The Court Date

I had mentioned the impending court date a few weeks ago. The one that was demanding our remaining hospital balance in full. The whole whopping $550.00 of it.

Maybe the hospital wanted to buy a new coke machine...and, like the rest of us, needed some extra cash? *grin* Don't worry. I kid.

Yet even though it does sound like pocket change, to us it seemed like the impossible. on top of all the other bills and what-nots you have as a homeowner and parent.

Back in December, after my husband received a paycut, we started to look into the hospital's financial aid again (being a state university hospital they have their own aid to offer).

And this is where we started to get the professional run-around. In all honesty, there have been many times that I felt they were intentionally trying to stall the progress of our case until Feb.6, where we'd be forced to go to court.

Because those were our only two options: Go to court. or pay the payment in full to them before the court date.

From the four corners, we had to gather information on nearly everything we owned to prove that we might qualify for financial aid. And trust me, they were dead set on making us earn every penny that they may or may not knock off the bottom line.

Things we bought wayyyyy back when, we were suddenly needing to produce their receipts. having to prove the real worth of the asset in question. Since God knows they tripled every thing's value. Literally.

Convenient how the government will slap a hefty value on a used item that will bring you, maybe, $100 at a yardsale. But I digress...

Day after day my husband would call their financial department, making sure they got our newest fax sheets. filled with all the latest information they were suddenly needing.

He called them so often that it got to the point where all he would have to do was say "Hello. I'm calling to check on my case" and they'd say "Alright. Hold on."

He was not only known by name. He was known by voice. No kidding.

I had thought all was lost during this last wild goose chase they sent him on. Because he had to track down a receipt from Texas. on a trailer we bought 5 years ago.

Obviously we didn't have that on hand. So Jet finally tracked down the company's number. called them. and was told they didn't have that information.

*insert husband feeling very exhausted and near the end of his rope*

But thank God for the little lady who was on the other side of the phone line. She was one of those sweet Texans, who lives by the rule "Southern Hospitality has no bounds". She gave Jet the direct line of one of her friends. who just happened to work in the Dept.of Transportation.

"She'll have the information you need. Honey, you just tell her Marge told you to call."

He called. That lady said she could send him the information. but it would take a couple of weeks. I can just imagine him hearing that. After ALLLL the work he'd put into this over the last couple of months, it would all come down to a letter of information that would arrive a few days too late.

Yet Favor came to the rescue again.

She paused...and then said, "Well I think I could fax that to you.... In fact, I'll go ahead and copy the information now while I'm on the phone with you. Is that alright?"

IS IT EVER!!!

But our lovely little hospital majors in loop holes. So we weren't homefree yet.

One of the things that they said they needed was Jet's life insurance policy. the cash value. No big deal, right? Jet sent that to them. And then, following his usual practice, called them two days later to talk with them about it.

The man on the other side of the phone said it wasn't sufficient. The paper he sent them said "policy value". Not cash value.

Are you kidding me?! So off Jet ran, yet again, chasing the wind...just trying to save us whatever money he could.

Have I mentioned I'm so proud of him? Because I am. I would have given up a long time ago, frustrated by the hoops they were having us jump through. But my Jet rarely gives up.

And it paid off.

We approved for a 65% cut. Jet payed the amount with them on the phone. The girl who has talked to Jet countless times said she'd process it immediately. I bet she was inwardly cheering for us as well. :)

And...drum roll please....I now have the "Payment accepted" letter in my hand to prove the whole saga is over. finished. and stamped by the Favor of God on our lives.

Walking Hand in Hand

This is how I've felt these past couple of months....Supported on all sides as I move forward in this walk towards Christ.

As I've been putting more and more out there, in the form of blog, I've had so many women from around the globe write me letters, encouraging me to no end. I LOVE getting your emails. Love it. *thank you*

But because my computer seems to hone in on your emails as well... booting them from its system before I even know what happened...I am planning on posting some of them on here. With your permission, of course. But that way, years from now, my girls and I will have them to look back on.

Long after I've sent this rebel Toshiba to the junk pile.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Christin,

I'm your read-only friend (that you didn't know you had) in Kansas.

I've read your blog for the past 2 years, after praying for a mentor--I found your blog, totally by accident. I prayed, knowing that this mentor would probably be one with whom I wouldn't have time to do coffee twice a week- and I specifically asked for a mentor whose homeschooling life and heart would be transparent.

