As of August 10, 2012....

I'M A GRANDMOTHER!

Harper Noelle Kubesh
6 pounds 6 ounces
19 3/4" long
Born at 6:56 pm (I was at the hospital!)

The night she was born!

With her VERY EXCITED DADDY!!!!

(my son!)

Our entire family is blessed beyond belief!  Thank you God!

I wanted to read this book for one main reason – to teach my children how to manage their finances.  When I was a child, my parents never taught me; but there were a lot of things parents didn’t teach their children that I am grateful we teach our children now! 

I remember getting myself into trouble financially because I didn’t want to tell my children I didn’t have the money to buy something.  Nowadays, I include them in the decision making.  I teach them that we have a certain amount to spend on “us” over a two week period (my pay days) and when we choose to spend it all in the first week, we don’t have anything left to spend in the second.  It’s truly amazing how they accept the idea and we move on to doing something that’s free.  We are learning to enjoy what we have together.

I love the way this book breaks down age appropriate teachings, but doesn’t forget to mention that every family is different (and every plan can be personalized to fit your individual family!).  I also like the step by step processes, lists, and question and answer sections.

I became a grandmother this past Friday evening (August 10^th) and plan to pass this book on to my son and his wife.  To be honest, they could teach me a thing or two about finances – they are extremely disciplined and have already mentioned their intention of teaching their daughter how to be financially responsible.



About Mary Hunt

Hunt was not always a personal finance expert, but lived through financial crisis and her family emerged with a healthier view on the value of money and the danger of debt. It took them 13 years to pay off over $100,000 in unsecured debt, and Hunt is on a mission to help other families learn from her mistakes.

Hunt is an award-winning and bestselling author, syndicated columnist and sought-after motivational speaker, who created a global platform that is making strides to help men and women battle the epidemic impact of consumer debt. She is founder and publisher of the interactive website Debt-Proof Living, which features financial tools, resources and information for her online members. Her books have sold more than a million copies and her daily newspaper column is nationally syndicated through Creators Syndicate, where it is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Everyday Cheapskate readers. Hunt speaks widely on personal finance and has appeared on shows such as Good Morning America, Oprah, Dr. Phil and Focus on the Family. She and her husband live in California.

For more information visit www.debtproofliving.com and follow Hunt on Twitter @debtproofliving.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books for everyday life.  For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

Endorsements for Mary Hunt

"Mary Hunt has been there and back, and it shows. Hunt's empathetic, real-world approach makes [her] advice somehow seem more palatable--and achievable."--Money magazine

"Nobody is more aware of the complex relationship between finances and relationships than Mary Hunt." --CBS Early Show

"Mary speaks from the depths of her own experience, a gotta-have-it habit that led her into six-figure debt. It took her 13 years to pull her family out, and the money-saving strategies she learned along the way became the basis for a career as one of America's top personal finance experts."--Woman's Day magazine

Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Established Footsteps VBS for Women 2012

I ALWAYS love Established Footstep's Vacation Bible School for women!  This was the 6th annual VBS, and I have been or served at every one of them!  My life has been changed by this ministry!  So many thoughts are going through my mind right now.  For those that know me, you KNOW I took notes!  Here are just a couple I jotted down (which may be paraphrases - I can't write fast enough)!!!!

We NEVER deserve faith, it is always given in grace.
We can't keep up with God's Holiness.
You sin because you're a sinner, not because you sin.
Definitions:  Justice - getting what you deserve.  Mercy - NOT getting what you deserve.  Grace - getting what we DON'T deserve (as in overflowing blessings!)
None of us are good enough to be our own God.
He is the light - He found you!  (revolutionary concept!)
If your relationship with God is broken and your relationship with you is broken, chances are ALL your relationships are broken.
GOD begins your faith.
The Apostle Paul was taught by God for thirteen years before he taught others.  (WOW!)
Paul's head knew the Messiah, his heart did not.
Genuine faith comes from the genuine Gospel.

NOTE:  Book to get and read - The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler (I'm listening to him on-line right now - I had forgotten how much I enjoyed his preaching!).

