Service

Happy Friday ya'll.

Make each day count...even Fridays. ;) Whether you work for a company or for yourself or do not "work" in the traditional sense- there is always an opportunity to serve. It is our duty to ensure that we are maximizing these opportunities...The smallest step to making a difference in the world.

Challenge for today: Find an opportunity to "serve" someone today. I'll let you be creative about how this looks but keep in mind, that service is an action born out of a pure heart (not obligation).

Share below in the comments section how you were able to leave your mark in someone's life today!

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Choices

Every day we make choices, what are yours today.

After listening to an archived sermon from my home church -Epic Church Bahamas, I was encouraged, challenged and reminded that I must choose to continue to run this race toward my goals.

And so I will.

Make it a great day!

Grace peace and love,

Gia

Fear Factor pt 1

I'm a scary person...the psychologist in me attributes some of this to a very careful personality, some to exposure to domestic violence as a child and then some to just general life experiences (mine and the stories of others).

I've determined...apparently, to start battling these fears. I'm not sure when it really happened. Maybe earlier this year when I told God that I was tired of being afraid and to take the fear from me, maybe/maybe not...I really don't know- all I know is that I'm finding that I'm intentionally putting myself (or allowing myself) in some pretty "scary" situations with the hope of confronting and overcoming it.

One of the most recent of these challenges is my fear of cats. Yes. the innocent little house animals that millions of people have for pets. In this instance, this is ALL environment. My mom hates them. Most people I grew up around hates them...more accurately afraid of them. My husband, my mother-in-law....you name the role and I'll get a "ewww" response.

My roommate---not so much. She loves them. She's barely into her 3rd decade of life and she's probably had at least 5 cats...yes, I see cat-lady in her future. ;)) But nonetheless, she got one over the summer and while I was away, I have been pumping myself up for this cohabitation. Well, hopefully a cohabitation and not a show-down. Yes me and the cat.

Tabby in the desk drawer

The cat in question is Tabitha. Tabby Banks. Tabbers. Tabs. Tabby wabby (as I sometimes now affectionately call her). She is cute. Like very cute (even for a cat). Although, nowhere near as cute as my Ari..but super cute nonetheless. She's also the sweetest, most loveable, like seriously needy animal out there. If she could be cuddled and coddled and curled up in your arms/lap/legs for 24 hours, she would. Well minus the one-two hours each day of random uncontrollable play hunting that she does (she's only about 5 months).

curled up for nap time

But the first week or so here was rough...even with this super duper cute, harmless, very small animal. I was deathly afraid. I knew I'd get over it and I am honestly still in process. But it wasn't easy. She always wanted to be around me. I commented to friends that her goal was to become BFFs when I only wanted amicable acquaintanceship   :D But she is a persistent little love bug. In the words of Steve Urkel "She's wearing me dowwwwnnn". And so I relented. A little bit. I touched her. I didn't squeal everytime she came near me. I didn't  run away when she would approach me. I allowed her to touch me..only the parts where clothes covered of course! And now, 3 weeks later, I can even pick her up and cuddle for a couple seconds.

Mind you, she still kinda freaks me out. She is just too quick, has no limits (can jump any heights) and too agile. :shudders: but she means no harm, it is all innate natural cat behaviour.

Some may say, this was unnecessary but it was pure unadulterated fear. I knew I was being silly but....:shrugs:

Are you afraid of something like I am of cats? Share with us in the comments section below. Don't be shy or embarrassed, we all have something that brings the "irrational" out in us.

I'll be back with the lesson from this on-going experience next week.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Square peg, round hole

I am, for all intents and purposes, a passionate person. When I love, I love hard. I when I hurt, I hurt hard. When I feel....well lets just say, it can be dramatic. As I get older and wiser, I've learned to tone down the drama (emotional) but recently, I've shifted the energy and now in pursuit of the real, meaningful beat of my heart. Pursuing the reason why I was born. The thing that makes me feel alive. I'm clearly not talking about the sexual, romantic, erotic "passion" that is portrayed and dramaticized in pop culture. I'm talking about so much more.

There is no substitute. It is a driving force, a motivator unlike none other. It is God-given. We've all got it...even if we have it locked up somewhere inside of us...It sits, waiting to be unleashed. Sometimes, because we stifle our pursuits or tailor our lives for what is "reasonable" or what is lucrative, we miss out. Simple as that.

