God has challenged me to write about how He will supernaturally pay off our mortgage in 5 years. I am a homemaker, my husband is a teacher, and we have three children. Our mortgage balance at the start of this blog is $97,802.62 with a projected payoff date of May 11, 2035.

Sounds foolish, huh? The Bible says that, "...God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;..." So I am choosing to be foolish and trust Him. He's never let me down before.

Monday, December 15, 2014

What a Difference a Savior Makes!

Cable is one luxury that my husband and I made the decision to do without.  We haven't had cable for over 14 years, ever since we have owned a house.

One of the television channels that we are able to get is called "RetroTV".  It boasts sitcoms from the 70s and 80s like "I Dream of Jeannie", "Different Strokes", and "Father Knows Best".  The station is one that we can generally let our kids watch sans supervision knowing that the content is pretty much PG rated.  So different from today's programming.

Last evening Maude was on.  I had never watched the show in the past.  But ironically I had recently heard mention of a controversial episode.  It had to do with the main character, Maude, getting an abortion.  This exact same episode was on last evening.

Maude, 47 at the time, and her husband became pregnant.  They each thought that the other wanted to have the baby.  However in reality neither of them wanted a baby, but did want the other to be happy.  By the end of the show, both of them came clean and were honest about not wanting to have the baby "at our age" and how they "would make horrible parents".  As I watched the episode holding our two week old son in my arms, it concluded with the couple holding each other in their arms agreeing with relief that Maude would have an abortion.

When I first learned that I was pregnant at age 40, no doubt I felt like Maude and her husband.  Overwhelmed at going back to diapers and sleepless nights, I felt like I had been given a death sentence.  This was not the way that I saw my life turning out.  Our kids were independent and we were on easy street.  Why was this happening to me?

One evening at our church Bible study, our pastor's wife spoke on the topic of trouble.  The message told of how trouble tests me to see where I am in my faith.  It also give me the opportunity to show Jesus in my life to those who are watching me go through trouble.  Lastly, as a believer, my life is not my own.  I was bought with a price.  Therefore I am expected to honor God with my body.  What better way to honor God then to allow Him to use my body to bring life into His world?

After this message, I can say without a doubt that I was changed.  My outlook was completely different.  I was excited, even elated to be the bearer of life.  I began to see it as an honor and was able to enjoy it more than I have ever enjoyed any previous pregnancy.  In addition to commenting on how I was carrying the baby, people also commented on how I carried myself during this time in my life.  This was no doubt due to the assurance that God gave me after hearing His word.

So when I think about it, had it not been for having Jesus in my life, I could be Maude.  I am so thankful to have accepted Him as my Savior and have Him as my Lord to guide me in everything.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see

8:30 am on the last day of Thanksgiving break.  The house is quiet as everyone takes in the final morning of sleeping in late.  Everyone except for me.  This is my time.

Downstairs at the kitchen table with a bowl of cereal, I enjoy the peace before my family awakes.  I am thanking God for healing from giving birth on Wednesday and for His gift of family and friends who are so good to us that I wonder if I am a good enough friend in return.

In mid-thought I glance over at the refrigerator door and see my used to be youngest child's (I guess I will refer to him as my 3rd grader?) latest artistic creation.

 

 
The turkey has feathers with the names of things that he is thankful for.  In addition to each of our family members (including himself) and baseball, he also put "baby" on a feather.

Seeing this got me thinking, 'He made this art project before the baby even arrived.  Yet he listed the baby as someone he was thankful for.'  Truly all throughout my pregnancy he was hopeful in his anticipation of having a sibling and certain that this baby would be a part of our family.  I so often want to see what God is doing in situation before trusting Him to handle it.  How different my life would be if  I would trust God enough to place my worries on a turkey feather. 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Cost of Raising a Child...

$245,340 up until age 18.

Being as we are expecting our fourth child at the end of the month, this figure could be enough to send me into a panic attack or major depression. But instead I rejoice.  This is why.


