If you don’t know by now, Haiti was hit by a 7.0 earthquake. Because of their buildings’ poor infrastructure, Haiti is now in complete devastation. It looks like 100,000 people are dead and more wounded. Motherless children and children-less mothers now walk the rubbled streets.

Can you imagine?

No water.
No lights.
No shelter.
No food.
No sign of your family.
The smell of death surrounds you.
Does that lifeless leg protruding from under that rubble belongs to anyone you know.
And now, the riots are starting.

I can’t stop thinking and praying for the people of Haiti.

I don’t want to add to the noise… I just want to help facilitate direction to resources.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Online Prayer Chain
World Vision
American Red Cross
Medical Teams International
One Day’s Wages
MercyCorps
Compassion International
Nine Ways to get Involved – from Mashable

Please pray with me.

And if you are someone who can really help financially or physically… please do. PLEASE!

So many of my friends have found ways to save money.  Clipping coupons, downsizing, box color instead of salon love, cutting out Starbucks…

For those who don’t know, I actually consider it my JOB as the CEO of my household to help every dollar my sweet husband & I bring in stretch to it’s fullest potential.  We’ve had a bit of an adventure this past month shaving more wasteful dollars off the frivolous list and getting them into savings.  

I figured this would be a GREAT time to share what we all do to save money. Many of you are WAY more brilliant than me so I would love to glean new ideas off of you.  First, let me share what the Clayville’s have done:

10 AVENUES OF “SHAVING”:

1. Envelope System.  We basically only take out cash for our weekly/monthly budget and steer clear from using debit cards (we got rid of credit cards a LONG time ago).
2. Unbundled our home internet/cable/phone.  We now only have internet and a cheap homeline ($9.95 per month).  We got rid of cable.  No TV at all.
3. Cut out our daily coffee runs.  But let’s be serious… we still grab a drink maybe a couple of times a week.
4. Buy store brand.  We still shop at New Seasons & Whole Foods because we are committed to eating mostly organic (we, as a family, have decided we will cut other things before this), but sticking to store brands brings the cost WAY down while still getting great quality, which leads me to…
5. Eat at home 95% of the time.  Again, if you know me, you know I LOVE to eat.  I really appreciate different tastes.  We used to eat out maybe 75% of the time.  It’s has definitely scaled back to 5% now though.  That has now manifested itself into my kitchen skills.  Hubs says he likes my cooking better anyway
6. Box Color is my friend.  No more salon visits every 3-4 months.
7. Craigslist.  We’re selling EVERYTHING we don’t use.  Makes room in my garage too.  This is probably easier for me to do since I’m an organizational nazi who is DEFINITELY NOT a hoarder.
8. Walking.  The weather has been a lot nicer, so we walk with the kids a lot more.  Saves a lot of gas money driving to…
9. The Library.  We get almost all our DVD movies from there right now.  We actually don’t borrow books because we LOVE books and mark and write all over them.  Pretty sure the library wouldn’t be so happy about that.
10. No mani/pedi’s.  No spa treatments at all.  This is awfully painful for me.  I keep my nails and toes clean and polished myself.

So… I wanna know…

… where are YOU shaving?

… or listening/watching (click on the picture):

Please continue to pray with me for the following:

• President Obama & his family – the next 4 years are going to take a toll on them.
• Our country – I’m disheartened by how ungrateful America is.
• President George W. Bush & his family – that they get the rest they deserve and know SOME of us are thankful for their time in the whitehouse.
• The hope a new president brings. 

Am I missing anything?

What a historical day yesterday was!  My friends and family were a good picture of what the U.S. looked like – 50% for Obama and 50% for McCain.  Brian and I voted solely on who we thought had more experience to take on this broken nation (McCain)… not because we thought the other was incapable (Obama).

Like most of America last night, I was glued to the television.  When Obama was announced, I knew it was time for me to pray and turn my support to his earned office.  It was the same thing I would have done if McCain was announced.

My hope is America stops fighting with herself and becomes the United States we were meant to be.  It’s time to be thankful for the freedom that has cost us so much.  Let’s stop the bashing and start supporting our country and leaders, my friends!

And don’t forget… our current president is STILL George W. Bush who holds the office which deserving our respect and support.

Side note:  Can I just say I’m SOOOO glad the negative campaigning will end now.  THANK GOD!!!

Stepping off the soap box now.

I VOTED!!!

I did my research.  I listened to the forums.  I watched debates.  I spent time in His Word… and I prayed… a LOT.

Last night… I had the privilege of being a part of “Praying Backwards” with over 180 people across America, hosted by Carlos Whittaker.

We prayed for our country, our leaders, our presidential/vice presidential candidates, their wives/husbands, all their children by name, etc. as a church that was clearly divided in who we were voting for, but coming together as ONE for an hour.  We’ve already experienced enough as a divided country… the last thing we wanted was to be a divided church.

It was pretty amazing!

I definitely have my own opinions per each candidate and feel strongly on which one I believe would lead our country better… however… I work hard to stay out of too many political debates about McCain vs. Obama.  I do this because I believe people are voting according to what they believe is best for their country.  That is what America is about.  We have the freedom to do that.

I also believe that both candidates are truly bringing their BEST to serve America.  You can’t fault either one for that.  

What I don’t have much tolerance for is people whom I know are Bible believing Christ followers, yet try to justify voting for measures or propositions clearly in opposition of what God clearly stands for in His Word.  How can we ever compare God’s Word to what “just feels right”?  

Yes… there are definitely parts of the Bible that are still WAY beyond comprehension for me.  The more I learn, the less I know.  But in that same thought process… there are parts of His Word that are non-negotiable and clearer than water filtered through a Brita 14 times.

The audacity and ego involved with us humans really believing that our finite intelligence and “feelings” trumps God’s very clear desire for our HOLINESS confuses me.  These are the things I will not stay quiet to even if they call me a dirty name. 

Though I am obviously talking about someone else in this situation (though I will not say who or what the issue was about), as the day went on, God began to massage my heart.  Though this person may not know better and is doing the best with the little info they may have, I DO.  

I KNOW BETTER!!!

1. What have I done to mangle the Word of God?  
2. What clear words of His have I purposely ignored because the opposite “felt better”?
3. How often have I stepped out of His loving protection because my ego believe I was more equipped?
4. How many times have I hurt God’s heart due to my own vanity?

I am a hypocrite.  I, too, am a disobedient sinner.

Though I will continue to speak out and defend my God on issues I know are clearly written in His Word… I will also deeply check myself before I wreck myself.