This is a short episode just to give you a life update. I haven't published any new episodes lately because I recently got engaged, and I am currently planning a wedding and preparing to move out of state after I get married. I will be taking a hiatus from the podcast indefinitely. When I do come back, the show will be bigger and better. Feel free to go back and listen to any of the 40 episodes I have published to date. I have episodes about relationships, finances, mental health, physical health, and various other topics. Also, please continue to share this podcast with anyone you think would like to listen. Until next time take care! Wedding website: Tyler & Rue Wedding Here are all the books I have recommended in every episode to date: The Waiting Ruem | Books I would love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

Welcome to the fortieth episode of The Waiting Ruem podcast. What a milestone! Thank you all for your support, feedback, questions, and involvement. Join me as I talk to a guest, April Shields, about learning to trust God in those unplanned seasons of life. Sometimes when life is changing, you do not know where things are going - you are just a passenger along for the ride. Learning to trust God is easier said than done, but it is possible. Remember that you are not in control and never were. God is writing your story, do not take the pen from Him – let Him finish what He started. Here are all the books I have recommended in every episode to date: The Waiting Ruem | Books You can see April's work on her: Website: April Shields Photography Facebook: @ashieldsphotography Instagram: @ashieldsphoto Jeremiah 29:11-13 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I would love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

What are you going to do differently this year than you've done in years past? Oftentimes, we have an area or two in our lives that we know we need to change, but we never follow through. Let this year be different. Don't do the same thing you have always done and expect a different result. Areas you can grow/change this year: Relationally – Are there any relationships your need to work on? Do you need to work on establishing boundaries? Do you need to improve your communication with those around you? Or maybe become a better listener? Emotionally – Are there any emotions you need to get rid of? Anger, Fear, Anxiety/worry. Are there emotions you need to embrace? Patience, love, kindness, forgiveness. Financially – How is your financial health? Does it need to improve? Do you have a written plan? Physically – Do you need to take better care of your body this year? Spiritually – how can you grow spiritually this year? Ho about reading your bible? Do you need to memorize scripture? How is your prayer life? Tips to help you accomplish your goals: Write down your goals – when you write down your goals, it gives you clarity and direction and makes the task more attainable. Set realistic goals – start small Remove obstacles and excuses. Recommended book: Creatures of Habit: Breaking the Habits Holding You Back from God's Best by Steve Poe Habakkuk 2:2-3: And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. I would love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

What is generosity? It is showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected. Generosity is a topic that many people don't talk about, even though it plays a significant part in our lives. Numerous articles talk about how to make money, how to earn more, how to increase wealth, and how to become rich. However, it's also important to understand that giving some of that away - sharing some of that, will help us emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Benefits of generosity: Generosity makes us healthy Generosity makes us happy Generosity lowers stress Generosity improves our relationships Generosity makes us healthy How to be more generous: Start small Pay for someone coffee or meal Donate to a charity Buy someone in need some groceries Pay your tithe and give offerings to your local church Recommended book: Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche Read more about generosity here: 5 Research-Backed Benefits of Making Generosity a Habit (michaelhyatt.com) The Benefits of Generosity — Christian Stewardship Network I would love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

Money can be a source of comfort for many people, but it is also a source of discomfort for others. Understanding your 'Why' and setting specific goals will help you gear your mind towards putting money aside over time. Successfully saving money requires consistency, discipline, and sacrifice, but it is achievable. Importance of saving: Saving can give you freedom Saving provides financial security to a certain extent Saving means you can take calculated risks Saving prepares you for the future: new house, car, college education, etc. Saving reduces stress How to save money: Pay off debt Cut down your grocery budget Cancel automatic subscriptions and memberships Spend extra or unexpected income wisely Lower your phone bill Do without the coffee trip Refinance your house Sell things you don't need Recommended book: Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche Read more about saving money here: 3 Reasons Why You Should Save Money | Discover How to Save Money: 22 Simple Tips | RamseySolutions.com 6 Types of Saving Accounts (businessinsider.com) I would love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

I will be taking a two-week hiatus, so you can use this time to catch up on any episodes you might have missed. Please be safe this holiday season and enjoy the most important things in life; friends and family. Don’t forget to celebrate the reason for this season: the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - who was the greatest gift to mankind. Be on the lookout for the next episode, airing in the new year, on January 9th; where we will continue our money talk. Be safe and until then, take care! Matthew 1:21: She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. I would love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast Music: A Peaceful Winter by Scott Holmes Music…

Lifestyle creep occurs when increased income leads to increased discretionary spending. It’s the temptation to start spending more on luxuries as your disposable income increases. The goal is to not fall into this trap and keep your expenses as they were and save the extra income for emergencies, life savings, or big purchases in the future. Areas you might experience lifestyle creep: Your social life Your wardrobe Your commute Travel and vacation Household comforts Entertainment How to avoid lifestyle creep: Do not make any changes to spending for at least six months Build a budget and avoid impulse spending - know your goals and plan ahead of time Save first, spend later Evaluate your purchases and spending regularly Recommended book: Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche Read more about lifestyle creep here: 6 Telltale Signs of “Lifestyle Creep” I would love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

