Couponing, but not so extreme

I don't really know about you but my amazement and the boggling of my mind have yet to end no matter how many times I watch the show "Extreme Couponing". Starting with balance of $800 at the grocery store and couponing it down to a final balance of $2.16, I mean who wouldn't be shocked?...well besides those extreme couponist.

To be honest, I do not want to be an extreme couponer for various reasons like: I don't have 20+ hours to devote to cutting, separating, and blah blah, as well as the lack of desire to keep a ridiculous "stock pile" that would last me and my family until the day I die. Nonetheless, I do love to save money on things when I can, who doesn't right?



So, I got into one of my moods and started to Google coupons for the grocery stores I shop at and I stumbled upon a couple of really resourceful couponing sites. I have subscribed to these websites and they send me so many great coupons every day. I know "every day?" you ask? I thought it would be annoying too but, I have already saved so much money on these deals-I find it the least bit of annoying.

And now the moment you have all been waiting for....drum roll, please!


Coupon Connections
Couponing101


I hope this inspired you to become a couponer (an extreme or not so) either way you are getting the bang for your buck and adding more to your savings!

I am Your servant come to bring You glory

As some of you may know I have been going through a steps program through my church. When I first signed up for this program I was as nervous and anxious as someone can get. I was ready to be drained (emotionally and physically) from my past, present, and future sins. I was afraid of admitting that I had some problems I had never shared with only a select few and let alone to a whole group. Like I said nervous and anxious by what I had heard from previous member who had gone through it.

Well, all of those fears have yet to conquer me. Though this has been a struggle between me and the enemy though! Steps is a pretty big thing to be doing for the Lord, a closer relationship, and more sanctification, more glory to God; that doesn't sound like something the enemy absolutely enjoys. Some struggles that can be prayed for are: my time with the Lord, a strong desire to be with him and in the word especially when I'm tired, and for me to be obedient. When I go through inventories of my resentments/hurts and fears its hard not to feel the hurt and get emotionally again when He reveals those strongholds that I have actually stored away and not really put to death.

As I go through the daily devotionals and the going deeper questions I feel like I learn something new like of my pride (alot of my pride), sexual immorality, guilt and shame, and forgiveness. I am also reminded of his abundant grace and mercy for me, my goodness, a-bun-dant! Being revealed my sins and having to confess and deal with them is not a punishment, it's a reminder of his redemption of my life and soul. It's a reminder of my need for Him and his everlasting for me. My past, present and future sins being confessed and not just cleaning on the surface but deep deep down in the dark of my heart there is one thing that I am constantly being reminded of is that he can has redeemed it all! There is nothing in that I have and will do that Jesus has not already bought with his saving and perfect blood, nothing.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God this is in Christ Jesus our Lord."-Romans 8:38-39

Pinterest anyone?

So, my new favorite thing? You guessed it, Pinterest!

When I was first introduced to this wonderful website I was spending time with my lovely friend Shauna Lynn. She said have you ever heard of Pinterest? and I said no, what's that? Shauna being the great friend that she is pulled up the app on her iTouch and explained to me how this addiction works!

Let me say...SO COOL!!!

1 week, 12 boards, and 546 pins later...

How many ideas that I have or had suggested to me all in one place and never forgotten by me again. I get to physically see ideas for my future classroom and activities for my students. I have also found some "goldmine" of other first grade teacher blogs that I am now following! As you know I love crafts, and on pinterest there are so many crafts...and now (yes, you're catching on) all in one place! Another bonus, being a college student I also have the ingredients to make my own cleaning supplies and laundry detergent for some much cheapest and the same exact effect as the store brands. I have also been recently been on a hunt for a recipe box that I can "make-over" to keep my recipes in. Now that I have found I can keep my recipes all in one place my hunt is now less frantic.

I'm sure I can go on about how cool Pinterest is, but I will take part in your new addiction by providing not one but two links in this blog for you to click on!

Pin recipes. Pin crafts. Pin random junk. Pin your future house. Go forth and pin my friends!

