March 21, 2015 Shabbat Shalom

March 21, 2015 Shabbat Shalom!

It has been a little while since I've posted. I've been really busy being wife, mom, homeschool mom, business owner etc. By the way if you don't know, I opened a small online business March 2014 but have recently closed it due to too many irons in the fire.

So much has happened since I posted last. I was looking over some of my past post and have realized just how much has happened and how much I have grown in certain areas. So, I will start where we are now and in my future post try to catch you up with what has happened in the past year.

Shabbat Shalom! Today is Saturday or the Sabbath, which means "seven". My husband and I have a Saturday morning ritual. We get up early before the sun comes up, and before the teenagers arise! We enjoy each other's company with a cup or two of coffee and usually have  some pretty good discussions which are usually about the Sabbath and Messianic Judaism. This morning's discussion was about the upcoming Passover Seder. We don't know much the Passover Seder as we have never participated in one. We know what Passover is. In case you don't know, here is a link to learn more...http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Spring_Holidays/Pesach/pesach.html.

Since this is our first Passover in a Messianic Jewish synagogue, we will be learning from our Rabbi and fellow Messianic believers just how the Bible commands us to celebrate. Of course, we will be doing our own study from scripture as well as online sites such as the one I mentioned above. Here is a list of some others we trust:
     1. Hebrews 4 Christians - hebrews4christians.com (mentioned above)
     2. Root-source.com
     3. Chabad.org
     4. First Fruits of Zion - ffoz.org (this website is used by many in my synagogue)

If you are wondering, we will not be celebrating Easter again this year. We have done more research about the origins of Easter and it is pure evil. I will be sharing more about that later in another post.

Until next time, Shabbat Shalom, my friend!

Monogram Wooden Letters

Some of you know that I have been personalizing items on and off since 2009 under the name, Lyrical Letters. Since then I have begun to crochet in it's off season; which then lead to people placing orders. No better way to excite me than to pay me for one of most favorite hobbies.

My 16 y.o. son will be going to Honduras in June to help build homes for an orphanage.  We are all excited about the opportunity for him. Well, traveling overseas cost money and he needed about $600.00 to finish his obligations. So I came up with the idea to sell my crochet items and make these ever so popular wooden 3 letter monograms for your home,  front door or whatever your heart desires. 

In an effort to quickly get my items online,  I've joined Etsy and opened up a shop. It's called "White Sand Creations".  Click here to go straight to it.

Here are some photos of what I can make for you. And come back soon as I will be posting more pictures for you!

Cheap Valentine's Date Night

  We are always looking for ways to save money.  Especially when it comes to entertainment.  Going out to eat can be really expensive,  even for two people. Plus I would rather save my money and apply it to a bill. Remember,  we are getting out of debt the Dave Ramsey Way.

   All you need for a super easy and inexpensive date night is...
    1. A couple of pillows
    2. Blankets
    3. Food/drinks (we pack a picnic)
    4. Camera
    5. A romantic spot!
Because it was cold we picniced inside of our SUV. That provided us with heat and all the music we needed to create that perfect romantical night.

I absolutely LOVE sunsets. I will go out of my way to catch one photo of a sunset. I've been known to make my kids late for their events by chasing down the "perfect" spot to view a sunset and it's twilight.  We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place where we are blessed with the most gorgeous sunsets all year long. This particular date night was at the Fairhope Pier in Fairhope,  Al.

There, now hopefully you will take the opportunity to be with the one you love. Make memories, dream together, plan together, laugh and just have fun.

-Total spent...$0.00 (not including gas)
-(For food, we prepared our family dinner as planned and just took enough for us. For dessert,  we shared a slice of homemade carrot cake I made for our sons 16th birthday just two days earlier.)
-Our children are old enough to stay at home by themselves so there was no childcare expense. You could swap out nights of childcare with another couple to save even more money. 

I would love to hear your ideas. I'm sure there are plenty I've never heard of.

Now go make some memories.
~dee dee~

Galaxy Lite Review

I've had the Android 1.1 for three years.  It was the best phone I've ever had.  I've never owned an iPhone. I really don't care too.  I'm not the kind of gal that has to have the latest or the best of the best of anything.  Actually I prefer to buy used stuff (except undies,  ooh, that's gross).

About a few weeks ago I dropped my phone and several black lines appeared on the screen but I could still use it.  After dropping it a few more times the screen finally went black except about an inch of the top. I didn't have insurance so I couldn't get a new one.  I tried using the phone  but could only answer calls. No calling out or texting.  After about a week or more I finally got a new one. My husband and I weren't really sure which one we were gonna get.  We contemplated leaving At&t and ending our 10 year contract.  We looked into the Wal-Mart family plan.  We ended up switching to T Mobile.  We were able to buy 3 New phones and get a less expensive monthly plan.  Over all we will be saving approximately $90.00 a month on 3 phones.  Heck yea!  That's $90.00 more a month we will put towards paying down our debt.  But I'm not talking about our T Mobile plan or our Financial Freedom journey here.  This post is really to brag about how awesome my new Galaxy Lite is!

