So, we get our electric bill. Our property has two separate meters. One is for the house, which still has a fuse box. The other is for the garage primarily, but the house furnace is wired into the garage. This one runs through a circuit breaker box. The previous owner has the garage wired for 220 volt as he had a wood shop in there. So, we get two bills. One envelope, but two bills.
Every time we receive the bill, it is opened with a bit of trepidation not knowing how expensive it will be. Did I mention that our house is all electric? The bills will vary from $85 a month in the spring and autumn to $250 during the summer or winter depending on the severity of the weather. We budget for some where in the middle.
I open the envelope and look at the bill for the garage. Not bad. It was about as low as last month. The garage bill is the lower of the two. I turn the page to check the house bill. Will it be $80, $100, $130, or more? In the box where the amount should be I simply read “none”.
Apparently this month there was some kind of credit for the house bill. And from the way it looks, there is enough credit left in our account that next month’s bill will be paid as well. This is very exciting, as I have been praying that God would send an indication that He will indeed provide. It is easy to say we trust Him, but it can be difficult to do the actual trusting.
So, with the unexpected light bulb shipment and the “free electricity”, I am humbled and hopeful. Thanks.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Voting
So this is an election year as I am sure that everybody knows by now. I was anticipating receiving my ballot in the mail and casting my vote. This is a very important election. If you choose not to vote, then I find it difficult to make commentary upon measures and the way our elected officials legislate. And this election I seem to have very strong convictions.
It is a struggle for me at times, as I see candidates having issues that I both agree and disagree. So I ponder, and research to see whom I will cast my vote for. Some are in favor of some things I am in favor, but some things I am opposed and they are in favor.
This time it was easier as there seems to be two sides with completely opposite political beliefs. I know the major parties have always been at odds with one another, but it seems like the division between the two are becoming more polarizing than ever before. And it appears that the America voters are split right down the middle. You can tell by the ads they are airing. They are airing false and half-truths about the other policies and views. And if that doesn’t seem to work, they get personal and dig up “dirt” about the other to make them look hideous. I believe the candidates think we the “people” are not smart enough to make informed choices.
Well anyway, we never received our ballots. When I checked I realized they were mailed to our post office box, which we no longer have. So upon further research I found out you could change you mailing address online. After completing the change, I was informed that on the next election the ballots would be sent to the new address.
So I was very pleased when on Thursday both T.’s and my ballot were in our mailbox. I opened it up, marked my selections, sealed it up, and put a stamp on it. Total time taken: seven minutes.
Who did I vote for? I’ll give you a hint. . .
It is a struggle for me at times, as I see candidates having issues that I both agree and disagree. So I ponder, and research to see whom I will cast my vote for. Some are in favor of some things I am in favor, but some things I am opposed and they are in favor.
This time it was easier as there seems to be two sides with completely opposite political beliefs. I know the major parties have always been at odds with one another, but it seems like the division between the two are becoming more polarizing than ever before. And it appears that the America voters are split right down the middle. You can tell by the ads they are airing. They are airing false and half-truths about the other policies and views. And if that doesn’t seem to work, they get personal and dig up “dirt” about the other to make them look hideous. I believe the candidates think we the “people” are not smart enough to make informed choices.
Well anyway, we never received our ballots. When I checked I realized they were mailed to our post office box, which we no longer have. So upon further research I found out you could change you mailing address online. After completing the change, I was informed that on the next election the ballots would be sent to the new address.
So I was very pleased when on Thursday both T.’s and my ballot were in our mailbox. I opened it up, marked my selections, sealed it up, and put a stamp on it. Total time taken: seven minutes.
Who did I vote for? I’ll give you a hint. . .
light
Two times I have been to the store to get light bulbs. I need to replace a couple and it is good to always have back up. The first time I didn’t grab them at all. The second trip I had a package of six in my cart and then I put them back. It wasn’t that they were extremely expensive, but as we have very little sustainable income at this time, the cost seemed to out weigh the need. It is interesting that we think differently now before we go and buy something.
