I am so thankful for everything 2023 had to offer. I am so thankful for my church home, Port City Church. I am so grateful for everyone I had to lean on this year. I am so thankful for all the blessings You gave me this year. Thank you. Thank you Lord, for Your never ending faithfulness. I cry out to You, that I don’t look back. That I don’t dwell on the past. That I rise up to all the greatness you have planned for me in 2024!
“Burn the ships, and don’t you look back!”
ForKingandCountry
It start’s tomorrow, and I’m ready, my God. For WHATEVER it is that You have planned! So, here’s to 2023 and 2024!!
In Jesus Name, your only begotten son,
Amen! 🙏
“If you can’t let go of your past, you can’t take hold of your future.”
Pastor Steve, PCC
I pray that everyone be thankful for 2023 and even more for 2024! Who else is ready? To crush new goals? To read more books? To eat more clean, but not have a bad relationship with food? To move your body more? To REST? To have UNHURRIED peace? Because this girl, right here, is!
I love you all! ☺️💋🩵 Thank you for all the follows, likes, shares, voting on polls, watching my crazy reels and videos! I couldn’t do this, without you!
Heyyy friends! I just wanted to start this blog post off by saying just how strong my faith in God has been lately. You guys knows I’m always reading my Bible, praying, going/watching church, and sharing my notes and verses of the day. I love that I’ve come so far and people can really tell my love for Jesus! So much so that Anika, small group leader and in the worship team at Port City Church, asked me to co-lead small group with her! I was so honored for the offer, and I’ve been praying about it this entire week! I haven’t accepted the offer yet, because I want to pray more about it and do devotionals about it first before jumping into the role. It’s a big one, so I want to go to God about it first and actually pray on my answer! I’m so proud of my faith, and how strong it’s become since December, and over the years. I found an amazing church home and I LOVE that for me!
Singing Journey
So friends, the secrets out! I’ve been practicing my signing for months now. Each week is different for me, ups and downs and highs and low. But since about July, maybe June, I have been meeting with Port City Church’s worship team! JP and Anika are amazing vocalist and I couldn’t thank them enough for encouraging me and helping me with my own voice. I do two different types of warm ups, “Female Vocal Warm Up” by Jeff Mathena, and “Power Vocal Warm Ups” on Spotify! (LINK THEM). Another tip that Anika gave me last week, was using “lelele” to mask the actual words with, so that I can work on matching pitches and tones. I was so inspired after doing that for the very first time with Anika during our first mentoring session. I could immediately tell that I actually was able to hit those higher notes! I struggle with higher notes, because I believe I’m an Alto and sometimes I feel like some notes out of my range. I also met with JP two or three times since June/July, and he gave me some amazing tips. He shared both warm ups with me. He told me to record myself so I can see how I’m progressing, which I finally did a week ago! 🫣😬 Why did it take me so long? Because I was nervous, scared actually. I didn’t want to do it because one, I hate my voice being played back to me, and two, I didn’t have enough confidence to actually record myself. But last week, after meeting with Anika, she convinced me and explained that it will help me even more than I could possibly imagine. And she was right. I finally recorded myself signing! It was soooo cringe! But now I know what I need to work on! All of it!🤣 Another tip that JP gave me, and I LOVED hearing was that signing is about the hours you put in. That’s so important to know because it’s not about how many years. It’s about the hours. And I always keep that in the back of my head. With all that being said, I just wanted to share my singing journey. I have lots to work on, and great people to help with this new journey I’m on! I’m so thankful for Anika for telling me that I’m actually really good at singing, that she can tell I have potential! That was so heartwarming to hear🩵
Or “Merry Christmas!” in the words of my sister Kaysie🙄 (she needs to slow down with all that, because I am NOT ready for Christmas or to be 27 two days after that😂 Lbvs). But HOW IN THE HECK-IN-BOB is it already October????? Can someone tell my why we are rotating around sun faster than normal please? Because yeah I did a lot better, thanks to my motto: I will and I can, last month but geez I wasn’t ready for it to fly by that fast.
Either way, September was good to me. I learned so much about myself this past month, I overcame some barriers as well. Mentally, physically, and spiritually. My finances need a bit more help but I became more aware of my spending habits, which was a goal for last month. And it will only continue to get better now that I’m utilizing my finance planner (link here in most recent blog post).
I’m very proud of myself right now. I’ve read 12 books of the bible (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Revelation, Philippians, Romans, Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, James, 1 and 2 Timothy, Colossians, and Hebrews) this year! And they’ve all impacted me in different ways. I’ve also read 19 books this year so far! Sadly I did not finish a book in the month of September but that’s okay, that a good for this month, to finish two books before November. I have gotten better at going to the gym in the month of September. Went four times this week alone! Hit some PRs. And lastly, I have As in both my classes this fall semester! I’m doing so well in all aspects, and I’m so proud of me for that!
Tell me some things you’ve accomplished in the month of September. What are you most proud of?