God has so abundantly provided!  Everything shown in this picture was either given to us or purchased through gift cards for the baby.  The only two things we have bought are a second-hand car seat and stroller.

Because God is so faithful, He has grown me up to realize what is truly important.  With our first child, I had to have the nursery a certain way with coordinating bedding, walls, etc.  Much of my focus then was on appearances.  Today, with this our fourth child, the nursery is simply a space in our bedroom.



Totally different perspective!

Today I am content and so very thankful to God for what we have and what He is blessing us with--new life.  I recognize the significance of such a gift and no price can be put on it.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Adda Boy!

This morning while I was sitting at the breakfast table with my youngest son, Blaise, I challenged him that if he remained on "green" for his behavior at school through Thursday, I would pay 75 cents for him to buy ice cream during Friday lunch.  He emphatically accepted my challenge but shortly afterwards said, "Wait a minute...I'm not going to buy ice cream."

I was shocked.  When I hear the old adage "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" my Blaise comes to mind.  He takes great pleasure in food, eats with such gusto that every part of him is engaged in the process--lips, fingers, mouth (occasionally a fork).  And sweets, well, they are his favorite kind of food.  What was making him reconsider?

"I'm going to use the 75 cents to save for the HoverBall that I want to buy."  Wow.  I was pleasantly surprised at his declaration.  We had seen the toy during a trip to Wal-Mart and he told me that he wanted to save up to get it.  However, Blaise has been notorious for saying he's going to save only to have his eyes alight on a future object of desire that he has to have right then and there.  Needless to say this was a new and welcome development.

"That's a great idea, Blaise," I said.  "You know what?  If you stay on green through Thursday I'll give you a dollar instead."

Well that was all the incentive he needed to begin calculating aloud what he would need to save for the remaining cost.  Then the business man in him came out.

"Can you give me a dollar every week that I stay on green?"

Smart kid.  Looking to run a business out of good behavior.

"I'll have to think about that," I replied, not sure if I wanted this to be a perpetual means for earning his purchase.  Just the same, it pleases me to see a transition in my son towards becoming more future-minded with his money.  Many adults haven't even begun to master this concept yet. 

Adda boy, Blaise!


Friday, September 5, 2014

Would you look at that?!

This morning while walking back to the house from our son's bus stop, I decided to check the garden and look in on a runt cucumber.  It is the latest of a total of three that have grown from the vine.  The others grew strong and hearty and have long since run the course our digestive systems.  I've been waiting on this runt to add to a garden salad but alas have had to hit up the markets for 2/$1 deals on the vagabond veggie instead.

This morning it looked like this.

 
Not much change from the last time I saw it.  Still small, underdeveloped, and not ready to eat.  As I checked on the other veggies before walking away, something caught my eye underneath the leaves of the vine.  The deep green bumpy surface gave it away.  Moving the prickly leaves aside my suspicion was confirmed--it was another cucumber.  But much bigger than its sibling.  Here it is.
 
 

 
Jackpot!  I was so excited, but a bit confused.  Where in the world did this cucumber come from?  It seemed like a miracle.  I had never seen it growing all the times I was checking in on my runt.  Then all at once it hit me...I never saw this cucumber because I was never looking for another cucumber.  All of my focus and energy was going into complaining about the one cucumber that wasn't growing well, so much so that I couldn't see the cucumber that God allowed to grow up big and strong in its place.
 
 

 
Big difference, huh?  Have you ever been like that in your life?  So focused on what's not happening that you end up missing the very miracle God is doing right before your eyes?  His work is everywhere.  We just need to take the time to stop and look.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

A Practical Way to Save on Printer Ink

While viewing Consumer Reports articles on the web in search of a new printer, I came across this new story.  A 14-year old developed a science fair project and determined a way that we can all save money on  printer ink

Thank you Suvir Mirchandani for helping this frugal gal to save even more!

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Give us this Day, Our Daily Bread...



