Coupons Made Easy

Posted on March 16, 2012 by tlsecula

As so many of my family and friends know, last year I really got into using coupons.  I have two newspaper subscriptions that arrive every Sunday and I love saving money on groceries and personal items.  What many don’t know is that I have always loved using online coupons.  I have several sites that I go to to find coupon codes for items I am needing to purchase, I rarely buy anything online without a coupon code!  That has just gotten easier with a new site I found:  CouponChief.com!  On this site not only is it easy to save money by searching for coupons to the stores you need,  but you can also earn money!

Thanks to CouponChief.com you can upload your own coupons you have found and earn 2% from the purchase each time it is used by someone else!  This site it great! Easy to use, attractive, and helps you save money on things you need (or want) to buy!  They feature over 50,000 coupons from over 15,000 stores.  One of the largest coupon databases on the Internet.  Best of all, it’s free to register and start using and saving. Give it a try, check out what the over 250 thousand visitors a month are saying.  Join me and so many others as we save money!

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Gifts?

Posted on February 2, 2012 by tlsecula

Most of my life I have wondered where my talents were concerning God’s kingdom.  What am I supposed to do to best serve Him?  Where does He want me?  There are certain things I have always dreamed of doing and I have worked slowly toward concerning my spiritual life, but there are other things I never would have thought of as Godly gifts.

My desires for a long time have been to write a book (and I have several started but they are a long way from finished).  I have always enjoyed the thought of teaching and though I know I have a lot to learn and more to grow before I am to be a “good” teacher, I do enjoy it very much.  One day I even dream of spreading my wings to be a ladies day speaker, but that dream is still in my distant future.  I want to follow in the footsteps of so many great Christian women I know and admire who speak and encourage others.  I do not feel ready for that very big step but I hope I am laying the foundation now that will prepare me for it someday!

There are things however that I have always enjoyed doing in my life that I never would have considered something I could use for Christ and His Kingdom.  One example is parties!  I have always loved the planning and decorating of my children’s birthday parties, family get togethers, holiday events.  Getting everything just so, filling in all the little details, and then watching those around me spend time together enjoying themselves.  Is it work?  Sometimes.  Is it worth it?  Always!  Not until recently did planning and prepping seem useful to the Lord’s kingdom. Not until helping with our first ladies day at Three Forks did I ever think of that as a ministry, a way to reach out, get people involved and spread God’s word.

Recently I have been contacted by others asking for help (in what ever small way I could offer it) to aid in the planning and development of ladies days at their own congregations.  Not until fairly recently when I was asked to help be part of starting a website to be a gathering place for ladies day speakers for His church did I realize how much of an impact the behind the scenes work can have.  Not until recently did I start to wonder if all this time I was pushing against myself and not strengthening the areas of my life, my faith, my talents that God would have me to use.

There is always room to grow, always room to expand your work in His church and I am so glad, feel so blessed that He is giving me that chance. I feel ready to take on new challenges.  Ready to push myself out of my comfort zone and reach out more to work for Him in new ways.  I pray that He continues to bless me as I try to work for Him.  I know that anything and in fact everything I am able to do is all from Him!  Without Him I would be nothing!

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.”  2 Cor. 3:5

May you find where you belong in His Kingdom.  May you find your talents in Him.  Praying that if you haven’t found Him you will look for Him!!  He want to be in your life!  Let me share Him with you!
~Tiffany

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Growing In God’s Work

Posted on November 29, 2011 by tlsecula

It is so amazing to see something grow and develop, whether is it a flower you are tending in your garden or your child you watch grow and mature into their own unique person.  Recently, I have been amazed to watch an idea grow in to a wonderful opportunity.  When I was first approached by my Christian sister, Teresa, about the need in the church for a way to find women speakers for our church events, I thought it was a brilliant idea.  I felt so proud and blessed that she wanted my help in starting such a project.

