What God is teaching me through this journey is “Hope” and “Peace”

I will start out and say this has been one of the hardest post to actually write, but I know God wants me to be completely transparent and so I will be obedient.  

About a month ago Jamie and I knew God was telling us we needed to make some changes in our life including the blog. We began spending more time in prayer asking God to reveal his vision for us. When we started I told Jamie, Satan is not going to be happy and will start attacking us in every avenue. Well, that has proven to be true and we thought we were ready for the battle.

Last Monday started out to be a stressful day, no school AGAIN, I needed to get my 365 Days of Kindness video completed, the City of Toledo’s Mayor had a cardiac arrest, our driveway had close to a foot of snow and Jamie had pulled his back out, and I found myself completely overwhelmed. As the day progressed we got things done and then sat down for dinner like usual. After dinner, I found myself becoming increasingly agitated. My heart started racing, I had a lump in my throat, I was having a hard time swallowing. I have had panic attacks in the past and I told Jamie I was having one. I tried to talk myself out of it and tell myself it was a panic attack, but my mind took over and it became full blown. I was convinced I was dying. I was convinced Jamie was going to have to call 911. Jamie and the kids watched me in complete and utter panic mode. I paced, I tried to lie down, but I could not calm myself down. Finally after 2 ½ hours I was able to fall asleep, but quickly awokened again, anxious. Anxious that it was going to happen again. I got about 2 hours of sleep that night and tried my best to look somewhat put together for the kids on Tuesday before they headed out to school. My stomach was sick. I made a doctor’s appointment and went in to see my doctor. I had not eaten the entire day as my anxiety level was so elevated. My doctor prescribed me a med for the anxiety, ordered blood work, and said to monitor my BP. I am also in the beginning of menopause so my cycles are not regular and my hormones are completely messed up, so just a number of things. This anxiety was completely debilitating; nothing I had ever experienced before. I have worked in the medical field my entire life and seen others have panic attacks, but I was convinced it wasn’t just a panic attack. This continued the entire week with the pacing and anxiety, and many trips to Speedway for a Gatorade. I was trying not to take the antianxiety medication so suffering BIG time. As it became dark each night the anxiety got worse as I knew everyone else was sleeping and I would be wide awake and alone again without Jamie or the kids, BUT that is where Proclaim FM came in. I had the radio on every night and listened to Charles Stanley and Tony Evans and one night in particular they kept saying “Be Still and Know that I am God”. I knew that was God speaking to my spirit and telling me to listen to him. So many things were starting to come to light, i.e. my work schedule, forgiveness, outreach, etc. When you are debilitated all you can do is listen.

By Saturday morning my anxiety was the worst EVER and I told Jamie we needed to go to the church to see our pastor. Upon arrival he was teaching a class (that we did not want to disturb) so we went in the sanctuary and I cried and cried and prayed and prayed. I told God “Please just reveal to me what you what me to see in this storm. Please help me to listen”. Our pastor came in and talked to us and prayed over us. [Read more…]

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Many of you may know I am dealing with some debilitating health issues right now. They began last Monday night and today I am reaching out to each of you that read the blog.  Today, I am asking you to please pray the below prayer over me as often as I cross your mind. My friend, Sara, sent it to me. My doctor’s appointment is at noon.   Please note you can include my name as below.   Love you guys and thanks so much!! 

Psalm 41:1-3
How blessed is he (Joni) who considers the helpless;
The Lord will deliver (her) him in a day of trouble.
The Lord will protect (Her) him and keep (Her) him alive,
And (s)he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give (Joni) him over to the desire of (Her) his enemies.
The Lord will sustain (Joni) him upon (Her) his sickbed;
In (Her) his illness, you restore (Joni) him to health.. . In Jesus name we pray . and all God’s people said AMEN!!

