Guest Post~Little Girl Dreams!

Written by: Breanne
 

It started with a paper towel role taped vertically onto a young girl’s bedroom desk labelled “Penny Drop”.  

I put as much change as I could into that thing, and anyone who came for a visit to my room could feel free to drop some in, as well (bills were always welcome, too, of course ;) ).  

The change was not being saved for candy or new toys, though, as you might expect.  It was being collected because this little girl had a dream in her heart.  A dream, but also a calling that she did not yet know was there.

 I’m sure many of you have heard of George Muller; an incredible man of faith who followed God’s call to start orphan houses and do many other great things for Him.  He always completely trusted God to meet his needs and the needs of the children and workers at the orphanages.  I would encourage you to read his autobiography: The Autobiography of George Mueller.  It’s an amazing testimony of faith.

 Well, I had heard his story a few times as a child and it really impacted me.  I decided that I wanted to start an orphanage when I grew up.  Hence, the “Penny Drop” 

I began saving money for this orphanage, praying that God would keep this dream in my heart.  I was very young, probably around 9, more or less.

 I can’t say I realized that this dream was growing and transforming in my heart, creating other desires and passions in my heart, but it did. It has. A few years ago I felt that God was calling me to go to other countries and tell
them of His love. 

 Last summer I went to Central America on a six week mission’s trip.  (The Penny Drop Fund was used in support of this new dream given by the Father) As I look back and see what God has done in my life, I’m amazed. He took this little girl’s dream of starting an orphanage and began to form it into a calling to bring His love to the nations.  

My friend Kerrington (you might have heard of her?) and

I were chatting on the phone the other day about this very thing.  We were talking about how when I was little God placed those dreams in my heart.  How He didn’t speak to me in a big booming voice, but through a dream dropped into a young heart that grew and formed into the calling He has for me. It came in a still, small way. 

 He may speak to you in that ‘big booming voice’,

but not likely. 

 More likely it will be that still, small voice; that dream in your heart that has grown into a passion and a purpose; that deepest desire to serve Him with everything you’ve got, wherever He wants you to be, doing whatever He wants you to do.  Don’t become so busy listening for a big voice or a big sign that you miss the small one
He’s trying to speak to you with.

 I don’t know if it’s God’s plan for me to one day start an orphanage, but I do know that He’s called me to go and share His love to the nations; as we’re all called to share His love right where we are.  

Maybe that comes in the form of caring for orphans, or maybe it’s having tea with your elderly neighbour, prison ministry, or being a witness to your co-workers and friends.  Neither is more important than the other. Whoever you are, wherever you are, YOU are called.

 

About Breanne:

I am a 17 year old, every day, ordinary girl who loves the Lord with all her heart.  I believe that I am called by God to bring His love to other countries.  I’m very excited to return to Central America this summer.  I am blessed to have grown up in a Christian home with amazing parents who support the calling God has given me.  Having been home-schooled since grade 6, I have the opportunity to go to college in the fall, which I believe is the next step in the Lord’s plan for my life.  

Thank you for taking the time to read my Guest-post, I hope you are encouraged!! Dios le bendiga! 

 

 

Becoming a Generation of change!

Back in 2012, I had the opportunity to study,

a Student Dave Ramsey course with a

whole group of friends! 

(It was amazing)

As I was looking through my old books the other day, 

I came across the work book for that course & I decided that,

I would write a blog-post just touching on some of the important points of that course! 

Generation Change 

Personally,

I want to be remembered on this

Earth as a generation

that was full of change. 

A generation that is so unique from the rest. 

A generation that were wise stewards with their money

at a young age. 

Unfortunately, we (my generation) have totally given the "wrong impression" to all adults around us. 

When adults look at our generation...what do they think??

-Lazy

-Irresponsible 

-Care free

-Immature 

-Ignorant 

The list goes on... 

Which some of you may not be any of those things,

but since we are all lumped into the same generation, 

we are looked down on because of some teens who are

very lazy & irresponsible... 

With that being said, shouldn't we strive to live better

& change the view that adults may have over our generation?? 

Psalm 112:6 

"A righteous man will be remembered forever." 

Becoming that "wise-steward" 

We live in the most marketed-to culture in the

history of the world. 

Companies aggressively compete for your attention

& our money. 

But a good manager of God's resources always

has a plan for where, when & how to spend money. 

Handling money God's way is much different than how

the world tells you to spend, spend, spend... 

So you may ask, well

"How do I handle money God's way?!?" 

Here are 5 very helpful points: 

1. Tithe! 

This is a simple 5 letter word, 

but it can be very difficult to live by. 

Many of you may be thinking whaaaat? No way! I have to tithe even at my age? My parents do that for me with there money, 

shouldn't I be like "covered?!"

Even if you are putting $2.00 

in the offering plate on Sundays,  God sees that & he is pleased when we, even as teenagers give the first 10% to him!! 

Because rightfully, it is his ;) 

2. Have a Budget! 

I know what your thinking...

Give me a break! I only get $10 

for allowance a week & she said start a budget?! No way!

Why would I even care...it's only $10!! 

Stop for a moment with me now, 

Imagine if that amount was increased to $10,000?

Do you think you would have a budget then?? 

The value of money is the same 

in God's eyes! 

3. Envelope System!

If your parents or any family member has ever taken a Dave Ramsey course before, you will have heard of the 'envelope system'...this is where you have an envelope of money organized for each area of your life. 

When the money in that envelope runs out, then you have to make sacrifices, for example: I don't really need to buy a snack from Tim's, 

I will wait till I get home. 

I can say from personal experience that this 'envelope system' totally works :) I did it for a good 6 months straight, it felt so good knowing where my money was going 

& how much I was spending. 

This is a simple, cheap way for you to be organized with your finances!

(& it's so much fun!!) 

I suggest you to do it, if you aren't already doing

the envelope system! 

Here are the Supplies needed to start:

10 white envelopes, 

Colourful markers, & your money! 

Here is what my 

'envelope titles' look like: 

-Tithing 

-Savings 

-Cell phone bill 

-Friends Birthday gifts 

-Clothing 

-Snacks/Entertainment 

-Extra curricular activities 

- Misc. 

Okay, so now you have your envelopes & markers ready! 

Now I want you to think of the areas that are needing an envelope in your life! Here are some examples if needed for youth/young adults: 

-Tithing

-Savings

-Pet

-Car (gas/insurance) 

-Cell phone bill

-Clothing 

-Food

-Entertainment

-Date Nights 

-College/University Funds 

-Misc. 

"You tell your money where to go or it

will just go wherever it wants..." 

4. Create Goals! {Plan Your Savings} 

Even if you only make $10 a week, plan to save at least $4 or more a week of it in a savings jar, & you will be surprised how fast that jar will fill up. Create savings goals, pick a date on the calendar & make an amount up in your head, let's say you hope to have $64.00 in your savings jar,

 4 months from now, this will be made possible, if you are faithful to your savings plan! 

"Setting goals helps you achieve your highest potential."

5. Don't be stressed!! {Have Fun} 

All of this may seem incredibly stressful for you, but in reality it is so much fun, to see the numbers going up in our savings accounts & in our savings jars!! 

It maybe hard in the beginning to make sacrifices,

but in the end you will be so proud of yourself!

Keep on being Faithful to your savings goal :) 

If we truly live by these points...

We will become that Generation of Change!!

Thanks for reading Ladies & Gents, 

Please take note that most of these points, verses,

& quotes were taken from the study book...

Generation Change, 

By:Dave Ramsey 

{it's a must-read so go...check it out!!}

Until next time, 

~Kerrington