This is Part 2 of our story, head on over to read Part 1 of How TFF started and where we are at today.
Today our life looks very different from most families. My husband is home almost everyday, we teach the kids together, I blog often from a small table at Starbucks, we’re able to go on field trips with the kids together, and we can split most of the household chores evenly. I’ll be honest, my worried self wonders why. Why are we experiencing these blessings. The pessimistic person in me wonders “what big life changing event is coming just around the corner.” Are we being prepared for something? Sometimes it feels like a blessing and other times it feels a bit like this…
Heart wrenching struggles…
I long for a “normal” life – at times. If you could peak into our home in my weakest points you’ll find me on the couch crying my eyes out just begging God to give us just a little bit of “normal”. I miss the consistency of a 9-5 salaried job, the one that (even at a high price) gave us full medical and nights and weekends off. Thecomments I get like “If only we had it as easy as you” really sting especially when just the night before I was up until 2am working because I took the day off to spend with the kids. Back to the couch, you’ll find me saying ” I wish I could know that at the end of the month we’ll definitely be able to pay our bills” then you’ll find my husband for the 100th time asking me “When have we not been able to pay them? Name just one time when God didn’t do as He promised.“ He’s right God is faithful and will always be. It’s about time that I start to trust, it’s not like He hasn’t had a chance to prove Himself.
Back to the couch again, you’ll find me saying “I wish I could JUST BE A MOM!” Forget all this coupon stuff, just give me back my lazy days with the kids. Take my to-do list and throw it out the window! Then I’m reminded that through my blurry tear filled eyes I simply can’t see the blessings at the time. – I DO have those lazy days and we’re right where God wants our family right now. I absolutely LOVE what I’m doing here on TFF – I wish I could convey to you how blessed I feel when I read the emails you send in sharing how different your family’s life is because you’ve learned these money saving tips. Knowing we’re right in the center of God’s will is a beautiful thing.
It’s time to embrace the blessings…
It’s taken me up until just the past couple of months to realize that THIS is our new “normal”. We are very blessed and I have come to the point where I can thank God for the blessings rather than wish for something a bit more “normal”. Blogging didn’t make any top 10 career choices list in 2010, it’s clear in the blank stares I get when I say “We blog” in response to “What does your husband do for a living?” In fact my own parents don’t get it. But it is OUR normal.
From me to you…
When you’re living a life of faith, even as weak as I have been, you WILL be ok. It’s a pretty well calculated risk when you’re depending on God’s promises. He is ever faithful and when He says something He means it, period.
I purposefully made a Part 2 to this story so that I could show you the raw truth of faith. I wanted to show you the struggles faith brings and what living a “different” type of life (financially and personally) can look like. Dave Ramsey says “LIVE like no one else so that later you can LIVE like no one else.” Financially that means doing things today with your money like the Envelope Budget System and implementing the tips in the Online Coupon Class so that later you can enjoy the fruits of your efforts. It can also mean setting yourself apart as a child of God so that later you can enjoy the RICH blessing of eternal life.
What do you dream about doing with your life? Where would you love to see your family at in 5, 10, or 15 years? What are you doing to accomplish those dreams? I can remember literally feeling like the way were living was the way life was going to be forever – like a hampster in a wheel. Several years ago I remember waking up in the middle of the night feeling so desperate and thinking this is it – we’ll never get out from under this debt. The truth is that there is freedom and nothing in life is permanent, and the things that are can appear vastly different if you choose to have a different outlook on life.
When we first started on this journey, we received questions like this from people very close to us…
Surely God would tell you where to go next BEFORE he asks you to step out in Faith, wouldn’t He? Surely He would want you to have a plan in place first, right? Surely, you are rushing into this. You have bills. You have children. What are you going to do?!
Our response was and is to this day…
God has told us to step out in faith.
God has told us to depend on Him.
God has promised to provide for our needs.
God has blessed us with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
That is all we know, and so we go.