We have never been outrageous spenders and have always followed a budget, so if we needed something we just went and got the item. Now, there is a pause and a look to see if it is a priority. We still go out and eat and other stuff, but not as much as we used to. Okay, back to the story.
So we still didn’t have any light bulbs. Until yesterday. I walk out to get our mail and by our door was the postal worker with two boxes for me from Salem Electric. I asked him if he knew what they were and he said, “light bulbs”. He didn’t know if everybody that has Salem Electric as their provider received these but a lot of residences have. He wasn’t sure why I got two boxes, though, because his other deliveries only received one box.
We got two boxes because we get two electric bills. Our house and our garage are on two separate meters. So we got two boxes of light bulbs. Fourteen to a box. Twenty-eight energy star, low wattage, longer life light bulbs. Each bulb is supposed to be the equivalent of twelve regular bulbs with each lasting up to a year. That is twenty-eight years of light.
Yes, I know that this isn’t a check in the mail to pay our mortgage for the month, but it is a need we had and it was provided. And yes, God had His hand in it. You can tell because of the timing and of the meeting of a specific need. And after all, it was God that said in the first place, “let there be light.”
We have never been outrageous spenders and have always followed a budget, so if we needed something we just went and got the item. Now, there is a pause and a look to see if it is a priority. We still go out and eat and other stuff, but not as much as we used to. Okay, back to the story.
So we still didn’t have any light bulbs. Until yesterday. I walk out to get our mail and by our door was the postal worker with two boxes for me from Salem Electric. I asked him if he knew what they were and he said, “light bulbs”. He didn’t know if everybody that has Salem Electric as their provider received these but a lot of residences have. He wasn’t sure why I got two boxes, though, because his other deliveries only received one box.
We got two boxes because we get two electric bills. Our house and our garage are on two separate meters. So we got two boxes of light bulbs. Fourteen to a box. Twenty-eight energy star, low wattage, longer life light bulbs. Each bulb is supposed to be the equivalent of twelve regular bulbs with each lasting up to a year. That is twenty-eight years of light.
Yes, I know that this isn’t a check in the mail to pay our mortgage for the month, but it is a need we had and it was provided. And yes, God had His hand in it. You can tell because of the timing and of the meeting of a specific need. And after all, it was God that said in the first place, “let there be light.”
Monday, October 18, 2010
Offering
Our church is having some financial issues. But who isn’t? The economy for that past two years has sucked. For just about everybody. Including our church. It has probably been a long time since our church has had struggle in the finances. We have cut as much as we can, but still bills need to be paid and the staff needs to be paid.
The way it works is that the members of the church give an offering or tithe out of their income to support the work and ministry of the church. The amount given is up to the individual. Some give more than others and some give less. It depends upon the income. Many give 10% of their income as an offering to God for the work of the church. It is kind of a standard based on some Old Testament verses. But for the Christian, giving is based not upon a number or a percentage but upon what they have determined to give. And that is based upon what they are impressed by what they feel God would like them to give. Plain and simple.
When I decided to quit my job, because of the four statements, (1. not work at off price retail for a while; 2. spend more time with T. and I.; 3. to pursue a business; 4. trust God for my needs) it was also decided that we would not reduce our giving to the church for as long as we could.
Our income was reduced by 66% but we gave as if it had stayed the same. Until now. When we understood that the church finances were having difficulties and we knew we had some savings set aside; we decided to give “in advance” our offering. One, because we had the money. It was set aside to pay bills when I wasn’t working anymore. And two, the church needed it now.
There is no set time as to when we are to give an offering. Some give weekly, some give monthly, as we were accustomed. So this time we will give yearly. And we will still give from our current income as well. And we will trust God to meet our needs and the needs of our church.
Why give? Because this is our church. This is where we serve. This is where we are being ministered to.
