Guest Blogger: January

The start of the new year is always filled with such interesting, exciting, and fresh things - why should a blog be any different? Instead of the regular guest blogs I post each month, this one varies a little from the norm. Looking for a new desktop background, I stumbled upon this girl’s tumblr page full of beautifully designed words. Interested in what she had done I contacted her and she was happy enough to share her story and reasons behind her words. 

                                           

I’m Sara, an aspiring graphic designer from Budapest, Hungary. I started this journey 4 years ago, when I left my hotel management studies and started to pursue this dream that I believe God has put in my heart. Long story short, today I’m working as a freelance graphic designer.  
I love to create, design and use it as a tool to show the grace, love and the life that’s full of adventures and joy. A joy that’s not necessarily about being unrealistically happy all the time but a joy that comes from  within, no matter the circumstances.  
Being a creative person doesn’t mean you always find the right solution or always know how to create something that works design wise. You have to spend many many hours to make it work. But if you’re a 100% sure that you’re on the right path you’ll also get the strength and patience to finish and finish well.  
 
I always loved typography. Somehow the way letters are formed and how they connect to each other always had my interest. Lettering - hand-drawn words and letterforms -is something that I always enjoy doing. It simply makes me happy. So this past December I wanted to challenge myself to do a series. I decided to make one each day until Christmas day. About that time I was struggling with being content and believing that God is with me through everything. The reason this could’ve happened is because I kind of forgot His word. The promises that he said. So that gave me this idea of starting to collect the promises that he has made. This is how #theprmsprjct (The Promise Project) started.  
‘To encourage and remind in this advent season.” - That how I described this project on my website. I knew that this could help others as well as it would help me to remember.  
 
Sometimes life gets complicated. We forget, we can’t see clearly. We need to be reminded of what God said about us, and what he has promised for our lives. We face hundreds of lies each day. You’re not valuable. You’re not worth it. You don’t have a future. You’re a failure. You’re not enough.  
But that’s not what the Creator of the universe says about you. If we don’t spend time in the Word of God we can easily be deceived. We need to hear the truth, and remind ourselves of it.

 

And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

 

2 Peter 1:4 

 

 

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I am all for creating, using your hands, taking full advantage of your mind, and then sharing that gift (through collaboration or exhibition) with others. That’s why this month I am more than excited to share Sara’s story and her work with you.

See more of her incredible work here: 

theprmsprjct.com and dribbble.com/rekasara

Choose to See The Good

Here are the empty set of pills that I have been taking for the last ten days. I just took my last one this morning.

Many of you don’t know that I had pneumonia last week. Heck, I didn’t even know until I was about 5 days in.
 

It’s the middle of an Australian Summer and the last thing I expected to hear from the doctor was, “The lab’s x-rays came back and you tested positive for pneumonia. Additionally, due to the state you’re in I am going to advise against your travels to New Zealand in a couple of days.”

(I don’t see it but according to the lab, there’s a small spot on the lower region of my left lung that indicates pneumonia)

This was the point where I truly did expect someone to pop out and say jokes on you. I mean, I already had just lost 50 dollars on a concert I did not get to attend because if this sickness, don’t take New Zealand away from me too.

However, that’s e x a c t l y what happened. Not only did I miss out on seeing   James Vincent McMorrow live and running into Passenger (my friends just happen to bump into him after the concert. Out of all nights? Really?) but I also stayed behind while another one of my friends went onto our church’s ministry training in New Zealand without me. As days went on I did eventually get my health back but because I was so set on all I had missed I failed to thank God for pulling me through. I was so bothered by the fact of where I could have been that I chose not to see the blessings of my current situation.

However, as God would have it He quickly reminded me of how good I actually have it. I stumbled across an article in the news that told of  a 12-year-old girl named Taylor who wrote a letter to her 22-year-old self. Unfortunately she will never get to read it because she died of complications from pneumonia. It was a scary thing to read. She contracted the same sickness I had yet she did not make it through.  Here I was complaining about my missed opportunities when this little girl would never have one again.

How could I sit here, lament over this temporary disability, regain my health and still complain?

You see, it’s so easy to get caught up in what we can’t do and forget about what we can. I think a lot of us have become so accustomed to falling into bad situations and instead of finding a way out we actually build  make-shift homes to stay as if it’s so comfortable. You know what, come to think of it, that’s the same mindset is what kept the Israelites in the dessert for 40 years instead of 11 days (Deut. 1:2). Turn to the Old Testament, start from the book of Exodus and you’ll see what I mean.

The Bad:
Yes it did suck that they had been in captivity for 400+ years

That the first taste of freedom they received was into as land that reaches a high of 111º Fahrenheit.

They started out without food or water.

Their leader was an old man they barely knew anything of.

Not to mention is was just plain hot. Excessive heat just makes everything worse.  

However, what the Israelites failed to notice is if they focused on the upside and then thanked God for it they would have been able to punch through those 40 years in no time at all.
 
The Good Stuff:
God just took them out of lifelong captivity.

They were in the company of friends and family.

It could have been raining.

God provided them with fresh food everyday.

They were promised a bright future filled with prosperity.

God never left them, not once.

