Enjoying the Journey

When the house fell through Jeff and I's first question was "Lord, what are you up to?" Jeff even said it was like manna from heaven. It just fell into our laps and just seemed perfect for us.

And well you know the rest of the story.

For the past few weeks, Jeff and I have been looking at houses but nothing has felt like home. I would like one but he wouldn't and vice versa. Needless to say, I knew something big was about to happen.

About this time last week, Jeff and I were having our daily walk & talks around the neighborhood when he started telling me what was on his heart. At first I wanted to kick and scream and cry out no. In fact, I did for about 20 steps then I stopped, asked him to start over and turned my listening ears on.

When Jeff and I first got married, my brother encouraged us to take Crown Financial Bible Study. (Does this mean I can blame my big brother for the latest turn of events? Just kidding) This bible study changed our lives. We made a goal for ourselves to be 100% debt free. Slowly but surely we are getting there, unfortunately we still have one big fat student loan left to pay off. In our checking account sits a down payment for a house, which happens to be the exact amount to pay off our student loan. I guess you guys know what I am about to tell you don't you?

We have decided to take a huge leap of faith, pay off this last student loan and put the house on hold. Why are we doing this? Because a man named Dave Ramsey once told us that we should have 15-20% saved up, as well as 6 months of an emergency fund before we move into a house.

I need to tell you before I tell you more, I am very excited about this new adventure.

1) we will be debt free

2) I have prayed for Jeff to lead our family and through this adventure he is doing just that.

If you would have told me a year ago or even 6 months ago this is where we would be going, I would have not believed you and probably kicked and screamed all the way home. But today, I feel confident that we are right where we need to be and I can't help but feel like this may have been God's plan all along.

We are confident that we have made the best decision for us and look forward to where this new path leads us.

More posts coming soon of how we are transforming our small one bedroom apartment to a place of peace and serenity. Which basically means this chick has bought a real desk so I can close up the office at the end of the day. ;)

Jeff rewarded me with a bowl of ice cream and Reese's magic shell for getting through my testimony without crying. Actually, I teared up a few times but I never went to the ugly cry. Apparently I have some very good friends at church who told him that I deserved my bowl of ice cream, so we stopped on the way home from small group to get the goods. Isn't he a great man?!? Thanks friends for helping a chick out!

This week's goals are simple. One word says it all. RELAX!

Already I am off to a good start with the rain and a massage from a friend. Life is going at a much slower pace and for this I am very, very grateful.

I will be back in a few to tell you guys of the latest happenings in the Young household.

One Day I'll Be Caught Up

here are a few things keeping me from the blog world.

1) Planning a women's retreat for church (4 days to go)

2) celebrating April birthday's with family and friends

3) Facebook

4) shopping for women's retreat decor, my favorite part of the whole process

5) Easter Egg hunting, hide and seek with the kiddos and a little jumping rope too

(this is Cousin Gracen. She is a bundle of energy and Cousin Jennifer was her mom. Gracen told me the other day that I was her newest friend...so cute that one! Keep praying for the family Jenn's birthday was this past Friday, a bittersweet day really)

6) losing 6 lbs in two weeks (it's amazing what watching your calories and walking 2 miles can do)

7) reading books

8) praying for the women's retreat (7 more people needed to reach our goal-wanna come?)

9) Art Fest 2009-unfortunately we didn't dance in the streets this year-the littlest nephew is not a fan of crowds or loud noises right now

10) babysitting the littlest nephew so that his mother doesn't loose her mind.

Jacob wanted to make sure Uncle Jeff's ears were clean, he must not have liked what he saw because thirty seconds after this picture he started to cry. I'm sorry, Jacob, Aunt Sue Sue should have warned you that you would uncover something scary in there.

11) did I mention a women's retreat that I am heading up, happening in 4 days!

I will be back in a few days.

Nothing Says Happy Easter like a Basket Filled with Sweet Goodness

I have nothing funny, profound or whitty to say these days but I have enjoyed a few little nuggets from others blog that I thought would be fun to pass on to you.

Consider this your blogging easter basket from me to you and each little link is an egg inside your basket. The egg of course if filled with sweet goodness (only the best for my blogging peeps)


1. Beth's recent post

2. a post for every parent who had to help with the child's school project

3. a great idea for old t-shirts that you can't wear anymore

4. and this post is just plain good for my prideful spirit

5. And last but not least-a sweet thought from FLYLADY


I hope you enjoy your basket of sweet goodness.

Happy Easter!

True Confession #275

In the past few weeks, I have found myself more mad than glad. My mom used to tell me "You can be happy in the pants that you were just mad in." Or something like that... I've tried, Mom, promise.

The point is I have been completely and totally ticked off with circumstances completely out of my control. I realize I am being totally ridiculous, especially in light of others who are suffering far greater than me today. Last night the stress of last week got to Jeff and I and our last conversation of the day ended with me giving him a detailed list of all the things that were making me mad. I hate that I said the things I did, most were totally self-centered and absolutely stupid.

You see I have been more mad than I realized about the situation with the house. I realize that God has something better for us but it still hasn't helped me not be mad. I have been pathetic in my prayer time because of this. Rereading my words written in my prayer journal I sound like a spoiled brat and that just makes my skin crawl. Truth is, my little apartment with the office in the living room is far better than the shacks that many people in other countries are living in. This post reminded me of that. And I have never suffered the loss of a child like this woman writes about today. These posts put my life into perspective and remind me yet again I am a blessed woman.



I am blessed.

Blessed with a husband who loves me despite my selfish mantras.

Blessed with a job that I enjoy doing so much that it hardly seems fair that I get paid to do this.

Blessed with a sturdy roof over my head, a comfy pair of pants to sleep in and a nice, soft pillow to lay my head.

Blessed with friends who span the globe and who have stood by me through thick and thin.

Blessed with a family who loves me warts and all.

Blessed with a church family that seems like an extension to my family.

Blessed with God's saving grace.

Blessed with a God whose plans for me are bigger than I could ever hope or imagine.

I am blessed.

Kari Jobe-Pure

I will be back in a couple days with a real post but I have been listening to this song lately and just had to share it with you. Have a great Monday!