The Financial History of the Ordemans' First Year

It was about a year ago this month that my college car, a 2000 Corolla, died on a road trip we were taking to Denton, Texas.

We made it only 30 miles when the engine gave up.

I had had that vehicle about five years, and it had been quite resourceful, but like everything material in this life.

It stopped working.

Sylvia and I were now dependent on her vehicle for transportation, even though we were living in two place (not yet married). I become a regular on the Capital Metro, going form work to her place after work and spending the afternoon with her before she dropped me off in South Austin each evening. 

**Frankly, I love using the Metro. I still use it every morning. I enjoy the freedom from driving. The freedom from the stress of the traffic, and the amount of time redeemable by way of reading a book. It's great. Sylvia and I currently only have one vehicle, and although we may get another this year, it is nice not having more than one.** 

This situation, however, was quite taxing on us. She was having to drive a lot, and the gas prices in her V6 racked in the dollars.

At the time I was tithing more than I ever had before. 

It was one wet and muggy Friday night, when worry came knocking on my fiance's door.

Her Grand Am, after 7 years, wouldn't start.

With the little cash we had, we paid a mechanic to come take a look at the car Saturday morning. It only took a few minutes before,

"Yup. This car ain't going nowhere."

The oil had leaked and the car had overheated, melting the engine to a state where it would not turn. We were car-less. 

Keep in mind, we were trying to save for our honeymoon.

Our community group immediately stepped in and helped us. 

Some friends of ours (also newly married) lent us their SUV indefinitely. As the wedding date came closer, the group gifted us with a check as our wedding present. This group of four couples gifted us with 1,500 dollars. It was incredible. 

Sylvia and I had increased our giving that year. The times seem to punish us for it. 

But God was there. In every moment our disparity struck, there was always a moment of God's sovereignty. Like one of the first times the car broke down while Sylvia was alone and a tow truck rushed out of nowhere to help- free of charge. Like during our honeymoon when the whole resort we were staying in was empty and the owners gave us the Honeymoon Suite (from a $100 to $300 a night room), or when our bills would miraculously lower themselves so that we had enough to make it to the next month.  We had a 1993 Volvo 850. I bought it for $800. And then someone hit me from behind. It turned out to be God's providence once again. The woman who hit me had insurance that paid for their appraised price of the car (yet as ugly as my car was, it was legally drivable, I was able to drive it until we got the Versa). The appraisel price was $1200.

With the gift from our small group, some money from our families, the money from the Volvo, and a bit of savings, we paid for half of our 2011 Nissan Versa.

Later, after we were married. I quit my job for another, which turned out to be a scam. Sylvia and I had only been married a few months, and her patience and understanding was a tremendous example of God's grace. Because, frankly, I had put us in this position.

Free upgrade of our honeymoon suite

I was employed at a temp agency which who provide me with odd jobs in odd companies, usually about $10/hr and could range from 8 hours to 30 hours a week. During this time we never had to dip into our savings. Just when our checking was running low, another 2 day job would arrive and we would be alright.

It wasn't until we looked back, but we were in awe of God's coverage. Our faith remained. We decided we would not change our giving from the % we started our marriage with despite my unemployment. 

A month later I got the job I have now. Within the first two weeks I was promoted from Data Entry position to Marketing Assistant (the position I had been applying for for many years). Within three months I was given a raise. It was incredible. 

We increased our giving. As I write this, my wife has just received a raise. We had prayed for a promotion, but was denied one. Nevertheless, she was given a raise.

I can't write all the small blessings we see in our household (like getting a 3 nights for the price of 2 at a cabin during Christmas break when we didn't at all qualify for it!)

Our home and car

Just give. 

Give more than 10%. 

It's just money. It is not your security, nor your joy. 

If you are in complete control of your accounts, you are hiding opportunities to see God miracles in your life. Be risky on how much you give. 

Because the truth is, you are NOT in control of your accounts. They are His anyways, whether you surrender them or not. Just give Him more. 

You get to see His grace materialize in the physical world!