super thriftiness

Lately, I've been more interested to save money at the supermarket (because it's hard to save it elsewhere at the moment like at the pump or the mortgage!!!).

Here is what I do:

1. go shopping after receiving the local supermarket's catalogue, so I know what is on sale when I plan my meals and the overall shop. My local is woolies - you can view their specials online if you don't have the catalogue.

2. I also take a look in my fridge and pantry at what I have that needs to be used up, and try to think of recipes based on that - in light of which I just found a website for USING LEFTOVERS - punch in 3 ingredients and find recipes to use them up. You could also use this by typing in ingredients on sale that week.

3. work out how many nights I need meals for - and sometimes I deliberately plan for one meal less as this allows for those nights where something came up, or forces you to use up leftovers in making a meal - I usually plan for 5 dinners a week - allowing for one takeaway (Fri night before I go to work - cheap like sushi) and one easy meal like soup/eggs/cheese on toast/leftovers (usually Sun night after big day and often eating out during day with people from church).

Forbearance versus forgiveness

I had thought I had grown in how I dealt with people hurting me - but recently I think that I have grown in forbearance - being able to turn the other cheek , turn away harsh words with gentle and so on - but not as much in forgiveness - which strikes me that while an improvement it is still quite external. And really I haven't got to the heart of the matter then. These musings have come about through studying Joseph in Genesis - he used to be one of my least favourite biblical heros (see the arrogance with the dreams and the tricks with the cup and money), but since re-studying him I am in awe at his forgiveness for the brothers who sold him. The reconciliation between the brothers is like that of the prodigal son and the father (see the picture by Rembrandt). So, thinking about moving beyond simply bearing with people to having a giving generous heart.

Comeback and Talkback

New laptop finally - and I'm back!

So what do I say now I'm back?

I want to ask what YOU think.

I'm speaking at a conference thingie in a bit less than a couple of months- on transformation. I have been thinking lots on how this occurs, but I thought I might ask you what you think plays the biggest role in transformation (of individuals and communties). Or maybe you could share a story?

image by pdphoto.org