The more I read and learn about living a life of simplicity, the more I realize how FAR we have to go to get there! Although the goal is to use what we have and consume less, I do find myself realizing that there are tools that will need to be purchased. These are things that we will need as we strive toward a more self-sufficient lifestyle. I am a sucker for gadgets and technology, so I am aware of the need to wait and pray before proceeding with most purchases 
Last Wednesday my hubby and I had a great discussion about how to live our lives like we believe things are going to go downhill, but yet still keep going with our current lifestyle. We need to balance the many homesteading things we’d like to do with the reality of our life as it is now. We’re not gloom and doom at ALL – but we are aware that things are probably not going to get better soon. Anyway, we decided to continue toward debt retirement, but to judiciously use some of our funds for items we need on our journey. Of course, I am always looking for items on Freecycle and Craig’s List.
One of the big items I have on my wishlist is a solar oven. I have tried several different homemade versions, watched tons of videos online, and read lots of articles/tutorials. I have yet to have one of my homemade versions perform consistently enough to reliably cook food. We agreed that it will be handy to have in a variety of circumstances – especially with a loss of power after a hurricane (the weather is typically great after a storm has passed).
The next day I received an email from my business credit card company reminding me that I had earned points toward airline miles. I did some investigation and found that I could also redeem these points (that I didn’t even know I had) for gift cards and/or CASH! I can request a check and the amount was enough to buy – you guessed it – the solar oven! So, now I am anxiously awaiting my Sun Sport Oven! I am amazed and thankful for YHWH’s provision!
I’ll post pictures as soon as it arrives