Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha

And...... I'm stuck here, at this very moment, confuse on how to start off this one, super long testimony of God's awesomeness hehehe. Bare with me peeps :D

For me, getting jobs is always by His grace (well duhh of course). But, what I mean is that unimaginable and impossible things always go hand-in-hand with all the jobs that I got.

The first on campus job that I had as I transferred to SJSU was VERY easily given to me: walked in to my classroom for the first day of school, professor was there already talking with the other student, he turned around and asked me, "Do you want to work for me?" SUREEEE...... and that's how I got my title as a Student Assistant (or close/similar to being a TA). Fast eh? No interview was done :p

The first internship that I had 2 years ago was also without any interviews, and I got it with a lot of efforts too of course: due to obtaining the CPT status, I transferred back to DVC just for the Summer, and transferred back to SJSU for the following Fall semester.

The second internship that I got last October (2013) up until this very second is also without any interviews :D Well.... but I met the boss several times before at several events, and of course, networked with her. Thus, she immediately, without any hesitation hired me as her intern. Through this job, I got to meet my next employer (after graduating last December 2013), which led me to many Full-Time job leads.

After graduating, even though I have those two non full-time jobs, but together, these jobs add up to full-time work (plus the two other part-time jobs that I occasionally have hahaha). Crazy busy. Top it off with some interviews that I had to do: one was insanely far--in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by cows and tomatoes, Los Banos--driving 75mph 2 hours straight back and forth (4 hours total) in a day was something.... I got two in-person interviews with that company, but ended up being turned off by them. A bit disappointed due to all the efforts that had been put out, but definitely a big relief that I didn't have to move out there and leave my beloved CG and church :) And, the journey of job hunting continues.

Up until one day, one point, I got stressed out super bad because of this one situation at work. It also almost made me not be able to come to CG, and I would most likely need to do an all-nighter to finish off that one project. To cut it short, after crying while praying, God made a way, and I was able to go to CG and finish the project 5 hours before it. Yay for break time! HOWEVER, it led me to another low point of my life: I had my worst skin break out (the reason why I have been wearing a mask for the last 3 weeks if you were wondering :p). Starting with one giant zit on my forehead that led to painful, huge zits all over my face :( It was just horrible. I got worried and felt insecure about my appearance, and it affected my performance at work and life, up until I got worried of how was I supposed to go out there for interviews (if I had any). But yes, God taught me another life lesson, the hard and expensive way, I guess. I knew that He is the God who heals, but one day through the Bible study at church about the House of Power, He pointed out to me the ultimate reason why I didn't get any improvements when I had tried so many things to heal my break out, which is to simply (but takes a lot of faith) BELIEVE in Him. I broke down in tears because I had not fully believe in Him that He could and would (miraculously) heal me. From then on, my perspective had been changed, and many of my lovely, caring, thoughtful sisters in Christ prayed for me EVERY Sundays until this last Sunday. And surely, God's mighty work starting to kick in. My face is getting better and better mahahahaha praise God! Even though I still have to get on the ultimate medication to completely clear up my acne later on, I can definitely see a big improvement now :)

Oh, not to forget, as I got better and better, I got a phone call exactly 21 days (like Daniel fasting :p) since the in-person interview with this one company in South SF (yay for the close distance!), telling me that they really like my positive attitude and afraid that other company had snatched me away form them lol. God's perfect timing, right?? :) A brief background: I got this job lead from my current internship's boss, no phone interview was done prior to the in-person one, I was the FIRST person who got interviewed for the position, and the only interview that got my heart pounded super hard that I could literally feel it and got me talked the most--I was being myself and I even spoke about my Christian life principle! So the HR guy who called, told me that on Thursday (last week) he would let me know what would the next step be. So I thought, "Oh, hopefully I would get another round of interview," while in the back of my mind, I had another feeling of getting the job right away, but I didn't want to jinx it haha so I wiped that thought off. Thursday came. No news whatsoever. So I emailed him on Friday, hoping that he would reply my email the following Monday the 17th which is yesterday. Monday came. I got an email from my internship's boss for a sudden meeting, and so I went. Towards the end of the meeting, my phone rang. OH! The HR guy! I was expecting that he would tell me to come for another interview, but instead "I would like to offer you the job!" I was like "Aaaaaaa hahaha thank you!!" with a big smile on my face lol. My boss was really happy for me as well since she was the one who gave me that job lead and was always being supportive in helping me getting a full-time job. Talking about God's perfect timing ;) Praise God! Even though I will be in probation period for the first 3 months before I (by faith) get hired as a regular employee, He surely gave me the best job: only ONE interview required, close distance, possibly (by faith) will sponsor me H1B visa, and foremost, a perfect environment where I can be a blessing and God's living testimony there (since they like my positive attitude the most)!

