By Study and by Faith

Winter semester started today. My husband is nervous because his classes are very intense and require long laborious hours of study and homework, leaving very little time for him to work to provide for our cost of living. Really, if it were not for the financial help from his parents while he is in school, I don't know where we would be? We also have food stamps which is something I absolutely have been against but I don't know what else to do?

One thing I do know is that he is supposed to be in school right now. He kicks himself for waiting so long to get his Bachelors Degree but I'm proud of him for having the courage to finish his schooling at this stage in our life! He knows he's in the right place too. He has had wonderful opportunities to work with different professors in Astronomy, Physics and now Planetary Geology. Each professor highly admires Joseph and have written excellent letters of recommendation for his internship this summer.

I don't know where we are going in the next few years. Perhaps we will stay here for another 4 until he gets his Masters? My oldest child will be turning 14 then... that's crazy for me to think about!! Most likely we will move somewhere across the United States. His dream is to work for NASA and I would love to see him achieve that dream.

There is no doubt in my mind that our Heavenly Father has guided us to where we are and is continuing to guide us where we need to be. It's very exciting. I've seen so many miracles in the 11 yrs. of our marriage. Prayer and faith have been a daily part of our journey. Monetarily, I don't like depending on anybody, I have had to humble myself and except a little financial help here and there. But I know that when all is said and done, when Joseph finally finishes school, we will then be in a position to help someone else in their journey.

I want it to be very clear that I have never cared for lots of money. I told my husband when I married him that I would be happy to live in a tiny house and live a very simple life. I don't care for manicures, matching purses and shoes, name brand clothes or name brand anything for that matter. And I think it's wonderful that my kids are content with paper, markers, books and their imagination... so spending money on toys has never been a problem either. It's wonderful! I like the simple life because it helps me treasure the simple things!

I am very excited for my husband to be successful and achieve his dream, not for money but for the sheer thrill of saying that he did it, he got his degree, he accomplished something that he didn't feel he was capable of doing.

I have no doubt that when he finishes up his schooling we will have opprotunities to make very good money. I'm sure it will be nice but at that time, I never want to lose sight of the happiness I have found in simplicity, hard work, prayer, faith, humility and trust in God...because money can't buy any of these things.

New Years... and Fears?

I think with a new year it's easy to have new fears. Maybe fear because of the unknown, fear of future burdens, war, economic struggles, sickness, or losing a friend or loved one. We may have anxiety for a new year because we doubt our abilities or we are afraid we will make the same mistakes all over again.



But faith is to hope for that which is not seen but are true, to trust that God is in the details of our lives and will guide us as we seek His guidance. He will strengthen us to do right as we seek His strength.



The Lord led the children of Israel out of bondage through the plagues, the famines, the sea and wilderness... surely then He can and will lead us through our trials and provide us with our needs!

Painting by, Arnold Friberg

So many times I have witnessed this in my life! I know God lives and He hears our prayers. He will provide & He will guide as we seek His will. The right things will fall into place and that which is not essential will drop out. It's through the Refiner's fire that gold is made and dross consumed. He loves us, we are His children. This I know, I shall not fear!



The following quote is from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and is part of the January Message from the Ensign.



"Individual and collective trials may sometimes seem overwhelming. That is when we need, more than ever, to draw near unto the Lord. As we do, we will come to know what it means to have the Lord draw near unto us. As we seek Him ever more diligently, we will surely find Him. We will see clearly that the Lord does not abandon His Church or His faithful Saints. Our eyes will be opened, and we will see Him open the windows of heaven and shower us with more of His light. We will find the spiritual strength to survive even during the darkest night.



It may be hard to see that at times, but hold on a little longer, for “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” and wait for Him (1 Corinthians 2:9; see also D&C 76:10; 133:45)."

Had a hard day...

This is a new video just made.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz41YxNiHEg&feature=channel_page
I watched it with my husband today.... and it brought tears to our eyes. I know we have a loving Father in Heaven who hears and answers our prayers.

President Ditier F. Uchtdorf said last year at womens conference... "In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers."

Our Beloved African Sisters

I was driving in my van today listening to a talk by Sheri Dew. She said the following about our beautiful sisters in Africa. I just wanted to add my thanks for their amazing example of true Christians!! I love my sisters everywhere!! Little do they know how they have touched my life.

"Two months ago I was in Africa, and the images of our beautiful African sisters are still vivid in my heart and mind. Their countenances reflect the image of Christ. When they pray, they pray. It's as though they reach right through the veil and talk to a trusted Friend."

"And despite severe temporal challenges, they are happy. By the world's measure, they have nothing-except happiness. By contrast, many of us have everything-except happiness."

