I Know Hope

In an ongoing effort to spend the money God has given us in the way He would want us to spend it, I am constantly on the lookout for companies or ministries that are 

• environmentally friendly
• practice Fair Trade with their growers, farmers, craftsmen, laborers, etc.
• are not abusing, enslaving or traffiking anyone...or turning a blind eye to such practices
• work toward helping communities and individuals instead of padding the pockets of a few CEOs of multinational corporations

I still have a long way to go, but God is empowering me to one purchase at a time, stop the hopeless, helpless feeling that "I am only one person, so what can I do?" For me, that has become a cop-out that I can no longer excuse. Yes, it means research, diligence, delayed gratification and persistence but it also means my life and spending directly contribute to the well-being of others. I think that's a life Jesus would say is well-lived. Shouldn't that be my goal?

Which brings me to my latest purchase. A purse. I've been looking for one for about three to four months. I could find nothing on Stop Traffick Fashion's website that would fit my needs and budget, but they are usually my go-to place for this sort of thing. I've been babying the free Thirty-One purse that I won a few years ago because the zipper pull kept breaking. Then yesterday, the kids and I served at session for the Hands Against Hunger Million Meal Pack and I had time to peruse their small shop in the factory. I was beyond thrilled to find a messenger style bag (my favorite), upcycled from a used coffee burlap sack, that supports a ministry that is "Meeting the needs of the orphan, the hungry, and the hopeless by providing food, shelter, and other humanitarian efforts both locally and abroad."

Can't beat that, can you?

Sure I paid probably about $10 more than I typically would for a bag like this, but I consider that an investment in someone else's future. I Know Hope has several vendor locations in the Cincinnati area, but you can also order directly from them online. Oh, and by the way...the bag is exactly what I've been looking for and amazing quality too!

I have a friend that tomorrow is also hosting an open house for Redeeming Gifts brothel ministry. 

I am certain that I will spend money that some would say I should save for a "rainy day". But if I can get a jump start on some Christmas shopping and help a woman who currently can only support herself by selling her body for a dollar or two...why would I not do it! 

The point of all of this is not to strive for perfection...but improvement. 

See also, related post A Good Steward, 

A Good Steward

Steward is one of those words that people in the church throw around a lot but few outside the church even hear. Yet it's a concept that can be lived out no matter what part of the Journey you're on. Because we are all on a Journey whether we recognize it or not. I tell my kids often that the only difference between us and all other mammals is that we have the God-given ability to stop and think. When our lives are not just a series of knee-jerk, survivalist reactions, we can live the life God intended when He first thought of us.

The crux of being a good steward (as my finite brain sees it) is twofold:

• Acknowledge that everything belongs to God and I am just the "manager" of what He's given me. 
• Stop and think if I am using His resources in the most effectively responsible way that I can.

Simple, right?

In theory...Yes. In practice, not so much. 

We in the western world don't have a culture set up for "stop and think." In fact, our consumeristic, capitalistic economy is literally banking on the hope that we will be impulsive. Someone like me with ADD is very familiar with the sting of buyer's remorse. So I have had to give myself permission...and grace...to take this in baby steps. 

Buying locally grown food is great and supporting farmer's markets is awesome. I'll be honest...I don't remember to do it very often. I have no great reasoning behind this. I do remember to go berry picking sometimes. And I even made it to a farm for peaches. But we go through produce so fast around here that trekking out only to the farm is not realistic or even financially viable for us right now. I've chosen a third option...growing our own as much as possible. With this choice it was easier to find an economical, environmentally friendly seed company. And, an AMAZING young start up that donates an aquaponics system to a school when I buy one. 

I don't know that I can always buy Tom's Shoes, but when they donate a pair to a developing country with every pair they sell...I would be remiss if I didn't at least check into it when I need shoes. 

If I need a new purse, you better believe I'm going to try to find one from Stop Traffick Fashion. (They sell jewelry and t-shirts too.) Our co-op can no longer collect BoxTops for education, but I am still cutting them out because it just feels wrong to throw away ten cents that a school could use. I'll pass them on to someone that can use them. 

But the easiest way to live this steward-thing out happened again today. I've done it often enough that I don't even have to think about it now. When checking out at Gordon Food Service, I say, "I need to mention Lifeline Ministries." And, BOOM...Lifeline receives a donation. It really is that simple. If you don't live in Northern Kentucky, ask around. I'm certain there is a soup kitchen or a women's shelter in your area that can benefit from a portion of your purchases. 

