Our car has been overheating. Today I called AAA to tow it from our house to the mechanic. Little did I know that God had a divine appointment in store for me.
The driver arrives, checks my id and membership card, all of the routine stuff. He tells me that he woofed down his sandwich to come, because my call was right in the middle of his lunch break. I thanked him for doing that. We make small talk about where he lives and about his family. After talking for a while, I bring up someone I thought that we may have as a mutual acquaintance. He tells me that he knows the person, and I let him know that we go to church together.
We talk about Wyoming, because one of his kids live there, and my brother-in-law used to live there. Then he shares that he and his wife may move out that way to be closer to their kids. He tells me that he owns some land out there that his wife doesn't know about. "I've learned to always be prepared," he tells me. I ask him if this was because of his past (he shared earlier about an ex-wife) or if that's how he's always been. He tells me that he's always been that way. He feels that it is important to always have something 'set back' that he could live off of in case, God forbid, something should happen between he and his wife.
From there, he leans back on his tow truck and gets comfortable. He tells me that being brought up Catholic, a lot of the Bible was not shared. In short, he was brought up with lots of rules (his "mom's" Catholic religion) and discipline (his dad's military background). But it didn't sound like there was much grace. He said that he has his own way of doing things. I asked him what that way was. "I treat other people like I want to be treated. I try to do the right things." "That's the Bible," I said. "That is doing things God's way."
We talked a little bit more about God and then he ended the conversation by saying that it was a pleasure meeting me. I told him the same. Walking back into the house, I was overcome by how God was just plopped right into the middle of our conversation! Bam! Just like that. Why was this guy sharing all of his business with me like I was his best friend? Because of the authority of Jesus. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17
Why should I be surprised when God takes a conversation in the middle of the road and makes it His own?
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Personal Finances Personal Freedom
This morning Morgan and Hunter were packing up for school while listening to the radio. A commercial came on where a man talked about getting people out of mortgage debt if they called his number. In the midst of the man talking Hunter says to my husband, "Dad you could be like that guy, helping people with their debt. Well, you already are that guy because you already do that."
It struck me that our children understand the ministry that we do. When we first started counseling people about debt issues, we kind of kept the kids out of it because people don't necessarily want other people knowing their business in the first place. There's a lot of shame and hurt that comes with money matters. However, eventually we'd let them know when we had a meeting that we were going to talk to this or that person about how to manage their money. They just see it as a matter-of-fact thing, it's ministry like anything else.
On this same note, I recently made the decision to publish my book (see post here) with Olive Press Publisher. Words fail to express the significance of this decision.
The manuscript was completed two years ago. I have sent it out to acquaintances here and there who have requested to read it. The book never failed to catapult the reader into a season of change. Because of the words that I wrote, they were compelled to handle their money differently. WOW!
The book is called Personal Finances Personal Freedom. 'Personal' because this isn't just a how-to book. 'Personal' because this book is about me, about us, about our family, and what God did to get us out of consumer debt. 'Personal' because it shares our history of managing money poorly. The beauty of it all is that I wouldn't change any of it. Our past got us to our present, which I am loving. Our youngest son was sick at home for an entire week. If it weren't for our past, I would not be at home available to care for him. It brings me such joy to be able to share with others the peace that comes with managing money more wisely.
*I will keep you posted on the progress of the book. As of right now the projected completion month is March.*
It struck me that our children understand the ministry that we do. When we first started counseling people about debt issues, we kind of kept the kids out of it because people don't necessarily want other people knowing their business in the first place. There's a lot of shame and hurt that comes with money matters. However, eventually we'd let them know when we had a meeting that we were going to talk to this or that person about how to manage their money. They just see it as a matter-of-fact thing, it's ministry like anything else.
On this same note, I recently made the decision to publish my book (see post here) with Olive Press Publisher. Words fail to express the significance of this decision.
The manuscript was completed two years ago. I have sent it out to acquaintances here and there who have requested to read it. The book never failed to catapult the reader into a season of change. Because of the words that I wrote, they were compelled to handle their money differently. WOW!
