Family Goals
1. Purpose to be home more in 2008.
2. Love one another, prefer one another, be kind and tender-hearted to one another.
(Family Verse for 2008, Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."ESV)
Personal Goals
(Revised from last year)
1. Read my Bible and pray every day possible.
(Growing in grace to do what I know I am called to do, pursue holiness.)
2. Seek out tangible ways to encourage others as often as possible.
3. Purpose and pray to eat only when I am hungry, stopping when I am full, not stuffed!
The way to Heaven is ascending;
we must be content to travel uphill,
though it be hard and tiresome,
and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.
Jonathan Edwards
Jul. 23, 2008~ What To Do? ~
I realize that I am not alone in this. However these things have been weighing heavily on my mind this week. I can't seem to make ends meet. No matter what I do. We've cut and slashed our budget so many times. I try to use coupons. I follow frugal guidelines. I have not bought a piece of clothing for myself in 8 months and I am in desperate need of some new things after loosing 13 pounds. We spent $130 in gasoline this week and we are supposed to drive north for a birthday gathering in my dd's honor on Sunday. I have the task of calling my grandmother in Arkansas to tell her that we can't come in August because of money. And I don't know how I can drive to see my grandparents an hour away next week as I promised. And to top it off, I have to quit Weight Watchers. I knew when I started that we could not afford for me to go, but I was desperate to do something and so I went ahead hoping the Lord would make a way.
All these things the Lord knows. He tells us not to worry about them. I am casting my cares on You, Jesus. I have enough for today. Tomorrow will have its own troubles.
**Update, I really don't like being all down about things. So I have decided to look at this from what I do have. All our bills are paid. My husband has a job. I am home with my kids. We have books for school. We have food. We have mostly full gas tanks. We have family who loves us and want to see us. We have a lot of blessings!
First I would like to say I love your blog ! I especially love your cat widget . It reminds me of my Granny's clock she had hanging in her living room many years ago. I understand what you mean about groceries and gas.My husband spends a $100 a week in gas just going to work and back. The kids and I do go out much if we don't have to.Like you , even visiting family has taken a backseat right now unless it is a "have to" case.We have a food City here in our town and they have an offer that they run occasionally where you can earn coupons for gas when you buy certain products. thank God we use a lot of those products. In the past two weeks I earned $20 in free gas. I usually just buy what's on sell and get the store brands but still we have gone from spending $85 a week to over $100. We get the same stuff it's just everything has skyrocketed.We are just depending on the Lord. ~ Nikki
I know what you're going through. It's very frustrating. I wish I could offer some suggestions, As for WW, you have the tools, you can do that on your own now, I'll help any way I can.
I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. We have pared back to the bare minimum on everything right now. Thought we had renters in our house back in Mississippi until Oct 2009 and they just informed us that they are moving out NOW, so we are trying to figure out what to do.
Anyway, didn't want to make this about me, and we will be fine, but didn't want you to think you were alone either.
I'm so proud of you for losing 13 pounds and I KNOW you will be able to continue losing even without the program now that you know what to do.
I completely understand. I just posted an entry asking for prayer because Paul might have to get a part time job. Ugh. As far as visiting family, we've had to cancel all of those. It's over an hour drive to see my parents & sister, it doesn't happen unless my parents help us with gas (which isn't often). We thought we'd be going out there every 4-6 weeks, nope, we've been out there twice this whole year, only twice. But you know what, the Lord is faithful. We have the phone and the internet. We've cancelled many trips because of finances, and everyone always understands.
But I'm like you and I'm just so frustrated over it. I so want to be able to change things, but some things just can't be changed. Like you did, we need to look at the good side, let go of everything else and make due with what we have. A lot easier said than done. I'll be praying for you. :)
JoAnn
I am sorry to hear that things are rough right now. We have been there, before, too (and probably would be there now if DH hadn't gotten a raise recently.) I will lift you up in prayers.
Leviticus 20:26 says, "You must be holy because I, the LORD, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own." This blog is my place to remember this journey I am on and God's goodness to me. I am glad you are here. Welcome.
