lot to say today. My good friends <a href="http://terrysoapbox.blogspot.com/"><strong>Terry</strong></a> and <a href="http://old-fashionedmusings.blogspot.com/"><strong>Mrs. Henderson</strong> </a>have had the most interesting dialogue about the history behind the lack of African American keepers of the home. You can read both their post <a href="http://terrysoapbox.blogspot.com/"><strong>here </strong></a>and <a href="http://old-fashionedmusings.blogspot.com/"><strong>here.</strong> </a>They were both 150% correct in their statements, and <strong>as a single mom as much as the truth burns it's still truth</strong>. Fact of the matter is, there are more opportunities for women of other races to stay at home than it is in our race. Why? Well because unfortunately we do have a phenomenally high rate of single parent homes. There is no one else to work and provide income. We are somewhat behind and not always educated on ways to make money from home so we can leave the workforce. I guess the question is who's to blame for this cycle? </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is it the sinful young woman and man who are both so bound by sin that they can't resist the temptation of fornication? <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or is it the devil who is on his job to kill, steal, and destroy? </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is it the government with their welfare reform during the days of LBJ or slavery/Jim Crow because black women then were raised to be subservient to others more than they were to their own households? We all have heard the stories of the mammies, and the maids raising the "rich white folks children". ( no offense, just stating historical quotes)<br /><br />Or is it the race to not be poor and the overwhelming flood of middle and upper class blacks who with all their hard work showed us that we can become educated and be viewed as first class citizens in America's class system ? We can send our sons and daughters to non <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HBCU's</span> and Ivy league schools so that they can be a little more leveled on this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">un</span>-leveled playing field. What about Affirmative Action that opened doors for black women to go to school/work and to obtain degrees/ promotions so that they could make a half way decent living, all the while either sending their children to day care and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span>-school or forsaking family all together? And lets not forget the Civil Rights act that gave black men and women equal opportunity in advancing in and obtaining career status, again so they would not be poor and would grow to look down upon the people they no longer connect with. </span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or is it gross negligence on the black churches who for some reason seem to be found on almost every corner sometimes an entire street and just shows the world how unified our infamous "Black Christian faith" really is? Or is it the demise of honest preachers and ministers truly living what they preach, and truly being called by God and not Seminary to preach? Nowadays the only thing people tend to go to church for is to pay the preacher who's house and bank account is full of filthy lucre to hear a feel good motivational sermon that can't last more than an hour or the church will start clock watching and vote him out, all the while we have a choir full of sinners who can sang now, and everyone is a part of some type of board or committee.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Don't get mad at me yet, I am just speaking what is spoken and seen from the mouths and eyes of the sinner folk. No messages that really put bible judgment, no crying out against the sins, just a simple it's okay, you can do it over and over again and still God loves you- He knows your heart. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I firmly believe its a combination of all of the above. Mainly the latter! The church through black history has always played a pivotal role in the black community. I agree with both Terry and Mrs. Henderson that the problem lies with sin. But if someone tells you that you can repent of your sins, remain saved for the rest of your life, but still sin every so often because no man but Jesus can live sin free; why would you want salvation? Why would you want deliverance from sin, when the person selling you the deliverance is telling you you can't really be delivered? If no one is preaching and teaching the concept of the "keeper of the home" then how will future generations of young African American women desire it?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I will continue this post tomorrow but I want to ask a question. Isn't this being done? Can anyone see how hard it must be for a person to want to be saved but doesn't see any true example of salvation as the bible give us? Or are we promoting the sinners misconception of the church by part taking in a congregation who's testimony isn't what is should? And last but not least what have we done lately as Christian women to help these sinners that we talk about so much choose Christ and salvation?</span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-27243034571679249622008-04-18T10:11:00.007-05:002008-04-18T10:46:00.441-05:00Its Friday!!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well good friends, we have made it to another Friday/weekend. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Whooo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hooo</span>! Thank you so much for your advice yesterday and today as I type I am sipping on a bottle of water. I have made it a commitment to try and drink more water and to encourage my kids to do the same. My mother so graciously and bluntly pointed out in her comment yesterday that I need to change my not so healthy habits as my children are watching and listening. With that being said, I posted a video that was sent to me today that further served as a confirmation that I just need to get up and accept the changes I need to make. Children watch us, and they listen to us and eventually they become us. I want healthy daughters and I want to be around for them as long as I can. My body is not mine but the Lord's and I must take care of it even if it means drinking water when I would rather have a strong root beer :) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have a glorious spring weekend. My boss has decided to be gracious and allow me to leave three hours early so that I can get some much needed wedding stuff done ( I am going to purchase my veil, hair piece and slip today!) and I am going to try and enjoy the beautiful April shower free weather that is predicted for us! Oh yeah, did anyone know that Mc Donald's has the cutest .24 micro mini kids cones? They don't advertise them, but if you ask for them they will make them for you. They look almost like sample cones, and my kids don't mind the size they have a blast laughing about how tiny they are. Just thought I would let you know in case you were looking for a way to spend a sunny weekend afternoon for less than a quarter per child.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykZp8mDGvziTt3On5GGxFQ811FQEGQGV6vI3jtI0s07w0qm2dTEhX4YYUCW50Cznf-9DlKiSuZla9bDHa6dA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-85434908460254786882008-04-17T14:08:00.004-05:002008-04-17T15:07:19.433-05:00Help Wanted<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Okay I am going to run the risk of sounding vain and insecure, but I need help and advice from anyone who feels led to submit it on three detrimental ( in my mind) issues that I am facing. My wedding is less than two months away and I am having the most severe bout of acne. Part of the problem is I have really oily skin. Another part is I have a very nervous habit of putting my hands on my face when I am thinking and this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">causes</span> me to break out in every spot my hand has touched, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">especially</span> around my upper lip and chin area.I try so hard to keep my hands away from my face, but I feel like a child who can't stop sucking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">their</span> thumb. I have tried almost everything on the market and am moving back towards Pro-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Activ</span>. I don't really like it but it does work, if you use it religiously. The moment you stop then its back to square one. Does anyone know of any type of natural yet inexpensive product that I can use??? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Secondly, I need any cool advice on how to incorporate water into my diet. I hate it, I don't drink enough and I know that its a parallel to my acne problem. But I need some tips or something that I can use to help me stay motivated to drink more water</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Last but not least, I now have a weight gain issue. They say love will make you gain weight. I say planning a wedding will make you gain weight. Every since I started taking a multivitamin from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">GNC</span> with my prescription iron and 1300 mg of biotin, I have been starving. The biotin is actually working with growing my hair and making it stronger, but I believe everything else is increasing my appetite. All I do is eat. All day and its a hunger craving that I have never experience. I am gaining all of my weight in my stomach and with my size and frame it's very obvious. My clothes don't fit right and I just feel slouchy because if I try to move up a size some things fit too big in the wrong places and I look as if my clothes are just hanging off me.Or things look to tight in the tummy area and I start looking very first almost <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">beginning</span> of second <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">trimesterish</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Yep, I even have people thinking I am getting married so soon because I am expecting. I am trying so hard to fit an exercise routine into my schedule but I just can't seem to squeeze the time in. The wedding has literally taken over my spare time. I tried on my dress the other day once my shoes came in ( BTW they are so cute) and all I could see was stomach pouch. I look eternally bloated. Is this nerves or what??? I mean I am not really overly concerned with appearance, but I am a woman and I do want to look good on my wedding day, or am I overreacting?? </span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-30349437363360772722008-04-16T16:16:00.004-05:002008-04-16T16:59:50.141-05:00The Independent Lie<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Single motherhood is synonymous with independence. For the past 8 years of my life, I have grown to be a fiercely independent woman. For the longest, I pretended that I really never wanted to be married. I didn't have to answer to anyone, could go and come as I please and I could be the driver of my own ship sort of speak and bible wifely submission was just a couple of words that churned my stomach acid. I remember just over a year ago, I was having a very candid debate about women being the weaker vessel equating women being weak. As most feminist, I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">perpetrating</span>, I was really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lonely</span> and envious and I desperately longed for a husband and family; but wanted to show the world that I wasn't waiting around to be rescued. Thankfully God saw how foolish and unlearned I sounded and he decided I needed a make-over.