"Their optimism springs from a bedrock faith in Jesus Christ, to whom they have given their hearts. I've found myself wondering who the Lord is most concerned about-those whose temporal challenges are extreme but whose hearts are fixed on Him, or those who have more things of this world but who haven't offered their whole souls unto Him (Omni 1:26). Hunger may be a problem in Africa, but our sisters there aren't starving spiritually."- Excerpt from a talk by Sheri Dew, BYU Women's Conference 2000

I Want...

A friend of mine shared this with me. I just love it! What's really important, eh?!

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed,

and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails...
...I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

—Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Are You Ready For Miracles?

My husband and I have been praying that he will find a job to provide for our little family.

Yesterday my husband was at the University visiting the Astronomy department. During casual conversation with one of the professors, my husband mentioned that he had been laid off and was searching for work. The professor informed him that he was looking for someone to help him with Astronomy research and could pay my husband $10 an hour. Only thing is...my husband's full-time school schedule only allows him to work 20 hours a week.

This would equal out to being $200 a week... for a family of 6. That's before taxes!

We went to the temple today fasting and praying.... crazy thing is we both feel like he should take this opportunity doing research with the professor. I know, I know... if you do the numbers it doesn't add up at all!!!

As we were in the temple praying about our financial situation I kept thinking, "If he takes this research job we just won't have enough, there's not enough money for us here!" Then as my husband and I joined hands and I whispered a prayer for guidance, I envisioned myself with 5,000 people sitting at the feet of Christ (in Mark 8) and staring at the few loaves of bread and fishes saying, "Lord there's not enough here, there's just not enough, it doesn't add up!"

But the miracle is that it was enough!! Christ fed the 5,000 with just a few fishes and 5 loaves of bread...hello! 5,000 people... and that's not all... after everyone was fed there were 12 baskets of fragments left over.... there were left-overs!!! As this image came to my mind, I felt the Spirit witness to me that we will be ok and I began to cry tears of gratitude. This experience will strengthen our faith. I am so grateful. I believe in miracles, most of all I have no doubt that the Lord knows our needs and hears our heartfelt prayers.

Maybe my husband getting laid off is not a loss after all, maybe it has provided an opening for opportunity.... an opportunity to strengthen our faith, gain experience, learn wisdom and witness MIRACLES!

Laid Off

My husband got laid off yesterday. We officially have zero income. It's humbling. We are going forward with faith. I know the Lord is aware of our needs and we will have sufficient. We feel very blessed because we have a little savings and no debt. We all have our health and we have each other. I think this is a perfect time for my husband to be going to school because we can still get grants that will help pay for that.

I realize we are one of the many, many people facing this dilemma. I am so grateful that we have the Gospel to give us peace and direction. The Lord provided manna in the wilderness for the Israelites... I know he will take care of us. He may not bless us with money but I know he can bless us with wisdom. All will be well. I will put my trust (my investment) in the Lord.

Small Christmas???

My husband and I are living the student life with four kids. Money isn't easy to come by especially with the economy the way it is. Our Christmas gifts to our kids are simple this year...just garage sale stuff. They each get two things. Our kids don't mind though, we've never cared to make presents an issue with them... and they are always happy with what they get. I don't want sympathy. In fact I don't feel like there is ANYTHING to be sympathetic about. Presents mean NOTHING to me.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the poet, wrote: “Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only [true] gift is a portion of thyself.”

President David O. McKay said: “True happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.
“It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring ‘peace on earth,’ because it means—good will toward all men.”

So are we poor? It depends on how you look at it. Our friends from India and Mongolia would say we live like royalty. And I would have to agree. I feel very, very rich!!! We have running water, heating, food in our cupboards and a fridge.. we have a fridge!, we have indoor plumbing, electricity, a stove, a computer, we have enough clothes to last us a couple of weeks and we have beds to sleep in....

...But even with all this stuff this is not the biggest reason I feel so rich.

I am rich because I have a husband who shares my same values and who is my best friend. We have four healthy, beautiful children who are worth more than all the money in the world. And most of all we have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to guide us in our lives. This Gospel is the glue that holds my marriage together, my family together... it holds me together. I have a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's true church on the earth today. I am so rich!! All my needs are met and I want for nothing...

I have never had a Christmas that has been "small"... and with the Gospel in my life I never will.

And nothing makes me happier than to share this treasure that so graciously blesses my life!

Something to Think About

I saw this printed on a decorative frame at a book store yesterday and being the Christmas Season it gave me good perspective.

"The best things in life....

are not things."

Thrift and Industry

We live in a time of uncertainty.

This post is part of a series of favorite quotes from a book I've been re-reading entitled, "Standing for Something" by, Gordon B. Hinckley. If you would like to view other quotes from this book click on the label, "Standing for Something". Great book! I highly recommend it!