A couple of 2 loaf packs of bread for 74 cents to be exact.

Amen.

Cover (A) Girl

God's Holy Spirit is my make-up.

Regularly people say to me "You have such a gentle spirit about you" or "You're such a sweet person."

If only they knew where I was.  If only they knew where I am.

God reminded me today in prayer with Him that He makes me beautiful.  He covers up my sin with His grace.  He makes the dark spots in me light with His love.  I can take no credit whatsoever.

Only my God can cover a girl like me.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Treats from Daddy

Prior to the start of each month, Ross and I sit down to review our spending plan (budget).  We begin that meeting with prayer and end it with prayer.  The opening prayer is thanking God for His provision and asking Him for help to remember all the expenses for which we need to plan.  Our closing prayer is asking Him to bless the budget that we've prepared and to cover us in those things that we may have missed.

Tithes and bills are a given in each budget.  After these, we share any additional wants or needs with each other and make a decision as to whether or not to include them in our spending plan.  I had on my list two items from Costco that were certainly wants, but definitely things that our family could use: a pencil sharpener and an air mattress.

8/1
Pencil Sharpener

20.00
8/1
School Supplies

20.00
8/1
Annapolis Trip

50.00
8/1
Annapolis-Hunter


8/1
Senators Cash I
x
15.00
8/1
Senators Cash II

15.00
8/1
Air Mattress

30.00
8/29
Bball Tailgate

40.00
8/1
Cat Food

15.00
8/1
Drive-in movie

50.00
8/1
Sneakers--Hunter
x
25.00
8/1
Sneakers--Blaise
x
20.00
8/15
Mom Birthday

30.00
8/5
ST Taxes Ross
x
343.00
8/5
ST Taxes Chanty
x
14.70


Yes, $20 for a pencil sharpener.  But it's a good pencil sharpener.  Last school year I was plagued by complaints about points breaking off in our 99 cent pencil sharpener and about how we have pencils but the sharpener doesn't work.  Buying this $20 one would be more for my sanity then anything else which in my mind is priceless.  The air mattress request stems from our camping interests and how Ross and I find it more uncomfortable with every passing year to sleep on the ground in our tent even with padding.  We've talked about getting an air mattress for a while.  It would also serve us in being used for overnight guests.

We agreed that we would put these items in our spending plan, but they would not be priorities and would likely be the first on the chopping block if we needed to downsize our spending for any unforeseen expenses.  I was content with this.

Yesterday evening I went to get the mail and saw an envelope from Costco with my name and address handwritten on it.  Inside was a letter apologizing for an error made in our recent membership payment along with a gift card for $50.42 to make up for the difference.  My mind went right back to how we prayed over this month's spending plan and how God made allowance for my two requests.  Certainly these items were not needs for my family, but God wanted us to have them just the same.  

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him? Matthew 7:9-11

What blessing to have a Daddy treats me to good gifts that I do not deserve!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Say Cheese!

Last evening was the final date to use a coupon voucher for a free birthday burger at Fuddrucker's for our son.  Since Morgan had band practice and Ross had some meetings, I whipped out a BOGO 1/3 lb. burger coupon from our coupon book and we were set for dinner for three (me and the boys) for under $6.00.

We had already planned that I would have the birthday burger, since it was a smaller kid's burger, and the boys would get the 1/3 lb burgers.  We had also talked ahead of time about what they could get on their burgers since there was a dollar charged for every topping on the menu.  I gave them an allowance of one topping each in addition to having free reign of the no charge toppings at the bar (veggies and condiments).

Looking at the menu above the counter, it was difficult for me to determine whether or not they charged for cheese.  I inquired of the cashier and she told us that, yes, there was a dollar charge for cheese.  Thankfully, one of the offerings at the bar was hot nacho cheese.  Ta-da! We got our cheeseburgers at no extra cost.