Thank you Sharon for your faithfulness and teaching!

On Beth Moore's blog today, she encouraged everyone to learn this Psalm!  I'm on it!

Psalm 25

A psalm of David.

¹ O Lord, I give my life to you.
² I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
³ No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

⁴ Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
⁵ Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
⁶ Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
⁷ Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.

⁸ The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
⁹ He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
¹⁰ The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

¹¹ For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins.
¹² Who are those who fear the Lord?
He will show them the path they should choose.
¹³ They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the land.
¹⁴ The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
¹⁵ My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
¹⁷ My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
¹⁸ Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
¹⁹ See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!
²⁰ Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
²¹ May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you.

²² O God, ransom Israel
from all its troubles.

My Sister's Birthday

Today would have been my sister's, Tamara Catherine Huntington Delp, 53rd birthday.  She left this world WAY too soon - a mere 36 years old (in 1996).  I think of her so often, and ponder WHY on earth she was chosen to enter her HOME of glory so early.  The only thing I can think is there is MUCH truth in the expression:  The Good Die Young.  Honestly, she was one of the kindest human being's I have ever met.  She was extremely considerate of others, befriended those others would not, never had a mean word to speak of others.... I could go on and on....

I have had a rather difficult weekend, reviewing my life and the ways I want/NEED to change.  There is one word that continues to RING in my ears:  DISCIPLINE!  I must choose discipline.  I have many things to change, but HE has shown me so much over the weekend.

Today, in my sister's honor, I will commit to making changes.  I will be posting more frequently; sharing some of the ways I need to change.  I pray you will endure the journey with me!!!!

I LOVE YOU TAMMY and will ALWAYS MISS YOU!!!!

Choose Joy Because Happiness Isn't Enough

What drew me to this book was the author’s name:  Kay Warren.  If you’re familiar with the book “The Purpose Driven Life,” then you know her husband, Pastor Rick Warren.  Our Church family studied The Purpose Driven Life together; many years ago.  Honestly, the book changed my life.  I have reread/studied the book numerous times over the last several years and I continue to be blessed/changed every time I reread it.

The second thing that drew me to this book was the title:  “Choose Joy because Happiness Isn’t Enough.”  How TRUE is that statement?  It seems to me the world continually looks for instant happiness, but Christians should be consumed with an insatiable desire for joy.  The author defines joy as, “deeper than happiness, lasts longer than excitement, and is more satisfying than pleasure and thrills.  Joy is richer.  Fuller.  And it’s far more accessible than you’ve thought.”  She goes on to say, “Joy comes from God…and it can be yours!  Today.” 

When I opened this beautiful book, the first thing I noticed was the first page of each chapter.  Each chapter page states the title of the chapter, a relevant Scripture reference, and a photo of a peaceful field.  I love God’s creation and marvel at peaceful fields, tranquil waters, and glorious mountain tops!  The next page shares a quote that applies to the chapter.  I LOVE to read Scriptures and quotes.  I read both every single day. 

Of the numerous things I loved in this book, I will focus my review on two of them: 

The first was how many times the New International Version of the Bible references joy, merriment, happiness, laughing and rejoicing - 545 times.  Compared to the number of mentions of sorrow, pain, tears and suffering – only 158 times.  The Bible is a BOOK OF JOY!

Second, this reminder:  “A fundamental part of expressing trust in God is learning how to gaze at Him and only glance at our problems.”  AMEN!  Doesn’t that say it all?  FOCUS ON HIM!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will keep it on my desk at work.  I want to open/reread/ponder/remind myself of His love and His joy!  This book is awesome!

You can sign up to receive 30 Days of “Choose Joy Devotions.”  Connect daily with Kay Warren through free Choose Joy video devotions.  For thirty days you’ll receive an email from Kay, sharing the concepts from Choose Joy in her warm, conversational style.  She’ll share not only her personal struggle to live a joyful life but also the truth that joy is available to anyone who seeks it.   Visit:  http://kaywarren.com/devotions/

This fabulous book is available April 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  Pick up a copy today!

Updated photo of my granddaughter

Harper Noelle Kubesh

Expected Date of Arrival:  August 18, 2012