Many TV shows are including themes of our current troubled economy.  From Ugly Betty to Law and Order, the impact of budget cuts and job loss have been written into the scripts.  I thought it’d be a good time to share some tips that have helped my budget without cramping my lifestyle:

SAVING ON GROCERIES:

- Make a habit of collecting and cutting up the Sunday Newspaper.  warning: this can be time consuming, but it’s worth it!  I was inspired by a woman who was a guest on Oprah that had over a $100 bill of groceries be cut down to under $40 with just coupons.  But she cuts every coupon she finds in the Sunday newspaper, which can take a couple hours every week.  I opted to spend only an hour cutting only coupons for things I was absolutely sure I needed–and ended up spending $8 instead of $16 at walgreens.  It takes some patience and work, but manufacters’ coupons usually last a few months so if done every week, you will have a bunch of coupons to use every time you shop.

-  Buy almost expired produce and meat (but consume before expiration of course).  Meijer is great with setting aside almost-expired foods and marking down the prices to half off–usually with red stickers.  I’ve noticed that Mondays are when they usually have the most of these discounted items

SAVING ON CLOTHING:
- Discount stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx can save a lot of money, especially with name brands that you’d find at most shopping malls. However, it’s usually a lot more work rummaging through all of their things to find something you like.  One thing you can do to make sure you are looking at their best selection is to contact the store and ask when they are getting in their next shipment / wave of new clothing–and plan on being one of the first shoppers

- Buy clothes at the end of the season to use next year.  For those of us who like to be fashion-forward, this is risky since some trends come and go.  However, there are always those things we know we will need for sure like scarves, gloves, hats, etc.  And there are always classic pieces of clothing that will last any season.  As for things that are more trend-based, you might just have to use your fashion sense and take a risk.  But faux fur-trimmed jackets and UGG boots have been on campus for years now, so I think it’s worth the risk.  Just remember: get what you *need*, not want.  But the more %$ off original price, the more you can tip the scales to the ‘want’ side.

I’ll be spending some time traveling during the U of M Spring Break, so I’ll be updating on travel tips later!

At a leader’s meeting this weekend, one of our church staff with a background in counseling (and one of our writers-Hannah) came to talk to the ladies about eating disorders. It is estimated that 10% of female college students suffer from an eating disorder, and that four of every five women in the U. S. are dissatisfied with their appearance. Even looking at these statistics makes me realize the value of equipping our female leaders about how to help themselves and others who struggle with this.

One thing mentioned in the talk was about how our culture and media is one of the etiologies of eating disorders. How true this is! There’s always talk of stars losing or gaining weight, with more applause for those who have lost weight. There’s a pressure to be thin and that being thin is beautiful.

The media recently have been pointing out Jessica Simpson’s weight gain. Looking at these pictures, she definitely doesn’t look like a stick and she doesn’t look fat or obese to me. I think she looks fine and wish the media would hold back comments on how heavier she looked.

Even Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, stood up for her daughter when the media took pictures of her in a bikini and made unkind comments about her daughter’s weight. The Duchess kept commenting that her daughter was “a healthy size 10″.

I do admit that the cultural and media influences are strong in how we view ourselves and others. But we must fight against those and other worldly influences and replace it with Biblcial truths. We can’t do it alone. We need the power of Jesus and the accountability from other sisters.

And rather than focusing on being a size 0, 2 or ?, I think the focus should be on being healthy as ladies.

Yesterday, as I listened to the inauguration and all the festivities associated with it on NPR on the way back from work, I was deeply moved by the incredible journey that this country has taken.  There was a sense of optimism, hope and genuine pride in this country that even I could sense leaking through the speakers in my car.

Even as a non-citizen and as an outsider of this country, I couldn’t help but be struck by this incredible turning point in history.  It was actually the first time I felt like being a US citizen!  Having grown up in Kenya for the first 17 years of my life and having been deeply sensitive to matters of inequality, prejudice and oppression in a global sense, I was moved by how it is so worth it to fight for something greater than myself.

Controversy aside, I am indeed thankful for the democractic process and am feeling more hopeful about seeing good government and good policy from this particular administration.  At the same time, I always return back to a timely truth that I’ve come to hold on to - the only institution that can truly change the world is the church.  Let’s roll up our sleeves and continue to fight for the things that are close to God’s heart.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would compile a list of 10 things I’m NOT thankful for… and find reason to be thankful for them:

10. Slow drivers - I can pause and enjoy a time of solitude in the car.

9. Frigid Michigan winters - I can savor my favorite hot drinks without breaking a sweat - like black coffee or green tea… MMM.

8. Slow service at restaurants - It allows for more quality time with friends/family.

7. Telemarketers - They test and develop my patience.

6. Monday mornings - They give me a valid reason to ask for an extra shot of espresso in my coffee.

5. Slow internet connections - They force me to peel myself away from the computer/internet for once.

4. Relational conflict - It leads to reconciliation and deeper appreciation and love for each other.

3. Really frigid Michigan winters - Snowball fights and snow angels.

2. Not being able to un-send an email after accidentally ‘replying-to-all’ - The opportunity to laugh at myself and bring amusement to others (not that this has every happened…).

