Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

IGB – my opinion

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I’ve been chewing on the whole IGB Shout to the Lord thing throughout the day. I don’t know why it matters so much but I’ve felt a need to have an opinion on the whole thing for some reason. And I think Travis Cottrell (worship leader for Beth Moore’s Living Proof Ministries) said what I’ve been thinking…

Anyway, I am not a theologian. And I certainly want to respect everyone’s opinions and feelings. But personally I was so glad and excited to see the name of the Lord spoken and revered on that show. I mean, really. Why in the world would they choose that song, unless the Holy Spirit was doing a work? Of all the inspirational songs in the world…they choose “Shout to the Lord.” Wow. And – yes – they left out the word ‘Jesus.’ I was bummed about that. But these people are LOST. They are lost. They are not found. They don’t get it. I am not going to hold them responsible for knowing what to do with a moment like that.

It’s an observation I’ve made with us as the body of Christ: we tend to want to expect lost people to know how to act saved. It’s sort of like being mad at a blind person for running into a chair in a room when he is all by himself.

Do I wish they would have said ‘Jesus?’ Yes. Am I glad that by the providential hand of the Lord they sang “Shout to the Lord?” Heck yes!

And I pray in Jesus’ name that the Holy Spirit will do a mighty work in our nation…that those words that were sung – “Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name! I sing for joy at the work of Your hands! Forever I’ll love You! Forever I’ll stand! Nothing compares to the promise I have in You!” – will permeate every heart that’s longing for something more in this life…aching for a love that will not let them go. Do a mighty work, MIGHTY LORD.

Our lesson at youth group last night was about expectations and disappointments and he pointed out the same thing..why do we expect people that are lost act like they’re saved?  I believe I’ll count it as a miracle that they sang the song at all. And if you ask me, when you watch the video, I believe many of the contestants ARE Christians and were singing it as a praise song as it was meant to be.

Idol Gives Back

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I felt like AI IGB was really good. I loved how the contestants were all on stage talking to people live. The performances were great. I was late watching last night and didn’t watch the opening until this morning. I love, love, loved Jason’s part in the opening group number, even if it was just a few seconds. I also thought Syesha did quite well with that little number. She finally seemed as Simon would say, relevant.

I particularly liked Annie Lenox’s piece. I think that’s the one that truly inspired me to help.

On a truly superficial note can I say I couldn’t help but love Brad Pitt and Chris Daughtry on screen together within 30 seconds of each other. Wow, that was some good tv.

But what seems to have everyone chatting this morning is this finale. Yes, Shout to the Lord is an obviously Christian and truly inspiring song but they changed Jesus to shepherd. What do we think of this?

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Another early night

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I’m trying to do my last minute Interneting so I can get to sleep at a decent time tonight.  I have to go into work and that means getting up waaayyy before I normally do.  Work also = no blogging tomorrow.  I know I have my handy-dandy iPhone and it would work in a pinch but I highly doubt I’ll have anything blogworthy enough to type 200 words on that little keyboard.  I love my iPhone to death, but it has its limits.

Scott has a breakfast planned at McDonald’s in the morning with the girls to pass the time without Mommy around which I think is super-sweet.  They’ll be headed off with MIL by 2ish and then I won’t see them until after AWANA’s at 8.   I will miss not seeing them all day terribly but I can’t say I’m not looking forward to a little break.

AI Top 8

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I thought tonight was decent.  Not quite “inspiring”, but better than other weeks have been.

Michael Johns – I thought he sounded great and disagreed with Randy about him impersonating a rocker.  It was confident,  strong performance.

Kristy – It was a great performance.  Probably one of her best.  But for me, she doesn’t seem like the winner.  Does anyone else agree they should do something different to her hair?  It looks dated and not “done” enough.  I know, nothing to do with her singing, but just a side note.

Jason – I love this song.  Of course, I think it is from the ending of one of my all-time favorite movies, You’ve Got Mail so he couldn’t really go wrong.

Syesha – I just couldn’t get over the Fantasia factor although if I had heard Syesha sing it first, I would have thought it was great.

Carly – Not happy at all with that.  Completely agree with Simon it came off angry.

David C. – Worst performance yet.  He was too cocky and just sounded bad.

David A. – Great song, great sound, A+.  That said, I don’t know if I’d actually buy an album of his.  Sort of like Clay Aiken for me.  I thought he sounded great, but I’m just not into his music.

Brooke -It was nice.  She needs to get over the nervous thing though.  She appears to be less professional and I think that hurts her at this point.

Who will go?  I think Carly is in trouble.

Favorites?  Michael Johns and Jason Castro followed by David A.

Filed Under: tv

Snippets from DWTS

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OK, I totally mean no disrespect to the hearing impaired.  I actually have known a few deaf people in my life and have loved learning sign language since I was in my early teens.  I don’t know why I need to say all that to share this little tidbit from Emma tonight but here goes…we were watching Dancing with the Stars tonight and Marlee Matlin came on and they were showing her interpreter.  Of course I jumped at the teaching moment to show Emma a deaf person “in action” and the use of sign language.  I’ve already been trying to teach Emma the alphabet.  Anyway, I tell her that she’s deaf meaning that she can’t hear what people are saying and Emma says matter-of-factly yet a little confused: “She’s got ears!”  …as if all deaf people would be walking around without ears.