I’m choosing to embrace our new normal. Is there a new normal around the corner for your family?
Cristina January 8, 2011 at 10:31 am
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story!!! I am thankful that God has always provided for you and your family when times are hard and I pray that he would continue to do so. You have blessed me and my family so much through your blog! Thank you so much.
Julia January 8, 2011 at 11:01 am
Cristina, thank you!
Jenesa Niswonger January 8, 2011 at 10:35 am
Oh, I can’t tell you how much your story has paralleled our lives as of late, but with different details! My husband is a minister and we desire to pastor full-time, but it hasn’t come to pass yet. We stepped out in faith from the last church where he was the Associate Pastor simply because God told us to go. It’s not something that people understand, not having a new destination point. Nor did they understand why we were ministering in that church when their doctrine was different than what we believe. We did it all because God very clearly told us to and we have been blessed for it. Not in the way the world expects, but in ways that we are just beginning to see ourselves. I left my very secure, very lucrative, 9-to-5 job with benefits to be a stay-at-home mom nearly a year ago. We are six weeks away from welcoming our surprise third child (a little girl who follows two big brothers) and, just as your husband said, God has not failed to provide for us! I appreciate you sharing your story in a very real and honest way. May God continue to bless you and your family as you follow after Him!
Julia January 8, 2011 at 11:04 am
Jenesa, I clearly remember the feeling I had when people just didnt’ get it. We knew we were doing exactly what we were supposed to do, but there was a 1/2 second thought each time that went something like this…
This is going to prove to be one of ”those times” in life where we look back and we have either flopped or soared.
God will bless your family, I’m sure of it!
Lynnette January 8, 2011 at 10:50 am
It’s interesting, the past few months my family has been in a very new financial situation. We always felt that God blessed us beyond our needs, and we were always thrilled and excited to pass on a blessing to someone else. Now we are in a tight spot where absolutely every penny counts and we save, save, save to make ends meet. This is a huge transition for us, and the Lord has been showing me over the past few weeks how He is providing for us, and He is taking care of us. I’ve always been thrilled to pass on a blessing, but learning to fully put my trust in God that HE will make our ends meet if we stay diligent and obedient has been very difficult for me. BUT I have to say that I am so thankful to be where I am today. He is stretching me and teaching me new things. I never knew about shopping like this until I happened upon a blog in Oct! (Hmm… while praying for understanding and wisdom!
I will never be the same! 
The Lord IS faithful, and He absolutely loves it when we lean in and trust Him. Thank you for blessing me with this post today! May the Lord continue to use you, and may you feel blessed!!! 
Julia January 8, 2011 at 11:05 am
He truly knows exactly what we need and will never fail to provide you with the resources you need. Sometimes it means a plentiful income and sometimes it means resources like coupon blogs – we may never know why, but in the end the real reason is because He wants us to depend on Him, fully. That’s what this is all about.
Sharon C January 8, 2011 at 11:06 am
You already know all of this but, God is good…and he always provides. I know it is hard to not have “normal” but what is normal anyway? All you can do is follow Him where He leads you. He knows what is best and has “an expected end” for you and your family.
Sharon C January 8, 2011 at 11:23 am
I change my “plans” all the time. I change where I see my family, what we are doing, how we are doing it…ALL THE TIME! God is so good, He let me have my idea then gently nudges me in His direction. I love Him for that. Because of that, although I may have my break downs here and there, I love my life as well! He knows what will bring me happiness, pleasure and security. I have had grandiose ideas…then reality sets in…I am a regular person and I do regular things. ONLY with Christ can my regular become GREAT!
My life seems like it never stops. I am a wife and mom of 2 beautiful children (a boy that is 2 and a 6 month old little girl). I am a student (and am frequently up till 2 AM trying to get done what I wasn’t able to do when the kids were awake). My husband works full time and we struggle with bills more often than not.
