The 5 Money Personalites

It seems like there are 5 different personality types for everything these days... or maybe just love and money... this book was all about the five different money personality types. Written by a married couple, this book talks about how we all have a different type of relationship with money, and we all deal with it differently. The authors help us to understand our money personality, and learn how to work with our spouse and their own money personality.

I enjoyed the insight I gained from this book. It helped me to really understand not only why I might handle money the way I do, but also how to take control of spending. It was also helpful in understanding my husband's relationship with money. I grew up in a household that spent money, whereas he grew up in a household that saved money, leaving us on opposite ends of the spectrum. I feel like the authors of this book really hit home in helping us to bring our experiences together and work as a team on our finances.

I would recommend this book to new couples, old couples, couples who are engaged, and even singles who want to gain more knowledge of where they might be at in dealing with money. It was full of insight, and it was also understandable for someone like myself, who really has no background in accounting and is horrible at math.

A New Look

The thought of changing the look of my blog was appealing, so I started today. I'm not sure if it's to the point of perfection yet, but I'm liking it. It has a 'health' feel to it, or at least that's what it makes me think of. I'm trying to surround myself with positive reinforcements and thoughts/ideas that will encourage me to continue making the choices that are best for my health. I have found that this is not an easy task, and its only the first day I've really tried it.

The world is so full of JUNK: Not just food-wise, but activities (or lack there-of), music, games, movies, TV.... All the things that encourage a lazy life are energy consuming, and leaves you feeling even more 'dead', or gross than before. When we are using our bodies and minds for positive things, it is much easier to be motivated, and also to KEEP GOING. Today, for example, I just wanted to sit on the couch and do nothing. But, as I was looking at some workouts that I could do to target belly fat (not planning on doing them.... just finding them for tomorrow.), I realized how ridiculous it was to NOT do it today! So, I did it. Right then. And then, after I started using my energy instead of just letting it seep away, I became motivated to do things that actually needed to be done.

Not to mention, all of this leads to a healthy lifestyle. Its not about just being healthy for a week, or two months, or just until summer so you can have that bikini body you've always wanted. Its about changing your life, and adding a couple years to it. For your kids, your husband, your friends....yourself (YES! You can workout at make healthy choices for YOU!!! Crazy, I know :P)

I'm thinking of starting a new blog specifically about healthy habits for a healthy lifestyle. I guess this is just practice for that. I want to actually have organized posts that aren't so scatter-brained.

The Stuff Inside

The stuff inside my mind seems to take control of my heart. Its not enough to try and get rid of it once, because it just comes back again and again. A broken record going off in my head, or something like that. The fact that its there proves that so much seems to be going on, and a grain of salt isn't enough to tackle it. These ideas, they roll around, over and over, and consume me at times, unforgiving of their ability to control and discourage.

This may come from a lack of sleep and a very busy yesterday, but its been needing a release. Trying to learn from each adventure, or experience, or whatever I decide to call them, is what my goal is, yet for each step forward I take three steps back, leaving me dancing with these thoughts and fumbling around. This blog kind of shows my train of thought - not that organized, struggling to put thoughts down on the paper.

The accident was taxing enough, both mentally and physically. I wasn't prepared for the mental part, though. It kind of came out of nowhere... I wasn't ready to feel the panic rise up in my chest every time I see another car coming up to a stop sign, or subconsciously grip the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white every time I'm driving down a road with deep ditches. Even the sight of a gray SUV can bring back the memory. By the time I've made it to my destination, I am mentally drained.

Josh and I together found a new route to school. It's about ten minutes longer, but it doesn't require as much energy, and the attacks of panic and confusion have no room to strike.

These are the things that still occur, but I know that God is bigger than these thoughts, and is maybe trying to use them to help teach me and mold me into the person He knows me to be. I have enjoyed being at school, meeting new people, and seeing the people in my life really support me and show love to me. I have gained confidence in myself since I've been taking my piano class. I really enjoy playing, and now that I am playing keys for The Following:, I can sing, which I am finding I also enjoy doing. Josh and I can practice together at home pretty easily, and I can practice while Aurelia is sleeping, which makes band practices less stressful.

This is a lot of random stuff, and its how my brain has been functioning. I think the not sleeping so well is catching up with me. There are so many decisions to make, and so many thoughts to think, and so many places to go...so much depended on the gray SUV. I want to be back in a place where I can do all those things without these underlying issues to play a part. But I know that healing takes time, and I still have miles to go before I sleep.