I found this chapter very encouraging to me because my husband is attending school full time and trying to support a family of 6 on less than 30 hrs. a week. He has a grant that helps with tuition but doesn't cover all of it and certainly doesn't pay our rent and other bills. He forked out almost $1,000 for just his books alone. The ever increasing gas and grocery prices don't help the situation very much either. But amidst all of this I am happy to say we are completely free of debt.

Here are some quotes from chapter 7 of "Standing for Something":

"I believe in the gospel of work. Work is the miracle by which talent is brought to the surface and dreams become reality. There is simply no substitute under the heavens for productive labor."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Children who are taught to work and to enjoy the fruits of that labor have a great advantage as they grow toward maturity. The process of stretching our minds and utilizing the skills of our hands lifts us from the stagnation of mediocrity."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Nothing of real substance comes without work. Nothing happens in this world until there is work. Our pioneer forebears could never plow a field by turning it over in their minds."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"The labor and thrift of the people make a nation, a community, or a family strong. Work and thrift make the family independent.... Bankruptcy generally is the bitter fruit of debt, over extension, and uncontrolled appetites. It is a tragic culmination of a simple process of borrowing more than one can repay. I deplore waste. I deplore unnecessary and uncontrolled extravagance. I value thrift. I believe in temporal prudence and conservatism."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Seductive advertising strives to persuade us that we deserve to have it all and to have it now, regardless of the cost. There is a lack of self-discipline and financial self-control that promises future doom."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"The time has come to get our houses in order. Too many people are living on the very edge of their incomes or beyond.... There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Ours is a wasteful generation. Our pioneer forebears lived by the motto: "Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Today, the obsession with riches cankers and destroys and leads to irresponsible financial decisions."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"We would do well to look to the condition of our personal finances, to be modest and prudent in our expenditures, to discipline our purchasing and avoid debt to the extent possible, to pay off the debt quickly, and to free ourselves from the bondage of others."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"May we set our houses in order. If we have paid our debts, if we have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about our heads, we will have shelter for our families and peace in our hearts."- Gordon B. Hinckley

Miracles

Increased prices at the pump... Grocery bills are doubling.... Value of the dollar is dropping....Our economy is facing some real tough times. And we, just like so many others, are feeling "the pinch."

Thinking of my husband going to school again full time and cutting back on his 40hr work week to accommodate his school schedule, having our forth child, moving to a new place.... all this has been, in my mind, somewhat frightening.... wondering how everything is going to add up. We are completely debt free and are trying to get scholarships to pay for school... but even with the scholarships we still have the cost of living, of taking care of our 3 little children and the 4th one on the way. I'm a stay-at-home mom (by my own choosing) and so my husband is the only source of income. This is all a leap of faith for us.

A couple of days ago I was reading in John chapter 6 where Jesus fed 5,000 people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. Now, I've read this account and heard this story hundreds of times, it's one of my favorites. But reading it the other day, it came to me in a whole different light. After all the people were fed... Jesus sent out his disciples to gather up the fragments left over from the 5 loaves and 2 fishes..... wait a minute... what?.....The fragments? There was left-over??? Yes! 12 full baskets of crumbs.

You do the math... does that add up for you?
5,000 hungry people + 5 loaves + 2 fishes = the remainder of 12 baskets full of crumbs.
This brought to my mind the promise found in Malachi 3:10

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

For those of you who might not know what a "tithe" is :
It's 10% of all our income that we give to the Church for the purpose of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and building up the kingdom of God on the earth.

My husband and I have a firm testimony that this practice in our lives has brought forth amazing blessings... nothing short of miracles, in our lives. We have had many situations where we have looked through our own eyes, wondering how on earth everything would add up or come together.... only to turn it over to the Lord and watch miracle after miracle occur.

I came home from grocery shopping the other day and opened my fridge only to find I didn't have much room for what I just bought "there shall not be room enough to receive it, Alicia" came into my mind. I just smiled. I almost felt like crying. My heart was full of gratitude. "I don't have room for all these blessings," I thought. It was a fulfilment of the promise in Malachi and just like the 12 baskets left over when Jesus fed the 5,000.

I can't explain it. I don't know how He does it! All I know is that God loves us and is aware of each and every one of us. He delights to bless us! He is anxious to bless us! He wants to "prove it." He only asks us to follow Him, to apply His counsels and His teachings.... He wants to be #1 priority in our lives. I know that when we put God first.... amazing things happen. Miracles happen. He has helped us to be wise with our resources. He has helped us to discern between those things we need and those things we don't. He has blessed us with creative ideas of how to make things last longer.... and so on.