I have now taken on the mission of teaching couponing (although I am not an expert) to my friends, family and church ladies! Anything that can help us all out financially is a blessing from God.
I am sorry if I seem scrambled and not all “here” but I have been beckoned away from the keyboard about 4 times just in the last 5 minutes I have been trying to write this…LOL. Such is life with young children!!!
SueBee January 8, 2011 at 11:34 am
Julia, bless you for sharing this very personal story! I am loving this series. I totally, totally understand all of the mixed feelings. My husband lost his job last year- which in itself was an answer to prayer at the time, because it gave us the financial leeway to make a major life change- but the path we’ve been on since then has not worked out quite as we thought it would. He launched a new business in that time and it has been SLOOOOW going getting started; there are many nights when I am tired of feeling out of control and just want that regular, predictable paycheck again! But we believe that this is where we are meant to be and somehow, things always work out in the end. In 3 years hopefully all the yuck and difficult stuff will be over, and it will all be totally worth it! (At least that is my hope and prayer!)
Cam @ Frugal Day January 8, 2011 at 11:44 am
Great post Julia! Since being a stay at home mom I’ve realized “normal” is relative term. I haven’t seen “normal” in a really long time but I do know what has been chosen for me. This is the normal I embrace. Otherwise, I don’t know how I would make it through each day!
Tanya January 8, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Thank you for sharing your story! It really blesses me to know that there are other families who are following God’s plan and not trying to figure out their own way in life. As I read the comments I see that there are so many who are struggling and God continues to provide.
God told my husband and I to sell our home in Missouri during the height of the housing market crash. He clearly told us to step out on faith BEFORE we knew where He would take us. Some of our family and friends did not understand and thought that we were being irresponsible. My husband who had been in ministry previously was in insurance sales at the time making nearly a six figure income. Thirty days later we had a contract on our home(located in a little town, where homes were sitting for at least a year before selling.) In fact, we had our house sold before we knew where God was taking us. We moved our family of 6 into my brother in law’s home and waited on God. As difficult as it was, we felt excited at the prospect of being in God’s hands and following His plans. Through His grace we ended up in Tucson Arizona. We visited in “view-of-call” at local church in Tucson that was looking for a Family Pastor. We arrived back in Missouri and 3 days later headed to Arizona by way of moving truck and mini van. We have been here a little over a year and we still know that this is the place that God put us. There is no question about it, we moved here by the act of God.
Living on the edge and being different from the world is where every Christian should be, there is no higher calling.
Taking delight in being different,
Tanya
Kimberly January 8, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Your story is similar to my family’s in many ways. It is heartening and gives me courage to hear your side of the “other end” of stepping out in faith. My husband is in the military and is up for reenlistment this upcoming August. We feel so pulled in the direction of getting out, but it doesn’t make sense! The numbers just don’t work. But having my husband away from me and his son for half the year isn’t working either. So, we too are stepping out in faith in August. There are BIG securities that come with military life – free insurance, free education, guaranteed raises and income. There are also BIG fears – losing my husband and father of my child to a war that we have nothing to do with. We have decided that living with the fears are far worse for us than living without the securities. I began blogging a little over a year ago and have recently began making money doing so. It is inconsistent, it is small compared to our military pay, but I have faith that Heavenly Father will provide what our family needs if we do our part along side Him. Thank you for the post. It was inspiring!
sjababy January 9, 2011 at 10:25 am
Thanks for your post! I am lost right now with life. I know
what it’s like to follow God and want that back. So scared of
life’s changes that will require to get there. I am with a
boyfriend that so needs God and doesn’t know the true God or his
principles. I am with him by choice so I know this already. I think
one minute I should leave, one minute for me to go back to God as I
am miserable, and miserable to him, and maybe he will follow. He
may also leave. I suffered a miscarriage a few months ago and it
has torn me to the core of my being. This was a surprise but also a
dream come true, only to be ripped away just as fast as it came.
