Finances

So these last couple of Sabbaths my husband and I have been in a Sabbath morning class that has been talking about finances and how to handle it.

Something the book said was "you can not be a committed follower of Jesus Christ and remain irresponsible with your money". Wow that really got to me. Jesus needs us to be responsible with our money. We need to use our money in a way we think HE would use our money. I don't think HE would spend his money on a video game when there is someone out there that needs those 40 bucks more than you.

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You can not serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13)

 Some may be surprised but the Bible does speak a lot about money, and how God wants us to use it.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Matthew 6:21

 "God doesn't want your money, but he doesn't want your money to have you." That was interesting. In this society we think only about ourselves and what we can get- what is out there that's new and better than what I have. Now, don't get me wrong, having things are good but there are people out there who buy cars that they can't afford or a house that is way more than their budget and then they have to take out a double mortgage. The sad thing is we get those things because society tells us bigger nicer things are better. But bigger is not always better and more is not always better. I've heard it a million times there are billionaires who have everything and are still not happy. Why? Because material things do not make people happy. A couple years ago I went to Peru to help build a church. I went to a really poor section in Peru where the kids wore the same clothes every single day and they were the happiest people I've ever met. I was so happy there too. They had nothing and they were so happy!

Something that my husband and I have been doing these last couple weeks have been tracking our spending. The first week we found out we spent a lot of money on food. Eating out I think in one week was like $120 just for us two. Think about it. Let's say we do that every week (which we have done) that's almost $500 a month. Now in a year that's like $6,000.  WOW! Now that's just food and we also buy food for home, so we have food at home but we still eat out so that is a lot. That money can go to help some one else out- someone who is less fortunate than us.

We need to set financial goals so we can move forward in life and go where God wants us to go in life.

I think my goal would be to be able to live comfortably and give as much as I can. Giving and helping really makes me happy.

So last thing.. Another thing we've been doing is started to give our tithe (10%) to God which is a hard one sometimes to do cause sometimes it feels like how can I give 10%? I barely have enough for myself or my bills. Well it does feel like that, but I notice that when I do I feel happy and I always end up being able to pay all my bills and get other things I want. God will help you. He doesn't want you to fail. He wants you to go forward. So why, if you're giving back to Him, would he not let you pay your bills?

Be My Valentine- Marriage Challenge

Week 3! It's all in the lips. ;)

Oh how excited I was about this week's challenge! I always loved kissing. Over time the kissing becomes less and less. But it doesn't have to be that way! It was pretty awkward trying to kiss my husband in a passionate way. Really, I must've forgotten when is an appropriate time to kiss him. By the way, trying to kiss him passionately after a 14 hour day when he's almost half asleep is NOT a good idea. You'll get rejected, and it'll cause you to be upset. I learned that the hard way- almost. I still kiss him while he's sleeping sometimes. ;)

Don't forget to surprise that special man with some lip-lovin'!

A little late..

Hi all! This week I was sick and unable to blog, but I'm feeling a tad better today. (Yay!) Anyway, this week was the second week of the Marriage Challenge. Even though my husband was the one showing most of the love, I was able to show him my appreciation too. When we first got married, we used to leave each other sticky notes everywhere. So, in honor of our newlywed love, I did this:

These sticky notes are a great and flexible way to show each other love. You can get as creative as you want! I love them!! Anyway, it has now been 4 days and the sticky notes are still there. He loves them! Since I was sick he made me tea, gave me a massage, cooked dinner, bought me flowers, and a huge balloon. (I totally love balloons!) 

What has everyone been doing for their husbands? I need ideas for next week!

Day 2 of the Marriage Challenge!

What did you do for your husband today? I had to get creative today! Usually I don't make my husband anything to take for lunch. That's something he does for himself and sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) he forgets his lunch and eats fast food. Today, he was working around our house and I was still home, so I made him a quick lunch and snuck a little surprise in there to help him with his stress. (He owns a concrete business)

I had to leave for work before he could pick it up, but he called me later to say thank you and that he loved the drink I surprised him with. It's a Neuro Bliss. (If you haven't tried their drinks, you should!)

Be My Valentine- Marriage Challenge Week One

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! What are you planning to do with your spouse?

My husband and I have never really made a big deal about it, but this year I am doing the Marriage Challenge by Courtney at womenlivingwell.org! I have to say I was a little hesitant at first as my husband and I aren't at our best right now. But it's only four weeks, and what will it hurt, right?

This week is about praising your husband, taking the initiative, and being consistent. I am always thanking him for working so hard and being a good dad, but this week I have to step out of my comfort zone. I am determined to tell him these things and let other people know how I feel about him. Even though we have our differences, he really is an amazing husband and father.

This is how I praised my husband today:

It's hard to dig for the right words sometimes, but I encourage you to take some time to think about how your spouse has made you and your life better, and give thanks for it.

A little about me!

Hi my name is Jacky. I'm happily married to an awesome man that I've known pretty much my whole life. Don't get me wrong we are not always happy and we have lots of problems, but we are strong and willing to work on it together...

Liz and I have been doing a bible study for the past two months on Proverbs 31 "the Proverbs Wife".
These two months have been a learning experience on how God wants me to be as a wife- especially since I am so.... head strong. LOL. Especially in this time and age were they tell us, women, wives to be our own person and that we don't have to do a thing for our husbands if we don't want to. "They (guys) can make their own food, wash their own dishes, clean up after themselves". Now, don't get me wrong that is not necessarily bad and guys can do all that by themselves. Actually, the other day my husband made me a surprise breakfast and I didn't even know he could cook!

I've learned that us, as wives, should do the things that are expected of us to do: cook, clean, and other wifely duties. We will be happier doing those things for our husbands. I know when I clean or do other things at home and I see my husband smile cause I did it makes me soooo happy. Then they will be happy and I 100% believe that then they will start doing things for us to make us happy.

Trust me, what I just wrote I would have never believed it, and I never did or wanted to. This was before I started studying Proverbs 31. I would just sit at home watching TV and I wouldn't do anything at home. I'd clean whenever my husband offered to help clean and I was super depressed, but I chose to do nothing about it. Cleaning is not only a wife duty but honestly it makes you feel better living in a clean environment.

Who am I?

Hello everyone! My name is Elizabeth Cabriales. I am a wife to an amazing husband and a mommy to a gorgeous baby girl. It is by Christ alone that I have become who I am today, and because of his death on the cross I am the daughter of the most powerful King in the universe.

Growing up, church was always an important part of my life. My parents were born in Mexico so we always went to hispanic churches. As we all know, the two cultures are completely opposite from each other and many times my views clashed with those of my parents and church members. It's one of the biggest challenges of being raised in a country your parents weren't raised in. My parents did a good job though.

When I met my husband he wasn't Christian. I had the privilege and responsibility of bringing him to my Father's feet. It was a struggle, but he soon decided to dedicate his life to our God through his baptism. It was one of the happiest days of my life. We aren't perfect people. We don't have the perfect marriage. We just love God, love each other, and love our baby girl.

Marriage is hard work. I know that God can salvage any marriage- no matter the conditions, the pain, the scars. But we have to put in our part too. Yes, we can pray all we want for an amazing marriage. Honestly, though, if we don't actually DO anything, we won't have the marriage we're praying to have. It was this realization that drove me to find resources to help me be a better wife while also helping me be a better daughter of God.

So this is it. This is my journey.