Prayers......

To my dearest friends,

It is a very rare occurance that I actually am seeking prayers for myself, but today is the day that I am really needing you to lift me up to Him. I have been having quite a bit of abdominal pain for the last month, but I just dismissed it as cramps. After being constantly prodded by my dear mother, I went to my OB today. I have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst the size of a grapefruit. This diagnosis terrifies the living poop out of me because of just how serious and life-threatening they can be. He sent me home with an antibiotic, pain, and nausea meds to be on "extreme light duty" until I go back to him next Tuesday. He thinks it will shrink a little over the next week and he plans to scope me and then drain it surgically. When you are saying your prayers this evening, please send one up for me to have the strangth and peace to rest and overcome this obstacle. I love you all and thank you more than words can express for being so special in my life.

<3 Crystal Michelle Center Krausz

New Enterprise High School!

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts

3 years is such a short blip on the radar of eternity

Once upon a time, Paul challenged us to forget what was behind and strain toward what is ahead. “Press on,” he said, “toward the goal to which God has called us.” (Philippians 3: 13-14). . . the Lord had spoken these words through Isaiah, “Those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40: 31). . . Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest . . . for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11: 28-29) These words are a source of strength, indeed.

What will it be like, to begin a school day at 7:55 . . . to run a normal schedule . . . to have school bells punctuate the daily routine . . . to have a permanent shelter from the elements . . . for students to have their own parking place near the building . . . their own lockers, instead of big ol’ backpacks or chunky purses? What will it be like, to have our own place; one that is not scattered, rickety, or shared?

Three years can be quite a long time . . . and tomorrow, it will have been three years since our community was devastated and our high school destroyed by powerful winds of nature. In those three years, we have traveled through . . . a tunnel . . . and with its share of dark days . . . but there have been some bright rays, too. Encouraging friends, a patient local populace, and untiring co-workers have certainly provided much-needed light. But, the true heroes, the ones who have shone the brightest, have been our students. They are the ones, who have continued to build, anyway . . . to dream, anyway . . . to believe, anyway . . . to love, anyway . . . to sing, anyway . . . and I want to be like them.To borrow a few words, “God is great, but sometimes life ain’t good, and when I pray, it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should, but I do it, anyway . . . I sing because I’m happy, and I sing because I’m free, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

………..Thank You, Lord, for our student leaders, during these difficult days.


* Photo #1 - my classroom
* Photo #2 - same
* Photo #3 - where I was found after it has been cleaned

For all wives, mommies, future wives, future mommies, etc...

http://www.southernsavers.com/

Now all of you know that I am one to seriously pinch pennies. This is already established. But when my best gal, Kristy, turned me on to this website, I became a maniac. Even though Jake and I do not have kids yet, I do love a good bargain and simply refuse to pay full price for anything (ever). I do love hearing those words, "Mrs. Krausz, You saved $14.09 by shopping with us today." So here in lies the challenge. From this week forward, I am trying to (1) stick to a list (2) stick to a budget (3) and try to out-do my savings from week to week. As we sisters in Zion (or just women in general) are trying to store goods for future usage on a seriously tight budget, every single penny saved counts. Sure, some of you may scoff at the little old lady in front of you in line that has all of her coupons out and organized for her cans and cans of kitty food. Scoff if you will. That lady is saving at least 13 cents. I mean, come on. ;-) So feel free to join in and pass along your tips and websites. This should be yet another thing to keep me busier than I already am (as if I need it).

For inspiration, here is the clip from Kristy's blog where she was a super-duper saver:
"I was feeling a little discouraged the other night. Went over a few bucks on our grocery bill for the week. Even though God is teaching me savings (we budget $60 a week for groceries--or anything you would buy at a grocery store like wipes, diapers, etc.)...but Publix is doing a GREAT promo with Progresso right now, so I thought I would borrow from another category and go ahead and stock up on some things at such great prices! I knew the coupon combos would create some good deals, so I set a budget of $7-10 for my splurge.
Here's what I got:
- 20 (YES TWENTY) cans of Green Giant corn (some of which will go to the church pantry)
-2 cans of orange rolls
-1 can of cinnamon rolls
-1 coffee creamer
-2 cans of Progresso black beans
-1 can Progresso northern beans
-6 cans of soup
- 2 cartons beef broth
-2 Muir tomatoes
-2 Muir tomatoe sauce
-and 2 packages of bread crumbs
TOTAL SAVED: $67. 59....................................................and now for my total out of pocket.......................................$0.13!!!!!!! Not kidding! THIRTEEN CENTS! Personal best! I was shocked-so was the cashier! God is so good and I am thanking him for continuing to bless our desire to use all he has given us wisely. We are still learning :) but its moments like this that encourage me in the journey! I actually did a bell kick(old dance jump) in the parking lot!"

A Day in the Life of Crystal Michelle.....

Soooooooooooooooooooo for those of you who have Blog-stalked me before, you know that I am (perhaps) the worst blogger ever. This is why I decided to switch it up a little for my A.D.D. brain to get a new shiny blog that will excite me for a little while. I entitled this one as such due to the lovely fact that I should live in a bubble for all of the whacked out, nutso, random stuff that happens to me. Whether it be flying over a couch, being robbed by crackheads, etc.... my life NEVER has a dull moment, People have often told me that I should write a book. This might just be the beginnings of such an effort. None the less, I hope that you enjoy reading my random musings, looking at numerous pictures of my doggy-babies, and listening to whatever I decide is nifty to put on the blog for the day. Thanks for playing!