I love you all, and by the grace of God, and from today’s lesson from church, I’m minding my own business, and getting things DONE!
Good morning friends! Welcome to my blog! I’m so excited to be back and sharing my diary with you!
Lots of things have happened this month! I’ve accomplished so many of my goals for the month of January, and I’m so proud of myself! The biggest challenge was finishing Brittany Lupton’s 4 week SHRED program. I cannot believe I went to the gym 5 days a week at 5a.m. for four weeks straight, then won the $500 CASH PRIZE🤑for being so consistent during the four weeks. So thank you to Brittany Lupton, for awarding me with that prize, you have no idea how much that helps! Another thing I accomplished this month was reading the entire Book of Psalm in the Bible. I am so proud of myself for reading five chapters a day of the Bible, and not only have I been reading the Bible daily, but I am choosing to surrender myself to Jesus and get baptized next week at church. I am so ready to do this for myself and be one with the Lord. I’ve known for a while now that I wanted to get baptized but I wanted it to be the right time, and now it is. Lastly, another thing I got done this month was reading and finishing my first romance novel of the year. I read “The Exhibitionist” by Tara Sue Me, and it is a 10/10 recommended read📖. I will be doing a Book Review on it as well, so stay tuned for that!
Otherwise, I have been really trying hard to stay on track with my goals for the year, and there are lots of things for me to work on and do better at, but overall, I have a lot of wins🥇for the month of January.
3 Things I’m Grateful For
Myself. I am grateful that I’ve held myself accountable this entire month and being disciplined, as that was my word for this year.
My boyfriend. He has been my ROCK through our entire relationship, he treats me like the princess I am and spoils the crap out of me 😏 I love him❤️
This blog and all of you. I am so grateful that I have this space to share my thoughts, feelings, and experiences!
What are some things you’re grateful for? Reflect on those for a moment, and feel free to share that with me! I’d love to know! Share below in the reply section or leave a comment or dm on my Instagram (link below).
Remember:
-Don’t let the hard days win
-Your peace comes first
-You are enough
-You can do this!
I love you all! Please FOLLOW, Like, and Subscribe to my Blog, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Linktree (links below) to see my journey and adventures. Have an amazing day and rest of the week!
Welcome back everyone! I promise this BLOGMAS🎅🎄❄️☃️ won’t be as deep as the last one haha, but I just want to recap the last couple of days.
I really tried hard the last couple of days to rest. I’ve done some hard resets, for example, hot shower, hair care, skin care, meal prep (sort of, thinking of trying some new meals), self-care + me time is in FULL SWING! If I felt like it wasn’t benefitting or positive for me, it wasn’t happening or I wasn’t doing it or participating. I am really taking this serious. My feelings come first. My emotions come first. My mental health comes first. My physical health comes first. My spirituality comes first! You get what I’m saying here? I come first other than God and Jesus.
Lately, I’ve come to the realization who’s there for me and who’s not and who I don’t want in my corner and who I do want in my corner. I don’t know if it’s how deeply I’ve been in prayer with God, asking for guidance, or what but lot’s of things have been coming to light lately and as much as it stresses me out, I like it because this is what I’ve been asking God’s help for. To show me! Show me what I need to see to progress in according to His plan for me.
I’ve been dealing with a lot lately, and these last three days, I’ve just been resetting and resetting and resetting because every day, something comes to light and I need to readjust and that’s completely fine! I want to do all the adjusting I can to be in accordance with God’s plan for me. So these last few days, I’ve just been taking care of me, my boyfriend, our relationship with God, and our life. Why, you ask? Because that’s all that matters to me right now. And it’s okay to do this! So here’s my middle-of-the-week advice:
Take CARE of YOU! 🫵🏾
That’s all I have you all today for BLOGMAS Pt.3🎅🎄❄️☃️, while I continue to reset and readjust myself! Enjoy today and let’s get jolly! The week’s almost over, yay! Oh, and am I the only one that hasn’t finished Christmas shopping yet??? 🫢🤔😂Because ya girl is late!
Anyways! FOLLOW the blog and the Instagram (link below!) Thank you everyone for all the likes and follows! Love to see it! I’m doing this for me, but also for y’all so, thank you for being here with me! Love you, BYE!
Oh gosh y’all what a ride I went on this night 😂 oh boy was I not ready for that ride I went on but it happened haha.
Not sure how much my father would want me to post about but he did give me permission to state this. He was admitted into the hospital last night due to something called T.I.A aka a mini stroke. I had to call an ambulance at 10pm, due to the fact that I live across town, and I wanted the ambulance to get to him first. So that’s where my dad’s friend, my boyfriend, and I spent most of the night at last night. With my father in the Er til 2am until they decide to keep him overnight. What a lovely way to end December 4th and my week, right?