Now, as we have started to develop the idea and we are seeing it grow, it is so amazing to me that, in such a short time, I can already see God working through this effort.  In less than a month we have a site up, and not only do we have a handful of followers, but we are being contacted by people interested in being a part of it! We are already seeing the possiblities of how many people this site will reach.  It has touched me so much to know that in my small way I am taking a step out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there to do a little more for Him.  I am being able to grow a little more in the spreading of His word and His kingdom.

It warms my heart to realize that there are so many sisters out there doing their part for the kingdom.  And to think without this opportunity I may have never gotten the chance to meet (even through the internet) some of them and learn of the works they are doing in their own areas of the country.  It is easy at times to get bogged down with what is going on in your own little section of the world and forget how large the family of God really is! To understand that there are brothers and sisters everywhere doing their part to teach His word and see that as many souls hear it as possible.  I am so glad that together, Teresa and I, are bringing that world a little closer together.  That we are helping sisters from all over connect and find one another!

A website doesn’t seem like much.  A few calls and emails are simple.  Yet God can do great things with tiny amounts.  He can take the few and feed the many!  God makes it all possible as long as you are willing to let Him work in your life!  I am so thankful for this opporunity to grow in my own faith and work for Him!

Thank you Teresa! Keep up all you do for Him! You are an inspiration to me and so many others!

Help us spread the word of the wonderful work!

www.facebook.com/wow.womenspeakers

God Bless,
Tiffany

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T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L

Posted on November 24, 2011 by tlsecula

It is an amazing time of year! Not just a time for turkey and great deals, but a time when everyone in general is more appreciative for what they have and for what others do for them.  It is amazing the change in attitudes the holiday season brings.  To join in I wanted to share some things I am thankful for, if nothing else, just to remind myself of the blessings in my life!  A blessing for each letter in the word “THANKFUL”, but it has been hard to narrow it down to those few, as the Lord has given me so much in my life.

T – Talents
This seems like an odd way to start, but I want to Thank God for the abilities God has given me in my life.  The health and strength to take care of my family, to be an active member of His church, and do all the other things He gives me opportunity to do!  I am not perfect, nor would I ever claim to be, but I try my best to do my best with what He has given me and I thank Him for the abilities I have!

H – Home
I am ever so thankful for the home God has always provided me with.  Growing up I was raised in an amazing Christian home with wonderful loving parents.  I was always surrounded by family and always felt loved and appreciated.  Now I am ever so thankful of the home God continues to bless me with.  Our home is something I treasure.  My family is so important to me and I want my children to grow up having the same wonderful feelings of home that I do!

A – Angels
Not all angels have wings, and I feel my life is filled with angels.  For starters I am thankful for the three little angels God blessed me with.  Although sometimes I wonder what is still holding their halos on, they are such blessings in my life.  The fact God allowed me to be called “mommy” even once is amazing, but the fact he blessed me 3 times over is unbelievable sometimes!
There are so many other angels in my life I thank my Lord for!  He has placed such remarkable people in my life, that have made it such a better place to be!  It would take me so long to try and list them but I thank Him for them, He knows who they are!

N – Nick
There is one angel in my life that is so special he gets a letter all his own!  My wonderful husband, Nick!  I can not (nor do I want to) imagine my life without him.  He has been nothing but a blessing to me since we met over 15 years ago!  He is the most amazing man.  He loves me no matter what, he treats me like a queen.  He makes me laugh and holds me when I cry.  The Lord placed him in my life, there is no doubt about that.  We have talked about it many times, how he ever ended up in my little hometown so many years ago was only by the providence of God.  Thank you Lord for my husband! The most amazing man I have ever met!

K – King
There is one other man in my life that means more to me than I could ever probably put into words.  My Lord and King, Jesus!  He has given me everything, my life, my all!  Everyday is a blessing unto Him.  Everyday I think of new reasons to praise His name.  My Savior, my Friend, My Redeemer, My King!!  I love the fact that I am and forever will be a princess! I am a daughter of the Risen King and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

F – Forgiveness
I thank God for the gifts He has given me, most of all for His forgiveness!  He loved me enough to give His life for me so that I could be called His child and have forgiveness for all the wrongs in my life, for all the times I have messed up, for all the times I have failed Him.  I say again, I am not perfect and I realize that the only way I can make it is with His help.  I am so thankful that He gives it freely.  Thank you Lord for my fresh start in life, for my forgiveness.

