Winning at Life (by Maureen)

This year has been hard.  I'm not trying to be negative, I just don't know what other words to use to describe it.  We've dealt with what has felt like constant physical illness (Max and Maureen - which means no work, which, for me, means no pay - and the pending hospital bill for Max), worsening depression (things are looking up with a new physician, new therapist, and new medicine), death in the family, and slow progress with debt payoff.  Lots of reasons for any person to feel frustrated and upset.  Let's flip it around and look at what good has come of these things:

• Physical Illness - John and I have had the blessing of spending a day or two (here and there) with our precious son while he was sick and had to stay home from daycare.  It's such a privilege to hold him and just love on him and we treasure this time.  I got some days of rest in when I was sick, much needed to heal/restore me and allow me to continue working.
• Worsening Depression - Through a trusted physician at my work, I was able to get in quickly to see an amazing doctor who works very hard to meet my needs and has helped me with some other referrals.  I am feeling hopeful again, something I haven't felt in a long, long while.
• Death in the Family - My precious Aunt Vicki recently passed away after a long and painful journey.  I love her and her sweet, gentle spirit and I will miss her.  The good?  She no longer suffers and we believe she has gone to be with her Savior and is rejoicing in Heaven.  Also, John, Max and I got to be with family we rarely have the chance to fellowship with.  It warmed my heart.  The service was lovely.
• Slow Progress with Debt Payoff - In January, I started a second job as a home health nurse that I felt the Lord wanted me to have.  So, we saved up some extra money and bought our "Dave Car" (sorry Dave!).  The job ended up being too much for me to keep up with and in February, I resigned.  It took us an extra month on our debt payoff to cross off our next student loan, BUT we now have an extra vehicle, PAID FOR, when we needed it the most.  Thank you, Jesus!  And, we paid off another debt, even though it wasn't as quickly as we had planned!

Every step, every struggle, every move we have made this year (and every year, for that matter) have been guided by the Lord and we continue to be blessed as a family.  This month, we have hit our one year mark in our debt-free journey, having paid off about $33,000!  Looking back, considering most of last year I didn't even have a job, I think we're pretty stinking awesome!  DON'T tell me it can't be done!  It's all about the journey and the challenges we face day-to-day as we continue to be good and faithful stewards and change our family tree. 

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Faithfully,

The Culbreaths (John, Maureen, and Max)