I Love Blogging! It Gets Better...

I know I always say this, but I don't feel like people get it! I love blogging, I dont know what I would do without this blog. I've been feeling pretty low lately, which I 100% attribute to some crazy PMS, because really, in the grand scheme of things, I have nothing to be sad about! *_* anyway, I got on here and went to that "Labels" section on my blog and clicked on one, and it led me to all these posts I wrote last year, and man, looking back between now and then, it's like a memory miracle log.

Source: bloghackz.com via Sheila on Pinterest

It just reminds me of two things;

• If I keep on keeping on and doing what I'm doing, God willing, this time next year, I'll look back on this years posts and think the exact same thing!!! How that year will be better than the last and so on and so forth #itgetsbetter

Source: faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.com via FinCon on Pinterest

• Every single day of my life, waking up, dancing, singing, laughing, this is the miracle I prayed for and every day I wake up, dance, sing, laugh, is a miracle...despite how I feel, despite what my mind tells me to complain or be sad about, the fact remains, God changed my life this year and He's changing it in one way or another every day...being clay in the Potters hand, being molded hurts, but nobody thinks that when they see the end result.

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Anneliese on Pinterest

I know, I'm corny, you'll get used to it.

Source: lovelindseykay.tumblr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

xx
Raha

The Teeniest Bit of Faith is Enough

You know how every blog has a label, like "mommy blog", "wedding blog", "dating blog", well apparently mine has turned into a "Christian blog" and it wasn't intentional, like I'm sure most people don't set out to be "mommy bloggers", you just write about your life and whatever's going on with you is what becomes the theme of your writing. 

Well, right now, God is what's going on with me. To be honest, I'm just trying to figure all this out. I really don't get how this God thing works, you know, thinking about creation. Like, God created us, fine. God revealed Himself to a bunch of writers who put all He'd said in scrolls and letters which form the Bible that's lasted centuries and has been proved to be valid with archaeological evidence, fine. God is above us watching us, don't get that. God existed before creation, don't get that. Angels live in heaven, don't get that. I mean, there's a lot I don't get! 

I watch miracles and stories on TV and I'm not talking about that Embakasi pastor who pays people to pretend that he healed them, I'm talking real, live miracles seeing limbs restored and deaf people hearing and I don't get that. I look at my own life and all the stuff I did and think, after all that, I'm still here, I'm still normal {somewhat hehehe :-)} and I'm free/healed, I don't get that. Why me? 

But, I just thank God, because as much as I don't get  the logistics behind all this God stuff, the fact that I believe in His existence and the fact that I trust Him and I call Him Savior...my willingness to step beyond the constraints of my limited understanding, that's enough for Him and He can use that and grow that.

xx

Jo

MOOOM!

Living with my mom has been pretty interesting. I was a little pensive about moving back home, I’d lived on my own for a year making my own rules, so going back home and sparks were bound to fly! It has been tough, there have been slammed doors (me) and being hung up on (her) and silent treatment (me) and raised voices (both)

Here’s a couple of things that happened though, first, I just thought, man, I’ve been praying for this amazing husband and amazing family to love and I haven’t been faithful with what I already have. As well as I think I’ll love my husband or my kids, shouldn’t I love my mom a whole lot more? So that started the “change” in me. 

Second, of course, I have to go back to Bethel Church. Man, the way I talk about this Church, it’s like I go there! Anyway, Bethel has this culture of honor, where the younger generation has a sort of mandate to honor the older generation, learn from them and everything. Banning Liebscher talks about “not stopping the flow of grace” Basically, we need to honor the people God’s placed in leadership over us. In this case, that’s my mom.

The second my mindset changed, our relationship changed a lot. There are still moments when we really annoy each other, but it’s made life so much easier for me to not look at what she says to me as an order, or as a lecture but as something that’ll help me. If she asks me to run upstairs and grab her glasses when I’m really into a TV show, it only takes a couple of seconds and it makes her happy and she feels respected. When I talk to her calmly about how she can’t really stop me from going out to worship night if I want to, she hates it, but she’s starting to respect that. Then the whole being supportive thing when I told her, “Hey, I’m quitting business and heading into ministry”

She is super funny, she gets my jokes, if anyone knows how to sing spontaneously from any sentence, it’s her, she’s strong and amazing and even though she doesn’t agree with some of the ways I say I’m going to raise my own kids, (like saying how my hubby will have to be close to the baby, ha) if overall, I end up being a mom like her, that’ll be an accomplishment.

So, in honor of our maturing relationship, I thought I’d post a couple of pictures that I love. 