On the drive home, my mind started churning...this week Karns has Sargento cheese 8 oz. for $2 a bag.  Would it be "cheesy" of me to bring cheese to Fuddruckers and put it on my burger as soon as it comes out to save myself a buck?  Hmmm...talk about having your cheese and eating it, too.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Ten Dollar Dilemma

This morning I found a ten dollar bill while walking through the parking lot of the plaza below our neighborhood.



There it lay in a parking space.  The time was about 5:30 in the morning and no people or cars were around.  Excited about my unexpected fortune, I picked it up and continued on my walk.

In the last class that Ross and I taught on managing finances, we shared that money with no named job or assignment is often poorly spent.  It practically runs out of our hands leaving us wondering where it went.  In spite of our recent teaching, I still fell victim to the "I wants".  

Looking over at the bagel shop I thought 'I could treat the kids to breakfast this morning.'  But the more I thought about it, I reasoned that I had just treated them to lunch yesterday and we had plenty of food in the house for breakfast.  I think it was more that I wanted to go to breakfast than anything else.  I thought about using it towards maternity clothes but God had blessed me just yesterday to receive a box of mostly brand new maternity clothes from a friend.  How should I spend this money?

God brought to mind James 1:5, one of the verses shared in our most recent class.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

'Remember, Chanty,' I thought.  'You need to pray.  Ask God what to do with the money.'  So I prayed while I walked and asked what to do with the ten dollars.  Almost immediately I was reminded of the plan we already had in place for "found" money.  We have been putting it into an account to save for a new vehicle in the near future.  Dilemma solved.


Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Mommy Moment

Following our second night of vacation bible school for this week I was wiped out.  Once we arrived home shortly after 9 pm, I charged the kids with watering the flowers immediately after stepping foot out of the the car.  It was getting dark and this task is not easily done past dusk.  We were pushing it as it was.

My goal was to have everybody in bed without any fuss or conflict.  My youngest did not cooperate.  Little things kept getting him down or distracting him from his instructions.  I gave him my sternest "Just get her done" lecture, all the while trying my best to practice patience with him as I was very tired and I knew that he was too.

In addition to a myriad of other ailments mentioned, he yelled down to me from the hallway outside his bathroom that he got glass in his foot.  I took a deep breath, arose from my chair in the kitchen, and trudged upstairs.  As much as I wanted to ignore his plea as an exaggeration, I was reminded to show love to him in spite of how I was feeling.  Showing me the spot where it hurt, he asked if I could feel the glass.  I told him that I couldn't.  I'm thinking it was just something a crumb or something that he had stepped on.  I circumvented the problem by directing him to brush his teeth in my bathroom.

Tucking the boys into bed, my youngest prayed for two women in our church as he has been doing consistently.  My heart softened as I was reminded of this other side of his temperament--concerned for other people and sensitive to their needs.  After praying, he came down the ladder from his bunk to give the baby in my belly a kiss.  My heart melted.

Back downstairs in the kitchen I began working on prepping to make banana bread for breakfast the next day.  I hear the familiar creak of the steps letting me know that someone is coming down from their bedroom.  It is my youngest son letting me know that he can now  show me where to feel for the piece of glass in his foot.  Ugh!  I thought we were done with this.  Deep breath again.  I patiently ask him to sit in a chair so that he can prop his foot up on the table.  He feels the spot for himself and then directs me where to feel.  Sure enough I feel and see a small shard barely breaking his skin.  I grab a pair of tweezers and work on dislodging the sliver while he sits bravely wincing at the pain.  Finally, I get it out and present to him the source of his misery.

A grin fills his face from ear to ear as he gives me a big bear hug.  "Thank you, Mommy.  I love you," he says with the gratitude of one whose life has been saved. Thank you, God, for giving me yet another reason to be excited about being a mommy all over again.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Best and Brightest

Our family doesn't typically purchase a Sunday paper except for two special editions: Black Friday edition and Best & Brightest.

