all about bonnie

I really thought that I had been blessed to the fullest during our beginner FPU class at MC3.  Boy was I wrong!  Our first run of the advanced FPU class was facilitated by Andy Harlow, a First Federal Savings Bank volunteer that has done a lot of work through Bridges Out of Poverty as well.  I was mostly in the background during this class run and was only able to attend 3 of the 8 class meetings.  Even though I didn’t see the class members each week like before, I hung the group picture from the beginner’s class on my refrigerator, where I go frequently (haha).  I lifted each of them up in prayer whenever God would bring them to mind (which was often).  These folks were never far from my thoughts and prayers.

When I stopped in to visit, the class members greeted me with such love.  I really felt like I was a family member being welcomed back home.  It’s just impossible to explain the connection we all made over the course of the beginners and advanced classes.

Last Thursday was the final advanced class with these members.  Normally I looked forward to these Thursday nights but this one I was almost dreading.  I didn’t want it to be the end.  I didn’t want to say goodbye to these precious people.  When I arrived early I mingled with the volunteers that were setting things up for class.  I went to grab a plate so I could eat before class began and was informed that we were not supposed to eat until everyone arrived (this was not the norm.) The ladies doing the refreshments from First Federal Savings Bank were out picking up the pizza.  There was also salad on the bar already prepared.  Soon the class members started arriving and to our surprise, they had each brought us something they had made or bought for supper.  They said they wanted to do something for us.  They brought spaghetti, salad, potato salad, etc.  We had a feast.  The volunteers had even arranged for a cake to celebrate the completion of the class.

Not only was the food a surprise, but they decided on their own, that they wanted us all to gather around in a circle and bless the food.  One of the class members blessed it for us with the sweetest of prayers.  All I could do was shake my head in amazement.  My cup runneth over with blessings and happiness.  This wasn’t just a class with volunteers and students, this was more than that…a family.

We watched the final Dave Ramsey video which happened to be on giving (they didn’t know the subject of the video ahead of time).  Then it was time for Andy to hand out the Dave Ramsey completion certificates and the incentive monies to each of them.  We thanked them for coming and for being a part of such a special class and encouraged them to share with others what they had learned during the classes.  We even invited them to come back and volunteer with the next class run.

My husband came to take another group picture and some individual pictures of the class members.  We were getting ready to start that when they told us to wait.  They went and grabbed a big poster board from the back of the room and the 7 class members told us to trade places with them.  They gathered on the stage and held up the poster they made thanking us for having the class.  Each had taken the time to write down some thoughts to us.

If that wasn’t enough to make me cry, they then each proceeded to give a speech about how the class had impacted their lives.  One shared, “My life is pretty screwed up right now but I’ve been able to take steps in the right direction by taking this class…” Others shared that they had not only learned a lot about finances that would change their lives but that they had made new friends and would even call us all family.  Each has agreed that the incentive money was not the reason they chose to take the class (they didn’t even realize they would get money for the advanced class). The young lady from the beginner’s class that shared she had left her abusive relationship because of the class and the people she had met, shared that she now had a “mom and dad” in 2 of the other classmates and that her life has never been better.  She was going to be getting her GED and couldn’t wait to show us how well she was going to do.  I don’t believe there was a dry eye in the room.

While I am sad the class is over, each of the students assured us that it wasn’t “goodbye” but “see you later.” They told us not to be surprised to see the next class overflowing with people and that some would be back to volunteer or share their testimonies.

In the beginning I was worried that the love of God would not find its way into this class because it was mostly on finances.  I am completely and utterly amazed, but shouldn’t be surprised how God did work in enormous ways through that class.  The “mom and dad” members I mentioned earlier, have recruited 2 of the members to join their church.  During the last class, I heard another member asking about their church and they wrapped their arms around her and lovingly invited her to join them.  There have been prayers and genuine love from members and volunteers that only God can bring.  What a blessing! What a blessing!

I have been amazingly blessed to be a part of a financial literacy program at Monroe Circle Community Center in downtown South Bend.  This program is partnered with First Federal Savings Bank.   I was approached and asked if I would facilitate the beginner’s class using the Dave Ramsey financial material.

Each week I began by asking the group if they had any victory stories.  The first time I asked,  the response was small, which was expected since we were all new to the class.  One student in particular shared from the beginning.  She is a young girl, I would say in her early 20s.  From the very first class she was bubbly, friendly, and smiling from ear to ear.  Without hesitation she raised her hand and shared that she had saved $50 on her own the past week and made plans to save $10 a day during the weekdays by not wasting money on things she didn’t need to buy.

Each week, she always had something positive to say and I noticed that she had begun to make friends with a couple at a neighboring table.  This couple has been amazing.  You could tell they loved God and all of the people in the room.  Knowing that I couldn’t “preach” during my class each week, I prayed that God would find a way into this class.  Every time Dave Ramsey would mention scripture or God I would smile and pray that someone would be touched by it.  God was truly working throughout this class.

On the night of the final class I started 3 minutes late and jokingly told everyone that since I started 3 minutes late, I needed 3 extra victory stories.  A hand from a gentleman at the back table flew up and he shared that he had gotten a part time job.  We all cheered.  Then without fail, the bubbly young lady raised her hand to share.  She then stood up and her face immediately grew serious.  For just a moment I was nervous.  What was she going to share?

