The $5 pledge
I got a job, and I live in the West.
THANK GOD!
Wow, I'm so far ahead of most people in the world.
SO I pledge to park further away from work, and no matter how I feel use the $5 I'll save on supporting this cause "that I believe in". I DO. We'll see though.
THANK GOD!
Wow, I'm so far ahead of most people in the world.
SO I pledge to park further away from work, and no matter how I feel use the $5 I'll save on supporting this cause "that I believe in". I DO. We'll see though.
Day 1 Monday- FailuRe.. :(
I got ready too slowly in the morning
(NO MAtter HOW MUCH TIME I make, it always seems to get filled; too much time cooking, showering, hair and dressing.)
I think 2 things need to happen [aS I've SPent a Lot of my time DOing Things I Believe in: i.e. this site, fellowship, etc] and non-essential time is small already.
SO: 1. I'm going to have to be as organizaed/systematic as possible, to save time
2. My culture's going to have to change. I have to make sacrifices that THEY DON'T HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Finally, my culture will become theirs, as I make the most of all I was given.
(I thought this was going to be easy, I thought "Just a small adjustment"). Nope.
But then again, I also thought I was in for an AdvenTUre. And it looks like I found one.
(NO MAtter HOW MUCH TIME I make, it always seems to get filled; too much time cooking, showering, hair and dressing.)
I think 2 things need to happen [aS I've SPent a Lot of my time DOing Things I Believe in: i.e. this site, fellowship, etc] and non-essential time is small already.
SO: 1. I'm going to have to be as organizaed/systematic as possible, to save time
2. My culture's going to have to change. I have to make sacrifices that THEY DON'T HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Finally, my culture will become theirs, as I make the most of all I was given.
(I thought this was going to be easy, I thought "Just a small adjustment"). Nope.
But then again, I also thought I was in for an AdvenTUre. And it looks like I found one.
DaY 2 - Oh Yes! $5 + $5 saved
In the rain & with a (semi-realistic, semi-crazy) smile!
First 5$ tucked away. And $5 from yesterday- some future purchase is going to have to take a sacrifice, because
in their situation, it needs to be me catching up with them, no matter the cost.
So... good bye gluten-free chocolate macaroons....
....Hello chocolate smiles!!!!!!!!
First 5$ tucked away. And $5 from yesterday- some future purchase is going to have to take a sacrifice, because
in their situation, it needs to be me catching up with them, no matter the cost.
So... good bye gluten-free chocolate macaroons....
....Hello chocolate smiles!!!!!!!!
Day 3- Hip-Hip Hurtah! $5 saved
The little monsters in my hips
My hips are inflamed from an undiagnosed auto-immune disorder. OR, there's a little fire-ball demon in my hips & knees and there's not a lot of room for comfort/liberal movement.
ANYWAYS, I still walked & did the jaunt, but it was quite the haul. After work my hips & knees were so inflamed from standing, I stopped 2x on the way back to my car, a 5-7 mins walk.
I was so sore from walking back to my car, when I realized I had no change, the prosect of walking anywhere to change money (with nowhere close)... daunted me & I just drove under the wooden arm. My car's fine, my hips are recovering, but I feel a lil' guilty & think I should repay the lot next time I'm their. It's their business & lot. So $5 saved, for some lucky little guy/girl.
ANYWAYS, I still walked & did the jaunt, but it was quite the haul. After work my hips & knees were so inflamed from standing, I stopped 2x on the way back to my car, a 5-7 mins walk.
I was so sore from walking back to my car, when I realized I had no change, the prosect of walking anywhere to change money (with nowhere close)... daunted me & I just drove under the wooden arm. My car's fine, my hips are recovering, but I feel a lil' guilty & think I should repay the lot next time I'm their. It's their business & lot. So $5 saved, for some lucky little guy/girl.
Day 4- 3$ saved
Saved 3 because I was late this am. I went to bed a little later than I'd have liked. MY roomie woke me up at 5:45am to get a ride to emerg. She's ok. I bareloy slept after that. Moving this am was SO HARD. So, I was late. No excuses. I chose a new $8 lot and a parking officer gave me a tip to a $5 one close to work. Whoop! It was needed. With yesterday off, my hips were a little better, but I think maintaining work will mean stepping up & saying what I need- a stool for the cash register.
Day 5- SUnday brunch hunch - 4$ more..
Out for lunch after church with a friend, and bought food from groc store to cut my costs in half. $4 more for the kiddos.
