Budget, What Budget?

Budget, what budget?  That is what I am feeling these days.  Since we have taken a break from school we have a little bit of extra money.  We are not paying for piano, ice skating, and a few other things due to the summer break.  We do have fishing trips and fun stuff planned though and that all takes money too.  We have taken to eating out more than usual also.  Eating out is a treat that I love, no shopping, planning, cooking, or clean-up.  Having a family our size takes a lot out of our budget even if we decide to go to a cheapy old fast food place. (Dave Ramsey would be appaulled) I am starting to feel the need to tighten that money belt a bit.

I am planning on going through our checkbook and looking at the last several months to add up how much money we have wasted on eating out. (Dave Ramsey would be proud) After I pick myself up off the floor from the shock that I know is to come I will share this revelation with the family.  Then we will think of all the things that we could have spent that money on until we are all convinced that eating out really is not that wonderful a thing.  (Dave Ramsey would be proud)  Then we will celebrate with a nice dinner at the Chinese place in town.  (Dave Ramsey would be appaulled once again)  Oops, did I just say that out loud???

I have not been “real” grocery shopping in probably 2 months. These every other day runs to the store are a budget killer too.  I always seem to find something to buy that wasn’t on the list!  I am in desperate need of a trip to the butcher shop and to Costco.  I think this shopping trip will bust the budget as well because I have not kept our stock up.  I just need to do it though to get back on track.  I am planing on making a LARGE purchase at the butcher shop and hopefully it will last almost all year.  Hubby went deep sea fishing and brought home halibut and rockfish.  We are going at the end of the month to go salmon fishing.  Hubs is also planning a caribou hunt and a bear hunt.  I think meat should be covered for the year! Then it will only be keeping stock up in the pantry.  Costco runs will cover that.  Those runs are not too bad as long as I keep on top of it because not everything runs out at the same time.  It is when I let the supply dwindle and have to restock EVERYTHING at once that is gets unbearable.

So my day will consist of menu planning and list writing.  Oh yeah, and adding up the wasted money that we have “eaten” up these past few months.  (Dave Ramsey would be proud once again)  If I am not back to blogging soon then you will know I hit my head when I fainted from the total!

Am I the only one who has a hard time keeping that food budget under control?  Or I should say, just following the food budget!

Quiverfull in the Military

I recently received this question from someone who visited my blog.  I will do my best to answer her questions.

I just stumbled upon your blog.  My husband and I have 2 children, (with one on the way).
We fully embrace filling up our quiver, but I’m wondering as a military spouse how you deal with it.
My husband is considering rejoining the Air Force.  He was in for 10 years and we’re both drawn to going in again.  However I’m worried that we will have a harder time raising godly children with Daddy deploying so much.
We are homeschooling family and born again believers.  I know this is probably a lot to ask, but maybe you could do a post or write me back on this topic.  Our children are the most important thing and we want what is best for them.  Thank you for your time.

God Bless,
Julie

This is a hard question to answer because I want to actually give an answer. People often ask me how I “do it” in reference to many things in my life. I really do not know, I just do.

In the short time that we have been in the military we have been  blessed to have my husband around more than some others.  He thus far has only gone on one deployment.  He has taken several TDY assignments that have ranged anywhere from 2-6 weeks long.  When he has been gone, he has been able to call almost every night as well.

Here are a few things that I believe are important to maintain while hubby is away.  You can still raise godly children even if you husband deployed often.

1. God is faithful and He is the one to work in the hearts of your children.   He is the Father to the fatherless.  When my hubby is away I often pray that He would be a father to my children and be even more evident to them when their earthly father is absent.  Prayer is essential.

2. Do not forsake the gathering together of the saints.  In other words, go to church.  It is easy to fall into the temptation of just not getting out and going to church.  Some days it seems it is more work than it is worth, especially on bad mornings trying to get out the door, with a little one crying the whole service, and you are wondering why you went because you missed everything the pastor said.  It is still important to go.  People will be there to pray for you and to minister to you.  It also sets the example and lets your children know where you have placed your priorities (on worshipping the Savior).

3. Continue family devotions and Bible readings.

4. Continue to talk to your children about spiritual matters.

5. Pray with your children daily.  Pray for their father, for you and them at home, and for spiritual growth for each member of the family.

6. Remember it is not all up to you, God is the one who will work in the hearts of your children.   Just be faithful to do all that you can and trust in the Lord for the results.

Mesmerized

Husband & Wife

Let a wife make the husband glad to come home, and let the husband make his wife sad to see him leave ~ Martin Luther

Depths of Depravity

I am brokenhearted.  Have you ever noticed how much sin surrounds us?  I cannot fathom how people do not understand that man is depraved.  It is blatantly obvious in my opinion.  Even in the saintliest of homes and hearts, one can find sin, shame, and depravity.  If one says there is none, then they are dishonest and blind and thus depravity is proven.

However, we can all admit that there are those who display and indulge in sin more than others.  While there are those who flee temptation and strive to live holy lives.  Often those of the latter scoff at those of the former forgetting that we were once the former and from what and for what we have been saved.

I have found myself lately mourning and grieving because of the depth of the depravity found within my own extended family.  I would like to give you a brief idea of what I am talking about without throwing the details out there.  It is not my place to air dirty laundry even though the stink effects me greatly.   If you combine the favoritism of Jacob towards Joseph, soap opera emotions and disproportionate reactions, Law & Order: SVU, & Jerry Springer you might understand a bit of what has me grieved.

I am so thankful that the Lord rescued and redeemed me from such a place and that he continues to purify me.  I do however, find myself feeling guilty for having received that redemption when so many have not.  It saddens my heart to no end when I hear from family.  There seems to be no end to the depth of depravity.  I often wonder why more Christians do not mourn and grieve along side me at the deplorable amount of sin in this world.

Cultural mainstream Christianity has become softened in the name of compassion but I think true compassion would be to call sin sin and to cry out to the Lord on behalf of the groaning of creation!

Merely Words or True Concern

Maybe you have noticed that I have not been blogging much.  Then again, I think my readership has shrunk over the months and not many have noticed.  That is okay even though I would love to have a vibrant blog that many flock to.  I blog not for others but for the Lord.  I have however, had a hard time blogging as of late.  My life in many ways is going very well, I am loving where the Lord has brought us, and I am blessed abundantly.  My heart has also had many things burden it lately and it carries great sadness.  I have also been learning along this journey that many who say they care, really are merely just speaking words not expressing true concern.  I think that is what hurts the most.  It is hard when you are lonely even though you are surrounded by so many.  It is hard when you feel you must carry burdens alone when surrounded by Christian brothers and sisters.  When you cannot even share prayer requests for fear of  gossip and persecution.  Alas, that is where I find myself in life in this stage of the game.  It is sad when you feel that even the joys of your life are not joys to others.  I am thankful for a husband and children  who can show true love, compassion, joy, and companionship.  I am thankful for a Savior who will never leave me or forsake me.   I am thankful for a changeless Savior.  I am thankful that he is available and willing to share in my burdens, griefs, and even joys and gladness.  I only wish those of his church were more like him!