I confess, sometimes, I have a crisis of belief. Often, I pray or think things about God and the Devil sneaks in with contrary thoughts. Then, the Lord in his goodness, gives me moments like Sunday when the Holy Spirit filled our church and baptized over 90 people OR moments like today where he provided just enough so I could get exactly what I needed for new tires on our Suzuki.
Quick Story:
The Suzuki seriously needed new tires about 2 years ago. We put it off. Over the last week, I have felt a really strong impulse to finally get the tires changed. I shopped around and finally found a place that would do it for under $400. I had $374 in the bank. They quoted me at $345 without road hazard. They would do free tire rotations, but wouldn't cover the occassional nail in the tire repair or replace the tires if we botched them up somehow. The road hazard was an extra $40. I figured I would just forego it.
While waiting for my new tires, the presumable owner comes up to me and says, "You gave us the wrong size for your tire." I felt really dumb because he'd special ordered the size I told him the day before. I apologized. He told me the size I needed and then said, "The ones you need are actually cheaper at $323." With road hazard, the total was $363. Sweet!
Lessons learned:
1) God is in all the details.
2) The Lord must know that we are going to need that road hazard protection at some point.
3) Even when I doubt, he still carries me, he shows up, and he KNOWS me.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Debt-To-Date
Here is what is left to pay before we tackle the mortgage:
Sallie Mae: 12,100
Sallie Mae: 8,901
Credit: 9,984
Total: $30, 985
Sallie Mae: 12,100
Sallie Mae: 8,901
Credit: 9,984
Total: $30, 985
Under 10K on the Credit Card
We are under 10k on our credit card with a balance of $9, 984.00. This is a huge deal for us. Now that we are in the single digits for this card (our only credit card), we are confident it will melt quickly. Lord willing and providing, we will bust off another $1k with the next paycheck. God is so awesome and we praise him for his help with our finances. Since November 2008 we have paid off about $7500 in credit card debt, $4000 in doctor bills, and $1000 on our air conditioner.
On my way home from the grocery this afternoon, I imagined what it would feel like not to have a credit card, then not to have school loans, and finally let my mind wander to the region of having the house paid off and staying in this house for much longer than I had hoped. To not have a house payment and just pay for daily living would be so awesome and in the world in which we live, I wonder if it is really possible...to live debt free. I think it is, but I think it is such a forgein concept that it seems impossible. The good news is...it is not impossible. It is totally possible. It is a test of endurance and ultimately, a test of belief. Do we believe God will take care of us? Do we believe he will protect us when we ask him? Does he hear us when we pray even if the voices of doubt creep in from the enemy?
Lord Jesus,
We commit our finances to you! Thank you for your faithfulness. Help us to continue to be good managers of our money. Help us to become debt free! Thank you for the momentum you have given us and help us to do our work with a happy heart. In your precious name, Amen.
On my way home from the grocery this afternoon, I imagined what it would feel like not to have a credit card, then not to have school loans, and finally let my mind wander to the region of having the house paid off and staying in this house for much longer than I had hoped. To not have a house payment and just pay for daily living would be so awesome and in the world in which we live, I wonder if it is really possible...to live debt free. I think it is, but I think it is such a forgein concept that it seems impossible. The good news is...it is not impossible. It is totally possible. It is a test of endurance and ultimately, a test of belief. Do we believe God will take care of us? Do we believe he will protect us when we ask him? Does he hear us when we pray even if the voices of doubt creep in from the enemy?
Lord Jesus,
We commit our finances to you! Thank you for your faithfulness. Help us to continue to be good managers of our money. Help us to become debt free! Thank you for the momentum you have given us and help us to do our work with a happy heart. In your precious name, Amen.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Ethan is paid off!
Just paid the last of the doctor bills for Ethan's birth! Yay! Happy dance going on right here!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Just about under 10k!
Over the past few months, as you know, our debt efforts were put to the side. In the last month, we have recovered much of our momentum. In the last 45 days, we were able to put $1670 on our credit card. Therefore, the balance sits at $10, 186.00. Whoo-hoo! After the next paycheck, Lord willing, we will be able to get that baby under 10k. This is one of the moments I have been waiting for. We have never had less than 12k in credit card debt for our whole married life. Now, almost under 10k, I feel like the credit card debt will just melt away and we can hammer out those school loans.
Our church just began a new series on money, "Mad Money". Today, he spoke of our financial problems and the relationship of those problems with God. The take-away for me was this: God doesn't need our money. He needs our heart. When our heart beats for him and we make him first in every aspect, we will live in a way the pleases him and He blesses us. Jeremiah and I have made God first in our finances from the very beginning of our marriage. He has always received our first fruits. You can look at our bank statements/tax returns for the past 6 years and see it. God has been faithful. He has met us every step of the way and though we have made some dumb mistakes, we have not had to seriously struggle. It is all because of him. If you haven't tested him in your finances- Do it now! And do it with a glad heart because he will carry you as he does in all things. Amen.
Malachi 3:9-11 (New International Version)
9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
Our church just began a new series on money, "Mad Money". Today, he spoke of our financial problems and the relationship of those problems with God. The take-away for me was this: God doesn't need our money. He needs our heart. When our heart beats for him and we make him first in every aspect, we will live in a way the pleases him and He blesses us. Jeremiah and I have made God first in our finances from the very beginning of our marriage. He has always received our first fruits. You can look at our bank statements/tax returns for the past 6 years and see it. God has been faithful. He has met us every step of the way and though we have made some dumb mistakes, we have not had to seriously struggle. It is all because of him. If you haven't tested him in your finances- Do it now! And do it with a glad heart because he will carry you as he does in all things. Amen.
Malachi 3:9-11 (New International Version)
9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
Sanctus Studio LLC
We are pleased to post that we are in the process of formalizing our sidework into a LLC, Sanctus Studio. Our paperwork is in the works and we should be legally ready to go by the end of the month. God has been faithful and we are excited about the next steps in our adventure to get out of debt. Stay tuned for the launch of our new website for Sanctus Studio!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thoughts for the day
1) All the money needs to be budgeted for the pay period, even if it means sticking it in the emergency fund. Extra unbudgeted dollars in the checking account is bad news.
2) Just because somethings is on sale and is a really good buy and I really want it and we sure could use it DOES NOT mean I should buy it. So, totally trying not to buy the comforter, gazillion pillows and 2 king size sheet set from Bed Bath and Beyond.
3) I have to plan snacks for my day, even if I am not currently hungry. Doing so will keep me from eating out when I should be eating in.
Remember this, Kim. :-) Yes, I know, Jesus loves me. :-)
2) Just because somethings is on sale and is a really good buy and I really want it and we sure could use it DOES NOT mean I should buy it. So, totally trying not to buy the comforter, gazillion pillows and 2 king size sheet set from Bed Bath and Beyond.
3) I have to plan snacks for my day, even if I am not currently hungry. Doing so will keep me from eating out when I should be eating in.
Remember this, Kim. :-) Yes, I know, Jesus loves me. :-)
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