What Dave Ramsey Did for Me.

I grew up poor. Uhm, no, that's not right. I grew up broke. My father was a mechanic who showed up drunk to work a few too many times so was often out of  a job. Because he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corp, we received a check from the government every month. I'm not sure what to call it.  At times that was all we had for the month. All we had to make the house payment, utilities, pickup payment, buy gas, food, clothes. Everything a family of 5 needed had to come from that check.

At times we had carrot soup, which was just water, salt, pepper and carrots. We had that because that was all there was. I remember always knowing when the check came because we feasted for lunch like we were kings. Bread, lunch meat, and chips. Sometimes we even had pop. (soda, coke)

I grew up learning by osmosis and example that if there was something you saw that you needed/wanted and you had the money in your pocket you had to buy it right then. If you didn't, you either wouldn't have enough money later, or it would be gone. Thinking about a purchase for 24-hours was unheard of.

Saving money was another thing that wasn't heard of or talked about much. I grew up thinking saving was what rich people did. Savings accounts were for those who were rich enough to have extra money to save. We weren't that rich.

I heard once that "A budget is a systematic way of running out of money." I didn't need a systematic way, I could run out of money just fine in my own loosey-goosey way. I was extremely opposed to a budget. I saw no use for a savings account, because if you weren't saving for anything in particular, what was the point?

Several times in my 20s I would think I should do a better a job with my money. One time I bought "A Woman's Guide to Financial Peace of Mind" by Ron Blue. The only thing  I learned from the book was I couldn't afford the book, but Focus on the Family wouldn't take it back.

I carried all this excess stinky baggage in to marriage. You can imagine living in my house...sometimes it wasn't quite all love and roses.

This past Spring my church offered Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University as a Sunday School class. I was the first one to sign up. I didn't necessarily care if Russ was on board (although I knew he probably would be) with the whole thing or not. I only wanted help with the household money I worked with every month. I thought if Dave Ramsey could help with that, he would be worth his weight in gold. (in a good gold market when it is really paying to have stock in gold.)

I started setting aside a certain amount every month immediately after starting the class. This went into a checking account that had very limited access. I could only write 3 checks a month. I requested no debit card with it. For what I planned to use this account for, I contemplated opening a savings account, until I saw this account offered no minimum balance, and it earned interest at a greater rate than a savings account, I chose to go for the checking account.

At times the money I put in the account hurt. I could think of 150 different things I could do with that money. But still I put it in every month.  I am close to having my emergency fund fully stocked, and already it has come in handy.

For years I thought there was no way I could ever afford to shop at Sam's or Costco.  I knew I could get more buying in bulk and over time it would be cheaper, but initially I knew I'd spend more. And I didn't have more to spend. Every pay period I was spending all I had on food and other things we needed, like toothpaste, toilet paper, kleenex' soap, etc.

Six weeks ago or so, we traveled to visit family and check out Sam's.  I took my meager money with me, hoping to get enough food to last at least for 2 weeks and hopefully a month. It worked. I even went home with money in my pocket.

Two weeks ago, I went to a nearby town to again shop at Sam's. I spent a little more than I had the first time, but I was able to get more.  And again I went home with money in my pocket.

I was noticing earlier this week that our bath towels are getting to be rather sad looking. Elizabeth's towel has a hole in it, all the towels have the frayed edges. But instead of thinking we could all ask for towels for Christmas, I realized I can go buy the towels we need.

Because of Dave Ramsey, I am able to say "We need towels." and go buy new towels. I didn't have to think of what I could do without this time to get the towels.

Believe me when I say six months ago, that wouldn't have happened.  This lifestyle is so freeing. Yes, some people think I'm crazy for denying myself certain perks of life, but honestly the more I save the less likely I am to want to part with any money. Especially money on things that are just a perk. I have a hard enough time spending money on some needs of my own (my families needs I have no problem spending money), to spend money on a "want" is enough to send me into a near panic. (only slightly kidding)

Getting rich was not my intent by taking the class. I just wanted help to have enough, even if our income never increased, I just wanted to have enough to get what was needed.

Mission accomplished!

COFFEE!!!

This morning I read Psalm 66. In verse three we are told to "Say to God, 'How awesome are Your works!'" I prayed for my eyes to be open so I could see Him at work and see His works. I know I really only had to look outside and I could see His works, but go with me here.  I want so much to be able to exclaim, "God, You are awesome for... ."  In the midst of my prayer, God gently whispers to my soul, "I made the coffee bean." And I began to "Shout joyfully to God..."


