Dear Justin Bieber,

First off, welcome to Sydney, Australia! Hope you are enjoying your time here so far and that you've gotten to see some of the great things our city has to offer. If you ever have the chance, head over to Newtown Brewtown, they have some of the best cronuts that you just gotta try. But anyway, obviously it is no secret that you are here for Hillsong's annual conference - it's all over the news and A Current Affair even did a piece on it. While I was at the gym today I was able to get a glimpse of what they were saying - don't even bother with it because it's totally exaggerated. Even if one part of it turns out to be true don't pay attention to any of it. While I have never been famous or in your shoes I encourage you to keep on doing you and block the rest of it out. Not just what A Current Affair had to say but what every other person has to say too. There will always be people who frown upon your actions, doubt your beliefs, or find it hard to trust what you say but that's okay because Jesus knows your heart. He has seen your struggle, your journey and yet He still continues to walk the path with you by choice! Be comforted in that truth. Yes you have had some run-ins with the law, your personal life isn't so personal and everyone knows how many times you've snuck into clubs while still being underage but we all have pasts. I don't say that to make you look worse off but so you can realise, there hasn't been a preacher or a pastor nor a person in the pews that is exempt from sin. We all make mistakes and no matter what, we will probably continue to make them - that's what we get for being human. More importantly, because we are human we also get Christ and because of Him we all get futures worth living  and worth looking forward to regardless of our pasts.

Some may call me naive, ignorant, or blindsighted by your fame for saying this but, "Go you!" E.E. Cummings once said, "It takes great courage to grow up and be who you really are." I believe it takes an even greater amount of courage to do that in the public eye. Everything you do will be scrutinised so don't feel like you need to be anything else but who you want to be and who God is calling you to be. Surround yourself with people and pastors -as you have- who will help support you (Eccl 4:9-12 & 1 Thess 5:11).

Like I said, people will come along and comment and maybe their comments will seem real, don't let it get to you. You've been given the life you have for a reason, enjoy it and go to Him daily to help you walk it - only He knows how to do it right.

Love you brother and always rooting & praying for you, Teni

 

 

Sidenote: While this letter is mainly addressed to Justin Beiber, it's also for those who find themselves in similar situations. Just because those around you see you as something different doesn't mean anything. There is grace in Jesus, there is love and forgiveness in Him too. Turning to him (or back to Him after a long period of time away) won't make you look like a fake or fraud in His eyes. It shows that you are a human in need of what only the Heavenly Father can provide (Luke 15:10). So it's with that that I end by saying, let go and let God. :)

Cinderella was a pretty good role model

If you've watched any rendition of the movie Cinderella and left with nothing or if all you can think of is how unrealistic and impossible the chances are of falling in love with a man you just met and becoming queen is, I hope you also take away one more thing: Cinderella never started out looking for a man, all she wanted was a night off and to make friends. Seriously, have you ever realised that? While her sisters went out gallivanting and forcing themselves into dresses that don't fit only to end up miserable and alone, all Cinderella desired was two simple things: to put her feet up for once and to meet new people. Although the original synopsis for the movie was created over 300 years ago we can still apply some of the lessons learned to ourselves today.

Ladies, life is not about finding your prince charming, it's not about finding that man to complete you, it's not about looking a certain way and fitting into what doesn't fit you all for the sake of being accepted. Last time I checked, you were born already complete and whole. These last, however old you are, years you have lived such a wonderful existence without the addition of being married.

Contrary to popular Facebook belief, not everyone you know is getting engaged, married and/or having children. Not everyone's status is changing from "single" to "in a relationship" and that's okay too. Your life is happening whether you have a man or not so go and live it! Create your own fairytale and do so proudly. Step away from the stigma that being single is less than any other relationship status because it's not (Little known secret: every status was created equal, we just let society put value to each one and didn't fight them on it). Know that everything you currently have in your life is enough.