Budgeting tells your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. It ensures you always have enough money for the things you need. Budgeting also improves your financial health, which can, directly and indirectly, improve your mental, spiritual, and physical health as well. How do you create a budget? Use a spreadsheet, ledger, or notebook Write down all your sources of income Write all your expenses (house, car, debt, groceries, gas, etc.) Subtract your expenses from your income If you're in the negative, that means you're living above your means If you have money left over, you're living within your means You can adjust your lifestyle to increase that margin Cancel unnecessary subscriptions – you don't need all those streaming services Eat out less – you've already bought your groceries, cook at home Recommended book: Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

How we spend our money is significantly influenced by our personalities. There are five major financial types: Big Spenders, Savers, Shoppers, Debtors, and Investors. It's possible to change your money personality, but it's going to require time and effort. Ways to improve your money personality: Commit to financial stability Educate yourself - read personal finance books Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses - stop focusing on what others have Make goals – write them down Be grateful for what you do have! Recommended book: Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche Money personality quizzes: Learn About Your Money Personality | Empower Money Personality Type Quiz: Which One Are You? (buzzfeed.com) Discover Your Financial Personality | Marcus by Goldman Sachs® I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

Money is not the solution to every problem. And that there are some things you can't buy with money – happiness, love, time, purpose, health, true friendship, confidence, trust, respect, etc. However, how much or how little money we have does affect our overall well-being, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Ways can you improve your financial health: Budget Spend less than you earn Pay bills, debts on time Start saving Giving/donations Recommended book: Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

At this point, you've made past the intentional friendship (noted those red, yellow, and green flags) - you've had a successful intentional dating phase now you're ready to seal the deal. How do you know you are ready for engagement? Well, you've both dated for a while. You both have sought advice from wise counsel. You have discussed the future. You have both chosen to discuss and resolve challenging issues. You have prayed and come to a place of peace. You have chosen to grow personally and together towards your commitment and maturity in Christ. In this episode, I talk about the engagement stage in a relationship. What engagement is not: It's not marriage – save things joining bank accounts and sex for after you're married. It's not an irreversible decision. It's not a time to avoid hard questions or conversations - if you can't talk about the little thing, you'll have a hard time talking about the big things. It's not a time to isolate friends. It's not guaranteed to be smooth. Scripture: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147: 3) Recommended Book: Intentional Relationships for Singles by Dan Houk & Kris Swiatocho I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

How do you know if you're ready for intentional dating? Well, have you prayed? Do you have an accountability partner? How is your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual financial health? Have you healed from past relationships? Have you considered your children (if applicable)? In this episode, I talk about what intentional dating looks like. Intentionally dating causes you to grow in intimacy in all areas: Spiritually - you are equally yoked, believing God has brought you together Emotionally - you share your deepest, vulnerable feelings and hopes with each other only Socially – you prioritize planning individual activities alone Intellectually - you understand and accept each other's thoughts and values and support them Commitment - you have an exclusive commitment by intentionally dating Physically - you show affection in non-sexual ways while maintaining physical boundaries Scripture: But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) Recommended Book: Intentional Relationships for Singles by Dan Houk & Kris Swiatocho I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

Loneliness is something we all deal with in different seasons of life. Whether or not you are in a relationship, you will battle loneliness at some point in your life. To overcome loneliness, you need to take your eyes off yourself and look at the big picture. When you are so consumed by loneliness, that can result in self-pity, entitlement, then sin. The only person who can cure loneliness is our Creator. If you try to fill the void with anything else, you'll come up short. What you can do when you find yourself feeling lonely: Pray, read your bible – spend uninterrupted time with God Reach out to (a lonely) friend – call, text, hang out – be a friend! Workout – run, go to the gym Read a book –learn something new Travel – day trip, weekend trip, etc. Volunteer Try something new – write a song or poem, learn an instrument Scriptures to help you when you're feeling lonely: Deuteronomy 31: 6 Psalm 68: 5-6 1 Peter 5: 7 Psalm 147: 3 Hebrews 4: 15-16 Recommended Book: Priceless: She's Worth Fighting For by Luke Smallbone and Joel Smallbone I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

Suppose you made it through the intentional friendship stage. You have mostly green flags, very few yellow flags, and no red flags, and now you are ready to move on to the next stage: intentional dating. In this episode, I’ll be talking about what dating is because we live in a culture that seems to be confused regarding dating because of the false impression propagated by Hollywood and popular culture. Dating IS: Allowing you to learn more about each other at a deeper level Building commitment Learning how to take care of another person's needs Building trust Practicing forgiveness Developing boundaries Helping you discover how well you relate together as a couple An opportunity to meet family members Moving toward a vision of your future, possibly marriage and family A time when you determine if it's going toward marriage Learning about yourself so you can get healthier and make necessary personal changes Maintaining exclusivity and loyalty with the person you are dating Recommended Book: Intentional Relationships for Singles by Dan Houk & Kris Swiatocho I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…

Suppose you made it through the intentional friendship stage. You have mostly green flags, very few yellow flags, and no red flags, and now you are ready to move on to the next stage: intentional dating. In this episode, I’ll be talking about what dating is not because we live in a culture that seems to be confused regarding dating because of the false impression propagated by Hollywood and popular culture. Dating IS NOT: A time to start a dating relationship hoping you become friends About having someone in your life because you don't want to be alone Blind trust Building physical intimacy prematurely Having poor boundaries Ignoring red flags Expecting perfection Living in the moment - no foresight The time to keep secrets Avoiding conflict for the sake of keeping the peace Isolating yourself with somebody at the expense of other relationships A placeholder to spend your time with until someone better comes along Recommended Book: Intentional Relationships for Singles by Dan Houk & Kris Swiatocho I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast…