My first blog!

Well I have finally decided to start blogging.  I have been thinking about it awhile now, and decided that I should really take the plunge!  I follow several blogs (some from friends, some for sales and coupons, etc), and decided it was past time for me to start blogging.

Let me first start by saying how incredibly blessed the Harvey's are!  God has been so good to us over the past year (and what a year it was), and while we have had many struggles and tests, He has blessed us so much!  God is good ALL the TIME!  Looking back on the past year, I am in awe of how He has worked in our lives.  We are much stronger as a family, our faith is much stronger, and we have such a great group of true friends and family that we know stand beside us through thick and thin!

We just got home from an amazing trip at Disney World.  It was so much fun, and Ansley asks why we can't just live at the castle??  I agree, why can't we??  It was nice to be able to make memories as a family and spend time away from the real world for several days!  Ashlynn loved all the fast rides she was tall enough to ride (Test Track, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, etc.) and as soon as the ride stopped she was asking could we do it again.  There were no crowds, so we were able to ride some of the rides back to back.  It was fun, but after 3 times in a row on Test Track and Big Thunder Mountain, I was ready to walk around for a little while!

I am so excited about a new opportunity God has provided for us.  About 4 months ago, I started couponing and trying to cut the amount of our monthly grocery bill (isn't it insane what things cost right now?)!  I can honestly say that this has been a challenge, but I never realized how just a little research and time could add up to almost a 60-70% savings each month on groceries and household items.  Several people have been asking me to "teach" them how I use coupons.  I always just laughed it off and didn't take it very serious. 

Well about 7 months ago (during what seemed at the time, like one of the worst times in our lives..it has quickly become a blessing in disguise), I felt like God was really laying on my heart that He was going to use me in a ministry, of course He didn't give me what ministry or how I would be involved.  But, He definitely placed this desire on my heart.  I have spent a lot of time praying and asking God for direction because frankly I don't want it if it isn't what He has planned for me. 

Well this past Sunday, my best friend, Sharon,  and I went to CVS.  She wanted to see the whole coupon thing in action.  While I was checking out, my mom and one of her dear friends came in.  I started showing them all the stuff I got and how little the cost was, and my mom's friend was like you really need to teach this to people.  At that moment, it was like God put it in flashing lights (or as another dear friend says "He hit me upside the head with a ton of bricks").  I had this peace, and knew that this was what God had in mind for me at this time.  I will be "teaching" my first couponing class on April 30th.  I am really excited about this opportunity and can't wait to share my passion for couponing along with my passion for Christ with others.  The response so far has been amazing, and I have a feeling where this is going to be one of those things were I get more blessings out of it than those in the class!

I will be using this blog not only as a way of keeping people up to date with the Happenings at the Harvey household, but I will also be sharing coupon tips, deals, and my shopping trips and savings. 

I look forward to many more blog posts!