While we're being honest here, I believe that ball or no ball Cinderella would have found a way to move out and move on happily. In the mean time though, she lived life, enjoyed each day, worked hard, and made the most of her time by valuing what she had - even if all she did have was one dress to her name and 3 mice as friends. Ultimately, she knew that she had all the trappings for a fairytale ending, prince or not.

However, this is not to say that you have the wrong goals if you are indeed looking for a guy. Don't be ashamed to admit that either. Your guy will come but it won't be the start of your life but rather a positive and welcomed addition to it.

God is like GPS

dad driving

God is like GPS. He ain't gonna show you all the steps at once, he'll take you one step by one step until you get to the desired point. You know where you are and He knows where you are going. so don't get frustrated with not knowing all the steps. Funny thing about the unknown is, there's also another name for it, trust. 

And remember, even GPS systems show grace when you make the wrong turn. What makes you think God won't show you even more grace and help you get back on your way when you fall off course - no matter how far you've gone. 

Bear with me.

Adulting is hard. I don't think there is ever a time in your adult life when you can say I finally have it all figured out and from now on I'll be good. Adulting is constant mix of coming to the end of yourself and leaning into God's graceful understanding a whole lot more. Although it only took me, ohhhh six years to figure that out, it's a process I wouldn't change for anything. However, as I venture along in this "process" please be patient with me. I know I have not posted anything new in the last few months but I assure you, you all are always on my mind. Bear with me. I'll be around shortly.

Dear thighs,

dear-thighs- Dear thighs,

I don't think I thank you guys enough. For one reason or the other I always seem to be so preoccupied in pointing out your flaws, the shape of the skin that falls around your muscle, how the left is bigger than the right, or how both are bigger than all the girls ( I selectively notice) around me. However day in and day out you lift me up without fail. Every day since the one I was born you have been my go-getters, fearless adventurers, my own magic carpet ride from point A to point B. Without so much as a questionable doubt it has been you all along. I may have had some pretty harsh expectations for you but you have met and exceeded every necessary task I have ever thrown your way. Nature or not, nurture or not, you two are pretty bad-A and for literally carrying me through the last 23 years without cease, I salute. I thank you. I love you. Here's to the next 23+ years and wherever you guys and life decide to take me.

 

Here is to the here and not yet.

tumblr_ly4v3z7oFd1qejys5o1_500 There's a peace in letting go of certain things when you realize they were never yours to own in the first place.

There's a peace in letting go of certain things when you realize they were never yours to own in the first place because God has something in store for you.

There's a peace in letting go of certain things when you realize they were never yours to own in the first place because God has something in store for you and it's far better than you initially dreamed.

Let go, the future is waiting for you to embrace it.

Love, LaToya: Messy Messes

Here is a guest post from my friend and mentor, LaToya Seawood. This piece is called Messy Messes.

Happy readings!

love-latoya
love-latoya

As I child, I only ever remember cleaning my own room. Mom started us young doing things around the house. However, I am sure there was a time when she did clean it. Now, here I am years later with two young boys (ages 1 and 4)  and I am cleaning their room. It's taken me a while before I realized that the mess doesn't go away by itself. Instead, it multiplies... and smells. And of the 4 of us in our family, I am the one currently responsible. The mess, however, is overwhelming! Where in the world am I supposed to start? I chose to start with the easy most obvious stuff, working my way up to the bigger stuff, the organizing, digging under furniture, dusting and vacuuming. It turned out to be a great activity. I cleaned up a few bio hazardous messes that were hiding, found lost items and set things right.