At the heart of passion, is purpose and if we are honest with ourselves, at the heart of purpose is our Creator. He made us with a purpose and a calling and He has given us the talents, desires and individual resources to make it happen..or at the very least, we've got an innate DESIRE (passion) to make it happen. Sometimes the other resources are only revealed, when we begin to walk in faith toward it.

What are you passionate about? What makes your heart sing? or What makes you a geek? ;) You know, you can do this (or talk about this) for hours and not feel weary? Not tired, because that's a physical state that shows our humanness..but weary. You know that I'm sooooo tired and drained and near dead that most of us feel when we try to be and do what we weren't made for. square peg in a round hole syndrome.

What were you made to do...are you square? round? star? or even an octagon? :D


Grace peace and love,
Gia

Sights (and sounds) of Guyana

Unforgettable. The experience was fulfilling, draining, hope-inspiring all at once. I have no regrets about anything, other than I probably could have saved a bit harder so that I had more money to help out more. My goal going there was not to buy souvenirs or even see the country, it was to serve. I was blessed to serve and even see a teensy bit of the city. Next time, we'll carve out some time to enjoy the beauty of the country. Experience now tells us that we probably should have worked in a day of rest.

Here are a couple of the sights (and sounds) from my trip.

Enjoy! you  may have to turn it up at the end because the sound gets really low on the "thank you".

By the way, feel free to share this post or the link. We are looking for more volunteers, particularly as we expand into The Bahamas for 2013. 

To get the project ready, we need:

Administrative volunteers (help with planning, recruiting, fundraising, organizing, budgeting)

Once the project is launched, we will need

Academic mentors

"buddies" (someone to be a friend)

Specialty services volunteers

Administrative volunteers

Spiritual mentors

Be the change you want to see in the world!

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Provision

I want to briefly share this past week's experience with provision. I've talked enough about it, that you know I spent a week in Guyana and it really was not a cheap trip. I gave up some things and intentionally took a summer job just to be able to carry my own weight on the trip.

Well before that trip, I had a couple of jobs and life was good. I was living comfortably and creating a lovely savings for myself. What I didn't know was that God was setting me up for this season. So upon my return to Canada, which has really been less than 2 weeks, I've watched a fairly healthy savings (think full time student savings..not full time fancy profession savings :) ) just drizzle down to virtually nothing. It's not only basic needs but now my car is sucking the very life out of my financial existence.  Ironically, I now live 1 hour from school so a healthy, properly functioning car is not only a luxury but a NEED.

I began to get very sad...somehow I had begun to transfer my faith from God as my source, to the savings account as my source. After realizing this mistake, and getting things back in line, things took a completely different perspective. I began to really see how God was not only using my almost-depleted savings to help ensure my needs were covered but also other ways too.

I recall one particular day last week when the mechanic not only found me two slightly used tires for $90 (I was looking at $250 otherwise) but he also offered to fix my muffler ($500 job) on credit with the arrangement that I pay him in installments. Additionally, he went and fixed my hubcap on his own--glued it on so it didn't fall off on one of my journeys back and forth from school to home...

I need ya'll to know that I visit this particular auto shop, maybe once-twice a year and I don't know him from Adam. He does remember me and my husband from bringing the car over the past 3 years but somehow God has touched this man's heart to favour me so that I can be safe.

That same evening, I wanted to go to the grocery store but was tired and opted not to. Came home, checked the account, it was down to $20 so thought..hmm happy I was tired...I would have been sooo embarrassed if the debit transaction was declined. The thought crossed my mind about what would happen for food for the next couple days but I didn't worry about it.

A couple hours later, my roommie comes home with platters of food. SERIOUSLY. Platters. We definitely had enough food to keep us through the weekend and maybe even into early the following week if we creatively combined pieces to make meals.

Did I mention that this was the same day, hubby texted me that the scholarship cheque was ready? Praise Dance. Scholarship cheque means that every 2 weeks, I can get a couple dollars for the gas and food bill. This won't kick in until October but I'm not worried about the days in between. Praise Dance



It is all about where your eyes are focused. I could have easily missed these many instances of favour had I been all consumed with what was in my bank account..but re-fixing my eyes to Jesus who is the one who began and completes this faith journey, I am on....gave me a completely different outcome.

