"For I Know the Plans I Have For You.."

Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

So many times we try to make sense of our life or try to figure out what our life could be like or how it could be better. The truth is..only God knows the future and the plans HE has for us. 

While talking to a friend I made a comment about how God has us in certain situations for a reason and that sometimes it's to test our faith in Him. It made me realize that I'm kind of going through the same thing right now. 


A few months ago our Home Team Leaders (the pastor & his wife) asked my husband and I to take over our Home Team this fall and be the new leaders. What??! Me be a home team leader? 

1. I feel like just over the past year have I truly given my life to God and am still learning so much & I'm suppose to help lead others?

2. Our current Home Team leaders are awesome (and the pastors of our church) and now Derrick & I have to live up to the kind of leaders they have been? 

 

I have to admit..it was a little scary and intimidating to be taking over their home team!

I finally realized the other day though, that it wasn't about us or how good of leaders we would or wouldn't be. It was about God and the glory we were giving Him through all of this. 

I also realized that even though this was going to be something totally new for us, that it was part of God's plan for our lives and our marriage! 

... “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Who knows what all God has in store for our lives! Even though we go through trials, or suffering, or are in situations we don't want to be, or God calls us to do things we never would have thought we would do, he is in control of our lives and our future.  He knows the plans He has for us, and I find comfort in that! 

I'm so excited to start this new adventure with Derrick. It won't always be easy, but I pray (and hope that you all pray) that it not only grows our faith in God, but that it continues to strengthen our relationship and our marriage.

Are you willing to give God control of your life and your future? Are you willing to trust that He knows what's best for you even if it isn't exactly what you think it should be?

 

Oreo Cupcakes ( With hidden Oreo on bottom!)

My dad loves Oreo's and chocolate cake..so for his birthday I decided to make him Oreo Cupcakes!

Ingredients:
Chocolate cake mix & ingredients listed on box
1 pk. Oreo's ( I used the generic brand)
White Icing
Mini Oreo's

1. Fill a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

2. In the bottom of each liner place an Oreo. ( This is the hidden surprise!)

3. Mix chocolate cake according to box directions & bake.

4. Let cupcakes cool completely.

5. Mix white icing and crushed Oreo's. ( I used 5 Oreo's for this)

6. Ice the cupcakes with the Oreo icing.

7. Place a mini Oreo on top.

8. Enjoy!

Shabby Chic Salt & Pepper Shakers

While yard sailing today I stumbled across these wooden salt & pepper shakers. I had seen on pinterest before where someone painted them so I decided to pick them up & do the same!

Here they are before:

And after a little paint & a little sanding!

They will be added to my booth at Golden Goodies soon!

New Booth Items!

Proverbs 31:18a- "She perceives that her merchandise is good."

I added some new items to my booth today at Golden Goodies in Cambria!

The white DESK is now on SALE!!!!! Was $35.00....Now $25.00!!  

(The fabric handles can easily be changed out as you change your home decor!)

Love this little white crock, mason jar soap dispenser and jewelry/mug rack!

New Item: Antique Picnic Basket..only $22!

Stop by and check out all the great deals!!

Something's Cooking Sunday #8

Proverbs 31:15- "She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family."

Welcome to another week of Something's Cooking Sunday! To see past menu plans look HERE.

July 22nd- July 28th

Sunday: Leftovers

Monday: Home Team (To find out more about our church look HERE)

Tuesday: Grilled Lemon Tilapia, Corn, Peas & Rolls

Wednesday: Steamed Chicken, Rice & Green Beans

Thursday: Cheesy Taco Pasta; Chips & Salsa

Friday: Glazed Lemon Chicken & Rice

Saturday: Hot Dogs & S'mores

July 29th- August 4th

Sunday: Leftovers

Monday: Out to Eat (Dad's Birthday!!)

Tuesday: Grilled Citrus Tilapia Packets, Rice, Green Beans

Wednesday: Unstuffed Bell Peppers

Thursday: Pork Steak, Potatoes, Carrots, Cresent Rolls

Friday: Quesadillas

Saturday: Cornbread Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon

Alphabet Block Key Holder

I found a bag of wooden alphabet blocks at a yard sale awhile back. I knew that I could find something to do with them!

While browsing Etsy..I found this key holder and decided to make my own!

1. I had my husband take apart a pallet I had found on the side of the road.

2. Cut one of the boards to the correct length.

3. Paint the alphabet blocks.

4. Screw hooks directly into bottom of block. (No pre-drilling necessary)

5. Use wood glue to attach blocks to the piece of wood.

6. Attach jute rope to the top of wood for hanging. (I ended up having to also use a picture frame bracket on the back of the wood to help keep it from leaning forward when on the wall)

7. Hang on the wall!

8. Buy from my BOOTH! :)

New Shelf Above TV

For a long time the wall above our TV in the living room has been bare and boring. Finally, I decided to make a shelf to hang on it!