In a way, I asked that I could somehow eavesdrop on another mother's heart-cry as she walked this road of homeschooling, living in faith.

I prayed for a relationship of an honest friend, one whom would share her heart- preferably someone just a few steps ahead of me on the journey- in experience with homeschooling and living in faith in general.

Your blog has been a precious answer to a mentoring relationship for me.

I check in about twice a week, and love seeing what you're up to! I live in Western Kansas, and work part-time, our kids are 6, 4, 2--so there's always something going on...

I say all of this as introduction, because it feels kind of creepy to tell you that I love your honesty, and the joyful heart that you carry, when we probably won't ever speak face-to-face. You walk in such a way as to know the Father's ways, not just His acts.

So, by way of introduction, I promise I'm neither:
1) crazy or
2) an axe-murderer.

Anyhow, your post today got me off the read-only bench. I'm writing with simple words-- not of wisdom or prophesy-- just a word of hope, life, encouragement.

I'm so sorry for the onslaught of bills and financial ick that you and your family are experiencing. I will be praying, hoping for you and your family- and for the outpouring of favor & promises realized of which He has spoken to you!

A quick review of what I've learned, so far... things that He continues to remind me of daily.... God is good. God is a God of hope, promise, and not of scarcity. (there is a lot more that I've learned, of course, these 2 things stuck out as important in writing this email)

I've really been blessed by reading your blog, thank you.
Amy

------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Used with permission. Thank you, Amy. As you know, your letter made my morning.

Finally. An update.

This past week, the Lord spoke something to my heart. And it made so much sense.

(Can't you just see God in heaven, letting out a sigh of relief? "Oh goody, my revelation made sense!" I'm sure herds of angels are rejoicing at the thought.) *playful grin*

He said that my heart is to be transparent... so that He can be seen through me.

Pretty stinkin' poetic, if you ask me.

Couple that with my new life motto "It is what it is" and you have one lady who is learning to care less and less about what people think. and becoming more and more willing to just take my life as it comes...

putting it out there for the sake of allowing Christ to strut his Miracle Making Stuff in the midst of my crazy life.


That said, here's the update to my Three Week Period of waiting:

January 12th:
-Jet's place of employment had a prayer time at the office, asking for breakthrough in the midst of this economic mess
-Someone (who does not read my blog) just walked up and gave Jet $100 because he said God told him to.

January 13th
-Church called. Someone gave an anonymous donation of $300 to put toward truck tires.
-Town came and fixed our septic.
-Jet started fasting for breakthrough

January 14th
-Selah with 103 temp.
-The town's meter-readers come to re-read our electric meters. They held their ground and said its accurate. Unbelievable!
-Faxed more paperwork to hospital financial aid department, showing that they overestimated our assets.
-A friend emailed me about Fuel Heating Assistance Program through our town. News to me! THANK YOU, Friend!
-I researched to find that our state's Social Services also offered a fuel assistance program, and that I could apply for both of them.
-Did our taxes....getting back a substantial refund

January15th
-Church called. Someone gave us $500! All I could say when Jet told me was "Why?!"
-Talked to our town's fuel assistance. program person. God gave me extreme favor with her. She went ahead and told me, on the phone, that we qualified for a one-time help amount. She gave us two options: $300 towards electric or 100 gallons of oil.
-Turned in the fuel assistance application to the state's social services. They processed the application immediately (another miracle!). And due to the paycut Jet took, we qualified down to the dollar. They delivered $584 of oil (253.9 gallons) a few hours later!! For free.

January 16th
-Jet home sick. All of the girls really sick with fevers, sore throats, etc
-Jet called the hospital financial aid department. They showed us favor by taking our application out of order (they have strict policy that they process it in the order they get it). She said that we still don't qualify. But after we pay another big bill that's due, she said we will. (such a large pain in the butt...this whole proving to them that we have bills and aren't sitting on a large sum of money)
-Jet broke his fast after conversation with hospital

January 17th
-Mom came over to give strep tests. Everyone was positive except me
-Had extreme favor with doctors. Never had to leave the house, except to pick up Rxs.


January 18th
-Mom said that the people renting my Gma's house had an extra desktop computer that they wanted to give away. And while I'm still praying for a laptop, this is still a miracle b/c our desktop is also on its way out. (Can you tell we use our computers until they keel over?)