How has/is God provided(ing) in times of "lack"?


Grace peace and love,
Gia

Affirmations

from http://pinterest.com/giavana81/inspiration/

Nothing else anyone says matters. Some times we have to encourage ourselves, and other times, we need to encourage others. As you go about on this Friday, remind yourself of this and please be sure to remind others too! 

Grace peace and love,

Gia

Reflections...from Guyana Pt.1

I'm going to begin a mini-series with my reflections and experiences from Guyana. I'm not sure how long it will go for but I'll keep it to Wednesday posts.

Well you know how it all started, if you don't check here. The trip in was smooth but long...more about that here.  But in any event, I spent about 6 days in a small city inside Georgetown, Guyana. I personally met with maybe 15 kids and parents, while the rest of the team interviewed the others. However, by the end of the trip, I had an opportunity to have meaningful conversation with 23 (out of 26 kids). I'm kicking myself that I missed an entire 3 boys but I guess I am only one person. ;)

The reflection for today is on giving. There were a lot of images and conversations that are etched into my brain; one of which is with a young boy-Antonio. He is by definition, an orphan.  He lives with family but his parents are dead and he takes care of himself. He is a good kid but no one wants to (or have money to) take care of him so he's been passed around. He has basically nothing.

He comes to church with us, as we invited all families to join us. Our conversation goes as follows:
Me: What you get there Antonio?
A: Mi dinner and food fa tomoro at school.
Me: What is that? (pointing to the container in his hands)
A: Roti (opens small container) that Aunty M gave me.
 he picks off a piece and begins chewing. He also has a small bag of "Famous Amos" cookies.
Me: That doesn't seem like a lot for dinner
A: shrugs and smiles. Its okay

(picture of a roti)

A couple minutes later I feel a tap on my back

A: Miss?
Me: Yes
A: here (He hands one of his cookies with me)
I stumble to find words to decline..but in barely a whisper, I reply with a soft "thanks" and a smile.
Inside my heart just melts and my eyes begin to sting.

I walk away and enjoy my cookie just shaken at the very core. This kid has nothing. He has maybe two rotis and a bag of cookies and apparently this is his meal for today and tomorrow for school. Why...why would he offer to share his bag of cookies with me?

Didn't I come here to share with him [them]?

I learned about 10 minutes later that he offered a cookie to each of the team members (3 in total). If I recall those bags of cookies probably only have 8 cookies in them...

What do you have to give today? Even in little, I'm sure we can find something to offer someone in the spirit of our Father.  It's just not enough for me [anymore] to offer out of my abundance. If I'm going to live life the way God wants me to, and for His glory...then sometimes my gifts will have to be a sacrifice. I can't help but think of David response in 2 Samuel 24:24

"No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing."


Grace peace and love,
Gia

What are you hoping for?

Yesterday, I spent a good chunk of time (at least 3.5 hrs) working on my dissertation proposal. YaY me! That is huge ya'll...seriously. Anyway, my dissertation (final research project for a doctoral degree) is on hope. I'm proposing a new way to think about hope..more than just a feeling or a soft-feel-good-word.

Being engrossed in all that literature about hope, made me think of my own hopes...[Not to bore you] In my proposal, hope is a process (not a state). It is something that changes. It involves our feelings, our thoughts, our actions and even influences from external sources (other people).  I suggest that to truly hope, you have identified a goal (object, event or thing) that you are hoping for. It is for the future (immediate, mid or distant). You not only identify the goal, but you have identified ways to get the goal. You can't "hope" for something to happen without a plan...that's just mushy feelings. You also can't hope for something, with a plan and not do something to make it happen...or get the help of others to make it happen, that's just lazy (unless of course you've already done your part and now you are waiting). With that in mind, it is possible to be hopeful and still have feelings of doubt. I'll admit that my levels of hope toward the goal of finishing this doctorate has waned every now and again. ;)

To hope requires our conscious thought and actions but it usually starts with a dream. You've got to identify something to be hopeful toward.

What about you..what are you hoping for?

If you find that you do not have any hope, close your eyes and dream. You can *think* about the dream later...but just be free. What are your passions? What do you love doing? What do you feel is missing?