1. When life gets unusually busy and crazy - I’m thankful to have an eternal purpose in life that keeps me busy and crazy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recently I was doing a bit of research in regards to biblical womanhood and see what opinions were out there on the matter.  I ran into the very excellent website of Carolyn McCulley called Radical Womanhood.  She gives an excellent synopsis of the feminist movement and how the different waves of feminism affect the Christian woman today.  I recommend taking a look at it as it will be excellent food for thought.

Of course I mean in your relationship with God.

As the winter chill takes over our city, I’m reminded of the many Novembers when my growth in knowing God would plateau with the dropping temperatures.  It would subtly slip from being a relationship to becoming a routine.  But in recent years I’ve found the following tips have helped to keep my relationship with God alive:

1) Change up the setting now & then- I am a strong advocate of morning prayer, but sometimes it’s hard finding the time to journal and study the Word as much as I’d like during those times.  What has helped is to find a different place, a few times a week and later in the day, to focus only on journaling or in depth studying of the word that doesn’t fit during morning prayer.  My favorite spots at U of M: Grad Reading room, 6th floor of the stacks, facing the Law Quad. it’s especially beautiful in the late mornings.  Douglas Chapel in FCC. Espresso Royale right at 9am. And the Law Library reading room - late mornings are best. Also, having a warm cup of tea during these times would increase my anticipation for these occassions…a cozy time where I can cuddle up with God.

2) Take a vacation - not away from God, but with God.  I’ve done vacations in various ways and lengths.  One year I took monthly half day retreats to bookstores or waterfronts (weather permitting) to read and reflect.  The following year I took a week long hiking trip in Utah thanks to frequent flyer miles.  This winter I hope to take a road trip somewhere warm with a good friend.  I think we all know about the importance of taking personal retreats–but what has helped about these retreats was the commitment to set aside special times and experiences with God.  These are the rare opportunities where my time is unhurried, so rather than filling up my vacation with busyness in the form of entertainment, I make sure to set aside a few hours each day where I can read, pray, worship, study the word, journal, and take walks for reflection.

3) Use an aid -I’m surprised at how many women I know approach their daily personal times with God like a lottery; by just opening up to whatever part of the bible and reading the random passage of the day. I definitely don’t recommend this, since it doesn’t seem to be a strong approach to learning without some kind of thematical or chronological order.  I would strongly suggest using some kind of schedule or aid that would best fit our spiritual needs.  The Bible reading plan that we have at HMCC is great for those who have never read through the bible.  There are several resources out there for book studies or topical / thematic studies.  Here are my recommendations:

- Lifechange Study Series - in depth study of the books of the bible (one study per book).  One chapter can be very hefty to do on a daily basis, so I would recommend doing half a chapter a day, or using this once a week to supplement another plan

- Experiencing God  - I did the workbook version which might be hard to find today.  But this helped provide the structure, explanation, and thematic focus I needed to start off a daily devotional. It also helped me focus on my relationship, and not my routine, with God.

- Walk Thru the Bible - I am currently going through this a second time.  It covers the bible in a year, which can be daunting at times since I feel like I’m taking in so much in one day.  But occasionally I take one day a week to do a chapter of a lifechange series study so that I can regularly be digging deeper into a smaller portion of scripture.

4) Reflect on a regular basis - this has become, by far, the best thing I’ve done for my faith in the past year.  I used to be a journaling addict in college, but I lost that discpline after graduating.  I decided to pick it up again, and have made the commitment to journal on a daily basis…even if it’s only a few sentences.  This has been a great avenue to grow in my relationship with God because it allows me to listen for His voice at the end of the day.  This usually leads to daily repentance of all the thoughts, motives and actions that I realized were sinful.  And I either document these things as areas of prayer, or I journal an honest expression to God.  I’m also able to take note of any current anxieties that I can revisit in my prayer time throughout the week.  I also write down things I’m learning from my daily devotions, or verses that stick out to me during various church gatherings.  It’s like I’m having a spiritual spa every evening–releasing all my toxins and getting the nourishment I need.

5) Constantly Listen, and Constantly Give. As I’ve been getting into the habit of reflecting and journaling, a surprising result is the surplus of ideas that pop into my head.  There were several times when a person comes to mind because of a recent conversation or even because of the particular thought or topic I was meditating on.  I take that as a cue to listen to God, write down a reminder in my smartphone to do something about it that week, and find the time to do something small but encouraging for that person.  I would lift up a prayer, send an encouraging e card, give a phone call, or even send flowers.  Other times I would think of more than one person–but sometimes a whole family, a need in the church or even an idea for worship.  I’ve felt there’s been greater fruit in my life as I take the time to listen and consistently respond with giving. This has helped me to view my daily life, and my daily times with God, as being very purposeful.

Those are my five helpful hints for now…I hope it is able to help others in their walk with God!