I LOVE working. It sounds weird for a 19 year-old to enjoy working, but I treasure earning wages. I have known so many people that hate their jobs. I'll admit that I have not always skipped into work with a smile. There have been days that I would have prefered to be anywhere but work, on those days I learned that you have to whistle while you work.
I wrote earlier that I have always been money conscious--maybe that is why I love working. When I work, I know that I am doing my best to provide for the things I need. At the beginning of the summer I was nearly broke & jobless. A job for the summer is a necessity in order for me to return to college. I tried several places, but no one called back. Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place--I gave it to the Lord. God is always faithful & He knows exactly what is best. After giving my summer job over to Him, He gave me a full time summer job.
Once again, God has shown me that I am powerless without Him. His plan is best & all I have to do is ask for help. At the beginning of the summer I was so consumed with trying to find I job that I forgot that the same God who wants me to attend Maranatha would provide the finances to return there in the fall.
I love the job He has given me. He knows me & gave me a job that fits my personality. I am so thankful that I gave my summer over to Him. I know there will be times when I want to call in sick or complain, but that is when He will remind me that my attitude is my choice & all I have to do in order to enjoy my work day is whistle while I work.
24 May 2008
19 May 2008
a dream is a wish your heart makes
Dreams...everyone has different dreams. Little seeds of hope that you pour your life into; the wish that your heart makes as you blow out the candles on your birthday cake. Some dreams come true quickly, but some seem to elude you for years. Some dreams are planted when you are a child and cannot decipher fairytale from reality. The Lord plants some dreams as you grow closer to Him, & sometimes He changes your dreams to something beyond your wildest dreams.
When I was little I dreamt of becoming a ballerina, helicopter pilot, or teacher. The Lord somewhat changed those dreams. I never was enrolled in ballet classes, so that door closed. When I had my first ear surgery just after turning 8, I realized that becoming a pilot was now a dream out of my reach. Was I disappointed that my childhood dreams would not come true? Sure, but as I grew in Christ I realized that He had something far better planned for me. A teacher...God, through sometimes difficult circumstances, has shown me that teaching is the dream He has for me. Dreams are not just limited to occupation though. Since I was young I dreamt of cheering in front of a crowd, riding a horse, acting on a stage in front of a packed out audience, skiing, hunting, bungee jumping (you better believe it!)...the list goes on. There are so many activities that have been in my dreams. Some have come true & some still wait to be experienced: I have experienced the thrill of leading a crowd. I had fun riding a trail at Wilds of the Rockies--though I would like to ride a horse again. The Lord allowed me to act in one of my favorite plays in front of a sold out audience 4 nights in a row. Skiing was the most fun I have ever had in my life, thus far. But these are just activities. There is a dream that I don't dare speak above a whisper with my closest friends...
So we all dream of occupations and activities, but deep down there is another dream. It's your secret dream of the future...that secret wish that your heart makes.
Dare to dream friends. If God changes your dreams, don't be disappointed--He has someting far more amazing than you could ever dream of. Let Him have control & all your dreams will come true.
12 May 2008
ka-ching
Financial security. Most 19 year-olds have little thought concerning their financial security, I guess I've always been different. It's not that I want to stockpile money & become a millionaire. I want a secure financial future, not the sound of "ka-ching."
I have always been concerned with finances. When I had my first ear surgery at 8, I was concerned that my parents were spending money on me that could be used elsewhere. Each time I received money, whether for my birthday or for Christmas, I would save it away. Crystal would get so frustrated with me because I would talk myself out of buying something I really wanted simply because I didn't want to spend the money. It wasn't that I wanted to hear the ka-ching of my money in my piggy bank, I simply couldn't persuade myself to spend money something I didn't need.
I started working at 16; I was a customer service associate of JCPenney. I immediately began saving 60% of my paycheck for college. Even that did not add up to as much as I would have liked. In the 2 years that I worked at JCPenney, I saved enough money to cover my down payment of college--no more. After writing my first check to Maranatha I didn't have a dime left to my name. I called my mom crying because I couldn't help more with my college bill. It's my education, I want to pay for it.
I tried to solve my financial problems on my own. I have always wanted to be involved in the military, so I considered joining the Air Force ROTC to help pay for college. I struggled all last summer. God showed that it wasn't His will for me, at least not right now. As I entered the fall semester I was worrying about how to pay for college. To me, my future seemed to be crumbling around me; I had forgotten that God is in control.
The Lord is good: He provided me with a job on campus that would put about $100 every month towards my college bill. He also blessed me by granting me a scholarship. After my surgery in January, I again began to worry about how I & my parents were going to afford paying for college. Christ reminded me that He is directing my paths: He rewarded me a $1500 scholarship that will cover my down payment for next fall. I have begun to realize that in Christ, I am financially secure.