GOD IS GOOD . . . ALL THE TIME!!! There is power in prayer and I am believing for complete healing of my body today.   I know this is spiritual battle with the enemy, but the battle was already won by the blood of Jesus 🙂  

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SUPERBOWL SNACK IDEAS UNDER $14 AT KROGER

I am not sure how many of you are into the Superbowl or just the party aspect of it, but however you celebrate, food and snacks are always a main theme.  I have put together a shopping scenario with Superbowl Snack Ideas for under $14. Everything pictured above, you can snag for ONLY $13.72. That is a pretty cheap party if you ask me 🙂 This shopping scenario is from Kroger or affiliates and is part of their mega event (buy 6 items, save $3 instantly). During a Kroger Mega Event, you can mix and match any participating items included in the event as well as purchase as many items in multiples of 6 to receive the $3 off.  I have put together step by step instructions below, so all you have to do is print the coupons and go shopping.  Just click the pink links and it will take you directly to the preclipped coupons. Now click the red “print coupons” in upper right-hand corner and you are ready to go shopping (make sure you don’t forget the coupons, LOL) . There are also 2 Kroger Catalinas that you will receive which are highlighted below.

NOTE: Catalinas are coupons that will print out after you pay that can be used towards purchases on your next shopping trip. 

Here’s what the deal looks like:

**KROGER CATALINAS**
DiGiorno Pizza- Lg – 1/5/15 – 2/6/15
Buy (2) = $1 OYNO
Buy (3) = $2 OYNO
Buy (4) – $3 OYNO

Farm Rich Snacks  – 1/10/15 – 2/6/15
Buy (2) = $3 OYNO
Buy (3) = $5 OYNO

Kroger Shopping Scenario

Buy (4) 7up 2 Liters - $0.75 each
Buy (2) Pringles - $0.99 each
Buy (4) DiGiorno Pizzas - $3.99
Buy (2) Farm Rich Snacks - $3.99
Total: $28.92
Use (2) $1.50/3 (2) Liter 7Up and Pringles Printable Coupon
Use (2)  $2/2 Digiorno Pizzas, any variety, Printable Coupon - Use Zip Code 77477 if needed
Use (2) $1.10/1 Farm Rich Snack Printable Coupon
Pay: $19.72 
Get back a $3 OYNO DiGiorno
Get back a $3 OYNO Farm Rich
Final Cost: $13.72 for everything pictured

Select All | Un-Select All

**REMEMBER YOU CAN PRINT 2 COUPONS PER COMPUTER**

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Sign up for FREE and be entered to win a $100 Zulily gift card BY CLICKING HERE  

• Entries must be submitted by February 1st, 2015.
• The winner will receive the $100 credit within their zulily account.
• A random winner will be selected February 11th, 2015.

Not Familiar with Zulily? They are an online Boutique that specializes in high-quality products for moms, children, and babies.  They are a members only site and you do have to register, but it’s FREE to sign up and there are NO strings attached.  I am a member and LOVE IT!! 

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You all know how much I love the survey sites to earn extra cash. That is how I pay for CHRISTmas and back to school for our kids. I highly recommend getting starting now so you have a good fund started when CHRISTmas gets closer 🙂 It is super easy and you get to pick and choose what surveys to take. Here is yet another GREAT site to join ~ Springboard America gives Americans like you the opportunity to speak up on what affects their daily lives – from products to politics. By joining Springboard, one of America’s leading online research communities, you’ll become eligible to receive invitations to our surveys, earn Survey Dollars and to help shape America’s future!

As with all survey companies once you have signed up you will have to confirm your email before you can start taking surveys.

All you have to do is CLICK HERE to join Springboard Americaand start saving money!

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**I GOT THIS FREE**

As most of you know, I am very BIG on saving money and finding creative ways to earn extra cash/gift cards.  Here is a picture of my Ipad that I got for FREE + I have over $500 already in my Amazon Account since January 1st, 2014.  So at that rate, I am earning close to $350/month, which means just in the items listed below I will earn over $4500 by the end of the year.  This is how I pay for CHRISTmas and Back-To-School shopping.   PLUS I just received my iPad for FREE!! I have listed the top 5 ways.  I have several others that I do, but these are the top 5 that most of the readers have had the greatest success with also.  I am going to list each of them and then a link that will take you directly to the post so you can get more information about each of these.  This is how we continue to have a debt-FREE CHRISTmas and school shopping.  We keep it in our Amazon Account or Paypal Account and don’t touch it until we need it.  It adds up quickly.