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So one day while surfing the web doing research on this topic of the "weaker vessel", I came across my first blog about biblical womanhood. That dear folks, is when my life changed. God began to deal with me through my research and through other blogs. I began to read how these other women were blissfully submissive and for whatever reason it registered with me. So I began to self search my feminist ways and figured out that I like most women my age was bamboozled by the perpetuating lie of the happy independent single woman (who just so happens to be a mom!) My independence had almost blinded me spiritually and my humility was at an all time low. And the whole weaker vessel thing, well I have a new outlook on that: It takes a strong person to accept a comfortable spot in being the weaker vessel, humbleness does not equate strength, it equates love and respect,honor and glory. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My friend <a href="http://terrysoapbox.blogspot.com/">Terry</a> sums it up ever so nicely in her post yesterday about her relationship with her husband and how bible submission works in their home. As I read, I felt touched to share her post. Looking back a year later, I am so happy that I submitted my independence to the Lord. I am so happy that he revealed the miserable lie that I was living. As a reflection I can see how he had to lead me through blog land to read the personal testimonies of so many wise women, I wonder sometimes, if I had not had a willing heart or mind, how unhappy and deceived I would still be, I wouldn't be marrying the man He created for me in less than two months, my spiritual life wouldn't be as vibrant as it is, and I would have missed out on a wonderful life. I will post a small expert from her post. The rest you can read <a href="http://terrysoapbox.blogspot.com/2008/04/but-what-does-it-look-like.html"><strong><span style="color:#663333;">here. </span></strong></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">"To answer your question: In order for the husband to lead in a marriage, the wife has to submit freely and voluntarily. The husband's ability to lead is more about the wife's willingness to obey Scripture than it is about his ability to force his own way. In the early years I'd pretend to submit while simply doing what I wanted without the hubby's knowledge. After the Lord convicted me, I confessed and committed to submit to my husband's authority."</span><br /></div></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Be Blessed and Encouraged!</span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-48150611885517507562008-04-15T11:56:00.005-05:002008-04-15T12:59:14.447-05:00Can We Raise Spritually Vulnerable Children?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This morning while catching a glimpse of <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4654643&page=1"><strong>Good Morning America</strong></a> (watch it <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4654643&page=1"><strong><span style="color:#993300;">here</span></strong></a>) , I was able to see an interview conducted with the mothers in the midst of the Polygamy investigation. I must say that I was heartbroken. I promise I won't try to sound harsh and or judgmental, and will try my best to keep this short and sweet because what I feel for these women are a deep sense of sympathy. No loving mother deserves to have her child taken away from her, but I had to really ask myself if the mothers honestly realized if the environment was really a healthy environment for their children or a true Godly enviornment for that matter.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I must admit, it is really hard for me to grasp or think about raising my 8yr old daughter to be given to marriage at the age of 14, to a man thrice her age or more. I just simply can't imagine that and it makes me cry to even think about it. </span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">In watching the women in the interview it made me pray earnestly for Godly wisdom on how to raise my daughters not to be vulnerable to deception. I know that mainstream media classifies this church as a cult, and from the interview I saw I can see how and why they would think this; and personally I agree. I can't see a true minister of God wanting to procreate with young children and offspring especially when the bible speaks against it. I can't see a biblical mother giving her young daughter to be espoused to her father or any other man just because she is told to do so by any one other than God( and he wouldn't give instructions contrary to his word!). I may be wrong to some for saying it , but I just can't grasp it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It is my heartfelt belief that we have to raise our children to be aware of scripture and to know and understand it for themselves. I see so often where children are raised in a Christian environment and they have a biblical doctrine fed to them from infancy but they don't fully know, digest, or understand the spiritual food that they are being fed. This type of misunderstanding is exactly what the enemy will use to sow seeds of biblical doubt and make it easier for our children to be deceived by <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=65&chapter=13&verse=9&version=9&context=verse"><strong>strange doctrine</strong></a> ( Heb 13:9). </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I also believe that sometimes we should be open minded and know what other religions and doctrines stand for however; our children may not be ready or mature enough to handle such knowledge. We must teach our children as God leads us, and not only teach them the doctrines and instructions given to us by and from God, we must teach them and show them how to develop and nurture their personal relationship with God so that they can know when the enemy is leading them astray. I have seen and known of people who were led into all kinds of false doctrines and its sad. It starts with a curiosity of other religions and then it becomes interesting, and then possibly leads to something darker than what they can handle and they become overthrown and lost sometimes. I'm not saying that its wrong to know about other religions and teachings, we just have to know undoubtedly where God wants us according to his will. It's sad to see someone practice the occult, or to be so wrapped up in man made religions that they fear and obey man before they fear and obey God and nothing in the practice is according to scripture. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">won't even pretend to know or desire to know anything about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or say anything openly negative about its secular practices, I can only say that I offer my prayers to these women and children whose lives are completely torn upside down. If you think I am wrong, please let me know. I am just protective of the souls that I will be held accountable for. To know that I as a mother could be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">deceived</span> into raising my children according to mans law and not God's is a scary, scary thought for me and I pray that I remain hidden under the mercy , grace and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">knowledge</span> of his love.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I want my children to be so close to God that if they see me living anything contrary to God's word that they can point it out and stand against it and help win me back to the straight and narrow.<br />Be Blessed and Encouraged! </span>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-66637390479203368382008-04-14T15:32:00.005-05:002008-04-14T16:40:48.448-05:00Haven Challenge Anti Procrastination Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEPXn7Z5OELbu1W5Xxg-_4V4cwCAStAE8LOGn9wplQtw0bqZ-JBhlpuE_Xr5wiwUgiivbGEdA-zFTlcNmpP3X_1VwNSwp5kZ5MSR60kVd4teBhhs5QyMPD8s0rR2S7GYHY5b8C0d4kJVt/s1600-h/procrastination+week.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189212715788175330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEPXn7Z5OELbu1W5Xxg-_4V4cwCAStAE8LOGn9wplQtw0bqZ-JBhlpuE_Xr5wiwUgiivbGEdA-zFTlcNmpP3X_1VwNSwp5kZ5MSR60kVd4teBhhs5QyMPD8s0rR2S7GYHY5b8C0d4kJVt/s320/procrastination+week.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crystal over at <a href="http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/blog.htm">Biblical Womanhood</a> has deemed today Anti- Procrastination Day and I don't even know where to start. I guess I will start by creating a list on all the things that I need to do and have not done yet since wedding planning has taken over my life temporarily . You can check out her post <a href="http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/">here</a>! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Things I need to Do ( in no particular order) </span></div><div align="left"></div><ol><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Organize Closets</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Donate clothing bags to Goodwill</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Donate Books to library or school</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My ever growing laundry pile</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My weekly menu's and sticking to them!</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Coupon Clipping</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Bathroom Re-organization</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Wedding Dress Alterations</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Purchasing Flower Girl Dresses</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Resuming my work-out schedule/plan</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Deep cleaning girls room</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Kitchen re-organization</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;"><a href="http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/create-sanctuary-in-your-master-bedroom.html">Creating my Sanctuary Master Bedroom</a></span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Apply for my replacement birth certificate for my marriage license</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Apply for marriage license</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Create a photo album with all the hundreds of pictures around our house</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Develop disposable camera film that is probably over two years old</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Developing anad sticking to our chore chart</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Developing and sticking to our household planner</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Develop extra homework/summer learning chart/wall for kids</span></div></li></ol><p> </p>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-61960650641265746932008-04-14T13:24:00.008-05:002008-04-14T16:12:56.396-05:00My Rambling Thoughts on Rings and Things<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQo5wiq4meGkkd3FjWIaBq3kXFj13QuHaBn9XYPt4saKMY6pDUVvxEDqeb0VQcYQVq3SDx1vZdiRTLq4jwzLjtklplK9VUKL4Jxh8tE3JzU3Ln_7jRurY4PxLOXcDITlv93WlvMh5FdCsP/s1600-h/footprint.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189207106560886738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQo5wiq4meGkkd3FjWIaBq3kXFj13QuHaBn9XYPt4saKMY6pDUVvxEDqeb0VQcYQVq3SDx1vZdiRTLq4jwzLjtklplK9VUKL4Jxh8tE3JzU3Ln_7jRurY4PxLOXcDITlv93WlvMh5FdCsP/s200/footprint.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"><em><strong>note:</strong> my views today represent my own views on a topic that the Lord has given me specific direction and by no means is casting judgment or condemnation to others who don't agree.</em></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:78%;"><em>footprint graphic from art.com</em></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Today while I was passing out invitations I was bombarded with the same question over and over again, "How big is your ring?""Where is your ring" I could feel the looks from some going from "happy for you" to "oh my ,what kind of man is he??"