We went to Lowe's and got the wood and wood brackets. I painted them and then helped Derrick put the shelf together and hang it on the wall.

The mason jar & holder I got at the flea market when we went to Grafton for $2.00! The two white frames I found on the side of the road and spray painted them white. 

I love this little antique jug I got for 50 cents at the thrift store in Carterville and the aqua mason jar I got at a yard sale for $1.00!

Booth Grand Opening!

My booth is now ready!! Thank you Derrick for all of your help moving in! 

I decided to name my little booth/business: 

Thrifty 31

Proverbs 31:18a- "She perceives that her merchandise is good."

I really like this verse because it reminds me that every thing I buy or create for this booth should be good and done for the glory of God! 

Some Booth Items!

Here are just a few items that will be for sale in my booth! If they won't all fit..they will make their way in as soon as there is space..so check back often! :)


** Don't forget.. booth #86 will be open starting Saturday July 14th at Golden Goodies in Cambria!!

Desk With Fabric Pulls..Fabric Can Easily Be Changed Out As You Change Your Home Decor! 

 

 Little Bench With Cushion

 White Tray, Antique Books, Mason Jars, Beach Sign

 Several Different Types of this Dishwasher Magnet

Scrabble Tile Dishwasher Magnets

White Antique Mug or Jewelry Rack

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

"Check Your Pockets"- Laundry Room Sign & Basket

 6 Pane Windows

 Shutters

 Antique Side Table

Aqua Mason Jar & "Frog Lid" for Arranging Flowers

Come by & check out all the other great items!!

He Loves Us

 John 3:16

⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

 

Romans 5: 5-11

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 


            


"The cross is necessary because of you..but it's also the picture we have of just how far God is willing to go because He Loves You." - Matt Chandler

I'm Going to Have....

A booth at an antique store!

This Saturday, July 14th, I will be moving into booth #86 at  
Golden Goodies in Cambria, IL! 
It's a red building right on the main road! 

They are open Tuesday - Saturday 
10am - 5pm

I will be posting booth updates on here frequently as I find and create new things to put in my booth.


Some items I will have are a desk, bench, shutters, old wooden windows, mason jars, antique books, picture frames, baskets, glass jars, and lots more!! 


I'm so excited to start this new adventure with all of you! 


Proverbs 31:18- "She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out at night."

Something's Cooking Sunday - #7

Welcome to another week of Something's Cooking Sunday! I'm so excited about these next two weeks of meals because we are going to start using vegetables from our garden to make the recipes!

To see past menu plans look Here.

July 8th - July 14th

Sunday: Homemade Pizza

Monday: Home Team (Find out more about our church & Home Teams Here)

Tuesday: Beef Enchiladas

Wednesday: Steamed Chicken, Rice & Green Beans

Thursday: Grilled Lemon Tilapia, Cresent Rolls, Peas & Corn on the Cob

Friday: Grilled Pork Steak, Corn on the Cob, Green Beans, Corn Bread

Saturday: Glazed Lemon Chicken & Rice


July 15th - July 21st

Sunday: Cornbread Pancakes, Bacon

Monday: Grilled Italian Chicken, Green Beans, Cresent Rolls

Tuesday: Cheesy Taco Pasta, Chips & Salsa

Wednesday: Zucchini & Hamburger Casserole

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Current River!

Saturday: Current River!

A Trip to Flamm Orchards & Recipes

Yesterday Derrick & I both had the day off so we took a trip down to Cobden, IL to stop at Flamm Orchards.

I love Flamm's because not only do they have delicious peaches and other items, such as fresh vegetables and homemade salsas & jams, but they also have a little dessert stand!

I always get the peach cobbler with ice cream! Yum!!

While there we got some fresh peaches, corn, zucchini and a jar of peach salsa. 

I shredded most of the zucchini to make Zucchini bread! With the other one I'm going to make Zucchini & Hamburger Casserole. I also took several of the peaches and peeled & sliced them to make a peach cobbler soon!

I'm so excited because I found Flamm's peach cobbler recipe HERE.

It was a fun trip & a great day off with my husband!

Laundry Room Makeover

Proverbs 31:27- She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

I've been slowly decorating my laundry room. Here it is before. 

 I had been wanting an antique washboard for awhile, but couldn't ever find one for the right price.


Finally while browsing at Goldie Goodies in Cambria the other day, I found one that was perfect and the perfect price..$2.50! I love the little box on the front too. The antique clothes pins were my grandmas!

 Derrick built me this awesome table! It even has a shelf on the bottom!

We also made a white shelf to hang above the washer and dryer. I got these baskets at a yard sale and added the little tags.

Our friend Bhrett  made us this hanger with our names on it for our engagement gift. Adorable isn't it?

I made this using a scrap piece of wood and some drawer knobs.

This was an old picture frame that I painted, put scrapbook paper on the inside and added the drawer handles to make a tray.

Here is the final before and after!