This way of living initially may require a little extra effort. But just like me at GFS, eventually it becomes habit. It really takes no more effort to load up our unneeded stuff and drive it to Lifeline, where it is given freely to people who need it by an entirely volunteer staff...than the effort to drive it to Goodwill where bargain hunters snatch up great finds and minimum wage employees are worked hard...while the fat-cat CEO rakes in over 20 MILLION dollars a year. Please tell me you can appreciate the difference.

I've rambled long and I still have a long way to go in living this out. (Remember, baby steps!) I encourage you though, just like making small, life-long changes in what you eat or how you exercise...take the challenge to change one aspect of your buying habits. Whether it's resolving to never again use plastic shopping bags or only buying local lettuce...stop and think about how you can make the Journey a little more meaningful while you still have the chance.

Financial Statement September 2012

Here's a link to our monthly Financial Statement

While still endeavoring to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, I am considering discontinuing these. If the direction of our ministry does not become a more public and "shared" vision, then there is no need to continue reporting our personal giving to single moms on these reports. Unless He tells me differently, I always seek to give in private so only God receives the glory. It is possible that in the near future we may not openly report outgoing gifts to single moms unless the funds were donated by a party other than ourselves. I will always be forthcoming with someone else's money that they have entrusted us to use for God's ministry to others. I just feel a bit awkward (and hypocritical to some degree) continuing to share giving that is coming only from us.

Please do not interpret this as a plea for assistance in this work. It is not. I am completely confident that God's Spirit will always provide in the way He that will best glorify Him. Giving in secret is how I believe He wants to work in my life. Amen!

August 2012 Financial Statement

Here's the link to the latest Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries. As always, God is faithful!

Amen!

Reflections On a Fiscal Year

As I was catching up today on our financial statements for Boundless Ministries, I realized we began reporting our finances as a ministry in July of 2011. That means the end of July 2012, completed one full fiscal year for us. When I looked back over the figures, I few things stood out and I think are worth drawing attention to. Why? Because they show just what an awesome God we serve.

[If anyone cares to verify my numbers, you can access all financial statements on my Scribd.com page]

In brief, during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, we received $1893.76 in donations for Boundless Ministries. $282.46 of this amount was from us because of blessings we received and tithed a portion of or a need arose that God provided an opportunity for us to meet. From the outset of establishing this ministry, we felt the Holy Spirit's leading to accept 25% of any donations as income to help support us as we served. We have not always done this because sometimes $25 came in at exactly the time we need $25 for a Single Moms' Night Out, etc. Overall, when the numbers are tallied, we accepted about 17.7% income from donations made to Boundless Ministries. Subtracting out our donations to the ministry, we received about 2.8% in income.

Why do I share this? I wish you could know my heart and understand that it is not in anyway to brag on us. No, I want to "Boast in the Lord!" (see I Corinthians 1:31)

And the mind-boggling, amazing, awesome, insert any superlative, thing that I realize...yet, again...is that even though I whine and beg and complain to Him to the point of being annoying...God has never failed us! We remain amply fed, adequately housed and clothed, healthy and loved by a God that knows better than we do what we need. Plus, He's not just providing for us, but through His Holy Spirit's inspiration, donations have helped feed, provide heat, provide gasoline and generally care for single moms and their children.

What is my hope and prayer that you'll take away from this? First, that you're never too poor to give...never. In fact, I'll be so bold as to declare that if you believe that you are, then you're believing a lie from your enemy. I know that to be the case when I think I'm too poor to give.

Secondly, my prayer is that our lives would be a living testimony that the God of the universe is still a God of provision, care, compassion and infinite Love for those who call Him Abba!

Amen!

p.s. If you've been following my whining lately...I do need to give God praise for yet more blessings through this past week. Yes, I doubt way too much and way too often...but He never fails!

Financial Statement for July 2012

Here's the July 2012 Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries...a little closer to schedule than was June's version. Again, not much has changed...but there was a little change (pun completely intended!) in the finances for July. God always remains faithful to provide, just exactly when it's needed and when it will bring Him the most glory!
Amen

Financial Statement for June 2012

Yeah...I know it's very late. But if you click on the link to the Financial Statement for June 2012, you'll see there really wasn't anything to report. So better late than never...right?

God is good and always provides in just His right timing! Amen!


Somehow, some way, after January 2012 I inadvertently removed the Year-to-Date totals from the Financial Statements. I'm sure it had something to do with working crazy hours during peak tax season. I've now amended my documents to reflect these totals.

