Know your Money, Honey! [From Iron Wife]

     The first time I sat down with my pastor and talked budget we exchanged high fives with grins on our faces, because I was doing awesome! ....Just kidding that is a BIG FAT lie. I bawled like a baby. Like snotty, red faced cried. There were NO pretty tears.  I felt defeated. I cried, and cried, and CRIED! I felt hopeless, and then I cried some more. I'm pretty sure you get the point now. It was not pretty. I left feeling like I wanted to go home and lie in the fetal position and cry till I passed out...but there was a small sliver in me that said "don't give up"... so I wiped the tears from my eyes, caught my breath and poured my devastated heart out to GOD. Quite a few months have passed since then and I met with him again... this time with no tears and a grin on my face... for real. Not because I magically became a millionaire and all my financial dreams came true (I wish!), but because I am headed in the right direction. I am to date still learning to budget, but I am better off than I was before. I have learned that it is not hopeless, but it does take discipline (and grace for myself). There are times I wish I could snap my fingers and have thousands saved up in my savings account- but that isn't reality. Saving and budgeting takes time, effort, and discipline. It doesn't happen overnight. YET praise GOD I am 24 and DEBT FREE! That is a HUGE blessing! This doesn't mean I can run around and flamboyantly spend my hard earned money however I please- it actually compels me to want to be wise with what I do have. I want to be able to support myself one day as a single woman- which brings me to the point of this blog: Being a budget babe, and a savings sister! HA!
     Remember how I mentioned I bawled like a baby? Well part of that had to do with the truth that I didn't want to sit around and be dependent on some guy with money in his pockets to come sweep me off my feet.  I understand that GOD could call me to singleness for the rest of my life. That is a very real possibility. Therefore I wanted to get in control of my finances in hopes that one day I can support myself comfortably as a single woman. Odds are I probably won't marry an established brain surgeon who REALLY loves JESUS, is great at budgeting, .....and doesn't happen to be in his 90's. So, the most logical and rational thing for me to do is to get in control of my own finances and life (with GOD's grace and guidance) in the expectation that GOD may call me to singleness for the rest of my life. Also if you meet a guy with money in his pockets...you might want to tell him there are safer places to put it. Just a thought.
     There are still times where I let out a deep sigh when I look at my budget and wish I had it ALL figured out already. There are those moments when I see a Dave Ramsey post on Pinterest or I'm reading his book where I wish I magically had the all the financial discipline I need- but discipline takes practice over time. Its the continuous transformation of walking away from the choices you used to make. Financial discipline is not losing heart when you make a mistake, but learning from it. It's the act of consistently taking "X" about of your paycheck and putting it into savings. I've said it once and I'll say it again financial discipline takes time, effort, discipline and grace. The struggle can be very real, but progress and preparation for the unexpected is rewarding and necessary. Let me just be the first to admit (least I be a hypocrite) that I DO NOT have it all figured out- but I am continuing to learn so that though I am debt free I can get ahead of the game. I don't want to stop saving....EVER! Not because I want to greedily hoard and hide away all my money, but because if I ever enter a storm I want to be prepared.
     Obedience is something I never want to forsake- tithing is not a choice its a command. I'm not talking a damnation if you don't because your evil (which every sin tainted heart indeed is) kind of command, but a call to obedience to GOD- the provider of all things. JESUS said it HIMSELF "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to GOD what is GOD's", and if JESUS said it- it has to be legit. The first thing I do whenever I get my paycheck is do the math to find 10% (that's all GOD asks for) and put it into my tithes. The second thing I do is take my "X" amount and put it into savings. I have personally heard a lot of people say "GOD doesn't need your money" and they use financial struggle as an excuses to justify that- this is W-R-O-N-G. Wrong. Not in the sense that GOD doesn't need our money- that much is true- but its a matter of obedience and gratitude for what GOD has done- even in a worldly sense like you have a J-O-B with a P-A-Y-C-H-E-C-K so there is no E-X-C-U-S-E for you. I'm not trying to be harsh- just realistic. Even on months where I don't make as much I tithe, not out of self righteous obligation, but (to be repetitive) out of obedience and gratitude for ALL that GOD has done for me. I give out of joy, not out of obligation.
     My pastor put it this way "Your income should first go to obedience (GOD), then expenses, then planning, and then to generosity". Trust me when I found out generosity was last on my list I was shocked. You also might have guessed that when I heard this I heard it through tears- because all I want to do is give. The goal is not to be selfish with finances, but to be prepared. If you can't take care of yourself then you can't take care of others around you. You are not GOD. I know this all may seem like heavy news to hear, but trust me getting in control of your finances is a blessing. So girlfriend download a budget app (like "Mint" or "YNAB"(if you really want to be disciplined)) and build financial discipline and be a single girl who saves!

