Just a quick post to lay out where I am today. Things are going well for us financially right now. With my added jobs delivering pizza, doing computer consulting, and working as a teaching assistant in the med center, we've got some good money rolling in. We got a bonus last month at work, we got our tax refund, and were able to pay our homeowner's insurance, close out a credit card, and kick some money back into our emergency fund.

It has felt good to be able to make a difference. I don't enjoy slinging pizza, and I'm looking to increase my consulting work to eventually replace it, but I have felt a lot more confident about myself. I find myself to be a person who can do what it takes to get it done. Three months ago, I wasn't so sure about that.

And I also have to remind myself that it isn't all up to me. God has given me endurance. God has been at work to bring hope. It's easy to put it all on my plate. We still have considerable debts to pay. We still have a long way to go. Paying off this first credit card was a milestone. Now that I'm seeing some light at the end of the tunnel it's a good time to remind myself that this has been a team effort so far and will continue to be a team effort going forward.

And on that blessed day when my creditors receive their last payment, what will I do then? I find myself day-dreaming about it. Selling our home and moving into town. Buying a motorcycle. Taking a vacation. I'm ashamed to find that most of my dreams are about spending all my money on me.

A friend of mine recently wrote on her blog about her daughter selling lemonade to raise money for a clean water charity. There are many charities around the world making a big difference in the lives of others. I've been putting off contributing to these causes (both financially and personally) because I'm focused on getting us financially free, and yet I know when we reach our goals, I'll have to make a concerted effort to get off my couch and shift my focus from myself.

This past Sunday our pastor spoke about life after death. Talk of heaven doesn't really do much for me. Praising God for all eternity may be great and all, but excuse my blasphemy here, it's not that appealing. That's not the end, though. The Bible teaches that our end is eventually a new earth. Whether it's a restoration of the current planet we live on, or Earth 2.0, I don't know, but THAT is appealing to me. I enjoy work. I look forward to working on that new Earth. I look forward to doing all the things I didn't have enough time for in this life. Going fishing. Playing cards with old friends until the wee hours of the morning...

And there is a lot to enjoy in this present life as well... and much of it doesn't involve money. The weather has been great lately, and I've taken time to enjoy it as I walk between buildings at work. I enjoy the camaraderie of my co-workers as we worry about the economy and our jobs.

Things are never perfect, but life IS good.