Click here to check out my boards and follow me

"Give me an apron and call me Betty Crocker...or your wife"

Ok, so, originally this blog post was titled "The petal is to the metal". Well, due to the fact that I was supposed to "catch ya'll up" from getting back in the states to now...that would be yet another very long post. So...let's just start, um, let's say the last week instead? Deal? Ok. "Fasten your seat belts kids!" I am still living in the sweetest town of Denton, TX! Thank the Lord for his faithfulness, really!! (If you wanna know the story on how I got back here, you can ask, it's pretty amazing-so like Him!) I'm still going to school for elementary education, I cannot believe that I am half way there; I'm so close but so far away. (and I'm going to be 21 soon, weird).

I have currently started do a program called "Steps" at my church. In case you're curious on what that is click hither: Steps at The Village Church I have had the desire to do this program for the past year, but, now timing is perfect and I was allowed to do it this semester. I want grow and be stretched in my walk with Christ. Already walking into this of hearing how "exausting or scary" it was to do this...naturally I did too. To confront and revealed the nastiness, my sickness of sin- deal with it and be held accountable for it? I mean Who would "Yeah, I'm so ready, let's do this, no big deal pshh!" And ultimately be able to say that my hope, my everything my faith is in Christ alone. To search comfort from Him, be fulfilled by His love. To live a Gospel centered life, not because I 'know' the Gospel but because I am constantly being changed by it. To allow God to reveal more of who He is to me and to be more and more like Jesus and less and less of me. I may be doing some updates on what the Lord will be revealing to me on here to share: revelations, convictions, may be even encouragement to you as well.

Which leads me to the next think: I also recently joined a Home Group at my church to be in deeper community with my church body. I'm soooo excited to do life with these women ( I joined a multigen women's group)! I'm also hoping to find a mentor as well to impart her wisdom on me :) That starts this Sunday and it also starts our church wide study on the book The Reason for God by Tim Keller. I love when our church grows, serves, and prays corporately! It is a family. (...that may be another blog)

I also just became apart of the new Bath & Body Works Team! My first day was Monday and that was just full of orientation video and filling out paperwork. I'd like to say my first "real" day is Friday when we get to work the floor! Already on the first day I was trying to resist to buy things? I mean how can you not leave buying at least one thing right? So...I'm pretty sure later on into working I will have bought more products I can carry! To my friends and family: just start to make a list of your favorite scents for birthdays and holidays! ;)

Lastly, the reason for the title of this blog: Lemon Blueberry cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese frosting!

Yep, I was in a baking mood and two of favorite people lent me their oven today to bake these bomb cupcakes! I got the recipe off of the Food Channel Network ( the same recipe used on Cupcake Wars too!) Now to be honest if this was my own recipe I would be a bit reluctant to share it with the whole world, but, since it's not....here: The Deliciouso Cupcakes

Anyhoo. I'm letting out a big sigh. I've been meaning to update ya'll for a while, really. I'll try to work on make it more often...then maybe they'll be shorter right? We'll see how much time I'll get in reality between the phases of more growing up. If you are an avid reader and haven't "officially followed me" do it, you'll get my updates faster! :) Until then my friends, I love you all so dearly, I pray for you often!

OH...yeah...I came back from Thailand.

In case you were wondering, "Did Alicia love Thailand so much she stayed?" I hate to break the news to you, but, I did not get to stay. Unfortunately, it's just how the rules go friends So, I am back in the Lone Star state, I have been for a little over a month. Many, many things have happened in this past monthish but that is for my next blog. Titled "The pedal is to the metal!" Gosh! So much happened since my last post about Thailand, where to even start?! Let's just do the last three weeks.

We continued to go the village and the last Tuesday we were there we got to give "care packages" to the poorest families in the village. The children that we did bible studies with decided they wanted to perform a Thai christian children song with the dominantly Buddhist village they live amongst. The lady who had been letting us hold the bible studies in her house (who is also a Christian) ended up sharing her testimony with the village as well.
I would say that the last month was the month that we were just so invested in our new friends that we had made from the universities. We just kept inviting them to everything that we did like go to the movies, go to the children's home, walking street, our goodbye party, sticky waterfalls. I loved getting to do life with Net, Tide, and Aung this summer that we built a trust with them that we could deepen our relationship and connect them to the Baan Kanoon. On the night before out last day we went walking street with them and they had bought us each gifts, Aung wrote us little notes of encouragements and favorite memories with us, and Net even started to cry and didn't want to say goodbye.

