Where we are here in South Carolina is just a way cheaper place to live than the Chicago area suburbs for many things including real estate, taxes, and the kid's education. For example: Real estate taxes here are over 5 times less than they were for us in Illinois. WOW!We also like the more laid back lifestyle and lower cost of living, but really don't like the huge difference in wages here. It's quite amazing the difference that employer's are willing to pay in different areas of the country for the same type of work. It's one of the things that moved us to become Realtors, because as Realtors, there is no "cap" on what we can make, and it leaves us as a family with more time to work on HOWI and to volunteer at church.
It has been a struggle for sure, but we have seen that God brings us joy in the journey. It's a highway worth taking. We see that HE is the true provider. We just have to be willing to do what he wants us to do to make that provision a reality. YUP...that means work people. Many people just want some miraculous provision from God. Money to drop out of the sky etc. Ya know what? Many times God's provision shows up in the form of some sort of work! Yes..we have had several times this year where checks just came in the mail, and they helped us out more than I can explain here. Those checks were sent by true friends who heard God, and helped us in our time of need. We will never forget that. Never. But along with that...
This past year I personally have learned a huge life lesson about who is and who isn't the real provider for my family; and about how much is really needed for our family to live comfortably. In Illinois, I got so caught up in the whole making money thing, that I started to rely on myself to provide for our family. I started a bunch of Internet businesses that did great at first, and I ended up working for "the man" and "the ministry" so much that I was putting in 70-80 hour weeks with no days off. In the long run the businesses ended up costing us money. We didn't make a dime, and the Lord used all that to drastically teach me His lesson.
It's funny...Now I have some of those same opportunities online to make money, but I can pass them up easily, because I know it wouldn't be God...it would just be me. It's so much less stressful! Now I can choose wisely and hear God's direction, instead of being driven to make a buck to provide for my family...Wish I coulda learned that lesson sooner :)
