Good Evening! I know, I know. You're saying that it's not evening for you right now! It is for me....a quiet evening. The children, with the exception of the oldest, is in bed. The oldest is with her dad outside doing some more decking. I must say that this deck is so inviting in the mornings. There's just the right amount of sun and shade, mixed, but in a way one. It seems the deck is calling to me, "Come! Bring your coffee and just sit!". And that I shall do in later times!

Today was another day of chores, cooking, play and school. Once we finally get the wee ones settled, books and pencils gathered and myself focused, we finally get to bookwork. I am excited to get finished this year. Unfortunately we will be finished a little later than normal due to all the time taken out for construction. Yet, funny still, there's a feeling of sweet accomplishment.

As I was tidying I found a name card of Brittany's. On the back she had inscribed, "BFF....Best Friends Forever". Oh my, looking back into those younger, youthful days. I had that thought so many times. But now, how I know friendships come and go! Oh, how I know! Even in most recent weeks I have felt the loosening of those friendship strings once again. This happened the first time many years ago, right after high school. I could not understand. This friend was so dear to me. We did everything together and were like sisters. I to this day do not know why those ties of friendship were severed. My only guess is that I began going to church and she was very unchurched (just as I was before). The Lord's hand was in it, even though I could not understand. The hurt and loneliness was deep even though at the time I had a sweet husband to help fill the void. About a dozen years later this friend died most tragically. I probably would have died the same had we still been friends. What Providential protection! Even now, in later years and with the same fabulous husband, many  "littles" running around and another kicking within, I still feel another friendship loosening. Who knows why and it may be another "never to know" thing. Or the truth may be revealed later. It could be a Providential thing once again but sometimes even that can be hurtful for a time. Yes, there is only One Friend who DOES stick closer than a brother. Praise God! This is a lesson that I must teach my children. This is something that I must talk with Brittany about soon.

Well, I got the Food Lion sales paper and there wasn't anything very earth moving to buy! I guess this is a way to save on the grocery budget! There's still Bi-Lo's sales  to scour through in the morning. I know many may wonder why on earth I do this. I will say that for the most part this is a choosing. I will say though that this chosen lifestyle has came in very handy, many times in our 18 years of marriage! My way of thinking is: to live like the poor and when hard times come, feel like the rich.  So many people are panicking over supposed food shortages. Would they know how to handle a budget alone, much less a tight budget if life's road led them? If the Lord doesn't come first, no doubt the economy will fall. I can see the American dollar not being worth anything one done. It will be nothing more than paper. While I see nothing wrong with saving and even consider it wise to a point, I hold no hope in money. To me, I have no fear of food shortages/ fallen economy mainly due to the Lord taking care of His children. Yet, no doubt, hard times do hit even the Lord's own. Look at the Depression years. So, yes, coupled with life skills in self sufficiency and a faith in One who provides all anyway, I will say it like those bumper stickers quote it, "I ain't skeered". This is where it pays to be country because I country girl can indeed survive! 

That brings me to several comical questions asked by many who know us and don't know us. I hear, "your husband must make a lot of money!" to "how do you do it, financially?" We are not rich but try to be wise with the Lord's provisions. The money that James makes...which we consider the amount after the Lord gets His rightful share and offerings, is prayed over and delegated to what's needed. We are not big spenders in any way. Just like any woman, or a lot of men admittedly or not, of course I like the freedom to do a little shopping! But very sparingly. Our only debt is our mortgage, and currently second mortgage. These two are to be combined within a few months. We stay off the credit cards and pay cash for our vehicles. If we can't afford it, we don't get it. Our home addition is only possible through many, many hours, days...no weeks and months of hard, hard work. Ask me in a few months, or years if it was worth it! Our six children dress well, yet for much less than other's pay to dress one or two children. We eat very well, yet again for less than others pay. We have fun--yet once again much more cheaply than others pay for recreation. We love to tent camp....even when threatened by mean raccoons. Ha! Our best trips was with camping. These are memories that we will never forget. We are affording an education through homeschooling, buying all of the books and materials without the help of the government. I will have to write more sometime on our thoughts of college education and plans in those regards. All this to say, that yes we are rich! Not in the world's eyes but in our hearts. We have health and hope in our Lord. What else could we want? I think that we are doing the children a great service to live this way. These are skills to be carried on and can be utilized if needed or wanted. I think it's good for the children to understand that Mama and Daddy can be content whether there's much or little. Our contentment isn't held in what we can get but what we have GOT through our Saviour. Daddy doesn't have to be catered to by boats, guns, golf clubs or cable sports. Not to say that this can't be used with discretion. Mama doesn't have to have the beauty salon, shopping sprees, new duds, fancy restuarants or vacations. A treat is good but I am not OWED anything. What we needed has been paid in full. It's a done deal. Yes, we are rich indeed!