Fall Kick-off

Okay, it's been over a month. Apologies.

Where were we? Oh yes, houses.

Still looking, waiting, saving... being patient. As will be the story for the majority of fall and possibly winter. I'm getting to the point, again, where I need to stop looking at houses and trying to do the math. Mostly because we aren't in a place to make an offer, and most of these houses won't even be available by the time we are ready to make an offer. That, and my focus could be in so many more useful areas. Oh, I don't know.. like my marriage! There isn't anything wrong, don't worry. However, we're coming up on a year and a half and since we still get to put ourselves in the excused "newlywed" group, we may as well take advantage of it.

I've been reading this book called "Sheet Music" by Dr. Kevin Leman. Now, I'm not one for "self-help" books. Part of the reason I even read past the first page was Dr. Leman told me "this isn't a self-help book, it's a do-it-yourself book." Thus the book became interesting. That, and it's a book about sex. Not just sex sex, but godly sex within a marriage, sex. Right up my ally!!

I really wanted something that would take the topic, own it, run with it, and completely hit the nail on the head. Which, this book does an excellent job of. Dr. Leman is extremely blunt, and I really appreciated it. His goal in this book isn't only to educate but to inspire. I'm not even done reading the book, and my perspective on martial sex is already totally changed. So here, let me recommend this book to my fellow believers. Who are either married already or engaged and going through marriage counseling. This is some good stuff. Obviously, taking it all with a grain of salt.

After reading this book, I'm kind of on a reading rampage. This same author has several other books that I really want to read. I'll let you know, as a I go....

Anyways, we got new work schedules. Super exciting, yes. We will be working a lot over the next 15 (now 14) weeks. So we could use your prayers for strength and balance.

We've also made a new list of financial goals, which... will be shared with the general public when the time is right. So, please pray for guidance and wisdom as it pertains to financial decisions. You know, house, car, vacation, giving, and someday children.

We officially consider Eagle Brook (lino lakes) our home church now. We met earlier today with the children's pastor to interview for small group leader positions. If all goes well we start on the 24th. Right now the ratio is 20 kids per leader. Pray for that as well! It's a year long commitment! Our next step is to get plugged into a small group. We're still looking for the right one. Surprisingly, they don't have anything for young couples/newly weds. Maybe we'll have to start one.

Well, I'm off to search out a new bed set. Wish me luck! I'll probably pick something really girly, and Josh will hate it. ha. Such is life when you leave the girl with the cash!

Dreams of Houses

In March of 2011, Josh and I sat down at our high-top excuse for a kitchen table, in our tiny Saint Paul apartment and decided that we wanted more.

More meant more money, more money meant no debt, no debt meant having a "life savings" and having a savings meant having more. Woop!

We then created our 7 month plan to be out of debt and save money. When we did this, however, we were not thinking that this included buying a house. Even though we now want our very own place, we're not pretending like it was ever apart of our 7 month plan. It takes longer to obtain such things. Apparently. Oh no, not bitter or anxious at all...

The plan is "scheduled" to end during October, at which time we are to experience financial freedom! (I can just hear my Mel Gibson "William Wallace" cheerleader egging me on) All sarcasm aside, we have 3 months left and quite a bit to show for it. Our 7 month plan has been revised a lot since it was first brain-stormed, and today I stumbled across the original... It feels so good to say that we underestimated how well this plan would work, and how disciplined we could be in savings. Being disciplined in spending is a totally different conversation, in which I won't be having. Ever

As always, life does not go according to plan and things (car repair and medical bills) happen, funny that those are the things that rarely get budgeted in, yet they are guaranteed to happen at least once a year.

We haven't felt too set back by unforeseen costs. Which has narrowed our housing search down to town-homes so we can experience less of those unforeseen costs, and reinforces my goal to never ever mow the lawn.