I love you mom!

xx

Jo

22nd Birthday Recap Part 2 - Gifts and Outfit of the Day

I got a couple of things I was really looking forward to...

(If you know me, I'm all about Bethel Church and Jesus Culture, and this book is written by the Pastors from Bethel Church and Jesus Culture. It's 40 chapters of excerpts from Banning Liebscher, Bill and Beni Johnson, Kris Vallotton, Danny Silk and Kevin Dodmon)

 

I have wanted this Bible since forever. I've been looking for a Bible that I can read for the rest of my "adult life" that was a bit more age appropriate, that looked good and that I'd actually enjoy reading. This fit all my categories. It has a brown leather cover, with a flap, its small enough to fit in a purse, it's got this black part that looks really nice and the gold dust on the sides looks pretty good. Its also New Living Translation which I LOVE to read because it's so easy to understand, and Jesus' words are in red which I've always wanted. Wanted to get this last month, but it's a bit expensive for a Bible ad I couldn't justify buying it. THANK GOD FOR BIRTHDAYS, huh?

Last but not least is my guitar. I dont have pictures of this guitar because it's still in the store. My mom gifted me with some cash to go buy one, but once I got to the store, a lot of other costs got thrown in. 

CPK Acoustic Gutar 8500/-

or

Yamaha Acoustic Guitar 11000/-

plus

Guitar bag 2000/-

Tuner 2700/-

Other accessories, extra strings, picks 500/- 

So right now, I need to take some time and figure out these choices as well as save for the bag, tuner, and accessories. Hopefully in June/July?

OK, and finally on the Birthday front, of course I had to do my #ootd

 Sandals from a stall in Bus Station, Top and Jeans from Moi Avenue, Stars Jacket from Ngara

xoxo
Jo

22nd Birthday Recap Part 1

Honestly, I didn’t want to recreate the magic of birthday parties with my dad, the way I see it, those are awesome memories and not a lot of people have that with their dads, not even my brother and sister. Someday, I’ll have a family and maybe we’ll do that together but for now, I love the memories and I don’t want to plan more bad parties that’ll cloud out the memories of the great ones. This was the best one I’ve had in 4 years. Low-key and totally me:

So, I switched off my alarm and planned on sleeping in, but at exactly midnight, my best friend Reuben, from College called me and wished me a Happy Birthday. In my books, it’s not a birthday unless someone wakes you up at midnight! So, I’m thankful for that, but after that I did put my phone on silent because I was really looking forward to sleeping in. I won’t lie; it does kind of suck being single on your birthday, but … OK, no but, it sucks. Anyway, so, I wake up to a couple of missed calls and texts and I love each of these people, my morning army, Prossy, Paschale, Z, Allan, even Safaricom wished me a Happy Birthday ha! I have to confess I was checking my phone and Facebook all day to read any new birthday messages; you act like it doesn’t mean anything but it really does lol. My brother also sent me some cash as a treat.

I got out of the bed and immediately loved that the weather looked like this and it didn’t rain all day…MIRACLE! Another miracle is that there was absolutely no traffic to town and back!

our street

So, afterwards, I turned on Bethel Music and Jesus Culture and had an incredible time singing in my room. I’m just grateful to God for yet another year and as much as situations are tricky, I’m so lucky because I have Him, and He’s given me a heart for Him. What I do with it is up to me, but He’s blessed me and I’m grateful to that. This is such an important year, it’s when I finish College, decide on whether to job-hunt or join the Church and do a church internship, although my heart is for the latter, I have to make a firm decision this year. I just pray that this year, I stay committed to Him and that I’ll always remember it as the year God did incredible things in my life and grew my love for Him. I want to grow in my purpose and live out my dreams and hopes. This is also the year I probably start the journey to move cities and I truly need Him on that. It was a fun time just having fun dancing around and worshipping. My official birthday song is Matt Stinton from Bethel Music singing This Is What You Do. God, you make me come alive!

OK, then I got all dolled up:

and went to town, where I got to do this

IMAX Kenya source

And see him

THOR!!!

source

And him

 

Captain America

source

And him 

 

Hawk Eye

source

 

ALL IN 3D!!!

And carry home these

Mexican Fiesta & Chicken n Mushroom

source

OK this week, I'll do a gifts recap, I cant wait to show you what I got!

BEST BIRTHDAY YET!!!

xx

Jo

Moms and Daughters

I have the best mom. I grew up in a loud house. My mom and sister and me are just loud. Not in an aggressive way or anything, as a matter of fact, when we're quiet, that's probably when the most cutting comments (or rude letters) can be made.

