New Friends

Here is a great way to make new friends! Check it out!

Church

We decided a few weeks ago to go back to our "old" church. The reasons we stopped going 2 years ago were very selfish and REALLY dumb.... Not going to go into detail because it's pretty embarrassing now.

After we left the "old" pastor had an opportunity to go somewhere else so for awhile the church didn't have a pastor. Now they do! He came to visit us a few times just to talk at our house. Never pushy, never asked why just always invited us to come out. We decided to try it out again. We LOVED it there before.

We have been going here and there with friends/with people who have invited us. It never felt like home to Chris and I. There are so many excuses why we could never settle anywhere..... Again embarrassing to publish. We would try to compromise on things we wanted out of church and my husband's firm on HYMNS. He does not like contemporary christian music. PERIOD. That is a deal breaker for him. Doesn't matter what the pastor is like or etc. His other deal breaker is that the bible of choice is the KJV. There are many many more, but those are the 2 "BIG" ones for him. So to make a long story short why were we looking for a different church when Ormas was the one all along? It had/is everything we want/need.

You would have thought we never left because EVERYONE welcomed us back with VERY OPEN ARMS! I never realized the weight I was carrying through this "sabbatical." I feel free now. Like nothing can bring me down. Funny how God works like that. The problem is solved!

The pastor is really great. He has a wonderful sense of humor, but also serious and to the point. He brings life into the bible that really makes sense to me. I feel like he knows everything I want to ask/say and answers them in a way that makes me think the sermons are for me. Chris feels the same way. The girls love it and are looking forward to Sundays again. That I am thankful for.

Giveaway at Homemaker's Cottage

Homemaker's Cottage is having an awesome giveaway! Go check it out!

Handy List

This an exhaustive list on all the frugal sites Better Homes And Gardens made up in their last issue. Figured if you didn't or don't read the magazine this may come in handy.

Coupons and Discounts
couponmap.com
couponmom.com
ebates.com
entertainment.com
flit.com
groupon.com
livingsocial.com
redplum.com
reataurant.com
smartsource.com

Home Furnishings
craigslist.com
entertainment.com
estatesales.com
etsy.com
nobetterdeal.com
onekingslane.com
shopgoodwill.com
smartsource.com
ugallery.com

Budget Decorating
bhg.com

Garden Tools
acehardware.com
amleo.com
fiskars.com
walmart.com

Picnic Essentials
bungalowco.com
lafreshgroup.com
origaudio.com
picnictrend.com
rei.com
shopkirdevries.com

Beauty Basics
beautysteals.com
beautyticket.com
bigdiscountfragrances.com
eyeslipsface.com
fragrance.net
hautelook.com

Now for the record I have not looked at all these sites myself, but it may be helpful for my readers so remember this post for future reference!