The way it works is that the members of the church give an offering or tithe out of their income to support the work and ministry of the church. The amount given is up to the individual. Some give more than others and some give less. It depends upon the income. Many give 10% of their income as an offering to God for the work of the church. It is kind of a standard based on some Old Testament verses. But for the Christian, giving is based not upon a number or a percentage but upon what they have determined to give. And that is based upon what they are impressed by what they feel God would like them to give. Plain and simple.
When I decided to quit my job, because of the four statements, (1. not work at off price retail for a while; 2. spend more time with T. and I.; 3. to pursue a business; 4. trust God for my needs) it was also decided that we would not reduce our giving to the church for as long as we could.
Our income was reduced by 66% but we gave as if it had stayed the same. Until now. When we understood that the church finances were having difficulties and we knew we had some savings set aside; we decided to give “in advance” our offering. One, because we had the money. It was set aside to pay bills when I wasn’t working anymore. And two, the church needed it now.
There is no set time as to when we are to give an offering. Some give weekly, some give monthly, as we were accustomed. So this time we will give yearly. And we will still give from our current income as well. And we will trust God to meet our needs and the needs of our church.
Why give? Because this is our church. This is where we serve. This is where we are being ministered to.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Physical
So, the other day I had a physical. It was probably the first complete one I have had in about five years. And here is what I know. My blood pressure is just a little bit high; my cholesterol is just a little bit high; my weight is a little bit high. Sigh. None of it is dangerously high, but just on the border of starting to be high. All are fixable. Lose weight, eat right, and exercise.
I waited five days for the other blood test results. This is the big one (PSA). This was the reason I went in and the one that I was most concerned about. So I waited. Five days. And worried a bit. And prayed a lot.
Why, a concern? No, I didn’t seem to have any symptoms that would cause any alarm. But, there is history. Genetic history.
My father was four years older than I am now when he died. His dad, my grandfather, died at about the same age. I never knew him. My brother diagnosed early and is fine. So history, let us just say, is not on my side.
I don’t know how I feel about death. I know I am not a big fan. I would like to day that I am not worried about it, but that is simply not true. I trust in God’s promise that I have eternal life because of my belief in Jesus, his Son. And I know that heaven and being forever in the presence will be far greater than anything I have yet experienced, but I still don’t want to go. At least not yet.
I don’t want to leave my wife and my son. I love them. Meeting T. after L. died made me live again. It made me love again. I want to spend as many days as I can with her and I. I want to see I. grow up and finish school. I want to see his wife.
But I also know that it is not up to me in the long run. It is in, and always have been in, God’s hands. So I waited.
The test came and the results were fine. The number was low and in the acceptable range. Big sigh. And thanks be to God.
Doesn’t mean I won’t ever get cancer. It just means that I don’t have it. Not now anyway. And that is good enough for me.
I waited five days for the other blood test results. This is the big one (PSA). This was the reason I went in and the one that I was most concerned about. So I waited. Five days. And worried a bit. And prayed a lot.
Why, a concern? No, I didn’t seem to have any symptoms that would cause any alarm. But, there is history. Genetic history.
My father was four years older than I am now when he died. His dad, my grandfather, died at about the same age. I never knew him. My brother diagnosed early and is fine. So history, let us just say, is not on my side.
I don’t know how I feel about death. I know I am not a big fan. I would like to day that I am not worried about it, but that is simply not true. I trust in God’s promise that I have eternal life because of my belief in Jesus, his Son. And I know that heaven and being forever in the presence will be far greater than anything I have yet experienced, but I still don’t want to go. At least not yet.
I don’t want to leave my wife and my son. I love them. Meeting T. after L. died made me live again. It made me love again. I want to spend as many days as I can with her and I. I want to see I. grow up and finish school. I want to see his wife.
But I also know that it is not up to me in the long run. It is in, and always have been in, God’s hands. So I waited.
The test came and the results were fine. The number was low and in the acceptable range. Big sigh. And thanks be to God.
Doesn’t mean I won’t ever get cancer. It just means that I don’t have it. Not now anyway. And that is good enough for me.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Bob
My son likes “Bob”. I don’t mean Bob the Builder, Bob Dylan Bob Newhart etc. No, my son likes Bob the Tomato. Bob and his buddy Larry. We own sixteen of their DVD’s. And that doesn’t include the four CD’s of song collections.
