A couple years ago my husband lost his job. That job was the reason we moved from Michigan to Tennessee. Our world as we knew it ended....thankfully!
My husband ended up being unemployed for 9 months. In that 9 months we started to learn to be frugal, although we weren't completely. Part of us kept living like we still had his salary coming in. Part of us lived like he was going to get a job with that same salary.
He didn't.
He ended up taking a job making almost fifty percent less than he was making at his previous position, but we were grateful. It has turned out to be a great place for him to work. We now feel we are right where God wants us to be.
I was working when he started his new job. It only took us a few months to realize I wasn't where I was supposed to be. I resigned from my job and came home to be the wife, mother and homemaker that God created me to be. We also decided that I would be homeschooling our children.
At first, I was bitter.
I didn't want to be home.
I was not good at being a homemaker.
Our first year of homeschooling was miserable for me.
Why?
Because it was all me. I tried to do it all myself. I didn't ask for help from my Heavenly Father.
Then things started to change.
I gave everything over to God. I cried out to Him that I couldn't do it. I need His guidance.
I began a journey of becoming a wife, of becoming a mother, of being my children's teacher, of becoming a homemaker.
It has been a wonderful journey. This year has been the best year of our marriage. This year I have truly enjoyed being a mother. This year homeschooling has gone smoother and the children are enjoying learning.
This year I am finally a homemaker.
Part of becoming a homemaker meant embracing frugality. We now have the smallest food budget we have ever had, but yet we have a pantry stocked full of food. I have learned to make homemade laundry soap and dryer sheets. I have found places to purchase food in bulk. I have learned how to make better use of coupons.
Other ways we are frugal -
We cut everyone's hair at home. I make homemade foaming hand soap. I never pay full price for clothing. We became a one vehicle family. We buy used. If there is something we'd like for our home, we search for the best deal and make sure we have cash to pay for it. I make homemade snacks for the kids.
It is comforting, peaceful, knowing that I am taking care of my home the way I should be. My husband and I have absolutely no arguments about our finances. We are now on the same path with our goals for our family.
We may have been forced into frugality, but it was the best thing that could have happened to us. I am truly thankful.
My husband ended up being unemployed for 9 months. In that 9 months we started to learn to be frugal, although we weren't completely. Part of us kept living like we still had his salary coming in. Part of us lived like he was going to get a job with that same salary.
He didn't.
He ended up taking a job making almost fifty percent less than he was making at his previous position, but we were grateful. It has turned out to be a great place for him to work. We now feel we are right where God wants us to be.
I was working when he started his new job. It only took us a few months to realize I wasn't where I was supposed to be. I resigned from my job and came home to be the wife, mother and homemaker that God created me to be. We also decided that I would be homeschooling our children.
At first, I was bitter.
I didn't want to be home.
I was not good at being a homemaker.
Our first year of homeschooling was miserable for me.
Why?
Because it was all me. I tried to do it all myself. I didn't ask for help from my Heavenly Father.
Then things started to change.
I gave everything over to God. I cried out to Him that I couldn't do it. I need His guidance.
I began a journey of becoming a wife, of becoming a mother, of being my children's teacher, of becoming a homemaker.
It has been a wonderful journey. This year has been the best year of our marriage. This year I have truly enjoyed being a mother. This year homeschooling has gone smoother and the children are enjoying learning.
This year I am finally a homemaker.
Part of becoming a homemaker meant embracing frugality. We now have the smallest food budget we have ever had, but yet we have a pantry stocked full of food. I have learned to make homemade laundry soap and dryer sheets. I have found places to purchase food in bulk. I have learned how to make better use of coupons.
Other ways we are frugal -
We cut everyone's hair at home. I make homemade foaming hand soap. I never pay full price for clothing. We became a one vehicle family. We buy used. If there is something we'd like for our home, we search for the best deal and make sure we have cash to pay for it. I make homemade snacks for the kids.
It is comforting, peaceful, knowing that I am taking care of my home the way I should be. My husband and I have absolutely no arguments about our finances. We are now on the same path with our goals for our family.
We may have been forced into frugality, but it was the best thing that could have happened to us. I am truly thankful.
What a beautiful testimony! Our family lives very frugally too. Since I want to stay home with the children, I consider it part of my "job" to make one income stretch as though there were two.
ReplyDeleteAnna, that is a great way of looking at it! Thanks for visiting my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You have a very encouraging attitude, and I really appreciated reading it. You mentioned that your first year of homeschooling was horrible because you were trying to do it on your own. Been there! I would encourage you to read one of my favorite books, "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe" by Todd Wilson. It totally changed my perspective on my "own ability". It's written by a homeschooling dad ironically. :) It's an excellent (and funny) book. BTW, thanks for following me. I'm now following you, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book recommendation! And thank you for visiting my blog. :) I am so excited to find so many encouraging mom blogs. It is great to know that I am not alone. And it is great to learn from other moms!
ReplyDelete