Frugal Friday: More Inexpensive Thanksgiving Ideas

More great Thanksgiving ideas here... I don't know if all of the offers from last year are still available or not, but it appears so. Be sure to check out the "Scripture Adventures"!

Another Free Projecting Hope Movie: The Grace Card

The Grace Card will be showing at the Carmike Cinemas in DuBois this Thursday September 15th at 7:00. Tickets are free at the door. Seats are first come first served. Advance tickets are available through www.ProjectingHopeDuBois.com.

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Note that this movie is rated PG-13 (probably for violence and drug/alcohol content). It appears to contain significant spiritual content however, and is a project of Memphis' Calvary Church.

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View the trailer here.

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And also, the Focus on the Family's "Plugged In" review can be read here.

Biblical Womanhood

Earlier this month I had the privilege of spending some time with my sister Julie - just the 2 of us (and her family later in the day) while Mike was at a magic convention. We attended a women's seminar at her church Saturday morning. It was such a blessing and encouragement to me and I wanted to post this link so that maybe other women could be blessed as well... Thanks again for the time that we could spend together, Julie...as others said that day, you are an example of a woman following these principles of biblical womanhood...and I thank God for you!

Frugal Friday: Inexpensive Dates and Valentine Gifts for Your Spouse

I started this post before Mike surprised me today with a heart-shaped bouquet of flowers and I love getting surprised with flowers from my husband (thank you, sweetie!), but if your budget is too tight for the typical Valentine's Day celebration, you don't have to break your budget to show your spouse that you love them. In fact, some of the best dates/gifts are free. Here are some ideas for thoughtful, fun, and romantic inexpensive dates and Valentine's Day gifts for your spouse...

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1.) Go out for just dessert or gourmet coffee at the local coffee shop - even split one.

2.) Go dancing. I wish we were in Pittsburgh so that we could go Swing Dancing at the Wittman School in Squirrel Hill (see here) - a little more expensive ($16-20 for the night) but it's not only fun, it's good exercise too. For those in the Ashland area, there are the Malabar Farm barn dances through the summertime (free).

3.) Give each other a nice long backrub.

4.) Write a poem or song together or for each other instead of buying a card.

5.) Write the story of how you met, add pictures if you have them, and publish it in a photo book (there are often deals on these) or if you have Movie Maker on your computer you could create a video (this is what Mike did for me last Valentine's Day and I loved it!)

6.) Cook a nice dinner by candlelight at home, play soft music and dress up like you were eating at a four-star restaurant. If you have a favorite restaurant entree you may be able to find the recipe online (like I did with the Olive Garden's Tuscan Chicken from this week's Meal Planner Monday) - even splurging on a steak dinner or fancy dinner at home is usually much cheaper than ordering the same thing at a restaurant. Print out a menu in a fancy font and use linen tablecloths and a create a centerpiece from what you already have at home. If you don't want to do a whole dinner just make a special dessert such as cherry cheesecake.

7.) Take a class on photography if one is available inexpensively or teach yourself. Then, have a photo shoot of each other or ask someone to come along and take pictures of the two of you together - make it funny or romantic - be creative.

8.) Take a book on wildflowers or birds (visit the library for one) and go on a nature walk. Be sure to take pictures along the way. They will be great framed for decorations at home.

9.) Swap babysitting with another family or plan your date during the lunchtime or afternoon when the kids are in school.

10.) Play a board game together.

11.) Go to the park - pack a picnic, feed the ducks, hold hands, find a quiet place to cuddle on a blanket.

12.) Ride a bike - if it is available rent a bicycle-for-two for something unique.

13.) Attend a free outdoor concert if there are any where you live.

14.) Attend a play or sporting event at the local high school or college.

15.) Go stargazing - Take an astronomy book and see if you can identify the constellations in the night sky.

16.) Go bowling or play goofy golf.

17.) Go to the mall and people-watch.

18.) Pull out an old photo album or reminesce about your first dates.

19.) Depending on the cost - visit the local museum, zoo, art gallery, or historical sites. Check to see if there are discounts.

20.) For inexpensive group dates with other couples, plan a progressive dinner or scavenger hunt (like the "Amazing Race").

21.) Make a heart-shaped pizza.

22.) Go camping in the backyard.

23.) Make chocolate fondue and feed each other.

24.) Write out all the things that you love about your spouse on little pieces of paper and put them in a decorative container or heart-shaped box.

25.) Write a love letter to your spouse. Put it in a bottle and float it in a bathtub filled with bubble bath.

26.) Check out a movie from the local library (free).

27.) Read from the Song of Solomon aloud to each other.

28.) Go for a stroll at sunset. Watch the sun set over water.

29.) Go for a moonlit walk.

30.) Try something new - a new ethnic food, a new hobby, etc. Try something such as geocaching if you know anyone that has the equipment.

31.) Do something together that you haven't done in a really long time or maybe since you were dating (for example we went snow tubing on our first date). And if it's reasonable, go to that same place where you had the original date.

32.) Buy one of not-too-expensive scratch-off lottery tickets and write a romantic note that says "I hit the jackpot when I met you."

33.) Play romantic music and slow dance in your living room.

34.) Hide love notes for your spouse to find...in his wallet, on the mirror, etc.

35.) Plan a "mystery" date or surprise weekend. Leave notes or clues leading up your special time together.

36.) Come up with your own variation of the "Love Dare" book from the Fireproof movie - make up 40 days of special ways to show your love.

37.) Take an old medicine bottle and type out a label for a "Prescription for Love"

38.) The Love Jar Activity (see more on this link to Focus on the Family)

39.) Give your spouse a book of "love coupons." These are coupons for something extra-special to be used later. Try to target your spouse's love language. They can include anything you want, but some ideas are: a day of rest and no nagging (even if that means sitting and watching football all afternoon), a massage, 100 spoken "I Love Yous," a chore that your spouse does not like to do, an evening together to just talk, etc.

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Also...

I have enjoyed listening to parts of several "Valentine's Day" Christian radio broadcasts this week (when I have a chance to work at my desk), including a 2-part series on "Romancing Your Spouse" on FamilyLife Today with CJ and Carolyn Mahaney (see link here), and "Experiencing God's Dream for Your Marriage" on Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram (see link here).

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by my sister, Julie, to list 5 things I love about my husband. She did such a great job sharing 5 things that she loves about Keith that it will be hard to follow her, but here it is...

5 Things I Love About My Husband...

1. Mike has surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is continually growing in his faith. He has great knowledge of the Scriptures and is very insightful in his teachings and "Theological Thursday" blog posts. I love that I can turn to him to help me with my understanding of the Bible and have deep theological discussions with him. He is committed to leadership in the church and the Lord's will for his life. I am also humbled by his prayer life. I often will ask what he is doing if he is sitting quietly on the couch or while we are in the car traveling and he says he is praying. I am so grateful for the Lord's working in his life.

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2. Mike is committed to our marriage. He desires to have our marriage glorify God and for us to serve the Lord together. We do devotions, pray and read marriage books together to strengthen our marriage. He can be very romantic and thoughtful. I love it when he plans a little weekend getaway to a bed & breakfast or a date night as a special romantic treat. He does little things to make me feel special, like opening my car door, doing the dishes without me asking or starting the car for me to go to work on a chilly morning. He's not too "tough" to take a bubble bath, take a long walk on the beach with me holding his hand, cuddle or watch a "chick-flick" together. He often says that he misses me. He is very patient and rarely complains about anything (unlike me). He also gives me a different viewpoint on some things (such as evangelism, for example) because of his own experience and personality. Although that will sometimes cause friction between us, we "balance" each other. I have learned that being married to someone who is not exactly like me allows the Lord to challenge me and work on my attitude - that it would be truly Christ-like, not that I have a certain opinion/attitude just because of my own personal experience, and I have grown to appreciate that.

