Devotion & Boundaries

Dear Woman of God,

It’s been awhile since I’ve wrote to you directly. I’ve been kept very busy by the things of my surroundings. First, being a wife, this keeps me thinking of what he needs, brunch and dinner daily, clean clothes, second being a mom this is the most time consuming position as a Christian Home School Mom it’s a very important task to daily take care of my 2 sons physical needs, spiritual, discipline, teach them abc, 1,2,3 and building their character. What a job I have! I must put these first daily after seeking God which is all day long and especially during my morning walks and prayer time and evening prayer and repentance seeking His presence as I go along.

After these it’s important that I also take good care of myself by getting enough sleep, eating enough and healthy foods, taking my vitamin daily, bathing/showers, this determines my mood and my ability to serve as a wife and a mom. Next, it’s important that I reach out to encourage, help, teach, and disciple the younger woman and be a good neighbor. I have a neighbor, she’s a single-mom a few years older than me raising 3 teenage daughters, she’s not a Christian and I’m really not sure if she is really interested in being so. The first few months after she moved in I didn’t even see her nor did we greet each other and then one day here she comes to introduce herself, after that for the last 2 months it’s been nothing but needs, I gave her advice on how to budget, I shared with her my testimony and faith, I let her do her laundry at my house, I gave and I gave until she crossed my boundary too many times and I put a stop to it all.

You see many people are not seeking salvation in the form of God, they want their immediate needs to be met by any person willing to help them and they are like a disease that will take over if given the chance. This is a vivid but true illustration of how people can take you for granted and it’s very important to stand firm on your boundaries and to say no. The boundaries that she crossed with me were first texting and calling me at 6:30 in the morning and then because I didn’t answer knocking on my door asking if I can give her 3 daughters a ride to school. I was not happy but I did it because her car was broken down; but I told her to ask me in advance next time and she  asked me to make her daughter 2 sandwiches because she was out of sandwich stuff. This interrupted my morning routine and made me grumpy later in the day because I was doing for her instead of taking care of me so I could take care of my children and husband. That’s not good! Then 2 days later she’s knocking on my door asking me to take her to the bank. It was 12 and I had plenty to do and so I not so kindly told her it’s family time, I’ve got family things to do right here. It really angered me and made me disturbed. After trying to talk to her several times I decided she just wasn't getting it and I had to put a stop to it because she had already asked me to take her kids to school the next week which would mean I’d have to rearrange my whole schedule for the morning and really that’s not good, my children need me there and I almost let her get into my healthy boundaries but I retracted and that’s important. Don’t let the unbelievers use you and cross your boundaries they will do it again and again until you are walking very unhealthy. As an ex drinker, drug user and girl of the world I know these things from personal experience and a very long lifestyle of sinning what it takes to be godly and grow in His ways it takes a lot of personal space and devotion. We can’t please every person and it’s very okay to say no to people who you really can’t help the way they are needing or wanting you to. My husband likes to quote give as you have been freely given which is good but not when it will cause you unhealthy burdens or distract your job as a Mom and wife. Don’t let anyone tell you that being a homemaker isn’t a real job or important! I will strongly disagree as one for the last 4 years. I don’t get a day off I might get a rest when my husband gives me one but he’s not accustomed to the routine and so I’m usually helping him in some way, but my life is built around them and I’m not ashamed or regret that at all. I feel valuable, needed, and important to be who I am right here at my home. I hope that you do to. Regardless if you homeschool or work a job outside the home being a Wife and a Mom come first and before all is a devotion to God. If we do our works unto Him than we are living a gratifying life not expecting rewards or appreciation for Him we know that our reward is eternal life and the peace, joy, and love we get daily is well worth it in my book.

for a free e-book: Words of Encouragement please email me: homeschoolmom4Christ@gmail.com

Please be sure to visit my other blogs: http://www.kimfincher.blogspot.com and http://www.debtfreelivingwithChrist.blogspot.com soon to be one professional website!

Saving Money on Groceries

Please see my other blog: http://www.debtfreelivingwithChrist.blogspot.com

Traits of a Godly Woman

As I was reading a book recommendation by a homeschool Mom I wanted to share with you some of these Godly traits with the scriptures as a great reference to study and pray about so that you can grow as a woman of God as I desire to do so and that's why I studied the word and found some scripture references to go along with the traits. The book I was reading is: Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl

1. A Woman of Virtue or virtuous- morally excelllent, righteous Ruth 3:11, Prov. 21:29, 31:10, 29
2. Gracious (ness)- abounding in grace and kindness, merciful, compassionate Prov. 11:16, John 1:16, 2 Cor. 8:7, Col. 4:6, 1 Tim. 1:14, 1 Peter 1:10, 13
3. Wisdom- knowledge, insight, judgement Prov. 2:6, 3:13, 8:11, 11:2, 16:16, 23:23, 29:3
4. Prudent- Marked by wisdom or judiciousness, discreet Prov. 14:8, 18, 22:3
5. Goodness- the beneficial quality of something, kindness Psalm 145:7, Rom. 14:17, 15:14

We could also find and study more scriptures for each of these 5 by finding synonyms for each word used here and depending on your translation. I used the NLT Study bible for this study. This is a great way to grow in the word and to understand who we are to God and what the Word says we are and who we are to be. I love the word of God! don't you?