But! December 5th is here now and we are going to be as positive as one can be. It’s the start of a new week for me. I need a big reset for sure. Reset, meaning:
1. Household chores
2. Goal setting
3. The gym (if I get to it with him being in the hospital)
4. Finish my wash day routine
5. Grocery shop and cook dinner
Dad is still in the hospital, staying another night as well. We’ve got a lot of lifestyle changes to make together. I told him that I’d definitely be interested in working with him on his health, and after the scare we had last night, I want to work on mine. So, with that being said, we’ll both be making some changes for sure.
I also got my nails done by one of my friends, Kiah! She’s really good at her job and I rather support her small business than go to the nail salon for a manicure. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good nail salon pedicure! I went for the first time in while, two weeks ago, and LOVED being pampered like that! And my feet have never felt that smooth before! Jk 😉 maybe they have but that last pedicure was top tier! 10/10!
But other than thats, that’s my BLOGMAS Pt.2! 🎅🎄❄️☃️Not much else happened other than staying with my dad at the hospital for the afternoon and making sure to keep him company. I love you all and hoping you’re enjoying the holidays! Let’s get jolly!!
(December 6th-December 11th)
TRIGGER WARNING!!! I do get sappy, emotional, and sort of dark here.
Now, I really had no idea that this past week would be the way it was. My dad took a turn for the worst, multiple trips to Grand Haven (twice a day some of the days) to see and be with my dad to get update on his health, my boyfriend had some bad news come up (life changing bad news), lots, oh gosh, lots of crying, emotions everywhere, only got to the gym once this week, at least I got a Yoga class in, and I’m also on house/dog sitting duty this week. Lots of things have caused this social media silence that I’ve had this past week.
I really don’t even want to say this😞😓but I’m sure I had a depression episode because I’ve had NO motivation to do anything this past week. I canceled plans on friends. I HAVEN’T READ MY BIBLE until this morning or even read a book, which y’all know is weird since Colleen Hoover took over my life last month!! I also just got my appetite back yesterday and lost it back on like December 5th or 6th. I wasn’t really eating anything. I haven’t watched T.V. I’ve only been on socials to update about my dad’s condition, or maybe to like or heart a post but I haven’t done much else. I clearly haven’t blogged, which sucks because I was on such a good streak. I constantly felt like I needed attention or company to keep me some what happy and from crying out of no where. It has just been one thing after another. Bad after bad, after bad, after bad. And yet, I’m still standing. I’m still here. By the grace of God. I’m. Still. Standing. I’m. Still. Here. 🤌🏾🤍
God doesn’t put us through anything we can’t handle and I am proof. I’m still standing and handling everything I’m going through because God is with me.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
I tried to be as positive as I could be this week. I went to Yoga and the gym because I knew I needed both at least once this week. I tried to keep myself doing things unless I knew it was time for a “me-time break” because I have really been listening to my body and mind and paying attention to when I do need to…not isolate but be alone. And I know this sounds backwards BUT when I get like this, this emotional and upset, I need to be with just myself or someone I choose to be around, to regroup and remain in good spirits. I do that because I don’t want any outside conversations to get too into my head about things, I just need to be with myself and God. It’s also because my brain hardly shuts up or off, so being alone helps me have some peace and quiet. It’s different from when I need attention or company, because there were times where as much as I wanted to be “alone”, I knew I couldn’t handle the aloneness so I’m glad I had my support system with me at my disposal.
But as each of those days past, the 6th, the 7th, the 8th, the 9th and so on, I got better and better. I am in deep, deep prayer with God, asking Him guide and be with me during this hard week/time, and asking for help with any battle I face or thrown at me, and He has helped me prevail and regroup. Today was the first day where I caught back up in the Bible in the Book of Luke. This morning I read chapters 6-9 and I plan on catching up on chapters 10-11 to catch up with todays date. Which is the 11th.
I wanted to post this big realization post but this is what really happened for BLOGMAS PT. 2 🎅🎄❄️and I want to be as transparent and personable/relatable as I can be. This week was an emotional rollercoaster. It for sure had it’s ups and downs, maybe even more downs than I wanted but God was with me and is with. I’m putting, or have put, ALL my trust in God and Jesus Christ. I want them to be with and guide through these trials and tribulations. I have been put to the test and I feel as if I’m passing said test thus far.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11–13
With all of that being said, here is your proof that no matter what you are being put through or happening to you, that God is with you, being there for you, and being near you. So, do as I have and lean on Him. That’s the only reason, I feel I have made it through this week.
I had a hard reset in some way today, so I’m counting today as a new week. Let this week be filled with grace and many, many blessings. Thank you to everyone being there for me throughout this messy week. Thank you God for keeping your arms around my Dad and also around my boyfriend and I as we go through this life changing lesson together as a couple.
Please follow me throughout my journey, because it’s a real one❤️ I am begging and praying that next year…I thrive and grow from this month. Follow the blog and Instagram (link below)!!!! I love you all and I apologize for my silence. Let’s make this week a jolly great one!
And That's The TEE 