We got to go the children's home "The House of Blessing" and just love on those kids there. Not only did we get to go as the "Texas Team" but with other missionaries from Texas, Georgia, Journeymen, Baan Kanoon leaders. I loved this day mostly because I remember looking around and seeing everyone from these different teams, different lives, different languages just using their gifts the Lord made them with whether that was making bracelets, playing games, talking, singing and dancing. Everyone working together for the glory of God- what a glimpse of heaven!

We also did our last Saturday of bible study/ hanging out with the people who live in the slums. The adult bible study lasted a bit longer than usual this Saturday because they had grown much more attentive to the sharing of the Gospel that Sa had with them! The children, Kati, and I after our bible study got to play games and take pictures (they lovelove those so much) with the language barrier that was probably the best way to share the Gospel with them to do the things they love WITH them.

We got to ride elephants and climb up and down the "sticky waterfall". Yes, it was as awesome as it sounds!!

Sawadee Ka to Texas Team! Our last week the Baan Kanoon threw a going away party for us. We had all of the people that we met and built relationships with come and hang out with us, eat, and even have a "Q & A". My favorite part was not only having our friends there, but, they shared how we impacted their lives, how they saw God in us. It was such an encouragement!

Words will never be able to describe how much this summer changed my life. I will never be able to thank God for sending me to Thailand, for growing me, for using me to fulfill what he had for me to do to glorify him this summer. I grew in my faith, in my walk with God, my love for him. I came home to so much encouragement, friends and family that were eager to hear what God did this summer! If I have the chance to go back, I will take it in a heartbeat! I have fallen in love with Thailand and the people there! I learned more about God and his character (His faithfulness, His sovereignty, His mercy, His love) especially when everything that I was used to and clung to was 'stripped' away. I am grateful to God for his plan for my life, I could honestly leave and replay the summer saying "I fulfilled the purpose He had for me and He is definitely working in Thailand!" "Amazing!" and Awesome!" will never amount to how...the lasting relationships, the memories...my. life. was. changed.

Our Dear Nikki

During this summer our team has had the privilege to build a relationship with a 74 year old Thai woman named Nikki. The more we got to visit with Nikki, she would open up more and more with us. Nikki is the sweetest company anyone could have telling you her past stories of events in her life. Nikki also felt so comfortable and open with us to invite us into her apartment and told us more stories of her with her pictures she stores of husband, children, grand and great children. She also told us about what she believed and it was then when we got to see how strong in her faith of Buddhism and then that we realized how open she was with us. Since then we have been so prayerful about the next step God wanted us to take in this relationship with Nikki.

Today me and Nikki ran into each other. We stopped to say greetings and then she asked me to come to a restaurant with her, there she bought me tea and we talked about our days and the news. The subject of family came up in our conversation again and I told her that I had brought pictures of my friends and family to share with my new friends here in Thailand. I told her if she would like to see them she was more than welcome to come to our apartment and I would love to share stories with her like she did us. She took me up on the offer.



I was sharing stories about my life with my pictures with Nikki. I had brought pictures of my baptism with me here with the intention of sharing with any of our Thai friends who got close enough. I told Nikki what that was and I asked her if she knew what baptism was and she said "no". I told her "It's what followers of Jesus do" I got a blank stare and proceeded to ask her "Have you ever heard about Jesus?" And she responded "No, I don't understand, I don't know what you are talking about" And I took a deep breath and said "Ok, I'm going to try to explain this to you how you would understand it, is that ok?" She said "ok"

What an opportunity to "flat out" share to share Gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time to someone who many have been praying for, to someone who had no idea of the Gospel period! Before I shared clearly saw the opportunity God had perfectly planned for me today and I prayed that he would talk through me. I can say that I would not be able to tell you verbatim how I shared the Gospel with Nikki, I know that it was spirit lead. I too learned something about my walk with God while sharing with Nikki. After, thinking about how I shared remembering how EXCITED I was to tell this AMAZING story like I was hearing it for the first time and to see Nikki's eyes widened as mine did to. All I could think was "Wow! This is real happening and I know but I don't know what I'm saying. Thank you, Lord for this!" Nikki asked more about what we thought about heaven because it was different than she believed and nodded her head and she "oh ok" looked at my pictures and nodded her head and said "that's good" We said our "see you laters" and she went back to her room and I sat down to pray.


