Last weekend we interrupted our holiday rhythms to go to Las Vegas on Saturday and Sunday for a Latter-Day Saint missionary homecoming. My 20-year-old nephew, Connor, had been gone for two years. His message was meaningful and relevant to me--in all of our Christmas celebrating keep Christ in the center of our lives. Jesus Christ … Continue reading There Is Peace In Christ
Finding Peace
Save More Than You Spend
I have worn my adult children out, telling them this story about Amy Dacyczyn, my frugal mentor that I have written about earlier. I want them to learn from her free spending 20’s: Amy moved to Boston in her early 20’s with a graphic design degree. She said she worked for ten years and enjoyed … Continue reading Save More Than You Spend
Avoiding Debt
We have always been told there is “good debt” such as getting an education and a house, and “bad debt” which is credit cards and buying things that don’t appreciate, like boats, campers and cars. What if every debt was considered a bad debt? To be avoided only when there was no other way, and … Continue reading Avoiding Debt
Wake Up and Take Responsibility With Our Money.
In The Atlantic Magazine, Neal Gabler wrote an article about his struggle with financial woes with startling vulnerability. Titled The Secret Shame of Middle Class Americans, Gabler shone a light on the hardship of almost half of America! He wrote: “The Fed (took a survey) and asked respondents how they would pay for a $400 … Continue reading Wake Up and Take Responsibility With Our Money.
Managing Our Money Well
This Learning Packet is called “Managing Our Money Well”. The word “well” is a critical addition at the end of that phrase, because that means we are prospering and building so that money is blessing our lives. This is not a grit-our-teeth-experience to endure through until we die. There is a better way to live! … Continue reading Managing Our Money Well
“Build An Armor to Protect Myself”
I have written here about Dr. Martin Seligman. He and his colleagues realized in the 1960's that focusing on what was going wrong in people's lives didn't help them get better. In one of the books he has written,, Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Life, Dr. Seligman makes the point that being … Continue reading “Build An Armor to Protect Myself”
Service for Christmas
We started doing service gifts for Christmas about ten years ago where we told our children we only wanted gifts of service from them. These gifts are so meaningful to me because when I get them on Christmas morning, it feels like I am part of the true spirit of Christmas. It is a triple-play: … Continue reading Service for Christmas
Turning Our Backs to the Sirens That are Calling Us
We can feel pretty grounded and aligned with our religious beliefs and still be distracted by comparison with our neighbors or instagram posts on what our culture says is important. I can’t imagine being a young mother these days with all the visual comparison we can expose ourselves to. Scrolling through social media with posts … Continue reading Turning Our Backs to the Sirens That are Calling Us
“Brilliance…Is Not Wholeness”
Freedom to Worship by Norman Rockwell A few years ago, I went to a show of Norman Rockwell prints and paintings held at the BYU Museum of Art with my sister-in-law Jeannie. It was magnificent. If you aren’t familiar with his art, google his name and you will see the many paintings he did. As … Continue reading “Brilliance…Is Not Wholeness”
The Sun, the Moon and the Stars
Glory by Degrees, by Annie Henrie Nader Last week I was entranced with luscious apricots. This week I loved hearing the clear explanation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Doctrine and Covenants section 76 as explained by Jared Halverson on his Youtube channel, Unshaken. If you don't have 3 hours to listen to … Continue reading The Sun, the Moon and the Stars
"Peace Like A River…" 