Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Financial Peace University
I'm blown away by the response to the upcoming Financial Peace University! There will be at least 80 people starting the class in September. I was praying for 50 - God blew that one out of the water! It isn't too late to sign up either. If you or someone you know is interested, contact me by Tuesday, Sept. 2nd. Get ready to work hard and see your life change!
School Started
I can't believe the summer is over already and school is in session. Sophia was so nervous and didn't want to go back. She let me walk her to her class & meet her teacher. I even met the new principal which was awesome. Hopefully, all will go well at Tracy Elementary this year.
Niki, our exchange student from Greece, started school Monday at Villa. She's had a couple of days to break in to the new routine. Girls there are welcoming her and inviting her to eat lunch, etc. which is really nice to hear. A neighbor also invited her down to visit with friends this week which was awesome. We are learning that 15 year olds far from friends IM a lot -- we've even used her webcam to talk to them with her. It's been fun.
We are going to our first Prep vs McDowell game since we graduated from high school this Friday. Having a teenager opens up some fun!
Niki, our exchange student from Greece, started school Monday at Villa. She's had a couple of days to break in to the new routine. Girls there are welcoming her and inviting her to eat lunch, etc. which is really nice to hear. A neighbor also invited her down to visit with friends this week which was awesome. We are learning that 15 year olds far from friends IM a lot -- we've even used her webcam to talk to them with her. It's been fun.
We are going to our first Prep vs McDowell game since we graduated from high school this Friday. Having a teenager opens up some fun!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
How do you make extra money?
Do you want to make some extra cash to save, give or pay down debt? Dave Ramsey talks about "selling so much stuff that the kids think they are next." Last weekend our neighborhood hosted its annual block sale. It was a great time to mix and mingle with people of all kinds, wheel & deal like we were in a market stall in Casablanca, get rid of stuff that weighs us down & make some extra money. We hate the preparation, but love the results.
In years past, we've donated most of the proceeds to the Grace Relocation Fund. This year even a couple neighbors brought us things to sell & donated their portion to church ministries -- it was really generous of them. This year we gave a percentage and used the rest to prepare for Niki with gifts, supplies, food, etc.
I heard an intriguing story on Marketplace on WQLN radio the other day too (http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/13/change_hunters/) -- families who pick up loose change on the street. One family in NY City has found over $1,000 since the beginning of '08. Think of the good you could do with discarded pennies -- it only takes 100 to make a dollar.
How do you or could you earn some extra cash?
In years past, we've donated most of the proceeds to the Grace Relocation Fund. This year even a couple neighbors brought us things to sell & donated their portion to church ministries -- it was really generous of them. This year we gave a percentage and used the rest to prepare for Niki with gifts, supplies, food, etc.
I heard an intriguing story on Marketplace on WQLN radio the other day too (http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/13/change_hunters/) -- families who pick up loose change on the street. One family in NY City has found over $1,000 since the beginning of '08. Think of the good you could do with discarded pennies -- it only takes 100 to make a dollar.
How do you or could you earn some extra cash?
New Family Member
Today, Dana, Sophie & I welcomed a new family member! After years of waiting and wrestling with when and how to host a foreign exchange student - we are finally welcoming our first. Her name is Niki, and she is a 15 year old girl from Greece. We've e-mailed for months now and talked on the phone last week. It is an amazing responsibility and privilege to be watching over someone else's child for almost a whole year. It will be an exciting time.
I'm realizing that raising Sophia, the child God has entrusted to us, is like us watching over Niki. Sophie is His child, and He has given her to us to watch over for as long as He wills. I can't imagine sending her to a foreign land for a whole year. Niki's parents have trust and confidence in her -- and in us. May we be worthy of that trust. Please pray for us and for Niki as she makes the transition to American life.
I'm realizing that raising Sophia, the child God has entrusted to us, is like us watching over Niki. Sophie is His child, and He has given her to us to watch over for as long as He wills. I can't imagine sending her to a foreign land for a whole year. Niki's parents have trust and confidence in her -- and in us. May we be worthy of that trust. Please pray for us and for Niki as she makes the transition to American life.
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