Winning in Life🏅
Equipping students with practical life skills needed to succeed
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Friend,
As a campus missionary, I have the great privilege of mentoring college students not only in the areas of spiritual formation and leadership development, but also in the area of practical life skills.
The longer I work with students and young adults, the more I realize the very real needs that they oftentimes have in learning how to do "adulting" well. For me, this is one of the most applicable, hands-on avenues for discipleship because I'm able to help students develop the practical life skills needed for success while simultaneously teaching them biblical principles about things like time management, personal finance, etc.
Recently, I sat down with Micaha Underwood, a Sophomore at Cincinnati Christian Univ. and one of our ENC Student Leaders, to learn about how she has grown in the area of budgeting and personal finance since we first started talking about this specific topic just a few months ago...
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Student Spotlight: Micaha Underwood
What was your relationship with money like before learning how to budget? What about after?
My relationship with money before learning how to budget was very negative. I started working at a very young age to pay bills, and as soon as my paycheck would hit my account, most, if not all of it, would go towards paying some sort of necessary bill. Because of this, I've always associated money as a means to survival.
When I came to college, I was never in control of my money because no one ever sat down to teach me about budgeting or personal finance. I would spend my entire check within a week, typically on food...#typicalcollegestudent. I wasn't using my money wisely, and I never had funds set aside if something important came up that I needed to pay for.
After learning about budgeting, I now feel like I am in control of where my money goes. I have different categories of where each dollar will go, and even have savings set aside if an emergency comes up. I don't feel like a broke college student anymore, not because I'm making a lot of money, but because I am saving money and being strategic about where it goes.
Do you have any recent financial "wins"?
My biggest financial win thus far would be purchasing my very first car (2013 Chevy Malibu). I recently bought my car in July, and I am ecstatic! It's so great to finally be able to drive anywhere, at any time. I also find it very useful for ministry, building relationships, and connecting with people. As one of the youth ministry leaders at Bethel Cincinnati, it is so great to be able to connect with high schoolers outside of youth group and church because I have a car!
Another financial win would be that since getting on a budget, I've been able to consistently tithe and give offering at church. Before I would just give whatever I had, but now that I am strategic about my use of money, I can set aside 10% of my earnings as my tithe and even give above and beyond that!
With what you’ve learned so far, what advice would you give other college students?
I would definitely suggest for all students to download a budgeting app, because I personally feel as though it's easier and more efficient to have a specific app or website dedicated to budgeting. I personally use YNAB (You Need A Budget), but there are more budgeting tools out there.
Don't be discouraged if you don't get budgeting down right away, as it takes a bit of practice. For me, it took about three weeks to finally get it down and become consistent. Be wise about what you spend your money on, and think of your future goals and financial aspirations.
How has Rebekah helped to equip and empower you in this area of budgeting and finances?
Rebekah has helped me significantly in this process! I come from a family line whose habits with money are not positive, so I am happy that Rebekah talked with me about real life financial skills. Because of this, I'm confident that I can be the change in my family.
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[Above] Micaha and I; You Need A Budget (YNAB) is a budgeting app that I personally use and recommend
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Thank you, Friend for sending me as a missionary to the college campus! Because of your generous partnership in prayer and financial support, we are able to love and serve students well by teaching them practical life skills they need in order to succeed.
Together, we are playing an important part in Micaha's life as well as in the lives of many others. It's an honor to be "on mission" with you!
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The adventure continues,
Rebekah
678-687-4478 (cell)
rebekah.osteen@everynation.org
Philippians 1:4-5
"...I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel the first day until now..."
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I'd love to hear from you, Friend!
Feel free to check in and say hello.
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Ministry:
- Pray Colossians 1:9-14 over every student our team has connected with so far this semester, and those we still have yet to meet.
- Ministry confidence and competence for our ENC Cincinnati student leaders.
- For our upcoming Fall Retreat happening October 27th-29th in Livingston, TN.
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Personal:
- Ephesians 3:16-18 – For God to fill and strengthen me with power through the Holy Spirit. That I would know and experience the depths of His love in new ways.
- Faith, diligence, and strategy as I continue growing my ministry partnership team; for full-funding and all the resources needed to love & serve our college students well.
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*How can I pray for you?
Do you have any prayer requests or praise reports that you'd like to share? If so, I'd love to hear them. It's an honor to pray with and for you!
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Click the button below if you'd like to partner with me in reaching the college campus by giving financially towards my work as a missionary with Every Nation. Update or change your partnership information at any time by creating an account through the Every Nation online giving website.
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If you'd like to give by check, please make it payable to Every Nation with "Rebekah Osteen" written in the memo line. Mail all checks to:
Every Nation
P.O. Box 1787
Brentwood, TN 37024
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