Dwelling on all the things you could, should, would have if (fill in the blank with your own “lost opportunity”) will get you nowhere. But I can promise you this: Focusing on what you actually have before you will help you to move on to bigger and greater things than what you initially set your eyes on. Look to God and all He has blessed you with (Deut. 8:12-18) and stop being such a Debbie Downer/Negative Nick.

Remember:
You are can do more than you think.
You are more capable than what you give yourself credit for.
Your current situation should have no stronghold on your future ones.

While we're at it...

This specific post is 3 months and one day late so please forgive me for my tardiness. For my 22nd birthday a group of friends and I decided to throw a low key celebration and have a picnic. It literally turned into a dog day afternoon. So, while I’m on a roll of posting photographs, I thought might as well post a wee bit more. Here are a portion of the pictures taken that day.

I think that this was sincerely one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had. I got to share it with my friend, who I now call twin, it was extremely relaxing, and obviously, I was in the company of some amazing people. But beyond that, it was the first birthday where I woke up with nothing but thanks to God for getting me through another year. I mean, not only did He get me through it, He carried me through. I know I have the tendency to rant on about how good God is to me but I do it because it never ceases to leave me in awe. I honestly do not deserve even half as much as the next but every single day God shows up and puts His love on blast. And the best part is, He has that same level love for every single person. I think waking up with that in mind has got to be the best birthday gift ever.

Bye Bye Ms. American Pie

I had my first American visitor fly over in December. My friend Adaora came all 7,703 miles from Portland, Oregon to see me - well that and I guess the Sydney sites but who’s keeping track? Ok, so I guess while I’m being honest I did use her as an excuse to behave like a tourist myself. Here are a few snapshots from our time together.

Just because it’s not mounted on glass frame in a fancy building  doesn’t mean it’s not art. We saw quite a lot of graffiti around town and some of the murals were so good it was like getting a free walking art tour.

While we did see a lot of the famous sites like the Sydney Bridge and the Sydney Harbour we saw a lot of local places too. I suggest that if you do ever travel - or if you happen to stay at home - get to know the city. I mean the real city and not just the main attractions.

These two weeks (and three days) went by all too fast but I’m so thankful that she was able to take some time to come visit. Love you Adaora!

New Year's (and life) resolution

My, what a year it has been. Who would have thought that 365 days ago I would be where I am today. As the new year comes in like a rolling tide I am reminded that instead of running away in fear to stand, take a gander at the breathtaking view and allow the shore to rise up and meet me. 

My professor in college told me that I must have been born too early because it seems like I’m always rushing things. Even though I actually was born two weeks early - hey, I’m a twin - that’s no grounds for me to rush the rest of my life. It wasn’t until recently that I began to look at the past year with my professor’s words echoing in my head did I finally realize my so-called New Year’s resolution: Just breathe (I say “so-called” because I’m not one to believe in New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions should occur more than once a year and last more than a mere 31 days). 

2013 was one of the craziest years of my life. I started off in Nigeria, then flew to America for a few weeks to pack before I moved here, Australia! Hands down, moving to Australia was the biggest transition of my adult life. The choice to do so was faced with a lot of anxiety and apprehension. Instead of allowing all that was happening to me to just happen, I found myself rushing through it all just to get it over with. I was afraid that if I stayed in the moment long enough it wouldn’t turn out the way I wanted it, or it would go the way I wanted but it would end too soon (As much as we all love Marilyn Monroe, can I just say that her “leave before you get left” quote is the worst piece of advice you can receive). Fortunately for me  I’ve learned that if things leave they come back just like the water on the shore and  even if they don’t so what? At least you were blessed enough to fully enjoy the moment.

It took me the greater half of the year to come to grips with the term, just breathe. But I finally did. With that said, I fell more in love with the people around me, more in love with my true self, and most of all, more in love with Jesus Christ. Without Him, the former two would have been an impossible feat. I cannot say that I regret the majority of last year because the past is the past, I cannot change it - no one can. This new year and every year after that I will do my best to just breathe and …

listen to Him.

have a deep convo or a meaningless one for that matter.

stop peeping at the clock and focus on the matter at hand.

enjoy the company I keep or the company that keeps me.

be interested.

sit in silence.

pray.

do whatever I want but just relish in the moment.

I’m not gonna tell you stop buying presents, or to take all attention away from your Christmas tree because that would be plain silly. I mean let’s not kid ourselves here, getting gifts is awesome and after a few hours of hard-core decorating you can’t be anything but proud of that gorgeous tree in your living room. 

However, what I want to remind you all is to not forget the true meaning. The first and most important reason why we all gather together in December: the birth of Jesus Christ. He is truly the reason for this season because on this day years ago God sent down His one and only son to be born and become the salvation of the world. So whether you have gifts to open and/or give, or even if you don’t have any at all you can still celebrate. This day is not only meant for those who can afford it, it is meant for all. 

Jesus’ birth in a manger was not just to signify the start of a glorious salvation but to show everyone that your no matter who you are or where you come from you can still be content and joyful. Being that Jesus was born technically homeless it could have been seen as a sad and unfortunate event but we must not choose to look at the negative. That night, a savior was born unto us. Unending peace and infinite joy began with a baby boy.

So, while you are at home, at a friend’s, with relatives, or even in between spots right now remember how much God loves you. Remember He came to Earth to live and die for us. 

