If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know of our financial situation. It truly hasn't eased at all, though we are running in the black, thankfully. We have enough to get all of our bills paid every money, which is a blessing in and of itself. But our food money is soooo hard. I call it our food money, but it's my shopping money. It's the money I get for our food, household supplies, paper products etc... I have dropped down as low as I think it can go. I have stopped getting as much stuff as I know how to do without. Truly, I'm stuck. Paul has his 3 month review coming up. He could be talking to his boss right now about it, but I doubt it. He's been there three months already, but this week has been so busy at his work, there's been no time. And I don't think there was any time today either. His boss will be gone all next week on a business trip, so he probably won't have his review until the week of the 21st sometime. I have looked at our budget, and to get to a point were our food budget would be easier he would need to get a $2.00 an hour raise (we still wouldn't have cell phones, but at least the shopping would be easier). To me, that is impossible. I mean, you just don't get a $2.00/hr raise. But I know with the Lord all things are possible. And I also know, if that he doesn't want Paul to get that big of a raise, if He wants us to continue to seek Him each and every paycheck on how to get food for our house, then I know He'll give me the strength to get through it. So as I sit here, doing the budget, about ready to cry because of all the things I had to take off of our shopping list, I felt to pray. And I felt to bring it to my friends in prayer. So mainly, what I'm asking for, is God's will. I look on paper and we need at least a $2.00/hr raise, but I want the Lord's will in it. I know He will give us what is right for us, and He will strengthen us to get through it if this is not the amount He has for us. Could you please keep us in prayer for the next few weeks with this? Thanks.
Dear Lord, I bring this need to You right now, and I lay it at Your feet. Lord You have known of this need long before we even knew we would be moving out here. I ask that Paul's raise would be exactly what You have for him. Any amount will truly be a blessing. You know the struggle I am having right now Lord. You know my heart, You know my tears, You know my struggles. I pray for Your wisdom on how to spend wisely Paul's paychecks. Lord I don't see any more that I can cut from our budget or shopping list. Lord give me Your creativity, help me to know what I need to get rid off. Help me to let go of things I'm hanging onto, including the internet. Show us what we are to do with what You've given us. Thank You for Your many blessings, and for never leaving nor forsaking us. Thank You, that You are our Provider. Help to keep our focus on You and not our finances. I thank You and I love You Lord.
I have added you to my prayer list.
All I can say for encouragement is that we have been there, even to the point that people from our church were bringing us groceries because we had absolutely no food and not a penny to spend on food. The encouragement is that God brought us through it. Keep praying, keep trusting Him, and keep your focus on Him. You WILL make it through.
I understand the crossing off the list or tacking it on to the next time. I am in that state all the time. I know it is sooooooo hard and it is easier said then done but faith. You will be taken care of. I know that the Lord doesn't want you to give up internet. He WILL provide in one way OR another. I will lift you in prayer. (((((((((HUGS))))))))))
I will continue to pray for you. I really understand your predicament. We are pretty much in the same boat. Right now our food is going on credit cards. I know that sounds terrible, but there is $0 after our bills (mostly medical or medical bill on credit cards) are paid. I was totally shocked when Hubby figured it out and there was $0 for anything else. Well, we have to eat! So at least we do have credit cards. We are hoping when we get our tax return, we will be able to pay off some of it and at least free up some for food, so our debt won't grow as fast. Hopefully, we'll both get a break soon! I'll keep you in my prayers!
Wow, it's already been 3 months! That seems incredible.
I will pray for you, not just for a raise, but that He would open your eyes to ways you can save a little here and there. And that He would continue to be your Provider.
JoAnn, I'll be praying for your family. Financial struggles are no fun, especially when you don't feel like you can make just the basics. Jesus, give Paul a GREAT review and the raise that he has worked hard for. Let it happen quickly and be a blessing from you for this family!
I will keep you in prayer concerning this matter. We truly understand your financial situation ourselves.
My hubby was due for his 90 day review over a month ago and hasn't gotten it yet. He was also hired to be a department manager and was supposed to be put in that position when his initial 90 days were up - that hasn't happened yet either. Being at an employer's mercy can be so frustrating, can't it?
Lord, You have blessed us with the joy of staying home and raising our children. You have given us husbands that take the role of provider very seriously. You constantly show Yourself faithful and meet our needs in the most unexpected ways. You know JoAnn's needs and You know how best to answer those needs. Please fill the storehouses Lord. Give JoAnn a blessing straight from Your hands as a result of this review, more than she could hope for or imagine.
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
