Sunday, July 17, 2011

Watch and Pray...

Matthew 26:38 and 41
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is aexceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and bwatch with me.
 41aWatch and bpray, that ye enter not into ctemptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.


Jesus wanted His disciples to watch, or in other words, stay awake, while He was in the Garden of Gethsemane.  After thinking about these two verses, I noticed that there is a connection between watching and praying in verse 41.  When we pray, we stay spiritually awake. 


I have felt very spiritually tired recently as life has beat me to my knees.  There isn't a better time for me to be sincerely praying and watching.  My flesh is weak, but my spirit is willing.  I need to pray.  As I knelt by my bedside tonight, I poured my heart out vocally to my Heavenly Father, thanking Him for the blessings and asking for guidance and support in my trials.  The difference in how I felt before and after that prayer was like night and day.  I felt spiritually invigorated and re-energized.  


Friday, July 1, 2011

An Ode to Goodwill

Oh, Goodwill, how you make my heart sing and my wallet smile.

Tonight, I went to the BEST Goodwill I've ever been to.  It was HUGE, clean, and extremely organized.  And full of incredible brand name clothing in pristine condition!!!  For $21, I bought Banana Republic jeans, Gap jeans, an Express skirt, a pair of shorts from Target, and the cutest wedge shoes.  Clothes shopping really doesn't get better than that.

However, I do support the argument that going to a store and buying new clothes can be more refreshing and enjoyable, and I think everyone needs to go into a department store to blow some money on something they really want.  But Goodwill is where I find most of the clothes in my closet.  Now that I think about it, almost ALL of them came from Goodwill!  


My wardrobe didn't used to be that way.  I was terrified to put even a toe into a thrift store.  I would feel like gagging because "it smelled weird."  And who the heck knows whose armpits have been on that shirt?!  And what if someone barfed on these jeans, washed them, and sent them to Goodwill?  Gross.  And to be absolutely honest, I was a little to prideful to wear "second-hand clothing."  I'm really glad I got over that.

One characteristic I've been developing this summer is frugality.  I definitely haven't ever been reckless with money, but there is room for improvement.  I don't need NEW clothes, and there are a lot of things I want but don't need.  Overall, this has been going well for me in all aspects except for food.  I really like nice food.  Everybody's got a vice, right?  :)

This is one of my new favorites:  Hudson's Baked Tilapia with Dill Sauce