To Write List

I have a number of blog posts in my to-write list. In no chronological order:

1. Clever satyre on cyclists in Seattle
2. Discussion about different financial models in my life
3. The growing-up I see all around me
4. Photos of my packing dress rehearsal and the awesome results . . .
5. Our European Journey itinerary
6. What my life consists of lately

Hmm. I think I'll start with 2. Financial Models

Ryan and I are surrounded by people who absolutely love and are sold out for Jesus - his ways, his teachings, obedience to him etc., and yet we all seem to live such different lives which makes me realize just how big Jesus is and how diverse each of his children truly are - in character and conscience.

We have lots of different financial models around us.

We have one couple of friends who had no school debt and have been saving for 4 years and now have $30k in the bank just waiting for the right house to come along.

We have one couple of friends who have school debt that (get this) their parents are paying off for them! But they had a rough patch and racked up a bunch of credit card debt to live for a while, so are now paying that down.

Then there is Christi and Dan in this beautiful mindset of obedience where they have (almost) no money, but live a beautiful life full of God's miraculous provision, but fewer "comforts."

We have some friends who are so ravenous about debt they sold a car to get rid of it.

Then we have some friends that have their way paved nicely for them by loving parents who maybe gave them too much. They were given nice cars, live in a nice home they bought, and are making good money so they can save up and do the same for their children, I assume.

We have another couple friend who are in bondage to their getting out of financial bondage - does that make sense? Its like they're not even breathing and able to spend any money they are so tied up about putting every last penny to paying things off.

And then there's Ryan and me. We teeter between the two sides of the pendulum swing. At times, all I can think about is saving more money to pay off our student loans faster. Then I realize that we pay more than $1000 per month to get our student loans gone super fast already and then I relax. We save for trips, we used the money from his raise to buy a car that we needed. We're not freaking out about being out of debt, but are clearly stretching our limits to pay it off as fast as we possibly can.

I am sad for some of our friends because they live so tight that they miss out on so much. Its like it you work 40 hours a week until you're 65 and put all your money into retirement without living for the last few decades, what a loss of life! Spread out the fun. Live a little. These are the only days we've got!

And then I have some friends that I try not to be jealous of, but plain and simple, they are spoiled rotten. Never had to work, never paid for their own car, never rented their own place with their own money, watched soap operas or sports through college while the rest of us busted our hump. Well, you might say, you're a much better person for it. Not really. I may know how to work hard, but the friends of mine with their silver spoons are great people too.

So all in all, Ryan and I are hard workers, We're gonna get it done. We may not own a house for the next little or long while, but I'm going to Italy. I am going to make memories that will last a lifetime and share experiences that will be priceless.

And to be fair, I will admit that I do have one parental provision still hanging on - I am still on the cell phone family plan. So I guess my silver spoon is much smaller, but a blessing nonetheless.