My mom gave me everything I ever needed as a kid, we weren't well off, and she struggled some times to give us everything, but she did. Luckily for me, I'm her "retirement baby" and by the time I was born, (almost 10 year age difference between my sister and I, and 13 years between my brother and I) they had their finances settled down and I didn't have to go through some of the struggles my siblings went through. That didn't mean she spoilt me though, I'm really sure I was "spanked" the most of all of us. I remember one time I came home after dark, I found her standing at our gate and all the kids in my neighborhood were whispering to me, "amekata kijiti" which translates to she found a stick/switch and I knew I was in for some major whoop a**

As I grew up, went to High School, she wrote me all the time, and loved on me and cared about me. I've never been kicked out of school because of fees, she never missed a visiting day or a parent-teacher meeting or a mid-term or closing-day pick up or drop off, she did my shopping and gave me a good allowance, obviously not as much as I'd have liked, but good enough for my needs.

In High School when I struggled to find my identity because there were plenty of times where I felt like I didn't belong, being so disconnected from everyone else (10 years between sisters is a long time!) and the little fact that while my brother and sister look like her, I take after my dad, she reassured me and she helped me.

In college, she let me move out, twice, paid my rent and each time it didn't work out, she didn't make me feel like a failure for ending up back home. She cooks and cleans and works full time.

When I went through that disastrous break up, she came up to my room, wiped the tears away and told me to buck-up, which is exactly what I needed. When I complain and worry about never falling in love, she always reminds me of God's perfect timing.

SHE HAS NEVER ONCE SAID "I TOLD YOU SO!" She's said a lot, but never that.

She can't fall asleep in the middle of the day because she'll feel like she's lazy, she's honest and tells it like it is not just to me but to my cousins and she is a 2nd mother to a lot of them. She's strict and in your face but she'll also give you time to realize your dumbness on your own.

She's strong and graceful and she's prayed out loud in her bed before sleep, and before getting out every single night and every single morning of my life. She reads her Bible daily. She trusts God.

She's strong and graceful and if it weren't for her, our family would have fallen apart after losing my dad.

She's there for everyone and gives to anybody who needs help.

Most recently, what I love is after we've had an argument, which is inevitable with our totally different personalities :-) and I stewed in my room all day, she came up to me, reached out to me and broke the silence.

I love her.

Happy Mothers Day!

xoxo
Jo

Letter To My Teenage Kids Part 5

Part 5 of the letter…

So, I spent yet another valentine’s day alone, guess what? I didn’t die, I was so busy that day actually I didn’t realize until one of my friends bought me lunch. But let me tell you all I’ve done that I haven’t done the past 5 years because my life revolved around boys. In the past 2 months alone,

ü  I’ve gotten A’s and B’s compared to the C’s and D’s I’d been getting

ü  All my lecturers know my name because I’m more active in class

ü  I’ve gotten awesome friends from my school and church

ü  I’ve gone back to doing my CPA’s now that I have time

ü  I’m re-learning to swim

ü  I’m learning to play guitar

ü  I have a writing job for two websites; writing has always been my passion.

ü  I’m starting to learn Spanish

ü  I’m planning on joining the worship team

ü  I’ve gone back to working hard to find a way to travel, trusting God that by 2014, I’ll have boarded a few planes.

ü  I’m back to writing songs again! This is my favorite because I haven’t written anything since my before the ex-experience. I love this, writing songs to God…its amazing!

The possibilities are endless. Now for you, realistically, no one is marrying you when you’re in High School, when you’re a teenager for that matter. God keeps giving you second chances and its time your recognized them and took advantage. 

What I'm Thankful For

Totally stole this idea from Leslie (A Blonde Ambition), but I do have a lot to be thankful for. Lets start...

Source: bhldn.com via Jinie on Pinterest

I'm thankful for my mom. Get to spend lots of time with her, and she's teaching me a lot, about how to be responsible, what matters most, and tips on marriage and the future he he he. Also thankful that she pays for my 2 courses at my 2 schools, and I get to learn and grow with no pressure of how to afford it all.

I'm thankful for my Church, it helps me grow, I found a family there and a sense of belonging.

I'm thankful for school. I love both my schools.

I'm thankful for my family. I love my nephew to bits!

I'm thankful for hope renewed, opportunities restored and just faith that things will work out.

I'm thankful for my blog.

I'm thankful for my 2 readers from Ukraine.

I'm thankful for Jesus and my faith.

Brew House

Just got back from a little field trip down to the factory at this place I'm working....it was really crazy a million things going on at the same time, but it was kind of awesome because you see this stuff on the store shelves everyday. I got to have a behind the scenes look.

