Living WITHIN our means: Spouse Allowance

I shared on my other blog that my income had dropped since we moved into our new little home. My dear Alice fell not long after I moved and has been in rehab. I'm still helping her with laundry and a few other duties which gives me enough money to 'almost' pay my insurance. I'm not sure if I will have a part time job after a few months so I'm practicing how to live on only my husband's disability check. (I just found out that she will be coming home for a 'trial' run to see how she does. I'm still going to try and live on my husband's check and put the rest towards upgrading our electrical so I can have a dryer for my clothes.)

I made a budget before we bought our new home. I wanted to make sure that we could live on only one salary because I knew the day would come when I might not be working (hopefully). If my Alice does not come home I hope I won't have to work permanently again.

So, I need a plan.

I've revised my budget. It will be tight but we can make it. I've cut back on a few areas (food, gift giving). I'm not sure if I can reach my goal for the food ($200)  but I'm going to try.

Even though I've had to cut back in these areas,  there are a few I hope to not touch. 

First and foremost, I plan to continue giving to the Lord's work.... cheerfully!

Secondly,  I've learned  it's important to include an allowance in our budget. Years ago, before our 10 plus years of prosperity, I fought resentment because I never had money to spend on small little things (gift giving, lunch with a friend).  My attitude was sinful and I suffered discontentment but it also taught me a good lesson that I've carried with me all these years.   I am handling the finances now I don't want to tempt my husband to resent me. So, each of us will still receive a small allowance to spend on what we wish. 

The third thing I don't want to cut is a small amount designated to our savings. It's not huge but $50 a month over a period of a year ends up being a hefty $600. That small savings would purchase a new washing machine if mine decides to 'give up the ghost'. *smile* It's WAY over 10 years old. I'm already having the bank take $25 automatically each month and put it into a Christmas gift account for the grandchildren.

But, as always, I want to keep in mind that # 2 & #3 are not 'God given rights' and prepare myself to give these up  if needs or necessities come our way.

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 
 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Next time I hope to share what I'm doing daily to keep expenses low in our home.

We've moved and settling in..

It's been a few weeks since we moved into our little 'Grandma' house of 748 sq. ft.  The move went well. We had plenty of strong help. (Boy did I feel old on this move compared to the last one!) The house and garage filled up fast with towers of boxes. So much so that we were not able to move the items in our 10 x 10 storage unit on the initial move. I finally was able to move them this past week. Lots of decision making because there is no way that we can fit everything we own into this house. I have a very large pile of STUFF ready for a garage sale. I've also sold some items on Craig's List and have more listed. We're using the money to pay for some dental work. :-) 

 I've spent over 5 years downsizing and really thought that this move would not be that difficult. We sold a LOT of stuff when we sold both of our previous homes.  I knew I'd have to get rid of some things but never imagined the magnitude. Frankly, there were so many times that I felt overwhelmed and wasn't sure how I was ever going to manage all of the work ahead. But, God continued to guide and direct.. even  the simplest of decisions. I'd pray and ask for His direction and it never failed that an idea would eventually come that worked perfectly.

Our new home. The grass is slowly coming back to life.

I'm so thankful that I didn't get rid of any organizational baskets,etc.  because they have really come in handy to make use of every nook and cranny of our small home.

This is what amazingly floors me.. this house does not feel small at all. I'm being honest. We have plenty of room and it feels spacious. God knows exactly how to prepare His children for what lies ahead.  After living in a barn studio and as a caregiver in less than 300 sq. ft. this home feels roomy to us. Isn't that amazing?  Now, I can imagine that if we had gone from nearly 3,000 sq. ft. to 748 sq. ft. we'd feel cramped and complain. God knew the exact circumstances that would prepare our hearts for our future home and gave us 2 1/2 years to practice living in an even smaller space.  He's so smart!!! *Smile*

I think if I had to choose 1 theme that would describe these past few years I would say it's 'live for today'. Some describe it as living in the 'present moment'. I believe the Lord will continue to teach and train me to live in the present moment until I leave this world. It seems that I've been in His classroom for many years with one situation after another chosen for me that I would not have chosen for myself. It never immediately comes easy to stay focused on living for His glory TODAY but peace is always found when I submit to His assigned portion.

My granddaughters spent the night Friday and made chocolate chip cookies.

 I may or may not have a job next month so I'm again placed in that situation where I cannot assume what my future may hold. I'm a planner. I want to have all my ducks in a row but that is not what God has assigned. So, I continue to reign my thoughts and fears back to what God's Word says.. not to worry about tomorrow... for today has enough problems of it's own... and to remember that God cares more for me than He does the creatures He has created ... and He takes care of them just fine. Mt. 6:25-34

Living is quite the adventure.. wouldn't you say?

May we live (coram Deo) before the face of God,
Georgene

We're moving!

It's been so long since I wrote that I'm not even sure if I shared that we put an offer on a small little 'grandma' home (750 sq. ft) and it was accepted. Did I share that with you?

Anyway, it's been an extremely interesting 5 weeks or so. Our offer was accepted within hours. My realtor said that was unheard of. We had met the great-grandson of the owner the first night the house went on the market and the Lord gave us favor with him. There were multiple offers but they chose ours.

The appraisal passed. The inspection was not too bad. Our loan was approved. We sailed right through each hurdle and then signed our escrow papers.  The loan was due to fund the next day and then record the following day which is when we were supposed to get the keys. Suddenly,  we hit a brick wall. Apparently, there were problems with the title. I won't bore you with the details but let me just say that it looked like there was a chance that the whole deal was going to fall through.

I'm going to be honest and tell you I had a pity party for myself! I even cried.  I didn't realize, until that phone call came, how much I had invested my emotions into the house. I had been going over 2-3 times a week to water the flowers so that they wouldn't die. It was something happy to think about. Oh, and did I tell you that my daughter in love and 2 grandchildren live directly behind the house? You literally can see their house from my pack porch. Our son passed away in January so this was an added blessing to have his family close enough that they could visit often.

We spent some time praying and repenting and got our eyes back on Christ and prayed for God's grace to submit to His will. We basically released the house in our hearts and prayed for God's will to be done.

This afternoon, after we came home from watering, we got a phone call and all the problems with the title had been solved. It was over. The loan funded today and is expected to record tomorrow. Lord willing we will be moving on Saturday.

So, that is my quick update. It's been 2 1/2 years since since my husband filed for disability. We sold our home (s) and then moved into my aunt's barn studio for a year and then moved in as caregivers
 1 1/2 years ago. It has been the most amazing 2 1/2 years as we've watched God provide time and time again.  Absolutely amazing! I hope someday to sit down and share some of what the Lord has been teaching me. But, now is the time to PACK! :-)

 The eyes of all look to Thee, 

and Thou dost give them their food 

in due time.  

 Ps. 145:15

Content with what I own!

                                                                                                       How often do we (especially in America) consider covetousness a sin? Or how often do we place it in the same category as fornication? Yet, both are a desire for more than what God has given.

Therefore be followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  But fornication and all uncleanness or COVETOUSNESS, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints...Ephesians 5:1-2

COVET:  "covetousness," lit., "a desire to have more" (pleon, "more," echo, "to have"),
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

To covet is to have a desire for MORE. Does that sound like Americans? Even those of us who follow Christ? I can certainly give an 'amen' for myself. Even though the Lord has 'downsized' us and even though my 'wants' have been GREATLY diminished due to the size of our current home .. frankly because there just isn't anywhere left to place something (we live in less than 300 sq. ft.)... I still find myself wanting more... just one more new top for summer .. or my greatest temptation which is 'just one more book' ... even though I have a box of new books next to my bed which I haven't read. 

The size of my home has helped narrow my temptation quite a bit. I no longer come to a sudden stop for garage sales. I no longer cruise the isles of Target or Walmart for something new to place in my home. My little studio is full to the brim (along with my garage and a small storage unit) which helps diminish the temptation to buy more.  Also, the fact that the Lord has reduced our budget to nearly 1/3 of what we used to live on has helped greatly in my fight against the temptation of wanting more STUFF!

God says in His Word that GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT is great gain. Not the things of this world.


God continues to teach me His lessons in the school of contentment. I wish I wasn't such a slow learner.


Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 
 1 Tim 6:6-10
NKJV

What do you value most in this life?

Well. we found a home! We put an offer in on Friday and our offer was accepted after dinnertime! God, right?

