The wrinkles tell a story + I finally got a book at the library I've been waiting months for (have you read it?)

Plus, some links you don't want to miss and a fantastic book I just finished! Hi, Friend! “Mom, are you going to die soon?” The question popped out of my 4-year-old’s mouth yesterday while we were taking our daily walk. “Why do you ask?” I was curious… “Well, because you are getting grey hair and getting old.” She answered matter-of-factly. There’s nothing like a 4-year-old to shoot it straight. But it got me to thinking… We live in a culture that seems to glorify youth and avoid old age. The amount of money spent to “turn back the clock” on the aging process is staggering. In fact, I did some research and most sources online say that globally people spent 62 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 on anti-aging related products and services and that is expected to increase to around 93 billion by 2027. I get it. I’ve struggled to embrace the aging markers I’m beginning to see more and more in pictures or when I look in the mirror. The wrinkles around my eyes and mouth. The grey hair starting to frame my face. The pesky nose hairs I now have to pluck (like what even? Why is this a thing as we get older??) And yet, I look back on my almost 43 years of life and see so much to be grateful for. I don’t really wish I could turn back the clock because there is a sense of peace and contentment in these “older” years that I didn’t have when I was younger. The wrinkles tell a story. Of laughter and memories. Of tears and heartbreak. Of lessons learned. Of healing and hope. Of seeing God’s faithfulness. The wrinkles, they represent growing and maturing. Making mistakes and asking for forgiveness. Being stretched beyond what I thought I was capable of. Seeing God’s strength and goodness when I felt weak and inadequate. The wrinkles tell a story. And that’s why I am learning to embrace them. To not try to smooth them out with a filter on IG or wish them away when I look in the mirror. Sometimes the story they tell is not the story I would have chosen or wished for, but I look back and see God’s hand woven throughout it. And I see that the story they tell is better than any story I would have written for myself. The wrinkles are a testament to the life I’ve lived and the faith I’ve developed on the journey. I look back in gratitude that while I get older and my body continues to age, God is the same God. He never ages. He never gets weary. He has always been. Most of all, He has been faithful, He is faithful, and He will be faithful. = Ends tonight! For those of you who asked me for a link to this shirt when you saw it in videos, I got a discount code for you! Amazon has this [Women’s Boho Blouse for just $13.99](=)when you save an extra 30% off at checkout! (If the price doesn’t automatically adjust, you can use the promo code 30PS17FO at checkout.) There are six color options in sizes S to 2XL. [Order it here.](=) A Few Things I've Written This Week: I posted [a really vulnerable piece on Instagram]() about how I stopped posting in the moment 4 months ago and how it impacted my life -- and how I'm changing what I post on Instagram as a result. [Read it here.]( By far, [my most-seen post](=) this past week was [this post I wrote](=) about going to Target for the first time in a long time and the really surprising things I saw when I went into the store. It might surprise you -- and hopefully it encourages you! Every other Friday, Kierstyn and I go to the library and pick out books together for the next few weeks. Her favorite thing is to "read" the braille books. She calls them "blind books". She has such an interest in disabilities and a heart of compassion for those with disabilities. In fact, she often asks why she can't have Down syndrome and why only David gets to be the one to have it in our family. Speaking of the library, [I finally got this book]()! I've been on the holds list for months! I've heard so many good things about it but also some people told me they didn't love it. Have you read it? I'm about 50 pages in and it's really been well written so far. What I Finished Reading Last Week: [Through the Eyes of a Lion]() - This book was SO good! It's a tragic story of loss and grief, but also of hope and seeing God's faithfulness when you hit some of the darkest hours. If you (or someone you know) is experiencing horrific loss or incredibly dark discouragement, I think this book would be a real help and lifeline of hope. What I'm Currently Reading: [The Women]( [The Unplugged Hours]() I made [Pumpkin French Toast on Facebook Live]() this past week and someone commented on my video, "That sounds disgusting!" This simple comment inspired an entire post all about how so often we are scared to take the counter-cultural path or be okay with doing things that people might not agree with us. "Don't let the loud opinions of others dictate your decision-making." By the way, in case you want the recipe for Pumpkin French Toast, you can [see the recipe video here.]( This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: My Experience with InsideTracker Blood Tests In this week's podcast episode, Jesse and I discuss our experience with [InsideTracker](=)! I mentioned this on [Instagram]( a few weeks ago when I got my bloodwork done and many people had questions on how it works and what we’ve learned from it. So I thought it'd be fun to dive into it on the podcast! Tune in to hear about what we’ve learned from these blood tests and how we’ve changed our lives and habits as a result! [Click here to listen to this podcast episode.](=) 3 FREE Months of Kindle Unlimited! If you love to read, don't miss this HOT deal to get a [FREE three-month subscription]() to Kindle Unlimited! Since Kindle Unlimited is usually priced at $11.99 per month, this is a fantastic deal! When you [sign up for this deal](), you’ll get access to over 700,000 ebooks and thousands of audiobooks — all for free! [Click here to grab this deal + see my top KU book recs!]() HOT Sam's Club Membership Deal (Ends Soon!) If you’ve been thinking about getting a Sam’s Club membership, you don't want to miss this rare opportunity to get a [one-year membership for just $15](! This is a great discount off of the regular price of $50, especially because you don’t have to pay very much out of pocket for your membership! Jump on it! This is only valid for a few more days. [Click here to sign up for your $15 membership.]() (Psst! Want a [deal on the Plus Membership?]( You can get $60 off — making it [just $50](=) instead of $110!) Prime Big Deal Days! [Prime Big Deal Days]() has been announced for October 8-9, 2024! To celebrate, we're giving away a [$50 Amazon gift card](=)! Links You Might Want to Check Out! [Feeling Behind? Start Where You Are!]() — Discouraged about your financial situation right now? Read this for some encouragement! [15+ Ideas for When You Feel Dissatisfied With Your Home]( — Feeling a bit blah about your home lately? Check out these free and frugal ideas to spruce up your home — perfect for when you’re craving something new but it’s not really in the budget! [10 Comforting Fall Soup Recipes]() — Need some frugal dinner ideas for the cooler months up ahead? Don't miss this round-up of some of my favorite soups! _______________ Have a wonderful week! -Crystal P.S. Are you [following me on Instagram]()? If not and you love my personal enewsletters, you'd probably really enjoy [all the behind-the-scenes and real-life updates I share there!]( I'd love to connect with you there! [Unsubscribe]( Money Saving Mom, LLC 2020 Fieldstone Parkway, Ste. 900 #313 Franklin, Tennessee 37069 United States