Must love Christmas time!
Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version)
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
As the new year quickly approaches, I can tell you that I am glad this year is passing. The last two years have been the most challenging. New year’s resolutions are now to be formed…
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/zaino38.htm
I desire to become stronger in my Christian faith. My days may already start at an early 4am before work, but I am going to do my best to start every morning with a reading from the Bible. I want to read the Bible in full throughout the year and gain new understandings. I hope to find a church to call “home” and grow in understang, faith, and fellowship. I want to get back into volunteering and giving my time to works for the Lord. I live a busy lifestyle as it is with my two jobs and college, but I desire to do more for my spiritual life.
College leaves me with a year and a half before I complete my degree, as long as all goes as planned. Beginning in March I will become part time in my college studies, and I hope to become NASM certified by the end of summer. Being part time will allow myself more time for work, for volunteering, for developing my physical strength, and living a more balanced lifestyle. It may, however, challenge my finances, as I am not in control of what classes they offer and may result in my under-half-time status throughout part of the last year [meaning I will not be able to take a loan for that portion]. I hope that does not become the case.
I am staying strong in becoming financially independent, that is apart from having loaned monies. I have paid off two accounts in the last year and am hoping to pay off two more in the next three months. I am currently eleven grand under with six and a half years of college behind me. Yes, I am deep in my seventh year. Argh. The plan is to pay off over three thousand in the next five months. I am hoping after next year I will not have to continue working sixty hour work weeks.
Working so much has taken its toll on my body, and I desire to get it back to where it used to be. I have not been eating as best as I could be. I have not been having as great workouts as I could be. I have not been sleeping as much or as well as I could be. I have not been taking care of my body, this temple, as best as I could be. Therefore, this is a very important step. If I am not taking care of my physical body as best as I can, how then will I be able to apply myself at best to all the other areas of my life here on Earth? This will be a primary focus of mine. I must update you all monthly with new numbers and pictures. I hope to get back down to 15-16% by at least May. I must stay on track with steadfastness, not allowing anything to get in my path.
Another note: I desire not to have another relationship without it being deeply integrated and based with a foundation of a love for God. I have made this mistake numerous times in the past, and this problem alone has brought many “demons” into my life. I will not permit similar occurences into my life.
I am excited to see what the 2009 year brings. I am keeping my lifestyle at a bare minimum. I am a simple person who enjoys a simple lifestyle. I do not collect “stuff.” I want to continue to live this life in a manner that honors God. I will continue to live a simple and healthy lifestyle and deepen my relationship with God.
What will you be doing in this upcoming year?
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Doing the Dave Ramsey No. 2 Update
It's mid-December! Despite holiday shopping, I am sticking to the budget. The Capital One card will be experiencing its death with the meeting of THE SHREDDER this next weekend. I think it calls for a celebration, but that celebration will have to wait because I am working far TOO MUCH! It is definitely a wonderful thing to be working! It still doesnt seem to keep me out of trouble!
I am still looking to vacate my current home come the end of April. SO, if you know of anything that may be available come spring please keep me posted! I refuse to live above people who fight to the early morning hours, and the other couple is expecting a child at some point. I am looking to stay within the Rockford area... I may have to beg the aunt and uncle for a room, though I would much rather avoid that!
Also, I want to get back into a college/20-somethings group at a local church. I have made contact with the Res. Life of Rockford, but I have yet to check it out. I am looking to get involved again once the new year begins, but I still devote my Sunday mornings to my work with meijer. I miss the old Bailey group, loved the Ravenna crowd, havent been to the SBC or Mamrelund in years, but I want that fellowship again. If anyone has suggestions let me know. I have thought about getting a group together here at the house, but my schedule has been up and down as well. Throw some ideas at me!
Ive been quite the hermit the last few months, so if you called me this weekend and I have yet to return a call this apology is for you. I have a long list of phone calls to make to you all, and I am sorry for my "disappearance." I think I will see how many want to get together for an evening out at O'Charleys and gather you all up! So, if youre interested in having some din-din at O'Charleys and getting together with random friends let me know! I'm been tight on my finances and am ready to treat myself once or twice! Leave me a message and evenings youre available... and we'll do this soon!
Alright,
Much love to you all.
I'll see you in the gym! :)
Sara
I am still looking to vacate my current home come the end of April. SO, if you know of anything that may be available come spring please keep me posted! I refuse to live above people who fight to the early morning hours, and the other couple is expecting a child at some point. I am looking to stay within the Rockford area... I may have to beg the aunt and uncle for a room, though I would much rather avoid that!
