It’s been as if a vital part of my life was cut off,
and I can’t wait to share all that has transpired. 🙂
2009 will bring about many posts on Living Life to its Fullest…on less.
With everything from DIY decorating to groceries and garage sales,
I continue to learn, and am excited to live out what I “preach” on my blog.
My sweet husband’s job comes to an end in February, and I can’t wait to watch and see how God will provide.
His company was bought out a few months ago and they have offered him a job in Houston.
That was a very easy, “No.”
No offense to you Texans, but it would be a pretty hard thing to sell out our shared “Harried Homestead” family land, and give up on this 200 year generational legacy plan that we are trying to see through to fruition just because of a few dollars and an exciting retirement plan 😉 We determined from the beginning that money is not a reason to give up on all this.
Years ago, I coined the term “God Watch” for the numerous instances when circumstances were unknown, and doubt would begin to creep subtly into the crevices of my heart.
I challenged the kids to a “game” of sorts where we would be on a “God Watch”.
Watching and waiting expectantly for all the ways He works in situations has become a continual faith building activity for our family, especially when His perfect timing is quite often not my timing.
This year I will share some of my background surrounding this.
It’s truly a Riches to Rags story (yep, that’s typed correctly), and one that I would not change.
Beauty and Bedlam at its finest.
It has cemented who I am and where my worth is found.
Our desire is to make it through this waiting period debt free.
The key to a financial plan for one’s family is exactly that….there is a plan – no matter what the income or job title – whether you make $24,000 a year or $240,000.
Unexpected job loss is built into that plan with an emergency fund for situations just like what we are anticipating.
But that’s a whole different blog post which I feel passionately about..can you tell? Remind me of that in six months if we’re still unemployed, deal?
I am laughing at myself because this blog title was “Tablescape on a dime…or two” – it was going to be light and fun, and ended up as a sermonette.
Don’t worry, ladies, crazy bedlam moments will be back, as well as those holiday tables.
Thanks for joining me on our family’s God watch….I would love to join you if you care to share.
Looking forward to your “Riches To Rags” stories!
Our family is at it’s best when God is assumed and our eyes are fixed on seeing Him.
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I’m looking forward to hearing all you have to share. And I’ll be praying and watching alongside you as well.
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I will join you- We are entering a “God Watch” too- My husband broke his leg the day before Christmas eve. His job requires full use of 2 good legs…he will be off for awhile and requires surgery (he’s sitting around for a week before they will do anything!). So we are doing the LNI thing. Buckling down for awhile! Looking forward to your story.
God Bless,
Megan
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We have a “riches to rags” story also. We are trusting God as you are; He is faithful and wants His best for us! Praying for God’s guidance for your family.
Lisa Q
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I will keep your family in my prayers that He leads your family on to the next best thing for you.
I’ll be watching God move for you!!!
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Would be honored to follow your “God Watch!” And share ours in the New Year 2009. You are already a blessing.
Awesome you get to go to BlissDom! That will be great. I want to hear all about it.
I tried following you on my blog and it is not allowing it on the left column. ? Blessings.
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I am sorry to hear about your husband’s job. I firmly believe that the Lord does provide. I am looking forward to hearing your story!
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I am so sorry to hear about the challenges facing your family… but, your faith is inspirational & I eagerly await your future posts. Praying God's guidance and protection for you.
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How wonderful that you have God at the center of your lives and that you have had a savings plan. Instead of wringing your hands in worry, you can God Watch. I love that term you’ve coined.I’ll be watching with you, and praying for the best for you and your family. laurie
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Found you on Carolina Mama’s blog….
Looking forward to joining you in the “God Watch”! How exciting to see what great things He will do!
~Beth
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We had a job scare the Friday before Christmas. My husbands company laid off 150 employees, most friends of ours that we have known for years. We were very blessed that my husbands job was spared…this time. We are now working on a plan since this kind of shocked us into action!! Can’t wait to see your ideas! I will watch along with you!
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Look forward to hearing what you have to say!
Blessings!
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I love that term, “God watch.” We’ve been walking through our own God watch this past year, we just haven’t had such a cool title for it. (my husband lost his job in Feb, and we had no other plan!)
It’s been amazing to see him move and provide through this adventure. Praying for your family during this time.
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I love the term “God Watch”! I will pray for your family. I am looking forward to seeing some great blessings in your lives!
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I am really going to work on saving this coming year….watch where my money goes..b/c I don’t know! I will be reading your blog much more carefully!
🙂
-sandy toes
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I will be anticipating your next post on this subject. I have a feeling you and your family will do just fine and get through this trial unscathed. Thanks for preaching ‘debt free living’ heaven knows this world needs it!!!
My husband owns a masonry business, he is staying busy some how but collecting what’s owed to us has not been so easy. Man are we regretting our expensive, unpaid for cars right now. Of course I bought mine the day before I found Dave Ramsey…darn it! Oh well, live and learn right?
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We’ve been on the God Watch since August 6 when Don fell and sustained a brain injury.
What a ride…for some reason, I cry a few tears every day..the job issues are very real and we are thankful Don can mange the quickbooks and office admin for a family business ( from home, no less)
Thank you for kick in the butt to keep watching!
I lose track of that through my tears.
