I love Garage Sales. And it is that time of year! I thought I would pass on my favorite treasures.

Top Ten Yard Sale Treasure Categories:

1. Health Care/Beauty Products – It may sound weird, but I’ve found some great, high quality products at sales. Some I’ve gotten half-used, but that bothers me zero.

2. Books – I may be only one of a handful of people who still buy paper books. Love Little Golden classics, collection/series, copies of books you love to pass on to others, even used Bible Studies. (Though I would be way intimidated to sell one of my used studies knowing others would read my answers. Yeesh.)

3. Kid stuff – Obviously toys, books, games, clothes. But also soccer cleats, karate uniforms, Halloween costumes/dress up clothes, baseball caps, swimwear and goggles, hats and gloves. And then there’s all manner of baby stuff: cloth diapers, sippy cups, umbrella strollers. Of course it’s always good to keep your yard-sale-loving friends up on what all of you are needing and keep eyes out for each other.

4. Appliances – Once I got a Kitchen Aid grain mill attachment for $5! Also our coffee grinder, which is still going strong 3 years later. We got our deep freezer for $10. It was a bit rusty, but cleaned up easily and is still trucking. People sell good bread machines and some even lose their minds and sell their stoneware.

5. Home Decor – seasonal decorations, vintage items, picture frames, maps/globes. I know people who search for vintage suitcases & bed sheets.

6. Craft supplies – acrylic paint and watercolors, scrapbooking letters and paper, spray paint

7. Furniture – I love the idea of finding a random coffee table and fixing it up to match your style. I’m planning to try this method on an extra bedside table soon!

8. Athletic stuff – baseballs & soccer balls, fitness DVDs, yard games

9. Adult clothes and accessories – including jewelry, shoes, purses

10. Gift Stuff – Gift bags, gift cards, kid Birthday party invitations and party theme stuff

One caveat: We are as consistent in getting rid of stuff as we are bringing in stuff – even good deals. It seems to me that part is just as important to avoid any sort of hoarding or clutter.

Do you love a good Yard Sale? What’s on your list? I love to hear others’ treasure finds!

[O Israel] say to [the LORD]…

“Assyria cannot save us;

We will not mount war-horses.

We will never again say ‘Our gods’

To what our own hands have made…”

“I will heal their waywardness

And love them freely,

for my anger has turned away from them.

I will be like the dew to Israel;

he will blossom like a lily.

Like a cedar of Lebanon

He will send down his roots;

His young shoots will grow.

His splendor will be like an olive tree,

His fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

Men will dwell again in his shade.

{Cedars of Lebanon are not only majestic, they have a deep root system to survive the rocky terrain in which they inhabit.

Heights of splendor, deep roots, an immovable force. Much like His Church}

He will flourish like the grain.

He will blossom like a vine,

And his fame will be like the

Wine from Lebanon.

O, Ephraim, what more have I to

Do with idols?

I will answer him and care for him.

I am like a green pine tree;

Your fruitfulness comes from Me.” (3-8 NIV)

We’ve traveled so far with Hosea. I may forever wonder how his personal story with Gomer turned out. Or what happened to Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah and Lo-Ammi. How their family weathered the trials of being a human illustration of God’s love and judgement.

What Hosea preached during these 38 years could not have been warmly received by his contemporaries. And what he saw come to pass in his lifetime was a tragedy. But from the beginning, God made sure to have him point the Israelites to what will come.

The same is true for us. These are the Shadowlands. And we will never find in the now what can only be fulfilled in the future.

But, oh. What a future it will be.

For littles (2-6), Linwood Park Branch Library is having Play with Art this Monday, April 27th from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Think storytime told with their own, messy creations!

Speaking of the library and kids…the annual Summer Reading Program kicks off in a month. You get to set your own goal for how many books you read in two months. And when I mean the coupons are worth it, I mean the coupons are worth it. I don’t think you can sign up til school is out, but tuck that one away.

And adults and the library: interested in a book club but don’t want to start your own (ever or yet)? The library has a ton. What I like about the idea of this is meeting people with whom you most likely would never interact if not for this club. I like that kind of intentionality.

Caden had a flier in his school folder about bowling free all summer long. It reminded me of this post from Money Saving Mom. (Note: shoes are not included…and they frown on letting you bowl in your socks. By frown, I mean they won’t let you do it. Something about broken toes.)

Don’t forget to Fill a Flat now through Sunday!

Tomorrow, Friday April 24th, Watermark is partnering with Wichita Public Library foundation for Wichita’s annual Art Day of Giving. There will be poetry reading from 7:30-11:30 and live music from 12:40-3:40. And you can donate books to the library!

Our friend is working on getting her house sold so she and her hubs can move closer to family in Texas. I don’t want to talk about it. She keeps giving us stuff. We don’t need any stuff, so let me know if you need something. We probably have it. But I love this! For small hands trying to play Go Fish.

The boys and I passed around stomach junk all last week. Not fun.

Homework time.

My sweet parents came to see both the boys’ spring music concerts.

Caden’s was first. Singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Good friends.

Next up: Caleb’s debut singing performance. He did so well!

Garage sale finds: Teva sandals for a dollar. One of my favorite books, Praying God’s Word, for two dollars (hardback!) and its companion, Praying God’s Word Day by Day ($1). If you’re wondering why I would buy another copy of this book, it’s because I’m constantly recommending it to others. Now I can say, “Here. Take it.”