God made coffee! God made coffee and He is awesome!! Coffee is good, even great, but God alone is awesome! If you look in Genesis 1, God exclaims "It is good!" after every thing He created. So coffee is good.

Could I get an amen!!!

Not only did God remind me that He made coffee, He had the radio play "Low Fat Latte" by Michael O'brien just as I was leaving for Bible study. The song lasted, and yes was blasted from the speakers, until I got to Dear Man's office to drop off the girls.

At Bible study this morning, I learned so much. Most of which I'm still processing...or maybe I'm just not ready to share yet. But I will share this. My family is in the Bible. Yup. We are there.

I went down to the garden of nuts to see the fruits...

Song of Songs 6:12 (kjv)

For Beth Moore.

I just read Beth Moore's blog. She talked today about her "happy place"...the Tetons. I live only one state east of them and I haven't ever been. Maybe I should.

Beth closed by asking what was our happy place. I commented quite honestly that since I was in dire need of a nap, my happy/favorite place was bed. Before I hit the submit button, I pondered a while to see if I had another place I liked better. And the answer is a resounding NO! I am such a slug. My favorite place to be is bed, either sleeping or with a good book and a cup of good coffee.

However, since I can't stand to sit still for 10 minutes, I can't just lounge in bed all day. I would make myself crazy.

The next part of the comment was my realizing and since I can't have an unexpressed thought, I said, I told 50 million people that I had been too busy since crawling out of bed to have it made yet. It is after 3pm.

To prove it I snapped this.

And no, I'm not proud. I hadn't even opened the windows!

But never fear, I quickly rectified the situation.

What is that on the bed? 

My Bible study lesson. 

And okay it was staged, but I had to have some place to keep it. 

What is your favorite place to be?

Mourning into Dancing

This morning I read Psalm 116.  I was in the throes of death Friday and Saturday so I could really relate, and after my day yesterday, I could REALLY relate!!

I love the LORD because He hears 

My voice and my 

supplications.

Because He has inclined

His ear to me,

Therefore I shall call upon

Him as long as I live.

The cords of death

encompassed me

And the terrors of Sheol

came upon me;

I found distress and 

sorrow

Then I called upon the 

name of the LORD:

"O LORD I beseech You, 

save my life!"

Gracious is the LORD, and

righteous;

Yes, our God is compassionate.

The LORD preserves the 

simple;

I was brought low, and 

He save me.

Return to your rest, 

O my soul,

For the LORD has dealt 

bountifully with you.

For You have rescued my

soul from death, 

My eyes from tears, 

My feet from stumbling.

I shall walk before the LORD

In the land of the living.

I believed when I said,,

"I am greatly afflicted."

I said in my alarm,

"All men are liars."

What shall I render to 

the Lord 

For all His benefits 

toward me?

I shall lift up the cup of 

salvation

And call upon the name

of the LORD.

I shall pay my vows to 

the LORD,

Oh may it be in the

presence of all His

people.

Precious in the sight of 

the LORD 

Is the death of His godly

ones.

O LORD, surely I am

Your servant,

I am Your servant, the 

son of Your handmaid,

You have loosed my

bonds

To You I shall offer a 

sacrifice of 

thanksgiving.

And call upon the name

of the LORD.

I shall pay my vows to 

the LORD, 

Oh may it be in the

presence of all his 

people,

In the courts of the 

LORD'S house,

In the midst of you,

O Jerusalem,

Praise the LORD

(from the nasb)

My day...thus far.

A little background.

I am going through Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed. A Bible study that uses Priscilla Shirer (If only she would get off my toes for a pair of minutes!), Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. Each speaker is given two weeks of homework and two weeks of video lessons. I have worked my way through Priscilla's and I am working on week one of homework with Beth. Kay is yet to hit me. I think maybe I should duck.

Beth has for her key passage in her first video session and first week of homework, 2 Samuel 7. In this passage, King David wants to build God a house and God says instead that He will build David's house and establish his throne forever. Now we know this is accomplished through Jesus.

In verse 18 David sits back on his heels and says, "Who am I? And What is my family that YOU have brought us this far??" (my paraphrase based on the New International Version) We are supposed to ponder the "this far" God has led us.

To be honest, I have struggled with that. Not that I have lived a life of ease by any means, but I've struggled because at times I don't see God leading me. To be completely honest, at times I'm not sure I really like where He seems to have led me thus far.