I Love you
BE BLESSED IN 09
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Looking forward to all of your 2009 posts! I will definitely be praying with you.
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Best wishes for a great new job for your hubby. The Lord always provides.
Looking forward to reading your upcoming posts. It sounds like you have lots of neat ideas to share. 🙂
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We are in the same boat with our finances! We have been blessed to have so much over the years, but our future is uncertain. We have learned that you can not tell what future investements will do, no matter how SAFE they are! God is the only One you can count on!
Thanks for stopping by and I would love to meet you at Blissdom! I’m going by myself.
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Jen you have a wonderful perspective! God will truly honor your family! I can’t wait to watch! 🙂
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Hi~ I’m just now catching up on blog posts I’ve missed in the week – and must say that I’ll be praying with you while on your “God Watch”! What a blessing to have an outlet like blogging to share all God is doing as you walk down this road with Him. I’ll look forward to all our God does in and through your family’s lives during this year!
Blessings to you, and a promise of my prayers… Jennifer
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Hi, Jen, I'm so sorry to hear about your hubby's job situation, but I know you will be just fine. things can be so scary with this financial times we are in, but we do know who is ultimately in control. I have to always remind myself of that. I admire your spunk & your faith both & look forward to sharing 2009 with you!
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Just realized you are not on my blogroll, must take care of that ASAP!
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Oooo, I love God watching.
You never know what you’re gonna see.
He definitely has a plan for your family – thanks for taking us along.
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Thinking of you through this time hun. Your faith is inspiring!!!
Prayers and Happy day wishes~ Les
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I love the God Watch! Such a perfect perspective in the midst of potential chaos. Thank you for sharing this, my sweet friend.
AND. Right now the man and I are watching YOUR BOYS on TV because we taped the game on Christmas and are just now getting to it. SO FUN!!!
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You should do a God Watch Mister Linky sometime for people to link to their God Watch posts. Just an idea 🙂
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It is just so refreshing to read your blog. You are so real! I wish and pray that I could be that way always. I love the God Watch thing. Wow, I’m really on God Watch! I need help with submitting and being obedient in that call from God. Thanks for sharing your life. I will be praying for your husband to find something that will use his God given talents.
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Jen,
What a beautiful perspective….to anticipate God’s working instead of worrying. Thanks for the post!
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I can so relate. We are on a “God Watch” too – I can’t wait to see how the Lord will provide for us!
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Thinking of you and your family! God is always faithful and will certainly provide all you need.
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I’m visiting from SITS. My husband lost his job in April and it was very tough since I’m a stay-at-home mom. We prayed a lot and trusted God to see us through. Six months later, to the day, he got hired by a new company and has never been happier. So, keep the faith and God WILL provide!
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I am joining you on God Watch. I am now following your blog. This has been a rough year for my family and close friends, but we know that God is good and he will provide.
I wandered over to your blog from SITS.
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Thanks for sharing – your story is inspiring and I can’t wait to follow you all this year as you share your “riches to rags” stories!
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Looking forward to reading more about your journey. I am sure this will be an exciting time for your family. It will be fun to watch God work it all out!
Toni
http://thehappyhousewife.com
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Just keep focusing on watching how God is going to provide, and you’ll be fine! His timing is always perfect! He has seen us through several job losses, and He’s been faithful!
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I am with you..I never take anything for granted and always try and be thankful..I went the jobless route with three children and the fourth on the way..We were always taken care of..Now they are all married and on to another venture..Hope to get everything sold..and move on..
unless God has another plan for us..We shall see..Happy Fingerprint Friday.
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Wow. Godwatch. I really needed this today. I need to email you. Thank you for this posting.
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Jen, just re-reading this post after linking from your pantry organization post via the coupons/ads matching up post. 🙂 Such a God thing that I’m reading it again now as I enter a God-watch of my own. Not a losing a job God-watch but a different kind of God-watch where I am unsure of how circumstances will go over the next week or so. This has greatly encouraged me in my attempts to have faith and trust. Thank you for letting God use you in this way! Kelly
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I’m seeing God move in sweet ways. 🙂 I have shared this post and my spoken rendition of it soo many times this week. Thank you for sharing and letting God work through you. Kelly
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I have been cruising some of your posts. I love your thrifty ideas! I have been living like this for many years too. We too are on a “God Watch” one of the toughest in our many married years. Our employment story in the last three years is this: One year unemployed, one year employed and now 15 months unemployed. Savings are kaput, and in spite of faithful giving and trying to make it on $17,000/year, debt is climbing. It’s very tough to have a reserve big enough for that much time. Emergency funds are great, but what if the unemployment outlasts the savings? We are truly, truly dependent on God’s love and mercy. Remember, even if Dave Ramsey says it, it’s not always textbook! The plans of God will not be thwarted! We look expectantly to His deliverance. I will surely pray for your family!
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Thank you anonymous –
You are so right. His plans will not be thwarted and in the midst of the chaos, He is always there.
We have been in this situation before. Once when we went 2 years without a paycheck. We were trying to save our own company and being that my hubby is the finance guy, we were the last to get paid. I do know what it’s like to have the “best laid plans” not turn out.
We sold our nicer vehicle, cashed in our retirement and managed to stay afloat.
Thanks for sharing your heart, and I will be praying for your family and your husband’s employment situation as well as our own.
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