So, not that any of you is interested, but this is what I got from my little tour...and no I'm not sharing any recipes or secret ingredients, just generally....so don't quote me on this or try this at home and say some blogger told you. Basically I don't take any responsibility/liabilty and this is more for my own recollection than anything else.

Source: theoatmeal.com via Kara on Pinterest

First we have barley, malt or sorghum from the silos that's heated up, dried and cracked so we can have those fine enzymes that we're gonna need to grab sugar out of. There's a machine for that...I can't remember what its called...

Then, we go to mashing. Here we mix the grounded up barley with hot water, this activates the enzymes to start releasig the sugar. (The logic behind this is that grains are starch, and starch broken down brings sugar). After this we drain the water from the mash which is now full of sugar. This drained mash is called wort...

Third, now we have our wort, which is boiled for about an hour (different times depending on the brand). We also have hopps at this stage which is a sort of bitter spice added at different intervals during this process.Hopps is also a natural preservative.

Fourth, after the spicy wort is all heated up, its cooled, strained and filtered.Then they're led to a series of sealed tanks where yeast is added to them...the yeasting process is also a process, because you buy a small amount of yeast and you have to sort of multiply it...yeast can be recycled and used up to 8 times. At this oint the brewing is over and fermentation depends, which also varies brandwise in time. But since we make lager, the temperatures have to be very cool...(ales are at room temp) Fermenting basically is the yeast breaking down the sugar and releasing carbon dioxide and alcohol.

Now we've got the "bright" which is basically alcohol thats flat and at too high an alcohol level, so we carbonate it and dilute it to whatever level the brand requires.

I'm sure I'm missing a step, but anyhoo...next we go to packaging. Empties are de-palleted, de-cased, washed in tons of levels of detergent...inspected, de-labelled, re-inspected...its a process, then the liquid is filled in and crowned, then re-inspected for over/under filling or missing crowns.

Then there's pasteurization where basically the botles are sprayed with gallons of hot water to make sure anything that could be classified as bacteria is killed and the liquid is safe for human consumption.

Then we head to the labelling. The batch number is also put in at this stage and you can trace every detail about the liquid, down to who the person incharge of that batch was.

Then the bottles are cased, palleted in stacks of 6 and taken to the warehouse.

Ok, I think thats generally what I got from my little tour. It was totally fun and I can tell you firsthand what you see on the shelves in restaurants and stores as 1000000% high quality stuff.

Source: perpetualkid.com via Donette on Pinterest

But, sober girl that I am, I'd go with the donut, lol!

xx

Raha

An Ode to the Best Job in the World

This is the last week of my internship, and I can honestly say I had the best 3 months of my life. I remember one of my co-workers telling me, this job would change my life. Apart from adding one big, fat paragraph to my resume, a lot of other amazing events have happened.

First, I understood exactly what it is to have a desk job. .

Second, I realized that I didn't want a desk job for the rest of my life, and I decided to not only have my finance/accountancy under my belt but to also get sales/purchasing and supply credentials in the next year or so. I am so psyched about this and I feel like it's an area that I'm really/have always been passionate about but I've never had the cahunas to step out of my sister's shadow and the path she carved out to do it.

photostock

Third, I made amazing friends and I truly have something to look forward to coming back here next year, God-willing.

Fourth, a million hours of free internet...need I say more.

Fifth, a confidence boost I definitely needed..

Sixth, some extra shopping/road trip money...

photostock

I will really, truly miss this job, the people I met and the fun I had. On the other hand I am so happy and thankful that I got this chance and I look forward to what the future has to hold. 

xx 

Raha

New Life Lessons

So, over the last couple of days, I have learnt that I have a very short temper and I get mad at the smallest of things really easily.

But, today I pledge to make a conscious decision on what my reactions will be to every day decisions. Will I get angry and storm off or go silent on people, no. What I will do is stop, take a breath, try to see if the action deserves that level of reaction, and move from there.

I also learnt that people need to talk about stuff, not just assume the other party knows what their thinking. It's an unfair and unrealistic expectation that leads to arguments and resentment. Most problems can be solved by a nice sit down and the freedom and the safety and the trust it takes to be completely honest with someone.

I also learnt that my family is very different from others. When I grew up, voices were loud and emotions and thought were scattered. Other people, not so much...I can't change who I am, I'm the girl that talks too much, and over-analyzes her thoughts and feelings. I have to try and make a conscious effort to realize that not everyone can be like that...and even when people are sweet and gracious enough to listen and even understand me, I should try to take a breath and tone it back a little.

