What is it worth to you?

There is a thought that has been consistently coming to the front of conversations between The Husband and I. It has to do with marginal gain.

Here's a quick run down....

We currently drive a 2007 Toyota Corolla and a 1997 F-150. We live in an apartment. We have all the furniture we need + some. We have more clothes/shoes than we wear. We have TV, computers, internet, & phones.

What else do we need? I mean this seriously.

Would we love a brand new car? My dream is a Jag. Would I love to refurnish my home? Sure. Would I love to buy a house? Of course. Would I love a flat screen and a new wardrobe? Who doesn't love new things?

The catch is do I need any of that to make my life better? I can honestly say, without the things I own, I would find life more difficult...well, at least more uncomfortable. But does the level of "niceness" in my possessions actually make for more enjoyment in my life?

The answer for me...and The Husband...is no. For others that kind of attainment might mean more. It is a personal thing I think. However, I think all of us reach a point where we should ask ourselves, "What is this worth to me? Is the marginal gain worth it?" For some things it is. A simple example...The Husband loves Triscuts. We've tried the knock-offs and we don't feel they are as good, so we are willing to pay $3.50 for a box of crackers. Seems silly when you think of it like that, but it is something we are willing to do because it makes a big enough gain in enjoyment for us. On the flip-side, as we look at new vehicles to grow our family we debate what is more important. Space is a necessity. Reliability is a necessity. Status is an option. For us that is an option that we will probably ignore...although there are certain vehicles that I love the look of, even the ride, I cannot justify the cost to the gain I feel I will get from it. Like I said, it's a personal thing and it is different for everyone.

A major driving motivation to not grow our possessions is our love of travel and doing things. Like a lot of people we live on a limited budget and we know that we have to make choices about where our money goes. Is it more important to us to have a house or to go to Moab for Fall Break? I'm sure you can guess what our answer is.

I guess the best way to put it was stated by the salesman at Verizon this weekend. As he was showing us all the options for us to upgrade and we thought about them we realized how much we didn't need them. I don't access my FB account through my phone - on purpose to keep me from that distraction. Neither of us use our phones for calendars, email, our primary camera, etc., so why should we pay for products and applications we won't use - or don't need to use? The salesman's comment was, "Wow, you guys are not the typical American."

I'm not sure if he meant that as a compliment, but to me it was.

Listen to From Consumerism to Simplicity from the pastor at ACTS Church. His comment toward the end about enjoying things without owning them was particularly impactful for me.

ABC...Easy As 123

Follow the alphabet to share a little more about yourself -

things that are a little different than the norm.

ABILITY you are most proud of: Probably my ability to navigate directions and to pack super efficiently (let me just say: 5 week road trip for 2 adults and 1 infant camping out all packed into a Corolla...I really should have taken a picture of that).

BREAKFAST of choice: a super yummy breakfast burrito with sausage, egg, potato, onion, garlic, bell pepper, sour cream, and cheese...or in a hurry an everything bagel with cream cheese will do.

CHORE you hate: that would be pretty much all housekeeping chores...The Husband is so lucky.

DESTINATION you love to visit again and again: Montana - specifically Glacier National Park

ESSENTIAL tip/advice/words of wisdom you'd give to a new parent: For a new mother...it's okay if you don't feel like your life is complete now that you have a precious little one. You are still a woman, a wife. Just because you are now also a mother doesn't mean your previous life/interests have all gone away...they might just have to be altered a little.

FUNCTIONING time of day (when you are most productive): If you could see the time of this post, you'd know for sure that I function best late at night. Always been this way, even as a kid.

GOD'S teaching you love most: Love thy neighbor as thyself. This is frequently a lot harder than it sounds for me, but I firmly believe that if we all lived by this teaching we would have a much better world.

HYSTERICAL moment (that you're willing to share): Although it is embarrassing to admit, I think one of my most hysterical moments might have been this last week. Trying on dresses with a dear friend might have scarred my child for life. I am so thankful she was there so I didn't have to ask a total stranger (like a dressing room attendant) to come rescue me from a dress (or two or three) while my boobs flopped in her face.

