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

Comments Off on Nothings Normal | posted in Celebration, Faith, Holidays, Inspiration, Reset, Rise

December 18, 2019

December End of Year

By Christina

“Growths highest reward is not what we get from it but who we become by it. Growth is sustaining.” 
~John C. Maxwell

I love this book that I am reading called the “Leader Shift: The 11 Essential Changes that Every Leader Must Embrace” by John C. Maxwell.  It is life changing.  It is leader shifting and mindset shifting from a flawed and fixed mindset to one of a growth and a champion mindset!

It is time to really invest in growing.

These are things to reflect upon as we approach the ending of 2019.  I cannot believe that next week is already CHRISTMAS! Wow! This year flew by so fast for me.  It is bittersweet.  All good and bad at the same time.  You don’t want life to pass you by so fast but at the same time the moments that were not worth staying in have to be put behind us as we find a way to move forward.

This year started off really rough for me at the sudden passing of my cousin Rose Soto.  This year will be the first holiday season without her and it is going to be tough.  That said, I will do all the things I know that she would have loved to do.  Even if making the tree a ROSE gold theme this year would make a difference.  I will live, laugh and love as much as I can!

LLL2020

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV

What I can most reflect of this year is that I have stretched myself to grow and will continue to do my best.  I stepped out in faith when I had so many reasons not to, I traveled to a new country and a new state that was on my life list of things to do.  I traveled a lot more this year which is something that I absolutely love to do. I ministered in places and also accompanied my husband during his ministry in ways we never thought possible. Even my children have excelled.

We have overcome a lot of things that would clearly set others back, but instead we have been catapulted further into our purpose.  This is what growth does.  It shows you that no matter what you face in life that you have the potential and ability to get better from it.

Just like the common phrase — “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade!” It is so true, but you have to find some other ingredients and use the opportunity to make the BEST lemonade ever. Not only for you to enjoy but so that you can share it with others as well.

I no longer can think the same way, process the same way, behave the same way and function the same way –I have got to grow myself and if it is not clear to some, it is certainly clear to me. It is clear to the ones that I know it should be clear with.

I have changed!

I am very intentional about working on the mindset. I may not be perfect at many things still –but I have improved in areas that I can see make up for a huge difference in my life and also the ones that I impact on the day to day.  There is change.  There is growth.  There is feedback. There is support and there is harmony! ❤ I am not just happy about this but overwhelming in a state of joy inexpressible. It’s great to be here.  It happened because I targeted for growth.

So we must all.  Take the time to reflect at the close of this year and see how you can really change to bring yourself to a better place and a much better mindset! All things are possible.

Let’s reset! 2020 here we come.

 

 

 

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Celebration, Emerging, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Fellowship, Inspiration, Joy, Peace

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 ♥️

Comments Off on Winter Words | posted in Encouragement, Holidays, Inspiration

December 2, 2019

A Whole New World

By Christina

“Until the LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.””
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭NKJV

You know that God wants us to enjoy things right? To enjoy life? Even to enjoy change?

Yet we fear it. Especially when it looks too good. Worry tries to rise up like we can’t obtain it. Like it can’t be ours.
But it can be because it is what He has given to us…

A land of your possession and enjoy it!

That is what is written. So much of myself struggles with the new. With the constant changes but it is the moment I can hear Him the most. “This is your new normal.” And I said OK to that. Trust is tough… it leads you to the treasure though and that could never be easy. There was work and investment involved. For when we get there, we have to enjoy it. That is why the rest comes first because it helps us to transition well.

I am going to enjoy this beautiful Christmastime… a whole new world once again. I have to be willing to step out in faith so that it drives out all the fear and complacency. It is the fear that tries to cripple me, criticize me and cancel out the dreams. The complacency that tries to assault and assassinate my hope.

I HAVE TO SHARE THIS ONE MORE TIME!

I am not going to be ruled by fear but faith. Everytime He brings me to a new place spiritually, physically and even times emotionally through a particular process –I have to trust the whole new world is in His hands! There is so much more, don’t kill it being complacent. Embrace the newness. Sieze the day. Possess the land –every single one I can tread upon. It is part of the promise.

Enjoy it.

Just enjoy it!

2 Comments | posted in Celebration, Faith, Inspiration, Rest, Transition, Trust