Here are a few practical tips for saving money that I have learned (and wished I learned them sooner):

Save it before you spend it 

As soon as you get your paycheck put "X" amount into your savings account. This helps build discipline, because the more you save the less you having in your checking to spend. That shirt you want today wont matter in 5 years. 

Don't pay for pink or spend on sparkles 

This is one of the worst scams I have ever seen, and I wish I would have saw it sooner. One of the greatest areas I see this is with razors- it's a plastic handle with a metal blade that cuts of unwanted hair- it needs to work but it doesn't have to be pink.  It's a great marketing strategy, but it doesn't mean the product is better...just because its girly and your a girl. 

BOGO is not better

Chances are you don't need that second thing even if it is discounted. Call it one and done. 

Don't be captivated by clearance

"It's cheaper, therefore I have to have it!" That is a point- blank- lie, and your better off walking away. 

Buy in Bulk

Don't be fooled by sales prices. Look at unit prices and choose wisely from there. 

There is no shame in straying from name brand

When it comes to getting the little day to day needs there is no shame in buying store brands in opposition to the name brand. In most cases the ingredients are the exact same. 

Dare to DIY

You can actually save money by learning to do things yourself- and it's more fun!  

Much love, Frances Hope

Children's book: The Lonely Stuckling

“The Lonely Stuckling”

By Frances H. Allen

            There once was a lost and lonely little duck that would swim in the stillness of the swampy waters. Each day he would wonder what tomorrow might bring for he grew weary of his days. Adversity was often his only friend for the other little ducklings would mock him and call him “Stuckling”. You see Stuckling tried hard to get ahead, but whenever he felt he had accomplished something he would soon find himself back at the beginning. Stuck in the very same place with the very same struggles he had always had. One would think such struggle would cause a little duckling to become bitter, but for Stuckling it was the opposite. The more little Stuckling would endure the more loving and compassionate he would become. He wouldn’t blame the other little ducklings no matter how it hard it would become. The more they mocked him the sorrier he felt for them. He knew that not everyone could understand the struggle he went through the way his hero could. Stuckling often thought about his hero and he desired to be so much like him. His hero was a crane named Chadwick who was strong, tall, and mighty. Many would call him Chadwick the Great for he had done mightier things than anyone could ever imagine.

         One day when Stuckling was swimming alone through the swampy waters taking in the sunshine he realized something didn’t seem right. He looked behind him and noticed an over cast coming towards him. He looked up and saw that there was a heavy storm rolling his way. Stuckling panicked and started to swim faster than he had ever swum before. He stroked and stroked harder and harder than his little wings were ever used to. Before he knew it he had been swept up by the rushing current behind him. The longer he struggled to keep his head above water the lonelier he felt. No matter how hard he tried he couldn’t fight the storm or the rising rapids that had swept him up. The next thing he knew he was moments away from coming in contact with a large boulder that lied ahead. Before he could blink he had struck the enormous rock and fell unconscious. The storm carried the unconscious Stuckling a few more feet before it had subsided.

            The next morning stuckling woke with the heaviest feeling in his head as it throbbed from where he had run into the boulder. It took him a little while before he was aware of what had happened. Stuckling looked around him at the unfamiliarity of his new surroundings. He grew worried as he realized he was in a place he had never been before. Suddenly Stuckling heard a sound approaching and he paused stiff with concern. It wasn’t long before he could comprehend what the sound was- slow, heavy footsteps. “Alligator!” He panicked and ran as fast as his little feet could carry him. He could feel the rushing of the alligators breath as he chased and chomped after little Stuckling. Stuckling ran and ran! Faster and faster! The more he ran the more frightened he felt. Stuckling finally found just enough strength to cry out for help as he ran. Thump! Stuckling ran into something. He speedily picked himself back up startled by the impact. It was oddly soft for being something so sturdy.