Anyway, I'm thankful for patient friends and family, and a chance to learn and grow more comfortable in being myself without fear of being judged or punished...thankyou and I love you!


xx
Raha

Joy

So, a couple of things I'm working on. First, to stop using the word "like" in sentences. Its really a bad habit that I have to stop. Second is too stop using "so" to begin a sentence, like I do here.
Apart from that, I'm doing my CPA exams in about 9 days, and I can't focus at all, but I know some drive will kick in at some point. I also sent out a job application to what is probably my dream company that I hope I get to join. Tonight I've got life group and afterward was planning on going to the Mavuno Worship Night.

I kind of owe God on that one. The last time I went, I prayed for something really hard and I promised God if I got it I would go back...I honestly cannot express how happy and grateful I am that it seems to be working out and that God's answered my prayers, even though, honestly I gave up somewhere in the middle. Thank God also for grace, that covered that little blunder right up!!! :-)

A little thing that sucks though is that I have a bad track record when it comes to trusting God to work in my best interests. You guys know this about me. I tend to get a hope-high. I hate the crash that follows. This time though, I'm really trying to keep my focus on God. Its funny that we always worry so much about what will happen if bad times come, and never worry about the good times. What'll happen when success or that job, or relationship or kid or whatever else you've been praying 5 months for, comes...do you rejoice in God at that minute and forget him the next day?

photostock

I'm honestly terrified thinking that the very thing I spent months praying for, would be the very thing that would separate me from God. I found a very great devotional at Kerry Shook's website that explained that real joy is awakened in you when you give God not only your disappointments but also your prosperity. You see, when we get these little victories in our lives, they obviously cause happiness, but happiness, like every other human emotion is fleeting. Joy, is a fruit of the Spirit and a gift from the Father. If we give our little victories to God he turns them into triumphs and gives us joy in the process.

photostock

How can we use that job that we've gotten or that relationship that we've prayed for, or that child that you've hoped for for God's glory? Doing all you do with excellence is the first thought that comes into my mind.

"Every job you have to do, work at it with all your might as if working for the Lord" 

• Do your job with zeal...let it be known that nobody works harder, respects more or tries harder than you.
• Love your partner with zeal...let it be known that nobody loved more, cared more or was more "worth it" than you
• Be a good friend...let it be known that you were always there whenever your friends needed you and you played a positive part in their lives

Whatever you do, be legendary. I believe that's where it starts, from the heart.

"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames that I might boast, but I have not love, I gain nothing."

1 Corinthians 13:3

Finally Took The Wet Plunge

Last Tuesday, I went to Church to shoot my video for my testimony. Most of you have already know my testimony. It's just a long complex story and as much as I would have wanted to go into everything, there's only so much you can say in two minutes, you know. So I chose just a part of it and in the editing they emphasized how I dealt with my dad's death. I didn't see it, but I hope it turned out o.k, and helped someone going through the same thing.

So, the weekend of my baptism finally arrived. Saturday morning I woke up with a panic attack because I thought it was Sunday. I have to admit, I was more than a little nervous taking the plunge, and I mean that literally and figuratively.

It's no secret that this salvation thing has been a struggle for me. I have great days, good days and bad days. I have extended periods of bad days and amazingly sweet and thoughtful good days. I have this pestering fear that maybe this is all just a phase and I'll just backslide again...that's not the fear exactly, the fear is that now that I know what it's like to be saved and rely on God, how will I survive if I backslide and mess up so bad, God, you know, leaves me.

This baptism was just a big deal to me because, in many ways it was like a wedding. It's something that I waited a long time for, it's something that took a lot of preparation for and it's something I only want to do once in my life because the change has already been made permanent.

Sunday was a lot better, I woke up pretty relatively calm. I decided I wasn't going to put a lot of pressure on myself, to be perfect or anything, but to just go as I was. My mum took me to Church, my Lifegroup unfortunately didn't manage to make it on time except for one of my closest friends. On a side note, I know I love my mom more than anything, but seeing her standing there with me and taking me through that, I just LOVED her SO MUCH MORE if that's even possible. It was just so cute, she took pictures and she was holding my hand. I was really happy and that was definitely one of the best days, actually, the best day of the year thanks to her, and her love.

My little testimony video played in Church, 2 minutes later, it was all:

"Do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour?"
"I do."


"Do you renounce satan and all his works?"
"I do" 


"I now baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

That's me under water.

Cut to water painfully shooting up my nose, tears in my eyes, freezing in the wind, changing in a tiny bathroom stall and back to Church. It all went pretty fast and it's still sinking in, but I have to say as much as it wasn't all doves settling on my head or me being struck down by the "Power" It was still an amazing experience.