Have a blessed day and stay encouraged in His ways.  love, Kim

Life is an Adventure to Be Explored!

"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-- the Jew first and the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, It is through faith that a righteous person has life." Romans 1:16-17

It is my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the hope in my salvation that gives me daily strength and a passion for living!  I never dreamed that I'd be a Mom of two boys and a wife of an amazing man of God. My dreams the ones that I couldn't even dream came true! My goal today is two parts:

1. Life is an adventure to explore, enjoy, and make new friends wherever you are and right where you are.
2. Pray daily for peace, joy and to be content with who I am and where I am.

I have a bulletin board that I wrote these on for today in the kitchen on the fridge so I can remember and stay on track. My story is very unique and amazing. If you want to read about it I have wrote a book with my testimony in it. See post on Self-published Author.

Grace of God

"12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Christ Is Our High Priest

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4:12-16

Daily reading in the Word of God and prayer is so important for us to grow in knowing His direction, will, and plans for us each day as a Mom, wife, and all the other hats we wear each day. The more we rely on Him the more likely we will accomplish the tasks at hand. Grace is strength that we don't have which He provides for us to be more than what we could alone and without Him. How amazing is His love and His grace for those who call upon Him and call Him Lord and Saviour!

Have a blessed day in His love!

Kim

Home Cooking Saves You Money:

I am just at that point where a light is clicking in my head at all the money I will save once I get in the kitchen and make it myself. I like most busy Moms love to grab those quick meals but the cost really adds up in comparison to a few ingredients for something homemade. We love to have donuts on fridays and I personally love Kolaches but at $2 a piece, plus my husbands favorites cinnamon rolls and apple fritters that's $10 a week which is $40 a month or $400 a year. ouch!

These are the kinds of expenses I'm trying to cut out so I can put that money towards paying off our student loans and few credit card bills. We have $10K in debt from these alone plus about $6 or $7k in hospital bills primarily from my 2 year olds birth and a few trips to the emergency room at $500 a pop. We are learning as we go and we know without a doubt that until we get this debt payed off we are the Israelites in the desert roaming and searching with no Promised Land in sight even though it's just around the corner.

As I live for Him and Home school 4 Him, I know what I must do no matter the challenge that comes with it or the getting out of our spending comfort zone, whatever God's plans are for us requires us to be debt-free. I know that once we are it's going to be so amazing but getting there is a long and steep climb up the mountain of self-discipline and wise choices.

I was even thinking instead of a 2 day beach trip with the boys this year maybe spending $100 on a pool instead that we can enjoy all summer long, what do you think? I know their's alot of water used and upkeep and that's why I haven't bought one accept the cheap ones which so far are not worth it, I'd rather spend a bit more and get one with a water filter. Any suggestions?

Now, I'm back to recipes for homemade cinnamon rolls and apple fritters. Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I'd love to read it!

Have a blessed day friends! In Christ's Love, Kim

http://www.debtfreelivingwithChrist.blogspot.com 
See my other blog for more ways to save money!

Cheap Family Fun

As my husband and I were planning our weekend out I was trying to think of some money saving ways to have fun. Initially we wanted to go to the movies which even with matinee is expensive for 2 tickets and the large drink/popcorn combo is $25 to me that's an ouch!

So, I'm thinking instead we pack a healthy picnic of sandwiches, chips, and fruit/cookies some drinks in a cooler, invite his parents and go to the park for some fun, food, and inexpensive entertainment such as kite flying and blowing bubbles with the kiddos. Who knows me and the hubby might even sneak off for a quiet walk alone. (hoping)

My husband wanted to go to the movies so we did and it was $12.50 during matinee, I brought a water in my purse and he bought some candy which was $4, yikes, that was enough to give me heartborn, lol. We watched Spider Man 3 and neither of us was interested in it after the first 5 minutes of nothing but violence, so we opted to leave and go to our favorite park in waxahachie for a long nature-walk. As christians we are not obligated to sit through a movie and we don't.

Some other options would be go to a fast-food place with coupons or order from the dollar menu and one that is kid-friendly for us with a play area such as McDonald's is always a plus and lots of fun!

If you live near a zoo you could get an annual membership and go once a month for some really great savings, we bought this membership and live 45 min. a way from the Dallas Zoo and would need to go 4 times to make it saving money, i'm thinking near by parks is a better option for us. But donating to the zoo isn't a bad thing either.

If you are planning a trip to the beach like we are in August I recommend LaQuinta Inn and we are opting for La Porte or Port Arthur instead of Galveston for a accommodations savings of over $200 for 2 nights! Yeah!! We are actually being brave this year and taking our boys for their first beach trip. Sometimes you just have to be brave with children and it usually turns out better than you'd think.

What are some inexpensive
family fun plans you enjoy with your family? I'd love to know!