Calling all Tea enthusiast!

Who enjoys tea?  At the Stevenson household we drink at least two cups a day.  I'm always on the look out for good deals and this one is awesome!

Just go to BuyWithMe, login and then click on the city "Houston".  If you scroll down you will see a box with 3 more deals available.  Click on the California Tea House deal for $30 worth of tea for $10 and it comes with FREE shipping!

Isaiah

I've been studying Isaiah since August through Precept upon Precept.  The depth of God's word never ceases to amaze me.  This week there were two verses that have been resonating in my mind and heart.

Isaiah 30:15 (New American Standard Bible)

 ¹⁵For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
         "In repentance and rest you will be saved,
         In quietness and trust is your strength."
         But you were not willing,

and..

Isaiah 32:17 (New American Standard Bible)

    ¹⁷And the work of righteousness will be peace,
         And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

From Isaiah 30:15
The idea of: REST=BEING SAVED and QUIETNESS & TRUST=STRENGTH go against every natural instinct I have.  This past week I would sing Jesus loves me with the children I get to invest in.  'We are weak but He is strong'.  Though a children's song the concept never changes.  Lord help me to dwell in this truth.

From Isaiah 32:17
I love the promise that God's Spirit brings.  Peace, quietness and confidence.  There is a woman that I am meeting up with from my church.  I see these things in her life.  Peace, a quiet heart because of her trust in God, and confidence in His promises.  What I long for, I am able to have access to.  Every day I get to see how God's work in the lives of men and women leads to the most restful life in spite of circumstances.

God longs to be near me.  Rest. Trust. Peace. Quietness. Confidence. Forever.

Amazon.com $20 gift card for $10!

If you have been adding a few things to your wish list on Amazon now is the time to snatch up this gift offer.  It is through Living Social which is a site similar to groupon.  Even though it is a Des Moines Deal it is valid for anyone because it's on online offer.  Go to this link and purchase one per person. Enjoy!

Joy through discipline

Some things I find easy to be disciplined in: eating my daily handful (or two or three) of chocolate chips, preparing a meal for our family, exercising regularly so I can keep eating my chocolate chips, and setting aside time with my husband each night.  Some things I find more difficult to be disciplined in.  One of those things includes waking up earlier than necessary.  


But this year my husband and I sat down and decided that we wanted to wake up early to have time to read our bibles and pray together.  Some mornings that means getting up at 5:30.  For many of you I'm sure this is normal.  It's an adjustment for me.  Any thing before 6 doesn't seem humane.  


We've just started this schedule and I'm thankful we can do it together.  I'm thankful I have a husband who desires to know God more.  I'm thankful for the ways God speaks to my heart in the stillness of the morning before the sun declares the day.


I was recently reading one of my favorite blogs called Girltalk.  It's a mother and her grown daughters encouragement on life and being a godly woman.  The 5 O'clock club was something they started a few years back and they encourage others to join with them.  5:30 is pushing it for this gal for now so I'll start the 5:30, 5:40, 5:45 get up already club.


"The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart...they are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." Psalm 19:8,10


It's worth it.

Groupon 50% off Printer Ink and Free Shipping

If I come across really great deals I love to share them!  If you head over to groupon and visit the Las Vegas Groupon deal of the day you will see a pretty sweet offer.  On the right hand side of the page you will see a deal for everydaysource.com.  For $10 you will get a $20 voucher to purchase items available on their site.  They sell printer ink and if you are like us having some on hand helps.  I bought one for Drew and one for me.  For $20 we will have $40 worth of ink shipped to our door free.  Hope a few of you can benefit from this too:)

Respect.

A message from the most influential man in my life.

Prison

About once a month I have a night where I can't sleep.  I used to get frustrated about it until I realized that I could use that time in unique ways.  One thing I love to do is to pray for people I know and love as well as for people I don't personally know.  


Voice of the Martyrs is a Christians organization that advocates for those who follow Jesus around the world and are persecuted because of their faith.  Their free monthly newsletter gives you specific ways you can advocate for those who don't have any one else to do so.  


The fuel behind the mission of Voice of the Martyrs comes from a verse in the New Testament.  "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body."  Hebrews 13:3


Take a moment to join the be a voice network.  You can send letters to those in prison, write to government officials on behalf of the prisoners and much more all through the web site.


I was reading through this months newsletter yesterday.  I told Drew how much it strengthened my faith to see others joyfully suffer and continue to love their persecutors.  I want to remember these men, women and children as though I was there with them.  This is one way that helps me do so!

Bible Reading Plan 2011

The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan 

I wanted to throw it out there that if any of you have been wanting to read through the bible and just needed a bit of plan to do so you can join Drew and I in this reading plan.  


I have done the chronological bible reading plan before which I love!  I'm excited for this one because it takes you through the new testament and old testament all year long and you have 5 days each month to play catch up if you need it.  I always need it.

Trust

I was having one of those weeks where I knew I needed help... lots of help.  I had been wanting to call my bible study leader, Karen, to grab coffee for a while but this seemed like a perfect time to gain some wisdom from someone further down the road.


I'm confident I made little cohesive sense for about two hours.  Nonetheless something amazing happened.  Between my ramblings Karen would share a simple sentence or two that would make me pause and think.  One of those sentences occurred when I was describing that some days I would begin to worry when I knew in my brain that there was no logical need to do so.  


She asked, 'Melissa when you bring your prayers to God are you leaving them at the cross?'  Initially I thought to myself, 'well of course because where else would I leave them?'  But as I started to think about it I really wasn't... thus my worrying continued.


Why is it so hard to trust?  I've been thinking a lot about trust because when our little kids come home to us this summer I hope I can do everything possible to help them know they can trust us and that we want to care for them in the best way we know how to.  I have heard that it can take around 3 months of constant care for children who are adopted to truly believe that they can depend on you and be secure with you.


I think I'm like a child in training with God.  I know in my head I can trust Him, but often I live differently- I want to try to control things on my own.  When our children come, this summer, I hope I can be patient for as long as it takes them to understand my love.  I already know I will fail and need forgiveness.  This has all led me to dwell on God's patience as He is totally trustworthy and worth giving my trust to.  And yet time and time again he patiently leads me to Himself showing me in ways I can understand that I can trust him.


"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you along, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

New Year's Resolution

The new year has begun!  I couldn't think of a better way to kick it off than by joining the world of words through blogging.  I also bought a new journal last night so that I can start a fresh with my pen and paper.


As I look ahead to 2011, it holds some life changing events for our family.  We are adopting two children from the Congo (which we are expecting by this summer), my sister is getting married, and my husband continues to get incredible opportunities in the job he loves!


This morning I was listening to my favorite pod-cast called Seeking Him by Nancy Leigh Demoss.  On it she shares a New Year's resolution from a man who lived over 200 years ago named Jonathan Edwards.  He was an 18th century preacher unlike any others of his time.  His new year's resolution was a challenge for me to consider.  Off to spend some time asking God what He wants me to consider for this year.