The book is called Personal Finances Personal Freedom. 'Personal' because this isn't just a how-to book. 'Personal' because this book is about me, about us, about our family, and what God did to get us out of consumer debt. 'Personal' because it shares our history of managing money poorly. The beauty of it all is that I wouldn't change any of it. Our past got us to our present, which I am loving. Our youngest son was sick at home for an entire week. If it weren't for our past, I would not be at home available to care for him. It brings me such joy to be able to share with others the peace that comes with managing money more wisely.
*I will keep you posted on the progress of the book. As of right now the projected completion month is March.*
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Naughty or Nice
Today while I was upstairs getting ready for church, I heard a noise downstairs. Didn't really think too much of it because my mind was elsewhere. Shortly afterwards, our middle son Hunter comes to the bedroom door asking if I can come downstairs. I tell him not right now because I am getting ready. He tells me that he needs to show me something. I ask him to bring it to me. He says he can't.
Then he proceeds to explain--last evening Ross and I wrapped gifts and put them on the fireplace under the stockings. Because he saw the wrapped gifts down below, he felt his stocking to see if there was anything inside of it. In the process of doing this, his stocking holder, which was made of ceramic, fell from the mantle onto the nativity scene, breaking itself and one of the wise men. As he explained what had transpired, I saw his face was flushed, heard his voice was trembling, and noticed that the tears were starting to fall.
Two months ago, my response would have been naughty. I would've been angry with him for touching my beautiful decorations instead of keeping his hands to himself. I would've reminded him that we already had one broken stocking holder that had to be repaired a couple of years ago, and now we have two. That was then...but this is now.
Today I was nice. I told him it was okay. I told him that it was just stuff and stuff is not what's important. During this time of year when we get so focused on stuff, Hunter needed to know (and I needed to be reminded) that stuff is not the reason for the season--Jesus is. To yell at my son about a broken wise man is just not wise, man! I thank God for the grace that he has been teaching me about in these past couple of months to prepare me for this moment and other moments that are to come.
Then he proceeds to explain--last evening Ross and I wrapped gifts and put them on the fireplace under the stockings. Because he saw the wrapped gifts down below, he felt his stocking to see if there was anything inside of it. In the process of doing this, his stocking holder, which was made of ceramic, fell from the mantle onto the nativity scene, breaking itself and one of the wise men. As he explained what had transpired, I saw his face was flushed, heard his voice was trembling, and noticed that the tears were starting to fall.
Two months ago, my response would have been naughty. I would've been angry with him for touching my beautiful decorations instead of keeping his hands to himself. I would've reminded him that we already had one broken stocking holder that had to be repaired a couple of years ago, and now we have two. That was then...but this is now.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thanksgiving Break(Fast)
Actually this breakfast was quite a deal at $0.88 for a 2-L of Coke (special Black Friday weekend deal) and $0.00 for the Pop-Tarts (given to us by a neighbor). Bon appetit!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
A Reason to Give Thanks
You’d think it was Christmas Eve.
The atmosphere last night in our home, at our church was electric.
Here at home, we worked alongside each other to prepare the
house for Thanksgiving Day guests. I
made up a list of all of the things that I needed help with to get ready. Our kids would choose something from the
list, do it, cross it off, and then choose the next task until all was
completed. The spirit of cooperation,
the time in which we got everything done, and the enjoyment that everyone
displayed in serving was nothing short of amazing.
Fast forward to Bible study at 7pm. “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus” kicks off and
rounds out a medley of praise songs. The
tempo of that song, its simple tune, and the agreement among those in attendance
as to what the words declare, elicit complete participation in the worship
experience. It’s difficult to stop. However the praise continues by way of the
message. Pastor opens by acknowledging a
family that used to be members at DaySpring and were back in town for a
visit. They share about how they were
broken as individuals and as a married couple.
But how God healed them through our church’s ministry and now they are
leading other married couples to healing.
Incredible.
