grace

Dexter and I have been working on financial aid applications in the last couple of weeks, trying to see just how much money we can eek out of the loan process. It has been grueling, tiring, stressful work.  I spent a long time working out a bare-bones budget with no frills attached (no eating out, gifts, extravagant shopping, and on), and even still, what we get from loans will be well under this estimate.  I have to admit when I think about it, and do the math, I get stressed out and begin to panic slightly.  I vow things like, "rice + beans 4eva" and plot various ways to save money.  Then I do a 180 and rush out to the grocery store and buy things that I probably shouldn't, but that, at that moment, I just need.

Right now, I do not know exactly what the next few months or even couple of years will look like.  But I have been seeing so many signs of God's Grace and for us these past few months, that I can't help but think it will turn out okay.

Here are but a few glimpses of God's grace:

-- monthly mystery gift cards arriving in the mail - two to Trader Joe's, one to a local diner so we could have a morning breakfast out!
-- two very unexpected and very generous monetary gifts from friends which (of course) came at exactly the right time.  Plus we were able to get an air-conditioner (and a good night of sleep!) for our room and some small rugs for the house.
-- Our gas & electric bill having a random credit on it which means we didn't have to pay last month, and might not pay this month.  I mean...what?!
-- a huge box of hand-me-down clothes for Kyalo (including an awesome winter coat!) from my Aunt Ellen
-- Immeasurable support from my parents - so much so that perhaps that deserves its own blog post! :)

These little glimpses of grace offer me encouragement and reassurance that we weren't totally crazy to come to the US for school.  I know some people might wonder. . . In the long run we'll see the benefits, but these two years will tight.

I'm not complaining - please don't think that! In fact, when I look at the above list, I am truly awed and humbled by the community around us that is supporting us in such interesting and tangible ways.  I look forward to {some day!!!} being able to pay the love forward.

In the mean time...what do YOU do to save money? Do you have any good recipes (or food websites) that are cheap and easy?  I'd be happy for any kind of tip you can send my way.