This was good for a laugh...

If you follow Dave Ramsey (heretofore referred to as DR) you know that he is big on the envelope system for some areas of spending. I have taken this DR concept to heart. At the beginning of every month, I trot myself down to my bank and hand the teller a piece of paper that allocates precisely how many $50's, $20's, $10's, $5's and $1's I will need for my envelopes. The process is simple, since I have everything multiplied out for her. In fact, the hardest part for me is handing her the paper. The thought crosses my mind, "What if they think this is a stick-up?" Anyway, on this particular day, the brain-iac behind the counter took my piece of paper, saw the total amount, and started counting out her own version of what I needed. I kindly explained to her that I actually needed it in the denominations I laid out (uh, this is why I actually did that part before I got to the bank), prompting her to start over. When she got to the tens the following conversation took place (are you ready?)

Teller: "I only have four $10's."
Me: "What?"
Teller: "I only have four $10's."
Me: "In the whole bank?" (I know it was wrong to mock her)
Teller: "No, here."
Me: "Well, I feel certain that there must be more somewhere in this bank."
Teller (pondering this for far too long): "Yeah, but I'd have to cash some money out."
Me: "Okay."

She did figure out how to walk to another teller and get me some more tens. It was rather frightening, but good for a laugh. Poor thing.

She's probably blogging about her own version of the same story. Talking about how "this old lady walked in and just HAD to HAVE her money in certain DENOMINATIONS!!! Like, whatever, you would have thought her world was going to stop turning if she didn't have just the right number of TENS!!!"

Like Dr. Phil says, "Even a flat pancake has two sides to it."

P.S. The DR envelope system works.

The Loss of a Friend

On August 2nd, my WithChild mentor and friend, was killed in a head on collision. This abrupt news came as such a shock to me that it took me quite some time to really absorb the reality of it. Kim was the kind of person who filled whatever room she was in with her zest for life and her passion for people. She directed the WithChild center for the last 11 or so years and had her hands in every part of it. She ran pregnancy tests, counseled families, met with abortion-minded women when emergencies arose, birthed babies and placed them in the arms of loving families, did home visits with adoptive couples, facilitated adoptions, helped single moms find housing, gave pro-life speeches, ordered supplies and did a multitude of other things which are too numerous to mention. Oh...and she did it all as a volunteer. It's a staggering thought, isn't it? She so loved the Lord that she devoted her life to serving Him. She didn't need a paycheck, because her payoff came when she met God face to face on August 2nd. Matthew 25:21 says, "His master replied, well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

I miss Kim. I miss her presence in the office and the life that she brought to so much that we do here. God's hand is on WithChild, evidenced by the miracles that we witness. I have never been in an environment where I saw God move so beautifully, so often.

I would encourage everyone who is reading this to make sure that your relationships are right with the ones you love and cherish. Whether it is in your comfort zone, or out of your comfort zone...just say it, because life is fleeting. Kim didn't know when she wrote on the office calendar for August 4th, "Kim back" that she wouldn't be back, and neither did we. I am happy that the last conversation I had was to call her on vacation with the good news that we had received two donations and could pay our rent for August. Then, on the way home from that vacation, she was gone.

I know I will see her again, which is the assurance I have because of our mutual faith in Jesus Christ. Without that knowledge, these days would surely be even more difficult than they are. If you are a praying person I would ask that you remember WithChild, the volunteers who are carrying on through this painful process and Kim's husband and kids.

Leave no words unspoken with the ones you love.

(The posted picture was sent to Kim by a young woman who made a decision not to abort after counseling with her. I once asked Kim if any babies had ever been named after her and she very casually said, "Oh, I think there are 11 or 12 now". To my recollection, this little one was one of those Kimberlys).