            He looked up and in amazement saw that it was Chadwick the Great that stood before him. Stuckling swallowed hard before gaping his mouth open wide. Chadwick chuckled at the wide eyed little duckling. It wasn’t long before that no good alligator had caught up with them. His nostrils flared and his eyes full of rage. Stuckling was frightened and hid behind Chadwick. The next thing he knew Chadwick the Great had spread his mighty and majestic wings wide and stood tall. The alligator stopped dead in his tracks and the rage in his eyes turned into fear faster than Stuckling had ever seen anything change before. The alligator hauled out of there quicker than Stuckling could regain his breath.

            Stuckling stared into the empty space of where the alligator had stood moments before. Then he remembered who stood before him. He looked back up at Chadwick the Great and stuttered trying to get his words out. “You-you-you-you’re Cha-Chadwick the Great!” All Chadwick did was chuckle and smile at the amazed little duckling. Then with a mighty and steady voice he said “And you dear little one are who they call Stuckling”. Stuckling now stood in even more amazement that Chadwick the Great knew who he was. “You know who I am?” Stuckling said in his small and timid voice. Chadwick told little Stuckling that he had always known, and how he had always cared for him. Stuckling stood confused. He had never met Chadwick in real life before. All he had were the stories he had heard. Stuckling could only respond with a brief “Finally” as tears filled his weary eyes. Chadwick saw the heaviness of Stuckling’s lonely little heart. He scooped up the tiny and frail little duckling and said “Dear one, I have always been with you.”

            Stuckling sat shocked in the mighty wings of Chadwick and said “You have?” Chadwick reassured him so. You see Stuckling never realized that every stroke or step he had taken was well known by Chadwick for Chadwick had taken them first. Chadwick had always been watching little Stuckling and knew the heaviness of his little heart. Stuckling sat under the love and warmth of Chadwick’s wings for hours and Chadwick spoke kind things to Stuckling. Things little Stuckling had never heard before. The more he listened to the kind words of Chadwick the more the heaviness in his heart would lighten up. Stuckling deeply wished to stay with Chadwick forever, however Chadwick finally stood again. He cleared his mighty throat and told Stuckling that he must return back to the home of his swampy waters. Stuckling grew saddened at this. Chadwick told him he must do so that he might tell the other ducklings about him.

            Before Chadwick spread his mighty wings to take flight he reminded Stuckling to remember the kind things he had spoken to him. He told Stuckling to share these things with the other little ducklings back home. Stuckling started to weep and panic, but Chadwick paused and reminded Stuckling that he would always be with him. Chadwick took a strong leap and spread his wings in flight. He glimpsed back at Stuckling once more, smiled and said “remember me and the kind things I have told you”. Stuckling pulled himself together, took a deep sigh, and started to head back home. Stuckling’s heart was far fuller of joy than ever before, and he was eager to tell others all the wonderful things of Chadwick the Great. From that day on Stuckling was never the same and he dreamt of the day he might see Chadwick the Great once again.  

The End

The MIGHTY BABY

      The same God that spoke the world in to existence (Genesis 1), stopped the Midianite army with far fewer men (Judges 7), freed captive Isreal from Egypt (Exodus 6:6, Exodus 12:31-42),  enabled little David to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17),  closed the mouths of lions when Daniel was in the den (Daniel 6:22), and promised to win the greatest victory of all, defeating sin and death came as a baby. A baby. THE MIGHTY GOD came as a helpless tiny little baby HELD in the hands of a young girl. HELD! HE who holds the righteous in HIS right hand was HELD! The omnipotent GOD, SOVEREIGN over all came as a tiny little babe. Meek and Mild. The GOD of the universe came frail and vulnerable. Helpless and small. Dependent on a young girl. This is humility and hope at its finest. I feel deeply that my words are insufficient to describe this glorious and profound truth. I am dumb founded at the fact that GOD who is mighty above all came as precious little baby. Fully GOD (for HE was conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT) and fully human (for HE was conceived of the young Mary). This truth can't be wrapped or contained in a box or a bag- it can only be believed or denied. By GOD's intervening and sovereign hand I am thankful to believe that it is indeed true. 
      The story of this MIGHTY BABY JESUS can bring great encouragement for the broken and lonely. It holds promise that we are not alone. It holds promise that HE restores what is broken- HE doesn't just patch up what is broken, but HE fully restores us. HE came to fulfill HIS promise to rescue us from sin and death. HE came to SEEK and SAVE the lost (Luke 19:10), and to give us a new name (Isaiah 62:12). The GOD of Hagar, the GOD WHO SEES (EL ROI) (Genesis 16:13 (a)) was finally seen as a precious and tiny babe. The promise of HIS coming finally occurred in a lowly manger not fit for the KING OF KINGS. The promise is held in HIS name- HE is IMMANUEL (GOD WITH US). (Matthew 1:23). Let this truth penetrate your heart when you feel low and lost. Rejoice for the SAVIOUR has come! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 

     With Love, Frances Hope

Great is THY Faithfulness!