I can't say I think that water baptism is the only way to heaven. I know there's been a lot of debate on that. I believe that accepting Jesus is the only way, but for me, it's something to draw from. You know, in the tough times I'll remember Sunday the 10th of April and I'll remember whose I am. To me it was also like, I know I've been forgiven, but there's just something symbolic about getting into the water with all your issues and them being washed away completely. Like a cleansing or a purging. It was also like a covenant for me, at least with what I learnt in my Religious Ed classes:

• Statement of agreed terms
• An oath by both parties to observe the terms
• Consequences upon breach
• The formal ratification by the external act
• Witnesses

Though I'm weak and I might fall away, God never breaks His covenant.

Oh and guess what I bought for myself:

Yup, the NIV One Year Bible. I decided yesterday, even if I technically had no one to make a big deal about this day, I would make a big deal out of it myself. That's one of the reasons I miss my dad sometimes. My dad was over the top when it came to celebrations, Christmas, he was the one who set up the tree and the house every year, and stayed up with me past midnight on New Year's when the rest of my family was asleep. My birthdays, he always asked me if I was throwing a party and if I was he would be most involved in it. He was just like me, or rather I'm just like him, because we both save old cards, we both like to give cards, we're both into celebrating every single thing.

I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed and felt kinda bad that my LG and friends didn't make it for the baptism and didn't want to hang out and go for lunch, like we'd planned for Sunday, but instead of getting into that, I understood them, that this wasn't like a big deal kind of thing to other people and that's cool.

Since it is to me, however,  I did what I'd have expected to be done, bought myself a Bible, bought me and my mom lunch, we ate pizza and Steers fried chicken and fries, she caught on to the festive spirit and baked me two cakes, needless to say, today we were first at the store to buy Tums, we were so sick!

At least with the Bible I'll be more able to keep up with the readings than through PDF. It's really good, small, convenient to carry around, plus it's not an "in your face Bible" you know what I mean, it won't make you look or feel "Holier than thou" when you take it out to read in a bus or on a queue. It's just cool and understated. Every day also has a highlighted verse, so even the days you're not feeling theological and you're really not in the mood to delve deeply into the readings at least you'll have one verse to go with.

Anyway, it wasn't a "perfect day" but it was an amazing one. April 10th, my B-Day.

Happy!!!!

So, you all have seen me struggle through my faith, being new to it and everything. Moments like these, when I'm so happy and in love because God's come through for me or just done the simplest of things are worth writing about a million times over. God always has a surprise behind his back ;-)

Credit: Photostock

Remember the horrible day I had yesterday, well I thought today was going to go the same way. First I couldn't sleep because I'd had a pretty nasty argument with my sister last night, words were said (by her) that I just got tired of taking, I tried to apologize, but you know those apologies you offer just to get by, because in the back of your mind you know you're not the one who should be offering this apology. Anyway as you can see there's still a bit of resentment left in me, that I'm trying to figure out how to work on.

Then, there was some crazy traffic and I was late to Church by an hour, (no, that wasn't me watching Megamind till I lost track of time)

Then I got to Church and guess who was there:

Credit to KQ, KRFU and Mavuno and my LifeGroup friend who forwarded me this e-mail.

The sermon was about praying for our families. Like Gideon took action despite his position and weakness. I'll have to do a separate post on that topic because it really touched me. I was amazed though because surely God has some incredibly perfect timing! 

Then we watched this video:

I don't know if it's just me with my overly-pinkness, but I literally cried at the end of this video. Hope you watch it. How it related to the sermon is that we weren't put into our families by accident and we have to fight against the forces (lions and crocodiles oh my!) that try to tear our families apart.

After the Service ended, I drank some delicious Tree Tomato Juice. I seriously cannot get that taste out of my head, it was so amazing. Then, caught up with some friends.

Then guess what happened next:

Yup, that's me and ***BIKO ADEMA***

Yeah, me with all my years in this life could not pass up an opportunity like that. However, I was a bit too embarrassed to ask for an autograph and fan picture in front of the Main Church, so I went to the Teens tent where at least I wasn't the only screaming fan hahaha! I was however and embarrassingly enough, the oldest. My friends were looking at me like I'd gone crazy!

Am I a huge dork for still being so giddy and excited? I can't help it, I've had a crush on this guy since High School! He's an amazing rugby player, (I mean, Kenya's 7's Team is the friggin best in the world, so how can he not be AMAZING? Aaaand it doesn't hurt that he looks that good *wink*wink*. To add on to that, he was so sweet and polite...ahh...gush! Now every time I watch a game and I see him scoring tries I'll be thinking, yeah, that guy knew my name for two seconds, he had his arm on my shoulder!

Do you see why I love my Jesus? Who else offers such perks?