May 2012 Financial Statement

In an effort to always be an open book, here's our Boundless Ministries Financial Statement for May 2012. You can see, it's lean...but God always faithfully provides when a need arises. And He always provides in His best timing and in the way that best reveals who He is...a God of mercy, grace and love!

Just in case you need a little extra reassurance of God's daily provision, please read The Theme Continues and God's Good Thing of the Day. My prayer for Boundless Ministries, the single moms we know and our own family is that every day I remember the words the Holy Spirit profoundly spoke to my heart, "It's not about money, Angela. It was never about money. I have the money...the question is...do you have the faith?"


Amen!

God's Good Thing of the Day!

At about 9:45 a.m. I said to my oldest, "Do you wanna hear God's good thing of the day?" She replied, "Already?!" Yep...and it happened at 9 a.m.! I can't wait to see what He does the rest of the day.

Here's what happened. Yesterday was our son's birthday, so with even an inexpensive gift and a cheap (for a family of 6!) lunch out to celebrate, money is a wee bit tight. Yet, we have a van repair that's needed to be done and had already scheduled it to be completed today. I hadn't heard the quote yet of how much it was going to be and as I reviewed our finances this morning, I whispered to God, "It can't be any more than $88...that's all we can spend. If it's more than that, we'll need You to come through or show us where it's coming from."

I waited about 10 minutes to call the mechanic, honestly, just so I could distract myself for a few minutes before I heard what I thought would be the bad news. When I called, his wife answered. She relayed my question to her husband asking how much money we needed to bring for the repair. His reply?

Eighty-eight dollars!

Yeah...it's only 10 a.m. and my God's already been working today...and He's just getting started!

Amen!


On a related side note: If you're in the Northern Kentucky area and you need good, honest, very affordable auto repairs, I will more than gladly pass along our friend's phone number to you.

Provision Even for the Little Things

I know I've blogged similar posts before, but I'm still in awe of a God that cares about even the little, seemingly insignificant things that matter to us. I shared on Thursday (see Idolatry of Self-Reliance) how I'd awakened pretty early with some concerns on my mind and heavy on my heart. Payday was Friday and I just couldn't humanly see how money was going to stretch to cover all the things we need it to this month.

Even as I was walking to the mailbox Friday afternoon, for some reason I was praying, "Lord, even just $25 would be great." I haven't exercised this sort of request to Him as I walked toward the mailbox for some time, because the random blessings we received in the past have become very random indeed...and that's okay. This is merely how God is choosing to work in our lives for this season. I've not complained because I know when His floodgates are open, sometimes there needs to be a little dry spell too.

I even shared with a friend a few weeks ago after my temporary tax season job was complete that in a weird sort of way, I look forward to these periods where we can't completely provide for ourselves...that's when my intimacy with Him is at its highest and I see Him working everywhere around me...even in the little things.

I honestly wasn't expecting anything in the mail on Friday, but as I did a quick glance through, I saw a card from a relative that loves to send cards. I knew when I saw the handwriting that it was a Mother's Day card addressed to me and I thought, "How sweet.  She always remembers." I opened it on my way to the van because the kids and I were heading out to run some errands. Out tumbled a $25 Kohl's gift card. Hmmm...amazing! One of my kids needs some new shoes...God knew it...and He provided. He's just that good.

Since it was payday, I'd already paid out or allocated the money to payout all of our expenses for the next few weeks and didn't much care for the number that was left over when all was said and done. Are any of us ever? I told myself, "It's okay. It will be tight, but I just want to have enough for Noah's birthday and to go out for Mother's Day." Unfortunately,  after we'd run our errands which included grocery shopping, I knew I'd cut into what was left more than I'd expected. Don't we always?

So as I put all the groceries away and thanked God for His provision for them yet again (and the amazingly cheap produce co-op where we get to shop!)...I said to Him, 'You know...it's okay if we don't go out for Mother's Day. I just want to be able to go out for Noah's birthday.' I was thinking this as I walked toward the dining table where I'd thrown the rest of the mail. As I opened the only other envelope we received that day, to my astonishment and surprise, there was the $50 rebate gift card from my contact lens purchase I'd submitted in March...in an unmarked envelope with our address only.

Now, I am fully aware that eating in a restaurant for Mother's Day is way down on the pecking order of world dilemmas. But to be able to tell my kids, "Look what God provided," is HUGE. And you may begin to believe that I somehow contrive these little stories just to make God sound good...but I could never make Him sound as good as He really is. Believe it or not, we went to our family's favorite Chinese restaurant and my heart sank as they told us that lunch prices were not in effect today because of Mother's Day. I thought, "Shew...good thing I told the kids on the way here we were only getting water!" I even made a remark to all of them that it would be about $20 more than I'd budgeted (which was the $50 gift card), but it would be okay.