It's a little Grandma house. It's small (less than 800 sq. ft)! But, after living in less than 300 sq. ft. for 2 1/2 years it will seem like a mansion. We will have a lot of downsizing to do once we actually move since we saved all our furniture from our last home which was nearly 1600 sq. ft. It has a lot of flowers in the yard from the Grandma that lived there for many, many years until she died at 98 years of age. The absolute BEST part is that my daughter-in-love and my 2 grandchildren literally live right behind the house. The grandchildren (and she) can walk out their door.. across the alley.. and right into my backyard!

But, it won't be ours until we sign those final papers. There has been water damage on the bathroom floor. We asked one of the relatives if we could go in early and help them fix it so it will pass the inspection for the appraisal and they said 'yes' (but only if we were the ones that bought the home.. God gave us favor). So, yesterday my husband left a message that we'd like to come in and help.. no return call. :(

I felt my anxiety level rising throughout the night as each hour passed. "Now what?" I would ask the Lord. "Does this mean we won't get the home, Lord?" "Did I get excited for nothing?" And then, of course, there is the ultimate in pity party responses, "Lord, I'm so weary of these trials! Can't something just be easy for a change?!" (Of course, I repented!)

The Lord quickly brought this scripture to mind...

 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 ESV


I began breaking the scripture down in my mind. I camped out on  the word 'treasure'. Am I making this home a treasure? Evidently I am if I'm willing to sin in my heart against the Lord to get it by worrying and then challenging His sovereignty and His goodness.

(Doesn't she look happy and content?)

I have now laid this home at the Lord's feet along with my will. Of course, it's a battle and the anxious thoughts try to revisit. God's Word is my sword ...


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7


 By His grace I desire only His will in my life.. where ever that leads.  I really do want (in my heart of heart's) to find my greatest joy smack dab in the middle of His will.


I realized once again (for the gazillioneth times) that God still has an enormous amount of work ahead to conform me into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:28-29) I pray for His grace to lie still as He chisels away at the sin in my heart. 

Mother's Day without one...

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       Our life is full of 'firsts'. The first time we walked. The first time we went to school.  Our first kiss. We oftentimes categorize our life by firsts.. kind of like a timeline of remembrances. Hopefully our life is characterized by 'firsts' that are joyful. A mother hopes that she will never face a year of 'firsts' without one of her children. Yet,  as most of us know.. our life is not our own to order.. and many of us will spend this Mother's Day without one of our children.. either through death or distance. This Mother's Day will be my 'first' without my youngest son who passed away at the beginning of this year.
  
       I didn't want to go to church this morning. I just plain did not want to go. But, I started praying last night that the Lord would give me the 'want'. And, of course, He did! So off my husband and I went! I had a smile on my face... prepared to worship my King.. the Giver of life and breath.. Ordainer of my days and my sons!
  
       I have purposed in my heart through the courage gained by the Holy Spirit to meet this Mother' Day head on with my eyes focused on a loving God and a thankful heart for all He has given me.
  
  
       Even though I cried through the worship service and through much of the sermon ... I was there by God's grace! It was a 'first' Mother's Day without my son but I also wanted it to be a 'first' of not being overcome by the grief but pushing through it to glorify the 'God who sees'. He is worthy! He is worthy to receive honor and praise!
  
       My eyes are set on Phil. 4 today. I've focused my heart to think on things that are LOVELY!
  I have so much to be thankful for!  I don't have to look far to start counting the load of blessings and benefits the Lord has poured out on me!
  
  My Thankful List:
  
  I'm thankful for my two remaining children here on earth who work hard to be the best godly parents they can be and try hard to honor their father and I.
  
  I'm thankful for the years that God gave us with our youngest son who is no longer with us. I'm thankful for all the lessons God taught me through being his mother. I'm thankful he was my son.
  
  I'm thankful for my daughter in loves and my son in love. They complete our family. I'm blessed to have them call me mom. I'm grateful they love my children and my grandchildren and try hard to be good parents!
  
  I'm extremely blessed to have my mother still on this earth so that I can honor her today. I couldn't have asked for a better mother!
  
  Oh.. there is so much more... so much more...
  My heart is full when I think on all that is lovely in my life.
  And I will....
  

  

  
  And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job. 1:21 ESV