I pray that our team gets to continue this relationship with her for the next 2 weeks that we have left her and just LOVE on her. That the Thai people that live here continue to reach out to her and walk with her. I pray that God stirs in her heart and she questions here curiosity. I pray that she would seek the truth, understand it, and want it. I pray that I would not be anxious that I may never get to see her be saved, but, rejoice in how God used me to bring her and glory to himself. Thank you for reading til the end! I'm so glad that you got to be apart of another piece of how God is working in Chiang Mai! Please pray for Nikki and our team!

Different stories, different perspectives, but the same God working! Check out Amy and/or Shauna's blog to read what they did with more Thai friends today:
"One Day"
Shauna's Blog

Prayer Walk Through Wat (Temple) Doi Suthep

In a previous post ("Suu Suu! Fight Fight!")about the Chiang Mai Student's tradition of running up Doi Suthep our team go to go up the mountain (by Song Tau) and climb the stairs up to the temple. There we got to go and see the Jedi (not a Star Wars reference) where Buddha's body was believed to stay there. We also got to see other tourists and Thais' who practice Buddhism go and worship statued idols and Buddha's thoughts. While we visited the temple we prayer walked throughout the area and I thought asking you join in the prayer "watching" as an individually or as a group for the things in this video I made on Doi Suthep.

Childlike Faith

Every Sunday we have been going to church with Dream and we do children's church with her. This video and pictures are only a glimpse of what we get to be apart of every Sunday. I'm glad that I get to share even this much with you how God is moving in the lives and hearts of these children and the love that they have for God is so apparent and so strong for Him.

"Monk Chat...or not?"

The Wat (Temple) that is right next right next to Monk Chat.




Just a little snippet of what Tone talked with us about.



Some of the wise saying that are posted on the trees next to monk chat
If you can find it the "Golden Rule" is posted on one.

Suu Suu! Fight Fight!

Once a year the freshman students at every university in Chiang Mai run/walk up the mountain. There is a Temple at the very top and Thais' believe that the relics of Budda remain in the Temple. This is a tradition for the freshman students do this as a tradition and it is said that if you reach the top and walk into the Temple you will graduate from the school that you are attending. The Texas team, the Baan Kanoon team, and another Thai Christian organization came together to cheer the students on and to pass water out to them.

Thailand Blog Video 6: 7/7/11

Happy Birthday America, From Thailand

This tipsy lady dancing at a fourth of July celebration "is so American".

Thailand Blog Video 5: 7/2/11 and A special treat

This is describes the ride me and Amy had up to Dream's village with her neighbor and the language barrier.

Driving to the Dam

16 stories from Chiang Mai

Thailand Blog Video 4: 6/25/11

Thailand Blog Video 3: 6/17/11

Video Blog: 2 6/9/11

Video Blog 1: 6/5/11

So this is my first Video Blog of the summer and in my life. Since this is the first video of my life:

1) I realize its really short because I was talking so fast.

2) I left some things I wanted to talk about out.

3) It is definitely raw and uncut.

4) I will working on being better on the next one.

