Oh. My. Corncobs.

Lately, I've been really worried about money.

Okay, really worried might be strong. I'm not like those folks who can't afford their mortgage or whatever and thank God for that, you know? I mean, really. That is so sad that so many people are homeless and having to do things like leave their pets behind and lose everything they worked for.

But still. My expenses have gone up since I started paying back student loans and the children's afterschool program is more expensive than the one they were in before. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I have an education and wouldn't trade my degree for anything, and I'm ESPECIALLY glad that my children are in safe environment after school where they get to learn a really fun, cool skill and get a lot of exercise, even.

I'm glad about these things. I'm also anxious about these things. Because money? It's one of my triggers. One of the things that causes me the most anxiety.

I've been poor. Really poor. I don't ever want to be poor like that again.


I've been praying about my situation a lot and trying to figure out the things I could do to make it better. I'd thought about taking a second job and, you know, sleeping for like two hours a night or something. But I wasn't sure how exactly all that would work and frankly? I need my sleep. I really do. I love sleep almost as much as television and that is a LOT.

After several months of worry and concern, Jason found out just the other day he was getting a promotion. I'm excited about that and it's really going to help.

(Can I just say I'm also excited because it's a BIG validation that what happened at the last place was because those people were batpoop crazy? Because obviously if he's been promoted after only four months at this new place, then he's doing something right. And that I love him so much and I worry about his self-esteem and I can see him becoming more and more of his old self and it just makes me so happy? You know?)

Anyway, it's helped alleviate my fears somewhat. Not totally, but it's made it a bit better.

I got a call on my cell phone from my parent company. It was our human resources director.

She told me that the company was going to give me reimbursement for my cell phone. Because I've not had an office phone since May and I've had to use my personal cell phone for all work calls. Even though I'm back at the old office now, I don't have a phone or a desk even. I'm sitting at what amounts to a credenza.

I hadn't asked for this. I never even mentioned it. But they realized it and are trying to make it right.

Then she said, "We're also giving you a raise. Don't scream."

I said, "Um. Okay."

She said, "It's twenty percent."


I said, after a moment, "Can I go OUTSIDE and scream?"


Because, you guys? Seriously? About four years ago I wrote down a list of life goals. Among the hopes and dreams of being a good wife and mother and being a published author, another of the goals was to make a certain dollar amount on an annual basis.

My new salary? Is exactly that dollar amount.


I know that I don't get really preachy a lot. I make it clear that Jesus is my homeboy and I got nothing but love for him and all that, but I try not to come across as pushy about my faith. My faith is really personal to me. REALLY personal. I respect the fact that other people's faith is personal to them too.

But you guys? God is good.


Really, really good.