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3. Mike makes me laugh. There are times that I will be having a bad day or things will be rather unexciting and he will either say something or do something to make me smile or chuckle...like, just recently, singing karaoke before Jason & Kerby's reception or doing the "Yearbook" pictures of us on his blog. Not everyone gets to see this side of him because he appears to be quiet most of the time. But, whether it be saying a pun randomly, joking or telling a funny story from his childhood, or any of the other random creative funny things he does, I am thankful that I have him to keep life enjoyable even when things are serious or not going well.

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4. Mike is so talented. He is so intelligent and athletic. He has never had any formal computer training and he has somehow become the backup IT person at work. He is responsible about how we spend our money and is financially-wise. He was even considering a job recently with Edward Jones. He has been a little entrepreneur, buying and selling on eBay at times. When he is motivated he can get the job done in a lot less time than anyone else. The other evening he surprised me with a clean apartment - it took him less than 2 hours - it would have taken me all weekend. He is also very creative and a great problem-solver. And, he still amazes me with his magic tricks.

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5. Mike genuinely loves and cares about his family, including all of the "in-laws." He enjoys being at home with me, spending time with family whenever we have the chance, praying for them, playing golf with my dad and brother, doing fantasy football with my family, playing with nieces and nephews, sitting and talking to his Grandma and I could go on and on. I understand that he was his great grandmother's favorite and he loved spending time with her. She passed away very soon after Mike and I started dating, but I am glad to have had the chance to have met her. We visited her in the nursing home and I will always remember Mike gently caring for her and feeding her a banana and how her spirit changed knowing that Mike was there even though she couldn't open her eyes or speak.

I am so thankful that the Lord gave you to me to be my husband, honey, I love you!

And, now I tag Amy A., Jenny G., Maria D. and Dana J. to share 5 things you love about your husband either by leaving a comment on my blog or simply sharing with your hubby!

New Movie: Come What May

There is a free screening on GodTube October 27-29. I just found out about it so I haven't watched it (only the trailer), but this review praises the movie for "presenting solid legal arguments against the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision while captivating audiences with an engaging storyline that is both entertaining and thought-provoking." There is more information and the link to watch the movie here. Check it out!

Fireproof is in theaters starting today

You may have already heard...today is the opening of the new movie "Fireproof" from the makers of "Facing the Giants" and "Flywheel." As I hear more and more about this movie, I am more and more excited to see it. I found out today that it will be showing in Mansfield - yay! I would encourage you to check out the website (click here), if you haven't heard about the movie yet or to see if it is playing near you. Also, there have been a good number of interviews leading up to this release, but I'd encourage you to listen to this one with Kirk Cameron at Chris Fabry Live ...and while you are on that website you may want to listen to a couple other programs from earlier in the week I found quite interesting:

• Sept 23 A discussion on the economy from a Christian viewpoint including a discussion of the federal government bailout deal
• Sept 24 "The Man Whisperer": Speaking your husband's language to bring out his best

Recommended Reading

Marriage is one of God's great gifts. After 4 years of marriage I would say that Mike and I have a pretty good marriage, but, I find myself always wanting to make it better (maybe it is the perfectionist in me). The sin of selfishness can lead me to get caught up with what my husband is doing or not doing to make me happy, and I sometimes focus too much on striving for that "ideal marriage" that I picture in my mind. I recently began reading the book entitled: Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? by Gary Thomas I have found that this book reminds me that although striving to improve our marriage is not bad, the more important thing is my relationship with God (striving to know Him better, to trust Him more fully, and to love Him more deeply). And, whether a marriage is delightful or difficult, any situation that calls us to confront our own sinfulness has enormous spiritual value. From the back cover of the book..."Scores of books have been written that offer guidance for building the marriage of your dreams. But what if God's primary intent for your marriage isn't to make you happy...but holy? And what if your relationship isn't as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God?" From p. 26: "This is a book that looks and points beyond marriage. Spiritual growth is the main theme; marriage is simply the context."

So, if you are searching for a book on marriage, I recommend this one.