I remember it like it was yesterday. Dad opened the closet door and with angels singing quietly in the background, he retrieved the sacred box which contained their one and only credit card. He surely did not know what a lasting impression that random moment would have on me and my understanding of finances. That small experience cemented a life-lesson into my mind: do not use your credit card foolishly. Do not whip it out and charge your way to “happiness” whenever you “need” a new purse or a fancy meal. By keeping the card locked away and ceremoniously retrieving it in certain circumstances, … [Read more...]

“We have so much in common! We love the same foods. We both want to travel.” “He even likes my kind of movies!” “She enjoys sports!” “We have so much fun hiking, swimming, and spending time with friends. We have won the relationship lottery for sure!” Having interests in common is such a blessing. How you wish to spend your time says a lot about who you are; and if you find someone who has the same desires, that is indeed exciting. We need to let loose and have fun. If you can have fun and laugh with the man or woman you love, never take that blessing for granted. “He gets me.” “She sees … [Read more...]

God has truly blessed me with a husband who is both intuitive and a visionary. It does not always seem like a blessing, especially when I want to jump on an idea without counting the cost; but, he has saved me from making many hasty decisions. Though I do not play the lottery, Eric and I still enjoy having those, “What would you do if you suddenly had $100,000,000?” discussions. Once, we even got out a notebook and jotted down where the money would go. It was overwhelmingly clear that I would be throwing money at people left and right, enjoying their squeals of excitement, and breathing a … [Read more...]

“But, I want to help! What can I do?!” This is the cry of a giving person who does not have much disposable income. My late, saintly grandma comes to mind. Grandma Lillie was one of the most loving, giving, praying women I have ever had the pleasure to know. I shudder to think where my family would all be right now if it had not been for her fervent prayers. Still, even though she prayed for us all (and there is nothing on Earth more valuable than the prayers of God’s saints), she still wanted to give to others. She was always receiving from others. Someone would clean out a closet and … [Read more...]