Before Bible study came to a close, we are charged to get
into groups of two adults (sometimes with children in tow as the children were
in the sanctuary with us tonight) and share with the other person what we
needed to thank God for that we haven’t thanked him for in the past. This was difficult to do. Both me and my partner felt that we had given
our share of ‘thanks yous’ to God whenever he blessed us. However it came to my mind that I had not
thanked him for all of the hard times. In
the midst of difficulty, I just want God to take it all away. ‘Make that person think right and act right
so that I don’t have to deal with all this mess’ is more of the type of prayer
that I might pray. But what I could be
praying is, ‘Thank you Father for the opportunity to learn and grow from this
struggle.’ Hard prayer to pray,
huh? Job puts it like this, Shall we accept good from God, and not
trouble? Job 2:10b.
On the ride home from church, our daughter remarked, “Mom,
we’ve never had such an eventful night at church before a holiday before.” In my mind the night wasn’t necessarily
eventful, it was exciting, but I guess her word choice confused me. “What was eventful about it?” I asked. She answered, “The Redcross’s were in town…”
then she kind of trailed off realizing that there was only that one thing to be
noted. I just kind of let it go, happy
that she was feeling good about the evening.
Tucking the boys into bed, our youngest recited a prayer
about being happy it was Thanksgiving tomorrow with intonations of joy and
giddiness all at the same time. I
thought in my mind, ‘They are not falling asleep anytime soon.’ Sure enough after being downstairs for about
15 minutes then heading up to bed myself, I listen in on the commotion coming from their
room. They are delighting in making
various volumes of farting noises for one another. I decide to let them have their fun and not
intervene.
It finally dawned on me today, this Thanksgiving Day, that
last night my children were sensing the Holy Spirit of God. What Morgan tried to verbally share, the “wired”
condition of the boys in their room—we experienced our own Pentecost here in
the Webb household. As I sit at my
computer typing this up with the light of dawn breaking on Thanksgiving Day,
God has given me yet another reason to give thanks.
Monday, November 19, 2012
This is How We do It
Upon beginning our journey to become consumer-debt free back in 2006, Ross and I started by talking about the things that we valued. Yes, we wanted to be out of debt, but as individuals and as a couple, there were some non-negotiables that we chose not to do without. For example, we were going to continue to get our hair professionally done. No bowl haircuts or boxed hair relaxers. Hair would stay in the budget.
Another non-negotiable that we decided upon was a quarterly getaway for the two of us. This is a must. Yes, we have date night and that is great. But there is something so freeing about being away from home (not just around the corner) for days (rather than hours) alone together that caused us both to recognize that regular getaways are not just a want but a need for our marriage. I thought I would share with you how we make that happen by writing about our weekend away. This is how we do it...
One of our regular getaways this time of year is to State College, PA to take in a Penn State football game. On the way up we traditionally eat dinner at a BBQ restaurant with a breathtaking view called "Skeeters". The food is fabulous and best of all reasonably priced. This BBQ is worth the drive.
Because of it being a game weekend, the hotels surrounding the college are either typically full or insanely priced. So we stay about an hour or so away from the campus. We use a site called Roomsaver.com You type in where you are looking to stay, and it provides a list of hotels in that area with special discounted rates. We always try to stay somewhere with a breakfast buffet to save on food. There were about four places to choose from, and we chose the Holiday Inn Express. Although it was the priciest of the four, hotels are a commodity that I DO NOT like to compromise on. I want a hotel to look and feel as comfortable, accommodating, and clean as if I were staying at a friend's home.
At the football game, we did splurge and purchase a mug with hot chocolate, some bottled water, nachos, and a soft pretzel. The prices make me cringe. But I feel free to spend because we were using money from our vacation savings for its very purpose--vacation!
Before we left home, Ross looked up some restaurant deals at restaurant.com in the State College area. We printed out the one that showed promise--Pita Cabana Cafe, a Lebanese restaurant. Delicious does not even begin to describe what we experienced. The style of food is like Chipoltle where you get a rice bowl, salad, or pita then pick your proteins and toppings. Well, here the toppings were tabouli, hummus, tahini, tzatziki sauce, and all kinds of other wonderful, exotic, flavor-filled delights. Every bite of my rice bowl was a taste of heaven, and everyday eating will pale in comparison from here on out. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a tad, but suffice it to say I LOVED the food!