Merry Christmas y’all, and happy holidays.

I’m not gonna tell you stop buying presents, or to take all attention away from your Christmas tree because that would be plain silly. I mean let’s not kid ourselves here, getting gifts is awesome and after a few hours of hard-core decorating you can’t be anything but proud of that gorgeous tree in your living room. 

However, what I want to remind you all is to not forget the true meaning. The first and most important reason why we all gather together in December: the birth of Jesus Christ. He is truly the reason for this season because on this day years ago God sent down His one and only son to be born and become the salvation of the world. So whether you have gifts to open and/or give, or even if you don’t have any at all you can still celebrate. This day is not only meant for those who can afford it, it is meant for all. 

Jesus’ birth in a manger was not just to signify the start of a glorious salvation but to show everyone that your no matter who you are or where you come from you can still be content and joyful. Being that Jesus was born technically homeless it could have been seen as a sad and unfortunate event but we must not choose to look at the negative. That night, a savior was born unto us. Unending peace and infinite joy began with a baby boy.

So, while you are at home, at a friend’s, with relatives, or even in between spots right now remember how much God loves you. Remember He came to Earth to live and die for us. 

Merry Christmas y’all, and happy holidays.

I’m not gonna tell you stop buying presents, or to take all attention away from your Christmas tree because that would be plain silly. I mean let’s not kid ourselves here, getting gifts is awesome and after a few hours of hard-core decorating you can’t be anything but proud of that gorgeous tree in your living room. 

However, what I want to remind you all is to not forget the true meaning. The first and most important reason why we all gather together in December: the birth of Jesus Christ. He is truly the reason for this season because on this day years ago God sent down His one and only son to be born and become the salvation of the world. So whether you have gifts to open and/or give, or even if you don’t have any at all you can still celebrate. This day is not only meant for those who can afford it, it is meant for all. 

Jesus’ birth in a manger was not just to signify the start of a glorious salvation but to show everyone that your no matter who you are or where you come from you can still be content and joyful. Being that Jesus was born technically homeless it could have been seen as a sad and unfortunate event but we must not choose to look at the negative. That night, a savior was born unto us. Unending peace and infinite joy began with a baby boy.

So, while you are at home, at a friend’s, with relatives, or even in between spots right now remember how much God loves you. Remember He came to Earth to live and die for us. 

Merry Christmas y’all, and happy holidays.

I’m not gonna tell you stop buying presents, or to take all attention away from your Christmas tree because that would be plain silly. I mean let’s not kid ourselves here, getting gifts is awesome and after a few hours of hard-core decorating you can’t be anything but proud of that gorgeous tree in your living room. 

However, what I want to remind you all is to not forget the true meaning. The first and most important reason why we all gather together in December: the birth of Jesus Christ. He is truly the reason for this season because on this day years ago God sent down His one and only son to be born and become the salvation of the world. So whether you have gifts to open and/or give, or even if you don’t have any at all you can still celebrate. This day is not only meant for those who can afford it, it is meant for all. 

Jesus’ birth in a manger was not just to signify the start of a glorious salvation but to show everyone that your no matter who you are or where you come from you can still be content and joyful. Being that Jesus was born technically homeless it could have been seen as a sad and unfortunate event but we must not choose to look at the negative. That night, a savior was born unto us. Unending peace and infinite joy began with a baby boy.

So, while you are at home, at a friend’s, with relatives, or even in between spots right now remember how much God loves you. Remember He came to Earth to live and die for us. 

Merry Christmas y’all, and happy holidays.

Leave a Message at the Beep...

Soooo my friend Adaora is in town! Yay for my first American visitor!

Sadly, that means, I won’t have all the time in the world to be posting. BUT that doesn’t mean I stopped loving you guys. I still have a guest blogger and a few other things lined up for y’all to read/do for when I return. Also, when I get back from this two-week adventure I’ll be sure to update you all on what we did!


Here are some fun things to do while I’m gone:
Read some old blog posts: Bea(you)tiful  // You Live that Life // Spoiler Alert!
Watch this video
Plan Next Year’s Holiday Getaway
Leave Me a Message
Find out what three of my favorite verses are Verse 1. Verse 2. Verse 3.
Find Waldo
Get Some Printable Christmas Coloring Pages
Listen to Christmas Music

Hope you guys are having a happy holiday season!

“Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck.” - A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

It’s a week from the thanksgiving that I didn’t get to celebrate but I’m still grateful.

Even though I was not able to celebrate Thanksgiving the way I normally do, I’m glad I was given a chance to celebrate it in a new way. There was no turkey on the table, no game on the tv and certainly no excitement to participate in the craziness that was Black Friday - sadly, Australia doesn’t recognize these awesome customs. However, in the absence of those things it dawned on me that I can still give thanks for the life I have and all the trappings that come along with it.

I could give thanks that Thursday was just like any other day, which is seriously nothing to complain about. I work at a job I truly appreciate; I’m able spend time with family that I absolutely adore and friends who are basically family; and I didn’t get a turkey but I still get to chow down on good ol’ regular food. Finally I can give thanks for and to a God who has graciously provided all of this for me.