</span></p><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Well, I don't have an engagement ring, and I don't wear jewelry. It's part of my biblical conviction and part of my deliverance. You see, I used to be one of those women who was very superficial and materialistic. I dated guys who I expected to shower me with trinkets who'</span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">s meaning was just as superficial as our love/lust. </span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I know that may sound extreme to many but; I when I first stared battling with modesty I kept reading the scripture <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Peter%203&version=9"><span style="color:#993300;"><strong>I Peter 3:1-5</strong></span></a>. God was then showing me what he required of me, once I accepted his word then this issue was no longer a battle for me. Also, once I really was healed of all of my hurt and pain from my past sinful life, and I started seeking God to prepare me for the man that he had for me, this particular passage of scripture kept coming to mind. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Before, I was everything opposite of a meek and quiet spirit and (I am still ever learning and perfecting this Godly attribute) and I so desperately wanted to have what this passage of scripture signifies. Still, I would have people say "that's crazy, God doesn't require all of that from you!" But you know what, he did and he still does because he showed it to me in scripture, and once he has shown you something for your good ( notice I said <strong>your</strong>) then you have to measure up.( <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:13-15;&version=9;"><span style="color:#993300;"><strong>Philippians 3: 13-15</strong></span></a> Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, 14 forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, <strong><span style="color:#993300;">God shall reveal even this unto you.)</span></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I know that there are commandments that God expects all the world to uphold and there is no way around them, they are clear, concrete, and unarguable. However, I do believe that God knows each and every one of us, and when he delivers us into salvation he knows the things from our past which were/are strongholds, and just as he wanted Lot and his family to leave Sodom and Gomorrah without looking back he wants us to do the same. It could be so simple as and something that we don't see a sin, but it could be something that isn't pleasing to him.</span> <div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">That's the catch, we tend to think we have the right to say what is and what isn't pleasing to God, but what about what He thinks that isn't pleasing? We could very well have something in our lives that is no where near sin as we would categorize it, but God simply doesn't feel that it is a right fit in our relationship with him so he tells us to let it go, and we have to let it go. This is how it was for me with certain things concerning modesty. Not only did I let my makeup, jewelry, short skirts, colored nail polish, and pants go but I let all those things in my life that were not reflective of a meek and quiet spirit. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Now my answer to those pesky questions about my ring, well I know without and ounce of doubt that my FDH is the man created for me. I know confidently that our courtship was scripted by God, and our marriage will be fully ordained by God , and at this point and stage in my life I don't need a ring to validate or signify that for me. Seeing as nowadays a ring doesn't always really hold marital value in our modern day culture, I will be simply happy with knowing that my husband fears God and his fear for God will keep him in love with me and treating me according to how God ordains for the husband to treat his wife.For me, a piece of metal does not make me more or less married than the next person. This may not be the case for others but its no more/ no less for me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Be Blessed and Encouraged!</span></div>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787162564409431883.post-91211487277835606622008-04-11T16:31:00.005-05:002008-04-11T17:25:15.104-05:00Frugal Friday- Frugal Wedding Planning Resources<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNBkxxpPajx1JKVhqzMW5Zf0N7JDGp0rp_CxRjY4UR7HPHd7s_bHgSWthUeFnBC8Hu3nEJ7XTSH6Kt6Ytgo1JdMeQgYwPRQGbGTG31JeDYNbNgZwE_Nsm3ypGbp0OKuyxaetnYL_w-A7W/s1600-h/Frugal-Friday-2-736469.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188104153540221042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNBkxxpPajx1JKVhqzMW5Zf0N7JDGp0rp_CxRjY4UR7HPHd7s_bHgSWthUeFnBC8Hu3nEJ7XTSH6Kt6Ytgo1JdMeQgYwPRQGbGTG31JeDYNbNgZwE_Nsm3ypGbp0OKuyxaetnYL_w-A7W/s320/Frugal-Friday-2-736469.png" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Once again I am going to try to keep up with Crystal over at Biblicalwomanhood and her weekly Frugal Friday post. One thing I am learning about this wedding planning thing is how to make the most of frugality. I believe a wedding should be a beautiful affair glorifying God's testimony of bringing two of his children together, what I don't believe is that God would be pleased with a over priced wedding ceremony that does not show a testament of being a good steward of the money he has blessed you with. So I prayed and sought ways to make my dream day as frugal as possible with out looking as frugal as possible staying in my modest $4,000 budget. I will admit, there is one area that I splurged on and that is rental. I rented most of my tablecloths, candelabras, columnnade, and other huge stuff. But for the most part I utilized these outlets:</span> <div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Walmart</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Hobby