Verse of the year

Last year the verse that summed up my year was Jeremiah 29:11-12. I never formalised it as ‘verse of the year’ but throughout 2009 it was the verse that I held on to and God used this verse to constantly remind and encourage by telling us, ‘

‘I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.’

Perfect!

For 2010 my verse of choice is Genesis 18:14

‘Is anything too hard for the Lord'?’

Many a times we don’t ask God for things because deep down we don’t believe He can do. But like with Sarah in Genesis, where God gave her a baby in old age, God can can do anything, even the impossible.

So this year I will be bold in my prayers and seek God for things that humanly seem impossible and have faith that He will do it. Now obviously He won’t give me everything I ask for, because not everything we ask for is in accordance to His will or the timing is not quite right, but all the same I will still ask.

I keep a testimony book and very similar to a gratitude journal, I document all miracles and blessings God does for me. I started it last year and on 31st Dec, it was nice to read back and remember all the things God did in 2009, because lets be honest, sometimes we forget.

This year, I will continue to do so and also share with you some of the great things God is doing in my life.

* THANKFUL - thank you God for your protection and journey mercies as I have been driving around in the snow and ice. Thank you that I have not had any accidents or car trouble!

The real voice of the blogger

I came across this post yesterday by Stie, which got me thinking about blogging in general and how much of myself I reveal to the online world. The writer was reflecting on a post she read by Travellin’ Oma, which talked about ‘assessing whether the posts we write are real reflections of our true selves or if they are merely the best of us put on display’. I would definitely agree that blogging is an opportunity to put your best foot forward and reveal the you that you wish the world to see. I admire bloggers like Jenna and Alexandra who are very real, always, warts and all.

As I mention in my About me page, I blog openly and honestly about things I talk about, but of course there are things that one doesn’t talk about here. Like the wedding postponement for example and why 4 months on, we still haven't announced a new date for the wedding. Not because we haven’t wanted to do, but because there are personal things going on ‘behind-the-scenes’, which are just not appropriate to share right now and prevent us doing so. This has been hard to deal with, I won’t lie.

Blogging is something I enjoy a lot and I love to write freely, but there are times when it can be incredibly stressful, as there are things going on in life which I want to share but don’t for fear of offending or upsetting certain people. I guess there is a fine line between airing your dirty laundry and sharing real raw stories about your personal life and it’s about striking the balance. I’m not sure if this is a sign of weakness {worrying about what others think} or me just being respectful to certain individuals and not wanting to rock the boat.

Some days I’m not sure.

Just before Christmas I thought about taking the blog offline and making it private, thus still allowing me to have the outlet to talk about all issues but to myself, but then I thought isn’t that what diaries are for? This place isn’t a place to moan and cuss others, but a place of love where I share my thoughts and experiences on my road to marriage. Something I will continue to do.

If you don’t see any posts on wedding detail stuff, it’s because presently I’m not doing much ‘wedding’ stuff per se, however I hope this will change in the coming weeks. As time moves on and I’m given ‘permission’ to share certain things I will do and hopefully that will help give you a clearer picture on things. In the meantime, I will continue posting as per usual on topics that are relationship, marriage and life based. Hope you don’t mind!

Thanks for all your love and support.

C.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

{taken from outside my window at work}

England is currently experiencing the worst snow for over 20 years. Where my parents live they have over 8 inches of snow! I for one have never seen snow like that. Where I am it's not too bad, but still the journey home last night was taken with caution and care, as the main roads are fine, but the side roads not so.

Some people are 'fortunate' enough to be snowed-in at the moment, again my parents and siblings being in that camp and it's just amazing when you think about what snow is...tiny snowflakes. But these tiny snowflakes compact and come together, closing schools, airports, blocking roads and stopping people from going to work.

It got me thinking, in life there are times when you need people to stand with you, you need people to support you, you can't do things on your own. It's the same with marriage and planning the wedding. I can try to do it all on my own, but there are people around me who have been placed there to help, support and give guidance. It's my choice whether I want to grasp that opportunity. As they say, 'two heads are better than one', right!

