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What Have I Learned in 20 Years??

September 2, 2010 By Faith_Mom 1 Comment

Tomorrow, September 3, 2010 will be the 20th year I have been with my husband. It is not our “wedding” anniversary. However, it is twenty years of being with this same man. I have spent the past couple weeks pondering this milestone. Twenty years!!! That is a LONG time. We have been through a LOT. Some of it more painful than I would have liked and some more joyous than I could describe. We have overcome an affair, drug addictions, poverty, sickness, a miscarriage, and much more. We have grown apart and grown close. We have learned a lot and still have much to learn…

Twenty things I Have Learned in 20 Years…

{I hope this helps those who read}

1. Being right is not all it is cracked up to be.

2. Shutting up works wonders.

3. Prayer is VITAL!

4. I do not know everything.

5. Honoring my husband is as important as breathing.

6. I can overcome the “headache” excuse if I really CHOOSE to love him.

7. There are worse things than farts, burps, butt scratching and morning breath.

8. God is bigger than my circumstances.

9. Daddy God is my only TRUE fulfillment.

10. To forgive. My sins are no different than my husbands…go figure.

11. Nothing is UNforgivable.

12. To let go of expectations and put my hope in God.

13. Never forget to make sure the toilet is down in the wee hours of the night.

14. “Saying” I love you is not enough.

15. The kids come second to my husband.

16. Serving isn’t so bad.

17. Finding the humor in hard times makes life easier to bear.

18. Ear plugs work wonders for snoring sounds…

19. The covers belong to me!

20. The remote is hard to give up!

Yes, I have learned a LOT in twenty years…still trying to figure out a few things though…like dealing with jimmy legs in the night…er…anyway, I pray you see there is hope for ALL marriages and that while it is not easy and dying to yourself is the most painful thing you can do, it is worth more than all the riches in the world to share your life with another. All it takes is a willing vessel and a teachable heart.

Here’s to another twenty…thirty…what the heck 100 years!!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


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Week Four and Five

September 1, 2010 By Faith_Mom 2 Comments

I did not get to post last week because I was very ill…I do not remember being so sick recently. I really think I had food poisoning or the baddest little stomach bug this side of the cosmos! I could not even walk to the bathroom! I was literally CRAWLING!

You would think that if there was any justice in this cruel world I would have lost at least 5 pounds during my ordeal…well, you would be wrong … VERY wrong!  Sadly, I only lose 1.5 pounds in the past TWO weeks! It *could* be from all the laying down I did…however, I hardly ate, so it really is true what I wrote in my book about the body going into “starvation mode.”

Geeze!

I think I will be doing double time with my work outs this coming week!

Anyway, how did the past couple weeks go for you??

(not sure what all this is about?? click here)

Oh, and do not forget the “Ongoing Journey to Thin” ebook is only $10. Click Here for more details about this valuable resource.





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


Filed Under: Get Fit Challenge Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Searching for balance

August 31, 2010 By robinobryant 4 Comments

Before I had children, I thought I knew a lot of things. It seemed obvious to me that my priorities should be: God first, husband second, children third. But once my kids were born I learned that life isn’t always so cut and dried.

It never crossed my mind B.C. (before children) that my kids would wail at the top of their lungs for my attention and my husband would not. When an infant needs your attention it’s like God has tripped a fire alarm in your brain and you can’t focus on anything else. Your husband will probably not (hopefully) lie on the floor and kick and scream until you stop everything else to see what he needs.

When you get through the baby years to the toddler years, your children’s needs change, but they never need you less- just differently. Every mother has major responsibilities. Some moms stay-at-home full time, managing their households, feeding kids, doing laundry, scrubbing toilets, changing diapers, and shuttling kids around. Other moms choose to balance a career as well as their responsibilities to their family.

Either way, every mother I know is torn in a hundred different directions every single day. I can’t name one woman who wakes up in the morning and says, “Today I have 17 things to do. I will now prioritize them according to the most pertinent and work my way to the least important.”

