This week I have been been reminded to be thankful.
Not in the ordinary way but in many small and subtle ways. We have been enjoying incredible food around our house the last couple of weeks. Almost all of which we preserved or grew or raised at little to no cost. My grocery bill for this two weeks was literally $100 for a family of 6 people and a good chunk of that was non food items. I am thankful to know that if it became a real issue I have enough to provide for my family because I was faithful to do the work this summer and will reap the rewards this winter.
I am thankful once again that I have been blessed enough to have my boys home. I really feel like I need a break however I have seen huge growth in the way they interact and cooperate with one another. They are also showing more responsibility in several areas as well.
I am thankful for my newer vehicle. It has been such a blessing since May to be able to do so many things knowing that the car we are driving is dependable.
I am thankful for my husband. He hit a deer last week and ruined two main pieces on his vehicle. He went to Genes and bought both the pieces for under $80 and replaced them himself. This is an early 90's saturn kept for great gas mileage and not great looks. However everything now matches and looks like it did before he hit the deer. What a blessing.
I am thankful for my home and my incredibly low house payment. Way lower than we could ever rent and to be paid off shortly.
I have very much felt like God has been distant lately. Like he is not there. However as I look around at these blessings and much much more I am reminded how much he is with me and how thankful I need to be.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Living Like no one else?
Dave Ramsey fans understand this phrase... Live like no one else so that eventually you can live like no one else.
Lots of people are talking about this and it is great but are we really doing it. Do we still have to have the $50 jeans? I have heard a thousand excuses on why we can't bring our budget totally in line because some one will say I have to have this or that. Really? Will you die without it. Probably not.
Are you teaching it to your children? Are they financially responsible and ready to handle themselves by the time they are 18. Did they buy their car? Do they provide for some of their clothing. Are they responsible for college? If not my guess is we missed the mark. In wanting to bless our children we enable them to still be children rather then letting them stand on their own two feet.
I think in the end whatever excuse we have is made up to justify what we want, is to make us not feel bad instead of admitting I don't want to do it. I am not willing to give it up. With our children it is just the same. Things are so much harder for kids these days is a common excuse. If we teach our children to have a real job the 2 years prior to graduation they will be better equipped for life. If we make them pay for all or a significant portion of their college they are more likely to chose a job set that will result in a payoff rather than an "underwater basket weaving degree" as my husband likes to call it. If we make them pay for their car insurance won't they attempt to be more careful with that car they had to purchase.
It is all about teaching responsibility and we cannot complain when they are not making progress in their life because they have not been taught to do so. We can not send them into the world or out to be married if they are not fully understanding of all the financial responsibilities that go with it. We will have our children and their spouses and their children living in our basement otherwise. Teach them, guide them and make them responsible and they will thank you one day.
Lots of people are talking about this and it is great but are we really doing it. Do we still have to have the $50 jeans? I have heard a thousand excuses on why we can't bring our budget totally in line because some one will say I have to have this or that. Really? Will you die without it. Probably not.
Are you teaching it to your children? Are they financially responsible and ready to handle themselves by the time they are 18. Did they buy their car? Do they provide for some of their clothing. Are they responsible for college? If not my guess is we missed the mark. In wanting to bless our children we enable them to still be children rather then letting them stand on their own two feet.
I think in the end whatever excuse we have is made up to justify what we want, is to make us not feel bad instead of admitting I don't want to do it. I am not willing to give it up. With our children it is just the same. Things are so much harder for kids these days is a common excuse. If we teach our children to have a real job the 2 years prior to graduation they will be better equipped for life. If we make them pay for all or a significant portion of their college they are more likely to chose a job set that will result in a payoff rather than an "underwater basket weaving degree" as my husband likes to call it. If we make them pay for their car insurance won't they attempt to be more careful with that car they had to purchase.
It is all about teaching responsibility and we cannot complain when they are not making progress in their life because they have not been taught to do so. We can not send them into the world or out to be married if they are not fully understanding of all the financial responsibilities that go with it. We will have our children and their spouses and their children living in our basement otherwise. Teach them, guide them and make them responsible and they will thank you one day.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Seasons are changing.
Seasons are making a shift here in Northern Michigan. The weather is getting cooler and the trees are showing a bit of change as well. The apples are ripening with the first frost that came early this year.
