From a Daughter's Perspective - Taylor Slack

For starters, if you haven’t met my mother, you’re missing out. And honestly, you could call her right now, and she wouldn’t hesitate to set up a time to chat over hot chocolate (because that’s just who she is and she likes hot chocolate more than coffee). Over the years, I’ve gotten the blessing of having quite a few of these chats; some harder than others, but always a blessing because they were with the best mom out there. I know I may be slightly biased, but I can live with that. 


Lora Slack - a God-fearing, single mother of three girls who loves baking cookies, laughing, Hallmark movies, dancing with her eyes closed, and is a beast of a financial advisor. Not only is she my mother, but has also come to be my best friend.  To try and describe her in words would be doing aher a complete disservice, but if I can give you a light glimpse of the phenonmenal mom she is, I’ll take a chance. Out of respect for all of you, I have narrowed it down to three characteristics/ actions of my mom have impacted me and still continue to do so.

1. My mom is genuine. She is confident in who the Lord created her to be and doesn’t put on a façade or show for people. When you meet her, you actually meet her. You see her strengths and her weaknesses. You see where she depends on the Lord, trusting in Him more than herself.  She is real and honest- in the good times and bad; she doesn’t pretend like everything is going just perfectly when it’s not. For a daughter (especially a perfectionist and people pleaser), this is huge. I grew up seeing a woman who made mistakes, who wasn’t perfect, who was the same person around everyone, and who was confident and content. My mom taught me what it looks like to be who you are, living dependently on the Lord.

1. My mom is patient. Growing up, I didn’t always see that. I took her for granted and never understood what an impact her patience had on me. But watching her raise my two little sisters, I step back in awe. I don’t know how she does it, but she is beyond patient, all the time. Yes, she has her breaking moments, but more often than not I see her on the floor doing algebra, cleaning up the mess we left in the kitchen for the 18th time, letting 13-year-old hormones run their course so the issue can actually be discussed, waiting in the car for 3 girls trying to get ready for church, and the list could go on for days. In these actions, I see her patience and in her patience I experience her love for me and see an example of what it truly looks like to selflessly love.

1. My mom is joyful. Not the happy all the time, smile plastered on her face joyful, but the deep, peaceful joy that comes from knowing and loving Christ. She certainly laughs a whole lot and will keep you smiling from ear to ear, but she is also the one that will sit with you, listen for hours, hold you, and remind you of truth. I used to believe that being joyful meant you had to “be happy all the time,” but my mom has taught me that joy comes from a dependence on and hope in Christ- nothing can shake that. So, from the adventures in canoes where we all end up in the water hysterically laughing, to the countless late night cookie baking parties,  to the moments where the situation wasn’t exactly what we hoped for, I have witnessed what joy in the Lord looks like and acts like.

I honestly could write for days about my mom, our relationship, and how blessed I am by her. But I think the best thing I could say is thank you Mama. Thank you for always being there for me, for making my lunch day after day, caring for me when I’m sick, for letting me learn how to fail and get back up again, for being the best cheerleader, for laughing with me until our stomach hurts , for always listening, for teaching me about Jesus and showing me His love, for everything else you do every day, and for being a rockstar of a mom. And to all the moms- thank you for loving and raising us well. No matter how many times we roll our eyes or walk away, we are beyond thankful for you and love you a whole lot.

All In Devotional by Stacy Davis - God is the Purpose Giver

Family Fun Icebreaker: What is a rewarding use of your time to you?

Question: Who is God?

Today’s Big Idea: God is the Purpose Giver
Scripture describes God as the Purpose Giver. God gives purpose to your life. He creates you to know Him and for you to guide other people to know Him, too. God does not need your participation, but God wants you to participate. God does not need anything from any of us, but God blesses those who choose to serve Him. God designs each person for the purpose of being in His community, or the group of His believers called “the church.” He creates a specific role for you within His church; if you follow His plan, you can experience a more fulfilling life. God’s community provides like-minded fellowship, unity, and encouragement. In joining His community and telling others about Him, you can truly feel the abundance of His blessings for you. Then, when you share your story with others, you can illustrate the difference He makes one person at a time.

Talk with God: Read the scriptures aloud.
"If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11 NIV
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.
Everyone wants to feel that they matter. In God’s community, you have value and you matter! God makes plans for your life and He designed good things that He desires for you to do. God shares in Ephesians 2:10 that He has a plan and a purpose for each person who believes in Him.

