Love as a Lifestyle       

It’s not just getting a deal, it’s about making a difference!!

Those of you who have already attended a workshop know that Time 2 $ave isn’t just about saving money.  God has spoken a vision of ministry in our hearts to teach people how to save for their family so that they can then turn around and make a purposeful committment to give to others.  Thus creating hope in the lives of hurting people.  We received the testimony below today and had to share it with all of you.  What an inspiration of a heart to bless others. 

My son Nikolas, who is 3 1/2 was diagnosed last year with Wilms Tumor. This is a form of kidney cancer. You can read his story at www.carepages.com/carepages/nikolas

On our year long journey I have come to realize how a cancer diagnosis, while not something you wish to encounter, can be a ‘blessing in disguise’ – we just have to ask God to pull the mask off and reveal the blessing to us!! I have become more patient with my children, appreciate the ‘mundane’ things, and am more quick to lend a helping hand. When Nik was diagnosed, he was admitted to TC Thompson and we were blessed with wonderful nurses and doctors. Not only that, the Ronald McDonald House Family Room was right there on the Oncology floor – not even 2 minutes away from our room. If you have never heard about the Family Room, go to RMHChattanooga.com. This small area was a great place for me to go get a cup of coffee, take a real shower, or just sit and get my thoughts together. While there I could also wash my clothes or get a snack – sometimes even a full meal. When we left the hospital, I knew I wanted to help Ronald McDonald House Charities, but wasn’t sure how.

Nik started chemotherapy at TC Thompson Oncology Clinic and, again were blessed with wonderful clinic nurses and staff. Chemo days are not easy for anyone – The patient, for obvious reasons, and for me as a caregiver, the days were long. While OUR days were long, we were blessed because Nik had his chemo administered via a push, and was not hooked up to an IV for hours, some kids were there 8, 10, sometimes even 12 hours! The longest part of our ‘chemo days’ were waiting for the blood work to come back letting us know if Nik’s counts were high enough to get his dosage. I am thankful to say he was able to get all of his chemo and was never admitted to the hospital – he even overcame the dreaded Swine Flu!! He has been in remission since October and just yesterday he had his port where the chemo was administered removed!!

Many times while we were in the clinic we would visit the kitchen for something to eat or drink. The kitchen was stocked with sodas, juice, Little Debbies, cereal bars, and some non perishables like microwavable mac and cheese, soups, and peanutbutter. This got me thinking how hard it is for a caregiver to be in the clinic over the lunch hour – while these foods are good, they don’t really ‘satisfy’. I have petitioned businesses, churches, and organizations to commit to supplying a full meal to the clinic – with zero luck.

The good news is though, with the gift of knowledge of how to save money by using coupons, I can make a difference at both the Ronald McDonald House Family Room AND the TC Thompson Children’s Oncology Clinic!! I plan to take $20 each month and use it with my coupons, of course to get things that are needed – from food to laundry soap.

I began praying about 6 weeks into Nik’s journey how I could ‘give back’ and am excited and thankful God lead me to your workshop so I can.

Thank you again for this great opportunity to share blessings!!

~D. S. ~ married 15 years with 3 children, working PT, saving money on my groceries and making a difference to cancer families!!!!

I attended your workshop on Saturday at Westside Baptist in Warner Robins.Here’s one of the deals I was able to get at Walgreens: Buy 4 Dayquil orNyquil @ $5.00 each. Use the $2.00 coupon off on each from Telegraph 1/17,making them $3.00 each. Then Walgreens prints you a $10.00 coupon on thepurchase. After, the first purchase they are practically free. I haveattached photos of my purchases! Dawn B.