So that’s what I did. I gave thanks and in doing so it made me even more joyful. The Thanksgiving holiday only comes once a year but the heart of it should be something we put into practice everyday, with or without he food. In doing that we become more grateful for all the big and little things as well as all the things in between.

-Give thanks we will for life is sweet for sure!

You Have a Past

My life is at pretty good place right now so I guess this would be a great time to cue every single memory of my past that reminds me how imperfect I am right? Why is that? Why is it that when good things are finally coming your way the need-to-be-forgotten things have a way of popping up like unwanted acne?

It’s like, “Hey remember that time you drank in college? Oh! don’t forget the time you totally stole fifty dollars from you grandma when she wasn’t looking. Oh my gosh, who can forget the time you and your boyfriend/girlfriend slept together even though you said you would wait? Good times right?! But not as good as that that Summer you spent smoking with your friend everyday after work- I don’t know how you will ever live that down. Basically, insert your mess-ups, mistakes, faults, slips, regrettable actions, and every wrong turn you have ever made here.

But seriously though, why is it that when we are starting to grow and change the past is always there to make us feel as though we are inadequate? I tell you this, you are not alone.

In the last year my life has changed so much. Although the changes happened gradually I now am able to look at them all in retrospect and see how monumental and life-changing they were. The way God has allowed me to grow has left me with a new sense of comfort and confidence in myself. Unfortunately, there was always that one voice in my head that said “Who are you to think you can just change like that? No one is ever going to believe you. Look at your past. What, you think you’re better than everyone now?”

If you’ve ever had anything similar happen to you, you know how daunting and depressing that voice can be. At first you want to believe it but you know what, DON’T.

You may have a past but your past does not have you.

The other day I was led to the story of Paul (AKA Saul, AKA the people-persecutor turned Jesus-lover) and in reading the story it didn’t give me the strength to fight my past like I hoped but it instead gave me the strength and grace to accept my it. The story also gave me the brightest hope and enduring assurance for my future.

For those of who you have not read Paul’s story (Romans 22), can I suggest you go and do it?! Although, just for today here is my Sparknotes version:

Paul actually used to be called Saul. Born a Jew and a Roman citizen, he had two names but when he converted to Christianity and began talking to gentiles he mainly used Paul. He figured it would be more fitting for his new vocation.

Paul used to persecute the same people whom he would later come to be part of. In fact, he was probably the best in the field of persecuting. It didn’t matter if it was a man, a woman, or a child, Paul would be there to point fingers at them for their Christianity and then have them arrested. One day Paul and his friends were on the way to Damascus to victimize more people and as they were traveling, out of the blue, God blinded him. No warning, no nothing, Paul’s sight was gone. God then told him to stop judging His people and told Paul that if he wanted his sight back he should in fact continue on his way to Damascus but to seek out a man named Ananias for help.

So Paul did and it was there that God spoke through Ananias that he had now been chosen to become a gospel-spreading, truth-telling believer. God had washed away Paul’s sins and given him a new future. Although Paul’s eyes were healed and his life had taken a turn for the better he still questioned and wondered how he would be received amongst those who knew his past. Fortunately enough, God reassured him that since He had called and cleansed Paul and made him new his past was no longer a hindrance.

Remember that for yourself, not one single person can hold your past against you because God has set you free! (Check out 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Later on, not only did God give Paul a heart of acceptance for his own past but He gave him a way to use it to his advantage. Because of how Paul was raised and the things he did he was able to use it to relate to the people and speak to them on their own level.

Of course there is a little more to the story but you get the point. Plus, it gives you more of a reason to go and read the story for yourself.

You see, your past will be with you always but it is not a burden to carry. Jesus’ death on the cross made sure of that. So when God leads you to a better future get it out of your mind that you are not worthy because you are! You deserve this! You deserve great things in your life because He loves you. And you know what? He didn’t choose to love you despite of your past, He chose to love you, past included. How blessed are we to know that He is not like us - He knows everything we’ve ever done and loves us anyway.

Guest Blogger: November

I’ve been thinking bout what to share since Teni offered me to be her guest blogger. A few days ago I felt like I had something to share but I couldn’t  figure it out and how to share it. So, I took the train and headed somewhere and thought about what to write then all of a sudden a thought/question came into my mind while I was in the train, “Why not write about what you’re experiencing right now and relate it to what you’ve learned so far?”. At first I was really hesitant but later on I felt like this message is for someone out there and I hope you get encouraged and learn from it.

When you travel, you pretty much make sure you know where your destination is. Am I right? We have that sense that we don’t wanna get lost. We want to make sure we get to where we’re going in the most convenient way.

Have you ever tried riding a train/bus and you have no idea where you are heading?

I don’t know bout you but I do this most of the time when I’m free. I love travelling and learning and I strongly believe that everyday there is something new to learn and it’s a matter of choice whether we want to learn or not. I love adventures and I seriously like finding my way back or to anywhere I go or in short, get lost. I wasn’t really a risk-taker before, I always played it safe and I made sure I got things done in the most possible and accurate way. It’s pretty much if you would ask me to choose between black and white, I would just choose gray. Then I realised that the only reason why I didn’t wanna take risks is because I was scared. I doubted myself and I didn’t know what or who to trust but everything changes when you can put your trust and faith in someone. There’s peace and security that no matter what you go through, you know that everything’s gonna be okay. 