Anyhoo, we feel super good, and super accomplished. Praise and glory is all to God on this one. However, we have also been feeling a little convicted lately that we haven't been tithing to a church. We're passed the newbie-don't-feel-obligated phase at Eagle Brook, and we feel that now is the appropriate time to start giving back through Eagle Brook. Two weeks ago, the pastor spoke on this very topic of money, spending and tithing... he said that when he and his wife get paid, they first give back to God, then they save and then they learn to live on whatever is left. Now, if that doesn't challenge my faith in where my provision is, I don't know what will. Like I said in my last blog, I want to learn to suffer well- yet I haven't been challenged too severely.

This month, we start that mind set. God, save, live. As of right now... we'd be short every paycheck. So now, we're looking into the things we can live without. The first to go... our smart phones. I really can live without it. I promise. The next to go will be our oversized restaurant budget. That'll be harder than the smart phone.

So, yes... there you have it. I'm now going to post a few of the town homes we are looking at. In order from like-love. Enjoy, and please.... cast your vote.

I like this one

I like this one a little more

This one makes me really excited

Love this one to pieces

Thanks for following,

Samantha
~Psalm 144

A Heart That Holds On

Sometimes it takes defeat to remind me that God is my Father, my true Abba. 

Sometimes it takes heart break to remind me that I serve a King who seeks to romance me.

Sometimes it takes isolation to remind me that I have a Redeemer who came and sacrificed it all so that I may dwell in His presence.

It takes His perfect love to remind me why we suffer.

Dangit, I really want to be someone who suffers well. I want to be someone that God can trust with hard times. The last few weeks have been testing me a lot. I've felt defeated, emotionally, a few times over. God has been taking me to a place within myself that I haven't wanted to visit for a while and I had quite honestly forgot about for a long time. It's hard, right now, because I can feel when my spirit and flesh want to rebel, but it's teaching me self-control and submission, which is exactly what I prayed the Lord would teach me (go figure). 

Josh and I are praying our way through finances, we want to learn more how to put God first in our finances. The message at church this last Sunday was about stress, and the dude went on to say that for over 15 years, he and his wife haven't fought over money. Josh and I don't fight over it, but we don't ever want to either. We want to implement a way to give back to God before we do anything else with our money. God, save, bills and learn to live on the rest. Apparently that's the key to not fighting with your spouse on money. We're going to test it out. I'll let you know how it goes. 

We're currently praying through schooling options for Josh. Moody is still in the running but Josh has been feeling lately that he doesn't want to miss out on the social experience of college. He wants to be able to participate in discussions on what he's learning and get mentoring and such. Which I'm all for. We don't want to take any short cuts. So, if it's Moody, it may look like moving to Chicago for a few years. PRAY WITH US. It's a big decision, considering it would mean putting off buying a house and having kids. In addition to Moody, he's looking into local colleges like North Central and Northwestern. 

Work is going really well. This summer has been amazing. 6 weeks left and then summer is over! By the end of it, we'll be able to say we didn't take any of it for granted. 

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Last night, I drove up to Camp Lebanon to say hello to my ladies. They graduated from high school this year and it is their last summer to be campers, and I have had the honor of getting to know them and walking along side them over the last four years. They really have turned into strong, beautiful young women and now it's their turn to change hearts with their lives. So to my girls, Sasha, Marissa, Becca, Sarah, Jamie and the other girls who couldn't be there this week...I'm praying for you always and I know that you will do great things where ever God sends you. Be prepared to be challenged. I'm proud of you, and I love you so so so much!

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Well, Josh will be home from work soon and I want to make dinner so, thanks for reading. Thanks for praying, connect with us! We'd love it. 

Take joy,

Samantha

Have me a blast!

Oh man, where does time go?
Don't answer that.

