One of my recurring prayers on my prayer list is that our financial needs will be met. Right now we are living paycheck to paycheck so we are even more dependent on God to provide our needs. Due to out of the ordinary expenses (car breaking down, etc), many times our expenses will end up being more than our income for that month. We are certainly doing everything we can to reduce how much we spend so that we live within our means. We don't go out to restaurants anymore; I shop at thrift stores for needed items; I've negotiated rate reductions with the insurance companies. However, somehow God has come through each time to help us cover those out of the ordinary situations.
The most recent example is a real estate deal that came out of nowhere. Because I am committed to being a stay-at-home-mom, I am not really doing a lot to get new business as a Realtor. I actually closed most of my accounts. However, I received a call from long time clients that they needed to sell a property. With the help of a friend, I was able to still stay at home and help my clients. It was a pretty easy transaction and I received my commission just in time for Christmas. We certainly are not going to spend it all for Christmas but it is a nice blessing just in time.
Thank you Lord for meeting our financial needs through the end of this year.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Birthday Party and Playset
I am thankful that my daughters are seeing the power of prayer in their lives and that it is beginning at such a young age. There is nothing that gives me more joy than to see my daughters blessed and God does surely bless them. These prayers that were answered from my prayer list were for my oldest daughter who is now 6 years old.
We are somewhat new to this area and my daughter just started a new school. Therefore, when I was planning her birthday party, I was a bit concerned about people showing up. I placed my concerns on God's shoulders and the birthday party turned out amazing. Almost everyone we invited was able to make it and it gave me great joy to see how much these girls love my daughter. It was a very special day for my daughter and forever thankful that that prayer was answered.
The second prayer that was answered around the same time was my prayer to be able to get my daughter a play set. Late last year we had priced them and they ran anywhere from $1000-$3000. We are certainly not in a position to afford something like that so I just left it in God's hands. Well early this year, one of our neighbors out of the blue offered us his daughters' playset that they had outgrown. We most certainly accepted the offer and with the help of my husband and his friends we were able to transfer the set to our yard. The set was old and worn but my husband and I spray washed it, stained it, got some lumber to fix a few pieces, and the result is amazing. It looks new now and for less than $200 my daughters now have an amazing play set with a slide, swings, and monkey bars.
Once again God has shown me that he cares not only about the big things, but about the little things as well.
We are somewhat new to this area and my daughter just started a new school. Therefore, when I was planning her birthday party, I was a bit concerned about people showing up. I placed my concerns on God's shoulders and the birthday party turned out amazing. Almost everyone we invited was able to make it and it gave me great joy to see how much these girls love my daughter. It was a very special day for my daughter and forever thankful that that prayer was answered.
The second prayer that was answered around the same time was my prayer to be able to get my daughter a play set. Late last year we had priced them and they ran anywhere from $1000-$3000. We are certainly not in a position to afford something like that so I just left it in God's hands. Well early this year, one of our neighbors out of the blue offered us his daughters' playset that they had outgrown. We most certainly accepted the offer and with the help of my husband and his friends we were able to transfer the set to our yard. The set was old and worn but my husband and I spray washed it, stained it, got some lumber to fix a few pieces, and the result is amazing. It looks new now and for less than $200 my daughters now have an amazing play set with a slide, swings, and monkey bars.
Once again God has shown me that he cares not only about the big things, but about the little things as well.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
New Car
Today, two of my prayers were answered from my prayer list. I am so very blessed and thankful for God's graciousness and for putting people in our lives that love and care for us. For the longest time, when my husband and I had pretty good salaries, we gave as much as we could to help those we loved and cared for. Now that the tables are turned, and we are financially strapped, it is nice to see God work through the people we love to take care of us.
Two needs became very clear to us this year. The first is that our family car was all of a sudden not big enough to fit our family. The car seats take so much space and when our second daughter was born, the limited space became very obvious. The front passenger seat could no longer be pushed all the way back and much less recline it. Anyone sitting in that seat would have to be a small person like me or be in a very cramped position. We would have stuck with the car as long as we could, but I put it on my prayer list as a "want."
The second problem that arose a few weeks ago is that my husband's car started failing. When we had a diagnosis done, the combined repairs would have totaled at least $7000. At that point it was almost better to just trade it in and buy a newer vehicle. This really became a need because the car could stop working at any minute. Since my husband commutes an hour each way for work, we needed a replacement quick.
We looked at our finances and came up with a budget and a price limit of what we could afford. Based on our budget a bigger family car was out of reach because SUV's/vans are more expensive than a sedan. We therefore started looking for an affordable sedan for my husband but one that could handle the winter conditions in the part of the country were we live.
As we started to shop around, we became very disheartened to see that what we wanted was out of reach. Even the smaller sedan was starting to look impossible. It looked like we would have to settle for something that did not quite have the capabilities and reliability we were looking for. Then close family members came to visit and I asked one of them if they could help my husband negotiate a good deal on my husband's top choice of vehicle. This person had the reputation of being a good negotiator and I was praying that just maybe we can get an amazing deal that fit our budget for my hubby's replacement car.