Sometimes we think that life is boring, that we should follow a set of rules in order to accomplish something. It’s kind of like if you don’t play by the rules you’re not gonna get there, you need to strive and make sure you know everything so that you won’t get lost, so that you won’t fail. But actually what do we really need to accomplish?

These are some of the things I realized:

1. In order for you to be found, you must accept and know that you are lost.

If you’ve been living at your house for a very long time, you probably won’t ask directions to get there cause you already know it and you know that you won’t get lost. But if you’re heading to a place that you’re not familiar with, you choose to take the risk and if you get lost you ask for help. It’s that sense of knowing that you are lost so that you can get help.

When Jesus died on the cross, He was thinking about you and me. We were separated from Him because of sin. We were living in darkness and death. We were like sheep gone astray (Isaiah 53:6) we decided to go on our own way, trying to strive hard for life and freedom. We wandered and got lost in the wilderness and in the way the world sees life. BUT Ephesians 2:4-5 says: 

"But God’s mercy is great, and he loved us very much. Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God’s grace. "

When I encountered Jesus and realised how much He loves me, I gradually saw the true meaning of life. There’s actually more to life than we know and He really does have a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11). When it all made sense I saw my life like a beautiful book, it’s as if I was beginning to open a new chapter of a brillant masterpiece written by an ever intelligent and powerful Author and I am so excited to move to the next chapter and know more about what’s gonna happen next. Good times, fun times, challenges and hardships will come along. Every morning I wake up not knowing what’s gonna happen next; who am I gonna meet, what will I learn, what will I eat or even what to say, all I know is that every step that I take in this life everything is under control and it’s gonna be okay.  

Good news is if we get lost, God keeps looking for us. He doesn’t see our failures rather He gives us new life and freedom. In Him we are accepted and found and He loves us just the way we are. The only thing we need to do is to admit that we are lost, we have sinned and we need a Savior and believe in Christ that he already redeemed us from darkness so that we may be in light.

2. Life is made of choices. 

When I decide to do my “adventure trips” I know I’m gonna get to wherever my destination is safely because I trust the driver. The challenging part is I may not know where I’ll end up, but I have faith in the driver and I know that he will try his best to help and drive safely.

It was my choice to have an adventure. One thing I would like to encourage you on is that life is an amazing adventure. It gets exciting everyday because even though you’re uncertain of what will happen, you know and believe that God is certain and in control in any situation. Sometimes It may be a bumpy ride but you know and trust God who is the driver of your life that’s why you have peace, hope, joy and security.

3. How you think and what you believe in will affect your life decisions.

"Choices and actions don’t just spring into the external word from a vacuum. They originate from ideas in the mind."- Dr. Rick Cornish

Proverbs 4:23 says

"Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."

Yes all of us have the freedom to decide what to do and what to choose in life, but the choices you make will be based on what you believe in. If you choose to see that life is hopeless then probably you’d end up feeling hopeless thus leading to sad and hopeless decisions in life. If you choose to see the beauty of life then you know that there’s more to life in this world. Even though you haven’t seen everything yet, you would choose to keep going on and be excited to experience and share that life’s really a beautiful and exciting adventure. It will lead you to decisions that can cause life and hope not only for yourself but for others as well.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19)

_______________________________

Not only is this girl a guest blogger but I can also call her a good friend. Introducing Jessica Cumla, she runs her own blog that you can check out HERE. Who knew that God would have us moving to Sydney around the same time and meeting up with each other like we did. As Jessica talked about life’s big adventure, it’s good to know that God has also blessed us with great people to accompany us on our own roads.

Life is crazy. Learn to deal.

With November now officially in full swing I now can look back at the quick blur that was October. It brings to mind all of  the things that happened that month. Although no event in particular was anything for the history books even so, it was a “busy” month. Longs weeks filled with packing our house into boxes, preparing for finals, birthdays, working on projects, catching up with friends, organizing events for church - a basic jambalaya of sorts.

Although, it wasn’t all bad though, in the cray of it all I learned this: 

Life is crazy. It always has been and it always will be. Learn to deal. 

It took me quite a bit of time to realize there is no reason to miss the days when Saturday morning cartoons and nap time were our way of life when we can have that today. Well, not necessarily but at least we can have something similar. 

Whether you are 5, 10, 24, or 59+ all that is needed is a bit of grace and patience. Grace in the sense that we must know it is possible to do anything with God - small or grand. 

And patience to deal with the changes that come your way. In order to have a different life away from stress and fuss you’re gonna have to do things differently - a godly type of different.  Some days you’re going to think that your way is best and want to continue on that path but don’t. Stop and let God direct your steps no matter how crazy they seem. 

Which, if you ask me is the greatest news I’ve heard in a while. We don’t have to think for ourselves, that burden is now up to Him. 

So, while October flew in with a bevy of overwhelming plans, God reminded me that the same peace He gave me as a child is the same peace I can have now if I only believe in Him. Just because my circumstances and settings have now changed does not mean God has done the same.  

Think of it this way, the “little” amount of faith it takes you to trust in God to deliver the sun the next day is the same amount of faith it should take to trust in Him for deliverance of your student loans, the baby your hoping for, the job position you’ve been eying for the last few months. 

