Have you ever looked into Dave Ramsey programs? He has great tips and suggestions and solutions for all financial issues. He also has a radio station where people call him and can get personal advise plus budget forms and solutions. I would check it out for yourself but also helping your spouse get involved.

I think he may be on satellite radio. If so, it would be a great opportunity to listen to him on our road trip this coming week. I have heard him before, but don’t remember what he said! Thanks for the tip!

I had some difficulty today starting things on time. I lost track of time twice during the day and it’s made me a minute or two late on two different occasions. It was my goal to leave at 5:40 tonight and I left a few minutes after that. I could have cut two tasks out of my schedule and I would have been gone by 5:40. I was aware of that, but didn’t have the discipline to cut out hose two optional activities.

Yesterday I feel like I planned and did just the right amount. I know that I need to work on the lawn, and at a few points during the day I was about to just go outside and start working on it. But I stayed on task. I realize that if I did that, I would become very tired. It would use up my energy and it would not be a restful day. Instead, I took my time with the finances and personal office work. I ate 3 full meals throughout the day, planned out food I would need for the week and went grocery shopping. Are there things left undone? Of course! But because I didn’t overbook myself, I am not exhausted today. I feel good about my accomplishments and not overwhelmed. I was also able to handle some pastoring responsibilities for a couple hours last night, and also got my clothes ironed for today and the bus mostly loaded. It is helping me today to have a Sabbath that is completely dedicated to the Lord.

Yesterday we were late to church. I could have prevented it if I had asked my wife if we could go to the store later. That extra 15 minutes would have helped us to be on time. We work well together and I feel that this suggestion would not have been met with too much resistance. If she said “no,” then I would have let it go. I had already said what time we needed to leave to be on time. Suggesting to go to the store later is the best idea I can come up with in retrospect for being on time to church.