My "Create" Application

I'm sitting here in my new little flat/bedsitter, drinking yogurt out of a wine glass that's more of a champagne flute, or somewhere in between, because everything tastes better out of a "wine flute" hahaha, watching Fareed's "Comedy Club Live" on Mnet, and my feet soaking in hot water. I simply cannot think of what would make this day better. I'm totally living the good life at this very second.

I'm finally all moved in, just a couple of things left here and there. I love this house. It's mine. Aaaah!

So, Pastor M just finished the series on Create and this was my Create solution. I mean, the Sunday he preached about how we should look at the systems in place, I was totally worn out from commuting 5 hours every day going to school and I was on the brink of a breakdown, trying to jeep up with classes and studying. Monday morning I realized, why aren't I taking advantage of the system in place, which is off-campus housing.

I can say it was really a message from God, because, I didn't struggle at all. My mom didn't put up too much of a fight and she ended up supporting me. The building I wanted and the house I wanted were all available. The move itself I can say was a lot easier than I thought it would be, I mean it was expensive as heck and it took three trips to move all my stuff in, but otherwise it was good, mostly because my boy BFF did all the heavy lifting. Oh and my aunt gave me a TV for free.

I went shopping for some stuff on Sunday with one of the girls from my Mizizi class and my girl BFF which was tons of fun.

So this is my first day here and I'm loving it so far.

Guest Post on Wide Open Spaces

The day I've been waiting for all week is finally here, my guest post on one of my most favorite blogs, Wide Open Spaces. 

Please allow me to say, YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!! Hahaha :-)

I've read Jordan's blog from before I started writing, because she's funny and down-to-earth, and real. If she was in Nairobi, she'd definitely be coming to Mavuno.

When I saw her asking if anyone wanted to guest post, I jumped at the shot, although I have to admit I was nervous and couldn't think of what to write about, coupled with my internet provider who decided to give me some added stress the last couple of weeks, oh plus the fact that it's a Valentine's themed post and I'm *ahem* single. But, I got over all that and tried to do something. Pastor M, I did not VENT.... I INVENTED! :-)

So please click here and head on over and read my post and check some of her stuff out too. She has an amazing blog design and she designs blogs too, so plenty of nice stuff to check out.

In the off-chance that the links don't work, it's www.jordy-liz.com

My First Solo Night Out

I jut woke up at about 4 p.m today, seeing as I didn't get to bed until 5 a.m this morning. Like I said, I went to Worship Night last night. I had a lot of psych for it, so I called up my friend, lets call her B on Monday and asked her if she was going and she was like, "yes, yes I'm going" and I'm like cool, we'll go together. I asked her everyday this week if plans had changed, till yesterday morning. She told me she'd go home, eat dinner and come over. So at 8 p.m I call her and she's switched off her phone. I mean, why? Wouldn't it have been so much easier to just tell me, "No, I'm not coming" why all the fuss, then you let me down at the last minute?

Anyway, my unreliable friend wouldn't damper my night. If I was meant to do this alone then I would! I went in with no other thought other than enjoying spending time alone with God. But that didn't last too long seeing as, I went in, and made a new friend, 10 minutes in, because in the world, there is nobody better at making acquaintances than me, (yeah, acquaintances, the friend part is still a challenge) She was really nice, we danced and even went on to the stage when the leaders called for "dance volunteers" and we prayed for each other. It was just a fun night and I was glad to meet her.
The worship enough was worth the whole evening. I definitely prayed more yesterday than I ever have. I was on my knees a few times. It was just an awesome experience and I learnt a lot about prayer, a lot about myself.

The only thing that irked me a little bit was that by around midnight most of the pastors were gone and half the attendees so it was practically over at 2 a.m, which wasn't really convenient for the people who had come from far and who didn't have personal cars, or for me, who's freaked out about driving alone in the middle of the night. Plus, I was having so much fun, I didn't want it to stop! But I loved the way they brought out coffee at midnight and the way it just felt like being at home and the worship wasn't all lights and entertainment, it was all prayer and faith and claiming God's word.

After 2 a.m. though, I got a little God-incidence.
Before I left home, I'd just watched the movie Fireproof and I noticed in one of the scenes they'd shown the book Facing The Giants on the coffee table of one of the main characters, and the directors of Fireproof also directed this other movie, and I remember thinking how cute is that they're advertising a movie within a movie. And I really wanted to watch it Facing The Giants and at 2 a.m guess what movie they played for us at Church.....Facing The Giants! I was so happy and it was a great movie. The general theme of the movie, I cried a couple of times because Alex Kendrick was so amazing. The soundtrack was amazing, especially the opening credits music especially with the amazing Surround Sound at Church. Thanks God, good looking out!

