Yay! My friend from Northland has started a weekly plan to post works of God each Monday and allow others to link their own stories of how God is working in their lives. This originated at NBBC while we were in college. Each Monday during chapel they would allow testimonies of works of God that we had seen in our lives. Without a doubt this was a highlight of each week because we were reminded again and again that we serve a living God Who as work in our lives each and every day. We only have to look around to see it. I remember hearing how God provided from the small to the mighty. Sometimes it was a school payment just in the nick of time. Sometimes it was the opportunity to lead a child to Christ on extension over the weekend. But no matter who stood up and what they said, we were always pointed back to God and He was given glory. I'm so excited about the opportunity to go each week and read on others' blogs what God is doing in their lives. Thanks for the great idea, Jenny! You are already an encouragement to me. If anyone else wants to read the works of God each week, you can view them over at mjmuth.blogspot.com.

My praise for this week is that God has given me peace. Mike and I have finally filled in all applications, completed our adoption profile and had our home study. There is nothing left for us to do. Some have said that now is the hard part - waiting for a birthmom to pick us. However, the moment I turned in that final application on Monday, I had complete peace. I'm done. I don't have to do any more work, stress about making sure my house is clean enough for the home study, or worry about when we will get picked. Now I have the privilege of sitting back and waiting to see the ultimate work of God - a new life placed in our family for us to rear for Him. I am at peace and I view that totally as a work of God.

I LOVE CLEARANCE SALES!

Normally I don't shop at Sears, but for the last several weeks they have been running a clearance sale. Many of the items have already been marked way down and then they marked them another 75% off of that.

So, in the picture above you can see my take from Friday. There was a windbreaker/windpants combo, two sweater shirts, 5 pairs of pants and 3 skirts. The original retail value of the items was $387.00. I paid $40.00. WHOHOO!!!! The windbreaker/windpants set alone was originally $50.00. The pinstripe skirt rang up at $1.74 and it is nice skirt with a liner.

So yeah. Needless to say, I was excited.

Tilly

Well - here she is. This is Tilly. An almost one year old purebred staffordshire pit bull. She belonged to our neighbor down the road, but he didn't really have time to take care of her and she ended up escaping regularly. During her great escapes, she would often come down by our house. She looked kind of skinny, so when she came down I would give her food, water and love. Long story semi-short, she is now living with us while we seek to find her a long term home. As you can see from the pictures, she is very loving. I think she needs a home with someone at home during the day because she loves to be by people. She also needs a home where she can get tons of love and attention. With our four rotties, we already have a full house and although I'm becoming quite attached to her, I just don't think it is fair to her to keep her here where she has to share her people time with the other four.

If you know of anyone who would like her and will take good care of her, please let us know.

Score.

I love checking out and having your total come to over $58 (having already saved $9.60 on in store savings), hand a pile of coupons to the cashier, have your total come to $4.54 and then get your extra care bucks print on the receipt saving more than that $4.54.

I went in to CVS today with coupons in hand. I found the above shown items. I paid $4.54 out of pocket, used $22.99 in extra care bucks and left with $34 extra care bucks printed today. So basically they paid me $6.47 extra to take all of these items off their hands. Whohoo!!!!

In the picture are 3 different Sunsilk cremes (which will hopefully either straighten, curl or moisturize my hair), 1 Sunsilk Shampoo, 1 Sunsilk Conditioner, 2 Boxes of Excedrin Extra Strength Pain Killer - 24 count, 3 Nail Brushes, 6 Exfoliating Facial Buffs and best of all - 2 CoverGirl TruBlend Whipped Foundations (normally costing $9.29 each).

Oh yes...this totally makes me happy. They were, unfortunately, sold out of a few of the other items I planned on picking up for free which would have made the picture look even cooler, but I haven't given up. I have about 3 weeks left to find those available before the end of the month.

If you have CVS in your area and would like to get some of the same great deals, check out moneysavingmom.com for some help in where to find online coupons and other great deals. I have found that website to be a huge help.