There! I hope my super long testimony can be a blessing to everyone who reads it :) Remember, whenever we put God in the center of anything (i.e. looking for a job where you can be a blessing there), He will surely make His way and give it at His perfect timing.

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

God bless!

Dorothy    

Transformation!

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." - Isaiah 40:29

Five years ago, I was a completely different person than what I am now (or so I'd like to believe). I came to DVC and had so many doubts and worries about everything. I was still a new believer and was scared to do anything "Christian-like." During caregroup, I was asked to pray. My reaction was like:

I was scared.. I didn't want to! Cause I don't know how to pray. Let alone do it in public! What if people laugh at me cause I say the wrong thing? Plus, other people prayed in such a cool way, I was still such a noob. I didn't want to embarrass myself and therefore kept rejecting whenever I was asked to pray. I was becoming so creative with coming up with excuses. Eventually I started to practice together with James, and soon did my first ever public prayer! I did it!

One would think the journey ends there, but no, God gave me more and more challenging tasks that were outside my comfort zone. Every single time, I had a battle with God as I tried to find a way out of the duty. Every single time, I almost bailed out. But when I approached the leaders to tell them I didn't want to do it, my mouth would suddenly freeze and I was unable to utter "I don't want to."

In the end, whatever God called me to do, I did them.. Quite reluctantly at first. But now that I have been doing it, it's actually fun, plus it helps me to know God even better. Even though I don't have the talent or skills to do them (like how did I end up being a worship leader with my off tune singing?) God somehow equipped - He gave me strength even when I was incapable to do it.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much" - Luke 16:10

If you don't refuse God, you will witness how He will continue to make you grow. The me form 5 years ago would've never thought I would EVER be in the phase I am at now. Who would've thought the girl who was so scared to pray in caregroup would end up praying in front of the church? Then again, it's not because of me, but it's because of God. He uses the weak people to make them into His great vessel. God transforms us from the inside out to go to the next level. Amazing, really!

God's ENCOURAGES are everywhere

Last week, I was very down about not getting into in-person interview for one of the biggest company in the US, I felt particular upset because last week is the point where my OPT period less than 6 months, meaning I am no longer qualified for a 6 month-long contract anymore. Therefore, I lost the fire to search new jobs as well as fire with God. I am kind of giving up.

However, things started to get a little different on Thursday, I saw a shared article on Facebook, ( Title: Get rid of fast-food mindset in doing things, many people in America are prepared for years in order to get a desired job in the future, writer is a Taiwanese girl ) Basically, the article said Taiwanese people tend to spend only few days or a week preparing exams. Many people in US, however, have a systematic and long-term schedule for preparing things like hunting a job. They would seek internship experiences first and actively join networking events in the early college stage, which is barely seen and common in Taiwanese college environment.  I have a bad hobby that tend to simplify other peoples' years background efforts and amplify my days background efforts. Through reading the article, I realized how hard other people put background efforts in order to land a dream job.

Time shifted to Sunday. After Sunday service, I approached Derian to have a basic greeting conversation. Somehow we started to move into deeper conversation and shared our struggles with each other. I was about to encourage Derian about things he struggled with, but it turns out I am the one who got encouraged. I believe that that's how God's amazing work on us. Derian kept encouraging me by showing his strong physical and spiritual body for not giving up on seeking God and jobs. My upset was totally gone by Derian's passionate heart. I can see a strong growing seed inside his heart. I was really encouraged by him, and I will continue to seek God more and more.

On Monday, I checked a article from Wall Street Journal ( title: A game plan for job seekers). Basically, the article said that searching a job is like learning the way of shark ( said by Ms. McArdle) . You need to KEEP MOVING or you DIE. This short sentence really give me a wake up call.

Above all, these small series of factors did not come in coincidence, I believe it is God tries to encourage me in different ways, and I thank God for that. I am still looking for jobs, but I WON"T GIVE UP.

1 Corinthian 15 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

God bless.

The 4 Types of Giving

Hi lovely brothers and sisters in Christ,

Here is a quick, helpful guideline for us in giving thanks to God through the financial blessing that He has entrusted us (by Rev. Dr. Daniel Hanafi):

1. Tithing (the most basic)
It teaches us about OBEDIENCE, which tests our FAITHFULNESS motive. The rewards: PROTECTION, BLESSINGS.

2. First Fruit (once per year)
It tests our THANKFULNESS motive. The reward: PRESERVED HARVEST.

3. Alms (giving money to other people)
It tests our COMPASSION motive. The reward: LENDS TO THE LORD

4. Sowing Seed (building fund)
It can be 30, 60, 100 times or more. As we sow the seed, we become the partner of God--building partnership with God. FAITH is the tested motive. The rewards: MULTIPLICATION, MIRACLES HAPPEN

Above all, we have to have the right heart. Not chasing after the blessings/rewards, yet the Blessor is whom we seek for :)

Happy giving, everyone.

God bless!