I know that God has plans for my life, and all things that have happened in it. I continually try to give this ALL up to Him. Its just good to get it out of my head once in a while. I really enjoyed yesterday -- being at school and making friends, and then practicing with the band. I am not trying to be negative, just real about what happens in my brain sometimes. I think that this whole experience is drawing me closer to God, which I need right now. I know that He is the ONLY one that I truly need, and He places people in my life to guide me in my walk with Him.

I think I'm done being random and confusing. I am very excited for Aurelia's nap time today. For today, it will be mom's nap time as well :)

Every Woman's Battle

Upon receiving this book to review, I wasn't quite sure what I had gotten myself into. I had also decided, upon reading the overview, that I wouldn't get much out of it, since I had never struggled with what this book was about. Or so I thought. The title of the book, "Every Woman's Battle", is true in that the material can apply to every woman at some point in their lives, whether they are single or married. Ethridge really opens herself up and uses personal stories, as well as stories from other women, to talk about the unhealthy desires/thoughts/actions that women face every day.

The book breaks these down into four unique categories/components of feminine sexuality as well as talks about common myths that women and the world believe. It then gives you the necessary tools to help fight the specific battle you may be fighting.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would -- it helped me understand myself more, as well as made me realize that I am not alone, and that we, as women, shouldn't be ashamed to admit things we might be keeping secret. I would recommend this book for any woman who wants to open herself up to the truth about the woman's sexual battle.

A Great Fiction Read

While I was picking a book from booksneeze.com to review, I decided to go with fiction for a change. When I saw that William Sirls had based his debut book "The Reasoning" out of Michigan, I was interested. The is based around a wooden cross that has been demolished by lightning. As the story unfolds, you are introduced to many characters who are searching for something more in their lives. All characters' stories end up connecting in a plot that kept me turning the pages.

"The Reason" is really a well-written novel that kept my interest throughout the book. Sirls connects with his readers in many ways, and also gives us a great reminder to 'only believe'. The characters' struggles are easy to identify with, and the reader is constantly reminded of God's love for us as well as His great strength.

I would recommend this book to people who like a good read, and have time to drop everything and read, because that is what they will want to do once they start this book!

I received a free copy of "The Reason" from booksneeze.com.

Mission Possible!

As we continue to listen to God and follow His lead, we have been researching different missionary organizations. There are a LOT of them out there! Here's a bit of background information:

When Josh and I first got married, we felt like we might like to do missions, but we weren't quite ready. After three and a half years of many trials, tribulations, and celebrations, we feel like God is finally telling us its time to look into the mission field once again. So, that's what we have been doing.

As we've realized in life, sometimes God leads us in a certain direction so we can see another opportunity that we wouldn't have seen on a different path. For instance, we felt God was leading us toward moving to Bay City, so we started to pursue that route -- we looked for jobs and places to live. As we moved out of the camper and into our friends' house, we continued our search in Bay City. But as we got more settled into our friends' place, God used different things in our life to get us thinking about missions again; mainly close friends and family.

And so, with much prayer and fasting and thought, we have decided to pursue the mission field. This could mean many different things -- overseas missions, missions within the country, or even within the state. Wherever God leads us is where we want to go. We know that there are needs everywhere in the world, and God calls us to go and make disciples of all men. (Matthew 6:18-20, The Great Commission). We will simply follow His lead, and go where He leads us!

I write all this to update you on our progress. We have sent emails to many different missions organizations, and tonight, we are skyping with one of them. We are excited to start looking further into the organizations to see which one fits with us and our abilities! Please keep us in your prayers, as this is a very big decision :) Also, continue to pray for missionaries here and around the world, as the Bible calls us to keep them in our prayers always.

God Bless

Life Expectancy (A poem)

Life expectancy
cannot be
long enough to change it all

We have to try
we're called t live,
not watch the world go by

Instead of watching people die
we're called to show them they can live
Live for Christ, who calls us children
and calls us to love the broken.
Love the orphans, be outspoken
about His light, about what's right
until all people hear.
Hear the truth, and know the Father.
we won't give in to fear.

Keep fighting, and don't give in
keep looking up instead of looking in
or looking down
they need to know who wears the crown.
The crown of glory, righteousness, love
Christ the King
Be disciples of Him, who is above.