Without even calculating the cost and simply being able to share one less meal because the dinner portions are bigger and the wonderfully kind owner continued to give me a 15% discount because she did this for me while I worked in the same strip mall this winter and...yes, beyond everything rational and logical within me...that total, with even a 20% tip was...you guessed it...$50.00!

Is that cool or what?!

So let me ask you this: Do you trust Him with even your little things? Please do...you will be amazed, astonished and absolutely awestruck at what He wants to do in you!

Financial Statement for April

Here's the April financial statement for Boundless Ministries

April Financial Statement

March Financial Statement

Here's the latest link to the Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries.

February Financial Statement

Tax season has had me chasing my tail, so I'm slightly behind in getting this posted. But...here is the February Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries.

January Financial Statement

Here's the January Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries. It was a slow month overall and not just financially. God always provides, just when He is needed and when the provision doesn't come from Him...He shows us how to do it ourselves. He's pretty amazing that way!

We're looking forward to a great February! Amen!

December Financial Statement

Here's the latest Financial Statement

God has been faithful to supply exactly what we need...exactly when it is needed!

November Financial Statement

Here's the November Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries.

An Exciting Next Step!

Had a great offer from a couple who are both accountants to sit down with us and explain the process for Boundless Ministries to become a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. They had already spent some time researching the process and made it much easier for us to understand.

We are very thankful to them for their time, and for God's provision. He obviously led this couple to offer their expertise and experience in His timing and I, once again, just love how He brings everything together to work for our good and His glory.

There is still praying to do and steps to take and His guidance to seek every step along the way...but just having the information...the basics, so to speak, is a great place to start. To top it all off, I love the feeling of no longer being absolutely clueless about where to begin!

October 2011 Financial Statement

God is always good and He is continuing to provide for His people as they seek Him in their desperate need. This month is full of more than just financial examples. But if that's where your interested in seeing the black and white of what He does, you can see the most recent Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries by clicking on the link below:

October 2011 Financial Statement

As always, we are an open "books" ministry. To find out more about how donations are use, you can click on the accompanying Page of this blog.

How Donations are Used

So Sometimes I Drag My Feet...

and God speeds up the timing for me! I just LOVE that about Him.
You see, there's a family in our home school co-op. I recently learned the husband is a mechanic that works out of his home. His wife has said that he is a lot more affordable because he doesn't mark up the cost of parts.

Just about two weeks ago, I commented to my husband, "I wonder if I approached J____ if he would consider doing repairs for single moms at a reduced cost?" Dale thought that was a good idea. In the back of my mind, I was also thinking that of course I'd throw some regular priced work to him from us or anyone else in need of a mechanic whenever I could!

Now, I could have e-mailed his wife and started the ball rolling...but somehow I actually dropped the ball. Last week, they weren't at co-op and in the meantime, First Church of Christ had contacted me about their Car Care Saturday event.

But God doesn't drop the ball...so of course, today...J_____ walked up to me and said something like, "H____ (his wife) told me about your ministry to single moms. If anyone ever needs repairs, I could do it for the cost of the parts or at half-price or something."

I am humbled!

I'm not sure that I'm as amazed at God doing something like this...but I am absolutely fascinated by how He puts it all together!

While I'm processing what was taking place, I know in some way I communicated that maybe as a need arises, we can find someone to donate the money to cover parts or as we receive financial donations for Boundless Ministries the cost for parts or his reduced fees could come from that. But whatever I actually said...I am not certain. One thing I am certain of though...if God went this far to put this connection together, when a mom has a "automobile need", He'll make sure the money becomes available somehow.

God's pretty good at working out the details so far...I think I'll just leave it up to Him to figure out how!

September Financials

Where has this month gone? I don't know...but it has! And here is the latest September Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries. You will quickly see that God has blessed His work beyond anything we could have "asked or imagined" (Ephesians 3:20).

I feel confident that anyone interested enough in this ministry to glance through our financial info, must have a vested interest in being a part of what God is doing for single moms with whom we come in contact. So, thanks for faithfully praying that God will provide for this ministry, single moms and our family. And if you'd ever like more information or have any questions about why or how we do what we do, we welcome the day that conversation can take place! If you'd like to know how you can specifically pray for this ministry, you can learn how at our Prayer Requests and Needs Page.

Have a blessed October!