Is God changing seasons in your life as well? I know he is in mine. Maybe it is a new arrival in your family. Maybe it is the graduation of a child creating an empty nest. Maybe a new opportunity for you. It all is wonderful to look around and see the changes in our world as well as in our life. Our family is being pushed in some very specific directions as well as each individual person.
Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather because I am a jeans and sweatshirt kind of girl. I love the sunny days and the cooler nights. I love the beauty of the changing leaves. I think it is a wonderful time to see the planet getting ready for a period of rest.
Think about all the positive things that come from the changing seasons instead of focusing on the negative things like: I don't like the cold, I hate snow...etc. etc. God created this planet perfectly and so we must have faith in his creation that it is all good, maybe even the parts we are not so fond of. Try this year to be amazed and humbled by all his creation instead of a chronic whiner about the parts we don't like. I will be trying this as well.
Be blessed.
Is God changing seasons in your life as well? I know he is in mine. Maybe it is a new arrival in your family. Maybe it is the graduation of a child creating an empty nest. Maybe a new opportunity for you. It all is wonderful to look around and see the changes in our world as well as in our life. Our family is being pushed in some very specific directions as well as each individual person.
Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather because I am a jeans and sweatshirt kind of girl. I love the sunny days and the cooler nights. I love the beauty of the changing leaves. I think it is a wonderful time to see the planet getting ready for a period of rest.
Think about all the positive things that come from the changing seasons instead of focusing on the negative things like: I don't like the cold, I hate snow...etc. etc. God created this planet perfectly and so we must have faith in his creation that it is all good, maybe even the parts we are not so fond of. Try this year to be amazed and humbled by all his creation instead of a chronic whiner about the parts we don't like. I will be trying this as well.
Be blessed.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Observations
Well it is Labor Day and in Northern Michigan it looks like fall and the cold have officially moved in. These are some of my observations I have since my last writing on August 12th.
School. For most people and their families school is starting. We have been working for a month now. The other day my children were at the school playing on the playground and this is the conversation that occurred.
Noah: Mom how many times do the kids get out for recess.
Mom: Once a day when I was a girl we had 2 recesses and also out at lunch.
Noah: No wonder kids are overweight today.
Mom: Noah they eat more junk food then when I was a kid I don't think recess has all to do with it.
Noah: Josh would pop if he had to sit that long.
Mom: probably
Noah: hmmmmm
I think my kids are thankful that when they need to burn off a quick burst of energy they can run out and do it and come back in and continue with their work.
Weather. The weather is getting chilly early this year we had several cool days in August. We are heading into what I believe is going to be a cold winter and possibly long as well. I am so thankful for Gods provision that my family will be taken care of. I know he is the one who has lead me to preserve an abundance of food this year and he also made sure we had the money to purchase the wood we needed. I have concerns this coming winter for many possibly not so fortunate people and I do not know why. My mission will be to praise God even if I don't like the weather and try to help those who are not so fortunate.
God has brought me into a new season in my life. I have much that he is working on with me. I am so thankful for some very key people he has placed in my path that are here to help me through the outworking of some areas of hurt. He is good and has clearly revealed a few things to me that I will be taking on for project. New seasons are a very interesting thing to go through. Sometimes you are sad to see the old ones go but happy to move onto exciting new adventures.
Be blessed.
School. For most people and their families school is starting. We have been working for a month now. The other day my children were at the school playing on the playground and this is the conversation that occurred.
Noah: Mom how many times do the kids get out for recess.
Mom: Once a day when I was a girl we had 2 recesses and also out at lunch.
Noah: No wonder kids are overweight today.
Mom: Noah they eat more junk food then when I was a kid I don't think recess has all to do with it.
Noah: Josh would pop if he had to sit that long.
Mom: probably
Noah: hmmmmm
I think my kids are thankful that when they need to burn off a quick burst of energy they can run out and do it and come back in and continue with their work.
Weather. The weather is getting chilly early this year we had several cool days in August. We are heading into what I believe is going to be a cold winter and possibly long as well. I am so thankful for Gods provision that my family will be taken care of. I know he is the one who has lead me to preserve an abundance of food this year and he also made sure we had the money to purchase the wood we needed. I have concerns this coming winter for many possibly not so fortunate people and I do not know why. My mission will be to praise God even if I don't like the weather and try to help those who are not so fortunate.