And the only way I could put it plainly so that curious mind of hers could understand it is yes, she has ears but they don’t work.

CVS Deals 4/6

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OK, this week has been a pretty good week for CVS. These past few have been sketchy. I don’t have my receipt but I’ll do the rundown of which deals I did.

These first two deals are GREAT ones for a starter since you make $$ off of them and all the coupons are available this week.

Transaction 1

Buy 2 CoverGirl TruBlend Whipped Foundation (approx. $9.49 each)
Use B1G1 coupon from 4/06 insert
Use 1 $1/1 coupon from 4/06 insert (or the $2/1 coupon from the Reinventing Beauty booklet)
Spend $8.49 (or $7.49 with the $2/1 coupon) out of pocket
Get $12 ECBs!

Barbie Toothpaste on clearance for .87 which I needed for a filler to use an ECB I had.

Transaction 2

Buy 1 Excedrin 24ct at $1.99, Get $1 ECBs (Limit 5)
Use $2/1 from 3/2 SmartSource insert or printables here, here, and here
Free plus $1 overage after coupon and ECB

Buy $10 worth of Febreze, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)
*Deal Idea*
Buy 2 Febreze Noticeables at $6.99 each
Use 2 $5/1 coupon from Homemade Solutions booklet or P&G mailers (there is also a printable but I’m not finding it–anyone know the direct link?)
Spend $4
Get $5 ECBs back

Buy 6 Sunsilk Shampoo/Conditioner at $3.49 each
Use 3 B1G1 coupons from 4/6 insert (if you got these)
Use 3 $1.50/1 coupons here or here (or $2/1 or $2.50/1 or $1.50/1 coupons from 2/24 inserts)
Spend $5.97
Get $5 ECBs!

Buy 2 V05 Styling Aids at $3.99
Use 3 $3 off CVS coupons
Spend $1.98
Not an ECB deal but it’s pretty cheap stuff!

Buy 3 Pantene Shampoo/Conditioner/Styling Aid for 3/$12
Use 3 $2 coupons from Beauty book
Spend $6
Get $4 ECBs (I think that’s right. Not a money-maker but it’s pretty cheap)

Buy 2 Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer at $7.98
Use $3/2 CVS Coupon
Use 2 $1 Jergens coupons
Spend $10.96
Get $5 ECBs back (again not a great deal but I need me some tan legs and $2.50 a bottle is cheap)

Transaction 3

Buy 4 CVS Diaper Wipes for 2/$5
Use $2/$10 CVS coupon
Spend $8 on 4
No ECBs unless you spend $25 but we needed wipes

Buy Charmin 12-pack for $4.88
Use .25 Charmin coupon
Also not the best deal but we needed toilet paper

I did these in 3 different transactions in 2 different visits yesterday and today. I think I spent no more than $3 oop on all this, used about $45 in ECBs and made about $35. If it wasn’t for that third transaction for things I really need, I would have gained an ECB or two instead of losing about $10.

Go to moneysavingmom.com for more deals. Some of these are from there and the not so great ones are ones I worked in since we needed/wanted the stuff.

Snippets from the Gas Station

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Emma: What’s the name of this gas station?

Me: Texaco

Emma: Wow, that rhymes with Mexico.

Me (stunned because I don’t think I’ve ever thought of that): Yes, you’re right.

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Emma (looking at the lady next to us who had curly blond hair): Is that Brooke?

Me (confused.  the first thing that came to my mind is Brooke from One Tree Hill but she has brown hair): Brooke who??

Emma: Brooke.  From American Idol.

Me: Oh.  no.

Mommying is hard

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This evening has been rough.  The girls came home completely sugared up and that means INSANE.  I have stuck to my guns on the no sugar this week..usually only one thing out of the day they have gotten.  So today when they got filled up with Sprite, tea and jelly beans they could barely contain themselves.  Which meant I could barely contain myself.  I think a few times you might have seen steam coming out of my ears.  I tried to take them to the grocery store and Lexi wouldn’t get in the cart so she was hanging off the side and then when she wanted down, she ran 3 aisles away from me.  Then when we got to the check-out she knocked some displays over.  Oh, and forgot to mention the display she knocked over in the bacon.  I was about to lose my mind just after those 5 little minutes.  And then they asked for a cookie!  I think not!

When we get home they don’t eat well and won’t listen.  I put them to bed early partly because we have church and partly because I just couldn’t take it anymore.  I tell Lexi if they continue to play in bed like they usually do, she’s going to have to sleep in her room/playroom in a sleeping bag.  She’s so wild in bed I follow through with it.  They both calm down and I let Lexi back with Emma and they finally go to sleep after a few trips out to the kitchen to see me and/or get a tissue.

And then all the mommy guilt hits me.  I wasn’t patient enough, I wasn’t strict enough, I was too strict, how could I not enjoy my children, why was I spending time making casserole for Sunday School when I didn’t even cook for my family all day, would I be a bad mother if I insisted no one give them sugar?  Round and round I’ve gone all evening.   And it’s just, I don’t know.  This mommying thing is hard, ya’ll.