Celebrating Six Years!

Celebrating 6 years in Belize by rocking a Fi Wi Kontry tee by ID SEVEN! Six years ago we had no clue about God's plans for us...we came because we felt called. We are privileged to be a part of Cdf Belize with Diana Shaw. I'm grateful that Mervin Budram - MD took a chance on me at Roots and Honor Records. And I'm grateful beyond words that Andrea pushed me out of my comfort zone to work with her on Divaz Next Door and now we've started Life Uncommon together. I found my purpose, transformed my life, and discovered untapped gifts from God over the past six years. I'm humbled and blessed by all that God has allowed me to experience!

Dig out the roots...

A poor self-image is a cancerous root that corrupts our thought life, our attitudes, and our behavior. It can leave us feeling hopeless.

Learning to look to Him for hope and to praise our way through our circumstances can help us dig out those roots that cause our spirits to feel downcast.

It lifts my spirit to say, "hallelujah anyhow". My prayer is that it will help you as well! 

when they saw the Star...

Not everyone meets Christmas with joy.

Back in 1985 we had one of the most difficult Christmas seasons ever. Our son, Cameron, was stillborn just two weeks before Christmas. It was a devastating loss after having suffered our first stillbirth  just 10 months earlier.

It's not easy to celebrate with a heavy heart. I know from personal experience that weeping may remain for a night but joy truly does come in the morning. We just don't always know how long the night will last.

The night that the Magi saw His star standing over where the Child was located they rejoiced wholeheartedly. They had seen His star in the east at the beginning of their journey and chose to search for Him. When they left their home they determined in advance that they were going to worship Him as King. They had brought gifts with them to offer Him. They traveled a great distance. Perhaps they faced obstacles along the way. Seeing the star confirmed that they had finally made it to the right place. After they celebrated they went inside and fell before the Child in worship. Following their incredible rejoicing they worshiped.

If we notice the sequence of events first came the hardship of a long journey before they could rejoice...before they could worship...before they could give Him their gifts. Traveling through dark nights of the soul may take a lot out of us and it may be a difficult and long process. But, when we get through, when we overcome, the best response is one of rejoicing. May you find the answers you are searching for in Him. May you find comfort. May you find peace. May you find Hope. And may this Christmas be one of rejoicing with exceedingly great joy. Celebrate Him. Worship Him. Offer your gifts and talents to Him. Christ has come. O come, let us, adore Him!

We are Christmas!!!

Several years ago on a train in Russia, three older ladies were in the compartments along the side of the wall near us.  My husband Tom helped them with getting their mattresses down from the storage racks so they could sleep through the night on the long ride.

One of the women told the other two to say 'zhank you, sir' and they each followed her example.

I spoke with them in Russian at first. Then she took the opportunity to practice her English... telling me it had been 20 years since she studied the language in University.

My favorite line from her was when she was witnessing to me. She told me that she and her companions were sisters and then clarified how they were sisters... meaning in Christ.

She proudly told me "We are Christmas!!!" then she thought for a second and asked if that was right. I told her the word was Christian. She gave me some literature and told me about the conference they had attended over the weekend.

I truly admired her boldness. She was intentional in her desire to share what she had experienced over the weekend. And she was brave enough to do it in a second language! What an encouragement and model of humility. Thinking back on that day now that advent has begun...I love how the words came out of her mouth. We should be Christmas. Not just one day a year. But, all year round. People should see us as warm, giving, inviting, and willing to share our experiences, strength, and hope with love and grace whenever and wherever God leads us.

Are you Christmas?

Praying for Lolita

Last week I had the opportunity to give my testimony regarding sexual abuse to the 320 female students at San Pedro High School on Ambergris Caye here in Belize.

That was the largest audience I've ever told that story to. Afterwards there were those who came up and briefly shared their stories with me.


I knew there would be some who would identify...statistics say that 1 in every 4 girls has been abused.

No matter where we have been in the world there have always been girls and women who share my story. And that breaks my heart.

Here in Belize we've also come across young teens and preteens who've been exploited by older men. I had been told that this is also an issue out there on the beautiful island where the high school is located.






Thinking about abuse and exploitation reminded me of this passage:

Excerpt from Lolita,
 by Vladimir Nabokov                         

"I'll die if you touch me," I said.  "You are sure you are not coming with me?  Is there no hope of your coming?  Tell me only this."

"No," she said.  "No, honey, no.

She had never called me honey before.

"No," she said, "it is quite out of the question.  I would sooner go back to Cue.  I mean-" She groped for words.  I supplied them mentally ("He broke my heart. You merely broke my life").

                                                                     

Honestly, it took me years to decide to read this book. Other books by Nabokov are not so difficult to read. Knowing that this book is about a middle aged man and his relationship with a 12 year old girl turned my stomach. As an abuse survivor, I didn't think I had the strength to make it through a book like this. I read it while we still lived in Russia. It was a difficult read. It broke my heart. It moved me to tears. It made me angry.