Now he doesnt want to try again. After that I want it done right,
in marriage first and all that follows. This would take a miracle
and a mustard seed is hard sometimes to believe its possible. I
divorced a few years ago from a man who had health issues I think
he knew about that prevented us from having a child, and he would
explore other alternatives. That was part of it anyway and was a
big struggle for me w/ getting a divorce in God’s eyes. Now here I
am again w/ that awful choice to make. It’s killing me inside and
out. At my age and with other health conditions it wouldnt be wise
to wait much longer. I gave one man 10 years of my life, not having
children, just his kids. How can I be doing this again??? Your
story of faith gives me some hope, though I don’t know if it will
last. I am just existing and I know there is more to life than
this. Please pray for me as I know you seem to have been there too,
just with different circumstances. God bless you and thanks for
your blog. I am following too many and reading more than cutting
coupons, so they expire and are a big mess. Hard to concentrate and
just escape in reading them instead of even leaving the house, or
getting ready as if I am. It does make me feel good to get free
stuff and help others with anything I get. Thanks again and hugs! I
know why I pulled this up today.
Julia January 9, 2011 at 4:42 pm
sjababy, I will absolutely be praying for you. Thank you for opening your heart – I can hear you pain and can see how torn your spirit is. There IS hope, don’t give up. There IS a healing waiting for you in the Lord.
Angela January 9, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for sharing about God’s working in your life. It’s such an encouragement to me to see your faith in action. May God continue to use you for His glory.
Mandy January 9, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Julia, so much of your “new normal” is so encouraging and inspiring to me! You have know idea how much your journey to financial well-being has helped guide my steps and choices over the past couple years!! I certainly understand your worrying, as I am also the “worrier type”, but you are right – God will make good on His promises, in HIS way and in HIS timing! Blessings and hugs, sweet friend! Miss you tons!
Julia January 9, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Oh Mandy, what a blessing your comment was to read. Thank you and I love this part “God will make good on His promises” because He loves us THAT much!
Gunga January 9, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Hi, Julia. I am a 58-year-old SAHM–yes, I have an adopted 15-year-old son whom I chose to homeschool several years ago. I have so much on my heart right now, after reading your post. How I wish I had had young mothers with your heart around me when I was younger–raising my two sons who are now grown and have families of their own. How blessed you are to have your husband and children at home with you all the time (even though it may not seem so at times), a husband who shares your faith in God Almighty and verbalizes it to you, and the opportunity to shield your children from the ways of this world until you have been able to equip them spiritually to handle it in a godly way. If there were many more young mothers who took on the blessed challenge that you have taken on, this world and its families would more resemble the world He intended. Keep your chin up, your hands folded in prayer, and disregard comments of others who choose to ask what I will call “ignorant” questions, and continue to praise God for His goodness. You see, you have what so many others are missing out on in this short life–a godly love for your family and freedom to live your life as you feel God guides you. And just keep on trusting in the goodness of our God! May His blessings be upon you and yours as you do so.
Krista March 3, 2011 at 10:44 pm
I love your site & your heart! Thank you for sticking it out & being there to teach me. I am still shaking with excitement over the possibilities!
I wish I lived in the same state & could visit one of your seminars/get to know you 
I dream of having some kind of business on the computor, so I could get out of the hard factory life…the environment has made me so much more “hard core” & I miss my quiet submissive spirit…my husband has been greatly neglected & even though the couponing takes some time, I feel so relieved by knowing how to make our life better…& it has given Dan & I something small to share & enjoy together. I often joke at the factory about my goal in life “being a hermit” 
in the middle of my coupon stash…lol No, seriously, thank you for not only the money saving knowledge, but also the spiritual encouragement…it’s been approx 5 yrs since I’ve went to church & with the factory job work weekends as well…please pray for me & my husband to find where God wants us to be in life……….let me know if you need a branch off to cover the Northern grocery stores….I don’t know if I would know what to do, but I am teachable 
Sara March 29, 2011 at 9:48 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your story….you are truely an inspiration! I was always mindful of sales and coupons, but after reading your posts/blogs it motivates me to work a little bit harder and get those “extra” good deals. I shopped at Target today using some of your tips (I was missing one of the coupons) but still managed to get 4 items for $1 each after it was all said and done. When I got home I was pumped up!!!! Thanks for the motivation and I’m looking forward to clipping more coupons and saving some $.
