What would it take?

What would it take for me to give up my comfort zone?

Last Friday, when I was attending my friend's mom's funeral, I had conversation with a friend that switch career. She was working in accounting field for one of the Big4 and now she is a teacher.
I am sure the pay cut that she takes is at least 20%. I wonder what would it take for me to switch career?
I am not fully satisfied with my current job since there is no growth for me even though the pay is good.
My friend got laid off, hence she decided to pursue teaching- her passion.
So, for me, do I need to get laid off before I can choose what I really want?
or........what is it? is it just "taking the risk"? will it be worth it? Will i regret if I had not taken the risk?

Recently attending funeral, also makes me think that "life is short" How can I make my life count?
Will it be sickness that prompt me to do "what i want"- to take the risk?
Another question also, what would it take for someone to "ask for forgiveness"?
I know some people hold grudges- unwilling to forgive or to prideful to apologize when they know they do something wrong.
What would it take for someone to initiate that forgiveness?
Many people reconcile when they are already near dying. Do you have to wait that long before you reconcile?

I guess, i am being anxious with my health issue prompted me to think too much of some stuff ><

Lottery

Today, seems like the Mega Million $640 M winning is all over the news. I did not pay attention to it but yesterday bought one ticket at the grocery store just because a lady in front of me bought lots of them.
Sometimes I'd randomly bought 1-2 tickets just out of fun.

But, if I really win, how will I spend the money??
hmmmm...........

1% of 640M is already 6.5M!!
OK, to start off 50% is already taxed so I'll left with 320M
1% for legal issues
I'll do my 15% tithe to the church (since we are in the process of moving our home church- we'll do 5% to LECC, 5% to IFGF, and 5% to our future home church)
5% for any organizational.

5% for me.

Left......  29%
Jack is super conservative......so 10% saving.
left.......19%. Family 5%
1% will be given to my work mates - since Mike, my co worker also promised me 1M if he wins.
the rest.....13%.........what should i do with it?

Hmmm.........so easy to dream, and so easy to spend. 100% pie...only left 13%? >.<
hahaha. I hope i'm not too greedy.

Anyway, I told Jack earlier, I am claiming: Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it."
He asked me, "Since when are you joining Joel Osteen's church?" =P

.Fail.

Today, a sad story happened.

I went to get my facial done at a new spa place in Queen Anne neighborhood. Close to the spa, there was a French cafe- Cafe the Lion- and I went in to check out the place. I went and got 4 macaroons: chocolate with salted caramel inside, taro with vanilla filling, mocha, and green tea. After I got them, I went straight to my facial for an hour. After the facial at 7.20 pm, I feel little hungry- So I ate the green tea one since I know Jack does not like green tea. The green tea macaroon was sooo good. It melted in my mouth!
Still feeling hungry, I waited for the bus. When I got to the bus stop, the bus just passed by. I was just 30 seconds late. Disappointed, I took out the macaroons box from my bag again. I ate the chocolate one and planning to eat the rest of them with Jack (2 of them- taro and mocha) I checked out the bus schedule, and found out that the next bus will be 30 minutes away. I went in to the nearby Safeway and got a frozen potatoes for breakfast. I went back to the bus stop and waited for the bus. 5 minutes went by, and I checked the bus schedule again, and the bus would be late by 10 minutes. I opened the macaroons box and just realized that I was not given the taro macaroon (purplish color) but I got the vanilla instead. It is quite hard to tell the vanilla apart from the mocha. So, I ate one of them, and hoping to leave Jack the mocha one. I ate the vanilla macaroon. Looking at the only mocha left in the box, I felt so bad to leave Jack with only one macaroon, plus I am still hungry! I ate the last bite although I felt guilty and wanted to leave Jack with half. But, I can't resist! I ate them all! FAIL T.T

On the way home, in the bus, I was thinking on how could that happen. I had 4- and I couldn't resist, then i left with none.

I think the root is: self control ~  I have no self control :S  
Another problem is disappointment.
and the last one is idleness.

I realize that this can be the problem of life: small things add up (1 by 1 and gone!)
In financial- the way I spend my money, if I rationalize going out to fine dining and shopping, just once, just twice....without a STOP, I would end up with no saving. I need to know when to STOP!
Same thing with negative thoughts and sin. Some things are harmful at first, one, one, then..... you are trapped.

The word of God said, ""If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities."

Jealousy

James 3:13-18
13 Who among you is wise and understanding ? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

My heart was really troubled yesterday since it was filled with jealousy. I was jealous of couple of my friends who get new -better -jobs. It is so easy for greed to creep out from inside of me even though the hour before I was very grateful of my loving husband, supportive friends & family, and having stable income.
Thank God today for reminding me to sow in the Spirit. Be peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.Lord, I am sorry for being so ungrateful. Please restore my joy and my peace in You.

Why 02.18.2012?

We got this question a lot when we announced our wedding date.
Why February 18, 2012?
We got engaged in July 4, 2011 although we kind of been talking about our wedding since May.
We were thinking of getting married at the end of 2011 but then, it feels like we only have short time to plan.
Taking into consideration about family that will be traveling from out of the US as well,
we decided that early 2012 sounds much better.
Especially also that end of the year is the busiest time of the year for my work place.
Being an accountant, January will not be a good year too since it is the time when I have to prepare federal & state filing for closing 2011.
So, that leave us with February being the earlier possible month in 2012. We want to make 2012 a fresh start for both of us.

After talking to our parents and inquire the venue we like, we decided to get married on 02.18.2012!

10 more days.... counting =)

Wedding Surprises.

My first wedding surprises just came in this morning.
Not the pleasant kind.
My wedding photo booth vendor (Click It Photography) just cancelled 2 weeks before my wedding!
A bit stressful, but I try to maintain positive attitude.
Wedding surprises are expected.
I learned that after helping my friends' wedding.
Praying that God will give me another photo booth vendor that is nice and affordable.
and also for Groupon to refund me the money.
*sigh....
no more unpleasant surprises, please..........

I welcome pleasant surprises! like....... when I received big Amazon gift cards for wedding gift from my out of states friend a week ago =P

Narrow gate

Today's devotion by Charles Stanley gives me new meaning to the Narrow Gate passage in the Bible:
"Enter through the narrow gate ; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14


I always thought it is just that God's way is always harder, and more strict. But, I have never thought about the passage when people mocked me as "narrow-minded Christian" I used to take it as an offense and challenged to broaden my view. This new revelation gives me assurance that indeed God's way is narrow (like how oxen usually have their eyes blocked on the sides so that they can focus) I will learn to focus more on God's way and less worry about the worldly opinion.

Most part of the Bible is hard to understand by reason, that's when FAITH the essence of Christianity comes in and relationship with God to bring you REVELATION that will keep your love and passion for Christ burning.


Source:
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/in-touch/in-touch-feb-2-2012.html