Most of my days, there is no balance. If motherhood was a tightrope, I’d either need a safety harness or I’d been spending most of my days squished flat as a pancake on the floor a la Wyle E. Coyote.

My day is a blend and a blur. I do laundry while my baby sits on my foot and wipes snot on the leg of my pants. I write while one child naps and another watches Dora. I put out whichever flame burns the highest and brightest before turning my attention to the next big blaze.

I heard teacher Jeremy Pearsons explain priorities in a way that made perfect sense. He said instead of making a list of what should be first, second and third, we should endeavor to keep God at the center of everything we do. Make God the center of your marriage, the center of your parenting, the center of your work… if in everything we do, our focus is to glorify God, He will make sure that our attention is where it needs to be when it needs to be there. No area of our lives will be neglected.

I’ve discovered in the last six years that the perfect Mommy is a myth. It’s okay if Emma wears seven shades of pink and puts her signature, red Mary Jane’s on the wrong feet. It’s okay if there are cheerios stuck to my kitchen counter and it’s just fine if I drive through the carpool line in the afternoon wearing my pajama pants. It’s okay if other people know I’m not perfect, I’m doing my very best to keep God in the center of everything I do.

1 Corinthians 10:31-32 (The Message)
So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you—you’re eating to God’s glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s glory. At the same time, don’t be callous in your exercise of freedom, thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren’t as free as you are. I try my best to be considerate of everyone’s feelings in all these matters; I hope you will be, too.

Copyright © Robin O’ Bryant, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


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Encouraging Nonconformity

August 30, 2010 By Chere Williams Leave a Comment

If you want to walk with Jesus you must walk on a narrow path. It’s a rewarding path that isn’t always easy but necessary if we want to conform to the ways of Christ and not the ways of the world. With the school year nipping at our heels, most of us are busy school shopping for clothes and supplies to prepare our kids for the upcoming school year. You may want to take some time out of your busy back to school schedule and talk to your kids about peer pressure and other issues they may encounter that will tempt them to confirm to standards that don’t meet the values of your family. I was surprised to witness how early children start forming cliques and are enticed by the behavior of their peers. It is important that we instill in our children at a very young age not to be a follower, but to do what they know is right and what Jesus would want them to do.

Conformity is a big problem especially when you are raising your children in a Christian household. There may be certain things that your child isn’t allowed to do that their peers are. This can put your children in a very delicate situation where they have to make a decision that may isolate them. Parents should try to make every effort to teach their children that not conforming is cool and is what God wants them to do. Here are a few suggestions on how to inspire your child to walk on the right path.

Be Clear on Family Expectations

I ‘m not implying you should become a drill sergeant. However, your children should have a clear understanding of your expectations, your values, and your household rules. If her friends have a curfew of 9:00 and her curfew is earlier, make sure she understands that is your rule and your expectation is she follows the rules, if not there are consequences. If your kids don’t develop a clear picture of what is and is not acceptable it will be easy for them to waver. Take some time before the school year starts to discuss your expectations for curfews, grades, homework, and anything else that arises.

The Importance of Resisting Temptation

For parents whose kids are in the tweens and teens the temptations they face are unbelievable! Drugs, drinking, smoking, sex, etc. are all serious and prevalent issues they’ll encounter regardless of the private or religious school they attend, this is a sad realistic fact. When you find it appropriate have an open and honest dialogue with your children. Don’t just tell them, “don’t do this, don’t do that,” explain to them why they shouldn’t drink or have premarital sex. When you do have these discussions don’t neglect to tell them what the bible says about these temptations and why they shouldn’t fall into these worldly traps along with explaining the repercussions.

Don’t Allow School Activities to Be Their Only Activities

Schools have a variety of different enrichment activities and it is great when our children are active, but don’t forget about enriching spiritual activities either. Throughout the school year keep your children active in Sunday school and church youth groups. This is significant to your child’s spiritual growth. Church is a wonderful way for your children to connect with others that share the same values and belief system. It is also an important outlet for them. They may not always feel comfortable approaching you, but they may feel at ease asking advice from a fellow youth group friend, chances are they face the same dilemmas.