January 19th
-Jet took another sick day.
-Had appointment with the town's fuel assistance lady. Made the arrangements for her to pay $300 of our electric bill. Wa-hoo!

January 21
-Jet took back space heaters that we bought two months ago (which apparently jacked up our bill)?? He got back $312.00. The exact amount we needed to pay the rest of the electric bill.


So there you have it. A part of God's provision these last few days. The other part is in the making. Top Secret stuff. :) To be revealed whenever it becomes more official. Don't you love a good intrigue?

Admittedly, it hasn't been easy accepting help from people. Part of me is like "Can I just crawl under a rock now?"

But then I think...that is exactly what my heart longs to do: I want to be able to walk up to someone in the grocery store, hand them $200, and walk away. I want to go shopping for some one's child, buy them school clothes, take it to their door, and leave it there. I want to bless people like that. And one day, I trust that I'll be able to.

For now, I can only say thank you, Lord, for providing like you have. I will continue to trust...

Caution. Rough road ahead. Enter at your own risk.

Raw.

I think you can handle it. If not, turn aside. This will not be the blog for you. But if you can handle a woman going emotionally bare, for the sake of documenting her journey with Christ, then hang on.

Because I'm thinking it's about to get ugly.

I've talked before about my faith walk with Christ: He asked me to believe for a pain-free delivery. I said Sure. I believed him...he provided. The four times I've walked that journey, while they've been a stretch, has always drawn me deeper into Him.

He's asked me to pray for people. To pray and believe Him for healing. So I did. And I've seen miraculous healings. Physical infirmities disappear before my eyes. A lame woman getting up and walking away for the first time in her life. Pains instantaneously leaving people's bodies.

He's allowed me to experience life inside the realm of the Spiritual. I've smelled things that weren't of this realm. seen things. felt things. heard things. All supernatural. All mind-boggling.

I know he exists. It's not a question I have to entertain. For I've seen too much to even begin to doubt that.

But one area where my heart still breaks...where my faith continues to waiver...where I feel He has continually let me down...is in the area of finances.

Essentially, I have faith for crazy, miraculous things to occur. as long as it doesn't involve my checkbook. Then, I just have a hard time holding out hope.

Now before you go all Pharisaical on me, know that I don't mean to imply that he owes me anything. If all he did was save me from my sins and promise me a life in Eternity with Him, that would be enough.

I know that when I accepted Him as my Savior, I was not promised an easy life. A life without trial or struggle or opposition. I know that when I signed on to be a Christian, I was, essentially, signing a blank contract.

An agreement that metaphorically said that though I didn't know what the future held, I would trust that to Him. and Him alone.

Okay? So I know this. And I willingly follow Him. I love him. I will serve Him. I will trust him. Even if it is by choice...without constant proof of His intervention in my life.

Yet

The arena of finances leaves me wondering so much. Because it is in that place where he continually gives us detailed promises regarding what's to come. Promises that literally number in the dozens. Promises that remain unfulfilled.

He has given me more financial promises that any other promise I've ever heard from him.

Prophetic words about finances given to us by people who had no idea that their exact words were mirroring what the Lord had already spoken weeks earlier. Dreams that spell out the financial abundance that is to come. An angel that loudly proclaimed it to me (in a dream). And personal words spoken from His heart to mine during the random times of my day. Time and time again.

Even after delivering Alana and having a supernatural birth, the Lord didn't skip a beat. He challenged me to up my faith and believe him in the area of financial provision. knowing full well the massive battle of trust this would be for me.

Bottom line: He's promised us for the last seven years that we'd be blessed beyond measure financially. And while I truly don't care about amassing wealth, what gets me is we're experiencing the exact opposite. A place where we're not sure how we're even going to be able to pay some bills.

And it's in this place that my heart before God is so fragile. A place where I inwardly ask:

"Lord? Do you not see? Do you not have compassion? What are you asking of me? How am I to release your promise? Is there something I need to be doing to call it forth? Because honestly, I feel I've exhausted my every outlet. And I need you to move."

That said, I have a hard time when I hear people saying "Praise Jesus! He always provides." or "You can't out give God."

Because this is not a phenomenon that we've experienced. We've given away half of our money for missions at one point. Only to have the IRS mistakenly clean our the rest of our money, without our knowledge. Putting us in the red until they finally agreed to fix their error.