It's the Galaxy Lite. 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Android system.  It does everything my computer will do and more.  The touch screen is super sensitive and very easy to use and measures 5.5".  Android has come a long way with their apps.  There are so many apps available.  Just think of it and they have it.  Browse around and you will find apps you didn't know you needed.  The phone with apps and widgets already. As a matter of fact, I'm writing this blog post right from my phone.  And I'm using the keyboard swipe system which is super easy. (No texting thumbs here)

Here are a few apps I've added. ..
Kindle
Bank
Voice search (my favorite)
Netflix
Flashlight
Blogger
Everything Google. .. maps, gmail,       Google +, translator etc. 
Pinterest
The Old School Magazine (homeschool)
And many more I can't think of.  Of course there is Twitter and Facebook which I do not do.

I'm certainly not a professional reviewer and don't know much about phones and all of their working systems. I will say this, I've used my sister's and mother's iPhones and to me they are more difficult to use than my Android. Some might say because I've been using and Android for a few years now.  This could be true. Who knows!  That's my story and experience and I'm sticking to it. So if you are hung up on whether or not to get an Android or an iPhone for the money and ease of use, hands down, I say a Galaxy Lite. 

♡dee dee♡

DISCLAIMER: I am in no way receiving any kicks backs, advertising, monies or the like for my review. 

Closing My Facebook Account

This time every year for the past maybe seven years, Lynn and I spend extra time in prayer and fasting asking God to guide our family and our own personal lives in the direction He has for us this year. Last year this time, I heard Him speak to me that I should close my Facebook account. I didn't ask why but soon after, I became involved in some groups that used FB to post updates, questions, news etc. Not wanting to miss important information, I chose not to close my account. I continued to hear God through out the year about obeying Him and closing my account.

Well here I am a year later and praying for God's guidance for the year and He brings me back to last year and how He has already asked me to close my account. I know this may not seem like a big deal to you or even make any since. It's not really a big deal to me since I'm only on there maybe one to two times a week. And that's just to check our clubs' news and maybe nose around a little. (I really enjoy looking at my friends pictures) 

My sweet heavenly Father warned me about 3 weeks ago at our home church we attend that I was going to have to go backward before I could go forward. If you've ever been in this place, you know exactly what I'm talking about. And if you haven't, I will be glad to explain it to you. Going backwards means  visiting a time/times of hurt, disappointments, disobedience (As in my case of not closing my FB account) words or promises spoken in vain, anything sinful and the like. I've done this way too many times to count. This is how God heals me. This is how He gives me another chance to obey. This is God giving me grace and much more. (Don't you just love that)

As far as the making since part? Well, It doesn't make since to me yet. But then, I've learned over the years that it really doesn't have to make since. I've once heard a preacher say "Your brain in the dumbest thing you have". I must say, that is partly true. God don't make junk and I refuse to think my brain in dumb. I knew what this preacher meant when he said it. A lot of times, you really have to check your brain out at the door when it comes to hearing what God is telling you to do. Remember, scripture says that "His (God's) thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways". Man, thank God for that.  Plus, if we always knew "Why" we are to do something, wouldn't that take all the fun out of it? But seriously, that would not be living by faith now would it. Plus, what's normal to us is not normal to God. I think we need to change that. God stuff should be more normal to His children.

Enough of me rambling on. As of January 19, 2014 I will permanently delete my Facebook account. If you would like to reach me you may email me at demehuey@gmail.com. As of today, I continue to hear Him encourage me to blog. (Now that Blogger is running normal on my computer, I will be doing more of that) Also, I will keep my Pinterest account unless instructed other wise.

So, go with this my friends. Be encouraged, strengthened and know that you are loved very much by your heavenly Father and that He has great plans for you.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may he make his face shine down on you and be gracious to you.

             ~dee dee~

Walking {Through} Trials with Peace (Pt.2)

My last "Walking Through Trials with Peace" post, I mentioned that I was going through some health issues. Well, I have good news. I will share my short story first...

I went for my annual GYN exam in August. Since turning 40 in April, my doctor informed me it  was time for my annual mammograms. I agreed. No big deal, right? When the scheduler informed me that my appointment was going to be Sept. 25 I gladly accepted as it's my BFF's 40th Birthday. I wanted to do this for her because she has been fussing at me for a few years about getting one. She too has had a scare last year with a questionable mammogram that ended with a benign report. Praise God 10 MINUTES! Plus, let me add, her mother has been breast cancer free for 5 years now! Woo Hoo, Thank you, Jesus!

My appointment was not bad at all. Nothing like all the crazy signs and sayings I've seen on Pinterest or Facebook. The technician informed me that they may want to call me back for a second test as this was my baseline. She made it sound like this was the norm. I think she was trying to prepare me for what lay ahead as she has "been there, done that" with other patients whose mammograms were positive.