So stop stressing.  Stop making plans to do this on your own. Stop thinking that because you didn’t get what you want you never will. Stop fussing over the things God has already covered. Just stop. 

Life is crazy. It always had been and it always will be. The only way we can deal is to let God.

22 years. 264 months. 8,030 days. 192,720 hours. 11,563,200 minutes. 693, 792,000 seconds. Add all that up and you still couldn’t even come close to the number of ways my life has been blessed. I’m so extremely grateful for every moment that has led up to right here and now. Although this life is solely mine to live, it is not solely mine to own. The thing is, I have felt the enormity of an undeserving, gracious love given to me by Jesus - I have the family, friends, and a life full of memories to prove it. However, it would be a little too selfish if I kept all that goodness to myself. While I cannot physically relive them all with you I made a list (as one does when something grand like a birthday comes along) that was inspired by all the things I’ve learned, experienced, and been blessed with over the years. I hope it finds and/or leaves you well.

1) Work for it. The easy way will get you nowhere. My dad once said, between climbing a mountain and jumping on the spot, both will get you off the ground but only one way will actually keep you up.

2) Be present. There is no other way to live because anything else is not living.

3) Sleep is like a jealous partner, ignore it and your whole life will be affected in ways you never thought possible.

4) Keep your hands busy while you’re waiting on God. Don’t forget He’s waiting on you too.

5) GRACE ABOUNDS - Oh God, how grateful I am to have such a perfect thing and how blessed am I that it is not circumstantial but ever-lasting.

6) Don’t air your dirty laundry but don’t air all your good either. Not every moment needs to be a status, not every situation needs to be instagramed, keep a few for the treasure box of your mind. With that being said, pictures from other people’s social media are no indicator of the value of your social life - you are.

7) Your age should be no teller of the things you ought to be doing. Don’t let expectations cap your greatness or make you feel worthless.

8) Let God go. I mean literally let Him go… and work wonders. Trying to control everything around you will do nothing but consume your own life.

9) You will always have wealth as long as you always remember it’s not limited to dollar bills.

10) Live to the fullness of your years. Not just to 70+ years but to 70+ FULL years.

11) I am beautiful. Everyone is beautiful, and not just in “their own way”. Each person is just plain beautiful. We all need to see that on a daily basis.

12) Always take pride in Jesus.

13) Double check… everything. .

14) Don’t let what you see blind you from what has yet to be seen. Remember, it’s not at first glance but what can be done with at the first chance.

15) Love is not a a simple word or emotion but an action we must CHOOSE to show daily - yes, love to some extent love is a choice.

16) Invest in your future by taking the time to pray now.

17) There is always room for new friends

18) Be a missionary. You don’t have to travel to Guam or Mexico to be one. God can send you to your own university or place of work to go preach the gospel with not only your words but mostly with your actions.

19) Learn to accept gifts, love, compliments, and advice. It not only benefits your life but the giver as well.

20) Being fearless is not a pre-req for any action in life. Fear always likes to rear its unwanted ugly head no matter who you are so you might as well go ahead and do whatever it is you have your heart set on anyway.

21) We cannot change other people, the only thing we can do to them is accept them for who they are.

22) Your actions will outlive you.

22 years. 264 months. 8,030 days. 192,720 hours. 11,563,200 minutes. 693, 792,000 seconds. Add all that up and you still couldn’t even come close to the number of ways my life has been blessed. I’m so extremely grateful for every moment that has led up to right here and now. Although this life is solely mine to live, it is not solely mine to own. The thing is, I have felt the enormity of an undeserving, gracious love given to me by Jesus - I have the family, friends, and a life full of memories to prove it. However, it would be a little too selfish if I kept all that goodness to myself. While I cannot physically relive them all with you I made a list (as one does when something grand like a birthday comes along) that was inspired by all the things I’ve learned, experienced, and been blessed with over the years. I hope it finds and/or leaves you well.

1) Work for it. The easy way will get you nowhere. My dad once said, between climbing a mountain and jumping on the spot, both will get you off the ground but only one way will actually keep you up.

2) Be present. There is no other way to live because anything else is not living.

3) Sleep is like a jealous partner, ignore it and your whole life will be affected in ways you never thought possible.

4) Keep your hands busy while you’re waiting on God. Don’t forget He’s waiting on you too.

5) GRACE ABOUNDS - Oh God, how grateful I am to have such a perfect thing and how blessed am I that it is not circumstantial but ever-lasting.

6) Don’t air your dirty laundry but don’t air all your good either. Not every moment needs to be a status, not every situation needs to be instagramed, keep a few for the treasure box of your mind. With that being said, pictures from other people’s social media are no indicator of the value of your social life - you are.

7) Your age should be no teller of the things you ought to be doing. Don’t let expectations cap your greatness or make you feel worthless.

8) Let God go. I mean literally let Him go… and work wonders. Trying to control everything around you will do nothing but consume your own life.

9) You will always have wealth as long as you always remember it’s not limited to dollar bills.

10) Live to the fullness of your years. Not just to 70+ years but to 70+ FULL years.

11) I am beautiful. Everyone is beautiful, and not just in “their own way”. Each person is just plain beautiful. We all need to see that on a daily basis.