We've given away very expensive things...to people who needed it...just because he told us to. Even when that meant us going without. in our own need. Etc Etc etc

We continue to tithe, knowing that may very well cause us to be late on some bills.

Do I say this to pat myself on the back? NO. I say it because it's truth. and because it truly baffles me to no end. For scripture says

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." Malachi 3:10

For years we've blindly trusted. Given him ample opportunity to intervene and open up the windows of heaven. only to see the exact opposite manifest in our lives. despite the fact that Christ continually promises something completely different.

And it breaks my heart. because it causes me to question the heart of God.

I say all of this because despite my emotions ....despite my desire to scream and shout WHY to the heavens, I am choosing to believe. I'm forcing myself to hold on for just a little while longer. I'm needing to be faithful in pressing in for that. in believing that He could and may intervene at any point...

On January 5th, the Lord whispered something to my heart over and over again throughout the day: "Three weeks." And in my spirit, I felt I was to expect something to change, to happen in the next three week time span.

Even now, my saying that...my writing it for the world to see... Man, it scares me. and drives me to exhausted tears.

Because part of me says, "God I can't do this anymore. I can't put it out there. Only to have you, for whatever reason, decide to hold off for another year. or three. ...And what if I'm totally off? What if I'm hearing something that I want to hear? What then? Or what if your version of an answer doesn't fit what I'm expecting? or something that I'm even able to see in this realm? What then?"

Last Friday, I could feel a battle waging over my mind. over my ability to trust. And all I could do was sit myself down in the middle of the floor, amidst my daughters running around and playing, and pray.

Honestly, my prayer probably consisted of no more than one word: "Lord?" But I laid my heart bare before him. And then got up and walked away, trying to not think about all that weighs on my heart.

The Ugly Facts:

-The day after God whispered three weeks, a policeman came to my door at 7:30AM. Taping a judgement (or whatever they call it) saying that I have to be in court because we haven't paid our hospital bill in full yet (we'd been paying it in small increments...there's $500 left). And while we've been trying to work with the hospital for the last forever, they turned us over to collections. Saying they weren't responsible to handle it anymore.

Okay God. Day One. Not looking so good.

-Then our truck went due for inspection. It needs four new tires. Tires that we cannot at this time (with all that is up in the air) afford to pay. So we're officially becoming a one car family.

Okay God. Day Two. Not looking so good.

-Our laptop starts making horrible sounds. It appears to be dying. I'm wondering if it will last more a few more days.

Um God? Day Three. Still...not looking so good.

-Jet still trying to work with the hospital was finally told that we didn't qualify for any of the assistance they offer. This was after our being told that it looked like we would. This was a major blow.

Okay, God. Day Four. Starting to feel a bit nauseous here.

-Then, I went to the mailbox and pulled out an electric bill that read over $600. Knocked the wind out of me. I honestly don't see how that could possibly be anywhere close to correct. But now the ball is in our court to prove the town is wrong.

Okay, God...it's been five days. And seriously? Not looking so good.

-Then Days 6 and 7 are girls were sick. And today (Day 8)...our septic system has obviously begun to get backed up. overflowing into a corner of our yard. This has happened before. It's the town's fault. Their issue. They just have never fixed it correctly.

So as all this twirls around in my head, I struggle. Trying to keep my emotions at bay. to keep my heart in the right attitude before God. to just remain in a place where I'm not completely undone.

And the Lord gently spoke, "Can you hold on for three more weeks?"

I called Jet, crying. Telling him what I felt the Lord said. Exposing the part of my heart that says, "What if three weeks come and goes and nothing concrete has changed? What then?"

...

And there you have it. Christin Unplugged. Raw. Exposed. and completely Vulnerable before the Throne of Heaven. and the judgement of readers.

Here I am. NOT standing in victory over this territory. honestly a little annoyed that I'm still having to fight this battle, holding onto promises that feel like a slap in my face. and way past tired and emotionally drained.

Yet. I hold on. for at least three more weeks. Choosing to trust. Choosing to believe, despite present realities, that He will intervene. that He will move in a way that turns present circumstances into something He foretold.

I document because I want to share "The whole truth. and nothing but the truth."

I document because I'm expecting the ending to be better than its beginning. And what's a miracle story if you don't know the downside? Nothing but a convenient praise of the Lord made public only after the hard part has been walked through.