U – Unlimited Access
I am thankful He grants me Unlimited Access to Him.  Anytime, anywhere, I can go to Him in prayer.  I can speak to my King at my hearts desire and He doesn’t turn me away.  I can read His words and listen to His guidance for my life.  I don’t have to worry if He is to busy, I dont’ have to worry about taking up too much of His time or if my problem is too small and trivial.  I can sit as His feet, before His throne and pour my heart out to Him and he not only hears what I say, He cares about what I am dealing with.

L – Love
Lastly (for this purpose anyway) I am thankful for Love!  For the love of family and friends.  For the love my children show to me and each other.  For the amazing love between Nick and I that is like no other.  Most of all I am thankful to have a Lord and King that loves me, His child!  I am thankful that love can do so much, can change so many lives. I am thankful to Him for being able to express to those around me how much I love them! I am thankful for warm hugs! I am thankful for messy face, sticky kisses!  I am thankful to feel loved!

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
         Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
 For the LORD is the great God,
         And the great King above all gods.”
                                               Psalm 95:2-3

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope everyone has a great day!
Tiffany  <3

 

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Exciting Opportunity

Posted on November 17, 2011 by tlsecula

Today an exciting thing happened to me! And as exciting as it is for me, it is also making me very nervous already and it won’t even happen for nearly a year!  I was asked if I would be willing to teach the women’s class for another congregations youth day in 2012.  This class (to the best of my knowledge) would consist of ladies in their teens and up.

I have said for a while that some day I would love to be able to do ladies day speaking for the Lord’s church.  I have so much admiration and respect for the women who can get up and so easily speak before crowds and share inspiring stories of their faith.   I hope to continue growing in my knowledge and ability until one day I am able to do so, and I hope this is a little push in that direction from God.  I hope this means, if you want to get there you have to start taking bigger steps in that direction.

I am more used to teaching the monthly ladies class here at Three Forks, I feel more comfortable and enjoy it very much. I hope that when the time comes next year I will feel prepared to teach (and breathe at the same time!) and that I will be able to share something useful to the ladies of that congregation.  I pray that God will lead me through this and continue to guide my steps on a continuing closer walk with Him and I may be a tool to lead others to Him.

Pray with me that this all works for His glory.

Tiffany

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Appreciate The Little Things!

Posted on November 8, 2011 by tlsecula

Today was a Monday for sure!  I couldn’t seem to get things started right this morning and get out the door to start my normal Monday grocery run and errands, of which there were probably too many for one day anyway.  From then on it seemed like one thing after the next was going not quite right.  From our first stop at CVS where in less than 5 minutes my daughter had already knocked over a big display of nail polish.  But, in trying to to panic and make things worse, I did have to appreciate the fact that none of them broke!!!  So aside from having to spend a few minutes cleaning them up, all was well.

Other small things happened all day, one thing or another not going as planned.  Gift cards not working at checkout and messing up my totals, coupons not scanning right when I have to hurry home to get my son from school. My van dying on me while I am going down the road!!!!  But in the end it all worked out.  I still have my gift card I can reuse another day. My coupons finally worked and no one behind me got upset having to wait a couple extra minutes.  My van restarted without incident (other than a minor heart attack at the moment.) But those moments are not what I allowed to define my day.

Although certain things that could have built up and made me ready to pull out my hair  something was different today.  I don’t know if it was the pretty sunshine out side or if the Lord just had His hand on my shoulder today helping me, but through the moments of “inconvenience”, I wasn’t rattled. I will not remember the things that didn’t go right today, but there are certain things I will walk away from this day smiling about!  Such as going through the aisles at Kroger with my daughter in the front of the cart hugging me repeating, “I love you so much mommy.”  Her sweet little kiss when she thought I had bumped my elbow.  And then coming home and finding that even though my husband is still not 100% himself from his sickness he has been fighting for a week, he cleaned up the kitchen for me!  Including dishes, which he really, REALLY doesn’t like doing!! :)   And of course what could be sweeter than listening to my children sing song wish their Nanny a happy birthday!