He likes “Bob”. And when he wants to see one he simply asks, “Bob”? The other day he slipped and fell and as we were consoling him, he tearfully whimpered “Bob”. Kind of like comfort food in a way. My son likes “Bob”.
And so do I. I’m not going to lie, sometimes I’ve seen too many of them. That is why we now have sixteen, so I can see new ones. But I like them. And here is why.
They teach. And the lessons they teach are good morals, good values, and good relationships. Relationships with one another and with God. And the statement that sums it up is the closing.
“God made you special. And He loves you very much.”
‘Nuff said.
He likes “Bob”. And when he wants to see one he simply asks, “Bob”? The other day he slipped and fell and as we were consoling him, he tearfully whimpered “Bob”. Kind of like comfort food in a way. My son likes “Bob”.
And so do I. I’m not going to lie, sometimes I’ve seen too many of them. That is why we now have sixteen, so I can see new ones. But I like them. And here is why.
They teach. And the lessons they teach are good morals, good values, and good relationships. Relationships with one another and with God. And the statement that sums it up is the closing.
“God made you special. And He loves you very much.”
‘Nuff said.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
New Phase
We seem to be at a new phase in life. Over the weekend our two-year old has now figured out how to get out of his crib and pack-n-play. While this is good news in a sense, it is also sad news.
The good news is that he is growing up and is problem solving. The sad news it that he is growing up and problem solving. And we have lost all but one method of containment. His highchair. And it is just days until it is impractical for him to be in that.
It all started over the weekend. We were at the coast with friends and we put I. in the playpen for his bed. In the morning, we are all up and I. is still sleeping. Or so we thought. Pretty soon, he is down the stairs with his familiar “hi”. And so it begins.
Naptime that day involved us putting him in the playpen about eight times before he thought it best to nap.
That night, we put I. to bed in the playpen, which was in our room, and we locked the bedroom door in case he got out. We figured that if he did climb out at least he would stay in the room.
About six in the morning as T. was sleeping, she felt a little breath in her face. As she opened her eyes from a dead sleep, there was I. standing next to her with his face one inch from hers. T. screamed the startled scream and I. giggled and said “hi”. T.’s scream woke me up abruptly. And so it continues.
That evening at home we put I. in his crib and assumed he couldn’t get out of it yet, as it is taller than the playpen. In the morning I gave him a couple of books to read so I could take a shower. I went into the laundry room to grab some clean clothes and as I turned around, there he was “just a walkin’ down the street, er. hall, singin’ “do wa diddy” Okay, he wasn’t singing. But he did say “hi”.
The good news is that he is growing up and is problem solving. The sad news it that he is growing up and problem solving. And we have lost all but one method of containment. His highchair. And it is just days until it is impractical for him to be in that.
It all started over the weekend. We were at the coast with friends and we put I. in the playpen for his bed. In the morning, we are all up and I. is still sleeping. Or so we thought. Pretty soon, he is down the stairs with his familiar “hi”. And so it begins.
Naptime that day involved us putting him in the playpen about eight times before he thought it best to nap.
That night, we put I. to bed in the playpen, which was in our room, and we locked the bedroom door in case he got out. We figured that if he did climb out at least he would stay in the room.
About six in the morning as T. was sleeping, she felt a little breath in her face. As she opened her eyes from a dead sleep, there was I. standing next to her with his face one inch from hers. T. screamed the startled scream and I. giggled and said “hi”. T.’s scream woke me up abruptly. And so it continues.
That evening at home we put I. in his crib and assumed he couldn’t get out of it yet, as it is taller than the playpen. In the morning I gave him a couple of books to read so I could take a shower. I went into the laundry room to grab some clean clothes and as I turned around, there he was “just a walkin’ down the street, er. hall, singin’ “do wa diddy” Okay, he wasn’t singing. But he did say “hi”.
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