Every need...

Every need is provided for!

That's the one thing I can always be sure of. So much so, if I was a betting lady- I'd have to always put all the cash/chips on God! :))

You may be a bit confused as to what this picture is and how it has to do with betting...well these are what I received in the mail from a dear friend and well, it has nothing to do with betting but all to do with needs being met.

What you are looking at is +$500 worth of cloth diapers that I received for the lil missus who will be making her debut in a couple months. I'm not a very "green" person but I do believe in taking care of the space I occupy (not littering, using reusable water bottles, turning off lights...you get the picture). Well my interest in cloth diapering actually has less to do with that, as it does with exploring options and saving money.

If you've learned anything from me in my ramblings, I do not like being boxed in. I like knowing what's out there and exploring. Its okay if something works for you, but the older I get the more I feel the need to make conscious decisions about whether that "something" will work for me too! After my friend (the one who gifted these) mentioned she was doing this for her son 3 years ago- my interest was piqued. ***by the way, birthday shout out to her!!!!! :blows horns and whistles: Happy bday Ro***

Now that my time has come-I'm about 98.9% certain. I'm leaving the 1% because I realize that as much as I want this to work, there are some considerations that I will be faced with and who knows. At the end of the day though- I would have tried and to that, I'm proud of myself! :) Anyway enough of the sopa box rambling...

I know everyone thinks I'm crazy with wanting to cloth diaper (despite all the benefits) and I know even my husband still has his eyebrows raised because of the initial cost to get the amount of diapers that I need ($500-700) and the extra work...but then I get this email last week and as you can see, we probably won't have to buy not one diaper. I will however, get a couple of the inserts (flat white things in the upper left corner @ about $5 each).

Here's the kicker-  if this method works for baby, we literally would have spent no more than $100ish on diapering for our child. And that's from birth through potty training. woot woot. can I get a happy dance here?

The only thing I need to be aware of is that apparently just like pampers, some parents have better use with a particular brand. so I'm praying earnestly that this brand works like a charm with her, so I won't have to invest too much more in testing and adding other brands to the collection

I'm so excited. This was yet another example of how God is taking care of us...even in the small things.

Remember, God has no hands or feet but ours. I love to quote: Be the change you want to see in the world.  Along that vein: Be the blessing you want to receive.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

pay it forward!

Last week I spent some time in Canada. Sadly it will be my last visit for a lil while (about a year to be exact). I've gotten the green light to proceed with my dissertation (happy dance) and now, the rest is up to me... with the guidance, mentorship and assistance of an awesome committee with expertise who has made themselves available for assistance wherever possible.

Anyhoo, I digress. This post is about a small, yet cool incident that occurred on Sunday past. I was in the drive through line at Tim Hortons and felt this overwhelming need to "pay it forward".   You know,  leave something extra with the cashier for the person behind me.

I looked in my coin purse and found some extra coins (which of course in Canadian could be a lot of money since they've got $1 and $2 coins- not bills). I identified that I had an extra $2 and thought, "well that could cover up to one large coffee".   While ordering, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade for $.10 more  (mini size to small tea) and I was like..sure whatever.

Well, I left the extra $2 plus my change and indicated to the cashier that it was to go toward the next car's bill, he smiled at me almost knowingly (we were conspiring together).  I smiled at myself. Not in a prideful way, but in a feeling-very-fulfilled way. Yes, it was only $2 but I can't ever recall a time that I was not fulfilled doing something for someone else- especially if it was more "anonymous giving"!

I enjoyed my tea on my way to church and just as I was about to dispose of the remaining liquid and the cup, I remembered that Tim Hortons promotional Roll up the Rim was still going on and the reason I was offered to upgrade was to be eligible. Now I should note, I am one of those persons...you know, who never ever ever wins anything? Everything I've gotten has been either because of unmerited favor (not luck or chance) or because of my hard work. So I wasn't really feeling any particular pull to roll up the rim, but I did...to humor myself I guess. As I was about to toss the cup after rolling up the rim  without reading, just expecting the try again...

there it was "winner"!!!! whoaaaaa really???

It was a donut. I won a donut...valued at $.60 but a win nonetheless right? I immediately thought of my actions purchasing the tea and thought to myself "aint that something". Now I know that this win was all by chance...and my tea was given to me before I paid (or I think it was) so I won't go getting all super spiritual about it...but I definitely think this was a tangible reinforcement to make it  more likely that I do this again.  

I'm challenged to be more conscious about how regularly I "pay it forward". Now the thing is, to truly pay it forward, the recipient should be aware of the good act and their responsibility to pay it forward also so there is a chain of good deeds that starts to just double and triple...

But honestly even without the intentional act of creating the chain, I think we as humans have an inward wiring to want to do good, especially when we have been the recipients of a good act.

So...go forth and do something good, selfless, or an act of kindness today!

Grace peace and love,

Gia