Discuss with your family: It can be hard to recognize your purpose in life; take baby steps in recognizing God’s direction for you. To start, when have you felt that you were doing something that gave you purpose in your life?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help you see the purpose that you are to serve.

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

How to Find Hidden Bargains - Natalie Reid

We have a guest blogger today! Natalie Reid, also known as Coupon Crazy Mommy. She has some great practical advice that we will be sharing every once in awhile. For more of her posts, check out her website at www.couponcrazymommy.com

There’s a reason we call it bargain hunting. It’s because great deals must be found, they don’t find YOU. But it’s easy to discover bargains, and the current issue of Consumer Reports’ “Shop Smart” magazine outlines a few ways. Here are my thoughts on those and a few simple steps that’ll save you money every time you shop:

1. Use Coupon Codes – Before making any online purchase, go to sites like RetailMeNot or Ebates to find any current promo codes available from online retailers. You can almost always find codes for 15-20% off or even FREE shipping!

2. Compare prices – Comparison shopping is incredibly easy now. There are sites like Google Shopping, Pricegrabber & Shopzilla, and even mobile apps like Red Laser you can use while shopping at retail stores. Red Laser recognizes products by cover art or barcodes, allowing you to compare local and online prices, plus see reviews, specifications, videos, and more to help you make the best purchasing decision.

3. Buy Off-Season – Stocking up on items at the end of each season will get you the biggest bang for your buck. You’ll often find apparel and household items up to 75% off retail. Just stash these items away, and you’ll be ready to take on each new season and save a lot of money, too!

4.  Join the Club – Sign up for newsletters or join the eClubs of your favorite stores and restaurants. Be sure to use a secondary email address because you’ll get a lot of marketing emails, but you’ll also receive exclusive promo codes, sneak peaks at sales, coupons and even FREE stuff (especially on birthdays!) Check out this list of my favorite birthday freebies.

5. Make friends – Some of the best ways to get deals is to be friendly with store employees. They’re usually in-the-know about upcoming sales and will gladly share info because they want to please their customers and also move merchandise. Whenever my favorite Kroger employee sees me coming, she’ll rush over and tell me about all the great Manager Markdowns available. Now, that’s my kind of customer service!

6. Consider secondhand – If you’re searching for specific items, check out Ebay, Craigslist or your local Facebook Trading Post (mine has nearly 12,000 members!). Recently my son needed soccer cleats; and instead of paying $30 for a new pair, I snagged a barely worn pair for just $6!

7. Aim for FREE shipping – Most online retailers offer FREE shipping sporadically throughout the year and oftentimes around holidays such as Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and others. Many retailers with brick and mortar stores (i.e., Walmart, Sears, Toys R Us, etc.) offer FREE site-to-store shipping. And take note, National FREE Shipping Day is usually 7 days before Christmas…so sometimes it pays to procrastinate.

8. Get In with the Outlet – Online outlet stores aren’t just where items go to die. There are incredible bargains to be found on sites like Overstock, Amazon Outlet and my personal favorite, Woot. They offer one HOT deal each day in each of their categories (i.e. Tech, Home, Sport, Kids).

All In Devotional by Stacy Davis: God is the Protector

Family Fun Icebreaker: What helps you feel safe?

Topic Question: Who is God?

Today’s Big Idea: God is the Protector

Scripture reveals that God is the Protector. He protects His children
according to His purposes. Once creation changed and sin entered our
world, you were no longer safe. Today, safety is always a need. God provides
physical safety for you and your family: when you are at home, driving in
the car, at work or school, and in many other ways in your daily life. God
also gives you spiritual protection. You have a spirit, or a soul, within you
that lives on eternally after death. There is a struggle within your soul and
mind to do either good or evil. God tells you in scripture that evil is present
in this world, constantly trying to tempt you into evil. God shares that
if you let Him, He protects your mind and soul, guiding you to take the
correct actions in life. How you respond to God determines where your soul
lives eternally. By accepting His help to live life the right way on earth, your
soul can live with Him in heaven eternally.

Talk with God: Read the scriptures aloud.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my

rock, in whom I !nd protection. He is my shield, the power that

saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalm18:2 NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God

transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and

pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.