I want to publicly worship him even though the hard part is all I currently know.

I choose to worship him. Because He's God. I'm not. and it's all I have to offer: My choice. My lack. My weakness.

Our Saturday

Yes. Still pregnant. :)

This is officially the longest I've ever been pregnant (by a couple of days). Tomorrow (or the next day or so?) I turn 38 weeks.

Last I was checked, I was only 3 centimeters and 30% effaced (WHO knew you could actually thicken back up?!!!!!) I literally had to will myself not to cry right there in the OB room when my midwife told me that. AND that she'd be out of town and couldn't be on-call for me. AND that the medical person that I was so wanting to avoid would be on call the entire weekend.

But by the time I was half-way home, God had infused my heart with peace. Truly. Deeply. I knew if I happened to go into labor, I really didn't care who was on call. because my peace would not be effected by their attitude or interaction with me.

And that revelation was so sweet. so personal. I mean, a huge inner healing had to take place in my heart. because months ago, just my thinking about her delivering another baby would literally cause a physical stress-reaction. (Yeah, it was that bad.)

Anyway

This morning, as I bantered back and forth with God about whether or not I'd have the baby this morning or go to yardsales, He said some "snide" comment about me wanting it all that literally made me laugh outloud. He's a funny one, let me tell you. ;)

Yet. I knew from his "picking" that today was going to be one of blessing for us. via yardsales.

Not that I think my blogging audience is waiting with baited breath about my yardsale finds. But I AM! ;) And it only screams of the absolute favor and blessing of God on our finances.

Because we NEEDED to buy Charis winter clothes. and I'm thinking this weekend may be it for yardsales this season. Which would mean we'd have to...*gasp*... buy new if it came down to it.

So for my own enjoyment ...because yes, I'm ALL About getting excited over yardsale deals!!!...here are my Bargain Finds. Most of the things were for Charis... being the girl that has no one passing stuff down to her. *grin* And ALL of it is LIKE NEW and brand name, as I'm very picky about what we buy, even at garage sales.

******
2 coats (Columbia and Outbrook)
3 like new dresses (Gymboree and boutique shops)
9 shorts (all name brand and like new)
4 pairs of shoes (again, all like new. Mary Kate and Ashely. Sketchers)
3 skirts
1 pair tights
double-sided closet organizer....


*****
22 shirts (all name brand and like NEW. AH!)
Christmas stocking
2 newborn sleeper outfits...

******
6 sweaters
4 PJ sets for fall/winter
pair PJ pants
maternity shirt
6 pairs of long pants...

Honestly, I didn't even have the heart to try and figure up how much we saved. Just looking on the Old Navy and Gymboree (etc etc) websites made my head spin. How do people afford to clothe their children without doing yardsales and Goodwill?! Seriously?


But I can say that after looking on the sites, I know it was hundredS AND hundredS of dollars worth of stuff. All that we got for $70. With my parents (who met up with us at one point) paying for $30 of that! Can't beat that! Thanks Mom and Dad!



Jesus, your blessings on our life... I will not take them for granted. THANK YOU. And I totally acknowledge that had we gone into labor (or already had Alana), we would have never ventured out to yardsales. AND therefore, would still be in need of winter clothes for Charis. You truly are into the details. Even the ones that I would have never thought to think of!

Sweet Sweet Saturday

Saturdays around here mean one of two things: time spent with Daddy. sleeping in. late breakfasts specially fixed by The Daddy. working around the house or doing something fun as a family.

OR

Getting up early. throwing on some clothes, preferably clean though definitely not a necessity. eating in the car. and driving around shopping at the beloved Neighborhood Yard Sale.

I love summers. And The Yard Sale is one aspect I love. For oh-so-many reasons, but one of which is because I get to "fun shop"!! Something I rarely, if ever, do because:

1. We don't have the extra money right now.
2. I can no longer bring myself to buy brand new. My theory...it gets stained and/or broken in record time. AND...why not let other people spend the big bucks and then, turn around and sell it to me for a quarter?!

That said, I've been shopping on and off these last months of Saturday. sometimes for naught. But it finally happened!! The Saturday that I've been waiting for ALL SUMMER: The Jackpot Saturday Of Yard Sales

...where I find things we truly need. laid out in someone's front yard.

...specific multiple someone's who have households of all GIRLS!! older than mine. who obviously are perfect children who do not stain or wrinkle their clothes.

