Is It Okay to be a Little Scared?

       I am known for taking on too much sometimes, and that is one thing that scare me. This year I have to do my internship, while taking a cluster class that is mandatory. The cluster class contains 3 classes, one that happens to be intensive writing. I get 5 credits from this cluster. Meanwhile I have to take a history class 3 credits, a psychology class 3 credits, and a bio class with lab 4 credits. All of this lovely-ness ends in December. Then for fall part two I have to take Spanish class 3 credits, English 3 credits. Overall I have to take 6 classes plus my internship for fall 1, and then 2 classes for fall 2. Pray for me please. ^^v. 

Why Do You Smile?

Today I was on Twitter and saw this #ReasonsThatISmile, and I thought that's kind of cute. I started to read some reasons why people smile. Many were about food, girlfriends, boyfriends, best friends, family, and stuff. I read about 30 tweets and only saw 3 about God. I wasn't shocked, but would have liked to see more. Think of it this way, God has blessed us with so much every single day and sometimes we can't even take the time to say, "thank you God". Yet that doesn't stop him from blessing us the next day. 

       Our blessings may not be a house or thousands of dollars, but God just waking us up in the morning, is a blessing that many take for grated. In the Bible "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19 KJV). Sometimes we find ourselves asking God to bless us with things, like a new job, a husband or wife, a fancy car, and so on. So we sit, wait and wonder why God hasn't blessed us yet...But God knows us better then we know ourselves, he knows what we can handle and when we can handle it. So no worries, God hears all our prayers and blesses us in ways we can manage.

Mini Story: Just Ask Him.

One day during the time I was taking a summer class, I missed my early bus (and if you know me, I don't like being late). So I was annoyed with myself, I couldn't stop looking at my watch. I knew I was late; I closed my eyes on the bus and prayed really hard, to be on time. I got to class 5 minutes late; my professor had already started, talking about the homework due the next day. I didn't want to worry about being late, knowing I had prayed. Then 10 minutes after I had already walked into class he said, "Lucky for you guys that came late, I haven't taken the attendance yet." I thought to myself I was on time!! I couldn't stop smiling; my friend was looking at me like something was wrong with me. My God works in mysterious way, and is worthy of all the praise. 

That was my mini story, of how God blessed me. So how can I go a day without smiling, because every single day God has blessed me and I believe he will always bless me. Now question to you, a reason why you smile? ^^v.

#ReasonsThatISmile for my God loves me in spite of all my sins.

P.S. Happy Sabbath :).

Love + Marriage go Together like a Horse + Carriage.

I went to a Wedding, last week and it was lovely. Here are some pictures from the wedding.

It is a lovely place.

Overdraft fees, Oh Geez.

      Overdraft fees, what is that? They tend to happen when you use your bankcard to buy something and you don't have the money to cover it. Example: say you have only $75 in your account and you want to buy something that cost $130. So your card doesn't tell say you don't enough money, it just goes through on the purchase, and later you get the bill or you go somewhere else and find out you have nothing on your card. (Sounds lovely right -_-).


       

       On a personal level in my first year of college, I end up spending more money on things I really didn't need for school. Why, did I do something that dumb instead of saving? The answer was simple, after I noticed what changed in my life. I was using PLASTIC (now I don't mean plastic like credit cards, I mean bank/debt card) instead of cash. I was so use to using cash in high school that seeing the money in my wallet helped me save. But now I was seeing a plastic card in my wallet and thought I could use it to buy anything, and so I did. Shoes, clothes, books, food and because I did not live next to the bank, I rarely checked my account. This was the worst. 

       I noticed I needed to stop using my card, when I was charged for an overdraft fee. I had to stop, so I came up with a plan to save my money like in high school. I brought a box and a book, which I would use to keep track on my output and my income (I only work seasonal jobs, so gifts and financial checks are my main income). This is what I did. I used the box to store my receipt, checks, and any paper records of my finances. As for the book, in the beginning of each month I will write...

•   The month and the year

•   The balance in my saving and checking

•   My budgeting goals, (like paying for tithe*, spending under $100 on food and so on)

•   If I purchase anything with my card (I would write down when, how much, and where)

•   and I write down my new balances in saving and checking at the end of the month.

Yea I know that is a lot for some people to do, but I find it helpful if I see it in writing. I just started it, so I will give it till January and see if I see any improvements. My goals for the month of August are simple...

•   pay tithe* every Sabbath 

•   only use my pocket money for purchasing 

•   no debt card usage this month.

I am starting with simple goals because they are easier to reach. So at the end of the month when I reach them all, it gives a more satisfying feeling; instead of making hard goals and only being able to reach one. Well my lesson was learned and I hope this helps others think about budgeting before they get an overdraft fee. ^^v.

*Tithe: is one tenth of one's income. 

"I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess" (Luke 18:12 KJV).