God has brought me into a new season in my life. I have much that he is working on with me. I am so thankful for some very key people he has placed in my path that are here to help me through the outworking of some areas of hurt. He is good and has clearly revealed a few things to me that I will be taking on for project. New seasons are a very interesting thing to go through. Sometimes you are sad to see the old ones go but happy to move onto exciting new adventures.
Be blessed.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Family Economy
I have been reading quite a bit about a family economy lately. I have even considered downloading an 18 hours audio series for $25 off of bluebehemoth. We have always tried to somewhat run a family economy but have come to the conclusion lately after some books and audio I listened to that we really don't do it fully. Providing for our family by our own means would be best without a doubt.
Step one. Get completely debt free including the house. Think about this. At my home my taxes run $1200 per year that is $100 per month. Electric averages $150. Cell phone $48. Heat in the winter is about $150 I am guessing between wood and propane. Food we spend $500 per month and eat well. Insurance is about $150 for the cars and gas not quite sure. Less that $1500 per month. That comes to less that 20k per year. That is the equivalent of $10 per hour at McDonalds if one must find any job. The heat portion of that is only for 6 months as well. My point is it does not take lots and I am sure we could trim that more by working on more gardening.
A family economy is truly having the whole family work at your business or ventures. If you farm, lets say, everyone helps farm. If you own a store everyone can help at the store. This is for the benefit of the family not the individual. You can pay your kids but I would believe from what I have read that that is a minimal amount because they are helping the family and this is what the family does to keep it going.
So step two for my family would be to get our businesses going to a level where it is self sustaining and able to provide for our family. We have handling the email clubs for small businesses. The boys could go with to visit clients, pick up slips, drop off information. Doll clothes. While the boys could not sew they could attend craft shows, help set up, stock shelves and run the cash register. We could do more with our small fruit farming as well. Having the boys help weed, pick fruit, wash and package and help deliver to market or sell at roadside.
In the end I am not totally sure of how you handle all this but I do believe it is something to look into much more heavily. I am feeling pressed by the Lord that over the next 2 years that we need to make some serious changes because there are serious changes coming in our country. I am not an alarmist or worry about these things. God has just been preparing my heart for changes.
What do you do with your family? Does everyone have to participate and help with things that benefit the family? I am not talking strictly about house cleaning. My daughter used to have to go lift wood put it in the splitter and stack it. An only house cleaning daughter she is not and I believe it will make her better as she knows what really serious work is.
Maybe just rambling but I think this is a subject that deserves serious consideration from all families.
Be blessed.
Step one. Get completely debt free including the house. Think about this. At my home my taxes run $1200 per year that is $100 per month. Electric averages $150. Cell phone $48. Heat in the winter is about $150 I am guessing between wood and propane. Food we spend $500 per month and eat well. Insurance is about $150 for the cars and gas not quite sure. Less that $1500 per month. That comes to less that 20k per year. That is the equivalent of $10 per hour at McDonalds if one must find any job. The heat portion of that is only for 6 months as well. My point is it does not take lots and I am sure we could trim that more by working on more gardening.
A family economy is truly having the whole family work at your business or ventures. If you farm, lets say, everyone helps farm. If you own a store everyone can help at the store. This is for the benefit of the family not the individual. You can pay your kids but I would believe from what I have read that that is a minimal amount because they are helping the family and this is what the family does to keep it going.
So step two for my family would be to get our businesses going to a level where it is self sustaining and able to provide for our family. We have handling the email clubs for small businesses. The boys could go with to visit clients, pick up slips, drop off information. Doll clothes. While the boys could not sew they could attend craft shows, help set up, stock shelves and run the cash register. We could do more with our small fruit farming as well. Having the boys help weed, pick fruit, wash and package and help deliver to market or sell at roadside.
In the end I am not totally sure of how you handle all this but I do believe it is something to look into much more heavily. I am feeling pressed by the Lord that over the next 2 years that we need to make some serious changes because there are serious changes coming in our country. I am not an alarmist or worry about these things. God has just been preparing my heart for changes.
What do you do with your family? Does everyone have to participate and help with things that benefit the family? I am not talking strictly about house cleaning. My daughter used to have to go lift wood put it in the splitter and stack it. An only house cleaning daughter she is not and I believe it will make her better as she knows what really serious work is.
Maybe just rambling but I think this is a subject that deserves serious consideration from all families.
Be blessed.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Are we using our things wisely?
Sunday at church we had a guest speaker. He talked about Luke chapter 16 where two parables appear that are not seen in any other of the Gospels. The parable of the shrewd manager and the rich man and Lazarus. I was seriously enlightened and God pressed many things onto my heart.
In the end when we go to meet the Lord we will give an accounting before God for our use of our time, money and possessions. Wow that is pretty intense. Not of our sins those have been wiped clean. But how we used these gifts God gave to us. How we handle our money and worldly possessions is a test of our character, values, life, stewardship and his Lordship. I knew all this but it came to a whole new light.
John Wesley at first was making 30 pounds a year and his necessity spending was at 28. Then he was making 60 kept his spending at 28 and gave the rest away then was making 90 and still only used 28. 150 still only spent 28. Later in life in the thousands and still kept it at 28, how amazing is that. We tend to keep increasing our spending with our pay increases. This man had it right on.
We live in the wealthiest nation in the world. If you are at poverty level which I believe is around 20k you are in the top 2% of income earners in the world. If you are at half of that you are in the top 7%.
Regardless of our dropping retirement or investment funds we are such a blessed people who participate in the practice of chronic whining. I want to give God a good accounting of my time and money and have to make that change now! What will you do? Will you make an effort to be a good steward in every area. Time, money and possesions. Or will you continue to go on living the American way. Alas my heart has been convicted and I cannot go on same as always.
Be blessed.
In the end when we go to meet the Lord we will give an accounting before God for our use of our time, money and possessions. Wow that is pretty intense. Not of our sins those have been wiped clean. But how we used these gifts God gave to us. How we handle our money and worldly possessions is a test of our character, values, life, stewardship and his Lordship. I knew all this but it came to a whole new light.
John Wesley at first was making 30 pounds a year and his necessity spending was at 28. Then he was making 60 kept his spending at 28 and gave the rest away then was making 90 and still only used 28. 150 still only spent 28. Later in life in the thousands and still kept it at 28, how amazing is that. We tend to keep increasing our spending with our pay increases. This man had it right on.
We live in the wealthiest nation in the world. If you are at poverty level which I believe is around 20k you are in the top 2% of income earners in the world. If you are at half of that you are in the top 7%.
Regardless of our dropping retirement or investment funds we are such a blessed people who participate in the practice of chronic whining. I want to give God a good accounting of my time and money and have to make that change now! What will you do? Will you make an effort to be a good steward in every area. Time, money and possesions. Or will you continue to go on living the American way. Alas my heart has been convicted and I cannot go on same as always.
Be blessed.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Jam , Jam , Jam
So today I made jam! Blueberry, strawberry, raspberry. Now one must know that I do not encourage alot of sugar eating in my house however homemade jam is different for me. I am well aware that it takes a boatload of sugar to make it. However I also know this. My homemade jam consists of 3 main ingredients. Fruit, sugar and pectin. Depending on the fruit sometimes lemon juice. Not many times can you say that about anything that is store bought and I can pronounce all of it.
Homemade jam is not inexpensive to make. Strawberry for example: 5 cups of berries, 7 cups of sugar, 1/3 cup pectin and all that makes only 5- 8oz and 4- 6oz jars. However these make such a wonderful gift for someone who is having a birthday, having a bad day or at a holiday. It can add up to a small fortune. I have been blessed with my own strawberries and then neighbors have let me get the rest of the fruit off of their plants. I think between what we eat and what I give as gifts it is well worth the expense and effort.
God reminds me that even though we run on a budget and taking care of a family our size is not cheap that I must share what he has blessed me with. He is the provider and takes care of my family. He will make sure we have exactly what we need to have. Sometimes we can take things too far and want to keep it all for ourselves. Several years ago a had a friend who hit quite a rough spot. She literally could not hardly get her hands on food even. I would pick her up and let her come shop through what we had and take her back home. I could have said... "here is some cash" and left the rest up to her. God made sure we had enough to provide for her and for us. At the time I did not realize what that meant to her.
I share this not because I want to feel grand. I share it because when you are blessed with extra please don't be afraid to share it with someone who might be in need. The Lord may have provide you with just that little bit extra for the time when that person was coming and needed it. Not just in food. Maybe it was $5, maybe it was that extra pair of pants or that second winter coat. Be ready, be prepared and make sure you are willing to give to others if God calls on you to do so. In the end it is not mine or yours it is all his. He just is using us to get it where it needs to go sometimes.
Be blessed.
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