Live 4 Today

October 2012 Issue #010

Welcome to this month's issue.

1. Life Happens
2. Cost Cutting Basics
3. Frugal Tip of the month
4. Savoury Muffins or Cheesy dumplings

LIFE HAPPENS

""Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" - Unknown

When life knocks you down, you sometimes find yourself just lying there in life's dust, too stunned to get up.

And it's good to find yourself knocked to your knees for that's the best position to pray in.

I have been there the last couple of months (and still am to some extend)

- not able to think of much else than the devastating news I received of two friends close to me who are battling with Cancer - one an aggressive refractory Lymphoma, which after a year of treatment so far hasn't responded to treatment. (This is the reason for NO newsletters in over 2 months!)

But as devastating as life can be and as great as our problems are....

.... God is Greater!

He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider and His grace is sufficient for me.

God never promised us a smooth journey but He promised to get us to the other side.

Often our reaction to our problems is wrong. We look at the way we expect God to react.

• Financial problems - God must fix it;
• Marital problems - God must deal with my husband ;
• I lost my job - God must provide a new one;
• I'm sick - God must heal me.

He didn't promise a smooth journey - He is with us all the time and will never leave or forsake us and He will give strength for the journey.

Whether I get to the other side battered, broken, broke, unemployed and sick, as long as my soul is whole and strong.

So........ (deep breath),

.......... as I dust myself off and prepare to keep on keeping on, I echo Paul's words in Philippians 1 verses 20 - 21:

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

COST CUTTING BASICS

..... times are tough!

Are you retiring, have you lost your job or just really feel the pinch and find that you desperately need to find ways to "survive" in this current financial climate?

Then you will need to get back to the basics of cost cutting . There are so many ways where we often waste our money without really even realising it.

I found it helped me to keep a "spend diary" in the early days - just so that I could see where all our money disappeared into - it's the "little" things that add up (take aways, chocolate bars, crisps etc.)

It helps to draw up a budget , so you can see (black on white) what you can and can't afford. It will also stop you from spending your money "blindly".

In my frugal journey I have come across many clever ways to save money and other useful general strategies to save money , some of which are just really common sense but I thought still needed mentioning - take a look and give it a try.

Soon you'll find yourself able to breathe a little easier.

It is really tough in the beginning but I promise, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Sometimes it is good to know you're not the only one struggling .....

..... just keep on keeping on ;-)

TIP OF THE MONTH

Use non-permanent markers to write your shopping list or reminders on the glass. Remove the writing with a soft cloth or tissue.

SAVOURY MUFFINS OR CHEESY DUMPLINGS

The muffins freeze really well. Make an extra batch and surprise your kids with a yummy, healthy school treat.

Ingredients

• 3 Cups self-raising flour
• 2 large baby marrows, grated
• 4 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp dry English mustard
• 1 and a half cups of warm milk (for muffin mix) OR 2 cups warm milk for dumplings
• 1/2 cup mild sweet Chilli sauce or Chutney
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• a pinch of salt
• 2 tsp dried oregano

• Sift the flour, mustard and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
• Add the baby marrow, cheese and herbs.
• Mix the eggs, milk and Sweet Chilli sauce in a separate bowl or jug. Create a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour the milk mixture into this well.
• Gently mix the ingredients together - don't overdo it.

If you're making muffins:

• Spoon the mixture into greased muffin pans and bake at 200 deg C for about 20 minutes.
• Let it cool in the muffin pans for about 5 minutes before turning it out.

Makes 24 muffins


If you're making dumplings to serve on top of a stew:

• Drop large spoonfuls of the batter on top of your stew when 30 minutes cooking time still remains.
• Close the lid and let the stew simmer until done.

""A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked." Psalm 37 verse 16

Comforted 4 Today

Happy Frugal Living everyone!

Ray xx