Do You Think I'm Beautiful?

Have you ever longed to ask someone "do you think I'm beautiful?"  Do you strive to be perfect for the sake of others' opinions of yourself?  Do you sometimes get wrapped up in the legalism of Christianity as opposed to the love of Jesus?  Are you constantly trying to do things to boost your self-image or body image?  Do you constantly live in fear of rejection, betrayal, or exposure?  While very few women would probably ever admit the answer to any of the above questions, I imagine most of us would answer yes to several or all of these questions at one time or another.

This week I finished reading yet another book on my 2012 Book List and it's probably the most heart-wrenching book I've read yet.  Do You Think I'm Beautiful? by Angela Thomas is an emotional read to say the least.  I very much appreciate her transparency as she presents God's design for how we as women should approach our insecurities.

As Angela shares in the book, we were made to be known and loved deeply.  Therefore, it's no wonder we want the Cinderella story to come true in our lives.  Our problem is we often look for the fulfillment of the Cinderella story in other people or things rather than God who is the only one who can really fulfill our desire to perfection.

Now don't get the idea that this book is a feel good book, a "God is here for you, it's going to be okay" kind of book.  No, this book does some deep heart analysis.  I wouldn't doubt the flow of tears as you let go and let God do the heart-work.  Angela helps you analyse you relationships, your stuff, your past, your pride, and more in an effort to draw you to the one who really does think you are beautiful--Jesus.

I highly recommend  Do You Think I'm Beautiful? to anyone who has asked the above questions of themselves.  It will not only be hard to put down, but it will also be a book you may want to read again and again.  Well done Angela.  I'm forever changed.

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!  Song of Songs 1:15

Find me linking up to some great blog parties!

Titus 2 Tuesday--Linky Party #3

What fun it is to see what you are doing in your homes to be a better Titus 2 women.  You all are amazing!  We had a great turn out again last week for the second Titus 2 Tuesday.  I enjoyed seeing what all you have been up too.  In addition, I'm so thankful each week to see that you have chosen to link up with Cornerstone Confessions.


Thank you!

This week we have two party features with the most views:  

Why I Wear Skirts on Homestead Living

I've seriously been thinking about my wardrobe overhaul and I really liked the view Jennie shares on Homestead Living.  If you didn't have a chance to read this article last week, I highly recommend it.  It's high time we bring back the femininity of what it means to be a woman.

My Summer Reading List on Our Cultivated Life

If you've followed me for any length of time you know I like to read books.  Heather on Our Cultivated Life has some great books on her summer reading list.  I know I'll definitely be adding "Grace Based Parenting" and "Give Them Grace" to my book list and maybe a few others too.

And my personal favorite:

To Make Him Breakfast or Not on Bible Love Notes

A friend of mine and I recently had a conversation about this...do we really have to get up to cook our hubbies breakfast if we are going to try to be that Proverbs 31 woman?  Be sure to check out Gail's post because she has some great encouragement for all us women out there who think they will never meet the biblical standard of womanhood unless we cook breakfast for our hubbies.

For those of you featured this week, feel free to grab a feature button:  

<a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com" target="_blank"><img src=http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z405/CornerstoneBlog/125x125Titus2FeatureButton.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

Now on to this week's party....

Each week I will do my best to share a few of the most clicked links as well as a few of my favorites.  Be sure to check back here every Tuesday to see if you've been featured and to link up.  Now let's get this party started.  I can't wait to see what you have to share!   

Party Guidelines:

1. Post topics can include the topics of marriage, parenting, homemaking, devotional thoughts, time management, money management, organization, home decor, recipes, DIY, tutorials, and more.  If it would encourage another to be a Titus 2 woman, let us hear about it, but please refrain from including giveaways, sales, Etsy, or linky party posts.  
2. Link as many posts as like that have not been linked to Titus 2 Tuesdays before.  Remember, link to a SPECIFIC post, not your whole blog.
3. Add a party button or text back link to your post.   Html for text link back:  <a href=http://cornerstoneconfessions.com>Cornerstone Confessions</a>
4. Visit at least two other links and share some encouragement.
5. Although not mandatory, I'd love it if you'd follow me.  I always enjoy making new friends.  Also, feel free to spread the word so that we can make this the biggest and best inspirational party ever.   (<--Tweet This)

<br><a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z405/CornerstoneBlog/150Titus2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br>

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Titus 2:3-5

Battery Storage and Organization

Ever have trouble finding batteries when you really need them?  Don't know what you have in stock and what you need to get at the store on your next visit?  Do you know how to store your batteries so they can have the longest life?

