Morning Inspiration

As I have shared here on the blog, I've been going through some difficult struggles over the past two years. Thankfully, God has placed women in my life who I can speak honestly with about these struggles. I received this text message this morning out of the blue - and it reminds me of how abundantly blessed I am.


"You were in my big prayer this morning.... I pray that you're praying big and believing big. Don't cease. You're a strong woman of God and His promises will be kept.... I want you to try something when you get home. Literally strand on your front porch and look into your home. Look at who God's given you to love: Steven and two beautiful, happy boxers. You have a fulfilling life. Look at the shelter he's provided for you every day and night. Feel the love and peace it brings to look at these things, person & pets. Soak it in and breathe thanksgiving. Your blessings bring me happiness too. You are loved and you are blessed..... God bless you today and I hope you'll feel good all day and smile a lot. I love you!"

These words brought tears to my eyes. I know this dear friend meant every word of her prayer. That she loves me, prays for me and has BIG faith that I will be blessed. But most importantly - she reminded me of my current blessings. Of all the reasons I have to be grateful today - no matter what may happen in the future.

Have you ever thought about the power your friends have in your life? Power for good or for evil? Have you ever thought about the importance of surrounding yourself with friends and family who encourage and support you - who actively breathe words of inspiration and strength into your life?

Or more importantly - have you thought about the influence you have in the life of others? What words of encouragement and inspiration do you offer to those you love the most?

This morning I'm so grateful for my friends. For the women who lift me up even when I don't ask for it. For the women who challenge me to become a better woman. For the women who set an example of peace, respect & faith in my life.

Thank-you Lord for strong, faithful women! It's my prayer that I am one of those women to others....

Joint Account Chaos

With the new year in full force, it seems as if many people are focused on their finances and financial goals for 2012. I would be lying if I didn't say that Steven and I have goals of our own. Through emails and private conversations with many blog readers, I have noticed that many couples may struggle with managing a joint account together.


I thought I would share a financial tool that has saved Steven and I a great deal of heartache over the past few years.

In preparation for our marriage, Steven and I opened a joint account and began depositing all income into that account. We established a budget and intended to have only one checking account that all bills and personal spending would flow through.

After about two months, it became very clear that method was not going to work. You see, I'm an accountant. I like to know where every single penny goes. I check my bank balance every morning and I know exactly how much should be there. So if Steven stopped at the gas station on the way home and spent $5 from the joint account, I became annoyed. If that happened numerous times over the course of the month, I became a little more than irritated. It was too easy to overspend on eating out and entertainment because we didn't have a clear way to track our spending.

It felt like joint account chaos.

In my opinion, it's very hard to create and stick to a budget when both people have full access of the joint account and have the ability to overspend without consequence.

So we discussed our options.

I wasn't comfortable with each person having their own checking account and us "splitting" the bills. To me, that felt more like roommates than partners.

I suggested we each get a weekly cash allowance for personal shopping. I could hand Steven cash and if he wanted to grab something from the gas station or lunch with a buddy, he could use his allowance. That would make budgeting for entertainment and personal spending much easier because I knew that each Monday a certain amount would be withdrawn from the account.

Steven was weary of receiving cash because it's too easy to spend. I also realized that this "cash method" would require me to go the bank once a week to withdraw funds. So we quickly decided against it.

Thankfully, we came up with a solution that works perfectly for us.

We maintain our joint account to which all earnings are deposited and from which all bills/living expenses are paid. But we each have an individual account that is tied to the joint account. At the beginning of each week I transfer our weekly allowance into our personal accounts and we are free to spend that money as we please. If we don't spend all of our weekly allowance one week, it stays in our personal accounts as extra to be used later.

I truly believe this has saved numerous arguments over finances. If one of us needs a little extra cash for whatever reason, we just discuss it. Or if we mutually decide to spend additional funds from the joint account for something that we both want or for something for our home, we discuss it.

This method has not only saved my sanity, but more importantly has allowed us to stick to our budget by forcing us to keep our personal spending within the amount we have agreed upon. It holds us both accountable to treat funds in the joint account as "family" money that we cannot just spend without discussing it with the other person.

I would highly suggest this method for any couple who struggles with overspending or tracking your expenses when both spouses have access to the joint account and spend at will.

What about you - any budgeting or money managing tips that have proven to be very successful for you over the years?

WAIT

I've already explained that I refuse to make New Year's resolutions this year. And I'm whole heartedly sticking to that claim.

But this past week, I listened to the sermon from New Year's Day on Vimeo since I was unable to attend service. Pastor Greg suggested the idea of choosing one word to focus on throughout the year. The idea is to think about the type of person you want to be at the end of 2012 and ask the Lord to place a word on your heart that will encourage you to live your life in a way that will make becoming that person a reality.

While listening to the sermon, my word became abundantly clear, WAIT.

You see, if I'm being perfectly honest, the past 18-24 months have not gone exactly how I would have wanted. My 27th birthday is quickly approaching and I feel like I'm kind of behind on Amber's Life To-Do List.

And for the past 18-24 months I have been fighting with the Lord at every turn. Instead of meeting obstacles with grace and faith, I pitch a fit and become angry with the Lord for handing me a challenge that I feel is unfair. Instead of trusting that God will work "all things for good", I have convinced myself that my plan is the right plan and God just needs to get with the program. And I'm realizing - that mentality is very dangerous.

I believe that I have many virtues - but patience, faith, & trust are NOT in my basket. Pretty sure the Lord brushed right past me when he was handing those out.

So I'm looking to December 2012. There are many things that I would like accomplish this year spiritually, financially & with my family. And yes, I will continue to pray that the Lord will give me the desires of my heart and truly work these trials for my benefit.

But my desire to be a woman of complete faith is slowly becoming greater than my desire to become a woman who gets everything she wants out of life. And when I say slowly, I mean slowly. But I'm getting there.

So this year, my spiritual mantra is WAIT. I'm not exactly sure what the next 12 months will bring for Steven and I. But I know, that if yield to Christ's will in my life and earnestly seek His direction, I will be much better off than I could every be by following Amber's Life To-Do List.

Do any of you have a spiritual mantra or life verse? Something to keep you focused in difficult times? I'd love to hear about them!

Thank God It's Friday

Thank God It's Friday because I've put in another 60 hour work week and I'm spent. Seriously. Mentally, physically, emotionally - I'm done. I may have had a tiny *meltdown* last night to prove it. Something about not having enough hours in the day, not wanting to cook dinner, not going to gym in over two weeks, not feeling like myself. Ya know - poor me stuff. Let's just say The Year of Amber wasn't exactly in full force last night.


Thank God It's Friday because it's a casual jeans day at the office. And I may be taking slight advantage of it by wearing jeans, tennis shoes and a bright pink Minnie Mouse sweatshirt. Don't judge me - because my husband already has.

Thank God It's Friday because hubby has plans all night which means I have the house to myself! I plan to relax and renew with a bubble bath, good book and bottle of red. I may even treat myself to an at home mani/pedi if the urge hits me. Even catch up on some of my favorite shows. All I know is I have a date with myself and the possibilities are endless.

Thank God It's Friday because we are OUT of groceries. Cupboards are practically bare. Obviously I haven't had time for grocery shopping the past two weeks - so Saturday morning will be spent stocking the shelves with healthy, Zone friendly choices.

Thank God It's Friday because that means tomorrow is date night with hubs. It feels like it's been forever since we've spent quality time together. For the past two weeks I have crawled home and practically crawled in the bed each night. I'm looking forward to dinner and a movie with the Mr.

Why are you happy it's Friday??