Plans On Hold......

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know I have been talking about some personal things that I have been thinking about and working out over the past few weeks. What was taking up most of my thoughts/time was the possibility of going back to school; Law School to be exact.

Before I got too deep with prepping and planning, I wanted and needed to consult GOD first to 1. see if it was in his will and 2. if he would make a way for me to go to school. I did get prayer and the Lord did let me know it was alright for me to go back to school.

After that, I still wasn't happy. Something inside of me refused to let me be joyous and continue on in the planning process. I then sat down and begin to ask myself some hard but honest questions and in turn answer those questions honestly despite how I may feel. At the end of that session, I cam to a conclusion; Law School was NOT for me at this present time. I had to think about everything the Lord said to me and not just the "it's alright" part. Now, I could very well go at some later point down the road, but not now. And you know what was amazing, just as soon as I made that decision, I immediately felt better. It was like going from 0 to 10 in seconds on the happy scale. My spirit became more relaxed also. Its so amazing how GOD guides and protects me from potential disasters.

My husband and I also had a loooooong talk about this very subject. I told him that I didn't feel right; my spirit didn't feel right and I couldn't possibly go further with Law School without knowing exactly why I had these feelings. He told me that he actually prayed and asked GOD to let him know if what he was feeling was bad; because my husband had those same not so good feelings about me going to Law School but he didn't want to tell me as to not hurt my feelings. As soon as I told him that I felt the Lord didnt want me to go now, he said it was confirmation!!!!! He gave me a big hug and told me he was proud of me!

I know that GOD will provide. Besides, there are many, many people with advance degrees who cannot find work or who have low paying jobs they didnt think they would have to have. My life is a testimony in itself. My husband does NOT have a college degree, yet he is the HEAD..yes HEAD of his department, which requires a Master's degree. Got 2 promotions and 2 raises, including a bonus last year that was half his salary...yes, his bonus; which helped us buy our first home! We went to Europe for a month, have money in the bank, and are able to give to others. I'm NOT bragging, but the Lord brought all of this back to my remembrance to let me know it is HE..NOT I, BUT HE who opens doors and blesses. It is HE who provides for us and protects us and NOT a law degree OR job. I had to GET OUT OF THE WAY!!

I am so grateful to GOD for being so awesome. I feel Good and now can move on to others things. I love being a SAHM, although at first I didn't...BUT I Love it now!!!!

Have a GREAT Day!
Sheena

Ever Heard of The Expression...............

................Christmas in July???

Well, even though its August...I have started planning for Christmas. I love everything about the day; the meaning, celebrating my Lord and Savior Jesus, giving to others, the lights, music, food, and just being with family.

With that said, we all know that Christmas is one of the most expensive times of the year with gifts, food, travel, electricity (Christmas trees & lights), heating costs, etc. Since I can't predict what most will costs, I can start the budget process for our gifts.

Since my entire family is large..very LARGE...we have started doing Pollyanna's; that way no one would be burdened with trying to buy a present for everyone. Also, my husband and I wanted to give a gift to my sisters as well.

Furthermore, I have started my wish list for my husband...LOL..better early than never!
I also created budgets for each of us with the gifts we would like:

$70.00 for our daughter
Doll
Stroller
Educational toy-Jumpstart Game
Book
Misc Toy

$125.00 for Mommy
The Mummy DVD (1st movie)
Pajamaas-Purple or Blue
Wawa Gift Card-$20
$25 Cash
1 nice smelling Candle
Comfy Slippers

$200.00 for Daddy
Surprise!

This is our start to a more frugal Christmas. You wouldn't believe how much we used to spend on each other in the past; but we wanted to spend less money and try to give gifts that are less expensive but really special!

We also have started 3 new traditions within our household to do during the Christmas holiday.......

.....They are:
1. Put on our coats and walk around our neighborhood to view all the pretty Christmas lights.

2. Give/Send a donation box to a shelter or organization that helps those who are less fortunate.

3. Bake cookies, then shut out all our lights except for the Christmas tree and watch a traditional Christmas cartoon (while eating our freshly baked Christmas cookies!)

I can't wait for Christmas!

Until Next Time,
Peace Be Unto You!

Can't Wait Until AFTER tommrrow...............

.......Cause this whole Michael Jackson thing should be over or at least die down a bit.

It's everywhere...the news, magazines, weather and business channels, even churches!!!!

I have NOTHING against him as a person..but when churches start playing his music and preaching about him DURING the time they are supposed to be praising GOD; then I think as a christian...we have crossed the line.

I think about how much focus and attention do I give God or my fellow brothers & sisters. Do I show them as much love as I give to Mr. Jackson, am I making him an idol and putting him before GOD??????????????!!

After all, didn't Jesus tell Peter, when his father died, to let the dead bury their dead.....the Lord needed Peter to FOCUS on him and not the loss of his father, because he had to prepare Peter for a higher purpose and there wasn't much time to do it in.

