What I'm Loving Wednesday: Fashion

Hi guys so, I finally have resolved, for realz this time to budget money for clothes. I'm older now, plus in that horrible phase of life called single-and-searching-but-absolutely-not-desperate-because-am-a-catch-and-i-know-it-but-am-not-proud-nor-picky-am-just-waiting-for-the-right-one, you got all that right?

Anyway, I obviously want to look good, but honestly, I just don't really put that much thought into what I wear. I dont go shopping unless its for something specific, the last time I went shopping per say was a year ago when I'd just gotten a job and I needed formal work wear, which to me was just baggy trousers and jackets...FAIL! What can I say, I'm just not a fashion maven. I wore hand-me-downs for most f my life, to this day, I still wait for my sister to empty her closet so I can ba some "new" stuff...but NO MORE!

I am a blogger surrounded by a sister-hood of fashionable bloggers AND PINTEREST! I am woman, see me shop! AFFORDABLY! Let's not get crazy. So before I head out, I'd like to do a bit of planning, pick some higheer budget items, then for the smaller stuff, we can do that later. For now, I'm lovibg this yellow blouse, with both the faded skinny jeans and the navy jeans.

Thoughts? Hit or miss? Should I head out and look for/buy this look?

Source: margauxachard.tumblr.com via Joanne on Pinterest

Source: mystylepill.com via Joanne on Pinterest

xx
Jo

You Know Me by Bethel Music feat Steffany Frizzell

Still listening to my Loft Sessions CD from Bethel Music. Seriously, I will forgive you if you leave my page and go buy it right now. It'll bless your socks off!

To be honest, sometimes the fact that God was above me, watching every move kind of freaked me out. Think about it, it's like:
a) He was a puppet master and purposefully put people in my way to annoy me
b) He was watching a movie and thinking, "Ha, come look at what the human is doing now"
c) He was the great record keeper in the sky, gathering evidence and writing all my mistakes in a little notebook

However, I'm getting to know God. Diving into His word and listening to people talking and how they live their lives; seeing love in action and actually just experiencing God and getting to know Him through worship and praying and stuff.



Here's a couple of things I learnt that blew my policeman-in-the-sky theory out of the water

(Hosea 2:19 [NET])
​​​​​​​I will commit myself to you forever; ​​​​​​I will commit myself to you in righteousness and justice, ​​​​​​in steadfast love and tender compassion.

(Psalm 103:8 [NET])
​​​​​​​The LORD is compassionate and merciful; ​​​​​​he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love.

(Psalm 103:12 [NET)
​​​​​​​As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, ​​​​​​so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us.

The fact that God knows us isn't a noose around our necks, it's actually, if you think about it, a pretty great thing. He knows what I can and cannot handle, he knows how to mend my broken heart, He knows how to make me happy.

This song moves me to tears. First of all the message of the song, like I said is great and second, Steffany Frizzell's voice in this is Ah-Mazing!

For your listening pleasure,
xx
Jo

How To Add A Rolling List For Your Blog Buttons

I saw this rolling list of buttons on Lissa's blog, {Through The Looking Glass} and loved it so I Googled it and came across this jenieshell.blogspot.com who gave a tutorial here. So, this is just a way for me to remember how I did it and you guys can use it too, it'd be awesme if you'd add me to your roll *wink* *wink*.

200" onmouseover="this.stop()" scrollamount="5" onmouseout="this.start()" height="400" align="center"> THIS IS WHERE YOU ADD THE HTML CODES FOR YOUR FAVORITE BUTTONS! (You can add as many as you like!)

• The colors in red are the dimensions you want your widget to be
• The number 5 in yellow adjusts the speed of how quickly the buttons will scroll; the higher the number the faster they will go. *I used 3, mine were going a little too fast for people to admire your awesome buttons*

Thanks jenieshell.blogspot.com!

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

Future Life Fridays: Mavuno Church - Discovery Internship Program

Today we're looking at my church's (Mavuno) internship program called Discovery.

Lets jump straight to the pros and cons.

Pros:
1. It's at home and it my home church!
2. Free, except for living expenses and mission trips
3. Mavuno has a large network f Churches and still growing and I could be a part of that
4. I'm already kinda bought into the vision of Mavuno, this church will change the world, how could I not want to be a part of that?!

Cons:
1. Not technically a "teaching" environment, more emphasis is placed on learning by service not by class-room teaching
2. Deadline for January intake is 30th September and deadline for August intake is 30th May; I wont have my certificate of completion from college until January, so I'll miss the January intake, then what will I do between January and August before the next intake? This could also be a pro because I can apply for a corporate internship/job and get my feet wet?
3. It's a little bit different from what I'm looking for, but its my best option here, next to going to seminary which is not possible for me at this stage.

I'm not sure if choosing the "safe option" will grow me or challenge my faith, but this is a pretty great option.

Lets see what they say on their website...

Within us all is the longing to be great… the longing to make our lives count for something that really matters. The qualities that are common to all great people are:

• Character:  Live according to a set of values no matter what the cost
• Competence: The ability to do the job at hand to the highest standard
• Chemistry: Passionate about people and a cause that is bigger than themselves

Discovery provides the environment where you can develop these qualities so you become the leader that God created you to be.