Pray

There is nothing like the power of prayer. Every day before I drop my daughter off at preschool we thank God for the day and say a prayer for her well being. I continue to pray during the day for her. Praying with our children before school is like giving them a good breakfast. They need that spiritual nourishment to get them off to a good start. During your family prayer in the morning ask God to keep them away from temptation and to give them wisdom to not conform to the ways of the world. Remember to encourage them to pray about their decisions and to be obedient to the Lord’s word.

We aren’t sitting in the classroom next to them, but we can arm them with the word of God, the power of prayer, and communicate clearly with them about our values and beliefs. As parents it is our job to encourage them through the wisdom of the Bible. It is also our job to say no and not give into the pressures of society. One of the best gifts we can give our children is the encouragement to be unique and be a follower of God and not a clique or some passing fancy. We have to continue to build a strong foundation and inspire them to walk the narrow path even when everyone seems to be skipping down the wide yellow brick road.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


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How to Have a Fruitful Business

August 27, 2010 By MariLee Parrish Leave a Comment

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. - Gal 5:22-23 NIV

In order to have a fruitful business you need to have a fruit filled one! As Christians we are not only responsible to our jobs and ourselves in our conduct—but to God as well! Because of this everyone, especially non believers, pay very close attention to our attitudes and actions, especially when it comes to business! Are you exemplifying the above qualities on a day to day basis in your life and job?

This week and next we’ll be discussing each of them and how you should be incorporating them as a part of your business.

Love – Do you love your job, your employees, your co-workers, your clients? If your answer is no then why don’t you? Love is listed first and is should be such a huge part of the Christian life. If you have a genuine concern for everyone you come in contact with it will make the rest of this list—and your life—so much easier!

Joy – I’ve often heard that joy is not based on circumstances or feelings (that’s happiness) but a continual attitude that each Christian should have. Do you have joy? Is your joy spilling over to your business? Would your colleagues describe you as a joyful person? With everything that Christ has done for us we should be continually joyful!

Peace – Are you at peace in the job you’re doing or the business you’re running? Do you feel that it is God’s will for your life, that it is what He is calling you to be doing at this moment? You are never going to be successful if you are continually second guessing yourself-or even worse going against what you know you should be doing or continuing in something you should not be.

Kindness – These days in many businesses it’s a cutthroat corporate ladder all the way to the top and the only way to get ahead is to trample all over your competitors. What I love about the Christian (& sometimes even secular) small business community is I constantly see businesses—even ones that sell the same types of products or services—continually helping out each other, talking about and promoting each other, and just being an encouragement to each other. Kindness—not only is a fruit of the spirit but “what goes around comes around” and even though it might seem strange to others, promoting other businesses and even competitors will gain you a more loyal client base yourself!

Try implementing each of these 4 fruits into your business and watch how much God will bless you and how much your business will grow!

Written By Nicole Elliott: Nicole is the administative assistant for CMB Resource and Mommy Bag Marketing, Inc. She also owns www.artisticalbumsbynicole.com She is filling in as the guest columnist for Faith & Business 101 in the month of August while MariLee is on vacation.





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


Filed Under: Faith and Business 101 Tagged With: , ,

50 Mom-Scape Ideas to Keep your Sanity

August 24, 2010 By Faith_Mom 2 Comments

Let’s face it, if you are a Mom, busy is your middle name. We pour our lives into our children and rarely take much needed time for ourselves or even to just breath and be women. Sadly, I do not think that is what God intended for Motherhood! I think the only way to be the BEST Mom we can be is to MAKE TIME to ENJOY life! Yes, it is OK to be a teeny bit selfish! LOL! I hope these Mom “escape” tips will help you take a few minutes here and there just for you…and hubby sometimes too! ;)

50 Mom-Scape Tips

1. Read a book by your favorite author. Take at least 15 minutes a day to just sit quietly and get some reading done.

2. Get up early to just breath. Relax. Pray. Take a few minutes to mentally prepare for your day.

3. Go to bed late. Relax. Pray. Mentally prepare for tomorrow!

4. Take a candle lit bath. Lock the bathroom door. This would be a good time to grab that book! Note to Super Moms -> bring the baby monitor if you must…LOL. However, TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOU!

