Speaking from the Heart

• Because of the recent story about Denise Amber Lee who was abducted from her home during the day, dear husband is more concerned about our kids' and my safety when he isn't around. That was why he was so worried when he came home around 11:00 P.M. and found us nowhere in sight.
  
  The kids and I had gone to a neighbor's Chinese New Year's Party. Around 8:00, dear son went to our next door neighbor to play with his friend. Dear daughter, a friend, and I returned to our home. After telling dear husband about the party, he told me he had to go to the office and would return in a couple of hours.
  
  Around 10:00, our friend's parents came to pick her up. Without leaving a note to dear husband of where we were going, dear daughter and I headed over to our next door neighbor. That short visit became a long visit. Before I knew it, it was 11:30.
  
  In the meantime, dear husband came home. He became concerned when he came into a quiet house and not finding a note. He called my cell phone twice, but didn't get a hold of me. You see, I had left my phone in the car (that's a no-no) . Not wanting to think about the recent abduction and trying to stay calm, he found our neighbor's phone # and got a hold of me.
  
  Dear husband was relieved that we were safe. My behavior was uncalled for. If the shoe was on the other foot, I surely wouldn't want dear husband to do the same to me. Most ladies might get mad at their husbands' for being in control. However, I am thankful for husband's continuous love to protect me and the kids.

• I am thankful for my kids' drive to search for answers. Dear Son not only enjoys playing video games, he also likes to know and how the game works. When we go to Goodwill Bookstore, he buys old video game guides. Like her big brother, Dear daughter appeases her curiosity by asking questions . Her latest inquiry was why Mr. and Mrs. Berenstain did not have names for Brother and Sister. She spent one afternoon writing a letter to the Berenstains inquiring them about the matter. She also took it upon herself to search for their home address.

I might possess a lot but according to God's word, I own nothing. God is the creator of the earth and he owns everything (Hag. 2:8, Ps 104:24, Job 28). This includes my home, car, clothes, computer, investments, family, and everything I can possibly think of, including myself.

"For I am are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advanced for me to do." Ephesians 2:10

In lieu of Women's Bible Study, I will be spending ten weeks in learning how to become God's money manager. I will learn how to use His given resources for the accomplishment His goals.

For the introduction of the class. the teacher gave us 7 baby steps to become debt free.

1. Save $1000.00. Pay the minimum on everything until you have $1000.00 in savings. This is your first level of protection as you head into the future. The $1000.00 is your emergency fund, a little fund to protect your family when those little emergencies arise.
2. Pay off Debt. You should utilize the debt snowball method, and pay off all personal debt except your home. Let's say you have 3 monthly bills ($25.00 for cable; $200.00 for car payment; $300.00 for furniture). You decided to get rid of cable. Add that additional $25.00 to your car monthly payment. Once you pay off your car, add $225.00 to your monthly furniture payment.
3. Increase Emergency Fund. At this step, all of your debt should be paid except your home. So now it should be easy to save the rest of your emergency fund. The correct amount is three to six months of your living expenses. This money should be kept in a simple money market fund or savings account. This money is not for investing. It is only for protection.
4. Fund your retirement and review insurances. You need to begin fully fund all pretax retirement plans. In other word, you do not want to pay taxes on retirement dollars until you begin to use them. The goal is to invest long term with pretax dollars. The second part is to evaluate your various insurances.
5. Start a college fund. Now is the time to start the college fund. Don't start your college fund until all the first four baby steps have been completed.
6. Pay off your house.
7. Build wealth and give it away. With no payments and a great deal savings plan in place, there is nothing left to do but build wealth and give it away.

A local museum curator hosted A Night at the Museum movie and a scavenger hunt for our homeschool teen group. The kids and parents had the museum to themselves after dark.

For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

To Do List:

• Begin school at 8:00 every morning
• Begin new Bible Study with Life Group on Wednesday
• Check out Classical Conversations for 2008-2009 school year
• Do laundry on Monday and Thursday
• Iron Clothes
• Go to Natural Health Food Store for Super Tuesday
• Buy birthday gift
• Return Little House on the Prairie DVDs to Library
• keep track of kids' school work, less blogging
• Pay Bills & do expense report for husband
• Soccer practice on Tuesday
• Homeschool P.E. & choir on Wednesday
• Skating and child swapping on Friday
• Make it a priority to exercise at least 3 times this week

Children In Training: Do assignments with a good attitude, and don't ask "why do I have to do all of this".

Weekly menu: See weekly menu tab

Did God encourage you as you planned ways to encourage your husband? Were there difficult days where you simply needed to trust that God was working? Days when it was hard to leave the results to God? Remember that God is faithful, and He will bless you for your willingness to obey Him. His ways are not our ways, and perhaps He will honor you in ways you do not expect, but one thing is sure - you will never be the same because of your commitment to be more like Christ!

What kinds of victories have you experienced in your home since you started the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"? Would you take a moment to share?

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Published by Revive Our Hearts, © 2005. Permission granted to photocopy in the exact form, including copyright. All other uses require written permission.
Revive Our Hearts * P.O. Box 2000, Niles, MI 49120 * 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives

Friends can be completely honest with each other, but friendships are strained when truth is not spoken in love. How are you speaking to your beloved? Are you so "used" to him that you don't appreciate the wonder of his friendship? That is your challenge today.

Is your sweetheart your best friend? Does he know this? Have you told him, or do you assume he "just knows"?

Friendship is something that is cultivated through the good times and the bad. Friends can share their hearts, but they don't step on each other's hearts.

The way to have and be a good friend is to cultivate and celebrate the relationship. As you end this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge," celebrate your friendship with your husband. Get alone and reflect on your beloved friend. Write him a letter, listing the qualities you admire and appreciate about him. If you are creative with words, write and frame a poem about him.

Perhaps you can prepare a special meal, just for the two of you, and read the letter or poem to him. Ask if you can pray for him, and if he is willing, thank God for your love and friendship, asking for His blessing on your home.

Encouragement, as you have seen these past 30 days, is a synonym for love in action.

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Published by Revive Our Hearts, © 2005. Permission granted to photocopy in the exact form, including copyright. All other uses require written permission.
Revive Our Hearts * P.O. Box 2000, Niles, MI 49120 * 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives