MyHodgePodgeLife: Riptide

MyHodgePodgeLife: Riptide

Riptide

Have you ever gotten caught in a riptide/current?  My youngest daughter got caught in a strong undertow once, and it was a terrifying event.  My brother-in-law almost lost his life that same day while rescuing his children from the powerful riptide.  Riptides seem to hit us out of nowhere - just like events in life.

The definition of riptide or undertow is " a strong undercurrent in the ocean, contrary to the direction of surface water."

Receiving the shocking news earlier this month that I will lose my job at the end of the month was as unexpected as someone at the beach who gets caught in a riptide.  The direction I thought I was going is contrary to where the current of life is leading.

What are we supposed to do when we get caught in a riptide? Several Internet searches yield the following advice:

"Do not swim toward shore.

You will be fighting the current, and you will lose.
Swim parallel to shore, across the current.
Generally speaking, a riptide is less than 100 ft. wide, so swimming beyond it should not be too difficult.
If you cannot swim out of the riptide, float on your back and allow the riptide to take you away from shore until you are beyond the pull of the current.
Rip currents generally subside 50 to 100 yards from shore.
Once the riptide subsides, swim parallel to shore and then back to shore."

What do we usually do when we get caught in a riptide? Panic!  We forget everything we've read or learned, flail our arms and fight the current.  Most drowning deaths during riptides are due to exhaustion from fighting the current.

I know this riptide of my life does not come as a surprise to God.  Rather than panic and fight the current, exhausting myself, I'll follow the advice given to those who get caught in a riptide.  I'll "rest in Him" and try to relax as this riptide takes me away from the career I've had for the past 12 years.  As the shock of the riptide subsides, I'll swim "parallel to the shore" and I will get back to shore in God's timing.  That shoreline will look different than the one I left, but it will be the shoreline God intends me to land on.

Maybe this is the next shoreline God is leading me to?

Click here for info: Gluten-free Mimi

"Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them." Psalm 89:8-9

Riding the wave of Extreme Couponing

When I was a newlywed, I had an aunt who showed me how to coupon.  What a priceless gift she taught me! I have been a big fan of couponing ever since and now continue in her tradition by teaching others how to use coupons. 
In the past two years, it has become trendy to ride the "wave" of couponing.  There are notebooks, coupon binders and many other accessories you can buy to look "fashionable" at the grocery store. We've come a long way from  the shoe box and old photo album that I used to use to hold my coupons!  There are many blogs and websites that deal solely with coupons and matching up sales with coupons. I am so grateful for these people who put in so many hours and post this information for us to use for free!  They have helped significantly decrease the amount of time I spend preparing to go grocery shopping, and increase my savings at the check-out lane.  It has been so exciting to see my children get involved in this, too, and I love it when they call or text to say "guess how much I spent on $100 worth of groceries?" and the answer is $30!  Way to go!  Here's a picture of one of my shopping trips around Thanksgiving that shows a great example of that type of shopping trip:

With the increased couponing activity and media coverage, it was inevitable that television would get involved.  Along came the reality show "Extreme Couponing."  I haven't been able to watch the show yet, but from what I've heard, it is a typical "reality show" - not truly depicting reality.  Keep in mind that part of the title of the show is "extreme" - the people who are featured on the show do not shop that way every time they go to the grocery store.  Also, most couponers are not hoarders.  They stock up enough for their family but also share their savings with their friends and family, and with  food pantries, homeless shelters and other outreach ministries.

Here is a link to one of my favorite couponing sites (afullcup.com).  Today they had a guest blogger submit a great article about what they don't show on the reality show.  I couldn't agree more!

Extreme Couponing -what they don't show or tell you

Mom’s Lego Table -

I have GOT to make one of these before I have grandchildren! I'm already getting a nice collection of Legos from having Bryson around...