During the year of Discovery you will be assigned to one of our locations and given responsibilities; you will attend classes on various topics and interact with a dynamic team of volunteers.  After Discovery many have gone on to pursue vocations in church, others in the corporate sector while others have gone on to advanced studies in various fields.

How does Discovery work?
Mavuno Church exists to turn ordinary people into fearless influencers of society. Discovery provides the right mix of elements in this process:
Environment - A focus on creative and innovative experiences geared at transformation rather than information.
Equipping - Training that will impart you with the knowledge, skills and attitude you need to become a fearless influencer.
Experience - Stretching assignments to help you learn the practical aspects of leadership
Exposure - Interaction with many types of leaders who are models in a specific aspect of personal life and service. 
Evaluation - Honest feedback over time to enable you to learn from your experiences, training and relationships.


Mavuno is one church in many locations (Belle Vue Campus, Mavuno Downtown,  Mashariki in Eastlands and Mavuno in Kampala). The emphasis of Mavuno Church has been on being a loving community that shares the life-changing message of Jesus in ways that are relevant, practical and meaningful to succeeding generations. The vision is to plant a culture influencing church in every city of Africa and the gateway cities of the world.

As an Intern you will:

• Interact at close range with leaders who are models
• Discover your purpose, gifts and calling as you serve others
• Develop a network of relationships that you need to succeed in life
• Sharpen your leadership and management skills
• Make an eternal difference in the lives of others
• Have lots of fun!

Discovery will launch you on to your path to greatness!


Sounds pretty good huh?


 xx
Jo

Local Week: Ni Msoh by Kelele Takatifu feat. Holy Dave

The simplest translation of this song is "God Is Big"; ni msoh = He's Big

This video is so cool! Hope you enjoy it.

And that ladies and gentlemen is he end of Local Week. I sure enjoyed it and I'll be putting up any new videos I see and like, but next week, we're back to what I know best, rock and worship.

Fridays Letters 2nd Edition

Hello everybody and welcome to this week's edition of Fridays Letters

Dear ABC Pretty Little Liars,
I await your summer premiere eagerly! I can't wait to see if Alison really does have a twin, and how can I forget, Ezria (Aria+Ezra). Oh and Tobencer (Toby+Spencer)...too much? :-)


Dear New Neighbors,
Please be good neighbors, please don't come with drama and noise. If possible, please have a cute 20-something year old son who I can, you know, exchange ideas with and talk about our two religions (Christian/Muslim) It'll be fun exchanging ideas with a **ahem** cute neighbor once in a while :-)

Dear Steffany Frizzell, 
Please stop making me cry with sweet worship songs like this

P.S, I love this comment someone left: Steffany and Jenn are two of the few true worship leaders that lead by example, most are entertainers. If the song/video were all about her, she would have been staring straight into the camera or at least those who were there. She (as seen in this video) is and example of how we should worship. Forget those around you, it's between you and Him. Close your eyes, forget those around you and give Him all you have to give.

Dear Brother,
Will you please return the car's sub-woofer's, driving is just not the same without my speakers!

Dear Future Hubby,
After we're married, we need to be going camping or do those couples retreats where there are challenges like hiking and whatnot. #bondingexperiences that'll be fun. Hope you'll be up for it. As usual, I'll love you and adore you always!


Dear Bloggers,
Ya'll are awesome, I learn so much from you guys!

Dear Worship Team,
It's been 2 weeks since my audition, still no news. I caved and called up the leaders and they said, relax and not to worry...is that a good sign or a bad sign, like, "relax, just get on with the rest of your life" :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ whop whop


Dear Mom
Doesn't always feel like it, and I hope to change that, but I am SO incredibly thankful for all that you do for me. Not many people have the same opportunities, family environment, material things even that I have. You've given so much and struggled so much for me and I feel guilty that I don't in any way deserve it, but it's only from your love for me. Thank you for modeling what parenthood is to me. God Bless you incredibly forever mom. I love  you sooo much.


Dear God, 
Thank you for speaking to me through Pastor M's sermon this past Sunday. Please help me stick to this month's prayer and fasting schedule and let huge breakthroughs happen at Mavuno Church to help us become the leaders you called us to be. Also, let there be some clarity on the whole career-switch, going back to school thing. Thank you mostly for your grace. Lord, I mess up constantly, I struggle choosing you. Thank you for helping me realize, any negative thought I have about myself...I'm a loser, I can't stick to anything etc. depression, fatigue, anger...those aren't my thoughts, most importantly those aren't your thoughts about me! Thank you for your grace and strength over my life.

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for winning (FOR) my life. Thank you for taking my tiny insignificant little attempts at prayer and worship and turning them into something incredible, high praise in heaven's courts, right? Thank you for showing up and drawing near during worship. You're Awesome! You rock and I love you sooo much!

Dear Holy Spirit,
You are my strength. You are sweet yet powerful...I'm still getting used to the sweet part, not so much the powerful, but either way, You make everything better, you make me RE-JOY-ce...(have joy over and over again)


Lovingly Yours
Jo