A Baby Changes Everything.....

What a powerful video! A Baby Changes Everything!

This really makes you think. Jesus Christ was sent to save us from our sins - and he endured so much more grief than we will ever experience. Take a moment this Christmas to reflect on Christ's love for us and what he did for us. Merry Christmas!!

Money Saving Tips

**Coupon Websites Below - Be sure to open the websites in a new tab or a new window**


Soon after Jessica and I got married, I began listening to financial guru, Dave Ramsey. Dave is a christian who wants to see people get out of debt. When we started Dave's plan, we had two car payments, credit card payments, and my student loan payments. As most of you know, I serve at a local church as Minister of Music & Students as well as substitute bus drive for Salem City Schools. The second job has helped us out greatly.

I am blessed to have a church congregation that understands the need to help provide for my family through other another job. One thing that has helped speed up the process of paying off our debts is by my being able to drive for sporting events during the evening. It gets old sometimes, but I just think about us getting out of debt quicker - which changes my outlook. In two years, we have paid everything off except one car payment. That would be a total of $30,000.00.


We have been able to do this by watching how we spend our money. I am going to share a few ways we have managed to accomplish this - it's not been easy by any means! As Dave Ramsey says - "Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else!"


Ways We Saved Money

• Clipped Coupons - Clipped all coupons - sold the ones we didn't use on eBay!!



• Sold items on eBay (an old video camera, books, old toys, etc.)



• When eating fast food - ordering from the dollar menu



• Buying clothes from the Goodwill or from eBay



• Shopping only at stores like Old Navy (during sales), Ross, and Marshall's



• Using fans during the summer and keeping shades closed during the day



• Avoiding movie theatres - if going to the movies we wouldn't buy food



• Looking for great deals online at grocery stores, Wal-Mart, etc.



• Joining restaurant clubs (ex. applebees.com) - they will send coupons for free food, appetizers, etc.



• Eating a packed lunch (Lean Cuisine/Healthy Choice/Smart Ones) when on sale



• Buying things in bulk from Sam's

The following are places that I look for coupons:

• coupons.com


• smartsource.com


• redplum.com
  

• freeflys.com


• healthychoice.com


• leancuisine.com

These are a couple of great websites to check out to get freebie/discounts/coupons/etc.

• frugalcouponliving.com


• mamacheaps.com


• commonsensewithmoney.com


• moneysavingmom

As I said, I love looking at these websites everyday! We have gotten free lotions, cereal, health care products, free dog food, etc. These bloggers also share the best deals at grocery stores as well as retail stores!! Also, be sure to check out swagbucks.com for more information about earning points for prizes!

**For local readers, check out The Roanoke Times Reader Panel. All you do is answer questions about the newspaper that you've read. You even get points if you don't read the paper on a given day. You can earn points for things such as a Kroger Gift Card, iTunes Gift Card, and a Sheetz Giftcard. It works, Jessica and I have already redeemed enough points for a $20 gift card to Kroger!**

If you'd like more information on Dave Ramsey visit his website here!

Pictures from Jesus Jam 2009 - Tabernacle Baptist Church, Salem, VA

Holy Cow.....So Much to Share!

I didn't realize that it had been so long since I had posted. Many things have happened this summer. Good things! Our son, Ian is almost four months old. He's perfect (okay, minus not sleep through the night yet)! It's amazing holding him and knowing that he came from both of us. Everyone loves the little fellow so much! Here is a picture of him at three months.

Most of you are probably friends with me on Facebook - so I'm sure you've seen all of his pictures. If you're not my friend add me.

In July, we (youth group) had a wonderful opportunity to go to Mission Fuge at North Greenville University. What a powerful week! God placed that staff there for a reason. Such powerful worship took place and it flowed so well. Our kids really felt the presence of God like no other time in their lives. That week we had the opportunity to do mission work throughout the city of Greenville, South Carolina. The work consisted of yard work, playing with kids, singing in nursing homes, and much more.

Our kids enjoyed it so much - they are ready to head back in 2010. This week wasn't just powerful for our kids, but for me as well. God has placed a burden on my heart to reach out to this City - Salem and Roanoke! There is so much to be done. I don't believe that God has called me into the mission field, but to have more of a mission mindset in my ministry areas, especially Student Ministry. I'll share more about what our kids are going to be doing later on.

Watch this video that the Student Ministry and I put together....most importantly, listen to the lyrics - a great song entitled, "God of this City."

My First Father's Day.....

It's hard to believe that celebrated my first father's day! It was a great day - Ian and Jessica bought me a Bible (A bible that shares the birth of our nation) and a daddy picture frame that holds pictures. Also, on Father's Day, Ian was dedicated at church. It was a very special day. One of the ladies from church whom I really adore who is home bound now, sent the following poem to me.

I Have a Boy
(Hugh M. Pierce)

I've a wonderful Boy, and I say to him, "Son,

Be fair and be square in the race you must run.

Be brave if you lose and be meek if you win.

Be better and nobler than I've ever been.

Be honest and noble in all that you do,

And honor the name I have given to you.

I have a boy and I want him to know

We reap in life just about as we sow,

And we get what we earn, be it little or great,

Regardless of luck and regardless of fate.

I will teach him and show him the best that I can,

That it pays to be honest and upright, a man.

I will make him a pal and a partner of mine,

And show him the things in this world that are fine.

I will show him the things that are wicked and bad,

For I figure this knowledge should come from his dad.

I will walk with him, talk with him, play with him, too;

And to all of my promises strive to be true.

We will grow up together, I'll too be a boy,

And share in his trouble and share in his joy.

We'll work out our plans when we both will be men.

And oh, what a wonderful joy this will be,

No pleasure in life could be greater to me.

I was given this right before church started, so I didn't read it until after Ian was dedicated. It brought tears to my eyes......what a sweet poem and what great words as well. Also....here is Ian's one month birthday photo! Have a great weekend everybody!

Ian is Here!

I know it has been a long time since I've updated! Ian is here!! He was born on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 1:10 PM. Ian was 7 lbs. 3 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. It's amazing how quickly a family changes when there's a baby. It changes for the better!! I love being a husband - but now - I love being a FATHER. I know, it's hard to believe. Every time I look at Ian, I'm like - did part of him really come from me?

Overall, he's a pretty good baby. HA - as I sit and type this, he's sitting in his swing - pretty fussy! Oh well - at least he doesn't cry that much. He's probably making his debut appearance at church tomorrow night. I'm sure all of the ladies are going to spoil him. Oh well - that's what church people are good at.

Feel free to check out some of the following websites I've put together:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BradleyStump

Tabernacle Student Ministry: http://www.tbcstudents.net

Tabernacle Music Ministry: http://www.tbcmusic.org

Until next time.......God Speed!

Good Friday

Here is a great 'Good Friday' video....Enjoy! Remember what today is really all about!