12) Always take pride in Jesus.

13) Double check… everything. .

14) Don’t let what you see blind you from what has yet to be seen. Remember, it’s not at first glance but what can be done with at the first chance.

15) Love is not a a simple word or emotion but an action we must CHOOSE to show daily - yes, love to some extent love is a choice.

16) Invest in your future by taking the time to pray now.

17) There is always room for new friends

18) Be a missionary. You don’t have to travel to Guam or Mexico to be one. God can send you to your own university or place of work to go preach the gospel with not only your words but mostly with your actions.

19) Learn to accept gifts, love, compliments, and advice. It not only benefits your life but the giver as well.

20) Being fearless is not a pre-req for any action in life. Fear always likes to rear its unwanted ugly head no matter who you are so you might as well go ahead and do whatever it is you have your heart set on anyway.

21) We cannot change other people, the only thing we can do to them is accept them for who they are.

22) Your actions will outlive you.

22 years. 264 months. 8,030 days. 192,720 hours. 11,563,200 minutes. 693, 792,000 seconds. Add all that up and you still couldn’t even come close to the number of ways my life has been blessed. I’m so extremely grateful for every moment that has led up to right here and now. Although this life is solely mine to live, it is not solely mine to own. The thing is, I have felt the enormity of an undeserving, gracious love given to me by Jesus - I have the family, friends, and a life full of memories to prove it. However, it would be a little too selfish if I kept all that goodness to myself. While I cannot physically relive them all with you I made a list (as one does when something grand like a birthday comes along) that was inspired by all the things I’ve learned, experienced, and been blessed with over the years. I hope it finds and/or leaves you well.

1) Work for it. The easy way will get you nowhere. My dad once said, between climbing a mountain and jumping on the spot, both will get you off the ground but only one way will actually keep you up.

2) Be present. There is no other way to live because anything else is not living.

3) Sleep is like a jealous partner, ignore it and your whole life will be affected in ways you never thought possible.

4) Keep your hands busy while you’re waiting on God. Don’t forget He’s waiting on you too.

5) GRACE ABOUNDS - Oh God, how grateful I am to have such a perfect thing and how blessed am I that it is not circumstantial but ever-lasting.

6) Don’t air your dirty laundry but don’t air all your good either. Not every moment needs to be a status, not every situation needs to be instagramed, keep a few for the treasure box of your mind. With that being said, pictures from other people’s social media are no indicator of the value of your social life - you are.

7) Your age should be no teller of the things you ought to be doing. Don’t let expectations cap your greatness or make you feel worthless.

8) Let God go. I mean literally let Him go… and work wonders. Trying to control everything around you will do nothing but consume your own life.

9) You will always have wealth as long as you always remember it’s not limited to dollar bills.

10) Live to the fullness of your years. Not just to 70+ years but to 70+ FULL years.

11) I am beautiful. Everyone is beautiful, and not just in “their own way”. Each person is just plain beautiful. We all need to see that on a daily basis.

12) Always take pride in Jesus.

13) Double check… everything. .

14) Don’t let what you see blind you from what has yet to be seen. Remember, it’s not at first glance but what can be done with at the first chance.

15) Love is not a a simple word or emotion but an action we must CHOOSE to show daily - yes, love to some extent love is a choice.

16) Invest in your future by taking the time to pray now.

17) There is always room for new friends

18) Be a missionary. You don’t have to travel to Guam or Mexico to be one. God can send you to your own university or place of work to go preach the gospel with not only your words but mostly with your actions.

19) Learn to accept gifts, love, compliments, and advice. It not only benefits your life but the giver as well.

20) Being fearless is not a pre-req for any action in life. Fear always likes to rear its unwanted ugly head no matter who you are so you might as well go ahead and do whatever it is you have your heart set on anyway.

21) We cannot change other people, the only thing we can do to them is accept them for who they are.

22) Your actions will outlive you.

22 years. 264 months. 8,030 days. 192,720 hours. 11,563,200 minutes. 693, 792,000 seconds. Add all that up and you still couldn’t even come close to the number of ways my life has been blessed. I’m so extremely grateful for every moment that has led up to right here and now. Although this life is solely mine to live, it is not solely mine to own. The thing is, I have felt the enormity of an undeserving, gracious love given to me by Jesus - I have the family, friends, and a life full of memories to prove it. However, it would be a little too selfish if I kept all that goodness to myself. While I cannot physically relive them all with you I made a list (as one does when something grand like a birthday comes along) that was inspired by all the things I’ve learned, experienced, and been blessed with over the years. I hope it finds and/or leaves you well.

1) Work for it. The easy way will get you nowhere. My dad once said, between climbing a mountain and jumping on the spot, both will get you off the ground but only one way will actually keep you up.

2) Be present. There is no other way to live because anything else is not living.

3) Sleep is like a jealous partner, ignore it and your whole life will be affected in ways you never thought possible.

4) Keep your hands busy while you’re waiting on God. Don’t forget He’s waiting on you too.

5) GRACE ABOUNDS - Oh God, how grateful I am to have such a perfect thing and how blessed am I that it is not circumstantial but ever-lasting.