5. Tape your favorite show and watch it while the kids are napping or at bedtime.

6. Insist on a daily quiet time. Reward the kids for cooperation. Use the time to relax, read your book, paint your nails, whatever. Keep in mind, YOU are in charge and if you are parenting properly, the kids must comply to your daily quiet time. It really is OK! LOL!

7. Get a pedi or manicure. Better yet, take a friend and make a day of it. Leave the kids with Dad, Mom, a friend or your Mother in Law.

8. Get your hair done on a regular basis if the budget allows. This will make you feel good, hubby check you out and give you some much needed time away!

9. Schedule monthly or at least bi-monthly Moms Night Out. Leave all the kids with the Dads. They will survive and it will be great bonding time!

10. Go for a scenic drive.

11. Shop alone whenever possible.

12. Exercise regularly.

13. Go for a walk…alone.

14. Garden.

15. Find a hobby and DO it.

16. Give yourself a facial after the kids go to sleep.

17. Get dressed up for no reason. Just to look and feel good.

18. Put some make up on for crying out loud!

19. Join a book club.

20. Go to a weekly Bible study.

21. Have lunch or dinner with a friend.

22. Change your look.

23. Get a pet. (this is good for Moms with older kids who still want to nurture :) )

24. Watch your favorite comedian on TV…better yet, go to a comedy club with hubby or a friend.

25. Go dancing.

26. Can’t dance? Take dance lessons.

27. Learn a foreign language.

28. Take a class and learn SOMETHING new.

29. Sleep in.

30. Smile more. Better smile wrinkles than frownies!

31. Buy a new outfit…or shoes!

32. Eat chocolate.

33. Eat out.

34. Ask for hugs from the kids.

35. Schedule a date night.

36. Go to the lake or beach.

37. Take a day trip.

38. Plan a weekend getaway with friends or hubby.

39. Get a massage.

40. Forget calories for a day.

41. Snuggle.

42. Cry.

43. Play a sport.

44. Learn hubbies favorite sport so you can enjoy watching it with him.

45. Rest more.

46. Laugh more.

47. Soak your feet.

48. Splurge once and awhile.

49. Test drive a sports car.

50. Volunteer.

I am certain if I sat here long enough I could come up with many more. LOL! However, this should be enough to motivate you to take more time for the woman side of you! It’s OK MOM! Trust me…this is coming from an overworked homeschool Mom of two…and a husband! LOL! (((hugs)))

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Fee free to share some of YOUR Mom-scape tips below!

Note: Thank you to my awesome teenage daughter for the GREAT name idea: Mom-Scapes! LOL!





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


Filed Under: All Moms Tagged With: , , , , , ,

God Made Man In All Colors – Teaching Our Kids Not To Discriminate

August 24, 2010 By Tammy 2 Comments

What a wonderful world! I just love that song by Louis Armstrong. Do me a favor and think of some of the lyrics. Trees of green, red roses too, skies of blue, clouds of white, and colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky. This is what God intended for our world, a wonderful one where all people of all colors co-exist with harmony, love, and peace. Although, this is sadly not the case in our society.

God indeed made man in all colors. However, teaching this concept of co existing in a colorful world to our children is challenging at best. Especially with facing the mixed emotions and opinions of their school peers, neighborhood friends, and unfortunately, sometimes other family members.

I was strongly taught by my parents that being prejudice against other people that are not white is morally wrong.

