Bible Reading April 24, 2012

http://oyb2012.blogspot.com/

Come read and be inspired. In summary we must remember that we have a great enemy that God is protecting us from every day. We must also remember that to be great in God's kingdom we have to lead as a servant. How do you servant lead?

Bible reading April 23, 2012

http://oyb2012.blogspot.com/
To see what God is speaking to my heart in His word.  Not that you would see my story but your own.  I pray this day you will take comfort and courage in His word.  If I inspire just one to find hope in the power of the presence of God found in his word I will be beyond humbly blessed.  For God's word is more than just words on the page.  It washes over us and makes us new.  What do you need made new this day?  God may not give you what you ask but he will more than supply what you need.  I was weary and beaten down this morning yet as you can see by the words of my mouth the Lord has lifted me up.  God has the same for you.

Making the Most of Life

Are you making the most of your life?  Attitude is 90% of the problem I always here.  Yet what do you do when you are light years away from that good attitude?  Can you think your way into a smile?  I have never found that to work for me.  I am more like that 2 yr old screaming over being given the WRONG color crayon.  Yet just as easily turned around by something new and amazing.  So that's my advice for today.  If you are crying over the wrong color crayon today.  Find a HEALTHY diversion that will make you smile. 

Financial Freedom

Psalm 73
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

This Psalm has some great colorful descriptions.  When I was abounding in wealth I felt entitled,  when I was financially stable and climbing I was most envious and prideful.  It has only been in my place of poverty that I have learned true contentment and dependance of the Lord.  For now prayer, a disciplined heart and discernment are my constant financial consultant.  A lesson I did not learn with much wealth.  So the next time you encounter those that are "less fortunate" remember that they may have something amazing to teach you.  For it is in our weakness that He is made strong.

Valentines Day

Having your own creative business is a joyous challenge.  I absolutely love making these flowers.  So many places I could go to try and market them yet with twins in toe I choose to let my flowers just ride along with us and only sell where we are already going.  I hope these precious valentines hair clips find a home soon.

God's Provision

I had an interview for Assistant Manager, Quality Assurance - UTHSCSA Allograft Resources. 

My heart is so torn over going back to work.  This job opportunity is to good to pass up.  Yet my heart is still to stay home with my kids and give them my best.  Yet work has been hard to come by for my husband.  We have had to cut WAY back and then when their was no where else to cut back we had to start looking outside ourselves for our basic needs to be met.  Extremely humbling yet empowering to see God provide.

The best part is what God is showing me. The past 2 years we have been living on VERY little income. What a blessing it has been to learn how to pray and see God's provision. The thought of having enough money to take care of all our needs/wants raised the question of whether I would continue to pray for God's direction regarding spending. Has my faith in God's ability to provide for us, when we couldn't, expanded enough that I would only spend as he directs when the money was already in my hand. I am so thankful that God has removed my desire to go back to spending based on my own understanding as I know the richness of his bounty found in listening to His voice for every dime I spend in this long season of want.

God's Provision

In September of 2011 I was looking into going back to work.  Feeling the need to help my family out financially.  Wresting with how to provide the best for my 5 kids ages 3-10 at the time.  I decided that I would look into working at a childcare center.  This would allow me to take the twins with me and work early enough in the day to be home before the school kids got home.  At every turn I was not a good fit.  Not to mention the pay grade would be way BELOW what I was use to making.  I didn't give up but just decided I would pick up looking again after the holidays.  Now here is where God's amazing provision came into play.

October - Our dog that was impregnated by a pit bull that jumped our fence grossed me $40.00 per pup.  We sold 4.

November - On a whim I made a couple of flowers after seeing some a friend had made.  Another friend saw them and said I should make some more for the craft fair she was hosting.  I wouldn't even have considered it, but with Christmas around the corner, and a broken sewing machine needing repair, I thought what the heck.  Let's see if I can make enough to cover a few expenses outside the monthly budget.  I had no idea if people would even be interested in.  My artistic expression has always been just an extension of myself.  Never have I created based on what others would want.  Having no idea where to begin I brought a few samples around to the gym, library and church just to see if others would even want them.  To my surprise and delight the response was very positive.  To date I have sold upward of $400.00.  Who knew - God did.

December - Randy's Game Truck partner requested to step down from some of his responsibilities.  I was asked to take over the majority of the party booking.  This has been a wonderful way for Randy and I to connect regarding the business and to make $20.00 per party booked.  I am likely to bring in anywhere from $200 - $500 a month.  Another form of income that I couldn't have put into place.  See something outside my control had to move before I could move in.  Who knew - God did.

I got a letter from the unemployment office late December that I am eligible for the next tier of benefits.  Blow my socks off.  My last level of benefits ended over a year ago.  Who knew - God did.


January -  My husband reminded me that given my income I should get back into the habit of tithing.  So I totaled up everything from the sale of my flowers, the puppies, GT parties to my unemployment and came up with a tithe of $110.  The Monday after I give the church my tithe I make a deposit to the bank for some cash I have had lying around.  Well it jams their machine.  The teller says she will put it in for what I wrote on my slip, yet she says she thinks I counted wrong.  She is going to deposit to my account everything her drawer is over at the end of her shift.  I get a call latter that day that she has added an additional $100.00 to my deposit.  Ha, God only kept $10.00 of my tithe.  Blow my socks off.  Who knew - God did.

So praise God for what ever season you are in and remember that your Father in heaven has a thousand cattle on the hill.