6) Don’t air your dirty laundry but don’t air all your good either. Not every moment needs to be a status, not every situation needs to be instagramed, keep a few for the treasure box of your mind. With that being said, pictures from other people’s social media are no indicator of the value of your social life - you are.

7) Your age should be no teller of the things you ought to be doing. Don’t let expectations cap your greatness or make you feel worthless.

8) Let God go. I mean literally let Him go… and work wonders. Trying to control everything around you will do nothing but consume your own life.

9) You will always have wealth as long as you always remember it’s not limited to dollar bills.

10) Live to the fullness of your years. Not just to 70+ years but to 70+ FULL years.

11) I am beautiful. Everyone is beautiful, and not just in “their own way”. Each person is just plain beautiful. We all need to see that on a daily basis.

12) Always take pride in Jesus.

13) Double check… everything. .

14) Don’t let what you see blind you from what has yet to be seen. Remember, it’s not at first glance but what can be done with at the first chance.

15) Love is not a a simple word or emotion but an action we must CHOOSE to show daily - yes, love to some extent love is a choice.

16) Invest in your future by taking the time to pray now.

17) There is always room for new friends

18) Be a missionary. You don’t have to travel to Guam or Mexico to be one. God can send you to your own university or place of work to go preach the gospel with not only your words but mostly with your actions.

19) Learn to accept gifts, love, compliments, and advice. It not only benefits your life but the giver as well.

20) Being fearless is not a pre-req for any action in life. Fear always likes to rear its unwanted ugly head no matter who you are so you might as well go ahead and do whatever it is you have your heart set on anyway.

21) We cannot change other people, the only thing we can do to them is accept them for who they are.

22) Your actions will outlive you.

We Pray Too Much

Just a few moments ago in the middle a talk to God I realised something, I think I pray too much. Weird right? How does one pray too much? Aren’t we supposed to in fact go to Him without ceasing, day and night? I mean that’s what the Bible tells us to do. 

However, in the midst of my constant mind babbling God interjected and said you’ve got it all wrong. It’s not that you pray too much but that you either waste your time praying about all the wrong things, spending too much time on one thing or sometimes you even do both. You pray for such things like strength to continue your day or wisdom to go about certain situations but you do it so constantly. It is as if you’re reminding me like I’m going to forget. Either that or you yourself have forgotten that I have already given you all the things you need to go forth. I love the fact that you come to me and that you trust in me to deliver you need to trust more. Pray with honest faith in my abilities to be your God. Once you are standing in the midst of the situation you have prayed for, go and complete the task as if nothing can stop you because you know what, nothing can. Stop asking for my presence when I never left you (Deut. 31:8).  Stop seeking out   strength when I’ve already given it (Psalm 73:26). Instead ask for something that will always help you to remember all the things I have promised you with. Ask that you never forget who am and who I have made you to to be.

Bea(you)tiful

17 days until my 22nd birthday and Lord, I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that I am beautifully made. I know I was made in a beautiful way but to call myself beautiful is so difficult for me. It’s not about being vein but the fact that some part of me feels it to be untrue. I pause my writing and start to tear up at the sound of your voice inside my head as you whisper over and over and over,

“You are, you are, you are, you are, you are, you are, you are, you are, you are, you are beautiful.”

Every part of me wants to fight that. Wants to find some excuse (you don’t know the whole me; maybe you’re looking at me from a different angle; it’s the lighting; I have braids in today; etc) that I have become so accustomed to saying when I receive compliments from other people. However, I hear you again and you say,

“I am God. I don’t see from angles or from 4-by-5 sized profile pictures. I can see passed your clothes, passed your extensions and even if there was no light I could still see how beautiful you are. I knitted you in your mother’s womb and I’ve watched and helped you grow. My daughter, you are beautiful. My dear you are worthy of the title.”

I don’t think I have ever really been more scared of a word like this one before. When I hear it being directed towards me I try to take it in as much as possible in fear that whoever said it is wearing rose-colored glasses that will soon be removed. I end up trying to enjoy it for a few moments then deny it as though it’s a gift and the giver might change his or her mind. However, here comes God again to say, this “gift” of beauty is yours to keep.

“Don’t ever feel the need to give it back because there has never been and there will never be a situation where you have to do so.

Not when
you’re standing next to a white girl.
you’re standing next to a black one.
you stand next to a curvy girl.
you stand next to a thinner girl.
you’re in the midst of a crowd of girls.
you stand next to the man you have feelings for.
there’s ‘nothing’ in your closet for you to wear.
someone call you names.
you compare yourself to celebrities.
you compare yourself to your mother, sister, cousin, aunt, or grandmother.
you wear that sweater that keeps you warm even though you think it makes you look frumpy.
you flip through the pages of those magazines.
you forget or don’t have time to put make-up on in the morning.
you take out your braids or twists, straighten your hair or leave it curly.
you decide to do 20 sit-ups or none.
anyone else calls you beautiful and certainly not when I do.

Yes, I have shown you 1 Peter 3:3-4 but even if those words were never written I would still think you are beautiful. You need to realize it and then come to terms with it because that is what you are.”

Although I have been struggling internally with this for some years, I share it now just in case you or someone you know is going through something similar. God wants us to know this and He wants us to believe it. He has made everyone of us in a beautiful way and additionally, He has made us all beautiful. Please, don’t ever forget that.