**Here’s my top 5 for earning extra money/gift cards**

1.  Opinion Outpost – This is a survey company.  Here is a testimony from one of our readers for this survey company: “Hi, Joni! Here I am again, giving my testimony of how amazing the survey sites are. I just tallied all of my amazon.com purchases since August. Grand total: $650. I spent $29 out of pocket, but used my Jingit card to pay for $15 of that :). So for around $14, I got a jogging stroller/ carseat combo, a Nintendo 3DS, 2 DS games and a case, a tummy time play set, several DVDs, a few books and baby toys, an indoor TV antenna, an OSU uniform for my 6-year-old, breast feeding pillow, and baby bottles! I’m waiting on a few gift cards to be processed now, and once I get them, I’ll be ordering a diaper bag that I would have never wanted to pay full price for if I didn’t have gift cards to use! I so incredibly thankful for these blessings!! ”

• CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OPINION OUTPOST  

2. Swagbucks – Replace this with your google search and you will randomly get points for searches.  We all search and most of us google, but just use this in place of google and watch your earnings rack up! This is one of the easiest ways to earn gift cards, etc.

• Click HERE to sign up for Swagbucks and learn more about it

3.  Checkout 51, Ibotta, SnapbyGroupon, and SavingStar –  All 4 of these are great ways to maximize your savings.  You get the cash back after you make the purchase, so you don’t get it at the store, but after you upload a picture of your receipt or with SavingStar after it gets credited to your loyalty reward Card.

• Click here to sign up for Checkout 51
• Click here to sign up for Ibotta
• Click here to sign up for SavingStar
• Click here to sign up for SnapByGroupon

4.  Shadow Shopping – Be a secret shopping for different shops, etc.  You get to pick what shops you want to do.  I pick the ones we are already going to do, i.e. oil change, going to the movie, restaurants, sporting events, etc.  I like the fact that I can pick and choose which ones I do. Hope you all find this helpful on ways to earn extra cash!

5. Ebates.com  If you do any online shopping why not earn cash back. I have been using this for years and have most of my family hooked on it as well. It is FREE to sign up and after your first $25 purchase (at all stores you already shop at) you will earn a $10 gift card in addition to your cash back.

• Click HERE to sign up for Ebates.

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FILE YOUR TAXES FOR FREE

Right now File your taxes for FREE using E-fileTaxOffer.com.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Free Error Correction – Our software will automatically check your tax return for common errors. If our software finds any errors, it will prompt you to correct them.
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• Helpful Software – Our software will walk you through common deductions and credits that you may be eligible for with its easy and quick question & answer format.

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KROGER MEGA EVENT

Kroger is having another Mega Event, buy 5, save $5 instantly (mix and match and match participating products) and the Always Liners, 40 ct are included for $2.29. In addition, we have a $0.50/1 coupon making them ONLY $1.79 (reg. $3.67). This makes for a great donation item also.

Kroger Affiliates: Ralphs, Smiths, Fred Meyer, QFC, Frys, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Gerbes, Bakers, Hilander, JayC Food, Pay Less Food, Scotts.

Here’s what the deal looks like:

**KROGER COUPON DEALS THROUGH 1/13/15**
Always Liners, 40 ct – $2.29 (wyb 5 participating products)
Use $0.50/1 Always Pantiliners, exp. 1/31/15 (P&G 12/28/14) [30-ct.+; Excludes discreet; ETS; Limit 4]
Final Cost: $1.79 each wyb 5 participating products! – Yes, you can mix & match

If you need coupons, you can order from the best coupon clipping services listed below:
Klip2Save!!
TheCouponClippers!
CouponsThingsbyDeDe

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Or Purchase my Book Extreme Couponing and Learn How to Coupon and cut your bill by at least half by CLICKING HERE!!

Money Saving Tip: Are you looking for more coupons? Check out all the Printable Coupons currently available at all the various zip codes – my favorite zip codes are 90210, 30303, 77477, 12345, 21286, 84802, 19019, 34689, 62946.

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If you need coupons, you can order from the best coupon clipping services listed below:
Klip2Save!!
TheCouponClippers!
CouponsThingsbyDeDe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my complete Disclosure Policy Here

Hey all you SYWR card holders, check your emails to see if you received the email with surprise points. Jamie received $12 and I received $7. How much did you get?!

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