Ever since I saw a pin on Pinterest with batteries organized in a crafty caddy, I knew I needed to do something different with my batteries.  Prior to this post I used to store all my batteries in a Ziploc container in the freezer.  Why a ziploc container?  At least I knew they were all in one place.  Why the freezer?  Well, to be honest, it was just what my mom used to do.  Who knows....

Not that my system was a bad system but when searching for batteries, I never knew what I really had in stock.  Often I would be seen dumping the entire container out onto the kitchen counter just to find one triple A battery, only to return the rest to the mesh pot of the Ziploc container.  And, sometimes when I put the battery in the destined object the battery wouldn't work because the battery fluid was frozen.  Duh!

So, I decided it was time to try something different.  The first thing I did was purchase a cheap craft organizer from Walmart (I think it cost me around $2).  I then organized the batteries by placing one type of battery in each compartment.  Now I know exactly how many batteries I have of each type and I don't have to dump them all out in the search any more.

Secondly, I needed to figure out a better place to store them.  After doing a little research, here's what I found out:

1.  Batteries should be kept in a cool place but never frozen.  It was suggested by one site that you could store them in the refrigerator as long as you keep them in a sealed plastic bag to prevent condensation.    Another site said to avoid both the freezer and refrigerator all together. Summary:  cold and/or wet batteries do not operate at full strength and warm batteries have a shorter lifespan.  Ideal weather:  59 degrees at 50% humidity.  Now, where in the world, am I going to have a place to store batteries in my house like this?!
2.  Keep their negative and positive ends away from each other to keep them from conducting idly.  Who knew?!
3.  Store new and old batteries in separate containers--old batteries near new batteries will shorten the new batteries' life.  How does it do that?!  Are you serious?!

Well I don't know about you but my research definitely put a new spin on battery storage for me.  Now I store my batteries in a cool storage closet and try to remember to put all the negative and positive ends away from each other.  Of course, this is not always possible, but its a start.  At least with this storage method maybe my batteries will last 10 years like they say...or at least until next week when I need to replace the batteries in the baby swing again.  ;)

For more info about battery use and storage, be sure to check out these sites:

• Battery University
• eHow
• CasaSugar

To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.   Colossians 1:29

Find me linking up to:  A Pinch of Joy, Serendipity and Spice, The Better Mom, Organizing Home Life, Creatively Living, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Growing Home, Women Living Well, Organize and Decorate Everything

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Ever have one of those days when you want kid food but with a grown up taste?  I guess that is how I would describe today's delicious meal.  No, it's probably not the most healthy of the bunch, but it is definitely a yummy comfort food that reminds me of the good ol' Sonic Tater Tot days at a fraction of the cost and calories.  We've made this several times and love it.  Add some veggies and the meal is complete.  Not only that, it makes a great gift meal for families with children.  It's hard to go wrong with meat, tater tots and cheese.  Yum!  Enjoy!

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

2 lb. hamburger or ground turkey

1 onion, chopped

1 pkg. tator tots

3 cups cheddar cheese, grated

salt and pepper

1 can tomato soup

1 cup milk

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  In skillet, brown hamburger and onion.  Season with salt and pepper.

3.  Place half the tater tots in 9x13 sprayed casserole dish.  Cover with meat mixture.  Layer 2 cups cheese.  

4.  Combine soup and milk.  Pour over casserole.  Cover with remaining tater tots.  Top with 1 cup cheese.  Bake for 45 minutes or until casserole is heated through.  

Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 1 Corinthians 8:8

Find me linking up to:  A Pinch of Joy, Serendipity and Spice, The Better Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Growing Home, The King's Court IV, Women Living Well