So when they called me back the next day, I knew something was wrong. She told me that they would give me a call in about a week. With my heart beating out of my chest, I arrived for my second mamo the following Monday. The technician was kind enough to show me on the screen which area was of their concern. She informed me there was a cluster of microcalcifications. That didn't sound good to me. Still believing that God is for me and that He was not going to allow anything to happen to me that wouldn't sooner or later bring him glory. I was however, discombobbulated with the idea that I could possibly have "breast cancer". There is no history of breast cancer in my family. Not to mention, I breast fed 3 kids for 4 yrs. If the statistic "Breast cancer is reduced 33% every time you breast feed" is true, I have a 99% chance that I will not have breast cancer. No matter what, I was going to move forward and praise God no matter what!

The next day, which happened to be my 19th wedding anniversary, my GYN nurse informed me that my doctor wanted to send me to a general surgeon. (That was the worst visit I've ever experienced. I will spare you the details.) The general surgeon informed me that he wanted to do a stereotactic biopsy. Ok, that sounds easy enough, right? A week later, I finally make it to the hospital for my biospy. That was not a walk in the park, but not too bad either. A lot easier than having a baby for sure!

Do you know what the hardest thing was? It was not the biopsy,  possibly facing chemo, mastectomy or even death. It was facing my kids. Seeing them struggle with that disease and what it could possibly to do me.  I just couldn't bare it. I do not in any way want them to suffer. We, Lynn and I, decided not to tell them until we knew exactly what we are facing. We knew that our son would be able to handle the news a lot better than our daughters.

Just to get right down to it. The biopsy results came back and it's BEGIGN! Talk about getting our praise on?! I can't thank Him enough. My next step is to have another mammogram in 6 months to watch for any changes.

God is definitely good and knows what He is doing. I love Him much more today that I did yesterday. I will forever praise HIM!

Celebrate with me by having your mammogram if you have not done so and encourage those in your life to do so as well! Don't just do it for me, do it for those who love you so much.

Thank you, Jesus for giving me your peace during the "waiting time" that passes all understanding!

~dee dee~

Walking {Through} Trials with Peace

As many of you know, I've started blogging in order to be obedient to my heavenly Father. He has been speaking to me for quite sometime about blogging for healing, mostly emotional. I believe this is my walking out the... "They shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the WORD of their TESTIMONY"! (Rev. 12:11)

Unfortunately because homeschooling requires so much of my time, I have not been able to blog as much as I would like to. I ran into a friend last night who talked about my blog and how much she enjoyed reading it. She doesn't know just how encouraging that was.

Today's blog is about something (Which I can not disclose at this time but will at a later date) that I am having to walk THROUGH!   Thank God I'm only walking through.  This is something that I thought I would never, ever, ever happen to me.  I will say, it's concerning my health. I've felt in the past that I have done "good" things for my body. Like, eating organic when I could, watching what I eat and trying to avoid antibiotics and hormones,staying away from fried foods, using coconut and olive oil, not using pesticides or fertilizers when growing my own food, drinking plenty of filtered water, taking my vitamins, praying continually, always forgiving and not holding grudges or bitterness. The only thing I could do better at is exercising. I've not been able to find the time.

When I started this medical process, I was doing it for just a basic health routine. Never in a million years had I thought that it would have to go further. This could turn into a pretty serious deal. Without God's immediate healing, I will have to walk through for a while. But I have to say, God's peace has NEVER, NEVER left me. I am experiencing the "Peace that passes all understanding".  Actually I really like how the Easy-To-Read Version states it... Php 4:7  And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God's peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.  Whoa, holy cow. Is that not just amazing. I just love how God creates circumstances that allows you to test His word.  Testing means walking it out, living it!

Let me explain a little about His peace!  I started this journey on Sept. 25, 2013 (Which just happens to be my best friend's 40th birthday) Just like Phil. 4:7 states. "His peace will stand guard over ALL my thoughts and feelings. I haven't really gotten upset, anxious, nervous or fearful over what "could be". My mind has stayed on him. (Is. 26:3 You [God] will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You.)  Actually, I haven't thought about it much, except when someone who knows what I'm going through calls me and ask me how I'm doing.

I just want to testify that God's word is true. It never fails. God never quits fulfilling his promises. He will do what His word says. He is not a liar. He is a caring, loving, gracious, healing, peace giving/sustaining, mind keeping God. I am His child and He will NEVER EVER give up on me. If there's good news of my health test, I will certainly praise Him. If bad news comes, I will still praise Him. There is a reason why I'm going through this. I can't help but feel honored, chosen. My greatest desire is to carry this mantel that He has allowed me to carry will be done so with glory to Him and with great gratitude and thanksgiving. May I somehow show His light to someone who needs encouragement and hope.

Although, let me inlcude, I am believing the best of news. I'm believing that God still heals and can heal me.  But, if that is not what He chooses for me, I will gladly walk THROUGH it. His thoughts are higher than mine, His ways are higher than mine. (Isa 55:9  Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my[God] ways are higher than your ways, and my[God] thoughts are higher than your thoughts.")

Please, keep me in your thoughts and prayers and very very soon, I will be able to share with you wholly what it is I am facing and possibly will be facing. 

I don't have much but what I do have I give to you...Hope and Peace.

With greatest of love to you, my friend
~dee dee~