Also, I want to get back into a college/20-somethings group at a local church. I have made contact with the Res. Life of Rockford, but I have yet to check it out. I am looking to get involved again once the new year begins, but I still devote my Sunday mornings to my work with meijer. I miss the old Bailey group, loved the Ravenna crowd, havent been to the SBC or Mamrelund in years, but I want that fellowship again. If anyone has suggestions let me know. I have thought about getting a group together here at the house, but my schedule has been up and down as well. Throw some ideas at me!
Ive been quite the hermit the last few months, so if you called me this weekend and I have yet to return a call this apology is for you. I have a long list of phone calls to make to you all, and I am sorry for my "disappearance." I think I will see how many want to get together for an evening out at O'Charleys and gather you all up! So, if youre interested in having some din-din at O'Charleys and getting together with random friends let me know! I'm been tight on my finances and am ready to treat myself once or twice! Leave me a message and evenings youre available... and we'll do this soon!
Alright,
Much love to you all.
I'll see you in the gym! :)
Sara
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Doing the Dave Ramsey No. 2
For anyone interested, Dave is coming to G.R. at the Van Andel in February. Tickets start at $32.00. I recommend looking into volunteering for the event, being there at 2pm to work the night, and get to see the show for free. Unfortunately I work early mornings, and I will be in bed before the show is over. Hah.
I will not be attending, but I will be working towards finishing off my credit card debt. For too long I have been borrowing OPM (other people’s money). The OPM has had me in a chokehold, and I am breaking free. I have cut back even further on my spending. I have stayed on track and am looking forward to being credit card debt free in February.
Some changes have been made that have helped substantially. Between the two jobs, I have been picking up 5 to 10 hours a week more than I am regularly scheduled. With another person in the house, my housing costs have dropped to about one third of my income. [Yay!] Within the next two weeks that third credit card will be paid off and meeting its death with THE SHREDDER. I think the best thing is that I have learned to say “NO” to myself.
Many thanks for the support, much love to you all, and God bless!
I will not be attending, but I will be working towards finishing off my credit card debt. For too long I have been borrowing OPM (other people’s money). The OPM has had me in a chokehold, and I am breaking free. I have cut back even further on my spending. I have stayed on track and am looking forward to being credit card debt free in February.
Some changes have been made that have helped substantially. Between the two jobs, I have been picking up 5 to 10 hours a week more than I am regularly scheduled. With another person in the house, my housing costs have dropped to about one third of my income. [Yay!] Within the next two weeks that third credit card will be paid off and meeting its death with THE SHREDDER. I think the best thing is that I have learned to say “NO” to myself.
Many thanks for the support, much love to you all, and God bless!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Doing the "Dave Ramsey"
Alright. This is purely being documented to keep me motivated.
At this very moment, I have $2870.94 in credit card debt. Sounds bad doesn't it? There are three different cards, another was already paid off earlier in the year. I started 2008 with $3,879.26 in credit card debt. That's a sad grand in almost a year, but I also borrowed money from my mother (1700 for tuition) which is down to $800, and I have been keeping up on the interest on college loans.
I moved twice in the last year, and I currently have until the end of April to determine my plans and relocate myself from my current residence. My goal is to free myself from credit card debt over the next six months. I have a plan written out, and I am updating numbers and goals with every paycheck. It drives me nuts and angers me into action. I have been working 40-50 hour weeks and managing my full load of college classes. I'm exhausted, but I know I am fighting for a very important reason, towards a very important goal.
By December I hope to have another of the three cards paid off. It is an easy amount of money, but I have to stay strict to my budget. Looks like I'll be making more rice. If you venture upon this, wish me luck. I'll have to update next month and set my next goal in reach of the public eye.
At this very moment, I have $2870.94 in credit card debt. Sounds bad doesn't it? There are three different cards, another was already paid off earlier in the year. I started 2008 with $3,879.26 in credit card debt. That's a sad grand in almost a year, but I also borrowed money from my mother (1700 for tuition) which is down to $800, and I have been keeping up on the interest on college loans.
I moved twice in the last year, and I currently have until the end of April to determine my plans and relocate myself from my current residence. My goal is to free myself from credit card debt over the next six months. I have a plan written out, and I am updating numbers and goals with every paycheck. It drives me nuts and angers me into action. I have been working 40-50 hour weeks and managing my full load of college classes. I'm exhausted, but I know I am fighting for a very important reason, towards a very important goal.
By December I hope to have another of the three cards paid off. It is an easy amount of money, but I have to stay strict to my budget. Looks like I'll be making more rice. If you venture upon this, wish me luck. I'll have to update next month and set my next goal in reach of the public eye.
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