Words to live by...

My sissy text me this and I had to share. Be blessed and encouraged!

Someone has written these beautiful words. Read and try to understand the deeper meaning of them.

1. Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout life.

2. Why is a car's windshield so large & the rear view mirror so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on.

3. Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes a few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4. All things in life are temporary. If they are going well, enjoy them, they will not last forever. If they are going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

5. Old friends are gold! New friends are diamond! If you get a diamond, don't forget the gold! To hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold!

6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart; it's just a bend, not the end!"

7. When God solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems, He has faith in YOUR abilities.

8. A blind person asked God: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10. Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles; it takes away today's PEACE.

If you enjoyed this, please pass it to others. It may brighten someone else's day, too...

Until Next Time...

I said I wasn't going to cry... I lied. I hadn't seen my sister in over a year and a half so as we hugged by the doorway after being strong for the twins who did not hold back their gallons of tears, I was overcome by emotion too. Not for too long though 'cause I'm a big girl now and big girls don't cry :-P (the lies and propaganda).

God has been so good to our family! What a blessing that we were able to ring in the New Year with Sheila. For anyone who has had to apply for a U.S visa, you know the struggle. But miraculously for sissy, the guy looking over her paperwork at the embassy recognized her as the kind guest relations staff member at the hotel he'd stayed at... There aren't too many black people in Chengdu sooooooo, yea!

I used to be afraid that somehow distance would affect my relationships with my sisters with them being so far away (Caroline's in London). Didn't we all move from Kenya as a unit in 2001 just the 5 of us including the parentals and now we're all over??? Well, I'm glad God always knows what He's doing because our bond as a family is oh so strong. All glory to God for that because in seeking Him and His love, we're able to share it with one another and with all who we meet along the way.

People ask all the time "oh my goodness, how do you guys do it?" Best answer so far, "I don't know but God had everything to do with it."

P.s Happy New Year!!! How long until we stop saying that??? Lol

Quote of the day

John 8:32 (KJV)

³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall MAKE you free.

“We're so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it is all about.”

― Joseph Campbell

TEDxSinCity - Bruce Muzik - The BIG Secret Nobody Wants To Tell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkbWIfP3mLw&list=WL468504BD119A1D46

Best TEDTalk I've watched in a while.

Be blessed! 

Keep Pushing...

"I Am A Soldier"

I am a soldier in the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit,
    ...trained by experience,
    ...tried by adversity,
    ...and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
But, I will not get out,
    ...sell out
    ...be talked out
    ...or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs, me, I am there.

I am a soldier.
I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered,
    ...petted,
    ...primed up,
    ...pumped up,
    ...picked up,
    ...or pepped up.

I am a soldier. No one has to call me,
    ...remind me,
    ...write me,
    ...visit me,
    ...entice me,
    ...or lure me.

I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place,
    ...saluting my King,
    ...obeying His orders,
    ...praising His name,
    ...and building His Kingdom!

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me
handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win.

My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.

Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me, and
Hell cannot handle me!

I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.

I am a soldier, in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.
I am a soldier, marching, Heaven bound.

Prayer for today... and EVERY day

Psalm 119:4-8

⁴ You have charged us
    to keep your commandments carefully.
⁵ Oh, that my actions would consistently
    reflect your decrees!
⁶ Then I will not be ashamed
    when I compare my life with your commands.
⁷ As I learn your righteous regulations,
    I will thank you by living as I should!
⁸ I will obey your decrees.
    Please don’t give up on me!

Psa. 50:15

Funny how God delivers sometimes... :)

Cautious in Prayer

“Be careful what you pray for.” 

I don’t quite remember who the first person was that ever said that to me but man, did they know what they were talking about! Even though that’s true, I couldn't help but wonder, “why should I be afraid to tell God what He already knows is my desire?” If I’m “praying the wrong thing” doesn't God love me enough to protect me from myself?

Hmm… makes perfect sense right? God loves you and I so much so that He would NOT allow you to pray yourself into a mess that He leaves you in. Two things happen when you pray, either God answers, or He doesn't.

Disclaimer: His timing may vary results (lol)!

And when He doesn't answer YOUR prayer, His alternative is much better. TRUST ME… HIM actually. So, if He answers and your prayer got you in a bind, He’ll bring you out. And if He answers and you feel like you bit off more than you can chew, He’ll equip you! Acknowledge the anxiety and hand it over to Him. He’s just waiting for you to ask.

 And if He doesn't answer your prayer, lift your hands and say thank you for the better-blessing that’s coming. It’s that simple! It’s easier said than done but not impossible. Start trying…