When you believe...

If you took the time to watch this video (click the title) and listen to the words, truly listen, you will feel what I feel today. Life has always been a sequence of challenges and then "pick me ups." I could write a book on the many miracles I have been blessed to experience in my 26 years of life thus far. However, there is not enough time today to tell you of all of them. But one in particular has touched me beyond belief and I felt that it was only right to share it with you today.

Around the second week of November, Toby and I learned that I was pregnant. As you can imagine, all types of emotions began to pour out. I was unsure of what kind of mother I would be and I was unsure if we were going to really be able to give our baby what he/she deserves etc. So in those times of thinking, I began to realize that Toby and I were not prepared financially for a family. We were selfishly spending money on ourselves and unaware of the situation we had gotten ourselves into. I was only working part time to bring in a little income for extra things, however it was not enough to pay any significant bills.

It has been a long time dream of mine to be a mother, but now I was forced to see that my selfish actions were not a place to bring this blessing into. I began to lose hope. I knew early December I had to consciously make a decision for our little baby growing inside me. I wrote a dear friend of mine who was my mentor when I first came to know the Lord. She is full of wisdom and unconditional love. I knew she would have something to say. As Carol has always done, she encouraged me first by reminding of all the blessings that I have or had and that they were gifts to honor the challenges/trials I had overcome. Then she began to tell me that if I was "that" concerned about our finances than I should attend with Toby this workshop that was going to be offered in January. The workshop was called "Financial Peace University (FPU)." You might recognize the name and know that Dave Ramsey is the creator of this marvelous and life-giving idea.

As you might imagine, I was a little weary because I hate church events in which they try to tell you how you SHOULD be living your life. But MY FATHER is much greater than that... so I began to pray with great intent. I knew that if I decided to attend this it was going to be a commitment unlike one I had ever made. Well, guess what, I decided it was the only thing that was going to bring me hope for our situation, so we joined. Our initial investment was only 100$ (for materials), but our product was over 20,000$ (and still growing!).

Now some of you are curious to know how such a difference of a class could make such a difference in Toby and I's life. But we had no choice but to believe it would. To put it in simplest terms, it was truly a miracle for us; this FPU class. I believe for you to understand this miracle that took place you'd have to understand our circumstance.

Toby and I had a B-E-A-UTiful wedding in August of 08. And even better an unforgettable, once in a life time, honeymoon. Unfortunetly, we put most of our expenses on credit; which was well over 30,000$. Not only did we together bring this burden into the marriage, but myself brought a 16,000$ car loan and 80,000$ worth of student loan debt. Yah, many will tell you this type of selfishness is doomed to ruin a marriage. But let me put them in their place, because I tell you, this type of selfishness actually made (is making) Toby and I much stronger. With the initial responses to finding out I was pregnant, I knew I could no longer do what I was doing (job), so I quit. This added another burden for Toby and I. We were going to have to try to make it on just Toby's income. It's possible, right, well when you have the kind of debt we have, it's not. At least not when you want the best for your baby. And that is why FPU was our miracle.


FPU follows a simple "seven baby steps." Are you ready to hear how simple they are?

1. Step one : Save 1,000$ for an emergency fund
2. Step two : Pay off all debt except the house using the "debt snowball" (smaller debts first)
3. Step three : Save 3-6 months of expenses
4. Step four : Invest 15% of your household income into Roth IRA's and pre-tax retirement plans.
5. Step five : Save for college (your kids)
6. Step six : Pay off your home early
7. Step seven : GIVE and build wealth!

Today, Toby and I are barely to step two, but the information we gained in this class was priceless. It was life giving and such a relief to know that "peace" was easily attained. And here is the miracle (or at least one), the miracle is the will and strength that God gave us to follow these steps with true intent. And the other miracle, not only were Toby and I able to save OVER 1,000$ for our emergency fund, but we were also able to pay off my car, all 16,000$ worth. We were blessed with a financial gift in order to make this happen. We put that gift with our tax return etc, and we our now without car payments! Oh! You have no idea what a relief this has been to us and our marriage. Plus there is nothing like having enough faith in God and believing HE is going to answer the desires of your heart. We believe we should have our credit debt paid off within the latest two years. It is at that point we will be able to start paying off my student loans.

With great trust in the Lord and hope, we will continue to feel blessed by our change of life. And if you're thinking we'll never be able to enjoy our vacations as we have in the past, you are wrong. FPU also teaches you the tools you need to save for these type of things (vacations, Christmas, entertainment etc.). We have learned so much. We have learned about finances in every way (from saving for emergencies to saving for retirement and nursing homes, etc)! We have learned about faith! We have learned that God truly will always answer the desires of your heart if they are to be blessed.

It is now that I look and reflect on this miracle in hopes to encourage other miracles in our loved ones hearts. FPU is truly what this country and world needs. Everyone should consider such a blessing. It will change the future of our generation and the next. That's a bold statement, right, well, I believe so conciously in this program that I will stand by that comment until the day I die.

May you experience this type of miracle for yourselves. And may you always know that we would love to share with you what we have learned.

"Miracles can happen, when you believe..."

Love Passionately,
Autumn-Rose