Dad and I have made a pact, we will not be buying anything this year. In other words, no shopping. We will only purchase whole, clean food and personal necessities. It’s a call that has been on our heart for sometime now but we I have resisted. We are now cooperating with His grace and moving forward.
We are very limited with our financial resources and are facing some more difficult times. All of which, have been answers to prayers. The Good Lord is making it easy for us to know His will.
We have nothing to fear. We are not going without and trust in His providence. All of our needs are being met, praise God.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ~ Matthew 6:25-26
We pray that we grow to be better stewards of our blessings (monetary, physical, spiritual,–all things).
No shopping doesn’t mean no crafting or gift giving. The kids and I will use what we have on hand. Here are a few of our latest creations. I did purchase some prints of the photos that I had taken. 
Sweetie is my focus group when it comes to all things Little Flowers. I usually have her do a trial run of the LF craft for the month. This gives me a good idea of the level of difficulty for the craft and about how long the craft will take. This month’s craft has to do with knitting.
I took family photographs for Christmas gifts. I used the photos to create photo canvases. I printed enlargements at Costco and applied them to my stash of canvases. (The canvases have been sitting in the bag for almost six years now. I had intended to create personalized paintings.)
Rose and I made personalized trinkets for Dad’s co-workers and her girlfriends. The pictures below don’t do these creations justice. They’re simple, fun and absolutely darling.
This is such a blessing to live simply. We have had major financial strain, often with zero to negative in the checking account and it IS a huge blessing to use what we have and learn to wait on the Lord. You are such a prayerful witness. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for you and your family! Love those photo canvases:)
You have inspired me so much today! Love the stamped metal and those canvases where on my list that I did not get to this Christmas. Hmmm now I cannot buy new craft items but maybe I can find someone to trade with haha. That would not be buying would it? Thanks for joining me in the Stash Bash, can’t wait to see what you come up with next week.
An aussie blog I read blogged about here challenge of buying nothing for a year, I was fascinated
http://pilesofwashing.blogspot.com/search/label/buy%20nothing%20for%20a%20year
I think my biggest challenge would be birthdays and school supplies.
Such an inspiration! And so great that you felt the challenge from God and rose to it. I hope your year is full of blessings–thanks so much for sharing!
I have such at ash of craft stuff. I need to get resourceful and make use of it. Great job on all accounts!