Lobby</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Save-on- Crafts.com</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Oriental Trading</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">DollarTreeDirect.com</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Sams Club</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Chadwicks of Boston</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Burlington Coat Factory</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.honeymoonwishes.com/Honeymoon-Registry-25944-USA-Jamala-Wade-Mark-Thomas.html">Honeymoonwishes.com</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Knot.com</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Walmart- </strong>I bought all of my fabric from Wal-Mart's clearance fabric all of my fabric for the swags was $1 a yard. I had to go to a few Wal-Mart's a couple of time to find the type of fabric that I wanted but I found it and it was very inexpensive. I also bought the vases for my centerpieces there and my invitations. I found my invitations on clearance for $7 a box. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Hobby Lobby-</strong> I bought all of my flowers from Hobby Lobby's clearance sale. They were running a 50% off on all their floral bushes and bouquets, and since I am using roses, I had them special order all of the flowers that I needed for my day. I then went back a few weeks ago and took advantage of their 50% bridal sale. This was the mother of all sales for me and I loaded up with all of my bridal stuff and favors and again it was relatively inexpensive. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><a href="http://www.save-on-crafts.com/">Save-on- Crafts.com-</a> </strong>I found some really cool deals on here, but for the most part I did better at Hobby Lobby. My decorator and I decided to have my reception a different color than my wedding, so we are having an all white reception. It was cheaper and easier to find white fabric than my colors, which are champagne, cream, and chocolate. I also decided to use Calla lilies in my centerpieces which I ordered here for less than $1 each. I also bought my organza tulle at a very reasonable discount price here also. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/">Oriental Trading-</a></strong> They have some very inexpensive wedding favors, I haven't ordered yet, but there are a few things I am thinking of picking up. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><a href="http://www.dollartreedirect.com/">Dollar Tree Direct- </a></strong>Dollar tree is one of my favorite stores, I can use them to buy most of my serving pieces here. Dollar tree in bulk is a dream!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Sams Club-</strong> I will probably purchase the food and or other items I can't find at Dollar tree in bulk. Not my first choice though. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><a href="http://www.chadwicks.com/"><span style="color:#996633;">Chadwicks of Boston-</span></a></strong> Very nice and a few modest bridesmaid dresses here! I wanted my bridesmaids to have nice modest dresses for a fraction of the cost that we were finding online, plus there was no long shipping turn around. I never knew that finding modest formals was so difficult and expensive!!! But we found a few here to choose from and I am totally satisfied with the product. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Burlington Coat Factory-</strong> I found my daughter's dresses here, and they had an awesome after Easter sale!!! A nice place to shop if you have the patience to hunt through the crowds of clearance stuff! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.honeymoonwishes.com/Honeymoon-Registry-25944-USA-Jamala-Wade-Mark-Thomas.html"><span style="color:#996633;"><strong>Honeymoonwishes.com</strong></span></a><span style="color:#996633;">-</span> A nice alternative registry that allows guest to purchase items for the couples honeymoon. Most couples already have tons of housewares, and traditional bridal registry items, this registry allows guests to take part in blessing the couple to have a wonderful honeymoon. For Christian couples this is a God send since we are actually having an opportunity to take advantage of the real purpose of a honeymoon. It's refreshing to know that there are people out there who are partaking in the sanctity of the marriage bed as God has instructed!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/JamalaWade&MarkThomas"><span style="color:#993300;"><strong>Knot.com</strong></span></a> Last but not least, this was my most helpful site. I was able to send out e-vites and electronic save the dates for free. I was also able to set up a <a href="http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/JamalaWade&MarkThomas"><span style="color:#996633;"><strong>website </strong></span></a>detailing my<span style="color:#996633;"> </span><a href="http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/JamalaWade&MarkThomas"><span style="color:#996633;"><strong>courtship story.</strong></span></a><span style="color:#996633;"> </span>It is an excellent planning tool and you can even upload your guest list in it and your guest can RSVP online. It also has a spot for your online registries for those guest who may not be able to attend or have time to actually visit a store. And people can leave nice things about you on your guest book.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I know many of you may already know about this, but it was fun for me to discover and share. And I would love to hear if you have any ideas or advice for any better deals or places! Thank you all who have left comments on our wedding web page, it's truly a blessing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Stay blessed and encouraged! Have a wonderful weekend.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div>A Marriage After His Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775387555981636393noreply@blogger.com