Proverbs: 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it

Start teaching at an early age. Children are naturally curious about people that look different. And of course, they will go along with their friends at school and practice unkind expressions and beliefs. Your kids desperately want to fit in with the in-crowd and their friends. Teach anti discrimination to your kids early on. You can do this in a number of ways…

What can we do as parents to help teach our children that people of all colors are uniquely beautiful and equal? Let’s look at a few tips…

* Encourage Discussions – You should encourage discussions and allow your children to ask questions. Be open and honest with them and answer all questions thoroughly. Tell them it is OK to be friends with people that are of different race, and accept them for who they are.

* Be A Good Example - If you want your children to be non discriminate, then you should practice non discrimination yourself. Remember, your kids are human and it is natural that they will do as you do.

* Read Scriptures Of The Bible To Your Kids - As I stated above, our God intended for all people of all colors to dwell on this earth in peace and harmony. Point out various places in the scriptures and read to your children. One example is the scripture below.

Acts: 17:26 - And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation

* Teach Your Children Respect - This is so very important. Express to your little ones that people of all races have feelings, wishes, opinions, and dreams just like they do, and therefore, everyone should be treated with respect. Teach them to treat people like they would want to be treated themselves.

Luke 6:31 - And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise

Unfortunately, our world has become saturated with disrespectful discrimination…and not just against race. It also involves religion and gender as well. Remember this…everyone IS EQUAL in God’s eyes. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if EVERYONE could see EVERYONE as the same; equal?

Copyright © Tammy Embrich , Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


Filed Under: Tammy's View Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Single Moms and Money

August 23, 2010 By Chere Williams Leave a Comment

One of the biggest sources of stress for single mothers is money. That green stuff you never seem to have enough of. In the current economy money is on everyone’s mind regardless of marital status. However, single moms shoulder an enormous amount of financial responsibility since they are the sole provider in their household. Handling money responsibly and creating financial future goals will give you a sense of security for you and your family.

Here are a few ways to enhance a Single Mom’s financial well being

Get Financially Organized

The quickest way to throw your finances in a tailspin is to be disorganized.

Follow these organizing tips:

  1. Buy an inexpensive binder that can house your bills. Don’t let mail pile up, open it and organize it into the binder.
  2. Create an excel sheet and list all your bills, payment due dates, the amount paid, the date paid, and balances.
  3. Set up automatic payments. Automatic payments help you to avoid late payments.
  4. Create a budget! This will allow you to get a realistic snapshot of your finances. A budget includes all of your expenses such as, bills, food, transportation, mortgage, clothing, etc. Take an honest look at your financial lifestyle and make changes if necessary.
  5. Know your credit score and review your credit report for any discrepancies. If you find mistakes dispute them. Fico is an excellent resource to order and monitor your credit report. Currently, a credit score of 700 or above will get you the best interest rates.

Save for a Rainy Day

I cannot stress enough the importance of saving and creating a nest egg. Sure, it is hard to save especially with how expensive the cost of living has become. But, it is absolutely necessary for you to put money aside.

There are a number of ways to save:

  1. Savings Account- Set aside a specific amount of money from each paycheck to deposit in an interest bearing savings account. Whether it is $10.00 or a $100.00 put aside an amount you are comfortable with.
  2. 401k, IRA, and retirement accounts- If your company has a 401k option, please, please contribute. Retirement funds are there for your future and if needed you can borrow loans from it if necessary. If your company doesn’t have a 401k check into other options such as IRAs and money markets.
  3. Education accounts-Make it a goal to start a college fund for your kids. This can be a regular savings account or look into a 529 plan.
  4. Create other accounts and deposit smaller amounts for special occasions during the year. For example, birthday, vacation, car or home repair, and Christmas accounts are great ways to save throughout the year, so you won’t have to put out large amounts of cash at once.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

Insurance is a wonderful thing. It may not be popular, but it is necessary.