After eating, we made a stop to pick up a few things at the new Trader Joe's and afterwards decided to drive back home for our final night. Although we could've done another hotel, we took a couple of things into consideration. First, our son had been away camping for the weekend and was coming back on Sunday at noon. Therefore, we would need to come home much more quickly than we normally would from one of our trips. Second, we will be going away to see Ross's parents in December and the money that we saved on a hotel would be able to go towards this trip for gas and miscellaneous expenses.
We got home late, slept, leisurely woke up (such a treat), Ross cooked breakfast (another treat) and washed the dishes (what did I do to deserve such royal treatment?), and then we fell asleep on the couch until it was time to pick up our son. Oh, and did I mention that I got two pairs of shoes for under $9 at the Shoe Department while we were away?
Another non-negotiable that we decided upon was a quarterly getaway for the two of us. This is a must. Yes, we have date night and that is great. But there is something so freeing about being away from home (not just around the corner) for days (rather than hours) alone together that caused us both to recognize that regular getaways are not just a want but a need for our marriage. I thought I would share with you how we make that happen by writing about our weekend away. This is how we do it...
One of our regular getaways this time of year is to State College, PA to take in a Penn State football game. On the way up we traditionally eat dinner at a BBQ restaurant with a breathtaking view called "Skeeters". The food is fabulous and best of all reasonably priced. This BBQ is worth the drive.
Because of it being a game weekend, the hotels surrounding the college are either typically full or insanely priced. So we stay about an hour or so away from the campus. We use a site called Roomsaver.com You type in where you are looking to stay, and it provides a list of hotels in that area with special discounted rates. We always try to stay somewhere with a breakfast buffet to save on food. There were about four places to choose from, and we chose the Holiday Inn Express. Although it was the priciest of the four, hotels are a commodity that I DO NOT like to compromise on. I want a hotel to look and feel as comfortable, accommodating, and clean as if I were staying at a friend's home.
At the football game, we did splurge and purchase a mug with hot chocolate, some bottled water, nachos, and a soft pretzel. The prices make me cringe. But I feel free to spend because we were using money from our vacation savings for its very purpose--vacation!
Before we left home, Ross looked up some restaurant deals at restaurant.com in the State College area. We printed out the one that showed promise--Pita Cabana Cafe, a Lebanese restaurant. Delicious does not even begin to describe what we experienced. The style of food is like Chipoltle where you get a rice bowl, salad, or pita then pick your proteins and toppings. Well, here the toppings were tabouli, hummus, tahini, tzatziki sauce, and all kinds of other wonderful, exotic, flavor-filled delights. Every bite of my rice bowl was a taste of heaven, and everyday eating will pale in comparison from here on out. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a tad, but suffice it to say I LOVED the food!
After eating, we made a stop to pick up a few things at the new Trader Joe's and afterwards decided to drive back home for our final night. Although we could've done another hotel, we took a couple of things into consideration. First, our son had been away camping for the weekend and was coming back on Sunday at noon. Therefore, we would need to come home much more quickly than we normally would from one of our trips. Second, we will be going away to see Ross's parents in December and the money that we saved on a hotel would be able to go towards this trip for gas and miscellaneous expenses.
We got home late, slept, leisurely woke up (such a treat), Ross cooked breakfast (another treat) and washed the dishes (what did I do to deserve such royal treatment?), and then we fell asleep on the couch until it was time to pick up our son. Oh, and did I mention that I got two pairs of shoes for under $9 at the Shoe Department while we were away?
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
What's For Lunch?
Recently a discount bread store in our area closed down. In this store, I could get 4 bags of bagels, 6 loaves of bread, two 12-packs of hot dog buns, and two 12-packs of hamburger buns all for under $10. I knew that their closure would drastically affect our grocery budget. The store was truly a hidden gem.
Concurrently, my kids had begun tiring of lunch meat sandwiches. My husband was fine with them, but the kids had begun to complain about them, not to mention the fact that I was having a tough time finding a good price on lunch meat even at the discount store that I frequent. Because of these recent developments, I began seeking out alternative ideas for school lunches.