     My life is like a broken record that continues to spin around and around. It looks a lot like this: I cry out to GOD (scared, anxious, doubtful) and then HE is faithful to provide, and then I repeat the same cycle all over again. HE is always faithful to provide my needs, and every once in a while HE patiently gives me what I want. Yet I know that even if HE didn't GOD is still faithful and good. HE blesses me FAR beyond what I deserve. I am so blown away by the love GOD has for me! I think of Isaiah 54:8 quite often- "In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you , but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you" says the LORD, your REDEEMER." I am just so thankful for this kind of love from GOD, because I definitely deserve the first reaction, yet I am grateful to receive the latter.
     As I prepare to go to Uganda it has been such a humbling experience to trust GOD financially. The other day I cried anxiously in fear that I wouldn't make it. That the rest of my support wouldn't come. From the start it was a scary leap of faith. I mean I couldn't snap my fingers and make $1,500 dollars PLUS some magically appear. I'm 23, I live with my parents, and I barely make enough to pay the few bills I do have and survive between paychecks (praise GOD I have no debt to pay off!). Yet I felt the LORD was calling me to go to Uganda this time around. I am just so blown away by how much GOD provides. If it is HIS will HE will make it happen. I am SO thankful for my biological family, church family, and for my Chick-fil-a family as they have been a huge support in this time! I seriously couldn't have done it without you all! For all of those who gave you know who you are- I deeply and sincerely thank you! You have blessed me beyond words! I remember when I had the last check covering my travel support handed to me, and the moment I opened it. I paused in shock for a moment. Then I exploded with joy. GOD is SO faithful!!! I am so blown away by how people want to help me as I embark on this adventure for GOD's kingdom! The willingness to give towards my travel expenses, the willingness to buy supplies for those precious little ones in Uganda. I am so thankful!
     The next step is to finish preparing to go to Uganda. Get the supplies on the (Un)adopted wish list, pray, pack, and trust GOD to do the rest. I am still anxious about how I will be able to pay my bills when I get back as I will not have that income as I will miss work, but I am choosing to trust my ABBA. After all- who am I to doubt after HE has been faithful to provide for me for Uganda and for the other hundreds of ways HE has done so in my life- grace being the greatest.
Much Love, Frances Hope

Paintings with a Purpose

Hello dearest loved ones!
Some of you (hopefully most) have heard that I am going on a short term mission trip to Uganda from June 5th through the 14th. If you had the chance to read my last blog you know that this has been my desire for the last two years. I wanted to give you a brief update on where I am in my preparation to go: 1) I am vaccinated! 2) My visa has been approved! 3) I have a scheduled appointment with my doctor for the medication that I will need for travel. 4) GOD is beautifully preparing my heart and giving me the boldness and the opportunity to  share the gospel and my faith with other people (often strangers!). 5) I still have a bit of ways to go on raising financial support for my trip.
 So I introduce (and reintroduce) my "paintings with a purpose". I free handed all of the paintings, and each one of them comes from my heart.



* The first one: "Oh Father Use...." is something I often sing over myself as I desire to better submit to GOD's authority and purpose for my life, but also in adoration that HE is my FATHER who chooses to use me for HIS kingdom.

*The second one: "..Here I am send me" is a verse that hits my heart every time I hear it. I want to have this same courageous submission as Isaiah to be sent for GOD's Kingdom to share HIS gospel around the world in the U.S. AND over seas because both are valuable, and necessary. One is not greater than the other. Remember JESUS dies for Jews and Gentiles. Citizens and Non- Citizens.

*The third one: Flowers. It doesn't go as deep as the others but it is still from my heart.  I have always has an appreciation for GOD's creation. I- love- nature! Sometimes I just take a step back and enjoy the flowers, trees, and plants that I see growing on the side of the road.