Best & Brightest showcases senior high school students in the Central PA region who are making strides to better their community, their families, and themselves.  They are selected by a panel of local community figures.

I enjoy reading what these young people are up to.  I get excited listening to their aspirations and learning about the obstacles they have overcome to reach their goals.  One of the young people selected was one of my husband's students and he is quoted in the article about her.

The student that stood out to me, however, was a young man named Scott Fogle from Cumberland Valley High School.  What set him apart from all the other Best and Brightest students is his plans for after graduating high school.  They read as follows:

Defer his acceptance to the University of Pittsburgh's Honor's College at Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Science to save for college.  He will live with his aunt in Redwood City, Calif., and work full time.

Wow.  This is the first time I've ever seen "work" listed under the immediate plans for any student selected for this honor.  What an encouragement.  What an eye-opener.  How refreshing.

Interestingly enough, there was also an article in this Sunday's paper entitled "Degrees of Debt" which features area college graduates telling of their struggle with repaying student loans.  One woman shares that her student loan debt drains her of about half of her disposable work income.  Given the chance she shares that she would have made different financial decisions.  Another woman in the article likens her college debt to a noose around her neck that tightens every time she tries to better her life.  Pretty sad.

Proverbs 22:7 reads, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."  Right before this is the all too familiar verse that speaks of training our children in the way they should go so that when they get old they will not turn from it.  I don't believe that this is a coincidence.

Kudos to Scott and his parents for starting his future out on the right foot.  Although their decision may not be a popular one, it clearly is the best and brightest.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Temptation

Today I went grocery shopping at my all-time favorite grocery store, Sharp Shopper.  As I turned onto the road adjacent to the store I noticed a banner out front signifying a special event.  Squinting my eyes to detect its message, I finally made out the words: "Customer Appreciation Event".

Woo-hoo!  This was my lucky day. Once a year for one week Sharp Shopper has store specials (as if their prices weren't already low enough) and daily drawings to win gift cards to their store as well as other retail stores.  I usually hear about when the event is coming around this year it fell off my radar.

As I parked the van, my eyes fell upon the sidewalk leading up to the store.  A myriad of people were setting up to sell food.  During customer appreciation days Sharp Shopper has a local church sell a meal of a hot dog, chips, and a soda for 50 cents.  That's right just 50 cents!  Usually I would be all over such a deal.  However, sitting right next to me in the passenger side of the vehicle was the sandwich and baby carrots I had brought with me.  Generally I am ready to eat lunch about an hour into my grocery shopping.  I bring food along so that I won't be tempted to buy food for lunch that would cost me way more.  "But this is only 50 cents" my flesh pleaded with me.  "It's a nice sunny day.  Wouldn't a grilled hot dog taste good on a day like today?"  Hmm, I could just bring the sandwich home and put it in Ross's lunch for tomorrow.  After all I had made it exactly the way that he likes it.  50 cents--what's the big deal?

I walked into the grocery store and spent about 45 minutes shopping.  I walked out of the grocery store, gave a quick glance to the concession area outside and walked on.  Sigh.  That was hard.  But I was proud of myself.  It wasn't about the 50 cents really.  It was about the discipline.  If I allow myself to be tempted by a meal that I don't really need, then I could eventually be tempted by more expensive things that I don't need.  Thus begins the very cycle that got me into debt 22 years ago.

My sandwich was delightful...as was the sweet taste of victory.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

85 cent dress

Yesterday I was talking on the phone with a friend about clothes shopping.  She is a bargain hunter like me and was sharing about how she was able to buy a pair of pants on-line and get the top to match it for free.  The subject then turned to Mother's Day.

My friend has grown.  In her words, "Normally I would have to have a brand new outfit to wear to church for Mother's Day.  But this year, I'm going to pick out one of my old brand new outfits from my closet, doll it up, and make it look brand new."

I let her know how proud I was of her.  Then I told her what I was going to wear--the same 85 cent dress from Goodwill that I wore last year.  "85 cents?," she queried.  "Yep," I said, "and I'll let anyone who asks know."