Snow is just a single snowflake but look at the power it has when it comes together with others.

Goals, Smoals

This year I thought about the things I wanted to achieve in my life for 2010, the things that would make me happy, the things that would help me to grow and I came up with this:

1. Read the Bible in 90 days. I've never read the bible cover to cover and relish this challenge. I started this yesterday and so far I'm enjoying it, but it is intense!

2. Learn a new cooking dish every month. I'm loving the cooking vibe right now, and any chance given to learn something new, I jump at it. I made a cake for both my family at Christmas and my in-laws at New Years. Something I would never have done a year ago and positive responses were received all round! I will be increasing my repertoire in 2010.
You can following my cooking escapades by clicking the 'In My Kitchen' link at the top.

3. Reconnect with my fellow man. I've cancelled my Twitter and deactivated my Facebook. I want to connect with people how we did it in the old days. If you want to speak to me, please pick up the phone, don't write on my wall or poke me. It's just not the same. Likewise I will reciprocate {calling that is}.

4. Lose weight. An old classic! I have broken this down into smaller stages and the first goal is to lose 10% of my current body weight. I am doing the 10in10 challenge where you make healthy lifestyle changes in order to achieve a goal in 10 weeks. I'm really determine on this one, as there is a wedding dress hanging in my house that WILL fit on my big day, plus a load of clothes in my wardrobe which are currently jobless.
You can track my weight loss journey here.

5. Save for Christmas throughout the year. By putting money aside each month, it will eliminate the annual surprise that is 'oh wow its December already, where did my paycheck go'.

6. Remember all the birthdays and anniversaries of all those people who are important to me and ensure that I send a card and give them a call at the very least. I do this for my family anyway but sometimes with friends I slack. This year my dear friends, I will remember your special day and will acknowledge it accordingly!

7. Become more active in my church and join the choir. Miss my singing days so will get back into it.

8. Complete my professional qualifications. I'm doing a Diploma in Corporate Banking and I'm halfway through. God willing I should be done by the year end.

Alongside all of this I want to get married and be a good, GREAT wife to Mr E. I want our wedding to be meaningful and only incorporate the things that are important.

So my fellow readers, please hold me accountable. Ask me how I'm getting on, check on me and give feedback. My commitment to you is to provide updates where I can and monthly summaries to see how I'm getting on.

Have you set your goals for 2010 yet?

Well hello 2010, how do you do?

Happy New Year, 2010 is finally here! Wishing you and your families a blessed year ahead.

I'm truly grateful to God for bringing me through 2009 and it's good to finally be able to close the door on a really eventful year. I thought about doing a recap post but to be honest, as much as I like to reflect, it really is all about moving forward.

2009 as you know also marked the end of the decade and the past ten years have been full of many firsts and achievements. I finished high school, learnt to drive, travelled Europe, lived in the USA for a summer, went to university, graduated from university, got my first proper job, bought a house and best of all - got engaged to Mr E.

I will always remember this decade as the one that shaped the person I am today. She taught me many lessons and we have laughed and cried together.

I'm really looking forward to the next ten years! I'm going to be a wife, start a family and begin to fulfil all the things God has destined for my life.

New Years Eve this year was fab! Mr E and I went to the KICC watch night service and it was immense being surrounded by 10,000 people as we thanked God for 2009 and got ready to welcome in 2010. The KICC mass choir were amazing and Pastor Matthew preached a sermon on 'How to have a Happy New Year' which I will share with you soon. And to top it all off, Kirk Franklin came and performed, which was fan-tas-tic!

What an awesome way to see in the New Year. Hope you all had fun nights too!

Goals wise I have a number of things I want to achieve this year, ranging across family, to work, to ministry. Things which if I can do will not only be great for personal achievement but for life in general.

'If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves'. ~ Edison

So, 2010 welcome - you're going to be a great year. I know it.

xoxo