Now don't get me wrong, I too used to be a HUGE fan, I mean HUGE....but as a grew in Christ, he has taught me that HE should be my #1 priority, then my family, then my fellow saints...

I cannot forget that my God is a jealous God and does not like his people putting others or things before him.

Just my two cents.......

I'm Back and Feeling Refreshed...............

.................Thanks to many prayers, kind words, and intervention by GOD.

This past week...well actually, these past few weeks, have been very difficult for me spiritually. There were many times when I felt like the was Devil closing in on me.
I started to feel like I couldn't make an escape until GOD came and intervened on my behalf.
My home even has a different feel to it & I'm more peaceful and happier.

Now, If I can ONLY get my 2, almost 3, year old daughter to stay in her bed, when it's time to go nite nite.

Planning for Easter with a BUDGET....

Just like with all the other wonderful Christian holidays, it's ever so important to have a plan, list, and budget in place; especially if we are known to over spend. I try as much as I can (through God's guidance) to give my family a great holiday without going into debt.

With Easter fast approaching, I am starting my planning today. This Friday, we are going to see a Easter play (we have seen it before and it was fantastic). I have to get my materials and such to make some Easter baskets, write a list of decorations/items that need purchasing for Easter Dinner...we are hosting this year. I also have to buy the food that I have to fix as well. I'm going to tidy up our home the Saturday before Easter, so I wont to do any cleaning when I get home from church on Easter. I just want to decorate and get the food warmed up when we get home as we will have guests arrive at 5pm.

Here's my Budget so far:
Easter

Item/s Budgeted

(5) Easter Basket supplies/goodies $20.00

3 Bags of Candy $3.00

Food I have to cook (rice, broccoli, brownies) $10.00

Decorations/balloons/table cloths, etc $10.00

Easter dress for Issy (something she can
wear more than once, shoes (will spend extra for good shoes so she can wear them on multiple occasions), stocking, socks,
hair bows) I have a coupon for the dress & shoes.... $50.00

Misc $7.00
____________________________________________________________

Total tentative Easter Budget = $100.00

The above number may sound like a lot but compared to most people, if they kept track of how much they spend on Easter for clothes/shoes/accessories for the kids, food, and entertainment...they'll find that what they spent is well over $100.

This will be funded from our savings and is not included in our monthly budget.

Enjoy your day!

Spring is Here!

I've been super busy as of late...having guests over, planting a garden, spending time with family, dealing with issues (please pray for my family), and trying to spend less time on the computer and more time focusing on GOD.

I cannot believe next week is Palm Sunday; the year is just going by so fast, I can't believe it! Before we know it, it's going to be the summer season.

With tomorrow being April 1st, I am really going to be sure to document ALL of the money we spend, so we know where every single penny is going & to become better stewards of what GOD gave us.

Hope you all are doing great! The Lord is sure blessing us!

I am so......................

BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

......and you are too!

Enjoy your evening!

Taxes, etc.

I was busy from Friday Morning until now and we have some guests coming over in a bit. I had a good weekend but since I had time I wanted to put up a post.

My husband got a bonus from his job and a nice one too. He got 10% of his salary but boy oh boy, when the tax man took his share, we were left with about 53% net of his bonus. Yes, the tax man took 47% but to be honest we understand. See, I grew up not having money and was able to use free government programs/services because my mom didn't hardly make any money. We were on welfare and WIC because we could not afford these things on our own. I thank GOD for those programs because they allowed me to go see a doctor, get 2 surgeries, food, and other important items. Some people would turn their noses up on the poor, but because both my husband and I saw how much the government services helped our families when we were growing up, we totally see the need for taxes.

I try and remember how it was not being able to by milk, eggs, or diapers for my sisters. Because of taxes, the government is able to provide these services to families for free. Yes, there may have been people who abuse the system or could've made better choices, but I think about the children. They didn't ask to be in their situation and why have them suffer for their parents bad mistakes.

So..... he got the bonus and first we paid our tithes, saved some, and got computer monitor from BEST BUY of coarse! Thank GOD because he was able to get a nice bonus in these hard economic times, where many people are losing jobs. I want the LORD to continue blessing us and if we turn our noses up and become uppity and high minded, then he wont allow us the have more because of how we look down on others. He would rather have mercy than sacrifice. To have compassion on others! To never forget where you came from!

BTW- our church service was GREAT! Thank GOD for JESUS!

Songs

Just some songs the Lord has placed on my heart this morning....

What a mighty God we serve, What a mighty GOD we serve
The angels bow before him, heaven and earth adore him,
What a mighty GOD we serve....


Another Song....

Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Lord
I'm gonna thank you, all the days of my life...
Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Lord
I'm gonna thank you, all the days of my life.

Another Song....

GOD is good, all of the time
all of the time, God is good, god is good
God is good, all of the time
all of the time God is good.

One last song....

At the cross, at the cross
where I first saw the light
and the burden of my heart all lay
It was there, by faith, I received my sight
and now, I am happy all the day...


Thank you Jesus for being so good to us. I love you more than words could express. I'm so glad to be a child of the most high KING!!