He serves me.

This recipe is not my idea, but I don’t know where I got it. Chicken, Bacon, Onion Quesadillas with BBQ sauce. The onions might be cooked in the bacon grease.

Caden saw something online about Holey Cream in New York. It’s doughnuts with ice cream and toppings. I know. Awesome after the bacon grease moment.

Yeah, they were happy.

This book. It’s called Vegetables in Underwear. Perfect for boys.

Always so glad to see these beauties pop up each year.

How was your week?

I thought I’d update you on how our first Family Prayer Walk went.

The first thing I did was write ten verses on a notecard packet a sweet friend made a long time ago. These were verses that could easily be read by our 7-year-old and are pretty straight-forward.*

I plan to reach for these each time we head out for an official walk, adding one or two new verses each time.

The walk itself probably lasted 15 minutes and was neither awe-inspiring nor a bust. We walked, prayed for neighbors’ needs, took turns reading a verse, talked to each other any time we needed to without feeling weird about it, and enjoyed ourselves.

The boys pointed out things I wouldn’t have noticed on my own and my husband’s perspective always surprises me. He is strong where I am not and we complement each other, even in prayer walks.

Thoughts thus far:

1. We want this to be a life-long thing. Because of that, we are going to stick with one prayer walk a quarter. Four a year. This is doable.

2. We have been and will continue to practice this in less structured, more spontaneous ways throughout our days. To lift up those we see as we drive along or remember our friends as we pass by their houses.

3. Whether in a remote village in Asia or around the block of our home, I love clinging to the promise that His Words we pray back to Him over a place or people will never return void.

He is a good God.

————————————————————-

I’d be interested to know how your family has formally or informally prayed on sight with insight. Wanna share?

* verses we chose:

Matthew 21:22

Isaiah 46:9

Jeremiah 32:27

Ezekial 18:32

Matthew 11:28

Ezekial 48:35b

Acts 4:12

John 6:44

Romans 10:17

Acts 17:30

The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone.
    He showers compassion on all his creation.
 All of your works will thank you, Lord,
    and your faithful followers will praise you.
 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
    they will give examples of your power.
 They will tell about your mighty deeds
    and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
    You rule throughout all generations

I have been the Lord your God
    ever since I brought you out of Egypt.
You must acknowledge no God but me,
    for there is no other savior.
 I took care of you in the wilderness,
    in that dry and thirsty land.
 But when you had eaten and were satisfied,
    you became proud and forgot me. (4-6 NLT)

I, the Lord, have been your God
since the time
    you were in Egypt.
I am the only God you know,
    the only one who can save.
 I took care of you
    in a thirsty desert.
 I fed you till you were satisfied,
then you became proud
    and forgot about me (CEV)

The Lord says, “I am the Lord your God, who led you out of Egypt. You have no God but me. I alone am your savior.  I took care of you in a dry, desert land.  But when you entered the good land, you became full and satisfied, and then you grew proud and forgot me. (GNT)

I AM the only One Who can save.

It is so easy to see Who is Savior as He is walking with us out of slavery. When we are in the desert and it is obvious He alone is daily sustaining us.

Why is it so much harder when we are full and satisfied?

If pride comes from trying to live on our own strength, let’s be grateful for the challenges. The times when it seems impossible to forget Him.

They are a gift.

In an ironic twist, those are the memories that sustain us in humility when we are eating our fill.

I have been the Lord your God…

My friends are always so sweet to pass on stuff that’s going on. And we try to pay attention to family/kingdom-friendly events. So I thought it’d be fun to regularly post these things on the blog!

This Saturday is the final one at Botanica for Tulips, Fairies and Forts. 58,000 tulips! (The entrance fee isn’t reduced, but it sounds cool.)

My friend told me about Journey the Way Church’s free simulcast event. It is next Friday the 24th from 5:30 to midnight, but needs registered by tomorrow, Friday April 17th:

http://journeytheway.com/events/event/26/secret-church-simulcast/2015-004-24

(They have a PG-13 caution on this as they will be addressing issues like sex trafficking and other real deals.)

This Saturday at Westlink Library they are having an event called Accessorize with Recyclables. Tell me that doesn’t sound interesting!

Starlite Drive In is having their $13 Carload price again this year on Friday and Saturday nights! It’s a triple feature and you can get a free car heater during these still-a-bit-chilly evenings.

And a heads up on the Johnson’s Garden Fill-a-Flat sale we love: It begins next Wednesday the 22nd and goes through the 26th. One fee for filling up a flat with your favorite plants!

Hope you can find something that interests you!

This sweet little book. Love the illustrations.

Caleb and I had a playdate that involved baby squirrels. Baby squirrels. Super cute.

I love the faces this boy makes.

He saw the yard games Dan got out the other day. We played bean bag toss on that gorgeous morning last Friday.

States puzzle. Well, except Louisiana. Don’t ask.

Some good checkers games around here lately.

A fun “yes” this morning to a park-playing query.

I want to make sure and not just include the good. Dan is almost done with school, putting us in transition mode and I feel it. We’re trying to be faithful and grow with Him in the ways He’s asking. Not sure what all that means, though. One step at a time.

The boys started karate this past weekend. They love it. I taught class and forgot to send the camera with Dan. Boo.

And, finally. The song Dan sang to me the other day, out of nowhere. I don’t know about and am not recommending all of Weezer’s songs. But this one is a new favorite. Grin.

How was your week?