INTERESTING thought you had today: Have there really been enough nut allergy crisis situations in schools to warrant a "Nut-Free School"? Seemed a little over-the-top to me.

JOB you'd love: If I could develop my own job...I would be a peer education/civic engagement coordinator on a 9 or 10 month contract.

KIND of book you enjoy most: I love a good mystery or legal thriller.

LIVING arrangement you've found most interesting/fun: Had a crazy vine weed that liked to grow out of our bedroom vents and bathroom toilet base at our last place. After returning from a 3 week trip this summer we found the bathroom vine to be longer in length than The Wee One. Hum...

MEMORY from your childhood related to a parent: We lived behind a bakery when I was pretty little. I vividly remember Mom taking us to get chocolate croissants as a special treat and loving that so much. I actually still visit that bakery (Sweetish Hill in Austin) whenever I can.

NICKNAMES you've been given: Prayer, P-rare, P-dog, Smoopy

OPEN THOUGHT: Why do movie producers/writers feel the need to include GD all the time? Is it really necessary? I don't think so.

POTENTIALLY dangerous activity you've been involved with: I'm gonna keep it clean and just say white water rafting - which by the way is my FAVORITE outdoor activity hands down.

QUOTE from a movie you love: "Oh well, this is my life. I didn't marry very well." Overboard

RIGHT or left brained: I am moderately balanced but more right brained.

SIBLINGS (at least the ones you claim): One younger brother whom I love dearly and several (6) in-law siblings who I couldn't imagine not being in my life.

TIME you wake up: Hahaha...most days around 8:30 - we've trained The Wee One to sleep in - but sometimes I get to crash till 9 or on occasion even 11. Yeah, I can still sleep in like crazy!

URBAN area you enjoy the most: Hard call...LOVE San Antonio's Riverwalk, but really enjoy DC (because of all the monuments and museums), and Chicago for sure.

VEGGIES you dislike: Never really got into cooked spinach. If you will allow a mushroom to count as a veggie, I would definitely say that is a strong dislike....one I share with my brother.

WONDERFUL experience: Our honeymoon to Europe. Just seeing so much of history and being somewhere so different.

XENOPHILE or xenophobic: Definitely xenophile...I love learning about foreign countries and meeting people from all over the world even if I don't get that chance very often.

YUMMY food you make: Chicken Avocado Tower or Sourdough Bread

ZOO experience that's most memorable: Went to the OKC Zoo last October and it was wonderful! It was nice and cool and all the animals were out and active. I've always been to the zoo during summer months so this was a special treat and it paid off.

Care to share your responses???

I'm back...but coming from a new place

So we have settled into Austin and are actually loving it! This has been one of the easiest moves I've ever made and let me remind you, I've moved A LOT.

The Husband is loving his job at Concordia and I have to say, it has been such a blessing to be a part of this institution. To be able to pray for you students - in the open - with other faculty and staff. It's pretty cool. To have the administration really treat you well and let you know how much you are appreciated...you and your spouse. I've worked at several institutions now and trust me, that's not the norm. The Husband is getting to develop the political science program here and he is LOVING that. Got to attend the Concordia Gala last night and it was wonderful!

The Wee One and I have been doing our own thing to get settled in. We have been very fortunate because we actually have several friends and family who live in the area. The Wee One has immediate friends because Mommy and Daddy have friends here. Nice. We've been on playdates and to the mall to ride the train, and recently we put her in gym/dance classes so she can use her energy to build skills and self-confidence.

One of the biggest struggles we've had when moving in the past is finding a church. Again, we've been blessed because after just a few shop-arounds, we found one that we really, really like. If you are in the mood, check out this website: http://www.actschurchlakeway.com/. The regular pastor gives some of the most intriguing sermons I've ever heard. The mission of the church is really cool, too. It is summed up right in their name: Adventure Community Transformation Sending. It's been so easy to connect with people - even got to enjoy a Ladies' Night this week.

This entire move has been a blessed event from God. As with anything in life there are always a few hiccups along the way, but then there are those moments when you truly know that God has put you in a place for a reason. We may not know that reason 100-fold yet, but from the way everything has come together, I know that this is part of God's plan and that He has something waiting for us here. Can't wait to find out exactly what that is!