{"id":47,"date":"2015-01-10T15:12:54","date_gmt":"2015-01-10T15:12:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/?p=47"},"modified":"2016-04-22T13:46:05","modified_gmt":"2016-04-22T13:46:05","slug":"struggling-with-finances-but-not-their-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/2015\/01\/10\/struggling-with-finances-but-not-their-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"Struggling With Finances, Not Their Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Just because you have a decent job, house and car doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re financially set. Just ask Schnique and J.C. Dory, a White Settlement couple raising two kids.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>They both have steady jobs, their home is pristine and there\u2019s food on the table each night. But they\u2019re constantly beating back debt.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Dorys are keeping their family on track with financial planning and faith.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>There\u2019s no denying the energy of the 10 a.m. service at Trinity Harvest Church in Hurst.<\/p>\n<p>On a recent Sunday, about 200 worshippers sang, swayed and traded Amens. The church is modest, a converted bingo hall in a small strip center. But there\u2019s nothing subdued about the congregation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"audiobtn\" style=\"padding-top: 60px; padding-bottom: 60px;\">\n<!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-47-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/doryrenewf_soundbite1.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/doryrenewf_soundbite1.mp3\">http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/doryrenewf_soundbite1.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"audiotext\">\u201cWithout having the pastors that we have here, the ministry leaders that we have here, it\u2019s no way to keep going,\u201d Schnique Dory says. \u201cYou know, you get boggled down with work stuff, with the stresses and strains of life. This is just something to encourage you, to keep you going. Just to renew your faith in God.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>Schnique and her husband, J.C., worship at Trinity Harvest every Sunday, along with her two children, 13-year-old Jaelyn and 11-year-old Schnthia.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_50\" style=\"max-width:100%;  width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-50 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/schniqueandjc-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Schnique and J.C. Dory\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/schniqueandjc-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/schniqueandjc-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/schniqueandjc-1360x765.jpg 1360w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/schniqueandjc-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/schniqueandjc-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/schniqueandjc.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"style=\"max-width:100%;  width: 900px\" >Schnique and her husband, J.C., live a middle-class life, but they&#8217;re constantly fighting to stay ahead financially. Photo\/Dane Walters<\/p><\/div>\n<h4>&#8216;We&#8217;re frugal&#8217;<\/h4>\n<p>The Dorys look like many middle-class families. Schnique is a middle school English teacher and J.C. is a truck driver. They live in a neat, two-story home in the Fort Worth suburb of White Settlement. And they have a little money in savings.<\/p>\n<p>But they\u2019re constantly trying to stay ahead financially. Their big challenge? Coping with debt.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had to start using the credit card again because of a couple weeks I was off work. So now we\u2019ve got the credit card debt back, but we\u2019re knocking it down slowly,\u201d J.C. says. \u201cSo we got it knocked out within six months, and it took a couple of weeks for it to come right back.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>J.C. says they live frugally. They\u2019re careful at the grocery store. They only eat out with a coupon and they don\u2019t jump into home improvement projects they don\u2019t need.<\/p>\n<p>But Schnique says they\u2019re living so lean now that if something unexpected comes up, there\u2019s no fat to cut.<\/p>\n<div class=\"audiobtn\">\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-47-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/doryfrugal_soundbite2.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/doryfrugal_soundbite2.mp3\">http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/doryfrugal_soundbite2.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"audiotext\">\u201cI think that would put our family in a very, very difficult position. And we would have to change our lifestyle a lot,\u201d Schnique says. \u201cWe\u2019re frugal. So just with us being frugal and having to dial back what we would spend, it would be a crisis.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_51\" style=\"max-width:100%;  width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-51 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/jaelynandschnthia-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Jaelyn and Schnthia\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/jaelynandschnthia-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/jaelynandschnthia-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/jaelynandschnthia-1360x765.jpg 1360w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/jaelynandschnthia-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/jaelynandschnthia-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/jaelynandschnthia.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"style=\"max-width:100%;  width: 900px\" >Schnique and J.C. Dory are trying to teach their children, Jaelyn and Schnthia, how to respect money now so they don&#8217;t get into trouble later. Photo\/Dane Walters<\/p><\/div>\n<h4>Facing homelessness<\/h4>\n<p>Schnique knows what a crisis looks like. Ten years ago, she was a single mom with no job prospects. She faced homelessness even though she had a bachelor\u2019s degree in business.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I left their father, I was a stay-at-home mom, so although I had the degree, I stayed at home, so when I left, I left with nothing. Nor did he provide any support for us,\u201d Schnique says. \u201cSo to get a job, I would have to have the money to put my children in daycare. If you don\u2019t have the money to put them in daycare, you can\u2019t really go out to find a job.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Schnique found temporary housing and got her teaching certification. When she married J.C. in 2012, things started to look up.<\/p>\n<p>They are raising her two kids to respect money now so they don\u2019t get into trouble later. The message seems to be sticking.<\/p>\n<p>Jaelyn says most of his friends live very differently.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 512px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('video');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-47-1\" width=\"512\" height=\"288\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/dory1b-1392920816-46.mp4.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/dory1b-1392920816-46.mp4.mp4\">http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2015\/01\/dory1b-1392920816-46.mp4.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTheir parents just give them money and they just go spend it,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And, with me, I have my own money that I have to spend, so I watch what I spend. Unlike them, since it\u2019s just their parents\u2019 money and they gave it to them, they just blow it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jaelyn and Schnthia say their mom has always been up front with them about their money situation. When both kids were a little younger, their mom handed over her monthly salary, their expenses and told them to make a budget.<\/p>\n<p>But the Dorys say their finances are far from perfect. J.C. says there\u2019s a lot more he\u2019d like to accomplish financially.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d like to have retirement in my savings fund, that\u2019s what I\u2019m working for,&#8221; he says. &#8220;You know, when it\u2019s time to retire, to have the money to be able to retire.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That means hard work &#8212; and strong faith.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou have to believe in something bigger than yourself. It seems like I could never get caught up until I started paying my tithes,\u201d J.C. says. \u201cIt\u2019s when I put it in faith\u2019s hands, in God\u2019s hands, that the money started coming back to me anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s something the Dorys try to always remember.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>More from KERA News:<\/strong><br \/>\n<div class=\"bullets tick black\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/keranews.org\/post\/one-crisis-away-checking-dorys\" target=\"_blank\">Checking In With The Dorys<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just because you have a decent job, house and car&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":48,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"audio","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47","post","type-post","status-publish","format-audio","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-one-crisis-living-on-the-financial-edge","post_format-post-format-audio","byline-courtney-collins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":414,"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47\/revisions\/414"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/onecrisisaway\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}