Saturday: Spending, Saving and Sales

It has been a busy Saturday for me! This morning I woke up to take Allie for what was planned to be a short walk, but halfway through I got a text saying my Bible Study was cancelled... so we walked 5 miles before heading home!! Then I gave her a bath and got ready to run some errands.

I started my morning out with a pedicure that I had a gift certificate for (read that... FREE pedicure--what could be better?!) Then I headed to do some shoe shopping. As of yesterday I have reached my next 10 pounds lost (so I have lost 30 pounds since January 1) and my reward for that was I got to buy new shoes.

I was needing some new casual but somewhat nice sandals that I can wear to work to get me through the summer. So I went to DSW first and walked around for a long time and found absolutely nothing.

Disappointed I decided to head home and try again another time... but then I saw the Payless across the street, and even though I usually can't find good things at Payless I figured I'd at least try.

So glad I did.

Payless was having a huge sale where about 50% of their shoes were only $7, $9, or $11. So I bought 5 pairs of shoes... for less than $50!

Here is what I got (minus one pair that I couldn't find the picture of online):

(And yes, the pair in the top Left corner is the same thing as the pair in the bottom Right corner, just a different color... what can I say, they were comfortable, cute and only $9! I saw the purple first and got them... but I really needed black sandals too and those were the best I found)

Then I headed on my way to do some grocery shopping. I decided to start here:

For those of you who aren't familiar with Aldi... it is AMAZING. They have a limited selection of things, but it all at a GREAT price. I got lots of fresh fruits and veggies, cheeses and meats and a few necessities and when she rang up my price I really couldn't believe how low it was!

Then I headed to Kroger to get a few things they don't have at Aldi, but stuck mostly to things I had coupons for and I got out of there without spending too much as well!

It was a great and busy Saturday full of shopping and sales... what a perfect day! :)

Father

It has been 10 years since I have been able to celebrate Father's Day with my Daddy here on Earth... but I know I am so blessed because I have a Father who is greater

One who is the Father of all... the glorious Father... the Father of my Spirit... God our Father... the Father of Compassion...

A Father who is a Faithful God, a Living God, an Everlasting God

Abba

I am so blessed beyond belief to know every day that I am eternally loved and held close by my Father in Heaven who cares for every detail and will never let anything fall away.

The perfect picture of a Father's love.

Youth Mission Trip

I spent this past week in Little Rock, Arkansas on our Youth Group's mission trip. We met on Sunday morning and packed up our chartered bus (which we were SO excited to have... it was the first year the adults didn't have to drive!) and headed to Arkansas.

We spent Sunday afternoon and evening at a Behavioral Hospital with the Elementary and Teens talking about John Wesley's 3 Simple Rules:

*Do No Harm

*Do Good

*Stay in Love with God

For each rule we had a short lesson, a testimony from one of our teens, discussion groups and crafts.
Our kids put together skits for each rule
And we sang lots of songs during the group gatherings! Then we celebrated communion and called it a night.

On Monday we went to the Methodist Children's Home in Little Rock and did the same curriculum with crafts included. We also had a group of Preschoolers and Toddlers whose parents were getting treatment at the facilities so they come and stay during the day. I was in charge of helping with the little ones along with some of my youth.

We did little devotional times about how much God loves us, and "Hands Can" talking about using our hands to do good things.
And we played LOTS of games. One of our men leaders is a professional photographer, so her got lots of action shots. Just in case you are wondering what the heck I am doing... I am helping the little girl behind me run from Taylor during Duck Duck Goose and showing her where to go. :)

On Tuesday & Wednesday, we went back to the Behavioral Hospital and did power washing, landscaping and painting. Our kids worked hard in the extremely hot weather and below is a picture of the finished playgroup after they did a new coat of paint over all of it.

Wednesday night we went to Hot Springs and walked around downtown. Thursday we headed to Lake DeGray for a play day. We did some tubing, swimming, kayaking and jumping off the top of the party barge! Then we headed home for long showers and sleep!

It was a great week with a wonderful group of youth! I am so proud of all the work they did and was blessed to be a part of it