Category Archives: Celebration

May 16, 2020

Outdoors

By Christina
Overflowing

Hope everyone is able to safely enjoy the outdoors in this fantastic weather we are having. Went walking today up the parkway and didn’t get very far. Fully covered, masked, sort of prepared except I didn’t have my walking sneakers and socks on. By the first mile I already felt the blisters boiling. 😞But I kept on.

We did three miles at least. I will definitely be more prepared for next time! I need to listen. Even with the blisters, gotta keep moving. That’s just the way it is when things don’t always work out in your favor you have to walk it out anyway!!

Heard today by Stella Wariso on “Finding Hope in Community” instead of saying “Why Me“ say “Try Me!” In the face of our adversary & in the face of adversity. Stand encouraged.

As we are to be as bold as ever approaching outdoors. We can walk again. We can run again. We can laugh again. We can love again. We can work again. And lastly… we can succeed again & again & again! Just keep walking toward the goal.

God is taking stuff out and putting stuff in us. So that when we are out there again, we may still get bruised and blistered but we will keep going and growing —stronger than ever before. This is a great season for us to flourish! Inside & outside! Indoors & outdoors. Internally & externally. Internationally & domestically.

Time to bring what we have stored indoors —> OUT!! It is beautiful outdoors! So much opportunity! Let’s get it!! Let’s go!! Let’s try it!!!

“but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

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March 19, 2020

What We Do Next

By Christina

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”
Haggai 2:9

There are moments in our lives where we get a do over.  Where we get to do things in a better way.  We get a second chance to make this better.  This is that moment.  The moment is now.  To improve our life, our walk, our journey, our story, our relationships, our time, our positions, our careers, our ministries… our EVERYTHING.

If this wasn’t such a wake up call for us, then I don’t know what else is. Time is running shorter and more perilous. The world is experiencing a rapid and aggressive pandemic with COVID-19.  What do we do? What can we really do? All the advising, the business, the transactions, the work and progress to be productive now going to shreds in the life and health of people all over the world.

One of the the things I can say for myself and my family for 2020 is that we experienced a great reset.  We know there is more to come. We were able to have a time of laughter, a time of joy, a time of fellowship and a time of renewal together. What an amazing month for us in Atlanta, GA this past February only to be brought on with a storm hitting us all.

I am so grateful that I did have this time to dance away the weeks that followed up to us exchanging real vows on Friday, February 21st 2020.  So intimate, loving and special.  I will never forget it. It was simply amazing. God gave us a second chance at this.  I pray we keep moving forward in the best way ever as a unit, as a family and as a church.  Only God.  Only ALL of Him to just enhance our everyday IN the shaking.  

We can do this again. We can do this in a better way. We can move forward and have an opportunity at a greater time of glory.  I know things look bleak sometimes but hang tight and hang stronger than ever before.  He only promises us good things if we take heed and follow after Him. 

The next place for us WILL BE PEACE! We must.  It is ours.  We follow after it will all our heart, soul, mind and strength.  It is time for us to move to the next level of love.  The next level of faith and hope now more than ever.

Are you with me?  Let’s do it!

Your story will be greater!

#staysafe #stayinlove #staybeautiful

With love,

Christina ❤ 

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February 26, 2020

Best Vacation Spots

By Christina

I was telling my husband that Miami Beach has got to be one of the best vacation spots ever! Water is so blue, breeze is lovely and the temperature is perfect this time of year! We had some beautiful days here.

Top spot is our trip to the UK in May 2017. We hit London, Scotland and Paris! It was amazing. Two weeks of pure bliss and an unapologetic reset for us. It was much needed for the soul. That same year in November I traveled back to Scotland for an unforgettable 8 day trip with my sisters!

But this year as I sit on Ocean Drive in South Beach Miami—Starbucks and light breeze I cannot help but be in complete awe! This is utterly fascinating. Its lovely here. Lots to do and lots to see. It is certainly relaxing and the same time as upbeat and lively for some evening festivities. We love watching the people and the international diversity. Its like a warmer New York only with sand and palm trees everywhere.

We needed a nice time away. As we just celebrated 21 years married and 28 years together during our Vow Renewal 02.21.2020 in Atlanta Georgia. We couldn’t be more grateful, thankful and blessed! We had a small ceremony, that was intimate with our beautiful family and special friends that make life worth it all. We danced, laughed, shared, ate, traveled around and got stuff done together.

Everything came out perfect… our own version of what perfect looked like. It was exquisite, extraordinary and excellent. What a place to have it… we just took the New York cold with us! It rained a lot in Atlanta more than ever and while there it even dropped to upper 20s and 30s!!! On our vow renewal day—it was sunny skies and brisk. Just enough to make it happen! Then we celebrated! We are overjoyed!

Now we head back to New York today to prepare for work and also our “what’s next” steps. We are ready and keeping all this so prayerful. May God open the necessary doors so that our next half feels just like a nearby vacation everyday. Healthy living and happiness. All things are possible. Trusting God because He said it and does all things perfect in its time. ♥️

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December 27, 2019

Nothings Normal

By Christina

There is nothing normal about my days anymore. Every day is absolutely different in every way. From the time I wake, to the time I commute, running to catch a scheduled yet random quick train, walking through the crowds and landing at the building –it is different. There is nothing normal about it! The people are different, the crowd is different, there are international people here, diversity everywhere and a crazy community of lively people moving about. I find it hard to fit in anywhere yet. I am just being me–the simple me. Then that’s too simple. The one in the Hardin Scott boots. Simple sweaters, jeans when I can. Light eyed makeup, never any lipstick. Short hair, don’t care.

The one that rejoices and is overly soothed when I purchase a new book. The one that loves to have a nice cup of cocoa with an overwhelming amount of marshmallows or perhaps a cup of chai tea –grande –only three pumps of chai! Yeah that part of me. Simple! Nothing extravagant, nothing elegant about me, just a book worm looking to be busy making a difference somehow and someway.

Life’s different. But I know what I heard on the depth of me –get used to this. Your new normal is that nothing will be normal about it! On the inside I felt so much fear and faith at the same time. I was anxious and excited all at once. I tried to drown out every thought of doubt and didn’t want to feed it. Even as the thoughts were raging and colliding with my faith to move forward. I had to step out and I had to step beyond the norm and beyond the ways of chaos so that I can truly find some something new for my purpose.

How many times I sat screaming at God–screaming at my circumstances. Can I be real about that? Just so frustrating and upsetting for me at times. I would even have to still battle that out as I move forward. It’s everywhere. But I think overall that He would want me to be successful and that He has called me to be significant!

“Now more than ever it is a time for action. It is a time for getting things done. It is a time to tune out the distractions and the noise from the doomsayers and the naysayers and focus on what truly matters and what truly will help you create success.”
~Stay Positive by Jon Gordon and Daniel Decker

See –now is the time. This time causes me to step out everyday even if I feel like I am not seeing all the results I can feel the progress as I go through the process. I. Am. Growing.

Especially now that I found the simplest things right here on my block to help me also during the journey! So awesome.

“God has something great for you but YOU MUST TAKE ACTION with faith and go through a battle to seize it. It’s never going to be easy. It’s not supposed to be. The struggle builds your character, fosters humility, and develops your strength and makes you appreciate the JOURNEY!

That is the journey that I am on –where I will find ALL THINGS AS NOTHING NORMAL!!!

And now I am out and about enjoying my Fri-Yay! Enjoying a new pace to start my weekend vibes. Family time. Loving life. Loving the laughter. Loving to let go so I can let God be God!!

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV

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