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Facebook Fast Unofficial Last Day

I started Sunday night, I was going to do this til Wednesday night for Elder Led Prayer at my church. I thought why not do it longer? I went on Facebook Friday to email someone about mission fundraising and my thought before this was "just one message, then get off don't look at anything, don't post anything" Surely, when I sent that message I clicked on my 19 notifications and 3 messages to find: I'm not the center of the world. Most of them were invites to events, and none asking how I've been for the past week. Well, if that wasn't a humbling experience. Nothing is about me, I'm not as awesome as I think I am. Just like I learned my first semester of college that back home people like my family and school still do stuff without me, still glorify God and not me. When I skimmed the smorgasbord of statuses I easily jumped back into peoples lives (without them really noticing) and then I asked myself what is the point of Facebook everyday, 20 times a day to me now? Compared to God, nothing. I know that Question and Answer is far more easier said than done, because I still have idols in my heart--that I thought were gone, I wish were gone, I have to pray about daily. But, that's just it. Daily-we know daily according to us, we want to do in a day, daily in our mundane. But, does any of that consist of daily: as in the cross? Daily as in our need for Him? Daily as in His new mercies? Daily as in how much we give glory to where it's not deserved or belonged? I've come to believe that in my foolishness of idolatry; God is always there. No matter how far I run, no matter how much I beat myself up over it, no matter how many times I repent. God is so much bigger, so solid, and so unfailing. The Gospel is beyond all of my shortcomings.

Facebook Fast Day 2

I never realized how many times I get on Facebook: when I'm waiting to do something, when I'm alone, when I'm bored, when I want to get comfort from others in knowing tangibles are there when I need approval, I just post a status. The first thing I do with a computer is type in my login for Facebook as routine, not even noticing I'm doing it. Without being on Facebook so much time has been wasted and I don't even know what to do with this time. Facebook is an idol for me it controls me, that it's not even a second thought of going to Facebook. I check it for comfort, and I seek approval with statuses. I don't have this strong "I need to get on Facebook right now" desire to just login but I do miss it. I do somewhat long for it and count how many days it is until I get to login. I've thought about many "brilliant" statuses to put on Facebook. I've thought about Facebook and everything about it in times I could've thought about God and everything about Him. Even when I don't have Facebook I'm not looking to Him, but other things like email: how many times can I check my email a day, expecting to see new ones just like statuses. I look to my phone and TV. I look to other things that aren't God. Why is that? More Idolatry-more idolatry and yet I don't feel the weight of your glory and don't care about your beauty. I pray for unbelief in the Gospel that I have yet to fully understand and grasp and seek. I ask for you to break me, help me to run to you instead of away. When I am alone help my heart wander to you in my thoughts, in my living, in my heart. God let this not be a fast, that is reliant on myself because I will fail, because this would be meaningless and I might as well stop doing this now. Please reveal yourself to me, let me listen and know you more. Let my desire and longing be yours. I feel lately I've been relying on myself, giving myself applause from things that are yours-things I'm learning, talent, things I'm doing. I can't rely on myself to get this right. I can't rely on myself to bring me back to you. I can't rely on myself to understand what I can't. I can't rely on myself-but I have been. God, help me feel this desperation and hope in you-my words ring true, but does my heart? I love you for your grace and mercy!!

It won't be long until we meet again

This past BUSY week consisted of not just the usual school but two fundraisers for my mission trip to Thailand. One of them was "Crafting for Missions" "Crafts, Oh Crafts how I just love thee!" God has been providing so much during this fundraising process leading up to my leaving...MUCH MORE THAN I COULD EVER IMAGINE! God blessed me with the best friends in the world donated their time and efforts to this night, and I am so thankful for them! Remembering back to last night and the people that God brought to craft night were perfect; just like Him to plan for something that extravagant! The day of crafts was so overwhelming I did not stop to see and soak in what God had done. I can say that everything that happened yesterday was about God. The conversations that were being had, the fellowshipping with the friends He has blessed us with, ministering to non-believers, the plethora of free craft supplies, food for our stomachs. Even the crafts were just reflections of who God is: the way he created us so differently (everyone's crafts), His love for us that we would have the desire to love Him and show it (crafts with verses or Jesus), reminders to rely on Him and pray for others (prayer string thing). Everything about this night brought glory to His name and kingdom. We raised over $100 this week to go toward my mission trip to Thailand-what a blessing!!! I have never seen anything like this!! Since I have accepted this mission trip He has definitely been strengthen my dependence and longing for Him. The more I see how beautiful His glory is the more I surrender to the things of this world and then....He blows me away and steals my heart again and again. I am so thankful that I can say "again and again".