So all in all, I have had a good day.  I would love to have more days like today where even in the midst of difficulties that try to ruffle my feathers, I can find peace.  May I learn from today and always try to focus on the little things, the blessings in my life.  While they may not be major events, may I appreciate them and focus on the good and not the bad, the positives and not the negatives.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Phil. 4:8-9

Wishing you a day of little blessings and peace!
Tiffany

Posted in Family, General | 1 Comment

Only God

Posted on October 26, 2011 by tlsecula

Recently while driving I couldn’t help but enjoy the sights.  Fall is my favorite time of the year with its milder temperatures and gorgeous colors.  As I watched the leaves stirring on the road before me a thought struck me:  Only God could make something so beautiful out of death.  It sounds like an odd thought, I grant you that, maybe even a little morbid, but it is true and it brings me great peace and hope.

In His wisdom, and out of His love for us, His children, He created beauty out of dying leaves.  Their rainbow of colors that so many look forward to each year could only be created by a true artist.  Only God could take a change from brilliance of life in summer to end of life in fall and turn it into a breathtaking sight.  Only God could take the sting and bitterness from the end of our lives and turn it into a time of rejoicing through the death of His Son.  For those who obey, death is no longer something to be feared or dreaded, but celebrated.  Our passing from this world into His arms will be a joyous occasion.

Will it be hard for those left behind mourning? Yes.  Will it be unbearably sad at times dealing with the loss, the emptiness left behind by a loved one’s passing? Of course.  I have been to so many funerals, so many of my own family that have passed on and it was never easy.  It was and still is hard to think of life with out those people to share it with. Yet there is joy in the fact we will meet again some day.  There is peace in the knowledge that God has promised that we can know where we stand with Him and where we are going.

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”  1 John 5:13

God blessed us with His Word so that we could know in an ever changing world, where we came from and where we will go if we follow Him.  He has promised to those who obey His words a life free from sin and doubt and in the end an eternal home with Him.   With His great love for us, Jesus came to die for us and turn death from the sad state sin had brought it to back into a victorious celebration of His Glory. He brought beauty to an unbeautiful thing.

“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting?   O Hades, where is your victory?”  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:53-57

So even though I already enjoyed fall, and looked forward to everything it brings into our lives, I will always cherish it as a reminder that death doesn’t have to be an ugly thing.  If we follow God, believe on Him, repent and turn away from our sins and toward God, are baptized into His death, and live faithfully our death will be a beautiful thing.  Only God can make it happen.

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Busy Week

Posted on October 20, 2011 by tlsecula

Yes, it has been a very busy week so far and it isn’t over yet!  Full of chores, homework, doctor appointments but, it has been a fun week.   I have been really focused on a new “business venture” if you want call it that and I am so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who are so encouraging and so actively helping me to succeed.

Making ribbon sculpture hair clips started out as something fun to do for my daughter, who I have to admit I still can’t convience to wear one for more than a few minutes.  Oh someday! :)   But it has already grown by leaps and bounds.  They are available online at www.facebook.com/faithfullyfun  or at two different locations:  North Warren Elementary School and Parkland Drugs in Cave City.  I am so excited so see others getting excited about them.

Please check them out, let me know if you are interested in one for you a daughter or granddaughter, or even yourself!  Many styles available and all can be made into a hair clip, headband, pin or magnet.  Thank you again so much for everyone’s help!!