Here are some of the essentials you need to protect your family:

  1. A Will is an essential expense for all parents. Contact a lawyer who can advise you and write up your will. Hopefully, you’ll be around for a long time, but it is better to have this document to protect your family legally.
  2. Health Insurance has caused quite a stir these days! Although expensive make sure that everyone in your family has a health-care policy. If your company doesn’t provide it go online to find individual health insurance. If you can’t afford it look into state programs.
  3. Life Insurance protect s your family in the case of death. Talk to an insurance agent about the levels and premiums that would work for your budget.
  4. Rental or home insurance are a must! If you are renting or owning insurance will protect you against unforeseen circumstances that could be a huge burden to your family

Setting your financial goals are important. Write down your financial goals and review them monthly. Figure out what you want. If buying a house is a dream of yours, research the costs, start saving, and develop a plan to make your goal a reality. Live within your means and only use credit when you know you can pay it off. Take advantage of savings and if you come across financial seminars attend them. Financial planners are often helpful, find out if your company provides this service. The internet has a number of resources that can assist you. Always pray about your finances and ask God to give you wisdom and guidance so that your finances stay in line with His goal for you.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


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10 Twitter Blunders To Avoid

August 20, 2010 By Faith_Mom 1 Comment

Twitter is one of the top social networking sites and how to use it properly will only be beneficial to you. Use it incorrectly and you’re wasting your time, losing money and creating a bad reputation for yourself.

Here are 10 things you should avoid doing on Twitter and solutions to remedy the problems.

1. If you’re only relying on using your keyword to find followers, you’re doing yourself a disservice. It’s vital to take the time to check out their profiles and read their Twitter stream. A mention of your keyword or key phrase doesn’t mean it’s their primary interest or niche.

2. Automatic direct welcome messages with your links look spammy and impersonal. Take the time to manually welcome new followers. This is a good time to get to know them a bit.

3. Networking isn’t about constantly promoting your business. It’s a turn off for your followers if they see you tweeting business links one after another. You start to look robotic and people wonder if you are a real person. Mix it up and let people see a personal side to you.

4. When you have a lot of followers, it’s easy to miss tweets especially if you’re also working on other tasks. When your followers respond to you with a @yourname reply be sure to respond. Check your @yourname replies and if hours have lapsed, send them a direct message.

5. When you re-tweet your followers, don’t add your own self-serving business link in with the tweet. Not only is it bad etiquette, it’s spammy. Instead give a reason you’ve chosen to do a re-tweet.

6. Fridays on Twitter is known as Follow Fridays with its hashtag #FF or #FollowFriday before a list of people to follow. Include your reason for the recommendations. People want to know why they should follow so and so.

7. Avoid profanity when tweeting. You shouldn’t be cursing up a storm as it’s unprofessional and offensive. Many people don’t tolerate it and will unfollow you. There are ways to get your point across without swearing.

8. Tweeting rapidly can easily fill up your followers’ time line and it’s annoying. Pace yourself between tweets and give your followers the chance to read and possibly respond.

9. One of the worse things to do on Twitter is promote how to get thousands of followers. It’s not about quantity, but the quality of followers you would like to connect with and help grow your business.

10. People aren’t receptive of repetitive tweeting. Change up your tweets to offer variety.

Avoid these 10 Twitter blunders and start networking the proper way so you can meet and connect with people who value what you offer.

Copyright © Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


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Week Three

August 19, 2010 By Faith_Mom 3 Comments

OK, still did not do everything I wanted…however, I did work out two days and manage to lose 1 pound! LOL!

I drank lots of water and did wii fit for about 20 minutes two days.

I also ate well for the first part of my week, but slipped just before the finish line. LOL!

Hoping for two pounds dropped this next week!

And you???

(not sure what all this is about?? click here)

Oh, and do not forget the “Ongoing Journey to Thin” ebook is only $7 for the month of August!! After that it will go up to $12.97. See below for more details. :)





A CALL TO HOLINESS--> I would like to let you all know about a NEW Bible Study here at Moms of Faith. It will be available at the beginning of October 2010. WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE! In this seven week study we will cover topics like; What is holiness?, Who is called to it?, 4 Characteristics of Holy Living, Hindrances to Holiness and more! Click Here for more info and pricing.


Weightloss ebook <-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.


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