After the movie, at around 4 a.m most people had left. All my new acquaintances had left. And I was back to being alone. My car was the only one left in the parking lot. Some girls seated behind me were worried that they'd look like they'd come from the rave and would get arrested, because of the new law that says all bars should be close at 11 p.m and all clubs at 2 a.m whoever is found drinking will be arrested or fined. So one of them told another to go ask the watchmen if when he looked at them, they look indecent or something it was just a funny conversation and I wasn't paying much attention. I decided to go sleep in the car till it at least got a little lighter. Plus, I didn't want my mom to freak out with her, "do you know thugs come out in the middle of the night stories?"

But it was freezing! And, after much prayer but more of a spur of the moment thing because really, my car was the ONLY one left in the parking lot, I just decided to leave. Plus, I felt a bit weird sitting there alone, when everyone had coupled up or grouped up or was out taking moonlit walks. I would have offered to take the girls home but from what I eavesdropped they were headed to another part of town.
When I got on the road, there were few cars so I wasn't feeling too much like the lone traveler, but I was so freaked out that the drive it usually takes me 17 minutes to make, I made in 7 minutes, because every time I'd see a car behind me I'd floor the gas! :-D Really, I left Church at 4:35 and was home at 4:45!! Thanking God every second of the way.

Now, let me tell you what I felt was my take out. A few times it got to a point where I couldn't concentrate on what I was supposed to be doing because of the really, really cute guys seated behind me and next to me and in front of me. I mean, I kid you not, I was just surrounded by the goodness of God's creation hahaha. But, I really felt like it's gotten to a point where I really have to decide who my first priority will be. Is it God or the first cute guy with nice hands that comes along. If I've decided that 2011 is the year for me being as one, (you know 1 and 1),  then I have to stick to it. I definitely left with more resolve. I also left feeling like I had to work on how I pray and how I pray for my country or my neighborhood or my family.

So, that was my first solo night out of the year. No friends, no boys, just God and me struggling to pay attention to Him. But, I have to say, He was a good date. Let me hang out with some other people, gave me a great movie...yeah.

Now, I have to admit I haven't been doing all that well on my Bible reading the last 2 days. I've just been skimming through and not taking time to listen to what God is saying, but I'll try getting back to it when I stop feeling so sleepy and lazy!

Whose Report

Today I read:

Word Challenge

• Genesis 46:1-47:31
• Matthew 15:1-28
• Psalm 19:1-14
• Proverbs 4:14-19

Jesus really emphasizes how important it is to have a clean heart: 

Matthew 15:8, 18   'These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me......... the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are the things that make you ritually unclean.

Personally I have a hard time guarding my heart, I mean I've been so used to having the wrong thoughts and routines that it's hard to change. Also in the sense that I give my heart away a little bit too freely, and part of the reason why I pledged to be single for the next few months is because I've given away my heart so freely in the past, I'm afraid I won't have anything left to give when it counts. So I'm taking time to build my heart back up. 

Two things I love here, we need to constantly look at our hearts and make sure that what we're doing isn't just an outward act of worship, but that your heart is drawing closer to God. Second, we really need to watch what we say because our words reflect the conditions of our hearts Third, we need to guard our hearts against all these evil things He goes on to list. For more emphasis against guarding yourself, God throws in:

Proverbs 4:15  Don't do it! Keep away from evil! Refuse it and go on your way. 

Today was a worship-full day and Psalms 19 is an extension of that.

Mizizi

A lot of time I find myself doubting the change that God has worked out in my life. I read from another blogger Sarah Mae that we all have some core lies that we believe about ourselves, and this point was emphasized for me,  in today's Mizizi reading. Some of mine are;

1. You're a nobody - John 1:12 - I am God's child
2. God can't like someone like me - John 15:15 - I am Christ's friend
3. But what about all those evil things you've done - Romans 8:1 - I am free from condemnation
4. You'll backslide in a few weeks - Romans 8:35 - I cannot be separated from the love of God
5. Bad things will still happen to you - Romans 8:28 - I am assured all things work together for good
6. You'll never make it - Philippians 1:6 - I am confident the good work Christ began in me will be perfected
7. Evil will destroy you - 1 John 5:18 - I am born of God and the evil one can't touch me
8. Why are you getting so 'fanatical' about serving God - 1 John 15:16 - I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit

Prayer For Today

Dear God, thank you for the great worship experience you gave me today. Thank you for my new identity in you. Help me to begin to live out that new identity as a new person in everything I do. Please help me rebuild and guard my heart so that the good work you began in me will be perfected. Please also let me always make sure you alone are the object of my worship, and that it's not just an outward show.