Category Archives: Holidays

May 21, 2020

BIG PLANS

By Christina

aaron-burden-2bg1jPty490-unsplashSo I got these BIG plans for the upcoming weekend and that is truly to try and NOT be online.  Seriously! I love working remote but I definitely want to spend some time away from this bright light screen for a bit.  Sitting here as early as 8 am until 7 pm most nights can take its toll and then have to jump on for other meetings and stuff for ministry.  That is just a whole lot of activity and a need for a little bit of an escape.

We work online.

We pray online.

We meet online….

Everything is online … The “god of this age” is at war here –blinding our eyes from the natural things of this life.  Not that technology is all that bad of course we need it and can reach across continents all over the globe.  But here all day online is a bit much.  I  am ready to walk away for a much needed break.

I want to go outside and walk.  I hope to read a non-electronic book.  I will plan on writing in my journal. Catching up with folks not by screen, audio will work!

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28 MSG

Who would have know that staying at home and working at home would have been even more intense then getting up and out into the office. It is not like we are here doing nothing, but we are connecting everyday remotely even more so to keep abreast, stay in touch, strategize, continue to plan and execute an abundance of tasks.

It is a lot! I am ready to walk away for a bit! How about you??? You will not be able to catch me online this big holiday weekend… because this big plan of mine for the weekend is to STAY OFFLINE! Let’s see if that works for the most part.  That is the goal.

Before we would gear up, pack our bags and set sail for the start of the summer.  Now we are just as uncertain and wait to hear better news for a cure to this pandemic. God have mercy on us all.

The big plans now are to find a rest for a bombarded mind.  Let’s try to stay away from the mental falls and be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Enjoy the long extended weekend all.

With Love,

Christina ❤

1 Comment | posted in Holidays, Inspiration, Rest

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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December 3, 2019

Winter Words

By Christina

Negative comments have assasinated many dreams!
~Apostle Juan Mendez

What a word that was–for sometimes we can speak that negativity over our own life!!!

We have got to change what we speak, by changing the words on replay in our heads. Some cold winter words sweeping through when we don’t think or believe the very best can happen for us.

So every day we need to counter any negativity with positive and powerful constructive words so that we reap the benefits of what is entitled to us as believers.

Words kill, words give life;
They’re either poison or fruit — you choose.
Proverbs 18:21 MSG

We choose what we want by what we say because of what we think. This is that part that needs the most transformative work. A deep cleaning and detoxing –the way we were taught tonight at MUI Church during bible study.

Detoxing so that we can receive direction, embrace change, have renewed thinking, be optimistic and X out all the negativity in our life. Words! Words! Words! It affects everything around us. Just like this onset of winter weather… these words and ways of thinking can be so cold.

It is time to warm things up a whole bunch of notches higher. As we prep for 2020… What will we think? What will we speak? And what will we do now?

NOW!

Not on 1/1/2020 but now so that going INTO the new year, our vision is fresh. That our focus is sharp. That our dreams are being carried out starting with our words. We have the upper hand. We are in control of what we allow to fill our minds.

So let’s gear up this winter and watch the words that speak.

Let’s watch the Word work on our behalf.

New confession…. I am guaranteed to succeed. I will have good success towards all that I do. I will flourish and favor will follow me everywhere that I go. I will have the best fruit because I am willing to make the sacrifice and give up the good for what is best.

There is no better time like the present. So many great things to come. Speak it out. Positive mind, positive vibes, positive life, positive outcome.

Be blessed,

Christina ♥️

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