Mostly, I feel very busy lately. Which is odd because I'm not working more than usual. Oh, I know... I've been biking my hiney off. Josh and I will bike around Centerville Lake (4.2 miles) almost every day. On Wednesdays I bike 8 miles to go to the gym with my mom. I want buns of steel! That and it's sooo beautiful outside and I really don't want to take this nice weather for granted. Next thing you know, we'll be standing in 3 feet of snow cursing the sky. It's true, I'm dramatic.

So anyways, I have some things that I'm super excited about.

I went through a 'thing' a while ago where I was losing a mentor (she's still my friend but the mentor relationship has changed) and I was really yearning having a woman in my life that could teach me about being an adult, a wife and someday a mother. I also really wanted someone who could mentor me spiritually. What do you know? My prayers were answered! (Praise be to God, for sure) I've been working with a woman for almost a year. She's godly, she's mature, she's a wife, she's a mother and she is so many things that I've been wanting in a mentor.  We had our first Wise One/ Grasshopper date before we went on break for the 4th and it was awesome to tell someone about my life. I mean, really tell someone about my life. It was great to hear about her life too, how her and her husband got their start. What it was like for her growing up. Her thoughts on family and prayer life. I don't have many words for it, other than I'm thrilled and super happy to have her in my life.

Soo, my 4th of July holiday was pretty good. I got to go to the cabin, finally. This is one of my favorite holidays. My family does the same thing every year. We go to Balsam Lake, Wisconsin... lots of food, lots of sun and a firework show over the water. What's not to love?  Here's a few pictures...

I like my marshmellows burned.

Josh had a blasty blast on my uncle's jet ski.

Sister Sara was able to join us.

Christmas card photo? I think so.

Oh, and volleyball!

Obviously, it was a good time :)

I know I say this every time, but we are sooo close to paying off our debt and having our down payment for a house. I definitely think it could happen by October or November. It feels really good to be so close. However, I will miss all the time I've been getting to spend with my family.

Lots of weddings this month. Lots of reasons to get new dresses. Don't you just looove weddings? I do!

Well shoot.

I've been reading the book of Hosea. It's been a good reminder of God's faithfulness and the extent in which he pursues us. If you haven't read the book Redeeming Love, you should. It's the Hosea and Gomer story and it's life changing.

That about does it. I'm getting distracted because I'm watching Ninja Warrior so I keep forgetting what I wanted to say next.

Seriously, I'm ending it now.

kbyee

Ss <3

Stupid Skinhead.

The title has nothing to do with the post. I was listening to the band "This Bike is a Pipe Bomb" and that was gently inserted at the end of the song and I thought it was funny because I don't think it went with the song either.

Anyhoo, funny story. Josh and I came home last night from a work event and decided we'd watch a movie on Netflix. The last few nights, I have been picking the movie...mostly romantic dramas that take place in the 1800's. Apparently I'm a sucker for chick flicks. So, to avoid being made fun of for picking yet another cheesy love movie, I thought I would let Josh pick the movie. What did he choose you ask? .... Step Up 3.
That's right. A hip and happening dance flick where, let me tell you, is a very flirty and sexy love story. Oh, but.... he only watches it for the dancing.

Which may be true.

This also inspires my husband. To be a hip and happening dancer. This morning we finished the movie. Afterwards, we went down stairs and promptly got our dance on. I taped this without telling him. Though I'm surprised I didn't give it away with how much I was making sure we were still in the frame.

Check it.

We're so graceful. Not to mention Josh is a devil on the dance floor. 

Back to the update. We got a new work schedule today. I'm super excited that it's finally summer. We were both ready to mix things up a bit. If all goes well, we could be home owners in the next 5 months. Josh also told me that when we move into our new place.... I could get a friend for our dear Albert. 

I feel boring, I don't know what else to update on. There's nothing exciting like... babies or anything.

I think I may have found a woman (older and wiser) to casually be my mentor of sorts. Which, I've been praying for and wanting one of those for quite some time now. I'm looking forward to having that kind of relationship again. I need someone who can pour into me. That way, I can pour into someone else. 