6- Monday $5SICK! SO SICK! Man, it's been years since this! I think I had no change on me, and I convinced myself I could escape the lot again. I think my car got scratched- I definately paid for it, and never again. BAD IDEA!! Bad Jamie, bad.
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7- Tuesday $3 savedALmost called in, but TOOK HERBS & VITAMINS galore & plugged away. Late, parked in the $5 lot.
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8- Wednesday $7 saved$5 saved: I parked well this am, although my hips were on fire again. I left my stuff at store & drove to it. INSTEAD of buying dark-chocolate covered cranberries, I put them back. + $2!!
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9- Thursday $5 savedYup.
My shifts moved to 1/2 days (today & tomo) to accommodate the demon in my leg joints. Too much standing (for my body so bad it attacks its own.. body) <=0 |
10- Friday $3 Saved
It doesnt always seem like another will be helped for my little sacrifices, but I've chosen to pay for rent for my friend Pastor Amos in Uganda, with the money I've saved. It's.. ~ $50, so we're just about there.
My hips are bad, but I'm so blessed. Work- Tara Natural Foods- not only is a blessing to the health of our community, but they have so far been flexible with hours- completely. =)
My hips are bad, but I'm so blessed. Work- Tara Natural Foods- not only is a blessing to the health of our community, but they have so far been flexible with hours- completely. =)
12- What its All about!
D 13- I'm.. I'm... changing > 3 quick things
1.Parked at Tim Hortons since I had a short shift, and they had space. Dont know if I like the feel of it, but I was late, lots were full, and the fire-demons in my hips were in full force for some reason, so it made it hard to walk far. $5 saved (my new mark)
2. SHOPPING- I ransacked the discount produce at work (Tara Natural Food's) so I saved a lot. The MINDSET begins!!
3. I love life. God blesses my everyday, even tho my health seems to be gettin' worse (my hips, right now), I'm still blessed!
2. SHOPPING- I ransacked the discount produce at work (Tara Natural Food's) so I saved a lot. The MINDSET begins!!
3. I love life. God blesses my everyday, even tho my health seems to be gettin' worse (my hips, right now), I'm still blessed!
[Week 3- Bunch of money saved]
I've been given shorter shifts (i.e. 10-3 from 8:30-5 or 6 before). Also a day off more than usual.
This is better for my randomly inflammed hips & knees. I'm also now basing saving off 5$ a day (new parking lot)
This is better for my randomly inflammed hips & knees. I'm also now basing saving off 5$ a day (new parking lot)
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SWEET TEA w/ my Boss, who listened well. He trusts me, and since I'm not best fit for standing around doing work, he's got a position he's considered me for & would like to train me for a more administration-involved role, including.. sitting!
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord
Week 4 baby- new commitment, $50 a month
This week only saw 3 shifts, as I missed a day for dentist's appointment in Ottawa. Monday morning though, I talked with a guy who had a parking lot wanting $50 a month to park there. It appears a possible best deal. But it's far-ish.
It hurts to walk , but whatever. Being me though, I searched around and found a block away was free parking on the street, and it's far enough that people don't bother- but far enough so I can walk without whining if I don't take a heavy bag.
It hurts to walk , but whatever. Being me though, I searched around and found a block away was free parking on the street, and it's far enough that people don't bother- but far enough so I can walk without whining if I don't take a heavy bag.
The New ViewSo.. it's $50 a month, from here on out. It's been a great journey, and I have saved a lot of money I really likely would have otherwise spent.
This money was created with daily persistence, and it called me out to change more than a little thing or two in my day to day. In the end, the blessing is mine, in my heart, my character... my joy- in seeing a smiling face, or two, or three. The vulnerable have not been forgotten, what a joy. Thanks for tuning in.. but |
the call is passed to you...
Purpose & Passion Await..
I hope you were encouraged by my randomness. I gave $100 to Amos this
past Monday, and look forward to reporting about the goal of sweetly meeting a
big need in the lives of children who otherwise would face a much tougher life.
Anyways, let me know if/when you're doing someThing
cool for another. It'd be an encouragement, & maybe we can help together
~Jamie
past Monday, and look forward to reporting about the goal of sweetly meeting a
big need in the lives of children who otherwise would face a much tougher life.
Anyways, let me know if/when you're doing someThing
cool for another. It'd be an encouragement, & maybe we can help together
~Jamie