Why talk about finances at 19? It's important. "Who you are now is who you are becoming." What a great quote! If I don't save for my future now, I won't save for my future later. This summer in Sunday School my college & career class is studying financial security by studying the book Money, Possessions, & Eternity by Randy Alcorn. My interest was peaked as soon as the teacher mentioned the subject. We are going to by studying how to be financially secure, but more importantly, how use the finances Christ has given us to help those around us.
I have decided that I want to invest in a future of financial security. Security found thru service to Christ. My decision is to save for my future home & family now. It's more than money, it's my future.
I have always been concerned with finances. When I had my first ear surgery at 8, I was concerned that my parents were spending money on me that could be used elsewhere. Each time I received money, whether for my birthday or for Christmas, I would save it away. Crystal would get so frustrated with me because I would talk myself out of buying something I really wanted simply because I didn't want to spend the money. It wasn't that I wanted to hear the ka-ching of my money in my piggy bank, I simply couldn't persuade myself to spend money something I didn't need.
I started working at 16; I was a customer service associate of JCPenney. I immediately began saving 60% of my paycheck for college. Even that did not add up to as much as I would have liked. In the 2 years that I worked at JCPenney, I saved enough money to cover my down payment of college--no more. After writing my first check to Maranatha I didn't have a dime left to my name. I called my mom crying because I couldn't help more with my college bill. It's my education, I want to pay for it.
I tried to solve my financial problems on my own. I have always wanted to be involved in the military, so I considered joining the Air Force ROTC to help pay for college. I struggled all last summer. God showed that it wasn't His will for me, at least not right now. As I entered the fall semester I was worrying about how to pay for college. To me, my future seemed to be crumbling around me; I had forgotten that God is in control.
The Lord is good: He provided me with a job on campus that would put about $100 every month towards my college bill. He also blessed me by granting me a scholarship. After my surgery in January, I again began to worry about how I & my parents were going to afford paying for college. Christ reminded me that He is directing my paths: He rewarded me a $1500 scholarship that will cover my down payment for next fall. I have begun to realize that in Christ, I am financially secure.
Why talk about finances at 19? It's important. "Who you are now is who you are becoming." What a great quote! If I don't save for my future now, I won't save for my future later. This summer in Sunday School my college & career class is studying financial security by studying the book Money, Possessions, & Eternity by Randy Alcorn. My interest was peaked as soon as the teacher mentioned the subject. We are going to by studying how to be financially secure, but more importantly, how use the finances Christ has given us to help those around us.
I have decided that I want to invest in a future of financial security. Security found thru service to Christ. My decision is to save for my future home & family now. It's more than money, it's my future.
03 May 2008
blue clear sky
College is over & summer has officially begun. The days between the last day of classes & graduation were wonderful. The semester ended with just as much fun as it began. But today, it wa time to go home.
I have only flown once before--to Orlando in 2000, so I was a little tentative about flying. After a slight hold up (I had to check in an extra bag), Jarid & I loaded American Airline flight 2495 out of O'Hare to Kansas City. The short flight gave me plenty of time to think as I stared out of the window into the blue clear sky. Clouds obstructed my view of cities during the first half of the flight. As I squinted to look out on the bright white clouds that were laid out like a carpet under the plane, I realized the majesty of my God. Each cloud had its own unique texture. What a God! To give such attention to so minute details! As we flew over the Mississippi River, the clouds cleared & I was able to see the cities & farms below. Do you realize how small everything is at 34,000 feet? It put things into perspective.
God thinks about me, a tiny speck on the face of the earth. He not only thinks about me, but also wants a living, vibrant relationship with me. How amazing is it that the God who made the clouds, the sea, the Earth, & the blue clear sky cares about me?
God is so good to me. He cares about every area in my life. For now, I am going to focus on the will of the God who thinks about me & keep dreaming of the things He will bring out of the blue clear sky.
I have only flown once before--to Orlando in 2000, so I was a little tentative about flying. After a slight hold up (I had to check in an extra bag), Jarid & I loaded American Airline flight 2495 out of O'Hare to Kansas City. The short flight gave me plenty of time to think as I stared out of the window into the blue clear sky. Clouds obstructed my view of cities during the first half of the flight. As I squinted to look out on the bright white clouds that were laid out like a carpet under the plane, I realized the majesty of my God. Each cloud had its own unique texture. What a God! To give such attention to so minute details! As we flew over the Mississippi River, the clouds cleared & I was able to see the cities & farms below. Do you realize how small everything is at 34,000 feet? It put things into perspective.
God thinks about me, a tiny speck on the face of the earth. He not only thinks about me, but also wants a living, vibrant relationship with me. How amazing is it that the God who made the clouds, the sea, the Earth, & the blue clear sky cares about me?
God is so good to me. He cares about every area in my life. For now, I am going to focus on the will of the God who thinks about me & keep dreaming of the things He will bring out of the blue clear sky.
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