...who's parents apparently cannot buy outside the doors of High Priced Chain Stores. and who come equipped with a lovely little inclination to price their yard sale things for a quarter. by the masses.

....I'm sorry but I must pause for a Moment of Silence. 'Tis a truly sacred moment. This serious provision of God I'm getting ready to reveal....

Okay. I'm better.

*BEHOLD!* The Booty in All Its Wonder:



Girl Clothes Round One:
2 pairs of pants, 2 sweaters, 6 dresses, 16 pairs of new socks. Mostly for Charis, who is the one in need! ...Gymboree, Limited Too, ...All name brand. ALL like new.

Girl Clothes Round Two:
11 like new shirts, 1 newborn outfit, 1 sweater, 1 lounge outfit, 1 pair of pajamas, 1 (more) dress... Again, mostly for Charis, the oldest girl and therefore incapable of receiving hand-me-downs from her sisters. Again, Old Navy, Gap, Gymboree, Limited Too brand names.

Maternity Clothes:
1 summer sleepwear set (I'm sure Jet is tired of me wearing his boxers...I know I am), 4 shirts (all of which can be worn post-pregnancy too!), lounge/exercise pants, 2 pairs of capris. ....more brand names.

School stuff:
Two gorgeous, brand new "nature books" that we were going to have to buy. Soon. Complete with handmade paper inside. Perfect.
A large set of colorful bulletin board type "posters" for language arts. Like new.
A book of daily holidays and unit studies for each. I'm loving this book!
An organizational thingy for their room. In the true color of girls. Pink.

Summer Time stuff for Kids:
3 like-new swimsuits (two for Charis, one 2T) All brand name. All like new.
3 pairs of much needed shoes (one of which is brand new with tags)
1 swimsuit cover-up skirt

1 Gap winter coat for Charis. Like new. Paid $6. Fits her perfectly.

Can I tell you how stoked I am?!!! Because really, I am. Ask Jet's family, who was here, when I returned home with The Booty. I couldn't stop talking about it. looking at it. smiling over it.

Ah. Sweet bliss.

And why you ask? Because I came away with (at a very modest Internet-educated guess) at least $750 worth of clothes.

All for a whopping $33.

So how are we attacking debt (or at least not going into more), you ask? By having yearly yardsales and using the money for necessities. By not buying new (when it can be helped. obviously undergarments, food, diapers are new. You gotta draw the line somewhere, eh?). By utilizing other people's need to purge their house of things and shopping their yard sales. And By being willing to go without for a while.

Because yes, there are things that I'd like to have. Trust me. There are LARGE lists of Wants if I'm perfectly honest. But sometimes you just need to wait. And give God a chance to provide.

Like He did for me. Yesterday at my JackPot Weekend of Yardsales!!!

If He can Create a Plan for the Entire Universe...

...Imagine what He can Do for Your Finances.

This little saying has been on my fridge for years. Encouraging me. Driving me to my knees. Causing me to question the timing and compassion of God in our lives.

Yes, you read that right. I'm just keeping it real here.

So how are we planning on accomplishing this large financial goal of paying off our mortgage (briefly eluded to in an earlier post), you ask???!! A lot of faith in a Creator who has unlimited resources and being wise stewards of what He's already entrusted to us.

Because honestly, I look at our finances and I think, "There's no way." But thankfully, I serve a Bigger God...who happens to own The Way.

Allow me to give you some background:

After the Lord ASKED me to stop working, our income was nearly cut in half. It was a shock to our system. We'd never had money issues. We never had debt. In fact, when we got married, we had three cars, a college degree, and a good amount of other things (enough to fill a house)between us...all debt free. And then, God spoke... He asked us to go to one income. So we did. Ouch.

At that point, I was getting ready to enter a Masters Degree Program. But then *surprise* Baby on the way.

And then God spoke again. He asked us to move to Texas. Just up and move. NOW. Trusting Him for everything. And so we did. OUUUUCCCCCHHHHH. We've never been so stressed or stretched thin in EVERY area of our lives. Finances included. In fact, it'd be a gross understatement to say our money was "tight". Because there were times we were hardly able to pay bills. ...of course the fact that the IRS accidentally took a hefty sum of money from our savings without our knowledge didn't help. *groan*

Why am I sharing this? Especially since the retelling of it still borders on making me sick to my stomach. Because in order to tell a miracle story...though I feel as if I'm still in the midst of it's unfolding... you have to have a NEED first. Period. So, I share from our Season of Need.

