The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia...At Our House!

We came home from Louisiana last night to a terrible reality.

Our house had been vandalized and someone started a fire to cover the evil deed in our basement.

The only reason our house is still standing is because it is so well built (by my husband dave), and insulated.

The fire was started underneath the stairs downstairs. I don't know a lot of details because it is under major investigation but I can say it's terrible inside. Everything downstairs is black, melted down to nothing, or burned away.

I was the first one in the house when we came home. I thought the house smelled musty as I turned the alarm off. When my daughter saw the black coach she let out a shriek and yelled mom, the house has been on fire.

About that time I was making my way down the hall and around a corner when I saw the terrible black marks on my hardwood up from the downstairs. It felt warm and I was not sure if the fire was smouldering or going on still downstairs. So I yelled get out as we ran up the drive way and I called 911.

Basically, it's a terrible feeling. It's bad enough your house is full of soot and your basement demolished by the fire but to add insult to the pain, we got questioned one by one by detectives afterward it was deemed an obvious arson. Even my kids got questioned.

Later we went in with the investigators and realized some valuables were stolen from the master bedroom.

So, here we are in a motel...for a week....or how ever long it will take to survey the damage, discover the source of the arson, and deal with the insurance company on the damage.

The fire may have been downstairs but the aftereffects are all over my house. Soot, smoke, grime..UGLY.

So please pray. My kids are resilient but this was a tough one.

I believe God's grace will cover their tender minds.

I am praying for favor with the insurance company....

We have to deal now with the reality of someone stealing from us and trying to cover it up with a fire.

So, thank you for any prayers or advice,

The Heat IS On

The heat is on...and I'm not just talking about the weather here in Atlanta, Georgia.

The financial temperature of our country is boiling. From the markets to the gas pumps, the reality of our financial situation can't help but make you concerned.

What are you going to do about it? What am I going to do about it?

I believe that you can flourish in your finances while the world is floundering.

What are the keys?

I am walking them out right now.

Key #1

Get out of debt!

I have found some amazing services that will enable you to gather, say your credit card debt, and be able to pay them off with a fixed payment each month. One of the best I've found is http://www.coastalcreditsolutions.com/. Doing that could be a big start to getting your credit cards paid off quicker.

Key#2

Be willing to gain in personal development.

Your income often follows your skill set. It's amazing what learning to improve certain skills, such as in communicating with people, can to do improve your business. (Not to mention your personal relationships).

The BEST coach in this arena is Dani Johnson.

Dani is an author, speaker, trainer and founder of Call to Freedom International. She went from living out of car with $2.03 to her name to earning her first million in two short years using the skills she learned from a successful businessman.

I have personally been on the receiving end of her teaching/coaching from marketing and profit strategies to leadership development. Her passion is helping people break through barriers that stop them from experiencing true freedom emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially.

Reading great books is another way to gain in this personal development area. I can think of no greater book that "How To Win Friends and Influence People", by Dale Carnegie. That book alone will teach you skills in dealing with people that could open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Key #3

Trust God,

This is not the final key but it's a good one to stop on for today. When it's all said and done, putting your trust in the LORD for your future is the best thing to do. You have to KNOW Him to trust HIM. Knowing HIM is as simple as saying LORD I NEED YOU...like now!

As you walk with Him, listen to HIM (read the Word) and talk to HIM (pray), you can find peace amidst a chaotic mess in your life. Whether the mess is your own doing or not, nothing can bring you joy in the journey like a relationship with Jesus.

One of my favorite verses in Psalms says "But as for me I trust in You, O Lord...my times are in your hands."