This Week's Blessings: Translation Work

I think what God wanted to teach me this month was that He is the great provider.  I think He was saying to me, "See, I can bring all sorts of opportunities your way.  So don't worry.  Just focus on being faithful."

I had multiple moments of financial anxiety this month. But then within several days, something would happen to give me a boost.  This week I was feeling slightly panicked about paying my bills as my roommate will be moving out next month.  Everything's on me starting in June!  But then I had some translation work come in.  I wasn't expecting any to come in until September.  It's an extra $200, not a whole lot but it'll help with the bills.

SO FAR: $5.99
$19.45 books
10%=1.95
$7.94

This Weeks' Blessings: Another Job Opportunity

So earlier this week, I was feeling a bit anxious since I calculated my finances and realized that after paying my bills I had about $5 left in my checking account.  Even though it's a 3 paycheck month, I'm not able to save as much I could because I had extra expenses last month leading to an unusually high credit card bill.  Since I also started calculating my insurance benefits as part of my blessings, my giving went up as well.

Then God sent another job opportunity along which I am in the process of evaluating.  Now that I'm licensed, I can join a group practice which would mean I could earn waaay more that the measly $32,500 that I earn right now.  The amazing thing is that the office is located 15 minutes from my house!  By foot.  I would only need to drive on the weekends. However, the idea of building up my own practice scares me.  Furthermore, I'm not sure if having my own practice would qualify me for public service loan forgiveness which I absolutely need to continue to qualify for as my loans currently total about $100,000. Unfortunately, the government has not laid down guidelines for private practice so I can't be sure.

Nonetheless, I felt like God was sending me reassurance with this opportunity:  "See, I can provide for you in a lot of different ways. Continue to give."  And so, I am giving this week with a happy heart despite my $5 bank balance.  Since I won't be paid for a while, I'll be using my credit card.  I'll have enough money in my bank account to pay the credit card bill by the time it arrives.

SO FAR: $25.78
$36.59 Amazon
$15.50 Travel Reimbursement
$200 Gift
=$252.09
10%=$25.21
+        $25.78
=$50.99
-$45 Orphan's Tear
=$5.99

This Week's Blessings: Vacation!

I'm so happy to be on vacation this week.  I had the worst two days at work last week.  I was ALL ALONE.  My colleague went to a conference and the secretary had a family emergency, the doctor is on vacation all month.  I had to deal with two clients with medication emergencies and my colleague's client calling with suicidal ideation, the phone ringing, people coming by, my own clients to see...the worst two days ever.  I was so happy to leave after the two days were over.  I was completely burnt out by the middle of Day Two.

I'm proud of the way I handled everything.  I called our downtown office multiple times, arranged to have the suicidal client seen by a psychiatrist downtown, faxed over her information and the other two clients' information.  I couldn't have handled everything several years ago.  It's nice to see myself grow.

Now for the financial blessings--

SO FAR: $194.68
$30 clothing
$25 food
$5 car ride
$80.80 multi
$37.55 Lutein
$57.15 Intestiflora
$26.95 Valerian
$18.25 multi-carotene
$18.33 voucher
$12 floss
=$311.03
10%=$31.10
+$194.68
=$225.78
-$200 Orphan's Tear
=$25.78

I changed my mind about giving to short-term missions.  I'd rather give to needy orphans.

Total giving for May: $35+200
Estimated giving for May: 35+200+40+?

This Week's Blessings: Cool Job Opportunity

I am so excited!  God just brought a potential part-time job into my life and it sounds soooo interesting!  This company contacted me saying that they had seen my resume online and they were interested in me because of my translation experience, and they want me to apply for a position at their company working as a translator or role player to train the US military in cultural affairs.

It sounds like so much fun!  When I heard about this, I thought "God really knows what I'm interested in."  Money is always tight and this actually pays better than my current job.  I don't want to change careers but this could lead into interesting new opportunities.  I'm in the process of filling out my application, they ned to do a background check, and I need to take language tests so they can gauge my skills.

 They seem to really want me and it's a nice feeling to be pursued.   If I had known I still had hurdles to overcome in getting licensed in the state where my parents live, I would never have posted my resume online.  I would have worked at getting my license first.  Even though I was disappointed this year to find out I would not be able to move to my parents' because reciprocity was more complex than I expected, now I'm thankful.  This company found me because I was unaware and posted my resume with the idea that I would move this year.

I felt loved this week.  God loves me. He really knows what I like.

SO FAR: $44.04
$6.37 coupon
$1107.24 value of my medical insurance
$100 estimated value of my disability insurance
$50 saved on rent
$100 car insurance
$30 phone
$10 internet
$7.75 travel reimbursement
$1.12 sale
$3.50 coupon
Total blessings $1415.98
10%=$141.60
         + 44.04
Total tithe185.64
              + 44.04 (last week)
 TOTAL $229.68
               -  35     World Vision
=$194.68

This month, I decided to include my insurance benefits.  Instead of calculating medical bills individually, I'll count the insurance.  I think I'll consider using this money to give to missions at my church.

Total giving for May: $35
Estimated giving for May: $35 (World Vision) + $200 (missions) + $40 (missionary)