*The fourth one: "Thy will be done". Yes I know it looks dark. It's supposed to. I often battle with depression and anxiety, and I have found that it something GOD uses to further sanctify me. HE has brought many many storms in my life, but they are all for my benefit and HIS glory. So it is a prayer that even in the midst of every storm I would say to my loving ABBA "Thy will be done!"

*The fifth one: "Be still and know that I am GOD". (This one is on a small wooden board.) Everyone battles with something and it is a reminder from GOD that we need only be still and let HIM take the rains. Some translations say to "cease striving and know that I am GOD".

So I ask that you would please take these paintings into consideration. I am not giving a price for any of them to leave them for "open bidding" in hopes to raise more support for my trip. 100% of what I make of these paintings will go towards my trip to Uganda. Thanks a bunch!

Much Love, Frances Hope

When HE finally says "Go!"

For two years I have wanted this. Two years I have prayed and pondered upon this opportunity.For two years I have felt GOD say "not now". At first I thought HE was firmly telling me "NO!" and I didn't understand why HE would say no to something such as this- but now I, Frances Hope Allen, am going to Uganda. On June 5th, 2017 I will board a plane that will take me farther than I have ever flown simply to love on those that are the "least of these". Not in my time, but in GOD's time- HIS beautiful and perfect timing. The past two years have surely not been a waste for HE has faithfully been teaching me along the way. GOD has been preparing me for these past two years for these 10 days to come. There is beauty in waiting in obedience for GOD's perfect and beautiful timing. (I will confess that I did happen to throw a few temper tantrums along the way). For the past two years GOD has brought me to places of preparation, and yet I am sure that when I get there I will feel completely unprepared and learn far more. I am thankful for the past two years of my life in which I have taught little ones, learned to study scripture as God intended, served in sacrificial ways, helped care for precious individuals who had special needs, cried and persevered. GOD is teaching me that seasons of waiting are not meaningless- they shouldn't even be viewed as such because HE is working in them. I think about the struggle I went through not having a car (which I know sounds first world) and how I cried out to GOD in the midst of the trial and asking HIM to provide either a better heart or a car. For three years this went on- and three years it was a struggle. Then one day HE provided when I least expected it. I never told any one the type of car I saw myself in- and I would have been thankful for any car in that season- and then when I saw the car chosen for me I wept, because it was my dream car ( a small outdoorsy black SUV). GOD provided for me even the selfish desires of my heart, because I had waited and trusted HIM. There better truth HE didn't have to, because HE owes me nothing and I owe HIM everything. I am so thankful for seasons of trial and waiting because GOD teaches gratitude in them. HE is so faithful. HE is so just. SO loving. I am humbled because I have waited GOD has been providing left and right the finances I need to go to Uganda. I am learning that obedience in waiting is good, because when we wait for the LORD's timing we truly see that it is perfect.
Much Love, Frances Hope

The "A" Word.

  People try to avoid it. Many are overcome by it. Everyone is changed by it. Affliction is inevitable. No matter how hard we try to avoid it as some point in our lives we all cross paths with it. Affliction comes in various ways, and for some worse than others. We are all affected by it. I know what you're thinking- "how is this supposed to encourage me?". The truth is apart from CHRIST it can't and it won't. We live in a fallen world of sin and depravity, and because of that affliction exists. We sin, and we are sinned against. Sometimes we are hurt by the very ones we expect to protect us. So how is there hope? How to we keep going if all we feel is broken, and burdened. By hope! Psalm 34 reads that "the affliction of the righteous are many" but GOD helps us through them all. We will not be overcome by it. It gets better- instead of being overcome by it we overcome it. The worst affliction we could undergo is condemnation from GOD- but if we are in CHRIST we don't have to. We are rescued from the smallest of afflictions by hope because of GOD and we are spared the greatest affliction because of GOD. That is the encouragement. Psalm 22 expresses the heaviness of affliction and that the affliction of GOD's people hurts HIM. So why does HE let us go through it? Because HE is EL ROI, the GOD WHO SEES. HE sees both the evil and the good (Psalm 15:3). HE knows what lies ahead for HIS people- healing. HE lets us go through some of the worst things because HE knows there is healing and wisdom that comes from it. So where does healing come from? JEHOVAH-RAPHA, the GOD WHO HEALS. That is the encouragement I have and I share with you.