Cleaning is actually a great way to let your mind wander... I began to think about why I had let it get this bad. I also couldn't help but think about the connection between cleaning a messy room in my house and cleaning a messy room in my heart. We all know the mess is there but it can be so overwhelming to the point that it's easier to shut the door. No harm, right? However, let time pass and we start smelling, or someone gets hurt stepping on a lego in the middle of the night (figuratively speaking). So, where to start? There have been messes in my life so big that I can't begin to clean them up. I tend to approach it in the same way as my son's room, I take care of the most obvious things first. Then you run into the bio hazard and if I hadn't already, I start to pray. "Lord, what IS this? Where did it come from? Why is it STILL here? "The more you clean in this messy room the more you see. It is overwhelming. You do cry. But those who know who Christ is, also know His promises that when we give our burdens, our cares, our "WTFs" to the Lord, He will take care of us and He will not allow us to slip and fall (Psalms 55:22). I have learned that as hard as it is, I WON'T DIE from the cleaning process. But I could die if I let this mess, this sin, fester in my heart. I mean, it's only a matter of time before the dirty diaper stuck behind the dresser turns lethal, right? This is where I bring in the best Cleaner I know. Jesus knows where to start, where the hazards are and how to clean them.

Once the cleaning is done, it's time to figure out how to keep clean. The truth is, there is no easy way. And there is no real checklist. It takes commitment. I am going to have to stay committed to picking up the chaos everyday in order to prevent the bio hazards. Check in everyday. Put things in order. Pick up the items off the floor. Vacuum... I'm not talking about or looking for perfection. I'm looking for clarification. It can be done. I have seen it. I can do it. Eventually it will be my son's turn, and I will be the one to show him how.

 Love, LaToya

The Free Woman: Honestly, You Are Pretty Rad

TKomolafe

"I hope you know that you are worthy of celebration. Yes, you are worthy of cheers, pats on the back, woot woot's and a whole bucket load of sparkly confetti."

– An excerpt from my piece,   Honestly, You Are Pretty Rad. Take a look at the rest of my piece on The Free Woman. Happy Readings!

Meet LaToya!

Hi-hi readers. Today I wanted to introduce you all to AnO's new contributor, LaToya Seawood. Having known her as a mentor and friend for many years I know that you guys will  enjoy reading her posts as much as I do.  She will be contributing to the blog on the last Friday of every month and write on a range different topics so stay tuned! latoyaseawood

LaToya Seawood is a daughter, sister, cousin, wife, mother and friend. She lives in the States working part time and caring for her family consisting of husband, Ron, and two boys. Career wise she is transitioning into her own HR consulting business after 7 years of corporate HR work. Ministry wise she enjoys coordinating events, working with children and encouraging others with the Love of God. She appreciates and is thankful for all the blessings and challenges that come with wearing many "hats".

Here's to the good in life.

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I hope you take these moments and how they make you feel and you hold onto them for life. I hope that in this moment as you realize how amazing, how awesome, and capable, and stunning you are that you keep that realization with you forever. It's in this moment that truth is brought to light. It's in this moment that you finally believe in what was inside of you all along: greatness, strength, intelligence, ingenuity and grace. 

Hold on to it all because when bad moments come to try and steal what is so rightfully yours - and they will try - it will be hard to come back to that place of truth and light. It will feel like the darkness and its lies are winning. However, do not fear my dear. Pay it no mind because fear is only False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear knows your worth and tries to distract you from knowing it too. Hold on to the moments of joy, contentment, peace, strength and hope. They are truth and under no circumstance will truth ever fail, flee or falter.

Music of the Month: January

January15

1. Walk the Moon  - Shut Up and Dance

2.Peking Duck ft. SAFIA - Take Me Over 

3. Ella Henderson - Yours (Wideboys Remix)

4. Josef Salvat - Open Season 

Ps. Happy Birthday Justin Timberlake

Never lose your wonder.

 No matter where life leads you I hope you are never so consumed by the enormity of it all that you overlook the small wonders presented to you daily.

A few weekends back my family and a few friends took a drive few hours south to visit the small town of Kiama. Although Australia has many other cities worth exploring, we decided to take a day trip and stay a little local. So without further adieu, here are a few photos from that glorious Saturday.

Kiama, you are as gorgeous and breath-taking as ever. Your small town charm reminds me to be grateful for everything I have the chance to see.  I could not have put these words from Bethel Music any better myself when they said:

"May we never lose our wonder. May we never lose our wonder. Wide-eyed and mystafied, may we be just like child staring at the wonder of our king."