Physical safety is a common prayer request. Prayers such as, “God, please
keep me and my family safe” or “God, please protect me as I travel,” are
some of the biggest requests of God on prayer lists. Since the world around
you is unpredictable, it is a good idea to seek God for physical health and
protection. Yet, too often people forget to ask God to safeguard their spirit,
heart, and mind; it is just as important to seek sanctuary for the spiritual
side of life.

Discuss with your family: God gives safety from physical harm. How does
God protect your mind, heart, and spirit?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to show you how He protects you.

Good Stewardship - Sarai Akin

Brent and I were high school sweethearts. Been together for 17 years, married for 12 yrs. Sadie is 10, Ty is 6 and Eli is 3. We are members at Grace Community Church in Lindale where we actively serve in the GRACE K!DS ministry. I fell in love with Sky Ranch when I attended a leadership camp there as a high schooler. Summer 2016 will be our 6th year having own kids as campers there

In years past, we have paid summer camp tuition in full while requiring that Sadie (10) and Ty (6) earn their camp spending money (usually between $50-$75 each).  This year, Brent and I are committed to paying the majority of their tuition but have upped their required contribution beyond just spending money.  

To help them reach their goal through a visual tool, I created a custom 12-piece magnetic puzzle, each piece worth $25.  From now until May, they can save their chore money (after tithe and savings contributions) to purchase a puzzle piece towards their camp tuition.  We will have a designated space on the family fridge so they can see their puzzles slowly build over time.  I also invited grandparents and aunts to participate by giving them the opportunity to buy a puzzle piece as a birthday or Christmas gift in lieu of toys, games, books, etc. 

Our world of excess and entitlement runs counter to biblical principles of God’s sovereign ownership of all things and our responsibility to be stewards.  The Sky Ranch puzzle is one tool we are using in our home to emphasize personal financial responsibility.  We plan to give Sadie and Ty 1 puzzle piece each at Christmas to get the game started.

All In Devotional by Stacy Davis: God is the Provider

Family Fun Icebreaker: As you focus on the good in your life today, what
are you thankful for?

Topic Question: Who is God?

Today’s Big Idea: God is the Provider

God defines Himself as the Provider in the Holy Bible. Jesus, God’s Son,
explains in scripture that God provides for all of your needs. It is easy
to worry about everyday life, focusing on the negative and all the things
missing. If you focus on the good, however, you can see that God truly
provides for you. Scripture says to not worry about everyday life because
God knows your needs; He provides for you all along without you being
aware. He even knows about the needs that you don’t know about yet. Open
your eyes and see His provision for you. Be thankful for the provisions that
you do see! Scripture shares that “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs
17:22 NASB). Allow your heart to be joyful by noticing all that you have
to be thankful for!

Talk with God: Read the scripture aloud.

"Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “"at is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. "They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than birds! (Luke 12:22-24 NLT)

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.

God knows your needs, spiritually and physically. He knows your desires
because He knows the things you don’t tell anyone else. He knows your
real need for Him, too! Thank Him. To live a life full of gratitude, or
thankfulness, helps your heart feel happy! The more you think of things to
be thankful for, and truly thank God for them, the happier you feel.

Discuss with your family: Often the things that you call “needs” are really
just things you want. What is the dfference between needs and wants?
When has God provided you with a need after you asked for His help?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for a thankful heart for God’s provision for you.

Puppet Master Mom - Lisa Clark

Moms who tend to be the puppet master for their kiddos tend to be their husband’s, too.  I’ve watched it and it’s sad.  It’s sad for several reasons.  First, the kids can’t make decisions.  They don’t know which way is up.  Can’t figure things out on their own and tend to be underachievers.  It’s ironic isn’t it? Puppet master moms seem to want the best and so much for their children.  Their intentions seem noble, but the outcome almost always works in the reverse.  

Secondly, their husbands are immobilized from being the head of the home.  Their hands are tied because mom will railroad her way in and through every situation.  And then one day she looks up and has no real relationship with her husband and her kiddos are in a world of hurt. 

Release the strings, mom.  Today.  Release and let go.  It’s not too late.  As a vessel of the Holy Spirit, you are capable of doing GREAT THINGS for your family! But living their lives is NOT what you’ve been called to do.  You are accountable for YOUR life and your children and husband are accountable for theirs.  

Control seems to be in our DNA as moms, but it is single handedly handicapping our children and families.  Let go and let God.  It’s not a cliché.  It’s real.  He can redeem your days and actions and intentions TODAY.  Claim His promises! Jeremiah 33:3