by Tannika Nikeya

Gardening Update: What I’ve Learned So Far

Just a quick garden update: I have been researching, and yes, using ChatGpt to aid me in maintaining my garden beds and veggies. This is my first time gardening and I was a bit intimidated by the process.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7

I understand that this scripture primarily reminds believers that we are not alone in the work of the Kingdom. Moreover, no one is more superior than the others. Some are called to plant the Word, others to water through discipling, and all of us are called to remain humble because it is God who brings the growth, the success, and the results. Any fruit that comes is by His power alone.

But as I read this scripture, it also helps me to understand that in my gardening venture—and as I plant and water—that it is God that breathes life upon my little garden beds of veggies and herbs.

I’m deeply grateful for the growth that God has brought to my garden beds. I am also grateful for His careful watch over them during this Midwestern cold. Seeing the garlic shoots, thyme, arugula, kale, and more sprout up just before the cold settled in is both satisfying and a relief.

The only thing I wished I would have understood or did better is structuring the space of the seeds because I have to continually thin the veggies as they grow. This ensures they won’t be bunched up and compete for sunlight or space.

And if you are wondering about the cold, I planted veggies and herbs that can endure the winter season with a little extra support such as frost covers when temps drop too low. And the last time I peeked in on them, those little baby sprouts were doing well. Today, while it is a bit warmer than the previous days, I am going to check them again to see how they are holding up. And I am looking forward to when they are much bigger and fully ready to harvest.

Reflection:

How does remembering that God gives the increase change the way you view your efforts—both spiritually and practically?

02.20.25

by Tannika Nikeya

Benefits of A Planner

It’s okay if you don’t like to plan out your day, your goals, or your next move. And you don’t have to meticulously plan every detail of your life.

But here me out. Do take time to add planning and organizing to a part of your life’s journey.

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned” – Benjamin Franklin

According to Cornerstone Dynamics, in the last 20 years, working time has increased by 15 percent, and leisure time has decreased by 33 percent (Karina Keith, Time Management Stats That May Surprise You).

According to Forbes.com, fifty-two percent of planners reported having time for social life, and 44 percent had enough time for themselves (Bryan Robinson, Ph.D., New Study Shows Career Benefits In Planning Versus Procrastinating To Reduce Stress).

So, if work time has increased, and life gets much more complex as we get older, why not set aside a few minutes a day or several minutes a week to plan your time, your goals and tasks to prioritize and organize.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

I have always been a planner, a to-do lister. It helps me to declutter mentally, maintain productivity, and stay goal-oriented.

Whether you are using a paper/physical planner or a digital planner, there are many benefits to using one as it is one of many tools to aid you through this journey of life.

Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.
Habakkuk 2:2 NLT

Benefits of Using A Planner:

Using a planner can help you get organized.
Using one can increase productivity.
Can build your motivation in accomplishing your goals.
Planning and organizing can help decrease stress.
Strengthen your self-discipline.
Help you manage your time.
Improves your focus.
Reduces anxiety and prioritizes well-being.
Sort through the chaos of a busy schedule.
Makes it easier to remember tasks.

What other benefits does using a planner bring?

Although I highly recommend using a planner, I must remind you a few things. Using a planner is not a quest for being perfect. Don’t forget to also allow spontaneity in your life. We should not idolize planning or plan without action or without seeking the Lord’s wisdom, will, and heart. With that said, remember the scripture below:

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT

Without God, we can do nothing. Without God involved, our planning is futile. Commit your actions to the Lord. Submit to God, and depend on Him, and allow Him to lead you to success.

Lastly, planners can help you manage your time, prioritize tasks, and organize your short-term and long-term goals. In doing so, you increase your productivity as well as your personal time to relax, refuel, and reengage with loved ones.

The new edition of the CPR Planner is available!!!

The CPR planner helps you to continue your healing journey by exploring where in your life you need CPR (Calm, Peace, and a Refreshing). This planner has been updated with a new look and some new additions to help you continue staying on top of your daily, weekly, and monthly planning.

Available currently at Amazon. See link below.

https://a.co/d/hvqsxLm

09.17.24

by Tannika Nikeya

Financially Healing

Current Economy

With the current economy, I know most of us are all feeling the financial pressures. Property taxes are high. Food costs have increased, and just overall, the cost of living. Even in my own personal life, things have been financially tight, debt piling up due to the cost of living, unforeseen circumstances, and issues that arose last year that we are still recovering from.

Financially Healing

However, I am learning about my relationship with money and learning to overcome certain mindsets and mismanagement. Not only am I on a healing journey, but I am on a financial mend, too. I am financially healing. Financial healing is a process of addressing and remedying unhealthy money patterns and relationships with money.

Some of the things I learned before and implement prior to us getting our home years ago helped me clean up my credit card debt and save money. So, I look forward to implementing these strategies again and applying such discipline this time around.

Discipline

One of my disciplines was to pay back debt one at a time and at least one debt paid back a year. The word of God says owe no man nothing, except love, and I would be happy to repay each debt and become debt free.

Word of advice: Never take out a personal loan and don’t have too many credit cards. Remember, credit cards and loans are borrowed monies, and they thrive on interest rates. So, if you are looking to get credit cards, one or two are all you need. And repay any amount spent each month in full.

Another thing I do is to pay the smallest to the greatest debt. Paying the highest interest rates I do not favor. Why? Because you see more of a progress with the smallest amount versus the highest interest rate, and that does something for your heart and morale when struggling with debt.

The second thing I am reimplementing is a budget. I have always used an Excel sheet as my budget tracker to map out my bills, expenses, and so forth. But after learning from a financial advisor that you have to create a budget that suits your lifestyle and not just your bills, that has been a game changer. And I pray to stick to my budget because I don’t, especially when using my debit card. So I plan to budget and try my best to stick to it.

I am not new to sharing on my platforms great products I have come across and use in my everyday life, but now I get to share them and earn a commission. I value your trust above everything else, and I want to be upfront with my new endeavor. I’m in the Amazon Associates program, and some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click and buy. But I promise I only recommend products I truly believe in and think will add value to your life.

Dave Ramsey

I also plan to go the Dave Ramsey route and use cash more. Using my debit card or credit cards, it is easy to over exceed your budget and not stick to it.

Trust God

Another thing I plan to do is work on doing the homework to mend my finances. I have also been working on investing more or diversifying. And eventually, I want to start a garden. Lastly, I plan to trust God and try not to let the current economy crisis worry me. My God shall supply my needs according to His riches in glory.

Stand on Business

Now, for some other financial tips, try to save an emergency fund, save for retirement, and also get your affairs in order like getting term or life insurance. I know no one wants to think about these things or dont always have the wriggle room to save like they need or want to but start somewhere. As adults, we have to plan ahead, be responsible, and be good stewards.

Reflection
What are some changes you are looking to make to better steward your finances?

Disclaimer
We, at Fruitful & Fabulous/Tannika Nikeya, are not certified financial planners or financial advisors. We do research and reference the sources that we use within our writing. The information provided should not be used as financial advice; it is used to promote financial literacy, financial literacy based from the Bible as well as discussion. The views, some of the experiences, and opinions on this site are that of the authors. Any suggestions or investment advice should be reviewed by a financial professional before acting on them.

This website will never share your email address or any of your personal information with a third party for any reason. We are excited to encourage financial literacy and health but it is your choice whether or not you use the information provided and at your own risk.