Vladimir Nabokov is quoted as saying:

Some people, and I am one of them, hate happy ends.
We feel cheated.  Harm is the norm.

This is so distressing to me.  Harm should never be the norm.

But, sometimes it is. Each week, here in Belize and all around the world, there are children and teens whose lives, hearts and spirits have been broken. Some of them are brought to their knees by their life circumstances. Others were abused or mistreated by someone who was supposed to care for them. These dear ones often struggle to conceive of a Power great enough to mend their lives, heal their hearts, replenish their spirits and redeem all of the suffering they have faced.

I wholeheartedly believe that healing can begin with a whispered prayer 
that calls to The Light, the God of All Comfort, our Healer and Redeemer.

Join with me in prayer for those who are still victims.

And please, please, remember the Lolitas of the world.  

Behind the makeup and the smile

Behind the makeup and the smile what is really there?  There are days when I have a smile on face but my heart is heavy.  Proverbs 13:14 assures me that I am not the only one who does this.

At the Child Development Foundation I work with girls and women who've been abused and exploited in some fashion. And one of the myths about those who are being prostituted is that "they enjoy it or they wouldn't do it".  I cannot imagine anyone who would take delight in being used, violated, and demeaned day after day.  A woman being sexually exploited may be the one smiling and laughing to court her customers but that doesn't mean that she is not torn up and grieving her situation in life.

Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
Proverbs 13:14

The clown in the photo is standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.  She seemed to be happy.  I sure was happy and absolutely filled with gratitude for each and every moment of our time in Paris.  I didn't ask this street performer if she was genuinely happy.  But, never again will I assume that a smile and a laugh are sign of a joy-filled life.

May we let go of whatever mask we are wearing...
and may we find wholeness and compassion in Him.
And may those being exploited discover a way of escape
and find safety and comfort in His loving arms.

3 Things You Need to Know About You!

Are you one of those people who has a hard time accepting compliments?

Do you see the good or even the great in others but not in yourself?

God wants you to be all that He designed you to be. If you are one of His children then stand up tall, hold your head up high, and walk in the calling He has for you.





And know that:

1. You are beautiful.

You were handcrafted by the Creator of the Universe. 

2. You are unique.

You were designed on purpose by God for a purpose.

3. You are incredible.

You are capable of more than you realize.

You are beautiful, you are unique, you ARE incredible!
Posted by Alida

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

Are you carrying around toxic emotions like guilt, shame, anger, self-loathing, envy, resentment, frustration, or regret?

Try cultivating 
an attitude
of gratitude! 

Gratitude can reduce our desire to make social comparisons. Instead of carrying around resentment, try to value and appreciate the accomplishments of others.


Research says that:

Gratitude increases our capacity to have empathy for others.

Gratitude reduces aggression.

Gratitude may even help you sleep better!  Try spending just 15 minutes making a list of a few of life’s gifts before bed, and you may sleep better and longer.

Gratitude reduces stress and may also play a role in overcoming trauma.


My thoughts are:

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is about expanding one's perspective of God and of the world and of self.

Whether you call it counting blessings or practicing gratitude, taking note of the gifts that God places in your life each day is part of living a lifestyle of worship.

Why not try giving thanks for three things each day? Take note of all the blessings large and small that come your way. Ask God to show you glimpses of His hand at work in the world. Pray daily prayers of thanksgiving.  Make this part of your countdown to celebrate Thanksgiving. Go beyond Thanksgiving and try it for 100 days or for a full year.

The benefits of a grateful spirit are waiting for you!

What Have You Thanked God for Today?
Including today you have 29 days left in November to express your gratitude! So what have you thanked God for today?!

Live a life of love!

As I was out running one morning I had a great revelation,
"I don't always have a loving attitude toward myself." 

What I mean is my self-talk is not kind. I was putting myself down for being slow...when it hit me. I was running uphill, in the heat, at age 52. Yeah, I'm moving slow but I'm out here. And I'm running! A man on a bicycle was also struggling up the hill.


My thinking had to shift. I had a compassionate attitude toward him but a harsh one toward myself. That had to stop. I'm working on changing my self talk. I'm choosing to speak lovingly to myself when I need encouragement.

How about you? Are you kind to yourself? Are you doing everything in a loving manner; in the spirit of His great love? Worship is not limited to a short portion of time before the service. Worship is a lifestyle. Worship includes obedience to God's word. And His word says, "Let ALL that you do be done in love." That includes how you act, how you speak, and what you think.

We shouldn't operate out of fear, or frustration, or arrogance. But, out of love. His love, in each sphere of our lives. As we offer up ourselves as living sacrifices let this include living a life of love!