We had a good laugh over that.  She said she's going to look for me to come in Sunday and then grin from ear to ear.

I used to have to have new this or that for me and my children.  But I realize now that clothes, furnishings, things are temporary.  Here today, gone tomorrow.  Matthew 6:19 puts it this way,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

These days my perspective is to invest in those things that last--building up others and sharing the good news of Jesus.  My time and my resources go to these causes.  My 85 cents goes to the dress.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Tradition

Peaking through the clear glass of our front door there is just enough of an angle for me to see our neighbor’s front door.  I watch the boys making a bee-line there, desserts in hand.  Running this requested errand is a delight to them.  They will gladly take homemade dessert over to our neighbor because it means they leave their house with a handful of candies.

I love watching the exchange.  They don’t even know that I’m watching.  But with my nose pressed up against the glass I can see them ringing the doorbell, standing there dutifully, respectfully.  The husband answers.  He is like a grandpa in their eyes and his wife like a grandma.  Always buying whatever fundraiser they are selling.  Always giving them treats.  The boys’ mouths move as they recite the names of the desserts to him just as we rehearsed.  He listens intently with a twinkle in his eyes and takes the desserts in both hands.  Then he leaves the entryway, the door still ajar.  This is the best part.


During the intermission, Blaise jumps up and down off the steps to pass the time.  Hunter sways back and forth patiently waiting, always moving.  Eventually, the doorframe fills again with his figure.  Pairs of cupped, outstretched hands raise up one at a time to receive the fruits of their labor.  I overhear the sweet chorus of “thank you” from each mouth.  The door closes and sprinting feet head back toward our home.  I quickly move away from the door and loosely engage myself in reading the mail.  They run in and show me their spoils.  I look them over briefly before they sock them away to be enjoyed for a later time.  As they run off to other preoccupations I smile as I realize that this is a childhood tradition they will reminisce over in days to come.

Monday, March 24, 2014

A Tale of Two Deals

Today on the way to visit my mom, I went on a couple of small shopping trips.  Little did I know what bargains awaited me...okay I had some idea with my first stop because it was my second time there today.  The first time I went to CVS looking for a few items which I ended up not finding at the prices that I wanted.  But what I did find was a really good deal on razor refills...


When you go to CVS they have a kiosk where you can scan your rewards card to see if any coupons are awaiting you.  One of the coupons that it spit out was for $4 off any $12 or more razor purchase.  Another coupon was 20% off any regular priced item.  I remembered that I also had a $6 off manufacturer coupon at home for these razor refills.  I already have a brand new box of razor refills in my bathroom vanity, but I also wasn't gonna pass up a deal like this.  So I returned to CVS later that day to purchase the $19.99 razor refills--less a $6 manufacturer coupon, less a $4 off razor items CVS coupon, less a 20% off coupon for a grand total of $6.51.  See why I had to get them?

My next stop was the Giant out by where my mom lives.  In a previous post I talked about yellow tag meat. Well there are many other yellow tag items that Giant carries.  Most Giants have a three-tiered metal shelf in the frozen food section stocked with yellow tag items.  In addition to miscellaneous packaged foods (usually with dented or crushed outer containers) I love to buy the discounted bread.  It is usually bread that has an approaching "best by" date.  I will take it to use right away or just freeze it.  This is what I picked up today.


Each box of cereal was 92 cents, the cake flour was 74 cents, bread and rolls were anywhere from 31 cents to 74 cents.  All total I paid $4.86 for all of this food which was so cool because I had a 5-dollar bill and a 20-dollar bill and didn't even have to break my twenty--sweet!

Would I normally buy cake flour?  No, I have a 25-pound bag of flour sitting in my basement right now.  Just the same, the cake flour will not go to waste.  I've already used it to make cupcakes for two occasions this week.