Blessings to you & your family!!!
Julia March 29, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Sara, thanks for the very sweet comment. I know the feeling of being pumped up!! Still get it every time
Enjoy your savings!
Toni April 20, 2011 at 11:58 am
Julia, you are an inspiration to Christians and non-Christians alike, you speak from the heart and are not afraid to tell your story or your struggles. God has been moving me and my husband toward a different direction for a few years and I am in college at the ripe old age of 46 to pursue a nursing career I had only vaguely though of several years back. But after praying about an educational direction (and then completely forgetting that prayer) He surprised me a few months later with his revelation. It has been a roller coaster in my marriage for my husband to get on board, with the hardest reality being that at some point I have to quit my well-paying job to participate in the 2-year nursing program. But we plug along trying to pay off our home in shorter than 3 years so that can become possible. I know God won’t open the door until the time is right, and until my husband is completely ready to trust Him without reservation. Thankfully he is getting there with baby steps but I know that God will provide for our needs as he has for yours.
God Bless you and what you do for so many people you have never met!
Julia April 20, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Toni, thank you so much for sharing your story. You’re right on track, steadily moving forward as the Lord leads. He IS faithful and will provide, and His plans for us while not always what we had imagined are so perfectly wonderful.
Gilda June 2, 2011 at 12:56 am
Thank you. There’s not a lot of words to describe the gratitude in sharing about what you are doing and the honesty you have about it. It is like reading your story and hearing God whisper, a reminder to have faith in Him. Especially as my family is in a similar place… a place where it doesn’t make sense to the world or to my family (and honestly, sometimes not even me)… but then again, God’s hand is obviously in it. A lot of stuff is “up in the air” (especially the finance and the perceived security that comes with it), but it is true that God has never not provided. And I’m thankful I read your 2 part post… another reminder that He will and all I need to do is trust and walk where I am. Thanks!
dena June 2, 2011 at 8:06 am
I can’t begin to tell you how much your story (and site ) has inspired me. I have so many student loans, and my husband hasn’t been able to find a job. Each month i stress & stress over whether or not we will be able to pay the bills! But God has brought couponing into my life to help lessen the burden, and i have been able to share my “extras” from couponing with other less fortunate people! there are always people doing worse than us, and always people doing better. But God is faithful! and i believe this new couponing life for me will help my husband and i survive and maybe one day not live paycheck to paycheck!
Tanesha June 7, 2011 at 11:53 am
May God Truly Bless You!!! I know God has a purpose for everyone and everyone has their own calling. We just have to seek and find where and what we are supposed to do. I am a Christian and I look for people that believe in God before I follow their blog. I know you have truly blessed me and my family with your blog. Sometimes we don’t understand why. Especially with a recent situation for me. But when I truly look back, God was right there the whole time. I honestly thank you for what you do and my God Bless.
Liz & JR August 2, 2011 at 10:55 am
Very inspiring!! May God continue to bless you guys abundantly. Thank you so much for your time and dedication to this wonderful blog, it has been a blessing for my family as well : )
Kathy Beltran August 8, 2011 at 12:35 am
What an inspiring story. I know recently I have been stressed, so stressed that I have been praying to God for guidance and help. It is encouraging to know that he does listen. Thank you for your story and your continued time consuming Frugal Find that helps everyone realize that they can save too. I am new to couponing and still learning the ropes, but hope to one day experience what you do. Again thank you for making a difference in my life. God bless you.
marge lee November 21, 2011 at 10:15 pm
just wanted to tell your website is great