I want to say thank you to all who are praying and supporting me on this journey!!

Here are some crafts that I made last night and are on sale at my EtsyShop:SticStic Store by withlove Alicia for my Mission Trip!



"The Lord is my portion", says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."-Lementations 3:24-25

Growing up

Story number 3000000000000 of my life

After I woke up I made then decision to go get the Hep A shot I've been needing. After I prompted Kailin to jump into my car (for studying afterwards) we were off to the Denton County Health Department. My first frustration was that the clerk gave my a paper telling me to "fill this out" of every shot I'd had ever had and when. I turned it in coming to find out that I only needed to fill out the bottom part: ie my name, address, birthday, blah blah. Following was a rather heated conversation (from me really and just Kailin listening. After my "counseling session" had died down I then realized where my real frustration may have been coming from. I looked up the hours for the Health Department. I drove myself to the Health Department. I filled out my own paper work at the Health Department. I got the shot by myself at the Health Department. BUT I had never done anything like this without my mommy! Before I got my shot I told Kailin "If I get to pick a sticker, I hope they have Hello Kitty (my mom's favorite) cause I would pick that one. And I hope I get a lollipop too." Kailin just chuckled and nodded her head. Well, I'm sad to say that I did not get that choice of sticker and lollipop (another clue of me growing up) so I opted for Yogurt Story and telling my mom was the next best thing to her being there. Another step of growing up and closer to going to Thailand.

Idolatry

"Lord, this is a good thing, yet why have I made it so absolute?
What is it compared to You? If I have You, I don't have to have this. This cannot give me love and helps as You do. This is not my life-Jesus is my life. This is not my righteousness and worthiness. It cannot give me that-but You can and have."

-Tim Keller "Gospel in Life"

O death, where is your sting?

You were on the cross, my God, my God, alone, alone
You were on the cross, You died for us, alone, alone
You were on the cross, victorious, alone, alone



o death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead, He's alive, He's alive

What's better than Suko Tai? Jesus in Thailand!!

This year I will be going on a mission trip but it will be out of the country in Thailand. I feel God has been pressing on my heart for a while to go outside of my city, state, and country. To be honest there have been a few fears of my own holding me back like: finances and me never experiencing life outside of the United States before. As soon as I surrendered my fears and doubts to Him and said “Yes, I will go” my dependence on Christ and Christ alone has been tested.

What will I be doing? : What I will be doing this summer is going with a team of 4 from Texas to Thailand. This mission has two parts to it: 1) to prayer walk through every school in the city and pass out Thai comic style bibles to every child in them, teaching bible studies 1 to 2 times a week. 2) Working with college students/adults in English teaching classes. Really, just building relationships with the people of this city and showing them His word and love are everlasting. I can only imagine how humbling it will be to see what God has made outside of just the small speck of land I live on and most of all to see that He is working just as much as he is anywhere else. It’s always amazing to experience his sovereignty!

How much? : Last year, God provided so much for the mission trip then: money, prayer teams, support etc. For this mission trip I have to raise $2650. In my acceptance to go on this mission trip, I also accepted the fact that I have to raise $2650. I also believe that I will not be providing this by myself; God is faithful and always will be. He has already provided some fundraising ideas like: babysitting, my Esty shop, selling my stuff to a local thrift store, and also having a garage sale.

How can you be a part of this?: I know I can’t do this alone. I also know that He calls each of us to be part of missions, be it to pray, to go, or to send. I believe we are all called to pray, and for that reason I am asking that you and your family would commit to praying for the people we’re going to, the city we’ll be ministering to, and for our team. If during your time in prayer the Lord puts it on your heart to support me financially, I would ask that you would follow His call. Thank you so much for your support and love!!


http://www.gonowmissions.com (for more info and online donations)
http://www.withloveAlicia.etsy.com (my homemade crafts)
And of course this blog (I am not a consistent blogger but I will try in this process.)

<3 In Him,
Alicia