Holding on through the Tough Times

Wow, this week is flying by now that my daughter is home from the hospital. Laura got up with her sisters this morning and started school then. By 9a.m., when I got up, she was pretty much done. So I have focused on cleaning the house and chasing the toddler. Laura went outside and enjoyed the somewhat warmer temperatures.
The last nine months have been rough for me and my family. Oh, we keep holding on through these tough times, whether it is health issues, the loss of a loved one, or financial stress, because of our faith in Jesus Christ. I know that these times are to build me and change me. I know that I am learning to be VERY careful with money. I am learning that, despite still desiring unhealthy foods, I can eat healthy. I am learning that I can successfully teach my daughter without it costing a fortune. I am learning that some changes have to be made in my life and in the lives of my children.
Oh, the woes of financial distress. In the past two years our bills have almost doubled. First, the adjustable rate on our mortgage skyrocketed. Then, we became responsible for tutoring costs for my step-daughter which are not cheap since she goes 4 day per week. Then, our utility bill for gas and electric doubled due to rate hikes. My husband spent four months last summer and fall only working three days a week, which put us behind on EVERYTHING!
So now comes the tough decisions. The bill collectors don't care about situations you may be going through. The whole idea was to refinance the mortgage, but my husband's cut hours and our late bills put that notion on the back burner. Some of our tough decisions may come in the form of losing things, like our satellite...at least temporarily. It may also come in the form of seeing if we can lower some of our payments any way we can. I am right now trying to figure out what will be the best placement for our tax return. Yes, we have bills to catch up on, but after that I need to figure out where any extra should go that will help us the most.
I am working very hard on having a good attitude through this time by trusting Jesus. That point has been made repeatedly to me during my private study time nd through other people. Trust Jesus.