Transition

So life is full of transitions. I was just hanging out with a friend last night and talking about life and the decisions we make. I have come to realize recently that sometimes in life we try to hang on to things and God wants us to let go. If we hang on to these things then he cannot add other things. I know myself I always want to stay in my comfort zone. I am a creature of habit. I have worked the same rotation at work for over 4 years. Don’t mess with it I will freak out.

As for this blog it is going to take a transition. I have not been blogging alot but enjoy it. I still want to be able to write about feelings but I am passionate about becoming debt free. I am not over the top crazy but still love reading finance blogs. I do not plan on being totally transparent about my finances as to what I make exactly but will blog about debt totals, decisions and how I save money. I am by no means an expert but am passionate about living free from debt.

Gift

I received a gift last night. Not something wrapped up in paper with a bow. Not bought in a store but even better!! God knows just how to make a person smile. He knows exactly what we need even before we need it. That is why I love my God. It says in Psalms that he is my refuge, strength and that his love is everlasting.

The gift was my Dad answering the phone. No he did not actually press the button to answer but his verse was the first I heard. See I usually talk through my step-mom to my dad. But yesterday I got to talk to him hear his raspy voice and I enjoyed it

Where Is My Bailout?

So my church www.newspring.cc is doing a new series called Where Is My Bailout. I loved it today. It was a great sermon and it hit home with me on more than one level.

So the first level was about finances and I know it always gets tense in church when money is mentioned. Well, God does not want fear to control me. God is not worried about the economy and has my best interest in heart.

On the second level it hit me. I have already received by bailout. God sent his son Jesus to die for me. I was heading as Perry likes to joke on the highway to hell. I do not deserve this but he took care of it for me. Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Project Economy

So we all know we are in a recession. Everyone is talking about the economy, jobs, the housing market and the stimulus package to name a few. So I have decided to do a series of posts on my project economy. So I am starting to take a look at how I spend money and how I can save. I am budget girl and am paying off debt. There are a few things I cannot give up such as my gym membership. Love it!! But now I am looking into couponing and going back to the envelope system. You may ask what is the envelope system? Well it is using cash for things where you tend to over spend such as eating out, groceries and blow money. So I ask how are you managing your money?

Snow and Tears

So as most people know by now Greenville got dumped with snow yesterday. I love snow. But the one thing that stinks is my job. I love nursing but sick people don’t go home when the weather gets bad. Nurses and all staff are expected to be there. I know I would want my family member to have a nurse. So, when I am at work for 12 hours I may not even look out a window. I heard predictions of snow but did not even know that anything was happening until friends started getting pictures via cellphones of the snow.

So 7pm comes and praise the Lord all the nurses come in. So guess what? I can go home. They all said the roads were getting bad but I was not going to stay at work. No No No. I would rather wreck my car than stay at work. So the long trudge home begins like this. Crank car at 7:15pm sounds bad and is cold so I let it warm up. Next, turn on Chris Tomlin so I can praise Jesus all the way home!! Apply seat belt and place phone nearby. Say a prayer for safety. I get out to Augusta Road and there is large processional of hospital staff going down Augusta Road. I make it slipping and sliding. Turn right onto Mauldin Road and get behind a truck which is making large tracks. Try to stay behind this truck which helps.

In homegroup we talked about how decisions we make impact our lives. Even simple ones. How God guides us away from things we may not even know. I knew God was there with me but could not decide whether to get on I-85 or go through Mauldin. Well no one was turning onto the interstate so I follow the cars through Mauldin. Once I got stuck. I mean stuck like you get out of your car and don’t know what to do. Another guy was stuck so I just sat there and prayed. I turned the wheel and gunned it and got out. Praise Jesus. This incident was right near the poo poo plant. If you live in Greenville you should know where this is. What a horrible place to get stuck. Okay okay I will end the suspense. After much sliding I made it home in 1hr and 5 minutes at 8:20pm. My usual time is 20minutes. I made it home safe and sound but with tears in my eyes.

You know it is hard to drive with tears in your eyes. Off goes Chris Tomlin on goes peppy music. Chris does it to me everytime. Why was I crying you ask? Well see my dad is sick. I kdon’t know how much longer he has. He is having trouble breathing now which saddens me. The reason I was upset is that I know he would want to help me now but can’t. See we had a rough relationship in the past but are good now. So being in the snow, frigtened and alone I thought who would I call? I have no husband and I have no Dad who can help me. God spoke to me and I know I have a heavenly father who will always be there for me. What is awesome is that God has placed men in my life who have agreed to help me if need be. Mr.Coffey and Mr. Williams both said they would be my stand in helper. So thankful for them!! Tonight I am sitting her thankful to be warm and at home.

Uno

Uno. Just me. Table for one please. No I don’t go out to eat alone but it sounded good. Friday and Saturdy night alone. So with the dreaded February 14th and a recent relationship ending I got lonely. It happens from time to time. Today at church, I had an awesome conversation with a great Christian brother of mine. He lifted me up and reset my perspective. Basically focus on God and things will work out. God revealed to me today that what I thought of as relationship failures was just him protecting me. I don’t need to give away pieces of me to the wrong guy. Below is a good quote from a guy named Lee McDerment. I love it!!

