James Woosley’s Blog

Tonight my five-year-old daughter Anna prayed to receive Christ! She has been talking about it for a while, but after seeing a friend from class being baptized, she decided to go through with it (she’s been scared of the water). It was such a wonderful experience to walk her to the front of the church with my wife and hear her little voice praying for Jesus to come into her heart. We’ll schedule the baptism for the next few weeks, and I’ll be able to do the baptism with our pastor.

I can still remember when she was born, all two pounds of her, twelve weeks premature. She was this tiny, precious little angel. She carried herself in the hospital as if there were purpose in her life (there is). And she had that look in her eye like she could see things that we couldn’t (she could). As she’s gotten older she’s lost some of that, probably because she’s become more ingrained in this world. But it lives in her heart to this day, and that glimmer in her eyes still shines through from time to time.

I love my little angel, and today the angels rejoice for her.

James

I finally got back online but also got a nasty cold and loads of work. So I’m tardy again for the blog that almost no one reads! I’ll have to do a much better job when there are thousands of you needing a daily fix of The Woo.

Anyway, we had our first FPU weekend last weekend, and what a fun time it was. There were more than 60 people attending, and if we get a few of the no-shows to come this weekend, we’ll top 70 fairly easily.

This is a truly life changing program, and for us, it couldn’t come at a better time. We spent way too much on Christmas, and January hasn’t been a very fun month financially speaking. Nose is still above water with only a few days to go…

If you want to see what we’re doing and studying and why, visit our FPU Website, http://fpu.jameswoosley.com.

Until next time,

James

This is the last free weekend I’ll have until Easter. But as Martha Stewart would say, “It’s a good thing.”

You see, next weekend I begin facilitating a 13 week (extended to 14 by Easter) series on personal finance called Financial Peace University. The class is taught on DVD by Dave Ramsey, a financial counselor and best-selling writer from Tennessee. After the hour long video, we discuss the topic of the day and our progress toward financial peace.

It’s entertaining. It’s fun. But it can be heartbreaking, too. I also know it will change the lives of those who attend.

About 50 people have signed up for my classes, which I’m offering on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Those people are counting on me, and I intend not to let them down. Like I said, it’s going to change people’s lives. And it’ll change mine, too!

My wife and I have a huge amount of debt and almost no savings. We’ve been stupid with money for a long time, even though I’ve known what I should have been doing for the most part. Knowledge without application is worthless. So we’ll be on the adventure just like everyone else in class. Some are broke. Some are doing great. Everyone will learn and share throughout the course, if they stick with it.

The class is offered nationwide (and even some international locations). So go to Dave’s web site and look for a class in your area. It’s worth the dollar a day for the class if you’ll apply it to your life.

It’s not about greed. It’s about peace and control and having so you can give. Have fun!

James

PS - Dave is hinting about having his own prime time show on CBS soon! He’ll be reaching even more people with his message of financial freedom! (I guess being on 60 Minutes and Oprah were just the start!)

I’m temporarily without internet access except at work, so my committment to start writing more often post-holidays has hit a snag. I’ll be back soon with some cool stuff.

James

I’m back. Actually, I was never really away. And there’s probably no one visiting yet so it really doesn’t matter much.

I’m at the end of my typical Christmas lull. I don’t know what it is, but I always get down during the holidays. Too much to do, too many plans that get left behind. It normally starts a few weeks before Christmas and lasts through my birthday in January. There’s a lot of stress this year, but a lot to be thankful for too. I’m blessed…I just have to open my eyes to that more often.

Christmas was good this year, except for Christmas Day. I woke up at 1 am with a stomach bug, and spent the whole day feeling rotten. Managed to open some presents, but honestly, I didn’t even feel up to it at the time. If it wasn’t for the kids, I’d have delayed Christmas by a day!

The next day I felt better, but weak. Still, we managed to haul ourselves 13 hours across the country to visit my family in Missouri. It was a good trip, and the kids handled themselves much better than they possible worst they could have performed. Did fine on the way back too. Thank God!

Now I’m transitioning from a job in Maryland to a job in Mississippi. It’s a better commute, but still too much time away from home. I’m praying it’s a stepping stone to a truly local job. My road warrior days are numbered. (It’s either that, or my marriage, and I love my wife more than my job.)

The winter lull has ended. I’m communicating with the outside world again. I have some things in my files to write about on the days I don’t feel like writing, so hopefully I’ll be posting new messages often.

Tell your friends!

James