I must back up a little to say that each week, in preparation for the week’s class, I would sit down on Tuesday night and make an outline of what I would share and teach.  For some reason, this particular week I had failed to do this.  I couldn’t explain what happened since I am normally very responsible and make sure I do this.  During the day on Thursday I had planned to take my lunch hour at work to create my outline.  I ended up working through my lunch (lots of things popping up that had to be done).  Knowing I wasn’t going to have the time to prepare that I had desired I kept praying throughout the day and talking to God saying, “God, you know this is totally unlike me. I know there has to be a reason for it.  Please help me to trust you.”

Getting back to the moment this young lady stood up and her face grew serious…she said that she herself had 3 victories to share this week.  She said that one of them she wasn’t going to share but she just had to share and tell everyone.  She shared that her first victory story was that she was able to end an abusive relationship with her boyfriend.  Each week she had been coming to class looking happy but she was really hurting from being beaten so badly.  Her second victory story was that she had learned through this FPU class how to save her money and spend her money more wisely.  She learned she didn’t need to stay in this relationship and that she could do this on her own.  She was going to be able to do better and so she could end her abusive relationship.  Her third victory was that in ending one relationship, she was able to begin another.  She turned to the couple at the next table over and said they were her family now.  They had adopted her over the weeks and even invited her to their church.  She (and her young son) had been going to their church and loved it.  Her son even calls the couple grandma and grandpa.  She was truly happy with all of God’s blessings in her life.

No, the story isn’t over yet.  She sat down and the lady sitting next to her raised her hand to share.  She said that she had known this young lady through her GED class but realized she didn’t really know her until she had gotten to know her through this class.  She was able to help her through this rough time in her life and also through talking to the young lady, she heard how much she loved going to church.  Eventually she began going to this church too and now they all go and just love what God is doing in their lives.

When she finished sharing, the woman from the couple said she wanted to tell everyone that she loved them with the love of the Lord and that she wanted them to know that God had a purpose for each of them being in this class.  She said that they did nothing special, that it was all with God’s glory that this had happened.  There were many amens and cheers as she finished sharing.

I had to hold back tears of joy.  There was a reason I hadn’t prepared that Tuesday night.  There was a reason I hadn’t had time at lunch to prepare.  It was because God had something much better planned.

It truly has been a blessing to work with these special people.  I have come to love each of them.  I miss them already.  They all plan to come back for the advanced class in a few weeks.

Well I realized I hadn’t blogged in awhile and that at some point I’m going to look back at this time and wonder what I didn’t blog about.

Recently…as in 2 days ago Justin and I were sound asleep and awakened to the sound of three bangs.  I know I was not fully awake but I remember asking Justin if it was gun shots.  We had recently been having issues with our power going on and off randomly so he said he thought it was something to do with the power.  We both quickly fell back to sleep.

We woke up and went about getting ready for work.  Justin left about 15 minutes or so before me.  I was running a few minutes behind schedule and already couldn’t find stuff I needed.  The District Manager was due to come to the store that day and I was the opener (not knowing when she was to arrive).  Frazzled, I finally set out the door for work.

As I was walking to the car I noticed a large dark spot on the back right side window.  I thought a huge bird had chosen to…well…you know, on my car so I went for a closer look.  That’s when I found that my back, side window was shattered yet still in tact and there was a big hole in my car door.  I looked closer and it appeared to be a bullet hole.

I called Justin in a panic, surprisingly not because of the car but because I needed him to come get me so I could get to work and not be late in case the DM was there waiting for me (not a good way to make a first impression..being late).

When Justin arrived he confirmed it was a large caliber gunshot hole.  Luckily for me I have an awesome husband who took me to work and then returned home to clean up and deal with insurance and the police.

After work Justin picked me up and we came home to investigate some more.  Then we found three 40 caliber bullet casings in the driveway (confirming the three bangs heard in the middle of the night).  Justin called the police back and in about 30 minutes a police car appeared taking his statement and the casings for our case.

I know that the person who did this will most likely not be found but Justin and I found ourselves praying for this person.   In prior years, we would have just been angry but God has shown us so much even in the 7.5 years we have been together.  We know God is good ALL the time.   We are praising God for knowing all situations even before they arise.  Just days before this we received some unexpected money that I’m confident will be just what we need to fix my car.  Some would say it’s a coincidence but I just don’t believe in coincidences.  God was there, God is there, and God will always be there.  I’m overjoyed to know Jesus as my Savior and couldn’t imagine going through life without Him.

I have also been learning from God lately that even when I’m in the valleys of life…when things are not going my way, that God knows what He is doing and He not only wants good for me, He wants BETTER for me.  A few weeks ago in Steven Furtick’s One Prayer message he was talking about when he was little he really badly wanted to get atari.  He prayed and prayed and just hoped that on Christmas morning he would have atari like all his friends.  On Christmas morning he didn’t get atari but the NEW and BETTER Nintendo! And so while he was focusing on what he thought he should have, someone was thinking of bigger and better things for him just like God does for us.  That message has stuck with me.  I am now always waiting and wondering, even when I don’t think things can get better, I’m wondering what God will do next.  Just AWESOME!

Here are pictures of my car.