Two years ago I heard Dave Ramsey (first shout out: Hi Dave!) give his radio program on well, the radio, on the drive home from the lake. "The Lake" is where my parents live, and its about 45 minutes away. This ride has been a blessing in my life, as its provided much needed naptime for my kids on the way home from a fun time there, and myself radio time - to pray, reflect, or listen to a program, a grown-up CD, some encouraging Christian music (second shout out: Thank you KLOVE 94.5 for your music and ministry!) and some Christian talk radio on 101.9.
So as I said, I was flipping through and heard Dave's notable voice and became enthralled in his financial advice. I had heard of this man "Dave Ramsey" from my college friends during a chat in the living room at my house I believe (third shout out to Linds, Jen, and Nina - remember that?). Well, I went home and bought a bunch of his CDs, a big set and began listening daily to "The Total Money Makeover" in my kitchen, because frankly, I knew myself - that I'd NEVER read a whole financial book, but I knew I'd listen, because well, I'm a theatrical person, and I love a dramatic voice and story, and that's exactly how Dave is! I was hooked on Dave's principles and encouraged to live "debt-free", so I shared Dave with my husband, and made him listen! Ha! I did. The thought that we don't have to be in debt forever surprised me, that not everyone lives with debt, that we don't have to live that way, but can step out of it, though it takes WORK! We began the baby steps and saved what we could, and began vigorously paying off our credit cards. These are beginning steps. There are many more and I deeply encourage you to check him out at: www.daveramsey.com where you can hear his radio program live.
I heard on one of Dave's CDs to get a job if you have debt. Well, we have debt, as most former college students do. And so, the Lord put it on my heart to get a job. At the time I wasn't writing any longer for Capital Rep (fourth Shout Out: Awesome Theatre who does beautiful work! Go see a play = its good for you to immerse yourself in ART!), though I was still teaching acting at SCCC a little bit (fifth Shout Out: Miss you guys from my class!). Oliver was a baby and Annabelle a bouncing 3 year old, and well AVON came to mind. And so, February 2011 I started to sell AVON. I started selling AVON to pay down debt, but at the same time, the Lord had placed something else heavily on Adam's and my hearts: ADOPTION and March 2011 we applied to the South Korea Adoption Program. So while we were inspired by Dave Ramsey's principles, God's calling on our hearts to adopt was stronger - "If God calls you to it, He'll lead you through it...."
And so .... Avon became a way for us to put funds aside for the multitude of costs associated with adoption. There are many legal fees, program fees, agency fees, travel costs, paperwork fees, etc. It can be discouraging to say the least if you focus on that aspect of adoption for too long. Yet, when the Lord puts something on your heart, He provides you the way to follow His will, and the Lord has provided greatly to us along the way, though we have a long way to go. Through the adoption so far, God has taught us to seek Him and place our trust in Him, and that dependence on the Lord isn't weakness, its really where we should be, acknowledging our need for His grace, His guidance, and His help, which is ever-present.
But here I want to give the main SHOUT OUT of this post and its to my Avon customers who are many dear family members, friends and neighbors, friends at church, friends of friends, and women that I didn't know before Avon who are now very dear to me and part of my life. I want to thank you ladies AND gentlemen for blessing our son and my family, from the bottom of our hearts! Proceeds from your orders have gone to help with our adoption costs and your encouragement and friendship over the past two years has truly blessed us! Thank you for asking about our son, for passing brochures along to friends, for being rays of sunshine in my life, and for loving on my little Avon assistants - Annabelle and Oliver.
They say "It Takes A Village", and adoption truly illustrates that, so thank you for being apart of the journey to bring our son home.
I encourage you to check out DaveRamsey.com for financial advice (he's inspiring and motivating) and if you're interested in Avon products, check out my website: www.youravon.com/cmaggs