The results were even better. This family member ended up covering the difference on the SUV we wanted and what we could afford. As of yesterday, this person made it possible for us to get the bigger family car at a great deal. My husband would then inherit our other family car which is a safe, reliable car and excellent in winter conditions for his long commute. The family would get a car that was also safe, reliable, and perfect for the winter, but that would give us more room to fit all of us and all our baby gear.
Once again, I am thankful that God has met our needs and wants. In this instance he worked through a loved one to help us out. I only pray that we may be able to help others also.
Two needs became very clear to us this year. The first is that our family car was all of a sudden not big enough to fit our family. The car seats take so much space and when our second daughter was born, the limited space became very obvious. The front passenger seat could no longer be pushed all the way back and much less recline it. Anyone sitting in that seat would have to be a small person like me or be in a very cramped position. We would have stuck with the car as long as we could, but I put it on my prayer list as a "want."
The second problem that arose a few weeks ago is that my husband's car started failing. When we had a diagnosis done, the combined repairs would have totaled at least $7000. At that point it was almost better to just trade it in and buy a newer vehicle. This really became a need because the car could stop working at any minute. Since my husband commutes an hour each way for work, we needed a replacement quick.
We looked at our finances and came up with a budget and a price limit of what we could afford. Based on our budget a bigger family car was out of reach because SUV's/vans are more expensive than a sedan. We therefore started looking for an affordable sedan for my husband but one that could handle the winter conditions in the part of the country were we live.
As we started to shop around, we became very disheartened to see that what we wanted was out of reach. Even the smaller sedan was starting to look impossible. It looked like we would have to settle for something that did not quite have the capabilities and reliability we were looking for. Then close family members came to visit and I asked one of them if they could help my husband negotiate a good deal on my husband's top choice of vehicle. This person had the reputation of being a good negotiator and I was praying that just maybe we can get an amazing deal that fit our budget for my hubby's replacement car.
The results were even better. This family member ended up covering the difference on the SUV we wanted and what we could afford. As of yesterday, this person made it possible for us to get the bigger family car at a great deal. My husband would then inherit our other family car which is a safe, reliable car and excellent in winter conditions for his long commute. The family would get a car that was also safe, reliable, and perfect for the winter, but that would give us more room to fit all of us and all our baby gear.
Once again, I am thankful that God has met our needs and wants. In this instance he worked through a loved one to help us out. I only pray that we may be able to help others also.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Meeting my Needs
Meeting my needs is constantly on my prayer list. There are a lot of things that my husband and I want, but from day to day we ask God to meet our needs. Especially now that I am not working the way I used to, our income has decreased dramatically. Since December of last year, we have seen God do this in almost miraculous ways. When you are making money, you do not really see it as clearly as when you are living paycheck to paycheck. And right now, we are living paycheck to paycheck so we truly have to trust God that He will be there for us.
This past December, I had a long conversation with my husband. After going through our finances, I knew that we would not be able to have much of a Christmas. I told him that at most, we might be able to get our daughter one modest gift. This would be in sharp contrast to previous ones where she had received multiple gifts and many of which were expensive. In addition to that, we would significantly deplete our savings to cover the costs of heating for the winter. We live in an old house and for us heating is at least $450 a month. Things were looking pretty bleak for the winter.
A week or two before Christmas came, there was an envelope from Fedex sitting in front of the garage. I opened it and could not believe my eyes. Our mortgage company had sent us a check, a big check. They had conducted an audit of our refinance and found a mistake in the way they had disclosed their costs to us. The check was enough to cover the heating for the whole winter, but we were also able to have a nice Christmas. It was not a lavish Christmas by any means as we did not want to squander God's gift to us, but it was relaxed and enjoyable without the bills hanging over our heads.
It is now September of the following year, and at every turn God has been there, supplying our every need and sometimes wants :o)
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
This past December, I had a long conversation with my husband. After going through our finances, I knew that we would not be able to have much of a Christmas. I told him that at most, we might be able to get our daughter one modest gift. This would be in sharp contrast to previous ones where she had received multiple gifts and many of which were expensive. In addition to that, we would significantly deplete our savings to cover the costs of heating for the winter. We live in an old house and for us heating is at least $450 a month. Things were looking pretty bleak for the winter.
A week or two before Christmas came, there was an envelope from Fedex sitting in front of the garage. I opened it and could not believe my eyes. Our mortgage company had sent us a check, a big check. They had conducted an audit of our refinance and found a mistake in the way they had disclosed their costs to us. The check was enough to cover the heating for the whole winter, but we were also able to have a nice Christmas. It was not a lavish Christmas by any means as we did not want to squander God's gift to us, but it was relaxed and enjoyable without the bills hanging over our heads.
