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!