As the letter says above...I believe there is ALWAYS hope. My greatest hope is in God. His word says that those who hope in Him will never be ashamed. The hope I have in Him, is that He is who He says He is. That He will do everything that He says He will do. That I am everything He has said I am. From that hope, I'm free to have another hundred (or more) hopes. :D

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Lessons from Ari: accidents will happen

After a very exciting photo shoot for It's Girl Time a couple weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night to walk in a little puddle. My immediate thought as I looked down into the cutest face ever was eeeew and Ugh at the same time. Ari had whined to leave the room but hadn't rang the bell, but still here I was standing, in now, that I could see, a puddle of yellow pee. This is TOTALLY unlike him...but in retrospect he had a pretty exciting day.


Because my husband was going with me to the photo shoot, we decided to make it an outing with Ari since two of the girls absolutely love him and another had yet to meet him (she now loves him too). The thing with Ari is that he has a very low tolerance for activity. A 5 minute walk and he's pooped. Five minutes with an excited 6 year old kid who is reminiscent of Elmyra and he's even more pooped.

So imagine him after 2 hours with 4 kids (and a couple adults) who were vying for his attention at various points. By the time we got to the car, he just looked "done". He had water then and then he drank another ton of water over the evening. Of course, we aren't idiots, we took him out to pee twice that evening but true to my husband's concerns, he actually did have too much water. Although, what could we have done? withhold water from the pooped pup? nope! That's inhumane.

So as I stood in the pee, I had a couple choices and I chose to NOT scream at the dog. For a number of reasons:
1. I heard the vet's voice in my head admonishing us that if we did not catch him in the act, that screaming or punishing him afterward would mean NOTHING. He doesn't have a brain like humans so there is no 2 + 2, if the moment had already passed.
2. It was 2 am and my husband was sleeping.
3. I got it. It really wasn't that big of a deal. Accidents happen right?

As I grabbed a ton of Lysol wipes and got on my hands and feet to make the puddle disappear, I thought about my own "maturity" in the situation. I am not usually this level-headed, especially not at 2am and would have still given a stern word to the clueless pup just to "vent". But no venting was necessary. Sure I was tired. Sure I was disappointed. But on some level, I just thought "accidents will happen".

Isn't our perfect heavenly Father just like that? Doesn't He extend us mercy and forgiveness and because of Jesus, none of us (who chooses Him), will get what we truly deserve? mmmmmm

But how does this play out in my day-to-day with other humans? Like my responses with Ari in times past, I've had moments of great impatience and judgement. Unfortunately, these happen most often with the one who is closest..my husband. I am usually able to restrain myself and extend mercy with the stranger, with the coworker and even times with the friend but not so much with hubby. Of course, before hubby, it was my siblings. The thing is I've got as much of a duty, well privilege to be patient and kind with those I live with as much as I should with the stranger.  I've got to learn to extend mercy; this is different from being taken advantage of but I think sometimes we can get too quick to judge, condemn or "show someone their error".

Patience is a virtue as the saying goes, but it is also a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Just as our Father is patient and merciful toward us, we should be with others...this includes those closest to you (spouse, significant other, child, parent or siblings) and the stranger, as well as the pet! ;)

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18)

Grace peace love (and patience),
Gia

more from Guyana

Today is the day...in another 2 hours, we'll kick off the party that essentially culminates the year (or so) of planning, fund-raising, praying..that have been done for these 26 kids (and their families).

I can't wait to come back and report on the mighty work today...even as great work has already taken place as we met individually with kids and their parents and got to know them in the past two days. My heart is seriously full. Like seriously. I think of the kids, now that I can put faces with names (and personalities) and I grin...there is no pity here. These kids and families are resilient. They are hopeful. They are fighters. We have come to remind them, that their fight is not in vain. That there are people out there who care..above all that, they have a heavenly Father who cares even more! woooooooooo

Okay...here are some pics from last night as I lost a couple pounds sweating to put these backpacks together. ;)

some empty backpacks

supplies

Schantal stuffing pencil cases

shoes

stuffed bags

We were packing the stuffed backpacks (sans uniforms) into suitcases for transport to the school house and I will say...those are some heavy bags. Schantal commented that it felt like the miracle feeding in the Bible because we had sooooooo much (of everything)...it seriously wasn't running out!!! Praise Jesus! 

Oh! About the Timothy Project, click here. More from this trip here...

grace peace and love from Guyana!!!

Gia