Speaking of which, I'm getting antsy for a place to invest in. Basically, a church and a community. We were attending Eagle Brook in Lino Lakes and really liked it and now that we have Sundays off it's looking like we'll be able to attend on a regular basis.

So yes. I'll end it here.

Oh, yes, before I forget. I am grateful to be married to a man who I can act a fool with and someone who likes to dance like he's got squirrels in his pants. We have a lot of fun. Which is great. I have yet to get bored.


Ta-ta

Samantha

Chaos in Transition

I feel like I'm always in transition.
I haven't lived in the same house for more than a year since I was 16. All those years later, I feel chaotic. I've never renewed a lease and now I find that I'm getting restless for stability. I want to settle down and unpack my life.

Josh and I have been living at my dads house for 2- going on 3- months now and I have really been enjoying it. I love being close to my family. I get to see my little brother all the time and it's great to have a relationship with him. We have a yard! I never thought I could take having a yard for granted.

This makes us want to buy a house. We're thinking that buying a house is in our near future. We are still doing our homework and figuring out exactly what it is going to look like financially but we have also discovered that what we would pay a month to buy would be almost the same (a little more) that renting. Bah! We are excited.

At the same time, Josh is going back to school in the next year. He only has a couple years left, which is exciting. He's called to be a youth pastor so then we question buying a house now, or waiting until he gets placed in a church.
He wants to do Moody Bible Institutes distant learning program. That way we could maintain our lives here in Minnesota, buy a house and work at Foss. We enjoy our lives here. However, now that it's finally nice outside... we 're thinking it would be nice to skip out on a snowy winter or two. So, do we move out of state for a few years? It's certainly an option.

We just don't know. Haha. We want a lot of things and waiting is hard. Renting is harder. We hate renting but it might need to happen again. I would love to pick up and move out of state- hypothetically. The moving doesn't scare me, it's the not having a job that scares me. In that case, it's all about who you know. Hey! We have a sister in California.... hmmmm.

I'm ambitious about a lot of things. I'm also very comfortable here, and I want my level of content to match that comfort.

Patience. Yes. Let us all be thankful for patience.

Fatty Cat

Instead of saying "days" I'm going with "Number".... I just can't seem to get on here every day, and the days where I can and choose not to, is because I don't feel clever enough.

The 9th thing that I am grateful for is my cat.
Albert.
He's amazing. Just a cuddle bug of love. Right now he's sitting in the window next to me, watching the birds. He makes funny faces when he gets to look out side. This is rare for him. He's not supposed to be upstairs. However, my dad is gone so he can pretty much do whatever he wants. Don't tell my dad I said that.
But really.... Albert is our comedian.
His favorite toy is a green ear plug.
He's the most obnoxious when he thinks he's starving to death. Fatty cat.
He's adorable because he follows me every where. He even sleeps under the blankets, head on the pillow- right next to me- at night.
He's smart because when Josh enters the room he immediately submits to him.
He's a jerk because he thinks the hot iron chord is a toy.
He's a tool when he randomly attacks me. Apparently the chain of command goes Josh, him then me.

All in all... he's great and I love my fatty cat. He's great company.

That's enough about my cat.

So... three days ago was my 23rd birthday. It was a good time. I got to see almost everyone whose important to me.

Josh kicked off my morning with breakfast in bed, coffee and flowers. We worked out. He went to work. My mom picked me up and took me to the store to pick out a dessert (Cheesecake). I got some monies to spend as I wish. A rare thing, indeed. I had grandma's homemade tacos with my mom, Chris, Evan and my dad. Then I ended my night at the Tavern with a few pals. It was a busy day, but it was fantastic.

Since then I've been exhausted. We have three more weeks at work before it's officially the summer session and we get a new schedule. The winds of change are blowing.


It's a beautiful day.

Well, that's all I got....

Here's a picture of the fatty cat. So.... classy

Peace and blessings.