It is now September of the following year, and at every turn God has been there, supplying our every need and sometimes wants :o)
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Strange Rash Healed
Several weeks ago, my husband developed a strange rash on his legs. He thought they were mosquito bites, but later it got infected and the rash seem to spread to his stomach and arms. We were not sure what it was so he self quarantined and pretty much stayed in our guest bedroom for a couple of weeks. When he saw the doctor for it, they couldn't identify so they took a sample and gave him antibiotics.
It finally went away and he is back with our family. The lab work came back inconclusive and they never could quite figure out what it was. This was on our prayer list until he was healed and thank God he was.
It finally went away and he is back with our family. The lab work came back inconclusive and they never could quite figure out what it was. This was on our prayer list until he was healed and thank God he was.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Daughter's School
As with any parent, one of my greatest desire is for my daughters to go to good schools. Back when my husband and I where both working, we were able to send my daughter to private pre-school. About a year ago, we moved to a new area. My work situation changed and my income dropped dramatically. Paying for private pre-school was becoming more challenging. All through the summer my husband and I were trying to figure out with God's help what would be the best course to take for my daughter so I put it on my prayer list.
In September she would start public Kindergarten, but it runs only for about 2.5 hours a day. We were unsure if we should send her to an enrichment program at the private pre-school. No doubt that she would get a lot of the program, but could we afford it? And if we sent her to a private pre-school did we keep her at the more expensive one were she had gone or send her to a cheaper one whose schedule was better for us? We just wanted to make the right decision for her and for us as a family.
After praying for this all summer, the answer finally presented itself. We would take her out of private pre-school altogether, and I would home-school her for the enrichment portion of it (1.5 hours, three times a week). I was concerned that my daughter would be sad to know she would not be returning to her old pre-school, but my husband and I gave her the news. Her reaction surprised us. She was so excited! She helped me come up with a plan of what she wanted to learn and how we should learn it.
Now that we are done with our first week, I know for sure it was the best decision and I am so thankful that God made that path clear to us. I am getting to spend that one-on-one quality time with my oldest daughter and she is learning about things she wants to learn about. Her morning kindergarten is covering the basics, but her and I get to learn about different countries around the world, science, the Bible, history, and civics all tailored to a 5-year old. I see the joy in her face to spend that time with me and that is what makes it all worth it and how I know it was the right decision!
In September she would start public Kindergarten, but it runs only for about 2.5 hours a day. We were unsure if we should send her to an enrichment program at the private pre-school. No doubt that she would get a lot of the program, but could we afford it? And if we sent her to a private pre-school did we keep her at the more expensive one were she had gone or send her to a cheaper one whose schedule was better for us? We just wanted to make the right decision for her and for us as a family.
After praying for this all summer, the answer finally presented itself. We would take her out of private pre-school altogether, and I would home-school her for the enrichment portion of it (1.5 hours, three times a week). I was concerned that my daughter would be sad to know she would not be returning to her old pre-school, but my husband and I gave her the news. Her reaction surprised us. She was so excited! She helped me come up with a plan of what she wanted to learn and how we should learn it.
Now that we are done with our first week, I know for sure it was the best decision and I am so thankful that God made that path clear to us. I am getting to spend that one-on-one quality time with my oldest daughter and she is learning about things she wants to learn about. Her morning kindergarten is covering the basics, but her and I get to learn about different countries around the world, science, the Bible, history, and civics all tailored to a 5-year old. I see the joy in her face to spend that time with me and that is what makes it all worth it and how I know it was the right decision!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Expenses Remaining Low
We own an investment property in Texas and the tenant had called me earlier this year to tell me of a couple issues that had come up with the property. There were cracks around the kitchen window that were allowing ants to come in. More ominously, there was a crack on the wall on the second floor of the home. The tenants were concerned that it might be a structural issue.
Currently, my husband and I are almost exclusively living off his salary so our budget is pretty tight. And even though I have some money set aside for repairs on the Texas property, I certainly did not want to use all those funds up. Based on what the tenant had described, I was estimating at least $2000.00 for the repairs. I put it on my prayer list that the expenses for this home would remain low.
The tenant (who also happens to be my mom) called me to tell me she would send her contractor to do the estimate. When the estimate came back, the total that the contractor would charge us to repair everything was $200. Praise God! That was $1800 less than my estimate. Prayer answered, but I now also continue to pray that God will bless and protect that home.
Currently, my husband and I are almost exclusively living off his salary so our budget is pretty tight. And even though I have some money set aside for repairs on the Texas property, I certainly did not want to use all those funds up. Based on what the tenant had described, I was estimating at least $2000.00 for the repairs. I put it on my prayer list that the expenses for this home would remain low.
The tenant (who also happens to be my mom) called me to tell me she would send her contractor to do the estimate. When the estimate came back, the total that the contractor would charge us to repair everything was $200. Praise God! That was $1800 less than my estimate. Prayer answered, but I now also continue to pray that God will bless and protect that home.
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