Yesterday in church we sang "I surrender all." I don't normally sing that hymn because quite frankly it isn't true. How can I sing "I surrender all" while telling God, "You better not even think about touching that!!! Or that! Or nope, not that either." But I realized I did want to surrender all. I contemplated what a life totally surrendered would look like, I counted the cost to see if I could. I came up short. I know I can't. But I also know God can.

Last night I had trouble sleeping so I'm mulling over a surrendered life, I'm praying again through the verses I had to in the day's Bible study lesson I had completed. I found myself praying that I would be a living sacrifice. I heard myself whisper the words in a dark world, "I present myself to You, Lord, as a living sacrifice. I am willing to move to the next "this far" part of my life. I am willing to step forward. I don't want to and I can't stay here."

It was then I had my answer to the "this far God has brought me...." question. He brought me to being alive at 40 years 6 months and 15 days. I thought back on all the times and all the reasons I should not be here now. Yet I am I kept here alive because of Him.

I had a time of sweet thanking God for my many blessings after that revelation. WOW!

Which brings me to my day.

• I woke up too late to run.
• I overfilled my one cup of caffeinated coffee.
• I tried to take a picture but my photo card was not in my camera.
• I can't find the cord to the camera so I can get the pictures off it's internal memory.
• I almost lost it completely with my 10-year old and her math.
• I had to remind the girls again to pick up all their dirty clothes and inform them that dire consequences will befall them when next they don't.
• Just as I was stepping into the shower I heard a "clunk" and there was almost no water coming out the shower head. I have that soaking now in vinegar to see if I can fix it. If not...guess I get to spend $$ to fix it.
• I thought bad thoughts about the previous owner of our house for their cheap fixes. 
• I put my thumb through my shirt as I put it on. I've only worn this shirt two other times. 

As I was washing my hair in the sink, trying not to think bad words because of my horrible morning, and trying desperately not to blame it all on Monday, God gently spoke to my heart.

You surrendered all to Me. You meant it. Your enemy does not want this. He wants anything but for you to live a life of total surrender to Me.

I then thought of verses like Ephesians 6 that says after I've armed myself with the armor, I am to stand firm. I thought of the verse in Peter I am told to "Resist the devil and he must flee". I found myself muttering "Resist. Stand firm". I also found myself once more offering my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing in His sight.

I do have an enemy and apparently he loves to torment me on a Monday. I know that I am already a victor over him because my Jesus died on the cross assuring me victory.

And now that is something worth getting my praise on!

GO MAD Monday

Do you remember a few weeks ago when I was pondering why it was so hard to see if I had done anything to make a difference? I wondered if I was simply so self-absorbed I couldn't even begin to think of meeting a need in someone else, or was I merely spending all my time pouring myself into others, making a difference in their life that nothing came immediately to mind.  (You can find that post here)

Today I was so self-absorbed, I completely forgot about GO MAD Monday.

I am in the process of slowing decluttering my house. I love it. I love seeing things go out the door in some form or fashion. I have had garage sales and I've found my best friend, Craigslist. I have had some measure of success selling things using that service. Some items I have had to list multiple times before they sell, but for the most part I'm incredibly happy with craigslist.

A few weeks ago or so I re-listed my canning jars. I don't can at all. I have tried. I've tried making my own jam but honestly, it's not for me unless I have someone to can with me. And all my canning buddies have left me.

I had a fairly large box of canning jars and lids. And since canning season is upon us I thought they would go quickly. But several days went by and no one seemed interested.

Last week I received an email from a girl wondering if I still had them. We emailed back and forth one morning and I discovered she didn't live locally, she had an 8 month old baby, was in school full-time, she has three boys, one with Aspergers, lives in the country and works part-time.

And she was asking for my address so she could mapquest it to see how far she would have to drive. I offered to meet her halfway.

We met in a small town and I gave her the jars. She was happy to get them. And probably happy she didn't have to drive three hours round-trip to get them.

I know I probably spent more getting there than I made, and finances are tight but I can't help but think I ministered to her somehow by meeting her. And I know it was a God-thing because who in the name of getting rid of things and making a few dollars, drives 90 miles (round trip) to deliver jars, knowing it would cost them all the money they should be making?

(my apologies for the disjointedness of this post....we are fully entrenched in our school day and I had multiple interruptions to my thought processes)

What did you do to GO MAD Monday?

A weighty issue

Hey, my friend Kathi, is requesting prayer. Prayer that she would believe God, have Faith that what He says is true.  Even when it involves a "weighty" subject. So head over to her blog (Kathi Lipp) and since we can all relate, leave your prayer in her comments! You will be blessed and so will she!