~Tiff

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Making Cookies

Posted on October 16, 2011 by tlsecula

There is so much I miss about my Granny.  So many wonderful memories I have of our time together when I was growing up that I cherish so dearly.  There is so much I remember, but of those memories it is hard to really share them with my children.  Sure, I can tell them stories of the things we did together and how she was so wonderful to be around and they may get some idea, but it is still just a story.  They can not share in the feelings or emotions that I felt with her.  There is one thing at least that I have found that we can do together, and seeing the smiles on their faces I know they are feeling some of that same joy: making cookies!  But not just any cookies, my Granny’s No Bake Oatmeal Cookies.

Now, I don’t know where her recipe came from.  For all I know she got it off the back of the cocoa box or something.  There is nothing really super secret or special about the recipe itself, its actually pretty simple, but the thoughts it brings up are priceless!  And I hope that is what I will be passing along to my children, memories!

My Granny would let us help measure out the oats and sugar.  She would let us help spoon them onto the wax paper.  And oh, then came the long, awful wait for them to cool, it was torture, just horrible when you are a child.  Of course she would rarely make us wait very long before she would hand us a spoon and let us go ahead and have one right off the paper!

And, oh how I loved getting off the school bus at her house, going through the front door and being greeted by that amazing, sweet smell.  It wasn’t every day she made them, but when she did she always seemed to time it perfectly.  They were just cool enough to be a cookie you could pick up and hold, but still warm enough to totally melt in your mouth!

There is so much I loved about that woman.  She was such an example and inspiration in love and christian faith to everyone who knew her.  I will never forget all she taught me about living right and love for God and for family.   She has been gone for 11 years now and I still miss her so much it hurts.  But hopefully, even though my own children were never able to know her, they are still learning from her and about her.  And I hope some day, a long time from now :) , I will be able to not only have shared moments like these with my own children, but with my grandchildren as well and we will still be making cookies!

Granny’s No Bake Cookies

In large mixing bowl place:
2 1/2 cups instant or quick cook oats
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium saucepan combine:
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter

Bring to a boil stirring constantly to combine. Once boiling time for 1 minute then remove from heat.  (Very important – any less than a minute and they will not harden and you will have no bake goo, very messy but still very yummy! Any longer and they become too hard and brittle.)   Pour into oatmeal bowl.  Mix well, spoon out onto wax paper and allow cookies to set, a least enough not to burn your mouth! :)   Enjoy!

Posted in Devotionals, Family, General | Leave a comment

Finding Peace

Posted on October 15, 2011 by tlsecula

One thing everyone seems to want in life is peace.  No one wants a life full of stress and hardship.  No one seeks out disruptions and chaos, yet somehow it always seems to
find us.  Peace in life, peace of mind, peace in our families, world peace, that’s at the top of so many people’s wishes, but it seems sometimes to be so out of reach.  The world does everything possible to keep us on edge, to keep worry in our hearts, and keep the feeling
of true peace just out of our grasp.  Yet God wants us to have peace, peace in Him that no one and nothing can take away from us.


God doesn’t want us to be worried constantly about this life, about its troubles, He wants us to give those worries over to Him.  Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” But do we really get the fullness of that verse?  Be anxious for nothing…  anxious, defined as being “full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried.”  God knows this  world and the stresses it places on us.  Jesus understands how hard it can be living with all the pressures and hardships, and He wants us to turn them over to Him. He is stronger and bigger than all of our problems.  He wants to take care of them for us.  He promises us if we turn our troubles over to Him in all faithfulness we will receive peace beyond  understanding.  Peace that will take hold of us and give us the calm only He can
provide. 

Only a life in Jesus can offer true peace, true rest from our troubles. He has promised to give us that rest.  “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”   Rest.  Isn’t that what we want to seek out after a busy day.  A few minutes of peace and quiet, to rest and calm ourselves after dealing
with life.  A moment to escape and feel refreshed.  To clear our heads and feel like ourselves once again, able to continue on with full strength. 

It is important to find those moments each day.  Even if only a short while, to find a peaceful time to reconnect with Jesus.  To feel His arms of peace and comfort surround you and take away your worries. To know He will be with us through it all, no matter what.  That He will give us rest.

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:14

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