Our oldest son Hunter has been really into soups. Especially Ramen Noodle Soup. So I found a thermos for him at the Goodwill (a steal at only $1.97) and he's been taking soup for lunches. I couldn't believe that it actually stays hot until his lunch time! Shortly after this, a friend shared with me that her kids pack salads for lunch. She buys romaine lettuce at Sam's (which lasts them a week in bulk) and then gets various toppings for the kids to add to it. Before going grocery shopping that day I emailed my husband to ask if he'd be willing to try salads for a week and see how it goes. He emailed me back specifically stating that he would be willing to try for one week.
The kids were home from school so I took all of them along with me to shop. They were great helpers picking out and making suggestions for salad toppings. After all of the shopping was said and done, our toppings included: olives, bacon bits, chick peas, imitation crab meat, summer sausage, oyster crackers, shredded cheese, carrots, and a myriad of salad dressings. I made my husband a salad the following day and he told me that it was 'really good'. Actually he's been telling me that every day since I started making him salads for lunch :-)
For snacks everyone has been taking:
Apples--we got a 1/2 bushel of apples from a place called Paulus Orchards near Ski Roundtop, about 1/2 hour from Harrisburg. You can get their "seconds" (what they consider not the best of the best, but really you can't tell the difference) of any type of in season apples for $8.00. We keep them out in our garage so that they stay cold and keep. Not enough room in the fridge for all of those!
Yogurt--at Sharp Shopper (my favorite discount grocery store) you can get the individual ones four for a dollar. Or you can get a large 32oz. container of vanilla yogurt for 50 cents. You cannot beat these prices.
Tangy Oyster crackers--Oyster crackers are 25 cents for a 12 oz. bag. Recently Ross came up with the idea of seasoning them with a little olive oil and some spices. Then he lays them out on a baking sheet and cooks them for a couple of minutes in the oven. This takes those bland crackers and kicks them up a notch. You can then take them and add pretzels or peanuts to make them into a snack mix.
I hope that these ideas are helpful and healthful for you and your family.
Concurrently, my kids had begun tiring of lunch meat sandwiches. My husband was fine with them, but the kids had begun to complain about them, not to mention the fact that I was having a tough time finding a good price on lunch meat even at the discount store that I frequent. Because of these recent developments, I began seeking out alternative ideas for school lunches.
Our oldest son Hunter has been really into soups. Especially Ramen Noodle Soup. So I found a thermos for him at the Goodwill (a steal at only $1.97) and he's been taking soup for lunches. I couldn't believe that it actually stays hot until his lunch time! Shortly after this, a friend shared with me that her kids pack salads for lunch. She buys romaine lettuce at Sam's (which lasts them a week in bulk) and then gets various toppings for the kids to add to it. Before going grocery shopping that day I emailed my husband to ask if he'd be willing to try salads for a week and see how it goes. He emailed me back specifically stating that he would be willing to try for one week.
The kids were home from school so I took all of them along with me to shop. They were great helpers picking out and making suggestions for salad toppings. After all of the shopping was said and done, our toppings included: olives, bacon bits, chick peas, imitation crab meat, summer sausage, oyster crackers, shredded cheese, carrots, and a myriad of salad dressings. I made my husband a salad the following day and he told me that it was 'really good'. Actually he's been telling me that every day since I started making him salads for lunch :-)
For snacks everyone has been taking:
Apples--we got a 1/2 bushel of apples from a place called Paulus Orchards near Ski Roundtop, about 1/2 hour from Harrisburg. You can get their "seconds" (what they consider not the best of the best, but really you can't tell the difference) of any type of in season apples for $8.00. We keep them out in our garage so that they stay cold and keep. Not enough room in the fridge for all of those!
Yogurt--at Sharp Shopper (my favorite discount grocery store) you can get the individual ones four for a dollar. Or you can get a large 32oz. container of vanilla yogurt for 50 cents. You cannot beat these prices.
Tangy Oyster crackers--Oyster crackers are 25 cents for a 12 oz. bag. Recently Ross came up with the idea of seasoning them with a little olive oil and some spices. Then he lays them out on a baking sheet and cooks them for a couple of minutes in the oven. This takes those bland crackers and kicks them up a notch. You can then take them and add pretzels or peanuts to make them into a snack mix.
I hope that these ideas are helpful and healthful for you and your family.
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