When you are single…    YOU ARE NOT SHOPPING, YOU ARE IN THE SHOP…You are not out looking for a perfect match…Its not about upgrading or trading in…It’s about realizing that YOU AND I ARE THE ONES IN NEED OF AN OVERHAUL… 

He went on to say something like, Most likely the reason you are single is because God’s not satisfied with your current state.  He needs to see you at another level or in another place before he places the responsibility of stewarding an amazing relationship that honors HIM.

So I say bring it God. Lord work in me, use this time to make me better and closer to you.

Good Reads

So one of my goals for the year was to read 52 books. I a week to be exact this year. So I have been getting my read on. I don’t watch alot of TV anyway but it has become less. So far I have read

1. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

2. The Pact by Jodi Picoult

3. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

4. Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult

5. In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

6. Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult (checked out from library next to read)

7. When the Brain Can’t Hear by Teri James Belis PhD (on the list to read)

8. And a few James Patterson books soon

9. Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (on the list)

I am off to read   I may do a post on the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

25 Random

25 Random Things About Me. So this has been going around on Facebook and I refused to do it. But I decided to let those special people who read my blog know 25 random things about me. Oh boy!!

1. I am a RN. I love cardiology and one day want to be a hospice nurse.

2. I have such a thing called “Eye Brow Wednesday”. Every Wednesday I do my eyebrows, the major work.

3. I am an organ donor. Kill me off if you have to just take my organs PLEASE!!!!!!

4. I enjoy yoga!

5. My mom calls me sweetpea.

6. I want to get out of debt like crazy and will debt free by December 2009.

7. I would love to also teach nursing and get a masters but don’t want to go back to school yet.

8. Old people are my speciality. The confused the better.

9. My first job was at 14 bagging groceries at Winn Dixie.

10. I have been to LA and seen Bob Barker and The Price Is Right!!!!

11. I would love to road bike but am one afraid of getting hit by a car. Two I know no one who does it and number three those bikes are expensive.

12. I am running a 5K on March 7th even if it kills me

13. I have always wanted to go on one of those Outward Bound adventures.

14. My favorite food is macaroni and cheese.

15. I have an orange swim cap.

16. I love my nephew he is the greatest!!!!

17. I have contacts and wear them occasionally but like my glasses more. Glasses are good for hiding dark circles when you don’t wear makeup.

18. My goal is to read 52 books this year. I am on number 5.

19. My mom is my hero.

20. If I had to chose a career other than nursing I would chose to be a police officer.

21. I want a Iphone of Blackberry but can’t justify it.

22. I have never moved. I was brought home to the house I live in now. Although, I have moved bedrooms.

23. I have my belly buttons pierced but think I am outgrowing it. I will soon remove it.

24. I have always wanted to see the Rockefeller Tree and go to NYC during Christmas.

25. I will be single this February 14th Happy Singles Awareness Day

Out of Funk

Today was awesome. I slept in till 11 and then made the most of the beautiful day God gave me. Can you say sunny warm and in the high 60’s. I did what gives me joy and hung out with a 8.5 year old boy. I better say the .5 since it is so important to him. Remember those days? We went downtown and to the park. It was a great stress relief. Life through a child is so awesome.

I figured out why I was in a bit of a funk last night. For those who know me, my nephew is my life. I would die for him and I mean it. Not just one of those who say they would. Most know he had a liver transplant in April of 2005 and has done pretty well. Well due to illness before hand school/learning was not on our top priority list. So he has some special needs. It hurts so bad to see him struggle and to see him bring home bad grades. I just have visions of his future and want it to be bright. He deserves it because he has been through so much. The book “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” by Mark Batterson offered me some solace yesterday. Maybe it can help you out also. From the book it says

                God has a 360degree perspective on everthing. He considers every contigency. He sees all the way around everything- every issue, every person, every experience, every problem. Most of us see a very narrow view of reality.

So basically God has got this!!! I need to sit back, relax and remember how far he has come. Remember when he could not run without getting short of breath. Remember the awesome gift of life he has been given, a new liver. Remember that he has learned to read when we never thought he would. Now I know I will have to remind myself that God has got this many more times but I trust my God.

In a Funk Tonight

I said it. I am in a funk tonight. Just sitting here listening to music on my IPOD. When I am in a funk I tend to go for the country, slow songs and worship songs. I am excited that the weather is going to be warmer this weekend. I need to get out of the house and outside. I am thinking a park and some vitamin D may do me some good. Work has been tough the past few days. To keep it short so many things beyond my control that caused trouble. Stress. In good news I am feeling better and did not wake up throwing up or with a headache on Thursday night. I think the new natural medications I am taking are doing me good :0  I have an appointment with GI soon so I can get there opinion. So far the HIDA scan costs $2,565.80 and the ultrasound was $996.50 and labs $883.00. Sheesh and I have insurance. Wow, I cant’ wait to see what my part will be. I know I have not met my deductible so far this year, it is only February. This brings me to now know the fear and worry in my patients mind when they are in the hosptial. Healthcare is so expensive but needed. There has to be a better way. I am off to budget and pay bills then off to bed. Night!