After shopping adventure, I arrived at my mom's to show her and my sister the bag of goods I racked up and share the prices that I got them at.  Right away my sister smiled, walked over to the table, and dangled a pack of hamburger buns in front of me with none other than...a yellow tag.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Happy Ending

A spontaneous note from our youngest topped off my 40th birthday this evening.  Priceless!


Monday, February 24, 2014

Delay Start

On my oven I have a 'Delay Start' button.




Say I'm out of the house for the day and want the oven heated up to cook dinner upon my return.  All I have to do is push the delay start button and the oven allows me to program the time that I want to begin  preheating up to the temperature at which I want to cook.  Voila!  I come home to an oven that is ready to cook food.

Lately it has been brought to my attention that I have a delay start mentality.  Twice in the last week I've caught myself knowing the good that I ought to do and delaying rather than doing it right away.  It has been driving me crazy!  It's like my brain is going, "Wait for it, wait for it..........now wait for it some more..."

My prayer is to break free of whatever fear I have and just do trusting God for the results.  May I already be fired up and ready to go whenever He's ready for me to get cooking!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Crushed

This is the kind of prepackaged food that I love to find at grocery stores...


You've likely noticed that the boxes are crushed.  They look tampered with.  Undesirable.  Maybe almost like garbage.  So why in the world do I love to find boxes like these?

Well, what you may not be able to see is the price tag labels on the boxes.  The 12-pack boxes of Wheat Thins are reduced to $0.75 and the Skillet Basics dinners are reduced to $0.35.  Hello!  At those prices (less than half of what I'd normally pay) these products are valuable to me.  Yes, the boxes look contorted but the contents are still worth something.

In the same way, when we get crushed by life's circumstances it makes us more valuable to the kingdom. Why?  Because we've been through some stuff, survived it, and can now help someone else get through that same stuff and survive.  2 Corinthians 4:8 says

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

The next time you face a trial that presses you on every side, remember that God is allowing you to be crushed in order to craft you for His purposes.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Poor Chips

The other day I was asking my 12-year old son what items he would like for me to pick up at the grocery store for his school lunches.  He asked if I would get some snacks like the ones I normally get.  They come in individualized bags but are sold separately instead of in a multi-pack.  I find them at the grocery outlets I shop at and they are anywhere from 4 for $1 to 8 for $1.  The price is on a sticker attached to each bag.

"Already got them on my list," I told him.

Then he said, "Yeah, the kids call them 'poor chips'."

"Why do they call 'em 'poor chips'?" I asked trying to get a sense of whether this was bothersome to him or not (which is tough to do with his personality).

"I don't know."  His typical answer.

"Wait, are these the same kids who trade food with you at the lunch table?"  I countered.

"Yeah.  They'll be like, 'I'll give you my drink for your poor chips'."

Just then my 13-year old pipes up.  "Yeah, my friends like the snacks that I bring for lunch, too.  They always trade me for their school lunch stuff."

When I was growing up 25 cent chips (or 13 cent chips for that matter) would not have been cool.  But in the same middle school cafeteria that I sat in over 25 years ago what's cool has changed.  Imagine that!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

My Many Miracles

I haven't talked in a while about my mortgage.  After all, the original aim of this blog was to show anyone who may read it the miracle I am trusting God to do--paying off our mortgage in five years.  We are currently in year two.  September of 2014 will be three years.  The mortgage balance is at $91,332.42 and I am still trusting God.

The reason that I can post about so many things aside from my mortgage is because God is so good!  He constantly blesses me, teaches me, and rebukes me as a good Father should.  If I were to look only at what I don't see happening in my mortgage balance, I would be missing all that I do see happening around me on a daily basis.  My neighbor's two-year prayer answered.  My seven-year old's sorrow in lying.  Finding freedom from fear.  A warmth inside of me that cannot be taken on a 20 degree day.

I look forward to seeing how and when God will pay off my mortgage, there's no doubt about that.  But in the meantime I am content in seeing the daily miracles that remind me of His faithfulness.