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Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone. I hope that whatever your plans for this weekend (long weekend if you live in Australia and celebrate 'Straya Day) are joyful, give you rest, and leave you pumped up for the week ahead! Here's an oldie but a goodie to get you up and at 'em.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8SPwT3nQZ8

You Are Not The Hero(ine)

Contrary to what we've always been told, Esther was not the heroine of her own story, she wasn't even the main character.

Yeah, she had a book named after her and her husband, the king would do just about anything she asked of him which led to her saving an entire people however, I think she would agree with me when I say this but it wasn't her we should all be focusing on-

it's grace. 

No, there's no typo because I don't mean Grace the person but actual God-given, we-all-need-some-of-that-good-stuff, unrelenting, situation-changing grace!
Take grace away from this story and you're left with a girl living an ordinary (actually you're probably better off saying boring) life.

 

She wouldn't have been chosen to become queen.
She would not have found favor with the king.
She wouldn't have found the courage to go unsolicited before the high court and ask for help.
She would have lost her plea to save her people and maybe would have actually gotten a few people killed in the process.
Without grace there would be no 17th book in the Bible named Esther because as great and inspiring as she was she did none of those acts on her own.

 

So, what am I trying to get at here? I'm saying that we can be great in our own right if we realize that we and our capabilities are not the heroins or heroes of our story - grace is.

You don't need to have it all before you get it all. You don't need to measure up to any standard to be considered good enough because His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

We often go into or leave situations believing that we won't measure up or didn't do enough and we let that affect us in such a negative way. The truth is there will always be someone who you think is smarter, faster, bigger, stronger, and/or better than you but don't let that hinder the unique ray of light God wants to use in you.

 

Just like an artist turns broken shards of glass into beautiful mosaics, how a runner uses the hardest and probably ugliest of terrains to train on, how a potter never discards a piece of clay just because of its color and shape, and how God used the most average of girls to become queen and save a nation, so will you be in whatever situation you find yourself in.

 

Allow God's grace to take you where only your dreams can, and then some.

We  all uniquely fall short in a lot of things but when we leave those things to God and then allow Him to mix what we can do with that marvelous, better-than-the-putty-that-fits-into-every-crack-and-magically-fixes-everything grace,  we are bound for awesomeness.
So, what's your journey like? Where do you see yourself and trust in Him to take you? Wherever it is I hope it's nothing short of glorious!

From mine to yours...

Hey ya'll just want to shout out another Merry Christmas to you and yours. I hope you all have more eggnog than your stomach can handle (Also, please have enough for the both of us because I forgot to get some this year. Womp, womp, womp), more delicious food than your taste buds know what to do with and enough good memories to make your head swell. Here is a little video I put of my Christmas celebration this year. I was truly blessed to spend it with my aunt, uncle and cousins, which was all too fun. Funny enough, they open their gifts on Christmas Eve but I've always opened it either on Christmas day with Mom and siblings  or Boxing with Dad (who's also my aunt's older brother), Ma, and my siblings. Goes to show you if one family has many traditions, imagine the whole world! [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK2vl6XhZps&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

Speaking of traditions, what are some you and your people do for the holidays? Any stories worth sharing? Leave them in the comments below, I'd love to read them!

 

 

Merry Christmas Y'all!

My, what a year this year has been! Although I find myself saying that statement during every Christmas season, each year I'm still filled with the same amount of surprise, excitement, wonder, and gratitude. I love the fact that Christmas falls at the end because it's honestly the perfect time to be reminded how far we have come in the year and in life. The celebration of our Savior's birth is not only a celebration of hope and life but it is the exact reason why we also have hope and life. Without Him, none of this would all be possible. I'm so thankful that God sent His son down in the purest and most humble form just for us! With that said, I pray you all have the best of Christmases, the happiest of times this year. Regardless of where you are, who you are with or how you celebrate, know that you are loved!