Horizons Math Grade 4 and K,The Reading Lesson, Sequential Spelling, Lifepac Language Arts 4, Apologia Astronomy, Veritas Press New Testament/Greeks/Romans
Prima Latina, Contenders for the Faith and various Winters Promise books, Live Mocha Spanish, Plants Grown Up
I had seen it mentioned on friends' blogs, facebook and a message board I am on repeatedly, but had not taken the time to look into it fully. Last month I ended up spending WAY more than usual and decided I would try this challenge everyone I knew seemed to be doing, so I started out trying to spend no extra money, and spend as little as possible on necessities. But it was a full week into the challenge before I actually read the website!
I had seen it before but this time was REALLY struck by the family in Chad and how much so many of us are spending on extras...
The Lord has been working in my heart in a big way through this.
I am spoiled. I thought I wasn't but I really was. I am really humbled by it all.
And all the parts of the website that I have browsed so far http://www.mcc.org/gallery/ have really put life inperspective.
I re-evaluated my grocery list. We started using mostly what was in our pantry and freezer, spending just $25 a week, and we've still eaten well. A great variety and desserts too. We did have one $70 trip to replace things like detergents etc at the end of my month. I still spent much less than half my normal grocery amount over the month.
I kept thinking to myself through out about how I'll have to replace this and that once the month is over and it will cost a fortune, but then I came to the realization that I dont need to buy 3 or 4 of everything every time I go to the store. Having 1 or 2 on hand is enough, it isn't like I wont be right back at the store next month...
I used to think I was just "being prepared" but I am convicted that it is more than that, and I really need to scale back.
I started the whole thing to save some money but just how rich and blessed I am has become apparent. I used to think I did not take life for grated, but now when I step into the hot shower I am so much more thankful, for not only water, but plenty of it and HOT water as well. I am thankful for safe water to drink. I am thankful that we are so far from starving, even on our worst months.
I pray that the changes that have taken place in my heart are permanent.
I still have a LONG way to go, I bought so many "extras" over the month that I am truly ashamed... Even if they didn't cost us anything (or VERY little), that wasn't the point. I kept justifiying them away.. I was using "free money" (earned from Swagbucks, MyPoints, surveys etc) and so it didn't count when I ordered the newest season of Drive Thru History, some curriculum and some other books. And if I didn't buy printer ink, then I couldn't print coupons and save money... Excuses is truly all they were...
I just wanted to ramble a bit about my experience, thanks for reading it if you made it this far!