Do I realize that my sharing this may bring judgement on us? Yep. People are always willing to throw their oh-so-insightful judgement around concerning other's lives. But I cannot live life under that shadow. For it cripples.

But I can say that in the midst of it all, I've never known more intimately that we were RIGHT where God wanted us to be. Once He clearly spoke to me and said: "I can wipe out debt in a matter of minutes. But you cannot get what I am teaching you here through any other means."

Now don't get me wrong. It was hard. Harder than hard. And I'm someone who even likes a "challenge". But to give you an insiders point of view of my lowest point dering this "Need"....I called up my mom once, sobbing, and said, "Does He have no compassion!? We left everything to follow Him and we're dying out here! We're dying!"

This was no easy road. But it was a road chosen by God for us. For His purposes, which are STILL unfolding to this day. (There's SO much more to this story, but it'll have to wait for now)

Fast forward a few years. We moved back to our home state with over $60,000 of debt. Debt incurred, not through shopping sprees, but through fixing up a house that we bought (that happened to have rotting foundations. *surprise*) and living expenses. Like food and heat.

All of it (with exception of some we owe my parents) has been payed off. God demolished it. In record time. With money that we did not have. Because he's faithful to His Word. He told me that he could wipe out the debt that he was allowing during that time...and He did.

And so...on that note, last year, the Lord challenged me to believe Him for the paying off of our mortgage (and parents) in the next X-number of years. And as of THIS year, I have an excitement and a desire to see that happen. Not because we are wealthy. We are not. But because we have a challenge from the Lord to believe Him for it.

SO! These are some ways that we'll walk towards elimination of house debt...since some of you asked:

-We don't normally buy new. I love the GoodWill and have actually found new things there. If I am ever tempted, all I have to do is revisit my attic in my mind. Thinking of all the stuff I "had to have" that now sits unused makes me ill. Especially when I think that I'd only get pennies on the dollar for it at my yardsales.

-We don't use credit cards. I don't like to pretend we have money we don't. So we buy with cash.
-We rent books and movies from our library. I love having books for my girls. But oddly enough, I've found that they actually like books better if they aren't the ones we own. So all those books on their shelves aren't as treasured as the "new" ones we check out from the local library.

-As of this year, the girls are only going to get special things at Christmas and their b'days...instead of immediately giving them the bargains that I find at yardsales. No more. In fact, I can't imagine that they actually need anything else.

-Jet's older sister blesses us with hand-me-downs from her daughter. Who happens to be 9 months younger than Charis, but larger. Thank you, Justina! :)

-Grocery-wise, we don't buy sugary foods or sodas. But one of the things I want to do is start cooking for a month and freezing it. That way we're not buying unnecessary foods...or doing impulse buying at the last minute, which I think is our downfall.

-We don't take expensive trips. I'd LOVE to travel, but at this point it our lives it doesn't make sense. So we are putting off that desire to pay down/off remaining debt. But there are ALL sorts of free places to visit!

-If I haven't used it in the last year, it leaves my house. Thus, the yearly yardsales. I find the more we have, the less we enjoy it. So...we chuck the unused. Last year, I bought a much-needed new door with my yardsale money (we own a fixer upper). I went through the house picking up random items saying "Which do I want more? This or a new door?" And from that "test" I got my yardsale stuff. :)

-I PLAN on (we'll see if we can make it happen this year) having a veggie garden in my backyard. I love vegetables, but they are SO expensive. So...grow them myself. Freeze the left overs. And voila! Save money.

-We don't have TV. I mean, we have one and a DVD/VCR. But it doesn't get channels and we refuse to pay for cable. It's trash anyway.

-We're getting a hefty tax refund this year. It's all going towards our second mortgage.

I know there's more. But that's some of it. We've looked through our spending before but couldn't find "fluff." Unless you consider a cell phone with the least amount of minutes on a family plan to be fluff. As a mom of three, I do not. If something were to happen while I was driving my girls around, I'd want to not be at the mercy of a stranger to stop. But that's just me.

BUT somehow I know we can do more. I'm determined to find ways to save more than we are now; I just have to get really creative. So if YOU do something as a family, we'd love to hear it.