How thankful I am for such a Faithful Friend,
I know God lives, I know His Son, Jesus Christ, is my Savior and Redeemer.
I know He guides us through His Spirit and through Scripture.... and so many other ways.
He loves us and is anxious to bless us.
I trust Him and I will praise Him and thank Him every day!
"I am believing God, I am believing Christ."
I feel at peace.

God Bless You!
Alicia

Four Tips for Family Finances

Four things that will help you increadibly with your family finances: This information provided by providentliving.org

Pay Tithes and Offerings
Successful family finances begin with the payment of an honest tithe and the giving of a generous fast offering. The Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out great blessings upon those who pay tithes and offerings faithfully (Malachi 3:10 and Isaiah 58: 6–12).

Tithing
If our tithing is the first obligation met, our commitment to this important gospel principle will be strengthened and the likelihood of financial mismanagement will be reduced.

Fast Offerings
On fast day, we go without food and drink for two consecutive meals, if physically able, and then give to the bishop a fast offering at least equal to the value of the food not eaten. If possible, we should be very generous and give more. The bishop uses the fast offerings to care for the poor and needy.

Avoid Debt
Spending less money than you make is essential to your financial security. Avoid debt, with the exception of buying a modest home or paying for education or other vital needs. If you are in debt, pay it off as quickly as possible. Some useful tools in becoming debt free are a debt-elimination calendar and a family budget worksheet.

Distinguish between Needs and Wants
We must learn to distinguish between wants and needs. We should be modest in our wants. It takes self-discipline to avoid the “buy now, pay later” philosophy and to adopt the “save now and buy later” practice.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught: “All too often a family's spending is governed more by their yearning than by their earning. They somehow believe that their life will be better if they surround themselves with an abundance of things. All too often all they are left with is avoidable anxiety and distress” ("Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts," Ensign, May 2004, 42).

Getting and Staying out of Debt
We should avoid debt. There is nothing that will cause greater tensions in life than grinding debt, which will make the debtor a slave to creditors. A specific goal, careful planning, and determined self-discipline are required to accomplish this.

President N. Eldon Tanner taught: "Those who structure their standard of living to allow a little surplus, control their circumstances. Those who spend a little more than they earn are controlled by their circumstances. They are in bondage” ("Constancy Amid Change," Ensign, Nov. 1979, 81).

Build a Reserve
Gradually build a financial reserve, and use it for emergencies only. If you save a little money regularly, you will be surprised how much accumulates over time.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught: “Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and children and peace in your hearts” ("To the Boys and to the Men," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54).

Teach Family Members
Teach family members the principles of financial management. Involve them in creating a budget and setting family financial goals. Teach the principles of hard work, frugality, and saving. Stress the importance of obtaining as much education as possible.

Abundant resources are available—from classes, to books, to other resources such as One for the Money: Guide to Family Finance. See http://providentliving.org/

"Peace, be still."

These past few days I've been studying the Book of Mark in the New Testament KJV. I read some passages that gave me great comfort in today's troubled world. I'll explain:

About a week ago my husband was talking with me about the difficulties his job is facing because he works in the housing market. I am sure that there are more people out there than just us who have felt the effects of the economy and have had a little anxiety over it all. The comfort I found was; the other morning I opened my scriptures to Mark Chapter 4, there I read the account of the disciples being tossed about on the stormy sea. When the storm becomes so terrifying the disciples believe they are all about to perish, they turn to Jesus who was sleeping and cry out, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" The Savior stands up, stretches forth His mighty hand, rebukes the wind and calms the troubled waters, "peace, be still." Instantly there is calm and the storm has ceased. He then turns to His disciples and asks, "Why are ye so fearful, how is it that ye have no faith?"

When I read this, I thought of our financial situation with my husbands work in jeopardy. We have been faithful in the council to stay out of debt by our church leaders, we have been faithful in being wise with our purchases and not spending more than we earn, we pay an honest tithing, we do our best to practice frugality and self control. But even so, the financial storms still beat upon us from time to time. It is easy to get a little fearful.

When I read what Jesus said to his disciples after calming the stormy sea, I felt it spoke directly to my heart about my husbands job, "Alicia, why are ye so fearful, how is it that ye have no faith?" A great calmness filled my heart and I know that we will be fine. The Lord has never failed me. I have always had sufficient for my needs. I have always had shelter over my head, a place to sleep, clothes to wear and food to eat. I testify that the promise found in Malachi 3:10 is true, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Along these same lines I also share the scripture found in Psalms 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." I love this because the rod is symbolic of God's word and the staff is symbolic of God's power. So basically it is God's word (the scriptures, the teachings of Jesus Christ, the voice of the Holy Ghost, the teachings of God's prophets from Adam down to the present time) and God's power (most especially the redeeming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the power of the priesthood, blessings and ordinances) is that which comforts me. This is why I shall fear no evil... because I know in whom I trust... I trust in my Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ.